David Prince III passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born on March 8, 1958, in Shreveport, Louisiana, David was the beloved son of Elizabeth Cassinelli Prince, MD, and David Prince, Jr. He attended Jesuit High School before continuing his education in Omaha, Nebraska, at Creighton University, earning a magna cum laude degree in geology from Centenary College. David started his career at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, conducting marine research in line with his passion for the ocean. In the early 1990s, as the oil and gas market rebounded, he transitioned into the industry and built a successful career spanning more than three decades.

Known for his warm and welcoming spirit, David had a rare ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His infectious smile, genuine kindness, and sharp wit brought light and laughter to everyone around him. He had a profound love for animals and shared his life with many dogs and cats over the years. David especially appreciated the experience he had caring and training thoroughbred horses earlier in his life. 

An enthusiastic reader of science and philosophy, David spent a period at the Jesuit Spirituality Center at St. Charles College in Grand Coteau, Louisiana. He lived guided by the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order, embracing principles such as the inherent dignity of every human being as created by God, the pursuit of God’s voice in everyday experiences, recognizing oneself as a catalyst for change, a commitment to justice, and reaching out to those in need or marginalized by society.

David is survived by his loving daughter, Isabelle Golding Prince of New Orleans; his sister and brother-in-law, Michele Prince Wright and Stephen P. Wright of Lafayette, Louisiana; his sister and partner, Ann Elizabeth Prince and Ross Andrew Farley of Fort Worth, Texas; and his brother and sister-in-law, Matthew Strong Prince and Ann Driscoll Prince of Memphis, Tennessee. He is fondly remembered by his nieces and nephew: Barrett Elizabeth Wright and her husband Patrick Lowe of Cambridge, England; Stephen Parker Wright of Lafayette, Louisiana; and Elizabeth Vaughan Prince of Memphis, Tennessee.

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to his compassionate physicians: Dr. Sally Ball and Dr. Robert Massingill of Shreveport, Louisiana; Dr. Oliver Sartor of New Orleans; and his doctors from MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, as well as the staff and nurses at Christus Cancer Center and Hospital. Special thanks to his sister, Ann, and Ross Farley for their years of dedication and care of David, especially during his final months. David will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him. If you wish to honor David’s memory, the family requests that you do so by helping someone less fortunate or supporting an abandoned animal.

A private ceremony will be held to honor and celebrate David’s life.

January is School Board Recognition Month, and Bossier Schools is taking the opportunity to honor the 12 locally elected members who provide leadership and governance for the district.

Board members serve as policymakers and fiscal stewards of taxpayer dollars, ensuring that the school system runs smoothly and effectively. While much of their work happens behind the scenes, their decisions and guidance impact every classroom across the parish.

Being a school board member is not a typical 9-to-5 role. From committee meetings and ribbon cuttings to phone calls on holidays and navigating challenges to keep the district on course, these leaders dedicate countless hours to support students, staff, and families.

Bossier Schools recognizes the following board members:
District 1: Billie Jo Brotherton
District 2: Kent Bockhaus
District 3: Tammy Smith
District 4: Sherri Pool, President
District 5: Logan McConathy, Vice President
District 6: Glen Bullard
District 7: Rafe Jordan
District 8: Kenneth Wiggins, longest-serving member
District 9: Eric Newman
District 10: Samm Darby
District 11: Robert Bertrand
District 12: Erick Falting

“School board members play a vital role in shaping the future of our students,” said district officials. “We are grateful for their vision, late-night calls, and unwavering commitment to Bossier Schools.”

Residents are encouraged to join in thanking these leaders for their service during School Board Recognition Month and beyond.

Residents across Caddo and Bossier parishes can expect a continued stretch of cold weather, patchy freezing fog, and below-average temperatures through the weekend, followed by a slow warming trend early next week.

On Wednesday, both parishes are expected to see patchy freezing fog during the morning hours, potentially impacting early travel. Skies will be mostly cloudy early before becoming partly cloudy by the afternoon. High temperatures will remain cool, reaching the upper 40s in Caddo Parish and the mid-40s in Bossier Parish. Winds will be light, generally out of the northwest around 5 mph.

