Month: April 2023
A deep dive into the pros and cons of a simple sport
To paraphrase a very wise man, the only thing I know less about than “track” is “field,” but in case you haven’t noticed, ‘tis the season for high school meets all over the place.
Allow me to assure you of one lead-pipe certainty – if you go to one, you’d better pack a lunch.
And dinner.
Nobody has ever called me “Mr. Track,” but give me about a day to figure it out and I’d have these meets running on time like Mussolini did with the trains in Italy after World War I. If you think Major League Baseball had a problem with game length, high school track would like a word.
It’s a good thing graduation season is coming up or they might have to start handing out diplomas between the girls and boys 4×400 relay.
All of that notwithstanding, the thing I like about track is its simplicity. The events aren’t very hard to figure out.
In track, it’s basically this: You start here, you run to there, and whoever is first wins. (They might ask you to jump over something along the way, but that doesn’t seem to be too complicating.)
And field isn’t all that tough, at least for the most part. I mean, I look at the javelin or shot put and figure I could do that if I were (1) younger (2) stronger (3) had a better arm and (4) knew how to yell when I threw it.
High jump and long jump? Doesn’t take a rocket scientist: Run, then jump. (However, I would like to add whoever thought of the triple jump probably had a screw loose.)
Which brings me to the most fascinating event in all of track and field – pole vault.
Quick question: Are you (expletive) kidding me?
I’m being totally honest here when I say that I have NO IDEA how they do it. There are few athletic events in which I would be concerned about dying, but pole vault is one of them. Yes, I think I could avoid death at Talladega easier than I could at pole vault.
We all know how this would go. I’d saunter down the runway, plant the pole, rise up about four feet, then fault flat on my back before ever reaching the pit and suffer a massive head injury.
I realize there is a large, foam mat awaiting at the other end, but that doesn’t do anybody any good if you can’t get there.
Who in their right mind grabs an abnormally long fiberglass pole, looks up at the bar that seems way too high and says “Gimme a shot at that.”
And I found out earlier this week that it’s even more complicated than I had previously thought. Not only are there horizontal settings for the cross bar, there are also vertical settings for the standards that hold the bar. You can move them closer or farther away.
I’d want them moved into the equipment room.
Full appreciation for the technique, strength and athleticism that goes into it, but you people are crazy.
About as crazy as the people who put out a schedule of events and expect the meet to run on time.
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com
Program offered to help families impacted by pediatric formula shortages
JOURNAL STAFF
The Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Pediatric Amino Acid and Metabolic Formulas Emergency Assistance Fund is a direct financial assistance program that provides one-time grants up to $4,500 to help families with a child that has been impacted by the recent pediatric formula shortages.
Applying is simple and can be done online or by calling the program at (855) 949-3915. We do the rest.
The grant can be used for:
- Medical expenses not covered by any other third party payor
- Meals for parent/guardian during hospital/ER visit/urgent care visit
- Wage loss of parent/guardian due to hospital/ER visit/urgent care visit
- Child/Elder Care required for family members during hospital/ER visit/urgent care visit
- Hotel stay for parent/guardian during hospital stay
Additional details are provided below, and complete program information can be found at https://www.patientadvocate.org/formulaemergencyassistancefund/ . If you’re not certain if you meet program requirements call us so we can better understand your personal situation – we may be able to help you.
To be eligible the patient must:
- have a confirmed diagnosis of an eligible condition that requires the use of amino acid-based or metabolic formula for nutrition
- have had an in-patient hospital stay, emergency room, urgent care, pediatrician, or other medical visit for issues caused by lack of access to amino acid or metabolic based formula, including malnutrition, dehydration and issues caused by formula transitions
- be a legal US resident and reside in the US or US territories
- if patient, or parent/legal guardian is under 18 years old, information will be screened to confirm identify of applicant
Mudbugs’ Man of Steele hopes to author storybook ending
By ROY LANG III, Journal Sports
The Man of Steel. Ironman. Captain.
These descriptions would make you believe a superhero is the topic. Well, that’s not far from the truth. Garrett Steele has been nothing less for the Shreveport Mudbugs.
Off the ice, the Chelsea, Michigan product is somewhat reserved. A pair of prescription glasses often masks the heart and determination to lead and to achieve. Winning championships (he already has one) is an obvious goal, but his desire to make his teammates better human beings may be an accomplishment with less pizzaz, but much more impact.
“I just hope the younger guys in the locker room can take a piece away from something I taught them – on the ice or off the ice,” Steele told the Journal. “It’s important to me to leave my mark on the people, not just the program.”
The Mudbugs, captained by Steele, are in the midst of a postseason run they hope ends in another North American Hockey League Robertson Cup title. Tonight, Shreveport hosts rival Lone Star in Game 3 of a South Division semifinal. The series is tied at one.
No matter when this quest for a Cup ends, it will be the end of the line for Steele in teal and purple.
“It’s tough to not think about it, but the boys make it easy – going into the locker room and letting the environment overwhelm me,” the 21-year-old Steele said. “There are only a handful of those situations remaining. I’ve been focused on taking that in and playing good hockey.”
While Steele’s tangible resume in Shreveport is still to be determined, his legacy is cemented.
“He’s the man of steel. He’s a true ironman,” Mudbugs head coach Jason Campbell said. “He doesn’t miss games. He plays so hard and physical. To play that style of hockey and for as many games as he’s played is hard to do.”
Steele is already the most-accomplished player for Shreveport in the NAHL. He’s made 206 regular-season appearances — 43 more than Davis Goukler and 87 more than the closest active Mudbug, Logan Gotinsky. Tonight will mark his 17th postseason game – his four career playoff goals are one off the NAHL franchise mark (Ryan Burnett, Giovanni Procopio). He also leads the franchise in career regular-season NAHL goals (47).
The numbers are gaudy, but Steele’s influence goes far beyond the boxscores. The former defensive back at Chelsea High has become Shreveport’s ironman despite a relentless approach to every shift, all while battling diabetes.
“He manages all that so well,” Campbell said. “He has great conditioning; he can withstand punishment and give punishment.”
Steele arrived in Shreveport in 2019. Early on, his ferocious pace cost him playing time.
“He came in working hard, but it took a while to get used to being able to play so hard every night. Sometimes, we’d play him one game and have to sit him the next because he was fatigued.”
Following Shreveport’s most recent Robertson Cup championship (2021), Steele replaced David Breazeale as the team’s captain.
