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A deputy is being recognized for his quick action and compassion during a house fire response in the early morning hours of Feb. 24.

At approximately 1:15 a.m., Deputy William “Cody” Conly was assisting Fire District No. 8 at the scene of a residential fire in Caddo Parish when he heard a dog howling from a fenced kennel next to the burning home.

According to officials, Deputy Conly borrowed cutters from firefighters and moved quickly to free the trapped animal. His actions resulted in the dog being safely rescued from the area and spared from potential injury.

Officials also expressed appreciation to Vivian Officer Mark Trenor for his assistance during the incident.

Authorities commended the efforts of first responders who go beyond protecting residents to also ensure the safety of their pets.

Supplier Outreach and Information Sessions for the Northwest Louisiana Data Center project were held today at the Bossier Central Library and the Shreveport Convention Center.

Representatives from Haskell and key contractor partners provided an overview of the project and outlined upcoming opportunities for local suppliers, subcontractors, and service providers. Discussion focused on anticipated needs, including site preparation, erosion control, concrete and asphalt work, hauling, mechanical and plumbing services, electrical and instrumentation support, third-party testing, and related services.

Presenters from four contracting companies emphasized the scale and rapid timeline of the project, highlighting the importance of strong regional participation and long-term partnerships.

The sessions aimed to equip local businesses with the information and connections needed to participate in this major construction project.

JOURNAL SPORTS

Defending Select Division I state girls basketball champion Huntington has homecourt advantage tonight as the Lady Raiders shoot for their sixth state semifinal appearance in the past seven years.

Huntington (19-9), seeded fourth as it was for last year’s championship run, takes on the lowest remaining seed, No. 12 Alexandria Senior High (20-11) in a 6 o’clock quarterfinal contest.

The Lady Raiders cruised past visiting Woodlawn of Baton Rouge 57-40 Monday night. Woodlawn was the last team to beat Huntington in playoff action, eliminating the Lady Raiders in the 2024 state semifinals.

ASH surprised fifth-seeded Acadiana 58-52 Monday night in Lafayette to earn its trip to Shreveport.

The only other local team left in the LHSAA postseason, Captain Shreve, will play in metro New Orleans tonight at 6 against No. 1 seed John Curtis (22-1). The eighth-seeded Lady Gators (20-10) thrashed another New Orleans team, No. 9 Archbishop Chapellle, 56-24 Monday, racing to a 27-1 lead in another Select Division I second round game.

A third District 1-5A squad, 9^th-seeded Natchitoches Central (21-8), visits No. 1 Zachary (28-3), the defending Non-Select Division I champ, in a quarterfinal game tonight.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Going into the Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, Evangel Christian product Roy Morris led the conference in his specialty, the long jump.

He played the favorite’s role perfectly as the Northwestern State sophomore took gold on the first day of the SLC Indoors on Wednesday at the Birmingham Crossplex.

In his young career with the Demons, Morris had done just about everything. Last outdoor season, he earned outdoor second-team All-America honors and he captured a bronze medal in last year’s indoor meet. One accomplishment missing was a SLC Championship gold medal, indoors or outdoors.

That wait is over. He led the entire way, punctuating it with a 24-9.75 on his final jump. Stephen F. Austin’s Bryson Williams came close with a 24-7.75, barely behind Morris’ leading jump at the time of 24-8.75.

“First of all, I want to thank my family and coaching staff for always believing in me and giving me that push I needed,” Morris said. “It feels amazing to walk away with the gold. After last season, I went back to the drawing board and physically and mentally prepared myself for this day.”

The Lady Demons are trying to become the only the third program since 1987 to win four SLC Indoor team championships. They and the Demons project for runner-up finishes if pre-meet rankings and preliminary finishes play out accurately.

The teams are back in action today on the second and final day which starts with the men’s heptathlon 60-meter hurdles at 9:40 a.m.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

After last Saturday’s shooting performance, when the Bossier Parish Community College basketball team couldn’t throw it in the ocean, there was only one direction for the Cavaliers to go.

They zoomed to life Wednesday night in a 90-77 win over Lamar State College-Port Arthur in a Region XIV game at Billy Montgomery Gym.

