The Natchitoches Jazz&R&B Festival, which is celebrating its 29th year on May 15-16 is widely regarded as one of the top if not, THE top music festivals in north Louisiana. 

According to festival chairman Rodney Harrington, the event is the culmination of a year long community effort and would not be possible without the generous support of area businesses, concertgoers, and musicians.

“First and foremost, we have a super hard-working board of directors and core group of volunteers who work all year long for no other reason than to help provide good quality musical entertainment for the people of our area and beyond,” said Harrington.

“The festival simply wouldn’t happen without the generosity of our sponsors or partners as we call them”, Harrington continued, “they step up to the plate year after year and allow us to put on a top quality festival featuring A-list artists  and first class sound and production.”

Harrington did say that ticket sales are critical, however, and at the end of the day, it’s all about putting” butts in the seats.”

“With advance online ticket sales, we are able to track where our purchases are coming from and it’s pretty eye-opening,” Harrington said, “ we have folks coming to this festival from literally all over the country, although we rely heavily upon people who are in driving distance.”

He encourages local businesses which, for whatever reason, did not become sponsors, to please consider buying tickets to give to their employees and/or customers. 

Harrington says that the festival was started over 30 years ago mainly to provide a venue for local musicians to perform and it still maintains its loyalty to that group.

“The lineup of performers includes lots of local acts and they are going to be amongst the best you’ll see at the festival, “says Harrington.

For the first time, this year’s festival will feature a stage where all performers will play only their original music.  This will be in the beautiful setting of Beau Jardin and will be presented in cooperation with The Natchitoches Original Music Showcase.

BREAKING NEWS ALERT:  VIP TICKETS ARE NEARLY SOLD OUT AND THE JAZZ FEST BOARD ANTICIPATES TERMINATING THE FURTHER SALE OF THOSE TICKETS IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.natchjazzfest.com

Several years ago, a radio station in San Francisco conducted a nonscientific listener survey. Sixty-eight percent of the people surveyed were for it. Twenty percent were against it. The remaining twelve percent had no opinion on the matter. So the radio station concluded from this nonscientific survey that the vast majority were in favor of it. The funny part is that the radio station never asked a question. It was an illustration of the bandwagon effect. If you get enough people walking down South Trenton Street in the same direction at nearly the same time, a parade is likely to break out.

I could go on one of my rants about people not thinking critically about political, educational, existential, or spiritual matters — but I won’t. I will say this: you need to read more than just the headlines on the website. You need to read the article. And you need to read more than one verse of the Bible if you want the whole picture. We often form opinions based on emotion rather than actually thinking something through. (I know — shocking.)

I talk about this because when people find out I’m a minister, they usually ask a question that goes something like this: “Do Methodists believe in drinking wine and playing cards at the dance held on Sunday afternoon at the movie theater?” This is not a serious question, but the ones people ask me are just as funny. When someone asks me about a specific “sin,” I usually ask them what they think. You might be surprised to know that people are looking for direction and validation in their lives. I’m amused that they mostly want to know if I’m AGAINST the same things they’re against. Often, in seeking direction and validation for our spiritual position, we join a church where people “think like we do.”

Nonchurch folks define the congregation of Trinity Methodist in two ways: by who attends our church, and by what we are AGAINST. I have a list of jokes to prove my point, but space doesn’t allow me to share them. (You’re welcome.) In church life, the bandwagon is joined as much for what a church is against as for what the church believes. But do you really want anyone defining you by what you’re against?

Now here’s what I want you to hear — and I want you to hear it louder than any bandwagon rolling down the street. I am FOR YOU. I believe God loves you just the way you are — not the “improved,” “cleanedup,” “Sundaybest” version of you, but the real you, the one who sometimes burns the biscuits, loses their patience, and wonders if they’re getting any of this right. You don’t have to do one single thing to earn God’s love. Not one. I believe God wants the best for you — and your “best” doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s. God loves you so much that He sent Jesus into the world to show us that love with skin on.

And if you’ve never heard anyone say this plainly, let me be the first: you matter, you are loved, and heaven is not rolling its eyes at you. God is not waiting for you to get your act together — God is already cheering for you, believing in you, and walking with you.

