Natchitoches resident Rose Long passed away April 30, 2017 After an 11-month courageous battle. Service arrangements are pending at this time. Please continue to pray for the Long family as they go through this dark time.

 

The SPJ had some one-to-one time with the two finalists selected for final interviews with the University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors on May 4 in Baton Rouge. Dr. Chris Maggio and Dr. William Wainwright are the finalists in the running for the Presidency of Northwestern State University after a round of interviews with the NSU Search Committee April 27.

The SPJ asked the following questions to get to know the finalists a little bit better.

Q: How will you, as the new president, make sure more of NSU’s public and foundation dollars are spent with local vendors and not out of town and out of state?

Wainwright: I would lean on the university’s procurement policy, but at the end of the day it’s about the quality. When you look at the overall success and image of Natchitoches, it’s clear we have the quality locally to support our institution.

Maggio: On top of the relationships I have with the business and industry leaders in Natchitoches, I will strive to recruit the best and the brightest to NSU. The university will continue to partner with the community on projects and focus on creating an innovative student experience. It’s important to get the students involved in the local community.

What attracts students isn’t just NSU, but the locale and you’ll continue to see this collaboration between NSU and Natchitoches in the years to come.

Q: NSU and Natchitoches value preservation and progress. What’s your take on the balance of these two important aspects in our area?

Wainwright: When you look at the history of the university and the city, what’s been preserved to date is fundamental to the success of both. Ensuring students, faculty alum and external stakeholders understand the importance of preservation is key. This can be demonstrated through the curriculum, student life and civic responsibility.

Maggio: It’s so important that we continue to maintain our identity and our commitment to historical preservation. It’s important to find the balance where history meets progress. I can see University Parkway becoming an innovation corridor. It’s amazing the history Natchitoches has to offer and the programming NSU can provide. With ties to the community through the Natchitoches Northwestern Symphony Society, the Sports Recreation Center and beautification projects, NSU can bring its resources to aid the community in preservation.

Q: With the media interviews taking place in AA Fredericks, and with the College of Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) being such a large part of Northwestern, what’s the most creative thing you’ve ever done?

Wainwright: Although it shocked my wife, I handled the majority of the interior design when we opened a new STEM campus at the Northshore Technical Community College in February. From the stained glass, to the writeable walls, outdoor classrooms and creative spaces, it was one of the most creative endeavors I’ve participated in recently.

Maggio: The CAPA students have gotten me out of my comfort zone and I became part of a production for a cameo role in the performance of a skit from High School Musical during the Lady of the Bracelet Pageant.

The Many Police Department, the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and State Police were involved in a standoff at a local business on Nabours Street near the Texaco Station on San Antonio Avenue in Many April 27 at 11:18 am. At 12:27 officers reported that the individual was taken into custody without any harm to him or the officers.

The situation started with a domestic concern that progressed to one individual arming himself and threatening family members. All family members were removed from the small business, except a male that remained barricaded and armed. Hwy. 6 was closed at the location. Other businesses in the immediate area were also impacted.

News Release: SPSO

Paper Clover sales are going on at the Many Tractor Supply store until May 7. All proceeds will benefit 4-H Camp and Leadership Experiences.

Posted 04/24/17

Rhonda Jean Maddox, female, 50, arrested on charges of 2 Sabine Parish bench warrants, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Sarah Beth Cooley, female, 30, arrested on chagres of Sabine Parish warrant for unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Anthony Wayne Kimbrough, male, 21, arrested on charges of simple criminal damage to property, entry after being forbidden, disturbing the peace, simple battery, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Tina Wright Callender, female, 54, arrested on charges of Many Bench warrant, by Many Police Department.

Anthony Terrell Ebarb, male, 46, arrested on charges of sexual battery, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Larry D. Cooley, Jr., male, 32, arrested on charges of Sabine Parish warrant for aggravated assault with firearm, Simple battery, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Alonzo Lee Mullen, black male, 18, arrested on charges of possession of marijuana, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. He bonded.

