Bossier City Fire Department Fire Prevention officers have successfully passed newly required International Code Council certifications for Commercial Building Inspector and Building Plans Examiner.

According to the department, officers dedicated significant time and effort toward achieving the certifications, which are designed to strengthen inspection and plan review capabilities.

Officials said the certifications will help ensure the department continues providing a high level of service to residents and businesses throughout Bossier City.

Shreveport’s Downtown Festival Plaza was the place to be for live bands, food, games, and family fun centered around Louisiana’s signature crustacean, May 22-24.  

Mudbug Madness, an area tradition now in its 42^nd year, drew a crowd of over 50,000 festivalgoers to its 30 live bands on two stages who performed an eclectic variety of music, ranging from rock to country and zydeco.

Vendors served up approximately 30,000 pounds of the event’s namesake crustacean as well as other savory treats, while other booths offered crafts, artwork, and services.

A children’s area offered magic shows and other fun for the younger set.

There were crawfish eating contests for men and women as well as a popular one for local celebrities.

While crawfish may not be well known for either their speed or listening abilities, that did not deter contestants who wished to try their luck in the crawfish races and crawfish calling contests.

While a tremendous amount of fun, the Mudbug Madness Festival is more than a local tradition marking the start of the summer season.

The event raises funds for a variety of initiatives intended to promote downtown Shreveport. 

By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Contributor

About a decade ago, my kids kept talking about this bar-b-que restaurant that was way out by Louisiana Downs (Silver Star Smokehouse and Tavern, 1201 Dixie Overland Road, Bossier City), saying how good it was. Living in South Bossier, making that drive wasn’t on the top of my to-do list, no matter how good they said the food was.

My first encounter with Silver Star came a couple years later when my daughter’s high school soccer team reserved the banquet room for their end-of-season party. I was excited to try everything.

From that first visit and the yearly soccer banquets we had there, a few things really stood out; the brisket and sausage were top-notch and the green beans I could live off of, they were so good. The biggest surprise was the turkey, which was always served on the buffet.  It was so juicy all the way through the crowd running through the line. Turkey has about a 30-second gap from underdone to dry and tasteless, but at Silver Star, they were spot on every year.

Since those days I have been to many of the Silver Star locations and always been happy with the food. Ribs are my go-to when ordering off the menu. Silver Star passes my rib test with flying colors.

We as a family have enjoyed every private party so much that last year when my oldest daughter got married, we went to that same Silver Star for the rehearsal dinner.

Did I mention the rehearsal was in Keithville, almost in Stonewall? That’s how much we love that place. What’s a 40-minute drive between the rehearsal and dinner anyway?? The whole event went perfectly as always, so keep them in mind for any private events you might be booking.

I felt like I knew enough about Silver Star to write about their good food when deciding to feature them, but I didn’t want to do anyone reading this an injustice by not dining there again. Of course, I had to take my daughters.

It was at lunch and we had things to do after, so there was no over-ordering nor could we take leftovers. We started with the fried pickle spears. They have the right amount of coating to keep the appetizer light, but still feature a lot of flavor.

Naturally I ordered the rib plate with baked beans and green beans. All three items were juicy and flavorful, as always. My daughters ordered sandwiches, brisket and pulled pork. They were quiet while we ate, which is a sure sign of how much they were enjoying their sandwiches.

I did try some of the brisket and pulled pork, just a taste without the bun. I like to call it quality control for my writing. I quickly realized I could not have gone wrong with any of the three proteins we ordered.

Next visit, I’ll need to try one of their steaks, but that will definitely be at dinner time. Don’t want to rush.

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net

The Louisiana Department of Health announced Friday that beginning May 26, state SNAP recipients will only be able to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards for purchases made within Louisiana and in ZIP codes adjacent to the state’s border.

Department officials said the policy change aims to protect benefits from fraud and out-of-state use while ensuring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars support Louisiana grocers, farmers, businesses and local communities.

EBT cardholders who shop at Louisiana stores and through approved online retailers will not be affected. Residents who regularly shop just across the state line in Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas will experience little to no disruption, as many of those border ZIP codes are included under the policy’s approved designation. Out-of-state purchases attempted outside of the approved areas will be blocked.

