On Christmas Eve in 1870, a group of people, including about 16 prominent citizens of Hamilton, Ohio, gathered in a gambling room on the second floor of “the American Saloon,” an “aristocratic” drinking saloon on High Street directly opposite the Butler County courthouse.  Some of the men were playing casino at one table and others, including Thomas “Tom” Myers, were playing a game called faro at another table.  Suddenly, a gunshot rang out.  With the exception of E.D. Banister and Peter Schwab who were in the fervor of the game of casino and Tom who was seated at the faro table, the men began running from the room.  Tom stood up, leaned against the wall, and fired his pistol.  The bullet from Tom’s pistol struck the ceiling just above the faro table.  Mr. Bannister fled from the room and Mr. Schwab slunk to the floor for his own protection.  Tom fired another shot which struck the opposite wall.  Once sure that Tom was unable to fire his pistol again, Peter approached him and realized Tom had been shot in the abdomen.  Peter tried only briefly to get Tom to tell him who had shot him before he ran to get help.  Peter soon returned with Dr. Huber, who had been in the room but had fled when he heard gunshots.  Dr. Huber also tried to get Tom to explain who had shot him, but Tom was unable to speak.  Dr. Huber located a gunshot wound on Tom’s upper abdomen which had severed a main artery.  Within moments, 29-year-old Tom died.  

Immediately following the affray, all of the witnesses said that Tom “must have either did it himself or had it done.”  Based on the testimony of a young boy, Tom’s brother Joseph swore out a warrant for five men including Deputy Marshal Ich Sheely and Thomas McGehan.  Before the coroner’s jury, none of the witnesses could identify who shot Tom, but all said that Thomas McGehan had not been in the room before the shooting began.  When the accused men learned of the warrant, they turned themselves in.  In January 1871, the five men were indicted on the charge of first-degree murder.  Clement Vallandigham was one of the four defense attorneys in the trial which began on June 6, 1871.  The trial was long because over 120 witnesses had been called to testify.      

At about 9 p.m. on June 15, 1871, Clement Vallandigham and fellow defense attorney Andrew McBurney were in their hotel room discussing the case.  Clement was sure that Tom had shot himself and decided to show Andrew how Tom could have done it.  Clement pulled a pistol from his pocket, turned it towards himself, and pulled the trigger.  To his surprise, the pistol discharged.  The bullet struck Clement in almost exactly the same place Tom’s bullet had struck him.  The wound was fatal.  In trying to defend Thomas McGehan by explaining how Tom Myers had killed himself, Clement Vallandigham accidently killed himself too.  Based at least in part on Clement’s unfortunate accident, the jury found Thomas McGehan not guilty.    

Sources:

1.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, December 27, 1870, p.8.

2.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, January 31, 1871, p.8.

3.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, February 15, 1871, p.8.

4.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, June 6, 1871, p.8.

5.     The Evening Post (Cleveland, Ohio), June 17, 1871, p.2.

6.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, June 19, 1871, p.1.

7.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, December 28, 1871, p.8.

8.     “Thomas S. Myers,” Find A Grave, accessed May 25, 2026, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/106977757/thomas-s-myers.

9.     “Clement Laird Vallandigham,” Find A Grave, accessed May 25, 2026, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2526/clement-laird-vallandigham.

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It may not feel romantic, but having honest conversations about money, family, and the future before marriage can make all the difference once real life begins.

 See what Ida says 

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By Richard Searles

Education, infrastructure and economic development among top priorities

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Legislature adjourned its 2026 Regular Session after approving a balanced $47 billion state budget focused on education, economic development, infrastructure improvements and debt reduction.

The budget includes approximately $4 billion in State General Fund support for K-12 education and $1.3 billion for higher education. Funding also includes $420 million for early childhood education and $30 million for tutoring programs.

Lawmakers approved more than $360 million in economic development initiatives, including incentives for higher-paying jobs, business site development and workforce recruitment efforts.

The Legislature also allocated more than $500 million for additional road and infrastructure projects, $33 million for Medicaid home and community-based services and $144 million to reduce state retirement debt.

Before adjourning, lawmakers approved a new congressional district map, eliminated vehicle inspection sticker requirements in most parishes, added $50 million to the fortified roof grant program and approved additional protections for minors online.

