QUITE A STAFF: Benton’s girls basketball coaching staff of (left to right) Lyndzee McConathy, head coach Mary Ward, her husband Randy and her longtime friend and colleague Michelle Owens enjoyed remarkable success, but an era ended Tuesday with Ward stepping away from coaching. (Photo courtesy Benton High School)
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Mary Ward stunned her Benton High School girls basketball team, and a lot of other people, Tuesday with her decision to step down as the Lady Tigers’ head coach after 18 highly-accomplished seasons in that role, with 400 wins and a 2020 state championship.
But her assistant coaches weren’t caught off guard. Certainly not her husband, Randy, and her very close friend and fishing buddy Michelle Owens. Ward’s younger protégé, Lyndzee McConathy, sensed it might happen.
Still, the afternoon team meeting was emotional for everyone. And the reality that somebody else will be running the program, and Ward won’t be in gymnasiums around north Louisiana and beyond for countless days, nights and weekends around the calendar, is a little unsettling far past Benton.
“I don’t think anybody had an idea this was coming,” said Owens, “because Mary just pours everything into girls basketball at Benton High School. It shocked a lot of people, but when it’s time, you know it, like she said.”
Recently they discussed the decision as it solidified. Owens, alongside Ward on the Benton bench for every one of the program’s 607 games since 2006-07, said Ward’s impact is widespread.
“She’s so easy to work with and is such an inspiration not only to other coaches, but other players. She’s so respected all over the state,” said Owens.
“She is truly one of the staples of girls’ basketball in north Louisiana and across the state,” said McConathy, who is the daughter of very successful girls’ coaches at South Beauregard and played collegiately at Northwestern State.
Benton made three straight state championship game appearances in 2019-21. There were semifinal appearances at Marsh Madness in 2012 and 2018. Ward was also head coach at Bossier for three years before moving north, and began a year earlier as an assistant coach.
She also was a dynamic player at Baylor, still owning the single-game scoring record with 54 points against national power Texas.
For McConathy, who left the head coaching post at Airline last spring to rejoin Ward at Benton allowing the younger coach to put more focus on her own growing family, the last year has been inspiring.
“For the last 11 years, Mary Ward has been my mentor and my friend. I have learned so much about basketball, and blending the game of life with basketball, and being a great mother while still being a great coach,” she said. “My opportunity to come back to Benton and work under her again has been an incredible year. I’m extremely grateful for all I’ve learned from her.”
Ward explained being able to focus on family – son Ryan and daughter Emily are at LSU, with Emily a year removed from ending her playing career on LSU’s national championship team – and not having her schedule constrained by coaching duties is something she’s welcoming. She also looks back gratefully.
“The memories created, the relationships made and the lessons learned on and off the court will forever hold a special place in my heart,” she said. “I am grateful for the dedication of my coaching staff and he exceptional talents of the student-athletes who have graced our team.
“Together, we have achieved milestones,” said Ward.
It’s not like she’ll be stepping that far away. Ward will continue teaching business at Benton, and she and Owens will still spend many hours together – on the water, for sure.
“We’ll be friends forever. She’s as good a friend as you could hope to have. She’s a pretty good fisherman on the side, too,” said Owens.
Homecourt helped Captain Shreve, Southwood and Bossier boys basketball teams win LHSAA second-round playoff games Tuesday night but the biggest surprise came at Calvary where the Cavaliers were upset on their home floor.
Marcus Lofton scored 14 points to pace No. 3 Captain Shreve’s win over No. 14 McKinley in a Select Division I defensive battle, 41-37. Shreve’s early 10-2 lead after the first quarter proved the difference as the visitors closed the gap with a 13-8 final quarter advantage. EJ McDonald was Captain Shreve’s only other double-digit scorer with 11 points.
Southwood, the No. 6 seed in Select Division I, earned a 61-56 win over No. 11 Brother Martin, 61-56. The Cowboys got some key defensive stops down the stretch to make up for making just 1-of-8 free throws. Detreveon Lars led Southwood with 21 points and Jeremiah Evans scored 18.
Captain Shreve (28-5) will host Southwood (24-8) on Friday in the quarterfinals, a third meeting between the District 1-5A co-champions.
Bossier downed Opelousas 56-43 in a Non-Select Division II bracket game. Justin Slaid’s 20 points led the way with Kerel Dean contributing 15. The No. 6 Bearkats (23-12) will travel to Monroe Friday to play No. 3 Carroll (26-8), who defeated No. 14 Minden, 64-48.
Calvary, the No. 4 seed in Select Division III, fell to No. 13 Episcopal 63-59 at home despite Bubba Strong’s 28 points. It is the earliest exit from the playoffs for the Cavs since 2019 when a No. 3 Episcopal team eliminated them in the quarterfinals, 63-49. Calvary had played in the championship game of its bracket in the last four playoff appearances.
LHSAA boys playoffs
Tuesday’s scores
Non-Select
Division I
(5) Natchitoches Central 58, (21) West Monroe 48
(8) Ruston 71, (9) H.L. Bourgeois 45
Division II
(6) Bossier 56, (11) Opelousas 43
(3) Carroll 64, (14) Minden 48
Select
Division I
(3) Captain Shreve 41, (14) McKinley 37
(6) Southwood 61, (11) Brother Martin 56
(8) Alexandria 78, (9) Jesuit 58
(4) Pineville 65, (13) St. Paul’s 61
Division III
(13) Episcopal 63, (4) Calvary 59
Friday’s quarterfinals
Non-Select
Division I
(5) Natchitoches Central (27-7) at (4) Denham Springs
I would like to preface this article by letting you know it might be a little long, but worth the read. I hope you enjoy!