Marjana Etheridge, female, 21, arrested on charges of improper display, misuse of Tomp Tag, no proof of insurance, simple possession of schedule II, possession of drug paraphernalia, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Cody Kelly Booth, male, 30, arrested on charges of Red River County Texas, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Billy Joe Franklin, male, 28, arrested on charges of possession of schedule I, possession of drug parpahernalia, contributing to the delinquency of a minor under Controlled Dangerous Substance Law, unlawful purchase of alcoholic beverage by person on behalf of persons under the age of twenty-one, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Croquetta Garner, female, 32, arrested on charges of Sabine Parish warrant, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Christopher Cacace, male, no age reported, arrested on charges of possession of schedule IV, careless operation, operating vehicle while license is suspended, by Converse Police Department.

Michael Turner, male, no age reported, arrested on charges of Sabine Parish warrant, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. He bonded.

Ronald Hollins, male, 39, arrested on charges of DeSoto Parish warrant, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. He bonded.

Any indication of arrest does not mean does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven in a court of law.

Acting U.S. Attorney Alexander C. Van Hook announced that a South Carolina man was sentenced Tuesday to 480 months in prison for producing child pornography and traveling to Louisiana to have sex with a juvenile.

Frankie Maldonado, 51, of Reevesville, S.C., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell on two counts of production of child pornography and one count of traveling in interstate commerce for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender. A federal jury found the defendant guilty on January 4, 2017 after the conclusion of the two-day trial.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Maldonado began communicating with a 15-year-old girl living in Louisiana. The defendant had known the victim since she was about 4 years old, as a result of his friendship with the victim’s father. Maldonado sent sexually explicit pictures of himself to the juvenile using text messaging in June of 2014. Thereafter he requested that she send sexually explicit pictures of herself. After receiving the images, the defendant convinced the victim to engage in sexually explicit conduct while he watched on Skype. Thereafter, he traveled to Louisiana on June 22, 2014 where he picked up the juvenile, brought her to a motel, and engaged in sexual acts with her while producing images of that sexually explicit conduct.

Homeland Security Investigations, Louisiana State Police, Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office High Tech crimes unit investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Luke Walker and Jamilla A. Bynog prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a U.S. Department of Justice nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) also encourage the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at (866) 347-2423. Investigators are available at all hours to answer hotline calls.

Tips or other information can also be submitted to ICE online by visiting their website at www.ice.gov/exec/forms/hsi-tips/tips.asp or through the Operation Predator smartphone application www.ice.gov/predator/smartphone-app. Tips may be submitted anonymously.

Larry Don Kirkland
April 22, 2017
Arrangements Pending

Betty Johnson
April 20, 1942 – April 25, 2017
Service: Monday, May 1 at 10 am at Calvary Baptist Cemetery in Natchitoches

Mianda Lynell Jackson
September 10, 1968 – April 21, 2017
Service: Saturday, April 29 at noon in the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Winnfield

Goivanni Dontae Harris
April 10, 2017 – April 26, 2017
Service: Tuesday, May 2 at 1 pm in Gainsville

Mildred Speir
December 24, 1928 – April 25, 2017
Service: Saturday, April 29 at 10 am at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery
Visitation: Friday, April 28 from 5-8 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home

Elizabeth “Betty” Lasyone
January 16, 1942 – April 25, 2017
Visitation: Friday, April 28 from 5-8 pm and Saturday, April 29 from 9:30-11 am
Service: Saturday, April 29 at 11 am at Southern Funeral Homes Interment: Cox-Guin Cemetery in Winnfield.

Gregory Charles Derry
October 19, 1966 – April 23, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, April 29 from 12-1 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Chapel
Service: Saturday, April 29 at 1 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Chapel in Natchitoches
Interment: Methodist Cemetery in Allen

Bobby Lynn Gorum
December 17, 1963 – April 21, 2017
Visitation: Saturday, April 29 from 10-11 am at Trinity Baptist Church
Service: Saturday, April 29 at 11 am at Trinity Baptist Church in Natchitoches

Cedric Patton
Service: Friday, April 28 from 6-7 pm at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel in Mansfield

Doris Woods Smith
May 19, 1928 – April 25, 2017
Service: Saturday, April 29 at 2 pm at Calvary Woodworth Church Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens
Visitation Saturday, April 29 from 9 m – 2 pm at Calvary Woodworth.

