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The Greenwood Police Department said officers and Caddo Fire District No. 3 responded Wednesday afternoon to the Interstate 20 eastbound on-ramp No. 3 after receiving a report of an unresponsive male in the grass.

Upon arrival, first responders located a deceased individual exhibiting signs of partial decomposition.

Because the cause of death remains undetermined, the Greenwood Police Department has turned the investigation over to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Officials thanked the public for its patience and understanding as agencies continue the investigation.

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Caddo Parish Public Schools has named Rosalind Mosley as the next principal of Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School.

Mosley brings more than 20 years of experience in education and currently serves as assistant principal of instruction at Woodlawn High School.

Her experience also includes serving as a master teacher, instructional coach, department chair and classroom teacher at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

According to the district, Mosley’s career has focused on instructional leadership, teacher development, school improvement and student achievement. She has also worked to strengthen classroom instruction and use data to help ensure students receive the support they need to succeed.

Caddo Parish Public Schools said it looks forward to Mosley beginning her new role with the students, employees, families and community of Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle School.

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The floating pier at Earl G. Williamson Park in Oil City has been temporarily closed while repairs are made to a bushing on the pier, according to Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation.

The pier will remain closed until all repairs have been completed.

Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation said it recognizes the park is a popular fishing destination and apologized for the inconvenience. The department said it will notify the public when the pier reopens.

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The Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office has welcomed Assistant District Attorney Shayla Johnson to its staff.

Johnson previously served as a law clerk for Judges Brady O’Callaghan and Don Hathaway Jr. She is a graduate of Natchitoches Central High School, Northwestern State University and Southern University Law Center.

Before joining the District Attorney’s Office, Johnson also worked as a probation officer for the State of Louisiana.

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Thank you, Devin Harper.

Thank you, Princewill Umanmielen.

Thank you, LSU, for giving these lads a soft place to land.

Thank you, Ole Miss, for pulling a Peter Finch in Network with an “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore” move.

Thanks to all of you because you’ve done college football a great service. And for that, we are thankful.

(Oh, by the way, all of you listed above still have real issues to overcome with this matter. But that’s not why we are here.)

I’m not saying that one day we will all look back and say that Harper, a Shreveport native, and Umanmielen are going down in history as pioneers and eventually take their place beside Neil Armstrong and Rosa Parks.

But the decision they made could – and hopefully will – have great consequences down the line. (And the shorter the line, but better for us all.)

The short version of all of this is that Harper and Umanmielen decided one day in January that they’d like to continue playing football for Ole Miss and thereupon signed a deal with the university to be paid to do so.

Then, before the ink was barely dry, they decided on another day in January that they’d rather not.

Next thing you know, they had hightailed it down I-55 and surfaced in Baton Rouge at LSU. Perfectly within their rights to do so.

But it’s also perfectly within Ole Miss’s rights to remind the two that there was that little thing called a contract and in it, there is the stipulation that if you do leave, you owe us some of the money you had already received.

LSU may or may not have told these two they’d take care of that – schools do that all the time when their new coach wants out of his deal with his previous member institution – but the school’s official policy is N.O.P. (not our problem).

If you are an LSU fan or an Ole Miss, I’m going to take a moment here and ask you to try to take away with overwhelming loyalty to your school and think about how this might play out in the long run.

If you are one of those who hates every single change that has been brought about in today’s college football, it’s been a tough couple of years. Judges, overzealous boosters, state legislation have all worked against you. Lots of fudging of what has attempted to be a rulebook.

But this is different. This is a contract and unless you are scribbling on the back of a bar napkin, it’s pretty reasonable to assume that it’s been looked over by all of the legal beagles.

You can break a contract, but you have to pay for it. And it appears that Messers Harper and Umanmielen failed to do so.

Given the nature of the testiness between the two schools involved, it is perfectly acceptable to wonder if Ole Miss would have gone to these suit-filing lengths had it been USL instead of LSU. (I know it’s not USL anymore, but work with me here.)

But maybe, just maybe, the result won’t be nearly as important as the action itself. You want to leave? Sure, now get out the checkbook.

Maybe this will play a part in retarding the ridiculous amount of player movement that threatens college football far more than athletes getting paid.

You want to be an adult? Then play by adult rules. You don’t get to use the “I’m a kid” excuse when you’re getting paid more than 99 percent of the people in the stadium who are watching you play on Saturdays.

Actions have consequences. And when other players start to realize what’s gone on with Harper and Umanmielen, maybe there will be far less examples of this in the future.

Sure, players can try to do this. Nothing is stopping them from giving it a shot.

But that signature on the dotted line means something. It does for you and me and everyone else.

It should for them.

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

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JOURNAL SPORTS

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Former Northwestern State softball coach Donald Pickett, who led the Demons to great success in 15 seasons until departing in 2023, is back in the college ranks in his backyard.

Pickett, who won almost 400 games at NSU, was announced Thursday as the new head coach at Tennessee-Chattanooga.

After three years back home in an area where he has family roots, Pickett returns to his alma mater where he spent five seasons including four as an assistant to the retired Frank Reed, who stepped down June 22.

Said Chattanooga vice chancellor of athletics Mark Wharton: “It’s great when you can bring someone in who not only has a strong history of success as a head coach on the collegiate level, but they also have a rich history with the program they’re joining.

“His proven track record and strong ties to a vibrant softball community made this a home run for us.”

In 2023, Pickett returned to the Scenic City as general manager of the Chattanooga Steam professional softball team and was vice president of coach and player development for the Fury Platinum organization. He owns Tristar Elite Hitting and was head coach of the Fury Platinum X Pickett 16u.

He spent 15 seasons as the head coach at Northwestern State where he is the program’s winningest head coach amassing 393 victories. He led the Demons to the three Southland Conference Championships. Two were tournament titles in 2013 and 2014, producing NCAA Tournament appearances, followed by the 2015 regular season crown with a stellar 22-3 league mark.

