It was with honor & joy to sponsor the Benton Middle School basketball program! Pictured left to right: BOM’s Henry Burns and Benton Middle School’s Coach Lucas Darbonne.

October 18, 1936 — December 7, 2022

A Celebration of Life for Betty “Nana” Lee Stanford, 86, will be held at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until the time of service. Officiating the service will be longtime friend Daniel Nelson.

Nana was born Oct. 18, 1936, in Portsmouth, Ohio, to William “Bill” Taylor and Ruth Yeagle Taylor. She entered eternal rest on Dec. 7, 2022, surrounded by family and friends wrapped in her Dallas Cowboys blanket.

Nana was a loyal patron of Café USA. In her free time, you could find her getting her hair done by her long-time friend, Tonya Fielder, enjoying a Starbucks, or catching up on The Bold and the Beautiful. Nana was known for her servant’s heart and found the most joy in volunteering her time with her great-grandchildren and making memories with her loved ones.

Nana is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Paul Stanford; her beloved pups, Daisy and Salem; granddaughters, Taylor Atkins and husband, Christopher, Alexi Wooten and husband, Evan; grandsons, Noah Rodriguez and Tyler Rodriguez; great-grandchildren, McKenzie Atkins, Levi Atkins, and Shepherd Wooten; brothers, George Taylor and John Taylor; daughter, Mary Freeland and husband, John; as well as countless other friends and loved ones.

The family would like to thank LifePath Hospice for the exceptional care and compassion shown to Nana, as well as anyone who contributed in any way over the past two weeks and made the family’s loss more bearable.

I saw this recipe go viral on social media and immediately added all ingredients to my grocery cart and made it that night!  Oh my STARS, this is DIVINE!  There is absolutely nothing to making this, and you’ll be the belle of the ball when you bring this to your next holiday party.  

Ingredients:

• Boursin cheese
• Flour
• Panko bread crumbs
• 1 egg, beaten
• Salt & pepper
• Honey
• Buttery crackers for serving

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Set out 3 bowls, one with flour, one with Panko, and the other with the beaten egg.  Unwrap the roll of cheese.  Roll completely in flour to coat as heavily as you can.  Then roll in egg being sure to coat heavily on all surface area.  Cover in Panko and press lightly to have as much crumb topping as you can.  Bake in small baking dish for 12-14 minutes.  Remove from oven and drizzle with honey.  Serve with buttery crackers.

Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom, and contributor to Webster Parish, Natchitoches Parish, and Shreveport-Bossier journals, as well as a published cookbook author.

JOURNAL STAFF

For the first time in over 20 years, Shreveport voters have elected a Republican mayor.

Republican attorney Tom Arceneaux defeated Democratic state Senator Greg Tarver in Saturday’s runoff election. Arceneaux is the first Republican mayor since Bo Williams, who served a single term, left office in 1998.

“It’s very humbling; I’m very grateful,” said Arceneaux, who will take office on Dec. 31.

In an election that attracted just 30 percent of registered voters, Arceneaux received 56 percent of the vote compared to 44 percent for Tarver. They faced off in the runoff after finishing first and second in the 10-candidate field in the Nov. 8 primary.

Arceneaux served on the Shreveport City Council as the District C Councilman from 1982-90. He also served on the Board of Directors for Highland Restoration Association for 13 years, including five years as president.

“It’s not about winning an election,” Arceneaux told his supporters after the victory. “It’s about what comes afterward.”

As he thanked his supporters, Arceneaux repeated a campaign slogan: “We can do this!”

Then he added, “But there’s a whole lot more we can do.”

February 3, 1935 — December 7, 2022

Bobby Eugene Pettitt was born in Caddo Gap, Arkansas on February 3, 1935, and went to be with his heavenly Father on December 7, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arkansas and Cloie Pettitt, brother Kenneth Pettitt, and beloved companion for more than 20 years, Alice Coleman. He is survived by his sons Bob Jr. and Jerry (wife Shirley); grandsons Paul (wife Katie), Charles (wife Julie), Rich, and Jake; sister Betty Eakin; sister-in-law Sammie Pettitt, and nieces Pam Tiner and Nikki Castaldi.

Bobby graduated from Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in 1957 with a BS in Petroleum Engineering and from Texas A&M in 1963 with an MS in Petroleum Engineering. He worked for Mobil Oil & Gas and Pennzoil Producing Company until 1976 when he moved back to Shreveport where he founded Pettitt Engineering which he operated until his retirement in 2015 at the age of 80. He was a Registered Petroleum Engineer in Texas and Louisiana, a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Louisiana Engineering Society. He liked to say “It has been a fast trip but I had a lot of fun and met many good people in the oil field. Also, I have had a lot of help from others along the way”.

