Funeral services honoring the life of Cleveland Wayne Wyatt Sr. will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Old Pisgah Baptist Church, 15192 LA-120, Marthaville, Louisiana. A visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service. Officiating the service will be Bro. Eric Wilburn.

Cleveland Wayne Wyatt Sr. of DeBerry, Texas, known to many as Dad, Papa, Grandpa, Uncle Wayne, and above all, a devoted and loving husband, passed on April 22, 2026, in Shreveport, Louisiana at the age of 70. He was born on August 14, 1955, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Cleveland DeVance Wyatt and Gladys Odessa Goings.

Wayne spent most of his life working in the oil and gas industry and was a business owner of several ventures over the years. He was a true jack-of-all-trades—there wasn’t much he couldn’t do or fix. If someone was stuck, struggling, or simply needed a helping hand, Wayne was the one you called. Whether it was pulling someone out of the mud, helping build a home, cutting down a tree, rewiring a house, fixing a vehicle, or just sitting and listening, he was always there.

He was a contractor for many years and took pride in his work, but even more so in the people he helped along the way. Wayne coached many of his son’s teams growing up and became a father figure to countless kids who weren’t his own. To his children’s friends—and really to anyone who needed it—he was simply “Dad.”

Wayne was a man of God whose faith never wavered. Through every challenge he faced, he remained strong, trusting in God’s grace and never giving up. He was one of the strongest men his family has ever known, a man whose life was a testimony of perseverance, faith, and unconditional love. He loved his family deeply and without question—his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were the center of his world.

Honoring Wayne as pallbearers will be Wayne Wyatt II, Dan Landreneaux, Taylor Pierce, Jeff Anders, Abram Anders, Chad Stackpole, Brandon Bertolis, and Luis Deleon. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Feazel and Jerry Sandifer.

Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, Cleveland Wyatt and Gladys Phillips; his brother, Ronnie Dale Wyatt; and his granddaughter, Addisyn Wyatt.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 33 years, Jo-Nell Wyatt; his son, Wayne Wyatt II and wife Michal; his daughters, Quinnon Anders and husband Jeff, Olivia Wyatt and significant other Dan Landreneaux, and Emily Wyatt and significant other Taylor Pierce. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Abram Anders and wife Kennedy, Emalyn Anders and fiancé Johnathan, Lawson Wyatt, Lucas Ortiz, and Walker Wyatt; and his great-grandchildren, Madelyn Demoss, Alexander Demoss, and Parker Anders, along with numerous nieces and nephews, extended family members, and dear friends

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Mary Elizabeth Hendrick Krauel passed away on April 24, 2026 at the age of 93. She was born in Shreveport, LA, where she attended local schools and graduated from Byrd High School in 1950. She attended SMU in Dallas, TX, where she belonged to Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority. While at SMU, she met and married the love of her life, Robert W. Krauel. They made their home in Shreveport.

Mrs. Krauel held BA and Master’s degrees plus 48 hours above the masters. After obtaining her BA and Master’s degree from Northwestern State University, she was inducted into the prestigious Phi Kappa Phi honor society. She was a long-time member of the Retired Teacher’s Association and the Caddo Retired Teacher’s Association. She was instrumental in writing the guidelines for the first fundamental elementary school from which most of the elementary and middle school magnets have sprung. She also helped write guidelines for the Secondary Aide Program for Caddo Parrish. After retiring from teaching, she owned and operated The Writer’s Service.

Mrs. Krauel loved working in her garden and said, “It was good for her soul.” She organized the Spring Lake Garden Club and served as president. Mrs. Krauel was a long-time, faithful member of Broadmoor Baptist Church and a loyal member of her Sunday School class. When her children were young, she taught youth Sunday School and served as leader of the Youth Training Union.

Mary Elizabeth Krauel was preceded in death by her parents, Judge Ruvian D. Hendrick and Willie Ford Hendrick; her beloved husband of 67 years, Robert W. Krauel; her son Robert W. Krauel, Jr; and her brother Ruvian D. Hendrick, Jr. She is survived by daughter Diane Krauel Perkins (Cecil); granddaughters Laura Colvin (Bradley), Leslie Mulford (Andrew), and Lynn Jenkins (Matthew); grandsons, Ian Krauel and Eric Krauel; and twelve great-grandchildren.

Mary Elizabeth was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Memorials may be made to Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Shreveport, LA, Broadmoor Baptist Church, or charity of donor’s choice.

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It was one of the greatest smells to ever grace a 10-year-old’s nostrils. It also defined the term “sight to behold.”

There it was; all laid out on in front of me. A kid baseball player’s dream.

For me, this scene played out at Harbuck’s or Crawford Womack’s. For you, it might have been another place at another time.

But we all come back to that same core memory – getting a new baseball glove.

For a kid, getting a glove is like getting a new friend. There’s a certain knowledge that if you take care of it, it will take care of you. You’d hang onto it well beyond its life expectancy because you just couldn’t bring yourself to move on to another.

It just didn’t seem right to treat a friend like that.