“I’m incredibly excited to be back in Chattanooga and grateful for the opportunity to lead this program,” Pickett said. “Returning to the place where my coaching journey began makes this a truly special full-circle moment. Chattanooga softball has a proud tradition, and a strong foundation. I’m eager to get to work building on that success and look forward to investing in our student-athletes, connecting with our community and competing for championships.”

Pickett turned around an NSU program that won just 39 percent of its games in the three years prior to his arrival. He posted winning marks in 12 of his 15 campaigns topping 30 triumphs five times and 40 once. The Demons 40-15 mark in 2013 featured the top winning percentage (.727) in school history.

Northwestern made two NCAA Tournament appearances in his tenure following the 2013 and 2014 SLC titles. That 2014 squad featured the first Demons in more than a decade to make the All-South Region squads (Tara McKenney and Kellye Kincannon). In all, he coached six all-region performers.

He was named the 2013 Louisiana Sports Writers Association and 2015 Southland Conference Coach of the Year. He coached 21 All-Louisiana selections and 48 All-Southland picks, including 2015 SLC Pitcher of the Year Mikayla Brown and 2022 SLC Freshman of the Year Sage Hoover.

Prior to NSU, Pickett was an assistant coach at Memphis for two seasons where he assisted with recruiting and player development while helping the Tigers to its first conference tournament win.

Pickett assisted Reed for nine seasons across two Scenic City programs. He spent five seasons at UTC as an assistant coach. The Mocs claimed three Southern Conference Tournament regular season titles during his tenure, three conference tournament crowns and three trips to the NCAA.

At Chattanooga State under Reed, the Tigers claimed three conference titles and three tournament titles. In all three Junior College World Series appearances, Chattanooga State finished in the top 5.

The Tigers posted an NJCAA record 62-wins in 2001, a mark that still stands today, and the staff was named the National Fastpitch Coaching Staff of the Year.

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I got a text recently from Pete Hegseth.  Bob, you’re invited … to Trump’s  Ballroom. Are you in?

Frankly, I’d rather go to Yosemite.

That note from the Secretary of Defense, or excuse me, Secretary of War, is small potatoes, though.

A little over a week ago, I got an urgent text from the White House. Almost every text I get like that is urgent.

A direct order has just come down from the Oval Office with YOUR name on it. We need your immediate response.

Amidst the texts from relatives and friends or my examiners such as my Journal editor, my pastor or my dentist, I am overwhelmed with a surplus of unsolicited texts and emails each day from President Trump, J.D. Vance, Mike Johnson, Don Jr., John Kennedy, Ken Paxton, Susan Collins, and on and on. Not long ago I got a text from Elon Musk, and it was urgent. MAJOR WARNING FROM ELON MUSK Pleading with you not to ignore this, Bob. It went on to tell me every Trump voter would read the attached link.

I didn’t read it.

One of the best I got recently was a “personal” one from the 45^th and 47^th President of the United States, announcing, Bob, I just dropped everything to send you this email. Because of dedicated supporters like you, I DROPPED EVERYTHING to contact you.

I bet you didn’t know the president (along with Elon Musk) and I are on a first-name basis. I sure didn’t know it. Much less did I ever expect that the President, as busy as he is, reportedly getting just three hours of sleep a night, would “DROP EVERYTHING” to send me an email.

I can just picture it now. He’s in a meeting with J.D. and Pete and Marco, and they are talking about Iran or China or Vladimir or Volodymyr.

(Confession: I am not on a first-name basis … yet … with either Vladimir or Volodymyr, so I will refer to them as Putin and Zelensky. That’s less confusing, too.) Then, during this top-level discussion, the Secretary of State looks at them each, straight in the eye, and gravely suggests, “Mr. President, don’t you think you should DROP EVERYTHING and email Bob?”

“My God, Little Marco, you’re so right,” he surely would react. “I should’ve thought of that earlier! I get along very well with Bob. I’ve known him for a long time – he and his wife, Janet. I read where someone referred to him as a central Louisiana ‘icon.’ I call him Bobcat! You can find lots of bobcats in central Louisiana, but only one Bobcat.” The president stops and immediately starts typing to tell me he’s “DROPPED EVERYTHING” to send this message, and then he types in a link for me to click on, presumably with a request to contribute.

I thought AI was churning out these kinds of texts and emails, but I have since learned real people on the staffs of big shot politicos are generating most of them. Whatever they get paid to do that job, it’s too much.

Since that last email from the president, he sent me another, proclaiming I AM PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP! I haven’t heard back from you for so long. … Are you seriously ignoring me?

I was told not to reply to that email, but I can reply here by saying, I know who you are Mr. President, and there’s no need to proclaim who you are in all caps. The next thing you know, you’ll be trotting around an MMA ring in MAGA red boxing shorts shouting, “I AM THE GREATEST!”   

Fortunately, I have not received texts or emails from Newsom, Harris, Schumer or Mamdani or any Democrat, socialist or communist. Nor any Democrat Socialist, nor any Democrat Communist. Not even Democrat political advisor James Carville, a fellow Louisianan, has texted or emailed. No point in reaching out to Bob, they probably concluded with Carville’s help. He’s on a first-name basis with Trump and Musk.

A famous lawyer once said that boasting and seeking praise are empty and foolish. He warned that a person who brags to gain glory from others is just “feeding himself with wind.” He also compared human pride to a mouse that falsely boasts about ruling over other mice. President Trump and Musk and Newsom and Mamdani and all the so-called political elite could do well to heed that wise man’s words.

That wise man, by the way, was Thomas More, Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of King Henry VIII. As in Saint Thomas More.

The patron saint of politicians.