Wednesday night will remain cold, with partly cloudy conditions giving way to mostly cloudy skies overnight. Areas of freezing fog are expected to develop after midnight. Overnight lows will drop into the mid-20s in both parishes, with winds becoming light and variable.

Thursday will begin with more patchy freezing fog during the morning, followed by improving conditions as skies turn partly cloudy. Temperatures will rise into the mid-50s in Caddo Parish and the lower 50s in Bossier Parish. South winds of 5 to 10 mph will develop during the day. Thursday night will remain mostly cloudy and cold, with lows falling into the lower 30s and northwest winds around 5 to 10 mph.

Cooler air returns Friday, with mostly cloudy skies and daytime highs only reaching the lower 40s across both parishes. Friday night will bring another sharp drop in temperatures, with lows around 20 in Caddo Parish and between 15 and 20 degrees in Bossier Parish.

Saturday will remain cold but sunny, with highs in the lower 30s and clear skies overnight. Lows Saturday night will hover near 20 degrees. Conditions moderate slightly on Sunday, with partly to mostly sunny skies and highs in the lower 40s. Overnight lows will remain cold, dipping into the mid-20s.

A gradual warmup is expected to begin Monday, with mostly sunny skies and highs climbing into the lower 50s. Partly cloudy skies will persist into Monday night with lows around 30. By Tuesday, temperatures will continue to rise, with highs reaching the mid to upper 50s. There is a slight chance of rain showers Tuesday afternoon, with rain chances remaining low at 20 percent.

Drivers are urged to use caution during morning hours over the next several days due to the potential for freezing fog and icy patches, particularly on bridges and elevated roadways.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has confirmed additional winter storm-related deaths in Caddo Parish as a result of extreme cold and prolonged power outages across the region.

According to LDH, the Caddo Parish coroner confirmed the deaths of two adult men who died from hypothermia during the winter storm. The deaths were officially classified as storm-related. The ages of the individuals were not released.

LDH officials said no further information regarding these deaths will be made public.

Statewide, LDH has now confirmed a total of eight winter storm-related deaths. Health officials continue to urge residents to take cold weather precautions, especially during power outages, and to check on vulnerable individuals.

Do you have a drawer under your oven? And more importantly—what’s living in there? Cookie sheets? Muffin tins? A colony of plastic lids that haven’t had matching bowls since the Bush administration.

And the bigger question: Are you even using that drawer correctly?

My mother used that drawer for cookie sheets, and therefore—by the sacred laws of Southern motherhood—I was required to do the same. You don’t question Mama’s kitchen theology. You just obey and hope she doesn’t notice you put the castiron skillet in the dishwasher.

But who gets to tell you what’s right? Who shapes your choices? And when does “that’s how Mama did it” turn into “that’s how I got myself into trouble”?

Before we go any further, let me ask something bold: Do you know the truth about oven drawers?

Let me tell you a story.

There’s an old African tale about a man and his beloved lamb. He fed it by hand, played with it, probably let it sleep on the porch. Hard times came, and he had to take the lamb to market.

Three thieves heard about this and cooked up a plan.

As the man walked down the road with the lamb over his shoulders, the first thief said, “Why are you carrying that dog?”

The man laughed. “It’s a lamb.”

A little farther along, the second thief said, “Finelooking dog you’ve got there.”

The man frowned. “It’s… a lamb. Pretty sure.”

Near the market, the third thief shook his head. “Sir, they won’t let you bring a dog in there.”

That did it. The man set the lamb down, stared at it, and thought, “Well, if three different people say it’s a dog, it must be a dog.” And he walked away.

If he’d turned around, he would’ve seen the thieves scooping up his verymuchnotadog lamb and heading home for supper.

Now, back to the oven drawer.

For years, I never questioned its purpose. Mama said it was for cookie sheets, so it was for cookie sheets. End of discussion. But like the man with the lamb, I realized I’d let other voices define reality for me.

Then I learned the shocking truth: Some oven drawers are storage drawers… and some are warming drawers.

If your oven is older than your church’s carpet, it’s probably storage. But newer ovens? That drawer might be designed to keep food warm.

Which means: Trying to warm your biscuits in a storage drawer is just wishful thinking. Storing your plastic lids in a warming drawer is how you end up explaining yourself to the fire department.

It is not your mother’s oven.

And that’s the point.

