BOM was proud to continue our support of the Zwolle Basketball Tournament through a donation to help with their annual fundraiser.
Pictured left to right: BOM’s Kelcie Sepulvado and Linda Guay, Payton Arthur, and BOM’s Genevieve Loe.
I think spending a week inside avoiding the dangers of sleetmageddon put me in a reflective mood.
Shouts of “Throw me something, Mister!” are echoing across our state again. Krewes are loading up their floats, folks are dusting off tuxes and gowns for the Balls, and everybody’s loosening up their throwing arms like they’re training for the Saints’ draft. In Louisiana, this can only mean one thing: Lent is sneaking up on us.
Most places prepare for Lent with quiet reflection. Down here, we crank up the brass band. When you see purple, green, and gold beads hanging from the power lines like Spanish moss, you know the season of repentance is right around the corner. Only in Louisiana do we get ready for fasting by throwing a monthlong party.
Lent, of course, is tied to the ancient discipline of fasting. Ever tried it? That’s where all those fishonFriday stories come from. McDonald’s once even tried a pineapple sandwich to help the Friday fasters. They won’t do that again—but somehow the McRib keeps coming back like a stray cat that knows you’re a soft touch.
But fasting isn’t about food so much as it’s about reality. It’s the spiritual posture of remembering just how dependent we are on God—choosing hunger so we can feel our deeper hunger. The truth is, we are always desperate for God; it’s just that our comforts and routines do a pretty good job of hiding it.
Fasting cuts through the camouflage.
Fasting is a bold declaration that our stomachs don’t get the final say, that our bodies don’t get to boss our spirits around. In a culture that worships indulgence, fasting is downright rebellious. Yet Jesus fasted. He expected His disciples to fast. Scripture mentions fasting more often than baptism. It’s not a fringe practice—it’s a foundational one.
In the Bible, people fasted for guidance, for grief, for deliverance, for clarity, for dedication, for worship. And Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, told His followers to fast quietly—not with ashes smeared on their heads but with clean faces and anointed hair. In other words: don’t look miserable. Look like someone who knows God sees what no one else does.
The early church took this seriously. Clement of Alexandria tells us believers fasted on Wednesdays and Fridays. By 340 AD, Athanasius tied fasting to remembering Jesus’ wilderness journey. John Wesley even refused to ordain Methodist leaders who didn’t fast weekly. (Yes, I know. I’m preaching to myself here.)
Jesus fasted. The early church fasted. Christians throughout history have fasted. So why do so few of us do it now? Maybe some are fasting quietly and we simply don’t know. Or maybe we’ve let the noise of our culture drown out a practice that once shaped the saints.
So as the parades roll, the beads fly, and the king cakes multiply, remember this: the reason for the revelry is that Lent is coming. The party is the prelude.
And it makes me wonder—how different would our faith look if we took the fast of Lent as seriously as we take the fun of Mardi Gras?
Vickie Ezernack Horton
Vickie Ezernack Horton, 62, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 in Zwolle, Louisiana. She was born on January 30, 1963 to Hobart Mitchell Ezernack and Victoria Santos Ezernack in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Vickie is preceded in death by her parents, Hobert and Victoria Ezernack; brothers, Calvin Ezernack, Sr., Francis “Bigman” Ezernack, Bobby Ezernack, Ned Ezernack, Doug Ezernack, George Ezernack, Steve Ezernack, Joe Ezernack, and Paul Ezernack; and sister, Juanita Sepulvado. She is survived by her son, Leroy Kris Ezernack; daughter, Charlotte Ezernack Bailey; sisters, Ann Vines and Frances Gene; brothers, Larry Ezernack and Patrick “Diggie” Ezernack; 4 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.
Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.
Evelyn Rae Rhame
Funeral services for Evelyn Rae Rhame, 94, were held on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 1225 Ebenezer Rd., Florien, Louisiana. A visitation was held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A burial followed at Ebenezer Baptist Cemetery. Officiated by Brother Wayne Chance, Brother Dennis Bigner, and Brother Stephen Martin.
Evelyn was born on May 5, 1931 to Hamp Youngblood and Hattie Rosetta Youngblood in Florien, Louisiana and passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 in Many, Louisiana.
