Month: June 2023

Freshman Guidry denies Deacs, helps Tigers to brink of CWS championship series

/ Megan Lowe

OMAHA, Nebraska — It was a night of redemption for Gavin Guidry.

LSU’s freshman pitcher came out of the bullpen Wednesday night in an immensely difficult spot — one even more daunting than the one he had previously faced in the team’s College World Series opener on Saturday.

More on that disappointing debut a little later. 

During Wednesday night’s contest against top seed Wake Forest, LSU entered the seventh inning holding a three-run lead.

That advantage was quickly put in jeopardy as middle reliever Griffin Herring started the frame by giving up a leadoff single and then promptly hit the next batter.

The Demon Deacons had two on with no outs, and the tying run in cleanup hitter Brock Wilken strolling to the plate. Not an optimal situation for any relief pitcher, much less a true freshman, but that is exactly when Guidry got the call and started making his way to the mound at Charles Schwab Field.

And this time around he didn’t disappoint. 

The former Barbe High star stood tall and struck out Wilken on three pitches, then got out of the inning with another strikeout — this one of Justin Johnson. Guidry not only helped get the Tigers out of the jam, he helped them earn a 5-2 victory that moved LSU one win away from advancing to the national championship series this coming weekend. This evening at 6, the two teams that held the game’s No. 1 ranking this season square off once more, with a berth in the CWS championship series on the line.

Wouldn’t be happening if not for a great bounceback performance by Guidry.

Four nights earlier, he was called out of the bullpen in front of 25,000 fans to relieve Paul Skenes. LSU’s All-American had pitched masterfully but had just given up an RBI single in the top of the eighth against Tennessee.

So Johnson turned to Guidry to come in and get the final out of the inning, preserving a four-run advantage.

The confidence had been justly earned as he became one of the few guys in the bullpen that Johnson trusted, particularly during the Southeastern Conference Tournament and the NCAA Regional and NCAA Super Regional.

Which is why the first arm Johnson called for out of the bullpen was Guidry.

His CWS debut though was a brief one — like one-pitch brief.

The first pitch he threw back on Saturday night got out of the ballpark in a hurry as it sailed over the center field wall for a two-run home run that cut LSU’s lead down to two runs.

Guidry was immediately pulled and had to wait four days to get a shot at redemption — and boy did he deliver.

That’s not to say that Guidry was perfect on Wednesday.

After getting a quick two outs to start the eighth, Guidry gave up back-to-back singles and was promptly pulled for Riley Cooper. who went on to earn the save.

Guidry may not have been perfect but he did redeem himself, restored his confidence and most importantly, helped LSU  move one win away from playing for its seventh national championship. The last time LSU did that was in 2017 when the program lost in the title series to the Florida Gators — who clinched their spot in the title series earlier on Wednesday.

That means there could be another redemption story written in Omaha in the coming days, one that Guidry could very well have a hand in penning.

Contact Raymond at sportswithrp3@gmail.com or on Twitter @RPIII_Sports

Ward’s a good bet at Louisiana Downs Saturday in $50,000 Alabama Stakes

/ Megan Lowe
(Photo courtesy of Louisiana Downs)

By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Sports

The odds are good that trainer Ronnie Ward will have the winner in Saturday’s $50,000 Alabama Stakes — the first stakes race at Louisiana Downs this thoroughbred season.

Those odds have nothing to do with the morning line. It’s just simple math.

Ward has five of the seven entries in the six-and-a-half-furlong dirt race for Alabama-Bred three years old and up which have not won a stakes race. Post time for the seventh race — part of an eight-race card with a 2:05 start time — is 4:53 p.m.

“I train for a lot of people in Alabama, and Alabama is really pushing their program again,” Ward told the Shreveport-Bossier Journal. “A lot of trainers in Louisiana have not started training for those different people. There are going to be six to eight races a year in Louisiana. The (Louisiana State Racing Commission) has stepped up and really contributed a lot of money to this program.”

One of Ward’s horses, Uncle Brad, is the 9/5 morning line favorite, despite having only finished in the money once (a win) in 10 career starts. The second choice at 3/1 is Unaffiliated, trained by Denise Schmidt — the only trainer other than Ward who has a horse (she has two) in Saturday’s race. Unaffiliated has a second-place finish in three starts.

“The one Denise has got, the number seven horse, and Uncle Brad,” Ward said of which horses he thinks stand out. “Her horse has run second, mine has won, and has had more races. They should be tops in the field. But it’s horse racing, and you’ve got some (horses) that haven’t started before which are pretty good horses, so we shall see.”

Alexander Castillo, who is sixth in the Downs’ jockey standings (nine wins in 111 starts), will ride Uncle Brad. Gerald Melancon, who is in 11th place (five wins in 25 starts), will be aboard Unaffiliated.

Interestingly, two of the top four jockeys in the current meet will ride the two longest shots in the field. Joel Dominguez (second) will be aboard Strike a Bargain at 12/1. Angel Suarez (fourth) will pilot Heza Royal Cat at 15/1.

Alabama does not have live horse racing, therefore, owners of Alabama-Breds have to go out-of-state to race. Ward said the LSRC has stepped up to offer those horses a place to run.

“One of my owners, Kent Gremmels, went before the commission last year,” Ward said. “They committed they would give X number of races at each track, if the track wanted to have a race. Evangeline Downs has already had one. We’re going to have two here at Louisiana Downs. They’re going to have two at the Fairgrounds in the fall, and they’re going to try to have one at Delta Downs.”

And thanks to a recent rule change, Ward — and any trainer — can run as many Alabama-Breds in a race as they want.

“They’re getting better,” Ward said of Alabama-Breds. “(Alabama) is getting back into the breeding program. It had gotten down to nothing. But now, they’re coming back. There’s some people breeding in the program that sees Louisiana is going to have races for them. If Louisiana has seven or eight stakes races a year just for Alabama-Breds, it’s going to be worth it for an owner to get in and have an Alabama-Bred.”

The third-best morning line odds in Saturday’s race belong to Chamois’ Empire — also trained by Ward — at 4/1. Chamois’ Empire ran third in his only start.

The Alabama Thoroughbred Breeders Racing Association will have representatives at the track and they will present the trophy to the winning owner and trainer, Louisiana Downsen officials said.

