Northwestern State University awarded 1,025 degrees to 991 graduates during spring commencement May 11-12.  Graduates collected diplomas for associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral degrees, post-baccalaureate certificates and post-master’s degrees.  An honorary doctor of humanities was awarded to Baton Rouge businesswoman and 1968 NSU alumna Lela Mae Wilkes.

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

Belmont – Jayce Gentry, Bachelor of Science;

Converse – Kimberly Dobbs, Associate of Science in Nursing; Hannah Parker, Master of Education;

Florien – Lacey Ezernack, Associate of General Studies; Shellie Miller, Bachelor of General Studies;  Connor Arthur, Bachelor of Science; Stefanie Corley, Master of Science in Nursing;

Many – Sarah Lewing, Associate of General Studies; Seth Ozsoy, Bachelor of Arts; Emmalynn Beason, Toby Bruce, Gabrielle Bryant, Shayla Duhon, Haydn Knight, Tanner Rains, Aubrey Sepulvado, Tobias Williams, Bachelor of Science;                                                                                                                

Pleasant Hill – Ethan Johnson, Bachelor of Science; 

Zwolle – Jerry Palmer, Autumn Wyatt, Bachelor of General Studies; Lloyd Gentry, Mckenzie Steele, Emerald Terrell, Bachelor of Science  

The Many Police Department is seeking any information that could be critical to finding Shelby Loranna Carhee, born on March 11, 2010. She was last seen last seen wearing black hoodie, brown pants, possibly tennis shoes or sandals.

If you have any information, please contact 911 immediately. Don’t let her become another stat.

The North Sabine Fire Department was dispatched to a one vehicle MVA that went off into lake on Hwy 1215 on May 8 at approximately 2:56 pm. No injuries were reported. Units on the scene included: rescue 1 (Zwolle), 103 (duty crew), 106 (Zwolle), and the NSFD Dive team, which was on standby for rescue and assisted with the recovery of the vehicle from the lake.

At approximately 6:15 the same day, NSFD was dispatched to a one vehicle MVA that went off the roadway on Hwy. 191 at Fisherman Warf Road with injuries reported. NSFD, SPSO and Med Express, Rescue 1 (Zwolle), 103 ( duty crew), and Engine 6 (Union Springs) were on the scene.

Sabine Parish – Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a fatal crash on May 7 at approximately 6:30 pm on JaBush Road. This crash claimed the life of 11-year-old Saylor Gatti of Zwolle.

The initial investigation revealed a 2021 Yamaha Viking Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV), driven by Gatti, was westbound on JaBush Road.  For reasons still under investigation, Gatti lost control of the vehicle which caused it to overturn. This action ejected Gatti and her three juvenile passengers from the vehicle.

Gatti, who was not restrained or wearing a helmet, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Sabine Parish Coroner’s Office. One juvenile passenger, who was not restrained or wearing a helmet, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Two additional juvenile passengers, who also were not restrained or wearing a helmet, sustained no injuries.

Routine toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

Grant Parish – Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on May 7 at approximately 8:45 pm on U.S. Highway 165 at Louisiana Highway 3130. This crash claimed the life of a 14-year-old juvenile passenger.

The initial investigation revealed a 2006 Toyota Tacoma, driven by a juvenile, was westbound on Louisiana Highway 3130. As the Toyota approached the intersection of U.S. Highway 165, the juvenile failed to stop at the stop sign before proceeding. As a result, the Toyota entered the northbound travel lanes of U.S. Highway 165 and was struck by a northbound 2022 Hyundai. This action caused the Toyota to overturn onto its roof ejecting two passengers. 

At the time of the crash, the juvenile driver was transporting six juvenile passengers. Four of the six juvenile passengers, who were not restrained, sustained moderate injuries and were transported to a local hospital. One juvenile passenger, who was not restrained, sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital. One juvenile passenger, who was not restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Grant Parish Coroner’s Office. The juvenile driver, who was not restrained, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the Hyundai and three passengers, who all were restrained, sustained moderate injuries and were transported to a local hospital.

Routine toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

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 2022, Troop E has investigated 16 fatal crashes resulting in 17 deaths.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell sadly reported on May 7 at approximately 6:30 p.m., Sabine Parish Sheriff Deputies and Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a fatal crash on JaBush Road. This crash claimed the life of 11-year-old Saylor Gatti of Zwolle.

The initial investigation revealed a 2021 Yamaha Viking Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV), driven by Gatti, was westbound on JaBush Road. For reasons still under investigation, Gatti lost control of the vehicle which caused it to overturn. This action ejected Gatti and her three juvenile passengers from the vehicle.

Gatti, who was not restrained or wearing a helmet, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by the Sabine Parish Coroner’s Office.

One juvenile passenger, who was not restrained or wearing a helmet, sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Two additional juvenile passengers, who also were not restrained or wearing a helmet, sustained no injuries.

Routine toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation by the Louisiana State Police.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $500 cash reward for information that leads to the arrest of anyone involved in the burglary at the VFW Hall. Cash and other items were taken. This incident happened May 4 on Dahlia Vines Street in Zwolle. Crime Stoppers can be contacted at 318-256-4511.

Zwolle Police Chief Thomas and everyone at the Zwolle Police Department would like to congratulate its new Assistant Chief, Heath Bennet, as he takes on his new role. Heath has been with the department since September of 2020. He has proven that he is worthy of this promotion. Keep him in your prayers as he steps into his new position. Congratulations!!!!