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Constance Ann McBreairty Bryan, 82, of Bossier City Louisiana, passed away at Bloom Senior Living of natural causes on July 19th, 2026. She was born in Allagash, Maine in 1943 to Robert McBreairty Sr. and Mary Jane (Hughes) McBreairty, and enjoyed her rural life in northern Maine with her brothers and sisters. At the age of 13 she moved to Caribou Maine. There she graduated from Caribou High School in 1961. She became a homemaking military wife for the first time, to Joseph John Rivers Jr., in 1964 and gave birth to two sons, Joseph John Rivers III and Daniel Wayne Rivers Sr. They settled in Bossier City in 1971 for three decades. In her early thirties she worked in medical insurance for Bossier Medical Center and Christis Schumpert Shreveport for many decades. Connie also helped her siblings, raised her sons and helped raise her grandchildren in her years in Bossier City. She became a homemaker again in Chatom Alabama to Walter Bryan in 2005 until widowed in 2020. She then moved back to her family home in Allagash Maine to care for her sick sister Mary Lou McBreairty. Upon her sister’s passing her sons moved her back to Bossier City to care for her.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents Robert McBreairty Sr. and Mary Jane (Hughes) McBreairty, her sisters Ruth Ellen Jones and Mary Lou McBreairty, her brother Phil Gregory McBreairty and her second husband Walter Bryan. She is survived by her brothers Robert McBreairty, Jr. and Paul Hughes McBreairty, M.D., her sisters Elizabeth Jane McBreairty, Margaret Louise (Peggy) McBreairty, Susan Jean McBreairty and Sarah Kay McBreairty, her sons Joseph John Rivers III and his wife Rondalyn May Marshall Rivers, and Daniel Wayne Rivers Sr. and his wife Kimberly S. Wilson Rivers, her first husband Joseph John Rivers Jr., five grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Celebration of Life memorials will be held in both Bossier City and Allagash. First, at 2pm on Saturday August 1st at Bellaire Baptist Church, 1210 Bellaire Blvd., Bossier City, LA 71112. Flowers for this service should be ordered through Aulds Flourist 7847 E. Kings Hwy., Shreveport, LA 71115, phone 318-797-4221. The second will be at 2pm on Saturday August 8th at Allagash Baptist Church, 564 Dickey Rd. Allagash, ME 04774. A service at the church sanctuary will be followed by the scattering of her remains at Robby’s Pond and a meal catered by Two Rivers Restaurant. Flowers for this service should be ordered through Pelletiers Florist Greenhouse & Garden Center, 500 W Main St, Fort Kent, ME 04743, phone 207-834-5241

Connie is volunteered at The Caring Hearts Center in Chatom Alabama for years and donated to The Shriner’s Children’s Hospitals regularly. Donations to them would be greatly appreciated.

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Bobby Gene Whitton, Jr. passed away July 21, 2026. Professionally, people knew him as Bobby but friends and family called him Gene. Gene was a life-long resident of the Shreveport-Bossier area, attending Judson Elementary, Lakeshore Middle School, and Fairpark High School.

Most people would probably agree, Gene was not necessarily a people person, but he never met a stranger and was always quick to help anyone in need. A jack of all trades, Gene had an eye and ear for perfection and when he saw or heard something out of place, he set about meticulously to fix it. At just 18 years old, Gene began his career as a mechanic with Powercycle Center. After graduating with honors from the Honda Training Center in Norcross, Georgia, Gene became a qualified se-up specialist on the Honda racing team. Gene was an avid motorcycle rider who rode every chance he could; his first bike being a Honda XR75 and last a Honda RC51 with countless makes and models in between. Gene’s love for speed and motorsports led him to convert one of his father’s motorcycles into a drag bike. One of Gene’s vehicles included a truck he said was so fast he could pass anything but a gas station. Gene finished out his career in building maintenance with Centerpoint Energy. When not riding motorcycles or hanging out with friends, Gene could be found watching his heroes, The Three Stooges followed by Svengoolie.

Gene was preceded in death by his father Bobby Gene Whitton, Sr., mother Evelyn Marie Arnold, brother Michael Dale Whitton and sister Rebecca Marie Whitton. Gene is survived by his brother Jeffrey Glenn Whitton and wife Lynn, aunts, uncle, cousins and numerous friends.

The family would like to express thanks to the Shreveport Fire Department, Shreveport Police Department and Willis Knighton Pierremont for helping Gene in times of need. Special thanks are given to the staffs of St. Joseph Hospice, Azalea Estates, and the Village Healthcare at The Glen for the love and care given to make Gene’s life comfortable. The service will be at 10:00 Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Boone Funeral Home in Bossier City followed by a graveside service at Forest Park East.

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Phonetic: /vi·​cis·​si·​tude/

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition

the quality or state of being changeable : mutability

natural change or mutation visible in nature or in human affairs

a favorable or unfavorable event or situation that occurs by chance : a fluctuation of state or condition
the vicissitudes of daily life

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Play Sudoku online!

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Bartholomew Colby Bell
February 6, 1974 – July 27, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 2pm at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Victoria LaMelle Green
December 29, 1925 — July 26, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 11am at St. Mary of the Pines Church, Shreveport.

Jo Ann Hurst Jenkins Huber
June 2, 1933 — July 26, 2026
Service: Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 11am at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Claudia Mae Smith
September 14, 1933 — July 26, 2026
Service: Monday, August 3, 2026, 11am at Broadmoor Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Donald Ray Robinson
March 6, 1949 – July 25, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 12pm at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, Shreveport.

John Edward Holland
December 25, 1951 – July 24, 2026
Service: Monday, August 3, 2026, 10:30am at Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Keithville.

Patricia Ann Jernigan
April 20, 1945 – July 24, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 11am at Morning Star Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Christopher C. Parker, Jr.
October 11, 1942 — July 24, 2026
Service: Friday, August 21, 2026, 11am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Mary Lee Richie
September 29, 1952 — July 24, 2026
Service: Friday, July 31, 2026, 2pm at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Ray Charles Williams
December 5, 1954 — July 24, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 1pm at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Charles “Oscar” Kirkendall
August 3, 1945 — July 23, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 2pm at Faith Community Church, Shreveport.

Perry Michael “Mike” Orr
September 3, 1971 — July 23, 2026
Service: Friday, July 31, 2026, 10am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.

Edgar “Wiley” Eason
April 9, 1957 – July 22, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 11am at Greater New Zion Baptist Church, Benton.

Bobby Alvin Kendrick
March 16, 1934 – July 22, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 11am at Ellerbe Road Methodist Church, Shreveport.

