Month: July 2023
New Caddo Special Assistant DA sworn in
Caddo Parish District Attorney Stewart recently swore in new Shreveport City Attorney Marcus Edwards as Special Assistant District Attorney, First Judicial District. Marcus is a native of Keithville, and a graduate of C.E. Byrd High School, Morehouse College, and Tulane University Law School. He was previously employed at Mayer, Smith, and Roberts law firm.
New principal for Huntington High School announced
A familiar face will be returning to Huntington High School. The Caddo Parish School Board announced that Nicholaus Smith is the new Principal of Huntington, a campus where he played an integral part in the school’s success during his five years as an Assistant Principal. Smith previously served as the Principal of Caddo Middle Career & Technology School, where he worked diligently to enhance the climate and culture at CMCTS. During his tenure, he saw growth in teacher retention and student achievement.
Caddo Parish School District announces new Secondary Curriculum, Instruction Executive Director
The Caddo Parish School District announced that Dr. Matthew Mitchell will serve as the district’s Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction. The position works directly to support our schools in ensuring they have the tools for each student to achieve success in their K-12 secondary careers by ensuring the highest-quality teaching and learning is taking place with a focus on career pathways and access to rigorous programs.
Over the last five years, Dr. Mitchell has served as the Principal of Huntington High School where he led the school to sizable gains in school performance along with recognition on the state stage for efforts in dual enrollment.
Caddo Parish Sheriff swears in new deputy
Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator recently administered the Oath of Office to a newly hired deputy who joined the Caddo Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff Prator swore in Deputy Michael Lasuzzo during a brief ceremony on Monday at Government Plaza. Deputy Lasuzzo recently retired from the Shreveport Police Department. He will begin his career at the Sheriff’s Office, working at the Caddo Correctional Center.
If you are looking for a career that offers excitement in the workplace and allows you to make a difference in our community, then the Caddo Sheriff’s Office has a position for you.
If interested in working at CPSO, visit our website at caddosheriff.org or contact the Personnel Office at (318) 681-0812.
Two Caddo Parish deputies honored for bravery, service
Two Caddo Parish Sheriff’s deputies were honored for their bravery and service by a statewide civic group and will soon be recognized on a national level, said Sheriff Steve Prator.
Deputy Adam Jones was chosen as the 40&8 association’s Officer of the Year and Senior Deputy Robert Fertal was selected as Hero of the Year during the group’s Louisiana Grand Promenade on July 16 at the Hotel Bentley in Alexandria.
Deputy Jones was recognized for his assistance with numerous criminal investigations over the years while serving as a deputy with the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and later with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, where he is currently employed. The cases included the investigation of a Mansfield police officer arrested for illegal drug use and sales, the rescue of a kidnap victim in Bossier Parish, and assisting with the arrests of 93 homicide suspects in 2022 while serving as the Caddo Sheriff’s agent on the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force.
Deputy Fertal was filling in as a school resource officer at Byrd High School in May 2022 when he was called to a classroom for a medical emergency. When he arrived, he found an unresponsive student who had choked on some food and was lying on the floor. Fertal performed the Heimlich Maneuver, and when that was unsuccessful, he administered CPR, saving the student’s life.
The two will head to Sandusky, Ohio, on September 15 to be honored as the national winners in their respective categories. The 40&8 will present the awards at the 104th Promenade Nationale.
Caddo Parish man arrested for livestock theft
A Caddo Parish man was arrested on July 24 by inspectors with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s (LDAF) Livestock Brand Commission. The arrest was the result of an investigation by the commission and a subsequent arrest warrant from Caddo Parish.
Travious D. Johnson, 22 of Shreveport, was arrested on a warrant for theft of livestock. An investigation by the LDAF’s Livestock Brand Commission determined that Johnson allegedly illegally removed a palomino horse without the owner’s permission from a pasture and stall location in Caddo Parish in August of 2022. Johnson allegedly advertised the horse on social media and subsequently sold it. Brand inspectors were able to locate the horse in Allen Parish, and it was returned to its owner.
Johnson was arrested without incident by the Desoto Parish Sheriff’s Department, where he was booked on the arrest warrant and transported to Caddo Parish. At this time, a bond has been set at $25,000.
“The LDAF always recommends that buyers use caution when purchasing livestock over social media or anytime you don’t know the person you are dealing with,” said Commissioner Mike Strain, DVM. “If you suspect foul play, please contact the Livestock Brand Commission, which investigates livestock theft and other agricultural crimes in the state.”
The Livestock Brand Commission was assisted in this investigation by the Desoto, Allen, and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Departments.
The Livestock Brand Commission maintains a 24-hour Crimestoppers hotline at (800) 558-9741 for the public to report thefts or other agriculture-related crimes.
