July 15 has been the date of several notable events throughout history, but one of the most influential in modern communication happened in 2006 when Twitter officially launched to the public.
Originally created as a simple platform for users to post short status updates of 140 characters or less, Twitter quickly evolved into one of the world’s most influential social media platforms. The service became a hub for breaking news, emergency alerts, entertainment, sports and public conversation, fundamentally changing how information is shared in real time.
The platform’s first tweet was posted months earlier on March 21, 2006, by co-founder Jack Dorsey, who wrote, “just setting up my twttr.” The public launch on July 15 marked the beginning of what would become a global communications tool used by millions of people.
Over the years, Twitter played a major role in covering elections, natural disasters, sporting events and other major world events, often delivering news faster than traditional media outlets.
In 2023, the platform was rebranded as X, though many people still commonly refer to it by its original name.
Nearly two decades after its public debut, the platform continues to influence how people communicate and consume news around the world.
William Bruce “Bill” Rose was an unsavory character. Police arrested him numerous times for non-violent crimes. In 1964, 22-year-old Bill left his 18-year-old wife Sharon and their two-year-old son William Bruce Rose Jr. and infant daughter Amy. In 1965, Sharon met Stephen Bailey and married him the following January. When they married, Sharon told Billy and Amy that Stephen was their father, and they took his last name. As a teenager, Billy disliked the name because kids teased him for being Bill Bailey. Stephen and Sharon raised Billy, Amy, and their only child together, Stuart, in a Pentecostal church. Their children often performed in church as the Bailey Trio, but there were problems at home. Billy and his stepfather fought constantly. When he was 17 years old, Billy accidentally learned that Stephen was not his biological father. Billy knew nothing about his biological father, but he began going by the name Billy Rose. For better or worse, Billy never met his father as an adult.
In 1984, Bill Rose, who had recently been paroled from prison, disappeared from Marion, Illinois. Three years later, in May 1987, police arrested 39-year-old James Faulkner for murdering Bill sometime between May 1 and July 4, 1984. The family had kept the murder a secret until James’s son Jimmy revealed it to Katie Adams, a counselor with the area Youth Services Bureau. At her insistence, Jimmy contacted the police. Jimmy told investigators that Bill was killed in their home at 409 E. DeYoung Street in Marion. Jimmy said that on the night of Bill’s murder, “My mom and dad and Bill went out drinking.” Later, they returned to the Faulkner’s home where the trio began having intercourse. At some point, James left the bedroom, went to Jimmy’s bedroom, and woke him. James told his then 15-year-old son that he needed him to see something. Jimmy followed instructions and walked toward the bedroom. He noticed that his father was holding a long knife. As Jimmy stood there in shocked silence, his father stabbed Bill, then dragged Bill into the bathroom. He said “Sayonara, Bill” and finished him off with a baseball bat. Jimmy said his parents wrapped Bill in painter’s cloth and tied it with a piece of clothesline. James put the knife into a jug of bleach. James had his wife and son help load Bill’s body into the trunk of their car, and the family drove five miles to a remote wooded area known as Crenshaw Crossing. James, Judith, and Jimmy removed the body from their trunk, and they rolled it down one of the area’s many embankments. James covered the body with debris to disguise it. The family returned home and James and Judith began scrubbing the floor and carpet in the bedroom. James told Jimmy to throw the knife in the city reservoir a few blocks south of their home and to put the baseball bat on a public baseball diamond. Jimmy complied. Jimmy later showed investigators where he had thrown the knife and divers retrieved the weapon. Judith’s testimony initially agreed with Jimmy’s, but she later changed her story to help James. On September 9, 1987, James was found guilty of murder even though Bill’s body had not been found, and he was sentenced to life in prison with no possibility of parole. Bill’s body has never been found.
Had Billy Rose wanted to meet his biological father as an adult, he never had the chance. Like his father, Billy was arrested numerous times for various crimes. Just as he had done as a child in church, Billy always found comfort in singing. Billy became a famous singer. The world knows William Bruce “Billy” Rose Jr. as Axl Rose, lead singer for Guns N Roses.
Sources:
1. Southern Illinoisan, May 7, 1987, p.1.
2. Southern Illinoisan, August 13, 1987, p.9.
3. Southern Illinoisan, August 24, 1987, p.9.
4. Southern Illinoisan, September 2, 1987, p.21.
5. Evansville Courier and Press, September 4, 1987, p.1.
The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a series of recent arrests involving narcotics offenses, outstanding warrants, and other alleged violations. The arrests include charges ranging from possession of controlled dangerous substances to possession with intent to distribute and distribution warrants.
The following individuals were arrested:
Cardell Andre Lynch, 58, of Zwolle Lynch was arrested on charges of: Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I (Marijuana) Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II (Methamphetamine) Possession of drug paraphernalia Obstruction of justice Warrant for two counts of Distribution of Schedule I (Marijuana) Total bond was set at $110,000, and Lynch has since bonded out.
Michael Keith Coffey, 34, of Florien Coffey was charged with: Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) Possession of drug paraphernalia Second or subsequent offense No driver’s license Unsafe vehicle (cracked windshield) Warrant for violation of a protective order His total bond was set at $13,500, and he remains in the Sabine Parish Detention Center.
Ashley Jeanette Naquin, 45, of Florien Naquin was arrested on a warrant charging: Distribution of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) Bond was set at $60,000, and she has since bonded out.
Coby Aron Cooley, 33, of Many Cooley faces charges of: Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II (Methamphetamine) Possession of Schedule II (Fentanyl) Possession of drug paraphernalia Second or subsequent offense Resisting an officer Speeding Bond was set at $150,000, and he remains incarcerated.
