The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office held a swearing-in ceremony this morning at the Sheriff’s Conference Room inside the Bossier Sheriff’s Command Center in Plain Dealing, where Sheriff Julian Whittington administered the Oath of Affirmation to three new deputies.

Deputies Ronald Appling, Billiyah O’Neal, and Mya Williams officially joined the agency and will begin their careers assigned to one of the Sheriff’s Office correctional facilities. Sheriff Whittington welcomed the new deputies and noted that each has chosen a path of public service as they begin their work with the department.

In addition to welcoming new personnel, the Sheriff’s Office also announced two internal promotions. Deputy Holly Moreau has been promoted to Detective and reassigned from the Patrol Division. Deputy Revis Gay has also been promoted to Detective and will serve as a Digital Forensics Investigator, transitioning from the School Resource Officer Unit.

Sheriff Whittington said the promotions reflect dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence, adding that both detectives have consistently demonstrated those qualities throughout their service.

The Sheriff’s Office congratulated the new deputies and newly promoted detectives and said it looks forward to their continued service to Bossier Parish.

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By JOHN MARCASE, Written for the LSWA

Thirty years after hitting the biggest home run in college baseball history, Warren Morris is still amazed at the impact.

“I had no clue that it was gonna be something where strangers would come up to me all the time and tell me, I remember where I was, I was doing this, or, you know, I was at this wedding,” said Morris. “It’s kind of like a moment in time; people remember where they were.”

The moment: Championship game of the 1996 College World Series. LSU trailed Miami, 8-7, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning and the tying run on second base. Morris, batting last in the LSU lineup due to a hand injury and subsequent surgery, had not hit a home run that season. Until then. Morris attacked the first pitch from Miami closer Robbie Morrison. The line drive just sailed over the right field wall. 

Morris’ life changed with that one swing. But, as anyone who has known Warren Morris before he stepped into the left-handed batter’s box at Rosenblatt Stadium for the final time on June 8, 1996, will attest, that one swing did not change him.

“Warren Morris was a great kid before he hit that home run,” said Steve Boniol, Morris’ first baseball coach, “and Warren Morris would’ve been the same had he struck out. He has not changed.”

That is one of the reasons Morris is being recognized as the third recipient of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame’s Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award, established in 2020. The award honors long-term exemplary contributions to the perception of Louisiana by an individual who has ties to the state’s sports landscape.

He won’t bat flip but he will be roundly cheered Saturday, June 27 when he is part of a 12-member Class of 2026 inducted in the Hall. The ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center culminates three festive days with seven events, including a June 26 bowling party in his hometown of Alexandria. For 2026 induction participation info, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.

Morris’ former offseason workout partner called to congratulate him upon hearing the news. 

“I told him that in a way, that’s even better than what I got, because they put me in on what I did on the field,” said Russ Springer, who was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2018 after 18 years in the majors following a stellar career at LSU, “but they thought he was a good enough person and all the things he did outside of the field that you deserve this award.” 

“When he said it, I was like well that’s pretty cool coming from him, and it is a cool way to look at it,” said Morris.

How Morris ended up as a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame would be a storybook tale, only if he hadn’t already been subject to an SEC Network documentary, “The Walk Off.” 

To adequately comprehend how Morris got to this point in his life would need a series, not just a one-off, one-hour production. 

“If you would have told the 9-, 10-year-old me, go ahead and just dream big,” said Morris, “I would have sold myself way short. All of this is just way beyond anything that I thought I was even capable of doing.”

The 9-year-old Morris would’ve told you he was gonna be a basketball player. After all, that was his favorite sport, and his dad, Bill, was the high school coach at Bolton High School in Alexandria. That was when fate intervened for the first time.

Steve Boniol’s son, Scott, and Warren were best friends. Scott’s Dixie Youth Baseball team, coached by Steve, needed an extra player. Steve had to talk Bill and Barbara Morris into letting Warren play baseball. Steve and Scott Boniol took Warren to his first practice, but first, they had to stop at Steve’s store, Cenla Sports, to get Warren a glove.

“The first practice, I threw batting practice and he would miss every time,” said Boniol. “I told my assistant, Billy Moore, to teach Warren how to bunt. Warren had a work ethic, and he wasn’t going to settle for not being able to hit. By the end of the season, Warren led the team in hits.”

The valedictorian of his graduating class, and an All-State infielder, Morris wound up accepting a walk-on invitation to join the LSU baseball program, and then promptly redshirted his freshman year as three-time All-American and all-time LSU great Todd Walker was firmly entrenched at second base. Yet, that year he sat out proved pivotal thanks to longtime Skip Bertman assistant Smoke Laval.

“I don’t think it’s by accident that was the only year that Smoke Laval was there,” said Morris. “Smoke would notice little things, and I don’t know if he sensed that I wasn’t so sure of myself, but I guarantee you that at least once a week, he would just come by and talk to me. And, he would always tell me, because Todd Walker was playing ahead of me, that one day, that’s gonna be you. You’re gonna play here. You’re good enough. 

“I started believing it. You never know how someone in your life makes a big difference.”

The following season, Morris started 63 of 66 games as an outfielder. Then, he succeeded Walker as the starting second baseman and earned second-team All-American honors. Heading into his fourth year of college and third as an every-day player, Morris was a preseason All-American and likely member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team. 

Then, fate intervened again. 

His right hand felt uncomfortable during the fall of 1995, and it never improved as the 1996 season began. Eventually it was discovered Morris had fractured the hamate bone and would need surgery. It forced him to miss 39 games, and it caused many frustrating moments. Yet, it may have been the best thing that ever happened to him.

“I mean, obviously, at the time, I wasn’t enjoying it, but looking back, it kind of goes back to God’s got a plan,” said Morris. “You don’t understand it, but it turned out better in two ways.”

The first was Morris surrendered to God’s will. If he could return to baseball he would. If his career was finished, he was content to graduate and move on with his life’s calling. 

“I still go back to being alone in my apartment, closed the door, just got on my knees, and I prayed,” he said. “I said, God, I can’t do it anymore. I don’t know what you want me to be. I’m not worrying about it anymore because I don’t have any answers … but if you want me to keep playing, then I’ll do that and give you all the glory, but I’m not worrying about it anymore.”

The second part paid dividends on the field. The injury and post-surgery recovery changed Morris’ swing. He went from a player who threw right-handed and was a contact left-handed hitter, to a hitter who could really start driving the ball when he made contact.

“When everybody else was practicing, I would go in the cage with my one good hand, which is my non-dominant hand, and I hit so many balls, like I’d never focused on just my left hand,” he said. “Whenever I had the surgery, I came back and I’m really driving the ball with my top hand and I’m hitting it better than I ever did before.”

Morris returned to the LSU starting lineup on May 16, hitting ninth. 

Had he never been injured, he would not have been in position to hit his walk-off homer in Omaha. As it turned out, LSU won all 22 games he started that season.

Had he never been injured, Morris likely would not have been the best player on the 1996 U.S. Olympic baseball team that won bronze. He led the team in average (.409) to go with five homers, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored in nine games. 

Had he never been injured, Morris admits, he may never have made the major leagues, finishing third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 1999 when he hit 15 home runs. 

“The Olympics were right after the injury and I led the Olympics in slugging percentage, which is crazy, but I think that never happens if I don’t have the injury,” he said. “I mean, that’s crazy to say, but I don’t know if I have a major league career if I don’t have that injury, because I don’t think I was good enough in power and the things they want you to do when hitting.”

Morris retired from baseball in 2006. He and his wife, Julie, settled in Alexandria to raise their three daughters. Morris eventually took a job working for Red River Bank.

He took another job in an unofficial capacity – perhaps the best ambassador LSU baseball or college baseball could have. Each June, there are calls from across the country wanting to relive 1996. He has been invited to speak to numerous civic organizations, businesses, churches and to countless sports teams, motivating players that if it could happen to Morris, it could happen to one of them. A true genuine role model.

“The only thing Warren ever did wrong was return a videotape to Blockbuster without rewinding it,” joked Bertman. “This happened not once, but twice when Warren was at LSU …. a clergyman told me thanks for sending Warren by our church. And I didn’t send him. He went on his own both times. He’s a humble kid, a wonderful kid.” 

“He provided the greatest moment in the history of the College World Series 30 years ago, and he since has embodied the values of a devoted husband, father and community leader,” added Bill Franques, LSU’s baseball communications director since 1989. “LSU is very grateful for the lifetime impact Warren Morris has made upon our state.”

The only irony about Morris’ journey since June 7, 1996, is his three daughters were never into sports. They know he played baseball at LSU but as far as his impact on this state’s sporting history? Even as LSU students, it took a sorority sister’s family for them to finally comprehend.

“As luck would have it, one of the girls they’re kind of partnered with in their sorority, her parents are huge LSU sports fans,” Morris said. “After talking with this girl for about two months, something came up about me and she was blown away. She was like, that’s your dad? We have a poster of him in our house!”

Now, Morris is taking it to another level as a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award winner for 2026. From a teenager who had doubts he could play at LSU, to someone who wondered if anyone would talk about his title-winning homer. 

Thirty years later, Louisiana is still celebrating it, and Morris. Chances are, Louisiana will still be talking about Warren Morris 30 years from now. 

One thing is for certain, though, he will still be the same Morris everyone in Alexandria knew long before he stepped foot on campus at LSU.

“He is Warren Morris,” said Boniol. “He has never changed. I give credit to his mom and dad. He is top notch and there are not too many like him walking around.”

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Independence Bowl leadership adjustment isn’t a shakeup as Evenson moves up, Setters moves over

JOURNAL SPORTS

Missy Setters has worked on the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl staff for 30 years, the last 20 as executive director.

Erik Evenson is a rising star in his eighth year on the staff, already playing a prominent role as the bowl’s director of communications, often the face and the voice of the I-Bowl in public and media appearances.

Setters, and other bowl officials, have been impressed. That was evident Monday when the bowl announced Evenson is being elevated into the executive director post and Setters will step into a new position at the I-Bowl, chief operating officer, as of Aug. 15. The bowl’s announcement said the shift was initiated by Setters with the endorsement of the Independence Bowl Foundation board.

