A man was arrested late Friday night after reportedly walking nude in the street and later resisting arrest, according to the Shreveport Police Department.

Officers were dispatched around 11:31 p.m. on Feb. 13 to the area of Hearne Avenue and Lakeshore Drive following reports of a nude male in the roadway.

Upon arrival, officers located the individual in the parking lot of a nearby liquor store. Police say the suspect fled when approached and then physically resisted officers as they attempted to take him into custody.

After a brief struggle, officers were able to safely arrest the man. The Shreveport Fire Department responded to the scene and treated the suspect for minor injuries sustained during the incident.

The man was booked on charges of obscenity and resisting an officer with force or violence.

Authorities reported that no officers were seriously injured during the encounter.

Residents in Caddo Parish and Bossier Parish can expect a warm and breezy midweek pattern before cooler air moves into the region this weekend.

This afternoon will remain mostly cloudy with highs in the lower 70s and south winds between 10 and 15 mph.

Wednesday brings continued cloud cover with temperatures climbing into the mid-70s under southwest winds of 5 to 10 mph. Mostly cloudy skies persist Wednesday night with lows settling in the lower 60s.

By Thursday, conditions begin to improve slightly, starting mostly cloudy before becoming partly cloudy by afternoon. Highs will reach the upper 70s with southwest winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph. Clouds increase again Thursday night with lows dipping into the lower 50s.

Rain chances return Friday as mostly cloudy skies dominate the region. A slight chance of showers and afternoon thunderstorms is expected, with highs cooling to the upper 60s. Rain chances remain at 20 percent Friday night with lows in the lower 50s.

Saturday carries the best opportunity for rainfall, with a 40 percent chance of showers and a slight chance of morning thunderstorms. Skies will gradually become partly cloudy later in the day with highs in the upper 60s.

A noticeable cool down arrives Saturday night as skies clear and temperatures fall into the upper 30s. Sunday will be mostly sunny but cooler, with highs only reaching the upper 50s. Overnight lows Sunday night will drop into the lower 30s under mostly clear skies.

The new workweek begins on a cool and dry note Monday with mostly sunny skies and highs in the mid-50s.

Residents are encouraged to stay weather-aware heading into the weekend as rain chances increase and temperatures trend sharply cooler by late Saturday.

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14 (NIV)

Legendary boxer Joe Louis told his opponents that they could run, but they could not hide. Mordecai warned his cousin Esther in the same way.

The Old Testament’s Book of Esther reads like a novel: suspense, beauty, greed, death, intrigue, the possibility of tremendous loss, the surprising victory of the underdog, and the gory death of the Bad Guy. But in the fourth chapter, the situation is far from decided. 

Esther has been tasked with risking her life to save her people, the Jews, the bloodline from which the Savior of the world will come. And Jesus WILL come. “. . . relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but . . ..” Mordecai says.

Just as God placed Esther as the queen of Persia at a special time for a particular reason, so he does with the rest of us. It was God who saved the Jews, not Esther; it was Esther who agreed, at the risk of her life, to be used.

Why are you in Ruston or Natchitoches or Bossier or Los Angeles or Smackover, Arkansas? I don’t know either. But God knows. You are where you are because you are where God needs you to be. If you are not where God wants you to be, He’ll let you know that too. But a Being who can create from nothing a squirrel and a mountain and solar system can surely have the intelligence to use you, whether you are royalty or a serf, for the perfect good of the Kingdom, no matter where you are.

Wherever you are, God is too. Royalty walks with you.

Your location does not determine your limitation. God can do anything through you, if you trust Him . . . right where you are. 

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

NOTE – This is the second in Teddy’s series of five columns based on Esther.

Continue your article here…

This winter has been a banner season for the dogs digging holes in the yard. With no grass to slow them down, they’ve taken to excavation like they’re auditioning for a canine episode of Gold Rush. They dig with abandon—pure, unfiltered joy. They’ve discovered a corner of the yard where two fences meet, a natural low spot that practically whispers, “Come on boys… dig here.” And they have obeyed that whisper with religious devotion.

Their digging has become a daily game: they dig, and I fill. They dig again, and I fill again. It’s our own little liturgy of futility. The hole is impressive—honestly, at this point I think the city should consider it for historical landmark status. They’ve even tunneled under the fencepost. Every day I stand there with my shovel, muttering, “Surely this time I’ve filled it,” and every day the dogs look back at me like, “Bless your heart.”

The other day, while filling the hole for the 47th time (give or take), I noticed it seemed to stretch out into the field behind the house. That was odd. I tried to imagine the position the dog must have been in to dig beyond the fence—some kind of canine yoga pose, no doubt.

Curiosity got the best of me, so I walked around to the other side. And there it was: a matching hole. My dogs weren’t just digging a hole—they were digging a two-sided hole. A collaborative, multi-campus excavation project. Most dogs dig under a fence to escape the yard. Mine? They dig under the fence and then keep digging on the other side, not to escape, but because the hole itself is the joy. They could have run free, explored the world, chased squirrels in new zip codes… but no. They stayed focused on digging the best hole ever dug in that backyard.