McKay Deann Small, 28, of Many Small was charged with: Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) Possession of drug paraphernalia Improper display of a license plate She was released after being granted a $5,000 own-recognizance bond.
Shon Kevin King, 52, of Many King was arrested for: Possession of Schedule II (Adderall) Operating a vehicle while license suspended Bond was set at $5,000, and he remains in jail.
Lex David Williamson, 45, of Many Williamson was charged with: Possession of Schedule I (Marijuana) Possession of Schedule II (Methamphetamine) Possession of drug paraphernalia Second or subsequent offense Resisting an officer Operating a vehicle while license suspended Driving on a roadway laned for traffic No bond had been set at the time the information was released.
The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that an arrest is an allegation of criminal conduct. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
SABINE PARISH, La. — A registered sex offender from Zwolle has been arrested following an investigation into alleged violations of Louisiana’s sex offender registration requirements, according to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell said the investigation began after the Sheriff’s Office Sex Offender Coordinator received information indicating that David Nash, of 1825 Magnolia Street, Zwolle, was operating social media accounts that had not been reported as required under Louisiana law.
According to investigators, Nash was allegedly operating a Facebook account using an alias. During the investigation, authorities determined he had failed to register that account, along with other required online identifiers, with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s
Office as mandated by Louisiana’s Sex Offender Registration and Notification laws.As a result of the investigation, Nash was arrested and charged with:
Failure to Register a Dating App Account
Failure to Register a Sex Offender Profile on a Dating App
Failure to Register an Alias Name
Failure to Register a Facebook Account
Failure to Register a Sex Offender Profile on a Facebook Account
Sheriff Mitchell credited the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division, Louisiana Probation and Parole, and Zwolle Police Chief Daniel Thomas for their assistance during the investigation.
“The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office is committed to enforcing Louisiana’s sex offender registration laws,” Mitchell said. “We will continue to aggressively investigate and arrest offenders who fail to comply with these requirements in order to help protect the citizens of Sabine Parish.”
The Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding possible sex offender registration violations to submit a tip through the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office mobile app or through Offender Watch. Citizens may also contact the Sheriff’s Office directly to report suspected violations.
Editor’s Note: An arrest is an allegation that probable cause exists to believe a crime has been committed. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
SABINE PARISH, La. — A Zwolle man has been arrested as part of an ongoing statewide undercover operation targeting individuals accused of attempting to exploit children online, according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill.
Attorney General Murrill announced that agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) arrested Zaikeese Lloyd, 26, of Zwolle, following an undercover operation conducted June 17-18.
Lloyd has been charged with:
Indecent Behavior with Juveniles (Louisiana Revised Statute 14:81)
Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor (Louisiana Revised Statute 14:81.3)
Officials said Lloyd’s arrest increases the total number of arrests resulting from the multi-agency operation to 11.
The arrest was carried out through a collaborative effort involving the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Fugitive Apprehension Unit, the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Shreveport Police Department.
Authorities said Lloyd’s bond has been set at $50,000.
Attorney General Murrill stated that the investigation remains ongoing, and additional information may be released as the case progresses.
Law enforcement agencies continue to emphasize the importance of proactive investigations aimed at identifying individuals who seek to exploit children online and protecting Louisiana’s most vulnerable citizens.
Editor’s Note: An arrest is an indication that law enforcement believes probable cause exists that a crime has been committed. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
SABINE PARISH, La. — Residents across Sabine Parish can expect a stretch of classic summertime weather over the next several days, with hot afternoons, mostly sunny skies, and only limited chances for scattered showers and thunderstorms.
Temperatures will remain in the lower 90s through the weekend, while overnight lows stay warm in the mid-70s. Wednesday
The forecast calls for a mostly sunny day with a 20% chance of isolated showers and thunderstorms, mainly developing after 10 a.m. Afternoon highs will reach around 92 degrees with light, calm winds. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with a low near 76 degrees.
Thursday & Friday
Sunshine takes center stage for the remainder of the workweek. Both Thursday and Friday are expected to be sunny with afternoon highs near 93 degrees. Evenings will remain mostly clear, with overnight temperatures cooling into the mid-70s.
Weekend Outlook
Saturday will continue the hot pattern with mostly sunny skies and a high near 93 degrees. A 20% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms returns after 1 p.m., but many areas are expected to stay dry. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 76 degrees.
On Sunday, moisture increases slightly, bringing a 30% chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Despite the rain chances, expect partly sunny skies and a high near 92 degrees.
Looking Ahead
The new workweek begins with another typical summer day. Monday brings mostly sunny skies, a high near 92 degrees, and a 30% chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms.
Five-Day Forecast at a Glance
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, high 92° | 20% chance of showers and storms
Thursday: Sunny, high 93°
Friday: Sunny, high 93°
Saturday: Mostly sunny, high 93° | 20% chance of afternoon storms
Sunday: Partly sunny, high 92° | 30% chance of showers and storms
Monday: Mostly sunny, high 92° | 30% chance of afternoon storms
Residents planning outdoor activities should stay hydrated, wear lightweight clothing, and keep an eye on the sky during the afternoon hours, when isolated thunderstorms could briefly develop. Otherwise, the forecast points to another warm and predominantly sunny week across Sabine Parish.
SABINE PARISH, La. — Motorists in Sabine Parish are being advised to plan ahead as a portion of Carters Ferry Road will be temporarily closed this week to allow for road improvement work.
According to the Sabine Parish Road Department, the closure will take place on Thursday, July 9, 2026, for a scheduled culvert replacement project.