“Watching (Breazeale) be a captain was so special to me because I knew one day that’s where I wanted to be and that’s what I had to do to get there,” Steele said.
Don’t look for a lot of hooting and hollering from the “C.”
“He leads by example,” Campbell said. “He’s not super vocal, but he can be. He speaks up when he has to. There are four or five times a year he lays into the bench. He has a great awareness of the pulse of the room and the way the guys are feeling on the ice.
“He is the captain. He carries himself that way, but includes everybody in the leadership process.”
In addition to Breazeale, Steele credits his father, Tucker, for providing “a great example of a leader.”
Said Steele: “I’ve followed my father my whole life and will continue to. He’s laid the brickwork for me to be able to be where I’m at today.”
The 5-foot-11, 195-pound forward was a bit skeptical of hockey in the south and the ability to “even keep ice in this weather,” but he was pleasantly surprised with the folks he encountered.
“The best thing is being around people who hold themselves to the Mudbugs standard,” Steele said. “They are special people.”
With just a handful of games left on George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum, Steele vows to soak up every fist bump to and from the ice and every moment on it.
“There’s just no other building like that with fans as engaged as they are here,” Steele said.
Steele had big shoes to fill as the fifth captain during the team’s seven NAHL seasons. It seems he’s done Breazeale, Jay Feiwell, Dominick Procopio and Steven Mather proud.
“All those guys, they buy into (Mudbugs hockey) and they are selfless in their journey to want to be captain,” Campbell said.
In addition to hopefully capturing a second Robertson Cup, how would Steele like to be remembered?
“I’m really proud of the way I’ve handled myself,” he said. “I’ve done a good job of being a role model when I need to be a role model and being a friend when I need to be a friend. I’ve grown more as a person down here than I have a hockey player – a lot of human growth.”
And the story’s not quite finished. If the Mudbugs can find a way to collect eight more playoff victories over the next three weeks, Steele could add “Superman” to his list of monikers.
Mudbugs vs. Lone Star
(best-of-5 series tied at 1)
Game 3: Tonight, 7:11 p.m., George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum
Game 4: Saturday, 7:11 p.m., George’s Pond at Hirsch Coliseum
Game 5 (if necessary): Monday, 7 p.m., NYTEX Sports Centre, North Richland Hills, Texas
NAHL Mudbugs’ all-time leaders
Career regular-season games
Garrett Steele, 206
Davis Goukler, 163
Gueorgui Feduolov, 159
Career regular-season goals
Garrett Steele, 47
Cameron Cook, 41
Frankie Melton, 35
Career regular-season points
Gueorgui Feduolov, 75
Garrett Steele, 56
Austin Brimmer, 54
Contact Roy at roylangiii@yahoo.com or on Twitter @roylangiii
Huntington girls run away to third straight Region 1-4A crown
By JERRY BYRD, Journal Sports
Something special is brewing in the girls’ track and field program on Rasberry Lane as evidenced by Huntington’s third straight Region 1-4A Meet championship at Lee Hedges Stadium on Thursday.
The Lady Raiders scored 150 ½ points, almost 50 more than runner–up Leesville.
Huntington was led by the dynamic duo of junior Demetria Harris and senior Rondisia Williams. Both left the meet with four gold medals.
Harris won 100m hurdles (14.67) and long jump (18-3.50) and ran legs on Huntington’s winning 4×200 (1:39.97) and 4×100 (47.63).
While Harris is the LHSAA Class 4A defending champion in the hurdles, lately it is the long jump which Harris is enjoying the most.
“I’m having fun with it,” Harris said.
Williams won both the 100m (12.00) and 200m (25.14) as well as joining Harris on the winning sprint relays.
Earlier this week, Williams, affectionately known as “Minnie” to her friends, signed with Colorado State.
Last year, Williams was competing for Southwood and finished third in the Class 5A 100m. Next Saturday, she will be looking to earn her first state championship in her final high school meet.
Other Huntington regional winners were Serenity Palmer in the high jump (5-2) and triple jump (36-0.5), and Aniyah Jackson in the 400m (1:00.62).
Jackson battled Leesville’s Shyann McCummings and edged her out by .02 of a second.
“I was just thinking I didn’t make it this far for no reason,” Jackson said. “I just had to keep pushing, pump my arms and get my knees up and it was worth it.”
Jackson feels like she has a fairly good idea of why the Lady Raiders have been so successful.
“We have a relationship on and off the track,” Jackson said. “I’ve never had that in my seven years of running track. They are so encouraging. They push you all the time.”
One of those encouraging teammates is Williams. The senior gave the younger Jackson a pep talk before her win in the 400m.
Like Huntington, Tioga’s boys outdistanced the competition on the way to its third consecutive Region 1-4A Meet team title. The Indians scored 128 points. Neville was the boys’ runner-up with 69 points. Evangel, which scored 34 points and finished sixth, had the highest finish of any local team.
Locals won two events in the boys’ division. Northwood’s Maurea Hudson captured the long jump (22-5.5), and Woodlawn’s 4×200 relay won with a 1:29.77.
Contact Jerry at sbjjerrybyrd@gmail.com
Locals qualify in 14 events for next week’s Class 2A state meet
JOURNAL STAFF
MANSFIELD — Calvary Baptist distance ace Jackson Burney won twice Thursday, while his counterpart at Loyola, Franklin Roemer, took the longest race and earned state meet berths in two more at the Region I-2A Track and Field Championships.
Burney doubled in the 800 meter run (1:57.14) and the 1600 (4:32.66). Roemer was third in both races, running 2:01.66 in the 800 and 4:38.22 in the 1600. But in the penultimate race of the day, he took the regional title in the 3200 (10:10.46).
Calvary’s 4×400 relay team won a regional championship, clocking 3:31.16.
Loyola qualified for the state meet in nine boys’ or girls’ events. Calvary had three state meet qualifying performances, all wins.
Green Oaks advanced its girls’4×100 relay team to the state meet with a second-place 52.16. The North Caddo boys’ 4×100 quartet also earned a trip to Baton Rouge next week with a third-place 44.09 performance.
The LHSAA’s 2A state meet is next Friday at LSU’s Bernie Moore Track Stadium.
The top three finishers in each event at LHSAA regional track and field championships advance to the state meet. Classes A, B and C contest on Thursday, followed by 2A and 3A on Friday and the 4A/5A segment next Saturday.