They are on a perfect hole-digging mission.

And it makes me wonder: what about your life? Do you have that kind of focus and tenacity as you try to live out your purpose?

Or—and let’s be honest here—are you more like the rest of us, digging a hole on one side of the fence, then walking around and digging the same hole from the other side? We don’t always need help escaping our problems. Sometimes we need help stopping the digging.

That raises the real question: what is your purpose in living? There’s a place called the church, and on Sunday mornings we help you wrestle with that question. We help you find direction, hope, and meaning. And yes—many times—we help you climb out of the very hole you’ve dug for yourself.

Because unlike my dogs, you don’t have to keep digging. You really can step into a bigger world.

And we’d love to help you do it.

Remember when canceling cable was supposed to save us money? This week’s cartoon takes a playful jab at the modern household budget, where the “Streaming Services” column somehow rivals the mortgage. With platforms multiplying faster than passwords can be remembered, viewers may be wondering if they traded one big bill for five smaller ones that add up even faster. It’s a lighthearted look at subscription overload in the age of endless content — and endless monthly charges.

February 18 marks the birthday of Toni Morrison, one of the most influential literary figures in American history and a towering voice in African American culture. Born in 1931, Morrison reshaped how Black stories were told, studied, and valued, leaving a permanent mark not only on literature but on pop culture, education, and national conversations about race and identity.

Morrison’s novels centered Black life with depth, complexity, and honesty at a time when those perspectives were often marginalized or excluded altogether. Works such as Beloved, The Bluest Eye, and Song of Solomon explored themes of history, trauma, love, and resilience, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about America’s past and present.

While Morrison’s work is frequently studied in academic settings, her cultural influence extends far beyond classrooms. Her storytelling style, which blended folklore, realism, and lyrical prose, has inspired filmmakers, musicians, and writers across genres. References to her work appear in song lyrics, visual art, and modern television narratives that focus on generational memory and identity.

February 18 offers a moment to reflect on how Morrison helped redefine whose stories mattered. In 1993, she became the first Black woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, a milestone that elevated African American voices on the global stage. Her achievement wasn’t just personal — it signaled a broader recognition of Black literature as essential to understanding the human experience.

Morrison was also deeply engaged in popular discourse. Her interviews, essays, and public speeches were widely shared and quoted, especially during periods of heightened racial tension in the United States. She had a rare ability to speak with clarity and authority while remaining accessible, making her a cultural figure whose influence reached well beyond literary circles.

Even after her passing in 2019, Morrison’s presence in pop culture continues to grow. Book clubs, social media discussions, and film adaptations have introduced her work to new generations of readers. Quotes from her novels regularly circulate online, often used to frame conversations about justice, beauty, and self-worth.

As Black History Month continues, February 18 stands as a reminder of the power of storytelling — and of Toni Morrison’s role in ensuring African American stories were not only told, but honored.

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.

Paid Content

By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE — Winning streaks do inevitably end. Tuesday amid Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras festivities across Louisiana’s capitol city, the local high school soccer teams were celebrating after stopping strings of playoff success by the Byrd girls and Bossier boys.

Byrd was stopped two steps short of its third straight state finals appearance. For the first time in five years, Bossier will not reach at least the semifinals.

The Lady Jackets, seeded seventh in Division I, traveled to Burbank Park in Baton Rouge to face No. 2 St Joseph’s and took a tough 1-0 loss in the last D-I girls quarterfinal game.

The No. 7 Bearkats had their season stopped for the second straight year by top-ranked University Lab, falling 5-0 in a Division III boys quarterfinal also in Baton Rouge.

St. Joseph’s came out determined to control the game, and was successful for most of the first half. About midway through, St. Joseph’s midfielder Ivy May dribbled past a couple of Lady Jackets and hit a left-footed bomb from just outside the 18-yard box that started turning right, then back to the left, making it impossible for Yellow Jackets keeper Riley Monclaw to track and save. That turned out to be the only goal of the game.

A few minutes later, Byrd sophomore Tilley Armstrong, the hero of the second-round thriller over Captain Shreve, hit a rocket of her own. This one was tracking to go just inside the upper 90, when Redsticker keeper Adelynn McDaniel came out of nowhere to tip the ball just outside, denying the tie. The whole Lady Jacket fan base thought that they had tied the game.

The second half was played much more evenly, with the Lady Jackets pushing to get the equalizer, but just unable to put the ball in the back of the net. The final whistle blew and the Lady Jackets’ season was over, two games too early.

On the campus of University Lab, the Bearkats hoped to reverse last year’s matchup that ended with the Cubs winning 3-0. This year did not end the way Bossier had hoped, either.