One of the great things about a baseball glove is that it is completely unlike almost any other purchase you make. When Dad bought you a bicycle, you’d hop on and away you’d go. Instant satisfaction. Nothing to it.

Not a baseball glove. There’s a process involved that can’t be taken for granted. From the moment you tried it on until the day the strings started coming out, you had to care for it like it was a newborn because in many ways, it was.

Crawford Womack had a sporting goods store on Southern Avenue and I got (almost) every glove I had from there until he sold the business in 1973. The memory of walking in the door and seeing what seemed like miles and miles of baseball gloves is something that will always live with me.

Rawlings, Wilson and Spalding brands all basically saying “pick me” as I tried to adsorb the aura that lay before me. Mr. Womack, who I am convinced was 137 years at the time, would be in there firing up a stogie and ready to offer a recommendation if needed. But he knew the deal; you don’t just grab a glove and take it to the checkout counter.

They all had subtle differences – color, texture, size – but one glorious similarity. They all smelled like heaven.

For a kid, you had to look inside the glove to find what might have been the real deal-breaker: Who’s autographed it? You’d much rather have a Brooks Robinson glove than a Bobby Shantz glove. I had both during my glove-buying childhood. (Quick note: Bobby Shantz, who I would never have heard of had I not had his glove model, is still alive at 100 years old and is the last surviving major leaguer who played in the 1940s.)

But the life of a glove truly begins when you get home. Buy a set of golf clubs and you can hit them in the parking lot. Buy a basketball and you can dribble it on the way out the door.

To get a glove broken in and ready for gametime, you need equal amounts of time and TLC. And just about every glove-owning family has a secret recipe that is as proven as grandma’s six-cheese casserole.

There is the run-over-it-with-the-family-car method, which we never tried (for fear of tire tracks).

Others would tightly wrap it with tape around the outside and leave it alone for a few days.

I’ve heard others who would dunk it in water to help break it in, though I think that’s pure blasphemy.

At the Marshall household, we subscribed to the put-it-under-the-mattress method but ALWAYS with a ball inside of it. Sure, we’d wake up with a sore back, but hey, no pain no (leather) gain. A few days under the ol’ Sealy and we were well on the way.

But the job wasn’t done until the glove could completely close on its own and lay down flat though, with just the right amount of curvature; the exact opposite of the way it looked when it left Womack’s.

Or S&H Green Stamps.

I loved my mother like you wouldn’t believe – the woman taught herself to keep score at games – but Mom took an E during my youth baseball days when she saved up enough Green Stamps (kids, ask your grandparents) to get me a new glove.

Let’s just say that the selection at the Green Stamps redemption center wasn’t quite as voluminous as the selection at Crawford Womack’s. But when I came home one day after school, I had a new baseball glove.

A Bobby Shantz model baseball glove. 

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

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Bossier Parish officials say this year’s Operation Clean Sweep resulted in a significant cleanup effort across parish roadways.

According to the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, a total of 11.5 tons of trash were removed and 27 tires were properly disposed of during the community-wide initiative.

Sheriff Whittington and the sheriff’s office expressed appreciation to all participants, noting the strong turnout and collaboration that helped make the event successful. Officials said the effort reflects ongoing community pride and a commitment to keeping Bossier Parish clean and maintained.

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Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation has provided an update on planned dredging work at the Earl G. Williamson boat launch, according to District 1 Commissioner Chris Kracman.

Parks and Recreation Director Patrick Wesley said the parish will begin receiving contractor quotes in June and July. After selecting a contractor, officials will confirm a work schedule, with dredging potentially beginning in late August or early September.

Officials noted that late summer is typically chosen for the project because water levels at Caddo Lake are at their lowest near the ramp, allowing for easier access for contractors. The dredging process is expected to take about two weeks, depending on weather conditions.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

The Calvary softball team’s drive toward a sixth straight state championship rolled on Thursday as three home runs and a 13-strikeout performance from senior ace Kynzee Anderson propelled the top-seeded Lady Cavaliers to an 8-0 victory over No. 8 Bunkie in a Select Division III state quarterfinal.

Loren Sivils, Jaycee Sledge and Baylor Bockhaus homered for the winners, who scored four times in the sixth inning to blow it open.

Calvary (35-1) will wait until this evening to learn its semifinal opponent next Friday in Sulphur at the state tournament.  District rival D’Arbonne Woods, the fourth seed, is hosting No. 5 St. Louis in a 5 o’clock quarterfinal.

Sivils, who clubbed three home runs in three trips to the plate in a regional round three-inning 15-0 rout of Fisher on Tuesday, made it four in a row in the second inning Thursday when she went big fly for a 1-0 lead. Anderson tripled and courtesy runner Halle Brooke Rinaudo scored to double the edge.

Bockhaus contributed a third-inning RBI single and Calvary made it 4-0 in the fifth by scoring on an outfield error. Sledge’s homer upped the lead to 5-0 in the sixth and Bochhaus delivered a two-run blast, her 20^th of the year, for the 8-0 margin.

