When Pioneer Day first started 30 years ago with a handful of living historians and demonstrators, part of its purpose was to educate and attract people to traditional ways of life.

Close to 70 living historians will breathe life into LSUS’s Pioneer Heritage Center, which consists of seven historic structures from the 19^th century.

Demonstration groups include blacksmiths, wood carvers, leatherworkers, basket weavers, flint knappers, pottery throwers, and sewers/stitchwork just to name a few.

When the crowds come flowing through the gates Oct. 11 for the 27^thannual Pioneer Day, blacksmith Marty Young hopes attendees might pick up a hobby inspired by one of the demonstrators.

“I believe in teaching through demonstration, it’s such a great tool,” said Young, who is also the director of the Pioneer Heritage Center. “Our demonstration groups teach this way at Pioneer Day, but they’d also recruit new members at events like these as well.

“Pioneer Day is a celebration of these traditional methods of doing things, but it’s also about preserving these methods by finding the next generation of people to pass these traditions to.”

While Pioneer Day demonstrations cover a wide variety of techniques and methods, Young notes that demonstrators are aging.

At 53, he’s one of the youngest living historians at Pioneer Day, which lost one demonstrator who passed away and two more to retirement since the 2024 event.

“It’s important to keep these ways of life going because these things can go extinct pretty quickly,” Young said. “The internet and YouTube are useful because anybody can watch a video of a blacksmith or flint knapper or a potter who throws a pot on the wheel.

“But until you put your hand on something and learn to strike it here, put pressure there, or carve like this – you’re not learning the process in a deep and meaningful way. Our demonstration groups would love to help someone get started in the learning process, and most groups conduct regular meetings.”

So when attendees stroll through the property and step inside the Caspiana House, the dogtrot log cabin, the commissary or the doctor’s office, Young hopes that they’re captivated by the people and the methods that made this way of life possible.

And ask how they too can learn a craft.

“You want people to come and get that spark,” Young said. “You hope that everybody who shows an interest will take it up and continue on for a lifetime,” Young said.

The Oct. 11 event lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Adult tickets cost $5 with students of any age admitted for free.

Vendors will also be selling their craft and wares.

Sales are becoming ever more important to vendors as general inflation also increases costs for materials like wood, coal, metal, thread, cloth and other items used in their demonstrations.

For more information about Pioneer Day or ways to get involved with local folklife groups, contact Young at marty.young@lsus.edu.

The Shreveport Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect involved in a
voyeurism incident.

On Sunday, Oct. 5, at approximately 1:10pm, a female customer was shopping inside a local
business when a male suspect began following her. The suspect crouched down and used his phone to take several photographs underneath the victim’s dress without her consent.

Fortunately, while the suspect was attempting to secretly record the victim, surveillance cameras inside the store captured clear images of him.

Detectives are now releasing those images to the public in hopes that someone can help identify the suspect.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity is urged to contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373. Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the individual responsible.

Shreveport Police Uniformed Patrol officers responded to a business in the 2000 block of Centenary Boulevard following reports of an armed robbery on Monday, Sept. 15, at approximately 8:42pm. 

The preliminary investigation revealed that a male suspect, described as a Black male approximately 6 feet
tall, 230 pounds, and around 40 years of age, entered the store armed with a large knife. The suspect rushed behind the counter, threatened the clerk, and demanded that she fill a bag with cartons of cigarettes. He then fled the scene on foot, traveling northbound with the stolen items.

As detectives pursued leads, a collaborative effort between the Shreveport Police Department’s Violent
Crimes Unit, the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Louisiana Probation and Parole developed. On Tuesday,
Oct. 7, at approximately 1pm, investigators executed a search warrant at the residence of Solly Thompkins (DOB: 12/08/1961). During the search, detectives recovered evidence directly linked to the armed
robbery.