U-Lab’s field is the smallest field in the state, with an estimated size of 104 feet by 56 feet. I is a significant factor on throw-ins because the Cubs have a player who can deliver it about 35 yards, meaning when a throw-in is close to the endline, his throw is a lethal weapon.

The Cubs scored two of their goals via the throw-in and subsequent tap-ins. U-High also scored twice by penalty kicks, with the first two minutes into the game. The fifth goal came late in the first half.

The second half played a bit more evenly, with Bossier having multiple opportunities to get on the board, including twice when the ball was just bouncing around in the box, but it never found the back of the net.

The Bearkats’ four-year stretch of semifinal games ended, but they do maintain a six-year streak of reaching the quarterfinals.

On Friday morning look for the semifinal preview for the three local teams remaining in the championships; Loyola’s boys, hosting St Louis, Benton’s girls traveling to Mt. Carmel and Calvary’s girls traveling to Pope John Paul II.

Only the Loyola game has been scheduled so far, set for Saturday at 7 p.m. at Messmer Stadium.

JOURNAL SPORTS

The LSUS Shreveport women lost a Red River Athletic Conference game for the first time and still reign as the league’s regular-season champs and top seed in the upcoming conference tournament.

Almost ditto for the LSUS men, who also clinched the RRAC title – but then were knocked off last Saturday.

The Pilots built comfortable leads in the RRAC standings and were able to both clinch their regular-season crowns despite going 1-1 last week. They are on the road wrapping up their league schedules Thursday at Texas A&M-San Antonio and Saturday at Our Lady of the Lake.

The LSUS men (21-5 overall, 18-2 in the RRAC) outran North American 101-93 last Thursday to lock up their title and top seed in the RRAC Tournament, along with an NAIA postseason berth. But Xavier (17-9, 13-7) came to The Docks Saturday afternoon and pulled an 88-84 surprise.

The LSUS women (23-3, 19-1) have the RRAC crown in hand before visiting second-place A&M-San Antonio (19-7, 16-4) Thursday night. Fourth-place North American surprised the Pilots 66-62 last Thursday before LSUS rebounded by beating 73-65 Xavier Saturday.

BPCC MEN HOME TONIGHT: The freshman-laden Cavaliers played two Region XIV stalwarts down to the wire on the road last week and hope to turn another good performance into a season sweep.

Paris Junior College, a team the Cavaliers defeated 78-72 in their conference road opener in early December, visits Billy Montgomery Gym tonight at 7.

Last Saturday BPCC hung tough on the road against defending national champion Trinity Valley CC, ranked eighth in the nation. Bossier Parish battled to a 35-35 tie at halftime and well into the second half before Trinity Valley capitalized down the stretch to secure a 75-64 victory.

Drew Cooper paced the Cavaliers with 22 points, including four three-pointers. Tony Montgomery added 16 points.

“We went toe-to-toe for 35 minutes against the defending champs,” first-year BPCC coach Jeff Moore said. “Hats off to a well-coached TVCC team that made the plays they had to at the end of the game to pull out the victory. Our team continues to make strides.”

Last Wednesday the Cavaliers (9-15, 3-13) had a back-and-forth 74-66 loss at 12^th-ranked Kilgore, on the heels of a double-digit home win over Coastal Bend.

Continue your article here…

By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Assistant AD for Communications 

The Diamond Gents used a six-run sixth inning to run away from Millsaps College 12-2 on Tuesday in a non-conference game and Centenary’s 2026 home opener at Shehee Stadium.

Centenary (3-5) led the Majors (3-4) by a score of 4-1 after five innings and then scored eight times over the next three innings to cruise to the win. 

The Maroon and White fell 16-6 in eight innings to Schreiner Sunday afternoon in a series finale in Kerrville, Texas. The Diamond Gents were swept in a doubleheader on Friday by the Mountaineers as they fell 4-1 in game one and 6-3 in game two but rebounded nicely with Tuesday’s blowout of the Majors.

The Diamond Gents hit the road this weekend as they will head back to the west coast to face George Fox University in a four-game series starting Friday in Newberg, Ore.

SOFTBALL: The Ladies completed a three-game series sweep in Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference play on Friday with an 8-4 victory over the Schreiner Mountaineers at home.

The Ladies (3-2, 3-0 SCAC) put the finishing touches on their impressive series over the Mountaineers (2-7, 0-3 SCAC) after a pair of dominating run-rule victories in a doubleheader on Thursday, winning game one 12-1 in five innings and 12-4 in six innings. Centenary has won eight of the last nine games in the series.  

Centenary plays this weekend in the Belhaven University Tournament in Jackson, Miss. 

MEN’S BASKETBALL: The Gents had their season-high six-game winning streak snapped on Saturday as they fell 68-61 to the University of the Ozarks Eagles in a league game inside the Gold Dome. Centenary (10-13, 8-6 SCAC) lost for the first time in nearly a month on the heels of beating Hendrix 84-57 Friday. 