Note: All persons accused of any crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Holden pleads guilty to battery charge
A man charged with the battery of an elderly woman pleaded guilty to the charge on July 24 in Caddo District Court.
Eric Holden Jr., 22, pleaded guilty to the attack that occurred August 31, 2022.
Holden pleaded guilty before District Judge Chris Victory to the charge of aggravated second-degree battery and was sentenced to six years at hard labor with a permanent protective order in favor of the victim.
Early August 31, 2022, officers were dispatched to South Land Avenue in Oil City on reports that an elderly woman was bleeding from her head. On arrival, officers found the 72-year-old victim sitting on her front porch with a head injury, while a man later identified as Holden stood on the porch yelling at her.
The victim informed officers that Holden grew angry with her after she requested he take off her tennis shoes and threw a cell phone at her head, causing her injuries. Holden provided inconsistent explanations regarding the victim’s injuries and was arrested.
Holden was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Terry Pittman Jr. He was defended by Michael Enright.
The case was docket No. 391102.
Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day benefits Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System
On Thursday, July 27, 2023, the Dairy Queen brand is bringing health and hope to kids for Miracle Treat Day® at CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System through Children’s Miracle Network (CMN). Participating Dairy Queen locations are coming together to change kids’ health to change the future.
When you purchase a Blizzard® Treat at participating DQ® locations on Miracle Treat Day®, July, 27, 2023, $1 or more is donated to Children’s Miracle Network to benefit sick children in our Shreveport-Bossier community. Funds provide urgent, high-quality care kids need to thrive and offer their families comfort in knowing what’s next. The DQ® brand recognizes the importance of memories created with families. Together, we can bring health and hope to kids so they can enjoy moments of happiness for years to come.
Children’s Miracle Network knows that when treatments and facilities improve, children’s care improves to address the most challenging health issues of today while preventing and preparing for tomorrow. 100% of funds raised stays right here in the Shreveport-Bossier region, so by enjoying a Blizzard Treat, you are truly making a difference in the lives of sick kids in our community.
Stop at a participating Dairy Queen location and buy a Blizzard Treat on Miracle Treat Day®, so CHRISTUS can continue to care for our children. Together, we can help children lead healthy, fulfilling lives, while also bringing joy and happiness tomorrow.
When we change kids’ health, we change the future – for all of us.
Dairy Queen and Miracle Treat Day® Facts:
The 2023 Miracle Treat Day® event is Thursday, July 27, 2023. 100% of funds raised stays local to help sick kids in the Shreveport-Bossier community.
About CMN Hospitals:
Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® raises funds for 170 children’s hospitals that support the health of 10 million kids each year across the U.S. and Canada. Donations go to local hospitals to fund critical life-saving treatments and healthcare services, along with innovative research, vital pediatric medical equipment, child life services that put kids’ and families’ minds at ease during difficult hospital stays and financial assistance for families who could not otherwise afford these health services. When we improve the health of all children and allow them the opportunity to reach their full potential, we also improve our communities for years to come. Together, we can change kids’ health. Together, we can change the future. To learn about Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and your local children’s hospital, visit cmnhospitals.org.
Local coaches flummoxed figuring ’24, ’25 prep football scheduling
It’s about this time of year that high school football coaches begin fretting about their upcoming schedule. Is it too difficult? Is travel going to be a logistical problem?
But it’s not this year’s schedule they are worrying about these days. That’s been set in stone for two years.
It’s the 2024 (and 2025) schedule that has them, at least mildly, concerned.
They’ve already got plenty to worry about for this year as August workouts are now just days ahead. But the work has already begun in forming what the schedule will look like beyond this year.
And it’s not easy.
NFL schedules are year to year, but they are based on a formula. About 75 percent of the games are pre-determined with the remaining being filled in by the results of the previous season.
College football schedules are the other way. LSU has a date with Utah on Sept. 11, 2032. There’s a fourth-grader out there somewhere who will probably play in that game.
But high school football is Louisiana is done by two-year cycles (alternating between home and visitor in each of those years). However, the district schedules aren’t known until the re-classification takes place in January. Guess at your own risk on the size of your future district.
“It’s not fun, I can promise you,” said Haughton coach Jason Brotherton. “It’s quite stressful.”
And you definitely don’t want to be in a district with an odd number of teams; that means there will likely be a date to fill in the middle of the district season. That could mean a 200-mile trip to find another team with an open date that same weekend.
Or not.
That’s what Loyola did when a Week 5 opponent reneged on an agreement. Head coach Mike Greene looked around a little bit, but quickly found that the only teams that were available were either (1) too far away, (2) too many steps up the food chain for the Class 2A Flyers, or (3) both.