Setters and Evenson will each retain many of their existing job responsibilities but will begin transitioning in areas of conference and key partnership relations, said the press release.

The move is being made while Setters addresses a health matter and reflects a commitment to the long-term strength of the organization. It also creates an opportunity for Setters and Evenson to work closely together, ensuring a seamless leadership transition while continuing to safeguard the future of both the Independence Bowl Foundation and the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl as the organization celebrates its 50th anniversary and looks beyond this milestone year.

“The Board’s approval of this organizational change marks an important step forward for the Independence Bowl Foundation,” said Keith Burton, 2026 Independence Bowl Foundation chairman. “Erik Evenson has proven himself to be a strong and capable leader with a clear vision for the organization’s future, while Missy Setters brings more than 30 years of exceptional experience, trusted leadership, and deep knowledge of this community. This new structure positions the Foundation to benefit from both of their strengths while providing continuity and stability for the future.”

“We are implementing this transitional structure to ensure Missy can focus on her health while staying involved in the leadership of the organization as COO. It also creates an ideal platform for us to plan for the future leadership of the Independence Bowl by elevating Erik to Executive Director,” said Rob Rubel, Chair of the Independence Bowl Foundation Personnel Committee. “Missy and our Personnel Committee developed this structure with current and future leadership in mind, and it was met with organizational support every step of the way.”

Evenson joined the Independence Bowl Staff as the director of media and community relations in July 2018 and was elevated to director of communications in March 2022. Evenson has led all the organization’s communications and messaging efforts – including communications, marketing and advertising, media and community relations, and digital and social media. 

“It is a true honor to be named the executive director of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl,” said Evenson. “I moved to Shreveport eight years ago, and it has become home to me. The Independence Bowl is an institution in the community I have come to love, and it means the world to me to be able to work alongside Missy [Setters] to lead our organization and capitalize on the momentum we continue to build.

“I am excited to continue working alongside our outstanding staff, Executive Committee, Board of Directors, sponsors, volunteers, media partners and the many individuals with whom I’ve built strong relationships. Together we will continue making a profound impact on the Shreveport-Bossier area through the bowl game, our year-round events and the work we do throughout the community.”

Evenson is currently serving his third year on the executive board of the Young Professionals Initiative of NWLA, spending 2026 as the chair-elect and set to become the chair in 2027.

In the two years before the Independence Bowl, Evenson served as director of media relations and broadcasting for the Macon Mayhem of the Southern Professional Hockey League and as a sports radio talk show host, as co-host of the Midday Sports Zone on Middle Georgia ESPN Radio. He grew up in the Atlanta metro area and is a graduate of the University of Alabama, earning a bachelor’s degree in sports broadcasting and communications in May 2016.

Setters joined the Independence Bowl staff in 1996, serving as media relations director before being promoted to assistant executive director for media relations in 2003. She went on to become the bowl’s executive director in 2006. 

“I have been blessed to spend the past 30 years with the Independence Bowl Foundation, as the media relations director for the first nine years, and as the executive director for the past 20-plus years,” said Setters. “As a native of Lake Charles, my family has been in Shreveport since 1973, and I have attended all but one Independence Bowl.

“Our organization hosts numerous annual events that improve quality of life and account for an annual average of nearly $24 million in economic impact, as well as giving back through scholarships and education funding. I strongly believe in the local and regional impact this organization has on our community and am thankful for the many member-volunteers who help make our events happen and give their valuable time. This transition is the right move at the right time, allowing for continuity in the execution of our mission, responsibilities and efforts for the future of our organization. I am appreciative of our Independence Bowl Foundation leadership for their vision and dedication toward our future.”

While working for the Independence Bowl, Setters spent a few years as the only female bowl executive director in the country at the time. She was elected to the executive committee of Bowl Season – the national organization serving all college football bowl games – serving in the capacities of secretary, treasurer and vice-chair and eventually chairing the committee in 2020. She recently rolled off the committee after serving for seven years and was the only female serving on the committee during that time.

Setters is a graduate of the Manship School of Mass Communications at LSU, where she was a four-year letterwinner on the LSU women’s golf team and served as team captain her senior season. She also won the Louisiana State Junior Championship in 1982 and the LHSAA championship in 1983.

Upon graduation, Setters served six-plus years in the LSU Sports Information Department in Baton Rouge. She started as a student worker in 1987. Following graduation in 1988, she completed a one-year internship, then went on to work full-time, covering swimming & diving, gymnastics, and golf, and also working all football and men’s basketball games, and a majority of the baseball games. 

Setters eventually became the department’s first full-time graphics coordinator, designing media guides and other graphics for all of LSU’s varsity sports teams. During that time, she was part of a team that won numerous CoSIDA publication awards for various sports publications.

She also spent two years with the Shreveport Pirates of the Canadian Football League, serving as media relations director in 1994 and 1995.

Setters has also served at various times on the boards of Community Renewal, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Military Affairs Council and was a 2024 Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Athena Award Honoree. She has also served as a youth small group teacher at her church (Summer Grove) for most of the past 26 years.

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Putting Sorsby in the rearview mirror, and a real cowboy hero to rest

As you read this, Brendan Sorsby is what he was when he woke up Monday – a very well-paid athlete. But by bedtime Monday, he was just not a college athlete any more.

Those Texas Tech Red Raiders love the outlaw role – they do wear black hats —  but the past week, it went to an extreme. They were everybody’s enemy, trying to justify Sorsby remaining as their $5 million NIL quarterback although he had just begun treatment for a suddenly diagnosed gambling addiction that undeniably involved him betting on games involving his previous teams at Indiana and Cincinnati.

Although he never actually took a snap for their school, Tech brass got downright righteous about supporting Sorsby in this struggle to repress what he’d done for three years – bet on college sports, among others. College athletes can bet these days, according to the laws in their states, but not on games involving their teams. That’s 1919 Chicago Black Sox and 1980s Pete Rose stuff.

The Hit King said he never bet against his Reds, and there was never evidence he did. But there was plenty indicating he bet on their games. And that erodes the integrity of competition – did the involved bettor maybe give less than best effort to alter the odds?

If that question is asked, it’s already too late. Sorsby had soiled his teammates by his prior wagering. Nobody could watch him quarterback the Red Raiders and have no doubt the next bad play wasn’t on purpose.

That didn’t send him toward the NFL’s Supplemental Draft. An intense wave of pressure, the tipping point coming from other schools in Tech’s Big XII Conference, did that Monday.

Sorsby and those advising him finally realized there were consequences past counseling and far beyond his personal space. Hope he can handle his gambling addiction – he’s hardly the only college student, or college athlete, with one. He’s just now the poster child.

He can play and some NFL – or CFL – team will pick him up and ultimately see just how good he is behind center. Only a relative handful of college players get that shot. He will. Que sera sera.

Texas Tech players will not suffer being questioned about just how hard their quarterback tried.  As a pro player, if Sorsby doesn’t lay it all out there every day, he has no chance.

T. Berry Porter knew that 80-some-odd years ago.

He was 16 years old and he knew it then, by the time the young man from Leesville became a member of the first professional cowboy association in the USA. He’d been rodeoing before he learned to read. Started at age 3 as a goat-roper.

Those other kids, those older men, wearing jeans and boots and spurs, were busting it to win a belt buckle, maybe a few dozen dollars, in whatever rodeo they entered. The best cowboy won. By the time T. Berry joined what evolved into today’s Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, he was competing for decent money in the 1940s, in places like Shreveport, Fort Smith, Fort Worth, and Lafayette.

His breakout moment wasn’t a moment. It was a month-long competition in Madison Square Garden, with Porter a long way from the family’s Vernon Parish ranch at age 22 in 1949. The New York Knicks played there. They were three years old.

The sports world was different. Boxing and baseball mattered. Horse racing was huge. Basketball, pro football, not so much. Rodeo was just coming into the bright lights and that was obvious by the duration of the World Championships in MSG.

Right place, right time. Young T. Berry Porter was crowned the World Champion Calf Roper in the Garden. Went from off the radar to mainstream star; soon, he was on the Wrangler Rodeo Team and his silhouette was on the patch in the back left pocket of every pair of Wranger jeans sold across America.

Family and his many, many friends will lay T. Berry Porter to rest today in Leesville. He was 99 when he gracefully met his maker Saturday at home.

His story is a perfect example of what’s so wonderful about the upcoming Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame inductions. T. Berry was enshrined in 2019, right alongside Peyton Manning and Les Miles.

Guess who stole the show? The first rodeo cowboy to enter the Hall. Peyt, Les, and the rest loved it. We all did. Nobody more than T. Berry.

Manning, Miles, and the other inductees were cool cats too. Exactly who you’d think they were from seeing them on TV. But along with the glow of A-list celebrity proximity, the lasting joy of the 2019 LSHOF was finding out about T. Berry, the rodeo career he had, the life he was leading – he was still on a tractor, tending to his ranch, every day at age 92 – and in church every Sunday, and helping with the Lions Club Crippled Childrens Home.

No more knocks on poor Brendan Sorsby. We can only hope he can get it together and lead a life halfway as special as T. Berry Porter did. There’s time, if he can make the most of it.

There’s time for you to come see the latest Hall of Fame festivities June 25-27. You’re liable to mingle with some of the best who ever were at what they played, and you’ll find out they are pretty much like your neighbor. Just good folk who did something great.

Although I doubt we’ll ever see the likes of T. Berry ever again.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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Northwestern State University announces the names of Dean’s List students for the Spring 2026 semester. Students on the Dean’s List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99.

For questions regarding the Dean’s List, contact the NSU Registrar’s Office at (318) 357- 6171 or email registrar@nsula.edu.

Students listed by hometown (within Journal coverage areas) are as follows.