Contact Tony at SBJTonyT@gmail.com

Cart Failure: Let’s all do the right thing

/ Megan Lowe

We interrupt your grinding of the College World Series to give you a message about shopping carts. Not just any shopping cart; your shopping cart.

Every once in a while, I’m prone to go off the sports reservation (witness the East Texas Smoking Incident of January) and this is one of those times. So if you want an analysis of a pitcher’s backup slider or who has the best rally cap in college baseball, this is not the column for you.

Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden probably didn’t do a whole lot of grocery shopping at Safeway, but his quote of “the true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching” still applies in parking lots all over this great land.

Sure, it’s taken a few decades for it to come into focus for me, but we all need some kind of reminder that we all have it in us somewhere that we can be a good person. But we need something we can do on a repeated basis.

A few years ago, I came across this passage and thought it was nice little nugget. Too bad I didn’t take it to heart at the time. Then it re-appeared a few months ago and it’s almost as if some kind of spiritual conversion has taken place.

“The shopping cart is the ultimate litmus test for whether a person is capable of self-governing.

“To return the shopping cart is an easy, convenient task and one which we all recognize as the correct, appropriate thing to do. To return the shopping cart is objectively right. There are no situations other than dire emergencies in which a person is not able to return their cart.”

(I love those two words — objectively right. Because it is so true in this circumstance. I know it. You know it. The American people know it.)

“Simultaneously, it is not illegal to abandon your shopping cart. Therefore the shopping cart presents itself as the apex example of whether a person will do what is right without being forced to do it.

“No one will punish you for not returning the shopping cart, no one will fine you or kill you for not returning the shopping cart. You gain nothing by returning the shopping cart.”

(And don’t give me the ol’ “it’s raining” or “it’s too far away” line. Suck it up and do the rest of the humanity a solid.)

“You must return the shopping cart out of the goodness of your own heart. You must return the shopping cart because it is the right thing to do. Because it is correct. 

“A person who is unable to do this is no better than an animal, an absolute savage who can only be made to do what is right by threatening them with a law and the force that stands behind it.”

(OK, I agree … that’s a little harsh. I’m not sure some lazy guy in the Brookshire’s parking lot qualifies as a savage.)

“The Shopping Cart is what determines whether a person is a good or bad member of society.”

BOOM! There it is! Right up in your grill!

Trust me, I’m not going to give you the tap if I spot you leaving your cart in the middle of that four-corner spot by your front right tire.

But just think about how much better you will feel if you do the “objectively right” thing.

You’re welcome.

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

Woodlawn QB Kennedy is an electric talent under the radar

/ Megan Lowe

By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/TV

One of the best kept secrets in the state’s recruiting world is a kid I saw play all the way back in 2021 as a quarterback for Shreveport’s Woodlawn High School –  Isaiah Kennedy.

It was his first year to start at quarterback, but he popped out quickly. I saw an incredibly talented young athlete just beginning to learn the position. In 2022 Kennedy was much more polished, and an even better and bigger player.

I look forward to seeing this kid have a great fall. I think Division I schools, even in the Football Bowl Subdivision level, will be all over Kennedy with offers either as a QB, a receiver or free safety. He undoubtedly has at least 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash and is obviously a really smart player with great size — 6-2 and some change, up to 185 pounds now.

Chris Johnson, his QB coach and the offensive coordinator at Woodlawn, has enjoyed coaching Kennedy.

“Coaching Isaiah has been a great experience for both of us. He’s one of the most coachable kids I’ve been around,” said Johnson. “He’s smart, very athletic, always has a great attitude, and he’s a great leader.

“He’s one of the kids that you look forward to working with. He’s always asking questions about things he can do to get better. When he graduates I personally will miss him dearly and so will the Woodlawn family,” said Johnson.

As you hear from the young man himself, it’s apparent that he’s mature and fits the billing that Johnson provided. He definitely respects his head coach.

“I believe and see with my own eyes that my head football coach, Thedrick Harris, is a very diligent person. Since the first time I met him, he’s always been big on time. If I won’t remember anything else about coach Harris I’ll always know he was always big on time and urgency,” said Kennedy. “He’s showed me a lot of new things, not just about football but about life too, and I really appreciate coaches like him. He’s a coach you don’t get often enough. He’s very genuine and pure.”

Kennedy was part of the Knights’ 4×200 meter relay team that qualified for the state meet, and acknowledged the hard work that went into that. While Woodlawn’s team didn’t fare as well as hoped, he expressed appreciation for his coaches and optimism for next spring.

“Track was tough, but we made it happen. With two dedicated and good coaches, even though we didn’t have the season we were hoping for, those two coaches still put in effort and helped us go to Baton Rouge and compete at the state meet. It was tough down there at LSU, having (drawn) one of the worst lanes in the 4×2 but we did come in seventh. We were all underclassman so we’ll all be back.

“Our 4×2 team won at regionals with a 1:39 which was our best time, and, we gapped the second-place team by eight yards. Taking first place this year was the first time in a while for Woodlawn to get a regional championship.  My coach says he was proud that me and the team could establish that and I am thankful.”

More about Isaiah Kennedy:

So far he has two offers in football, from Grambling and Lane College (in Tennessee).

His brother Cameron Kennedy also ran track for Woodlawn and was district MVP. He’s the one that “pushed me at a young age to have fight in me, a ‘leaders don’t lead in the back’ mindset,” said Isaiah.

There are four brothers in the Kennedy family.

He has a 3.4 GPA and has run a low 4.4 40-yard dash. He enjoys swimming and reading.

As a junior in 2022, he passed for over 1,500 yards.

Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com

Lee Brecheen has operated Louisiana Football Magazine for over 30 years and is one of the state’s foremost experts on high school football and especially recruiting. Based in Baton Rouge, Lee travels statewide to watch practices and games and has broken down film and tape since the late 1980s.  He has converted the printed product to a website (Lafootballmagazine.com) that will preview every high school and college football program in the state before kickoff this fall. Lee also hosts a football-centric TV show on YouTube, The Sports Scouting Report, on weekdays.

Power outage triggers memories

/ Megan Lowe

Having lost power for several hours last weekend due to a storm, memories emerged of a column I wrote years ago for Louisiana Conservationist magazine. With your indulgence, I’m sharing that column with you. 