But because it came in the week before district play began, Greene used it as an opportunity to heal from a brutal non-district schedule. It worked as the Flyers won their next four games after the open date.
It can be even worse for schools who don’t know what classification they are going to be in. Take Northwood, for example. The Falcons could be in Class 4A (where they are now) or get bumped to Class 5A.
As a Class 4A school, head coach Austin Brown has received calls from two of the biggest Class 5A powers in Louisiana. “We are attractive to them because of the power points they would get from playing us,” Brown said. “But if we are 5A and might go 5-5? Not so much.”
The easiest game to fill is the first week and many schools use that to play a non-district, traditional rival. (Northwood has already filled that in the future with Benton.)
“It’s like anything else,” said Huntington coach Stephen Dennis. “You look at the size of a mountain and you think it’s too big to climb. But if you take it one step at a time, you realize you can do it. Everybody looks at it different. There are really several factors with lots of things to look at.”
Haughton coach Jason Brotherton is far less philosophical, but is driving down the same road.
“I go on the assumption that our district is going to be the same size,” he said. “It might not be, but that’s my starting point. Then I took at how many of those district games I think we will be favored in. If I think we can beat most of them, they I’ll play anybody (non-district). But if I think we are going to be middle of the pack, I’ve got to try to go find games I think we can win.”
And if you get stuck with an open date in Week 9? “You’re pretty limited in your options,” Brotherton said. “And if a lot of coaches are calling you, that must mean they don’t think you are very good and they think they can beat you.”
“You try not to be too late because you can get stuck,” Dennis said. “My thought process is to worry about Weeks 1 through 3. Typically you don’t have a district larger than eight teams. But I’m kinda of playing it both ways because I fully expect to be in 5A next year.”
The real scramble comes after the season when the district alignment begins to take shape. “If somebody is slow playing it and want to see what happens and if they can get a better deal, then I’ll go ahead and take the bird in the hand than wait on them,” Dennis said.
But if Northwood and Huntington both move up in 2024 and 2025, that would give the local 5A district 10 schools and would bring about two options: a nine-game district schedule or splitting the district into two 5-team districts.
“I’d rather have a five-team district, but we’d probably play the same people (in non-district),” Brotherton said “I think you could keep some of those games, but give you the liberty to play somebody else. If you are down, you want to be able to call around and find somebody you can be competitive against.”
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com
This evening, kick off the 2023 Hall of Fame festivities at a free reception from 5-7
You’re invited, free of charge, this evening from 5-7 to a star-studded casual party — the La Capitol Welcome Reception kicking off the 2023 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.
It’s in downtown Natchitoches, at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street (at the traffic circle) in Natchitoches. No need to dress fancy, just enjoy food and refreshments and music and a world-class museum, mingling with some of our state’s greatest sports stars and their families.
The Class of 2023 includes a two-time Super Bowl MVP (Eli Manning, who arrives Friday), a women’s basketball superstar from Shreveport with Natchitoches roots (Alana Beard), a College World Series-winning LSU coach (Paul Mainieri) and three more TIgers sports heroes (big league pitcher Paul Byrd, NFL receiver Wendell Davis from Shreveport and two-time USA track and field Olympian Walter Davis).
There’s another Pro Bowl NFL star, former Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte, a Tulane star from Slidell. He did things that only two other NFL backs ever have done, and now runs a charitable foundation and works in a ministry in Chicago.
For fans of the Atlanta Braves and Texas Rangers, Ron Washington will entertain you – he managed the Rangers to the World Series in 2010 and 2011, and as the current third base coach for the Braves, he was also in that role when Atlanta won the 2021 Fall Classic. He was also third base coach in Oakland during the “Moneyball” years (he’s a featured character in the movie headlined by Brad Pitt).
Braves fans, this is a double bonus for you. Along with “Wash,” Byrd – whose LSU pitching accomplishments are on a short list with Paul Skenes and Ben McDonald – has been a color analyst on Braves TV game coverage who has won regional sports Emmy Awards. Here’s your chance, this evening, to get the inside angle on the club.
Meet the amazing 86-year-old Walter Imahara, a Japanese-American who became a world-class weightlifter for decades – while running a Baton Rouge floral business, and serving in the United States military in the early 1960s. Another Baton Rouge hero is M.L. Woodruff, who won 11 state championships coaching baseball for Parkview Baptist, and now is also involved in a ministry.
Sports journalists Bruce Brown (Lafayette) and Lori Lyons (New Orleans/Houma) have covered many amazing games and highly-accomplished athletes, including plenty of LSHOF members, in their careers and will be inducted next weekend as well.