Anderson gave up a leadoff double to open the game and held Bunkie without a hit afterward to secure Calvary’s 12^th consecutive state semifinal berth.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Visiting Evangel surprised third-seeded John Curtis in Metairie Thursday in the opener of their best-of-3 Select Division I baseball series, while Loyola salvaged a split of its homefield doubleheader to set up a winner-take-all Game 3 today, and Calvary blanked Fisher to move forward to a quarterfinal series next weekend.

Evangel, the 14^th seed (18-14), took the lead in the fourth inning and held off the Patriots (28-7). Game 2 is today at 4, with an if necessary third game following if Curtis evens the series.

After losing the first game 3-2 and falling behind 3-1 in the second game of its best-of-three series against 12^th-seeded Archbishop Shaw Thursday, the Loyola Flyers rallied for an 8-3 win to send their Select Division II battle to a deciding game this afternoon. 

The fifth-seeded Flyers scored runs on two wild pitches to tie in the fourth inning — both with two outs — then took the lead in the fifth when Jake Black’s two-out double scored Caden Pryor. Kingston Adams added a two-run single in the sixth to extend the lead.

Adams, Grayson Minnis and Black each had two hits. Luca Golden (6-0) was the winning pitcher, striking out five.

The Flyers (20-14) are scheduled to meet Shaw (13-19) in Game 3 today at 5 p.m. at Cicero Field. 

Calvary, the third seed in Select Division III, shut out the visiting Gators for the second straight day. Garrett Lee’s steal of home accounted for the final run.

Calvary improved to 23-13 while No. 14 Fisher finished 22-12. The Cavs will host a quarterfinal series next weekend. 

Thursday’s regional round scores 

Select Division I

Evangel 3, John Curtis 1 (Evangel leads series, 1-0)

Select Division II

Archbishop Shaw 3, Loyola 2 (Game 1)

Loyola 8, Archbishop Shaw 3 (Game 2)

Select Division III

Calvary 3, Fisher 0 (Calvary wins series, 2-0) 

Regional round schedule (games today unless noted) 

Non-Select Division I 

No. 22 St. Amant (20-16) at No. 6 Benton (27-5-2), 6:00 (Game 1; Game 2 Saturday, noon; if necessary Game 3 follows)

No. 19 Haughton (22-14) at No. 2 Sam Houston (26-8), 6:00 (Game 1; Game 2 Saturday 11 a.m.; if necessary Game 3 follows)

Select Division I 

No. 9 Captain Shreve (21-13 at No. 8 Alexandria Senior High (21-9), 6:00 (Game 1; Game 2 Saturday 2:00, if necessary Game 3 follows)

No. 14 Evangel (18-14) at No. 3 John Curtis (28-7), 4:00 (Game 2; if necessary, Game 3 follows) 

Select Division II 

No. 12 Shaw (13-19) at No. 5 Loyola (20-14), 5:00 (Game 3)

Non-Select Division IV 

No. 22 Plain Dealing  (12-15) at No. 11 Delcambre (13-16), 6:00 (single elimination)

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By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

STARKVILLE, Miss.— In an unexpected season of the lowest lows, LSU head baseball coach Jay Johnson is hoping his week concludes better than it started.

It isn’t enough that the defending national championship Tigers (24-18 overall, 6-12 SEC) are trying to avoid a school-record setting nine straight SEC losses as they open this weekend’s league series at No. 11 Mississippi  State (31-10, 10-8 SEC) here today.

The mountain to climb into consideration for an NCAA Tournament bid grew exponentially on Tuesday when Johnson confirmed his best player and a starting pitcher are out for the season with injuries. 

Junior right fielder Jake Brown (broken hamate bone) and starting pitcher Cooper Moore (Olecranon fracture in right elbow) are done for the year.

Moore had missed the last four SEC series, resting the arm in an effort to rehab.  But it was finally determined this past weekend, after he threw in the bullpen, that the arm was not responding.

Sophomore William Schmidt has since stepped into Moore’s role as the game 2 starter in conference play.

But the loss of Brown is massive. He’s No. 5 in the SEC in home runs (16) and No. 5 in RBI (49).

“He’s easily one of my favorite players of all time,” Johnson said earlier this week. “He was a leader for this team, and I’m proud of his development. I can’t say enough good things about him. 

“That (the season-ending injury) was a gut punch not just for the production for the team, but that dude means a lot to me, and not the way you want you know a career of that caliber to end. First question he asked me is, `Can I continue to travel?’ and I was like, `You can coach third base if you want to’, so I just love him.”

True freshman William Patrick from Monroe started in Brown’s place in Tuesday night’s win over UNO. He had an RBI.

“He’s got a good future here,” Johnson said of Patrick.  “He can add two elements that maybe we’re missing a little bit. Athleticism on the team as a whole, and he’s a good competitor too.”

Perfect Game rated Patrick as the No. 2 Louisiana high school player in the Class of 2025. He was a three-time All-State selection in football and a state long jump champion.

Mississippi State enters today’s riding game with a five-game win streak, which includes a 6-2 win over Memphis on Tuesday and an SEC sweep at South Carolina last weekend.