Senior guard Quentin Beverly was honored in a Senior Day ceremony before the game and recognized for reaching 1,000 career points last month.

The Gents, 8-3 in their last 11 games, have clinched a berth into the 2026 SCAC Tournament (Feb. 27-March 1) to be held in Conway, Ark.

The top six teams in the conference (top three in each division) will qualify for the SCAC Men’s Basketball Tournament and the winner will earn the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. LeTourneau (12-2), St. Thomas (13-0), and Concordia (12-1), have also clinched tournament berths.

Centenary will finish its regular season on the road this weekend at Colorado College (Friday) and the University of St. Thomas (Sunday) in Houston.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: The Ladies fell 75-55 to the University of the Ozarks Eagles on Saturday night in a conference game on Senior Night inside the Gold Dome.

The Ladies (3-20, 2-12 SCAC) honored their senior class – Amiyah Barrow Kyra Stokes, Layla Powell, Paige Stowers, and Savannah Stowers in a pregame ceremony. Centenary will finish its season on the road this weekend at Colorado College (Friday) and the University of St. Thomas (Sunday) in Houston.

Coverage of stunt, lacrosse, gymnastics and swimming will follow in Friday’s bonus Centenary notebook.

Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu

Well, here we go again! Only a month and a half into the new year and controversy prevails in the bass tournament world. After a 2025 season full of controversy and one disqualification after another, in the first tournament of the year on Sam Rayburn, once again we have another disqualified winner. As a tournament angler myself, I’m not even sure I can put this into words. 

Are you kidding me? Why and how does the BFL (Cowboy Division) season start off with someone breaking the rules? I would say I’m surprised, but with so many disqualifications this past season, I’m not. 

I’m beyond the shock value of someone getting caught cheating or failing a polygraph. This was something that basically never happened from when I started tournament fishing (1990) till 2020. But over the last six years, it’s becoming the norm, especially in 2025. 

So many anglers today either can’t read or they’re just plain dumb. Tournament bass fishing is not a difficult sport to understand. It’s really quite simple; as an angler all you have to do is READ THE RULES! 

I have been a part of the tournament bass fishing world for over 30 years and never have I seen so many rule breakers and cheaters! Anglers who are willing to do whatever it takes to get into the winner’s circle or cash a check.

The sport has acquired a “win at all costs” mentality. But what’s making me nervous is there seems to be a trend that’s taking place in ALL bass tournament circuits nationwide. Is this a reflection on our society or just the fact that so many anglers feel the odds are in their favor when it comes to NOT getting caught?

Some bass fishing trails offer random polygraphs to a handful of anglers in the tournament no matter what their place of finish. It’s normal for the first-place angler to take a polygraph while other anglers are selected at random by computer. 

There are some organizations that don’t offer polygraph testing due to the cost involved with paying an examiner. These are events that I tend to shy away from, as I’ve seen first-hand that there are anglers out there that will cheat even on a local weeknight three-hour tournament for a $200 first place prize. 

On a sadder note, one angler this past year got caught cheating in a Fisher’s of Men tournament! An organization that is basically an outreach program to bring anglers closer to Christ. 

If you asked those who have cheated why they did it, if they’re honest, I’ll bet it wasn’t just about the money, but more about being recognized as one of the best anglers in their region. Like so many other athletes in sports, it’s all about their ego!

Now understand this, there is a difference between a cheater and rule breaker. Not all violations fall under the category of cheaters. For example, all anglers are required to wear a lifejacket when the big engine is running or the boat is on plane so, if an angler forgets to put on his lifejacket while running from point A to point B, he’s not cheating, but rather he has broken a rule. 

Webster defines a “cheater” as someone who violates rules dishonestly. Bass tournament organizations define it as someone who knowingly decided to break a rule on purpose with the intent of gaining a competitive advantage.  

So, where are we in terms of getting rid of the cheaters in a bass tournament?  First, there must be severe consequences for those that choose to cheat instead of playing by the rules. 

Second, tournament organizations and judges must make examples out of these low-lifes by prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law. After all, once they walk across that stage and receive a check, they’ve just committed fraud.   

It’s also up the anglers themselves to help police these bass tournaments by reporting anything they see that would be considered breaking a rule or cheating during the tournament. 

If you see suspicious activity like an angler putting fish in a basket under a dock or you find bass that have been tied to a stump on a shallow flat, make sure to report all suspicious activity to the tournament director immediately. 

We can only hope that one day anglers will show more integrity and honesty by following the rules. After all, it’s only a bass tournament, not a matter of life and death.

Hall Summit is preparing for a big day of action, community spirit, and charitable giving as the Hall Summit Community Center & Park hosts a full slate of events on Saturday, February 28, 2026, all benefiting Pilots for Patients.

The all-day event will bring together motorcycle riders, barbecue teams, outdoor sportsmen, vendors, and families for a cause that provides critical air transportation for patients in medical need.