The Welcome Reception provides the best possible opportunity to stroll around the 27,500-square foot museum, which has just celebrated its 10th anniversary. Lots of display items have been rotated into exhibits, and there’s a new Kim Mulkey exhibit showcasing the LSU women’s basketball coach.
Just ahead — the free Friday evening Rockin’ River Fest concert on the downtown riverbank stage. Music starts at 6, with Manning joining his 2023 classmates on stage at 9:15, followed by a 10-minute fireworks show set to sports-themed music. There will be a free kids zone presented by Louisiana Propane Dealers with games under the Front Street bridge.
You’re invited to all the fun. Visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255 to get more information and the schedule for the three-day celebration, and for participation opportunities for three ticketed events.
Special shine to Captain Shreve’s headgear this fall
JOURNAL SPORTS
No matter which local high school football team you root for, this fall there will be widespread admiration for Captain Shreve’s new helmet design.
Wednesday, Gators’ coach Adam Kirby unveiled a look paying tribute to the 2010 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame coach, Lee Hedges, who passed away earlier this month at age 93.
Hedges is the only prep football coach in state history to lead three different teams to a state championship game. The Gators’ 1973 state title is the last one claimed by a public school from Caddo or Bossier Parishes.
He was a local fixture, beginning with his standout playing career as a running back at Fair Park, which earned him a scholarship to play at LSU from 1948-51.
His 216 career wins at Byrd (1956-59), Woodlawn (1960-65) and Captain Shreve (1967-84) is the best total by any local coach. His overall mark was 216-92-9 as his teams had losing records only three times in 27 seasons.
Hedges led the Yellow Jackets to the state finals in 1956, then started the program at Woodlawn and in 1965 his Knights suffered a 12-9 state finals loss to Sulphur. The Gators went unbeaten (14-0) in 1973, giving him a state championship in the same year he served as president of the Louisiana High School Coaches’ Association.
He spent the last 18 years of his head coaching career with the Gators, starting the program from scratch as the school opened in 1967. Shreve won 24 consecutive games in 1973-74 as part of a 146-52-4 worksheet with the program.
Shreve’s home stadium was renamed for him in 2002, and along with hosting Gators’ home contests in football, soccer and track, is also a homefield for several other local schools. The track is also utilized by many Caddo Parish schools.
Hedges also helped Shreve win 15 state tennis team titles, and remained active as a junior tennis coach long after he retired from teaching and coaching football. He was also named Caddo Parish Teacher of the Year in 1963.
He was elected to the Louisiana High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.
Parkway’s Wells has the package to be a breakout player
By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/TV
On a Parkway High School team which has a lot of talent, the Panthers’ coaches believe their best player is Carter Wells, a senior safety and punt returner.
“Not only on the basis of just talent, but overall, Carter Wells (6-0, 175 pounds) is the best player on our team, and we have some very talented kids here,” said Parkway head coach Coy Brotherton. “He’s a big time leader and we are so glad he’s on our team and coming back for his senior season this fall.”
As a junior, Wells made 69 tackles with an interception, and five pass breakups. He was a second-team All District 1-5A selection.
He got an early start in the game.
“I started playing football at 4 years old with a flag football team in SPAR,” said Wells. “When I turned 5, I started playing contact football for the South Bossier Panthers and then I played for the Bossier Spikes for two years. For my 4th-6th grade years I played for the South Bossier Panthers again and in middle school I played for the Elm Grove Eagles.”
He has thrived at Parkway and credits his coaches for that.
“I love my head coach. He’s a coach you can joke around with off the field. He makes you feel comfortable the day you walk in as a freshman. My position coaches the past two years are Michael Concillio and Chris Kannady. Both of these guys are awesome people and coaches.
“Coach Concillio has a tough, military-type coaching style when you first meet him, but as you become closer with him as a player, he’s one of the funniest people to be around. He makes sure you are always giving 100 percent and wants you to be better as a player. Coach Kannady is a straight get-to-business type of coach with a sarcastic attitude every once in a while. You are guaranteed to be better while being on his side and you are also going to be able to have regular conversation with him like he’s one of your teammates.”
Wells knows he must improve this season and going forward.
“I need to get better as a football player. I could work on just overall perfecting my craft as a defensive back. I just started playing DB about a year ago and I’ve learned a lot but I know I have a lot of learning left and technique to learn as I grow older as a player,” he admits.
Looking forward to this fall, Wells points to a friendly rivalry as his most anticipated game.
“I enjoy playing Haughton every year. We are considered rivals because we share a district and the head coaches are brothers, so we call it the ‘Brotherton Bowl.’ Last year’s game ended in a nailbiter in our favor, so they are definitely going to try to get revenge this year.”
Wells believes the caliber of prep football locally speaks for itself.
