Baton Rouge — The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is implementing a series of strategic actions to strengthen and stabilize the frontline child welfare workforce. These steps are part of the Department’s broader commitment to improving safety, timeliness, and permanency outcomes for children and families across the state.

Over the past year, DCFS has undertaken a top-to-bottom review of its operations, informed by staff feedback, legislative discussions, and best practices from child welfare organizations. That review made clear that child safety and timely response depend on having sufficient staffing and supervision at the frontlines.

“Louisiana’s children deserve our very best response, every time,” said DCFS Secretary Rebecca Harris. “We are making the necessary adjustments to ensure we have skilled, supported staff where children and families need us most — on the frontlines in their communities.”

As part of this effort:

More than 100 child welfare staff are being reassigned to place expertise closer to the children and families while also building a stronger operational backbone to sustain the change. These reassignments ensure that investigations and in-home services are properly staffed and supervised in every community.

Centralized Intake (CI) operations are being restructured to reinforce the strong commitment to child safety, rapid response, and accountability in how reports of abuse and neglect are handled. Beginning in December, CI staff will report to a DCFS office, improving connection to field operations, training, and supervisory support.

The Department is also expanding evening and weekend coverage, including a second shift of 53 newly hired child welfare professionals to address after-hours reports and reduce response delays.

Secretary Harris noted that the move toward in-office and community-based work reflects both national best practice and the evolving expectations for public service delivery.

“Child welfare work is intensely human work,” Harris said. “It requires collaboration, supervision, and real-time decision-making. Being together as teams especially in intake and investigations allows us to provide faster, higher-quality responses that keep children safer.”

DCFS is following all State Civil Service procedures in the implementation of these changes, and every impacted employee has been notified and will be supported through the transition.

The Department’s recent hiring efforts and organizational changes will produce improvements in response time and workload balance.

“These are difficult transitions, but they are absolutely necessary,” Harris said. “Every decision is being made with one goal – to strengthen the system so children are protected, families are supported, and staff are empowered to succeed.”

Preachers have all sorts of microphone stories. Microphones left one when one has “turned aside.” Microphones left on in the middle of singing. Thankfully my ushers know how to get my attention on that one. The last two Sunday’s I have lived my Saturday nightmare. That nightmare is we show up to lead worship, and we don’t have the bulletin the congregation does. The other part of that dream, the microphone doesn’t work!

It’s a common clergy nightmare: you’re mid-sermon, the Spirit is moving, the congregation is leaning in… and then poof — the microphone dies. You tap it, blow into it, give the sound booth a look that says, “Help me, Lord,” and suddenly your voice is swallowed by the sanctuary’s silence.

But maybe — just maybe — this isn’t a technical glitch. Maybe it’s a parable.

Because isn’t that how prayer sometimes feels? You’re pouring your heart out to God, asking, pleading, praising… and all you get back is silence. No booming voice from heaven. No divine thumbs-up. Just the spiritual equivalent of a dead mic.

But here’s the twist: when the mic goes out, the preacher doesn’t stop preaching. They raise their voice. They step forward. They trust that the message matters enough to be heard — even if it’s not amplified.
And maybe that’s what faith looks like when God feels silent. You keep praying. You keep showing up. You trust that your voice still reaches heaven, even when it feels like the sound system of the soul has short-circuited.

After all, Scripture is full of mic-drop moments — but also mic-off moments:

Elijah in the cave, waiting for God to speak through fire and wind, only to hear a whisper.

David crying out in the Psalms, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?”

Jesus himself, on the cross, asking, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

These aren’t failures of faith. They’re echoes of it. They’re reminders that silence isn’t absence. That

God’s hearing isn’t always felt — but it’s always real.

So next time the mic dies, smile. It’s a holy metaphor. And maybe — just maybe — the sermon gets louder when it’s spoken from the heart, not the speakers.

BOM Bank is proud to support the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Educational Day! Each year, all parish 3rd graders spend the day learning through fun, hands-on activities. This year’s Educational Day was hosted by SciPort Discovery Center, making it an unforgettable experience for the students. 

On a warm October day at an air show in St. Louis, Missouri, pilot Archie Hoxsey learned that the colonel would be among the spectators. Archie asked the colonel if he would like to take a flight. The colonel quickly responded, “No, thank you. There are enough high-fliers up there already.” The colonel was apprehensive because he had never flown in an airplane before, but more importantly, he had heard about Archie’s most recent flight in an airshow in Lincoln, Nebraska. During that flight, one of the wings on Archie’s airplane collapsed. The airplane flipped upside down and Archie fell out of the airplane. Luck was on Archie’s side during this flight. He was flying slowly enough, low enough, and the airplane threw him out just as he was passing over a tall barn. He fell only a few feet and received only minor cuts and bruises as the barn’s roof broke his fall. The airplane was destroyed, but Archie explained that he had just received a brand-new airplane.