During the session, legislators considered more than 2,500 measures and sent more than 900 bills to Gov. Jeff Landry for consideration.

The 2026 Regular Session concluded with lawmakers approving major investments in education, infrastructure and economic development while advancing a wide range of policy measures affecting Louisiana residents.

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The Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court’s office continued to be busy recording new leases as it filed 76 more oil and gas leases during the month of May 2026.

Natchitoches Parish Clerk David Stamey confirmed that activity remains steady in the area described as from Interstate 49 at Highway 6, along La. Highway 6 to the Sabine Parish line and approximately 10 miles north into the Spanish Lake bottoms. However, leasing has now occurred south of La. Highway 6 and across I-49 on the east side of the interstate. There was one lease in the far northeastern portion of the parish near the Red River Parish and Bienville Parish lines, indicating activity is also occurring in neighboring parishes.

“This is wonderful economic news for our area,” Stamey said, “but it will be even better with every gas well that is drilled. Drilling has mostly been in the northwest portion of Natchitoches Parish, but indications are that production companies have been pleased.”

Stamey mentioned that his office has been busy with both in-person abstracting and online access for conveyances dating back to 1905. “We have been lucky to meet abstractors from companies new to the Robeline field,” Stamey said. “We thank them all for their business.”

The geographic expansion of leasing activity represents a significant shift, with operators now securing acreage beyond the traditional Robeline Field concentration and into previously untapped areas across parish boundaries. Activity across I-49 and into the northeastern portion of the parish suggests operators are assessing broader geological targets within the Haynesville Shale formation.

The seismic 3D graphing project, active across a 310-square-mile area mostly in Natchitoches Parish, supports this expanded exploration strategy. This extensive subsurface mapping work indicates operators are preparing detailed geological models across a much larger footprint than the initial Robeline Field concentration.

Landowners approached with lease offers or seismic survey requests should understand the complexity and long-term consequences of these agreements. If you are not an expert in oil and gas matters, strongly consider contacting a qualified oil and gas attorney before signing any documents. Mineral leases can have significant implications for mineral rights, royalty structures, surface rights and future property use. Professional legal guidance is essential to ensure fair terms and protect your interests.

A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records confirms the 76 leases filed in May 2026. The NPJ obtained this information directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.

Total Leases filed in calendar year 2025: 405
Total Leases filed in calendar year 2026: 279

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The Louisiana Legislature passed SB 121 Thursday, sending a new congressional map to Governor Jeff Landry for his signature following months of debate prompted by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down the state’s previous district lines.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais found that the previous map unconstitutionally prioritized race over traditional redistricting principles such as compactness and communities of interest. The new map was drawn without race as the predominant factor in determining district boundaries.

The legislation creates five Republican-leaning congressional districts statewide. A review of the enacted map shows that some parishes are split between congressional districts. 

For Caddo and Bossier parishes, both remain unified within the Fourth Congressional District alongside De Soto, Red River, Natchitoches, Sabine, Webster, Claiborne, and Bienville parishes. Central Louisiana, including Rapides Parish, is kept whole within the Fifth Congressional District.

The map now heads to the Governor for signature. If signed, it will govern Louisiana’s congressional representation through the remainder of the decade.

The Shreveport-Bossier Journal will continue to monitor developments.

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If every disagreement turns into a critique of how you communicate, the real problem may be what you’re not resolving—here’s how to break the cycle and start working as a team.

 See what Ida says 

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

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

1. A Love Letter to Louisiana Culture

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

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

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

3. It Still Holds Tight to Its Sweet Southern Traditions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’ve seen:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 See what Ida says 

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In April 1969, Gaynor Hopkins’s aunt heard her singing in her bedroom and entered her in a local talent competition.  She was nervous and excited.  The song she chose was the chart topper “Those Were the Days,” made popular by Mary Hopkin.  It was the first time the 17-year-old had ever used a real microphone.  Gaynor did not win the talent show but came in second place to an accordion player.  People at the talent show praised Gaynor for her vocal delivery and sweet voice.  The following week, Gaynor saw an advertisement in her local newspaper in which a singer named Bobby Wayne was looking to hire three female backup singers.  The ad said, “No experience needed, training [would be] given.”  Winning second in the talent show gave Gaynor the confidence to audition.  Out of the 34 girls who auditioned, Gaynor was one of the three selected.  For two years, she performed with Bobby Wayne and the Dixies.  There was a problem.  Gaynor Hopkins resembled and sounded like Mary Hopkin, and people often confused the two.  Gaynor said she never really liked her name, so she took the opportunity to change it.  She adopted her niece’s first name, added a common last name, and became Sherene Davis.  She performed under that name with her own band called Imagination.

