Author: cpoole003

Murder suspect turns himself in after shooting that claimed life of Sabine Parish man

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Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright has announced that Jacoby Javon ‘Cobi’ Forte, 20 of Mansfield, wanted in connection with the shooting death of Jalan Dunte McGee on March 26 in Powhatan turned himself in at the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center at approximately 12:45pm.
 
Forte accompanied by his Shreveport attorney was administered miranda warnings, processed, and booked in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-Count of Second Degree Murder and 1-Count of Illegal Possession of a Firearm by a Person Convicted of a Felony.
 
No bond has been set pending a 72-hour judicial hearing.
 
Detectives traveled to Shreveport this morning for the autopsy, continue to interview potential witnesses and gather evidence as the investigation remains active and ongoing.
 
No further information will be released at this time.
 
Detectives ask that if you have any information to please contact them at the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau at 318-357-7830.
 
Case Agents:
Detective Sgt. Craig LaCour
Detective Lt. Jonathon Byles
NPSO Criminal Investigations
 
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office thanks Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office, Crime Stoppers of Natchitoches, the public and our media partners for your assistance during this ongoing investigation.
 
The investigative file when completed will be turned over to Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington’s Office for review.

Ready, Aim, PULL!

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Caddo, Bossier, Claiborne, Desoto, Red River, Sabine and Webster Parish Farm Bureaus are teaming up to host the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation Sporting Clays Shootout on Friday, April 7 from 7:30 am – 3:30 pm to raise money for a good cause.
 

REGISTRATION:

Each team must designate a team captain upon registration. 4-H Teams designate a coach as captain. Youth teams include 4th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade. Adult teams, ages 18 and up.

PLEASE PRE-REGISTER. All shooters pre-registered by March 15th will be entered into a drawing for a $500 store credit to DeSoto Town & Country. We must receive your registration by March 15th to enter you into the drawing. You must be present during the drawing to win.

Please send check payable to Caddo Parish Farm Bureau, and mail to: Caddo Parish Farm Bureau, 8640 Business Park Dr. Shreveport, LA 71105

SHOOTING INFO:

20 stations, 100 shots, $135 per person/$540 per team Ammo available for purchase

Meal provided for all shoot participants. Shooters must provide their own gun, ammunition, gear and protective eye and ear wear. Personal Utility Vehicles welcome, but 4-wheelers are not allowed. Golf carts will be available for $85 if pre-ordered with registration. Ammunition will be available for purchase at the event.

CONTACT INFO

Chris Long by email at chrisl@lfbf.org or by phone at 318-210-4254

PROCEEDS BENEFIT:

All proceeds of the event will support Farm Bureau causes, including the following:

The Louisiana Farm Bureau Foundation awards scholarships each year to eligible graduating high school seniors who plan to pursue degrees in agriculture at Louisiana universities. Since 1993, we have awarded 175 scholarships for a total of $440,000 to aid our future generation of farmers and ranchers.

The Louisiana Ag in the Classroom Foundation provides funding for the Louisiana Ag in the Classroom (AITC) program. The purpose of the AITC program is to increase understanding of agriculture and instill an appreciation for our renewable food, fiber and fuel systems through education. The main way we accomplish this is through showing teachers how to use agriculture in teaching core subjects, such as math, science and social studies.

 

DOTD to install flashing yellow left turn arrow traffic signals in Sabine Parish

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces the first of two projects to install the flashing yellow left turn arrow traffic signals in the central region.

The first project (Part 1) includes the installation of the foundation, mast arm, and signal work for 30 locations in Natchitoches, Avoyelles, Sabine, Vernon and Winn Parishes. These upgraded signals will only be installed at intersections where a protected left turn (left turn arrow) and designated left turn lane already exist.

Locations for flashing yellow left turn arrow signals in Sabine include:

LA 6 (San Antonio Ave.) @ US 171 (Hill St.)
US 171 @ LA 474 (Port Arthur)

Currently, the contractor for the $2.8 million project is installing concrete foundations for the new mast arms that hold traffic signals at various locations. Motorists can expect to see the new signals operational in the next few months.

The second project (Part 2) – anticipated to go to bid in April 2024 – includes signal upgrades in Rapides Parish. Please note that letting dates are often subject to change based on a variety of factors.