Dragging a teenager down memory lane

As I have experienced more and more birthdays, I have noticed that I seem to possess the uncanny ability to dredge up and bring into sharp focus vivid details of things that happened to me ages ago. It thus seems a paradox that I can’t ever seem to remember where I laid my glasses. It takes very little to get me off on a stroll down memory lane taking with me, whomever happens to be within earshot.

My most recent, if reluctant, companion for a trip down the lane was Melissa, our teenager. She actually had no choice because a brief but savage storm had zapped us, rendering inoperative everything electrical. And that included TV, stereo and jam box.

With no juice, there were no Night Court re-runs; no screeching disc jockey spinning such ditties as I’m Too Broke To Pay Attention, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah.

Boredom was closing in on her, so I mercifully came to her rescue. Sitting her down, I began blazing a trail down memory lane, kicking off with a phrase teens love to hear from the lips of their parents —”When I was your age ….”

Not wanting to appear overly eager to hear my “back when” stories she masked her glee with a facial expression like the one you get when the dental assistant comes to the door, calls your name and asks sweetly, “Ready for that root canal?” 

“Back when I was your age, we didn’t have electricity, television, running water, indoor plumbing but boy, did we have fun!”

(I’ll bet…).

“You wouldn’t catch us sitting around the house bored. No sir-ree, we’d go down to the creek and catch frogs, crawfish and bugs.”

(I think I’m going to be sick…)

“We’d take the shovel and dig in cow patties for fish bait. Then we’d go catch us a bunch of mudcats.”

(Well WHOOP-de do…)

“And we’d go snipe hunting down in the deep woods after dark. You talk about scary, especially when the rest of the kids went off and left you all alone there in the dark holding the sack and waiting for a snipe. Bet you’d get a kick out that, wouldn’t you?”

(I can’t believe I’m missing Three’s Company…)

“And the games we played…deer and dog, red rover, pop-the-whip. Then for some real excitement, we’d sneak over after dark and turn over a neighbor’s privy.”

(Dear Lord, PLEASE make the power come back on!)

“If you can find an old inner tube, I can make us a sling shot. When I was your age, we’d get us a pocketful of rocks, take our sling shots and shoot snakes, turtles and frogs.”

(Personally, I’d rather have chicken pox…)

Without warning, the power came back on and, like a shot, she was up to the television. “Wait,” I called after her, “I didn’t get to the good part about how we made flying jennies and cars out of grandma’s snuff bottles. By the say, have you seen my glasses?

(You’re wearing ‘em….)

“Oh….”

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

Former Cavaliers made a mark for NCAA Tournament teams this season

/ Megan Lowe

JOURNAL SPORTS 

Bossier Parish Community College baseball coach Bobby Gilliam watches the NCAA Division I baseball postseason with a vested interest. 

Once again, former BPCC players have played significant roles for teams reaching the NCAA Tournament, a fact that Gilliam doubtlessly cites while recruiting and drumming up support for his program. 

Gilliam is proud to point out three former Cavalier baseball players played in the NCAA Division I regionals this year. Justin Lawson at North Carolina State, Garrett Felix at Nicholls and Zane Morehouse at Texas were key contributors to their teams. 

Lawson, a Winnfield product, was a Cavalier most recently in 2021 when he played a full year after a pandemic-shortened 2020 season. His stats at North Carolina State: 46 appearances, 90 innings pitched with a 3.50 ERA, a 10-3 record with 3 saves. Lawson was an integral part of the bullpen both years with the Wolf Pack. 

Felix was a Cavalier during the year of 2021 after transferring in from Southern. For the Cavs, the Lafayette product hit .351, with 3 home runs, 20 stolen bases and 14 doubles. Felix played second base and hit at the top of the order for the Cavs. At Nicholls this spring, Felix was a .313 hitter in 355 at bats, with 8 home runs and 25 doubles and helped the Colonels field one of the better infields in the country. 

Morehouse was a Cavalier during the 2019 season with 15 appearances and 35 innings pitched, as he struck out 33 batters. This season with the Longhorns, the Dawson, Texas native had 48 appearances, 96 innings, 103 strike outs, 7 saves and a 7-4 record.

Remembering Wilton Sanders “Sandy” Perryman

/ NPJ

March 13, 1940 — June 21, 2023

Funeral services celebrating the life of Wilton Sanders “Sandy” Perryman, Jr. will be held Friday, June 23, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Brushwood Methodist Church in Dubberly, Louisiana. Interment will follow at Brushwood Cemetery in Dubberly, Louisiana. The family will receive friends at 9:00 a.m. Friday at Brushwood Methodist Church prior to the service time.

Wilton was born March 13, 1940, in Minden, Louisiana and entered into rest June 21, 2023, in Minden, Louisiana.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Perryman, sons, Steve Perryman (Connie), Stanley Perryman (Amie), Willie Perryman (Melanie); daughter, Beverly Cooper (Raymond); grandchildren, Crystal, Hilary, Taylor, Stan, Nikki, Ryan, Ray, Amy, Blake, and Justin, great grandchildren, Maddy, Natalie, Neveah, Karlie, Stance, Lexi, Stetson, Annie, Claire, Travis, Jax, Hunter, Maddox, Brody, Heidi, Riley, and Nolan.

The pallbearers will be Stan Perryman, Ray Cooper, Justin Perryman, Ryan Colvin, James Robert Cutchall Chris Burrell and Jason Barton.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mickey Perryman and Jimmy Perryman.

Reach Out and Read now in select pediatric clinics at Willis-Knighton

/ Megan Lowe

Reach Out and Read, a national program that promotes the lifelong benefits of families reading aloud to their children, is now available in five pediatric clinics within the Willis-Knighton Physician Network.  Participating clinics are WK Tots to Teens Pediatric Center, WK Center for Pediatrics-South, and WK Pediatric Health &  Wellness in Shreveport as well as WK Internal Medicine & Pediatric Specialists  and WK Preferred Pediatrics in Bossier City. 

The program, which is the only national literacy model endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics,  provides books for well visits for infants through age five. Funding for the books has been provided to the clinics through Willis-Knighton’s tithe, the bottom line community philanthropy.  