BPCC hit 55 percent of its overall shots including 17 of 34 from 3-point range, and sank 9 of 12 at the free throw line to counterbalance a dreadful day last Saturday at Angelina College, when the Cavaliers scored only 33 points in a 29-point loss with 28 percent shooting including 17 percent from distance.   

The winners had a pair of 25-point scorers, Tony Montgomery and Drew Cooper. Montgomery went 7 of 14 overall, 4 of 8 on 3s, and made 7 of 11 at the line while getting five rebounds and making five assists. Cooper had the hot hand, sinking 10 of 15 including 5 of 8 from distance. Dustin Welch pitched in 18 points, making 7 of 12 overall including 4 of 7 on 3-pointers.

Cooper scored 21 in the first half to keep BPCC close as LSC-PA took a 43-36 lead. Montgomery had 23 after halftime while the Cavaliers erupted for 54 points.

Moore said the abysmal outing last Saturday provided a spark for his first BPCC team, which has 11 freshmen.

“What a reat team win at home,” he said. “We were really connected as a team. Tonight we had players really step up off the bench and as a whole we knocked down open shots.

“We talked about this the last couple days — we are not here to compete with each other but to COMPLETE each other as a team,,” he said.  

BPCC (10-17 overall, 4-15 Region XIV) will wrap up its home schedule Saturday afternoon at 4 against Blinn CC., when the program will honor its three sophomores: Minden product Stafford Bailey, Yoav Botzer and Mazin Lumori.

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The CHRISTUS Shreveport-Bossier Health System hosted its second annual Puzzles for Patients event benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Teams gathered to compete in a timed puzzle challenge, racing to complete 500-piece puzzles as quickly as possible. Local Children’s Miracle Network Champion Cade attended the event to cheer on participants.

Leah Goswick and Amy Hopkins claimed first place, completing their puzzle in 38 minutes. Second place honors went to Paige Cox and Carla Miley, followed by Allie Ross and Kaitlyn Nixon in third.

Event organizers expressed appreciation to Barksdale Federal Credit Union and Claire Williams for their sponsorship, as well as to all participants for their support. Proceeds from the event benefit Children’s Miracle Network and help provide care and resources for patients and families served by CHRISTUS.

John Robert Hartley Sr., 68, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Saturday, February 21, 2026. John was born on August 30, 1957, in Daytona Beach, Florida, to John Lawrence Hartley, Sr. and Evelyn Roberta Hart. His mother later remarried and his stepfather, Floyd Arneson, served in the United States Air Force. As a military family, they were stationed at McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida, before moving to Hahn Air Base in Germany in 1969. While overseas, John was a member of the Hahn Hawks football team, where he played center. The family later settled at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana, where John made the Shreveport/Bossier area his lifelong home.

John graduated from Airline High School in 1975. Following graduation, he worked in restaurant management for several years before beginning a career insulating homes with Construction Insulators. He was a proud 25-year member of The Grand Lodge of the State of Louisiana Free & Accepted Masons, Atkins Lodge No. 266. John was also a faithful member of Word of God Ministries and a supporter of the Jerusalem Prayer Team.

Above all, John was a devoted and beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He loved the Lord, praise and worship, football, and most of all, gathering with family and friends. He had a special gift for bringing people together around the table, especially when gumbo was on the menu. He was funny, strong-willed, and overflowing with love. Throughout his life, he fully embraced fatherhood and helped raise many children. He found his greatest purpose and joy in guiding and caring for every child who called him Dad, always pouring his heart into them.

He was preceded in death by his father, John L. Hartley, Sr.; his mother, Evelyn R. Hart Arneson; his sisters, Tina Miller and Lennie Shepherd (Charm); his son, Brett Parker; his granddaughter, Heaven Weed; and his great-grandson, Grayson Hartley.

Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Ivonne Tanod Hartley; his children, Chasity Weed and husband Bradley, John Hartley, Jr. (Bobby) and wife Michelle, Amanda Henderson and husband Tad, and Shelby Ewing and husband Joshua; his stepchildren, S. Virginia, Febryllian A. E., and Albern G. E.; his siblings, John Raymond, Brian, Pam, Bill, and John Lawrence, Jr.; grandchildren, Gage Hartley and wife Paige, Darren and Blake Schneider, Chase, Dustin, and Colten Parker, Kynli Ellis, Hayley Henderson, Jaxon Hartley, and Charlotte Chrysandra A.; and great-grandchildren, Isabella Fondren, Mackenzie Garrett, Kayden Hartley, Waylon Roth, Hayden, Hudson, and Hollis Parker.

