The Sabine Parish School Board confirmed that it was the victim of an email phishing scam that resulted in a loss of $251,972. According to the district, the funds were mistakenly paid to a fraudulent account rather than the intended vendor.

The incident was identified and reported to the appropriate authorities, and an investigation was immediately launched. Multiple state and local agencies have been notified and are actively involved in the investigation. The district’s external auditor has reviewed the matter, and the school board has implemented additional safeguards to prevent future phishing attacks.

A claim has also been filed with the district’s insurance provider in an effort to recover the lost funds.

The compromised funds were part of a school safety grant totaling over $375,000. The grant was awarded to support the installation of weapons detection systems at all school campuses. Despite the phishing incident, the district reported that the safety project was completed using both the grant and district funds.

The school board emphasized its commitment to transparency and accountability, but noted that due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, it is unable to release further details at this time.

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Sabine Medical Center and Express Care Clinics have announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art pharmacy, marking a significant advancement in healthcare services for the region. This milestone will allow the facility to manufacture medications on-site—an innovation that previously required outsourcing to external providers.

The addition of the in-house pharmacy is expected to greatly improve efficiency, reduce wait times for patients, and provide faster access to essential medications. Healthcare officials say the change will strengthen the overall support system available to residents in Sabine Parish and surrounding communities.

Cory and the dedicated staff at Sabine Medical Center and Express Care Clinics were recognized for their commitment to excellence and their tireless efforts to improve healthcare delivery. Their vision and hard work have made this long-anticipated upgrade a reality.

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Governor Jeff Landry has officially proclaimed June as Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) Awareness Month in Louisiana, following a request by Representative Rodney Schamerhorn. The statewide recognition aims to increase awareness and understanding of the rare condition that affects approximately 1 in every 3,000 live births.

As part of the proclamation, Paisley Langton of Sabine Parish has been named the local spokesperson for AMC awareness. Paisley is the daughter of Blake and Crystal Langton and sister to Ethan Langton. Her role highlights the strength and advocacy of families affected by AMC throughout the region.

Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita is a congenital condition characterized by joint contractures in two or more areas of the body. With more than 400 identified types of AMC, individuals often face significant challenges including limited mobility, ongoing medical needs, and extensive physical therapy. Despite these difficulties, many living with AMC demonstrate remarkable determination and resilience, inspiring their communities through their courage and perseverance.

Supporters are encouraged to wear blue throughout the month of June and especially on June 30, in a unified show of support for individuals and families affected by AMC. Nationally, June 30 is recognized as AMC Awareness Day, a time to honor individuals living with the condition, acknowledge the dedication of caregivers and healthcare professionals, and promote compassion and inclusion in all communities.

Raising awareness about AMC plays a vital role in improving early diagnosis, expanding access to resources, and building supportive networks for families. The designation of June as AMC Awareness Month reflects Louisiana’s commitment to education, advocacy, and inclusion for those living with rare medical conditions.

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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 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.

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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.

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The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) of Natchitoches is proud to announce its new classification as an official Maternal Wellness Center by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). This recognition affirms WRC’s longstanding commitment to supporting women through all stages of pregnancy and early motherhood with holistic, compassionate and life-affirming care.

As a designated Maternal Wellness Center, WRC meets the state’s expanded standards for providing comprehensive support services, including:

• Pregnancy testing and options counseling
• Prenatal and parenting education
• Emotional and spiritual support
• Referrals to local medical care and community resources
• Material assistance with baby items, diapers, and essentials

“We are honored to receive this designation,” said K. Nicole Woods, Executive Director of WRC. “This is a powerful affirmation of the work our staff and volunteers have been doing for years—walking alongside women in our community and ensuring they have the resources and support they need to thrive.”

The Maternal Wellness Center classification allows the Women’s Resource Center to continue building stronger partnerships across healthcare, faith-based and community sectors, ensuring that every woman who walks through its doors is seen, heard and supported—physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Located in the heart of Natchitoches, WRC has served thousands of women and families since its founding. With this new designation, the center is poised to expand its reach and deepen its impact throughout the region.

“What began in 1989 as a mission to serve women in the Natchitoches community has grown into a volunteer-driven mission serving clients from across the state,” says Woods.

For more information about our services, volunteer opportunities or to donate, visit wrcnatchitoches.org or call 318-357-8888.

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It’s time to celebrate! Join the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction festivities

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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David Carl Robert Haskins
February 1, 2018 — June 16, 2025
Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many

Reba Lee Aston
March 6, 1939 — June 20, 2025
Service was held on June 21, 2025 at Spring Ridge Cemetery in Pleasant Hill

Sabine Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge.)