Shirley Lewis
September 10, 1942 – July 22, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 1pm at Walnut Hill St. Mary Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Rev. David Jay Greer
November 7, 1929 — July 20, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 15, 2026, 11am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Shreveport.

Dylan B. O’Neal
July 18, 2007 – July 20, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 11am at New Elizabeth Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Ralph Gary Whitener
August 8, 1951 — July 20, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10:30am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Shreveport.

Charlie Bogan, Jr.
July 18, 1974 – July 19, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 11am at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Constance “Connie” Ann McBreairty Bryan
1943 – July 19, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 2pm at Bellaire Baptist Church, Bossier City.

April Rena Carter
March 22, 1979 – July 19, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 10am at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Daniel Cheung Tak Lok
January 24, 1951 — July 18, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10am at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Christopher “Chris” Daniel Pierce
January 19, 1985 — July 18, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10am at Open Range Fellowship, Greenwood.

Dianne Webb Mullin
September 18, 1934 – July 17, 2026
Service: Friday, July 31, 2026, 10:30am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Shreveport.

Chuckie Brooks
November 6, 1968 — July 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 11am at Winnfield Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Danny Lane Williams
February 16, 1952 – July 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 11am at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Shreveport.

Jairus Lee Keyes Sr.
September 6, 1953 – July 15, 2026
Service: Friday, July 31, 2026, 11am at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Marciel Spearman
September 14, 1953 – July 15, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 1pm at Carver Memorial Cemetery, Shreveport.

Joshua Thomas
December 25, 1990 – July 15, 2026
Service: Friday, July 31, 2026, 6pm at Heavenly Gates Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Raymond Lee Wilson
September 3, 1938 — July 13, 2026
Service: Friday, July 31, 2026, 11am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Rebecca Sue Wilson
December 30, 1941 — July 13, 2026
Service: Friday, July 31, 2026, 11am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

Antoinette Marie Ferlito Leone
April 20, 1948 — July 9, 2026
Service: Sunday, August 1, 2026, 4pm at Western Hills Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Thomas Nimmo
April 19, 1943 – July 9, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 2pm at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Stephen “Steve” Sasser
June 24, 1955 — June 25, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 1, 2026, 11am at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Diana Kay Yarbrough
September 26, 1949 — June 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 8, 2026, 10am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

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

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BOSSIER CITY – The East Bank District has long been one of Bossier City’s most distinctive destinations with a walkable mix of restaurants, local businesses, music, art, and history. Now, with Rich Carroll overseeing the district as the new East Bank arts building and plaza manager, the focus is on creating an even more engaging atmosphere for residents and visitors.

Only a few months into his role, Carroll isn’t focused on simply maintaining historic buildings. It’s about connecting people, supporting local businesses, and helping the East Bank District become an even more vibrant gathering place for the community.

“It’s exciting some days, daunting other days,” he said with a laugh. “But I love the idea of giving back to the city that I grew up in and getting to do something a little challenging.”

His responsibilities stretch far beyond managing Bossier City’s historic Municipal Building. As the city’s liaison to Louisiana’s East Bank Cultural District, he oversees the district’s cultural development while working alongside business owners, artists, and event organizers to strengthen one of the city’s fastest-growing destinations.

“The more people we can bring through this building, the more people that we get into our East Bank District, whether that’s going to the restaurants, shopping at the antique stores, or grabbing a snowball,” Carroll said. “The more people we each drive, the better it is.”

That collaborative mindset sits at the heart of his vision.

Rather than programming every event himself, Carroll sees the city as a facilitator that creates opportunities for artists, nonprofits, entrepreneurs, and community groups to bring their own ideas to life.

“I don’t want this to be my show,” he said. “I want this to be the residents’ and visitors’ opportunity.”

Already, Carroll is working with artists to schedule gallery exhibitions, helping organizations reserve the annex for meetings and classes, and encouraging festivals, concerts, and markets to utilize the plaza across the street.

“The idea is to have a place for residents and visitors to come and experience whatever we have going on,” he said.

His enthusiasm for the role comes naturally. As a Bossier City native, he was already a frequent visitor before accepting the position.

“I love the East Bank District,” Carroll said. “It is one of my favorite parts of Bossier City. Before working here, I was down on the street pretty regularly at the restaurants and going to shows.”

That personal connection fuels his desire to see the district continue growing. While he can’t yet discuss businesses that are preparing to open, he says momentum is already building.

Carroll’s role isn’t to recruit or curate specific businesses, but rather to help prospective owners navigate opportunities available within the Cultural District, including historic renovation tax credits and city resources.

“There’s more growth coming down here,” he said. “I’m happy to work with people who are interested and talk about whether they’d fit in.”

That passion for storytelling comes from a nearly two-decade career spent connecting people with causes and communities through event management, community engagement, public service, and nonprofit leadership. 

Before arriving back in Bossier, Carroll worked in event planning at a museum in Pennsylvania and previously managed large-scale fundraising events for the American Cancer Society, where he coordinated hundreds of volunteers, built community partnerships, and learned the importance of listening.

Those experiences have shaped his definition of success. He sees that it isn’t measured only by attendance numbers or economic reports, but by progress. Whether that’s launching a new initiative, helping a local business, or simply having meaningful conversations with residents, he sees momentum as positive steps forward.

“Anything outside of just sitting around doing nothing counts as success,” Carroll said. “Progress is success.”

Just a few months into the position, Carroll has spent much of his time preparing the nearly century-old Municipal Building for its next chapter. Painting walls, repairing floors, restoring spaces, and maintaining the historic structure may not be glamorous work, but he sees each improvement as another investment in the district’s future.

“I love when people walk in because they saw the historical marker,” he said. “I get to walk them through this 100-year-old building and tell them the history of Bossier from the early 1800s to now.”

As the building’s restoration winds down, he expects that definition to evolve. His focus will increasingly turn toward building partnerships, expanding tourism, supporting local businesses, and creating experiences that encourage people to return repeatedly.