At the St. Louis airfield, Archie and the colonel continued their conversation as the colonel carefully examined the airplane. Finally, the colonel accepted Archie invitation. Archie responded, “You don’t need to fear anything, colonel. You’ll come down without a scratch.” The crowd of 10,000 spectators watched as the colonel clambered aboard the small two-seat airplane. Once Archie made sure the colonel was safe and secure in the co-pilot’s seat, he took the seat beside him. It took Archie and the ground crew ten minutes to get both engines running, which only worried the colonel for a moment or two. “Anything wrong?” the colonel asked. “I’ll get ‘em going,” he replied. “Good,” the colonel said without the slightest sign of nervousness. The anxious crowd cheered as the plane finally took off and climbed to a low altitude. The airplane circled the airfield and headed back over the crowd. People began to gasp as the airplane suddenly nose-dived toward the ground. Just above the treetop level, Archie pulled back on the yoke and the airplane darted back to its previous level. Just as the crowd was breathing a collective sigh of relief, the airplane took another nosedive. Archie let the airplane get within a few feet of the tops of trees before bringing it back to altitude, then immediately dipped the plane again. The third time, the airplane got within just a few feet of the ground before Archie pulled up. The relieved crowd roared with excitement. As the airplane flew over the crowd, they could see the colonel’s grand smile which his large mustache failed to conceal. Moments later, Archie and the colonel returned to the ground in a textbook landing. Their flight lasted just three minutes and twenty seconds. The crowd ran to greet Archie and the colonel. His large smile was only interrupted by his attempts to explain his experience to those nearest him. “There was nothing uncomfortable about it,” the colonel explained. “I don’t know when I have ever enjoyed myself so much. I wish I could have stayed up longer.” During that air show on October 11, 1910, Archie was piloting one of the Wright Brothers’ brand new Model B airplanes on the colonel’s first airplane flight. It was the first airplane flight of a President or former President of the United States. The colonel, as he preferred to be called, was former president Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt.

Sources:

1. St. Joseph News-Press, September 6, 1910, p.1.

2. The Kansas City Post, October 12, 1910, p.6.

3. “Colonel Roosevelt is invited to fly in Arch Hoxsey’s plane at St. Louis, Mo., 1910,” Library of Congress, January 4, 2010, accessed October 13, 2025, https://youtu.be/yIlpDwMKzJo?si=nhRiZqxyPHqajluI.

Charles and Ann Davis

Ann Nakayama Davis, age 95, passed away peacefully on September 27, 2025, in Birmingham, Alabama. Ann was preceded in death by her parents, John K. and Tome M. Nakayama, and her seven siblings and their spouses.

Ann was born on June 22, 1930, in Doña Ana, New Mexico, and moved to central Louisiana in 1947, where she spent the next 75 years of her life. At the age of 93, she moved to Birmingham, Alabama, where she was cared for by one of her daughters.

Ann and Tommy T. Kohara (deceased) had three daughters, JoAnne Kohara Thompson (Walter), Jeanne Kohara (Earl Pfohl, deceased ), and Barbara Kohara Capper (Stuart). She had three stepchildren, Charles I. Davis, Jr. (Carol), Jo Lynn Wallace (Roger), and Albert Davis (Lorelei).

Ann had a career as a registered nurse for 28 years working in central Louisiana hospitals. She enjoyed needlework, gardening, cooking, and traveling with her late husband of 52 years, Charles I. Davis, Sr., age 99.

Charles Irving Davis, Sr. passed away at home on Toledo Bend Lake on September 28, 2025, within 24 hours of Ann. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank W. and Cora Lee Davis and his brothers, Albert Anthony Davis and Wilbur Russell Davis. He was born on December 15, 1925, in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Charles and his previous spouse, Joyce Shafer (deceased), had three children, Charles Irving Davis Jr. “Beaux” (Carol), Jo Lynn Wallace (Roger), and Albert L. Davis (Lorelei). He had three stepchildren, JoAnne Kohara Thompson (Walter), Jeanne Kohara (Earl Pfohl, deceased) and Barbara Kohara Capper (Stuart).

Ann and Charles are both survived by 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. They are preceded in death by a great-granddaughter, Jera Thrailkill.

Charles honorably served in the Navy during WWII from 1941-1947. He was also a dedicated fireman for the city of Alexandria, LA, as well as a TV and AC repairman prior to his retirement. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish. He and Ann, “his favorite catch,” enjoyed traveling together with their beloved dog, Skippy. Both he and Ann were also HAM radio operators, Charles (K5ABA) and Ann (KB5MI). Charles was an expert craftsman, who along with Ann, built their home on Toledo Bend Lake in the early 1970s.

A joint memorial service is planned for Ann and Charles on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Hwy, Many, Louisiana.

Mary Lee Greer, 77, was born on March 16, 1948 to Don Lee Crossland and Delia Thompson Crossland and passed away on Friday, October 10, 2025 in Milam, Texas.

Mary was born and raised in Mountain Grove, Missouri. She graduated from Alton High School as Valedictorian in 1966. During her early life, she worked as a seamstress in factories in Missouri. She later moved to Temple, Texas where she worked numerous jobs as a waitress, forklift driver, and hotel receptionist. She met and married Merle Greer in 1980. They moved to Pineland, Texas to raise their children. She and Merle went into construction work and travelled all over the country for 10 years, making friends far and wide along the way. After Merle’s passing, at the age of 52 Mary got her realtor’s license and became a realtor in east Texas, where she met thousands of new friends.

