The Shreveport Police Department is investigating a violent domestic incident that occurred Wednesday afternoon at the Castlewood Apartments in the 2000 block of Bert Kouns Industrial Loop.

Police said officers responded around 1 p.m. on May 20, 2026, after receiving reports of a stabbing. Upon arrival, officers learned the adult female victim had already been transported to LSU Health Shreveport/Ochsner for treatment after reporting she had been stabbed by her live-in boyfriend.

According to investigators, the victim told officers her 12-year-old autistic son remained inside the apartment with the suspect, prompting immediate concerns for the child’s safety. Responding officers made forced entry into the residence, where they located both the juvenile and the suspect.

The suspect was identified as Steven Thompson, 38. Investigators said Thompson was believed to be intoxicated during the incident, and officers reportedly detected a strong odor of alcohol.

Police said the victim reported Thompson became intoxicated earlier in the day and began threatening to kill and stab her. She told investigators he armed himself with a kitchen knife and chased her into a bedroom, where she sustained stab wounds to her right forearm and left thigh.

Authorities said the victim fled the apartment, but Thompson allegedly followed her into the parking lot and strangled her before she escaped to the apartment complex office, where management contacted police.

Investigators with the department’s Real Time Crime Center later reviewed surveillance footage from the parking lot that police said corroborated portions of the victim’s account.

Following the investigation, Thompson was arrested and booked into the Shreveport City Jail on charges of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment, domestic abuse battery intentionally inflicting serious bodily injury with a dangerous weapon, domestic abuse battery by strangulation, and domestic abuse aggravated assault.

Police said the 12-year-old child was safely released to a grandparent at the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office announced that the Caddo Correctional Center has received the 2026 Connected Community Tyler Excellence Award, recognizing the facility’s efforts in innovation, safety, and operational efficiency.

According to the sheriff’s office, the recognition was awarded following the implementation of an integrated jail management system designed to improve operations within the correctional facility.

Officials said the upgraded system has enhanced data accuracy, streamlined booking procedures, improved inmate management processes, and strengthened communication between jail personnel and law enforcement agencies.

The sheriff’s office noted that the award reflects the commitment of correctional staff and leadership to maintaining a safer and more efficient correctional environment while continuing to serve the residents of Caddo Parish.

Department leaders also thanked personnel for their continued dedication and daily efforts in supporting the operation of the correctional center.

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – Ed Orgeron was told to vacate the premises, but as he left, he never slammed the door.

Fired as head coach in midseason in 2021, just two years after steering LSU to the 2019 national championship in an unbeaten 15-0 season, Orgeron is rejoining the Tigers’ football program as a special assistant to his longtime coaching associate, first-year LSU head coach Lane Kiffin.

The news began to trickle out not long after the first pitch of LSU’s 8 o’clock SEC Tournament baseball game Wednesday night and became official with a brief press release issued at 9:18 p.m. by LSU Athletics.

It said Orgeron, 64, has been hired by Kiffin “as the special assistant to recruiting and defense.” The fiery south Louisiana native has long been regarded among the best recruiters in college football, and an excellent defensive line coach, a reputation earned while he was an assistant coach for national championship teams at Miami and USC, and later, as interim head coach at Southern Cal and then in six seasons as head coach at LSU after a year-plus on Les Miles’ staff.

Orgeron and Kiffin worked together previously three times during nine seasons – from 2001-04 on Pete Carroll’s Southern Cal staff, then during Kiffin’s one season as head coach at Tennessee (2009), with Orgeron as assistant head coach, and at USC when he was Kiffin’s defensive coordinator from 2010-13.

When Kiffin was fired early in the season at Southern Cal, Orgeron took over as interim coach and led the Trojans to a 6-2 mark, but was bypassed for the head coaching post when USC hired Steve Sarkisian.

Orgeron was head coach at Ole Miss from 2005-07. Kiffin led the Rebels to unprecedented success over the last six seasons before taking the LSU job at the end of the regular season last fall.

Orgeron encouraged Kiffin to take the LSU job, and reportedly called him shortly after the plane bringing Kiffin to Baton Rouge touched down, and regaled him with the aura of the Tigers’ program. Kiffin related that conversation at his introductory press conference.

Although many expected Orgeron to join Kiffin’s staff, when Blaine Baker was retained as defensive coordinator along with much of the staff on that side, there didn’t appear to be a position available.

Six months later, Kiffin found another path to onboard the coach whose signature “Geaux Tigers” tagline routinely wrapped up media interviews and speaking engagements.

“I’m excited to bring Coach Orgeron back to LSU,” Kiffin said. “He brings us tremendous value with his ability to recruit elite players nationally, but especially the impact he can have for us recruiting the great state of Louisiana.

“Coach O understands my expectations and commitment to being a championship program. I look forward to seeing him with recruits and his intensity working with our defensive players.”

