Two Sabine Parish Sheriffโs Office School Resource Officer supervisors recently completed advanced leadership training designed to prepare law enforcement professionals for command-level responsibilities.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announced that Capt. James Campbell and Lt. Steven Myers attended the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Command Leadership Institute at the Humble Independent School District Police Department in Humble, Texas.
The intensive program is designed for law enforcement leaders seeking to strengthen the skills needed for command-level assignments. The course follows FBI-LEEDAโs โCops Teaching Copsโ professional development model and emphasizes practical leadership strategies that can be applied within law enforcement agencies.
Training topics included command leadership, effective and creative team building, ethical decision-making, resilient leadership and techniques for supervising challenging employees.
Campbell and Myers also examined the roles of credibility, accountability and motivation in effective supervision while receiving instruction on liability and disciplinary issues that law enforcement leaders may encounter.
According to the Sabine Parish Sheriffโs Office, the skills gained through the program will assist both officers in their daily supervisory roles within the agencyโs School Resource Officer program.
Mitchell thanked the Humble ISD Police Department for its hospitality while hosting the officers for the training.
ZWOLLE, La. โ The Zwolle Museum on the Bend has temporarily closed its doors while repairs are made to address water damage and air conditioning issues at the facility.
Museum officials announced Aug. 20 that the closure is expected to last for the next few weeks while the problems are addressed.
A specific reopening date has not yet been announced.
Despite the temporary closure, museum officials are already looking ahead to a special exhibit planned for October.
The upcoming exhibit will celebrate 50 years of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta, highlighting the history and traditions surrounding one of Sabine Parish’s best-known annual celebrations.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to watch for additional information regarding the museum’s reopening and the October exhibit as details become available.
SABINE PARISH, La. โ Sabine Parish will remain hot through the week, with chances for showers and thunderstorms developing Wednesday night and continuing through Friday before drier conditions return for the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Wednesday will be sunny and hot with a high near 99 degrees. Winds will be calm before becoming southwest around 5 mph. Wednesday night will bring a 30 percent chance of precipitation, with showers and thunderstorms possible before 10 p.m. and a chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. The low will be around 75.
Thursday will bring a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, conditions will be mostly sunny and hot with a high near 95. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m., followed by a slight chance of showers. The low will be around 72.
Friday will be mostly sunny and hot with a high near 96 degrees and a 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Friday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 72.
Saturday will be sunny and hot with a high near 97. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 72.
Sunday will continue the sunny and hot pattern with a high near 97 degrees.
Pictured (left to right) are Dennie McKnight, Electrician Technology Instructor; Vincent Korb, Scholarship Recipient; Jennifer Byles, Scholarship Representative; and Cynthia Johnson, Sabine Valley Assistant Campus Administrator.
MANY, LA โ Bossier Parish Community College and the BPCC Foundation are proud to announce Vincent Korb as the recipient of the Robert Byles Endowed Scholarship in Electrician Technology at BPCC Sabine Valley.
The scholarship honors the life of Mr. Byles, who passed away in February 2017, and is awarded to students who are enrolled in the Electrician Technology program at BPCCโs Sabine Valley campus.
Korb is currently pursuing a Technical Diploma in Electrician Technology. During the scholarship presentation, Mrs. Jennifer Byles expressed her pride in his accomplishments and encouraged him to continue his education by pursuing an Associate Degree after completing his diploma.
Cynthia Johnson, Sabine Valley Assistant Campus Administrator, said the scholarship provides valuable support for students while continuing the legacy of Robert Byles.
โWe are grateful to Mrs. Byles for her continued support of our students through this scholarship,โ Johnson said. โIt is a meaningful way to honor the memory of her late husband, Robert Byles, while helping students overcome financial barriers as they pursue their education and prepare for their future careers.โ
The awarding of the Robert Byles Endowed Scholarship is a demonstration of BPCCโs commitment to providing quality education and opportunities for students pursuing careers in high-demand technical fields. For more information about the BPCC Foundation, contact Susannah Stinson, J.D., Associate Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, at (318) 678 6000.
BPCC offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, Career and Technical Certificates in pathways such as healthcare, computer technology, manufacturing, business, and general studies. For more information on any of the Collegeโs programs and to apply, visit www.bpcc.edu. Detailed information regarding applying, registration, tuition costs and deadlines can be found online at www.bpcc.edu/admissions or contact the BPCC Admissions Office at (318) 678-6004 or admissions@bpcc.edu.
What if one concert could bring together people who love classic hymns, contemporary Christian music, love country music by artists like Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Brooks & Dunn & Jelly Roll, those who love Southern Gospel and traditional Black Gospel, along with those who grew up listening to the Eagles, the Beatles, James Taylor, STYX and classic rock?
Thereโs one that can.
Itโs an Amazing! Rhythm Disciples (ARD) concert.
The Disciplesโ mantra is โFamiliar Music. Timeless Message.โ They like to describe their concerts as seven very accomplished musicians with very diverse backgrounds coming together to make โA VERY Joyful Noise!โ
ARD was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in the fall of 2024, when seven musicians who also happened to be friends came together to play music, have fun and praise Godโand ended up forming a unique music ministry.