What do you believe?

BOM Bank was proud to support Florien Baseball and Softball Inc. with a donation to help invest in local youth athletics! Supporting youth baseball and softball means supporting teamwork, discipline, confidence, and opportunities for young athletes to grow both on and off the field. We’re honored to help organizations that make a lasting impact on our communities and the next generation. 

The Louisiana Department of Health is urging residents to prioritize water safety as summer approaches, reminding families that strong safety practices can help prevent drownings and serious water-related injuries, particularly among children.

The reminder comes as Gov. Jeff Landry has proclaimed May as Louisiana Children’s Trust Fund Swim Safety Month.

According to recent data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the fourth leading cause of injury-related deaths among children ages 0 to 14 in Louisiana.

LDH officials said most drownings are preventable and often happen quickly and quietly. Between 2022 and 2024, 55 children drowned in Louisiana, according to the LDH Office of Public Health. More than half of those children were unsupervised, and 42 percent drowned in water areas without proper protective barriers. Most incidents occurred in swimming pools.

An additional 54 children were hospitalized due to nonfatal drownings or near-drownings, which health officials say can lead to lifelong disabilities and permanent developmental impacts.

State health officials are encouraging parents and caregivers to actively supervise children whenever they are near water, keep young children within arm’s reach and never leave children unattended around pools, lakes or other bodies of water.

The department also recommends enrolling children in swim lessons at an early age, installing protective barriers and self-latching gates around pools, ensuring pools and spas have compliant drain covers and teaching children to avoid pool drains.

Officials say extra caution should be used in open water environments such as lakes and beaches, where conditions can include low visibility, changing depths, currents and underwater hazards.

Families are also encouraged to use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets during boating and water recreation activities, avoid alcohol while swimming or supervising children and learn CPR and basic rescue skills in case of emergencies.

Additional water safety information, swim lesson resources and CPR class information are available through the Louisiana Department of Health.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) approved a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) to conduct a recreational alligator hunting season from Oct. 1-31, 2026. The action came during the LWFC’s May meeting Thursday (May 7) in Baton Rouge.

“We are proud to increase recreational opportunity for Louisiana sportsmen and women across the state with this exciting new season,” said LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth. “The American Alligator is a true conservation success story, and by being able to have a recreational season, we are able to further promote this success and the rich hunting heritage that makes up the Louisiana way of life.”

The recreational season would be separate from the commercial season. Properties already issued commercial harvest tags are excluded from recreational eligibility. Alligators, hides, meat and parts taken under a recreational hide tag may not be sold, bartered or commingled with commercial-tag alligators.

The recreational season would be conducted by lottery. Only Louisiana residents may apply. A total of 5,000 participants would be selected with two recreational alligator hide tags issued to each participant. Immediate tag attachment upon harvest and tag validation within 72 hours via department portal, LA Wallet, phone, or LouisianaOutdoors.com, is required.

Method of take is restricted to hook and line, or snatch hook only — anchored, tethered, or originating from immovable eligible property with written landowner permission. Pole hunting and free shooting is prohibited.

There would be eight zones statewide with recreational opportunity in each zone. Zones B and C would have 1,250 participants, Zone A 500 participants and zones D, E, F, G and H 400 participants each.. A recreational alligator hunter must possess a basic hunting license, the recreational alligator hunting license, valid recreational hide tags and written proof of land ownership or permission.  A recreational alligator hunting license would be $25 for residents and $150 for non-residents.

To see the full NOI, visit the LDWF Alligator Hunting webpage.

Public comment on the NOI will be accepted through June 26. Comments may be submitted to LDWF Alligator Program Manager Jeb Linscombe at LDWF, 200 Dulles Drive, Lafayette, LA, 70506, or by email at jlinscombe@wlf.la.gov.

I’ve always heard the saying that “some things never change,” but that would not be the case for bass tournaments. When you look back at tournament participation over the last 10 years, one thing is very apparent; anglers have walked away from bass tournaments. 