A standout player at Northwestern State who got his coaching career started there in 1984, Orgeron was out of coaching in 2014 after departing USC, then landed at LSU as Miles’ defensive line coach for the 2015 season. When Miles was dismissed in September 2015 after a loss to Auburn, Orgeron was named interim head coach and the Tigers flourished with a 6-2 finish.

LSU went 9-4 in each of his first two seasons, but had many recruiting victories, notably getting quarterback Joe Burrow to transfer from Ohio State. Burrow started in 2018 and spearheaded a talent-laden team to a dominant perfect season in 2019 culminating in overwhelming Clemson in the Superdome for the national title.

But LSU went 8-8 over the next two seasons before LSU fired Orgeron Oct, 17, 2021, giving him a $17 million buyout. He repeatedly expressed gratitude, as he departed and ever since at many public appearances and interviews.

He has not coached since, but has remained an avid observer of the college and Louisiana high school scene. As last season wound down, he said he was interested in returning to coaching, not necessarily as a head coach.

Earlier this week, he was on the scene as officials with the Louisiana High School Athletic Association and the Allstate Sugar Bowl announced a multi-year partnership for sponsorship of state championship sports events. Orgeron was on the sidelines throughout the three-day 2025 LHSAA Prep Classic series of football title games in the Superdome.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

JOURNAL SPORTS

HOOVER, Ala. – LSU didn’t roll over at the SEC Tournament but its long-shot bid to defend last year’s College World Series championship went belly up Wednesday night.

Pitchers Jake Marciano and Jackson Sanders combined to limit LSU to one run on four hits, leading sixth-seeded Auburn to a 3-1 win over No. 14 LSU in the second round of the SEC Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium.

On the heels of a gritty 6-2 victory Tuesday night/Wednesday morning over 11^th-seeded Oklahoma,  LSU’s agonizing, frustrating season ended at 30-28. The Tigers are not considered a candidate to receive an at-large NCAA Tournament berth when regional pairings after announced Monday. LSU coach Jay Johnson said the only path he saw for the Tigers was to win the conference tournament to earn an automatic invitation.

Auburn rose to 37-18 and advanced to face Texas A&M Friday in the tournament quarterfinals.

“Our players gave everything they had in this tournament,” said Johnson. “It’s hard, it’s raw right now; you could hear a pin drop in our dugout after the final out tonight. Until the last out, we believed we could come back and win the game.”

They had the go-ahead run at the plate in the top of the ninth with runners at first and second but John Pearson grounded out to shortstop for the final out.

LSU grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning when Derek Curiel led off with a double and later scored on Pearson’s sacrifice fly.

Auburn tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when catcher Chase Fralick launched a solo homer, his 14^th dinger of the year.

Auburn capitalized on an LSU throwing error to score a run in the fifth and extended its lead to 3-1 in the sixth on a solo blast by third baseman Eric Guevara, who increased his season home run total to 12.

Marciano (5-5) earned the win, allowing one run on four hits in 6.0 innings with one walk and four strikeouts.

Sanders picked up his fourth save of the season, firing 3.0 shutout innings with no hits, two walks and two strikeouts.

LSU starting pitcher Casan Evans (2-4) was charged with the loss after allowing two runs – one earned – on four hits in 4.2 innings with one walk and eight strikeouts.

JOURNAL SPORTS

Bossier City native and Parkway High product Mikaylah Williams will be lining up for Team USA once again – and this time, she’ll have an LSU teammate along in Warsaw, Poland next month at the FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup.

Williams, a 6-footer who will play her senior season at LSU next winter, and Tiger teammate MiLaysia Fulwiley are two of the four players representing America in the 3×3 competition, USA Basketball announced Wednesday.

The 2026 USA 3×3 Women’s National Team also features Joyce Edwards, a star post player for South Carolina, and Oklahoma forward Sahara Williams.

The women’s quartet has a wealth of USA Basketball experience and has won two events together on the 2026 FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series. The team was selected by USA Basketball 3×3 Women’s National Team managing director Elena Delle Donne. 

Mikaylah Williams has three FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup gold medals and MVP honors, helping win titles consecutively from 2021 through 2023, in addition to being a member of a previous USA 3×3 World Cup Team (2025) and 3×3 Nations League Team (2024). 

She is building one of the most remarkable resumes in the history of her sport at LSU. Williams was Associated Press All-America honorable mention each of the past two seasons, along with being a first-team All-SEC selection.

She has started all but one of the 106 games she has played for coach Kim Mulkey, averaging 15.4 points (with 1,630 career points), making 48 percent of her shots including 39 percent on 3-pointers. Her free throws are nearly automatic with a 83 percent make rate. She has averaged 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists,

Williams was a finalist for the 2026 Cheryl Miller Award given to the country’s best small forward.  She was the 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year.

At Parkway, she was a three-sport star and a 4.0 student who built a long list of honors and accomplishments in basketball.