Following the discovery, probable cause was established, and Thompkins was taken into custody at the
Shreveport Police Department Detective’s Office. He was later transported to the Shreveport City Jail, where he was booked on one count of Armed Robbery.

The Shreveport Police Department is grateful for the assistance provided by the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana Probation and Parole in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.

In its “Weekly Wins” feature, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) provided updates and announcements on several ongoing projects in Caddo and Bossier parishes. 

U.S. 80 Overlay Project Complete (Bossier Parish) – The official completion of the U.S. 80 asphalt overlay project near Haughton has arrived approximately four months ahead of schedule. DOTD and the contractor coordinated to conduct paving operations and other tasks as efficiently as possible, particularly in the high traffic areas of the project. 

I-20 Major Rehab Project (Bossier Parish) – Concrete paving operations are well underway on the Airline Drive on- and off-ramps, as well as the Barksdale Boulevard/Benton Road ramps that are currently closed. Airline Drive ramps should reopen in late October 2025. Project is 95% complete at this time. Its estimated completion is late 2025/early 2026.

U.S. 171 (Hearne Avenue) Overlay Project (Caddo Parish) – A project kicked off this week that will provide repairs to a 4.6-mile section of U.S. 171 (Hearne Avenue) from LA 3132 to U.S. 80 in Shreveport. Project includes full-depth patching, drainage repairs, new asphalt paving, and signage/striping. Its estimated completion is late spring 2026.

LA 530 Overlay Project (Caddo Parish) – Another project kicked off in Caddo Parish this week to repair a 5.3-mile section of LA 530 near Oil City. Project includes full-depth patching, drainage repairs, new asphalt paving, and signage/striping. Its estimated completion is late spring 2026. 

I-20 Major Rehab Project (Bossier and Caddo Parishes) – This ongoing I-20 major rehabilitation project from Hamilton Road to Industrial Drive in Bossier Parish also includes extensive concrete repairs in Caddo Parish. Its estimated completion is late 2025/early 2026. 

Jimmie Davis Bridge Replacement Project (Bossier and Caddo Parishes) – This ongoing project is building a new four-lane LA 511 (Jimmie Davis Bridge) over the Red River and widening and realignment of LA 511 as well. Its estimated completion is mid-late 2027. 

U.S. 80 Overlay Project (Bossier Parish) – This ongoing project provides a patch, mill, and overlay on a five-mile section of U.S. 80 from Flat River to Merrywoods Boulevard in Bossier City/Haughton. Its estimated completion is October 2025.

LA 3227/LA 157 Realignment Project (Bossier Parish) – An ongoing project that will realign and build a new section of LA 3227, creating a new intersection with LA 157 in Haughton. This project (Phase 2) serves to boost economic development in the area with an estimated completion of spring 2026. 

LA 160 Bridge Replacements (Bossier Parish) – This ongoing project replaces two bridges on LA 160 over Cypress Bayou and Cypress Bayou Relief with an estimated completion of spring 2026. 

LA 3 (Benton Road) Concrete Repairs (Bossier Parish) – This ongoing project is removing and replacing numerous concrete panels on LA 3 (Benton Road) between Old Minden Road and Viking Drive in Bossier City, with nighttime work only during the week. Its estimated completion is late fall 2025.

As cooler temperatures settle in, more residents are enjoying late-afternoon walks and outdoor activities. To help keep nuisance mosquitoes at bay, the Bossier Parish Highway Department is continuing its mosquito spraying efforts across the parish.

Over the next couple of weeks, three trucks will be deployed to cover the parish, reducing mosquito populations and making outdoor time more enjoyable for everyone.

If members of the public see a mosquito spray truck in their area, maintain a safe distance and avoid walking or biking directly behind the vehicle. The spray is effective but should not be inhaled or contacted directly.

Let’s talk about forgiveness. Not the kind where you say “It’s fine” while secretly plotting revenge via passive-aggressive casserole. I mean the real deal—the Christian commandment to forgive, even when it feels like hugging a cactus.