SNAP recipients who are traveling and need temporary access to make purchases outside of Louisiana can request a short-term exemption online at lifeincheckebt.com, by calling 888-524-3578, or by visiting a local department SNAP office.

Any temporary out-of-state access will automatically expire at the beginning of the following month, returning the card to the default setting.

For more information and a full list of approved border-area ZIP codes, residents can visit ldh.la.gov/page/electronic-benefits-transfer-ebt.

LSU fans are hoping (and with that NIL bankroll, paying) for better days ahead, that’s obvious.

The entertainment value is undeniable, with a star chamber of vibrant coaching personalities that has eyes and ears from coast to coast tuned in to the latest Tiger talk.

Lane Kiffin, and now Ed “BeBe” Orgeron. The Lane Train and Coach O. They’re in Baton Rouge because Brian Kelly fit LSU like that glove fit O.J., no matter how guilty he was.

Will Wade, who grins at mention of his “American Gangster” nickname, is building a basketball roster that the State Department is going to need to check. Three rings will not be enough for this circus. But we all enjoy the circus, and we leave happy.

Speaking of a coach who provides entertainment, there’s Kim Mulkey, who commands the spotlight 24-7-365, and amid any chaos, just wins. Big. Every winter.

She’s the stand alone shining star at this juncture, because the coach who has won two national championships in the past four seasons just had the most disappointing year in the history of LSU baseball. Nobody (reasonable, or sane) is calling for Jay Johnson’s head. Yet.

Red Clay Earthquake Alley, mostly south of Shreveport and north of Natchitoches, is rockin’, with well over a dozen rattlers since Thanksgiving. Tiger Nation can relate.

Stay calm. Come to 800 Front Street in the City of Lights, at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum, and relive some of LSU’s greatest days starting Thursday evening, with a free reception from 6-8 for the opening of an exceptional exhibit.

“Billy Cannon – They Called Him Legend” presents the unabridged life story of LSU’s first real modern-era (post World War II) golden boy, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner.

The display has had a 14-month run at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge and somehow, the Louisiana State Museum curatorial staff has brought about 75 percent of that expansive exhibit to Natchitoches. The Cannons – Billy’s parents, then his wife Dot – kept everything of any significance from his Istrouma High School days forward. Example: the telephone that fielded a phone call from coach Paul Dietzel offering young Billy a football scholarship at LSU.

There’s so, so much more, from every stage of Cannon’s 80 years: the early days, his LSU career including his pivotal role in the Tigers’ 1958 national championship, his 11-year pro career, family life, and yes, his tumble from grace — and redemption in his later years.

Today many of us hear his name and too few of us know most of his story. The fabled Halloween night run, counterbalanced by a stint in federal prison. Being shunned in his hometown upon his release, and channeling that isolation into a deeply impactful role as a dentist and counselor for inmates at Angola State Prison.

This exhibit tells it all. You may think you know Cannon’s ups and downs, but there’s much more substance and subtext shared in these showcases.

For today’s Tiger fans, it has perfect timing. Cannon’s story has a happy ending. There haven’t been many of those for the Purple and Gold in the signature sports in 2025-26.

Even if you’re not prone to wearing LSU gear, it’s undeniably fascinating and inspiring.

Admission to the Hall of Fame museum is never expensive — $6 is the top cost – but on a few occasions, like Thursday evening, it’s free. Looking for an uplifting outing? Come see Cannon’s exhibit, and the rest of the two-story, 27,000-square foot Hall.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

JOURNAL SPORTS

Campers at the 15^th annual Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl Youth Football Clinic on Saturday, June 6, will get to learn from coaches from Louisiana Tech, Northwestern State, Sam Houston State and ULM.

The event is a free, non-contact clinic for boys and girls ages five through 13 (incoming eighth graders). Registration for the clinic is limited to the first 400 registrants, so parents are encouraged to register their child in advance at IndependenceBowl.org/youth-football-clinic.

Clinic participants will learn football fundamentals and conditioning drills through a variety of instruction and drills, as well as receive free lunch and a free T-shirt at the conclusion of the clinic.

The clinic begins at 8 a.m. at Independence Stadium on Saturday, June 6. Check-in begins at 7 a.m. in the southwest entrance of the stadium.