A memorial service will be led by Pastor Donald Wright and held on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Waterloo #1 Baptist Church, 115 Old Highway 71, Elm Grove, Louisiana 71051. The family will host a Celebration of Life immediately following the service at the pavilion at Red River South Marina and Resort.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

December 10, 1929 — February 25, 2026

Marjorie Jean Kingdon Letsinger, age 96, of Keithville, Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Marjorie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who cherished her family above all else. She loved life and enjoyed socializing with her church friends. Marjorie was very active in Christ United Methodist Church, where she built many lasting friendships. She and her husband, Dale, were known for their kindness and compassion, often visiting church friends in the hospital to offer comfort and support.

Marjorie had an infectious smile that brightened the lives of those around her. She enjoyed making jewelry, working puzzles and spending time with family and friends.

Marjorie resided at Cypress Point Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for the last three years, where she was cared for with kindness and compassion.

She was proceeded in death by her husband, Dale Letsinger.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons: Doug Letsinger and wife Kathy, Dan Letsinger and wife Janet, and David Letsinger and wife Brenda; her grandchildren: Darrin, Ashley, Diane, Kim and Rachel; and 12 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nurses and nurse assistants of Cypress Point Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for all the love, kindness and care they showed Marjorie.

Marjorie’s life and legacy will live on through the many lives she touched and the family she loved so deeply.

Phonetic: /in·tes·tate/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

“On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall…Then the king asked, ‘What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.’ ‘If it pleases the king,’ replied Esther…” Esther 5: 1a, 3-4a (NIV)

The evil prime minister of Persia was Haman, a man bound for impaling because, well, that’s what God decreed ahead of time when Haman, because of hatred sparked by pride, vowed to exterminate every last Jew in the land.

Yeah, uh, that’s going to be a “no” every time on Jew Extermination. Jesus would be born a Jew, and you don’t exterminate Jesus, prime minister of Persia or not.

For no reason other than jealousy and pride, Haman wanted one Jew killed especially, Mordecai. And while he was at it, why not the rest of the Jews too? Haman didn’t know Mordecai was the cousin of Esther, the king’s wife. He’ll find that out soon, on the same day the king has him killed.

To foil Haman’s plot, check out what Esther doesn’t do. She doesn’t panic. She doesn’t plot some sensational plan of revenge with the goal of making herself and Mordecai look good. She doesn’t have Haman assassinated.

Instead, let’s look now at what Esther does do. She decides to let the king handle it. And to do that, she prepares to meet the king.

She asks friends to pray and fast with her. She puts on her royal robes. With wisdom in timing and with humility, she allowed divine sovereignty to make a call that was not hers to make. Instead, she lived her role and let the king — and ultimately God — handle this monumental issue.

And He did. She turned things over to the king.

In God Calling, I read this last week: “Aim at killing the self now — in your daily life, and then, and not until then, you will find there is nothing that even remembers injury, because the only one injured, the self, is dead.” 

Do you know how many times I have tried to “get back” at people? I don’t know either, but it’s the same amount of times, exactly, that my plan backfired. The wrong we do to others, we do to ourselves. Haman finds that out too late, a fatal illustration of the old adage: pride goeth before an impaling.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

(EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third of Teddy’s five-part series all about Esther’s life and lessons that can be learned.)

Residents in Caddo Parish and Bossier Parish can expect warm temperatures and breezy conditions through midweek, followed by slightly cooler nights heading into the weekend.

Today will be mostly sunny with highs in the upper 60s. South winds will range from 10 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph.

Tonight will be partly cloudy and not as cool, with lows in the lower 50s. South winds will continue at 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday is expected to be mostly cloudy and windy, with highs climbing into the upper 70s. South winds will increase to 15 to 20 mph. Wednesday night will bring partly cloudy skies and lows in the lower 60s, with south winds at 10 to 15 mph and gusts up to 25 mph.

Thursday will start mostly cloudy before becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon, with a 20 percent chance of showers. Highs will remain in the upper 70s. Southwest winds at 5 to 10 mph will shift to the northwest later in the day. Thursday night will be partly cloudy and cooler, with lows dropping into the upper 40s.