At the beginning of each well visit, each child is introduced to and given a developmentally appropriate book, says Sheyenne Carper, MD, of WK Tots to Teens Pediatric Center. “Healthcare providers discuss with parents and caregivers the importance of reading aloud to their children and how it helps promote healthy brain development,” Dr. Carper says.

Eighty percent of a child’s brain is formed between birth and age three. Reading aloud to a child improves language development, helps physical, cognitive and emotional development, grows curiosity and memory, and develops a lifelong love of reading.

During the visit, parents are shown how to hold the book and engage their child, and how to interact with text and images to help the child follow along. In addition to giving books to children to take home, participating clinics are encouraged to offer books in waiting areas for families and children to read as they wait for their visit.

Dr. Carper notes that having these books in the waiting areas helps keep children engaged and creates a positive experience when coming to the clinic for their doctor visit.  

“Parents are their child’s first teacher,” Dr. Carper explains.  “Giving them a lifelong love of reading is an invaluable gift. It will help ensure they will be more successful as they grow and develop.”

Centenary announces Spring 2023 Dean’s List

/ Megan Lowe

Centenary announces Spring 2023 Dean’s List

A total of 188 Centenary students were named to the Dean’s List for Spring 2023. The honor list names all students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in 12 or more semester hours taken for a letter grade during the spring semester. Those students who have opted out of publicly sharing their private information are not listed. Students on the Centenary Spring 2023 Dean’s List are listed by their home countries/states and cities.

International

Belarus
Minsk – Aliaksandra Siameinikava

Cambodia
Phnom Penh – Liessa Heng

France
Bordeaux – Maxime Veyssieres
Boucé – Rachelle Papillon Amblard
Leforest – Julie Andre
Lille – Antoine Saudrais
Rueil-Malmaison – Antoine Nabedryk
Orléans – Théophile Carré
Pontpoint – Anais Heraud
Tourcoing – Claire Desmyttere

India
Rohini, Delhi – Pravar Dennison

Kosovo
Gjakova – Visar Rraci

Northern Ireland
Belfast – Emma Allsopp

Philippines
Tuktukan, Guiguinto – Paolo Alejandrino

United States

Arkansas
Bella Vista – Kennedy Stephens
North Little Rock – Isabella Giglio

California
Harbor City – Madison Schonberg
Newark – Isabelle Dominguez
Oxnard – Chrystopher Jackson
Redondo Beach – Viviana Rivero

Iowa
Yarmouth – Debra Brown

Kansas
Wichita – Katie Malicoat

Louisiana
Alexandria – Mackenzie Cox
Bastrop – Kyron Williams
Baton Rouge – Channing Hall, Audrey Randolph, Anacelia Galeano-Balam, Jerney Harms
Benton – Trevor Henry, Daly Nagot, Kallie Pierce, Jillian Tuggle, Camila Weber
Bossier City – Walter Adams, Carson Alvarez, Austin Barrow, Brian Bihler, Man Cing, Christopher Dant, Jordan Danzell, Madison Ersoff, Victoria Ligman, Destry Martignetti, Ty Nelson, Jayden Nguyen, Jacob Nguyen, Greta Simolke, Stella Simolke, Jackson Spataro, Mallory Starrett, Nolan Tomasek, John Waniewski, Madison Wing
Broussard – Mary Large
Bush – Joshua Barletter
Carencro – Audrey Laper, Eli Melton, Stanley Melton
Denham Springs – Brennan Amato, Haley Bordelon, Brooke Sandefur, Kylie Zeller
Forest Hill – Holly Carter
Gibson – Trent Washington
Gonzales – Devan Martin
Haughton – Emma Foster, Janette Gary, Brian O’Hart, Hailey Poe, Shelby Roy
Houma – Porter Boudreaux
Iowa – Camren Hohn
Keithville – Abigail Phelan
Kenner – Kalani Briggs
Lafayette – Sami Borchalli, Coby Harris
Lake Charles – Jordan Hoffman, Rylie Molina
LaPlace – David Barbera
Mandeville – Dylan Hooter, Emma Lavelle, Anton Pelto
Maurice – Alyssa Akers
Metairie – Caroline Swoboda
Minden – Braydon Gaston, Emma Greer, Arionna Thomas
Monroe – Abigail Rinaudo
Montz – Andrew Turner
Natchitoches – Mali Simmons
New Iberia – Blair Abshire
New Orleans –Ian Givens, Jaylin St. Martin
Oak Grove – Kaleb Atkinson
Princeton – Madison McKnight
Rayne – Mackenzie Olinger
Ruston – Nyla Pierce
Shreveport – Samantha Brown, Brianna Callicoatte, Cameron Cason, Tuyen Chau, Phoebe Cragon, Cadence Crumpton, Jordan Fong, Lauren Hall, Malick Hasan, Caymen Hawkins, Seth Hooker, Emerson Horne, Tarif Islam, Renee Katz, Mackenzie Kelly, Allison Kimmey, Melissa Krzywanski, Madeline LaBorde, Brittany Lee, Reece Maguire, Madilyn McCrary, Manisha Menon, Harrison Mills, Laura Moffitt, Alireza Moosavi Behbahani, Kaitlyn Moton, Sarah Murphy, Jonathan Okereke, Monica Percino, Emily Reid, Riana Seidenberg, Macy Smith, Zachery Van Gorkom, Alicia Walton, Mary Wellman, Hannah Williams, Makayla Young
Slidell – Emily Clarke, Philip Pugh
Stonewall – Siobahn Stanley, Mackenzie Williams
Thibodaux – Sabrina Scott
West Monroe – Jillian Peacock
Youngsville – Dylan Allred, Lillian Breaux, Camryn Hebert
Zachary – Aiden Peterkin
Zwolle – Summer Faust, Olivia Sepulvado