A limited number of walk-up registrations will be available on the morning of the clinic. Walk-ups should arrive in the southwest entrance at 7 a.m.

A parent or guardian must complete a waiver for their child upon check-in at the clinic on the morning of the event for the child to participate.

Parents can contact Jennifer Rider, Director of Events and Operations at Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl, at jennifer@independencebowl.org with any questions about the Youth Football Clinic.

Murdock Raymond “Rooty” Lilley was born March 21, 1936, to Sidney Lilley and Myrtice Dan Lilley in Converse, Louisiana. He went to his heavenly home on May 21, 2026. Raymond was one of 15 boys and one girl. His brother, Jim Lilley, of Lookout Mountain, GA, is his only surviving sibling.

Raymond was married to Anne Austin Lilley for 59 years. Anne went to Heaven in 2014, and now they are together again. Left behind, but only for a short time is his daughter, Sandi Remedies (Tommy); son, Randy Lilley; and daughter, Bonnie Young (Mitchell); grandchildren, Hayley Skinner (Brad), Heath Remedies (Casey), Sydnee Young, Seth Young (Rachel); great-grandchildren, Haydin, Macy, Harlin, Greyson, and Emma; brother, Jim Lilley; and numerous other extended family members.

Raymond loved auto racing. His favorite driver was Bill Elliott. He loved college sports, especially college basketball. Daddy loved going to Whataburger for breakfast. His receipt would always have PawPaw on it. His brother, Jimmy, would always ask, “Is Rooty still enjoying poor health?” He and Anne were members of Barron Road Baptist Church for over 60 years.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ralla at the Christus Health Cancer Center for all the wonderful care and compassion given to our dad.

 A Graveside Service will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Converse, Louisiana on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. where he will be laid to rest next to his wife, Anne. Officiating the service will be Pastor Roger Morton and Pastor Jim Lilley.

Sandra “Sandy” Elizabeth Spalding, born Sandra Elizabeth Jordan on April 15, 1944, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on May 18, 2026, in Shreveport, Louisiana. She was 82 years old. Sandy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Raymond “Ray” Murrel Spalding.

Sandy was, in every sense of the word, a pioneer. Wherever she went, things were different — and better — because she had been there. She possessed an unshakable conviction that if something needed to be done, it would be done, and she had a remarkable gift for finding a way when none seemed available.

After finding herself a young single mother of three, Sandy did what she always did: she pressed forward. She sold Volkswagens at a time when women on the car lot were virtually unheard of, and she put herself through business school at Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS), earning her two-year degree while raising her children.

Sandy’s love of hospitality had deep roots. She often reminisced about her mother, Ruthmary, and her grandmother, Ruth Voss, whom she described as “top notch homemakers.” They hosted frequent gatherings and “over-the-top” Christmases, welcoming others with warmth and generosity. Those early memories first instilled in her the joy of making people feel cared for, well-fed, and at home.

After building a real estate portfolio of rental properties in Louisiana, Sandy fell in love with the historic town of Jefferson, Texas — and Jefferson fell in love with her. She and Ruthmary opened their first restaurant in a charming open-air courtyard that had no roof and no kitchen. They cooked every dish in their Stonewall home, loaded the Buick station wagon, and made the hour-long drive to Texas every Friday and Saturday night.

After reading about the growing bed and breakfast industry in a magazine, Sandy recognized an opportunity no one else in Texas had yet seized. In 1979, she blazed a trail by opening The Pride House in Jefferson — the first bed and breakfast in the state of Texas. Sandy and Ruthmary also opened Ruthmary’s Restaurant together — a true family affair. Ruthmary was the cook, Chris & Lynn waited tables, and Ruth Voss delighted guests by making her way through the dining room offering her famous homemade hot rolls. Sandy welcomed every guest with the warmth that defined everything she touched. Jefferson honored her lasting impact by designating an official Sandy Spalding Day on the city calendar.

After many happy years living in Oregon, Sandy and Ray returned to Louisiana where Sandy continued to give generously of herself, especially to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who knew her lovingly as “Shasha.” She was a constant and caring presence in their lives, helping with after-school activities, making summer camps possible, sending postcards, and taking them on country car rides filled with stories from her own childhood. Each Christmas, she thoughtfully chose ornaments for her grandchildren, creating a tradition that became a cherished part of the season.