A five-star prospect who was ranked the No. 1 player in her class by AGSR, Prospects Nation and Jr. All-Star National Rankings, Williams was a two-time Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year. She led Parkway to the state Non-Select Division I state title as a senior.

An all-around talent at the guard position who played in the McDonald’s All-America Game and was named the 2023 Morgan Wooten National Player of the Year, Williams was also named to the Naismith High School All-America team.

Sahara Williams (no relation) played alongside Mikaylah Williams at the 2025 3×3 World Cup and on two of the gold-medal winning 3×3 U18 World Cup teams in 2022 and 2023. 

Edwards and Fulwiley were members of the 2025 3×3 Nations League Team that went 14-2 en route to winning the Americas Conference title. 

The 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup is highlighted by 20 nations per gender. The fields are split into four five-team pools with a round-robin format starting June 1. Knockout play tips on June 5, followed by the quarterfinals on June 6 and the medal games staged on June 7. 

The USA women take the halfcourt in Pool B on June 2 against Hungary at 11:55 a.m. CT and followed by Australia at 1:45 p.m. CT. On June 4, the Americans face Mongolia at 11:30 p.m. CT and wrap up pool play with Spain at 1:20 p.m. CT.

The 2026 FIBA 3×3 World Cup is the 10th edition and will stream live on YouTube.com/FIBA3x3.

Played on a half court with a 10-minute clock and a 12-second shot clock, the first team to 21 points, or the team in the lead at the end of regulation, is the winner.  

Graveside services for Donald Ray Carlisle, 77, will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at Stonewall Cemetery in Stonewall, Louisiana (Next to Salem Baptist Church). Officiating the service will be Rev. McKee Williams.

Born on December 1, 1948, in Sikeston, Missouri, Don lived a life marked by dedication, strength, and kindness. He was a hardworking man who deeply loved his family and built lasting friendships everywhere he went. His steady presence, generous heart, and calm demeanor will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Don was preceded in death by his father, George Carlisle; his mother and stepfather, Olive and James Holt; his sister, Darlene; and his half-brother, James “Jay” Holt.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cynthia Carlisle; his daughters, Sherry and Shelly; his son, Donald Sebastian (Nicole); and his stepchildren, Penny Murphy (Marty), Michael Talley, and John Talley (Corrie).

He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Kristina Frazier (Doug), Trey Williams (Emily), and Megan Claspell, along with numerous great-grandchildren who brought him great joy.

For more than 30 years, Don dedicated his career to the State Fair of Louisiana, where he was known for his strong work ethic, dependability, and the many friendships he formed over the years. He took pride in his work and was respected by colleagues and friends alike.

Serving as pallbearers will be John Talley, Michael Talley, Marty Murphy, Charlie Berry, Billy Barber, and Grant Judd.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the DeSoto EMTs and the DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office for their care, compassion, and assistance during this difficult time

Don’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him, and he will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

A service celebrating the life of Mrs. Ruthie Buggs will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Galilee Baptist Church located at 1500 Pierre Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana 71103.

Family will be held on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Galilee Baptist Church.

Mrs. Buggs will be laid to rest following the service at Carver Memorial Cemetery located at 498 Keenie Road, Shreveport, Louisiana 71106.

Sidney Charles Jackson
August 16, 1969 — May 11, 2026
Service: Friday, May 22, 2026, 1pm at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Mary Rives Risinger
December 18, 1952 — May 8, 2026
Service: Friday, May 22, 2026, 10am at All Saints Chapel at Holy Angels, Shreveport. 

Roger Ray Logan
July 4, 1964 — May 4, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, 2pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.

Tammy Davis
August 31, 1960 – May 3, 2026
Service: Friday, May 22, 2026, 1pm at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Bertha June Thompson Orton
June 16, 1942 — April 23, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 1pm at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Shreveport. 

Mary Nell Fratello Miller
January 9, 1942 – April 16, 2026
Service: Sunday, June 7, 2026, 3pm at Ellerbe Rd Methodist Church, Shreveport. 

Millie Grubbs Tucker
December 27, 1940 — April 10, 2026
Service: Saturday, May 23, 2026, 11am at Garcie Home, 11342 Providence Road, Shreveport.

The Shreveport Police Department arrested Danny Johnson following a reported theft at the Raceway convenience store located at 9535 Mansfield Road.

According to police, officers responded to the business and quickly took Johnson into custody. During the investigation, officers discovered Johnson had more than 20 theft-related arrests overall, including multiple arrests over the past seven years.

Police listed the following prior theft-related arrest dates:
• March 21, 2026
• June 21, 2025
• Feb. 26, 2025
• Jan. 26, 2025
• Jan. 15, 2025
• Oct. 31, 2024
• Sept. 22, 2024
• April 17, 2023
• Oct. 13, 2022
• Oct. 4, 2022
• Sept. 10, 2021
• June 4, 2021
• March 12, 2021
• July 16, 2020
• Sept. 12, 2019

Investigators also stated officers found a theft citation in Johnson’s pocket with a court date scheduled for July.