Mary Greer worked tirelessly all of her life to help others. The Roseville benefit became a passion of hers and every year she ran the “chicken poop bingo” fund raiser. She will be missed by so many people in East Texas, Missouri, and across the United States.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband, Merle Greer; parents, Don and Dee Crossland; stepson, Marty Greer; and siblings, John, Darlene, Rosie, and Janet. She is survived by her children, Rocky (Bernadette), Tony (Jeannie), Krystie (Dwight), and Randy (Becky); special friend, Richard Tremble; grandchildren, Daniel (Ivy), Nathan (Brittany), Caleb, Carrington (Noah), Ian, Cody, and Kaci; niece and nephew, Stacey and John; daughter-in-law, Donna Greer; and 6 great-grandchildren.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at http://www.stjude.org

Mary requested that her obituary end with her favorite phrase: “Pass a good time.”

On October 22, 1942, a tragedy unfolded at sea that still sends shivers through maritime history. The British light cruiser HMS Curacoa was escorting the RMS Queen Mary, which was transporting nearly 20,000 American troops to Britain during World War II. In a catastrophic miscalculation, the Queen Mary accidentally rammed the Curacoa, slicing it in half.

The Queen Mary, nicknamed the “Grey Ghost” for her speed and stealth, was under orders never to stop, not even in emergencies. After the collision, the massive liner plowed forward, leaving behind the shattered cruiser and hundreds of men struggling in the cold Atlantic. Of the Curacoa’s crew, 338 perished. Survivors recalled the horror of watching their shipmates vanish as the Queen Mary steamed on.

The event was hushed during the war. News reports were minimal, and families often received vague notices of “lost at sea.” But among sailors, the story became a whispered legend of bad luck and restless spirits.

Today, the Queen Mary is docked in Long Beach, California, serving as a hotel and museum. It is also considered one of the most haunted places in America. Visitors and paranormal investigators frequently report hearing footsteps echoing in empty corridors, ghostly figures in naval uniforms, and even cries for help. Some believe the spirits of the Curacoa’s sailors followed the ship, bound forever to the vessel that could not stop for them.

Tour guides often point to “Door 13” in the engine room, where a crewman was crushed decades later, as one of the ship’s most active paranormal hotspots. But many say the true haunting stems from October 22, 1942, when hundreds of men were lost in the Atlantic’s icy embrace.

For those who walk the Queen Mary today, the line between history and haunting is thin. The ship’s grandeur hides its dark past, but echoes of the Curacoa disaster continue to reverberate—an eternal reminder of duty, sacrifice, and ghosts that never let go.

James “Greg” Stringer
November 21, 1955 – October 25, 2025
Visitation:Tuesday, October 28 at 10:00 AM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home
Services: Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Warren Meadows Funeral Home

Billie Yvonne Burden
May 10, 1944 — October 25, 2025
Visitation:Thursday October 30 at Pendleton Assembly of God from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Services: Friday, October 31 at 10:00 a.m. at Pendleton Assembly of God

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

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced that agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) have arrested a Noble woman on felony charges of Government Benefits Fraud after she allegedly failed to report her marital status and household income to the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) while receiving Medicaid benefits.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, 53-year-old Sue Ann Rivers, a resident of Buddy Road in the Village of Noble, was arrested on October 7, 2025, following an investigation initiated by a criminal referral from LDH. Officials allege that Rivers concealed key financial information in order to remain eligible for Medicaid coverage.

Investigators determined that from October 1, 2021, through March 31, 2024, Rivers submitted three Medicaid applications containing false information regarding her marital status and income. As a result, LDH confirmed her eligibility for Medicaid, which led to an improper payout of approximately $21,958.49 in benefits.

Rivers was booked without incident into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail on the following felony charges:

Two counts of Government Benefits Fraud (LRS 14:70.9)

One count of Attempted Government Benefits Fraud (LRS 14:27 (70.9))

Her bond was set at $7,500, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Attorney General Murrill emphasized her office’s ongoing efforts to protect Louisiana taxpayers and ensure that government assistance programs are used appropriately.

“When individuals abuse programs designed to help those truly in need, it undermines public trust and hurts Louisiana families,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill. “We will continue to hold accountable anyone who attempts to defraud our state’s benefit systems.”

The investigation remains ongoing and is being handled by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, a division of the Office of the Attorney General.

Residents who suspect fraud involving Medicaid or other government benefit programs are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit or submit a tip through the Louisiana

Department of Health’s fraud reporting system.

The Sabine Parish Police Jury is reminding residents to mark their calendars for Saturday, November 15, 2025, when voters across several wards will head to the polls to decide on key millage renewals and a road proposition that impact local infrastructure and community services.

According to the Police Jury, Wards 5, 6, and 8 will each consider the renewal of existing millages, which help fund essential parish operations and maintenance projects. Meanwhile, Ward 7 voters will determine the outcome of a proposed Road Millage, aimed at improving and maintaining local roadways.

