It is with great sadness that the family of Wade Bradford, Jr. of Grand Cane, LA, born August 26, 1948, announce his passing at the age of 77 on November 16, 2025.

Jr. was formerly of Jonesboro, LA He was a 1966 graduate of Jonesboro Hodge High School. He attended LA Tech for several years but decided to go to work for Continental Can Paper Mill in Hodge until his retirement.

Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, Wade and Katie Jane Bradford and brother Phillip Bradford all of Jonesboro, LA.

He is survived by his sister, Anita Worthington and husband Ramon of Grand Cane, LA and a sister-in-law, Karen Bradford of Jonesboro, LA. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Jr. was his Mother’s caretaker for nearly ten years after she suffered a massive stroke. He provided love, patience, and excellent care until her death in 2010.

Jr. loved to fish, hunt, and enter his dogs in hog baying competitions. He never met a stranger and was kind to everyone.

A private celebration of his life will be held by close family members in the near future. Rest in peace, dear brother. You will be forever missed.

Phonetic: /ˈsesəl,ˈseˌsīl/
Part of Speech: adjective

Definition

Caddo Schools Superintendent Keith Burton recognized Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School student Heaven Cabrera as the district’s November Student Leader of the Month.

Cabrera, an eighth grader, was honored for her resilience, compassion, and strong leadership both in and out of the classroom. Superintendent Burton noted that her personal experiences — including supporting her younger brother, who has autism, and standing by her father during his battle with cancer — have shaped her into a determined and empathetic young leader.

In addition to her academic interests in psychology and law, Cabrera is a multi-sport athlete who competes in softball, basketball, and track. School officials say she approaches every challenge with curiosity, dedication, and a desire to understand and support others.

Cabrera was celebrated for her growth, service to others, and commitment to excellence. The district encouraged the community to join in congratulating her on the recognition.

The Commission for Women of Bossier City welcomed its mentees to City Hall this week for a full day of learning focused on public safety agencies and city government operations.

Participants received a comprehensive tour of all departments and were formally introduced during the Bossier City Council meeting. Throughout the day, the young women heard from several leaders in city government and public safety, including Chief Administrative Officer Amanda Nottingham, Metropolitan Planning Commission Director Carlotta Askew Brown, City Marshal Chief Shelly Anderson, and female police officers and firefighters.

Speakers encouraged the mentees to work hard, stay engaged, and pursue opportunities that strengthen their future leadership potential. City officials said they value the annual visit and look forward to welcoming the group each year as part of ongoing efforts to inspire civic involvement among young women in the community.

When one thinks of Johnny’s Pizza House, the rectangle pizza slices, the always fresh toppings, or the boy on the pizza box could come to mind.

But for most, the founder Johnny Huntsman and his energy and charisma are front and center. The West Monroe High graduate discovered pizza during his college football days at Graceland University in Iowa, working for a classmate’s small pizza shop that the head football coach eventually bought. Huntsman brought this new fangled pizza – almost no one in Louisiana had eaten or even heard of the food – to Monroe in 1967 in a converted washeteria across the street from then-Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM).

Encouraged by people’s reaction to his pizza when Huntsman baked it for family and friends, the first store with just three parking spots served as a launching pad for the now-unmistakable Johnny’s brand of pizza.

The “only link in the world’s smallest pizza chain” was born.

Designer pizzas like “Sweep the Kitchen” (11 different toppings like sausage, peppers, mushrooms) to “Sweep the Swamp” (seasonal pizza with crawfish, shrimp and andouille) along with the restaurant’s execution of more traditional pizza styles has taken hold of tastebuds across the state and region through the past 50 years.

The journey to nearly 50 store locations across three states hasn’t always been rosy, but Huntsman’s magnetic personality pushed the brand through good times and bad.

Following a bankruptcy roughly 20 years into the operation, Huntsman regrouped and relaunched, including famously wearing nothing but a hat, barrel, suspenders and shoes to promote his one-of-a-kind pizza on street corners in the area with his sign “Please Eat at Johnny’s.”

Johnny’s Pizza House is more than just the magic of its founder, who died in 2017 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

When contemplating the future of Johnny’s Pizza House, Huntsman decided in 2000 to offer employees stock in the company through the Employee Stock Ownership Program.

He credited the hard work of his employees for the company’s success, especially through those hard times, and he wanted that sweat equity to be rewarded by more than just pay and other common benefits.

In just three years, employees owned more than 50 percent of the company and now own 100 percent today.