Evelyn is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald Rhame; parents, Hattie and Hamp Youngblood; sons, Charles Allen Rhame, James Michael “Mickey” Rhame, and Jimmy Paul Rhame; daughter, Judy Nevon McDonald-Hollie; sisters, Betty Prince, Helen Ward, Ann Hopkins, and Martha Youngblood; brother, Lewis Youngblood; and grandson, Michael Rhame. She is survived by her daughter, Frankie McDonald of Florien, Louisiana; brother, Douglas Youngblood; grandchildren, Brandy Rhame, Jamie Crittenden, Jeremy Rhame, Stephanie Oxley, Timothy Rhame, Emily Shaw, and Valerie Phillips; 10 great-grandchildren; 9 great-great grandchildren and one on the way; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
Honoring Evelyn as pallbearers were Jerry Phillips, Roy Thomas, Dillon Hollie, Lewis Hopkins, Kevin Hopkins, Ronnie Ward, Jerome Dziekan, Jason Ellzey, and Timothy Rhame. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Ray Bragg, Ed Corley, Van Barnhill, and Darwin Carroll.
Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.
Ira “Punk” Ebarb, Jr.
Funeral services for Ira “Punk” Ebarb, Jr. was held on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Ann Catholic Church, 5272 Hwy 482, Ebarb, Louisiana. A visitation was held on Sunday, February 1, 2026 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Hwy, Many, Louisiana and continued Monday, February 2, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. A burial followed the service at St. Catherine Catholic Cemetery in Noble, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Father Timothy Hurd.
Ira “Punk” Ebarb, Jr. was born on May 28, 1937 in Noble, Louisiana to Ira Ebarb Sr. and Evelyn (Elva) Sepulvado Ebarb. He entered into eternal rest on Friday, January 30, 2026 in Many, Louisiana surrounded by his large loyal family.
Punk was preceded in death by his parents; Ira and Evelyn Ebarb; loving wife, Mary Loretta Ebarb; an infant son, Ira “Joseph” Ebarb; brothers, Earl Ebarb, Silas Ebarb, and Joe Ebarb; sisters, Alda Mae Jerles and Gatherine Smith.
Left behind to treasure his memory are his three devoted daughters, Myrna (Teddy) Ferguson, Felicia (Jeffrey) Martinez, and Stacy (Randal-Boo) Etheridge and one caring son, Lester Ebarb. He is also survived by one sister, Jeanine Spiegel. Popo Punk was a doting, dependable, and hands on grandpa to Jared Martinez, Sean Ebarb (Courtney), Marisa Ferguson (Rusty), Morgan Remedies (Christopher), Colton Etheridge (Lauren), and Shelby Etheridge. He continued that tradition of being a great Popo Punk to Keelan, McKinley, Keaton, Brennan, Keely, Hallie, Kohen, Ari, and Aiden.
Punk was a hard-working saw hand in the logging industry. His work ethic was top notch and he never complained. He was respected by his peers for his ability to pull a tree where he wanted it to fall. Young men have remarked that he could outwork men half his age.
Helping others was first nature to Punk. Without batting an eye, he would tackle the task of cutting trees for friends and neighbors; including splitting it up for firewood without wanting any compensation. He was known as Uncle Punk not only to his relatives, but everyone. Punk and Loretta were known for hosting cookouts frequently at their home for many years and were always ready for a friendly card game. Not everyone was lucky enough to share a birthday with the one you love as Punk and Loretta shared. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed watching all sports on television.
Honoring Punk as pallbearers were his grandsons and great grandsons: Jared Martinez, Sean Ebarb, Colton Etheridge, Keelan Parrie, Keaton Parrie, and Brennan Etheridge. Serving as honorary pallbearer is his brother-in-law, Sammy Procell, who was his best friend and faithful companion.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to all the nurses and aides at Toledo Nursing Center and Sabine Retirement and a special thanks to Shanna Ebarb for the care that she gave to their father.
Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.
Camus Dale Courmier
April 10, 1953 – February 1, 2026
Visitation: Thursday, February 5 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Warren Meadows Funeral Home
Services: Thursday, February 5 at 2:00 p.m. at Harmony Cove Church in Florien
Harold Porter
10/03/1949 – 01/28/2026
Visitation : Friday February 13 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel
Services : Saturday February 14 at 11:00 a.m. at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel
Sabine Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge.)