The affected section of roadway is between Hideaway Drive and Dogwood. During the closure, crews will be working to replace the culvert to improve drainage and maintain the integrity of the roadway.
Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes and allow extra travel time while the work is underway. Officials ask motorists to use caution near the construction area and to follow all posted signs and directions from road crews.
The Sabine Parish Road Department appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as crews complete the necessary infrastructure improvements designed to enhance the safety and reliability of the parish’s road system.
Residents with travel plans through the area on Thursday should make arrangements to avoid the closure until the project is completed.
Families are invited to enjoy another morning of free summer entertainment as the Town of Many continues its popular Summer Movies at the Theater series this week.
The Week 4 feature will be Disney’s beloved classic Beauty and the Beast, showing Thursday, July 9, at 10:00 a.m. at the Many Community Center (formerly the Sabine Theater).
Admission is free for everyone, making it a fun and affordable outing for families during the summer break. Adding to the excitement, the first 50 children in attendance will receive a free snack pack, courtesy of The Blonde Barista.
Town officials also expressed their appreciation to this week’s featured sponsor, Ya Ya’s Children’s Boutique, for helping make the community event possible.
The Summer Movies in Many series has become a favorite seasonal tradition, offering families an opportunity to gather, enjoy classic films, and spend quality time together in a welcoming community setting.
Residents are encouraged to arrive early, bring the kids, and enjoy a morning filled with fun, laughter, and one of Disney’s most cherished animated classics.
Event Details
What: Summer Movies in Many – Beauty and the Beast
When: Thursday, July 9, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Many Community Center (Former Sabine Theater)
Admission: FreeBonus: Free snack packs for the first 50 kids, courtesy of The Blonde Barista
Sponsor: Ya Ya’s Children’s Boutique
The Town of Many says it looks forward to welcoming families for another memorable morning of free summer fun.
The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present “A Visit with the Bagpipe” at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 11 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The event will be free and open to the general public.
Attendees at this interactive workshop will learn the basics of traditional Celtic bagpipe playing and drumming, as well as Highland dance. The origins and history of the Great Highland bagpipe will be discussed. Practice chanters will be provided so that participants can try their hand at playing a Great Highland bagpipe in a hygienic manner. In addition to the scales, participants will learn to play an iconic bagpipe tune. Also featured will be the Bouzouki guitar and the Irish Bodhrán drum. The workshop will also include a Celtic music and dance performance by the Thistle Dancers and Pipers. Workshop instructors Susan Hyams and L. Collier Hyams will share their long experience and cultural knowledge of Celtic music and dance.
“This musical workshop will provide attendees a rare opportunity to learn firsthand the basics of playing the Highland bagpipe,” said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University. “We are grateful to tradition bearers like the Hyams who so generously offer the priceless gift of sharing their cultural knowledge.”
Susan Hyams has been playing bagpipes for over 35 years and started Scottish Highland dancing at age five. After competing and performing in both piping and dancing throughout the Northeastern states she decided to pursue her dream of having a Celtic school and formed the Thistle Dancers and Pipers in Virginia. The school became one of the largest highland dance schools on the East coast and in the early 2000’s had over 70 dancers and 15 piping students. She met Collier Hyams in 2002 at the Savannah Scottish Games. Collier was playing guitar and percussion with a Celtic rock band. In 2005 they were married in Laggan, Scotland. She has been a member of the City of Alexandria (Virginia) Pipes and Drums, the St. Andrews College Pipe Band, the Chesapeake Caledonians and the St. Andrews Ladies’ Pipe Band and has played pipes with the famous Celtic band The Chieftains, opened for the Tannahill Weavers, played for then President Clinton at the Presidential Golf Cup and for the Republic of Ireland National Soccer team at the U.S. Cup at Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts. The Hyams moved to Natchitoches in 2016 and in 2019 the Thistle Dancers and Pipers was reformed, debuting with two dances at the Natchitoches Folklife Festival. Since 2019, the group has grown to 15 dancers and 3 pipes and has performed all over Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. This past spring the group’s three teen dancers auditioned and were invited to travel to New York City to perform during National Tartan Week. Susan is a certified Highland Dance Teacher through the British Association of Teachers of Dancing and was a member of the Eastern United States Piping Association for many years. She currently teaches highland dance and bagpipes in her private studio in Natchitoches.
L. Collier Hyams grew up as a foreign service dependent in culturally rich places such as Thailand, Germany and Louisiana with stints in Ghana, Jamaica and Scotland. He has toured and recorded with world, reggae, rock, future music, and Celtic groups in North America, Europe, and bits of West Africa, Southeast Asia and South America. His primary creative outlet is as frontman and writer for the CMJ charting 50 Man Machine. Collier has spent the better part of a decade touring with Highland Bagpipers Neil Anderson (Seven Nations, Rathkeltair), EJ Jones (Clandestine, Teribus, Brizeus) and others. While based in NYC he worked with Will Calhoun (Living Colour), Jaron Lanier, Sussan Deyhim, Shirin Neshat, Laurie Anderson, Richard Horowitz, Peter Scherer, Julia Duka Duka Heyward, Big Twin, Sean Lennon and currently Scott Ambush of Spyro Gyra.
The Thistle Dancers and Pipers will participate in the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival on July 18. In honor of the 2026 Festival theme, “America the Beautiful,” the Festival will feature the traditional music of the nation – blues, gospel, Cajun, Celtic, country, bluegrass and zydeco on three stages of music as well as in the Magale Recital Hall. Over 70 traditional crafts persons from throughout the state will display their crafts, handcrafting their work during the festival.