Patricia Bennett Greenland
September 24, 1942 – April 24, 2017
Visitation: Friday, April 28 from 9-11 am
Service: Friday, April 28 at 11 am in the chapel of Southern Funeral Home in Winnfield

Many – Folsom
Miles: ~263
By Corey Poole

Growing up the Global Wildlife Center was one of my favorite places to go. The zoo is always fun, but this free-roaming wildlife preserve is the largest of its kind in the country.

I always looked forward to the safari wagon tours. We’d get a big 5-gallon bucket full of corn to feed the animals. You can feed them from cups or, if they’re the friendlier species, right out of the palm of your hand. The corn has since been swapped out for more nutritious food pellets, but the animals don’t seem to mind one bit.

The only animal that gets left out is the zebra. We can’t help it if their “love bites” seriously hurts humans! While it’s against the rules to feed them, I’m sure they still get plenty of treats.

On my most recent visit, my parents treated my family to a private tour. I’d never been on one of these and I have to say it really blew me away. Instead of a wagon train, we rode in an all-terrain vehicle. The layers of dust on the vehicle and the manual stick-shift turned the tour into a safari experience. I really felt like we were trekking through the wilderness, although the Center is only 900 acres.

Our tour guide Megan gave us information about the center and its residents. The tour guides are always friendly, which I think is a key element of any trip. If the guides, as Megan did with us, make their group laugh and feel at home then they’ve gone above and beyond the call of duty.

The most amazing part of any of the tours is how close you get to the majestic animals that live at Global Wildlife. Species include giraffes, zebras, kangaroos, camels, bison, llamas and many more. It’s home to over 4,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world.

Open year round, 7 days a week it’s a good idea to always call (985) 796-3585 first for safari check–in times and availability.

Craig Leitz was chosen as Negreet’s High School Teacher of the Year April 10 at a Sabine Parish School Board meeting.

Posted: 04/17/2017

Mark Allen Snell, male, 29, arrested on charges of 3 Zwolle bench warrants, 2 Many bench warrants, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Michael Dryer Deville, male, 63, arrested on charges of DWI-2nd offense, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Joseph K. Eddington, male, 28,arrested on charges of DWI-first offense, reduced speed zones, driving left of center, by Louisiana State Police. He bonded.
Brandon Scott Sepulvado, male, 27, arrested on charges of DWI-second offense, stop signs and yield signs, careless operation, expired vehicle registration, by Louisiana State Police.He bonded.

Clifton Wysinger, Jr., male, 60, arrested on charges of entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. He bonded.
Jack Kelly Holmes, male, 41, arrested on charges of probation violation, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police.

Colby Phillip Parrie, male, 20,arrested on charges of reduced speed zones, aggravated flight from an officer, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. He bonded.
Austin Bernard Lynch, male, 44,arrested on charges Zwolle warrant for theft of goods, by Zwolle Police Department.

Sharon Ann Brock, female, 53, arrested on charges of 2 Many bench warrants, by Many Police Department.

Linda K. Taylor, female, 47, arrested on charges of Many bench warrant, by Many Police Department.

Linda K. Taylor, female, 47, arrested on charges of possession schedule I, possession schedule II, possession of drug paraphernalia, by Zwolle Police Department.

Dcoriea Pittman, female, 25, arrested on charges of Sabine Parish warrant , by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Heather Manshack, female, 35, arrested on chagres of unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelligns, simple criminal damage to property, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Meagan Corley, female, 23, arrested on charges of Sabine Parish bench warrant, Many pickup warrant, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office adn Many Police Department.

Marcie Sepulvado, female, 35, arrested on charges of Zwolle Police Department warrant, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. She bonded.