You may email them to SPJContent@sabineparishjournal.com
Attention! While the temps are starting to warm up a little, the ice is starting the thaw. We ask that our water customers please take a look at your house, inside and out, and make sure you do not see any water line breaks. If you do, we need you to notify us immediately so we can help remedy the problem.
Also, if you happen to be driving along and see water bursting out of a water line please notify us immediately so we can notify the customer.
City Hall 318-256-3651 or 318-256-4011
Tara Arnold, a native of Sabine Parish, was among six people killed when a private business jet crashed during takeoff Sunday evening at Bangor International Airport in Maine.
The Bombardier Challenger 600 aircraft went down shortly after beginning its departure, overturning and catching fire. Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are examining the crash, including potential weather factors and aircraft handling.
Friends and former classmates in Sabine Parish have shared condolences, remembering Arnold as accomplished and connected to her community. Authorities are working to confirm all victims and notify families, and the investigation is expected to take several weeks.
Sabine Parish residents can expect a mix of sunshine and chilly overnight temperatures in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service.
Wednesday will be sunny with calm winds and a high near 51 degrees. Skies will turn partly cloudy Wednesday night, with temperatures dropping to around 25 degrees.
Thursday brings partly sunny skies and slightly warmer conditions, with highs near 56. Clouds will increase Thursday night, with a 20 percent chance of showers and lows around 30 degrees.
Friday will be cooler, with partly sunny skies and highs near 42. Friday night will see partly cloudy skies and a sharp drop in temperatures to near 15 degrees.
The weekend remains dry but cold. Saturday will be sunny with a high near 35, followed by mostly clear skies Saturday night and lows around 17. Sunday continues the trend of sunshine with highs near 45 and mostly clear skies Sunday night as temperatures dip to around 23.
Monday looks mostly sunny with highs warming back into the low 50s near 53 degrees.
Residents are encouraged to bundle up during the cold overnight hours, especially heading into the weekend.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has confirmed two winter storm-related deaths in Sabine Parish as investigations continue into the impacts of severe cold and power outages.
According to the Sabine Parish coroner, a 62-year-old man and a 59-year-old woman were both found deceased in their homes following a power outage. The coroner said the deaths are suspected to be caused by hypothermia and are being investigated as storm-related.
LDH officials confirmed the deaths are considered winter storm-related. No further information will be released at this time.
LDH reports a total of eight storm-related deaths statewide and continues to remind residents to take precautions during extreme cold, including staying warm, using heating sources safely, and checking on neighbors and family members during power outages.
Sabine Parish residents are invited to celebrate native plants and America’s 250th Anniversary at the upcoming Down and Dirty Seminar hosted by the Sabine Master Gardeners. The event is scheduled for Friday, February 28 and promises a full day of learning, inspiration, and community engagement.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a variety of topics related to native plants, gardening techniques, and sustainable landscaping, all while connecting with local gardening enthusiasts.
Tickets are limited and expected to sell quickly. Residents are encouraged to secure their spots early to ensure participation.
This event offers a unique way for the community to celebrate both local horticulture and a historic national milestone.
Louisiana snow day essentials: space heater, extension cord, boiling water, generator, candles, and a phone at 3% battery. While some outside the South might chuckle at a Louisiana winter, we know how to stay prepared, make the most of any situation, and get through it together.
Do you have a drawer under your oven? And more importantly—what’s living in there? Cookie sheets? Muffin tins? A colony of plastic lids that haven’t had matching bowls since the Bush administration.
And the bigger question: Are you even using that drawer correctly?
My mother used that drawer for cookie sheets, and therefore—by the sacred laws of Southern motherhood—I was required to do the same. You don’t question Mama’s kitchen theology. You just obey and hope she doesn’t notice you put the castiron skillet in the dishwasher.
But who gets to tell you what’s right? Who shapes your choices? And when does “that’s how Mama did it” turn into “that’s how I got myself into trouble”?
Before we go any further, let me ask something bold: Do you know the truth about oven drawers?
Let me tell you a story.
There’s an old African tale about a man and his beloved lamb. He fed it by hand, played with it, probably let it sleep on the porch. Hard times came, and he had to take the lamb to market.
Three thieves heard about this and cooked up a plan.
As the man walked down the road with the lamb over his shoulders, the first thief said, “Why are you carrying that dog?”
The man laughed. “It’s a lamb.”