Held in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum, the Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival features three stages of live music, Louisiana cuisine food vendors, the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship, dance lessons, music informances, narrative sessions, on-site demonstrations and more. Admission to this family friendly event is $10 for an all-day all event pass, with children 12 and under admitted free all day.
For more information on the bagpipe workshop or the festival, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu, or go to https://www.nsula.edu/folklife/. Questions about the workshop can also be directed to instructor Susan Hyams at (571) 217-7705 or thistledancersandpipers@gmail.com.
The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest History Museum and is in partnership with the City of Natchitoches. Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the Natchitoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, 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.
ZWOLLE, La. — The countdown is on for one of Sabine Parish’s most cherished traditions as organizers prepare for the 50th Annual Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Pageant, and contestants from across Louisiana are invited to compete for the prestigious title of Miss Zwolle Tamale Fiesta.
Hosted in conjunction with the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, which takes place during the second weekend of October, the pageant celebrates the festival’s rich heritage while providing young women and girls an opportunity to represent one of Louisiana’s most beloved cultural events.
Pageant Director Cally Killingsworth announced that all age divisions are open to contestants from anywhere in Louisiana, giving participants from across the state the chance to become part of the festival’s golden anniversary celebration.
Competition Divisions
The pageant will feature two sessions on Saturday, August 22, 2026, in Zwolle.
Morning Session – 9:00 a.m.
Infant Miss (0–11 months)
Baby Miss (12–23 months)
Toddler Miss (2 years)
T’nincy Miss (3 years)
Mini Miss (4 years)
Petite Miss (5 years)
Little Miss (6–8 years)
Afternoon Session – 4:00 p.m.
Deb Miss (9–11 years)
Junior Miss (12–13 years)
Teen Miss (14–16 years)Queen Miss (17–22 years)
Entry Fees & Competition
Entry fees are:
$65 for contestants ages 0–16, which includes the Spanish Costume and Photogenic competitions.
$80 for contestants ages 17–22, featuring Beauty, Evening Gown, On-Stage Question, Interview, Spanish Costume, and Photogenic competitions.
Organizers say custom crowns and awards will be presented in every age division.
Registration Deadlines
Contestants should note the following entry deadlines:
Queen Miss Division (17–22): August 14, 2026
All Other Divisions: August 16, 2026
Pageant entry forms will soon be available on the festival’s website and social media pages. Forms may also be requested by contacting pageant organizers directly.
Cash and money orders will be accepted for entry fees.
The Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Committee encourages anyone who has dreamed of representing the iconic festival to take advantage of this special opportunity during the event’s 50th Anniversary celebration.
For additional information or to request an entry form, visit http://www.zwolletamalefiesta.com or contact Pageant Director Cally Killingsworth.
With its combination of tradition, culture, pageantry, and family-friendly entertainment, the 50th Annual Zwolle Tamale Fiesta promises to be a milestone celebration for the Town of Zwolle and visitors from across Louisiana.
The North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory is warning the public after recent testing found that nearly one in three pharmaceutical-style tablets examined by the lab were counterfeit.
According to the crime lab, analysts examined 3,394 pharmaceutical tablets bearing legitimate drug imprints intended to identify the medication. Of those, 1,047 tablets were determined to be counterfeit, representing a counterfeit rate of 30.8%.
Lab officials said fentanyl and fentanyl analogs were the most commonly identified substances found in the counterfeit pills. Designer benzodiazepines, including bromazolam and phenazolam, were the second most common. Combined, those two drug classes accounted for approximately 80% of the counterfeit pills analyzed.
The remaining counterfeit tablets contained stimulants, other mismatched substances, and emerging novel opioids such as nitazenes and orphines.
According to the lab, the most frequently counterfeited pill was the M30 tablet, which is the imprint for legitimate 30-milligram oxycodone. Investigators also identified counterfeit versions of several alprazolam (Xanax) bar imprints, including S903, B707, GG249 and G3722, which instead contained designer benzodiazepines.
The crime lab said counterfeit pills have been identified throughout its 29-parish service area, including Ouachita, Caddo and Bossier parishes, as well as rural parishes such as Sabine, Lincoln, Morehouse and Winn.
Officials emphasized that it is impossible to determine what a pill contains based solely on its appearance and urged the public to only take medications dispensed by a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription.
The North Louisiana Criminalistics Laboratory warned that any pill obtained outside of a pharmacy should be considered potentially lethal, noting that a single counterfeit pill can be fatal.
The Sabine Parish School Board is looking for future school bus drivers and is inviting interested individuals to register for an upcoming Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training class later this month.
The four-day class is scheduled for July 20-23, 2026, and will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at the Education Support Center.
The training is designed for individuals interested in becoming school bus drivers and earning the qualifications needed to safely transport students throughout Sabine Parish.
Those interested in participating are encouraged to register in advance by contacting Jennifer Gribbin at 318-256-9228, Ext. 75121, or by email at jgribbin@spsb.la.
School officials say bus drivers play a vital role in the education system by providing safe and dependable transportation for students each day. The upcoming CDL class offers an opportunity for prospective drivers to begin the certification process and explore a rewarding career serving local schools.
Anyone interested in becoming part of the Sabine Parish School Board’s transportation team is encouraged to register before the class begins.
SABINE PARISH, La. — High school 4-H members in Sabine Parish have an opportunity to expand their agricultural knowledge and leadership skills through the Northwest Region Ag Ambassador Program.
The program is open to 4-H members entering grades 9-12 and offers students a chance to connect with professionals in the agriculture industry, explore college and career pathways, and learn best practices in the field.