โIt all came together very quickly and very organically,โ said bassist Keith โDonโt call Me Shirleyโ Shirley. โWe were just jamming around and having fun. We would play a Southern Gospel song, then a contemporary Christian song, then a country song, then a classic rock song. Sometimes we would almost accidentally mash them together, look at each other and say, โHey, that works!โโ
Shirley gives credit where he believes it belongs.
โWe knew the good Lord had His hand in this from the get-go,โ he said. โThe blending of the various musical stylesโor โmashups,โ as we call themโcame together so naturally and so quickly that we knew God was doing something.โ
Donโt let all the joking fool you. There is an extraordinary amount of musical experience on an ARD stage.
Among the Disciples are four members of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, current and former church music directors and ministers, and musicians holding at least five music degrees, including a doctorate. Violinist Andrei Kurti studied at the Moscow Conservatory and has performed at Carnegie Hall and in concert halls throughout Europe.
Altogether, the group stopped counting after passing 300 years of combined musical performance experience.
But ARD is difficult to put into a musical box.
โI donโt think you can pigeonhole us as a Gospel group or even simply a Christian music group,โ said vocalist Julia Brown. โWhat we see happening over and over at our concerts is that folks who donโt normally listen to Christian music hear us play a classic rock song or even a current country song reinterpreted through the lens of faith, and they think, โHey, I know that song!โ Before they know it, theyโre hearing a contemporary Christian song or a Southern Gospel song and finding that they like it, in spite of themselves.โ
โFamiliar music is the bridge, and Jesus is where the bridge leads.โ
The Amazing! Rhythm Disciples have performed at churches of various denominations, non-denominational churches, festivals and other events. Along the way, they have watched people of different generations, races, backgrounds and faith traditions come together to laugh, cry , praise and sing along while hearing a message centered unmistakably on Jesus Christ.
โWe take music people know, along with humor and fun, and use it to open the door,โ said one of the Disciples. โThen we walk through that door with them. And no one receives a bigger blessing than us.โ
That connection is at the heart of an ARD concert.
โWeโre constantly striving to connect with someone in the audience and convey the message that no matter what problems youโre having in your life, you donโt have to face them alone. Thereโs strength and hope in Jesus. If we reach one person, itโs all been worth it.โ
After a recent Disciples concert at a church, an elderly lady approached the group with just one word to describe what she had experienced:
โJoyous.โ
The band couldn’t have asked for a better description.
ARD believes sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ doesn’t have to be somber. There can be laughter. There can be great music. There can be familiar songs, unexpected arrangements, stories, memories and plenty of fun.
And there can be joy.
That’s why the Amazing! Rhythm Disciples plan to keep doing exactly what they set out to do:
Making a VERY Joyful Noise!
THE AMAZING! RHYTHM DISCIPLES Familiar Music. Timeless Message. Making a VERY Joyful Noise!
The Zwolle Junior High boys basketball team brought home a first-place finish following a strong showing at the Ebarb Junior High Basketball Tournament.
The fifth- and sixth-grade Hawks captured first place in the tournament, earning recognition from Zwolle Elementary School for their performance on the court.
School officials congratulated the players for the hard work, teamwork and determination that helped lead the team to the tournament title.
โYour hard work, teamwork, determination, and Hawk Pride truly paid off,โ the school stated. โWe are so proud of you!โ
The championship finish added another accomplishment for the young Zwolle athletes as they represented their school and community at the Ebarb tournament.
Are you passionate about helping children and families overcome challenges and connect with needed services? The 11th Judicial District Court is seeking a dedicated and motivated professional to serve as a FINS Intake Officer within the Families in Need of Services (FINS) division of court. Join a team committed to strengthening families, supporting youth, and serving the community through meaningful intervention and collaboration. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of youth and families while working closely with the court, schools, community agencies, and service providers.
Position Summary
The FINS Intake Officer serves as the first point of contact for families referred to court under the Families in Need of Services process found in Louisiana Children’s Code Title VII. The successful candidate will receive community complaints, conduct intake screenings, meet with families, coordinate services, facilitate conferences, and assist families in developing solutions that promote positive outcomes for children and youth.
Key Responsibilities
Receive and review FINS referrals.
Meet with children, parents, and guardians to assess family needs.
Conduct intake conferences and gather case information.
Develop and monitor case plans.
Connect families with community resources and support services.
Maintain accurate case records and documentation.
Work collaboratively with schools, law enforcement agencies, service providers, and court personnel.
Prepare reports and recommendations as needed for Judges.
Assist families in accessing services designed to improve family stability and youth success.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in:
Social Work
Criminal Justice
Psychology
Sociology
Counseling
Human Services
Behavioral Sciences
Or a closely related field
Or, 6 years of experience in case management, social services, juvenile justice, education, counseling, or a related field.
Lived experience navigating social services, FINS, CINC, or other juvenile justice systems.
Residence in Sabine Parish is always preferred.
Desired Skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work effectively with children, families, and community partners.
Strong organizational and time management abilities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Computer Skills.
The ability to coordinate services.
Understanding of community based services.
Ability to work with a variety of people.
Salary
Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.