In 1975, Gaynor was performing with her band at a local hotspot called “The Townsman” which was in a multi-story building.  Talent scout Roger Bell went to the building to see Vic Oakley sing, but he went to the wrong floor by mistake.  Roger liked what he heard and invited Gaynor to London to record a demo.  That demo led to a contract with RCA Records.  Gaynor released her first single in 1976, but it was a flop.  Her second, “Lost in France,” fared much better, then there was another career setback.  After suffering with a sore throat, Gaynor’s doctor said she needed surgery to remove nodules from her vocal cords.  In the spring of 1977, her doctor said the operation was a success and her voice would return to normal if she remained completely silent for the six-week recovery period.  He instructed her to communicate only by writing.  Gaynor, a self-proclaimed chatterbox, tried but failed and strained her voice.  Her doctor explained that the damage was irreversible. 

Gaynor had years left on her contract with RCA, so they brought her in for another recording session.  After singing the first six words of a song in the studio, everyone involved was worried.  The sweetness was replaced with a huskiness.  RCA released the song as a single in November 1977 only after the song’s producer and songwriters threatened to terminate their contracts with RCA.  To RCA’s surprise, the song rose to the top 10 in 20 countries and to the number one spot in 8 of those countries.  That song was “It’s a Heartache.”  Gaynor had many other hit songs including “Holding Out for a Hero” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”  When Gaynor signed her contract with RCA, they stipulated that Gaynor change her stage name from Sherene Davis to something that sounded less like a belly dancer.  She bought two newspapers from which she listed all the Christian names and surnames.  She tried many different combinations until she found one that suited her.  You may never have heard the names Gaynor Hopkins or Sherene Davis, but the world knows her as Bonnie Tyler. 

Sources:

1.     Abby Morgan, “Bonnie Tyler: ‘The older you get, the less you have to prove,’’’ Leicestershire Press, July 10, 2023, accessed May 10, 2026, https://leicestershirepress.com/2023/07/10/bonnie-tyler-the-older-you-get-the-less-you-have-to-prove/.

2.     “33.1/3^rd,” Record Collector, December 28, 2023, accessed May 10, 2026, https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/33-1-3rd-8.

3.     Goldmine Contributors, “Bonnie Tyler feels ‘The Best Is Yet To Come,’” Goldmine: the Music Collector’s Magazine, May 27, 2021, accessed May 10, 2026, https://www.goldminemag.com/interviews/pop/power-ballad-singer-bonnie-tyler-feels-the-title-is-perfect-for-her-latest-album-the-best-is-yet-to-come/.

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Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. to Acquire Marion State Bank

Gibsland, Louisiana, May 15, 2026 – Gibsland Bancshares, Inc., the holding company of Gibsland, Louisiana based Gibsland Bank & Trust Company (“Gibsland Bank”), and Marion, Louisiana based Marion State Bank, jointly announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement whereby Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. will acquire Marion State Bank. Together with the acquisition, Marion State Bank will merge with and into Gibsland Bank, creating a combined Louisiana community bank with over $815 million in pro forma assets.

Marion State Bank, a community bank headquartered in Marion, Louisiana, had approximately $240 million in total assets as of March 31, 2026. The transaction will bring Marion State Bank’s five branches into the Gibsland Bank network, which will be entering the Ouachita/Union Parish market and expanding its footprint along the I-20 corridor. Once completed, Gibsland Bank will operate from 18 branches across the Northern Louisiana market area.