Johnson was booked into the Shreveport City Jail on a habitual offender charge. Police said the department will continue efforts to hold repeat offenders accountable and protect local businesses.

Residents in Bossier and Caddo parishes should prepare for several days of wet and unsettled weather as showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue through the Memorial Day holiday.

Wednesday’s forecast calls for mostly cloudy skies with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible throughout the day. Temperatures are expected to climb into the mid 80s with light northeast winds around 5 mph. Rain chances are set at 50 percent.

Cloudy and damp conditions are expected to continue Wednesday night with another chance of showers and thunderstorms. Overnight lows will fall into the upper 60s with light east winds continuing overnight.

Forecasters expect rain coverage to increase significantly on Thursday. Cloudy skies will dominate the day as showers and thunderstorms become more widespread during the afternoon hours. High temperatures are expected to remain in the lower 80s with southeast winds around 5 mph. Rain chances rise to 90 percent.

Wet weather will continue Thursday night with showers and possible thunderstorms during the evening before lighter rain continues overnight. Temperatures are expected to remain mild with lows in the upper 60s.

Friday’s forecast calls for another round of showers and thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon hours. Highs will stay in the lower 80s with rain chances around 70 percent. Forecasters say periods of heavy rain could develop at times as the unsettled weather pattern remains in place across the region.

By Friday night, mostly cloudy skies and scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected to linger with overnight lows once again falling into the upper 60s.

The soggy pattern will continue into the weekend. Saturday is expected to bring more showers and thunderstorms with highs in the lower 80s and rain chances remaining around 70 percent. Similar conditions are expected Saturday night with additional rainfall possible overnight.

Sunday’s forecast includes showers likely during the morning hours with thunderstorms becoming more possible during the afternoon. High temperatures are expected to hover around 80 degrees while rain chances increase to 90 percent.

Rain chances will remain elevated Sunday night with lingering showers and possible thunderstorms continuing into the evening hours.

Looking ahead to Memorial Day, forecasters are predicting additional showers and scattered thunderstorms throughout the day. High temperatures are expected to reach the lower 80s with rain chances around 70 percent.

With several consecutive days of rainfall in the forecast, residents planning outdoor activities, graduations, cookouts or holiday travel are encouraged to keep an eye on weather updates and remain prepared for periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms throughout the extended holiday weekend.

A major downtown Shreveport revitalization project is headed to the State Bond Commission for preliminary financing approval during its Thursday morning meeting.

The commission will meet at 8 a.m. in Senate Committee Room A-B at the State Capitol to review local applications, including a $25 million residential development proposal for Caddo Parish.

The Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority is seeking preliminary approval to issue up to $25 million in residential development revenue bonds for the Petro Tower project. The proposed financing structure includes an interest rate capped at 8% for tax-exempt bonds or 8.5% for taxable bonds, with a maturity term not to exceed 30 years.

According to the commission’s agenda, the multi-million-dollar investment will fund the acquisition, conversion, renovation and equipping of the historic building known as Petro Tower in Shreveport. The capital will also be used to fund capitalized interest and establish one or more reserve funds for the project.

The Shreveport Airport Authority and the City of Shreveport have received a $10,000 beautification grant from Keep Louisiana Beautiful to continue improvements at the entryway to Shreveport Regional Airport.

According to airport officials, the beautification project will feature native perennial plants designed to enhance the appearance of the main entrance while also improving air quality for passengers and visitors arriving at the airport.

Airport officials also expressed appreciation for the partnership with Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor as efforts continue to keep the airport clean, green and welcoming to travelers and guests.

Forget steaks and racks of ribs — in this economy, one hot dog is apparently enough to require armed security and laser protection. Guests at this backyard gathering stare at the grill like they’re bidding on a rare collectible, hoping they might score a bite before prices go up again. The cartoon pokes fun at rising grocery costs and shrinking cookout menus, where even a humble barbecue has started to feel like a high-stakes event.

When you hear ‘Peach Festival’, you may picture baskets of fuzzy peaches, maybe a peach cobbler bake-off, or even a parade. But here in Ruston, the Louisiana Peach Festival is so much more than just a celebration of our locally grown fruit. It is a time to experience the rich tradition and culture that can only be found in our small historic town. Residents and visitors alike come for this special day, filled with activities that keep people coming back year to year. This year’s Peach Festival in Ruston is Saturday, June 6.

Here are 5 ways that the Peach Festival exceeds just peach appreciation (although, we love our peaches too):

1. A Love Letter to Louisiana Culture

Area artists, vendors, musicians, and makers are the forefront of what makes this festival thrive. Browsing our curated arts market with 90+ artists of all mediums allows you to get a glimpse into the vibrant arts of our state. And you can’t miss the music! Louisiana-based musicians play on the Railroad Park Stage to ensure the spirit of the festival carries on into the night. Celebrate our Louisiana roots with us, and dive into what makes our culture so unique.