In a world where everyone has an opinion—loudly—and where people will swear up and down that the lamb you’re carrying is a dog, you need a center that doesn’t wobble. You need truth that isn’t based on trends, polls, or whoever shouts the loudest.

You need someone who won’t call darkness “light” just because it’s fashionable.

You need the One who doesn’t change.

You need the One who won’t mislead you for His own gain.

You need the One who tells you the truth—even when three thieves insist otherwise.

And that place, that Person, is where I always end up: Jesus.

The LSU AgCenter announces the launch of a new Nutrition and Community Health column, to be written by LSU AgCenter Agents serving Caddo, Bossier, and surrounding parishes, expanding access to education, resources, and community partnerships focused on healthy living.

The agents will serve as local contacts for residents seeking information on nutrition, wellness, and overall health. Their work includes answering questions related to meal planning, portion control, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle choices, while providing practical, research-based guidance.

In addition to individual support, the agents will offer educational programming designed to make healthy choices more accessible. Programs include cooking demonstrations, interactive workshops, and other community-based learning opportunities aimed at helping residents build sustainable habits.

Agents will also connect individuals and organizations with evidence-based resources to support personal and community health goals. Collaboration with local partners across Caddo and Bossier parishes will be a key focus, strengthening health initiatives and expanding opportunities for community engagement.

LSU AgCenter officials said residents interested in upcoming nutrition and wellness workshops or community health programming are encouraged to contact the agents directly. The overall mission of the program is to empower residents with the knowledge and tools needed to live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

The following agents are serving the area:

Abigail McAlister, MS, RD, LDN, CHC, Associate Nutrition and Community Health Agent, serves Caddo and Bossier parishes. She can be reached at amcalister@agcenter.lsu.edu or (318) 965-2326.

Elizabeth Martin, MS, RD, LDN, Associate Nutrition and Community Health Agent, serves Caddo, Red River, and Bienville parishes. She can be reached at emartin@agcenter.lsu.edu or (318) 226-6805.

Ashlynn Taylor, MS, Assistant Nutrition and Community Health Agent, serves Caddo and Bossier parishes. She can be reached at ataylor@agcenter.lsu.edu or (318) 226-6805.

Louisiana snow day essentials: space heater, extension cord, boiling water, generator, candles, and a phone at 3% battery. While some outside the South might chuckle at a Louisiana winter, we know how to stay prepared, make the most of any situation, and get through it together.

(Around here, everyone of a certain age remembers Billy Cannon running his way into the Instant Legend Stratosphere on Halloween Night, 1959 in Tiger Stadium. Second-best run of his memorable life. This is about his best one. First appeared in print May 27, 2018, a week after his passing at age 80.)

He had on scruffy pointy-toed cowboy boots, his western shirt was tucked into his jeans, and he smiled when he got up and came around his desk and opened up a calloused, catcher’s mitt-sized hand:

“Billy Cannon.”

I wasn’t intimidated because he wouldn’t allow that, but it was easy to see how people could be. Now nearing 50 years old on this late-summer day in 1988, his build was still athletic. You could still see plenty of football player. Powerful, his legs and chest and arms thick and solid.

Plus there was the Being a Legend and all. Time was about the only thing that could run him down, and it finally did when Dr. Cannon passed away last Sunday morning in his sleep. But the Legend part is both deserved and well preserved.

We were in his stark dentist’s office that mid-morning, alone. He was trying to reboot his dentistry practice and I’d been a sportswriter at The Times-Picayune in New Orleans for only a few months, covering mostly LSU. He knew who I was only because he loved LSU and read all things LSU and so when I called to see if I could meet him, he said sure. He wasn’t very busy: less than two years before, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner had gotten out of federal prison in Texas after serving almost three years for making counterfeit $100 bills.

The building didn’t really look like a dentist’s office either inside or out. No receptionist. No aide. No waiting room TV set. Just Dr. Cannon. Turns out his private practice wouldn’t make it but something better came along, something we couldn’t have guessed that morning while we drank coffee from his dark green Thermos with a silver coned cup on top.

We talked LSU football and people we both knew. A little girl came by to have her braces checked; he called her beautiful as she sat in the dentist chair and the dad and Dr. Cannon lined up the next appointment; moms usually bring little girls to the dentist in the middle of the day, but this was Billy Cannon so…

Yet those were the only patients who ever came by during what were probably a dozen visits by me to his office.