Evelyn Sneed, female, 51, arrested on charges of disturbing the peace by intoxication, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Any indication of arrest does not mean does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven in a court of law.

William Michael Lloyd of Hemphill, Texas was arrested April 17 in connection with a recent burglary of a residence near Many. Lloyd was arrested in Sabine County Tx. by the Sabine County Sheriff’s Department on a warrant for burglary from Sabine Parish. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department would like to thank all who shared the post of the suspect and facilitated in getting him quickly identified.

The Many Police Department, along with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office still considers the 1986 brutal murder of Rachel Ann Sonnier Leach an open case. The 20-year-old, who was eight months pregnant, was murdered on Sunday evening, June 8, 1986 while working as a clerk at a local convenience store located on Hwy. 6 west. No arrests were made in this case.

This homicide has been re-investigated twice since the initial inquiry, the last in the late nineties. We know over the years, many things change and we have hope that someone with information on this crime, perhaps someone that could not come forward at the time, might be able and willing to do so now. The Leach/Sonnier families need and deserve closure. This case has haunted veteran law enforcement officers over the years; the file has always been within reach of the lead detective and is discussed often.

Again, we are asking anyone that has knowledge of this crime, to step forward; it is time for this case to reach a conclusion. Please contact Detective Bradley Marr at the Sabine Sheriff’s Office or Detective Todd McNeely at the Many Police Department.

SPSO: News Release

The Town of Many will be conducting its annual Burn Out beginning April 17 – May 17. Residents may notice a high smell of chlorine during this time. Please note that this is an annual procedure to ensure the safety of the water.

An auto accident can be a traumatic experience for any driver, but sometimes the aftermath is just as devastating. If you cause an accident, imagine realizing you don’t have adequate insurance to cover bills for injured parties and damages. What if you or a family member was injured because of someone else’s negligence?

Imagine discovering the driver who caused the accident doesn’t have adequate coverage or is uninsured, which includes 13.9 percent of Louisiana motorists, according to pewtrusts.org.

These are the scenarios Rodney and Eddie Harrington often face when clients come to the Harrington Law Firm for legal assistance after being involved in a wreck.

“Don’t assume that everyone else on the highway even has insurance,” said Rodney. “Insurance serves a very important purpose and too many people assume if they have the minimum coverage required by Louisiana law, they’re protected. People say ‘I have full coverage,’ but I can tell you from experience that as high as medical bills are these days it doesn’t take long to get to the $15,000 minimum. Anything above that the driver is liable for.”

All too often car owners place less importance on their auto insurance than they do on buying the car itself. An expensive policy with inadequate coverage does a driver no good when an insurance company can’t cover a claim because it’s beyond the policy holder’s coverage limits.

A Natchitoches Insurance Agent said motorists should view insurance as a way to protect themselves.

Minimum liability insurance covers $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 in property damage. But there are other components to auto insurance that most people don’t consider. These include medical payments, comprehensive and collision and uninsured motorist coverage.

While these minimum amounts may be considered “full coverage” they can’t always cover even the most minor of medical bills.

“It’s important in a state where liability is so low to have adequate coverage,” said Brown. “Louisiana is known for its liability claims. It’s one of the highest ranked states in the nation. Doubling your coverage won’t double your premiums. It won’t cost you much more per month to protect yourself.”

Protection is the key, said Harrington. The average person can’t pay $100,000 and it’s not unusual to see damages in excess of this. The only way to protect against uninsured or underinsured motorists is to buy the right kind of coverage and enough of it.

“I spend much of my time fighting insurance companies to get what my clients deserve”, he laughed, “Now here I am telling people to buy more!”

The case of Jeff S., one of the Harrington Law Firm’s clients, graphically illustrates this point.

Jeff was horrifically injured in a motorcycle accident in 2015. The person causing the accident only had $15,000 in insurance. Rodney had advised Jeff to get Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists Coverage a few years before the accident. Thankfully, he took the advice.

“The insurance company didn’t pay readily,” said Jeff. “Rodney sued them and made them pay the full $300,000 of my Uninsured Motorist coverage. If it wasn’t for him, I would have never gotten the coverage in the first place and I’m sure I could have never made them pay.”