Flashing yellow arrow signal indications feature a flashing yellow arrow, in addition to the traditional red, yellow, and green signals.

When illuminated, the flashing yellow arrow allows waiting motorists to perform a left-hand turn after yielding to oncoming traffic.

Oncoming traffic has a green light, so drivers must wait for a safe gap in the oncoming traffic before turning.

Flashing yellow arrow signals provide more opportunities for motorists to make a left-hand turn and reduce delays when traffic is light.

Motorists will eventually encounter the new flashing yellow arrows on all state-maintained traffic signals across Louisiana where a protected left turn already exists, as part of a federal standard for implementation of the signals.

For more information on flashing yellow arrows, click here. To watch a video explaining the operation of the new signals, click here.

Zwolle High Student of the Year receives scholarship

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The Sylvia Family scholarship was presented on March 20, for the second year in a row, to the Sabine Parish High School Student of the Year, Jaeger Ebarb, a graduating senior from Zwolle High School who is set to begin his college career this fall. The Sylvia family commends this bright, young scholar and wishes him the best in all of his future endeavors.

11th Judicial District Court: Jury Duty Information

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If you were summoned for jury duty for the week of March 27 in Sabine Parish, you must report to Courtroom A of the Sabine Parish Courthouse on March 27 no later than 8:30 a.m. You will have additional paperwork to fill out once you appear. Court will begin at 9 a.m. sharp.
 
Remember that cell phones, recording devices, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, and electronic devices are not allowed in the courthouse. Please do not bring said items with you as there is no place to store your items in the courthouse. Everyone must enter the courthouse through the main entrance on South Capitol Street.
 
Please dress appropriately. You may wish to bring a light sweater or jacket with you.
 
Drinking, gum chewing, and eating are prohibited on the second floor.
 
For questions regarding summons, call Judge Gentry’s Office at 256-9789. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., closed during the noon hour.

Jeff Evans announces candidacy for Sabine Parish Sheriff

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Jeff Evans, experienced law enforcement officer, officially announced his candidacy for Sheriff of Sabine Parish on March 21.
 
With 30 years of experience in the law enforcement field, Evans has an in-depth knowledge of the policies and procedures that come with being a Sheriff. Evans is a leader who is firm yet assuring and has a proven track record of being fair, transparent, and accessible.
 
He is prepared to lead the dedicated men and women who have chosen to serve Sabine Parish. Jeff has a proven track record in law enforcement and leadership of law enforcement officers.
 
“I will bring a fair, but firm, attitude to the citizens of Sabine parish, those that visit the parish, and to the officers who serve our parish,” said Evans. “I am a Law Enforcement Officer, NOT a politician and I am proud of it. I want honest, accountable, accessible and transparent law enforcement for the citizens of Sabine Parish. I have the knowledge and experience to lead the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department. I want to be a Sheriff For You!”

Sabine Medical Center: Job Openings

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Sabine Medical Center is currently hiring for the following positions:
Dietary Cook- Full Time
CFO/ACFO
Physician Relations Community Outreach Director- Full Time
2 RN ER Nights- Full time
1 LPN Nights Med Surg- Full Time
1 RN Nights Med Surg- Full Time

T.N.T. Agents Complete Supervisor Training

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Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announces Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotic Team Agents Lt Jesse Branam, Sgt Josiah Steinke, and Sgt Nick Sandel received 40 hours of training in Supervising Counterdrug Operations – Advanced last month in Bossier City.
The training was hosted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of Louisiana and the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office. The training was also provided at no cost through the Florida National Guard Counterdrug Training Program and St Petersburg College.
 
The course emphasized the fundamental policy, leadership skills, and legal principles necessary to acquire proficiency in directing the efforts of a proactive drug enforcement team.
 
Sheriff Mitchell said his Tactical Narcotics Team has worked tirelessly over the last two and a half years to combat the illegal drug problem in Sabine Parish. With dozens of arrests resulting in federal indictments and convictions, T.N.T. Agents have proven success in the fight against illegal narcotics.
 
Sheriff Mitchell and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office will continue to aggressively investigate illegal drug dealers in Sabine Parish and ensure Sabine Parish Sheriff Deputies are some of the most highly trained law enforcement officers in the State of Louisiana.