Let’s look at some of the reasons that might explain why participation is down. But understand this, you can’t point your finger at just one reason. First and foremost, we are living in a different time as compared to the hay day of tournament bass fishing that was the 1990s and early 2000s.

After the conclusion of the COVID outbreak in 2021, for some reason tournament participation has gone south. Tournaments were at full strength during COVID as anglers were looking for an escape from isolation. Bass boat sales were out the roof nationwide with people retreating to the outdoors. 

All the major tournament trails were filling up with a maximum number of entries anywhere from 200 to 300 boats or more. But a couple of years after COVID, for whatever reason, anglers quit showing up. 

That was about the time forward-facing sonar became an issue. Nothing in the last 40 years has had as much controversial impact than forward-facing sonar. 

Now I’m not pointing the finger at this alone because it may be just a coincidence that anglers were dropping out of tournaments. But for the last five years, anglers have come up with other reasons for not fishing competitively. 

Some say it’s the economy, but I’m not totally buying into this idea. One thing about bass tournament anglers, they will do whatever it takes to make sure they can still compete even if it means selling their youngest child or their wife getting a second job in order to save enough money for them to fish the next tournament. 

While I’m joking about them selling their youngest child, there is one thing that seems to be a common variable to anglers not showing up: gas prices! Back in 2014 when a tank of gas cost you an arm and a leg ($4 a gallon), anglers decided to park their high-dollar bass boats.

While gas prices can have an influence on whether anglers fish or not, presently we are once again on the verge of anglers parking their boats as gas prices continue to rise due to the war with Iran. 

Here’s a major concern of mine that I think is having a negative effect on tournaments … cheaters! Over the last two years, there have been more anglers disqualified for rules violations and more people who have been caught cheating. 

This has given the sport a black eye and is just another reason anglers are thinking twice before entering a tournament. They just don’t trust that someone is not cheating! Even on local weeknight shootouts, there have been anglers caught cheating just to win a couple hundred dollars. 

So, even with all the reasons we’ve mentioned, one angler recently summed it up as to why tournament participation is down nationwide: “It’s just not fun any more!”

Very few of us fish for a living. We love tournaments because we enjoy the comradery and the competition. Most guys are perfectly happy if they just get a check to help cover their gas, hotel and food. 

But it’s sad that we live in a world today where there will always be a couple of bad apples that can ruin it for everybody. I just hope that one day anglers can look forward to fishing a tournament and not have to worry if someone is cheating. 

Hopefully the heyday of tournament bass fishing is not over. But it’s going to take time for some anglers to return to the sport they love. Tournament organizations are in a pickle today trying to figure out the formula that will encourage tournament anglers to return.

Every tournament trail is always attempting to get more anglers to enter their events. Their dilemma is trying to figure out who should be their target demographic group. Should they cater to the younger generation (18 to 34) or try to get the 35 and older anglers back? 

There’s one key component they’ll need to factor in when getting more anglers to return; they must gain their trust again.   

Graduation season is officially here, which means students across Louisiana are preparing for one of life’s biggest milestones… and one of its longest ceremonies. Between the packed auditoriums, nervous sweating, endless speeches, and the fear of tripping on stage, every graduate knows survival requires a few essentials: graduation cords, a portable fan, sunglasses for hiding tired eyes from cramming for finals, and a fully charged phone ready for photos the second it’s over.

BOM Bank is proud to support the Legends 12U travel baseball team from Sabine Parish! We love investing in our local youth and cheering on the next generation both on and off the field. Best of luck to this talented group as they represent our community! 

After 22 years of shared finances, a new disagreement puts one couple at odds: should they help an adult son with car payments, or protect their retirement?

