Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office recently marked a significant milestone in its commitment to professional training and public safety with the successful completion of its first-ever P.O.S.T. Level 3 Correctional Officer Certification Course.

According to Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and Warden Berlion Sweet, the 92-hour training academy was held last month at the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Training Facility and provided state-certified instruction focused on the care, custody, and control of inmates in Louisiana correctional facilities.

The course was conducted by newly certified P.O.S.T. Level 3 instructors Assistant Warden Teresa Bonner, Lieutenant Curry Richardson, and Sergeant John Potter. Their certification enabled the Sheriff’s Office to host the training locally for the first time.

Over the course of three weeks, 13 deputies completed intensive instruction covering a wide range of correctional topics, including Louisiana law, inmate transportation procedures, jail searches, suicide prevention, report writing, use-of-force policies, bloodborne pathogens, first aid, adult CPR, defensive tactics, and the use of chemical agents.

The deputies who successfully completed the Level 3 certification course include:

Brett M. Basco

Weston L. Birdwell

Ideshia J. Crawford

Collin T. Durr

Chasity E. Greene

Ricky L. Hall

Gabriel M. Hardy

Melliody L. Hollins

Laten L. Phillips

Royce A. Rodgers

Jacob W. Sepulvado

Kristian N. Welch

Matt Campbell

Sheriff Mitchell congratulated the graduates, praising their dedication to professional development and their commitment to serving the citizens of Sabine Parish.

“This certification reflects the hard work and dedication of these deputies and helps ensure the highest standards of professionalism within our Corrections Division,” Mitchell said.

Warden Sweet noted that the Corrections Division plans to conduct additional P.O.S.T. Level 3 certification courses in the future as staffing and training needs arise.

The successful completion of the inaugural academy represents another step forward in strengthening correctional operations and enhancing the training opportunities available to deputies serving Sabine Parish.

---

The 46th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival will be held on Saturday July 18, in the air–conditioned Prather Coliseum located at 220 S. Jefferson Street on the Northwestern State University campus in Natchitoches. The festival’s curated showcase of Louisiana folk musicians, food vendors and traditional crafts persons will open at 9 a.m. with live entertainment scheduled for 9:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The family-oriented festival is fully wheelchair accessible. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are $10 at the door for all events or $6 for an evening pass to all events after 5 p.m. 

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. Music and dance headliners include Cajun bands Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys and Poisson Rouge, zydeco band Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, blues artists the Wayne “Blue” Burns Band and the Snake Doctors, western swing and classic country artists Gal Holiday and the Honky Revue, the Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team, bluegrass group Catahoula Drive, gospel groups the Amazing! Rhythm Disciples and the Winnsboro Easter Rock Ensemble and dance performances by Native Nations Intertribal, the Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team, the Thistle Dancers and Pipers and Fijian traditional dance by the Rokobou Family. In addition will be a special appearance by Kovanda’s Czech Band which will accompany the Louisiana Czech Heritage Dancers. The festival also includes numerous food vendors offering traditional Louisiana cuisine. Outdoor activities feature demonstrations of traditional blacksmithing, Dutch oven cooking and a child-friendly hands-on demonstration of a 19th century wash day. 

More than 80 crafts vendors have been invited to display and discuss their traditional work with festival patrons. Craftspeople are expected to display beadwork, baskets, cowhide chair covers, alligator jewelry, Pysanky eggs, Native American crafts and pottery. Other expected craftspeople will display needlework, wood carvings, handmade toys and dolls, paintings, sculpture, homemade soap, spinning and weaving, handcrafted knives, handmade brooms, walking sticks, folk art quilts and more. 

The Festival will include a Gumbo Cook-Off, in which professionals and hobbyists alike can compete in one of the multiple categories and demonstrate their cooking skills in any of three categories, Seafood, Poultry Plus and People’s Choice. All gumbo must be cooked on-site, with no commercial or pre-made roux allowed. Poultry, meat, seafood, rice and broth or stock may be prepared in advance or on-site and canned broth is allowed. Registration and the Cooks’ Meeting will take place at 8:00 a.m. Tasting and judging will begin at 12:30 p.m. with winners announced at 3:15 p.m. There is no fee to compete in the Cook-Off. 

The Annual Louisiana State Fiddle Championship will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Magale Recital Hall. There will be a non-championship class and a championship class. A twin fiddle category will also be held. Registration is at noon in the first-floor foyer outside Magale Recital Hall. The Fiddle Championship winner will perform on the main stage at Prather Coliseum at 5 p.m. 