Alexandria – Ava Adams, Lexie Alberes, Ashton Brodnax, Kevin Byone, Joseph Cain, Ayla Cox, Danielle Darby, Leila Ford, Jordan Gregory, Ruben Kho, Lawson Kirsch, Jaykendel Lair, Faith Martin, Marina Moorehead, Miracle Newman, Tina Nguyen, Shelby Palmer, Trinity Patrick, Camryne Phillips, Kailyn Price, Latajah Quinney, Kamren Smith, Sydney Smith, Kelsey Stuckey, Alex Sukerek, Faith Williams

Arcadia – Lauren Terry

Ball – Dana Atwood, Tamia Bowie, Kayla DuBois, Harry Hoben, Lauren Nugent

Barksdale AFB – Christian Ostolaza, Chole Sparks

Benton – Landon Barrett, Hudson Brignac, Katharyn Evans, Carson Ferguson, Caitlyn Hayes, Sierra Khaled, Keya Little, Ella Robinson, Amelia Sims, Morgan Spradling, Tyla Stewart, Taten Wagley

Bienville – Lindsay Macynski

Bossier City – Shatha Alkhatib, Yousra Awawda, Braylee Baker, Kennedy Beloso, William Bryant, Kenneth Burnett, Lillian Cain, Bianca Capelli, Daniel Coleman, Daniel Covington, Mary Katherine Craig, Cody Davenport, Paxton DePingre, Allie Denton, Kendall Earley, Alyssa Espinosa, Ashlynn Fiske, Jadan Gray, John Gray, Mackenzie Hackleman, Layla Havis, Bryant Holmes, Cing Kim, Whitney Lamb, Sophia Livers, Patrick Lord-Stephens, Kalyssa Mall, Chase McLaurin, Natalie Mckuhen, Elyssa Moorem, Madysen Morgan, Felicia Parish, Heyshla Perez Vega, Joseph Resendez, Lizzett Rivera, Taylor Rochelle, Stephanie Salas Hernandez, Toni Sullivan, Ava Tarpley, Benjamin Taylor, Morgan Traylor, Jaslyn Turner, Bowen Vardeman, Illianna Wallace, Dwyane Watson, Jessica Watters, Lanaya Watts, Mekayla Wiggins, Ashley Woodfin

Boyce – Jace Aslin, Brooke Chelette, Chloe Cloessner, Lauren Holt, Olivia Melroy, Makinley Rachal

Bunkie – Lindy Aney, Amari Hamilton

Campti – Emma Dove, Dylan Fulton, Zoey Fulton

Castor – Leanne Colson, Malorie Cooper

Cheneyville – Dorcia Gillam

Cloutierville – Sydni Jones

Converse – Chloe Carter, Drake Friday, Mason Procell, Keigan Remedies, Justin Rushing

Cottonport – Keyonce Friels, Bryce Juneau

Effie – Sophie Moreau

Elm Grove – William Achee

Elmer – Layla Chandler

Florien – Cesaleigh Hall, Kennadi Sparks, Lilly Sparks, Madison Weldon

Forest Hill – Ethan Green, Baronica Gunter

Frierson – Joshua Bouriaque, Angelina Lee

Glenmora – Hunter Dauza, Marshall Dauzat, Katie Dupre, Martha Sierra, Kadence Tolbert, Gage Ware

Gloster – Makayla Butler

Goldonna – Winsome Guillory

Grand Cane – Carmen Puckett

Greenwood – Krista Cates, Madisyn James

Haughton – Kameron Burns, Morgan Davison, Hannah Fields, Abigail Meador, LaShonda Pennywell, Lawson Turner

Hessmer – Macey Barr

Hineston – Shyla Clark, Rebecca Dousay, Tinley Steedman

Jena – Ella Jensen, Morgan Paul, Alyson Trahan

Keithville – BreAnne Jones, Gabriel McCalmon, Ashlynn McClain

Logansport – Alexa Gannon, Hayden Knight

Mansfield – Jessie Cobb, Elizabeth Houston, Valentina Puac, Paulette Rambin, Nysia Samuels-Rochelle

Mansura – Tori Charrier, Ashley Joseph, Kerri Parrish

Many – Allison Bordelon, Layton Byles, Kaiya Causey, Harli Cruse, Victor Culbertson, John Harris, ShaeAunna Johnson, Jeffery Key, Margaret Ryan, Baylee Samples, Kelsey Sepulvado, Trenton Sepulvado, Vivian Sylvia

Marksville – Nicholas Ferguson, Zoey Guthrie, Mia Rodriguez

Marthaville – Avery Broadway, Mason Broadway, Camryn Ford, Aaron Manasco, Megan Singletary, Amelia Strahan

Mira – Haley Knighton

Moreauville – Heidi Gauthier

Natchez – Shona Moses, Chloe Rachal

Natchitoches – Sky Anders, Christopher Anderson, Caleb Barton, Kaylee Baugh, David Bellard, Cheyenne Bertrand, Haleigh Bertrand, Benjamin Bienvenu, Avery Broadway, Arkeylius Brooks, Oscar Brown, LaTonya Burton, Cailah Bush, Josue Bustillo Aguero, Erick Cabrera, Daniel Carballo, Oscar Andres Carballo Torres, Cody Carmen, Benjamin Castro, Adriana Chaj Hernandez, Derrick Clark, Santiago Coavas Romero, LaQuita Collins, Logan Collinsworth, Arionna Conday, Aiden Cryer, Juliyah Davis, Caldwell DeFord, Brendan Donaghy, Madison Dupuy, Kamron Edwards, Jasen Elie, Jessica Ellerbe, Mateo Este-McDonald, Sileena Farrell, Airicka Fields, Roseanna Files, Kylie Fleshman, Allison Flores Reyes, Ever Naun Galeas Antunez, Sofia Garcia, Anisha Gibbons, Alexx Gibson, Irene Gomez, Ashley Harkey, Kristen Harris, Joshalyn Harrison, Charles Heard, Ethan Heard, Kyleigh Herring, Darlisha Jefferson, Allyson Jett, Cambree Jimmerson, Kevin Juarez Lopez, Punam Khadka, Kayden Larkins, Mitchell LeBlanc, Angel Maradiaga, Madison Martin, Abby McNeely, Noah McNeil, Lauren Menard, Diana Marcela Mercado Garcia, Joseph Merritt, Mikayla Mondello, Madelyn Murphy, Joshua Nolley, Kennede Oliver, Destiny Phillips, Brendal Pinckard, Cameron Possoit, Alexis Procell, Nohelia Ramos Vallecillo, Kennedi Revel, Victoria Robinson, Kaden Rush, Jordan Shields, Na’Riaya Sowell, Parker Stroope, Morgan Swafford, Belen Tenesaca Bermeo, K.C. Thompson, Shayna Tilley, Vyen Trang, Ronald Andrés Turizo Bueno, José Villeda, Artisha Waldrup, Aaron Waterstraat, Caleb White, Elizabeth White, Victoria Wiggins, Shakera Williams, Shantangelo Williams, Sophia Witman, Brian Young, Sha Young

Noble – Mariana Ebarb, Rowan Ebarb, Rebecca Hardee, Katelen Turner

Pineville – Payton Bareswill, Ethan Bolyer, Madison Book, Jenyah Clay, Kaylee Cotton, Liza Foreman, Madelyn Glaze, Darren Keel, Blake LaFargue, Madeline Litton, Breanna Melancon, Olivia Melder, Kylee Mott, Ahmani Roberson, Ada Shoup, Kirstyn Smith, Patrice Spera, Karly Stansell, Landon Vallee

Plain Dealing – Kathryn Taylor-Watkins

Plaucheville – Alise Clausen

Princeton – Xavier Hobson

Ringgold – Kaylee Cook

Robeline – Trinity Brewer, Anniston Broadway, Jax Colston, Adam Guidry, Rayleigh Harris, Baylee Johnson, Caleb Johnston, Piper Kay, Madeline Mitchell, Bonney Phillips, Harley Welling

Shongaloo – Mackenzie Hosley, Taylor Hosley

Shreveport – Kerion Anderson, ShayAnna Beatty, Shepherd Benson, Amber Bledsoe, Taja Bolds, Amarriyah Boykins, John Campbell, Taylor Capetillo, Tremia Collins, Yabria Cotton, Cassie Donaghey, Aaliyah Dove, Ashton Dykes, Kiara Ealy, Leia Estes, Macy Etheredge, Nathan Franklin, Emily Frataccia, Valerie Gongre, Tyler Hays, Emma Hernandez, Jacinta Jemeli, Monicah Jepkemboi, Kenberly Jones, Ashanti Lemons, Bryson Lewis, Jeremy Lewis, Adam Mariano, Aliyah Mason, Asia Mason, Kimberly Michelli, Kristie Miller, Amirhossein Montazeri Ghahjavarestani, Janiyah Mosley, Stella Okoh, Clairie Parent, Patricia Paterno, Araya Perkins, Hailee Posey, Claire Prda, Katherine Randolph, Char’lajahe Rattler, Rosalie Ray, Zariah Ray, Carolina Resendez, Jillian Rizzuto, Sheena Rose, Virginia Santiago, Jillian Sexton, Addison Smith, Aniyah Smith, Michaela Smith, Amanda Spraggins, Anicia Taylor, Lorien Thomas, Jamya Thompkins, Alayah Williams, Helen Williams-Brown, Lakenya Wilson

Simmesport – Nicole Canal

Stonewall – Natalie Cobb, Mya Dunn, Rhyan Floyd, Matthew Hiang, Abigail Jones, Anna Little, Kameryn Mckinney, Amber Melton, Jordan Porterfield, Kirsten Sepulvado, Mary-Elizabeth Widener, Gabriel Williams

Winnfield – Mattie Barnes, Kyleigh Blundell, Maggie Bruce, Sarah Carter, Haley Collins, Peyton Glenn, Pamela Hight, Marvanesha Lewis, Eli Little, John Pickett, Ella Price, Caleb Reed, Tolbert Triplett

Woodworth – Dustin Guillory, Lluvia Guillot, Natalie Hyde

Zwolle – Nahliyah Boykins, Christian Culbertson, Jaeger Ebarb, Dawson Leone, Emma Meshell, Kamron Parrie, Kamaryn Rivers

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Herman Jerome “Jerry” Alter and Sara Rita Sinofsky married in 1956 in New York City.  Jerry and Rita both worked for high schools in New York and New Jersey; Jerry was a music teacher, and Rita was a speech therapist.  In 1974, Jerry retired at the young age of 47 and he and Rita bought a 20-acre mesa overlooking a mountain valley near Cliff, New Mexico, about 30 miles northwest of Silver City.  In 1979, they built a ranch-style home on the property overlooking the valley.  Jerry and Rita coauthored three independently published books, all of which were published in 2011.  The first was a blend of fictional and non-fiction adventure travel.  The second was a twist on Aesop’s Fables set in verse.  The third was a book of poetry based on their travel experiences.  The books sold poorly.  In the “about the author” section of the books, Jerry claimed that he had “visited over 140 countries on all continents, including both polar regions.”  