Over my many years of fishing Pro/Am bass tournaments, I have run across some very interesting characters. For me, one of the most intriguing parts of fishing these types of tournaments is the people you meet, anglers you get to spend eight hours with inside a bass boat. It’s an opportunity to learn even if they are a novice angler in terms of skills. Most are very cordial and pleasant to be around. But then there are the ones who you can’t get out of your boat soon enough.
I’ve only had two that fall into the category of “get off my lawn” or in my case “get out of my boat!” One I had the pleasure of drawing was at a national championship event on Red River. That’s right, a huge event in my backyard and I was in position to win.
After Day 1, I was sitting in third place, going into the final day just a little less than three pounds behind the leader. My Day 1 partner (co-angler) was an awesome guy and we both had good five-fish limits as he was sitting in fourthon the co-angler side of the event. We had a great time and a great day while enjoying each other’s company.
Then Day 2 rolled around and I drew a Tennessee co-angler who turned out to be the co-angler from hell. For me, it usually doesn’t take long to get a feel for someone, simply by his demeanor. Unaware of this co-angler’s crazy reputation, I had a bad feeling from the second he “jumped” into my boat, and I literally mean “jumped” into my boat. This guy was hyped up on some kind of drug or he must have had 15 cups of coffee that morning.
He had 15 rods and four tackle boxes along with a huge thermos ( I can only assume was coffee), almost a complete change of clothes, and enough food to feed a small nation. It was as if Boy Scout Tennessee Ted was now in my boat and prepared for any and all situations including an attack on U.S. soil.
You must remember, this was at a time in my life when I had zero patience and a low tolerance for craziness – traits which will be revealed here shortly. As I helped the angler get situated with all his gear, he started talking and pacing on the back deck of my boat at such a high rate of speed, I thought my carpet was going to catch on fire. He also spoke a language that I think was a combination of Italian and southern slang. Either way, we had trouble communicating from the start.
I was already frustrated with this guy, and we had not even left the boat dock yet. It was all I could do to prepare myself mentally for eight hours with the crazy man from Tennessee. Finally, it was time to go fishing, which meant I would get at least 10 minutes of peace while we ran to our first fishing spot. We stopped on the river to fish a certain piling next to a rock jetty.
This one specific piling for some reason held a good bass on it every time I fished it and was a great place to start each day. Sure enough, on my first cast I hooked a three-pound bass and as I swung the fish into the boat Tennessee Ted decided to make a cast past the front of the boat to the same piling.
There are rules in most Pro/Am tournaments that don’t allow for a co-angler to make casts past the pro/boater in the front of the boat. But he decided to ignore this simple rule and proceeded to catch a four-pound bass off the same piling, which really irritated the hell out of me!
I expressed my displeasure with him and reminded him of the rule. He sincerely apologized and I reluctantly forgave him, but also reminded him to please not do that again.
So, now that he had been reminded of the rules, we made stop number two on a cut just off the river. I made one cast into the cut and caught a 2 ½ pound bass. Low and behold, Tennessee Ted struck again by flipping his spinnerbait into the same cut past the front of the boat and catching a three-pound bass!
By now, I’m really ticked off and proceed to reprimand him with a few extra choice words that you might hear in a locker room. Once again, he gave another full apology for his bad judgment as I continued to pull up the trolling motor and we headed for my next stop.
Then on our fourth or fifth stop (not sure how many, due to my state of mind), I hooked a four-pound bass on a spinnerbait and as I swung the bass into the boat, I hear a cast go within inches of my ear as his bait hit the water 20 feet in front of the boat!
After I dropped my fish into the livewell, I simply reached up, grabbed his fishing line with my hand and bit his line in two! That’s right, I was done and so was the bait at the other end of his line that fluttered to the bottom of Red River like a wounded baitfish.
Tennessee Ted was in shock as I quietly stepped back onto the front deck and began to make a cast as if nothing had ever happened. I truly believe, for the first time in his life, he was speechless.
He then asked me why I did that? I told him that after three warnings, I had run out of both patience and forgiveness and needed to make sure he understood what I meant by “do not cast past the front of the boat!” He was then told that if he continued to break the rules, I would not sign his weigh slip at the weigh-in, therefore getting him disqualified.
Sometimes you must take matters into your own hands (no pun intended) in order to make a point. He finally calmed down, which I think was due to the fact his thermos was empty, and he did not have a whole lot to say the rest of the day.
This was music to my ears as I continued to fish hard trying to win this event. While I caught my limit for the day, I was unable to overcome the three-pound deficit, falling short by less than a pound.
Ever since, I have made it a point to remind all my co-anglers about specific rules they may have forgotten. So far, this has worked in my favor, saving me and my sanity, by making sure they know the rules. It’s also saved my co-anglers a few baits by getting their line bit in two!
‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and I hope you never have to fish with a Tennessee Ted!
Former U.S. Army Chaplain Justin Roberts, now a filmmaker, is screening his award-winning documentary “No Greater Love” on Thursday at LSUS. While on tour in Afghanistan, Roberts filmed the gritty realities of war along with the incredible bond forged among the soldiers of the 101st Airborne. (CREDIT: Caitlin LeBlanc/LSUS Media Relations)
Members of the LSUS and Shreveport-Bossier community are invited to attend a free screening of the award-winning military documentary “No Greater Love” on Thursday from 6-9 p.m.