The festival includes several opportunities for patrons to engage directly with Louisiana folk culture. Free dance lessons include clogging or flatfoot dancing with Clancey Stewart, Celtic dance taught by the Thistle Dancers and Pipers and Cajun and zydeco dancing taught by the Cajun French Music Association Dance Troupe. Interactive activities include dancing with the Louisiana Czech Heritage Dancers and Native Nations Intertribal. 

“The festival bridges the distance between artists and the festival patrons, thus breaking the artificial barriers between artists and audience,” said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the festival and NSU’s Louisiana Folklife Center. “Rather than watching from the sidelines, everyone who takes part in these activities will share and engage in Louisiana’s rich culture.” 

KidFest will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kidfest is an area dedicated to child-friendly activities and is a fun way for children to examine their own cultural and family traditions as well as those from around the state. 

Narrative sessions will be held in the festival N-Club Room from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature presentations on the making of the first sinker cypress fiddle, traditional carding, spinning and weaving, Fijian traditional culture, Louisiana foodways and heritage language revitalization. In addition will be music informances on Cajun music with bands Kevin Naquin and the Ossun Playboys and Poisson Rouge. ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices and audio description for these cultural discussions will be made available upon prior request by July 10.  

This year also features several pre-Festival events which are free and open to the general public. A Visit with the Bagpipe will be held at 2 p.m. on July 11 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. Attendees at this free workshop will learn the basics of traditional Celtic bagpipe and drumming, as well as Highland dance. The workshop will also feature a Celtic music and dance performance by the Thistle Dancers and Pipers. A second free pre-festival event will be a music and dance performance by Native Nations Intertribal at 6 p.m. on July 17 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Members of Native Nations Intertribal will also engage in a discussion of their traditions with anthropologist Dr. Hiram “Pete” Gregory, an expert on Southeastern Native American tribes and culture. 

For a full schedule of events, online registration forms to participate in the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship and the Gumbo Cook-Off or to make a donation contact the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu or go to nsula.edu/folklife/. 

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 Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program will not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.  

The festival is sponsored by Alliance Compressors, Atmos Energy, C&H Precision Machining, City Bank, Cleco, Evans Family, LLC, the Harrington Law Firm, Natchitoches Wood Preserving Company, Ronnie’s Auto Glass and Collision Center and Young Estate, LLC. 

---

After 12 weeks of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and clinical experience, six graduates from the National EMS Academy Alexandria campus have earned their EMT certifications and are ready to answer the call across the Central Louisiana region.  

The Alexandria campus’ new graduates are:

• Emily Hamilton of Woodworth
• Thomas Lewis of Shreveport
• Alfonso Ruiz Rodríguez of Leesville
• Samantha Scaife of Many
• Ayana Slaughter of Alexandria 
• Aidan Eaves of Monroe 

As newly certified EMTs, these graduates are prepared to provide emergency medical care, support patients in critical situations, and serve communities throughout the region. Their training has equipped them with the knowledge and skills needed to respond effectively in emergencies. 

“Becoming an EMT takes a lot of hard work and commitment,” said National EMS Academy Director TJ Dronet. “We’re proud of what these graduates have accomplished and excited to see them begin serving their communities.” 

Upcoming Opportunities: The next class registration is currently open, with class beginning on July 13. Orientation sessions are held on June 30 or July 1 to explore career pathways for EMTs and paramedics. 

Learn More & Register: becomeamedic.com

---

Sabine Parish 4-H member Allen Walker is being recognized for his outstanding performance on the national stage after helping lead the Louisiana 4-H Hunting Skills Team to a National Championship at the 2026 National 4-H Shooting Sports Championships in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Walker, competing alongside teammates Carter Neil of Terrebonne Parish, Joel Orgeron of Lafourche Parish, and Rebecca Theriot of Terrebonne Parish, helped Louisiana claim the prestigious national title in the Hunting Skills competition. The team was coached by Chris Pearce, who guided the group through the rigorous multi-discipline event.

In addition to the team championship, Walker earned individual honors by placing third in the nation, a remarkable accomplishment among the country’s top youth shooting sports competitors.

The National Hunting Skills competition tests participants across a wide range of outdoor and hunting-related disciplines, including:

.22 Rifle

Shotgun

Archery

Orienteering

Wildlife and Hunting Knowledge Testing

The championship victory contributed to another historic year for Louisiana 4-H Shooting Sports, which was also named the Overall Champion State Sweepstakes Winner. Louisiana has now brought home the National Shooting Sports Championship six times in the last seven years, further establishing itself as one of the nation’s premier youth shooting sports programs.

The Sabine Parish AgCenter praised Walker, Coach Chris Pearce, and the entire Louisiana delegation for their dedication, sportsmanship, and commitment to excellence.

