The Sabine Parish Road Department reminds locals road crews will be beginning work on Pilcher and Merrit Mountain Roads. This will begin during the week of June 5, and include repairing base work and milling sections of the road in preparation for asphalt overlay. Expect approximately 2-3 weeks per road and drive safely through the work zones.

Central Sabine Fire Department, along with other various agencies, will hold its Hero’s Day celebration on Saturday, June 10 from 9 am – 1 pm in the Dollar Tree parking lot in Many. Families are encouraged to bring their kids to meet their heroes and see the vehicles and equipment.

Sabine Parish Road Department will place a cross culvert on Flatwood Ridge Road on Wednesday, May 31. Due to underground power Swepco will be on site and may have to turn power off while the work is being done.

Tasty Treats on the Bend will hold its grand opening on Saturday, June 3 from 12-4 pm at its location at 30425 Hwy. 191 in Many. They will also have Louie’s Pizza and Big Meaux’s BBQ set up as food vendors. There will be homemade ice cream samples, vendors, face paintings, door prizes, movies, and more.

Northwestern State University hosted junior high and high schoolers from Sabine Parish for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) day camp May 22-25.   

“This year, our junior high school campers were immersed in STEAM education and career exploration,” said Steve Gruesbeck, NSU’s director of service-learning and La GEAR UP.  “Each morning they studied one ACT subject area with School of Education faculty. After a networking lunch with college faculty, they explored academic disciplines and careers in journalism, art, computer information systems and nursing and allied health.” 

The camp was made possible through NSU’s partnership with Louisiana GEAR UP and Sabine Parish Schools. Louisiana GEAR UP (Louisiana Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federally funded national initiative.  NSU works with 16 school districts and the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in post-secondary education. 

Campers participated in hands-on learning about the ACT and joined NSU staff for interactive tours and workshops with Northwestern professors from Computer Information Systems, Journalism, New Media, and Communication Arts, Fine and Graphic Art and Nursing and Allied Health. In small groups and one-on-one, they met with college professors on grade-level appropriate lessons and activities in English, math, reading and science.  

“They programmed computerized robots and entered worlds of virtual reality. They also filmed and edited professional-grade videos in locations across our campus. They saw examples of fine art and practiced printmaking and framing techniques. They also learned about human anatomy, blood pressure testing, and practiced hands-only CPR to the beat of the Bee Gee’s disco song ‘Stayin’ Alive.’ We had a lot of fun and our campers learned a lot about academic and career opportunities in emerging fields,” Gruesbeck said.  

Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop E began investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash on May 24 around 3:45 pm on U.S. Hwy 171 south of Zwolle. This crash claimed the lives of 66-year-old Billy Meshell, a 17-year-old juvenile, and a 15-year-old juvenile of Zwolle.

The initial investigation revealed that a 2003 GMC pickup truck, driven by Meshell, was traveling north on U.S. Hwy 171. At the same time, a loaded 2012 Peterbilt log truck, also traveling north, began slowing to make a right hand turn. For reasons still under investigation, Meshell failed to decrease his speed and impacted the rear end of the Peterbilt. 

Meshell, who was restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two additional juvenile passengers in the GMC, who were not restrained, sustained fatal injuries and were also pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Peterbilt, who was restrained, sustained minor injuries. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis.

While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in our state.  Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving.  A lapse in one’s awareness can have deadly consequences.

Louisiana State Police would like to take this opportunity to remind/inform motorists that properly wearing your seat belt is one of the most important decisions that a motorist can make. While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.

In 2023, Troop E Troopers have investigated 23 fatal crashes resulting in 26 fatalities.  

Five hundred twenty-nine students were named to the President’s List at Northwestern State University for the Spring 2023 semester. Students on the President’s List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of 4.0. 

For questions regarding the President’s List, contact the NSU Registrar’s Office at (318) 357- 6171 or email registrar@nsula.edu. 

Students listed by hometown (in Sabine Parish) are as follows: 

Converse — Madison Wray;                                

Florien — Nicholas Slaydon, Abigail Thomas, London Vidrine;                              

Many — Alexis Bush, Chikuita  Carhee, Shania Collier, Brooklyn Davis, Shelby Leone, Sarah Moore, Ethan Penfield, Wade Salter, Adelaide Soileau, Alaina Wright; 

Pleasant Hill — Katie Murray, Celeste Waddle;                                                     

Tioga — John Liggin;                                                  

Zwolle — Mckenzie Leone, Matthew Lovelady, Canada Sepulvado, Kaylyn Sepulvado.                           

Seven hundred and twenty-seven undergraduate students were named to the Spring 2023 Dean’s List at Northwestern State University. Students on the Dean’s List must be enrolled full time and earn a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99.  

For questions regarding the Dean’s List, please contact the NSU Registrar’s Office at (318) 357-6171 or email registrar@nsula.edu.  

Those named to the Dean’s List by hometown (in Sabine Parish) are as follows. 

Converse – Jared Lum; 

Belmont – Ian Gentry; 

Florien – Jordan Merritt, James Miller, Taylor Richardson, Eric Rutherford, Bailey Sandel; 

Many – Destiny Bryant, Presley Corley, Lexi Ezernack, Kristen Hammontree, Layton Knowles, Jada Lee, Alexander Martinez, Gertrude Maxie, Kasey Moore, Erik Sandel, Kaylie Spears, Hilary Williams, Levi Miller; 

Noble – Emma Craig, Ethan Ezernack, Averie Meshell, Selena Rodriguez, Harleigh Schexneider, Nickolas Tramel; 

Pleasant Hill – Skylie Harris; 

Zwolle — Madasyn Ebarb, Melissa Guin, Zachary Remedies, Khristian Parrie, Victoria Sepulvado;                           

Five hundred fifty-seven students were named to the Honor List at Northwestern State University for the Spring 2023 semester.  Students on the Honor List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of between 3.0 and 3.49. 