 See what Ida says 

Burger joints are as much a part of our American culture as the fish and chip shops are in England.  On April 25, 1960, Michael James “Jim” Delligatti opened a drive-in restaurant franchise in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.  Jim’s drive-in operated on a streamlined technique in which they could deliver a hamburger, French fires, and a milkshake in 50 seconds or less.  The menu consisted of just ten items: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, French fries, triple thick milkshakes, Coca Cola, root beer, Orangeade, milk, coffee, and hot chocolate.  By using their assembly line process, they could prepare 36 hamburgers in just 110 seconds.  Jim’s drive-in had the space to prepare 6,000 hamburgers a day.  At $.15 each, the profit margin per hamburger was small, but they made up for it in volume.  Customers flocked to Jim’s drive-in.  The food was inexpensive, quick, and tasted good.  A bright neon sign identified the drive-in.  The brightly lit food preparation area was enclosed by 900 square feet of quarter-inch plate glass so customers could see that their food was served quickly in spotless surroundings.  Business was so good that by 1971, Jim owned a dozen drive-in restaurant franchises in western Pennsylvania.  Jim eventually owned 48 restaurants in the drive-in restaurant chain.      

Jim always paid attention to what his customers wanted.  After hearing that they desired a bigger sandwich, Jim went to work.  After a short time—speed was of the utmost importance—Jim created a bigger sandwich by using items already on his menu and adding a unique sauce made from salted egg yolks, mustard, onion, garlic, and relish.  In March of 1967, Jim used his Uniontown drive-in to test out his new sandwich.  Demand exploded and Jim added his new creation to the menus of his other drive-ins.  The results were the same.  Jim’s larger sandwich was a hit, but the parent company did not want to alter their original menu.  Jim explained, “they figured, why go to something else if (the original menu) was working so well?”  Eventually, Jim’s creation was added to the national chain’s menus with resounding success.  Since 1968, the chain has sold billions of Jim’s larger sandwiches.  In 2006, the parent company estimated that they were selling 550 million of them each year at a rate of 17 each second.            

Jim did not become wealthy off of his creation that is now sold in over 100 countries.  Jim received no payment and no royalties for the creation, but that was okay with Jim.  After more than six and a half decades, Jim’s Drive-In is still open.  From the menu at the drive-in restaurant at 575 Morgantown Street in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, you can still order the sandwich Jim created there by combining two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions, on a sesame seed bun.  It is said to be the most popular sandwich on the planet.  Jim, the owner of a McDonald’s franchise, was the creator of the Big Mac.  …and it’s time for lunch.

Sources:

1.     The Evening Standard (Uniontown, Pennsylvania), April 12, 1960, p.7.

2.     The Evening Standard, March 2, 1971, p.69.

3.     Valley News (West Lebanon, New Hampshire), December 4, 2016, p.12.

4.     “Michael James Delligatti,” Devlin Funeral Home, accessed May 3, 2026, https://www.devlinfuneralhome.com/obituaries/michael-james-delligatti/.

5.     “Inventor of the Big Mac dies, aged 98,” BBC News, November 30, 2016, accessed May 3, 2026, https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-38162497.

For at least one day this week, aviator sunglasses become socially acceptable indoors, people suddenly feel the need for speed on their morning commute, and someone, somewhere, will absolutely attempt a volleyball reference they are too young to fully understand.

May 13 marks National Top Gun Day, an unofficial holiday celebrating the 1986 blockbuster film that turned fighter pilots into pop culture icons and permanently convinced generations of movie fans that motorcycles, leather jackets, and dramatic runway walks were essential personality traits.

The holiday arrives this year with even more momentum as both Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick are returning to theaters for a limited anniversary run beginning May 13 to celebrate the original movie’s 40th anniversary.

That means Americans this week may once again find themselves explaining to younger family members why everyone over age 35 instinctively says “Talk to me, Goose” during minor inconveniences.

The original Top Gun, released in 1986 and starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, became one of the defining films of the 1980s. The movie reportedly boosted Navy recruitment, made aviator sunglasses wildly popular, and helped launch one of the most recognizable soundtracks in movie history.

Even people who have never seen the film somehow still understand the references. “Danger Zone” starts playing, and suddenly everyone feels qualified to land fighter jets.

The holiday itself has developed a surprisingly loyal online following over the years, with fans celebrating by rewatching the movies, quoting dialogue, and debating whether Top Gun: Maverick somehow managed to outperform the original nearly four decades later.

Social media users have already begun posting their plans for the annual celebration.