LSU (24-18 overall, 6-12 SEC) vs. No. 11 MISSISSIPPI STATE (31-10, 10-8 SEC) Dudy Noble Field, Starkville

Game 1: Today, 3 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)

LSU – So. RH Casan Evans (2-2, 5.47 ERA, 52.2 IP, 26 BB, 76 SO) 

MSU – So. LH Tomas Valincius (7-1, 1.81 ERA, 83 K, 13 BB)

Game 2: Saturday 6:30 p.m. CT (ESPN2) 

LSU – So. RH William Schmidt (4-4, 4.14 ERA, 50.0 IP, 22 BB, 67 SO) 

MSU – So. RH Duke Stone (6-1, 3.78 ERA, 70 K, 18 BB)

Game 3: Sunday, 1 p.m. CT (SEC Network+) 

LSU – TBA 

MSU – So. LH Charlie Foster (0-2, 5.17 ERA, 

LSU VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE SERIES

State leads the overall series with LSU 212-199-1. The Tigers have won 14 of the past 18 SEC regular-season series with the Bulldogs, including a three-game sweep in Baton Rouge last March.  Prior to last season, Mississippi State had captured two series in a row over the Tigers – the Bulldogs won two of three games over the Tigers in May 2023, in Baton Rouge, and MSU won two of three over LSU in March 2024, in Starkville. 

A LOOK AT LSU

LSU is No. 9 in the SEC with a .280 batting average, and the Tigers are No. 14 in pitching with a 5.08 team ERA and 15^th in fielding (.965., 51 errors). . . Sophomore centerfielder Derek Curiel leads LSU in batting average at .349, and he has produced eight doubles, two triples, five homers, 39 RBI and 44 runs scored. He’s No. 3 in the SEC in base hits (58), No. 5 in the league in triples (2) and No. 9 in runs scored (44). . .Junior shortstop Steven Milam has raised his batting average to .282. In the Tigers’ last eight games, he’s batting .387 (12-for-31) with four doubles, two homers, five RBI and five runs scored. Milam has committed just one error all season in 148 chances for a .993 fielding percentage. 

A LOOK AT MISSISSIPPI STATE 

The Bulldogs are No. 2 in the SEC with a .316 team batting average No. 3 in the SEC with a 3.42 ERA. Outfielder Bryce Chance is hitting .364 with 14 doubles and 20 RBI, infielder/outfielder Gehrig Frei is hitting .331 with nine doubles, two triples and seven homers, and infielder Ace Reese is batting .312 with team highs of 17 doubles, 12 homers and 47 RBI. The Mississippi State pitching staff has recorded 467 strikeouts in 353 innings while allowing 35 home runs.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Former LSU football coach Ed Orgeron, who played his senior season for Sam Goodwin then began his coaching career on Goodwin’s Northwestern State staff, is among speakers honoring the late coach Saturday morning at 10 in NSU’s Turpin Stadium.

The memorial service is open to anyone. Casual attire is welcomed, with NSU fans encouraged to wear football game day gear. Entrance is through the stadium’s west (press box) side.

Three of Goodwin’s greatest players – future NFL veterans Kevin Lewis and Marcus Spears, both of whom had no other college offers – and record-breaking quarterback Brad Laird are also on the roster of speakers.

Former NSU assistant coaches Dr. Fitz Hill, later a head coach at San Jose State, and Bradley Dale Peveto, who became head coach at Northwestern from 2009-12, will also talk about Goodwin.

His granddaughter Jaycee Goodwin, who last year completed her college softball career at Georgia State, will share her thoughts. She now is on the administrative staff at the University of Georgia.

Shreveport state Senator Rick Edmonds, a close Goodwin friend, will speak. Former state Senator Gerald Long, who with his late wife Rose was the longtime Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle leader at Northwestern during Goodwin’s 17 seasons, will offer an invocation.

Resolutions from Congressman Cleo Fields, and the state houses in Louisiana and Arkansas, will be presented. Goodwin won five state championships in nine years as head coach in the 1970s at Little Rock-Parkview High School, and also was an assistant coach on Lou Holtz’ Arkansas staff for two seasons.

Goodwin passed away at home March 20 at age 82 after a brief illness.

The celebration of Goodwin’s life will lead into the annual Joe Delaney Bowl spring game that caps Northwestern’s spring practice. Goodwin launched the Delaney Bowl tradition and also inaugurated the Joe Delaney Memorial Leadership Awards for permanent team captains after Delaney’s heroic drowning death in 1983.

Following Saturday’s Delaney Bowl, the Demon Brothers Booster Club, an association of former players, most who played for Goodwin, are hosting the Crawfest festival and music show on the NSU practice fields. Tickets are available at the DemonBrothers.org website.

Goodwin won a school-record 102 games in 17 seasons at the helm of the Demon program, turning it into a perennial Southland Conference championship contender while setting the Southland Conference wins record.

A Pineville native, Goodwin led the Demons to four conference championships – the 1984 Gulf Star crown and the 1988, 1997 and 1998 Southland titles. He twice was named Southland Conference Coach of the Year.

His 1998 Demon team reached the FCS semifinals where it fell to eventual national champion UMass. That 1998 team equaled the school single-season record of 11 wins and featured four of the 22 All-Americans Goodwin coached at Northwestern.