According to the Sabine Parish AgCenter, the 2026-2027 Ag Ambassador Program will provide youth with special experiences designed to strengthen their understanding of agriculture while building relationships across the region and state.
Previous Ag Ambassador tours and experiences have included visits to a deer farm, lumber yard, Angola prison, greenhouses, LSU campus, equestrian center, and several other agricultural sites.
Although the promotional photo lists an August 7 deadline, Sabine Parish applications are due to Mrs. Julia for review by Monday, August 3.
Students interested in applying should email Mrs. Julia Campbell at jcampbell@agcenter.lsu.edu to request an application.
The Sabine Parish AgCenter encourages eligible high school 4-H members to take advantage of this opportunity to grow as leaders, explore future careers, and gain hands-on insight into Louisiana’s agricultural industry.
Well, well, well, you just never know what life will throw at you until it does. In early June of this year, after going through a few cardio tests like an EKG, ultrasound and a stress test, we (Dr. Chris Ingram and I) felt like everything was going to be okay.
Nothing really showed up during the tests that was alarming. Then a few days later, Dr. Ingram looked at my imaging and saw a shadow that got his attention. During my consultation, I could tell by his reaction while going over the imaging with my wife and I that he was very concerned.
Now my first reaction, like anyone else who thinks there’s nothing wrong, was that it can’t be that bad. I mean I’m only 65 years old and fit as a racing horse that’s been put out to pasture.
But then reality set in and after a heart Cath two days later, doctors discovered that there were seven blockages! That’s right, seven! Two in the back that had almost 100% blockage and 5 frontal arteries with partial blockage.
Finally, they had my attention and no longer could I deny that there was an issue. I then knew that this was something that would require extensive surgery to fix. My summer plans were now going to be altered dramatically.
It also explained why I was having the issues I had been experiencing during my last two bass tournaments. During and after both event’s, exhaustion does not describe how bad I felt.
I had major muscle fatigue and tightness across the shoulders. Leaning over to pick up a rod on the deck of the boat resulted in almost total black out, especially once the heat of the day set in from noon till 3:00. At first, I chalked it up to maybe being dehydrated or just getting too hot.
But at the end of my last tournament on the Red River with thirty minutes left before weigh-in, the rod I was holding in my left hand felt like it weighed 20 pounds. No chest pain, no arm pain, just extreme muscle fatigue.
But the worst part was when I had to beach my boat at the weigh-in and walk up the long 50 yard boat ramp to retrieve my truck and boat trailer. It felt like the walk of shame as I glanced around hoping no one was watching me. It was all I could do to put one foot in front of the other.
As I got in my truck, I just sat there for ten minutes trying to recover. Then once I got my boat on trailer, I had to climb into the back of my boat and get my fish out of the live well and into my weigh-bag. Then tote the bag of fish to the scales, which really pulled my energy level down to zero.
Once again, I got back in the truck to head home but sat there for at least fifteen minutes trying to catch my breath and recover. I knew something was wrong as I’ve never experienced this kind of fatigue even during my worst two-a-day football workouts from my high school or college days.
It got worse, as I arrived back home and parked the boat, I basically rolled out of the truck and walked into the house where I literally collapsed on the floor. My wife walked in and asked if I was ok to which I responded, “No!”
She then realized I was not good and got me a cold towel for my face. I laid on the floor for about forty minutes just so I could get enough energy to take a shower.
My thoughts and reasoning were, “It’s just hot (95 degrees). Maybe I didn’t drink enough water and just got too hot.” But as it turned out, there were some major issues going on internally. Problems that could not be fixed with medication or more exercise.
I owe a huge thank you to Dr. Chris Ingram and my personal physician Dr. Anil Matta for their persistence and due diligence in putting me through tests that, at the time, I thought were unnecessary.
After all, based on MY many years of medical experience and watching You Tube videos on heart related issues, I just knew nothing was wrong! Yeah right! Ha, a typical man who thinks he knows more than any doctor.
So, here’s the moral of this story. First, listen and pay attention to what your body is telling you. Understand your symptoms and what they mean. Second, trust your doctor and follow the directions he or she gives you on what needs to be done because it will probably save your life.
Update: It’s been over a week (June 29th) since my quadruple bypass surgery and I’m doing much better. Still a long way to go but making progress every day. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this tough time.
Pictured left to right: BOM’s Genevieve Loe, Kim Wilkerson, and Twyla Lovelady.
Our BOM Bank team in Many had a great time at the Toledo Bend Bass Unlimited Banquet! From great food to even better company, we loved being part of this amazing community event celebrating everything that makes Toledo Bend such a special place. Events like these bring people together and highlight the strong community spirit we’re proud to support!
Demetria Gene Guynes was born in 1962 in Roswell, New Mexico. Hers was a troubled childhood. Demetria’s parents, Dan and Virginia Guynes, were alcoholics and the family moved often to avoid debt collectors. Dan and Virginia fought often, and they married and divorced twice. When Dan left for the last time, in contrast to the natural order of things, Demetria had to take care of her unstable mother. Virginia found occasional work as a model in Los Angeles, California, but her alcoholism worsened. When Demetria was 12 years old, her mother tried to commit suicide the first time by taking pills. Demetria saved her mother’s life by digging the pills out of her unconscious mother’s mouth and calling an ambulance. Shortly thereafter, she learned that the man she called dad was not her biological father. Her real name was not Demetria Gene Guynes, but Demetria Gene Harmon. Her family had withheld the fact that her biological father was Charles Foster Harmon, an airman with the Air Force who had abandoned Virginia while she was pregnant with Demetria.