She also shared her love through the meals and recipes that brought family together. Her gumbo, bread pudding, and blackberry cobbler were favorites that everyone looked forward to, and her recipes will continue to be part of family celebrations and annual Thanksgiving gatherings for years to come. She had a keen interest in genealogy and found great joy in learning and sharing the stories of the generations who came before her. Her love of family history and local history made her a valued member of the DeSoto Historical Society.

Faith in Christ was the bedrock of Sandy’s life. She was a devoted and active member of Calvary Chapel Shreveport, where her son Billy served as pastor for a number of years. There, she taught children the Bible and even wrote Sunday school curriculum. The faith she lived and modeled continues in her children and grandchildren, remaining one of the greatest gifts she leaves to her family.

Sandy spent her final days in Shreveport, Louisiana. After a brief stay in a nursing home, she slipped quietly from this world. She had a remarkable outlook on death – she saw beyond it to heaven. She spoke of heaven as an absolute joy and had no hesitation that when her time came, she would be ready to go with her arms raised. She was independent, loving, joyful, and deeply sweet.

Sandy is survived by four children, 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren:

Her son Jim Burford and his children Jamie (Josie, Ashton), Macy, and Micah; her daughter Lynn Barnwell and her children Katie (Andrew, Anna), Patrick (Mark), Nathan (Haley, Caroline, Nathan Jr.), and Emma; her son Chris Burford and his wife Ann, and their children Chris (Daisy) and Max; and her son Billy Spalding and his wife Emme, and their children Liam, Noah, and Selah.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 18, at 10:00am at Keatchie Presbyterian Church, followed by a brief graveside service at Keatchie Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a reception afterward at Gloster Baptist Church.

While America pauses for a long weekend to pay tribute to fallen soldiers, people around the country will take a break from their regular work schedules.

That includes the Journal staff.

There will be no Memorial Day edition published Monday. We’ll be back Tuesday morning with the regular daily update, free and e-mailed to you for your morning coffee.

Thanks for reading your Journal. Join us this weekend honoring those brave military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.

How’s your next two weeks shaping up? Got some exciting plans? Thinking about doing something special that you’ll remember for years to come?

Sorry to break this to you, but Noah McWilliams has got you beat, unless you are planning on being a starting pitcher in the College World Series and qualifying for Wimbledon.

Because that’s basically the equivalent of what McWilliams is about to do.

First, the Benton native will be part of the LSU golf team that is headed to the NCAA Tournament as McWilliams helped lead the Tigers to a strong showing at the regional in Arizona earlier this week.

“Our goal is to win every event we enter,” McWilliams says. “But even though we didn’t win (the regional), we made it to the national championship.”

As if that weren’t enough, he will then head off for the final qualifying stage to try to make into the field for this year’s U.S. Open.

Stacked against that, your fishing trip with your buddies doesn’t quite seem like much of a memory maker, now does it?

McWilliams is about to be a part of a double-threat of thrills – one on the team level and the other as an individual. Just don’t ask him which one will be the more nerve racking.

“I’d say it’s about equal,” he says. “They are both exciting, but probably more so for the natty (national championship) because it’s a team deal. If I’m playing in the last match and I need to win it for the championship, that’s about as nervous as you can get on a golf course.”

Closing out rounds certainly hasn’t been a problem lately for McWilliams.

With the Tigers’ berth in the national tournament on the line, McWilliams fired a 67 in the final round to keep LSU in the top five and qualify for the national tournament next week in Carlsbad, Calif. The Tigers finished in third and McWilliams, who tied for the lead in most birdies, finished at -11, good enough for a sixth-place individual finish.

“I knew I had to step it up,” he says. “In that last round, we all knew we had to play well and not make it too uncomfortable on the back nine. I was just focused on what I needed to do and I knew I had played pretty well. When we found out we qualified, it was a big relief.”

Especially since the Tigers had a disappointing finish last year in placing ninth at the regional tournament. “It was a weight off our shoulders, that’s for sure,” he said.