Local state meet qualifiers in Region 1-2A and Region 1-5A are listed by event, name, school, place, and performance:
Region 1-2A (Thursday at Mansfield)
GIRLS
4×800 relay: Loyola, 2nd, 11:30.49
4×100: Green Oaks, 2nd, 52.16
800: Emily Anderson, Loyola, 2nd, 2:33.77
BOYS
4×100 relay: North Caddo, 3rd, 44.09
4×400: Calvary, 1st, 3:31.16
4×800: Loyola, 3rd, 9:00.38
800: Jackson Burney, Calvary, 1st, 1:57.14; Frankin Roemer, Loyola, 3rd, 2:01.66
1600: Jackson Burney, Calvary, 1st, 4:32.66; Franklin Roemer, Loyola, 3rd, 4:38.22
3200: Franklin Roemer, Loyola, 1st, 10:10.46
110 hurdles: Collin Tran, Loyola, 3rd, 15.57
Javelin: Cooper DeFatta, Loyola, 3rd, 146-6
Pole vault: Reece Almagost, Loyola, 2nd, 11-6
Region 1-5A (Wednesday at Natchitoches, Northwestern State)
GIRLS
4×800 relay: Byrd, 3rd, 11:06.36
4×100 relay: Airline, 2nd, 48.85
100 hurdles: Jamie Willis, Benton, 1st, 14.71; Kezyriah Sykes, Airline, 2nd, 14.83
300 hurdles: Jamie Willis, Benton, 1st, 46.51; Kyla Daux, Benton, 3rd, 47.62
100 dash: Kezyriah Sykes, Airline, 2nd, 12.20; Jaycie Williams, Airline, 3rd, 12.38
200: Kezyriah Sykes, Airline, 2nd, 25.34
800: Elena Heng, Airline, 3rd, 2:24.53
1600: Isabelle Russell, Benton, 2nd, 5:17.64
3200: Jenna Key, Byrd, 1st, 11:27.39
Shot put: Jayla James, Parkway, 1st, 37-0 ½
Discus: Mikaylah Williams, Parkway, 1st, 119-8; Sadie Hamby, Benton, 117-8
Javelin: Chloe Larry, Parkway, 3rd, 126-8
Triple jump: Janiyah Boudreaux, Airline, 2nd, 36-9
BOYS
4×800 relay: Parkway, 3rd, 8:17.40
4×200: Airline, 1st, 1:27.93
4×100: Haughton, 3rd, 42.68
110 hurdles: Jeremiah Boudreaux, Airline, 1st, 14.77
300 hurdles: Kyle Lehr, Airline, 3rd, 40.55
100 dash: Cameron Jefferson, Airline, 3rd, 10.88
200: Cameron Jefferson, Airline, 2nd, 21.61
1600: Gabe Falting, Parkway, 2nd, 4:38.24
3200: Evan Johnson, Captain Shreve, 1st, 9:34.39
Shot put: Malik Word, Airline, 3rd, 46-8
Discus: Devon Oliver, Parkway, 1st, 164-5
Javelin: Jeffery King, Benton, 2nd, 173-4 ½
Triple jump: Mark Perry, Benton, 3rd, 43-5
High jump: Jeremiah Boudreaux, Airline, 2nd, 6-2
Pole vault: Miller Malley, Benton, 3rd, 12-0
Byrd takes first game from Brother Martin in baseball playoffs
JOURNAL SPORTS
NEW ORLEANS — Kevin Robinson did it on the mound and at the plate Thursday afternoon in leading Byrd baseball to a 6-2 win over Brother Martin in a LHSAA Select Division I playoff game at Kirsch Rooney Stadium.
Robinson pitched a complete game allowing eight hits, one earned run and struck out five in the first game of a three-game series of the second round. His two-run double highlighted a three-run first inning as the Yellow Jackets never trailed on the day. Lake Lambert’s RBI single drove in the third run.
Lambert increased the Byrd (22-13) lead to 4-0 with a sacrifice fly in the third inning to score pinch-runner Tyler Wooldridge.
After the Crusaders got a run in their half of the third inning, Byrd’s Zach Wilburn added an RBI single to give the Jackets a 5-1 advantage in the fourth.
Brother Martin (21-9) got that run back in the bottom of the fourth to pull within 5-2 but couldn’t get any closer as Robinson kept them scoreless the final three innings.
Tyler Nicholls drove in Lambert with a seventh-inning single.
Robinson went 2-for-3 at the plate and Wilburn was 2-for-4 for Byrd, which finished with seven hits and walked five times.
The teams play the second game of the series at 4 p.m. today at Kirsch Rooney with the Crusaders needing a win to force a game three that would follow.
Games scheduled to be played today locally include Rummel of New Orleans at Captain Shreve and Tioga at Northwood in the same Select Division I bracket. Calvary will host Fisher in a Select Division III game. The games at Shreve and Calvary will start at 6 p.m. while Northwood made a schedule change and will play its first two games Friday beginning at 5 p.m. and the if-necessary game three on Sunday.
Here is the complete playoff schedule for local teams:
Second round
(best-of-three series)
Select Division I
No. 13 Rummel (19-14) at No. 4 Captain Shreve (22-12), Today, 6 p.m.; Saturday, Noon and if necessary 3:30 p.m.
No. 12 Tioga (13-15) at No. 5 Northwood (27-7), Today, 5 p.m. DH; Sunday, game 3 if necessary, 3 p.m.
No. 10 Byrd (22-13) at No. 7 Brother Martin (21-9), Thursday’s score: Byrd 6, Brother Martin 2; Today, 4 p.m. and if necessary 7 p.m.
Select Division II
No. 13 Evangel (12-20) at No. 4 Teurlings (20-10), Today, 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. and if necessary 1 p.m.
Select Division III
No. 11 Fisher (17-10) at No. 6 Calvary (24-10), Today, 6 p.m.; Saturday, noon and if necessary 3 p.m.
Non-Select Division I
No. 9 Parkway (23-8) at No. 8 St. Amant (25-9), Today, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. and if necessary 4 p.m.
No. 10 Haughton (24-11) at No. 7 Neville (23-10), Today, 7 p.m.; Saturday, 1 p.m. and if necessary 4 p.m.
No. 20 Benton (21-15) at No. 4 Sam Houston (27-4), Today, 6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. and if necessary 3 p.m.