After maybe 40 minutes he said, “I’m just an old washed-up counterfeiter with not much to say about all that.” He paused, then smiled and looked me right in the eyes. “But come on back next week.”

And I did, for lots of weeks. And brought coffee. He’d teach me some football, talk about that week’s game, tell stories. I lined up an ESPN crew to visit him when the movie Everybody’s All-American came out that year, but I never wrote about him or attributed in the paper anything he’d say about LSU or anyone or anything. I was just a young sportswriter guy he was taking time to talk to and to help. How many Heisman winners let a guy just hang around?

I knew one day he’d talk about it, about the Heisman and prison and what happened next, and he did. Billy Cannon: A Long, Long Run was published in 2015 and written by Cannon and his friend Charles N. deGravelles, who spent more than a quarter-century ministering to inmates at Angola’s state pen where Cannon, who’d been on both sides of the razor wire and who’d answer phone calls there with, ‘Who is this? I don’t have time to mess with you!,” ran the dentistry department and counseled inmate after inmate. Considering his multi-dimensional athletic skill set, it should not be surprising that, at Angola, he was like a pastor who could fill a cavity or a counselor who could either clean your teeth or help you clear your conscience.

But he wasn’t ready to talk about It in 1988. At that point, a lot had happened — a lifetime for most of us — but not much had happened Next. But plenty would, and what a remarkable and glorious closing act it would be.

The 30^th anniversary of the 1958 LSU national champions was that fall in 1988, so it was a perfect timing sort of deal when his dear friend Boots Garland, who’d been the proctor of the athletic dorm during their college days, talked him into coming to a luncheon reunion of the team and a few friends. They let me ride with them in a solid Buick the size of a Humvee. The luncheon was in a Holiday Inn meeting room or something like that, very cozy, and no one asked about the counterfeiting or prison, they just acted as if they’d played Clemson the week before, and laughed and told stories, and honestly beamed just looking at each other, and remembering.

And finally Dr. Cannon agreed to stand up and talk about that season and the next, mostly The Punt Return on Halloween night of 1959, and he pointed to guys and thanked them for this block or that one, and for the first time in a long time he was re-living that wonderful moment with his friends, his football family, that October new moon night when he ran to colors and away from colors, and right into LSU and college football legendhood…

And as he talked, there in the open again, surrounded by his football brothers, I think he might have been comfortable once more, or even if he wasn’t he was going to run until he was, run with honesty and a poke-fun-at-himself laughter, run right back into the arms of the LSU faithful and into the hearts of anyone who’d ever fumbled. It’s where fans wanted him, where they needed him, where the program needed him, and where he’s served in a humble and compassionate and graceful way for the past 30 years.

The Punt Return against Ole Miss is legendary. But Cannon’s willingness to return in 1988, to put All That behind, to move along as a very human hero, wasn’t that just as big? I love that he stopped running and started being.

Here he was, world, a Tiger flawed but a Tiger who could laugh at himself, a Tiger who stopped running and started sharing, a Tiger who they all wanted to be like after all, still the greatest Tiger of them all. 

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports 

The winter storm came in early Saturday morning, with most precipitation over by midday Sunday, yet the effects have extended deep into the last full week of the high school soccer regular season.

Tuesday evening, both Caddo and Bossier school boards cancelled classes for today. That means all school activities, including sports, are cancelled as well. Mindful of early morning and nighttime bus travel considerations, there has been talk of following the lead of Lincoln and Ouachita parishes and extending the closures into Thursday and possibly even Friday.

With the end of the LHSAA soccer regular season set statewide for Monday, there will be more games cancelled or postponed and rescheduled in the few days remaining. The games that take priority are the remaining district games as they are required to be played.

With the majority of last week’s games being cancelled, there were really only two games that involved the area’s top girls teams, both of which involved Captain Shreve. The Lady Gators lost 3-1 last Tuesday to Benton’s Lady Tigers, Benton got goals from Baleigh Ware, Eden Whiteman and Emerie Tanner. Shreve’s goal was scored by Bailey Mandigo.

On Thursday, Shreve and Caddo Magnet played an entertaining back and forth game, with the Lady Gators coming out on top 4-3.