Friday will be mostly sunny with highs in the mid 70s, followed by mostly clear skies Friday night and lows in the upper 40s.

Mostly sunny conditions are expected Saturday and Sunday, with highs in the upper 70s both days. Overnight lows will dip into the lower 50s under mostly clear to partly cloudy skies.

Monday will remain partly cloudy with highs again reaching the upper 70s.

The Walter B. Jacobs Nature Center will host its 19th annual Owl Night on Saturday, February 28, from 5 to 9 p.m. This free, family-friendly event offers an evening of exploration and education for visitors of all ages.

Attendees can experience live owl encounters, participate in owl-themed art activities, join guided night hikes, enjoy owl story time, and learn from presentations by the center’s naturalists. Complimentary hot chocolate and make-your-own s’mores will be available, along with local artists, vendors, and food trucks on site.

The event takes place at Walter B. Jacobs Nature Center, located at 8012 Blanchard Furrh Road, Shreveport. Families are encouraged to join for a night of nighttime discovery and fun.

As of Feb. 23 both Caddo and Bossier Parishes are under burn bans due to severe drought conditions and elevated wildfire risks.

In Caddo Parish, all outdoor burning is prohibited until further notice. The ban includes campfires, bonfires, fire pits, burn piles, and any other open flames. The National Weather Service recently upgraded Northwest Louisiana to severe drought conditions, and officials are urging residents to comply fully with the burn ban to protect lives, property, and emergency personnel.

Bossier Parish Fire Chiefs have also issued a burn ban for the entire parish, effective immediately. Elevated fire danger is expected parish-wide on Tuesday due to southwest winds around 15 mph, gusts up to 25 mph, and relative humidity levels below 25%. According to the Weekly U.S. Drought Monitor, the northern portion of the parish is classified as D2, Severe Drought, while the southern portion is D1, Moderate Drought. Dry ground and vegetation have significantly increased the risk of wildfire development. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry has advised that fire threat conditions are expected to remain high across the parish over the next three days.

Residents in both parishes should avoid any outdoor burning and exercise extreme caution with potential fire hazards until the bans are lifted.

Ever notice how quickly opinions travel faster than facts? This week’s cartoon plays with that idea, leaning into the humor of how we debate, react and sometimes overreact in the digital age. Inspired by the game-show energy of Jeopardy!, it’s a lighthearted reminder that not every buzzer needs to be hit — and sometimes it’s okay to wait for the full answer.

ShrevePride has announced it will take a break in 2026 after seven years of organizing and celebrating the local LGBTQIA+ community.

In a public statement shared this week, the organization said the decision followed months of reflection, describing the pause as a time to rest and recharge after years of volunteer-led work. As a result, signature events including Field Gay and Q-Prom will not be held in 2026.

Organizers emphasized that the break is not a retreat, but a period of transition and growth. While large-scale events will pause, the group said it will continue supporting the community in other ways throughout the year and will cheer on efforts that uplift LGBTQIA+ individuals across the region.

Quoting writer and activist Audre Lorde, the group shared: “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and this is an act of political warfare.”

ShrevePride expressed appreciation for community support and patience, noting that messages will be answered as the team works to catch up. The organization plans to return in 2027 with renewed energy, clarity, and purpose.

JOURNAL SPORTS

Nine Class of 2026 high school scholar-athletes from north and central Louisiana are winners of $1,000 college scholarships from The National Football Foundation, S.M. McNaughton Chapter to be presented next Wednesday, March 4 in Shreveport.

The scholarship recipients exceeded standards for the annual scholarship grants including a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or better, earning at least all-district honors on the football field, and extracurricular involvement.

The winners include four standouts from Caddo and Bossier parishes: Jeremiah Epps of Airline, Loyola’s Hayden Horton, Luke Miller of Calvary Baptist, and Northwood’s Justin Thomas.

The other NFF scholarship winners are Ty Curtis of Buckeye, Luke Delafield of North DeSoto, West Monroe’s Hunter Fox, Micah Moser of Ouachita Christian School and North Webster’s Hudson Smith.