While Jeff is an actual client, results may vary.

“I’ve seen many heart breaking situations where people who sustained serious injuries in a wreck find out the other party has no insurance or just the bare minimum,” said Rodney.

“They could have protected themselves by spending just a few more dollars and getting adequate Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage,” he continued, “I spend a lot of my time fighting for the compensation my clients are entitled to when they’ve been injured and advising my clients about the type of coverage they need to make sure they are fully protected.”

Harrington concluded by saying that anyone who is not certain about the type of coverage they have or whether they have adequate coverage should pull out their policies and double check. He said that anyone having questions on the types and amounts of coverage they need could call The Harrington Law Firm for a free appointment and that he or Eddie would be happy to visit with them.

“Certainly if anyone has been involved in an automobile accident and wants to know his or her rights or is having a dispute with an insurance company, we would be happy to visit with them about it.”

For more information go online to http://www.theharringtonlawfirm.com.

Family, friends and spectators cheered teams from Natchitoches, Sabine and Red River parishes during opening ceremonies of the Red River Special Olympics at Northwestern State University Tuesday. The track and field competitions were organized by NSU’s President’s Leadership Program with assistance from NSU Athletics, the Natchitoches Jaycees, area law enforcement agencies and other volunteer groups. Special Olympics is a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports. The motto of Special Olympics inspires thousands of communities to support the organization: “Let me win. But if I cannot win let me be brave in the attempt.”

Milton Lloyd Godley, MD
June 26, 1928 – April 15, 2017
Service: Wednesday, April 19 at 2 pm in the chapel of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home
Interment: Alexandria Memorial Gardens
Visitation: Wednesday, April 19 from 8:30 am – 2 pm

Wanda Marie Chicola Ozier
December 26, 1951 – April 15, 2017
Visitation: Wednesday, April 19 from 4-8 pm and Thursday, April 20 from 11 am – 1 pm
Service: Thursday, April 20 at 1:30 pm at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church
Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Park

Mamie Elizabeth Younger
August 11, 1928 – April 12, 2017
Services were held April 18 at Blackwater United Methodist Church. Burial followed at the Melton Family Cemetery outside of Winnfield.

Roger Dale Sharbino
(January 12, 1947 – April 4, 2017)
Service: Wednesday, April 19 at 3:30 PM at Lakeview Baptist Church
Interment: Lakeview Cemetery.

James Arch LaCroix
June 01, 1954 – April 15, 2017
Service: Wednesday, April 19 at 2 pm in the Chapel of Kinner & Stevens Funeral Home
Interment: Hurricane Creek Cemetery in White Sulphur Springs Community

Kimberly Spangler Womack
July 05, 1980 – April 15, 2017
Visitation: Wednesday, April 19 from 9-10 am
Service: Wednesday, April 19 at 10 am at Southern Funeral Home
Interment: Wright Cemetery in Sikes.

Ernestine LaCaze
July 21, 1923 – April 15, 2017
Service: Wednesday, April 19 at 3 pm at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home
Interment: Memory Lawn Cemetery of Natchitoches.

Howard Brandon
October 2, 1923 – April 13, 2017
Service: Wednesday, April 19 at 10 am at Warren Meadows Funeral Home Chapel in Many
Interment: Zwolle City Cemetery in Zwolle

Dorothy A. Cross
April 12, 2017
Service: Thursday, April 20 at 11 am
Interment: Montgomery Cemetery

Clarence Cannon
April 16, 2017
Visitation: Friday, April 28 from 6-8 pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home in Natchitoches
Service: Saturday, April 29 at noon at the Morning Star Baptist Church of Natchez
Interment: Morning Star Baptist Church Cemetery

Lennard Thomas Pimpleton
March 19, 1947 – April 12, 2017
Service: Wednesday, April 19 at 1pm at the Winnfield Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Winnfield
Interment: Winnfield Cemetery

Albert “Boogie” Procell Jr.
February 19, 1949 – April 15, 2017
Visitation: Wednesday, April 19 from 6-9 pm at the funeral home with a Rosary at 6 pm
Service: Thursday, April 20 at 11 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel in Coushatta
Interment: St. Ann Cemetery

The Many Community Center will hold its annual Easter Eggstravaganza this Saturday, April 15 at 2 p.m. Sponsored by Mayor Ken Freeman and the Town of Many, it’s fun for everyone. Kids can meet the Easter Bunny, have their pictures taken, receive their Easter favors and watch the Easter movie “Hop”. Be sure to come with your children and enjoy the EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA.