The screening, which will include a lecture and discussion by filmmaker Justin Roberts, requires an RSVP to attend as space is limited in the University Center Theatre.
Roberts, a former U.S. Army Chaplain, brought a camera along to capture events from the “No Slack” Battalion, 101st Airborne Division during his tour in Afghanistan.
Roberts didn’t film with the intent of making a documentary, but he wanted regular American citizens to get an unparalleled view into soldiers’ lives from someone who was part of the military.
The Lake Charles resident was awarded the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal during his service.
The 2017 documentary won 11 awards at domestic and international film festivals and was screened at the White House, U.S. Congress, and The Vatican.
The documentary highlights the gritty reality of war and the inseparable bonds formed among soldiers with Roberts’ footage from his tour. The 101st Airborne Division was awarded more than 200 Purple Heart medals, given to soldiers wounded or killed in the line of duty.
That footage is intertwined with interviews with soldiers and Gold Star families, families whose relatives died in military service.
Roberts highlights issues veterans face once they return home in addition to the hardships of war.
“The only way that you can really come back from war is with love,” Roberts said. “And it has to come from friends, it has to come from family members, neighbors and the people you were fighting for, and it has to come from each other.
“That is the only way we can fully come home.”
Thursday’s visit is Roberts’ second to LSUS this month.
He brought members of Citizen Ambassadors to campus in an attempt to connect Ukrainian citizens and expats to Americans and build solidarity for a country fending off a Russian invasion for the last two years.
Roberts embedded with a Ukrainian military unit just months after the full-scale invasion and is working on a documentary “Live Free and Do Good” about the resilience and heroism of the Ukrainian people.
A sneak peek of that documentary will be showcased Thursday followed by discussions of Roberts’ experiences in both Afghanistan and Ukraine.
The event is presented by the LSUS Veterans Resource Center.
Christus Health, a prominent faith-based global health system headquartered in Irving, Texas, has achieved a significant milestone by earning the esteemed “Great Place to Work” national certification. This recognition underscores the organization’s unwavering commitment to fostering a positive work environment and prioritizing associate satisfaction.
The certification, awarded based on feedback from current associates, reflects the dedication and care demonstrated by Christus Health employees in their daily interactions with patients and colleagues. President and CEO Ernie Sadau expressed his pride in this achievement, attributing it to the collective effort of the organization’s workforce in upholding its core values of compassion, excellence, integrity, dignity, and stewardship.
A recent survey conducted among 5,000 associates from across the organization revealed that an impressive 80% of respondents consider Christus Health to be an exceptional place to work. This surpasses the qualifying benchmark by 15 percentage points and underscores the positive workplace culture cultivated within the organization.
With over 50,000 associates and more than 60 hospitals spanning across Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, Christus Health is among the largest health systems in the country. The organization’s commitment to providing high-quality care and fostering a supportive work environment has earned it recognition as a leading healthcare provider both domestically and internationally.
Chief Human Resources Officer Kimberly King Webb highlighted the integral role played by associates in contributing to Christus Health’s success. She emphasized that the certification is a testament to the organization’s ongoing efforts to prioritize the overall employee experience and create a workplace where associates feel valued and engaged.
The Great Place to Work certification is a testament to Christus Health’s dedication to excellence in employee satisfaction and underscores its position as a leader in the healthcare industry. This achievement reaffirms the organization’s commitment to its mission of extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ to individuals in need.
Christus Health’s attainment of the Great Place to Work certification reflects its ongoing commitment to providing a supportive and fulfilling work environment for its associates. As the organization celebrates this milestone, it remains steadfast in its dedication to delivering compassionate care and serving communities with dignity and respect.
Bossier parish community college is set to host an exhilarating Slam Dunk Registration event on March 6th, inviting locals to its Bossier campus for an afternoon brimming with registration opportunities, entertainment, and basketball excitement.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, March 6th, from 3pm to 7pm, as BPCC promises a dynamic experience for both prospective students and basketball aficionados alike. Amidst the buzz, attendees will have the chance to register for courses at BPCC while soaking in the electric atmosphere of a BPCC Men’s Basketball showdown against Kilgore College, scheduled for 5:30pm.
Admission to the game comes as a complimentary treat for individuals signing up for BPCC courses. Beyond the court action, guests can savor free popcorn, engage in various games, and vie for enticing giveaways throughout the event.
Whether you’re contemplating furthering your education or seeking an enjoyable evening out, BPCC extends a warm invitation to the Slam Dunk Registration event at its Bossier campus, nestled at 6220 East Texas Street in Bossier City.
For comprehensive details on application procedures, registration deadlines, and tuition fees, eager participants can explore www.bpcc.edu/admissions or reach out to the BPCC Admissions Office at (318) 678-6004 or via email at admissions@bpcc.edu.
Susan H. Chandler August 15, 1948 — February 25, 2024 Service: Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 11am at Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport.
Gwendolyn R McDonald February 23, 1934 – February 21, 2024 Service: Thursday, February 29, 2024, 11am at the Noel Memorial United Methodist Church, Shreveport.
Rev. Robert “Steve” Casey March 9, 1950 — February 26, 2024 Service: Friday, March 1, 2024, 6pm at Rose Neath Funeral Home, Southside.