Maryland
Bethesda – Matthew Lamoreaux

Michigan
Mesick – George Heydens

Minnesota
Hastings – Rose Deshler

Mississippi
Senatobia – Katelyn Moss

Nebraska
Omaha – Emily Sander

New Mexico
Albuquerque – Carissa Martinez

Nevada
Las Vegas – Kaylea Patridge

Oklahoma
Watonga – Kaylee Roberts

Tennessee
Franklin – Emily Napier
Memphis – Taylor Ann Wilson        

Texas
Anderson – Duncan Benton
Arlington – Regan Griffin
Austin – Mackenzie Newlan
Belton – Madeline Vacula
Conroe – Connor Fisk
Dallas – Dominick Benedetto, Julianna Malloy, Xavier Nixon, Caleb Smith
Dayton – Claire Kraus
Donna – Jaeda Moreno
Florence – Abigail Hodgson
Fort Worth – Mary Caruthers
Garland – Mackenzie Grant
Heath – Colton Mayer
Highland Village – Leonard Forth
Houston – Ron Masti, Olivia Stratmann
Humble – Bryn Jenkins
Katy – Jacob Lievre
Marquez – Caroline Richmond
Marshall – Angelina Balensia
McKinney – Cassidy Jones
Mesquite – James Harris
Riviera – Kendall Huff
Rowlett – Emily Moreno
San Antonio – Mariah Martinez, Isabel Plaza, Athena Vasquez
Texarkana – Shelby Anderson
Tyler – Eva Vega

Notice of Death – June 21, 2023

/ NPJ

Elder Clinton Agee, Jr.
March 27, 1973 — June 19, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Wake: Friday, June 23, 2023, 6:00 p.m. at Harvest Temple COGIC, Benton Road, Bossier City.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, TBD at Harvest Temple COGIC, Benton Road, Bossier City.
Interment: Saturday, June 24, 2023, following service at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Linda Speed
December 24, 1954 — June 15, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Greater Pleasant Grove, Round Grove Cemetery.
Interment: Saturday, June 24, 2023, following service at Round Grove Cemetery, Willow Chute.

Lonnie Smith
May 17, 1955 — June 18, 2023
Visitation: Monday, June 26, 2023, 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, following service at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.

Courtney Holland Vinson
July 9, 1981 — June 15, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Osborn Funeral Home, 3631 Southern Avenue, Shreveport.

Dorothy Whitecotton
October 26, 1925 — June 20, 2023
Graveside Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport.

Rose Mary Strickland
September 25, 1935 — June 19, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Sunday, June 25, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Interment: Sunday, June 25, 2023, following service at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Zachary Kyle Moore
July 24, 1996 — June 4, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield.

Cecil Mims
July 28, 1950 — June 1, 2023
Graveside Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Road, Bossier City.

Wilton Sanders ‘Sandy’ Perryman
March 13, 1940 — June 21, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 9:00-9:45 a.m. at Brushwood Methodist Church, 6320 Brushwood Drive, Dubberly.
Funeral Service: Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:00-10:45 a.m. at Brushwood Methodist Church, 6320 Brushwood Drive, Dubberly.
Interment: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:15-11:45 a.m. at Brushwood Cemetery, 6320 Brushwood Drive, Dubberly.

Aaron Brooks Lolley
July 21, 1978 — June 20, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, July 1, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue, Shreveport.

Rudolph Bertsch
June 2, 1936 — June 16, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, July 8, 2023, 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, July 8, 2023, 4:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Patricia Elaine Johnson
February 26, 1942 — June 15, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Jeremy Dewayne Davis
March 11, 1992 — June 13, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, June 24, 2023, following service at Round Grove Cemetery.

Howard Ratliff
March 14, 1949 — June 15, 2023
Funeral Service: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.

William ‘Billy Joe’ Bagwell
November 28, 1926 — June 18, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 618 North Second Street, Homer.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 618 North Second Street, Homer.

Glen McGraw
June 17, 1933 — June 19, 2023
Visitation: Thursday, June 22, 2023, 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Thursday, June 22, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Thursday, June 22, 2023, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Rhonda Howard
September 7, 1955 — June 17, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Friday, June 23, 2023, 12:30 p.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.

Frank Wooley
November 15, 1954 — June 15, 2023
Visitation: Monday, June 26, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Monday, June 26, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Lillie L. Doyle Mason
December 16, 1929 — June 17, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 734 FM 1942, Crosby, Texas.
Interment: Saturday, June 24, 2023, following service at Earthman Memory Gardens, 8624 Garth Road, Baytown, Texas.

Dolores LaVigne
October 21, 1935 — May 7, 2023
Celebration of Life: Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at East Ridge Country Club, Shreveport.

Bert Robinson
March 26, 1954 — June 14, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Alfonso Hollins
August 16, 1952 — June 8, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Greater New Zion Baptist Church, 421 Oak Ridge Drive, Benton.
Interment: Saturday, June 24, 2023, following service at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Road, Bossier City.

Columbus Poole
November 15, 1959 — June 14, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Sunlight Baptist Church, 526 Winfield Road, Haughton.

Mary Hardman
October 28, 1957 — June 13, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Zion Baptist John H. Wilson Chapel.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Zion Baptist John H. Wilson Chapel.
Interment: Saturday, June 24, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.

Barbara Wynn
December 27, 1957 — June 14, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Benton Community Cemetery, Benton.

Barbara Lynn Butler
July 16, 1943 — May 18, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Christian Church at Minden, 814 Constable Street, Minden.

William ‘Bill’ Robert McCullough
March 19, 1940 — June 8, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, June 23, 2023, 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.

Richard ‘Pete’ Leon Johnson II
May 26, 1967 — June 1, 2023
Celebration of Life: Friday, June 23, 2023, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Dale Clifford Baldree
February 25, 1952 — May 28, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Bayou Dorcheat Boat Launch, Dixie Inn.

Jeffery Wayne Crabtree
December 28, 1960 — May 30, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Gospel Lighthouse Church, 4350 Panther Drive, Bossier City.

Leland ‘Lee’ Eugene Kelly
November 13, 1946 — April 26, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Eppes Cemetery, Shreveport.

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)

The Breakfast Club

/ NPJ
We’ve been taught since we were stuffing our jaws with Fruit Loops that breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day.
 
That might be true, though some would agree with me that the most important meal of the day is the one you are eating Right Now.
 
Still, word to the wise, the complimentary breakfast at a hotel is NOT the most important meal of the day. It is just a buffer to get you out of the hotel and on your way to your next meal — and out of the hotel with the feeling that you’ve stolen something free.
 
Let’s review.
 
Summertime, the best of all the seasons — including Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons — begins today.
 
No school. The fish are jumpin’ and the cotton is high. Your daddy’s rich and your ma is good-looking.
 
Summer! Watermelon. Baseball. Sunshine until 9 at night. Fireworks. Fireflies.
 
It’s a beautiful thing, summer is.
 