“Success becomes networking with the community, further enhancements of the district, and people coming in the door to see what we have going on,” Carroll said.

Above all, he wants the East Bank District to belong to the people who live here. He wants the community to know they have an open invitation to stop by.

“I would love for people to come by and see me because I want to hear what they want out of this building, the plaza, the theater, and the annex,” Carroll said.

Because his vision for the East Bank District isn’t about dictating what’s next, it’s about creating space for the community to shape the future together.

“The more that we do that,” Carroll said, “the better we make this place.”

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By Matt Vines

SHREVEPORT – “Échale ganas.”

It’s a Mexican Spanish saying that Karina Jimenez has heard from her family all her life.

And it’s the foundation in which the Stonewall resident completed her biological sciences bachelor’s degree from LSU Shreveport and will continue on to pharmacy school at UT Tyler.

“It’s a phrase that means to give it your all,” said Jimenez, a first-generation college graduate. “I might be stressed out or frustrated with school, but with my family’s support, I never had a doubt.

“This is a reflection of not just my hard work, but theirs as well. You never want to disappoint your family with everything they’ve done for me, and I am so happy that I am leading the life they wanted to give me in the first place.”

Jimenez walked across the graduation stage May 15 as a first-generation college student and eldest granddaughter in a family where she hopes her example will be followed by younger siblings and cousins.

She graduated with a concentration in cellular and molecular biology, and her dual interest in organic chemistry/biochemistry and public health steered her toward a pharmacy career.

Jimenez remembers taking an interest in science from an early age, and she excelled in North DeSoto High’s Project Lead The Way Biomedical Science program.

“I loved science since I was a child, and I wanted to be a doctor or a vet growing up,” Jimenez recalls. “But then I learned that vets put down dogs, and I didn’t want to do that.

“I fell in love with science around the first grade. I was particularly interested in the human body in our textbooks and books from the library, and I knew I wanted to do something in this field.”

That love affair continued in high school, and her participation in the Biomedical Program solidified her desire to work in healthcare.

Her introduction to pharmacy came in her senior year of high school when she worked in retail pharmacy, something she continued throughout her college career.

Jimenez said she was waitlisted by larger universities, deciding to stay close to family by attending LSUS. She stuck by that decision when the original schools eventually accepted her.

But what she found at LSUS were attentive faculty members who helped shape and encourage her decision to enter the pharmaceutical field.

“Professors like (Dr. Stephanie Villalba in biological sciences) and (Dr. Adrienne Davis in public health) were extremely important,” Jimenez said. “I couldn’t decide between pursuing physician assistant school or pharmacy school, and Villalba thought I’d make a great pharmacist.

“I love organic chemistry, organic biology and anatomy and physiology — those classes really influenced my understanding of the human body.”

Villalba, who taught Jimenez in four different classes, said she is an inquisitive student in which pharmacy school was a natural next step.

“Karina’s interest in learning the mechanisms of medications in the human body was evident in the kinds of questions she asked in and out of class and in discussions about her future career goals,” Villalba said. “She brought meaningful real-world experience from working in a pharmacy setting for multiple years, and her experience as a pharmacy clerk and pharmacy technician candidate not only provided her with practical insight into the responsibilities of pharmacy professionals but also deepened her commitment to serving patients in such a setting.”

Jimenez found other ways to put that knowledge to work this past summer by volunteering at the MLK Health Center, which offers primary healthcare and pharmacy services at no cost to uninsured patients.

“I translated for our primarily Spanish-speaking patients, communicating about medications and things they had going on with their body,” Jimenez said. “I applied to pharmacy school because of that experience, and it opened my eyes that I wanted to be alongside the physician providing care.

“Retail pharmacy is too chaotic, so I want to work in an in-patient setting directly consulting with physicians. My dream is to go to a big pediatric hospital in Dallas, and maybe one day even work in rural medicine by opening my own pharmacy.”

Not only did Jimenez find supportive professors, she made connections with fellow students as they pursued professional medical schools.

Her best friend Lianne Kho was one of three LSUS students to be accepted to Occupational Therapy school this past December, a pathway more students are finding through LSUS.

“Lianne sat by me in class one day because it was the only chair available, and she’s been the greatest support I could ever have,” Jimenez said. “I was able to talk to her about my frustrations, and we studied at each other’s houses.

“Any time I would doubt myself, she would support me and tell me we’re going to succeed.”

A role Jimenez will play for future siblings and cousins as the first in her family to cross the graduation stage.

Villalba also wants to continue her role in the recent trend of LSUS students pursuing professional medical schools.

“LSUS plays a vital role in preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals, and this mission is more important than ever as the demand for skilled, compassionate practitioners continues to grow, especially in the Shreveport-Bossier area,” Villalba said. “The Department of Biological Sciences is at the forefront of this effort.

“We are maintaining strong, consistent numbers of students pursuing and gaining acceptance to health professional programs, reflecting our ongoing commitment to student preparation. This is achieved through rigorous coursework, hands-on laboratory and student research opportunities, and intentional advising and mentoring tailored to pre-professional students.”

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Roma Italian Bistro in Shreveport has issued a statement addressing social media discussion surrounding a Louisiana Department of Health inspection report from May 2025 that recently resurfaced online.

According to the restaurant, the inspection referenced in the article took place in the spring of 2025. Roma said it took the findings seriously, corrected the issues identified during the inspection and has continued serving the Shreveport community.

The restaurant also shared details from its most recent Louisiana Department of Health inspection conducted June 5, 2026. According to Roma, all three critical violations identified during that inspection were corrected while the inspector was on site. The report also included several non-critical maintenance items requiring ongoing attention.

Roma said it shared the inspection report so customers could review it themselves, adding that food safety is an ongoing responsibility and that it remains committed to maintaining the standards expected by the Louisiana Department of Health and its customers.

The restaurant also thanked the community for its continued trust and support, stating it remains committed to serving customers with safety, accountability and transparency.

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Northwestern State University students from across north Louisiana preparing for the fall semester completed enrollment, met with university staff and connected with campus resources during Registration Rally at the NSU Shreveport campus July 27.