William (Gene) Craig
April 1, 1936 – May 10, 2026
Visitation: Friday, May 15 at Spring Ridge Baptist Church from 5:00 PM until time of service on May 16th at 2:00 PM.
Services: Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 PM at Spring Ridge Baptist Church

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

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office reported the arrest of two individuals following a traffic stop that led to the seizure of a significant quantity of suspected narcotics early Thursday morning.

According to Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Thursday, May 7, 2026, after a vehicle was observed committing a traffic violation on LA Highway 120 at Highway 175 in Belmont.

During the stop, further investigation by the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team led to the discovery of approximately one-half pound of suspected methamphetamine, along with suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Authorities identified the driver as Deborah Martinez Sepulvado, 44, of Zwolle. Sepulvado was booked into the Sabine Parish Women’s Jail on the following charges:

Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance

(Methamphetamine)

Operating a Motor Vehicle While License Suspended

Driving on Roadway Laned for Traffic

Jennifer Ryanne Loe, 42, of Many, was also arrested and booked into the Sabine Parish Women’s Jail on charges including:

Principal to Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance

(Methamphetamine)

Possession of Marijuana

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Officials stated that no bond had been set at the time of the announcement.

Sheriff Mitchell noted that the arrest reflects continued efforts by the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and Tactical Narcotics Team to target illegal drug activity throughout the parish.

Law enforcement officials remind the public that all charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office is warning residents to remain alert after reports of a fraudulent text message scam impersonating the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) began circulating.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers are sending text messages claiming recipients have unresolved traffic citations and threatening severe consequences if immediate payment is not made.

The scam message falsely warns individuals that failure to pay by a stated deadline could result in canceled vehicle registration, indefinite driver’s license suspension, civil judgment proceedings, and even possible arrest warrants.

Recipients are then directed to click a suspicious payment link and are urged to act quickly to avoid losing driving privileges.

Law enforcement officials stressed that residents should not click any links included in the message, as doing so could expose personal or financial information to scammers.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office advised anyone receiving the message to:

Do not click any links

Do not provide payment or personal information

Report the message as spam

Delete the text immediately

Officials emphasized that scam messages often create urgency and fear in an attempt to pressure recipients into acting before verifying legitimacy.

Residents with concerns about traffic citations, vehicle registration, or license issues are encouraged to contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles directly through official channels rather than responding to unsolicited texts or emails.

The Sheriff’s Office continues encouraging the public to stay vigilant against phishing scams and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement when necessary.

Authorities remind residents that protecting personal information is critical as text-based scams continue targeting individuals across Louisiana and nationwide.

The Town of Many has announced that its municipal water system has earned an “A” grade from the Louisiana Department of Health, recognizing the town’s efforts to maintain high standards in water quality and system operations.

Town officials said the achievement reflects an ongoing commitment to providing residents with safe, reliable, and high-quality drinking water.

The grading recognition highlights the performance of local water infrastructure, operational standards, and compliance efforts required to maintain state health and safety guidelines.

Officials credited the accomplishment to the dedication of the town’s Water Department, whose daily work helps ensure the system continues operating efficiently and effectively.

Town leaders also acknowledged the role of office staff in supporting water system operations and maintaining administrative functions necessary for continued compliance and service.

“We would like to extend a sincere thank you to our Water Department for their tireless efforts and professionalism in ensuring our system operates at the highest level,” town officials shared, adding that office staff also played an important role in the achievement.

The Town of Many additionally recognized the support of the Mayor and City Council, thanking them for continued leadership, infrastructure investment, and commitment to community well-being.

Officials said maintaining strong infrastructure and quality public services remains a priority for local leadership as the town continues working to meet the needs of residents.

The “A” rating marks a significant accomplishment for the community and serves as a point of pride for residents across Many.

SABINE PARISH, La. — Residents in Sabine Parish should prepare for several days of unsettled weather as showers and thunderstorms are expected to move through the area beginning Wednesday afternoon before conditions gradually improve heading into the weekend.

According to the latest forecast, Wednesday will bring showers and thunderstorms likely after 1 p.m. under mostly cloudy skies. Temperatures are expected to reach a high near 85 degrees, with calm winds becoming southerly around 5 mph by the morning. Rain chances are forecast at 70%.