Mrs. Emaline Smith February 18, 1956 ~ February 21, 2024 Service: Saturday, March 2, 2024, 1pm at the Trinity Baptist Church, Shreveport.
Bentley Akobundu Ogoke April 22, 1958 – February 12, 2024 Service: Saturday, March 2, 2024, 1pm at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Shreveport
Gordon N Blackman January 20, 1934 — February 17, 2024 Service: Saturday, March 2, 2024, 2pm at First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport.
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)
ONE OF THE BEST: Chef Hardette Harris is a semi-finalist for a prestigious James Beard Foundation award.(Submitted Photo)
Everyone has a story.
Each week, the Shreveport-Bossier Journal’s Tony Taglavore takes to lunch a local person–someone who is well-known, influential, or successful, and asks, “What’s Your Story?”
By TONY TAGLAVORE, Journal Services
January 24th, 2024. A date — and a bath — Hardette Harris will always remember.
56 years-old and single, Hardette usually climbs in the tub at night, but fell asleep the previous evening. So, she began her Wednesday with a relaxing soak.
“I’m sitting in the bathtub and I get a text message saying to go look at the James Beard Foundation (website). I was like, ‘For what?’ I go over there and see a post from a few minutes earlier. I’m on the list. I’m like numb and stunned for the next few hours. Like, really? Really?”
“The list” revealed Hardette Harris is one of 20 semi-finalists for the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef in the South award (Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Puerto Rico). The winner will be announced June 10th. The James Beard Foundation is a nationally recognized organization which celebrates and supports the people behind America’s food culture.
“It’s a big deal,” Hardette understated.
Hardette, who is from Minden and lives in Shreveport, told me her story of a small town girl turned big-time chef, over lunch at a place of her choosing, Orlandeaux’s Cafe’. She enjoyed smothered chicken livers, mashed potatoes, a piece of catfish, and cornbread. I ate one of the best catfish po-boys I’ve ever had.
As we dined, I wondered if Chef Harris eats out with a critical pallet.
“No,” she said. “I’m just happy somebody will cook me some good food.”
As one of three children, Hardette hung around her parent’s kitchen. “My dad did a lot of the cooking. He would be in there all the time. I would help my mom. I would help my godmother. They knew I liked to cook. I would grab recipes out of their recipe box and make stuff. Back then, magazines had a recipe at the back of the magazine. There was no internet. I just liked to tinker with cooking.”
But Hardette never thought of cooking as a career, though she wanted to get a taste of what was outside of Minden.
“I knew there were other things because I watched television. I read magazines. I would become familiar with a lot of things in other places. I was like, ‘I know there’s more in this world than what I can see, and I want to see it.'”
So, after graduating from Minden High School, Hardette moved to Houston, where her sister was attending the University of Houston. Hardette worked several jobs, and was doing well, but still didn’t know what she wanted to do with the rest of her life.
That is, until she discovered the Art Institute of Houston was starting a culinary school. “I said, ‘I love cooking so much, that’s what I could do for my job. I could do that for my career.'”
Hardette applied, and was accepted. But there was one problem.
“I’m allergic to shellfish. That’s really silly. Why would I go? . . . . I just felt like if you’re going to cook, how are you going to skip over shellfish all the time?”
Hardette eventually enrolled in culinary school — two years later.
“I said, ‘That’s what I want to do. I will figure it out.'”
And she did, graduating with an associate degree in Culinary Arts.
Now what?
“I had no plans . . . . I just knew I did not want to do large-quantity cooking. I didn’t want to be a caterer, a baker, or a restaurateur. I wanted to do one-on-one cooking.”
Hardette wanted to be a private chef, cooking for a person or family (but not living with them).
Through a placement company, Hardette’s first job after graduation was cooking for a single man and his son. “He just needed breakfast and dinner. That was a full-time job . . . . I fixed fresh-squeezed juice — a healthy breakfast. He went to work and I left. I came back and had dinner ready at 6:30.”
When the man married, Hardette was hired by a family in San Antonio.
“A lot of people think the private chef experience is the opulent, wealthy family sitting around doing nothing but watching the chef cook. That’s not it. They have (a chef) as a necessity. Just like if you and I hired our own chef, it would help us out a lot. (Families) don’t have the time. And if they want to eat healthy, somebody else can cook it better than them. If it’s somebody else’s job, that person does everything. They stock the refrigerator for snacks. They get the kids’ stuff together. That’s a luxury not to have to do that.”
Hardette’s parents, while in good health, were getting older. So, in 2014, Hardette moved back home. That’s when she began promoting the food on which she grew up — North Louisiana food.
“We celebrate ham hocks and neck bones. We crumble up our cornbread in our Pot Likker and our peas . . . . It’s a cucumber, onion, and tomato salad.”
This is where I should point out that Hardette admonished me for not knowing the meaning of “Pot Likker”. If you don’t know, either, Hardette explained ‘It’s the broth from the greens.'”
In 2015, Hardette, wanting to spread the word about our cuisine to the rest of the state, wrote the official State Meal of North Louisiana. It includes the likes of a mini Natchitoches Meat Pie, Fried Catfish, Baked Ham, Collards, and Sweet Potato Pie. Thanks to Hardette, Louisiana is just the second state (Oklahoma) with an official meal.
“Everything blew up after that.”
Hardette began working with what was then the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau. She hosted “culinary experiences”, called “Us Up North.” Hardette had pop-up dinners, and cooked for tour groups visiting from all over the world.