“These millages and propositions are vital to maintaining the quality of services our parish residents rely on,” parish officials said. “We encourage all eligible voters to participate and make their voices heard.”

Residents who wish to cast their ballots early may do so during early voting, which runs from November 1 through November 8, 2025.

For detailed information on polling locations, sample ballots, or voter registration, residents can visit the Sabine Parish Registrar of Voters Office or the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website at http://www.sos.la.gov.

The Police Jury emphasized that voter participation is essential in determining the future of these important community investments.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced that a parish-wide burn ban is now in effect until further notice, citing dry weather conditions and increased fire danger across the region.

The ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including brush, trash, and debris fires, in an effort to reduce the risk of wildfires during the ongoing dry spell. Parish officials urge all residents to comply with the order and exercise caution when using any equipment or materials that could spark a fire.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) and local fire districts recommend avoiding activities such as welding, burning leaves, or using open flames outdoors until conditions improve.

Residents with questions or specific concerns about the burn ban are encouraged to contact their local fire district for additional information or guidance.

Officials will continue to monitor weather patterns and ground conditions. The burn ban will remain in effect until the parish determines it is safe to lift the restrictions.

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has relaunched its T4LA initiative ­­–Transforming Transportation with Transparency and Teamwork – during a department-wide update event at headquarters.

The initiative, originally established in 2024 under Gov. Jeff Landry’s executive order, is designed to transform DOTD’s internal operations and improve how the department serves Louisiana residents. Tuesday’s meeting provided employees with updates on progress and outlined the next steps in the effort.

“Today we relaunch T4LA not just as part of the transformation, but as a renewed pledge to the people of Louisiana,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “Our mission is to deliver infrastructure and services that are efficient, transparent, and worthy of public trust.”

As part of the relaunch, DOTD announced earlier this year the creation of two new offices within the department. The Office of Transformation and the Office of Project Delivery were created to lead improvements across the agency. Both offices were created during the 2025 Regular Legislative Session.

The Office of Transformation, led by Deputy Secretary Julia Fisher-Cormier, will oversee departmental reforms, implement efficiency strategies, improve communications processes, and manage performance metrics. The office will also prioritize innovative practices and expand the outsourcing of routine maintenance tasks.

“The relaunch is an opportunity to reintroduce ongoing efforts and present new goals that will all work toward modernizing DOTD. It’s time we pull back the curtain and clearly show Louisiana what we’re doing right and also what we know we can do better,” said Fisher-Cormier.

The Office of Project Delivery, led by Assistant Secretary Eric Dauphine, will focus on streamlining project development, management, construction, and delivery. This office aims to enhance project efficiency, reduce delays, and strengthen accountability.

“Change is never easy, but these initiatives will prove to accomplish a better, faster work product. We’re engaging our peer states for best practices and efficiencies,” said Dauphine.

Key notable initiatives of the transformation include:
Program and project delivery: Streamlining planning, construction, maintenance, and operations to improve efficiency.
Innovation: Expanding the use of scheduling, permitting, and performance tracking systems to strengthen accountability, as well as utilizing automation and advanced methods.
Workforce and wage assessment: Ensuring workloads are balanced and wages are competitive to ensure we are giving our most valuable assets, our people, the opportunity for success.
Economic development collaboration: Formalizing processes to incorporate commerce as a key priority in our processes and aligning with the whole-of-government approach.

Since the transformation launch, DOTD has already introduced several improvements, including the Project Viewer, which allows the public to easily track the status and timelines of infrastructure projects in their area. The complete initiative list and upcoming changes are detailed at http://www.T4LA.com.

The relaunch marks a renewed commitment to building a more accountable, efficient, and transparent transportation system for Louisiana. DOTD will continue to share progress updates as the initiative advances.

“Use it or lose it.”

That phrase haunted me in the weight room like a sweaty ghost. Coaches would shout it while we bench-pressed our body weight and tried not to pass out. Language professors muttered it like a curse as we butchered ancient Greek. My piano teacher said it with a smile that somehow felt like a threat. And you know what? They were all right. Use it… or wave it goodbye as it packs its bags and heads for the hills.

I haven’t used it. And friends, I’ve nearly lost it.

These days, I write notes to folks in the congregation. Some are invitations to church events. Others are little “thinking of you” cards. And then there’s my favorite category: “I know where you sit, and I haven’t seen you sitting there lately.” I wrote a whole stack of those this week. If you want to dodge your preacher’s attendance radar, just switch pews every Sunday like a liturgical ninja. I’ll be baffled for weeks.

But here’s the kicker—my handwriting has gone full toddler. For every note I finished, I tossed two in the trash because they looked like ransom letters written by a raccoon. My cursive has officially filed for retirement.

Back in the day, learning cursive in third grade was a rite of passage. It was like joining a secret society.

Suddenly, you could decode the mysterious adult scribbles on birthday cards and grocery lists. We spent hours crafting those elegant loops and swirls like we were training to be 18th-century poets.

Now? Third graders are learning to type before they can tie their shoes. Cursive is going the way of the floppy disk and dial-up internet. Kids today might never know the thrill of writing a capital “Q” that looks like a fancy number 2. Tragic.