The Lady Mustangs had a one-goal lead twice in the game, 2-1 and 3-2, however the Lady Gators were able to come back both times and eventually took the lead on Maddie Penwell’s second goal of the game with 13 minutes left. Penwell’s first goal started things just two minutes into the game. The Lady Gators’ other goals were scored by Eva Snead and Sarina Miller. Magnet got a pair of goals from Isabella Baltov and one from Ivanna Atkinson.

This week Byrd has to make up its district game against Airline that was scheduled for Monday. The Lady Jackets are scheduled to go south this weekend to face Mandeville and Lakeshore. Coach Lisa Levermann is hoping to get in the Airline game without conflict with those away games and their finale at home next Monday versus Alexandria.

Benton’s Lady Tigers have two games on the books: Magnet on Thursday and a home game against North DeSoto Saturday. Their game postponed on Monday against Haughton is a district game and must be played so coach Jesse Dyer will be working on fitting it in wherever he can.

Loyola is in a better position with just two games left. The Lady Flyers’ final district game with North Caddo is Thursday, then it’s Teurlings Catholic of Lafayette on Saturday. Both games are away.

Captain Shreve has finished all its district games, so is free to play out the schedule as written. The Lady Gators are scheduled to host Calvary Thursday and Minden on Friday. They travel to Barbe in Lake Charles on Saturday. Coach Erik Lane was able to reschedule their postponed game from Monday at Pineville. They will now play next Monday at 4:30, with the boys’ game to follow.

Magnet coach Nick Flowers is still working on getting his district games rescheduled with Southwood, both the boys and the girls. Otherwise, the Lady Mustangs face Benton on Thursday.

All of these anticipated games are subject to change or cancelation based on any new weather issues or having to bump games in favor of district games.

Next week’s final Shreveport-Bossier Journal coaches poll and LHSAA playoff brackets will be covered next Thursday, to include the final day of the season on Monday.

The Week 11 SBJ girls’ soccer poll, listing school (W-L-T record) and points (first place votes):

1, Byrd (13-6-3), 25 (5)

2, Benton (18-4-0), 20

3, Loyola (10-4-3), 14

4, Shreve (18-5-2), 11

5, Magnet (12-4-0), 5     

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Winter Storm Fern has taken away the most appealing local college baseball matchup of 2026.

Reigning NAIA World Series champion LSU Shreveport and NCAA Division III Centenary were slated to meet in a neighborhood battle Tuesday night, but weather pushed the contest back a day. Late Tuesday afternoon, LSUS announced field conditions haven’t improved enough for the Centenary game to be played Wednesday.

No makeup date is expected. The teams did not play last year when the Pilots went 59-0.

LSUS has a college baseball record 61-game winning streak. It was not going to be on the line against Centenary because the game was slated as an exhibition contest.

The Pilots (2-0) continue play this week with Mid-America Christian (Okla.) on Thursday and a Sunday doubleheader against Hope International (Fla.).

By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Assistant AD/Communications 

A home weekend for Centenary basketball, the start of the stunt season for the college’s national top 10-ranked team and the beginning of lacrosse’s 2026 slate at home Saturday are the top sports headlines as the Kings Highway campus thaws out.

The Gents (4-12, 2-5 SCAC) return to action on Friday for the first of consecutive home games in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference basketball play as they face Austin College (5-12, 2-6 SCAC) in the Gold Dome at 5:30. The Maroon and White wrap up the weekend on Saturday at 4 against the University of Dallas (8-8, 4-3 SCAC).

Centenary fell 82-77 to Concordia last Friday at home before last Saturday’s game against Texas Lutheran University was postponed due to weather. The Gents held the Tornados to a season low in points. Concordia entered Friday’s contest third in the country in scoring offense, averaging a staggering 106.4 points, and have scored 100 or more 10 times this season.

Junior forward Dontarius Coleman, from Gibsland, led the Gents with a season-high 25 points as he finished 10-of-13 from the floor, 3-6 from beyond the arc, and 2-2 at the line in 32 minutes. Coleman added six rebounds, two blocked shots, and a steal.

The Ladies (3-13, 2-5 SCAC) snapped an eight-game losing streak Friday with their 63-62 victory over Concordia, capturing their first home game of the season. Saturday’s game against Texas Lutheran was postponed.