Current CEO Melvin DeLacerda embodies that sweat equity, starting with the company as a high schooler in its early days and became a close personal friend of Huntsman’s as he worked his way through the ranks.
The personal and community connection of Johnny’s Pizza House, in addition to its superb menu that’s expanded from just pizza into muffalettas and desserts among other categories, buoys the brand against national pizza competitors that have lower prices.

Most of the 50 stores are located in North Louisiana – Shreveport leads the way with seven stores – but many in this half of the state have their own Johnny’s memories.

Whether it’s playing an arcade game next to the buffet in the restaurant after a little league game or serving Johnny’s at Super Bowl parties or other family celebrations, Johnny’s has earned a place in North Louisiana food and culture.

A place that also lives on through its current and former employees, some of whom attended college and bettered their lives and their communities with help from the guy in the barrel. part of your article here…

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office wrapped up its first six-week Prime Time Family Reading program on Nov. 16, marking a successful effort to bring families together and promote youth literacy.

The program was led by the department’s Community Relations and Crime Prevention unit in partnership with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities. Families gathered each week to read together, participate in guided discussions, and share healthy meals provided by community partners.

Door prizes were awarded throughout the program, culminating in a grand prize drawing for a 32-inch television, won by Brandon Taylor.

Sheriff’s officials said the program strengthened community connections and encouraged a love of reading among young participants. A second session is planned for the spring.

By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine

The first week of the LHSAA football playoffs weeded out the brackets and produced some upsets, none more convincing than Captain Shreve pounding Hammond on the road. All six Shreveport-Bossier teams still going might make it to Thanksgiving-week practices – I expect four will.

In Select Division I, eighth-seeded Evangel Christian (8-2) hosts No. 9 St. Paul’s (9-2) from Covington, who I’ve seen in person. The Wolves are a dangerous young team with a good running game led by Cody Morales (5-11, 198), a tough kid, hard to tackle with football speed. The offensive line averages about 270 pounds and must establish ball control for young coach Kenny Sears Jr., a former Northwestern Demon quarterback and son of the Wolves’ former coach. 

The Wolves have a pretty good front seven anchoring their defense. The key to the game is keeping the Eagles’ superb junior QB, Pop Houston, from having a 400-yard passing game.

I like Evangel Christian to advance, but it might be closer than what most people might think because of St. Paul’s ability to keep the ball longer than most of ECA’s opponents. Evangel will also need to run away from defensive tackle Gage Brown (6-2, 280). He is the real deal as a pass rusher and run stopper going sideline to sideline.

Last week, 20^th-seeded Captain Shreve upset a really good 13^th-seeded Hammond team – blew them away, actually, by 40 points in a Select D-I mismatch. Hats off to Gators’ coach Jeremy Wilburn and his staff — they did a great job. Shreve (7-4) will travel to No. 4 Catholic of Baton Rouge and play at Memorial Stadium.

Catholic relies more than usual this year on the run game. The Bears have two really good running backs and a quick, tough defense.

Captain Shreve needs a great game from star RB Jamarcea “Champ” Plater (5-9, 195) who is the real deal. His understudy, junior Gabe Lockett, had a big game last week and gives Shreve a great 1-2 punch along with an explosive passing game loaded with talented receivers.

The Gators’ defense has to come up with some stops and get off the field because the Bears thrive on eight-minute drives behind the talent they have at RB. Catholic is hard to pick against but if the Shreve D can make some plays and the offense dials up another big night and controls the ball, the Gators could shock everybody.

In Non-Select Division I, sixth-seeded Parkway (10-1) will host No. 11 Hahnville (9-2) after putting up 51 points on a good Covington team last week. Hahnville will present more of a challenge as a better opponent in all three phases — defense, special teams and offense. I like Parkway here but it should be a close game with the Panthers’ defense making the difference. Hahnville has one of the state’s best kicker/punter in Myles Borey, who averages over 40 yards per punt and gives his team a chance to score inside the 40 like Byrd’s Asher Murray.

In Select Division II, No. 13 Booker T. Washington (7-4) travels to Baton Rouge to face fourth-seeded University Lab (8-2). The Lions’ key to this game is finding a way to score at least 24 to 27 points. U-High will present a challenge with a very good defense. The Cubs have talent but you can score on this team and BTW has the capability with its spread offense. Outside of big time defensive end/tackle Lamar Brown (6-3, 305), who is committed to LSU, the Cubs’ defense is very young. A Lions’ win would be a shocker but there is a path.

Select D-II’s No. 2 seed, Loyola Prep (9-1), will unleash its high-powered offense against a surprise team from Baton Rouge, 18^th-seeded Belaire (6-5). Loyola has the goods to put up 40-50 points at Messmer Stadium on Friday, but must avoid turnovers. Belaire has athletes who can score, but the Flyers should move on to the quarterfinals.