Loyola, Evangel players move forward at state tennis tourneys
JOURNAL STAFF
MONROE – Players from Loyola and Evangel advanced to Friday play in the LHSAA Tennis Tournament after a busy and weather-delayed first day of the Division III and IV brackets at Forsythe Park and ULM’s Heard Stadium.
Loyola advanced two boys’ doubles teams to this morning’s 8 o’clock state quarterfinals. Sanders Graf and Ravi Ahuja rolled through their first two matches, dropping only three games in straight set wins. Bo Bowman and Gergor Ghali had tougher battles, winning a 6-2, 6-4 first-round decision and a 6-3, 7-5 contest in the second round.
Evangel had two players move into the quarters in the Division IV brackets. Alexander Jayroe claimed a pair of hard-fought decisions, 1-6, 6-1, 1-0 in the opener and 7-6, 6-4 in the second round of boys’ singles. Zaria Curry moved into the girls’ quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-4 first-rounder and a 6-2, 6-1 second-round triumph Thursday.
Loyola’s Taylor Nash fought to win her first two matches but defaulted her quarterfinal contest. She won the opener 7-6, 6-2 and prevailed 6-4, 6-3 in the second match.
Claiming first-round victories but falling in the second round from Loyola were Mary Elberson in singles, where she was a three-set victim; Edmond Brown in boys’ singles; and the doubles’ tandem of Sadie Green and Addison Knox.
Calvary Baptist’s Cayden Simmons also won his opening match but fell in the second one, 6-3, 6-1. The Cavaliers’ doubles tandem of Batts/Colvin also lost in the second round.
The competition was slow to start after heavy rains early Thursday morning, resulting in only one bracket, the Division III girls’ singles, reaching semifinal round pairings by the end of play.
Thursday’s baseball, softball scoreboard; upcoming schedule
College Baseball
Thursday’s scores
No games scheduled.
Today’s games
Louisiana Tech at Middle Tennessee, 6 p.m.
Prairie View at Grambling, 6 p.m.
Nicholls at Northwestern State, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday’s games
Centenary at Austin, DH, 1 p.m.
BPCC at Northeast Texas CC, DH, 1 p.m.
Nicholls at Northwestern State, 2 p.m.
Louisiana Tech at Middle Tennessee, 3 p.m.
Prairie View at Grambling, 3 p.m.
Huston-Tillotson at LSUS, 6 p.m.
Sunday’s games
Huston-Tillotson at LSUS, DH, noon
Louisiana Tech at Middle Tennessee, 1 p.m.
Prairie View at Grambling, 1 p.m.
Nicholls at Northwestern State, 2 p.m.
Centenary at Austin, 3 p.m.
College Softball
Thursday’s scores
No games scheduled.
Today’s games
Grambling at Texas Southern, DH, 1 p.m.
Northwestern State at Texas A&M-Commerce, DH, 3 p.m.
Charlotte at Louisiana Tech, 6 p.m.
Southwestern (Texas) at Centenary, 7 p.m.
Saturday’s games
Southwestern (Texas) at Centenary, DH, noon
Northwestern State at Texas A&M-Commerce, noon
Grambling at Texas Southern, 1 p.m.
Paris at BPCC, DH, 1 p.m.
Charlotte at Louisiana Tech, 2 p.m.
Sunday’s games
Southwestern (Texas) at Centenary, noon
Charlotte at Louisiana Tech, 1 p.m.
High School Baseball
Thursday’s score
LHSAA Playoffs
Byrd 6, Brother Martin 2
Today’s games
LHSAA Playoffs
Byrd at Brother Martin, Kirsch Rooney Stadium, 4 p.m. and if necessary 7:30 p.m.
Evangel at Teurlings Catholic, 4 p.m.
Tioga at Northwood, DH, 5 p.m.
Rummel at Captain Shreve, 6 p.m.
Fisher at Calvary, 6 p.m.
Parkway at St. Amant, 6 p.m.
Benton at Sam Houston, 6 p.m.
Haughton at Neville, 7 p.m.
Saturday’s games
LHSAA Playoffs
Evangel at Teurlings Catholic, 11 a.m.; if necessary game 3 follows
Benton at Sam Houston, 11 a.m.; if necessary game 3 follows
Rummel at Captain Shreve, noon; if necessary game 3 follows
Fisher at Calvary, noon; if necessary game 3 follows
Parkway at St. Amant, 1 p.m. ; if necessary game 3 follows
Haughton at Neville, 1 p.m.; if necessary game 3 follows
Sunday’s game
LHSAA Playoffs
Tioga at Northwood, 3 p.m., if necessary
High School Softball
Today’s game
LHSAA Playoffs
North Frasch Park, Sulphur
Calvary vs. Houma Christian, 5 p.m., Field 17
Saturday’s game
LHSAA Playoffs
North Frasch Park, Sulphur
Calvary/Houma Christian winner vs. D’Arbonne Woods/Notre Dame winner, 3 p.m., Field 17
Forensic science catches cheating anglers
Since bass tournaments began, there have always been anglers looking to bend the rules and push the envelope. Some get caught while there are others who have succeeded in cheating.
When it comes to getting caught, it’s only a matter of time because when they get away with it once, they think they can do it again and again. One day their luck runs out and someone catches them. A cheater has to be someone without a conscience because a normal person would feel guilt and shame. But cheaters fall into the same category as a criminal. They have no conscience.
This leads me back to a cheating scandal in October 2018 when two anglers fishing in a derby on Lake Powell in Utah thought they had mastered the art of cheating. Little did they know that forensic science would play a huge role in their conviction.
These two anglers thought they had the perfect plan by going to another body of water the day before their tournament on Lake Powell. The evening before their event, they went into a shallow area of Quail Creek Reservoir and were observed doing “something suspicious” just before dark. But like any cheating scandal or criminal activity, there’s always a trail. The trail started at Quail Creek Reservoir where you must sign in and sign out for this body of water. Of course, these guys didn’t think to use fictitious names — they gave their real names! Duh!
Quail Creek is 140 miles from Lake Powell, so these fish had to be kept alive in a live well for at least 20 hours. While today’s live wells are high tech and do a great job of keeping fish alive, it puts a lot of stress on the bass trying to stay alive for that length of time. As these fish were being weighed in, the tournament director noticed a couple of things that just didn’t seem right. First, all the fish had red tails and fins (first indication that the fish have been stressed). Second, he noticed that these fish looked nothing like all the other fish being weighed in. These fish had little heads and fatter bodies, indicating a different diet than the fish from Lake Powell.