Virginia’s lack of steady employment and abuse of alcohol led to constant money problems. The money problems led to more alcohol abuse, which led to more money problems. It was a vicious cycle. When Demetria was a young teenager, her mother started taking her to bars to get attention. Late one night, Demetria and her mother returned to their apartment from a bar. Demetria was surprised to find a man they knew waiting for them inside their apartment. Virginia was not surprised. The man had a key to their apartment. The man took Demetria into her bedroom and raped her. Demetria was 15 years old. Before the man left, he asked her how it felt to be sold by her mother for $500. In addition to the awfulness of being raped, Demetria felt betrayed by her mother, the one person who should have protected her.
At 16, Demetria became a high school dropout and a runaway. Like her mother, Demetria began working sporadically as a model. At just 5 feet, 5 ½ inches, she was considered too short for most modeling jobs. Like her parents, Demetria tried to drown her troubles with alcohol. With nothing to lose and with no experience, she began auditioning for acting jobs. As with modeling, her acting jobs came sporadically. Alcohol abuse led to drug abuse. Demetria was headed for certain self-destruction when her boss and coworkers forced her to go to rehab. While Demetria’s mother’s life spiraled out of control with numerous arrests including burglary, arson, and multiple charges of drunken driving, Demetria led a life of sobriety. Because of her troubled childhood, Demetria now works with a foundation whose goal is to eliminate child sex slavery and human trafficking called Thorn: Digital Defenders of Children. You may not have known about Demetria Gene Guynes’s troubled childhood or her work with Thorn, but you certainly know her from films such as “Striptease,” “G.I. Jane,” and “Ghost.” You know Demetria Gene Guynes as Demi Moore.
Sources:
1. Concord Transcript (Concord, California), March 31, 1970, p.18.
2. Citizen (Solana Beach, California), December 11, 1987, p.58.
3. “Demi Moore reveals the devastating childhood that shaped her – ABC News – Part 1/3,” ABC News, Youtube.com, September 23, 2019, accessed June 21, 2026, https://youtu.be/MlFl5WiMzBI?si=7f03o7LeOZqfYj3-.
4. The Fresno Bee, October 7, 1994, p.2.
5. The Signal (Santa Clarita, California), October 5, 1995, p.2.
A Noble man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison following an investigation by the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force that uncovered hundreds of illegal files involving child sexual abuse material and other prohibited content.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announced that Yancy Elie Normand, 53, of Noble, was sentenced in the 11th Judicial District Court on June 25, 2026. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Normand received a total sentence of 22 years for convictions related to possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), possession of sexual abuse of animal images, and possession of a child sex doll.
The investigation began during the summer of 2025 when Sabine Parish ICAC detectives received a tip alleging that Normand had forced another individual to view child pornography, commonly referred to by law enforcement as CSAM. The information was received through the Louisiana ICAC Task Force, which is led by the Office of the Louisiana Attorney General.
Following the tip, detectives obtained a search warrant for Normand’s residence. During the search, investigators seized several electronic devices as well as two hand-crafted sex dolls that reportedly resembled juvenile females.
Subsequent forensic examinations of the electronic devices led investigators to discover more than 200 illegal files, including child sexual abuse material and bestiality-related content, according to authorities.
Sheriff Mitchell emphasized the importance of public tips in helping law enforcement identify and investigate cases involving child exploitation.
“These tips are critical to our investigations,” Mitchell said, adding that detectives will continue to aggressively pursue cases involving the exploitation of children.
Normand has remained incarcerated in the Sabine Parish Detention Center since his arrest in June 2025.
Law enforcement officials encourage anyone with information regarding suspected child exploitation to report it immediately to authorities or through appropriate reporting channels.
As Louisiana families prepare to celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th year, the Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) is urging residents to put safety first and use fireworks responsibly.
Fireworks remain a leading cause of preventable holiday injuries each year. Sparklers can reach temperatures above 2,000 degrees, creating a serious burn risk, especially for children.
According to 2025 data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks misuse and malfunction were linked to at least 15 deaths and an estimated 13,000 emergency department-treated injuries. Sparklers accounted for an estimated 1,300 injuries. People ages 15 to 24 were injured most often, with burns to the hands, fingers and head among the most common injuries.
More than 660 permitted fireworks stands will operate statewide this season, with retail sales allowed through 11:59 p.m. July 5. Louisiana law requires fireworks vendors to be licensed and permitted through the SFM and to sell only where fireworks are authorized.
“Public fireworks displays remain the safest way to celebrate,” said DPS Principal, Assistant Chief Bryan J Adams. “If you choose to use consumer fireworks at home, plan ahead, follow safety guidelines and buy only from licensed vendors.”
To help prevent injuries, the Office of State Fire Marshal recommends:
Check local burn bans and avoid fireworks during dry or windy conditions
Use fireworks in open areas at least 200 feet from buildings, vehicles and flammable materials
Never allow children to handle fireworks; consider safer alternatives such as glow sticks or public displays
Never use homemade, altered or illegal fireworks and always follow label instructions
Do not use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs
Light one firework at a time and keep a hose or bucket of water nearby
Soak used fireworks before disposal and never place dry fireworks in the trash
Residents can expect another stretch of summer heat across the area, with temperatures climbing into the mid-90s through the Independence Day weekend. While most days will remain sunny, isolated afternoon thunderstorms will be possible, especially during the latter half of the week and into early next week.
Wednesday will be hot and mostly sunny with a high near 95 degrees. A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms develops late in the afternoon after 4 p.m. Heat index values could reach as high as 103 degrees. Wednesday night brings a slight chance of lingering storms before skies become partly cloudy, with overnight lows around 75.