Sixth-seeded Calvary Baptist (9-1) begins its Select Division III playoff run at home against No. 11 Metairie Country Day (7-4). The Cajuns put up 56 points in their first-round game and they have athletes but I think if the Cavaliers play their game, controlling the football, they should win by at least two touchdowns.

Country Day has a talented young team but this will be its toughest out of district game of the season. Calvary plays a very impressive non-district schedule to get ready for this time of year and few coaches do it better than Rodney Guin and his staff.

Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com

(Lee Brecheen is the longtime publisher of Louisiana Football Magazine, covering all of the state’s high school teams each year since 1997.  He’s been tracking high school recruits since 1992. Free content can be found at the website lafootballmagazine.com. Lee hosts a podcast with guests from around the state — The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen, available on YouTube).

JOURNAL SPORTS

The second round of the LHSAA football playoffs will have an active local slate Friday night with four of the six Shreveport-Bossier teams still kicking getting to tee it up at home.

Evangel, Loyola and Calvary Baptist begin postseason after enjoying first-round byes last Friday. Parkway recovered from an early 10-0 deficit and cracked visiting Covington 51-30 to earn another game at Preston-Crownover Stadium.

Booker T. Washington makes a familiar playoff journey down south, but this time, on the strength of a first-round playoff win. Captain Shreve is back on the bus following an impressive rout at Hammond last week.

The local slate of second-round LHSAA playoff games:

NON-SELECT

Division I

No. 11 Hahnville (9-2) at No. 6 Parkway (10-1)

SELECT

Division I

No. 9 St. Paul’s (9-2) at No. 8 Evangel (8-2)

No. 20 Captain Shreve (7-4) at No. 4 Catholic-B.R. (8-2)

Division II

No. 13 Booker T. Washington (7-4) at No. 4 University (8-2)

No. 18-Belaire (6-5) at No. 2 Loyola (9-1)

Division III

No. 11 Country Day (7-4) at No. 6 Calvary (9-1)

By MATT VINES, LSUS Communications, and DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

NATCHITOCHES – “It was the whole world.”

That’s how Josh Fortenberry, who played at LSU Shreveport two decades ago, described the impact of the Pilots’ 59-0 national championship baseball season Tuesday night.

He was in the audience as six LSUS coaches and players talked about their incredible 2025 during an interactive program at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum.

No college baseball team at any level had finished unbeaten. As the Pilots discussed their perfect season and shared behind-the scenes memories and reflections, they were also soaking in the honor of being spotlighted alongside the state’s greatest sports legends in the 12-year-old museum housing a Hall of Fame dating back to 1958 and covering 170 years of sports history.

“It’s awesome,” said Canadian first baseman Austin Gomm, one of 20 seniors on last spring’s team and now a graduate assistant coach. “I look around and see big names I’ve heard of; I see the Atlanta Braves’ World Series ring. That was really cool, too.”

“It really is a special feeling seeing all the legends around here,” said pitcher Calvin Shepherd. “I saw Nick Saban’s championship rings, all the Pete Maravich stuff, and many others. Just to be in the same building, the same area as all that, it’s a surreal feeling.”

The unprecedented perfection has earned the Pilots a mind-blowing series of experiences. Head coach Brad Neffendorf said one that continues, and is especially gratifying, is how local folks repeatedly congratulate and thank him and the team.

“They’re so great about it, saying what this has done in athletics and for our city, has been unbelievable,” he said.

“I don’t care if it’s us who does it – I’m glad it is – or the Mudbugs, or Centenary, Bossier Parish … it doesn’t matter. It’s about what it does to impact everybody around you, and that’s what we’re trying to do with our baseball program.”

From having a police escort coming into Shreveport all the way to the LSUS campus on the trip home from the NAIA World Series, to being cheered by a thousand admirers at a downtown rally, and lately, on epic trips to Washington, D.C. and Natchitoches, the Pilots are still on a joy ride now into its sixth month.

“Every day I wake up and I think about it at least once,” said pitcher Calvin Sheppard, “like, ‘oh, man, we went 59-0 and have gotten to do all these incredible things, like go to the White House and come down to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.’

“Maybe one day it’ll feel like real life,” he said, “but that day hasn’t happened yet.”

Tuesday’s event commemorated the season and unveiled the LSUS baseball exhibit on the second floor of the museum, next to a Kim Mulkey display case, and not far from an exhibit featuring Louisiana baseball legends including local superstars Vida Blue, Todd Walker and Albert Belle and others such as Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock.