“We are excited to announce our partnership with Marion State Bank and look forward to bringing together two deeply rooted Louisiana community banking franchises. Marion State Bank has built an outstanding reputation through more than a century of service to its customers and communities, and its presence in Union and Ouachita parishes is a natural complement to our franchise across northern Louisiana,” reported Thomas L. Martin, Chairman and CEO of Gibsland Bancshares Inc. and of Gibsland Bank.

“Together, we believe our combined organization will be well positioned to deliver relationship-focused banking services while continuing to invest in and support the communities we are proud to serve,” explained W. Michael Hipp, President of Gibsland Bank.

“We are proud to partner with Gibsland Bank & Trust Company, an organization that shares our commitment to community banking, customer service, and local decision-making,” remarked Scott Jones, President and CEO of Marion State Bank. “Joining Gibsland will allow us to build our long-standing Louisiana legacy with greater scale and enhanced products and services. We believe this partnership is an excellent fit for our customers, employees, shareholders, and communities, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead”.

The acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, including the approval of Marion State Bank shareholders and the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026.

National Capital, LLC served as the financial advisor to Gibsland Bancshares Inc.  Fenimore Kay Harrison LLP served as the legal advisor to Gibsland Bancshares, Inc.  Raymond James & Associates, Inc. served as the financial advisor to Marion State Bank and delivered a fairness opinion to the Marion State Bank Board of Directors. Jones Walker, LLP served as the legal advisor to Marion State Bank.

About Gibsland Bancshares, Inc.

Gibsland Bancshares, Inc. is the bank holding company for Gibsland Bank & Trust Company, a community development financial institution headquartered in Gibsland, Louisiana. Gibsland Bank operates 13 branches across Northern Louisiana and is focused on serving underserved and rural markets by providing financial services and broader economic support within the communities it serves. As of March 31, 2026, Gibsland Bank had total assets of $575 million, loans of $411 million and total deposits of $461 million.

About Marion State Bank

Marion State Bank is a Louisiana community bank headquartered in Marion, Louisiana. Founded in 1907, Marion State Bank operates five branches across Union and Ouachita parishes offering a full suite of personal, business and loan banking products, along with digital and mobile banking capabilities. As of March 31, 2026, Marion State Bank had total assets of $240 million, loans of $163 million and total deposits of $210 million.

No Offer or Solicitation

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell or exchange any securities, or a solicitation of any proxy, vote, or approval, and there shall not be any such offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not permitted.

Media Contact(s):

Thomas L. Martin, Chairman & CEO
Gibsland Bank & Trust Company/Gibsland Bancshares, Inc.
tmartin@gbt.bank
gbt.bank

Scott G. Jones, President & CEO
Marion State Bank
scott.jones@marionstate.bank
marionstate.bank

 

Source: Gibsland Bancshares, Inc.

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Graduation season is officially here, which means students across Louisiana are preparing for one of life’s biggest milestones… and one of its longest ceremonies. Between the packed auditoriums, nervous sweating, endless speeches, and the fear of tripping on stage, every graduate knows survival requires a few essentials: graduation cords, a portable fan, sunglasses for hiding tired eyes from cramming for finals, and a fully charged phone ready for photos the second it’s over.

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After 22 years of shared finances, a new disagreement puts one couple at odds: should they help an adult son with car payments, or protect their retirement?

 See what Ida says 

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Burger joints are as much a part of our American culture as the fish and chip shops are in England.  On April 25, 1960, Michael James “Jim” Delligatti opened a drive-in restaurant franchise in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.  Jim’s drive-in operated on a streamlined technique in which they could deliver a hamburger, French fires, and a milkshake in 50 seconds or less.  The menu consisted of just ten items: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, French fries, triple thick milkshakes, Coca Cola, root beer, Orangeade, milk, coffee, and hot chocolate.  By using their assembly line process, they could prepare 36 hamburgers in just 110 seconds.  Jim’s drive-in had the space to prepare 6,000 hamburgers a day.  At $.15 each, the profit margin per hamburger was small, but they made up for it in volume.  Customers flocked to Jim’s drive-in.  The food was inexpensive, quick, and tasted good.  A bright neon sign identified the drive-in.  The brightly lit food preparation area was enclosed by 900 square feet of quarter-inch plate glass so customers could see that their food was served quickly in spotless surroundings.  Business was so good that by 1971, Jim owned a dozen drive-in restaurant franchises in western Pennsylvania.  Jim eventually owned 48 restaurants in the drive-in restaurant chain.      