One of the highlights of the day will be the Don Bernard Memorial Poker Run, which will begin at 3 State Harley-Davidson in Bossier City before riders make their way to Hall Summit. Motorcycles, cars, Jeeps, and clubs are all welcome to participate, honoring Bernard’s legacy while supporting the life-saving mission of Pilots for Patients.

Also on the schedule is a BBQ Cook-Off, featuring a non-traditional two-meat competition with half chicken and ribs. Teams will compete for bragging rights and prizes, with an entry fee of $150. Smoke will be in the air as pits fire up for what organizers expect to be a competitive and crowd-pleasing cook-off.

Outdoor excitement continues with a Wild Hog Live Catch Tournament, offering 40 award buckles and action throughout the day. The tournament is expected to draw participants from across the region.

In addition to the main events, attendees can enjoy a silent auction, raffles, vendors, concessions, and a variety of family-friendly activities, making the day accessible for all ages.

The event will take place at Hall Summit Community Center & Park, located at 1170 First Street in Hall Summit.

All proceeds from the day will go directly to Pilots for Patients, a nonprofit organization that coordinates free air transportation for patients facing serious medical challenges.

Organizers say the event is about more than competition and entertainment — it’s about honoring a legacy, supporting a life-saving cause, and showcasing the strength of a small community coming together for something bigger.

A funeral service for Renell “Butch” Edward Skeen, 72, will be held on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, Louisiana. Burial will be held at a later date at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Keithville, Louisiana. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

Butch was born on April 9, 1953, to Abner and Shirley Skeen in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and passed away on Saturday, February 14, 2026, in Bossier City, Louisiana.

Butch married the love of his life, Deborah Dickerson Johnson, on April 15, 1983, and together they built and lived a whirlwind life for almost 43 years. Their marriage was a true partnership — full of adventure, laughter, and a deep devotion that carried them through every chapter. Right out of high school, Butch joined the United States Marine Corps, beginning a life defined by grit, determination, and a willingness to take on whatever came his way. After his service, he went on to build an exciting and successful career in the Wire & Cable Industry. Over the course of 20 years, his work took him across the country, relocating many times and forming lifelong friendships in Louisiana, Massachusetts, North Carolina, and New Jersey. No matter where he landed, Butch had a way of making people feel like old friends.

In 2005, Butch and Deborah returned home to Louisiana and settled at Caney Lake, where he opened his own business, Shoo Fly & Mosquito Control. He poured himself into it with the same energy and independence that defined him, running the business until his retirement in 2021. After retiring, they moved back to Bossier City, right back to where their story first began. Butch was a free spirit at heart. He loved to travel, meet new people, cruise, play cards, and spend time at the casino. He never met a stranger, and he never missed a chance to turn an ordinary moment into a memory.

But above all, Butch loved his big extended family. Every grandchild has a story about him because he made sure each one felt seen, loved, and important. He was the grandpa who played hard, laughed loud, and pulled them around the lake, always going a little too fast, just to hear them squeal. He showed up for their events for as long as he physically could, and when he couldn’t be there in person, he watched them through every season of high school and college sports thanks to technology. His pride in them was unmistakable. Butch lived boldly, loved deeply, and left a legacy of joy, loyalty, and unforgettable stories that his family and friends will carry with them forever.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents, Abner and Shirley Skeen; stepmother, Mary Skeen; mother‑in‑law, Edna Hebert; husband, Leo; sisters, Linda Ginter and Robin Lechleitner; brothers‑in‑law, Jimmy Dickerson and O.C. Barber; and wife, Sheila. Left to cherish his memory are his best friend and loving wife, Deborah Skeen; daughters, Joselyn Skeen, Nichole Skeen, and Stacie Ellers and husband, Patrick; son, Dayne Johnson and wife, Marissa; grandchildren, Nieco Skeen, Jahlil Glenn, Jascina Thompson, Savannah Crutchfield, Zaydyn Skeen, Patrick and Melanie Ellers, Cortland and Ramona Ellers, Dalton and Ashley Ellers, Drew Johnson, Cadence Johnson, Sawyer Johnson, and Emma Johnson; great‑grandchildren, Eli, Emilia, Egan, and Easton Ellers, and Charlie Thompson; and sister, Kalene Reading and husband, Tony.

Honoring Butch as pallbearers will be Dayne Johnson, Drew Johnson, Sawyer Johnson, Pat Ellers, Patrick Ellers, Cortland Ellers, and Dalton Ellers.

November 19, 1949 — January 28, 2026

Kenneth David Cardwell, known as David, passed away on Janurary 28th, 2026 at his home in Athens, La. He is proceeded in death by his mother, Billie Sue Lenard Cardwell, and Carol Kenneth “Buck” Cardwell, his brother Wade Cardwell and baby sister, Susie. He is survived by his sister Teresa Ferguson, her husband Keith, a plethora of Lenard cousins, two nephews and one niece, and a slew of grand nieces and nephews.