A little farther along, the second thief said, “Finelooking dog you’ve got there.”
The man frowned. “It’s… a lamb. Pretty sure.”
Near the market, the third thief shook his head. “Sir, they won’t let you bring a dog in there.”
That did it. The man set the lamb down, stared at it, and thought, “Well, if three different people say it’s a dog, it must be a dog.” And he walked away.
If he’d turned around, he would’ve seen the thieves scooping up his verymuchnotadog lamb and heading home for supper.
Now, back to the oven drawer.
For years, I never questioned its purpose. Mama said it was for cookie sheets, so it was for cookie sheets. End of discussion. But like the man with the lamb, I realized I’d let other voices define reality for me.
Then I learned the shocking truth: Some oven drawers are storage drawers… and some are warming drawers.
If your oven is older than your church’s carpet, it’s probably storage. But newer ovens? That drawer might be designed to keep food warm.
Which means: Trying to warm your biscuits in a storage drawer is just wishful thinking. Storing your plastic lids in a warming drawer is how you end up explaining yourself to the fire department.
It is not your mother’s oven.
And that’s the point.
In a world where everyone has an opinion—loudly—and where people will swear up and down that the lamb you’re carrying is a dog, you need a center that doesn’t wobble. You need truth that isn’t based on trends, polls, or whoever shouts the loudest.
You need someone who won’t call darkness “light” just because it’s fashionable.
You need the One who doesn’t change.
You need the One who won’t mislead you for His own gain.
You need the One who tells you the truth—even when three thieves insist otherwise.
And that place, that Person, is where I always end up: Jesus.
Once again I’m going off the rails and taking a break from talking fishing. Those of you that have read my articles from the very beginning know about my history as a kid. Growing up on the streets of Rosenburg, Texas, and Houston, made me a little tougher than most kids my age. I knew first-hand by the age of 8 what it was like to be footloose and fancy free running the streets ‘til all hours of the night, with zero guidance.
While my biological mother was more concerned with her modeling career and surviving the beatings she took at the hands of my stepdad, I was just trying to survive. I was the one sneaking into houses looking for a quick meal.
The one thing I always wondered — where was my real dad during all of this and why did I never get to meet him? Why was he never involved in my life?
Was this his choice to avoid contact with me or was there some kind of a mutual agreement between my mother and him that he was to never reach out to me for any reason?
These are questions that I’ll never get the answers to until the day I’m reunited with my dad and the loved ones who have crossed over to the other side. But as a father myself, I cannot imagine having a child in this world and not knowing who or where they were.
I’ve always heard that my athletic abilities came from my dad. I’ve heard stories from my older brother, Mike (we share the same mom and dad), on the kind of dad he was to him and how he supported him and his athletic career.
But the same questions continue to go through my head today, even at the age of 64. How was it that we never met? Why didn’t he reach out to me?
Every kid wants that relationship with their dad. A dad plays an important role in the development of a young boy growing into a man. He also provides a sense of security to all his children that no matter what, dad always has their back.
He provides advice and guidance for life’s troubled journey and teaches how to navigate those trials and tribulations. He’s the man who jerks a knot in your tail when you need correcting or get out of line. He’s the rock you look up to and hope to make proud one day. He’s the man you only hope you can be one day.
But for me, that connection was never made. The years went by with zero contact from the man that I only heard about from relatives. From what I’ve been able to learn over the years, he had a good side and a bad side.
I’ve been told that he enjoyed his Friday and Saturday nights at local taverns, but he also had wandering eyes for the ladies and traded one for another frequently. Guess this is why he and my mother divorced while she was pregnant with me. All total, he was married seven times (the legal limit in Texas) and once to the same lady, twice.
So, maybe those that knew him thought it was in my best interest NOT to have a relationship with him; that nothing good would come out of us having that father-son bond that a boy wants with his dad.
But looking back, he missed out on so much of my life’s great experiences. Things that a dad is supposed to be there for like a high school state championship, graduation, signing an athletic scholarship, getting married, being drafted by a Major League Baseball team and so much more! He missed out on so many of my life’s ups and downs — and three great grandkids.
Growing up, I had the best childhood a young boy could ever ask for while being raised by my aunt and uncle in an awesome small town in East Texas. My uncle, who I called Dad after being adopted, was a great provider and taught me about responsibility and hard work while growing up on a ranch. He assumed the role of a loving father as best he could, but it’s just not the same.