On April 9, 2012, 81-year-old Jerry died of natural causes, followed by 81-year-old Rita on June 5, 2017.  Rita’s nephew Ron Roseman, a resident of Houston, Texas, was the executor of her estate.  Ron contacted real estate agent Ruth Seawolf the following month to sell the property.  In an email discussing the property Ron said, “Ruthie, I’ve gone through the home, and I don’t think there is anything of value, but help yourself.”  Ruthie visited the home in preparation for putting it on the market and noted that it was “a little dated, older home,” but one she thought would “be fairly easy to sell.”  Ruthie contacted the owners of Manzanita Ridge Furniture & Antiques in Silver City, to visit the house to see how best to dispose of its contents.  Everything in the home was old and covered in dust.  When they removed the pictures and paintings from the walls, it was evident by the dust patterns that they had been hanging in the same positions for decades.  The antique store owners saw nothing they considered especially valuable and bought the entire contents for around $2,000.  

The antique store owners carted a few select items including furniture, small art pieces, and paintings back to their store and donated most of the contents to a local thrift store.  David Van Auker, one of the antique store owners, liked one of the paintings which had hung behind the Alter’s bedroom door for decades and intended to display it in his guest house.  Back at the store, customers were drawn to the painting in the cheap gold frame and said they recognized it.  After several customers independently expressed their belief that the painting looked familiar, David did some internet research.  

He was stunned to learn that over three decades earlier, on the day after Thanksgiving in 1985, a man and woman who resembled Jerry and Rita stole a Willem de Kooning painting called Woman-Ochre from the University of Arizona Museum of Art in Tucson.  The painting was valued at over $160 million, but David returned the painting to the museum of art and refused a reward.  This was just the first of many valuable paintings that the FBI learned that Jerry and Rita Alter had stolen.  Everyone, especially their friends and family, were stunned to learn that Jerry and Rita Alter were professional art thieves.  

Sources:

1.     “Herman Jerome ‘Jerry’ Alter,” FindAGrave.com, accessed June 7, 2026, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/190759614/herman-jerome-alter.

2.     “Sara Rita Sinofsky Alter,” FindAGrave.com, accessed June 7, 2026, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/190758039/sara_rita-alter.

3.     Arizona Daily Star, November 30, 1985, p.1.

4.     Silver City Sun-News, August 18, 2017, p.A4.

5.     The Santa Fe New Mexican, September 10, 2017, p.A2.

6.     Carlsbad Current-Argus, December 28, 2024, p.3.

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Rickey D. Young, Jr., a beloved husband, devoted father, son, brother, and friend to all, passed away leaving behind a legacy of laughter, kindness, and unyielding love.

A lifelong resident of Shreveport, Louisiana, Rickey was a vibrant force of nature who truly never met a stranger. He was the hilarious, fun-loving life of the party, a kind-hearted soul who was always willing to help anyone in need, even a complete stranger. Anyone who knew him will forever remember his mischievous smirk, the unmistakable sign that he was either about to tell a fantastic joke, pull a lighthearted prank, or simply bring a burst of joy into the room.

Rickey was a 1997 graduate of Southwood High School. Professionally, he was a man who successfully wore many hats. For 26 years, he dedicated himself as an inside salesman, building strong relationships across the automotive industry. He also brought his signature charismatic energy to the local nightlife as a bartender and the owner of Time Out Sports Bar.

Outside of work, Rickey knew how to live life to the fullest. He loved nothing more than going hunting, hitting the golf course, traveling with his family, and playing Gorilla Ball at the Elks Lodge. An avid sports fan, he could always be found cheering passionately for LSU football and attending Byrd football games.

While Rickey had many passions, he would hands-down say his greatest accomplishment in life was being the most amazing father to his two boys. He adored them more than life itself, and they weren’t just his sons, Ethan and Liam were his two best friends. Rickey was always present, whether he was cheering them on from the stands at their games or sharing his love for the outdoors on their countless hunting trips together.

Rickey had a rare gift for connection, and over his lifetime, his circle grew far beyond bloodlines. He will be deeply missed by a multitude of friends whom he truly considered family. To Rickey, a good friend wasn’t just company, they were part of his inner circle, and he loved them with the same fierce loyalty he gave to his own kin.

He is survived by the absolute love of his life and devoted wife, Candace; his two adored sons, Ethan and Liam; his mother, Nancy Carroll; and his cherished grandmother, Marie “Mimi” Buehler. He also leaves behind his sisters, Kim Young and Jamie Schroeder (Kevin); aunts, Vicki Leckie and Rita Fegley; uncle, Felix “Chip” Strother; his father-in-law, Terry Heffern (Holly); mother-in-law, Gwen Heffern; grandmother-in-law, Irene Heffern; brother-in-law, Jason Heffern (Elaine); and sister-in-law, Jessica Dixon (Jeff). His memory will also be forever cherished by his cousins, Korie Lee, Kyle Leckie, Scotty Lee, Clinton Strother, Tyler Strother and Sharlotte Sharbeno alongside a host of loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and countless lifelong friends.

Rickey was reunited in heaven with his father, Rickey Young, Sr.; his grandfathers, Felix Strother and Don Buehler; his grandparents, James and Dorothy Young; and his aunts, Beverly Lee and Beatrice Sharbeno.

Pallbearers
Active Pallbearers:
• Kyle Leckie
• Tyler Strother
• AJ Edwards
• Roger “Pedro” Dillion
• Chris DeFatta
• Aaron Henley
Honorary Pallbearers:
• Clinton Strother
• Dave McCoy
• Troy Adkins
• Tim Nock
• Jason Heffern
• Jeff Dixon

Service Schedule:

Visitation
• Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
• Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• Location: Western Hills Baptist Church, 4153 Pines Rd, Shreveport, LA 71119

Celebration of Life
• Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
• Time: 10:00 AM
• Location: Western Hills Baptist Church, 4153 Pines Rd, Shreveport, LA 71119

Graveside Service
• The Graveside Service will immediately follow the Celebration of Life.
• Location: Forest Park East, 3700 St. Vincent Ave, Shreveport, LA 71103

Reception & Fellowship Following the graveside service, all family, friends, and loved ones are warmly welcomed to gather, support the family, and share their favorite, hilarious stories of Rickey.
• Location: Elks Lodge 122, 310 East Preston St, Shreveport, LA 71105
• Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Entrance will be located around the backside of the lodge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made directly to organizations that were close to Rickey’s heart:
• Elks Lodge 122 – Gorilla Ball Scholarships (Shreveport, LA)
• Byrd Football Booster Club Sent

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Funeral services for Mary B. Waddle, 91, will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr. in Shreveport, Louisiana. Burial will follow at Springridge Cemetery in Pleasant Hill, Louisiana. A visitation will be held on Friday, June 19, 2026 at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Officiating the service will be Associate Pastor of Fellowship Community Church, Steve Gilley.

Mary was born on February 10,1935, to Joseph and Annie Balzrette in Coushatta, Louisiana and passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026, in Shreveport.

Mary’s dedication to nurturing children at Calvary Daycare made her a beloved figure, inspiring growth, learning, and joy in every child she interacted with. Mary worked tirelessly each day, arriving early to prepare activities that would both educate and entertain the children. She found joy in the simple milestones: a toddler saying their first words, a preschooler mastering counting, or a shy child finally sharing a toy with a friend. Her classroom was filled with warmth, laughter, and creativity, reflecting her genuine love for teaching and her nurturing personality.

Mary’s work at the daycare was more than just a job—it was a vocation. She treated each day as an opportunity to make a lasting difference in young lives, planting seeds of knowledge, kindness, and curiosity that would grow long after they left her care. Her enthusiasm and compassion left a profound impression on families, colleagues, and most importantly, the children whose futures she was helping to shape.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Annie Balzrette; husband, Sevelle Waddle, Sr.; son, Sevelle Waddle, Jr. (Bubba); four brothers; four sisters; and several nieces and nephews.

Left to cherish her memory is her son, Gene Waddle and wife, Wendy; daughters, Annie Melvin and husband, Rickey, and Lynn McKown; six grandchildren, Shawn McKown and wife, Courtney, Marylynn Gooden and husband, Josh, Shelby McKown and Danielle Herrera, Rickey Melvin, Jr., Brock Melvin, and Shae Waddle; and 10 great-grandchildren, Rilee, Mia, Kinley, Isaiah, Elijah, Carter, Faith, Malachi, Grace, and Adie Jean.

Honoring Mary as pallbearers will be Rickey Melvin, Jr., Brock Melvin, Shawn McKown, Shelby McKown, Dylan Waddle, and Tommy Ford.

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Kathryn Howard
May 4, 1936 – June 14, 2026
Service: Friday, June 19, 2026, 11am at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Janice Horton
June 15, 1942 – June 12, 2026
Service: Friday, August 28, 2026, 5pm at Osborn Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Mary B. Waddle
February 10, 1935 — June 12, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 10am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.

William Charles Wright
April 5, 1949 – June 12, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 10am at Benton Community Cemetery, Benton.