Benefits
Retirement:Yes Health Insurance: Available with employer contributions Life Insurance: Available Paid Leave: Yes, subject to accrual policy
To Apply
Submit a resume, application, and any required supporting documents to: Kristi Kor, Judicial Administrator for the 11th Judicial District Court, via e-mail to admin@11jdc.com Application Deadline: August 26, 2026
Hunters hoping for an opportunity to participate in Louisianaโs 2026 black bear hunting season have only a few days left to enter the stateโs permit lottery.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is reminding hunters that the deadline to apply for the 2026 Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery is Friday, Aug. 28.
This year, 42 black bear tags will be available through the lottery, with hunting opportunities offered across all Louisiana Black Bear Management Areas.
The 2026 black bear hunting season is scheduled for Dec. 5-20.
Applicants must have a valid Louisiana black bear hunting license before submitting a lottery application. The application fee is $50 and is non-refundable.
Bear harvest permits are divided into three categories: WMA, Private Landowner and General.
Hunters selected through the lottery will also be required to attend an LDWF bear hunter training course before participating in the hunt. Training courses are scheduled for Oct. 16, 17, 22 and 23. According to LDWF, failure to attend the required training could result in forfeiture of the permit.
Louisiana’s black bear hunting season returned in 2024 following decades without a regulated season. The hunt is managed through a limited permit system as part of the state’s black bear management program.
Hunters interested in entering the 2026 lottery should complete the application process before the Aug. 28 deadline.
Additional information, eligibility requirements and application instructions are available through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ Louisiana Black Bear Hunting Lottery webpage.
Louisiana residents planning to take to the roads or waterways during the upcoming Labor Day weekend are being reminded to drive and boat sober as law enforcement agencies prepare to increase impaired-driving patrols across the state.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries hosted the Louisiana Highway Safety Commissionโs โDrive Sober or Get Pulled Overโ press conference on Monday, Aug. 24, in the Joe L. Herring Room in Baton Rouge.
LDWF Enforcement Division Col. Stephen Clark joined representatives from several law enforcement agencies to emphasize that impaired operation of vehicles and vessels will not be tolerated. Officials said DUI enforcement patrols will increase during the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend.
โDuring Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Louisiana Game Wardens will join our law enforcement partners in maintaining a visible presence statewide,โ Clark said. โWhile our primary responsibility will be on the waterways, we are part of the same coordinated effort to prevent impaired operation and save lives. Through that coordinated effort, we can carry a consistent safety message from Louisianaโs roadways to its waterways.โ
Louisiana game wardens will focus much of their enforcement efforts on the stateโs waterways, where increased recreational boating is expected during the holiday weekend.
The statewide campaign also involves agencies responsible for highway and local traffic enforcement.
Other speakers at Mondayโs press conference included Louisiana State Police Superintendent Col. Frank Besson, New Orleans Police Department Capt. Anthony Micheu, Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas โTJโ Morse Jr., Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman.
Officials are urging residents to make plans for a sober driver before drinking and reminding boat operators that impaired operation on the water can have serious consequences just as it can on the highway.
The message from participating agencies heading into the holiday weekend is simple: Drive sober. Boat sober. Help keep Louisianaโs roads and waterways safe.
Iโve always felt that I grew up in the perfect era. It was the early โ70s and the Vietnam War was coming to an end. My generation never had to worry about being drafted by the armed forces. If you wanted to join the military, it was strictly voluntary.ย
While a few of my classmates chose to go in that direction, my attention was trying to get an athletic scholarship to play either football or baseball on the Division 1 level.
Letโs go back to my early years of growing up in the small East Texas town of Mt. Pleasant. As a child during this time frame, we had a lot of freedom. If you had a bike, it was this form of transportation that was basically unlimited. If you could ride your bike on it, there was no limit to where you could go.
We woke up at daylight and were on our bikes by 8 oโclock every summer morning and only came home for lunch, or right at dark. My kids still have a hard time understanding that the only rule we had — be home when the streetlights came on.
Parents didnโt always check on their kids. They pretty much knew where they supposed to be. My mother always knew where I was and who I was with most of the time. There was also a certain amount of trust between parents and their kids, until that trust was broken and we got into trouble.
We lived about three miles out of town and several days out of the week, I would ride my bike for miles. I was either playing ball somewhere at a local ballpark or somebodyโs back yard. We rode our bikes looking for coke bottles on the side of the road that we could trade for candy at the local country store.
We played in creeks and ditches, especially after a big rain. As friends we were always together every day and spent a lot of time playing baseball or going to the local pool.
Occasionally, you could find me fishing at one of the stock ponds, or tanks as they call them in Texas. If I wasnโt at one of the ponds on our ranch, our neighbor Mr. Rayford Jones, who lived across the road from our house, owned a cattle farm and allowed my brother and me along with his grandson to fish his two ponds (tanks) that were full of bass and catfish.
Growing up in the country meant you probably had a garden to tend to. Every other day, I had to spend a couple of hours raking grass out of the garden, which was absolute torture for me. But the produce that came out of the garden was incredible, especially after dad had a load of chicken manure brought in!