There’s something about having a relationship with the man you share the same DNA with as it completes the internal connection — the connection that only a father can have with his children.
So, I know the day will come when I’ll get all my questions answered. I’ll finally get to meet the father I never met. But in the meantime, I’ll do my best to be the best father I can be to all three of my children.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com.
Marzelle Phoebe Rice
Funeral services for Marzelle Phoebe Rice, 100, will be held Thursday, January 29, 2026 at First Baptist Church, 2051 Port Arthur St, Zwolle, Louisiana at 10:00 a.m. with a visitation beginning at 9:00 a.m. A Burial will follow the service at Newlin Cemetery , 1287 Newlin Cemetery Rd, Singer, Louisiana. Officiating the service will be Brother Michael McIntosh, Brother Marty Williams, and Brother Jerry Penfield.
Marzelle was born on November 12, 1925 to Iutress Cooley and Beatrice Bertha Cooley in Singer, Louisiana and passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 in Many, Louisiana.
She graduated from Singer High School in 1942 and married Calvin Rice on October 9, 1942. They lived in DeRidder until 1955, when they moved to Lake Charles until 1959. They were parents to Betty Louise, Brenda Beatrice, and Charles David. Their last move was to Glenmora, which is where they lived together until Calvin passed away November 8, 2001. They were members of Glenmora Baptist Church where Marzelle taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, organized Lottie Moon offerings, and taught Vacation Bible School. She was faithful to the Lord, their church and their community. She continued to live in Glenmora until 2021, when she moved to Zwolle with Betty and John Leggett.
Marzelle was a voracious reader and served as the assistant librarian in Glenmora for 30 years. She loved her family and hosted big gatherings with fun, especially competitive games, food and fellowship. She was strong and caring, smart and kind. She loved to travel and went to many places with her husband, Calvin. She loved fresh vegetables, fresh flowers and birds. She was a great cook and loved to cook everyone’s dishes. She made her home into a refuge for all of us. There was no place like Grandma’s house. She was a wonderful wife to Calvin and the best mother, mother-in-law, grandmother to 10, great-grandmother to 19, great-great grandmother to two, the greatest sister and friend. She took care of everyone.
Marzelle is preceded in death by her husband, Calvin P. Rice; parents, Iutress and Beatrice Cooley; sisters, Maxine Slaydon, Iulene Dickerson, Aileen Hickman, and Faye Perry; brother, Earl Cooley; and grandson, Duane Leggett. She is survived by her son, Dr. Charles Rice and wife, Koyne, of Lewisville, North Carolina; daughters, Brenda Morrow and husband, Carl, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Betty Leggett and husband, John, of Zwolle, Louisiana; sisters, Lou Slaydon and husband, Junior, of DeRidder, Louisiana and Linda Hamiter of Washington; brother, Iutress Cooley, Jr. and wife, Myrna, of Merryville, Louisiana; 10 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
Honoring Marzelle as pallbearers will be Eli Morrow, Ezra Morrow, John Michael McIntosh, Brett Sanders, Matt Morrow, Taylor Rice, and Chad Morrow.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Lottie Moon Mission Fund at First Baptist Church at PO Box 488, Zwolle, Louisiana. The family would like to thank Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation Center, especially Natalie, Courtney, and Torie, for their care and compassion.
Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.
Tammy Sue Byles Simpson
A graveside service for Tammy Sue Byles Simpson, 59, was held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Mt. Freedom Baptist Church Cemetery, 3800 Marthaville Rd, Many, Louisiana. Officiated by Brother Joey Grappe.
Tammy was born on December 20, 1966 to Tommy Ray Byles and Sue Ann Byles in Many, Louisiana and passed away on Thursday, January 22, 2026 in Alexandria, Louisiana.
Tammy was preceded in death by her father, Tommy Ray Byles and grandson, Tucker Procell. She is survived by her mother, Sue Ann Byles of Many, Louisiana; son, Peyton Simpson of Hemphill, Texas; daughter, Paige Procell of Many, Louisiana; sister, Tina Byles Pilcher and husband, Cade, of Many, Louisiana; brother, Tommy “Bodie” Byles of Many, Louisiana; grandchildren, Keaton Procell and Dallis Procell; and great-nephew, JC Pilcher.