Here’s where things get really scientific. Turns out these suspicious indicators prompted investigators to work with the University of Utah and do what’s called a stable isotope analysis. To simplify, it’s basically a calcium test that can determine what body of water a fish has come from, based off the food eaten by the fish. Every body of water has what is called its own stable isotope ratio. When they compared fish from Lake Powell to the fish from Quail Creek, they knew immediately that the fish weighed in by the anglers were not from Lake Powell but came from Quail Creek Reservoir.
And there you have it — forensic science catches the cheaters just like an episode of CSI Vegas! This story amazed me with the length the investigators went to try and convict these two Bozo’s. Persistence and hard work paid off in making sure these two anglers didn’t get away with fraud!
If you’re wondering how they were sentenced: they were fined $2,500 each in restitution to “help stop poaching.” They paid $500 in a plea fee, drew 48 hours community service, two years of no hunting and the Division of Wildlife Resources sought a five-year fishing ban.
So, I guess in this case, cheaters never win! From this angler’s perspective, there will always be anglers who think they can get away with cheating and will go to extreme lengths to do so. I am hopeful in the future that judges come down harder on these people who choose to go this route and attempt to commit fraud on unsuspecting anglers.
Until next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to wear your sunscreen.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival “TAKE ME TO THE RIVER” VIP Style
Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival Super VIP giveaway!
Purchase at least two $100.00 VIP tickets, and you’ll be entered into our SUPER VIP DRAWING, with a chance to win TWO SUPER VIP PASSESS!
Drawing will be held Friday, April 28, 2023 @ 4pm
There are a limited number of VIP tickets available. Get yours today!
HEADLINERS:
Mark Chestnutt, Tracy Byrd and Cupid
See the full line-up here: https://www.natchjazzfest.com/lineup-2023
Purchase tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/26th-annual-natchitoches-jazzrb-festival-tickets-520954377567
BOM was a sponsor of the Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators fundraiser
BOM was a sponsor of the Volunteers for Youth Justice’s Battle of the Gumbo Gladiators fundraiser. Pictured left to right, BOM’s Jonathan Wall, Amie Baham, and BOM’s Breanne George.
Caddo booking information: Whitney Shalea Ogburn, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. Bond: $33,500
Whitney Shalea Ogburn
Age: 43
DOB: 6/22/1979
Race: White
Sex: Female
Current booking information:
Description: Unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. Bond: $30,000
Description: Crim trespass/real property. Bond: $1,000
Description: Resisting an officer. Bond: $2,500
Bossier booking information: Randera Lavelle Burks, resisting a police officer with force or violence with no injury. Bond: $32,500
Randera Lavelle Burks
Age: 36
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Current booking information:
00:899. Probation violation. Bond: $0
14:108.2|Simple assault. Resisting a police officer with force or violence w/no injury. Bond: $20,000
40:967|C. Schedule II – Possession. Bond: $5,000
14:91.13. Illegal use of cds in the presence of person under 17. Bond: $2,500
40:966|C. Schedule I – Possession. Bond: $0
14:402. Intro contraband to and from penal institutions. Bond: $5,000
00:00. Surrender off bond. Bond: $0
14:000. Fugitive. Bond: $0
Notice of Death – April 27, 2023
Jerry Don Pennywell
December 20, 1953 — April 22, 2023
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Hampton Ponder Memorial Chapel, J S Williams Funeral Home, 1104 Pierre Avenue, Shreveport.
Elder Kenneth McLaurin Fisher
September 2, 1941 — April 19, 2023
Funeral Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Brown Chapel on Centenary College Campus, Woodlawn Avenue, Shreveport.
Adrianne Jo Remedies
October 6, 1983 — April 25, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Cecil Lynwood Winn
January 10, 1940 — April 26, 2023
Visitation: Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Cypress Baptist Church, 4701 Palmetto Road, Benton.
Funeral Service: Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Cypress Baptist Church, 4701 Palmetto Road, Benton.
Johnnie M. Reed McDonald
April 20, 1938 — April 25, 2023
Family Hour: Friday, May 5, 2023, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, May 6, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Steven R. Dorsey
April 14, 1966 — April 14, 2023
Viewing: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Paradise Baptist Church, 1706 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Joe Caffie
July 25, 1953 — April 17, 2023
Viewing: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Diana Lynn Lewis
October 18, 1943 — April 22, 2023
Viewing: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Mount Canaan Baptist Church, 1666 Alston Street, Shreveport.
Veanice Jackson
July 4, 1951 — April 24, 2023
Viewing: Friday, May 5, 2023, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel, 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Family Hour: Friday, May 5, 2023, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Sunflower Missionary Baptist Church, 329 E. Texas Street, Bossier City.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Sunflower Missionary Baptist Church, 329 E. Texas Street, Bossier City.
Rita Bush
September 30, 1958 — April 21, 2023
Visitation: Friday, May 5, 2023, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, May 6, 2023, following service at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4400 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
Lawanda Weaver Marr
December 11, 1951 — April 26, 2023
Visitation: Sunday, April 30, 2023, 3:00-9:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield.
Funeral Service: Monday, May 1, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 200 Pam Street, Mansfield.
Interment: Monday, May 1, 2023, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Mt. Heights Cemetery, Mansfield.
Patricia ‘Pinky’ Perry
November 17, 1958 — April 25, 2023
Visitation: Sunday, April 30, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Church, 3417 US-84, Mansfield.
Memorial Service: Sunday, April 30, 2023, 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Beulah Baptist Church, 3417 US-84, Mansfield.
Huck Cannon Hurley
October 17, 2022 — April 24, 2023
Celebration of Life: Friday, April 28, 2023, 10:00-10:45 a.m. at Minden Methodist Church, 903 Broadway Street, Minden.
Funeral Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Minden Methodist Church, 903 Broadway Street, Minden.
Dorothy Lee Williams
October 18, 1943 — April 22, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Bryant Temple Church of God in Christ, 6805 W. Canal Blvd., Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Park, Shreveport.
Darryl Glen James, Sr.
May 6, 1958 — April 24, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Derolyk Demon Fuller
July 14, 1970 — April 23, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church (West), 7480 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Park, Shreveport.