We also had about two acres around our house that had to be mowed once every two weeks. Not with a riding mower, but with a push mower! Thatโs right, a 14-inch cut push mower, which required at least two days to complete the job.
I had a brother, seven years younger, who was supposed to take over the lawn cutting duties after I left home for college. Guess what showed up two days before I left home: thatโs right, a Sears riding mower!
To say I voiced my displeasure to my parents about this purchase would be an understatement. For five years I push-mowed two acres and now my little brother would get to use a riding mower!
That being said, there were several chores demanded of me that my brother never took on. So, I guess you could say being the youngest had its privileges.
Looking back, I had an awesome childhood with more freedom than kids have today. They say itโs a different world than what my generation grew up in. Iโm not sure thatโs totally right.
Thereโs just so much more media exposure with up to the minute news and social media sites that are always shedding light on topics most really donโt want to hear about.
Thereโs always been bad people in the world who are looking to prey upon the weak. Todayโs kids are growing up in a bubble of overprotection. Parents are less likely today to allow their kids to roam free like we did.
I think kids and young teenagers today are not near as mature as earlier generations. This is due to parents being overprotective, afraid to let their kids make mistakes they can learn from. With my generation, we all had summer and part-time jobs that helped us to mature and understand responsibility at an early age.
Our parents did a great job of preparing us for the real world. That gave us something I think is lacking with so many of todayโs youth –maturity and accepting responsibility. We can only hope and pray that the generation of today will find its own path to success sooner rather than later.
Our country is at a crossroads in so many ways today. Far left extremists continues to gain ground in small areas of the country. But I donโt think when it comes down to a national election, they will have enough support to win.
I think common sense once again will prevail with the American people,like it did back in the good ole days. If it wasnโt for todayโs social media, these small pockets of far-left activists would never even be heard. In God we trust! Stay strong America!
Many Fall Fest 2026 is set for Saturday, Oct. 17, bringing an evening of games, food, entertainment and fall activities to the Many Town Square.
The annual event will be held from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at the Town Square, located across from the Many Police Department.
Fall Fest will feature carnival-style games and activities, food trucks and the annual Chili Cookoff Fundraiser, sponsored by Community Bank of Louisiana. Carnival-style entertainment will also be featured, sponsored by Sabine Parish America 250.
As part of the ongoing America 250 celebration, organizers will hold a โSpirits of 1776โ Costume Contest. Participants are encouraged to dress as an American historical figure to enter the contest.
Organizers are currently accepting registrations for activity booths and applications from food vendors. Sales vendors will not be accepted as activity booths.
Additional details about Many Fall Fest are expected to be announced as the event approaches.
A bomb discovered at a Nevada casino on Aug. 26, 1980, was supposed to be carefully dismantled by the FBI. Instead, the attempt to disarm it triggered an explosion that caused millions of dollars in damage.
The bomb had been planted at Harvey’s Resort Hotel in Stateline, Nevada, by extortionist John Birges. He demanded $3 million from the casino and built the device inside a large metal box.
When authorities discovered the bomb, FBI bomb technicians were brought in to dismantle it. During the operation, however, a mistake caused the device to detonate. The explosion tore through part of the hotel and caused an estimated $18 million in damage.
Despite the enormous blast,ย no one was killed.
The bizarre incident became one of the more unusual chapters in the history of casino crime and bomb disposal. Birges was eventually arrested and convicted for the bombing.
Human beings are amazing creatures. We can build skyscrapers, transplant hearts, send people into space, and teach a telephone to recognize our face. But ask us to do something difficultโeven something we have dreamed about doingโand suddenly we become extraordinarily creative theologians.
โI would, Lord, butโฆโ
That sentence may be humanityโs oldest hymn.
Moses certainly knew the tune. In Exodus 3, God appears to him in a burning bush and essentially says, โMoses, remember that thing you have cared about most of your life? Remember your people suffering in Egypt? Remember how you once tried to do something about it? Well, Iโm sending you.โ
You would expect Moses to shout, โFinally!โ
Instead, Moses begins producing excuses like a Louisiana mosquito produces relatives.
โWho am I?โ
โWhat if they donโt believe me?โ
โWhat if I donโt know what to say?โ
โIโm not a good speaker.โ
And finally, when the theological arguments run out: โLord, please send somebody else.โ
That last one is refreshingly honest.
We do exactly the same thing.
โIโve always wanted to write a book.โ
Wonderful. Start writing.
โWell, I really need the right desk.โ
So we buy the desk.
โNow I need the right chair.โ
We buy the chair.
โOf course, proper lighting is important.โ
Six months later we have a magnificent home office, three notebooks, seventeen pens, a new computerโand not one sentence.
Or maybe we have always wanted to get in shape. Monday morning arrives with all the promise of a new creation. Unfortunately, Monday is inconvenient. Tuesday looks better, except there may be rain. Wednesday is Bible study. Thursday feels too close to Friday, and everybody knows you should never begin anything major that close to a weekend.
Next Monday it is.
Church people are particularly gifted at sanctifying excuses.
โSomeone ought to visit that person.โ
Someone ought to.
โWe really need somebody to work with the children.โ
Absolutely.
โSomebody should invite that new family to lunch.โ
Amen!