Jim always paid attention to what his customers wanted.  After hearing that they desired a bigger sandwich, Jim went to work.  After a short time—speed was of the utmost importance—Jim created a bigger sandwich by using items already on his menu and adding a unique sauce made from salted egg yolks, mustard, onion, garlic, and relish.  In March of 1967, Jim used his Uniontown drive-in to test out his new sandwich.  Demand exploded and Jim added his new creation to the menus of his other drive-ins.  The results were the same.  Jim’s larger sandwich was a hit, but the parent company did not want to alter their original menu.  Jim explained, “they figured, why go to something else if (the original menu) was working so well?”  Eventually, Jim’s creation was added to the national chain’s menus with resounding success.  Since 1968, the chain has sold billions of Jim’s larger sandwiches.  In 2006, the parent company estimated that they were selling 550 million of them each year at a rate of 17 each second.            

Jim did not become wealthy off of his creation that is now sold in over 100 countries.  Jim received no payment and no royalties for the creation, but that was okay with Jim.  After more than six and a half decades, Jim’s Drive-In is still open.  From the menu at the drive-in restaurant at 575 Morgantown Street in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, you can still order the sandwich Jim created there by combining two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, and onions, on a sesame seed bun.  It is said to be the most popular sandwich on the planet.  Jim, the owner of a McDonald’s franchise, was the creator of the Big Mac.  …and it’s time for lunch.

Sources:

1.     The Evening Standard (Uniontown, Pennsylvania), April 12, 1960, p.7.

2.     The Evening Standard, March 2, 1971, p.69.

3.     Valley News (West Lebanon, New Hampshire), December 4, 2016, p.12.

4.     “Michael James Delligatti,” Devlin Funeral Home, accessed May 3, 2026, https://www.devlinfuneralhome.com/obituaries/michael-james-delligatti/.

5.     “Inventor of the Big Mac dies, aged 98,” BBC News, November 30, 2016, accessed May 3, 2026, https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-38162497.

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Is there a phrase more terrifying to the modern grocery shopper than “UNEXPECTED ITEM IN BAGGING AREA”? (Except, perhaps, “ITEM REMOVED FROM BAGGING AREA.”) 

We’ve all been there: The panicked fumble, the furious (yet ultimately futile) pressing of the “clear error” button, the desperate eye-contact with the one store employee who is now also side-eyeing your entire existence. The worst part? The machine never understands your motivation. It doesn’t know about the snack craving, the mid-afternoon energy slump, or the urgent need for specifically this kind of chip. It only knows that something isn’t “registered” and now you’re the unexpected item.

Just… just give me the snacks, you heartless electronic demon.

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She’s not just a nervous flyer anymore—she’s dreading every trip. With family and work pulling her cross-country, is it time to face her fears or stay grounded for good?

 See what Ida says 

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Oil and gas activity in Natchitoches Parish remained robust through the month of April, with 80 new leases filed at the Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court office.

While a majority of the leasing activity continues to be concentrated in the western portion of the parish—stretching from the intersection of Interstate 49 and Highway 6 to the Sabine Parish line, and extending 10 miles north toward the Spanish Lake bottoms—new developments are emerging.

A significant shift in recent activity includes the first signs of leasing on the east side of I-49. Additionally, while the primary focus remains west, energy companies are also expanding their footprint with new filings recorded south of LA Hwy 6.

Landowners who have been approached with lease offers or seismic survey requests are encouraged to consult with qualified legal counsel before signing any agreements, as these contracts can have long-term implications for mineral and surface rights.

A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records confirms the 80 leases filed in April 2026. The NPJ obtained this information directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.