Rickey Young, Jr.
June 28, 1979 – June 9, 2026
Service: Thursday, June 18, 2026, 10am at Western Hills Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Paul Allen Compton
February 17, 1960 – June 8, 2026
Service: Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 2pm at Pilgrim Home Baptist Church, Benton.

William Robert “Bob” Everett II
April 14, 1949 — June 3, 2026
Service: Sunday, June 21, 2026, 3pm at City Church, Shreveport.

Barbara Jean Hargis
June 18, 1945 – May 29, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 6pm at Barron Road Baptist Church, Keithville. 

John Kenneth Miller
March 9, 1962 – May 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 2pm at Barron Road Baptist Church, Keithville.

Rita Roberta Poling
? – May 4, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 10am at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Bossier City. 

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A woman convicted last month in the shooting death of her boyfriend was sentenced June 10 in Caddo Parish District Court.

District Judge John D. Mosely Jr. sentenced Carlisia Manshan Clark, 29, to 15 years at hard labor, with credit for time served, for the Aug. 4, 2023 death of Xamien Davis, 39.

Clark was found guilty of manslaughter following a bench trial on May 11 before Judge Mosely.

Evidence presented during the trial established that Clark shot Davis as he was attempting to leave her apartment. In rendering the guilty verdict, the court cited the significance of autopsy findings and a 911 recording introduced as evidence.

During the sentencing hearing, the court heard victim impact testimony from Davis’s sister. Judge Mosely also considered testimony offered on Clark’s behalf from her mother, father, sister, and a longtime friend. Clark addressed the court prior to sentencing.

Caddo Parish District Attorney James E. Stewart Sr. said the case highlighted the serious consequences of domestic violence and noted that the sentence reflected the court’s consideration of all evidence presented during both the trial and sentencing phases.

Clark was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Britney A. Green and Ron Christopher Stamps of the Caddo District Attorney’s Special Victims Unit. She was represented by defense attorney Keith Whiddon.

The case was filed under docket number 401075.

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A Caddo Parish jury found a Shreveport man guilty June 10 of indecent behavior with a juvenile following a two-day trial in Caddo District Court.

The five-woman, one-man jury deliberated for slightly more than an hour before convicting Demon Smith, 38, in the courtroom of District Judge Ramona Emanuel.

According to evidence presented at trial, Smith sent lewd text messages to a 16-year-old girl in December 2023 and later arranged to meet her near midnight. Prosecutors said the girl’s father had obtained her phone and was waiting when Smith arrived at the agreed-upon location.

The father detained Smith until officers with the Shreveport Police Department arrived.

Jurors heard testimony from the victim, her father, an advocate from the Gingerbread House, and two Shreveport police officers before returning the guilty verdict.

Smith is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on July 15. Under Louisiana law, he faces a sentence of up to seven years in prison, with or without hard labor, and a possible fine of up to $5,000.

If sentenced and released, Smith will also be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years.

The case was prosecuted by Fernando Grider Jr. and Stephen Folk-Cruthirds. Smith was represented by defense attorneys Dave Knadler and Royal Alexander.

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In Search of Good Food: The judges know

By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Contributor

It was 90 years ago when President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in the middle of rolling out the New Deal to get the economy going. One of the series of acts was the Randolph Sheppard Blind Vendors Act: a program that puts blind people into business for themselves by running snack bars and vending stands in federal buildings.

In fact, it is a priority that must be afforded the blind before any other food vendor can run a business there. All other states followed, establishing the same priority in government buildings.

When you watch old movies from the late 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s and see the blind guy selling matches, pencils, and snacks at a courthouse, that is real, something I never knew.

You are probably wondering how this relates to a search for good food? I would be too.

Inside the Caddo Parish Courthouse, there is one such snack bar, G.W. Snack Bar, 501 Texas Street, Shreveport. This small business is operated by Gene Washington, a 20-year veteran of the Randolph Sheppard Blind Vendor program, having run stands in Baton Rouge before heading back to Shreveport in 2014. He’s been open in the local courthouse ever since.

Gene has a standard snack bar menu with burgers, sandwiches, and fried food; yes, he has a fryer in that small space. He also serves standard breakfast items. All these items are fresh and well-made and worth trying, but not the reason he landed on our Search for Good Food.

Gene runs a lunch special most days, rotating a bunch of different choices throughout the month. Those options include Chicken n’ Dumplings, Red Beans and Rice, Beef Tips, Turkey Spaghetti, Hamburger Steak, Catfish Creole, and many others. These are all done as full meals with fresh sides.

All of these lunch specials are made from scratch, a far cry from the premade frozen ones you would find in a grocery store bin.

My work takes me to the Caddo Courthouse at least once a month. A couple of years ago I went into the snack bar for a drink, and the lunch special was the Chicken n’ Dumplings, which if you’ve been reading my articles, you know is a weakness of mine. So yes, I had to order it. After getting back to my office and eating my lunch, I was hooked.

The next time I was at the courthouse I learned that Gene’s Auntie makes it for his lunch special, usually on Thursdays. I loved it so much a few months later I had a small family dinner, and I had Gene’s Auntie prepare enough for my get-together. It was a hit.

Gene makes all the rest himself. I have tried most of them and they have all been so good. One of them stands out to the point I would put it up against any daily special in town, and it’s the newest one.

This year during Lent, Gene created a new Friday lunch special: Catfish Creole. I was lucky one Friday and got the last one he had. Yes, he sells out of it every single time he prepares it, even as he increases how much he makes.

The business I have at the Caddo Courthouse is flexible, and I assure you I schedule my visits around whatever the lunch special is that day. After all, when you find good food, why not go back and get it again and again?

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net

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Marshall’s passion for storytelling has fueled multifaceted career in radio, writing, teaching

By RON HIGGINS, Written for the LSWA

The most forthright advice a college-aged John James “J.J.” Marshall received about pursuing a sportswriting career came from a crusty veteran scribe.

“The hours are terrible, you’ll never make any money,” Bill McIntyre, a transplanted Massachusettsan who was a staple on the Shreveport Times staff for 44 years, told Marshall.

That’s undeniably true. Forget the timecard. Sportswriters work until the job gets done. Most of them wouldn’t know how to act if they came close to earning six figures annually.

Shreveport native Marshall eventually ignored McIntyre’s warning. Not just once, but to the third power.

There’s the writer J.J., whose style flows so smoothly that he makes a 3,000-word story seem like a short read.

“He’s just a natural,” vows Nico Van Thyn, a former Shreveport Journal sports editor.

There’s the radio host J.J., who teams with older brother Ben for “SportsTalk with J.J. and Bonzai Ben,” the longest-running radio sports talk in Louisiana.

“Their listeners always know what to expect, but somehow always receive the unexpected with J.J. and Ben,” says Shreveport native Tim Brando, a nationally known college football and basketball play-by-play voice on various networks for more than four decades. “That’s what we call great radio.”

There’s the teacher J.J., who has been the media director since 1992 at his high school alma mater Loyola College Prep (formerly Jesuit).

“His mindset for projects and the way he envisioned things really resonated with me,” says Will Rabun, a Loyola Class of 2022 graduate who recently accepted a job in Tyler, Texas, after graduating in May with a University of Arkansas journalism degree. “J.J. is not only the best teacher I’ve ever had, but also the best role model.”

For most of his 46-year career, all spent where he was born and raised, the 66-year-old Marshall balanced handling at least two of his journalistic ventures.

But as he reached Social Security age, he now spins three award-winning plates as a must-read writer for the Shreveport-Bossier Journal, an entertaining sports radio talk show host and a nurturing educator.

Such a triple-threat talent is recognized by his colleagues, who voted Marshall as one of two winners of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame 2026 Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. He’ll join the rest of the 12-member Class of ’26 honorees at the annual LSHOF induction ceremony in the Natchitoches Event Center.

For participation information on the Induction Celebration June 25-27, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.

There’s no secret why Marshall gets better with age.

“If I didn’t have the vehicle to tell stories, that’s when you might as well just put me in the old folks’ home, because I’ll have nothing else to do,” he says.

***

Sportswriting chose Marshall long before he finally reciprocated the love and started collecting awards for the last 4½ decades.

It stretches from him and long-time friend Teddy Allen co-writing the 1987 Associated Press Sports Editors national best feature winner to capturing the Louisiana Sports Writers Association 2023 Story of the Year.

“J.J. is more competitive than most of us,” says Allen, a 2022 DSA Hall of Fame winner who worked for several Louisiana newspapers starting with the now defunct Journal and continuing with the Shreveport Bossier Journal. “He’s fun and entertaining on the radio. But when he writes, he’s serious business.

“He’s like ‘Nobody is going to tell this story better than I can.’ Sometimes I think he writes in full uniform, a cup, eye black and the whole deal.”

It began with elementary school-aged J.J., perusing the newspaper sports agate page.

“I really was more of an information junkie,” Marshall recalls. “I didn’t have any great prose, but writing sports seemed like a natural thing for me.”

Marshall was already into his high school playing career in football and baseball when then-Shreveport Times prep editor Van Thyn assigned the high school sophomore to cover an area high school basketball tournament for three nights.

It resulted in his first-ever byline.

“I have no memory whatsoever of who scored points, and the lede was probably crappy,” Marshall says, “But the next day when I saw my name by John Marshall at the top of the story, it was one of the greatest thrills in my life. I thought, `This is something I need to do the rest of my life.’”

Yet after he quarterbacked then-Jesuit to a 14-0 record and a state championship in 1976 in which he threw a game-winning screen pass for the game’s only TD, he enrolled at Louisiana Tech as an accounting major.

Why? Because of McIntyre’s aforementioned warning shot.

Marshall wandered through his first year in college, staring at his accounting professors as if they were speaking in tongues.

It all came to a head at the start of the first quarter of Marshall’s sophomore year. Or more specifically, Oct. 2, 1978.

“Same day Bucky Dent hit a game-winning homer for the Yankees in the East Division title playoff over the Red Sox,” Marshall remembers in typical sportswriter fashion, associating a historical sports moment with a personal life event.

It’s also the day Marshall’s quantitative analysis teacher handed him a test.