Many national championships have been claimed by state sports teams. Only a handful are showcased in the Hall of Fame. As of Tuesday night, the Pilots are there.

To steal a phrase from President Donald Trump during the team’s White House visit in October – “59-0? What the hell is that?”

While memories of the season filled the program moderated masterfully by Shreveport sportswriter Roy Lang III, the audience heard what the Pilots thought made them so remarkably unique in sports history.

“Our guys didn’t care about anything but being together,” said Neffendorf. “They had unbelievable energy, and guys like our shortstop Jose Sallorin, the energy he brought to the table every day is why we were able to develop so dang well together and play together as one unit.

“To use the word dominant – we did that because we dominated every day, and that’s because of the players. We (coaches) didn’t talk to them before games last year. They ran with everything and they balanced everything.”

What defined this team?

“Being good people, I think, was the biggest part,” said Gomm. “Nobody wants to be around a bad person. I think we had over 40 guys who were great guys. It was fun to do it with them.”

“If I described that team and all the people, it would be one word – family,” said Sallorin, a Venezuelan who is also now a GA coach. “We won it as a family, my brothers, and that gave us what we needed. We supported each other.”

“There was a bond you can’t really describe,” said pitcher Brock Lucas. “Everybody was close.”

“The biggest thing was the selflessness of the team,” said pitcher David Hankins. “Everybody cared more about their teammates’ success over their own.”

They shared superstitions that extended through the spring, and generated plenty of laughs – including Sallorin ribbing assistant coach Jordan Schwellenbach about almost conquering a postgame challenge at the World Series by rapidly finishing a stack of eight cheeseburgers and four orders of fries, along with a giant milkshake.

“He didn’t get the milkshake done,” said Neffendorf.

“59 and 1,” cracked Lang.

The history books aren’t closed yet.

The 59-game winning streak can be extended when the preseason No. 1 Pilots open their next season Jan. 23 at home against Tabor College, the beginning of a three-game series.

Tabor is the team that played LSUS the closest in 2025 as the Pilots needed three ninth-inning runs to secure an 8-7 walk-off win.

LSUS brings in 28 new players to mix with 14 returners, among them Hankins, who said the priority this fall has been to share the established culture with the newcomers.

“Trying to replicate an undefeated season is kind of crazy,” Hankins said. “With all the new guys we brought in, trying to teach them how we do things, there’s a very specific way of how we practice and play.

“Everything we do, we do our way. It’s not easy to learn if you’re just coming into it. We’re getting them on board and having that common goal.”

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com and Matt at matt.vines@lsus.edu

By BRAD WELBORN, Northwestern State Sports Information

NATCHITOCHES — There are Senior Nights, and then there are Senior Nights that feel like turning a page. 
For the group of 12 Northwestern State seniors who will jog onto the Turpin Stadium turf one last time tonight, the moment is something more than ceremonial, it’s a celebration of endurance, belief and the foundation they’ve steadfastly laid for what comes next. 

The Demons (1-10, 0-7) close the regular season against rival and newly crowned Southland Conference champion Stephen F. Austin (9-2, 7-0) at 6:30 p.m. The game will stream on ESPN+.

The seniors being honored represent a bridge to what the future holds for the program. Some have lived through years most teams only ever read about, coaching changes, shutdowns, heartbreak and the brutal grind of starting over. Yet the common thread is that they stayed. 

“We’ve got a handful of these seniors that were here before we got here, and I think they can be as proud of their time at Northwestern State as anybody in the history of the school,” second-year head coach Blaine McCorkle said. “That may sound crazy because they haven’t had the success they deserved, but what they’ve endured, all of those things that no program has had to deal with before. When this thing gets going, they can look back knowing they’re the group that stuck it out through the roughest time. They ought to be as proud as anybody who has ever played here.” 

A few, like Jeremiah Bodwin, Caesar Magee III and Matthew Broad, carried the weight of the doldrums of the program following the shutdown of the 2023 season. Others arrived with nothing but trust.  
 
Ty Moore, Cam George, Guadalupe Cedillo, Ryan Tyler and Landry Huddleston are among the first wave that believed McCorkle’s vision before it had a record behind it. They wanted to build, knowing full well they were starting from the ground floor. 

For Moore, however, there was a little more than just belief – it was legacy. His mother, Janice Miller Moore, is an N-Club Hall of Famer in track and field. His father, Glenn Moore, played football for NSU’s 1988 Southland Conference champions before becoming one of college softball’s winningest coaches with more than 1,000 wins entering his 26th year as Baylor’s softball coach in 2026. 