For questions regarding the Honor List, contact the NSU Registrar’s Office at (318) 357- 6171 or email registrar@nsula.edu. 

Students listed by hometown (in Sabine Parish) are as follows. 

Florien – Diego Almanza, Lauren Dees, Laila Garner;  

Many – Hope Cambias, Andie Gilcreast, Kaylee Herr, Michael Lane, Lila Laroux, Joseph Laughlin, Presley Pleasant, Emma Wilson;  

Noble – Tanner Funderburk;  

Pleasant Hill – Raegan Johnson;  

Tioga – Halo Goudeau;  

Zwolle – Olivia Crittenden, Collyn Crow, Erin Escott, Hannah Esthay, Gracie Leone, Sarah Lewing, Landon Malmay, Autumn Palmer, Katelyn Rivers.  

As you head out around the Memorial Day Holiday, you’ll likely see more law enforcement on the roads as part of the Click It or Ticket Campaign. The campaign runs from May 22-June 4 in an effort to remind drivers and their passengers of the importance of buckling up and the legal consequences — including fines.

In 2021, 11,813 passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts. Among the young adults ages 18-34 that were killed, 59% were unbuckled — one of the highest percentages for all age groups.

Always remember to buckle up. We wish you all a safe, blessed Memorial Day weekend.

The Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce and Sabine County Chamber of Commerce are partnering to host a three day patriotic event on Toledo Bend Lake June 30 – July 2. This fun-filled weekend will include a poker run, patriotic boat parade, car shows, live concerts featuring Louisiana artists such as the LaCour Trio, and more! 

The Poker Run will be held on Saturday July 1st from 9am to 2pm. Boats, cars and motorcycles are welcome to compete for prizes valued up to $1,500! Participants can visit up to seventeen marinas and land stops around Toledo Bend on both the Louisiana and Texas side to collect unique stamps to make a five card poker hand which will be drawn at Lost Frontier RV Park and Marina in Hemphill, Texas beginning at 2 pm. Participants can register online from now until June 30 or at any official Poker Run stop the day of the event. Early online registration fee is $35. The registration fee on the day of the event is $40 . To learn more and register for the Poker Run visit toledobendlakecountry.com/patriotic-weekend-toledo-bend. 

The proceeds from this event will benefit the Pink Sisters of Many, and American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars Aux Post 10351 of Hemphill, Tx. This patriotic weekend celebration is possible because of generous sponsors like Atmos Energy, Foy Motors, Southern Parts Warehouse, Community Bank, City Bank, Bank of Montgomery, Century 21 Sabine Property Shoppe, Edward Jones, Ronald Brandon Attorney at Law, and Wildwood Resort and Toledo Bend Family Adventure Park. 

For a full schedule of weekend events visit toledobendlakecountry.com/patriotic-weekend-toledo-bend or call Sabine Parish Tourist Commission at (318)256-5880. Follow us on Facebook at Patriotic Weekend on Toledo Bend. 

Toledo Bend’s newest attraction, Toledo Bend Family Adventure Park will celebrate its Grand Opening on Saturday, May 27. The Park is located on 3.5 acres at Wildwood Resort on Toledo Bend, across from the Wildwod Resort RV Park. It has lots of water attractions including a lazy river, three swimming pools, a splash pad for kids, adult and kiddie waterslides along with mini golf, kangaroo jumper, playground, gift shop, cafe, and more.

Tickets are on sale now! Buy now at http://www.TBFAP.com. You are encouraged to purchase tickets online as tickets are likely to sell out ahead or your visit date.

*Wildwood Resort RV and Cabin Guests will receive discounted Adventure Park tickets. Please purchase your tickets on our website http://www.TBFAP.com and enter your confirmation number at Check-Out

Natchitoches Police Department officers were dispatched on May 14 around 1:31 am to a residence in the 300 block of Jefferson Street in reference to a possible drowning in Cane River. Upon officers arrival they made contact with several witnesses who said that one of their friends was attempting to swim across Cane River and they lost sight of him in the water.

Officers on scene contacted the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and
the Natchitoches Fire Department to conduct a search and rescue mission. After a thorough search, Zachory Lane Rice, (W/M, 21 y.o.a., of Zwolle) was located in Cane River and was pronounced deceased by the Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office.

This investigation is ongoing and the Natchitoches Police Department will release more details as they
become available.

The Sabine Parish Police Jury announced a Tire Sweep will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 8 am – 2 pm at the Sabine Parish Road Office, located at 2581 Hwy. 171 in Many. There is a limit of five tire per driver’s license. This is for regular size tires or 18-wheeler tires, NO tractor tires. Participants must live in Sabine Parish. For more information call Ashley at 318-256-6231.

Many will hold its Juneteenth Motown Matinee on Saturday, June 3 from 5-7 pm at the Sabine Theater in Many, featuring regional music such as Etta James, Sam Cooke, Mary Wells, Billy Paul, and local singers. The event is being sponsored by the Sabine Black Heritage Committee, The Town of Many Cultural District, and more.