Betty Sue Holder
May 31, 1929 — April 25, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
David Thomas
July 10, 1993 — April 22, 2023
Viewing Friday, May 5, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Round Grove Cemetery, 2869 Round Grove Cemetery, Shreveport.
Gracie Lee Johnson
July 5, 1928 — April 22, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Wake: Friday, April 28, 2023, 5:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 110 Ford Road, Benton.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 110 Ford Road, Benton.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 110 Ford Road, Benton.
Joseph Brown
November 27, 1952 — April 24, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Wake: Friday, April 28, 2023, 5:00 p.m. at Willow Grove MBC.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Deliverance Temple Church.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Springville Cemetery, Springville Road, Coushatta.
Brittany Mack
October 26, 1990 — April 22, 2023
Visitation: Friday, May 5, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Rev. James Taylor
March 19, 1943 — April 24, 2023
Visitation: Friday, May 5, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Old Union B.C., Butler Street, Butler.
Interment: Saturday, May 6, 2023, following service at Carver Cemetery, Kennie Road, Shreveport.
Catherine Boddie
July 31, 1927 — April 24, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1680 1st Street, Arcadia.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1680 1st Street, Arcadia.
Wallace Lynn Stanberry
October 10, 1955 — April 25, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Vivian Cemetery, Vivian.
Terry Dennis Snook
August 27, 1947 — April 24, 2023
Funeral Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-1:45 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway Street, Minden.
Interment: Friday, April 28, 2023, 2:15-2:45 p.m. at Minden Cemetery, 301 Goodwill Street, Minden.
Judy Sistrunk Williamson
January 30, 1948 — April 24, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, 6012 Youree Drive, Shreveport.
Mickal Matthews
September 26, 1955 — April 22, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Zakari Tai’lee Washington
November 25, 2022 — April 21, 2023
Celebration of Life: Friday, April 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Aulds Funeral Home Chapel, 7849 East Kings Highway, Shreveport.
Nestor Jovan Marrero
August 30, 2001 — April 23, 2023
Memorial Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City.
Rodney Erwin Stratman
December 14, 1939 — April 18, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 3200 Airline Drive, Bossier City.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 3200 Airline Drive, Bossier City.
O. C. Robinson
September 27, 1935 — April 18, 2023
Viewing: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Dianne Monroe
January 29, 1951 — April 18, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at New Hope CME Church, 3737 Ninock Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at New Hope CME Cemetery, Shreveport.
ShaMichael Rochell
June 8, 1999 — April 14, 2023
Viewing: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel. 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel. 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Virginia ‘Ginger’ Maryman
December 21, 1948 — April 15, 2023
Graveside Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Bradley, Ark.
Sheila B. Gafford
January 20, 1951 — April 14, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Shreveport Baptist Temple, 288 Flournoy Lucas Road, Shreveport.
Anna Gale Dean
August 28, 1951 — April 18, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue, Shreveport.
Reception: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Consortium Venue, 1925 N. Market Street, Shreveport.
Claude Lee Darnell
January 1, 1939 — April 18, 2023
Viewing: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at New Boggy Cemetery, 6824 Country Road 322, Bethany.
Ruthie Mims
May 21, 1932 — April 16, 2023
Funeral Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive B.C., Mt. Olive, Northwest La.
Interment: Friday, April 28, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Charlotte Kopf
January 23, 1940 — February 21, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Westlake Baptist Church, 2587 Highway 163, Doyline.
Kenneth Edward Rice
August 22, 1950 — April 1, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, May 13, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Barksdale Baptist Church, 1714 Jimmie Davis Hwy, Bossier City.
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 13, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Barksdale Baptist Church, 1714 Jimmie Davis Hwy, Bossier City.
Dorothy Marie Cosier
August 21, 1929 — March 29, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 1:30-2:00 p.m. at Cypress Baptist Church, Benton.
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Cypress Baptist Church, Benton.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $90. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)
April 27, 2023
Willis’ double, Parkway’s throwers, Airline’s success among regional highlights
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
NATCHITOCHES – Nine event champions and 32 state meet qualifiers from Caddo and Bossier Parish schools emerged from the Region I-5A track and field meet on a wild weather Wednesday at Northwestern State’s Walter P. Ledet Complex.
A late-morning lightning strike across the street at Turpin Stadium left the timing company’s computers fluttering and sent everyone scurrying for cover. Competition was interrupted in mid-afternoon by a pop-up storm due to the chance of lightning, then just as it resumed a half-hour later, a hard downpour briefly extended the delay before racing resumed in the rain.
The meet wrapped up in cool temperatures as dusk approached, but there were bright smiles shining, especially among the Airline contingent.
The Airline boys were second in the team standings. Ruston defended its regional championship with 91 points, 18 more than the Vikings. Parkway was fourth (38) and Benton 10th (27.3).
The Lady Vikings were also tops among local teams in the girls’ division, fourth overall with 64 points, just ahead of fifth-place Benton (58). Parkway was seventh (32) and Byrd eighth (29). Alexandria won going away with 114.
Airline coach Schirra Fields was fielding congratulations from his peers after the impressive performance.
“You always want to come out on top, but going in, we knew (the boys’ team race) would be between us and Ruston. We needed a great day and they needed to stumble in a few areas, and it didn’t work out for us. Proud of the kids, boys and girls, proud of the way they competed and we set a lot of PRs today. We’re peaking at the right time.”
Airline will have eight boys and seven girls entries at next Saturday’s state meet in Baton Rouge, the largest contingent in Fields’ four years as head coach.
Parkway’s throwers had a big day, winning three times in tough conditions for their events. Lady Panthers Jayla Jones (37-0 1/2 in the shot put) and Mikaylah Williams (119-8 in the discus) were gold medalists along with Devon Oliver’s 164-5 boys’ discus triumph.
Benton senior Jamie Willis swept the girls’ hurdles, racing 100 meters in 14.71 and coming back to claim the 300 in 46.51.
“That 100 was just what I was looking for,” she said. “I wanted to break 15 before I went to state this time. The 300? Could’ve been a little better, but I’m still happy.”
She broke through in last year’s regional meet and was the hurdler to beat. Nobody could do it, although Willis credited a little luck playing a role in the 300 race.
“I still get as nervous as anybody else, because anything can happen,” she said. “That girl in Lane 5 probably woulda whooped my butt, had she not messed up a little bit. It was a tight race, so I was happy I prevailed. I did good.”