Senior guard Amiyah Barrow led all scorers with a season-high 20 points as she played 34 minutes and finished 8-10 from the floor, 2-2 from beyond the arc, and 2-2 at the FT line. The Ladies host Austin College (9-8, 6-2 SCAC) Friday at 7:30 and then on Saturday go against Dallas (3-13, 2-5 SCAC) at 6 in the Gold Dome.

STUNT:  The Ladies are eighth in the country in the Division III preseason rankings —  https://collegestunt.org/2026-rankings/

Centenary opens its season in the McNeese State Tournament on Sunday in Lake Charles, where they will face Texas Woman’s University and Texas A&M-Kingsville.

Centenary will welcome Muskigum (Ohio) and McNeese to the Gold Dome on Sunday, Feb. 8. It will be a milestone day as the Ladies make their home debut as a program with the matches set for 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 

LACROSSE OPENS SATURDAY AT HOME: The Gents host LaGrange College on Saturday at 1 at Atkins Field to launch their 2026 season.  

Centenary, led by sixth-year head coach Billy LeClair, is set for 14 games this season – seven at home. Centenary will play Rhodes College on April 11 in its home finale and finish the regular season at Colorado College on April 15. The Gents’ roster features nine returners and 17 newcomers. 

STAFF CHANGES: Morgan Dorsey, who has been head coach of the women’s soccer program for the past six years, is the new Assistant Athletics Director for Internal Operations and Senior Woman Administrator, Director of Athletics and Recreation David Orr announced. 

Dorsey led the Ladies to an 8-4-0 record in her first season in 2020 which included a 4-3 mark in conference play and an appearance in the SCAC Tournament quarterfinals. She coached 19 All-SCAC selections in her tenure and eight Ladies were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Women’s Soccer Team in her six seasons.

Merlinn Campagna, who just completed her first season as an assistant coach with the Ladies, is Dorsey’s replacement. 

THREE CENTENARY STUDENT-ATHLETES AT NCAA CONVENTION: The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference continued its long-standing commitment to student-athlete leadership and engagement last week, as 23 SCAC student-athletes attended the 2026 NCAA Convention in Washington, D.C. With support from the NCAA Division III Strategic Initiative Grant, the trip marked the fifth time since 2012 that the conference has brought student-athletes to the Convention, pushing the total number of SCAC participants to 102 across five trips.

Student-athletes from all 12 SCAC member institutions attended. Centenary was represented by three student-athletes: Sam Brocato (men’s soccer) Lenny Forth (baseball), and Marie Smith (women’s soccer). 

SAAC ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL: The SCAC announced its Student-Athlete Academic Honor Roll for the 2025 fall term and 903 student-athletes competing in fall sports made the list – the highest fall total ever. Centenary had 75 student-athletes earn a spot on the team. Visit gocentenary.com for a full list.

Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu

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Once again I’m going off the rails and taking a break from talking fishing. Those of you that have read my articles from the very beginning know about my history as a kid. Growing up on the streets of Rosenburg, Texas, and Houston, made me a little tougher than most kids my age. I knew first-hand by the age of 8 what it was like to be footloose and fancy free running the streets ‘til all hours of the night, with zero guidance. 

While my biological mother was more concerned with her modeling career and surviving the beatings she took at the hands of my stepdad, I was just trying to survive. I was the one sneaking into houses looking for a quick meal. 

The one thing I always wondered — where was my real dad during all of this and why did I never get to meet him? Why was he never involved in my life?

Was this his choice to avoid contact with me or was there some kind of a mutual agreement between my mother and him that he was to never reach out to me for any reason?

These are questions that I’ll never get the answers to until the day I’m reunited with my dad and the loved ones who have crossed over to the other side. But as a father myself, I cannot imagine having a child in this world and not knowing who or where they were. 

I’ve always heard that my athletic abilities came from my dad. I’ve heard stories from my older brother, Mike (we share the same mom and dad), on the kind of dad he was to him and how he supported him and his athletic career. 

But the same questions continue to go through my head today, even at the age of 64. How was it that we never met? Why didn’t he reach out to me? 

Every kid wants that relationship with their dad. A dad plays an important role in the development of a young boy growing into a man. He also provides a sense of security to all his children that no matter what, dad always has their back.  