Jesus lays it out in Luke 17:3–4: “If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. Even if he sins against you seven times in a day and seven times comes back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

Seven times a day? That’s not just a bad roommate—that’s a full-time job.

Let’s break this down. If someone wrongs you seven times in one day, that’s once every 3.4 hours. Assuming you sleep eight hours (which you don’t, because you’re still mad), that’s a sin every two hours. At that rate, you’re basically running a forgiveness factory.

But Jesus isn’t joking. He’s not saying “forgive when it’s convenient” or “forgive when they bring cookies.” He’s saying forgive every time. Even if the apology sounds like “Oops, my bad” and they’re already halfway out the door.

Forgiveness is like spiritual cardio. It’s hard, it’s sweaty, and you’ll probably cry a little. But it strengthens your heart. Holding onto bitterness is like carrying around a backpack full of bricks labeled “Petty.” You think it’s protecting you, but really, it’s just ruining your posture and your peace.

Jesus knew this. That’s why He didn’t say, “Forgive when you feel like it.” He said, “You must forgive.” It’s not a suggestion—it’s a commandment. Like “Don’t steal” or “Don’t eat shrimp off someone else’s plate.”

I thought about these practical tips:

Say it out loud, “I forgive you.” Even if your voice cracks like a teenager at prom. Saying it helps your brain catch up to your heart.

You are not the scorekeeper. If you’re keeping a sin spreadsheet, you’re missing the point. Forgiveness isn’t about tallying offenses—it’s about releasing them.

Remember that you are also a sin expert. You’ve messed up too. Probably today. Maybe while reading this. God forgives you without a dramatic monologue. Extend that grace.

Learn to pray for the person. “Lord, bless them… with wisdom… and maybe a little common sense.” It’s okay to start petty. God can work with that.

Forgiveness does not mean you must help fools be fools. Forgiveness doesn’t mean letting someone borrow your car after they drove it into a lake. You can forgive and still say, “No thanks.”

Forgiveness is funny because it’s so human to resist it. We want justice, closure, and maybe a dramatic courtroom scene. But Jesus offers something better: peace. Not the kind you get from noise-canceling headphones, but the kind that lets you sleep at night without rehearsing arguments in your head.

So the next time someone sins against you—again—remember Luke 17. Forgive them. Even if it’s the seventh time. Even if they still owe you money. Even if they never say, “thank you.”

Because forgiveness isn’t just for them. It’s for you. It’s freedom. And it’s the kind of holy absurdity that makes following Jesus both challenging and beautiful.

Now go forth and forgive.

Shreveport Police dispatchers received a report of a major crash involving a train and a motor vehicle at East 85th Street near Fairfield Avenue on Monday, Oct. 6, at approximately 2:09am. Due to the severity of the incident, both Shreveport Police and Fire personnel responded.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered that two occupants of the vehicle had sustained fatal injuries and
were pronounced deceased at the scene by Shreveport Fire Department personnel.

The Shreveport Police Crash Investigations Unit was notified and responded to the scene. Preliminary
findings indicate that a maroon 2011 Nissan Armada was traveling eastbound on East 85th Street when, for reasons still under investigation, the vehicle drove around the lowered warning arm at the railroad crossing while the red warning lights were active and flashing. The Nissan continued across the tracks and was struck on the driver’s side by a northbound Kansas City Southern freight train.

The impact caused the vehicle to overturn, ejecting occupants before coming to rest. The driver and a rear passenger did not survive. The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office responded and assumed custody of the
deceased.

While conducting death notifications, investigators located a third occupant of the vehicle at a residence
associated with the family. The individual, who stated he had been riding in the front passenger seat,
confirmed that the driver disregarded the activated crossing arms before the train struck the vehicle. He was transported to Ochsner LSU Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

The circumstances of the crash, including final determinations on occupant seating positions, remain under active investigation by the Shreveport Police Crash Investigations Unit.