I’m guilty of abandoning pen and paper. My cursive is now somewhere between “ancient ruins” and “doctor’s prescription.” I tried writing “blessings” and ended up with something that looked like “blessingshzz.” I don’t even know what language that is.

So where in your life has “use it or lose it” come back to bite you?

There are skills that need daily reps. And there are disciplines that need daily practice. Love, for example, isn’t just a feeling—it’s a full-contact sport. If you think you’ve “fallen out of love,” good news: you can fall back in. Just wear a helmet.

Patience? Practice it. Compassion? Flex it. Forgiveness? Stretch it out like you’re warming up for emotional yoga. These things don’t just happen—they’re spiritual muscle groups, and if you don’t work them out, they get flabby.

Even your faith needs practice. So find a church on Sunday. We’ll all be there, spiritually bench-pressing our doubts and doing cardio with our convictions. And if your handwriting’s as bad as mine, don’t worry—we’ve got printed bulletins and grace in abundance.

MANY – Positioning in both the district and playoff races. Sustaining momentum. Personal bragging rights.

All of that and more is on the line when Many (3-3, 1-0 District 3-2A) hosts Winnfield (2-4) in a Week 7 showdown on Friday.

A healthier Many team returned to its early-season form in a 56-13 shellacking of Lakeside (3-3, 0-1) to open District 3-2A play.

“We challenged our guys all week to come out with intensity and set the tone early, and they really responded,” Hassell said. “Offensively, we were sharp right out of the gate, and defensively, we didn’t flinch after giving up that early score.

“A big part of it was finally getting some key guys back healthy. We’ve been banged up in spots, and when you’re trying to build consistency, it’s tough when you’re shuffling the lineup every week. Getting those guys back helped with chemistry.”

While district titles aren’t won in early weeks, an early loss could doom one’s title chances.

Many certainly didn’t take that chance with Lakeside as the Tigers scored the first two touchdowns on a Daniel Thomas 56-yard run and a 32-yard pass from Kellen Cox to Evan Wilson.

Lakeside answered with a Brock Case 49-yard touchdown run, but Many scored 34 of the next 40 points to bury the dagger.

Thomas ran for five touchdowns and returned a kickoff for another score in a career night.
Lakeside had a sliver of hope after a score cut Many’s third-quarter lead to 35-13, but Thomas’ kick returned quickly extinguished any hope for the Warriors.

Interceptions by Jonas Hendrickson and Demarion Sepulvado as well as fourth-down stops by the defense halted Lakeside drives.

Winnfield counters with their own explosive running backs in Detavious Williams and Richard Williams.

The Williams boys helped the Tigers snap a four-game losing streak with three long touchdown runs in a 49-28 win against Rosepine.

Winnfield piled up 459 rushing yards and added an 87-yard touchdown pass to weapon Craig St. Cyr as the Tigers have the ability to score anywhere on the field.

“Winnfield is physical and disciplined, and they’ve got some guys who can make you pay if you’re out of position,” Hassell said. “For us, it’s going to come down to tackling well in space and being gap-sound up front.

“We’ve got to win first down and put them in tough down-and-distance situations. Offensively, we’ve got to sustain drives and take care of the football. It’s going to be a four-quarter fight, and our guys are excited for that kind of challenge.”

The personal bragging rights come into play as Hassell served on Winnfield coach Byron Keller’s staff at Red River High this past year.

Now both coaches are in their first years at new places, although both Hassell and Keller served as assistants on these respective staffs in the recent past.

Both programs are attempting to rebuild to their former glory, although Many’s glory was in the much more recent past as state champions in 2022.

“Byron and I are friends, but this one is for bragging rights,” Hassell said. “We’ve got a lot of respect for each other and how we run our programs.

“Obviously, once that whistle blows, it’s all about our players competing. But before and after, it’s fun to catch up with someone you’ve gone to battle with over the years. That mutual respect makes games like this even more meaningful.”

This is a question that has been asked for centuries and I’m not sure if it can actually be answered with certainty. There are several different lunar charts that will predict daily/hourly game activity based on the moon’s position in the sky. But there’s one that I have come to trust and seems to be fairly accurate, the iSolunar Chart (yes, that is the correct spelling).

From an angler’s perspective, I’ll have to admit that there have been days where this chart was spot on in terms of predicting game or fish activity. After a fishing trip with Lake Fork guide, Johnny Guice, I became a believer.

While on this fishing trip with Johnny, and after a slow start that morning, he made the comment that the major feeding time was not supposed to occur until around 10:15 that morning. Well, to say I was skeptical would be an understatement.

Then at 10:15, his cell phone alarm went off and he made the comment, “Get ready boys, they should start biting pretty quick.” Again, me being a doubting Thomas, I chuckled in silence. But five minutes later all three of the guys on this boat started catching fish!

The bite was on, and we began to put fish in the boat faster than we could take them off the hook! I was amazed at the timing and accuracy of the iSolunar Chart as I thought to myself, maybe there’s some truth to this chart.

From that day on, I’ve been using this chart to make sure I’m in my best area on the lake where I have found fish in practice. This chart basically predicts where the moon will be in the sky at any certain time of day.