“I think the Shreveport-Bossier area has tons of underrated talent, guys who don’t get the spotlight as much as they should. I compare the northern part of Louisiana (Districts 1-5A and 2-5A) to the districts down south and I think we are as talented, if not better than them. Every team in the Shreveport-Bossier area has talented players on its roster, no matter what classification.”
In an always competitive 1-5A race, Wells expects the Panthers to again be strong contenders.
“Our team can be in the running for district like last year, and most definitely we can make playoffs again and make a run like we did two years ago. I think our defense will be good again because we have a lot of returning starters who have a lot of experience at the varsity level. A lot of our guys camped all summer and plan on playing in college, so they know to work hard to reach goals and that makes our bond stronger. If we see someone not going 100 percent we encourage them to flip the switch and push through.”
Tidbits on Carter Wells
His favorite part of playing football is “the adrenaline and energy you get from the crowd, band, and fans during the game.”
A serious student – his favorite class is English — with a 3.3 GPA, Wells plans to major in kinesiology. “I think it’s a great major for me since I want to be an athletic director,” he says.
He enjoys playing pickup basketball and working out with friends.
His dad played football, basketball, baseball and ran track at Benton High.
This summer he’s been to camps at Lyon, Stephen F. Austin, McNeese State, Louisiana Christian, Lamar and Harding.
“I’ve been keeping in touch with Lamar, Harding, Centenary, Lyon, Harding and Louisiana College. Centenary has a nice, close to home campus with a very friendly coaching staff that makes you feel at home. Lamar has great coaches who make you feel wanted at their program. The facilities are great and the overall atmosphere of the place is amazing. Lyon College is also a big campus and they treated me as though I was currently attending their school.”
Wells has picked up offers from Centenary, Lyon and John Melvin, a new college in Crowley.
He is a centerfielder for the Panthers’ baseball team who grew up playing middle infield. He’s proud Parkway won the 2022 district title and has won a playoff game each of the past three seasons.
Wells would like to play baseball after high school, along with football, if possible.
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 an online 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.
Reluctantly backing away from basketball led Walter Davis to the world stage
NOTE — This is the last in a series of stories profiling the 12-person Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023, who will be inducted to culminate three days of festivities in Natchitoches beginning this evening. For tickets and more information, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.
By SHELDON MICKLES, Written for the LSWA
Looking back on the totality of his track and field career, it seems nearly impossible to think that it almost didn’t happen for two-time U.S. Olympian Walter Davis.
After just one track practice in the spring of his freshman year at Beau Chene High School in Arnaudville, the affable Davis decided he would rather stick with his first love — basketball.
Years of playing against his brothers and cousins helped mold him into an all-state point guard who averaged 15 points and seven assists as a senior, which earned him an invite to the Louisiana High School Coaches Association’s East-West all-star game.
But thanks in part to the persistence of Beau Chene girls basketball coach Ken Winfrey, who also coached the jumpers on the track team, Davis’ final game came a couple of months after he won the long and triple jump titles at the state meet.
It led to an illustrious career at Barton County (Kansas) Community College and LSU, where he became the program’s most decorated male athlete in just two seasons while leading the Tigers to two national titles. Then he began 13 years on the international circuit.
He earned a spot on the U.S. team for the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games, the first time as a 20-year-old from tiny Leonville, Louisiana, and he won two gold medals as well as a silver and bronze at the World indoor and outdoor championships.
Davis’ all-time best in the triple jump was 58 feet, 2 inches in winning the title at the 2006 World Indoors in Moscow and his best long jump ever of 27-0 ½ netted the gold medal at the 2003 USA Championships.
That resume’ makes the long journey from Leonville to LSU to track stadiums all over the globe to his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches all the more special for the 44-year-old Davis, and those who marveled at his highly-successful career.
“Without a doubt, Walter is the best athlete I ever coached … just from a standpoint of raw talent,” former LSU jumps coach Boo Schexnayder says unequivocally..”
None of it was in Davis’ plans almost three decades ago at the end of his first — and what he thought was his last — track practice after Winfrey told Davis he wanted him to come out for the team.
“So I go out my freshman year and I’m thinking I’m just going to jump,” Davis said with a laugh. “Then, he had me running the 400. That was my first and last day at practice.
“I couldn’t jump and he had me running the 400. I was like, ‘Oh, no.’”
But Winfrey knew he had to have Davis, who comes from a long line of well-known athletes in St. Landry Parish.
“When I first started coaching in 1989, someone told me if I went to a school that had some athletes to look for the Davises,” Winfrey said. “If you had a Davis on your team, you were going to be all right. I found out very quick that I needed some Davises on my team.”
Joe Davis, Walter’s dad, and several of his brothers were basically basketball players, Winfrey said. But the elder Davis was also a state champion jumper at the old Leonville High School.