You may email them to SPJContent@sabineparishjournal.com

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March 6, 1939 — June 20, 2025

A graveside service for Ms. Reba Lee Aston, 86, was held on June 21 at Spring Ridge Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. Officiating the service was Brother Kyle Clayton.

Reba was born on March 6, 1939 to Jimmy Lee Fourd and Aslee Fourd in Louisiana and passed away on Friday, June 20, 2025 in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana.

Reba is preceded in death by her parents, Jimmy and Aslee Fourd; sisters, Diane Stutts and Catherine Fourd; and brothers, Norman Fourd, Richard Fourd, Huey Fourd, and Randy Fourd. She is survived by her sons, Ronald Dean Graves of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana and Kenneth Dale Graves of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana; sister, Jimmy Ray Graves of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana; Butch Fourd and wife, Joyce, of Mansfield, Louisiana and 2 grandchildren.

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February 1, 2018 — June 16, 2025

David Carl Robert Haskins, 7, was born on February 1, 2018 to Amberley Renee Snider Haskins and Donald Christopher Haskins in Shreveport, Louisiana and passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025 in Many, Louisiana. The family will have a memorial service at a later date.

David was a rainbow baby, and his smile could light up a room. When he wasn’t smiling you could see mischief dancing in his eyes. He was always looking for a chance to pull one over on someone. He loved music and one of his favorite songs was “I’ve Got The Joy, Joy, Joy Down In My Heart.” He enjoyed his time with his teachers and therapists that helped give him the best quality of life. As each one came through the door, they were always met with a smile or him playing possum. To Meme he was known as “love bug” and when he spent time with Pops, he was his little donkey.

David is preceded in death by his Pops, Jerry Snider; Nana, Cookie Thomas; great-grandparents, Carl and Rose Haskins and Robert and Audrey Snider. He is survived by his parents, Amberley and Donald Haskins of Many, Louisiana; grandparents, Marita Snider of Many, Louisiana, Wylie Haskins of Texarkana, Texas, and Johnny and Belinda Moore of Shreveport, Louisiana; sister, Audrey Haskins of Many, Louisiana; uncles and aunts, Jason and Dolly Haskins of Keithville, Louisiana, Joel and Martha Snider of Many, Louisiana, and Jeremy and Jordan Snider of Denham Springs, Louisiana; and a host of cousins and friends.

Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.

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North Capitol Street between Peterson and Dillon Streets, near the Sabine Parish School Board office, closed for repairs, according to the Many Police Department.

The closure will remain in effect for an undetermined period. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes until the work is completed.

City officials appreciate the public’s patience and urge drivers to exercise caution in the area. Updates will be provided as the repairs progress.

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Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announces that several men have been sentenced in related Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) cases involving the trafficking of controlled substances.

James Cordell Zeno (age-37) of Jennings, Blaze Gage Duhon (age-27) of Kinder, Jamarcus Jamall Epps (age-31) of Many, and James William Spikes (age-28) of Zwolle, have all been sentenced in United States District Court in Shreveport. Another defendant, Desmond Antoine Jackson Sr (age-40) of Zwolle, has pleaded guilty and is currently awaiting sentencing.

Zeno was sentenced to 282 months (23 years, 6 months) in prison, and Duhon was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

According to information presented in court, in July 2022, the United States Postal Inspector intercepted a suspicious package that was destined for Duhon’s residence. Agents obtained a search warrant for the package and found it contained suspected methamphetamine. The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office then obtained a search warrant for the residence, and Duhon was located inside. Days after the search warrant, the United States Postal Inspector intercepted a second suspicious package destined for Duhon’s residence. Agents obtained a search warrant for this package and found it also contained suspected methamphetamine. A search of Duhon’s phone revealed text messages between him and Zeno. Two text messages sent by Zeno to Duhon contained photos of United States Postal Service receipts containing tracking information for two packages. The tracking information matched both packages of methamphetamine that were intercepted by the United States Postal Inspector.

The suspected methamphetamine from both packages was seized and sent to the crime laboratory for testing and the results were positive for methamphetamine with a total weight of 280 grams.
Zeno and Duhon were indicted, and both pleaded guilty.