The event, held from 9 a.m. to noon, brought together representatives from Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, Student Accounting and Cashiering, Admissions, academic colleges and other university departments to answer questions and guide students through the enrollment process. By hosting Registration Rally in Shreveport, NSU gave students across north Louisiana the opportunity to complete enrollment closer to home before classes begin.

Payton Romero, assistant director of recruiting for transfer and graduate students at NSU, said students could complete several enrollment steps during one visit.

“Today on the Shreveport campus, we have representatives from admissions, Financial Aid and their academic advisors here as well,” Romero said. “They are checking in with us. We are making sure they are good on the admissions side, making sure they do not have any registration holds and that we have all of their documents. Then they can meet with Financial Aid. They can also get their student ID today, and then we will send them to meet with their advisor and get registered for fall classes. It’s a one-stop shop for everything today.”

Maggie Schoenborn of Bossier City attended Registration Rally to prepare for her first semester at NSU.

“It was really easy. Everyone was really nice and helped me get ready, figure out all of my classes and told me what to expect and how to get it all set up,” Schoenborn said.

Schoenborn said attending Registration Rally gave her the opportunity to register for classes and prepare for the fall semester in one visit.

Chandler Gardner of Shreveport attended Registration Rally to prepare for the fall semester.

“I just got all my classes scheduled, talked to the financial people about my tuition, got my ID. Now I’m ready to go,” Gardner said.

Gardner said Registration Rally allowed her to complete several enrollment steps in one visit before the start of the fall semester.

Registration Rally is open to new and returning students and provides an opportunity to complete multiple enrollment steps during one visit before the semester begins.

Registration for the fall semester will continue through Aug. 16. Late registration, during which additional fees apply, will continue through Aug. 25. Information about registration is available at vic.nsula.edu.

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Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey and his Big Ten Conference counterpart Tony Pettiti were wrestling with congressional lawmakers into Wednesday night over the nuances of the Hail Mary, a.k.a. the Protect College Sports Act.

Sankey, Pettiti, the college presidents they work for, and the rest of the big league college athletic programs are hoping that legislation can regulate their industry, which has boundaries currently accurately defined with an Etch-A-Sketch.

A cornerstone issue is raising and then enforcing a new (already?) compensation cap for the players. Other top of discussion items are limiting transfers, and establishing a five-year window for athlete eligibility – already in place but apparently not set in stone. There’s much, much more.

Chances appear only slightly better for agreement any time soon on a bill palatable to the powerhouses than for peace in the Middle East – which is one of the topics Congress should be focusing on, instead of bailing out decades of indecision by college presidents about athletic issues.

What is happening with absolute certainty is the 2026 college football season. Most fans aren’t involved in the dollars and cents aspect of funding their favorite teams. They’re just itching to see their team do better than last year, unless they’re all about Indiana.

What does that mean for LSU? The Tigers won just seven games as Brian Kelly’s team wobbled too much for him to make it to Halloween, so if Lane Kiffin’s first squad wins eight, is it a better year?

You Tiger fans are laughing now. Nothing less than a playoff berth/SEC championship game appearance/national title (pick one, two or all three depending on your fanaticism level) makes 2026 a success under the Portal King, who brought in a transfer class generally considered to be the best in all the land.

Considering it took spending between $40-50 million on NIL, that No. 1 ranking (for the incoming Tigers, not the 2026 Tigers) seems as accurate as any preseason poll.

Kiffin’s ever-present confidence was apparent Wednesday to an overflow crowd of Baton Rouge Rotary Club members and guests, but he continues to tamp down expectations of a double-digit win season.

Not with the SEC’s new nine-game conference schedule, which eliminates one sure-fire cupcake non-conference contest in a 12-game schedule.

Kiffin understands being at LSU adds a ton to every word he says into a microphone. What he hopes is that the 12 people calling the shots for the College Football Playoff selections accept his contention that SEC teams near the top of the league standings deserve at-large invitations to the 12-team tournament despite a heavier count in the L column.

“There are teams going 10-6 and winning the Super Bowl,” said Kiffin, who 19 years ago at the age of 32 was an NFL head coach. “When you make that parity, (there has to be an) understanding that sometimes the records are going to change, and you have to understand who did you really play, where did you play them, as you look at that. Because there’s a big difference.”

ESPN Analytics, which is probably more reliable than ESPN management, ranked the 20 strongest schedules. LSU was 11^th, ninth among its conference colleagues. Every SEC team ranks in the top 20.

Big Ten teams? Ohio State at 8. Michigan eight spots back, and Northwestern slotted at 17^th.  If you’re keeping track, you know there’s only one more spot left, and it went to USC at No. 19.

Fair comment: ESPN has the SEC TV rights. ESPN created the analytics. It’s good business for ESPN to have the SEC getting prime billing, so ESPN can sell advertising for SEC games at a prime rate.

But in these parts, you’ll not get much argument that the SEC is tougher top to bottom than the Big Ten, and there’s not a close third. Top end teams in the ACC (Miami) and Big XII (Texas Tech) might be true contenders and will have cleaner records after feasting on inferior conference opposition.

This is 2026. Does history matter? LSU fans hope not. The SEC got the most teams in each of the last three playoff brackets and didn’t get one into the championship game.

Kiffin’s contention is real talk. Tiger fan, can you handle the idea that a three- or four-loss season isn’t a failure? Especially if it gets LSU into the CFP?

There was ample reason aside from making no playoff appearances that Kelly got paid off to shove off last season. But as sure as Tiger fans love night games at home, Kiffin was hired to make the playoffs and make noise in them.

In his Wednesday talk to the Rotarians and pals, Kiffin talked about fielding a “pretty young team” this fall and “building for the future.”

LSU can’t afford another immense coaching contract buyout. Their new guy is telling the folks who have ponied up all the NIL money, along with the rest of Tiger Nation, best to adjust their expectations down from double-digit wins.