The achievement highlights the strength of Louisiana’s 4-H Shooting Sports program and the opportunities it provides young people to develop leadership skills, responsibility, outdoor knowledge, and competitive excellence.

For Sabine Parish, the national championship serves as a source of local pride as one of its own helped bring home a title for Louisiana while representing his parish and state at the highest level.

Congratulations to Allen Walker, Coach Chris Pearce, and the Louisiana 4-H Hunting Skills Team on an outstanding national championship season.

---

BOM Bank was proud to support the 7/8U Astros Many Dixie Youth Team. Youth sports provide valuable opportunities for children to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, dedication, and leadership while building lasting friendships and memories. We are honored to support programs that help young athletes grow both on and off the field and strengthen our communities for the future.

---

One of Louisiana’s most accomplished high school basketball coaches is receiving one of the state’s highest honors.

Florien High School is celebrating the induction of Coach Dewain Strother into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing a career that helped shape generations of student-athletes and established one of the most successful girls basketball programs in Louisiana history.

During his remarkable coaching career, Strother compiled 1,235 victories, captured six state championships, and guided the Florien Lady Black Cats to 21 Final Four appearances. His success on the court earned him the distinction of becoming Louisiana’s all-time winningest girls basketball coach.

Under Strother’s leadership, the Lady Black Cats became a powerhouse program known throughout the state for excellence, consistency, and championship-level competition.

However, school officials say his legacy extends far beyond wins and championships.

For 49 years, Strother dedicated himself to Florien High School, serving not only as a coach, but also as a teacher, athletic director, mentor, and role model. Throughout his career, he influenced countless students and athletes, helping them develop both on and off the court.

Even after retirement, Strother has remained actively involved with Florien athletics, continuing to support student-athletes and the Lady Black Cats basketball program.

School leaders praised his lasting impact on the Florien community, noting that his influence can be seen in the success of former players, students, and colleagues whose lives were shaped by his leadership and dedication.

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction serves as a fitting recognition of a career defined by excellence, commitment, and service to young people.

As Florien High School celebrates this milestone, the community joins in honoring a coach whose achievements have left an enduring mark on Louisiana high school athletics.

Congratulations to Coach Dewain Strother on his well-deserved induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

---

Sabine Parish 4-H members showcased their talents, leadership, and dedication at the annual Louisiana 4-H University State Contest, bringing home numerous awards and state leadership positions.

The Sabine Parish AgCenter recognized the outstanding achievements of local youth who competed against some of the best 4-H members from across Louisiana, earning top placements in a variety of contests and demonstrations.

Several Sabine Parish participants earned impressive finishes at the state competition, including:

Karsyn Brandon – 1st Place, Outdoor Skills

Caleb Corley – 2nd Place, Public Speaking (Any Topic)

McKinnon Montgomery – 2nd Place, Promote 4-H: Graphic Desig

Gus Harwell and Ian Woodruff – 3rd Place, STEM Demonstration

Karsyn Brandon, Mya Ferguson, Hank Garcie, and Zander Hobbs – 3rd Place, Outdoor Skills Team

Lexie Jones – 6th Place, Public Speaking (Cooperatives)

McClay Montgomery – 8th Place, STEM Illustrated Talk

In addition to their contest success, several Sabine Parish 4-H members were selected to serve in prestigious statewide leadership roles:

Lexie Jones – Louisiana 4-H Citizenship Board

Karsyn Brandon – Louisiana 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador

Carter Simmons – Louisiana 4-H Shooting Sports Ambassador

Sabine Parish also received the Stellar Recruitment Award, recognizing the parish’s efforts to grow and strengthen its local 4-H program.

Local 4-H leaders praised the students for their hard work, preparation, and commitment, noting that their accomplishments reflect the strength of the Sabine Parish 4-H program and the support provided by volunteers, families, and community partners.

The annual Louisiana 4-H University brings together youth from across the state to compete in educational contests, leadership activities, public speaking events, STEM competitions, and career-focused programs designed to prepare future leaders.

Sabine Parish’s strong showing at this year’s event highlights the talent, dedication, and leadership skills of its young people while continuing a tradition of excellence within the parish’s 4-H program.

Congratulations to all of the Sabine Parish 4-H members who represented their community with distinction at the state level.

---

Have you ever questioned why you’re here? Ever wondered, ‘what am I supposed to be doing with my time on this Earth?’

Each of us has a calling but it may take a while to discover what it is. As a child, I questioned a lot of things that took place during my younger years, especially as I started school. 

It became very apparent that the classroom was going to be a challenge. The biggest problem was that I had no guidance, no one to make sure I did my homework or that I even got up every day to go to school.