Total Leases filed in calendar year 2025: 405
Total Leases filed in calendar year 2026 203

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Wilmer McLean was a retired officer of the Virginia militia who became wealthy as a wholesale grocer based in Alexandria, Virginia.  In 1850, he married Virginia Beverley Hooe.  Three years later when Virginia was expecting their first child, Wilmer searched for a quiet, peaceful place for his growing family to live.  On January 1, 1854, Wilmer’s son, John Wilmer, was born.  Wilmer had his sights set on the 1200-acre rural Yorkshire Plantation north of Manassas along Bull Run, a 31-mile-long tributary of the Occoquan River.  Shortly after baby John was born, Wilmer purchased the plantation.  Three years later, they welcomed their second child, a daughter named Lucretia “Lula” Virginia.  Theirs was a perfectly peaceful existence.  They lived in a huge two-story house, some referred to it as a mansion, on one of the many rolling hills next to the lazy stream.  It seemed as if they were living in a dream world which would last forever. 

Their peaceful, dreamlike existence ended abruptly on July 21, 1861.  Confederate Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard had commandeered Wilmer’s home and barn as his headquarters along the strategic Bull Run.  Whether Wilmer and his family continued to live in their home with the soldiers or moved to a nearby home is unknown, but they remained in close proximity.  On that hot July day, Union and Confederate soldiers fought an artillery duel on Wilmer’s plantation.  General Beauregard later wrote, “A comical effect of this artillery fight was the destruction of the dinner of myself and staff by a Federal shell that fell into the fire-place of my headquarters at the McLean House.”  What became known as The Battle of Bull Run was the first major campaign of the Civil War. 

Following the battle, the soldiers moved to other battlefields.  Wilmer and his family returned to the peaceful existence on Yorkshire Plantation that they had enjoyed before the war.  Soon thereafter, Virginia became pregnant with their third child.  Once again, their peace was broken when soldiers converged again near the same strategic location.  For three days in 1862, August 28-30, Confederate and Union soldiers fought the Second Battle of Bull Run.  Shortly after the battle, Wilmer and his pregnant wife and their two children abandoned Yorkshire Plantation for safer environs. 

On January 28, 1863, Virginia gave birth to a daughter named Nannie.  Shortly thereafter, Wilmer and his family purchased a large home about 140 miles to the southwest in the village of Appomattox Court House, Virginia.  For two years, Wilmer’s family lived far from the fields of battle.  On April 9, 1865, Virginia was pregnant with their fourth child when Charles Marshall, Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s aide, asked Wilmer to show him a suitable place for Lee to meet another general.  Wanting to distance his family from any connection to the war, Wilmer showed the aide a dilapidated home which he quickly rejected.  With no other contenders, Wilmer reluctantly offered the use of his family’s home.  At about 1 o’clock that afternoon at the McLean home, General Lee met with Union General Ulysses S. Grant.  The Civil War ended during that meeting when General Lee surrendered the Confederate Army to General Grant.  The Civil War began in Wilmer McLean’s front yard and ended in his front parlor. 

Through it all, Wilmer wanted a safe and peaceful existence for himself and his family.  In June 1870, Wilmer dedicated himself to ensuring that the citizens of Manassas township in Virginia had the same safe and peaceful existence that he had wanted to provide for his family.  In June 1870, Wilmer McLean, whose homes bookended the Civil War, became a Justice of the Peace.

Sources:

1.     Jim Rogers, “Crumbling bar is all that’s left of Yorkshire Plantation,” Potomac News, July 23, 1990, accessed April 26, 2026, https://eservice.pwcgov.org/library/digitallibrary/hsdw/M_Folder/McLean76-274/pdfs/McLean76-274NewsArtA.pdf.

2.     Alexandria Gazette (Alexandria, Virginia), July 7, 1870, p.2.

3.     Kristi Finefield, “A Tale of Two Houses and the U.S. Civil War,” Library of Congress, April 9, 2015, accessed April 26, 2026, https://blogs.loc.gov/picturethis/2015/04/a-tale-of-two-houses-and-the-u-s-civil-war/.

4.     Hparkins, “The Peculiar Story of Wilmer McLean,” National Archives, November 10, 2010, accessed April 26, 2026, https://prologue.blogs.archives.gov/2010/11/10/the-peculiar-story-of-wilmer-mclean/.

5.     “The McLean House – Site of the Surrender Meeting,” National Park Service, Accessed April 26, 2026, https://www.nps.gov/apco/mclean-house.htm.

6.     “Wilmer McLean,” Findagrave.com, accessed April 26, 2026, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5824/wilmer-mclean.

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