Earlier this month, McWilliams left no doubt as the medalist in the local U.S. Open qualifier at Koasati Pines in Kinder. He shot a 63 and finished birdie, birdie, eagle to win by three strokes and advance to the regional qualifier on June 8. His most likely destination for that will be Hawks Ridge Golf Club in Ball Ground, Ga., when he will play 36 holes in one day.

Of course, McWilliams can take that out of play by winning the medalist honors at the NCAA Championship (the winner is an automatic Open qualifier).

It’s heady stuff for the former Benton Tiger, where he had a top four finish at the state high school tournament in each of his three years.

The immediate, high-level success is no surprise to his BHS coach, Tim Cram.

“I coached a lot of golfers over 30 years and he was the most dedicated and hard-working guy I ever coached. He kept working on whatever he thought his weaknesses were until he became confident in that area. He believes he can beat any course and can hit it a mile (not really) but when you’re playing with him, it seems like it,” said Cram.

“He’s not afraid of trying any shot and usually it works out,” added Cram. “Great kid and an awesome competitor.”

Now there’s an added dimension.

There’s a difference in that Noah McWilliams and the one who is about to go on a two-week golf binge, but it has nothing to do with his ball striking or putting.

“Maturity,” he says. “The way I think around the golf course is a lot different now. Obviously, I’m hitting the golf ball better now (than in high school), but now I think better. I know where to hit and where not to hit it.”

McWilliams credits LSU coach Jake Amos for making that difference. “He’s really helped me grow and we have had a lot of talks,” he says. “He told me I was talented, but I wasn’t mature yet and he led me into that direction.”

In the next few days, McWilliams will be headed in all different directions – West to California to the NCAAs and then East (probably) for the Open qualifier in Georgia.

And if things keep going his way, perhaps he will head in yet another direction – North, for the U.S. Open at Shinnecock in New York. 

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – It started with LSU reliever Gavin Guidry two strikes away from recording a win in the Tigers’ SEC season opener at Vanderbilt on March 31 when he gave up a two-run walk-off homer.

It ended Wednesday night with LSU third baseman John Pearson, representing the potential game-winning run, slapping a game-ending groundball in a SEC baseball tournament second-round loss to Auburn.

First SEC game, last conference game, 15^th league game, it really didn’t matter. LSU head coach Jay Johnson’s fifth Tigers’ team didn’t make the plays necessary to win games all season.

The result was a 30-28 overall record, 9-21 in the SEC (a school record for most league losses in a season), and no NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time since 2011.

“We need to support our flaws better,” Johnson said after Auburn’s 3-1 win sent LSU home for the summer. “We’ve got to go to work on that. It’s a full deal… coaching, recruiting, development, program culture.

“We’re a little short in a lot of areas. We lost a lot of close games, and that’s been a hallmark of why we have two (national championships) in the (first) four years. We’ve been able to be on the right side of those games, like a game like tonight, and we just couldn’t do it against the best teams.”

So, exactly how did LSU take a swan dive off the national title mountain top in the gutter of America’s toughest college baseball conference?

There are several reasons for the Tigers’ shocking perfect storm of terrible baseball:

• Transfer portal failures –Until this season, Johnson had been a transfer portal wizard.

LSU wouldn’t have won its 2023 national title without transfers pitcher Paul Skenes (Air Force), third baseman Tommy White (North Carolina State), and relievers Riley Cooper (Arizona), Thatcher Hurd (UCLA) and Nate Ackenhausen (Eastern Oklahoma Community College).

A year ago, transfers second baseman Daniel Dickinson (Utah Valley), catcher Luis Hernandez (Indiana State), starting pitcher Anthony Eyanson and reliever Zac Cowan (Wofford) were indispensable pieces of the Tigers’ 2025 national champion squad.

“We had nine juniors sign a pro contract off of last year’s national championship team,” Johnson said. “You don’t just replace that. We tried. We just didn’t do it.”

Johnson’s transfer portal class of 2026 – infielders Brayden Simpson (High Point) Seth Dardar (Kansas State) and Trent Caraway (Oregon State) and first baseman Zach Yorke (Grand Canyon) – vastly underperformed.