Your best feeding periods most of the time will be when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot (the other side of the Earth). Turns out there is a correlation between the position of the moon in the sky with fish and wildlife activity.

I cannot tell you how many times I have used this chart just to give me an idea as to what time of day I can expect the major bite (feeding period) to occur. But it can also have its drawbacks if you’re expecting the major feeding period to kick in at a specific time and it doesn’t.

This can have a mental effect on you as an angler if you’re counting on this chart to be correct. There are weather conditions that can also alter things, like an approaching cold front or major weather change.

While this chart can help you in many ways, don’t rely on it totally. Again, game and fish activity can be influenced by many other factors. This chart is simply a tool that may or may not help you to be successful.

So, whether you’re a hunter, fisherman or a bird watcher, check the iSolunar Chart the next time you’re planning your next hunting or fishing trip. You too might be surprised just how accurate this chart can be.

You can add this app to your phone for easy access by going to your app store and searching, iSolunar Hunt & Fish Times. ‘Til next time, good luck on all your hunting and fishing adventures.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com.

Ryone Marrie Palmer, 83, was born on July 31, 1942 to Ira Devalcourt and Grace Thibodeaux Devalcourt in Sunset, Louisiana and passed away on Sunday, September 21, 2025 in Shreveport, Louisiana. A memorial service was held on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Souled Out For Christ at 2:00 p.m. Officiated by Brother Leon Manshack.

Ryone, affectionately known as Ronnie, had a deep love for the outdoors. She never missed an opportunity to go hunting or fishing, and she delighted in the beauty of God’s creation—whether in the flowers she so carefully tended in her garden or in the majestic birds of the sky. Her favorite of all was the beautiful cardinal.

Ronnie’s greatest joy was her family. Her grandchildren were the center of her world until her great-grandchildren came along, bringing even more love into her life. The memories she created with each of them will be cherished forever.

She also had a passion for cooking and baking, and she loved sharing her dishes with family and friends. Beyond her devotion to family, Ronnie was a faithful Christian who found peace and strength in God’s word. Strong-willed yet kind-hearted, she was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone in need.

Ronnie is preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Grace Devalcourt; brothers, Joel Devalcourt, Bill Devalcourt, and Frank Devalcourt; sisters, Renae Elbert and Veronica Devalcourt; and grandchildren, Dwain Nettles and Joseph Dyess, Jr. She is survived by her son, Lee Roy Palmer III and wife, Angela, of Zwolle, Louisiana; daughter, Tamra Bass and husband, Nicholas, of Bossier City, Louisiana; sister, Irene Foshee of Anacoco, Louisiana; brothers, Chris Lawrence and wife, Marlene, of Fairhope, Alabama, Gary Devalcourt and wife, Priscilla, of Opelousas, Louisiana, and Olan Devalcourt of Pensacola, Florida; grandchildren, Haylie Dyess and spouse, Josh Behan and Tristan Palmer; grand daughter-in-law, Samantha White; step-grandchildren, Christopher Anderson and wife, Victoria, and Marrisa Anderson; great-grandchildren, Zane Behan, Kambriella Behan, Joshua Nettles, and Tytus Nettles; step-great-grandchildren, Max Weathy, Lucas Lapar, and Joshua, Carter, and Adaline Anderson; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.

Rev. J.D. Brown, 78, of Hornbeck, Louisiana, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 in Many, Louisiana. J.D. was born on February 27, 1947 in Many, Louisiana. Services were held on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Prewitt’s Chapel Baptist Church, 383 Prewitt’s Chapel Rd., Hornbeck, Louisiana. A burial in Prewitt’s Chapel Cemetery followed. Rev. Wayne Chance and Rev. Nick Hilton officiated the service. A visitation was held on Thursday, October 9, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 9891 Texas Hwy, Many, Louisiana. The visitation was from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at Prewitt’s Chapel Baptist Church.

J.D. was born to Marvin E. and Margie Aline (Corley) Brown and grew up in the Plainview community east of Hornbeck, Louisiana. He was a member of the Plainview High School Class of 1964. Following high school, J.D.’s first job was working at Hodges Gardens. One of his most favorite times of life were the days he spent working with Mr. A.J. Hodges in the rose garden, among other tasks. He reminisced of many days of his time there and was extremely saddened when the gardens closed. In 1966 J.D. joined the U.S. Air Force, most of which was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana. He worked on the flight line and was an airplane mechanic and instructor. Upon leaving his time in service to his country, he worked many jobs; including working for Lawson Howard, working for a home building contractor in east Texas, and moving mobile homes. In 1975 he began working at Fort Polk, Louisiana in the refrigeration shop. He retired from civil service at Fort Polk in 2002 as the Chief of Maintenance for Bayne Jones Army Community Hospital. During the years he also worked as an electrician during his spare time by repairing and installing AC units and electrical work for the ones who called, including Toro Hills. He was no stranger to work and in his final days, he would always tell his family he’d been working; a happy place for him!