But there was one day in my life that I will never forget. It was the day they had Little League baseball tryouts. Even though I was not old enough to play Little League, I still showed up with glove in hand and ready to show anyone that I could play this game. 

I rode my bike up the street to a local ballpark where the tryouts were taking place. I hopped off my bike and ran onto the field and got in the first line of players I saw as they were taking ground balls and throwing them back to a coach. 

When my turn came around, the coach hit the ball to me, and I scooped it up and fired it back at the coach. I’ll never forget his reaction as he waived me over to talk to him. Then he uttered words that I will never forget. 

“Son, I don’t think you’re old enough to play Little League, but I can tell you one thing for sure. You’re going to be one heck of a player when you get older.”

Disappointment that I was not eligible to play baseball yet really hit me hard mentally. Finally, there was something that I knew I was good at! Baseball was going to give me purpose! 

It would be on a baseball field that I would shine. It would be through baseball that my confidence and self-esteem would soar. The baseball field was where I was supposed to be!

School on the other hand would continue to be difficult as I was diagnosed with dyslexia going into the second grade. But because of a couple of great teachers by the name of Mrs. Mickey Sinclair and Mrs. Elwanda Carpenter, my world in the classroom was turned around.

From the third grade on, school curriculum would not be as challenging, but I had to work hard to make passing grades. Studying was a necessary evil in order for me to do good in school and get to play sports.  

My parents understood school was a challenge but expected nothing short of A’s and B’s. C’s were not acceptable and there would be consequences for bringing home one. Mother would threaten to pull me out of sports when a C appeared on a report card. 

But again, I figured out early in life that sports, especially baseball, would be my purpose in life. It would be my calling and my saving grace for me as person. It gave me a feeling of confidence that nothing else could. 

Today when I speak to youth, this is one of the topics I’ll discuss. No matter what it is, find that one thing you’re good at and make that your purpose. Make that the reason you get up every day. Make that your passion whether it’s sports, education, music or, maybe if you’re lucky, it’s bass fishing!

Life can offer us so many opportunities but it’s up to each of us to take advantage when those opportunities roll around. I truly believe that God has a purpose for each of us. 

It just might take some of us longer to figure out exactly what our purpose is, but isn’t that what life is all about? The journeyis the great adventure.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

---

BOM Bank was proud to present a donation to support the Zwolle High School Camp of Champs, helping young athletes sharpen their skills, build confidence, and have fun on the court this summer. We are honored to invest in opportunities that encourage teamwork, dedication, and growth in our youth.

---

Descartes said, “I think, therefore I am.”

Doug said, “I drive, therefore I am,” and honestly, I’m starting to trust my version more.

I spend so many hours with my body attached to a car that I’m basically a mobile Methodist. I know I20 like the back of my hand—every bump, every dip, every spot where my cell signal disappears as if it’s entering the Witness Protection Program. I know where law enforcement hides, waiting to catch those who treat the speed limit as a suggestion from a friend rather than a command from the state. I know exactly how far I can push the fuel light before I’m praying in tongues at the next exit. If you see me on the Interstate, give me a wave. I’ll wave back. I’m friendly like that.

Driving entertains me. I read bumper stickers like they’re sacred texts. If you see me tailgating, don’t worry—I’m not being aggressive; I’m just trying to discern whether your “Coexist” sticker is faded or ironic. And I’ve developed a spiritual gift: I can tell when someone is talking on the phone while driving. They always slow down. Always. It’s like the car senses the conversation and decides to meditate.

Today I was headed to Bossier City when the nice truck in front of me decided it was time for a midjourney spa treatment. He hit his windshield washer at 70 mph. At my following distance, his washer fluid became my washer fluid. A surprise baptism by RainX. I just smiled and thanked God for the improvisational rain shower. Louisiana weather is unpredictable, but apparently so are Louisiana drivers.

Now here’s where the sermon sneaks in.

My actions can change your attitude, and your attitude interprets my actions. That’s the whole ballgame.

I could’ve gotten mad. I could’ve imagined he did it on purpose. I could’ve turned on my wipers and smeared my windshield into a Monet painting. Or I could interpret it factually: I was following too closely behind a man with a dirty windshield who needed to see better. Or I could interpret it spiritually: God’s grace falls on the just, the unjust, and the guy behind the truck who wasn’t expecting a windshield blessing.

We don’t live in a vacuum. Our actions splash onto the people behind us—sometimes literally. That’s why Scripture tells us to be careful how we walk. We don’t want to trip someone else up. But the other side is just as important: I’m not responsible for what you do to me, but I am responsible for what I let your actions do inside me.