He excelled in sports at Vivian High School where he played for Scotty Robinson. He received both football and baseball scholarships to the University of Arkansas but chose Louisiana Polytechnic Institute for it’s excellent Petroleum Engineering Department, and there played baseball. He had a great love for both his avocation and baseball, was an avid Atlanta Braves fan and was a voracious reader. He and Alice loved to travel to the Rocky Mountains and to the Braves Spring training in Florida.

The family expresses heartfelt appreciation to Adella Bourque for her friendship, love and care of our father, and Dr. Tom Harrison for his spiritual guidance.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 12, 2022 at the Evans-Richie Memorial Gardens, 1735 Highway One, Vivian, with Dr. Tom Harrison of Broadmoor Baptist Church of Shreveport officiating.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Alice Coleman Pediatric Rheumatology Endowment, LSU-HS Foundation, 920 Pierremont, Suite 506, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71106.

By Royal Alexander/Opinion

He promised he would. For months before the actual consummation of the sale that gave him ownership, Elon Musk vowed to return free speech to the massive social media platform that is Twitter.

And there have been some discoveries that are as stunning as they are unnerving.

The release by Musk of internal emails highlights Twitter’s 2020 censorship and suppression of the New York Post story a month before the 2020 presidential election. These revelations make undeniable the blatant conflicts of interest, influence peddling and likely crimes of Hunter Biden and the incestuous complicity of his business partner, ‘The Big Guy’—then-presidential candidate Joe Biden.

But Twitter suppressed the New York Post story and shut down several prominent Twitter accounts, including that of the New York Post itself, that would have circulated the story.

What persuaded the Twitter brass of 2020—not to mention the corrupt and highly partisan national media—to suppress the story?

Two former Democratic intelligence officials, James Clapper and John Brennan. How did they manage this? By deceitfully issuing a press release that they believed the laptop may have been hacked and its content was “Russian disinformation.” Later, 51 more former American spies released a letter stating that the presence of the emails at issue “has all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.” (Wall Street Journal, 12-5-22.)

All false. All lies.

We later learn that the real “disinformation” was provided by Clapper and Brennan themselves. However, their claims provided a lazy, biased and compliant national media with the justification it needed to ignore the Hunter Biden laptop story and discredit Hunter’s former business partner, Tony Bobulinski, who went on the record before the election to substantiate much of the information on the laptop through the use of huge numbers of text messages.

Why does this matter so much?

Because the revelation of influence-peddling by Hunter Biden just prior to the election was obviously newsworthy given that former VP Biden had repeatedly said he had “never spoken to my son about his overseas business dealings.”

The emails effectively proved that Joe Biden was not only aware of his son’s business dealings but actually participated in meetings in support of this lucrative, international scheme to sell access to the U.S. Government. Thus, it is demonstrable that Joe Biden lied directly to the American people throughout the 2020 campaign and in the Presidential Debates.

So, how should we view this joint effort by the national media and these current and former spies and other Administration officials who essentially colluded to suppress the Hunter Biden Laptop story?

The Wall Street Journal offers a sobering admonition. This “partisan foray by current and former U.S. intelligence officials in the last two elections should be deeply troubling to Americans on the left and right. They have authority by dint of access to information that isn’t confirmable by the press, which takes their spin as gospel. This is a form of political corruption that needs to be exposed, and perhaps the Twitter documents will help to unlock the story.” (WSJ, 12-5-22)

What effect would this damaging information have had on the 2020 election?

Following the election, a full 17% of Biden voters polled stated that they would not have voted for Joe Biden had they known prior to the election of the information contained on the laptop.

Remember, Pres. Trump only lost the Electoral College count by a mere 44,000 votes in three swing states out of approximately 154.6 million votes cast nationwide!

As a result of this suppression of the truth, the voice of the people was silenced, and the trajectory of American history and world history was forever changed.

This is not right. This is not what we do. It doesn’t matter how we may feel about Pres. Trump or Pres. Biden or any other person. America does not allow its powerful government agencies to form a Police State, to repeatedly lie with impunity and, thereby, control or influence its elections in this way.

Millions of Americans no longer trust our national “news” and no longer have the same faith in federal government agencies like the FBI and the Department of Justice that for so many decades have been revered and patriotic and effective guardians of the domestic and international security of America. They have earned this distrust. And America is less free and more vulnerable as a direct result.

Beginning stages for construction of an east-west throughway running from LA Hwy. 3 (Benton Rd.) to Bellevue Rd. at Winnfield Rd. were disclosed Wednesday when the Bossier Parish Police Jury’s road/subdivision regulations committee discussed road projects.

During their meeting prior to the regular session, jurors heard Parish Engineer Eric Hudson report the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) will be advertising for consulting firms to provide engineering and related services for the proposed roadway. The winning contract will be between the consultant and the parish police jury.