So, what’s not to love? — besides it being 110 degrees and many of us not having power — a common North Louisiana peculiarity.
 
Nothing, really, except the oasis that is the complimentary hotel breakfast.
 
Many of you will go on a summer trip soon. Or now. Awesome. Have a ball.
 
Just don’t have a big expectation over the complementary hotel breakfast.
 
The trend began a decade or so ago. You pay $130-ish to stay in a hotel. And they say, “Hey, breakfast is on us.”
 
Which is beautiful. I’ve eaten dozens.
 
But I know it’s just a powdered egg and maybe a sausage that is intended to get me on my way. Don’t do as I’ve seen hundreds do: they complain that this isn’t hot or the toaster doesn’t work or the bacon is microwaved.
 
Hey: it’s a bonus. It’s complimentary. It’s “free.” That waffle iron has been used by hundreds of people, not just by your wife or daughter. You eat your hotel waffle made by yourself, you take your chances.
 
Most of us have stayed in nice hotels once or twice. Omelet stations. Waitresses or waiters. Bacon fried instead of microwaved.
 
We still have that option. But if you stay at a Complimentary Breakfast place, you know going in that the plates will be Styrofoam. So don’t ask for something for nothing. Grab a bite and move along.
 
Somewhere, there is a great Complimentary Breakfast Hotel Staff that makes sure all is ship shape. I’ve seen them and adore them. But more times than not, the hotel is just giving you a pat on the back — or on the stomach — and telling you to move along.
 
I appreciate their trying. We should too. Grab a pre-frozen biscuit and hit the road.

Find a good place for supper.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Sheriff Whittington promotes two deputies

/ Megan Lowe

Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington promoted two deputies in a ceremony in the Sheriff’s Conference room at the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office Command Center in Plain Dealing on June 19.

Deputy Buck Boudreaux was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Sergeant Boudreaux is a 6-year veteran of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office. Sergeant Boudreaux has been a Field Training Officer and a CERT Team member in the Corrections Division. Sergeant Boudreaux will take command over D-Shift at the Bossier Maximum Facility.  

Deputy Matt Bertrand was promoted to the rank of Corporal. Corporal Bertrand is a 9-year veteran of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office. Corporal Bertrand has been a Field Training Officer and a CERT Team member in the Corrections Division. He will also be tasked with training corrections deputies as a Field Training Officer.  

“Supervisors and corrections personnel have identified you as leaders amongst your peers. I know you will continue to lead by the example you have already established,” said Sheriff Whittington. “I am proud to promote you for your hard work and dedication to duty here at the sheriff’s office. Keep up the good work.”

Report storm damage

/ Megan Lowe

Louisiana residents hoping for some relief after storm damage received during the period June 14 through June 16 should utilize Damage.LA.Gov to report that damage.

Residents applying should know the survey is voluntary and does not guarantee any federal disaster relief assistance. To access the survey, please visit the website  https://damage.la.gov/.

While no funding through FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has been granted for this event, data will help the governor and GOHSEP (Governor’s Office of Homeland Security) and parish officials evaluate situations and have accurate damage information. 

Residents who received damage to a residence or business should complete this survey to report damage to the home (residential structure only, no vehicles). Information collected here will help parish, state, and federal authorities understand how and where locations were impacted by this disaster event.

Take pictures up close to capture specific points of damage but also take pictures of the whole area. Make sure pictures are not blurry.  If the pictures are hard to capture, use the “other comments” field to describe the photos and help portray the damage. 

 When submitting, make sure the street address is accurate and the map pin is placed on or near the damaged building. Submit reports only on living residence or business; no out buildings/barn/shed/ garages or fencing.

Damage.LA.Gov is a Virtual Louisiana initiative and damage reporting process launched by GOHSEP in the Spring of 2020. It gives citizens of Louisiana access to self-report damages in the aftermath of significant disasters including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and winter weather.

Bossier Parish Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 Board of Supervisors: JUNE 21 Agenda

/ Megan Lowe

The Bossier Parish Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 Board of Supervisors will hold a meeting on Wednesday, June 21 immediately following the Bossier Parish Police Jury’s regular meeting at 2 pm at the Bossier Parish Courthouse.

CALL TO ORDER – Mr. Glenn Benton, Chairman

ROLL CALL – Ms. Rachel D. Hauser

ADOPTION OF MINUTES:  Adopt minutes of the May 18, 2023, meeting

Public Comment

VISITOR:

1. 

OTHER BUSINESS:

2. Ratify acceptance of a proposal from Goodwin Professional Services, LLC, for professional surveying services for Village Water System, and authorize the execution of documents. Previously approved by the Bossier Parish Police Jury on May 18, 2023. (Police Jury Districts 2, 4, and 8)

Public Comment

3. Ratify adoption of a resolution stating that the annual Municipal Water Pollution Prevention (MWPP) Environmental Audit Report to maintain permit requirements contained in the Louisiana Pollution Discharge Elimination System, Permit No. LA0126152, for the yearly period of 2022 is complete and that no actions were necessary; a copy of the annual MWPP, along with a certified copy of the resolution will be on file for examination by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality at their pleasure. Previously approved by the Bossier Parish Police Jury on May 18, 2023. 

Public Comment 

4. Ratify acceptance of a proposal from Pulley Construction for Project No. 2023-122, St. Charles Court Emergency Sewer Repairs – 205 Conti Way, and authorize the execution of documents. Previously approved by the Bossier Parish Police Jury on May 18, 2023. (Police Jury District 5)

Public Comment

5. Ratify acceptance of a proposal from David W. Volentine, MAI, for appraisal review services for Country Place Utilities, LLC’s, water system in connection with the funding through the Water Sector Program (WSP) – Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 of the Parish of Bossier-Subrecipient LA WSP10905 for the Bossier Parish Police Jury, and authorize the execution of documents.  Previously approved by the Bossier Parish Police Jury on June 21, 2023. (Police Jury District 2)

Public Comment

6. Report on meeting of the Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 Board of Appeals held June 21, 2023.

Public Comment

ADJOURN

We all know right from wrong – It’s time we enforce it!

/ NPJ
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Surprise! Little-used lefty bails out LSU, shuts down Tennessee

/ Megan Lowe

OMAHA, Nebraska — Nate Ackenhausen saved the Tigers’ season.