Apparently, โSomebodyโ is the busiest member of every congregation in America.
The funny thing is that we sometimes make excuses about doing the very things we have asked God to let us do.
We pray for an opportunity, and when God provides one, we say, โNot quite what I had in mind.โ
We pray, โLord, use me.โ
God says, โAll right.โ
And suddenly we begin renegotiating the contract.
โLord, when I said โuse me,โ I was thinking perhaps in an advisory capacity.โ
Moses discovered something important at the burning bush. God never really answered Mosesโ question, โWho am I?โ
Instead, God answered the question that mattered: โI will be with you.โ
That is the hope for all of us excuse makers.
God does not wait for us to become fearless, eloquent, organized, perfectly prepared, ten pounds lighter, completely confident, or free next Tuesday.
God simply calls.
And when our excuses begin piling up, God keeps saying what he said to Moses:
I will be with you.
So perhaps the next time God opens the door we have spent years asking him to open, instead of developing another excellent reason why we cannot walk through it, we might take one trembling step.
We excuse makers may discover that God has already gone ahead of us.
And apparently, he is not nearly as impressed with our excuses as we are.
Jerome “JC” Clarence Powell July 1, 1952 โ August 10, 2026
Jerome “JC” Clarence Powell
Funeral services for Jerome โJCโ Clarence Powell, 74, were held on Friday, August 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Hwy, Many, Louisiana. A visitation was held on Thursday, August 13, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A burial followed on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Lewis Cemetery, 355 Lewis Cemetery Rd., DeRidder, Louisiana. Officiating the service was Brother Matt Warren.
Jerome was born on July 1, 1952 to Marvin Elmore Powell and Mary Germaine Powell in Newton, Texas and passed away on Monday, August 10, 2026 in Many, Louisiana.
Jerome served in the military for 8 years. He was Boatswain Mate 1st Class. He was a lifetime member of the Zwolle Ebarb VFW Post 5187 as well as the American Legion in DeRidder Post 27. He retired after 39 years and one day from the Boise Cascade Paper Mill in DeRidder, Louisiana. He was known as the mayor of Shadowโs Landing and took care of the residents. He had an infectious laugh and drew all in that heard him. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He always left things better than he found them.
Jerome was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Mary Powell; mother-in-law, Sue Riley; father-in-law, Red Riley; sister, Mary Ann Powell; brothers, Francis (Fuzz) Powell, James Powell, and Thomas Powell.
He is survived by his wife, Katy Jo Powell, of Many, Louisiana; daughters, Amanda Stokes (Jeff) of Arcadia, Oklahoma, Heather LaBee of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Emily Powell (Sarah) of Queen Creek, Arizona, Hope Wayland (Todd) of Dothan, Alabama; sisters, Wannelle Jaeger of Leesville, Louisiana, Roxieanne Briggs of Leesville, Louisiana, and Bridget Huie of Leesville, Louisiana; brother, Ben Powell (Karen) of Bay St. Louis, Alabama; 5 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; his precious sidekick, Tater, who patrolled and visited beloved friends of Shadowโs Landing; and numerous nieces, nephews, and a lot of cool cousins.
Honoring Jerome as pallbearers were Billy Owen, Ronnie Cunningham, Jason Richard, Nathan Richard, Tony Baker, and Glyn Harper. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Jeff Comeaux, Jeff Thibideaux, Bobby Stephens, Tommy Richard, and John Dever.
Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrickโs Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.
William E Sepulvado October 4, 1944 โ August 16, 2026
William E Sepulvado
Funeral services for William โSweetโ Ernest Sepulvado were held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 307 Hammond St, Zwolle, Louisiana. A visitation took place on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Hwy, Many, Louisiana. A burial followed at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Officiating the service will be Father Keith Garvin.
William passed away on August 16, 2026, at the age of 81. He was born in Zwolle, Louisiana on October 4, 1944, to Susan and Ernest โBocatโ Sepulvado.
William, lovingly known as โSweetโ, was a true family man who took great pride in the people he loved. He was a hardworking man who spent many years working as a log truck driver before retiring. He was known for his strong work ethic, kind heart, and the love he had for his family. His presence, stories, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew him. William was the youngest of five children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Susan and Ernest โBocatโ Sepulvado; his two brothers, Joseph Harvey Sepulvado and Marvin Sepulvado; and his special friend, Ethel Paddie.
He is survived by his three sons, Rodney โHeadโ Meshell, Rodney Sepulvado, and Doyle Sepulvado; his sisters, Marjorie Craig and Jane Permenter; his beloved companion, โBulldogโ; grandchildren, Brittany Evans, Kristen Meshell, Kelsey Meshell, Elana Sepulvado, Rex Sepulvado, Marissa Sepulvado, and Aiden Sepulvado. He also leaves behind many other family members, friends, and loved ones who will forever cherish his memory.
โSweetโ was a man who valued family, hard work, and the simple things in life. Though his time here has come to an end, the love he gave and the memories he made will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. Rest easy, Sweet. Your work here is done. You will be dearly missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.