“We’ve been working on this for some time. This is just the first step, and it means the project is moving forward,” Hudson said.

Scope of work for the consultant will include preparing plans, specifications and design documentation for a new two-lane roadway from LA 3 to the Bellevue-Winnfield intersection. The off-system route will include right-of-way clearance sufficient for future widening to a four-lane divided highway.

In addition to the roadway design, plans call for five bridges to be constructed along the route. A portion of the cost for the proposed roadway has already been secured, with the Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments putting up $10 million and the police jury adding $2.5 million.

Although the project still has a long way to go before construction, Hudson said the advertisement for consulting engineers is “very good news for the parish. This project is going to help with the traffic problems we’re seeing.”

During Wednesday’s regular meeting, police jury members:

• Awarded bids for annual supplies for the Bossier Parish Highway Department, in accordance with bids received December 1, 2022.
• Accepted proposal for Project No. 2022-129, Kingston Park pavilion and equipment (fence).
• Accepted proposal for 60-inch CMP removal and replacement at 1723 Poole Road.
• Awarded bid for Project No. 2022-126, Sligo Road extension improvements, in accordance with bids received November 30, 2022.
• Awarded bid for Project No. 2021-120, DR 4263 PW 910 Paved Roads, Task Order No. 8.
• Granted approval of itemized expense allowance pursuant to House Bill 879, effective January of 2023.
• Adopted the 2023 Bossier Parish Police Jury budget.
• Approved the application of Howell and Christi Hicks, Christwell Enterprises, LLC, to the Bossier City-Parish MPC, for a Conditional Use Approval for the sale of high and low content alcohol for on-premise consumption at a bar and restaurant, Papa and Company, located at 5510 Airline Drive, Suites 105, 106 and 107, Bossier Parish.
• Approved the application of James Harrington, Bayou Rental Towers, LLC, to the Haughton Parish MPC, for a Conditional Use Approval to relocate an existing telecommunication tower to 201 Hilltop Road, Haughton.
• Agreed to designate Louisiana Southern Railroad Crossing 335788J, located near Adner Road, as a private railroad crossing.
• Scheduled a public hearing on December 21, 2022, to consider adoption of the Bossier Parish Police Jury 2022 amended budget.
• Scheduled a public hearing on January 18, 2023, to consider approval of the application of Ryan Estess, Raley and Associates, to the Bossier City-Parish MPC for a zoning amendment to change the zoning classification of a certain tract of land being 6.46 acres, more or less, located in Section 24, Township 17 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish, from R-A, Residential Agriculture District, to B-1, Business, Commercial Office District, for North Caddo Medical Center.
• Scheduled a public hearing on January 18, 2023, to consider approval of the application of David Cook, Daiquiri Palace, to the Bossier City-Parish MPC for a Conditional Use Approval for the sale of high and low content alcohol for on- and off-premise consumption located at 1911 Highway 80 East, Haughton.
• Scheduled a public hearing on January 18, 2023, to consider approval of the application of Michael and Sharlet Randall to the Benton-Parish MPC Board of Adjustments for a Special Exception Use Approval for the sale of low and high content alcohol for off-premise consumption at a convenience store and grill located at 1115 Louisiana Highway 162, Benton.
• Scheduled a public hearing on January 18, 2023, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of River Square subdivision, being a resubdivision of portions of Lots 16, 17, 24 and 25, Shady Grove Plantation subdivision, located in Section 29, Township 19 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish; located off Benton Road.
• Scheduled a public hearing on January 18, 2023, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Bee Bend Estates subdivision, Unit No. 3, being a resubdivision of Lot 3, Bee Bend Estates subdivision, and a portion of Lot 4, Bee Bend Estates subdivision, Unit No. 2, located in Section 28, Township 19 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish; located off Bee Bend Drive and Byrd Circle.
• Scheduled a public hearing on January 18, 2023, to consider approval of the Minor Plat and Site Plan for North Caddo Medical Center – South Bossier subdivision, located in Section 19, Township 17 North, Range 12 West, and Sections 24 and 25, Township 17 North, Range 13 West, Bossier Parish; located off Barksdale Blvd.
• Scheduled a public hearing on January 18, 2023, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Heartwood Acres subdivision, Unit No. 2, located in Section 20, Township 20 North, Range 12 West, Bossier Parish; located off Crouch Road.
• Scheduled a public hearing on January 18, 2023, to consider approval of the plat of the proposed development of Heartwood Acres subdivision, Unit No. 3, located in Section 20, Township 20 North, Range 12 West, Bossier Parish; located off Crouch Road.
• Agreed to proceed to condemnation on one parcel of property and granted 30-day extensions on three other properties.