“It’s been awesome being here and playing here,” Ty Moore said. “Carrying on my parents’ legacy means a lot. A lot of my family are big supporters of this place, and them getting to come watch me play has been really fun.” 

Through two tough years, Moore never doubted what the future could look like, and what he has had a hand in building.  

“You can already see the upward trend our team is taking,” he said. “It’s exciting that in a few years I’ll be able to come back and support great seasons ahead. I’ll always know I was part of turning things around. Sometimes hard work isn’t rewarded right away — but that doesn’t mean it isn’t coming.” 
 
After missing three games due to injury, the tight end/wide receiver has had five catches for 172 yards and a touchdown in the past two games. Three of his five catches have gone for more than 25 yards. 

George’s journey has had its own layers. He battled injuries. He faced the fear and uncertainty of his mother’s March cancer diagnosis. And somehow, it all sharpened his purpose instead of breaking it. 

“I think that no matter the outcome, as a man, you should always fight and go to work,” George said. “Always getting better. That’s something Coach McCorkle has preached to us. Showing up every day and giving your all to get better.” 

The lessons, he said, reached far beyond football. 

“It challenged me in a positive way,” George said. “I was able to really look at myself and see some things that I needed to work on and things I could get better at in the future that are going to make me a better person. The culture here has allowed me to grow into that leadership role. That person that can go out and impact a group of people.” 

Even though wins have been scarce for the Class of 2025 the standard for the rebuild has never slipped. 

“We say it all the time, being a Demon means we fight until the end,” George said. “No matter what’s going on, we put our best foot forward and show up.” 

That’s what sits at the core of the final game for this class. Not a record. Not a score. A group of young men who kept showing up long enough to push the program forward, even when no one outside the locker room could see it yet. 

“This is a unique group with a unique perspective,” McCorkle said. “When we start winning,  and we will, they’re going to take so much pride knowing they helped lay that foundation.” 

And for one more night, the field they helped steady will be theirs. 

With political unrest festering across the world, it may be difficult to even think about finding fun things to do. Nasty stuff is going on that is causing us to focus on just keeping our heads above water and doing our best not to let negatives take over. It’s time to think about relaxing and calming activities, things like hunting and fishing.

Deer season is going full swing in Louisiana and scores of hunters are relaxing and enjoying just being out in the woods and at least for a little while becoming one with nature.

Then there is fishing. Although bluegills have slowed down quite a bit here in early November, other species are still going strong. Bass fishermen are enjoying the thrill of playing games with their favorite fish. One of the more popular species is crappie. With weather transitioning from hot to warm; from cool to cold, what is the best way to find and catch these popular fish that are now on the move?

Louisiana Tech graduate Jerry Thompson, founder and owner of Living The Dream Guide Service on Toledo Bend, knows that to provide success and ample action to satisfy the one thing that keeps him in business, that being his customers, his guides have to keep up with the crappie as they make their move from where they were a month ago to where they are now and where they’ll be a month from now.

“As water temperatures slowly drop, crappie are making their move. They are pretty much gone from the brush piles that attracted them all summer as they make their way to their
winter habitat in the deeper channels. To be honest, fishing is generally tougher until they get to where they’ll be spending the winter,” Thompson said.

Thompson said that anytime they start migrating, there are certain areas along the migration route that his guides target.

“We’ll start picking up fish around the bridges and points. You won’t catch the numbers you would when in summer the fish are bunched up around brush. You pick up a few in one spot and move to another to catch a few more. Our guides just keep on the move to pick up some here and there but we have found that this time of year, the crappie we catch tend to be larger,” he said.

Thompson started his guide service 25 years ago on Toledo Bend at the urging of some friends he had taken fishing, who saw the potential he had to make such a venture pay off.

“This February 25 years ago, I bit the bullet, sold everything I owned, bought me an old 30-foot travel trailer. I set myself up to be able to make it a couple of years just to see if I could make it work. I actually came to Toledo Bend to guide bass fishermen because fishing for bass was my first love. It didn’t take me long to realize there was a market for guiding crappie fishermen,” Thompson continued.

“I decided to give it a shot, bought an old pontoon boat and started taking groups of people. Crappie fishing was the key to our having the success we are now experiencing.

“It went from a dream to what we have today,” he said. “It’s pretty awesome to actually be doing something you envisioned and seeing it work out the way it has. This is why the name of my business, Living The Dream Guide Service, is so appropriate; it’s pretty awesome.”