Honoring Sweet as pallbearers were his nephews, Justin Sepulvado, Marty Sepulvado, Brayden Sepulvado, Ernie Sepulvado, Jr., Ernie Sepulvado, Sr., Todd Sepulvado, and Corey Sepulvado. Servings as honorary pallbearers were Doyle โMonkey Manโ Remedies, Lennis Meshell, Tim Meshell, Simon โSlickโ Leone, Leroy โRed Billyโ Sepulvado, Michael Meshell, and Jimmy Meshell.
The family would like to extend their warmest thanks to Dr. Kirtan Koticha and his staff as well as Superior Hospice for all the love and dedication to โSweetโ.
Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrickโs Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.
Strabo was a Greek geographer born in 64 BC in what is now Amasya, Turkey. Strabo was from an affluent family which afforded him a good education. When he was about 21 years old, Strabo continued his education in Rome where he studied grammar, writing, history, rhetoric, and philosophy. At some point, Strabo began writing a geography based on his extensive travels throughout the known world. He described the people, places, animals, and collected stories from the places he visited. He published his first edition of Geographica in 7 BC which included the story of a hetaira called Doricha. A hetaira was a highly educated female companion who often served a variety of roles including artist, entertainer, conversationalist, and some say, prostitute. Strabo wrote that Doricha โwas bathing, an eagle snatched one of her sandals from her maid and carried it to Memphis; and while the king was administering justice in the open air, the eagle, when it arrived above his head, flung the sandal into his lap; and the king, stirred both by the beautiful shape of the sandal and by the strangeness of the occurrence, sent men in all directions into the country in quest of the woman who wore the sandal; and when she was found in the city of Naucratis, she was brought up to Memphis, and became the wife of the king.โ In his story, Doricha became the queen of Egypt. I must stress that there is no evidence that there ever was a queen of Egypt named Doricha.
Straboโs tale has been told and retold through the centuries. In 1634, Italian Giambattista Basile published a notable version called La Gatta Cenerentola in his book entitled Il Penatamerone. Cenerentola derived from the Italian word โcenereโ which meant ash or cinder because the clothes of servants at the time were usually soiled by ash or cinder because of their cleaning duties. In his version, the first to be published in the Western world, Basile changed Dorichaโs name to Zezolla. In 1697, Frenchman Charles Perrault published an even more embellished version of the tale in his book which translates to Histoires ou contes du temps passรฉ (Histories, or Tales of Past Time). Perrault changed her name from Doricha to another name which was a reference to her clothes being dirty. It is Perraultโs embellished version of Straboโs 2,000-year-old tale that we all know because he added a magic pumpkin, a fairy godmother, and a glass slipper. Perrault called her Cendrillon, but we all know Doricha as Cinderella.
A parish-wide burn ban is now in effect in Sabine Parish due to high temperatures and an extended period without precipitation.
The burn ban took effect Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, and prohibits all outside burning throughout Sabine Parish, including the burning of garbage, grass, leaves and brush.
According to the burn ban declaration issued by the Sabine Parish Police Jury, high temperatures and a lack of precipitation have resulted in dangerous fire conditions and an elevated threat to property and residents.
Work-related burning permits must be issued by one of the parish fire chiefs.
Sabine Parish Police Jury President Ronny Bison also proclaimed a State of Emergency within Sabine Parish due to the fire conditions. Emergency preparedness plans and parish hazard emergency operation plans may be activated if necessary.
According to the declaration, violations of the burn ban are subject to penalties of not less than $100 and not more than $500, plus court costs, upon conviction.
The declaration was issued Aug. 14 and will remain in effect until fire conditions improve or for 30 days from the date it was issued.
The Sabine Parish Sheriffโs Office advised anyone with questions or concerns about the burn ban to contact their local fire district.
The Central Sabine Fire Department responded to 122 calls during July, an increase of 14 calls from the previous month, with officials reporting noticeable increases in EMS calls and woods and grass fires.
According to the departmentโs July run report, EMS calls accounted for 76 responses, the largest category for the month. Crews also responded to 11 woods or grass fires and 15 motor vehicle accidents.
Other calls during July included six fire or smoke alarms, three incidents involving arcing power lines, two car fires, five public assists, two chlorine or gas leaks, one structure fire, one dumpster fire and one landing zone setup.
Fire officials said persistent dry conditions have contributed to an increased danger of woods and grass fires. Dry vegetation can ignite easily and allow fires to spread more quickly than expected.
The department also attributed the increase in EMS calls in part to summer heat, noting that heat exhaustion and heat stroke can develop quickly, particularly during prolonged outdoor activities.
Central Sabine Fire Department encouraged residents to stay hydrated, use caution in the heat and consider the fire danger before burning.
โOur crews are always ready to respond, but the best emergency is the one we can prevent,โ the department stated.
SABINE PARISH, La. โ Sabine Parish will experience a prolonged stretch of hot and sunny weather through the weekend, with afternoon temperatures remaining near 98 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Wednesday will be sunny and hot with a high near 98 degrees and calm winds. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 76.
Thursday will remain sunny and hot with a high near 98 degrees. Thursday night will be mostly clear with a low around 76.
Friday will be sunny and hot with a high near 98 degrees. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low around 75.
Saturday will continue the sunny and hot pattern with a high near 98 degrees. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 75.