 He was first born to Buck and Billie in Arcadia, La. After graduating, he married his high school sweet heart, Linda Sullivan (later divorced) and joined the Navy where he received an honorable discharge after serving during Vietnam

 From a globe trotting family, David was an entrepreneur who opened several businesses including The Juke Box Diner in Arcadia during the 1990’s. He also opened a flower shop in Silver Spring, Maryland while his family lived there during his father’s time working as the Deputy Govenor of Farm Credit Bureau. 

David had a love for cool things and a collection that spanned many niches. He was even featured on an episode of American Pickers, where he proudly showed off his collection. David will be missed by many friends throughout the country. A graveside memorial will be announced at a future time.

Shirley McEntire Leopard
February 9, 1927 – February 16, 2026
Service: Friday, February 20, 2026, 10am at Centuries Memorial Park, Shreveport. 

Sarah Collins Trickett
January 4, 1986 — February 16, 2026
Service: Friday, February 20, 2026, 2pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Pamela West Teeters
August 14, 1952 — February 15, 2026
Service: Friday, February 20, 2026, 10am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport. 

Richard Doyle Tilley
March 30, 1944 — February 15, 2026
Service: Friday, February 20, 2026, 1pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Bobbie Jean Washington
March 23, 1941 – February 15, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 11am at Mount Canaan Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Dr. James M. Jackson
December 1, 1953 – February 14, 2026
Service: Thursday, February 19, 2026, 11am at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Shreveport. 

Renell “Butch” Edward Skeen
April 9, 1953 — February 14, 2026
Service: Monday, February 23, 2026, 11am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City. 

Patsy Humphries
January 27, 1926 — February 13, 2026
Service: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 11am at Forest Park West Cemetery, Shreveport. 

Jackie “Jack” Ray Linder
May 23, 1947 — February 13, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 11am at St. Pius X Catholic Church, Shreveport. 

Matthew Nicholas Russo
April 16, 1978 – February 12, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10am at The Cathedral of St. John Berchmans, Shreveport. 

Melissa Stephens
? – February 12, 2026
Service: Thursday, February 19, 2026, 12pm at Ford Park Baptist Church, Shreveport. 

Paul Dupont
December 31, 1935 – February 11, 2026
Service: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 2pm at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Evelyn Rebecca O’Neal
September 27, 1929 — February 11, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 12pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Dylan Lane Sepulvado
May 31, 1993 — February 11, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 5pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport. 

Dorothy “Dot” M. Beckham
January 13, 1941 — February 10, 2026
Service: Wednesday, February 18, 2026, 11am at Forest Park West Cemetery, Shreveport. 

Julius Hert
November 12, 1947 – February 10, 2026
Service: Friday, February 20, 2026, 11am at Forest Park West Cemetery, Shreveport. 

Ronnie Wayne Anderson
April 22, 1956 — February 9, 2026
Service: Sunday, February 22, 2026, 3pm at The Summit, Bossier City. 

William B. Flynn
August 9, 1954 – February 9, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Shreveport.

Gary Perrin
February 8, 1942 – February 6, 2026
Service: Monday, February 23, 2026, 11:30am at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville. 

James Marshall Jones, lll
April 30, 1979 – February 4, 2026
Service: Friday, February 27, 2026, 1pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Shreveport. 

Rae Nell Gibson
January 6, 1946 — February 2, 2026
Service: Thursday, February 19, 2026, 2pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Lonie Floyce “Flo” Hahn
May 1, 1934 — February 2, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 2pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport. 

Alfred Vernon Webster Jr.
December 12, 1932 – January 31, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11am at Kings Highway Christian Church, Shreveport. 

Sammie Lee Johnson
February 18, 1930 — January 26, 2026
Service: Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 8am at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Trina Rene Fritz
September 3, 1971 – January 23, 2026
Service: Saturday, February 21, 2026, 3pm at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Louisiana State Representative Danny McCormick officially filed House Concurrent Resolution No. 1 (HCR1) on Feb. 13, memorializing the state’s congressional delegation to investigate and prosecute individuals implicated in the Jeffrey Epstein files. The resolution calls for the full use of legal processes to hold accountable those involved in the documented torture, abuse, rape, and child trafficking of minors as young as nine years old.

“The recent releases under the Epstein Files Transparency Act have exposed a horrifying network of torture, abuse, rape, and child trafficking involving minors as young as nine years old. These documents reveal a web of blackmail, bribery, and exploitation that protected the powerful while preying on the innocent. That’s why I have officially filed HCR1 calling on Congress to launch a full investigation into the individuals implicated in the Jeffrey Epstein files and ensure they are prosecuted through every available legal process.

This is not a partisan battle between Democrats and Republicans. It is a fundamental struggle between good and evil. High-profile names directly tied to these criminal activities include former President Bill Clinton, Prince Andrew, Alan Dershowitz, billionaire Les Wexner, former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin, model agent Jean-Luc Brunel, and others whose names have appeared in the newly released files. These allegations represent serious violations of law and public trust. Full accountability is essential to uphold justice and protect the public.