• Accepted report on meeting of the Road/Subdivision Regulations Committee.
• Approved applications for renewal of Bossier Parish beer/liquor licenses for 2023.
• Approved applications for renewal of Bossier Parish beer/liquor licenses for 2023, subject to approval by the health department.
• Agreed to hold application of Tedd Hansen for a 2023 Bossier Parish beer/liquor license at Green Park Cafe, 165-A Green Park Road, Doyline, on recommendation of the Parish Attorney until sanitary water is maintained on premises.
• Adopted a resolution offering support and recommending the election of Doug Rimmer as Region IV Executive Board Member to the Police Jury Association of Louisiana.
• Adopted a resolution authorizing the Parish Administrator and/or Parish President to execute any and all documents in connection with the following projects for Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District: Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 of the Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana (CWSD #1); Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 2 of the Parish of Bossier, State of Louisiana, (CWSD #2); Project No. 2021-108, Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1-Expansion of Wastewater Collection System North sewer system improvements (Contract B); Project No. 2022-118, Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1-Highway 80 Sewer Extension to Highway 157/Creekside subdivision (Contract C); Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1-Oak Creek subdivision sewer tie-in; Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1- Gray Duck/Gray Lake sewer tie-in.
• Adopted a resolution authorizing the Parish Administrator and/or Parish President to execute any and all documents in connection with the following projects: Project No. 2019-101, Espanita ditch improvements; Project No. 2021-126, Linton Road at Linton Cutoff intersection improvements; Project No. 2022-107, Glendale Lane street improvements–Phase V; Project No. 2022-120, Cycle Plant Road improvements; Project No. 2022-121, Town Lake Boulevard (Innovation Drive) and Dairy Lane Extension; State Project No. H.003855, Bossier Parish Congestion Relief Winfield Road; Dogwood Park Unit II-A drainage improvements (Pinehaven Lane); Highway 3 at I-220 capacity improvements; Covington Road Extension; Butler Hill Road improvements; North Willow drainage improvements; Twin Point Drive improvements; sidewalk improvements along Kingston Road/Fairburn Avenue; Dogwood Trail drainage improvements; North Shared Use Trail extension to Autumn Creek; Mid South Loop improvements; East Benton Road improvements; Sunrise Point paved ditch improvements; Collingsburg Road bridge over Collingsburg Creek; Elston Road bridge over Red Chute Bayou; Swan Lake Road bridge over Red Chute Bayou; Antrim Road bridge over Lil Cypress Creek; Atkins Clark Road bridge over Flat River; Log Ferry Road over Posten Bayou.
• Approved Certificate of Substantial Completion for Project No. 2021-CWEF-BSR-0001, New Dogwood plant and remote wells radio and SCADA system for Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 of the Parish of Bossier.
• Approved Change Order No. 1 for Project No. 2021-CWEF-BSR-0001, New Dogwood plant and remote wells radio and SCADA System for Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 of the Parish of Bossier.
• Approved Change Order No. 2 for Project No. 2019-130, Bobby Byrd ditch drainage improvements.
• Reappointed Jerry Greer, William Burris, and Gary Horton to the East Central Bossier Parish Fire District No. 1 Board of Commissioners for two-year terms each, terms to expire December 31, 2024.
• Reappointed John T. Green and Mike Dunaway to the Northeast Bossier Fire District No. 5 Board of Commissioners for four-year terms each, terms to expire December 31, 2026.
• Reappointed Denis Faulk and Robert Chambers to South Bossier Parish Fire District No. 2 Board of Commissioners for two-year terms each, terms to expire December 31, 2024.
• Approved Certificate of Substantial Completion for Project No. 2021-121, DR 4263 PW 910 Paved Roads, Task Order No. 9 and Project No. 2021-124, DR 4263 PW 910 Paved Roads, Task Order No. 12.
• Approved Final Change Order No. 2 for Project No. 2021-121, DR 4263 PW 910 Paved Roads, Task Order No. 9 and Project No. 2021-124, DR 4263 PW 910 Paved Roads, Task Order No. 12.
• Approved an agreement between the Bossier Parish Police Jury and Empresa Operating, LLC, for road improvements to Cycle Plant Road.
• Approved a request for a variance of parish regulations to allow a home to be built below the road surface level located at 128 Conley Road, Tax Assessment No. 204876; located off Old Plain Dealing Road.
• Approved a proposal from David W. Volentine, MAI, for appraisal review services for two real estate appraisals on vacant tracts owned by Eagle Water, LLC, and Eagle Water, Inc., in connection with FY2022 LCDBG-Gray Duck sewer rehabilitation project.
• Approved a proposal from Business Valuation Consultants, for review of Summary Appraisal Report of Gray Duck sewer system in connection with FY2022 LCDBG-Gray Duck sewer rehabilitation project.
• Approved Change Order No. 1 for Project No. 2022-112, White Oak ditch sanitary sewer.