Patrol Deputies Receive FTO Certifications

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Sabine Parish Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announces two Sabine Parish Sheriff Patrol Deputies received their Field Training Officer (FTO) Certifications.
 
Deputy Josh Sandel and Deputy David Gentry completed the 35-hour course earlier this month at the Desoto Parish Sheriff Training Center.
 
The training was given by Public Agency Training Council (PATC), which is one of the top law enforcement training companies in the country. The class presented ideas and techniques to assist the FTO in becoming more professional and confident in the application of training another officer.
 
The course covered many topics such as Demands on the FTO as instructors, Understanding the basics of adult learning, Liability issues, Performance evaluations, Completing daily observation reports, and Developing scenario based training plans.
Deputy Sandel and Gentry’s duties will be to train, monitor, and mentor young deputies as they learn to become confident and professional Patrol Deputies.
 
Deputy Sandel has worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2011; he worked in corrections, was a K-9 Patrol Deputy, and currently works in the Patrol Division and is a member of the Sabine Parish Sheriff Dive Team.
Deputy Gentry has worked for the Sheriff’s Office since 2016; he has worked in corrections and the patrol division. Deputy Gentry has been mentoring new deputies for the last four years.
 
Sheriff Mitchell said this is the first time the Sheriff’s Office has had certified FTOs to train new Deputies in the Patrol Division.

Many High angler signs with NSU’s competitive Fishing Team

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Samuel “Cole” Pickett, center, a senior at Many High School, signed to join the Northwestern State University Fishing Team.  Picket will attend NSU on scholarship as part of the university’s competitive bass fishing team. Pickett will also be in the President’s Leadership Program while majoring in Health and Exercise Science.  He hopes to eventually become a physical therapist.   He is pictured with his parents, Andrea and Brad Pickett.  The NSU Fishing Team is open to all NSU students. For more information on the NSU Fishing Team, email team sponsor Juddy Hamous atjuddyh@nsula.edu or call (318) 332-0565. 

Sabine Fire and Many Police Egg-Stravaganza

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Central Sabine Fire and Many Police are holding their Egg-Stravaganza on Saturday, April 1 at the First United Methodist lawn in Many. It is a free community event, with egg hunts, photo props, the easter bunny and Sparky. Door prizes are offered for all age groups:

  • Ages one-four: 9am
  • Ages five-nine: 12pm
  • Ages ten-twelve: 2pm

Overturned Truck on Sabine Highway

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A loaded log truck was overturned on LA Highway 118, 10 miles from Florien, near Peason Church. The driver of the truck was injured and airlifted to a Shreveport hospital. Extent of the injuries is unknown, and Louisiana State Police Troop E is the investigating agency.
 
Please slow down and avoid this area if possible.

LDWF Fishing Course Series Announces Additional Classes

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LDWF’s Fishing Course Series program (FCS) announces several upcoming courses over the next few months, including the  new Beginner Bass Fishing course. These free courses will provide new and experienced anglers with useful information and skills to help improve their fishing trips. Since space is limited, you can register to secure your spot.

Each 2-hour class will be open to all ages and limited to ten participants. The course curriculum will be fast-paced and geared towards educating adults in order for them to guide children during the fishing portion of the program. Equipment is provided, but participants are also encouraged to bring their own gear. All in attendance will take home a package of informative material, starter tackle, and gear courtesy of Cabela’s, Magic Bait, and Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana. Anglers 18 & older must possess a valid recreational fishing license to participate, and anglers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Seven different courses will be offered at sites across the state:

  • 3/24 Beginner Bass Fishing @City Park in New Orleans
  • 3/29 Intro to Fishing @Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Site  in Pineville
  • 4/3 Intro to Fishing @Cypress Bend Park in Many
  • 4/4 Beginner Bass Fishing @Cypress Bend Park in Many
  • 4/15 Beginner Bass Fishing @Waddill Wildlife Refuge in Baton Rouge
  • 5/6 Beginner Catfishing @Bayou Country Sports Park in Houma
  • 5/9 Intro to Fishing @Bayou Country Sports Park in Houma

To register for one of the FCS courses, visit www.louisianaoutdoors.com/events and select the event type “Fishing Ed” to see all available FCS courses. If you need assistance registering, please contact outreach@wlf.la.gov or call Joshua Porter (225) 763-3540. For more information on the Fishing Course Series program, please visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/fishing-workshops.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit them at www.wlf.la.gov, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow them on Twitter @LDWF.