Storm activity is expected to continue into Wednesday night, with showers and possible thunderstorms likely before 1 a.m., followed by an additional chance of overnight rain and storms. Cloudy skies will remain in place with temperatures falling to around 60 degrees. Rain chances remain at 70% overnight.

On Thursday, another round of wet weather remains possible with a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy skies and cooler temperatures are expected, with a daytime high near 72 degrees.

A lingering chance of showers and thunderstorms continues into Thursday night, with mostly cloudy conditions and overnight lows around 55 degrees. Rain chances decrease slightly to 30%.

Conditions begin improving by Friday, though isolated rain remains possible. Forecasts show a slight 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms with partly sunny skies and a high near 76 degrees.

Friday night carries another slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 a.m., with partly cloudy skies and overnight lows near 60 degrees.

The weekend forecast looks more favorable for outdoor plans. Saturday is expected to be mostly sunny with only a 20% chance of isolated showers or thunderstorms and temperatures climbing to a high near 81 degrees. Saturday night will remain partly cloudy with lows around 62 degrees.

Looking ahead to Sunday, warmer temperatures return with a high near 86 degrees. A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms remains possible under mostly sunny skies.

Residents are encouraged to remain weather-aware during the midweek storm period, especially Wednesday and Thursday when rain and thunderstorm chances are highest.

After a stormy start to the week, Sabine Parish can expect improving weather and warmer temperatures as the weekend approaches.

Officials with Sabine Parish Police Jury have released the schedule for upcoming public meetings in May, inviting residents to attend and stay informed on parish business, planning matters, and emergency services discussions.

The meetings will be held inside the Police Jury Board Room at the Sabine Parish Courthouse unless otherwise noted, with select sessions also available for online viewing.

The Sabine Parish Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday, May 12, at 9:00 a.m. in the Police Jury Board Room at the courthouse.

The meeting is expected to cover planning and development matters relevant to parish growth, zoning considerations, and other community-related agenda items.

The EMS Advisory Board is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 19, at 5:00 p.m.

Officials noted that the meeting will be held in the Police Jury Board Room and will also be available for public viewing on Facebook, allowing residents additional access to discussions related to emergency medical services and community healthcare support.

The parish’s regular Monthly Police Jury Meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 20, at 9:00 a.m.

This meeting will also be held in the Police Jury Board Room at the courthouse and made available for viewing on YouTube, giving residents an opportunity to follow parish government proceedings remotely.

Sabine Parish officials encourage community members to attend meetings in person or access available livestream options to remain engaged with local government decisions and initiatives.

Public meetings provide residents with opportunities to stay informed on infrastructure, planning, emergency services, and other issues impacting Sabine Parish communities.

For additional meeting details or agenda information, residents are encouraged to contact the Sabine Parish Police Jury office directly.

Car enthusiasts and families across Sabine Parish are invited to attend the 11th Annual Maydaze Car Show, returning to Many High School this spring with classic cars, food, prizes, and family-friendly activities.

Hosted by the Toledo Cruisers, this year’s event is scheduled for May 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Many High School.

Organizers are encouraging vehicle owners to bring their cars and trucks to participate in the show, with entry priced at $20 per vehicle. Spectator admission is free.

Participants will have the chance to compete for more than 25 awards, while attendees can enjoy a variety of attractions throughout the day.

Event organizers announced that door prizes will be available, and the first 65 vehicle entries will receive a goody bag.

In addition to the car show itself, the Many High School Band Booster Club will be selling cakes and treats during the event. Food vendors will also be on site serving attendees throughout the day.

Additional fundraising activities will include Split the Pot as well as opportunities to win a Mother’s Day basket and a children’s basket filled with goodies.

Promotional materials describe the event as a day of “Great Cars. Great Food. Great Community.” with activities designed for all ages.

Organizers also shared that this year’s car show is being dedicated in honor of Mr. Harold Stewart, a beloved friend and fellow car club member.

Community members are encouraged to spread the word and help make this year’s Maydaze Car Show another successful event for Many and the surrounding area.

The annual gathering has become a popular community tradition, bringing together classic car lovers, local organizations, and families for a day of entertainment and fellowship.