Other local winners: the Airline boys’ 4×200 meter relay (1:27.93), Airline’s Jeremiah Boudreaux in the boys’ 110 hurdles (14.77), Evan Johnson of Captain Shreve in the boys’ 3200 (9:34.39), and Jenna Key of Byrd in the girls’ 3200.
Boudreaux scored 24 ½ points, second among all male competitors. In the girls’ individual standings, Airline sprinter Kezyriah Sykes put up 26 points while Benton’s Willis notched 20 with her pair of firsts.
Trying to shake off the flu is difficult, especially when preparing to run two distance races aiming for a top three finish and a state meet berth. Key was able to overcome the obstacles, taking third in the 1600 (5:18.31) and coming back later to win a three-way battle in the 3200.
Key won in 11:27.39, stretching her lead in the final 200 meters over Raegan Monroe of Alexandria (11:29.55) and Ruston’s Parker Nations (11:35.61).
“I really didn’t get better until 2-3 days ago, so I think I did pretty good for having a down week. Running both races is tough. But I had a lot of people that pushed me, and it was definitely challenging,” she said. “I really wanted to give up (in the 3200). I thought, ‘technically, I only have to get third (to make the state meet),’ but I pushed it to another gear. I was tired.”
Soaked, too. But very happy.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com
Among LHSAA baseball champs, Evangel one ahead of Calvary on all-time list
JOURNAL SPORTS
Evangel’s half-dozen state crowns leads the local list of LHSAA baseball champions with Calvary winning the most recent title to pull within one of the Eagles at five.
Both schools are still alive in this year’s playoffs. Both are Select schools with Evangel in Division II and Calvary in Division III. This weekend, Evangel (12-20) is a No. 13 seed and will travel to face No. 4 Teurlings Catholic (20-10). Calvary (24-10) is a No. 6 seed and hosts No. 11 Fisher (17-10).
Here is a list of the local schools that have won state championships and finished as runner-up, with the years in parenthesis.
State champions
6 – Evangel (1995, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014)
5 – Calvary (2007, 2008, 2012, 2019, 2022)
5 – Shreveport (1920, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1926) now Byrd
4 – Fair Park (1957, 1963, 1965, 1970)
2 – Byrd (1930, 1956)
2 – Jesuit (1964, 1974) now Loyola
1 – Benton (2018)
1 – Captain Shreve (2006)
1 – Parkway (1998)
State runners-up
4 – Loyola (1957, 1983, 1986, 1999) – formerly St. John’s in 1957
2 – Airline (1989, 1991)
2 – Bossier (1972, 1973)
2 – Byrd (1958, 2021)
1 – Benton (2007)
1 – Evangel (2008)
1 – Calvary (2006)
1 – Captain Shreve (2007)
1 – Haughton (1981)
1 – Northwood (2005)
1 – Parkway (1997)
1 – Southfield (1976)
Plain Dealing girls make strong showing at track regional
JOURNAL STAFF
The girls’ track and field team is earning Plain Dealing High School some statewide attention.
The Lady Lions had a strong performance this week at the Region I-1A championships hosted by Ouachita Christian School in Monroe, and qualified five competitors for next Thursday’s Class A state championships at Bernie Moore Track Stadium on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge.
The outing allowed Plain Dealing to finish third in the regional team standings in Monday’s competition.
The squad won two relays and had two more podium finishes in sprint events, while picking up another event win and an additional podium appearance in the field events.
The Lady Lions sped across the finish line first in the 4×100 meter (52.18) and 4×200 meter (1:49.71) relays. Junior Aj’sia Debose ran on those relays and also individually sparkled, taking second in the 200 dash (27.46) and third in the 100 (13.12).
Ninth-grader Brianna Newton was the regional champion in the discus, recording a 104-9 mark. She was third in the shot put with a 34-3 best.
Bossier booking information: Nicardrick Cornelius White, Simple assault domestic abuse battery. Bond: $35,500
Nicardrick Cornelius White
Age: 35
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Current booking information:
14:35.3|Simple assault. Domestic abuse battery. Bond: $5,000
14:62.3. Unauthorized entry of an inhabitated dwelling. Bond: $15,000
14:62.2. Simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling. Bond: $5,000
40:966|C. Schedule I – Possession. Bond: $3,500
40:967|C. Schedule II – Possession. Bond: $3,500
40:967|C. Schedule II – Possession. Bond: $3,500
Caddo booking information: Eric James Martin, simple burglary. Bond: $25,000
Eric James Martin
Age: 39
DOB: 12/02/1983
Race: White
Sex: Male
Current booking information:
Description: Simple burglary. Bond: $20,000
Description: Possession of schedule II. Bond: $5,000
Description: Parole fugitive. Bond: $0
Wednesday’s baseball scoreboard; today’s schedule
College Baseball
Wednesday’s scores
LSUS 15, Freed-Hardman 5, 8 innings
Southern Miss 6, Louisiana Tech 5
Louisiana-Lafayette 15, Northwestern State 3
Today’s games
No games scheduled.
Springtime is bird watching time
I got a little excited this morning when I saw on Facebook that someone down around Alexandria had taken a photo of a special bird on his feeder. It’s a bird I start watching for about this time every spring.
Rose Breasted Grosbeak. I’ll start getting texts and calls from folks around this area who will send me a photo, asking what kind of bird this is. If you see one as they pass through and they stop for a bite on their way to their northern breeding grounds, I can guarantee it will get your attention because of the striking colors – black back, white under belly and a crimson patch on the upper chest.
As a novice birder, it all started for me as a youngster with my mom. She would hear an unfamiliar birdsong, pick up her tattered bird book as my brother, sister and I would follow her outside to find the bird she was interested in. This triggered something in me that has captivated my interest since those boyhood days.
I may be sitting on a deer stand and see a particular bird and for a moment would forget why I was on the deer hunt. I wanted to know what bird it was and I’d try to get a photo and dig out my bird book when I got home to try and identify it.
My wife and I keep our bird feeders filled with the anticipation that we just might see one that has alluded us for the past several years. In my opinion, the Painted Bunting is the most beautiful bird the Good Lord ever created. He must love birds a lot to have created one with red underparts, and a blue back with a bright chartreuse patch on the upper back. I can guarantee you, should you spot one, it’ll take your breath away.