Honoring Tammy as pallbearers were Cale Pilcher, Chas Pilcher, Cade Pilcher, Bodie Byles, Mark Simpson, and Courtney Procell.
Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.
Charles Albert Enterkin
Charles Albert Enterkin, age 95, of Many, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Charles was born on January 13, 1931, in Ferriday, Louisiana, to John and Mary Alexander Enterkin. In 1952, Charles completed his education in X-ray technologies and later completed his laboratory certification. He joined the military on September 24, 1954, and honorably served as a medic in the United States Army for two years. On December 11th, 1954, Charles married the love of his life, Pearletta O’Dell, whom he was married to until her death in 2010. He later began a career as an X-ray and laboratory technician at the hospitals in Many, Louisiana, where he worked until his retirement.
An avid horseman, airplane pilot, and farmer, Charles loved the outdoors, especially deer hunting. His life was also grounded in faith, as he was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Many, Louisiana
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Alexander Enterkin; wife, Pearletta O’Dell Enterkin; sister, Johnnie Enterkin Ferguson; daughter, Cynthia Heard; and grandchildren, Charles Enterkin and Ian Enterkin.
He is survived by his children, Charles “Chuck” Enterkin (Maxine), Vicki Enterkin Isgitt (Allen), and Sandra Enterkin Ferguson (Pat); brother, Warren Enterkin; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and many friends.
Funeral services for Charles Enterkin were held on Friday, January 23, 2026 at First United Methodist Church in Many, Louisiana. Visitation began at 12:00 p.m. followed by a service at 2:00 p.m. A burial followed at Oakhill Cemetery.
Honoring their grandfather, Bradley Enterkin, Paige Heard, Jimmy Heard, Lane Isgitt, Aaron Isgitt, Alex Isgitt, Jeremy Ferguson, Jennifer Ferguson Hoglind, and Joseph Ferguson served as pallbearers.
Charles will be remembered for his kindness to others, his willingness to always try new things, and his love of traveling with friends and family whenever possible.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations can be made to First United Methodist Church in Many, Louisiana.
Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.
January 28, 1986, stands as one of the darkest days in the history of space exploration. Just 73 seconds after liftoff, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven crew members and shocking viewers around the world.
The mission had drawn unprecedented public attention due to the presence of Christa McAuliffe, a New Hampshire schoolteacher selected to become the first civilian educator in space. Millions of students watched the launch live in classrooms, making the tragedy especially traumatic for a generation of Americans.
Investigations later determined that the disaster was caused by the failure of O-ring seals in one of the shuttle’s solid rocket boosters. Cold temperatures on the morning of the launch compromised the seals, allowing hot gases to escape and ultimately leading to structural failure. Evidence revealed that engineers had raised concerns about the risks, but those warnings were not acted upon.
In the aftermath, NASA grounded the shuttle fleet and launched an extensive review of its procedures, management culture, and safety protocols. The Rogers Commission’s findings led to significant changes within the agency, emphasizing the importance of engineering judgment and transparency in decision-making.
The Challenger disaster reshaped public perception of space travel, underscoring the inherent risks of exploration. Memorials, scholarships, and educational programs were established in honor of the crew, ensuring their legacy would inspire future generations.
January 28 serves as a solemn reminder that progress often comes at great cost. The lessons learned from Challenger continue to influence aerospace safety and remind the nation of the human lives behind scientific ambition.
Marzelle Phoebe Rice
November 12, 2025 — January 20, 2026
Visitation: beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Services: Thursday, January 29 at First Baptist Church at 10:00 a.m.
Sabine Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or npjnatla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge.)
You may email them to SPJContent@sabineparishjournal.com
The Sabine Parish School Board has announced that all Sabine Parish schools and district offices will remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 28 citing widespread power outages affecting communities across the parish.
District officials expressed appreciation for emergency crews and utility providers who continue working to restore power and services following recent weather impacts.
School leaders say they currently plan to resume normal operations on Thursday, Jan. 29 pending improved conditions.
In addition to campus closures, all school-related events and activities scheduled for Wednesday have been canceled.
Superintendent Shane Wright emphasized that the safety and well-being of students, staff, and families remain the district’s highest priority. Parents and community members are encouraged to stay informed as restoration efforts continue
A late-night report of gunfire in the Anacoco area has resulted in the arrest of a 19-year-old Florien man, following an investigation by local law enforcement.