He provides advice and guidance for life’s troubled journey and teaches how to navigate those trials and tribulations. He’s the man who jerks a knot in your tail when you need correcting or get out of line. He’s the rock you look up to and hope to make proud one day. He’s the man you only hope you can be one day. 

But for me, that connection was never made. The years went by with zero contact from the man that I only heard about from relatives. From what I’ve been able to learn over the years, he had a good side and a bad side. 

I’ve been told that he enjoyed his Friday and Saturday nights at local taverns, but he also had wandering eyes for the ladies and traded one for another frequently. Guess this is why he and my mother divorced while she was pregnant with me. All total, he was married seven times (the legal limit in Texas) and once to the same lady, twice. 

So, maybe those that knew him thought it was in my best interest NOT to have a relationship with him; that nothing good would come out of us having that father-son bond that a boy wants with his dad. 

But looking back, he missed out on so much of my life’s great experiences. Things that a dad is supposed to be there for like a high school state championship, graduation, signing an athletic scholarship, getting married, being drafted by a Major League Baseball team and so much more! He missed out on so many of my life’s ups and downs — and three great grandkids. 

Growing up, I had the best childhood a young boy could ever ask for while being raised by my aunt and uncle in an awesome small town in East Texas. My uncle, who I called Dad after being adopted, was a great provider and taught me about responsibility and hard work while growing up on a ranch. He assumed the role of a loving father as best he could, but it’s just not the same.

There’s something about having a relationship with the man you share the same DNA with as it completes the internal connection — the connection that only a father can have with his children. 

So, I know the day will come when I’ll get all my questions answered. I’ll finally get to meet the father I never met.  But in the meantime, I’ll do my best to be the best father I can be to all three of my children.  

Artspace will open My Own Backyard, a photographic exhibition by acclaimed artist Earlie Hudnall Jr., with a public reception on Friday, January 30, as the community approaches Black History Month.

The exhibition spans more than five decades of Hudnall’s work, from the 1970s to the present, and documents the everyday life, culture, and resilience of Southern Black communities. Through intimate and historically rich images, Hudnall’s photography highlights moments of beauty, dignity, and generational memory rooted in lived experience.

Guided by the influence of legendary artist and educator John Biggers, Hudnall’s work reflects a deep connection to community and place. His photographs trace a visual journey from his birthplace in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Houston’s historic Third Ward, creating a lasting record of Southern Black life and culture.

The opening reception will be held Friday, Jan. 30, from 5-8 p.m. at Artspace, located at 708 Texas Street in Shreveport. The exhibition will remain on view through March 13.

An artist talk with Hudnall is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 27, from 6-8 p.m., offering attendees an opportunity to hear directly from the artist about his work and career.

The exhibition is free and open to the public, and all are welcome to attend.

Here’s my latest Q & A

About Ida

Beginnings are tricky, but here we are—fresh page, blinking cursor, and a head full of questions. I’m Ida B. Torn, a lifelong Southerner from Kenner, Louisiana, who’s spent years working in newsrooms, design studios, and public service. I’ve seen my share of life’s chaos and comedy—and learned that sometimes, folks just need straight answers and a little laughter along the way.

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Dr. Michael “Mickey” Ray Allen, Sr., 74, of Benton, Louisiana, passed away Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at a nursing home in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Mickey was born August 14, 1951, in Hope, Arkansas, to D. E. “Gene” and Jeanette Byers Allen. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ken Allen, and son, Michael Ray Allen, Jr.

Survivors include daughter, Michelle Allen Guillen of Las Vegas, Nevada; grandson, Titus Guillen; granddaughter, Lily Allen; wife, Sangi Allen of Benton, Louisiana; sister, Karen O’Dell of Hope; nephew, Allen O’Dell; along with other family members and friends who also survive.

Mickey proudly served his country in the United States Navy and was a former Commander of American Legion Post 191.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Hana Baptist Church, 5035 N. Market St., Shreveport, Louisiana, with Sang Hung Kim officiating. An inurnment will follow at Shover Springs Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project, https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, http://www.stjude.org.