Thursday will feature mostly sunny skies and a high near 93 degrees. A few isolated afternoon thunderstorms are possible after 1 p.m., with rain chances around 20 percent. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low near 76.
Friday looks dry and sunny with a high near 94 degrees. Clear to mostly clear conditions continue Friday night, with temperatures falling to around 76 degrees.
For Independence Day on Saturday, expect sunny and hot conditions with a high near 95 degrees. A slight 20 percent chance of afternoon thunderstorms could develop after 1 p.m., but most celebrations should remain dry. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 77.
Rain chances increase slightly on Sunday, with a 30 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms under mostly sunny skies. High temperatures will remain near 94 degrees. Sunday night brings a 20 percent chance of storms and a low around 76.
Looking ahead to Monday, moisture increases across the region, bringing a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms.
Despite the higher rain chances, temperatures will still reach around 93 degrees.
Residents planning outdoor activities for the holiday weekend should stay hydrated, take frequent breaks from the heat, and remain alert for isolated afternoon thunderstorms that may develop with little warning.
James Genovese will be the next president of Northwestern State University (Chris ReichCourtesy of Northwestern State University)
By Piper Hutchinson, Louisiana Illuminator
Northwestern State president says his plan is ‘wasting away in Margaritaville’
State Sen. Alan Seabaugh takes credit for ousting Northwestern State University’s president in 2024 and, with the backing of Gov. Jeff Landry, replacing him with former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jimmy Genovese.
Two years later, Genovese says he isn’t able to count on either of his two supporters to advance his plans for the school, which include starting the first law school in North Louisiana.
In recent interviews, Genovese said his feud with Seabaugh, a Republican whose district includes the Natchitoches campus, is costing Northwestern State much-needed cash from the state. And it was Landry who came up with the idea to open a law school at the university, but the governor has since dropped his support of the plan, he said
“It wasn’t my idea,” Genovese said. “When I came on board … there were discussions coming out of the governor’s office regarding a law school, so I just went with the flow.”
When asked if the governor supports a new law school at Northwestern State, Landry spokeswoman Kate Kelly said that decision is completely up to the Board of Regents, which oversees higher education in Louisiana.
While he maintains the governor still privately backs the idea, Genovese said two factors have led Landry away from providing any public or material support. The first, Genovese said, is Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, whose district includes Tulane University, home to one of the state’s four law schools. Genovese said the governor doesn’t want to get crosswise with a legislative leader he needs to advance his agenda.
“The last thing Louisiana needs is more lawyers,” Henry said when reached for comment about Genovese’s proposal.
Another obstacle, Genovese said, is that promoting a new law school might create the impression that Landry supports trial attorneys. The governor himself is an attorney and has received campaign contributions from trial lawyers.
“There was this nasty fight … between the insurance industry and the trial lawyers, and I don’t think the governor wants to be labeled a trial lawyer person,” Genovese said.
Genovese provided a copy of his law school proposal he said he submitted to the Board of Regents and the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, which oversees Northwestern State. Genovese and UL System board member Robert “Skeeter” Salim, Genovese’s lifelong friend and a prominent trial attorney in the state, requested the Regents expedite their review process so it could receive approval from the UL System Board just a month after it was proposed.
Emails the Illuminator obtained through a public records request show Board of Regents staff discussed the matter with Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed, who was not comfortable with an expedited review. Genovese and Salim have not brought the law school pitch to the full UL System board.
Genovese described his proposal as “wasting away in Margaritaville,” a reference to the Jimmy Buffet song.
Despite no further moves to make the proposal a reality, Genovese has continued to publicly advocate for the law school in speeches and in news interviews, rankling state lawmakers and other stakeholders.
“If the Board of Regents wanted another law school, they would do it,” said state Rep. Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, whose district includes Natchitoches. “So I don’t know why he continues to talk and advocate for things like that and get people’s hopes up, when obviously an application to do a law school has not moved within the Board of Regents.”
From reference to rival
While he seemingly tilts at windmills for a new law school, Genovese has also feuded with the lawmaker who got him the job at Northwestern State.
Seabaugh, an conservative lawmaker, said in an interview last week his first order of business after joining the Louisiana Senate in 2024 was ousting Marcus Jones, the first Black leader at Northwestern State, who Seabaugh said was responsible for the school “going downhill in many ways.”
Sen. Alan Seabaugh
After being forced to resign, Jones returned to the University of Louisiana System office as executive vice president and chief operating officer.
Seabaugh proposed Genovese replace Jones in Natchitoches. Landry also backed Genovese for the job.
“Nobody was more responsible for putting him there than me,” Seabaugh said.
Genovese, despite having had no experience in higher education leadership, touted his budget expertise when interviewing with faculty and staff for the president’s job. He took credit for securing money for the Louisiana Supreme Court during his time as an associate justice from 2017-24.
That claimed fiscal prowess isn’t reflected in the state budget that takes effect Wednesday, however.
Northwestern State was the only public university in Louisiana to receive no additional funding in the primary budget bill on top of what each campus is required to receive. It was also the only campus left out of the supplemental budget, where lawmakers dole out millions for special projects. These special projects find their way into the budget at the request of lawmakers, usually senators.
When asked about Northwestern State’s omission in the budget, Genovese blamed Seabaugh.
“We don’t have a senator that helps us,” Genovese said. “[Seabaugh has] been mad at me from day one. I … hardly even know this guy.”
‘I don’t think he’s suited for the job’
Genovese said the feud started because he refused to fire Northwestern State employees Seabaugh asked him to dismiss. Since then, Genovese said, Seabaugh hasn’t answered his phone calls.