Free to everyone. 

By Bryan Brasher, editor of B.A.S.S. Times and a senior writer for B.A.S.S. Publications

After spending 11 seasons on the Bassmaster Elite Series without a victory, John Murray was starting to think his window of opportunity might have already closed.

Now, he knows better.

The West Coast native was in 34th place after Friday’s second round and in danger of missing the final cut. But he made an enormous recovery with 23 pounds, 7 ounces Saturday and then slammed the door with 24-15 Sunday to win the Bassmaster Elite at Toledo Bend presented by Econo Lodge.

His final four-day total was 77-10.

“I’ve been on the Elite Series since its inception (in 2006),” said Murray, who earned $100,000 for the victory. “All that time I’ve been trying to win one, and I always thought I would. But as the years went by and the competition kept getting better and better, I was starting to think maybe it wasn’t going to happen.

“To finally really do it … It just feels like a dream.”

Murray’s week certainly started out like a dream.

He had one spot on the south end of the lake where he knew there were some big fish — and he found those fish. But when he wasn’t able to put them in the boat, he decided to rely more on a spot back near the launch site at Cypress Bend Park that’s been good to him through the years.

“I lost a couple of big ones the first two days that cost me a lot,” said Murray, who had two wins with B.A.S.S. before the creation of the Elite Series, including a 2003 Open Championship on Toledo Bend. “The third day, I just finally decided I wasn’t going south.

“I decided I was going to stay up here. I know they’re big up here.”

Murray’s comeback really took off Saturday in a spot he said was only 200 yards from where he won the Open Championship in 2003.

He used large jerkbaits and a crankbait to target big largemouth bass that were feeding on small white bass along a ridge. He said the spot had about 4 or 5 feet of water on top and some type of old housing foundation that was holding fish.

“I think they were feeding on little baby white bass,” Murray said. “I think the white bass were in there feeding on shad, and then the bigger bass were feeding on the white bass.

“Throwing a shad-sized bait worked earlier in the day. But once the sun got up, you needed something bigger. So, I went to the bigger sized jerkbait.”

Murray’s lures of choice were two 30-year-old Smithwick Rogues, a Strike King 5XD crankbait and a Lucky Craft 128 Pointer jerkbait that was given to him by his friend and fellow Elite Series angler, Skeet Reese.

On Sunday, it was the crankbait that worked best.

“I didn’t even have the 5XD crankbait out of my rod box,” Murray said. “I just saw the conditions and picked it out. It was sort of neat that they just switched.

“I think maybe the wind all night kind of brought them out a little deeper.”

Murray had two giants in his bag Sunday that weighed 7-9 and 7-7. He thought for a while the larger of the two might be a catfish until he finally got a look at it.

“It never jumped,” he said. “It just fought so hard and pulled my rod straight down. There’s big stumps here, and you can’t just let them go down or you’ll never get them out. I knew I had to pull hard.

“Once it came up and jumped, I knew it really was a bass.”

Oklahoma angler Jason Christie finished second with 72-11 and earned $2,500 dollars as the winner of the Phoenix Boats Big Bass award. He had the largest fish of the tournament with a 9-10 on Day 1.

The amazing comeback by Murray overshadowed a great week by Elite Series rookie Jamie Hartman. After leading the event on Days 2 and 3, Hartman caught another solid bag of 15-8 on Day 4. But that left him in third place with a total of 72-7.