To reach Thompson, email him at ltdguideservice@gmail.com.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

Walter Fair Johnson, III, 78, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of November 17, 2025. Born in Mansfield, Louisiana on June 17, 1947, he spent his life serving God, his family and the people of Northwest Louisiana with integrity, steadiness and a deep sense of duty.

Growing up as a farm boy in Mansfield, “Walter Fair” as he was called, learned how to work hard, tend the land and offer his service to his community. These deep-rooted values would follow him the rest of his life as he developed as a young man. He rode horses, hunted, preached to the congregation of First Baptist Mansfield, became an Eagle Scout and played the saxophone in the high school band.

At Louisiana Tech University, he studied accounting and served as the Vice President, then the President of the Student Union. He was elected to the select “Who’s Who” of American Colleges and joined ROTC. He completed his 4 years of ROTC and became a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, paving the way for his eventual entrance to law school at LSU in Baton Rouge on the GI bill.

Walter Fair married Sissy in the summer of 1970 and they started a family all while fulfilling his military duties and starting law school. After he graduated, Walter Fair returned home to begin advocating for his clients – the work he would continue tirelessly for the rest of his life. He practiced law in Shreveport for more than forty years, focusing on wills, family successions and the land and mineral matters tied to Louisiana’s oil and natural gas fields. Families across the region relied on his guidance and he built a career marked by trust, clarity and a quiet consistency of character.

Walter Fair is survived by his wife and life-long love of 55 years, Elizabeth “Sissy” Waller Johnson, and their four children: Walter F. Johnson, IV, Elizabeth Noel Johnson, Erin Johnson Bailey & her husband Adam Bailey and Andrew Hollis Johnson. His grandchildren are Ava Johnson, Madison Johnson, Arabella Bailey and Scarlett Bailey.

Faith shaped his life in every moment. He started each morning with prayer, praise and the Word of God because he believed in its power to guide him as he led his family. A recognized “Church Father,” Walter Fair was an active participant and elder in his beloved church home, Christian Center of Shreveport. He taught childrens’ Sunday school and led the weekly communion. He faithfully served and rarely missed a gathering. He cared for his church family with the same humility, dependability, and commitment he brought to his Johnson family.

Walter Fair leaves behind a legacy of service, devotion and sacrificial love-felt by the many lives he impacted over the decades. “Pop” as his family called him, was a gatherer of people; Holidays, lunches, birthdays…no occasion was “too small” to celebrate in his eyes! He was exceedingly generous and always a quiet, kind presence in the background. Never showy or proud, he modeled what it meant to be a moral and upright Christian man and true “Southern Gentleman.”

Walter Fair loved LSU Tiger football, Geauxsicles (his daughter Erin’s creation), making pancakes on Saturday mornings for his grandkids, fixing all things broken (including people!) and doting on Sissy. Walter Fair gave of himself. He was genuine. His deepest desire was for all to know the saving love of Jesus Christ.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Christian Center of Shreveport” for the Children’s Playground fund.”

A service celebrating the life of Mr. Xavier Green will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Good Samaritan Funeral Home located at 2200 Laurel Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71103.
Family Hour will be held on Friday, November 21, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Good Samaritan Funeral Home.
Mr. Green will be laid to rest following the service at Lincoln Memorial Park located at 6915 W 70th Street, Shreveport, Louisiana 71129.

No surprise that the uber-accomplished Terry Bradshaw has a new book.

A former No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft out of Louisiana Tech (and Shreveport’s Woodlawn High), Bradshaw’s been a champion throwing both a javelin and a football. Appeared with major roles in hit movies. Been in several television shows. Recorded six albums. Had his own TV talk show. Been co-host of FOX NFL Sunday since its inception in 1994.

Most recently, he’s starred in The Terry Bradshaw Show, an appropriately named Branson-type entertainment stage affair that’s traveled the land.

And this less-than-shocking news: HBO’s working on a Bradshaw documentary. True story.

Guy’s like a 15-tool player. Can still make all the throws.

And the latest one is his newest book — but it’s not set on the football field. It’s more important than that. Much, much more important.

It’s about food.  

It’s The Bradshaw Family Cookbook, a tastefully done joy filled with dozens of recipes and photography that borders on delicious. If only the thing were scratch-and-sniff…

You can buy the book at your regular book-buying locations of course, but you can also get one autographed by the author — well, one of them, Terry — Tuesday, November 25 from 3-5 p.m. at Origin Bank-Downtown Ruston, 400 North Trenton Street in Ruston. The $50 donation will get you a book and a digital photo, processed on site, with Terry while he signs your book. Proceeds go to the University where Bradshaw quarterbacked and became, thanks to the pen of the late and legendary Ruston-based sportswriter Buddy Davis, The Blonde Bomber.