“All of my work has been toward celebrating our food.”
Along the way, Hardette made a name for herself. She was featured in a six-page spread in Louisiana Cooking Magazine. She wrote a column for Louisiana Kitchen and Culture. In 2019, she opened a restaurant, appropriately named “Us Up North”.
But then came Covid. Also, Hardette’s parents’ health began to decline. So, her focus was taken away from her restaurant. Hardette’s mother and father are now deceased. However, Hardette is ready to devote all of her time and energy to “Us Up North” serving people on a regular basis.
But don’t think her James Beard Foundation recognition will change anything about what she cooks and how she cooks.
“I’m going to do the exact same thing I’ve been doing. This is what got me here. I’m not going to change. I’m not going to fancy it up and make it look like anything different. The only thing I have to change now is to make it more available for the people to eat.”
Knowing the chef probably had to prepare a meal for someone, or work on a new recipe, I decided it was time to ask my final question (about food). As always, what is it about her story that could be helpful to someone?
“No matter how ridiculous it sounds to others, if it makes sense to you and you see the end — sometimes you can visualize your journey — stay on that path . . . . Stay on your journey if you believe in it . . . . This can be an example to others. Never think you’re not good enough to be in the room with the best of the best.”
Speaking of being “in the room”, before we parted ways, I asked Hardette about the meaning of an event which wasn’t culinary in nature. It was my understanding she attended Barack Obama’s second Presidential inauguration in 2013.
“He was the first African-American President. Just to be there. . . . . We were waiting for hours. It was cold, cold, cold, cold. All of the sudden, you hear the crowd cheering. The motorcade is making its way. You can see it through the trees. Tears just fell, because you know you are where your ancestors could have never dreamed you could be. It was an experience I will never forget.”
That makes two experiences Chef Hardette Harris will always remember.
The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office recently released its comprehensive crime statistics for the year 2023, revealing a mix of positive and concerning trends. Both violent and property crimes experienced shifts, prompting law enforcement officials to emphasize the importance of community involvement in maintaining public safety.
According to the data, violent crimes in Bossier Parish remained relatively stable overall, with notable decreases in instances of rape, robbery, and intimidation. Sheriff Julian Whittington attributed this positive trend to proactive patrols conducted by the Joint Criminal Apprehension Team (JCAT) and focused efforts by patrol deputies in vulnerable areas. However, there was a significant increase in aggravated assault cases, which rose by 16.8% compared to the previous year.
On the other hand, property crimes in the parish saw more varied trends. While some categories like burglary experienced a modest increase of 7.7%, others such as theft from auto surged by 38.6%. The rise in property crimes, particularly in areas like shoplifting and unauthorized use, underscores the need for continued vigilance among residents and prompt reporting of suspicious activities to law enforcement.
Sheriff Whittington reassured citizens that despite minor spikes observed in specific categories, there is no cause for alarm. He highlighted that incidents like shoplifting and unauthorized use, which saw notable percentage increases, are reflective of low absolute numbers in the parish. Moreover, the Sheriff emphasized that crimes such as homicide were not random acts of violence but involved individuals known to each other.
Looking at the overall statistics, Bossier Parish experienced a slight 1.2% increase in total criminal cases compared to the previous year. However, the violent crime index remained unchanged, while the property crime index saw a modest 2.7% rise. These statistics reflect incidents in the parish and do not include those within the city or town limits of Plain Dealing, Benton, Bossier City, or Haughton.
In response to these findings, Sheriff Whittington reiterated the commitment of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office to reducing overall crime in 2024. He emphasized the importance of community partnership in achieving this goal, stating that the collaboration and support of residents, along with the diligent efforts of deputies, are crucial in creating a safer environment for all.
In conclusion, while Bossier Parish saw stable violent crime rates in 2023, the increase in certain property crimes highlights the need for continued vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement and the community to address emerging challenges and maintain public safety.
Violent Crimes:
Homicide:
2021: 1 case
2022: 0 cases
2023: 2 cases (200.0% increase from 2022)
Rape:
2021: 40 cases
2022: 53 cases
2023: 37 cases (-30.2% decrease from 2022)
Robbery:
2021: 3 cases
2022: 3 cases
2023: 1 case (-66.7% decrease from 2022)
Intimidation:
2021: 81 cases
2022: 94 cases
2023: 25 cases (-73.4% decrease from 2022)
Aggravated Assault:
2021: 95 cases
2022: 101 cases
2023: 118 cases (16.8% increase from 2022)
Property Crimes:
Burglary:
2021: 87 cases
2022: 65 cases
2023: 70 cases (7.7% increase from 2022)
Shoplifting:
2021: 4 cases
2022: 5 cases
2023: 11 cases (120.0% increase from 2022)
Theft from Auto:
2021: 75 cases
2022: 44 cases
2023: 61 cases (38.6% increase from 2022)
Unauthorized Use:
2021: 20 cases
2022: 11 cases
2023: 19 cases (72.7% increase from 2022)
Total Cases:
2021: 1088
2022: 1041
2023: 1053 (1.2% increase from 2022)
Indexes:
Violent Crime Index:
2021: 560
2022: 598
2023: 598 (0.0% change from 2022)
Property Crime Index:
2021: 528
2022: 443
2023: 455 (2.7% increase from 2022)
These statistics reflect incidents in Bossier Parish and do not include those within the city or town limits of Plain Dealing, Benton, Bossier City, or Haughton.
