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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Marzelle Phoebe Rice November 12, 2025 — January 20, 2026
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.
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Tammy Sue Byles Simpson December 20, 1966 — January 22, 2026
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.
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Charles Albert Enterkin January 13, 1931 — January 19, 2026
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.
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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.
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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
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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
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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The Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, in partnership with the Sabine Parish America 250 Committee and community sponsors, will officially launch Sabine Parish’s America 250 celebration with Frontier of Freedom: Louisiana’s Legacy in the American Story on January 31, 2026, at Fort Jesup State Historic Site in Many.
This kickoff event marks the beginning of Celebrating America: 250 Years in the Making, a yearlong initiative honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States. The celebration will recognize Louisiana’s early frontier history and its contributions to the broader American story.
From 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., visitors can explore living history demonstrations throughout the fort grounds, interact with historical interpreters, and view El Nuevo Constante, a traveling exhibit highlighting Spanish colonial influence in the region. Period music and historical demonstrations will help bring early America to life.
The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will include remarks from local leaders and a keynote address by State Senator Alan Seabaugh. Following the ceremony, the event will continue with children’s activities, historical games, and opportunities for attendees to further explore multiple living history stations and exhibits.
The event is free and open to the public. Residents, families, students, and visitors of all ages are encouraged to join this celebration.
For more information on this event, visit toledobendlakecountry.com, follow Sabine Parish America 250 on Facebook, or call the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission at (318) 256-5880.
This and other America 250 events are made possible by our sponsors: Toledo Bend Lake Association, Sabine River Authority, Treaty Oak Clean Energy, Expand Energy, DT Midstream, NextEra Energy, Cane River National Heritage Area, Toledo Bend Lake Country, Atmos Energy, Sabine State Bank, Bank of Montgomery, VFW Post 5187, Good Gracious, and Community Bank.
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If you grew up in the 1960s, you remember that nightly publicservice announcement that came on right before the late news: “It’s 10 PM. Do you know where your children are?”
Of course, our parents didn’t know where we were. It was the 60s. Half the time we didn’t know where we were. Childhood back then was a freerange, unsupervised, loosely organized adventure involving bicycles with no helmets, creeks with questionable water quality, and a general understanding that you should be home “before dark,” which could mean anything from 5:30 PM to the next morning depending on the season and your mother’s mood.
Today’s parents track their children with GPS, Bluetooth, satellite imaging, and—if necessary—a drone. In the 60s, the only tracking device was your mother’s voice hollering your name across three neighborhoods like a foghorn powered by righteous indignation. And somehow, that worked.
Back then, if you told your mom, you were “going outside,” that was considered a complete itinerary. No one asked followup questions. No one needed a permission slip. You could be building a treehouse, digging a hole to China, or accidentally setting something on fire. As long as you came home eventually and didn’t bleed on the carpet, you were considered a successful child.
And yet, for all the differences between then and now, one thing hasn’t changed: every generation has to figure out life—and faith—for themselves.
My generation grew up with three TV channels, rotary phones, and the theological certainty that if you ran in church, God would personally trip you. Today’s kids grow up with smartphones, streaming services, and the ability to Google “Why does my pastor say that?” during the sermon. (Please don’t tell me if you’ve done this.)
But here’s the truth: faith has never been something you inherit like your grandmother’s casserole dish. Each generation has to discover Christ anew—sometimes in ways that surprise the generation before them. And the church, if it wants to stay alive and not become the spiritual equivalent of lukewarm leftovers, has to let the Holy Spirit shape it into a living, breathing, organic body of Christ—not a museum of how things used to be.
The kids who grew up hearing “It’s 10 PM—do you know where your children are?” are now grandparents watching their own grandkids navigate a world we couldn’t have imagined. And just like our parents trusted us to find our way home before dark, we can trust that God is guiding this new generation toward their own encounter with grace.
So the next time you worry about “kids these days,” remember: our parents survived us. And God, who has been faithful through every generation—from rotary phones to TikTok—will be faithful still.
And if you’re reading this after 10 PM, don’t worry. God knows where His children are. Always has.
Always will.
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Hall Summit is preparing for a big day of action, community spirit, and charitable giving as the Hall Summit Community Center & Park hosts a full slate of events on Saturday, February 28, 2026, all benefiting Pilots for Patients.
The all-day event will bring together motorcycle riders, barbecue teams, outdoor sportsmen, vendors, and families for a cause that provides critical air transportation for patients in medical need.