And hope the CFP selection committee does, too.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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JOURNAL SPORTS

RUSTON — Louisiana Tech football tight end Eli Finley has been named to the 2027 Shriners Children’s East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist, recognizing the nation’s top NFL draft-eligible players entering the 2027 season.

Every year, approximately 1,000 all-star game eligible players are drafted, signed after the draft or attend a rookie minicamp. The Shriners Children’s 1000 Watchlist highlights 1,000 of the top all-star game eligible college football players currently being considered for the 2027 Schriners Children’s East-West Bowl.

Finley, who was recently named to the 2026 Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team, enters his senior season after appearing in 37 games with 26 starts over the past three seasons.

The Texas native earned second-team All-Conference USA honors in 2025 after leading the Bulldogs with 38 receptions for 444 yards. He averaged 11.7 yards per catch and recorded multiple receptions in nine games, highlighted by a six-catch, 154-yard performance against Southern Miss.

Finley has totaled 65 receptions for 768 yards and two touchdowns during his Tech career. He caught 25 passes for 314 yards and two touchdowns as a sophomore in 2024 while earning All-CUSA Honorable Mention honors.

Finley is the first Bulldog named to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watchlist since Hank Bachmeier, Smoke Harris, Deshon Hall and Willie Roberts were named prior to the 2023 season.

The top 1000 list includes scouted players from all four levels of college football. The East-West bowl scouts consulted with NFL and college personnel to achieve selection of the best 1000 players for the NFL level. 

The Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl will take place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 4, 2027. 

Tech opens its season at home Sept. 5 hosting Northwestern State.

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 By JASON PUGH, Northwestern State Associate AD for Media Relations

NATCHITOCHES — Through two seasons of his tenure as Northwestern State’s head football coach, Blaine McCorkle has asked for and received constant, continual improvement.

That has held true over the past two days, as the 2026 Demons began fall camp with two workouts, each a little more than two hours of work under the lights at Turpin Stadium. McCorkle was enthusiastic after Tuesday’s initial workout.

“This is definitely the best one by far,” McCorkle said considering three opening days of camp he has overseen in Natchitoches. “I was talking to (Northwestern supporter) Mike Wilburn earlier today – everybody knows Mike Wilburn – and we talked about how far our program’s come since we’ve been here. There hasn’t been a single day we’ve been here that our program hasn’t gotten better. I can say that with all sincerity. This is by far our best first day of fall camp, and tomorrow better be our best second day. We talk about constant, continual improvement, and we had a big focus on that in our team meeting last night. That’s part of it.

“The program’s growing. We’re getting better, and it’s exciting.”

There were the expected mishaps, but the Demons have limited those in the team periods while fighting still sultry weather even after the sun set.

Those mistakes, however, came with the effort McCorkle and his staff sought, and they provided teachable moments for a team that practiced fully together for the first time Tuesday as it prepares for its Aug. 27 season opener against Louisiana Christian in Natchitoches. NSU goes to Ruston for its second game as the guest in Louisiana Tech’s opener.

“That was the best Day 1 that we’ve had,” quarterback Abram Johnston said. “In terms of effort wise, all the juices are flowing. We know we’ve got to get in shape. The (athletic) trainers talked about our hydration and nutrition and sleep has to be big during fall camp. We had guys puking and cramping, so we’ll get that together as it goes. We still gave a lot of effort, which you could see by how everyone was working.”

With less than a month until the season opener, the Demons have time to work out those kinks.

The first step comes with making sure the effort equals or surpasses that of the previous day.

“We have to have that chip on our shoulder,” said safety Christian Williams, who like Johnston and McCorkle is in his third season as a Demon. “Think back to everything we’ve seen in the media about us. We’re just locked in and just ready to go.”

This week’s workouts end with a rookie period, which allows McCorkle and his staff to get a first look at their freshman class in a full team practice setting.

The staple of each fall camp practice is one that McCorkle said helps keep him energized. With recent changes in the NCAA’s eligibility calendar, first-year players could see themselves angling for larger roles upon their arrival on campus.

“We got a good look at some of the freshmen in the rookie period,” he said. “That’s one thing I like about training camp, we have a rookie period every day to see what some guys can do. That’s the film I get excited to watch – get in there and see what those guys look like.

“Where (the changes are) going to show up is the home games. When you travel, you’ll still travel your 60 to 65, and that’s going to be what it is. You get in a home game, and you get in a bind, you need to know that you can grab a kid and throw him in there at the drop of a hat and not be worried about it. There’s a lot of value in that. These guys have to realize, even right now, they’re not playing to redshirt. They’re playing to be the guy you trust to throw in there.”

Contact Jason at pughj@nsula.edu

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JOURNAL SPORTS

GRAMBLING — He’s not taken his first snap for the Grambling Tigers, but quarterback R.J. Johnson III is already drawing nationwide attention.

A transfer from Southwestern Athletic Conference rival Florida A&M, Johnson was named to the Stats Perform HBCU National Football Player of the Year Watchlist on Wednesday morning.  

Johnson transferred after posting 2,597 passing yards, second in the conference, but he was first in passing yards per game (236.1) and completions (215). He also was third in touchdown passes (18). 

Grambling used four different quarterbacks last fall while finishing 7-5. Two are back, Hayden Benoit and Ashton Frye. Benoit started six games.

The third-year award honors the outstanding player from the 21 HBCU programs of Division I FCS in the Mid-Eastern, SWAC, CAA, Ohio Valley Conferences.  

A national panel involving the HBCU/FCS coverage will select the winner following the regular season, with the recipient being announced in December.  

In addition to the HBCU National Player of the Award, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year), Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS Freshman Player of the Year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS Coach of the Year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award this season. 

Grambling opens the season on Aug. 29 when it hosts Clark-Atlanta at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium.

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Addie Rose Brelsford, 87, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. She lived a life defined by faith, music, education, service, and an unwavering love for her family and community.

Addie Rose was born at home on July 22, 1939, at Follis Chapel near Trenton, Tennessee, to Alice Virginia Smith and L.V. Smith. She grew up in the close-knit community where she developed a lifelong love for music, learning, and serving others.