Space is limited, so fans (and grocery eaters) are encouraged to register for the Bradshaw Cookbook Experience at www.LATechSports.com/cookbook.

A brief book review, while you enjoy a Spinach Bacon Sports Ball, (page 128):

You meet not only the Bradshaws but also their kitchen and pantry. No locker room here.

From there, Team Bradshaw takes you through a play sheet that includes Breakfasts and Brunches, Starters and Snacks, Grilling and Smoking, potlucks and sweets and salads and sides. You’ll meet Nannie’s Cornbread Dressing, Pappy’s Midnight Spoon, Keller’s Granny Smith Apple Turnovers, Poppa Hester’s Savory Herb Pimento Cheese, and Terry’s Legendary Bradshaw Beans.

Dozens of recipes, as distant as Asian-Inspired Sticky Finger Ribs, South of the Border Lasagna, and German Country Potato Salad, and as close as Louisiana Coconut Crème Pie.

Grandpa “What’s for supper!?” Jones from the old Hee-Haw TV show would be jealous.

The book is dedicated to his kitchen-whiz grandmother, “Hoodie Baby,” a precious woman who must have smelled like bacon grease and flour and grandkids. God bless her.

It took some research help from my sports-oriented friend Kyle and his priceless young daughter Kendall, but we uncovered some recipes that did not make the book. Leftovers, you might say. (Meghan, the wife/mom of that duo, could not help because she was actually, well, working. Or maybe cooking supper.) Look for these in The

Bradshaw Family Cookbook, Re-Heated.

BBQ Pitts(burgh)

Chicken Terry-aki

Pitts-Burgers

Terrible Fowls

Supper Bowls

Ground Chuck Noll Burgers

Black and Gold Gouda Burgers

Red and Blue Braised Bruised Ribs

Jack Ham Sandwiches

Mean Joe Mustard Greenes

Fly Pattern Pasta

Shoot the Gap Stewed Okra

FrancoFurters

Mike Webster Center-Cut Sirloin

Steel Curtain Flank Steak

Woodlawn Wontons

Circle 12 Ranch Stew and Fixins’

Lynn Swann Soufflé

Bulldog Puppy Mix (Chex, pretzels, nuts, and powdered sugar is involved)

Don’t Get Sacked! Sushi

Lambright Lamb Chops

The Immaculate Collection (Roast, Taters, Beans, Gravy, and Locker Room Yeast Rolls)

Three Rivers Root Beer.

How do they taste? They all taste like winning. We give it Four (Super Bowl) Stars.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Gov. Jeff Landry announced on Nov. 18 that Louisiana is the first state in the country to receive federal approval of its final proposal to deploy $1.355 billion in Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding. The approval marks a major milestone for Louisiana’s GUMBO 2.0 program, moving the state closer to connecting every parish with reliable, high-speed internet. The plan also supports long-term growth in the workforce, education, healthcare, and innovation.

“This is a generational investment that places Louisiana at the forefront of America’s tech transformation. I would like to thank President Trump, Secretary Lutnick, and our congressional delegation for making this possible,” said Gov. Jeff Landry. “By focusing on efficiency and accountability, Louisiana is leading the way in deploying infrastructure, creating jobs, and preparing our country to win the future. I also want to thank Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director for ConnectLA, and his team for doing a great job and leading the way for broadband efforts in the country.”

“I commend Louisiana for being the first state to receive full approval of their BEAD Final Proposal, bringing the state even closer to universal connectivity,” said NTIA Administrator Arielle Roth. “The state broadband office’s efforts to rein in excessive costs, use diverse technologies, and collaborate effectively with the private sector demonstrate the Benefit of the Bargain reforms in action. We can’t wait to see shovels in the ground and every Louisianan finally connected.”

“With this approval, we can shift from planning to putting shovels in the ground in the next several weeks,” said Veneeth Iyengar, Executive Director of ConnectLA. “This plan is built to help Louisiana families, schools, and small businesses stay connected, and we’re focused on making sure every dollar delivers real results for our communities. In the first 100 days of Governor Landry’s administration, he stressed to our office how critical it is that we solve the digital divide, and we are grateful for his leadership and continued support in making this happen. We are also grateful to Secretary Lutnick and his leadership team at Commerce and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration for quickly approving our plans.”