Jamarcus Jamall Epps and Desmond Antoine Jackson were also charged as the result of an investigation into drug trafficking activities in the Sabine Parish area. In December 2021, the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Tactical Narcotics Team conducted a controlled purchase of a Taurus PT738 .380 caliber pistol from Epps. An audio/video recording of the transaction was captured by law enforcement. An examination of the firearm by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) determined that the firearm sold by Epps was a working firearm. At the time of the sale of this firearm, Epps was a convicted felon, with a prior conviction of aggravated second-degree battery in 2019 and he was prohibited from possessing any firearm or ammunition. Epps pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 77 months (6 years, 5 months) in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Approximately one month later, law enforcement agents conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Jackson and that transaction was also recorded. The suspected controlled substance was sent to the crime laboratory for analysis and determined to be pure methamphetamine weighing at least 50 grams. Jackson was charged and pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine in February 2025 and is awaiting sentencing.

James Spikes was also involved in the trafficking of methamphetamine in the Sabine Parish area. In August 2022, an audio/video recording was made of a controlled purchase from Spikes in connection with this investigation. The suspected controlled substance purchased from Spikes was sent to the crime laboratory for testing and confirmed to be approximately 62 grams of pure methamphetamine. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in prison.

These cases were investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, ATF, and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office.
These cases were part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation.

OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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CASA of Central Louisiana recently announced the promotion of Emily Dahl as its new Executive Director.

Dahl has been a dedicated member of the CASA team since 2013, serving as Program Support Specialist. Over the past decade, she has played a key role in supporting CASA’s mission to advocate for abused and neglected children across Natchitoches, Red River, and Sabine parishes.

“I’m honored to be part of this organization that helps children find safe and permanent homes,” Dahl said. “Over the last 10 years, I’ve seen firsthand the impact of our incredible volunteers and the difference CASA makes in the lives of children. I’m excited to step into this new role and continue serving our community alongside our outstanding staff and volunteers.”

Dahl’s promotion marks a new chapter for CASA of Central Louisiana as the organization continues its vital work on behalf of vulnerable children and families in the region.

If you see Emily, please join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition!

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The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present the program “A Life of Zydeco: A Musical Informance with Chubby Carrier” on June 21 at 1 p.m. at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The event is free and open to the public.

Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern, will interview Carrier about the cultural significance of zydeco in Louisiana. Their discussion will include songs performed by Carrier on his accordion. Carrier will headline the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Louisiana Folklife Festival on July 19 in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the NSU campus.

A third-generation zydeco musician, Carrier began his music career in Louisiana dance halls playing accordion and drums in his father’s zydeco band from the age of 12. Carrier played drums with Terrance Simien from 1986 to 1989, and then formed his own band, Chubby Carrier and the Zydeco Swamp Band. The band has released a total of 11 albums since 1989. Carrier has performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Utrecht Blues Festival in Amsterdam, and has played with Santana, B.B. King, Travis Tritt and Buddy Guy. Carrier’s most recent album, “Zydeco Junkie,” was the 2010 Grammy winner for best zydeco or Cajun album.

Carrier was among the musicians recently featured on the CBS News program “60 Minutes” in a segment on Cajun and zydeco music.

The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center. Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, Cleco, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana.

The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu, or go to nsula.edu/folklife.

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The Louisiana State Bond Commission approved election applications for the following parishes on June 11: East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Lafayette, Madison, Orleans and St. Landry (City of Opelousas). The State Bond Commission approval, which is not an endorsement of any application, is required before the Secretary of State’s office can place certain propositions on the ballot.

At the meeting, the State Bond Commission also approved funding for a variety of important projects across the state.

Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming, M.D., Chairman of the Louisiana State Bond Commission, said, “Our Treasury Department thoroughly examines every election application and every funding request to ensure it meets the technical requirements and safeguards taxpayer funds. I am proud of our department’s dedication and commitment to serving the people of Louisiana.”

Here are some of the individual projects approved by the State Bond Commission:

• Avoyelles Parish, City of Marksville: $400,000 Limited Tax Bonds for capital improvements, including relocation of water lines.
• Lafayette Parish, City of Lafayette: $450,000,000 Refunding Bonds to refinance debt, resulting in gross savings of approximately $1.8 million.
• Louisiana Community Development Authority (St. Bernard Parish GOMESA Project): $9,000,000 Revenue Bonds for funding qualified projects permitted under the provisions of GOMESA.
  Louisiana Housing Corporation: $125,000,000 Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds (Volume Cap) to finance first mortgage loans for homebuyers or finance qualified home improvement loans and qualified rehabilitation loans.
• Louisiana Public Facilities Authority (South Quad IV Project): Notice of intention to issue $215,000,000 Revenue Bonds for planning, design, acquisition, development, construction, furnishing and equipping of student housing facilities consisting of 1,100 beds, together with all buildings, improvements, fixtures, furnishings, equipment and associated site infrastructure and amenities, planning, design, acquisition, development and construction of certain parking and transportation facilities and other facilities infrastructure, or construction activities, planning, design and development costs associated with future phases of the ongoing plan for student housing and related student support facilities.
• Sabine Parish School Board, Sales Tax District No. 2: $240,000 Sales Tax Bonds for constructing, improving and maintaining public school buildings and facilities, including acquiring equipment and furnishings.
• Terrebonne Parish, Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission: $6,000,000 Revenue Bonds for constructing and acquiring improvements, extensions and replacements including, but not limited to, hangars, terminal facility, appurtenant equipment, accessories, and additions to such facilities.