One of the highlights of the day will be the Don Bernard Memorial Poker Run, which will begin at 3 State Harley-Davidson in Bossier City before riders make their way to Hall Summit. Motorcycles, cars, Jeeps, and clubs are all welcome to participate, honoring Bernard’s legacy while supporting the life-saving mission of Pilots for Patients.
Also on the schedule is a BBQ Cook-Off, featuring a non-traditional two-meat competition with half chicken and ribs. Teams will compete for bragging rights and prizes, with an entry fee of $150. Smoke will be in the air as pits fire up for what organizers expect to be a competitive and crowd-pleasing cook-off.
Outdoor excitement continues with a Wild Hog Live Catch Tournament, offering 40 award buckles and action throughout the day. The tournament is expected to draw participants from across the region.
In addition to the main events, attendees can enjoy a silent auction, raffles, vendors, concessions, and a variety of family-friendly activities, making the day accessible for all ages.
The event will take place at Hall Summit Community Center & Park, located at 1170 First Street in Hall Summit.
All proceeds from the day will go directly to Pilots for Patients, a nonprofit organization that coordinates free air transportation for patients facing serious medical challenges.
Organizers say the event is about more than competition and entertainment — it’s about honoring a legacy, supporting a life-saving cause, and showcasing the strength of a small community coming together for something bigger.
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Nothing has shaken the bass fishing world more than forward-facing sonar (FFS). While I’ve given my perspective on this technology and how it’s affected the bass tournament world, I’m now wondering what’s next? Understand, this is my perspective, as I have no inside knowledge from anyone.
One thing that we know for sure, the big three fishing electronic companies (Garmin, Humminbird and Lowrance) are not going to stop building a better mouse trap. Their engineers are paid to be innovative and are aways looking to make improvements and advancements with regards to their technology.
Today’s sonar units are crazy good! You can literally see the swimming action of the tail on a bass. No fish is safe anymore and no fish can hide from today’s electronics.
One thing that is probably coming next will be the ability to identify the fish you’re seeing on the screen without guessing. Is that a bass, crappie or a carp? Knowledgeable anglers can do that today if they’re really good with their electronics and if they have studied and understand fish behavior.
But I think these companies are going to figure out a way to tell you exactly what species of fish you are seeing on your screen. They are going to continue to simplify the visual aspect of what you’re seeing on the screen.
Next, get ready for live video! This already exists with a company called Aqua-Vu. (It’s just not allowed in tournaments.) These have been out for a few years and to let everyone in on a little secret: several bass touring pros already use this unit for scouting, but don’t want the public to know.
Look for new camera units from one of the big three electronic companies, probably in association with “Go Pro Cameras,” to be the first to introduce this new way of seeing fish on our screens.
Many people are asking the question, “Where does all this stop?” Here’s the bottom line. There’s no stopping technological advancement. It won’t stop until people quit paying the prices they are asking for all these electronic advancements. If anglers are willing to pay, companies will continue to build bigger and better units.
Here’s the problem; just follow the money! All these electronic companies are pumping thousands of dollars into these professional bass fishing organizations as sponsors, forcing B.A.S.S. and Major League Fishing (MLF) to allow pro anglers to use forward-facing sonar.
I think we are getting to the point where these organizations are going to have to decide what’s more important — sponsorship support or the integrity of the sport? They also need to ask themselves if this new technology is good for the sport in the long run on the professional level.
You can say what you want, but forward-facing sonar (FFS) in bass tournaments is destroying the sport. I’m personally not against FFS for the everyday angler. I think it’s great tool for fun fishing and catching crappie.
I’m even OK with it for local bass tournaments on the amateur level. But when it comes to professional anglers using it on pro tournament trails, I am not a fan and it should be disallowed.
This is the same as Major League Baseball allowing the use of aluminum bats. It’s just not good for the sport of baseball! Hopefully the pro tours will do the right thing and eliminate FFS completely.
The biggest complaints about FFS come from the older generation of anglers, not the young guns on the rise. The young kids today have been raised with FFS from day one and really understand how to use it, giving them a huge advantage over the older anglers.
This could all play out another way. Pro tours may just wait out this issue with FFS and let this older group of anglers walk away or retire because five years from now, FFS won’t even be an issue at all.
So, what’s the next big issue going to be? Probably something totally different, as the electronic companies continue to make improvements and advancements with their electronic units. Only time will tell!