His 1988 squad advanced to the FCS quarterfinals and is the only Northwestern team to go unbeaten in Southland play. That season, Goodwin’s “Road Warriors” picked up five straight conference or playoff wins away from Turpin Stadium, including a regular-season-ending 20-17 victory at Stephen F. Austin, which had previously been ranked No. 1 in the nation. Two weeks ahead of the win at SFA, the Demons took down another top-ranked team, North Texas, on the road.

In addition to the 20 on-field All-Americans he produced, Goodwin also coached two Academic All-Americans, a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes, 42 first-team All-Southland Conference selections and 38 players who reached the NFL – several whose only Division I scholarship offer was from Goodwin.

Goodwin earned induction into the N-Club Hall of Fame – the highest honor the university awards to student-athletes and athletic staff members – in 1999, a year after his alma mater, Henderson State, enshrined him in its athletic hall of fame. He was a NAIA All-America lineman for the Reddies and a three-time Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference discus champion who served 10 years as the HSU athletics director after retiring from Northwestern in June 2000.

He was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame and the Southland Conference’s Hall of Honor in 2007. Two years ago, he was presented the “Contributions to Amateur Football Award” by the S.M. McNaughton Chapter of the National Football Foundation encompassing north Louisiana.

Complimentary bottled water will be available for those seated in the west stands at Turpin Stadium. The Goodwin family and speakers will greet well-wishers after the service at the south end of the field, next to the Jack Clayton Plaza.

Orgeron became one of the country’s top recruiters in major college football, served as interim head coach at USC, and after being promoted out of the same role in Baton Rouge following the 2016 season, led LSU to the 2019 national championship in an historic unbeaten run. His senior season at Northwestern, 1983, was Goodwin’s first in Natchitoches.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Postseason baseball returns to Pilot Field today at 3 o’clock as No. 2 seed LSU Shreveport opens the Red River Athletic Conference Baseball Tournament first round against No. 7 seed University of the Southwest.

It will be the opening game of a best-of-three series with a trip to the RRAC final site in Sterlington on May 1-3 on the line. Game 2 is Saturday at 6 p.m. If necessary, Game 3 will be played Sunday at 1.

The reigning NAIA national champion Pilots (36-12 overall, with a final 20-7 RRAC mark) enter tournament play with momentum after closing the regular season with a 25-8 road win over Central Baptist and will look to continue their strong play at home, where they have posted a 27-4 record this season. Southwest  is 15-30, and finished 11-16 in the RRAC.

The teams met earlier this season at Pilot Field, where LSUS swept the three-game series by scores of 11-5, 10-3, and 13-3.

Coach Brad Neffendorf’s Pilots again own one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, hitting .347 as a team with 517 hits, 489 runs scored, 54 home runs, and 188 stolen bases. The Pilots’ lineup features production throughout the order, led by Carlos Sanchez, who enters the tournament batting .392 with 73 hits, 73 RBI, 11 home runs, and 28 extra-base hits in an attack averaging more than 10 runs per game.

The Mustangs are hitting .301 as a team but will have to solve a strong LSUS pitching staff.

The Pilots carry a 3.40 team ERA and have struck out 380 batters while holding opponents to a .242 average.  Brock Lucas has anchored the rotation with an 8-2 record, a 2.12 ERA, and 90 strikeouts, while  David Hankins has gone 7-1 with a 2.95 ERA. 

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The Bossier Parish School for Technology and Innovative Learning (BPSTIL) recently held its National Technical Honor Society induction ceremony, celebrating students recognized for excellence in career and technical education.

School officials highlighted the inductees’ leadership, academic achievement, and commitment to their chosen technical fields. The students were praised for their dedication and readiness to contribute to both their community and future careers.

BPSTIL congratulated all new members of the National Technical Honor Society, noting that their hard work and perseverance have earned them this recognition.

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Danny Lynn Brotherton, of Coushatta, Louisiana, passed awayMonday, April 20, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.

Danny was born in Independence, Missouri, on November 9, 1962, to his parents, William Andrew “Bill” Brotherton and Gwendolyn May “Gwen” Tooley. He grew up in Carrollton, Missouri, alongside his many siblings and cousins.

He married Velma Ann Keith (Brotherton) in October 1981, both at the age of eighteen. They were married for over forty-fouryears. Together they had three daughters, Amanda Daniele Brotherton (Todd), Allison Ann Brotherton (Hayes), and Adrianna Lynn Brotherton, who were his pride and joy.

Danny was a certified general contractor, and worked in concrete construction all of his life, beginning full-time at the age of fifteen.He was a founder of B&B Construction with his father, Bill, and brother-in-law, Joey Cason, Sr. He also founded and operated Grand Bayou Construction and Brotherton Concrete Construction. When he retired from concrete construction, Danny became a certified pipeline welding inspector and member of the 406 unionas a foreman supervisor over natural gas stations.