As a young boy, J.D. attended church and accepted the Lord at Prewitt’s Chapel Baptist Church in Hornbeck, Louisiana. In October 1982, J.D.’s life focus had changed. He rededicated his life to the Lord and became very serious to be about the Lord’s business and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He began leading the music at Plainview Baptist Church and in 1986 was licensed to preach the Gospel. He was ordained into the ministry in 1987 and began serving as pastor of Gandy Baptist Church in Florien, Louisiana. He also served as pastor of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in the Toro community and was interim pastor at Prewitt’s Chapel Baptist Church. He currently attended Prewitt’s Chapel Baptist Church.

J.D. loved people! He was always up for a laugh, prank, or conversation that would put a smile on your face! Some of his favorite hobbies included tinkering on his 1951 Farmall tractor, traveling with Kathy in their fifth-wheel RV, gardening, and playing with his grandchildren, Duncan and Arwen. He also loved listening to quartet music. The Southern Plainsmen were some of his proud favorites! J.D. was a devoted family man and always made time for his children and grandchildren. He was always there for them, no matter what!

In 1967 he met the love of his life, Kathy (Randolph) Brown, on a double date. She was accompanying his best friend. A couple of months later he wrote to her and asked her out. They married February 2, 1968 and were lovingly married for 57 years.

J.D. is preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Marvin E. and Margie Aline Brown. He is survived by his wife, Kathrine “Kathy” Brown of Hornbeck, Louisiana; daughter, Kimberley (George) Hodges of both Hornbeck and DeQuincy, Louisiana; son, Tracy (Tina Waskom) Brown of Natchitoches, Louisiana; grandchildren, Duncan Brown and Arwen Brown of Natchitoches, Louisiana, and Lynn Wood of Rosepine, Louisiana; sister, Margie (Steven) Kumpf of Rockvale, Colorado, and a host of extended family, church family, and friends who will carry on his precious memory.

The family would like to take this time to thank the staff at Sabine Retirement & Rehab Center, especially Brandon and April, who became very special caregivers to him, and Allegiance Hospice. Marcelle Slaughter will also be remembered by the family for his time, attention, caregiving, and special visits given to J.D. through recent years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Gideon’s International or the Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.

Sandy Rose Tankersley, 68, passed away on Monday, October 6, 2025 in Florien, Louisiana. She was born on August 2, 1957 to Walter Packer and Elanor Packer in Zwolle, Louisiana. The family will be having a memorial service at a later date.

Sandy enjoyed many things in life. She and her husband took many trips to Arkansas where she loved the beautiful scenery of the mountains. Their 22nd anniversary was coming up on the 16th of October. She loved fishing and all of her stories confirmed that she caught the most and the largest on their fishing adventures. Sandy enjoyed the beauty of flowers and the joy they brought her. She took great pride in her job at the water treatment plant where she always was up to date with her operator status as a level 4. Her dog, Harley, was also close by her side. Her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren.

Sandy was preceded in death by her parents, Elanor and Walter Packer. She is survived by her husband, Lynn Tankersley of Florien, Louisiana; sons, Chris Gentry and wife, Betty, of Many, Louisiana, David Gentry and wife, Kathryn of Zwolle, Louisiana, and Dale Tankersley of Florien, Louisiana; brother, Mike Packer of Zwolle, Louisiana; and grandchildren, Eli Gentry, Jaxon Gentry, and Xander Gentry.

Services and care were provided to the family by Kilpatrick’s Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Many, Louisiana.

On September 30, 1955, 23-year-old Donald Gene “Don” Turnupseed was returning to his home in Tulare, California, from California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, California. Don was a freshman at the college; in April of 1955, he had completed a four-year stint in the Navy and had enrolled at the college soon thereafter. Don was driving east on Highway 466 (now Highway 46) in his five-year-old Ford Tudor on a trip that normally took about two and a half hours. It was Friday evening, and Don was looking forward to spending a stress-free weekend with Barbara, his wife of five years. Don could not imagine how stressful his life would soon become.

At about 5:30, just before sunset on that Friday evening, Don had been driving almost an hour when he approached the intersection at Highway 41. Don had to turn left to continue his trip to Tulare. He was familiar with this drive and knew he only had to decrease his speed slightly because turning onto Highway 41 was more like veering than an actual turn. Don could see about three miles in the distance on the long straight stretch, and the road seemed to disappear into the low mountains in the background. Don saw no approaching vehicles, turned his steering wheel slightly to the left, and began to veer onto Highway 41. Don was unable to see the low, sleek, silver-gray convertible sports car driving towards him in the opposite lane until it was too late. The two cars struck almost head-on.

Don, in the bigger, heavier car received only minor bruises and a cut on his nose. The two people in the sports car were not so lucky. The driver of the sports car was unconscious and trapped in the crushed car. His passenger received numerous injuries when he was thrown from the sports car. People who stopped to help found him lying unconscious on the side of the road. It took an ambulance about half an hour to reach the site of the crash. Ambulance driver Paul Moreno noted that both the driver and passenger of the sports car were alive when taken from the site of the accident, but the driver died during the 24-mile drive back to War Memorial Hospital in Paso Robles. His passenger eventually recovered. Don told the California Highway Patrolman on the scene, “I looked but didn’t see him coming.” A driver who was just behind Don at the time of the crash said he also failed to see the approaching car. Don was eventually released by the highway patrolman and told that he could “probably catch a ride home.” Don flagged down a passing car and arrived at the hospital in Tulare six and a half hours after the accident. It was there that he learned that the driver of the other car had not survived.