Six – Curtis, Delafield, Horton, Hudson, Moser, and Thomas – earned All-State honors as seniors. Smith carried a perfect 4.0 GPA and several others were close to academic perfection.

One of the nine student-athletes will be recognized as the McNaughton Chapter’s nominee for the National Football Foundation’s nationwide scholar-athlete of the year honor, and will be spotlighted for the 2026-27 year in the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Another of the student-athletes will be recognized as the KTBS/Griffin’s Game Ball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. The winner and 13 other outstanding 2025 seniors were spotlighted during the season on Tuesday segments on the KTBS 6 and 10 p.m. sportscasts and on the station’s award-winning Johnny’s Pizza House Friday Football Fever weekly highlight show. The honor pays tribute to the late, longtime NFF McNaughton Chapter board member Bob Griffin, who finished his lengthy and accomplished TV career at KTBS.

McNaughton Chapter president Toni Goodin said the winners and other special awards will be recognized next Wednesday at the annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport. Doors open at 6 with dinner served about a half-hour later.

“These nine young men are tremendous representatives of-all the high school football teams in North Louisiana, and especially their teams, their schools and communities,” said Goodin. “They have been remarkable examples of academic and athletic excellence along with service and involvement in extracurricular activities.”

The McNaughton Chapter has awarded scholarships to senior scholar-athletes since 1981. A Coach of the Year Award has been presented occasionally in the past two decades and will be announced later this week, along with the winners of the annual Contributions to Amateur Football Award and Distinguished American Award.

Tickets are $45 each. Tables seat eight and are $360. Proceeds go to support the scholarships awarded.

For individual tickets and table sales, contact Goodin at 318nffchapter@gmail.com or by calling 318-347-4453.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Top-seeded in both brackets, the Red River Athletic Conference regular-season champion LSU Shreveport basketball teams delivered dominant performances Tuesday night at The Dock in the RRAC tournament quarterfinals.

The LSUS women posted an 84-41 romp over Our Lady of the Lake. The men followed with a resounding 108-86 win over Texas A&M-San Antonio.

WOMEN: After opening a 23-4 first quarter lead, the Pilots shot 54.8 percent overall (34-of-62) from the floor and held OLLU to just 21.4 percent (12-of-56). The defensive pressure forced 24 Saints turnovers, which LSUS converted into 34 points.

Selma Markisic led all scorers with 25 points. Paula Gonzalez Herrero added 14, while Toni Coleman recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds and added five assists. Katie Ambrose finished with 10 points.

Amandine L’Etang broke the LSUS single-season blocks record, getting five blocks to bring her season total to 73.

The Pilots outscored the Saints 50-12 in the paint and 19-4 in fastbreak points. LSUS built its largest lead of 46 points midway through the fourth quarter before emptying the bench.

The Pilots, 25-4,  advance to Alexandria for the semifinal round on Saturday at Rapides Parish Coliseum. LSUS will face the winner of tonight’s game between No. 5 seed LSU Alexandria and No. 4 seed Xavier.

MEN:  The Pilots improved to 24-5 after shooting a blistering 65.6 percent from the field, scoring 56 points in the paint.

Hayden Brittingham led all scorers with 29 points to go along with eight assists. Emareyon McDonald contributed 22 points, while Alexzaye Johnson added 18 points, seven assists, and four steals. Khi Wallace anchored the interior with 14 points and eight rebounds.

The Pilots assisted on 24 of their 40 made field goals. LSUS built its largest lead of 24 late in the second half.

LSUS advances to the RRAC semifinals and will face Texas A&M-Texarkana on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Alexandria.

BOSSIER PARISH HOME TONIGHT, SATURDAY:  BPCC plays its last two home games this week in coach Jeff Moore’s first season, beginning tonight at 7 at Billy Montgomery Gym when it hosts Lamar State College-Port Arthur. The Cavaliers celebrate Sophomore Day on Saturday at 4 against Blinn College as they honor their second-year players.

The Cavs had a rough day last Saturday in a surprising 62-33 loss at Angelina College.

“It was probably the worst shooting night of the season for our team — we couldn’t get anything to fall,” Moore said. “Defensively, I thought we played pretty well but couldn’t overcome our shooting woes.”

The Cavaliers shot 28 percent from the field overall and 17 percent from three-point range. Zequan Lewis led BPCC with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.

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