Sunday will bring another sunny and hot day with a high near 98 degrees.
LOUISIANA โ Louisiana State Police is reminding motorists that the stateโs expanded Move Over Law is now in effect, extending protections to disabled, immobilized and nonoperational vehicles displaying hazard lights, flashing lights or another emergency warning device.
Under the expanded law, motorists approaching a roadside vehicle on a highway with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction should safely move into a lane away from the vehicle.
If changing lanes is unsafe or impossible, or if a motorist is traveling on a two-lane highway, drivers should slow to a reasonably safe speed and maintain a speed appropriate for road conditions.
The law applies regardless of whether motorists encounter blue emergency lights, amber warning lights or the flashing hazard lights of a stranded motorist.
Louisianaโs Move Over Law also continues to require motorists to yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles using audible or visual warning signals unless otherwise directed by a police officer.
Louisiana State Police emphasized that the law is intended to provide additional space for first responders, roadside workers and stranded motorists to remain safe.
โDifferent lights. Same responsibility,โ Louisiana State Police stated. โMove over. Slow down. Give them room.โ
Texas has a documented long-term water problem and is aggressively planning future supplies. Louisiana has major new industrial and data-center water demands of its own. Because the two states share interconnected river systems, Louisiana should conduct and publicly release a comprehensive study of the cumulative effects before major water commitments are made.
That question matters because Louisiana citizens have watched enormous economic-development projects negotiated under NDAs, public authorities become major players in private industrial development, fights over eminent domain and permanent underground COโ injection, massive transmission projects, thousands of acres targeted for solar development, rapidly expanding data centers, and even discussions involving nuclear development and radioactive-waste disposal.
Researchers at the University of Texas reported in May 2026 that Texas data-center growth could eventually account for ๐ฎ๐ ๐บ๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ ๐ต% ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒโ๐ ๐๐ผ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฐ๐ฌ under a high-growth scenario.
Louisiana is facing many of the same questions as enormous data-center and industrial projects move into our state.
The Texas Water Development Board adopted its 2027 State Water Plan on July 23, 2026.
Texas estimates that implementing more than 3,000 recommended water-management projects through 2080 will require nearly $174 billion in capital investment.
Even if Texas builds all of those projects, its plan still projects approximately ๐ญ.๐ฒ ๐บ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ-๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ป๐บ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ด๐ฌ.
Texas also warns that without the recommended strategies, roughly one out of every four Texans in 2080 could have less than half of the municipal water supply needed during a drought of record.
North Texas already takes water from ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ, and additional Texoma conveyance infrastructure is being developed.
Texas planning also identifies additional supplies involving ๐ช๐ฟ๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ and the proposed ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ป ๐ก๐ถ๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐น๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ถ๐ฟ on the Sulphur River; ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ ๐ขโ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐, which feeds Big Cypress Bayou toward Caddo Lake; and ๐ง๐ผ๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ on the Sabine River.
These are not all one project. Some are operating, some proposed, and some are long-range strategies.
But Louisiana should not look at each one in isolation and ignore the cumulative question.
The Sulphur River belongs to the larger Red River drainage system.
Lake Oโ the Pines controls flows into Big Cypress Bayou toward ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ผ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฒ, a Texas-Louisiana water system. The Corps of Engineers has documented that reservoir operations altered the natural downstream flow regime enough that special releases have been used to restore portions of that flow.
Texas planning identifies approximately ๐ณ๐ฑ,๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ-๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ from Lake Oโ the Pines as a potential North Texas supply strategy and approximately ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ฎ,๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ-๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ associated with Wright Patman.
For decades, many Louisiana citizens probably would have laughed if somebody suggested Louisiana might someday discuss selling Toledo Bend water to Texas.
Then it became a real public-policy discussion.
Residents pushed back. Public meetings were held. Controversy followed.
Louisiana law expressly gives the Sabine River Authority power to enter contracts involving the sale, distribution, or consumption of water within or outside Louisiana, subject to required approvals.
Nobody has shown us a document saying Texas is going to reroute the Red River.
We are not claiming one exists.
But Texas already takes water from the Red River system and is planning or studying additional supplies from tributaries connected to that regional drainage.
So what happens when you add all of those withdrawals together?
What happens at Shreveport?
What happens at Alexandria?
What happens during drought?
And what happens underground?
The ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฅ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฎ๐พ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ is hydraulically connected to the river in significant areas. When the river rises, water can move into surrounding alluvial sediments and contribute to groundwater recharge and bank storage.
If major upstream withdrawals materially alter river levels, flow duration, or high-water periods, Louisiana needs to know whether recharge could decline, groundwater levels could fall, hydraulic gradients could change, or poorer-quality groundwater could move differently.
That does not mean the Red River simply pours directly into the Chicot.
It does mean Louisianaโs groundwater systems are not isolated underground tanks.
USGS data show that approximately ๐ฑ๐ญ% ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ด๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ป ๐ถ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฎ comes from the Chicot aquifer system.
And even if Texas water transfers never directly lower Chicot water levels, another concern remains:
If significant quantities of water are transferred from Toledo Bend or elsewhere in the Sabine system, the concern does not stop at the reservoir shoreline.