After graduating from Kenton High School in 1957, Addie attended Murray State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Public School Music in 1961. She began her teaching career in McCracken County Public Schools in Paducah, Kentucky, where she taught vocal music and inspired students through her passion for music.

In 1964, Addie returned to Kentucky, where a blind date forever changed her life. She met James “Jim” Brelsford of Paducah while he was home on leave from the United States Air Force, and the two were married in February 1965. Shortly after their wedding, Jim was assigned to Alaska while Addie remained in Kentucky to complete her master’s degree and earn her certification in Supervision of Education. Jim proudly returned home from Alaska in time to celebrate her graduation in May 1965.

The young couple soon embarked on an unforgettable journey, driving the Alaska Highway through Canada to Fairbanks, Alaska, where Jim was stationed at Eielson Air Force Base. Addie taught school on base during their first year and later attended the University of Alaska to continue her education. Their son, John Olaf Brelsford, was born in Fairbanks, Alaska in November 1967. As Jim faithfully served his country, the family lived in several places, including Phoenix, Arizona; Caribou, Maine; and Denver, Colorado, where their daughter, Jenny Rebecca Brelsford, was born at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in February 1973. Their final military assignment brought them to Shreveport, Louisiana, where Jim completed his Air Force career at Barksdale Air Force Base. While there, Addie continued taking graduate coursework through Louisiana State University.

In 1980, the Brelsford family settled in Rutherford, Tennessee, where Addie would leave an enduring legacy. She first volunteered as the music teacher at Rutherford Elementary School before being hired through the Rutherford PTO. From 1980 until 1986, she also shared her love of music by teaching private piano and vocal lessons from her home. In 1986, she became a kindergarten teacher at Rutherford School, where she lovingly nurtured countless young learners. She was also the longtime director of the Rutherford Community Choir, bringing people together through music for many years.

Music was never simply a profession for Addie—it was her ministry. She faithfully served as pianist at Rutherford First Baptist Church for nearly thirty years before later becoming a member of China Grove Baptist Church. Whether singing, directing choirs, or playing the piano, she joyfully used her God-given talents to glorify the Lord and encourage others.

In October 1998, Addie celebrated the marriage of her daughter, Jenny, to Kevin Turner. Just over a year later, on Veterans Day in 1999, she mourned the loss of her beloved husband, Jim, after nearly 35 years of marriage.

Her greatest joy became her grandchildren. Julianna Rose Turner was born in September 2001, followed by James Ethan Turner in June 2004. “Nana,” as she was lovingly known, treasured every moment with them. She delighted in taking them to the Trenton Library, Discovery Park, the Safari Park, Reelfoot Lake, and countless other adventures. She always kept snacks, a full tank of gas, and a plan for making memories. She faithfully attended cheer competitions, vocal performances, football games, and basketball games and proudly cheered louder than anyone from the Bethel Wildcats sidelines.

After retiring from education, Addie continued serving her community through music. She faithfully led patriotic music programs for schoolchildren at the flagpole beside the Davy Crockett Cabin and joyfully led generations of Rutherford schoolchildren in the community’s Fourth of July parades. Her love for country, community, and children remained evident throughout her life.

In 2022, Addie became a resident of Dogwood Pointe Assisted Living. True to her outgoing nature, she quickly became known for her warm smile, vibrant personality, and willingness to entertain fellow residents by playing the baby grand piano. She never lost her gift of bringing joy to others through music.

Above all else, Addie was a woman of steadfast faith, remarkable kindness, and enduring optimism. She believed in keeping a record of life’s blessings, praying before making major decisions, not waiting too long to pursue your dreams, enjoying family and friends while you can, and never taking life’s precious moments for granted because “things change.”

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James “Jim” Brelsford; her parents, L.V. and Alice Virginia Smith; and her brother, Nathan Smith.

She leaves behind a family who will forever cherish her memory: her son, John Olaf Brelsford; her daughter, Jenny Turner, and husband, Kevin Turner; her beloved grandchildren, Julianna Rose Turner and James Ethan Turner; her nieces, Jill Koback (Kevin Koback) and Jerianne Poe (Travis Poe); her great-nieces, Samantha Koback (mother of Addie’s great-great-nephew, Colter Smitty) and Ansley Poe; her great-nephew, Asher Poe; as well as many other extended family members, former students, church families, friends, and neighbors whose lives were forever enriched by her love, encouragement, and music.

Though her hands are now still, the melodies she played, the songs she sang, the children she taught, the faith she lived, and the love she gave will continue to echo through the lives of all who knew her. Her legacy is one of grace, joyful service, unwavering faith, and a life beautifully lived.

Visitation with family and friends will be held Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 12PM until service time at 2PM, in the Rutherford chapel of Karnes & Son Funeral Home. Pastor Mark Kirkpatrick and Brother Randy Crews will officiate, and burial will follow at the Rutherford Cemetery.

Karnes & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Addie Rose Brelsford.

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Funeral service celebrating the life of John “Franklin” Utz Jr., 58, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 31, 2026 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home 943 Polk St. Mansfield, Louisiana with Bro. Chris Berry officiating. Interment will follow at Bethany Cemetery Marthaville, Louisiana.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2026 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

John Franklin Utz, Jr. was born on April 27 1968 in Shreveport, Louisiana to John Franklin Utz, Sr. and Reata Gail Free and passed away July 27, 2026 in Frierson, Louisiana.

John graduated from North DeSoto High School and retired from Ryerson. John’s hobbies include fishing, hunting, visiting with family and friends and he never met a stranger.

Franklin was preceded in death by parents, Reata and John Utz, Sr., and sister, Gail Smith.

Left to cherish his memory are his niece, Samantha Hesser and husband Cord and great nephews, Brantley and Casen Hesser.

Honoring Franklin as pallbearers will be Cord Hesser, Brantley Hesser, Casen Hesser, Brian Hesser, Kent Smith and Wade Baker.

Serving as honorary pallbearers are Wilson Baker, Kirk Lee, Billy Hines, Bobby Weeks, and many other special friends.

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