Don was distraught and avoided speaking about the tragic accident. He gave just a single interview, which was on the day after the accident, but reminders of the tragedy were everywhere. Photos of the driver who died in the accident appeared on coffee mugs, plates, t-shirts, book and magazine covers, statuettes, and a plethora of other items. He became a pop culture icon. On July 13, 1995, almost 40 years after the accident, Don died from lung cancer. He was finally at peace. The intersection where the accident occurred is now a memorial junction named after the driver of the sports car who died in the accident. That intersection is called the James Dean Memorial Junction.

Sources:

Tulare Advance-Register, October 1, 1955, p.1.
“Donald Gene Turnupseed,” Findagrave.com, accessed October 12, 2025, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10990655/donald-gene-turnupseed.

Our BOM team had a great time at the Zwolle Tamale Poster Unveiling!

At dawn on October 15, 1917, in Vincennes, France, a woman faced a firing squad. She was accused of being one of the most dangerous spies of World War I. Her name was Mata Hari.

Born Margaretha Zelle in the Netherlands, Mata Hari reinvented herself as an exotic dancer in Paris in the early 1900s. She claimed to be a Javanese priestess, performing ritualistic dances that captivated audiences. Her sensuality and mystique earned her fame—and suspicion. As Europe plunged into war, her relationships with powerful military and political figures drew scrutiny.

In 1917, French authorities arrested her, accusing her of spying for Germany. The evidence was circumstantial, much of it based on intercepted messages that may have been misinterpreted or even fabricated. Historians later argued that Mata Hari was more scapegoat than secret agent. France, reeling from battlefield losses, needed a villain.

Her trial played out like a witch hunt. The prosecutors painted her not just as a spy, but as a sorceress of seduction, using her body as a weapon. With her exotic costumes, mysterious persona, and reputation for independence, she became an easy target for moral outrage.

On the morning of her execution, witnesses reported she refused a blindfold. She stood tall, staring down her executioners. Some accounts even claim she blew them a kiss before the shots rang out. Like accused witches centuries earlier, she died for breaking the rules of her time more than for any proven crime.

After her death, her legend only grew. Novels, films, and plays transformed Mata Hari into a symbol of both dangerous femininity and tragic injustice. Today, many historians consider her a victim of circumstance, condemned not for what she did but for who she dared to be.

Her story is a reminder that October 15 is not just about the fall of a dancer-turned-spy. It’s about how suspicion, fear, and myth can destroy a person, just as surely as accusations of witchcraft once did.

Margaret Brumfield Pierce
11/29/1945 – 10/10/2025
Visitation: Friday October 24 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Jenkins Funeral Home Chapel
Services :Saturday October 25 at 11:00 a.m. New Jerusalem B.C.

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

Longtime career prosecutor, Ronald Brandon, announced today he will officially be ending his duties at the Sabine District Attorney’s office on Wednesday, October 8th.

Brandon will be a candidate for Sabine District Attorney in the election to be held in the fall of 2026.

“I have decided the right thing to do is to leave my job so I will not be on the public’s payroll while running for a public office,” Brandon said. “I want to be your district attorney, but I strongly believe the public’s hard earned tax dollars should not support me while I pursue a political campaign,” Brandon continued.

Ronald Brandon is the son of the late Earl and Joan Brandon. He was raised in Hurricane Valley, a small community outside of Zwolle. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Zwolle High School where he graduated in 1980.

He attended Northwestern State University earning two degrees, an associate degree in Criminal Justice and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. He graduated from Southern Law School graduating Cum Laude in 1990. In the fall of 1990 he was sworn in as a Sabine Parish Assistant District Attorney and began the private practice of law as well.

While pursuing higher education, Ronald worked for the University Police at Northwestern State and later for the Natchitoches Police Department where he received the Purple Heart for being shot in the line of duty. He has also taught Criminal Justice at Northwestern State University.

He has been married to his wife, Pollie for forty-four (44) years. They have three sons: Heath Brandon who works as attorney in his father’s law firm, Jarred Brandon, currently employed by Right Care Health Services as a Nursing Facility Administrator, and Samuel Brandon, currently employed by the Sabine Parish School Board where he teaches and coaches at Ebarb High School.

In 1998, Ronald and Pollie bought Century 21 Sabine Property Shoppe where they employ 11 agents.

Ronald Brandon is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where he has served on the Pastoral Council, Ushers and is a fourth degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He has been a board member of the Zwolle Loggers and Forestry Festival from its inception and has served as President, Vice President, and currently serves as Treasurer. Brandon was instrumental in helping acquire the Zwolle Festival Grounds and has served on the Zwolle Festival Grounds Board since its inception.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT RONALD “RONNIE” BRANDON ON HIS CELL PHONE AT (318)471-5075.