HCR1 urges our federal representatives and senators to prioritize this investigation and use all legal tools to prosecute those responsible. The victims deserve justice, and the American people deserve the truth. I will not rest until evil is exposed and punished, no matter how powerful the perpetrators.”

Shreveport Police arrested TaBrittany Anderson after she bit and scratched a store employee during an incident at Super 1 Foods in the 700 block of Shreveport-Barksdale Highway.

Officers say Anderson confronted the employee, bit them on the hand and scratched their face before fleeing. Using security footage, police identified Anderson and located her at a residence on Burke Street, where she was taken into custody without incident.

Anderson has been charged with Simple Robbery and Simple Battery. Officers also discovered she had 13 outstanding traffic warrants.

The employee sustained minor injuries and is expected to fully recover.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Shreveport Police at 318-673-7300 or Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.

Effective Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, the burn ban in Caddo Parish has been lifted.

Residents are now permitted to resume outdoor burning activities, but officials remind the public to continue exercising caution and to follow all local and state fire safety guidelines.

Firefighters responded to a fully involved house fire early Sunday morning in the 100 block of Watson Road.

According to Bossier Fire District #7, SWEPCO received a smart meter notification on Feb. 15 at 4:18 a.m. indicating a power outage at the residence. Utility crews arrived at 4:49 a.m. and discovered the home completely engulfed in flames.

District #7 firefighters responded with mutual aid assistance from Northeast Fire District #5 and extinguished what remained of the structure. Officials said the home was vacant at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office.

By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports

Four Shreveport-Bossier girls’ soccer teams contested LHSAA quarterfinal playoff games on Monday, with the locals going 2-2. Benton and Calvary both advanced to the semifinals, with Calvary pulling an upset on the road, but unfortunately Loyola and Caddo Magnet both fell just short.

The Bossier boys and Byrd girls have quarterfinal games this afternoon in Baton Rouge. The Bearkats play at University Lab and the Lady Yellow Jackets go to St. Joseph’s.

In Monday’s early game, Division I’s No. 5-seeded Benton Lady Tigers hosted 13^th-seeded Northshore. Regulation was not enough to settle the outcome.

Northshore dominated the first half play, in both possession and opportunities. Ten minutes into the game, Northshore was able to capitalize on the possession, when the visitors sent a cross into the middle and cleanly finished the ball to take the 1-0 lead. The rest of the half went scoreless, with Northshore having many chances to add to the lead.

Benton started to get more comfortable with the ball in the second half. That paid off 10 minutes into the half, when Eden Whiteman hit a 35-yard free kick over the outstretched arms of the Lady Panthers keeper, tying the score at 1. Benton then took control of possession and the threats to goal, but regulation time ran out before any more goals were scored.

In the second overtime period, Benton was awarded a penalty kick, and Karsyn Best put the game-winner into the back of the net. Benton will find out late today whether it will travel to top seed Mt. Carmel or host eighth-seeded Southside in the semifinals.

Division III’s biggest surprise of the bracket came when ninth-seeded Calvary traveled to No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas, looking to repeat last year’s semifinals showing.

After a scoreless first half, the Lady Cavaliers got more comfortable with the flow of the game. Eerily similar to the Benton game, 10 minutes into the second half, Calvary had a corner kick taken by Elizabeth Lee that found a waiting Ryleigh Willcut, who put the only ball into the back of the net. Keeper Anna Sarkozi kept Calvary in the game with 16 saves.

The Lady Cavaliers will face either fourth-seeded Pope John Paul II or No. 5 Catholic-New Iberia in the semifinals.

Loyola, the third seed in Division III, hosted sixth-seeded Isadore Newman, in a rematch of last year’s final, won by Newman 7-0. This game would not play out so one-sided.

The game went scoreless through the 80 minutes of regulation and the first overtime period. There were streaks of dominance by both teams, but overall favoring Newman.

With four minutes left in the second overtime period, the Lady Greenies had a 1-v-1 that looked promising before Lady Flyers keeper Peyton Lewis came charging out and forced Lily Arjmand’s shot just wide. Loyola was not so lucky with the same confrontation less than three minutes remaining. This time Arjmad’s ball hit the back of the net. The Lady Flyers fell 1-0 in heartbreaking fashion.

In the last game of the day, Division II third-seed Caddo Magnet hosted sixth-seeded St.  Thomas More at Lee Hedges Stadium. The first half was dominated by STM, as they peppered the goal time after time, but not breaking through. With just a couple minutes left in the first half, Isabella Baltov got the ball and did what she has done 173 other times in her high school  career. She finished her career with a school and parish record 174 goals.