Positive one year results from a randomized controlled trial at Willis Knighton Health and other sites across the United States have resulted in FDA approval of Boston Scientific’s WaveWriter™ Spinal Cord Stimulator System for the treatment of nonsurgical back pain (NSBP).
John Noles, MD, of WK Spine & Pain Specialists, was principal investigator for the trial at Willis Knighton. Sub-investigators included Drs. David Hirsch, Russell Stuermann and Nancy Germany. Contributions to the study were also made by Bridget Whittington, PA-C; Emily LeBlanc, PA-C; Carmen Schaumberg, PA-C; and Samerrial Williams, FNP-C. Ryan Wilkerson is clinical research coordinator of clinical trials for WK Spine & Pain Specialists.
Spinal cord stimulation has been used for many years to treat patients who continue to have chronic and severe back and leg pain after lumbar spine surgery. “There are multiple strong studies that have proven the effectiveness of this therapy in patients who have already undergone a surgical procedure,” Dr. Noles said.
The new indication for nonsurgical back pain expands the use of WaveWriter™ Spinal Cord Stimulator to patients who have had limited options for treating their chronic lower back and leg pain. Results of the trial showed that at the end of one year, 84 percent of patients reported pain relief of 50% or more and a sustained improvement in their ability to participate in activities of daily living after receiving WaveWriter™.
The study was open to patients 18 and older who suffered from chronic back pain and had not undergone surgery. Patients were assigned either to a control group where they received conventional standard of care or to an experimental group where they received spinal cord stimulation. At the end of the three month mark, patients in the control group were able to switch over to using the WaveWriter™ device.
The WaveWriter™ is much like a pacemaker and is programmed to send out mild electrical pulses to specific nerves along the spinal cord to block pain signals before they reach the brain.
Nearly three out of 10 U.S. adults – 72.3 million – currently suffer from pack pain. Patients with chronic back pain usually receive physical therapy and medication when symptoms first begin. However, patients often stop responding to these interventions or suffer side effects and have poor long-term outcomes.
“WK Spine & Pain Specialists is proud to participate in this important study,” Dr. Noles said. “In collaboration with Boston Scientific and other leading physicians across the country, we are excited to help bring more effective therapies to our patients who are suffering with chronic low back and leg pain.”
The Shreveport Police Department has announced plans for a Seatbelt Checkpoint in the southwest region of the city on March 1, 2024. Scheduled to run from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the initiative aims to enforce Louisiana’s occupant protection laws and enhance overall traffic safety.
Chief Wayne Smith emphasized that while the primary objective is to enforce seatbelt laws, officers will also be vigilant in identifying any violations of traffic laws for the safety of both motorists and pedestrians. The initiative aligns with the department’s commitment to reducing fatalities and severe injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents.
Research consistently underscores the importance of proper seatbelt usage in minimizing harm during collisions. By conducting this checkpoint, the Shreveport Police Department aims to raise awareness and promote compliance with traffic laws, thereby creating a safer environment for everyone on the road.
Funding for the checkpoint is made possible through the support of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission’s highway safety grant, highlighting the collaborative efforts between law enforcement and state agencies to enhance traffic safety within the community.
The Shreveport Police Department urges all motorists to comply with traffic laws, including the proper use of seatbelts, not only during this checkpoint but at all times. Together, they believe they can make significant strides in creating a safer road environment for everyone.
The Shreveport Police Department recently announced a significant development in a domestic violence shooting case that occurred on February 17th. Responding to reports of a shooting at approximately 2:30 AM in the 9200 block of Wallace Lake Road, officers found a victim with a gunshot wound to the leg who had been transported to a local hospital.
Upon arrival, detectives from the Shreveport Police Domestic Violence Unit initiated an investigation into the incident. Their thorough and diligent efforts resulted in the arrest of Brekiscus Jackson, aged 51, on February 21st. Jackson faces charges, including one count of aggravated battery and one count of illegal use of a weapon, in connection with the shooting.
Fortunately, the victim is expected to make a full recovery from their injuries. The Shreveport Police Department reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents, particularly in cases of domestic violence. They urge anyone experiencing domestic violence or witnessing such incidents to seek assistance promptly.
It’s essential to note that all suspects, including Jackson, are presumed innocent until proven guilty under state law.
This arrest underscores the seriousness with which law enforcement agencies approach cases of domestic violence, aiming to provide justice for victims and prevent further harm within the community.
ATTENTIVE GENTLEMEN: The Centenary basketball team listens to coach Chris Dorsey in the closing minutes of Sunday’s 83-76 conference tournament championship win over Colorado College at the Gold Dome. (Journal photo by DOUG IRELAND)
JOURNAL SPORTS
The Centenary basketball team spent Monday basking in the glow, but looking ahead.
The Gents earned a prolonged celebration Sunday when they held off Colorado College 83-76 at the Gold Dome in the championship game of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament, punching their ticket to the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship.
The good vibes continued Monday during the lunch hour when the NCAA unveiled the 64-team tournament bracket and the Gents got to stay in their neighborhood – in fact, going back to a familiar venue, Calgaard Gym inside the Bell Center on the campus of SCAC regular-season champion Trinity in San Antonio.
Centenary will face Nebraska Wesleyan on Friday at 5:05 p.m. in the four-team regional pod. The Gents (17-11) and the Prairie Wolves (23-4) will play the first game of the day followed by Trinity (23-3) facing UT-Dallas (18-9) at approximately 7:35 Friday evening.