“I looked at page one, and I looked at page two, and then page three,” Marshall says. “After about five minutes, I sat there and realized two things.

“One, if I have to pass this test to pass this class, there is no way, no matter how much I apply myself, that I’ll pass this class. The second thing was, and more importantly, the Yankees and Red Sox were in that playoff game that I had to see.”

Marshall calmly strolled to the front of the classroom. Handed the teacher his blank test. And kept walking.

“Mr. Marshall. . .” the teacher sputtered, hoping for an explanation of his student’s immediate surrender.

“I’m good, I’m out, we’ll see you later,” Marshall said without a backwards glance.

He made a beeline across the Tech campus quadrangle.

“I walked into Keeny Hall, the journalism building,” Marshall recalls with a laugh, “and said, `How do I sign up?’”

***

The late Wiley Hilburn, chairman of Tech’s journalism department for 41 years until his retirement, became Marshall’s valued mentor.

“He took an interest in me like nobody ever really had,” Marshall says fondly.  “For some reason, he recognized that I might have something.”

It was Hilburn who finagled a Shreveport Journal internship for Marshall in the summer of 1979.

He was surrounded by veteran journalists whose stories were written with perspective, personality, enthusiasm and creativity.

“These guys weren’t writing AP-style stories,” Marshall says. “A little light went off for me.”

In search of developing a writing style, Marshall began reading a variety of sportswriters. None resonated more than Gary Smith, often considered the greatest magazine writer in American history during his 30-year career for Inside Sports and Sports Illustrated.

Smith’s exquisite long-form style was once described as “an excavation of a sports figure’s soul.”

“I wanted to write like this guy,” Marshall emphasizes. “He didn’t use big words. He just told great stories.”

Marshall channeled some of Smith’s literary panache as he graduated from Louisiana Tech in May 1981. Two days after graduation, he was covering the Class AA minor league Shreveport Captains as a full-time writer for the Journal.

It was obvious that Marshall quickly found a writing style tapping into just about every human emotion.

“You couldn’t teach the creativity J.J. had,” Van Thyn says.

After Van Thyn left for another job, Marshall served as the Journal’s executive sports editor from 1988 until it ceased publication in 1991. He labored for the Gannett-owned Times for two years and wasn’t particularly thrilled with the company’s philosophy that every story should be a quick 12-inch read.

Ultimately, he didn’t hesitate when he had a chance to bet on himself.

***

It all started at 151 Leo Street in the Broadmoor subdivision of Shreveport, where a former World War II prisoner of war and his wife raised sons Ben and John.

The boys’ world in the 1960s and ‘70s was filled with backyard whiffle ball, driveway basketball and firing footballs at each other. They would discuss sports from sunrise until lights out.

Who knew two brothers, forever passionately debating which team is better or what player is overpaid, would turn it into a radio sports talk show for 34 years at several different Shreveport stations, for years now at 50,000-watt 1130 AM KWKH?

“We’ve been fired four or five times,” chuckles Ben, 71, who’s a retired attorney. “We’re like roaches. You can’t kill us.”

In May 1993, when Ben was subbing on J.J.’s show while he was on assignment, he used his airtime to verbally blast the Times for publishing what he believed was a substandard product.

The next day, Times editor Judy Christie confronted J.J. When he confirmed he had a radio show that solicited advertisers, Christie gave him an ultimatum.

Choose one profession. Resign from the Times or quit the radio show.

“I came out of her office, typed my resignation effective immediately, and handed it to her,” Marshall wistfully says. “I was out the door thinking `I guess I’ll make this radio thing work.’”

The show concept has never changed. It’s just two brothers throwing verbal jabs with occasional uppercuts mixed with laughter.

“There’s John James, the credible journalist amassing four decades and there’s Ben, a one-man filibuster,” Brando says. “It’s never taken long realizing the two grew up here, love it, but always address our community foibles when it comes to sports issues. It’s refreshing.”

Marshall’s radio career has coincided with his job as Loyola Prep’s media director/instructor. It’s where he’s learned a new medium of storytelling.

“I get the creative kids,” Marshall says. “That’s led me into producing several documentaries involving Loyola. I’m a very much an amateur documentarian.”

Marshall had the portfolio to work for the most highly regarded newspapers or sports magazines in America during his career. But marriage and raising a family with three kids – daughter Jordan and sons J.J. Jr. and Matthew – took precedent.

Ben points out his younger brother “has lived in the same zip code (71105) all his life.”

Never leaving the Port City has been just fine with J.J.

“God leads you to grow where you’re planted,” he believes. “I’ve been planted here the whole time. The stories I know about are here. I can’t really imagine doing it anywhere else.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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Miss Softball repeat by Calvary’s Anderson reflects tenacity from early career snub

By TONY MARKS, Written for the LSWA

Life never happens in a straight line. There are always curves that are meant to test a person’s endurance.

Kynzee Anderson was thrown one of these bends at a young age, getting cut from her travel ball team. She then persevered to become one of the top softball players in Louisiana, and the nation, eventually signing with the University of Georgia.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association also named Anderson its Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance/Miss Softball recipient for the second consecutive year.

It’s only the fourth time in the 30-year history of the award that a winner has repeated as Miss Softball, and the first time in 13 years.  Anderson is just the sixth north Louisiana winner among the 26 girls to receive the honor over three decades.

Not bad at all for somebody cut from the travel ball roster a few years ago.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” she said. “I think those struggles have really helped motivate me and shape me into the player I am.

“Softball has taught me that you can’t give up when things are hard. If you really love something you have to keep working hard no matter what happens or what others say. I love that I’m able to keep playing at the next level because it was always a dream of mine, and I can’t wait.”

Anderson lowered her earned run average each year at Calvary. She began with a 2.74 ERA as a freshman to a 0.61 this past season as a senior.

Anderson also won the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year for a second season, is the MaxPreps.com state MVP, and is a repeat pick as the All-State Class 2A Most Outstanding Player.

She’s a rare four-time, first-team All-State selection.

 “I’d like to say this is truly a huge honor,” Anderson said. “First and foremost, I want to give all thanks to God for giving me this talent, and my parents for all the support that they have given me and continue to give me.

“I love this game, and I definitely can’t do it alone. My coaches are a huge part of this also. I wouldn’t have gotten here without them.”

Anderson was 30-1 in the circle with 318 strikeouts in 171 innings this spring as the Lady Cavaliers roared to an amazing sixth straight state championship.

They also are ranked No. 1 nationally by MaxPreps.com.

Calvary Baptist coach Tiffany Wood, the Class 2A Coach of the Year, admires Anderson’s personality traits.

“Kynzee is a great competitor and even better person,” she said. “She’s humble and confident and works extremely hard. She’s always looking for ways to get better. Her future at Georgia is bright.”

Bulldogs coach Tony Baldwin, coming off a Super Regional season, concurs.

“We are super excited to add Kynzee to the Red and Black. She has the talent and character to be a tremendous player for us,” Baldwin said when Anderson signed with Georgia last November. “She throws hard, has an elite rise ball, and locates her pitches well. She is a confident competitor and has pitched her best under the brightest lights. She also has some pop in her bat, and we look forward to seeing her swing it.” 

LSWA Miss Softball winners

1996: Ashley Lewis, Central

1997: Ashleigh Ivey, Barbe-Lake Charles

1998: Micah Barbato, Lafayette

1999: Mandy Mullins, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte

2000: Sarah Meadors, Denham Springs

2001: Beth Provost, Teurlings Catholic

2002: Beth Provost, Teurlings Catholic

2003: Britni Bowen, Sterlington

2004: Leah Heintze, St. Amant

2005: Kellie Eubanks, St. Amant

2006: Ashley Brignac, John Curtis

2007: Ashley Brignac, John Curtis

2008: Lauren Crane, Vandebilt Catholic

2009: Lauren Wilson, Belle Chasse

2010: Christina Hamilton, Rosepine

2011: Courtney Ivey, Oak Hill

2012: Baylee Corbello, Sam Houston

2013: Baylee Corbello, Sam Houston

2014: Katie Brignac, John Curtis

2015: Tanner Wright, Sam Houston

2016: Bailey Hemphill, St. Thomas More

2017: Emma Callie Delafield, North DeSoto

2018: Abby Allen, Ouachita Parish

2019: Mary-Cathryn Comeaux, Brusly

2020: Season canceled, no winner

2021: Maci Bergeron, Notre Dame

2022: Corine Poncho, Notre Dame

2023: Addison Jackson, St. Amant

2024: Maddie Taylor, Sterlington

2025: Kynzee Anderson, Calvary Baptist

2026: Kynzee Anderson, Calvary Baptist

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Burns backs up in final round of Canadian Open

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Sam Burns’ streak of sub-70 rounds stopped at four on Sunday, as he slipped out of contention for the RBC Canadian Open crown with a 1-over-par 71.

Burns was tied for seventh entering the final round but dipped to a tie for 20^th amid some final day charges. Tour veteran Bud Cauley won at 17 under, shooting a 65 Sunday. He was second entering Round 4 but the next two finishers, Matt Fitzpatrick and Viktor Hovland, moved up 10 and 9 spots, respectively, on a rainy day at the TPC Osprey Valley course.

Carding 9-under for the tournament (64-67-69-71), Burns collected $96,857, raising his season’s total winnings to $3.5 million.

A year ago, the Shreveport native charged on the final day at the Canadian Open and lost in a four-hole playoff to Ryan Fox. The following week, he led the U.S. Open for much of the final two rounds before a controversial ruling forced him to play out of what appeared to be standing water and resulted in a double bogey on the 15^th hole, starting a slide from first to a final tie for 7^th – still, his best U.S. Open showing so far.

Burns, a 29-year-old Calvary Baptist graduate, is still in good form heading into this week’s Open at Shinnecock Hills and early odds list him among the top 10 contenders. He has carded scores under 70 in seven of his last 10 rounds and has eight top 26 or better finishes, and nothing worse than 38^th, since mid-March in 10 tournaments.