The Sabine continues south toward Sabine Lake and the Gulf. Freshwater flow affects salinity, wetlands, fisheries, ecosystems, municipalities, and industry.
Change the amount and timing of freshwater long enough, and downstream systems can change with it.
The Calcasieu is a separate basin, but southwest Louisianaโs water resources do not exist in isolation. If one source becomes less dependable, demand can shift elsewhere.
Louisiana officials may not like citizens asking these questions.
But they created the atmosphere that makes us ask them.
When citizens repeatedly watch public business conducted under NDAs, they stop assuming silence means nothing is happening.
When enormous projects are negotiated before communities understand them, citizens stop accepting:
โDonโt worry about it.โ
Louisiana citizens have watched eminent-domain battles, permanent underground COโ injection, huge transmission projects, enormous solar developments, data centers beside rural communities, nuclear and radioactive-waste discussions, and actual discussions about sending Toledo Bend water to Texas.
Texas is identifying reservoirs, pipelines, interbasin transfers, drought strategies, and future supplies while planning for population growth, industrial expansion, and data-center demand.
Where is the cumulative analysis combining Lake Texoma, the Red River, Wright Patman, Marvin Nichols, Lake Oโ the Pines, Caddo Lake, Toledo Bend, the Sabine, the Red River alluvial aquifer, the Chicot, industrial growth, data-center demand, and drought?
Maybe Texas can develop all of these supplies without materially harming Louisiana.
Fine.
๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ฒ ๐ถ๐.
Model it.
Put the numbers on the table.
Show us what happens to the Red River at Shreveport and Alexandria, Caddo Lake, Toledo Bend, the Sabine, the Red River alluvial aquifer, and the Chicot.
Show us what happens under drought conditions.
And model it while accounting for the unprecedented growth in AI data centers, power generation, and industrial development across both states.
Because Louisiana citizens should have learned one lesson by now:
Region C Water Planning Group โ North Texas water-management strategies, including Lake Texoma, Lake Oโ the Pines, Wright Patman, Marvin Nichols, Toledo Bend, Red River off-channel storage, and other potential supplies:
North Texas Municipal Water District โ Texoma Two-Step program; additional pipelines designed to add approximately 90 million gallons per day of Lake Texoma conveyance capacity:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers โ Big Cypress Bayou / Caddo Lake Sustainable Rivers Program; documents the downstream connection between Lake Oโ the Pines, Big Cypress Bayou, and Caddo Lake:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers โ Lake Oโ the Pines environmental pulse releases designed to reproduce portions of the natural flow regime downstream:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers โ Lake Oโ the Pines / Ferrells Bridge Dam Water Control Manual and environmental-flow information for Big Cypress Bayou and Caddo Lake:
U.S. Geological Survey โ Relation of water levels in the Red River alluvial aquifer to the Red River, documenting river/aquifer hydraulic relationships:
U.S. Geological Survey โ Louisiana groundwater withdrawals dataset; approximately 960 million gallons per day, or about 51% of Louisiana groundwater withdrawals, came from the Chicot aquifer system:
Are you passionate about helping children and families overcome challenges and connect with needed services? The 11th Judicial District Court is seeking a dedicated and motivated professional to serve as a FINS Intake Officer within the Families in Need of Services (FINS) division of court. Join a team committed to strengthening families, supporting youth, and serving the community through meaningful intervention and collaboration. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of youth and families while working closely with the court, schools, community agencies, and service providers.
Position Summary
The FINS Intake Officer serves as the first point of contact for families referred to court under the Families in Need of Services process found in Louisiana Children’s Code Title VII. The successful candidate will receive community complaints, conduct intake screenings, meet with families, coordinate services, facilitate conferences, and assist families in developing solutions that promote positive outcomes for children and youth.
Key Responsibilities
Receive and review FINS referrals.
Meet with children, parents, and guardians to assess family needs.
Conduct intake conferences and gather case information.
Develop and monitor case plans.
Connect families with community resources and support services.
Maintain accurate case records and documentation.
Work collaboratively with schools, law enforcement agencies, service providers, and court personnel.
Prepare reports and recommendations as needed for Judges.
Assist families in accessing services designed to improve family stability and youth success.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in:
Social Work
Criminal Justice
Psychology
Sociology
Counseling
Human Services
Behavioral Sciences
Or a closely related field
Or, 6 years of experience in case management, social services, juvenile justice, education, counseling, or a related field.
Lived experience navigating social services, FINS, CINC, or other juvenile justice systems.
Residence in Sabine Parish is always preferred.
Desired Skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work effectively with children, families, and community partners.
Strong organizational and time management abilities.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.
Computer Skills.
The ability to coordinate services.
Understanding of community based services.
Ability to work with a variety of people.
Salary
Competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.
Benefits
Retirement:Yes Health Insurance: Available with employer contributions Life Insurance: Available Paid Leave: Yes, subject to accrual policy
To Apply
Submit a resume, application, and any required supporting documents to: Kristi Kor, Judicial Administrator for the 11th Judicial District Court, via e-mail to admin@11jdc.com Application Deadline: August 26, 2026