In Tuesday night’s College World Series elimination game against Tennessee, LSU’s junior lefty got the surprise start and put on an awe-inspiring performance on the mound inside Charles Schwab Field.

Despite not having started a game since 2022 when he played for Eastern Oklahoma State Community College, Ackenhausen was dominant on the biggest stage for the Tigers.

Ackenhausen scattered four hits over a season-high six innings of shutout ball, while striking out seven Volunteers and giving up no walks.

That performance helped lead LSU to a 5-0 victory over Tennessee, as the Tigers defeated the Vols for the second time in three nights in Omaha.

With LSU’s two best arms not available due to having already thrown at the CWS, second-year skipper Jay Johnson desperately needed someone to go out there on the bump Tuesday and at least eat up some innings.

But no one could have imagined that Ackenhausen would have been the one to deliver that – and more.

For one, there was plenty of chatter of LSU using the ole “Johnny Wholestaff” approach — which is using as many arms as possible to get the victory.

Secondly, Ackenhausen had pitched a grand total of 22.1 innings in 15 appearances this season. His last outing was a brief one as he gave up two runs on two hits in 1 2/3 innings against Oregon State in the Baton Rouge Regional.

Thirdly, no pitcher in LSU history had made their first start for the Purple and Gold at the College World Series. No one.  

So Tiger fans braced themselves to see everyone from Ackenhausen to Gavin Guidry to even the embattled and slightly used of late Blake Money and Christian Little.

Johnson himself indicated to reporters as much after Monday’s 3-2 defeat to Wake Forest, when he said that he had nine pitchers he could use in Tuesday’s contest.

Ackenhausen made sure his skipper didn’t have to empty the chamber.

As a result, Johnson can now use Javeon Coleman, Griffin Herring and others in another elimination game this evening at 6 — this time, a rematch against top seed Wake Forest, who edged the Tigers 3-2 Monday.

Yes, credit needs to be bestowed on Riley Cooper who came in to relieve Ackenhausen with a runner on first base in the seventh and got out of the inning unscathed and closed out the game.

And yes, the Tigers took advantage of Vols’ miscues, scoring a run on an error and another on a wild pitch. Dylan Crews’ two-run home run in the ninth didn’t hurt either.

But none of those key moments would have mattered without Ackenhausen — the young man who saved LSU’s season on Tuesday night. 

Contact Raymond at sportswithrp3@gmail.com or on Twitter @RPIII_Sports     

Southwood has four out-of-town games on 2023 football schedule 

/ Megan Lowe

By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports 

Southwood will have an even split of home and away games in the 2023 football season with all but one of its away games requiring a bus ride out of the Shreveport city limits. 

Two of the five come in the third and fourth weeks of the season and will be to Monroe and Natchitoches. Two others will be just across the river in Bossier Parish with the fifth and only in-town game at Lee Hedges Stadium. 

The Cowboys will be led by first-year head coach Mike Green, a veteran head coach in the local area. Southwood begins the season by hosting Green Oaks who will also have a first-year coach in James Bradford Jr. The two schools played for only the second time last year with Southwood winning both but the Cowboys had to forfeit last year’s win. 

Southwood will host its biggest rival, Woodlawn, at Independence Stadium in the second week of the season. The two teams played each other every season from when Southwood opened in 1970 until 2000. The Cowboys lead the series (20-12-1) that was resumed in 2021. 

Carroll then welcomes the Cowboys to Monroe for the last non-district game of the season. Each team has won twice in the series, with the Bulldogs winning that last two. 

District 1-5A starts with a game at Natchitoches Central. The Chiefs have won the last eight and lead the series 23-9, and also have a new head coach, Jess Curtis, who led the powerhouse program at Many.

Three straight games with Bossier Parish schools are next up. A home game with Haughton at the mid-point of the season comes before road games at Parkway and Benton. The Bucs have the series edge 15-4 with the Cowboys’ last win coming in 2002. Southwood leads its series with Parkway 14-11, but the Panthers have won seven of the last eight. Benton has won all seven meetings between the two. 

Southwood finishes the season with three of its longest-running series in its history. Week 8 sends the Cowboys into a home game but facing Captain Shreve at the Gators’ home field, Lee Hedges Stadium, in the 53rd meeting between the programs. The Gators lead that series 31-21. Southwood will be the visitor a week later when it plays Byrd at Lee Hedges Stadium. The Yellow Jackets lead that series 34-17. Reigning District 1-5A champion Airline comes to Shreveport for the final regular season game. It will be the 50th time the two schools have played with the Vikings holding a 29-20 advantage in the series. 

2023 Southwood football schedule 

Sept. 1 Green Oaks 

Sept. 8 Woodlawn (Indy) 

Sept. 15 at Carroll 

Sept. 22 at Natchitoches Central 

Sept. 29 Haughton 

Oct. 6 at Parkway 

Oct. 13 at Benton 

Oct. 20 Captain Shreve (Lee Hedges) 

Oct 27 at Byrd (LH) 

Nov. 3  Airline 

A bandit in the night

/ Megan Lowe

Over my years of traveling all over the South from one tournament to another, I’ve had a few funny and sometimes difficult encounters. Most of the time it’s something mechanical like a flat tire, a wheel bearing going out on my boat trailer, or motor trouble with my outboard engine, like a lower unit going out.

Sometimes Mother Nature decides to invade my territory with a snake trying to get into my boat or an occasional alligator who likes to make his presence known. But one recent incident at Toledo Bend was different. 

As anglers, we spend all day searching for fish we hope will put us in the winner’s circle or at least get a check. Practicing for an event can be physically exhausting and mentally draining. So, a good night’s sleep is very important for an angler to be able to function at a high level. The last thing we want is for our sleep to be disrupted in the middle of the night. 

On the night of May 25 at Toledo Bend, I was in my deep sleep phase when I heard something outside my bedroom window. As anglers, we are all paranoid about someone stealing things out of our boat and are on constant alert. On this particular night, I awoke to a loud noise that signalled someone was outside. There were three of us staying together at this VRBO house and we each had our own boat. The area we were staying in seemed to be a very quiet neighborhood, so to think that someone was outside going through our boats got my full attention.  

Just like The Night Before Christmas, “When out on the driveway there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the back door I flew like a flash, threw open the door to see all the trash.”