2. The Food Scene Goes Full Peach (In the Best Way Possible)

Here in Ruston, we pride ourselves on the quality and diversity of our local restaurants and food trucks. The creativity of Ruston’s culinary scene is unmatched, and the sweet peach flavor is no exception. In the week leading up to the festival, 30+ local restaurants come together for the Peach Culinary Crawl, featuring unexpected dishes, drinks, and pairings. From a peach caprese turkey melt to a pint of locally-brewed peach wheat ale, indulge your tastebuds with this staple, seasonal ingredient.

3. It Still Holds Tight to Its Sweet Southern Traditions

Of course, it would not be a southern festival without all of the classic contests and exhibits. The Peach Pageant, Peach Parade, Antique Car Show, Peach Rodeo, Peach Art Exhibit, and Cookery Contest are all ways that the community engages with the roots of the festival. These fun traditions have been happening for generations, and plan to stay for many, many more. The Ruston community continues to add to these celebrations, with sidewalk sales, a 5K race, and even a Pickleball Tournament. All these traditions keep the festival feeling like a small town gathering, keeping it close to the hearts of our residents and visitors.

4. It’s One of the Few Festivals Where You Don’t Feel Nickel-and-Dimed

The Peach Festival prides itself on having free admission, making it accessible for a Saturday full of activities. In Kids Alley, there are no paid vendors, allowing all kiddos to enjoy hands-on crafts, games, entertainment, and more festival activities. It is the perfect opportunity to bring the family out for fun that won’t break the bank. Our goal is to make the festival easy and accessible for all ages to enjoy!

5. It Feels More Like a Community Gathering Than a Carnival

No flashy rides or ferris wheels here – the Peach Festival provides something even more memorable. Surrounded by the painted murals of downtown, local organizations, and all the friendly volunteers, it’s easy to feel like a part of the Ruston community that we know and love. With festivities happening from morning to late into the night, you have plenty of time to experience the festival at your own pace. So bring out your lawn chair, grab a bite, listen to the music, and enjoy all the sights and sounds of our community. 

The traditions, culture, and hospitality surrounding this celebration reminds us that this isn’t just a festival, but a signature kind of Southern experience you don’t find everywhere. The peach flavor is just the tip of the iceberg to all of the sweetness of peach season in Ruston, LA. 

For more information on the 76th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival and to see the full schedule of events, visit www.lapeachfest.com/. 

The men in the boat had to go slow because if they hit a stump and sheared the motor’s pin, they would lose time and maybe everything that mattered. The boy would lose hope and lose more blood.

He was running out of both.

They cut the water quietly. The only sounds that registered were the low purr of the motor and something in unison from the men and the boy.  Strange … they were counting.

“121, 122, 123, 124 … ”

In the ugly minutes since the sound of the shotgun had exploded in the duck blind and echoed through the Arkansas reservoir, the 8-year-old boy, his father and two other men had become bonded for eternity. An accident plunged the four into a situation as real as life gets. As real as death gets.

Lying on his back in the two-slow boat in the January cold, the boy, bleeding from wounds to his chest and his partially severed hand, looked up, looked into the face of his father.

“Daddy, am I going to die?”

The boat was slow. Stumps everywhere. Cold. The boy feeling hot in his chest. Eighteen miles from a country hospital, much more than that to a medical center.

To son looked to the father for an answer. His head was in his father’s lap. His father held the boy’s right arm toward heaven to slow the bleeding.

“No, you’re not going to die.” Half command, half compassion. “Not today. Not anytime soon.”

And that’s when he told his son to start counting. And to keep counting. And they did.

“One, two, three, four … ”

Around the stumps, toward the truck, in the peaceful and painful mid-morning, the men and the boy counted. Kept going.

They’d been planning the trip for a while, the dad and the son and their duck-hunting friends. The guys. And now it was the last hunt of the trip, the last shots of the morning. It would be over in a few minutes. Time to head in.

Time to go home.

But when the ducks came, the boy reached for the gun and in the cold it slipped. The butt hit hard against the blind’s bench.

And then the explosion. Suddenly everything was wrong.

Two feet separated father and son. The scene was unthinkable. It was reflex after that. Into the boat.

A tourniquet. Quick whispers and lengthy prayers said in half-seconds.

“83, 84, 85, 86 … ”

They made it to the truck, to the hospital, and from there the boy was airlifted to Little Rock. The father had to stay behind. Still numb. Still reflex. Still counting.

Before one of the men drove him to Little Rock, the dad went to the hotel to gather their things. It hit him when he opened the door. His son’s clothes laid out for the trip home. A book on baseball. A toothbrush.