The world is small. The road is shared. And whether we like it or not, we’re all windshield washers for somebody.

So drive kindly. Live kindly. And if you must baptize the car behind you, at least use the good fluid.

---

July 1 marks the anniversary of one of the most significant events in American history—the beginning of the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

Fought over three days in and around Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the battle became the largest and deadliest engagement of the American Civil War. More than 160,000 Union and Confederate soldiers converged on the small town, where intense fighting ultimately resulted in an estimated 51,000 soldiers killed, wounded, captured or missing.

The battle began on July 1 as Confederate and Union forces unexpectedly encountered one another outside Gettysburg. As additional troops arrived throughout the day, the fighting intensified and eventually spread across the surrounding hills and ridges.

The conflict reached its climax on July 3 with Pickett’s Charge, a massive Confederate assault against the center of the Union line. The attack failed, forcing Confederate General Robert E. Lee to retreat south, ending his second and final invasion of the North.

Historians widely consider the Battle of Gettysburg a turning point in the Civil War. Lee’s defeat halted Confederate momentum, while the Union victory strengthened Northern morale and shifted the course of the conflict.

Just four months later, President Abraham Lincoln returned to Gettysburg to dedicate the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. During the ceremony, he delivered the Gettysburg Address, a brief speech that became one of the most enduring expressions of American democracy and the nation’s founding ideals.

Today, Gettysburg National Military Park preserves the battlefield, allowing millions of visitors each year to explore the site where one of the defining moments in United States history began on July 1, 1863.

---

For 20 years Cris had worked as a commercial fisherman and a dockworker.  On this particular cold March afternoon, Cris had some time on his hands.  He had just returned from working on a ship in the Bahamas and was waiting to catch another ship which would take him to yet another port city.  He never caught that ship.  While he waited, Cris walked over the frozen, snow-covered ground to King Street, the port city’s main hub of activity.  Cris carried a pound stick, a tool of his trade.  A pound stick was a large stick used to strike or pound a ship’s deck to summon crew to their stations and for setting the pacing for others while they were loading and unloading a ship’s cargo.  When not on duty, Cris and other sailors used their pound sticks as walking sticks.  

Shopkeepers on King Street recognized that something other than the comings and goings of regular commerce was happening in front of the government building nearby.  Shopkeeper Edward Payne stood in his entry doorway gazing at the large crowd trying to understand the situation.  Edward heard the voices of men and boys yelling at each other in the crowd.  Suddenly, chaos erupted.  The men and boys threw rocks, hard-packed snowballs, and anything else they could get their hands on at the nine guards protecting the government building.  Some of the sailors swung their pound sticks at the guards.  Whether Cris swung his stick has never been confirmed, but he was in the front when the guards opened fire.  The gunfire lasted for only a few seconds.  

Yells of anger turned into a mixture of moans of pain and shrieks of terror.  51-year-old Sam Gray, a rope maker, was shot in the head and died instantly.  17-year-old Sam Maverick, an apprentice, was shot in the stomach and died the following day.  49-year-old James Caldwell, a mate on a ship, was shot twice in the back and died in the street.  30-year-old Patrick Carr, leather worker, was shot in the hip and died nine days later.  Cris was shot twice in the chest and died instantly.

Others were injured but survived.  Shopkeeper Edward Payne’s arm was broken when he was struck by a shot as he stood in his shop’s doorway.  John Green, a tailor, was shot in his thigh.  Robert Patterson, a sailor, was shot through his right arm.  A youth named David Parker was shot in his thigh.  Two 17-year-old boys, Christopher Monk and John Clark, both apprentices on ships, were shot; Monk in the back and Clark in his abdomen.  All but Monk recovered from their wounds.  Monk’s wound was extremely severe, left him disabled, and led to his early death ten years later.  

Most citizens in Great Britain are unaware of this altercation, but the British government officially referred to it as the Incident on King Street.  Colonists initially called it the Bloody Massacre.  The world now refers to the Incident on King Street as the Boston Massacre.  

Sources:

1.     The Boston Gazette, March 12, 1770, p.1-3.

2.     “The bloody massacre perpetrated in King Street Boston on March 5th 1770 by a party of the 29th Regt.,” Library of Congress, accessed June 28, 2027, https://www.loc.gov/item/2008661777/.

3.     “What was the Boston Massacre?” Boston Massacre Historical Society, accessed June 28, 2027, https://www.bostonmassacre.net/index.html.

---

Sally Mae Randall
May 17, 1954 – June 26, 2026
Visitation:Thursday, July 2 at 5:00 PM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home
Services: Friday, July 3 at 10:00 AM at Warren Cemetery

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

---