The Fishing Course Series is hosted in conjunction with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF). The LAWFF was formed to help expand and support LDWF education and research programs with additional resources developed through its own facilities. Encouraging support for LDWF programs is the major focus of the Foundation, accomplished by connecting people and businesses with Louisiana’s natural resources. For more information, visit www.lawff.org.

The Fishing Course Series is funded by the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, a USFWS grant program that provides grant funds to the states, the District of Columbia and insular areas fish and wildlife agencies for fishery projects, boating access and aquatic education. 

Food Bank of Central Louisiana Food Drive

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The Food Bank of Central Louisiana is holding a food drive where all donations will be distributed to Sabine Parish residents. Donations can be dropped off at the Sabine Parish Library in Many. Food pantry distribution times and locations are as followed:

  • March 23: Pleasant Hill, First Baptist Church, 8am-10am.
  • March 23: Zwolle Fiesta Grounds, 11:30am-1:30pm.
  • April 7: Many, Life Church 9am-11am.

State Launches Online Resource Portal for Louisiana Small Business Owners

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The state of Louisiana has launched a new digital platform to connect entrepreneurs and small business owners with resources to help them start and grow their businesses.
 
Louisiana Business Hub brings order to the often chaotic search for information, networking and resources that are the lifeblood of every small business. Visitors to the site gain access to a searchable database of resource providers around the state offering a wide range of services from business planning, entrepreneurial training and business counseling to sales and marketing, human resources and more.
 
Louisiana Economic Development will manage the website, which also feature a statewide events calendar containing information about conferences, webinars and other events of interest to entrepreneurs at every stage of small business ownership.
 
“LED is proud to champion this statewide network that will help Louisiana entrepreneurs access the resources that they need to build and grow their small businesses,” LED Secretary Don Pierson said. “Louisiana is home to thousands of small businesses that are the heart and soul of our state’s economy. LED, with the support and collaboration of our local and regional partners, strives to provide founders with the tools and resources their businesses need to reach their full potential. This new platform can empower them to take the next step, whether it’s applying for a loan or preparing to expand into new markets.”
 
Louisiana Business Hub is organized regionally, with separate landing pages for each of the eight economic regions in the state, with a lead organization for each region. The Northeast, Northwest, and Capital regions will be the first regions fully populated with resources.

Launch Network, led by the Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program in Shreveport, is supporting efforts in the Northeast and Northwest regions. OneSource, led by Nexus LA in Baton Rouge, will drive efforts in the Capital region. Lafayette Economic Development Authority and One Acadiana are working with LED to fully launch the Acadiana region later in the year. LED will collaborate with other lead organizations for future launches in the Bayou, Central, Southeast and Southwest regions.
 
“The Louisiana Business Hub will be the support network our business community has been waiting for, and this is just the beginning,” Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program Executive Director Dave Smith said. “If you are a non-profit organization that provides a service to a business at any stage in their journey, you should join our movement.”
 
Louisiana Business Hub is built on the SourceLink platform, a nationally recognized program specializing in online community tools. Since inception, SourceLink has assisted almost 200 entrepreneurship and community development initiatives define and reach their unique goals for success.
 
“This collaboration signifies a new era of entrepreneurship in Greater Baton Rouge and we are excited to be one of the first regional hubs to offer this service,” said Na’Tisha Natt, Nexus LA director of marketing and engagement. “OneSource will make it much easier for entrepreneurs to identify and take advantage of the tools, information and resources they need to start and scale their businesses.”

About LED
Louisiana Economic Development is responsible for strengthening the state’s business environment and creating a more vibrant economy. It is the only state agency in the U.S. accredited by the International Economic Development Council, boasting award-winning programs like LED FastStart, rated the No. 1 customized workforce training program in the U.S. 13 years in a row. In 2022, LED attracted 53 new economic development projects representing 18,137 new direct, indirect and retained jobs and $20.7 billion in new capital investment. Explore how LED cultivates jobs and economic opportunity for the people of Louisiana and employers of all sizes at OpportunityLouisiana.com.