“1,006, 1,007, 1,008, 1,009 … ”

Nearly four months have passed. Few knew how remarkable it was last week when a young left-hander took the mound at the Shreveport Little League Complex, a baseball in his left hand, a glove covering his injured right. Nine pellets remain in his hand, 15 in his shoulder. Physical therapy will continue for at least a year.

Maybe he’ll be able to make a fist with his right hand again. Maybe he’ll be able to spread his fingers apart again.

Maybe, he told his father on the bench between innings last Saturday, the umpire will open his eyes and call a few more strikes.

The joy of little-boy frustration.

The days continue to go by, one by one, and the father and son keep counting. It worked that day when their world turned dark, when the sun went out and time seemed to have run out.

And it’s worked since, as the miracles mount. The father and son keep counting. Counting the days. Counting the moments. Counting their blessings.

—

(Writer’s note: Wrote this 30 years ago this month. The boy in the story, Gentry, is now 39, older than his dad and I were back then. Gentry was a lefty starter on a state championship high school team in Ohio in 2005. Today, his two boys are playing T-ball and coach pitch in the Dallas area. Grandad’s usually at the games; you can count on that.)

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

JOURNAL SPORTS

HOOVER, Ala. – The LSU baseball season made it until today.

After burning the midnight oil and getting a pleasant surprise from a struggling bullpen, the Tigers get to play again.

LSU and Oklahoma played until well after midnight in an SEC Tournament staredown that started Monday night. The 14^th-seeded Tigers ousted the 11^th seeded Sooners 6-2 at Hoover Met.

The Tigers (30-27) are set to face sixth-seeded Auburn (36-18) in the second round of the SEC Tournament tonight. First pitch is scheduled for 8 but as the fourth game of the day, is likely to be later, just like Tuesday night’s outing. The game will be streamed on SEC Network and available on the LSU Sports Radio Network.

The Tigers’ ailing pitching staff took another blow pregame when scheduled starter William Schmidt felt his back tighten in warmups and told coach Jay Johnson he wasn’t able to play. But a trio of Tigers combined to limit the Sooners (32-21) to six hits and held OU scoreless in the final five innings.

Grant Fontenot got the sudden start, and scattered three hits in 2 1/3 innings while giving up an opening run. Gavin Guidry earned the win with 3 1/3 innings pitched, allowing two hits, one run, issuing two walks, and recording six strikeouts. Deven Sheerin closed the contest, earning his fifth save, blanking the Sooners.

“Really proud of Grant, really proud of Gavin, really proud of Deven. That’s a tough spot to be put into,” said Johnson. “We felt we had a good plan mapped out for pitching, and William was not able to pitch.

“Grant did a great job. You only get 30 minutes when you walk on the field (after the previous game) and he gave us 2 1/3. Gavin got us off the field in a big spot and the pitch of the game was when Devin came in. We had a 4-2 lead with the bases loaded, and immediately got the fly ball to left field. He got better as he went along.”

The Tigers moved on top with a three-run fifth. Derek Curiel doubled in the first run and later scored, along with Omar Serna Jr., on an OU error for a 4-2 advantage.

Curiel went 3-for-6, adding another double and a single. Steven Milam cracked a two-run homer in the eighth that doubled LSU’s lead to 6-2, and Brayden Simpson had a pair of singles for the Tigers.

LSU did strand 15 baserunners despite getting 11 hits, and the Tiger defense made three errors.

The entire tournament is a single-elimination format. LSU needs four wins to secure an automatic NCAA Regional berth. Johnson said again postgame that is the only path his team has to defend its 2025 College World Series title.

By PATRICK MEEHAN, Centenary Assistant AD for Communications

Looking back at spring sports highlights for Centenary College in 2026 leads us to the links, where Parkway’s Aubrey Snell and Haughton’s Haylee Crowder were standout performers.

Here, continuing from last Wednesday’s spring recap, are more 2026 high points for Centenary competitors:

MEN’S GOLF: Senior Jeffrey Borchert and Snell, a junior, each earned top-25 finishes in the 2026 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships on April 21 as Borchert tied for 19^th place and Snell tied for 23^rd. Snell recorded four top 10 finishes and five top 15 finishes this season.

Senior Parker Christensen was selected the SCAC Character and Community Male Student Athlete of the Week on March 9. The SCAC Character & Community award honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.

WOMEN’S GOLF: Crowder, a sophomore, led the Ladies as she tied for ninth place at the SCAC Championships and earned honorable mention All-SCAC honors. Freshman Gracie Evans tied for 16^th place. Crowder now owns four top 10 finishes and 10 top 20 finishes in her young career.

GYMNASTICS: The Ladies excelled in the classroom once again this season as 14 gymnasts were named 2026 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships Scholar-Athletes. These outstanding student-athletes held either a cumulative 3.3 GPA or fall semester GPA of 3.3 and seven Ladies had 4.0 GPAs in the fall semester.

Fourteen Centenary gymnasts were also named 2026 Midwest Independent Conference Scholar-Athletes. These outstanding student-athletes achieved a 3.25 GPA or better in the fall semester.