The Lady Mustangs came out in the second half confident, having the 1-0 lead. That lasted less than three minutes, as STM put two quick goals on the board and grabbed the lead for good. They added an insurance goal to complete a 3-1 victory.

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net

Two football coaching icons passed away in the Monroe area last week, a devastating time for coaches, players, fans and media with longtime roots in North Louisiana football.

We lost two terrific coaches, and personable people, in a three-day period — first Pat Collins, 84, on Thursday, January 12, and then Jerry Arledge, 83, on Saturday. Both were deeply respected.

It is touching that they both left us at almost the same time because their lives and football careers were so parallel.

First, both had wonderful spouses and families.

Both were from the Shreveport area and they were teammates in college football, both offensive guards (and at times linebackers) at Louisiana Tech in the 1959-63 time frame, Collins a senior a year ahead of Arledge (1962 and ’63). A look at the roster of that time shows they were almost the identical size (5-foot-10, about 192 pounds).

They both were outstanding defensive coaches in high school and then college (line and linebackers). Both spent some years as Louisiana Tech assistant coaches, and both became head coaches — Collins at several high schools (Ouachita, West Ouachita and Longview, Texas) after a notably time at Northeast Louisiana University; Arledge, after assistant coach jobs several places, at West Monroe High.

Another commonality: After retiring from coaching, they were athletic directors for a short time at the high-school level — Collins at Longview, Arledge at West Monroe.

 —

Collins was the last living member of Louisiana Tech’s football coaching staff of the 1970s — one of the best staffs in the university’s storied football history. 

Pat was the linebackers coach, and basically the defensive coordinator (although he never had that title officially).

He was an outstanding recruiter — particularly in the Shreveport-Bossier area, where he grew up in a rough-tough West End neighborhood in the Fair Park High School area.

He was a smallish but rugged offensive guard at Fair Park (a senior on the 1958 district championship team) and then at Tech (1960-62), where he was a tri-captain as a senior. He then went into coaching, first at Airline High School (1965-66) and joined the new Tech coaching staff in 1967.

Head coach Maxie Lambright put together a brilliant, enthusiastic and extremely successful staff, with outstanding seasons in 1968 and ’69 when Terry Bradshaw blossomed at quarterback, and then a Division II national championship-caliber unit, particularly from 1971 to 1974.

Now all that staff has passed on: First, Lambright at only age 55 in 1980. Then Pat “Gravy” Patterson in 2007 at 73, E.J. Lewis in 2021 at 93, Wallace Martin in 2021 at 79, Mickey Slaughter in 2023 at 81 … and now “Collie” at 84.

It was expected that Slaughter would be Lambright’s successor as head coach in 1979, but he chose to go into private business. Collins was the other apparent successor, but he was not chosen.

Instead, he moved a little east to join John David Crow’s staff at arch-rival Northeast Louisiana, and eventually became the head coach there, with tremendous success, highlighted by the 1987 Division I-AA national championship, a team quarterbacked by future Super Bowl starter Stan Humphries, a Southwood High product.

Pat was a personable, interesting character, demanding and active on the practice field, a players’ coach (and friend) off it. Very cooperative and media-friendly, a pleasure to deal with for sports media types. (His mother worked for years in the advertising department at The Shreveport Times.)

He was voted for induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, and enjoyed its annual enshrinement activities. His son Mike also became a football coach, in college and now back in high school as head coach at Neville.

—

Arledge was from Oil City — just north of Shreveport — and played in the early years of North Caddo High School. Like Collins, he was recruited to Louisiana Tech to play for head coach Joe Aillet and offensive-line coach Jimmy Mize.

Arledge first returned to North Caddo to coach, and his career began to develop at Fair Park in the early 1970s. He then joined head coach A.L. Williams’ staff at Northwestern State, heading up the defense, and moved with A.L. to Tech from the 1983 season to 1986. He was a part of winning programs at each place, helping the 1984 Bulldogs reach the national championship game, but his greatest success came in 31 seasons at West Monroe (1992-2022).

Guiding the defense for head coach Don Shows, Arledge was a part of 262 of Shows’ 279 victories at the school. That included eight state championship teams — West Monroe had never won a state title in its first 40 years — including three in a row (1996-98), the last two undefeated seasons.

Although he never desired to be a head coach, Arledge succeeded the retiring Shows in that job, and his teams won nine district titles in 11 years and twice were the state runnerup.

Arledge, incidentally, also was a talented handyman who could build houses and fix most anything that needed fixing.

Collins was the more demonstrative, excitable coach; Arledge was more soft-spoken and less emotional. Both were masterful at teaching fundamentals and making scheme adjustments during games. 

Common factors: Young men loved playing for them, and fellow coaches thought highly of both men. 

Bottom line: Both were winners in every way, and they are fondly remembered.

Contact Nico at nvanthyn@aol.com

NOTE – Pat Collins’ funeral is today in Monroe. Jerry Arledge will be remembered Saturday at a celebration of life gathering Saturday in West Monroe.