In his spare time, Danny was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying deer hunting, squirrel hunting, dove hunting, and coon hunting, a passion he shared with his father, a lifetime member of the Blue Tick Breeders of America. He received many trophies for his hunting efforts and coonhounds. Danny shared his love of the outdoors with his children and grandchildren, always with one or more in tow. Danny also loved to travel with his family, driving all over the United States.

Danny was a proud grandfather to his four grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as “PaPaw,” Olivia Anne Todd, John Curtis Todd, Ty Wesley Hayes and Daniel Henry “Danny” Todd. He loved spending time with all of his grandchildren, sharing stories and riding ATVs around the family property.

Danny is preceded in death by his mother and father, his siblings, Robert Brotherton, Rita Holler, Virginia Bourdon, Chuck Thompson, Roy Allen Brotherton, Tommy Boyce, and Dolore Faye Clark.

Danny is survived by his loving wife, Velma; his children and grandchildren; his surviving siblings, Barbara Cloud, HelenThomas, and Carolyn and Joey Cason, all of Carrollton, MO; Paul and Jan Thompson of Hall Summit, LA; Judy and Scotty Haywood of Pittsburg, TX; and Rhonda Brotherton, all of Kansas City, MO; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at New Life Church of Red River, 5047 Duke Avenue, Hall Summit, LA 71034, with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. and service beginning at 12:00 p.m. A private burial will follow with the family. Dr. Collin Wimberly, dear pastor and friend to the deceased, will officiate the ceremony.

Pallbearers will be Joey Cason, Jr., Ken Cason, Jr., Landon Sturgeon, Shane Hubbard, Cody Hubbard, Dalton “Bubba” Hubbard, David “Trouble” Beard, Mason Pierce, and Bradin Millett.

Honorary Pallbearers are Joey Cason, Sr., Patrick Bryant, Matthew Todd, and Madison Pierce.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the team fromIntensive Specialty Hospital and Dr. Abdehou for their wonderful care and treatment of Mr. Brotherton

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James “Jimmy” Donald Embry of Shreveport, Louisiana, passed away on April 23, 2026, after a courageous battle against colorectal cancer, at the age of 40.

Jimmy was born on September 5, 1985, in Bossier City, Louisiana. Known for his sharp intellect, quick wit, and old school eclectic spirit, he was truly the smartest man many of us ever knew. He had a deep passion for building and collecting Gundam models, playing and trading collector cards, and loved playing Dungeons & Dragons with his work family and friends. Jimmy was also a trivia extraordinaire whose vast knowledge and curiosity made every conversation interesting and every game night memorable.

Above all else, Jimmy’s greatest love was his girlfriend and the love of his life, Sydney McDermott, his other half, who loved him beyond what words can express, cared for him with unwavering devotion, and is truly an angel on earth. He was also the devoted human of his beloved cat, Puddin, who generously allowed Jimmy to live in her home and serve as her full-time staff.

He is survived by his girlfriend, Sydney McDermott; his mother, Tina Jones; his father, Edwin Embry (Shawn); step-father, Philip Jones; his sister, Brooke Embry (Lindsay); his brother, Philip “PJ” Jones Jr.; and his beloved nieces, Olive and Hazel Embry. Jimmy also leaves behind many extended family members and friends who will deeply miss his humor, intelligence, and unique perspective on the world.

In accordance with Jimmy’s final wishes to donate his body for medical research, a private celebration of his life with his family and friends will be planned.

Jimmy’s memory will live on in the countless laughs, stories, and moments of wonder he shared with those who loved him.

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Phonetic: /fɔɪst/

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition

• to introduce or insert surreptitiously or without warrant
• to force another to accept especially by stealth or deceit
  
  … when the states … foist unnecessary expenses on local taxpayers …
  —T. C. Desmond
• to pass off as genuine or worthy
  
  … foist costly and valueless products on the public …
  —Jonathan Spivak
  
  … inferior caviar has been foisted on an unknowing public …
  —David Rosengarten

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The Shreveport Police Department reported several recent arrests as part of an ongoing effort to remove illegal firearms from the streets and target individuals prohibited from possessing weapons.

According to the department, multiple arrests were made between April 17 and April 21 involving individuals accused of illegally carrying firearms or related offenses.

On April 21, Jabreland Thompson, Rodriguez Walker and James Tyler were arrested and charged with illegal carrying of weapons and squatting. Authorities said Thompson is a convicted felon with prior firearm and burglary convictions.

On April 20 at approximately 12:30 p.m., Michael Smith was arrested for unauthorized entry. Officers reported he was found in possession of a firearm despite prior convictions for armed robbery, simple robbery, felony theft and narcotics offenses. He now faces a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Earlier that day around 10:50 a.m., Cartez Anderson was arrested following a domestic incident and charged with simple battery of a dating partner and illegal carrying of a weapon.

On April 18, Roderick Simpson was arrested and charged with theft of a firearm. Police said he is also prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior convictions.

On April 17, Lorenzo Louis was arrested after allegedly pointing a firearm at a woman during a dispute. Authorities said he is a convicted felon and faces charges related to illegal possession of a firearm.

Police officials said the department will continue focusing enforcement efforts on individuals illegally possessing firearms.