Skyla Cruz and senior Amy Foret were each named First Team WCGNI All-Americans following their appearances in the individual Finals of the 2026 Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championships in April.

Senior Claire Flores, sophomore Anna Ichiba and junior Olivia Williams also qualified for the championships. Individuals who qualified for the national championships were determined by their National Qualifying Score (NQS) in respective events. Cruz qualified on beam, Foret on beam, floor, and Vault, Flores on floor and vault, Ichiba on beam, and Williams on floor.

Centenary’s three seniors each earned prestigious individual postseason awards at the 2026 Midwest Independent Conference (MIC) pre-championship banquet prior to the meet. Senior Claire Flores was co-recipient of the Sylvia Keiter Award, senior Amy Foret was named Senior Athlete of the Year, and senior Olivia Stratmann was named MIC Woman of the Year. 

Four Ladies were the recipient of the Coaches’ Choice Award, one of the four individual honors that the conference chooses on a weekly basis, this past season: Leila Dunlavy, Molly English, Stratmann, Dunlavy, English and Ichiba, who also won the “Performance of the Week” honor on Jan. 21.

TRACK & FIELD: The Gents finished ninth at the 2026 SCAC Championships in April with 15 points and the Ladies finished 11^th with three points.

Sophomore Jay Scott SCAC named Men’s Co-Track Athlete of the Week (March 31) and named SCAC Men’s Field Athlete of the Week (March 17) as he had an impressive season for the Gents. He placed seventh in the long jump and 10^th in the triple jump at the conference meet.

Contact Patrick at pmeehan@centenary.edu

No one has more secrets than bass fishermen, especially tournament bass fishermen! If you’re an angler fishing for bass, crappie or anything else, there are certain things you never reveal. For bass tournament anglers, it’s considered a cardinal sin to reveal how and where you’re catching bass. Since the beginning of competitive bass fishing, anglers have always been very secretive about what they know. 

So why are anglers sworn to such secrecy and not telling others about what they do and how they do it? Well one reason would be, it’s about finding fish and making sure other anglers don’t figure out where their secret locations are.

For tournament bass fishermen, the practice of being hush-hush has gone on forever. The problem is some anglers can’t find their own fish and will resort to whatever means necessary to poach another angler’s location. 

One thing that separates a great angler from an average one is the ability to find bass. Guys that develop this skill have a major advantage over those that can’t. Some anglers who are desperate will pay other anglers or fishing guides for waypoints and locations that hold bass.  

Some anglers are very tight-lipped about where and how they are catching fish. Forever, anglers have exercised their right to remain silent about information that someone can use against them in a tournament. 

So why are anglers so compelled to withhold this valuable information or sometimes try and mislead other anglers they are competing against with false information? 

First, it’s the money and prizes anglers are fishing for today. Some tournaments offer cash payouts while others offer both cash and prizes like a new bass boat!  Isn’t it funny how when there’s money involved, morals and ethics go out the window. 

Several circuits have high payouts with the winner taking home $100,000 or more for a win. Also, if it’s a high-level tournament trail, it’s not just about the money, but it’s the points they can earn that allows them to qualify for a championship at the end of the season.

Pretty much every circuit has a points system that will reward anglers who finish in the circuit’s top 20 or 30 percent at the end of the regular season, with an opportunity to fish for a championship which has an even greater payout. 

One thing that has been practiced forever on all tournament trails is the bond between small groups of anglers who, in most cases, room together on the road. These are guys that trust each other and feel confident that no matter what information they share, they know it won’t leave the group. 

With this being said, there are a few exceptions on who an angler will tell where and how he is catching bass. The thing about tournament bass fishing is that it creates a comradery among a select few anglers who TRUST one another.  

They trust the fact that while they might give away locations and how they are catching bass among each other, they know no one in their group will encroach on the location they have been told about during the tournament. But they will take this information and try to find a spot similar and catch their own fish.

This secrecy among anglers is what makes the sport of tournament bass fishing so unique, along with the comradery that is seen in only a few select sports. 

But this trust or bond can be a problem if just one angler decides to go outside the group and share information they promised not to tell. It’s like a marriage, once the trust is broken, the relationship is over! Bass tournament anglers are no different!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

Please join us in welcoming Breanca (Bre) Simpson to BOM Bank’s Fern branch as our Head Teller! Bre was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, and is a proud graduate of Green Oaks High School. She enjoys shopping, traveling, journaling, and spending quality time with her family, especially her three beautiful children—Jayden, Ja’Liyah, and Ja’Miyah Broom. A fun fact about Bre: she describes herself as an introvert, though most people who know her would never guess! We’re so excited to have Bre on our team and are confident that she will accomplish amazing things. Welcome, Bre!

For generations, blue jeans have survived fashion trends, school dress codes, road trips, concerts, awkward family photos and at least a few questionable DIY projects. And on May 20, one of the world’s most recognizable wardrobe staples celebrates a major milestone in history.