The winners of Friday’s games collide at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday. Centenary is making its second appearance in the NCAA Tournament and first since 2020 when the Gents lost a heartbreaker to UT-Dallas in Richardson, Texas by a score of 83-81.
Nebraska Wesleyan, located in Lincoln, Neb., won the American Rivers Conference regular-season crown but fell in overtime to Loras College in the conference tournament. Centenary and Nebraska Wesleyan will meet for the first time.
The Prairie Wolves, ranked 19th in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 poll, are making their 18th NCAA Division III Tournament appearance and have made five NCAA D3 Final Four appearances, winning the 2018 national championship and finishing as the runner-up in 1997. This will be the first time teams from the SCAC and ARC have squared off in the NCAA Tournament.
The UT-Dallas Comets earned the automatic bid from the American Southwest Conference by edging Hardin-Simmons 78-77 on Saturday. The ASC tournament championship is the fifth in program history for UT-Dallas and the first since 2019.
Despite dropping a 71-70 decision to Colorado College in Saturday’s SCAC semifinal at the Gold Dome, No. 15 Trinity earned one of 22 at-large bids into the NCAA Tournament. This will be Trinity’s 12th NCAA Tournament appearance and second in the last three years.
The bracket is based primarily on automatic qualification (AQ) granted to Centenary and 41 other conference champions, which form “Pool A.” The remaining 22 teams are selected from those teams in conferences with automatic bids that did not win their conference’s AQ and the remaining Pool B institutions (Pool C). The teams are geographically paired, whenever possible.
Sixteen sites will host four teams for first- and second-round competition Friday-Saturday. Second-round winners will advance to one of four sectional sites March 8-9. Winners of the four sectional championship games will advance to the semi-finals and finals March 14 and 16. All games, except the semifinals and finals, will be played on the campuses of competing institutions. The semifinals and finals will be held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The Gents and Tigers are joined by a third SCAC school as the University of St. Thomas Celts (20-6) earned at an-large berth and will face Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (20-6) in first round action at host California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California. Three SCAC schools will play in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995.
Four Shreveport-Bossier boys basketball teams remain in the LHSAA playoffs and all of them will play at home in the second round.
All four opponents come to the area with some kind of playoff past involving local teams.
Captain Shreve (27-5) is the No. 3 seed in Select Division I and will play No. 14 McKinley (21-10). It is the first meeting between the two schools since the 1974 quarterfinals when Shreve won in overtime 78-77. That is also the last time the Gators have won a quarterfinal and advanced to the state tournament.
Southwood (23-8) is ranked sixth in Select Division I and welcomes No. 11 Brother Martin (22-12) to the Walker Road campus. The Cowboys and Crusaders haven’t played but Brother Martin has some playoff history with teams from Shreveport-Bossier and has won them all. The Crusaders knocked off Airline in the 2005 semifinals, beat Shreve in the semifinals in 1974 and defeated Shreve (1970) and Woodlawn (1971) in the state finals.
Bossier (22-12) carries a No. 6 ranking in Non-Select Division II and will host No. 11 Opelousas (18-10). The Bearkats defeated Opelousas last year in the second round, 60-41.
No. 4 Calvary (25-8) will face off with No. 13 Episcopal (21-15) in Select Division III. The two schools played each other in the 2019 quarterfinals at Episcopal with the Knights winning 63-49.
Non-Select
Division II
(11) Opelousas (18-10) at (6) Bossier (22-12). 6:30 p.m.
Select
Division I
(14) McKinley (21-10) at (3) Captain Shreve (27-5), 5:30 p.m.
(11) Brother Martin (22-12) at (6) Southwood (23-8), 6:30 p.m.
Division III
(13) Episcopal (21-15) at (4) Calvary (25-8), 6 p.m.
BATON ROUGE – LSU head coach Jay Johnson doesn’t like to lose games, but he can accept it if the Tigers play to his standards.
But if LSU doesn’t, even in a victory, then his postgame speeches in the locker room become very pointed.
The No. 2 Tigers (7-1) went 3-1 in the four-game set over the weekend in Alex Box Stadium. LSU swept Northern Illinois with wins of 10-2 and 5-2 on Thursday and Saturday respectively and split with Stony Brook losing 5-2 on Friday and winning 18-10 on Sunday.
What peeved Johnson were the impatient at-bats taken by his team in the loss to Stony Brook followed by the win over Northern Illinois.
The Tigers managed 6 hits vs. Stony Brook but also hit 4 first pitches for outs and 2 second pitches for outs. The next day, LSU had a mere 3 hits against Northern Illinois and hit 7 first pitches for outs and 3 second pitches for outs.
“We have a brand of baseball that we play and it hasn’t been that the last two days for sure,” Johnson said after the Saturday win over Northern Illinois when he reached 100 victories faster than any LSU baseball coach in history. “What happens is guys are swinging earlier in the count when they should not be and that’s part of what we need to clean up.
“The game went nine innings, was over in (just) 2 hours and 5 minutes (actually 2:09) and it had nothing to do with the pitch clock. It made me want to vomit. It’s just very out of character.”
Apparently, the windy weather throughout the series psyched out the Tigers at the plate. Winds of 12 to 15 miles per hour blowing from left field to right field held up any hard-hit fly ball.