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The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office swore in seven new deputies during a ceremony held April 22.

Caddo Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr. administered the oath of office to the newly appointed personnel, who will serve in various divisions within the agency.

Three deputies were assigned to the Corrections Division: Jermarquis Harvey, Kenton Hood and Dacallier McClure.

Three deputies were assigned to Patrol: Stephanie Poole, Branthony Brown and Brandon Lewis.

Lesley Lacy was sworn in as a domestic violence advocate and will serve in the agency’s Domestic Violence Unit.

The sheriff’s office continues to recruit new personnel for a range of positions, including corrections deputies, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, building and groundskeepers, part-time courthouse security personnel and part-time work release drivers. Applicants must be at least 21 years old. More information on qualifications, benefits and the application process is available at the agency’s website.

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The legal hurdle for Shreveport’s Resilient Technology Park has been cleared. In a ruling issued this week on Monday, April 20, 2026, Caddo Parish District Judge Ramon Lafitte dismissed the legal challenge brought by Mooringsport Mayor Tyler Gordon and local citizens.

The decision effectively validates the Shreveport City Council’s previous approval and allows the $6 billion project at the 313-acre site to move forward.

The Ruling

• Permit Upheld: The judge affirmed the special-use permit required for the data center to operate, overriding the initial block by the Metropolitan Planning Commission (MPC).

• City Justification: The court found the City Council’s reversal of the MPC denial was not “arbitrary or capricious.” Documents submitted during the hearing highlighted that the city’s water department has “more than enough” capacity to support the facility without straining local infrastructure.

• Project Timeline: With the 90-day “limbo” ended, STACK Infrastructure and Amazon can now proceed with site development. Regional economic leaders noted that while work continued on the alternative Caddo and Bossier sites, the Resilient Park location remains the “catalyst” for the broader regional investment.

Status of the Regional “Three-Campus” Model

With this ruling, all three components of the $12 billion regional investment are now active:

1. Resilient Technology Park (Shreveport): Now cleared for construction following the April 20 ruling.

2. North of Benton (Bossier Parish): Construction is already underway.

3. West of Blanchard (Caddo Parish): Construction is already underway.

Potential for Appeal

While the ruling is a major victory for the city, the battle may not be entirely over. Attorneys for the plaintiffs, including Mooringsport Mayor Tyler Gordon, have indicated they are weighing an appeal to a higher court. Their primary argument remains a lack of transparency regarding the “mystery” surrounding the exact operational culture and long-term environmental impacts of the data center.

ORIGINAL:

A legal challenge blocking Shreveport’s proposed Amazon data center at Resilient Technology Park is headed for a First District Court hearing April 20, keeping one of the region’s most anticipated economic development projects in limbo while separate Amazon-related construction moves forward in Caddo and Bossier parishes.

Mooringsport Mayor Tyler Gordon and two Caddo Parish citizens, Michael Craft and Mary Blakemore, filed suit in January against Mayor Tom Arceneaux and the city. The suit seeks judicial review of the City Council’s decision to approve the development after the Shreveport Metropolitan Planning Commission initially blocked it. A special-use permit is required for a data center to operate at Resilient Park.

The 313-acre park off Greenwood Road in west Shreveport, adjacent to Interstate 20, is development-ready and was the site that originally drew Amazon to the region. It is listed as a third campus in the broader $12 billion Amazon investment in northwest Louisiana — but was left out of Gov. Jeff Landry’s Feb. 23 announcement at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium specifically because of the pending litigation.

“It stung a little but it was a light sting because we feel we’ll get there quickly,” Justyn Dixon, president and CEO of North Louisiana Economic Partnership, told The Center Square. Dixon said Resilient Park was the catalyst that brought Amazon to the area. When litigation complicated the west Shreveport site, Dixon’s team quickly identified two alternative locations. “We quickly said, ‘We know you like this site, would you be willing to look at two other sites?'” Dixon said. Amazon agreed, and STACK Infrastructure — a Denver-based development company that will lease the campuses to Amazon — is now moving forward on the Caddo and Bossier parish sites.

Gordon, who has said he does not oppose regional development, filed the suit over concerns about the city’s approval process. “I don’t want people to think that I am trying to stop development in our area,” Gordon told The Center Square.

At stake for Shreveport if the litigation is resolved in the city’s favor: sales tax revenue, construction jobs and a share of what North Louisiana Economic Partnership describes as a transformational regional investment. The multiple-campus structure is a redundancy feature designed to protect Amazon cloud computing operations — each site runs on a separate transmission line so that one campus can continue operating if another goes offline.

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The Youth Peace & Justice Foundation, also known as The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, today announced the distribution of $1,005.34 in raised funds within 24 hours of launching its response to the Shreveport tragedy. The rapid deployment of direct financial support for victims underscores what leadership described as a rare, student-led national mobilization capable of generating and deploying aid in real time.

The Foundation confirmed that the funds were directed to the Community Foundation of North Louisiana Survivors Fund, ensuring rapid delivery of financial assistance to victims and families impacted in the immediate aftermath.