The only transfer who competed admirably was Kansas pitcher Cooper Moore. As LSU’s Saturday starter, he had a 3-3 record and a team-best 3.38 ERA when a stress fracture at the tip of his elbow caused him to miss the last 34 games of the season.

• Injuries –Moore was the first LSU starter with a season-ending injury. Then came junior right fielder Jake Brown, arguably the team’s best player, hitting .309 with 16 homers and 49 RBI, missing the last 16 games with a broken hamate bone in his hand.

Starting left fielder Chris Stanfield played in just 35 games, nursing a left-hand injury and then hamstring problems. Catchers Cade Arrambide and Omar Serna Jr. played through a myriad of aches and bruises trying to block a school-record 90 wild pitches.

Friday night starting pitcher Casan Evans missed three weeks with a sore arm. William Schmidt, who filled in for Evans, was pulled from the starting lineup 20 minutes before Wednesday’s loss to Auburn because of back tightness.“I want guys that build their life around baseball and not fit baseball into their life,” Johnson said. “It’s tough, because like there’s a couple key guys Moore and Brown) who are like that who missed a lot of time.

“We lost a little bit on the mound when Cooper went out. There’s no question there’s a difference in the pitching while he was in the rotation. And Jake is thought to be the team leader.”

• Awful pitching –LSU’s hurlers combined for a 5.72 ERA, the Tigers’ highest dating back to 1984 when the school started tracking statistics year-to-year.

The 289 walks issued by the pitching staff were the most since 1986. Even in games this season when LSU’s bats produced enough runs for wins, the number of walks and wild pitches from Tigers’ pitchers resulted in too many free passes for opponents and losses.

Johnson and his staff had a 6½-hour meeting on Monday in Birmingham before the league tournament started on Wednesday. The topic was examining every facet of the program.

“We’ve had a lot of good fortune,” Johnson said. “Baseball sometimes is gonna baseball you. Sometimes life doesn’t go the way that you want it.

“There was a little bit of a stretch (in season) here where I felt like I’m paying for some sins that helped us get the two championships.

“I feel bad because we didn’t get to where we needed to be, or wanted to be, or where I think this team could have been. I don’t know that I’ve ever said that in my entire career, and that stings.

“That’s why there will be a ton of not just reflection, but also action.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

JOURNAL SPORTS

LSU Shreveport did not repeat as undefeated NAIA College World Series baseball champions.

But the Pilots had a strong season by any other standard, and so did nearly every other LSUS sport.

As a result, the Pilots’ Lucas Morgan is a repeat choice as the 2025-26 Red River Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year, the fourth time overall that he has received the award.

Morgan guided one of the most successful athletic years in school history as LSUS captured conference championships in five of its six sports programs during the 2025-26 academic year. Four of the university’s six teams advanced to NAIA national tournament competition, with two programs reaching their respective national championship final sites.

In addition to competitive success, LSUS elevated its national profile by serving as host for NAIA postseason events in men’s soccer, men’s basketball, and baseball. It marked the first time the institution hosted national tournament events in both men’s soccer and men’s basketball, showcasing the growth and visibility of the Pilots’ athletic department under Morgan’s leadership.

The success extended to the sidelines as four of LSUS’s six head coaches earned conference Coach of the Year honors in 2025-26.

Morgan’s leadership also continues to be recognized nationally through his service as First Vice President of the NAIA Athletics Directors Association.

“Receiving the RRAC Athletic Director of the Year award is truly humbling because I know it reflects the people around me far more than it reflects me,” Morgan said. “We are fortunate to work in a conference filled with outstanding athletic directors who continually challenge, support, and inspire one another to do what is best for our student-athletes.

“I’m incredibly thankful for our coaches and staff, whose passion and commitment drive everything we accomplish each day. Most importantly, I want to thank my wife for her constant support through the long hours and busy seasons allowing me to serve in the greatest profession there is.”

Retiring RRAC commissioner Tony Stigliano offered praise for the Pilots’ leader.

“Lucas continues to set the standard for athletic administration in the Red River Athletic Conference,” said Stigliano. “The competitive achievements, facility growth, national leadership, and overall vision demonstrated by LSU Shreveport this year reflect an outstanding commitment to student-athletes and championship excellence. He is a great leader at LSUS and in our conference.”