“You do something right (at the plate) but you don’t get the result,” Johnson said. “Then guys are searching for that hit to make up for the bad results that they got. And then they’re outside their plan and mediocre pitching takes advantage of it. And that’s not that’s not where we’re going with this thing.”
LSU batted .290 for the weekend, saved by its 17 hits in the Sunday series finale vs. Northern Illinois. Before that, the Tigers’ batting average in the first three games was .198.
“Every week, every game, we need to kind of slow down (at the plate), be within ourselves and do what we do,” said LSU outfielder Mac Bingham, who had the Tigers’ lone homer of the series to left field with a 3-run shot in Saturday’s win over Northern Illinois. “We have a lot of confidence in the dugout.”
Sophomore outfielder Paxton Kling was LSU’s best hitter in the season’s second weekend, batting .667 (6-for-9) with one homer, three RBI, five runs, six walks, three hit-by-pitches, two steals and a .789 on-base percentage. He reached base 15 times in 19 plate appearances and he completed the week by reaching base nine consecutive times.
Only two starting pitchers from the first weekend – returning righthander Thatcher Hurd and Alabama righthanded transfer Luke Holman – started in the second go-around.
And again, Holman was superb, and again Hurd struggled mightily.
Holman, who was the Crimson Tide’s Friday night starter last season, threw seven innings of two-hit shutout baseball in Saturday’s win over Northern Illinois. He struck out eight and had no walks.
“Every game, I put everything into it and try not to look ahead,” said Holman, who’s 2-0 and has an ERA of 0.00 with 18 strikeouts, 1 walk and 5 hits allowed. “It’s been very comfortable coming here. The fans are great and I kind of fit that role.”
Hurd, one of LSU’s best pitchers in last season’s NCAA tourney run to win the national championship, gave up 3 runs and 6 innings in 4.1 innings as he started in Friday’s loss to Stony Brook. He has an ERA of 9.00, allowing 11 hits and 7 runs (all earned) in two appearances.
Getting their first starts were junior lefthanded UCLA transfer Gage Jump in the series opener and returning junior lefty Javen Coleman.
Jump, returning from Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for 22 months, struck out 4, walked 1, and gave up 2 hits and 1 run (not earned) in 2.1 innings.
He threw 52 pitches (30 for strikes) after he debuted in LSU’s season-opening win over VMI on Feb. 16 when he closed out the visitors in the ninth inning on 11 pitches.
The Tigers left Monday on their road swing to Houston. They’ll play at Rice on Wednesday, then move to Minute Maid Park for three games in the Astros College Classic in three days. LSU plays No. 14 Texas on Friday at 7 p.m., UL-Lafayette on Saturday at 7 p.m., and Texas State on Sunday at 3 p.m.
“I like getting away for one weekend before conference,” Johnson said, “and I like doing it for an extended period.
“We’ll be gone for six days. That can do a lot for bonding the team. They (his players) tell me they want to play in those (big stadiums) and tell me they want to play in front of sold-out crowds, which we’re going to have on Friday and Saturday.
“We’ll see. Can you control yourself and play to your potential? I don’t know that we’re there yet. But we’re going to learn a lot about our team and about our players’ mental disposition and their poise. And that’s going to do nothing but help us regardless of how the result goes.”
Loralie Burris is an accomplished employee of City Bank & Trust with more than 25 years of experience in banking. She graduated from one of the top Universities in the Philippines and completed her bachelor’s degree in industrial psychology. She also completed an associate degree in general studies and graduated with honors in the United States.
Loralie has established her career as a Vice President-Branch Manager for Caddo-Bossier. She has a well-crafted reputation as a dedicated Christian, daughter, wife, sister, and leader in all aspects of her life.
Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, working out, reading, traveling with her husband Charles, and spending time with her puppy, Sparkle.
Shreveport Police Department is actively seeking assistance from the public to locate Jimmy Mills, aged 47, wanted for first-degree rape, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm with obliterated serial numbers.
If you possess any information regarding Mills’ whereabouts, please contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300 #3. Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373. Remember, Crime Stoppers values your information, not your identity.
First-degree rape involves non-consensual sexual intercourse under various circumstances, including resistance by force, threat of bodily harm, or victim incapacitation.
Conviction could result in life imprisonment without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. However, it’s essential to remember that the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Shreveport police are intensifying efforts to locate Demond Baber, a 22-year-old suspect wanted in connection with a heartbreaking incident that resulted in the death of a one-year-old child. The tragedy unfolded on February 11 in the 500 block of East Stoner, sending shockwaves through the community.
Authorities have identified Demond Baber as a key suspect in the shooting and have issued a warrant for his arrest on one count of second-degree murder. While strides have been made in the investigation, with the apprehension of suspects Laterrion Watts and Deanthony Griffin, Baber remains at large.
Chief Wayne Smith of the Shreveport Police Department issued a plea to the public, urging anyone with information on Baber’s whereabouts to step forward immediately. Such cooperation is deemed crucial in ensuring that justice prevails for the innocent victim and their grieving family.
It’s important to remember that Baber, like any suspect, is innocent until proven guilty. However, the urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as the search for closure and accountability continues in the wake of this devastating loss.
The community is called upon to rally together, assisting law enforcement in their quest to bring Baber to justice and provide solace to those affected by this senseless act of violence. With unity and cooperation, there is hope that the perpetrator will be swiftly brought to face the consequences of their actions, offering a semblance of peace to a community in mourning.