Now living in Choudrant and playing out of Squire Creek Country Club, Burns tied for fourth a week ago at The Memorial after leading on the final day, and tied for seventh at The Masters and was within one shot of the lead in the third round.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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 JOURNAL SPORTS

Visitation is this evening and a Tuesday morning funeral is set in his hometown of Leesville for the state’s first professional rodeo cowboy, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member T. Barrett “T. Berry” Porter.

Porter, 99, passed away Saturday morning. He was the first rodeo figure to enter the state sports hall, joining Peyton Manning, Les Miles, five-time Olympic volleyball star Danielle Scott and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame high school coach Charles Smith, among others, in the LSHOF’s Class of 2019.

At the time of his induction, he was the oldest person ever enshrined, and he was the oldest surviving Hall of Famer when he died. He attended most Hall of Fame induction ceremonies since he was honored.

He was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in 2015.

The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 in the East Leesville Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery on Porter Road under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Visitation will be held this evening from 5-9 at East Leesville Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family said donations may be made to the Louisiana Lions Camp, 292 L Beauford Drive, Anacoco LA 71403.

At the age of 16, Porter became a member of the first professional cowboy association in the country, the Cowboy Turtle Association, which developed into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (he held PRCA membership card No. 325). His events were tie-down calf roping and steer wrestling.

At 22, Porter won a month-long competition at Madison Square Garden to become the 1949 World Champion Calf Roper title, presented his trophy saddle by “The Singing Cowboy” Gene Autry after becoming the first world championship “rookie” to win the title. He quickly added the calf roping title at the 1949 World Rodeo in Boston in front of 6,000.

He won numerous titles at major rodeos around North America, including the famed Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Calgary Stampede and in Fort Worth, Denver and Houston, along with Shreveport, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Salinas, California.

In 1959, Porter became the first Louisiana cowboy to participate in the inaugural National Finals Rodeo. He was a member of the Wrangler Rodeo Team in the early 1950s, and his silhouette was placed on the back pocket of every pair of Wrangler jeans put on sale for years.

His career earnings were over $100,000 in 22 years.

In a May 1, 1963 columnShreveport Journal sports editor Jimmy Bullock called him “the Pelican State’s Mr. Rodeo” and said he was “famed as one of the nation’s foremost calf ropers.” In 1978, the PRCA presented him with his gold membership card and a plaque in appreciation of his promotion of the sport of rodeo at the high school, collegiate and pro levels.

As an advocate for the Louisiana high school rodeo athletes, he lobbied for funding to help them compete at the national level. He worked as a volunteer timed-event barrier judge for every high school rodeo in Louisiana from the early 1960s until 1976. During this time, he also worked as a volunteer timed-event barrier for nine National High School Rodeos —1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975. His ranch provided teaching opportunities and even temporary lodging for cowboys of all ages for decades.

A Lions Club member for over 70 years, he served on many local and state project committees and held many offices. The Lions Camp for Handicapped Children was the most dear to him. As a cattleman, he served on many committees and offices on the local, state, and national Cattleman’s Association. He has been on many Farm Bureau local and state committees. As a cattleman, he operated a 250 head cow-calf operation. He was one of the working cowboys that loaded the last load of Gray Ranch steers to leave Louisiana on railcars.

Born in Pineville March 9, 1927, Porter landed in Leesville two years later when his parents moved the family so his father could work at a Texaco gas station.

They lived in the back of the filling station. On site was a small roping pen, and it was there that T. Berry Porter would perfect his skills that would one day lead him to become a world champion.

“I don’t remember when I started roping, I just always did it,” he said in a 2019 interview with the LSWA’s Raymond Partsch III. “There are still folks at the Lion’s Club here that call me the ‘goat roper.’ ”

That’s because, at the age of three, he won the goat-roping competition at the Vernon Parish Fair —signaling the start of a career that he honed as a youngster and throughout high school.

Of his LSHOF induction as the first rodeo figure, Porter said; “It is a very humbling honor. … Not many people can be the very first anything nowadays. I always thought that somebody else was better than me or more deserving than me.”

In 1949, he claimed his sport’s highest honor: World Champion Calf Roper.

The 22-year-old rookie drove to New York City in his 1948 Pontiac, pulling his homemade horse trailer behind him for a competition that lasted nearly an entire month. Porter would take part in 42 performances in 28 days at Madison Square Garden.

“It took a lot longer in those days,” he said. “My horses stayed underneath the Garden itself and I stayed for the month at the old Capitol Hotel on Broadway across from the Garden.”

Despite getting his picture taken with a celebrity and riding his horse down Broadway to become a national figure in his sport, Porter never got away from Vernon Parish for long. In addition to working the circuit, Porter ran the family filling station, hauled garbage, drove a school bus for three decades, ran a sporting goods/western store, moved houses, and ran his own massive ranch.

Porter also made rodeo a family affair as all four of his children — daughters Judy, Cathy, Lindy, and son David — became high school and amateur rodeo champions. That was passed down to his grandchildren as well.

“I did the best I could,” Porter said. “I was just hoping that I could win. As a rodeo cowboy, you always got to feel like you are going to win.”

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Northwestern State University announces the names of Honor List students for the Fall 2025 semester. Students on the Honor List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of between 3.0 and 3.49.

For questions regarding the Honor Roll, contact the NSU Registrar’s Office at (318) 357- 6171 or email registrar@nsula.edu.

Students listed by hometown are as follows.

Alexandria – Jayla Allen, Shakiya Allen, Brayleigh Briggs, Maggie Creamer, Bianca Dixon, Nyla Durant, E’Myia Hall, Kory Ham, Dexteria King, Trakayle Oneal, Alivia Piotter, Jordan Ray, Sadie Roberson, Kyra Sherman, Zoe Tanner, Taliyah Taylor, Devin Villar, Emma Walker, Shalonda Wells, Zenada Williams

Atlanta – Delia Serigny

Ball – Jesci Lord, Miriam Smart

Barksdale AFB – Brianna Cady

Benton – Niklaus Jordan, Olivia Kolb, Lucie McDearmont, Ava Pollard, Avery Tullos

Bossier City – Madeline Boyer, Emily Brown, Chloe Cannon, LaToris Cary, John Clinger, Alaina Culbertson, Amanda Doyle, Charisma Duncan, Carolyn Glaze, Delicia Glover, Elizabeth Gonzales, John-Michael Head, Duaa Husein, Jayden Jenkins, Haley Johnson, Maria Lara, Landan Lee, Danni Lynch, Natalie McCoy, James McKeown, Jaden Mccoy, Izabella Moreno, Mana Naser, Kierra Nelson, Avery Phillips, Nimra Rajput, Joshua Raschke, Cooper Ray, Tinsley Rowell, Karla Sanchez Hernandez, Avery Schoenborn, Emily Schoth, Samuel Sujana, Jeremiah Taylor, Ariel Vessells, Dagan Webb, Sara Webb

Boyce – Hannah Leslie

Calvin – Karlee Abels

Campti – Kylie Donald, Chloe Jordan, Jordan Kirts, Taylor Lebrun, Alexia Moore, Sabrena Scandurro

Cloutierville – Aleeya Jefferson

Converse – Logan Carter, Riley Downs, Preslye Rivers

Coushatta– Adrianna Bradford, Sarah Cormier, Latoya Gray, Carlena Henry, LaFrances Jones, Lillye Pardue, Rozalyn Taylor

Dodson – Kyle Brown, Dakota Thomas, Hunter Vines

Elm Grove – Macy Scott, Kaylee Thornton, Zhane Vailes

Elmer – Katelynn Riggs

Florien – Malayna Abels, Delana Johnson, Charles Krumholtz, Lexi LaRoux, Rylie Sigler

Forest Hill – Vivian Montalvo, Kari Polakovich

Frierson – Jozey Isom

Gloster – Raven Fields

Goldonna – Halle Roton

Grand Cane – Nickalas Wadsworth

Greenwood – Emelia Salter

Haughton – Aubrey Bass, Wynter Clark, Lauren Coleman, Quinton Coleman, Maryana Croft, Chloe Dettrey, Taylor Eggleton, Aliya Green, Alyson Marmaduke, Jordyn McDonald, Tucker Melton, Fernecia Mitchell, Emilie North, Mya Webb, Katherine Wilson

Hineston – Hailey Nolen, Kathryn Rabalais

Homer – Seth Thurman

Ida – Ella Teer

Keithville – Addison Boyd, Peytan Collier, Katie Hester, Brittany Lee

Logansport – Kelsey Bolden, Jaylie Smith, Ariel Williams

Mansfield – Shaniyah Blaze, London Carter, Mckayla Courtney, Brittany Davis, Reina Gillyard

Many – Levi Booker, Colton Boswell, Ava Brown, Savanah Hall, Sontee Jones, Edward LaFollette, Kheria Leshay, Ava McElwee, Emma Peace, Allayiah Thomas, Kierstyn Williams, Olivia Williams

Marthaville – William Campbell

Mooringsport – Kayla Brock, Peyshance Peek

Natchez – Devin Blake, Skylar Braxton, Josiah Conant, Braylon Normand

Natchitoches – Cayleigh Addison, Londyn Alexander, Moly Sofia Amezquita, Tony Arnold, Ana Baltazar-Lorenzo, Samuel Brunson, Luci Carr, Lucas Childs, Lennon Cooke, Camin Cooper, Aaliyah Creekmore, Cameron Dauzat, Cadence Flournoy, Zelia Frazier, Athina Grigoriadou, Atalaya Hall, Miranda Harrison, Fredy Hernandez, Rafael Hernandez Olmeda, Madison Hicks, Morgan Hunter, Shanice Hutson, Deitra Jackson, Jadah Johnson, Mackenzie Kanehl, Gabriela LaCour, Ella Lilyasta Laning, Helena Liljeberg, Logan Lonadier, David Lupton, Hannah Maggio, Keegan Martinez, Isabella McCall, Evan McDonough, Jennifer McKinney, Anna-Clare Melancon, Avery Myers, Isabela Piedrahita, Gabriel Polo Gomez, Jordan Pursell, Audrey Rasmussen, Valentina Restrepo, Eleya Saba, Marcela Sabillón, Grace Samaha, Maya Smith, Kaylee Stacy, Zoey Suire, Haylee Tousek, James Trindle, Ashlyn Underwood, Hailey Walker, Emily Ware, Hannah Watkins, Meredith Weathers, William Wilson, Elijah Witman