The award also comes during a transformational period for LSUS athletics facilities.

Construction is set to begin on an $8.5 million renovation project for the university’s Health and Physical Education Building. The project will include new basketball locker rooms, a new athletics weight room, and an auxiliary gym designed to enhance the student-athlete experience and support future program growth.

Morgan has also overseen the expansion of LSU Shreveport athletics with the addition of women’s volleyball, which is scheduled to begin competition during the 2026-27 academic year. He has served as the Pilots’ athletic director since 2016. 

Carol Denise Casares, 66, of Shreveport, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on May 12, 2026. Born on February 15, 1960, in Shreveport, Carol lived a life centered on devotion to her family, dedication to her work, and pride in the home she lovingly cared for.

For more than 35 years, Carol worked in insurance coding for Acadian Computer Systems, where she was respected for her diligence, reliability, and meticulous attention to detail. Those same qualities were reflected in every aspect of her life. Carol took great pride in maintaining a warm and welcoming home, and anyone who knew her knew there was no one more particular about keeping a spotless house.

Carol found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved gardening and spending time working in the yard, where she could often be found tending flowers and enjoying the outdoors. She also enjoyed watching horse races and looked forward to gathering with family whenever she could. Her family will fondly remember her delicious homemade banana pudding and coleslaw, dishes that became staples at family get-togethers and celebrations.

Above all else, Carol cherished her family. Her love was constant, steady, and deeply felt by those closest to her. She leaves behind countless treasured memories that will continue to bring comfort to all who knew and loved her.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Walter  and Carolyn Malone; and her mother-in-law, Marjorie Casares.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved husband, Rick Casares; her son, Donovan Casares; her daughter, Brittney Yelverton; her sisters, Monica Hicks and husband Gary, and Cindy Guilliams and husband Dennis; her brother, Steve Malone and wife Amy; two special Aunts Amanda Smith and Margaret Malone Horton, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and their children.

A Celebration of Life honoring Carol’s life will be held Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Aulds Funeral Home. A visitation will take place beforehand beginning at 2:00pm.

James Carl Lester was born on August 2, 1935, to William and Myrtle Lester. He was a longtime member of the Emmanuel Baptist Church.

James passed away on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the age of 90. He was reunited with his parents; his wife of 59 years, Nelda Lester; his brothers, LC and Fred Lester; his sisters, Doris Mae Brunner and Burt Pearson; his daughters, Ramona Ballew and Rhonda Gaudin; and his granddaughter, Tiffany Cole.

Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Brian Lester and wife Tosha, and Jimmy Lester; his daughter, Debbie Hyman; his brothers-in-law, Ken Holder and wife Mary Nell, and John Holder; 10 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A visitation for James will be held Friday, May 22, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Emmanuel Baptist Church, followed by a celebration of life beginning at 2:00 PM. The burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church at 5850 Buncombe Road, Shreveport, LA 71129. 

Phonetic: /KOR-jul/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

• Cordial describes someone or something that is politely pleasant and friendly.
  
  All the guests were assembled and given a cordial greeting by the host.

The Shreveport Police Department has arrested a woman on a cyberstalking charge following an investigation into ongoing alleged harassment connected to a domestic-related case.

According to police, the victim reported continued unwanted communication from an ex-girlfriend despite repeated requests for all contact to stop. During a follow-up interview, investigators were provided with evidence of the communications, which was uploaded into the department’s Axon evidence system.

Authorities said the victim also expressed concern for personal safety and told detectives the behavior appeared to be escalating. Investigators advised the victim to seek a temporary restraining order.

Police said the alleged offender later voluntarily appeared at the investigations office to provide a statement. After being advised of her Miranda rights, Wendy Kelly acknowledged that the messaging had been excessive but stated she did not intend to alarm the victim.

During the interview, Kelly was instructed to immediately cease all communication with the victim and was advised to contact an attorney regarding any property-related matters.

On May 19, 2026, investigators were informed by the victim that additional communication had allegedly occurred despite prior warnings from detectives.

As a result of the investigation, police arrested Wendy Kelly, 45, on one count of cyberstalking.