Seabaugh said none of that is true. By his account, he never asked Genovese to fire anybody but rather warned him not to take advice from the same people he viewed as leading Jones astray.
Jones has not responded to a request for comment.
Seabaugh also said he hasn’t refused any calls from Genovese, because he hasn’t gotten any to reject.
“If they want me to put something in the budget, they might want to ask,” Seabaugh said.
Though he wouldn’t characterize the tension between the two leaders as a “disagreement,” Seabaugh expressed frustration in the way Genovese handled the first major hire of his administration.
Genovese brought in former Northwestern State basketball coach Mike McConathy as a special adviser in fall 2024 shortly after he was hired. McConathy is a Louisiana basketball coaching legend who was recently inducted into the state’s Sports Hall of Fame. He also ran against Seabaugh in his 2023 Senate bid.
Seabaugh said he didn’t mind that he hired McConathy, but he did take issue with how Genovese addressed it with him.
“When he called me, he said, ‘I know this is going to piss you off, but I don’t care. I’m doing it anyway,’” Seabaugh recounted.
Genovese said that was not the language he used but confirmed he did call Seabaugh as a courtesy to tell him he was hiring McConathy, which he said angered the senator.
The two confirmed they haven’t talked since that call in 2024.
“He doesn’t know how to ask,” Seabaugh said. “I think he’s used to being a judge and telling people what to do. I don’t think he’s suited for the job he’s in.”
“The university has not improved and it’s not going to as long as he’s there,” the senator added.
Spending in question
McFarland, who leads the legislature’s budget-writing committee, said some of Genovese’s “decision making has been questioned.”
McFarland didn’t detail the gripes he has heard from lawmakers, but a look into Northwestern State’s budget shows warning signs of financial difficulties ahead.
Genovese has raised pay for Northwestern State’s approximately 800 employees three times in less than two years, despite the university operating at a deficit. The university projects a shortfall of $13.4 million for the fiscal year that ended Tuesday, according to a UL System financial report. The university has covered the cost by spending down its cash reserves.
Other UL System schools are in worse financial positions, but Northwestern State’s spending has raised the eyebrows of its board members, who questioned Genovese about the deficit at last week’s meeting. Genovese said the university was likely to end the next fiscal year in the black, possibly with a surplus.
While Genovense’s spending at Northwestern State has increased, enrollment at the school has dropped. Its student body reached 8,847 in 2023 and fell to 8,402 for fall 2025, a 5% decrease. Less than a quarter of NSU students attend class on campus, which means they bring in less revenue for the school.
Other schools in the UL System are also experiencing enrollment declines, but most are adjusting their budgets to match.
“We’re closely monitoring the enrollment projections and being optimistic that they will be able to turn the tide on their own,” UL System President Rick Gallot, Genovese’s boss, said about the budget situation.
Photo and Article Courtesy of the Louisiana Illuminator
As Northwestern State University (NSU) looks ahead to the Fall 2026 semester, internal tracking data reveals that high school dual enrollment programs are projected to play an even larger role in the university’s total headcount than in previous semesters.
According to an official institutional research document, the university has set an aggressive Next Fall Target of 7,879 undergraduate students. However, a closer look at the tracking metrics shows that nearly one-third of that entire target population is made up of high school students.
The ‘Enrollment Mask’ Expands
The university separates its high school and introductory enrollment into two tracking categories: University (Non-Prep) and University (Prep). For the upcoming Fall 2026 semester, the university’s targets for these categories are:
UNIV (Non-Prep) Target: 351 students
UNIV (Prep) Target: 2,183 students
Total High School Target: 2,534 students
If NSU hits its goals, dual enrollment students will account for 32.2%—nearly one out of every three—of the total undergraduate student body. This represents a significant shift from previous years, expanding the “Enrollment Mask” that higher education analysts say allows institutions to report stable or growing total headcounts while masking a structural decline in full-time, on-campus students.
Current Summer Progress
As of June 24, 2026, registration tracking shows the university still has a long hill to climb before reaching its census goals, which is typical for this point in the summer cycle.
The university’s Current Enrollment stands at 4,732 out of the 7,879 target. When isolating the true degree-seeking undergraduate numbers from the high school dual enrollment categories, the breakdown shows:
Total Reported Current Enrollment: 4,732*
Current Dual Enrollment (Prep & Non-Prep): 768
True Current Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,964**
*Note: Across the university’s broader tracking metrics, true undergraduate enrollment stands at 3,964; however, it should be noted that many of these students are online-only or attend classes outside of the main campus in Natchitoches.
While a vast majority of the targeted 2,534 high school students will be registered later in the summer as school districts finalize their schedules, the physical campus infrastructure remains tied to the 3,964 true undergraduates currently on the books.
Budget vs. Body Count
The economic reality for the Natchitoches campus remains stark. Traditional undergraduate students pay full tuition and generate critical “auxiliary revenue” through campus housing, meal plans, and student fees. In contrast, dual enrollment students pay deeply discounted contract rates or receive state-funded exemptions.
The physical presence of these students on campus remains rare. While a select few students from local institutions like Natchitoches Central and the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA) are granted rare permission to attend classes in person, the vast majority of the dual enrollment population completes coursework remotely or at their respective high schools.
As the university pushes toward its ultimate master plan under leadership to stabilize total institutional footing, the tracking data indicates that the path to high headcount numbers relies more heavily than ever on the high school demographic.
**Note Dual Enrollment (DE) students are excluded from “True Enrollment” figures above. While these students are academically valuable, their reduced tuition and minimal use of campus facilities mean they do not reflect the institutional sustainability or the market demand for the university’s core physical and residential services.