Noble – Paisleigh Rivers

Pineville – Michael Bergeron, Makaylah Brothers, Alfred Gaines, Gabriel Gautier, Evyn Goree, Rilee Hebert, Kiersten Huff, Malik Marzett, Sebastian Molette, Ashleigh Moses, Jessica Nugent, Annmarie Sanders, Ashlyn Saucier, Corbin Smith, Kelsei Spears, Andrew Thiels, Hailee Vines, Candon Wall, Brittany Welch

Pitkin – Carter Tarpley, Destiny Willis

Pleasant Hill – Abigail Bozeman

Pollock – Gabriel Beeson, Landen Roberts

Provencal – Elizabeth Shirley

Ringgold – Jenna Braggs

Robeline – Kristin Bull, Emily Miller, Christopher Paligo, Samuel Pickett, Keith Vascocu

Shreveport – Brody Abraham, Madison Adams, Daniel Anderson, Jamesia Balthazar, Asia Barba-Nsirim, Mariah Barnes, Chelsea Barrett, Anna Marie Bautista, Sharye Belcher, LaShaun Bolden, Kyrah Brown, Meredith Calahan, Ayden Cowell, Anderson Davis, Tyler Dupuis, Sharmaine Dy, Za’Miracle Edwards, Jadyn Espinosa, Rickayla Fleeks, Dezani Fountain, David Gallagher, Nicole Gipa, Precious Green, Marquasia Griffin, KaBreyha Harris, Yasmeen Hasan, Piper Haynes, Zoe Hearron, J’Niya Hill, Miyah Hinton, Cniyah Housley, Logan Hunter, Ryann Jackson, Shakayia James, Bree Launey, Tronja Lewis, Maria Lomas, Sara Mangum, Jacqueline Martinez, McKinley Miller, Dontrice Mitchell, Addison Monk, Kaden Morrison, Sophia Mouton, Samantha Muslow, Roxanne Myers, Julliex Nyachae, Liam Pachankis, Kendall Parker, Rebecca Parker, Maximillian Pinkney, Demarcus Reid, Anna Reynolds, Tamia Richardson, Brandi Robinson, Nickolas Robinson, Raelyn Robinson, Makensley Sugar-Bruce, AYana Taylor, Canya Turner, Mariah Walpool, Lauren Walsworth, Zoe Williams

Stonewall – Carter Ball, Eloise Boudreaux, Sierra Dean, Aja Douglas, Hunter Hanson, Emily Turner, Macy Wiley

Trout – Alison Bohannon

Winnfield – Catheryn Busha, Hayley Duke, Anthony Knight, MaKayla Shelton

Zwolle – Charlea Britt, Camryn Cartinez, Gracie Leone, Kade Meshell, Christian Rivers, Alexis Sepulvado, Malaysha Williams

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It is with profound sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Zachery “Zach” Dillon Moss. Though his time with us was far too short, the joy, laughter, and love he shared will remain in the hearts of all who knew him.

Zach, born in Shreveport, Louisiana, was a devoted son, beloved brother, cherished uncle, cousin, and loyal friend. To know Zach was to know laughter. He had a remarkable ability to bring light into any situation, often cracking a joke at exactly the moment no one expected it, but when everyone needed it. Even during difficult times, he could find a way to make people smile. His sense of humor, quick wit, and playful spirit made him someone people naturally gravitated toward.

Zach was deeply loved by his family and friends. Since his passing, countless friends have shared stories of his kindness, humor, and friendship, all echoing the same sentiment: he will be missed beyond words.

He had a special love for dogs and never passed up an opportunity to spend time with them. He adored his nieces and nephews and never minded them treating him like a jungle gym. He was also an avid sports fan who could surprise anyone with the depth of his sports knowledge and endless collection of facts and statistics. He, along with his siblings, proudly cheered for the New Orleans Saints, LSU Tigers, and San Antonio Spurs. Their shared devotion to these teams brought them together, fostering a lifelong connection that endured through the joys and challenges of life.

He was preceded in death by both of his parents, Darrell “Scott” Moss and Catherine Elaine Moss, and maternal grandparents Nora Lynn McKethan and Richard McKethan. He is survived by his three brothers and sister: Richard Christopher Paul Chevalier and his wife Andrea, James Ian Moss, Justin Moss and his wife Rachael, and Kellie Moss. He is also survived by his paternal grandparents, Suzanne Knighten and William Knighten, along with aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends who considered him family.

While we struggle to understand why his life ended so soon, we are grateful for the years we had with him and for the love and laughter he brought into our lives. His presence made ordinary moments brighter, and his absence leaves a space that can never be filled.

Though he is gone from our sight, he will forever remain in our hearts. We will remember his laughter, his kindness, his love for family, and the joy he brought to everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Forever loved. Forever missed.

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Paul Allen Compton, age 66, passed away on June 8, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a legacy of hard work, love, and devotion to family. Born on February 17, 1960, to Carl Young and Ruth Wilma Stone, Paul lived a life rooted in the values of family, friendship, and the great outdoors.

Paul spent much of his life working as a logger, a profession that suited his strong spirit, determination, and appreciation for nature. He was never afraid of hard work and took pride in providing for those he loved. Those who knew Paul knew him as a man who could always be counted on, someone who faced life’s challenges with resilience and strength.

Outside of work, Paul found joy in the things he loved most. He was an avid hunter who enjoyed spending time outdoors, whether in the woods or sharing stories of his adventures with family and friends. He also had a passion for racing dirt track cars, and few things brought him more excitement than the thrill of the track and chasin white tail. His love of racing and the outdoors reflected his adventurous spirit.

Paul is survived by his children: Angela McKenzie, Michael Orlando, Misty Compton and Daniel Compton with Wife Holly. his beloved grandchildren; Dillion Mathew Wells, Dylan Compton, Dalton Compton, Chase Smart, Addelynn Compton, Preslee Compton, Dash Compton, Waylon Orlando, Landon Compton. His Brother, Rickie Compton, Charlie Compton and Wife Tonnie with his Sister In Law Diana Compton, good friend and care giver Sheryl along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl Young and Ruth Wilma Stone, and by his sister by Heart Glinda Parker and brother Jaime Compton, who welcomed him into Heaven.

While the loss of Paul leaves a void in the hearts of those who loved him, they find comfort in knowing he is reunited with his parents and brother and is at peace in the presence of the Lord. His legacy will live on through the family he cherished, the lessons he taught through his example, and the countless memories that will forever be held close.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Home Baptist Church, 16258 LA-157, Benton, Louisiana 71006.

Funeral services celebrating the life of Paul Allen Compton will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Home Baptist Church, 16258 LA-157, Benton, Louisiana 71006.

Paul Allen Compton will be remembered as a devoted father and grandfather, a loving brother, a hardworking logger, an outdoorsman, and a friend to many. His life touched countless people, and his memory will continue to be a source of strength and comfort for all who knew and loved him.

Though he may be gone from our sight, he will never be gone from our hearts.

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Audrey Jane Tombrink Grigsby
November 21, 1929 – June 10, 2026
Service: Monday, June 15, 2026, 10:30am at Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Ruston.

Paul Allen Compton
February 17, 1960 – June 8, 2026
Service: Wednesday, June 17, 2026, 2pm at Pilgrim Home Baptist Church, Benton.

William Robert “Bob” Everett II
April 14, 1949 — June 3, 2026
Service: Sunday, June 21, 2026, 3pm at City Church, Shreveport.

Barbara Jean Hargis
June 18, 1945 – May 29, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 6pm at Barron Road Baptist Church, Keithville. 

Judy Kay Mears
February 8, 1961 — May 21, 2026
Service: Monday, June 15, 2026, 10am at Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport.

John Kenneth Miller
March 9, 1962 – May 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, June 20, 2026, 2pm at Barron Road Baptist Church, Keithville.

Rita Roberta Poling
? – May 4, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 11, 2026, 10am at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Bossier City. 

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A Shreveport-Caddo Financial Crimes Task Force investigation has led to the issuance of an arrest warrant for Sean Warren in connection with a stolen check and identity theft case.

According to Caddo-Shreveport Crime Stoppers, the investigation began after a local business reported that a box of company checks had been stolen from its mailbox in early April 2026. Detectives later determined that multiple stolen checks were allegedly negotiated or presented for payment at various financial institutions and retail locations across the area, resulting in financial losses.

Investigators said surveillance footage, photographs, and additional evidence identified a suspect seen using the stolen checks during several transactions. During one attempted transaction, the suspect allegedly presented another individual’s Louisiana driver’s license as identification. Authorities confirmed that the person whose identification was used was not involved in the offenses.

Based on the findings, investigators obtained an arrest warrant charging Sean Warren with theft and identity theft under Louisiana law.

Authorities are reminding residents and business owners to monitor financial accounts closely, secure incoming mail, and report any suspicious activity involving checks or personal financial information.

Anyone with information regarding Warren’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers at (318) 673-7373. Tips may be submitted anonymously.

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A coordinated effort between the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest of a wanted suspect, Sean Patrick Mastin, 41, during the early morning hours of June 11.

According to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies assisted after receiving a request for support from Bossier Parish authorities. Caddo deputies conducted several hours of investigative work, using multiple law enforcement resources, including license plate reader (LPR) technology, to help determine the suspect’s location.

K-9 Deputy Jacob Vaitkus and K-9 Pinkley later located the suspect at a Shreveport business, where the individual was taken into custody without incident on outstanding warrants.

Sheriff Henry Whitehorn Sr. credited the arrest to strong collaboration between agencies and the use of modern investigative tools, stating that cooperation among law enforcement partners helps improve response times and community safety.

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office emphasized its continued commitment to interagency cooperation and public safety throughout the region.

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