Linda Waters, 79, of Bossier City was called home on the afternoon of Saturday January 24th. There to meet her was her son, James Tull and daughter, Marsha Brooks. She leaves behind her husband, Shel Waters, a daughter, Lisa Tull of Phoenix AZ and a son, Robert Warbington (Melinda) of El Dorado Arkansas. She is also survived by brothers, Bobby Joe Frisby (Leila) of Mountain View Arkansas and Curtis Ray Frisby of El Dorado Arkansas, as well as a granddaughter, nieces and nephews and their families.

Linda was born on October 16th, 1946 in El Dorado and was the oldest child of Dewitt and Edith Frisby. She loved animals, the Dallas Cowboys and her family. She is dearly missed.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date due to weather conditions.

January 28, 1986, stands as one of the darkest days in the history of space exploration. Just 73 seconds after liftoff, the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven crew members and shocking viewers around the world.

The mission had drawn unprecedented public attention due to the presence of Christa McAuliffe, a New Hampshire schoolteacher selected to become the first civilian educator in space. Millions of students watched the launch live in classrooms, making the tragedy especially traumatic for a generation of Americans.

Investigations later determined that the disaster was caused by the failure of O-ring seals in one of the shuttle’s solid rocket boosters. Cold temperatures on the morning of the launch compromised the seals, allowing hot gases to escape and ultimately leading to structural failure. Evidence revealed that engineers had raised concerns about the risks, but those warnings were not acted upon.

In the aftermath, NASA grounded the shuttle fleet and launched an extensive review of its procedures, management culture, and safety protocols. The Rogers Commission’s findings led to significant changes within the agency, emphasizing the importance of engineering judgment and transparency in decision-making.

The Challenger disaster reshaped public perception of space travel, underscoring the inherent risks of exploration. Memorials, scholarships, and educational programs were established in honor of the crew, ensuring their legacy would inspire future generations.

January 28 serves as a solemn reminder that progress often comes at great cost. The lessons learned from Challenger continue to influence aerospace safety and remind the nation of the human lives behind scientific ambition.

Caddo and Bossier Parish schools will remain closed on Wednesday, January 28, as hazardous road conditions continue to affect the area following recent winter weather.

Officials said that while temperatures rose above freezing Tuesday, many roadways remain unsafe, and overnight refreezing is expected. Out of an abundance of caution, all schools and district sites in both parishes will remain closed.

District leaders will continue to monitor weather and road conditions and provide updates through official communication channels. Families and staff are urged to stay safe and exercise caution while traveling in the coming days.

Bossier Parish Emergency Medical Service personnel continued providing round-the-clock emergency response services as winter weather impacted the parish, navigating icy roads and freezing temperatures to ensure public safety.

Despite hazardous conditions, EMS crews remained on duty throughout the weather event, responding to calls without interruption and maintaining emergency medical coverage across Bossier Parish. Officials highlighted the challenges faced by first responders during the winter weather, noting that crews worked extended hours in difficult driving conditions to reach patients safely.

Bossier Parish EMS leadership said the effort reflects the dedication and professionalism of its crew members, who remained focused on community safety while much of the parish sheltered at home.

Photos documenting the conditions and response efforts were shared following a request from Homeland Security for images from the field, offering a look at the environment EMS crews encountered while carrying out their duties.

Officials expressed pride in the EMS teams’ continued commitment to service, emphasizing that their actions during the winter weather demonstrate the high level of dedication and excellence expected of emergency responders in Bossier Parish.

Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) continued providing critical assistance to communities across the state as a winter storm impacted much of Louisiana, particularly northern parishes.

Since the onset of the storm, LDWF agents have completed 32 public assistance responses. Those efforts included helping motorists stranded in ditches and roadways, clearing debris from travel routes, assisting local law enforcement agencies, and responding to incidents involving five individuals stranded on the water.

Agents also played a key role in supporting essential services by providing transportation for essential workers. A total of 83 essential workers were transported to and from their shifts at the Northeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Monroe and the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home in Bossier City, ensuring continued care for residents during hazardous conditions.

LDWF Enforcement Division leadership praised agents for maintaining professionalism and effectiveness while operating under challenging weather conditions, noting their continued commitment to public safety despite significant obstacles.

LDWF officials said enforcement agents will remain available to assist as weather conditions evolve, emphasizing their ongoing role in emergency response and public safety operations statewide.