“This was not just a fundraiser — it was an immediate response,” said Daniel Chapin, Founder and President of the Youth Peace & Justice Foundation. “Within 24 hours, students and supporters across multiple states came together, raised funds, and ensured that direct financial support reached victims. That level of urgency and compassion is extraordinary.”

According to the Foundation, the campaign was uniquely structured as a multi-state, student-led initiative, with youth participants actively organizing and driving outreach efforts. Students in Maryland led grassroots fundraising efforts, while youth in Texas coordinated media distribution and digital amplification. At the same time, individuals across the country contributed donations ranging from $10 to $200 and beyond, forming a broad-based national response.

“This was not a passive online campaign,” Chapin added. “This was a fluid movement — young people crossing state lines with purpose, compassion, and action to show Shreveport that they are not alone.”

The Foundation further confirmed that ongoing fundraising efforts will continue through May 1, with proceeds supporting both the Louisiana Survivors Fund and the “Love One Louisiana” initiative, which has committed to covering funeral expenses for the victims.

In addition to financial support, the Foundation has activated its 24-hour Community Crisis Line (254-499-8027), providing access to youth peer support specialists and licensed counselors, and continues coordinating with local and national partners to expand recovery resources.

The Foundation also reaffirmed that the victims will be honored through its national “Trees for Peace” memorial initiative, ensuring their lives are remembered through long-term, living tributes. This commitment to honoring victims follows recent tributes by local leadership, including the Natchitoches Parish School Board, which held a moment of silence during its April 21 meeting for the young people lost in the Shreveport area.

“Our commitment is not just to respond, but to respond immediately and meaningfully,” Chapin said. “What we’ve seen here is proof that when young people lead with compassion, real impact follows — and it happens fast.”

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We all know about Terry Bradshaw. Heck, if he had just been a football star, we would all know about TB.

But he’s a multi-platform analyst/entertainer who left his hometown when the then-woeful Pittsburgh Steelers made him the No. 1 pick in the 1970 NFL Draft, out of Louisiana Tech after a great two-sport career at Woodlawn High School.

Although he has mostly lived elsewhere, he never really left Shreveport, or north Louisiana, or Louisiana Tech. Give him credit for that. Celebrities too often find it’s tough to go home again. And it is.

He was at a distance from Pittsburgh for quite a few years after his playing days ended. He and coach Chuck Noll were pivotal figures in the Steelers’ dynasty of the 1970s, with four Super Bowl wins and several near misses.

Bradshaw and Noll were not on the same wavelength, except when it came to competing and winning. Both would speak their minds, and both sniped at the other. Steelers fans took sides and sometimes Bradshaw’s brashness rubbed some of them the wrong way.

Tonight when the NFL Draft kicks off in Pittsburgh, TB will be there. In the last several years, the awkward relationship between him and Pittsburgh has healed. Just last Friday, he was in the ‘Burgh as master of ceremonies at the annual Mel Blount Youth Home Celebrity Roast.

In his golden years, the 77-year-old Blonde Bomber is enjoying the view, but not ready to step away from his Fox Sports studio analyst role or other endeavors.

On the long list of pro football stars from Shreveport-Bossier and the area, there’s no doubt Bradshaw is at the top, for what’s that worth. Watching him throw deep to fellow Pro Football Hall of Famers John Stallworth and Lynn Swann was breathtaking then, and still is.

And here’s a touch of irony. He could have had a local connection.

The 1979 NFL Draft followed the Steelers’ fourth Super Bowl victory. After a back-and-forth with the NFC champ Los Angeles Rams – neither team wanted the notoriety of making the last pick – commissioner Pete Rozelle ruled Pittsburgh would take it.

They chose Bossier City’s Mike Almond, who had been a four-year All-Louisiana receiver in A.L. Williams’ prolific Northwestern State offense – which was influenced by another Woodlawn/NFL QB, Joe Ferguson. He lived in Natchitoches and helped the Demons in the offseason because of his respect for Williams, his coach with the Knights.

Until 1976, the last pick in the NFL Draft was a footnote, a longshot to say the least, nothing more. But some good folks in Newport Beach, Cal., launched “Irrelevant Week” honoring “Mr. Irrelevant” each year – the final guy chosen.

Almond got to spend several days on the coast for the festivities, and was given the “Mr. Lowsman” trophy. Then, it was off to Latrobe, Pa., about an hour east of Pittsburgh, for training camp.

Picked presumably as an afterthought, Almond’s selection showed the savvy of the Steelers’ scouting staff. He had a school-record 10 receptions against Louisville on his resume, good size and deceptive speed, with hands that would do a jewel thief proud.

He survived cut after cut. He survived late night dorm visits from menacing linebacker Jack Lambert, who loved harassing rookies almost as much as he enjoyed taking down opposing ballcarriers. He made it to the final roster cut down to 53, in an era before today’s practice squads.

Almond came home and has had a long career in local law enforcement. He is in the N-Club Hall of Fame at NSU.

Bradshaw played four more seasons before an elbow injury ended his career. Almond has no regrets about his NFL experience. But it sure would have been fun to see a Shreveport-Bossier connection in black and gold at Three Rivers Stadium.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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