“I knew his dad … I followed the dad and all his uncle’s careers,” Winfrey said. “They were outstanding athletes. There were six or seven boys, and, all of them, they liked to work.”
Eventually, Walter Davis came around — especially after playing basketball games in gyms where he would look up and see the names of his dad and uncles displayed on banners celebrating their many accomplishments.
When Winfrey asked him to come back out for track for his junior season, Walter was soon running the short sprints — the 100 and 200 meters — and jumping.
“I talked to him again and he started working out with me after basketball practice,” Winfrey said. “He was a jumper and sprinter for me, and the rest is pretty much history.”
It certainly didn’t take long for the lanky kid with big-time hopes to start making a name for himself in the Acadiana area — and beyond.
“He started doing things that were surprising to everybody,” Winfrey said. “He could just jump and jump and jump. Walter still was kind of hesitant about becoming a track guy.
“I’d say, ‘Walter, name a couple of people that can play and dunk and jump like you can,’” he added, noting Davis named a few and pointed at him as well. “I said, ‘Well, tell me this, Walter. … How many people in the nation you know can triple jump 51 feet?’”
A nine-time All-American at LSU under legendary coach Pat Henry and Schexnayder, a world-renowned jumps coach, Davis won six of a possible eight NCAA horizontal jumps titles in his two seasons. He also ran the leadoff leg on the 4×100-meter relay team that won the 2002 national title with a time of 38.32 seconds.
“He’s such a great competitor,” said Henry, a 2021 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductee. “He knew the value of training; he knew it was important and he showed up.
“That’s as important as it gets. You do what it takes to be great, and Walter was good at doing what it took to be great.”
Schexnayder said accountability was one of the things that set Davis apart.
“Walter held everybody else accountable and put the team on his back,” Schexnayder said. “As a coach, you had to make sure you had him in the ball park on his final attempts. As a coach, you knew if he was close to the top he would find a way to win on his final attempt.”
He did it again in making that last leap to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
At Grand Bayou, fishing for school bass can be educational
Although the sun had not yet appeared over the horizon, the air was already warm and sticky, typical of the onset of another hot July day in Louisiana just like what we woke up to this morning. This would have been a good day to work on articles in my air-conditioned office but fishing guide and friend Eddie Halbrook’s call the night before had a sense of urgency about it.
“I don’t care what you have planned for tomorrow,” Halbrook said, “put it off. The bass are schooling on Grand Bayou and you need to come with me.”
The “Grand Bayou” Halbrook mentioned is Grand Bayou Reservoir, a small 2,500 acre impoundment located 50 miles south of Shreveport on the east side or the Red River, not far north of Coushatta.
I don’t mind admitting a degree of skepticism when Halbrook mentioned that for the past week, he’d been catching at least a hundred bass a day. Skeptical or not, I found myself in the back of Halbrook’s boat as the bright, and soon to be hot, sun made its appearance in a cloudless July sky.
Somewhere around 7 a.m., Halbrook caught the first bass of the day. At a little past noon, I released bass number 100. We had, indeed, hit the century mark with bass in a half day of fishing that can only be described as “hot” — in more ways than one.
Grand Bayou Reservoir is like so many lakes around the country. The Red River Parish gem has a thriving population of baitfish, in this case, threadfin shad, that seek the highest levels of oxygen. In warm months, oxygen is more plentiful in the top of the water column. Wave action near the surface continues to replenish dissolved oxygen and huge schools of baitfish move about in comfort just beneath the surface.
For predator fish like largemouth bass, these roaming pods of baitfish are seen as a gourmet feast there for the taking. Slashing into baitfish schools, bass gorge themselves and in the process, make their presence known to alert bass fishermen from hundreds of yards away. Their feeding activity agitates the surface, often sending plumes of water flying in all directions.
Fishing for schooling bass can be at the same time exciting and frustrating. Here’s a typical scenario: a couple of anglers see a school of feeding bass erupt from 100 yards away. Starting the engine, they rush to within casting distance of the school only to see the surface become quiet again before the first cast is made. Looking back to where they just came from, they’re frustrated to see the fish thrashing the surface back there.
Thus, patience is one of the key ingredients in fishing for schooling bass. When the fish are active, the best bet is to avoid the temptation of dashing from school to school. Just be patient; they’ll soon be thrashing the water’s surface where you are.
If you take a youngster along, there is no better way to spark an interest in bass fishing that could last a lifetime than to introduce him/her/them to fishing for school bass.
For starters, school bass are generally easy to catch, the fishing experience is filled with spine-tingling excitement, and the neophyte angler is almost always anxious to do it all over again another day. Equipment needs are simple and can be easily handled by a less-experienced angler.