The State Bond Commission receives applications from parishes, municipalities, special taxing districts, and other political subdivisions of the State requesting authority to incur debt or levy taxes. State Bond Commission approval is required before any public entity can borrow money or issue bonds. Money for projects is borrowed from banks or other investors and is paid back. These applications are reviewed for compliance with state constitutional and statutory requirements and feasibility, including the ability to repay any indebtedness incurred.

For FY 2025, the State Bond Commission issued $351.4 million General Obligation bonds to fund capital projects and $982.17 million in various bonds to refinance outstanding bonds providing the State with $116.8 million in savings through 2044 and has approved 193 debt applications totaling $7.09 billion and 220 local government elections.

State Treasurer Fleming attributed these achievements to “our team of committed professionals who work tirelessly to serve the taxpayers of Louisiana.”

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You still have time to win a buckle!

Red River Cowboy Church wants to help families live life with Jesus this summer! M3 Kids is based on 3 principles…My God, My Family & Me! We host several Mane Events each year to bring families together to play and learn how much God loves them. June 22 is the next Horseless rodeo! It’s a free family event for toddlers through 4th graders. Bring your child to church and register them for the Horseless Rodeo to begin immediately after the service. A free lunch will be provided by the Chuck Wagon. You and your child will choose your event. There will be events like sheep riding, cow branding with paint, sorting, dummy roping, and goat ribbon pulling. Do them all or just a few. This series will be held every 4th Sunday of May through August. Participate in 3 of the 4 Mane Events and your child will win a buckle. It’s that easy…and so much fun! Watch the Red River Cowboy Church Facebook page for more details. Every kid loves a cowboy buckle and this is an opportunity for you and your child to have a fun time the cowboy way!

Red River Cowboy Church
South Red River Parish
LA-174, Coushatta, LA 71019
Phone: (318) 201-2626

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Attendees at the Louisiana Folklife Center program “Fiddlin’ with the Finest! A Celebration of Louisiana Folk Fiddling” on Saturday at the Many Depot Museum in Many were treated to a performance of fiddle musical artistry. Several musicians participated, including three Louisiana State Fiddle Champions, Clancey Stewart (2018), Joe Suchanek (2017 and 2024), and Ron Yule (2000 and 2019). Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center and professor of English at Northwestern State University, coordinated the event, which included a discussion of various aspects of the tradition and a Q&A with the audience. Live music throughout the program included examples of fiddle styles as well as a demonstration of twin fiddling. Stewart also displayed her skill at traditional clogging or flat foot dancing, including while playing on the fiddle.

The well-attended program was a prelude to the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship which will be part of the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival to be held on the Northwestern State University campus on July 19. The Fiddle Championship will be held at 1 p.m. in the Magale Recital Hall. Fiddlers may compete in the championship or non-championship, as well as in the twin fiddle category. Registration is at noon in the first-floor foyer outside Magale Recital Hall. The Fiddle Championship winner will perform on the main stage in Prather Coliseum at 5 p.m.

“The music performed at events like this one remind us how vital and vibrant Louisiana’s folk music can be,” said Rasmussen. “The Louisiana State Fiddle Championship provides important opportunities for fiddlers young and old to have fun while at the same time meet with peers, make new friends, and showcase their talent. When folklife is alive and well people are happier, because our traditions give meaning to our lives as individuals and as a community.”

The event was sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center. Support for the festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, and the State of Louisiana. The festival is sponsored by C&H Precision Machining, City Bank, Cleco, Evans Family, LLC, Exchange Bank, the Family Doctors of Natchitoches, the Harrington Law Firm, Natchitoches Wood Preserving Company and Young Estate, LLC. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the program did not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

For information on pre-registering to compete in the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu or go to nsula.edu/folklife.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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