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The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office is celebrating the graduation of two deputies who have completed rigorous law enforcement training and earned their Louisiana Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Level 1 Certification.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell congratulated Deputies Creg Vaughn and Devin McKenney following their graduation from the 35th class of the Bossier Sheriff’s Training Academy during a ceremony held on Friday, May 1, 2026.

Over the course of 16 weeks, Deputies Vaughn and McKenney completed a demanding program designed to prepare them for modern policing. Their training included legal instruction, firearms qualification, physical conditioning, officer safety tactics, use of non-lethal force, and a wide range of essential law enforcement skills.

Officials noted that the academy experience is intended to simulate real-world challenges while building discipline, judgment, and readiness for service in the field.

Deputy Devin McKenney was additionally honored with the Academic Award, recognizing him for achieving the highest grade point average in the cadet class.

Several members of the Sheriff’s Office leadership attended the ceremony to show support, including Captain Jesse Branam, Chief Deputy Brad Walker, Captain Jason Heard, and Deputy Greg Sculthorpe.

Sheriff Mitchell and department leadership praised the deputies for their dedication and commitment to public service, emphasizing the importance of their accomplishment as they transition into active duty.

Following graduation, Deputies Vaughn and McKenney will begin their assignments in the patrol division under Captain Jason Heard. In this role, they will serve the community directly, applying the skills and training they have acquired to support public safety across Sabine Parish.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to prioritize professional training and development for its deputies, ensuring that personnel are fully prepared to meet the demands of modern law enforcement and serve residents with integrity and skill.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) reminds the public that increased water temperatures, storms, and extended cloudy weather can lead to fish kills in inland and nearshore waters across the state. These events are typically caused by low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia), which often occurs in warm water, since it has a lower carrying capacity for oxygen than cooler water.  Conditions such as stagnant water, heavy rainfall, decaying vegetation, or increased nutrient runoff contribute to hypoxic conditions—especially in shallow bayous, marshes, and ponds.

Fish kills may affect certain species or sizes more than others. For example, shad are sensitive to hypoxia, and are often the first or only fish that experience a fish kill, while some species, like gar, can breathe air and are resistant to hypoxic conditions. Other species have varying levels of tolerance to hypoxic conditions. 

While fish kills can temporarily impact recreational and commercial fishing, aquatic ecosystems in Louisiana are resilient and typically recover naturally. Even in large fish kills, some fish will find refuge from hypoxic conditions in the affected waterbody or connected waterbodies and survive. Scavengers and decomposers help break down fish remains, and most systems recover over time. If conditions remain favorable, fish populations often rebound after major kills within one to two years without the need for stocking, and young fish benefit from reduced competition and increased resources. However, fish kills caused by pollution or chemical spills can occur at any time and may require additional response.

Documenting fish kills in Louisiana, whether caused by natural or human-caused events, is important to responsibly manage fisheries resources. Please report any observed fish kill to LDWF so biologists can investigate and document the kill as soon as possible. For information on how to report a fish kill or more information about the causes of fish kills, go online to wlf.louisiana.gov/page/fish-kills.

Three Sabine Parish 4-H members recently represented their parish during the annual 4-H Day at the Capitol, an event designed to give Louisiana youth firsthand exposure to state government and civic leadership.

According to Sabine Parish 4-H, Dominick Brown (NHS), Lexie Jones (ZHS), and Caleb Corley (NHS) traveled to Baton Rouge to participate in the statewide event.

During the trip, students had the opportunity to learn more about the Louisiana legislative process and gain a better understanding of how state government functions.

In addition to the educational experience, participants also enjoyed activities including dinner on the Capitol grounds and a goose chase scavenger hunt, providing a fun and interactive element to the day’s events.

4-H leaders say 4-H Day at the Capitol offers youth a valuable opportunity to combine leadership development with civic education, helping students better understand their role in government and community service.

The annual event brings together 4-H members from across Louisiana to engage with lawmakers, explore the State Capitol, and strengthen their knowledge of leadership and public service.

Sabine Parish 4-H officials praised the students for proudly representing their schools and community during the statewide event.