As bass slash into baitfish on the surface, some of the bait will be injured or killed in the process and will likely be floating in the area. Scoop up a couple and determine their color but more importantly, the size. If they’re silver in color, as most baitfish are, and are two inches long, it’s not brain surgery to know what to do next. Simply dig in your tackle box and select a silvery lure, two inches in length. If you’re hungry for an ice cream cone, you’re not likely to head for the refrigerator and go slap-happy over a celery stick. Bass are no different; they want what they want when they want it.
If you get excited at the sight of bass exploding on the surface all around you; if you thrill to strike after strike; if you get pleasure at the look on the face of your youngster or your buddy fighting a tenacious bass, then school bass fishing may be right up your alley.
Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com
Lane closures: Miller’s Bluff, Jimmie Davis Bridges
A pair of bridges will see traffic narrowed to one lane according to the state Department of Transportation and Development and both will have an impact on Bossier Parish motorists.
From Monday, July 31 through Wednesday, August 2, one lane of the Miller’s Bluff bridge on LA Hwy. 2 over the Red River in Bossier Parish will be closed to allow for routine bridge inspection.
This structure is located approximately 3.3 miles east of US Hwy. 71. Lane closure is scheduled to take place from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Flagging operations will be in place to allow traffic to cross the bridge.
Vehicles 11 feet or smaller will be allowed to pass through the bridge inspection zone while larger vehicles will need to detour.
And on Saturday, July 29th and Sunday, July 30, the LA Hwy. 511 Jimmie Davis bridge over the Red River in Caddo and Bossier parishes will be reduced to one lane, also for routine bridge inspection.
Lane closures are scheduled to be in place from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Flagging operations will be in place to allow traffic to cross over the bridge.
Vehicles 11 feet or smaller will be allowed to pass through the bridge inspection zone. Larger vehicles will need to detour.
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park closed until further notice
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park is now closed until further notice to the public after extensive storm damage.
The facility and trails sustained significant damage from falling trees and limbs as a result of the storms that moved through the area in June. Based on the assessment of damage, the facility and nature trails are now closed and will be unable to reopen prior to the beginning of the scheduled construction work to demo the facility and rebuild the upgraded park, which was approved by voters in 2022. That work is scheduled to begin in early September.
“While we have suffered a loss with the current nature park facility, we continue to move forward with providing a larger, interactive and modernized facility for the citizens of Caddo Parish,” said Parish Administrator Erica R. Bryant. “We are pleased to be able to work with our partners in the community to continue to offer a level of service to those who enjoy our nature park,” said Bryant.
While the facility is officially closed to the public, the Parish has partnered with organizations to provide new locations for scheduled nature events and programs.
Citizens are asked to visit caddoparks.org and the Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park Facebook page (facebook.com/walterbjacobs) for updated programs and locations, or call 318-929-2806.
Blanchard-Latex Road bridge closure, replacement begins August 2
Beginning Monday, August 2 the bridge located on Blanchard-Latex Road in North Caddo will be closed to allow the Caddo Parish Department of Public Works to replace the structure.
The Public Works Department will be replacing the bridge and conducting associated road improvements to expand commercial use of the bridge. These improvements will ensure decades of durability, safety and access for motorists that utilize the bridge.
Citizens are asked to use Highway 169 to Blanchard Furrh Rd to W. Daugherty Rd. as an alternate route.
Construction is expected to be completed in 90 days.
Notice of Death – July 26, 2023
Charles Howard Clawson
February 3, 1938 – July 18, 2023
Service: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 11 am at Osborn Funeral Home
Donald “Donnie” Davis
September 15, 1965 — July 23, 2023
Service: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 11 am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.
Larry Gene Thompson
March 17, 1943 — July 22, 2023
Service: Thursday, July 27, 2023, 10 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.
Frances E. Baker
January 5, 1941 — July 22, 2023
Service: Friday, July 28, 2023, 11 am at Cypress Baptist Church, Benton.
Arlene Marion Pierce
December 23, 1946 — July 22, 2023
Service: Friday, July 28, 2023, 10 am at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Frances Arthur Simpson
July 6, 1922 — July 24, 2023
Visitation: Friday, July 28, 2023, 4 pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport.
Service: Saturday, July 29, 2023, 4 pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral.
Shawney Ray West
October 26, 1946 – July 1, 2023
Service: Saturday, July 29, 2023, 2 pm at Ellerbe Road Methodist Church.
The Shreveport-Bossier Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. 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)
July 26, 2023
Gifts from an absent friend
I learned life the hard way, I took all my knocks and lumps
But when I look back down the road at where I’ve been,
I can see that all the things I’ve done in this ol’ life have been more fun
’Cause I shared them with someone who was a friend.