There he was, standing in the garbage and enjoying some leftover wings from the previous guest. It turns out that the bandit was a massive raccoon who decided to order trash can wings. As I opened the door, you would think this raccoon would scurry away. But not this guy; he was not intimidated by me at all. He actually had the look on his face like, “What do you want? Can’t you see I’m eating?” 

Not looking to abandon the buffet of chicken wings he had found, he let me know really quick, as he stood up on his hind legs, that I had better back off if I knew what was good for me. Now I’ve come across a few raccoons during my 62 years on this earth, but none as bold or as bad as this one. He was not going away easily, and it would take my best bluff to send him down the road to another feast. 

It was at this point that I reached down and grabbed the lid of the trash can he had destroyed, and I started banging it and ran towards him. At first, he didn’t seem to even give me a second thought as he continued to devour his order of wings. Then I decided to get on his level as I bent over, with my lid for protection, and gave him a hardcore stare which turned out to be a game changer for some reason. I had gained the advantage over this wing-eating bandit as he scurried off and headed back to the woods. 

Understand, raccoons are smart and very persistent, and I knew he would probably return to face me again, maybe with backup. I was right! As I got back into the bed, the bandit returned and began to attempt to open another trash can by literally running and jumping on it.

It was so loud that I could not believe my two fishing buddies weren’t getting up to see what was going on. They slept right through all the commotion and never even rolled over.

Once again, I headed to the back door and faced this evil doer for the last time. As I opened the door, I ran directly at the chicken wing bandit and this time he ran off for good as I shouted, “And never come back!” 

You never know what will transpire on a fishing trip, but sometimes you must sleep with one eye open just in case a bandit of the night shows up.

Until next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget your sunscreen! 

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Summer Gap Learning Program update

/ Megan Lowe

All Bossier school sites WILL reopen Wednesday, June 21 at normal operating hours EXCEPT for Bellaire Elementary, which remains without power. 

Bossier Schools continues to work closely with SWEPCO on a timeline for restoration. It is our hope to reopen the Bellaire campus on Thursday, but we will communicate that to our families once we know more. 

Notice of Death – June 20, 2023

/ NPJ

Aaron Brooks Lolley
July 21, 1978 — June 20, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, July 1, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue, Shreveport.

Rudolph Bertsch
June 2, 1936 — June 16, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, July 8, 2023, 3:00-4:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, July 8, 2023, 4:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Patricia Elaine Johnson
February 26, 1942 — June 15, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Jeremy Dewayne Davis
March 11, 1992 — June 13, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 1:00-8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Saturday, June 24, 2023, following service at Round Grove Cemetery.

Howard Ratliff
March 14, 1949 — June 15, 2023
Funeral Service: Tuesday, June 27, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.

William ‘Billy Joe’ Bagwell
November 28, 1926 — June 18, 2023
Visitation: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 1:00-2:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 618 North Second Street, Homer.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 618 North Second Street, Homer.

Glen McGraw
June 17, 1933 — June 19, 2023
Visitation: Thursday, June 22, 2023, 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Thursday, June 22, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport.
Interment: Thursday, June 22, 2023, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Patricia Ann Gannon
July 3, 1938 — June 17, 2023
Funeral Service: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 2:00-3:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield.
Interment: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 3:30-4:30 p.m. at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church Cemetery, 14320 US-84, Logansport.

Rhonda Howard
September 7, 1955 — June 17, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Forest Park Funeral Home, 1201 Louisiana Avenue, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Friday, June 23, 2023, 12:30 p.m. at Forest Park West Cemetery, 4000 Meriwether Road, Shreveport.

Frank Wooley
November 15, 1954 — June 15, 2023
Visitation: Monday, June 26, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Monday, June 26, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Lillie L. Doyle Mason
December 16, 1929 — June 17, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Winnfield Funeral Home, 3701 Hollywood Avenue, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 734 FM 1942, Crosby, Texas.
Interment: Saturday, June 24, 2023, following service at Earthman Memory Gardens, 8624 Garth Road, Baytown, Texas.

Dolores LaVigne
October 21, 1935 — May 7, 2023
Celebration of Life: Wednesday, June 28, 2023, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at East Ridge Country Club, Shreveport.

Bert Robinson
March 26, 1954 — June 14, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.
Celebration of Life: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Alfonso Hollins
August 16, 1952 — June 8, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Greater New Zion Baptist Church, 421 Oak Ridge Drive, Benton.
Interment: Saturday, June 24, 2023, following service at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Road, Bossier City.

Columbus Poole
November 15, 1959 — June 14, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m. at Sunlight Baptist Church, 526 Winfield Road, Haughton.

Mary Hardman
October 28, 1957 — June 13, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Zion Baptist John H. Wilson Chapel.
Funeral Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Zion Baptist John H. Wilson Chapel.
Interment: Saturday, June 24, 2023, following service at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, 6915 W. 70th Street, Shreveport.

Barbara Wynn
December 27, 1957 — June 14, 2023
Visitation: Friday, June 23, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. at Heavenly Gates, 1339 Jewell Street, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 1:00 p.m. at Benton Community Cemetery, Benton.

Barbara Lynn Butler
July 16, 1943 — May 18, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Christian Church at Minden, 814 Constable Street, Minden.

William ‘Bill’ Robert McCullough
March 19, 1940 — June 8, 2023
Graveside Service: Friday, June 23, 2023, 12:00-1:00 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.

Donald Gene Toth
September 6, 1951 — June 10, 2023
Memorial Service: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport.
Graveside Service: Wednesday, June 21, 2023, 12:00-12:30 p.m. at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.

Richard ‘Pete’ Leon Johnson II
May 26, 1967 — June 1, 2023
Celebration of Life: Friday, June 23, 2023, 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home & Park, 8801 Mansfield Road, Shreveport.

Dale Clifford Baldree
February 25, 1952 — May 28, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Bayou Dorcheat Boat Launch, Dixie Inn.

Jeffery Wayne Crabtree
December 28, 1960 — May 30, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Gospel Lighthouse Church, 4350 Panther Drive, Bossier City.

Leland ‘Lee’ Eugene Kelly
November 13, 1946 — April 26, 2023
Memorial Service: Saturday, June 24, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Eppes Cemetery, Shreveport.

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