Sheriff’s Office conducts Dive Team training

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The Sabine Parish Sheriff Dive Team will be training starting tomorrow morning, Wednesday, March 15, 2023, on Toledo Bend Lake.
The team is composed of Tactical Narcotic Team Agents, Patrol Deputies, and Detectives of the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff Mobile Command Center will be set up on the south side of the Pendleton Bridge, and divers will be training in different areas of the lake this week.
Local fire districts and their dive team members will also be training on the lake.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell said this training is needed to keep divers prepared for unfortunate events that could occur on Toledo Bend Lake. The team could also be called out to recover evidence from the lake in a criminal investigation if needed.
Do not be alarmed if you see law enforcement vehicles, vessels, and divers on the lake this week.

Detective Accepted to the FBI National Academy

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Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and Chief Deputy Brad Walker announce Sabine Parish Sheriff Detective D.W. Seegers will attend the 286th Session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, which begins on April 3, 2023.
 
Detective Seegers has worked for the Sheriff’s Office for over 20 years; he handles digital forensic investigations, news releases through our Facebook page, our Sheriff App, and local news sources, as well as dealing with IT issues, and several other duties.
 
The FBI NA began in 1935 under FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover as a professional training program for experienced leaders and managers in state and local police, sheriffs’ departments, military police organizations, and law enforcement agencies from across the country and the world.
 
Candidates must be invited through a nomination process and must meet several qualification standards to be accepted. Detective Seegers will be one of 250 law enforcement officers from across the country as well as police officers from several foreign countries attending the academy.
 
This 10-week academy provides undergraduate and graduate coursework in intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, health and fitness, law enforcement communication, and forensic science. It serves to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation of agencies worldwide.
 
These law enforcement officers will share ideas, techniques, and experiences with each other and create lifelong partnerships that go beyond state and international borders.
 
At the end of the course there is a final physical exam called the “Yellow Brick Road” which is a 6.1 mile obstacle course built by the United States Marines.
 
Detective Seegers is the first law enforcement officer in the history of Sabine Parish to have the opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy.
 
Sheriff Mitchell said Seegers will bring back his knowledge, leadership skills, and relationships he makes to further the professionalism of the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office.
 
Sheriff Mitchell and Chief Deputy Walker have made training and advanced certifications for Deputies a top priority since taking office in 2020.
 
Sheriff Mitchell and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office are honored and privileged and wish Detective Seegers the best of luck at the FBI National Academy.

Sabine Medical Center enters collaborative partnership with Vantage Health Plan

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Sabine Medical Center has entered a collaborative partnership with Vantage Health Plan. For more information contact Cortney Vinson at 318-439-0277 or email cortney.vinson@ahmgt.com OR Lacey Malmay at 318-947-0021 or email laceym@sabinemedicalcenter.net. If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will be allowed to make this one time change by the enrollment date deadline March 31, 2023.

North Sabine Fire District Fire Station in Zwolle For Sale

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The North Sabine Fire District is selling its Fire Station in Zwolle.
 
The subject property is the northeast corner of Hammond Street and Obrie Street in Zwolle, which is in Sabine Parish. The improvements include a light industrial building that contains a gross area of 5,397 square feet, with 1,825 square feet of office and 3,572 square feet of garage/warehouse. The garage includes an estimated 280 square feet of mezzanine/upper level storage that is not included in the gross building area. There are four overhead doors along the front, with two along the rear of the garage/warehouse. Addi-tionally, there is a detached 720 square foot garage/storage building used to store two vehicles. The site contains 21,500 square feet, with concrete paved parking/drives along Hammond Street and gravel paving along Obrie Street. Landscaping is limited to maintained grass.
 
North Sabine Fire District made this surplus property last month and sealed bids must be in by 5 pm March 21, 2023. Bids may be dropped off at 16525 hwy 171 Zwolle, during normal business hours to the administrative office only or mailed to P.O. Box 81, Zwolle, La 71486.
 
Appointments can be made to view property by calling main office between 9 am and 3 pm m-f (318) 645-2500 or emailing office manager at northsabine105@bellsouth.net. Property was appraised in January 2023 for 325,000.00 and this will be the minimum acceptable bid. North Sabine Fire District reserves the right to reject any and all bids.