— “A Friend,” written and recorded by Jerry Reed (and featured in the movie W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings, which you should watch ASAP)
Few people if any enjoyed being themselves as much as Jack Brittain loved being Jack Brittain, or “Britt” as his friends called him, and he had more of those than you can find grains of sand and beer bottle tops at the Redneck Riviera.
This is the biggest weekend of the year for locals in my line of work; it’s the annual Louisiana Sports Writers Convention and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches, where Britt has served as unofficial mayor for decades. You can find out more about the weekend and how you can enjoy it at LASportsHall.com. You can find out more about Britt by asking anyone in Natchitoches or in the LSWA.
A piece of work and then some, this guy.
So, it was a profound and unwelcome sadness when Britt, our LSWA brother, died two weeks ago at age 67 after a short and surprising illness.
He was the red on the candy cane, the helium in the balloon, the sunshine through any cloud.
His attachment to the LSWA was solid and eternal, even though Britt was a lawyer and financial planner. He didn’t write any stories. He was the story.
He was so good at St. Mary’s that he’s in the high school’s Hall of Fame, then he lettered four years in football at Northwestern State before law school, but shoot, lots of people could do that. What set him apart was a heart and smile big as centerfield, his uncanny ability to see the best in people and the brightest side of things virtually all the time. He went around lettering every day in life, a seed-sower of joy and laughter and earthy charisma.
One of those ‘girls want to ride in his boat, boys want to be his best buddy’ kind of dudes.
It’s hard to describe the impact he had on the LSWA and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame because we don’t have anything to compare him to. He was just always there, a part of, a calm in a sometimes-stormy sea of egos and chaos, a smile to calm the tide.
In 2017, Britt was the recipient of the LSWA’s most prized honor, the Mac Russo Award, given to an individual who “contributes to the progress and ideals of the LSWA.” It was my lucky and treasured honor to present it to him. If memory serves, I said something clever like, “Here Britt; sorry it took us so long. We’d give you a half-dozen of these if we could — and you’d deserve every one.”
“Think where man’s glory most begins and ends,
And say my glory was I had such friends.” — W. B. Yeats
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu
Boil advisory: East Central Bossier Water System
A boil advisory effective immediately has been issued for the East Central Bossier Water System, according to Director of Public Utilities Larry Landry.
Areas impacted by the boil order include from Seven Pines Rd. to Butler Hill Rd. on LA Hwy. 160, Ward Line Rd., Derbe Ln., Merrill Ln., Leslie Rd., Butler Hill Rd., Scarborough Ln. and Rd., Elite Ln., and Seven Pines Rd. Also included is Thornton Rd.
An outage was planned to install a valve and to replace the main and all roots. Work is expected to take approximately five to six hours.
During the boil order, consumers in the area should disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks, making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods) until this boil advisory is rescinded by the following means:
• Boil water for one full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a clean bottle, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)
Again, please be sure to disinfect water prior to consumption until otherwise advised.
Jamario James pleads guilty to gun charges
A Shreveport man pleaded guilty to felony gun charges Monday, July 24, 2023 in Caddo District Court.
Jamario James, 41, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm or carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon before Erin Leigh Waddell Garrett, just before his trial was to have begun. He was sentenced to ten years at hard labor, to be served without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence. He also was ordered to pay a mandatory minimum fine of $1,000. The court ordered James to serve 300 days in lieu of the fine, concurrent with the hard labor sentence.
James admitted that on September 21, 2021, he drove repeatedly around and on the property of the Royal Inn at 1906 North Market St., despite being told four times that he was not allowed on the property. Inn employees told the responding Shreveport police officer who responded that James had flashed a gun several times, and threatened passersby.
As the officer spoke with an employee, James drove by again, and shortly after the officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. James consented to a vehicle search, and the officer recovered approximately 1.7 ounces of methamphetamine and a Smith & Wesson handgun from the back seat.
James was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ross Owen. He was defended by John Evans.
The case was docket No. 385287.
Felon Hodge sought for Failure to Appear
A Shreveport man who failed to show up for his trial in Caddo District Court is being sought by authorities on a bench warrant.
Ladarrius Hodge, 25, who was free on bond, failed to appear in District Judge Ramona Emanuel’s court on April 25, one day after his trial on possession of a firearm by a convicted felon began.
Over defense objections, Judge Emanuel allowed the trial to resume, with the eight-woman, four-man jury empaneled that day. Later on April 26, the jury returned its unanimous guilty-as-charged verdict after a half-hour of deliberation.
The court and the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s office have issued a bench warrant for Hodge’s arrest. Anyone with formation of his whereabouts should contact the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office.