Our introduction to Painted Buntings took place years ago when I spotted one on our feeder on a mid-April morning. Incredibly one would show up in our yard within a few days of the same time each spring, usually around April 15 for 10 years straight. For some reason, these handsome birds have shunned our feeder for the past several years but we have memories of those special times when they graced us with visits.
As beautiful as the male is, the female Painted Bunting has the distinction of being the only song bird we have with the coloration of a brilliant yellow-green. To see a pair on the feeder was a treat indeed.
This time of year, the cousin of the Painted Bunting, the Indigo Bunting is a frequent visitor to our feeders. Coloration is described in my bird book as an iridescent blue.
Another that is likely to show up is the Blue Grosbeak, slightly larger than the Indigo, blue but with rusty-colored wing bars.
During winter, folks in our part of the world have visitors that usually run in packs and they love to feed on bags of thistle seed we hang. They’re rather drab in color and you wonder how they get the name Gold Finch. However, these birds undergo a transition as they head north and if we’re fortunate, we get glimpses of them as the drab gray transitions to a brilliant bright yellow. Some of the birds wintering south of us are passing through now and I have seen a couple on my feeders showing off their bright yellow coloration.
There are some who can legitimately be called “birders” who are much more adept at bird identification than I am, making annual birding trips and keeping life lists of birds they identify. For novices like me, I just enjoy trying the best I can to identify those I happen to see.
My old tattered “Birds of North America” is a constant companion as I flip through dog-eared pages to see if I can correctly identify the latest little bundle of flit and feathers I see in my yard.
Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com
Notice of Death – April 26, 2023
Dorothy Lee Williams
October 18, 1943 — April 22, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Bryant Temple Church of God in Christ, 6805 W. Canal Blvd., Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Park, Shreveport.
Darryl Glen James, Sr.
May 6, 1958 — April 24, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-6:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.
Derolyk Demon Fuller
July 14, 1970 — April 23, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Greenwood Acres Full Gospel Baptist Church (West), 7480 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Park, Shreveport.
Betty Sue Holder
May 31, 1929 — April 25, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.
David Thomas
July 10, 1993 — April 22, 2023
Viewing Friday, May 5, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Round Grove Cemetery, 2869 Round Grove Cemetery, Shreveport.
Gracie Lee Johnson
July 5, 1928 — April 22, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Wake: Friday, April 28, 2023, 5:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 110 Ford Road, Benton.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 110 Ford Road, Benton.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 110 Ford Road, Benton.
Joseph Brown
November 27, 1952 — April 24, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Wake: Friday, April 28, 2023, 5:00 p.m. at Willow Grove MBC.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Deliverance Temple Church.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Springville Cemetery, Springville Road, Coushatta.
Brittany Mack
October 26, 1990 — April 22, 2023
Visitation: Friday, May 5, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Rev. James Taylor
March 19, 1943 — April 24, 2023
Visitation: Friday, May 5, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Old Union B.C., Butler Street, Butler.
Interment: Saturday, May 6, 2023, following service at Carver Cemetery, Kennie Road, Shreveport.
Catherine Boddie
July 31, 1927 — April 24, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1680 1st Street, Arcadia.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1680 1st Street, Arcadia.
Wallace Lynn Stanberry
October 10, 1955 — April 25, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Vivian Cemetery, Vivian.
Terry Dennis Snook
August 27, 1947 — April 24, 2023
Visitation: Thursday, April 27, 2023, 5:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Homes, 211 Murrell Street, Minden.
Funeral Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-1:45 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway Street, Minden.
Interment: Friday, April 28, 2023, 2:15-2:45 p.m. at Minden Cemetery, 301 Goodwill Street, Minden.
Judy Sistrunk Williamson
January 30, 1948 — April 24, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Methodist Church, 6012 Youree Drive, Shreveport.
Mickal Matthews
September 26, 1955 — April 22, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Zakari Tai’lee Washington
November 25, 2022 — April 21, 2023
Celebration of Life: Friday, April 28, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Aulds Funeral Home Chapel, 7849 East Kings Highway, Shreveport.
Nestor Jovan Marrero
August 30, 2001 — April 23, 2023
Visitation: Thursday, April 27, 2023, 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City.
Memorial Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City.
Rodney Erwin Stratman
December 14, 1939 — April 18, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 3200 Airline Drive, Bossier City.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 3200 Airline Drive, Bossier City.
O. C. Robinson
September 27, 1935 — April 18, 2023
Viewing: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Park Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Dianne Monroe
January 29, 1951 — April 18, 2023
Visitation: Friday, April 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at New Hope CME Church, 3737 Ninock Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at New Hope CME Cemetery, Shreveport.
ShaMichael Rochell
June 8, 1999 — April 14, 2023
Viewing: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel. 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Precious Memories Mortuary Chapel. 4017 Greenwood Road, Shreveport.
Virginia ‘Ginger’ Maryman
December 21, 1948 — April 15, 2023
Graveside Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Bradley, Ark.
Sheila B. Gafford
January 20, 1951 — April 14, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Shreveport Baptist Temple, 288 Flournoy Lucas Road, Shreveport.
Anna Gale Dean
August 28, 1951 — April 18, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue, Shreveport.
Reception: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 12:30-2:30 p.m. at Consortium Venue, 1925 N. Market Street, Shreveport.
Claude Lee Darnell
January 1, 1939 — April 18, 2023
Viewing: Friday, April 28, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, April 29, 2023, following service at New Boggy Cemetery, 6824 Country Road 322, Bethany.
Ruthie Mims
May 21, 1932 — April 16, 2023
Visitation: Thursday, April 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Friday, April 28, 2023, 12:00 p.m. at Mt. Olive B.C., Mt. Olive, Northwest La.
Interment: Friday, April 28, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.
Charlotte Kopf
January 23, 1940 — February 21, 2023
Celebration of Life: Saturday, April 29, 2023, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Westlake Baptist Church, 2587 Highway 163, Doyline.
Kenneth Edward Rice
August 22, 1950 — April 1, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, May 13, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Barksdale Baptist Church, 1714 Jimmie Davis Hwy, Bossier City.
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 13, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Barksdale Baptist Church, 1714 Jimmie Davis Hwy, Bossier City.
Dorothy Marie Cosier
August 21, 1929 — March 29, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 1:30-2:00 p.m. at Cypress Baptist Church, Benton.
Funeral Service: Saturday, May 6, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Cypress Baptist Church, Benton.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $90. Contact your funeral provider or SBJNewsLa@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to SBJNewsLa@gmail.com)