At approximately 1:19 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, authorities received multiple calls from residents reporting gunshots in the area of Holly Grove Road and Fairlane Road. Deputies responding to the scene learned that a small car had fled the area shortly after the shots were fired.
The incident caused significant concern among nearby residents, who feared for their safety. Deputies canvassed the area and recovered a total of 15 spent shell casings.
Detectives launched an investigation and were able to identify 19-year-old Kade Cook as the individual responsible. During an interview, Cook admitted to firing the gun in the neighborhood.
Cook was arrested and charged with one count of illegal discharge of a firearm. Bond has not been set, and he remains in custody.
Sheriff officials expressed appreciation to the citizens who promptly reported the incident.
“This case highlights the importance of community involvement,” officials said. “If you see something, say something. Your calls help keep our neighborhoods safe.”
A Florida man has been arrested and charged in connection with a sophisticated fraud scheme that cost the Sabine Parish School Board more than $250,000, according to the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI).
Agents with Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation began working the case after receiving a request for assistance from the Sabine Parish School Board regarding allegations of fraud. Investigators determined that in November 2024, the school board fell victim to a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scheme.
As part of the scam, a school board employee was unknowingly persuaded to send an Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment totaling $251,972 to an out-of-state bank account controlled by the perpetrator. The payment was made to what appeared to be a legitimate vendor for the purchase of metal detectors intended for use at Sabine Parish school campuses.
LBI agents identified Wiley M. Howell, a Florida resident, as the individual who received the stolen funds. The investigation revealed that Howell quickly depleted the accounts after receiving the money. Agents also discovered that a portion of the stolen funds was transferred to unknown accomplices believed to be operating outside the United States. The investigation involved tracing the funds through multiple banks and cryptocurrency accounts.
Based on the findings, LBI agents obtained an arrest warrant issued by the 11th Judicial District Court in Sabine Parish. Howell faces multiple felony charges, including:
Two counts of Theft by Fraud over $25,000
Six counts of Illegal Transmission of Monetary Funds
Two counts of Money Laundering
Authorities in Pinellas County, Florida, arrested Howell on Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, pursuant to the LBI warrant. He was extradited to Louisiana on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, and booked into the Sabine Parish Jail. Howell has not yet appeared before a judge to receive a bond.
Officials say the investigation remains ongoing as agents continue to pursue additional leads and potential accomplices connected to the scheme.
Sabine Parish residents should prepare for a significant shift in weather over the next several days, as a wet midweek pattern gives way to dangerously cold temperatures and the potential for freezing rain, sleet, and icy conditions by the weekend.
Wednesday will be dominated by steady rainfall, with highs near 60 degrees. Winds will remain light, becoming southerly around 5 mph. Rain chances remain high at 90 percent throughout the day.
Rain is expected to continue into Wednesday night, with a possibility of thunderstorms before midnight. Showers and storms may taper briefly after midnight, but rain chances remain at 70 percent. Overnight lows will fall to around 47 degrees under cloudy skies.
Thursday and Thursday night will remain cloudy with only a slight chance of rain, about 20 percent. Highs will reach near 60 during the day, dipping to the mid-40s overnight.
By Friday, clouds persist with a 30 percent chance of rain developing mainly after noon. Daytime highs will struggle to reach 56 degrees. However, conditions will worsen Friday night as temperatures plunge to near 25 degrees. Rain is expected before midnight, transitioning to rain or freezing rain as colder air moves in. The chance of precipitation rises to 70 percent.
Saturday brings the most hazardous conditions. Rain, freezing rain, and sleet are likely throughout the day, with highs near 34 degrees. Icy roads, bridges, and elevated surfaces could become dangerous. Saturday night will remain cloudy with lows near 19 degrees and a continued chance of freezing rain and sleet.
Sunday offers little relief, with mostly cloudy skies and a slight chance of rain or freezing rain. Highs will hover near 36 degrees, dropping back to around 19 Sunday night.
Conditions begin to improve Monday, with mostly sunny skies and a high near 45 degrees.
Residents are urged to monitor forecasts closely and prepare for possible winter weather impacts, including icy roads, power outages, and hazardous travel conditions from late Friday through the weekend.