May 20 marks the anniversary of the 1873 patent that helped launch blue jeans into global fame. On that date, businessman Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis received a U.S. patent for adding metal rivets to men’s work pants, creating a stronger and more durable product designed for laborers during the Gold Rush era.

At the time, the invention was practical. Workers needed clothing tough enough to survive mines, railroads and physically demanding jobs. More than 150 years later, those same rugged pants somehow became acceptable attire for everything from grocery runs to weddings held in barns.

The original riveted denim pants were intended for hardworking laborers in the American West. Today, they are just as likely to be worn by teenagers filming dance videos, tourists walking through Buc-ee’s or someone insisting they are “dressed up” because they chose dark denim instead of faded denim.

Jeans have become one of the few pieces of clothing capable of sparking universal emotional experiences. Nearly everyone has owned a pair that fit perfectly for exactly three weeks before shrinking, stretching or suddenly becoming uncomfortable for reasons science still cannot explain.

The evolution of denim trends has also created some memorable fashion eras. Over the decades, styles have ranged from bell-bottoms and acid wash to ripped skinny jeans and ultra-baggy designs large enough to store camping equipment in the pockets. Every generation has confidently declared its preferred version the correct one while criticizing the styles that came before and after it.

Despite changing trends, denim remains deeply tied to American culture. Blue jeans have appeared in movies, music, political campaigns and countless advertisements promoting the idea of rugged independence. They are worn by ranchers, celebrities, mechanics, teachers and people pretending they definitely did not just spill queso on themselves moments earlier.

Retail analysts say denim sales continue to remain strong even as athleisure wear and comfortable loungewear compete for closet space. Still, many shoppers continue searching for the mythical perfect pair of jeans — one that is comfortable, affordable, flattering and does not require Olympic-level flexibility to put on.

As May 20 rolls around, Americans once again celebrate an invention that managed to outlast countless fashion trends while remaining stubbornly difficult to shop for. More than a century after their invention, blue jeans remain one of the few things capable of making people simultaneously feel confident, nostalgic and personally attacked by fluorescent dressing room lighting.

Fifty years ago, a much younger, much more nervous version of me stepped into a pulpit for the very first time. My sermon was too long, my theology was too thin, and my confidence was too high for someone who had no idea what he was doing. In other words, I fit right in with every preacher who ever lived.

Half a century later, I stand amazed — not only that God has been faithful, but that congregations have been too. Some of them even stayed awake. If you want to understand humanity, don’t study psychology. Don’t read philosophy. Just preach weekly for fifty years and watch what happens in the pews.

I’ve seen:

People sleeping so soundly during my sermons that I considered checking for a pulse. One gentleman snored in perfect rhythm with the Doxology. I took it as a compliment. Parents losing control of toddlers who suddenly discovered their spiritual gift was interpretive dance in the center aisle. Teenagers communicating entirely by eyeroll, a language I now speak fluently. Peppermint unwrappers — the saints who believe they can open a candy “quietly,” which somehow takes seven minutes and sounds like a raccoon rummaging through aluminum siding. Folks, at this point in my ministry, I beg you: grip it and rip it. The Lord already knows.

After fifty years, I owe some congregations an apology. Not for theology, not for leadership decisions, not for pastoral missteps — though I’ve had my share of those — but for some truly lousy sermons. There were sermons that wandered. Sermons that limped. Sermons that should have been humanely euthanized. Sermons that were so confusing even I wasn’t sure what I meant.

To the churches who endured them: Thank you for your patience. Thank you for your grace. And thank you for not forming a search committee.

Through it all — the laughter, the tears, the baptisms, the funerals, the potlucks, the revivals, the meetings that should’ve been emails — I have been surrounded by people who loved Jesus and tried their best to love one another.

I’ve watched congregations rally around the grieving, celebrate the newly married, welcome the newborn, and feed the hungry. I’ve seen the church at its most beautiful: ordinary people doing extraordinary things because Christ lives in them.

Fifty years of ministry has taught me this: Following Jesus is less about perfection and more about direction. Less about knowing all the answers and more about trusting the One who does. Less about preaching great sermons and more about living a faithful life.

I’ve stumbled, learned, grown, laughed, cried, and kept walking — because Jesus kept leading. And somehow, by grace alone, I’ve made it to this milestone.  If the next years bring more sleeping saints, more peppermint concerts, more toddlers on the loose, and more holy moments of grace — I’ll count myself blessed.

Thank you for letting me preach, love, learn, and laugh among you. Thank you for fifty years of community. Thank you for walking with me as I’ve tried to walk with Christ. And if you happen to fall asleep during this article, I’ll take that as a sign of spiritual peace.

Today’s kids are booked, busy, and burned out—but one parent is asking if it’s time to bring back a simpler, slower kind of childhood.

 See what Ida says