Many Elite Series pros who didn’t make Sunday’s final cut gathered around the weigh-in stand to watch Murray finally raise the trophy.

“With all of the stars that have won tournaments here, for me to come back and win again here is a dream come true,” Murray said. “I keep expecting my alarm to go off in a minute and wake me up.”

Ott DeFoe was awarded $1,000 for the leading the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points race at the end of the event.

Christie also won the Toyota Bonus Bucks Award of $3,000 for being the highest-placing eligible entrant in the program. The second-highest-placing eligible entrant, Jamie Hartman, received $2,000.

Christie also earned the Power-Pole Captain’s Cash Award of $1,000 for being the highest-placing angler who is registered and eligible and uses a client-approved product on his boat.

Hartman earned $500 as the recipient of the Livingston Lures Day 2 Leader Award.

The event is hosted by Toledo Bend Lake Country.

Photo by Jame Overstreet

The Many Police Department is circulating photos of a few examples of Chinese “Training Banknotes” that can be purchased over the internet. These three bills were presented at a local store in Sabine Parish, but were refused.

They are rather easily identified as bogus or fake bills by the Chinese writing and texture of the paper, but the MPD warns the public to be vigilant and protect themselves against this kind of money fraud.

If you want good music and good food come to Bayou Crawfish, located at 650 San Antonio Avenue in Many this Saturday, April 15-17 from 6:30-9 pm. The Turn-Ups will play some tunes.

Make your own beautiful flower pots this Saturday, April 15, from 1-4 pm at Shanna Gaspard’s craft class at the Many Depot Museum. Call her at 318-602-1614 to reserve a place.

The budget will be the top item as the Louisiana Legislature opens it’s spring session. In an interview with The Journal, Senator Gerald Long said the three things lawmakers face are adequate funding for needed state services, cuts in the budget where needed, and to manage government more effectively.

In his district, Long said, “funding the TOPS program is one of the priorities. People want to know if their children can go to college and will TOPS be there to help pay for it. If the state is going to continue funding TOPS at the present level they will have to increase requirements.”

The Journal spoke also with representatives Kenny Cox and Terry Brown. Among options mentioned for keeping the TOPS program in place are increasing the grade point average (GPA) to qualify for TOPS and some system of having students pay back their scholarship. One way would be a requirement that the student work in Louisiana after graduation. Another option would be to require repayment if the student did not complete the educational program.

Another item of interest to Senator Long is funding for health care. He said, “Long-term health care in the state is tied to maintaining LSU Health Science in Shreveport. Long said, “For every dollar the state puts up the federal government will put up 4 or 5 dollars.

Long favors taking every step possible to reduce spending. He noted, “Under the leadership of Governor John Bel Edwards we have already cut $900,000,000 from the budget. The work of going through every department’s budget and cutting where they can is continuing.”

The governor has asked that the one-cent state sales tax enacted several years ago not be renewed. Long agreed saying “raising more taxes is a last resort.”

Raymond Dean Goodman, male, 39, arrested on charges of Caddo Parish warrant, Many bench warrant, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and Many Police Department.

Dallas Danielle Wilkerson, female, 23, arrested on charges of driving under suspension due to DWI-3rd offense, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. She bonded.

Kristi Drew, female, 39, arrested on charges of Sabine Parish bench warrant, Natchitoches Parish bench warrant, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and Many Police Department. She bonded on parish warrant and was transferred to Natchitoches.

Douglas Dean Harris, male, 50, arrested on charges of Sabine Parish warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Charles Adam Philya, male, 27, arrested on charges of Sabine Parish bench warramt, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Russell Lee Branch, male, 50, arrested on charges of disturbing the peace by intoxicatio, resisting an officer, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. He bonded.

Richard Anthony Martone III, male, 28, arrested on charges of simple escape, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Michael Wayne Snow, male, 45, arrested on charges of Sabine Parish warrant for failure to appear, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Christopher Damon Sepulvado, male, arrested on charges of simple assault, by Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. He bonded.

Any indication of arrest does not mean does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven in a court of law.

MPD: Release 04-10-17