Louisiana’s approved proposal outlines a strategy to:

• Connect approximately 130,000 unserved and underserved locations across the state
• Partner with 14 internet service providers, with nearly 70% of awards going to Louisiana-based companies
• Support the creation of 8,000 to 10,000 new jobs and generate $2 billion to $3 billion in revenue for Louisiana businesses

A Shreveport man accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with an underage girl pleaded guilty as charged after the first witness started to testify against him in Caddo District Court Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

The six-man, six-woman jury in District Judge Ramona Emanuel’s court had just started to hear testimony when Leangelo Ardison, 22, changed his plea to guilty. He will return to court for sentencing January 6, 2026.

Ardison was charged with a single felony count of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Between August and October 2024, Ardison engaged in a sexual relationship with the 15-year-old victim, initially through Instagram. The girl’s mother caught Ardison with the child and turned Ardison in to the Shreveport Police Department. The girl was taken to the Gingerbread House where she admitted Ardison started a relationship with her knowing she was underage.

At sentencing, Ardison faces up to 10 years in prison with or without hard labor and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

Assistant District Attorneys Fernando Grider Jr. and Kodie K. Smith prosecuted Ardison. He was defended by Royal Alexander, Dave Knadler and Silver Sanders.

The case was Docket No. 404627.

A Caddo Parish man accused of killing one person and trying to kill another after an argument two years ago pleaded guilty Monday, November 17, 2025, in Caddo District Court.

Jadaveun Devon Dillard of Oil City, 21, was sentenced early Tuesday, November 18, 2025, for the acts that killed C’Aundre Anderson, 21, and wounded Cuviondrick Anderson outside of their residence in Vivian on September 10, 2023.

District Judge Chris Victory sentenced Dillard to 40 years in prison for the manslaughter conviction and to 30 years for the attempted second-degree murder. The terms are to be served at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence, and are to run concurrently. The sentences were approved by the families of both victims.

Assistant District Attorneys Bill Edwards and Victoria Washington prosecuted Dillard. He was defended by Richard “T-Dale” Wolbert.

The case was Docket No. 397506.

Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation, in partnership with UnitedHealthcare, will host a Turkey & Ham Giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 22 starting at 11 a.m. and continuing while supplies last. The event will take place at the Oil City Community Center, located at 310 Savage St. in Oil City.

Families are invited to receive a turkey or ham at no cost as part of the parish’s ongoing efforts to support the community during the holiday season. All items will be frozen, and the giveaway will continue until supplies run out.

For additional information, contact Mary Murphy at (319) 220-6294.

Preachers read. I read because I’m not very smart—and because I’m terrified of being boring. Let’s be honest: some sermons are so dull they could be used as sleep aids. I’ve heard paint dry with more enthusiasm. Sorry, colleagues, but we might be the reason folks choose brunch over the Body of Christ.

Jesus told stories that made people lean in, not nod off. So, I read, hunt, and scavenge for stories that make the Gospel feel like a live wire, not a library whisper.

The other day, I went trolling for a story in one of my Bible commentaries. I glanced at my shelf and noticed something odd. One of the volumes looked… moist. Not “anointed” moist. Just suspiciously soggy. The one next to it looked like it had been baptized by a leaky roof. I thought, “Well, that’s interesting. Maybe the Holy Spirit is hydrating my theology.”

I pulled the books down and—surprise!—termites. Not just a few. A full-blown theological buffet. These bugs had eaten the entire guts out of two volumes. I mean, they didn’t just nibble—they feasted. Paper to termites is what McDonald’s fries are to me: irresistible, regrettable, and always followed by a need for repentance.

My preacher friends had a field day. One said, “Well, at least they were feasting on the Word.” Another asked, “Were they Old Testament termites? Maybe they skipped the New Testament because they couldn’t handle grace.” Someone else suggested I start a new ministry: Exegesis for Insects.

The exterminator came out, gave me a price, and looked at me like I was the weirdest theologian he’d ever met. I’ve got carpentry repairs to make, commentaries to replace, and a new sermon illustration that’s practically begging for a pulpit.

But here’s the real question: Do you have termites? Not cellulose kind. I mean the soul-chewers. Anger, bitterness, jealousy, revenge, those little varmints that sneak in through the cracks of your spirit and start munching on your joy. They don’t knock. They just move in, set up a recliner in the lobby of your heart, and start gnawing away like it’s a buffet.

So, what’s the treatment? Grace. Not the kind you say before meals. The kind that fumigates your soul.

The kind that kicks out the termites and replaces them with peace, purpose, and maybe a little laughter.

Go to church on Sunday. Your preacher’s been reading all week, dodging termites, and praying for a story that’ll wake you up, shake you up, and maybe even make you laugh while Jesus does His deep work.

Doug de Graffenried is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach Doug at his email:  DougDeGraffenried