Shreveport police have arrested a woman accused of pointing a firearm at two people during a road rage incident on Youree Drive.

On June 26, 2026, officers assigned to the Shreveport Police Department’s Area 2 Patrol Division responded to the 8500 block of Youree Drive regarding an assault and battery complaint. Officers learned the incident had occurred earlier that morning in the 8700 block of Youree Drive.

Investigators obtained video footage, interviewed the two victims and canvassed nearby businesses. Additional surveillance footage and witness statements helped detectives determine that Latasha Williams, 40, allegedly pointed a handgun at both victims while the vehicles were traveling along Youree Drive.

On July 17, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Williams with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Williams turned herself in at the Caddo Correctional Center on July 21, 2026, and was taken into custody.

The Shreveport Police Department reminds motorists that anger behind the wheel can quickly turn a minor traffic dispute into a serious criminal case. Drivers are encouraged to avoid confrontation, create distance and contact law enforcement if they feel threatened.

SHREVEPORT, La. — Shreveport police have arrested a woman accused of pointing a firearm at two people during a road rage incident on Youree Drive.

On June 26, 2026, officers assigned to the Shreveport Police Department’s Area 2 Patrol Division responded to the 8500 block of Youree Drive regarding an assault and battery complaint. Officers learned the incident had occurred earlier that morning in the 8700 block of Youree Drive.

Investigators obtained video footage, interviewed the two victims and canvassed nearby businesses. Additional surveillance footage and witness statements helped detectives determine that Latasha Williams, 40, allegedly pointed a handgun at both victims while the vehicles were traveling along Youree Drive.

On July 17, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Williams with two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Williams turned herself in at the Caddo Correctional Center on July 21, 2026, and was taken into custody.

The Shreveport Police Department reminds motorists that anger behind the wheel can quickly turn a minor traffic dispute into a serious criminal case. Drivers are encouraged to avoid confrontation, create distance and contact law enforcement if they feel threatened.

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Caddo Parish Public Schools has announced three new principal appointments for Booker T. Washington High School, University Elementary and Pine Grove Elementary.

Matt Ezell has been named principal of Booker T. Washington High School. According to the district, Ezell brings leadership experience to the role and will work alongside students, staff, families and alumni to honor the school’s traditions while building for the future.

Charles Moser has been named principal of University Elementary. Moser has served the school for more than two decades as a teacher and, most recently, as instructional coordinator. The district said his experience, strong relationships and commitment to the University Elementary community will provide a seamless transition into the leadership role.

Tiffany Davis has been named principal of Pine Grove Elementary. Davis brings 17 years of experience in education, including service as a classroom teacher and instructional coordinator. According to the district, she has demonstrated a commitment to supporting teachers, strengthening instruction and using data to improve student outcomes throughout her career.

Caddo Parish Public Schools welcomed all three principals as they begin their new leadership roles.

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The City of Bossier City has issued a precautionary boil advisory for customers along East Texas Street from Youree Street to Benton Road following a water main break near 2061 E. Texas St.

According to the city, a contractor working in the area struck a 12-inch water main. Bossier City crews have isolated the line and are working to complete repairs.

Affected customers are advised to boil water for one minute before drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or preparing food until the advisory is lifted. Residents may continue using water for bathing and other non-consumption purposes.

The city said this is a precautionary boil advisory, not a boil order. Water samples will be submitted for testing, and residents will be notified once the advisory has been rescinded.

The advisory affects customers along East Texas Street from Youree Street to Benton Road.

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Louisiana Key Academy announced that its Caddo Parish campus has received an AT&T Connected Learning donation.

According to the academy, the donation will help provide students with greater access to technology and resources.

Louisiana Key Academy thanked AT&T for supporting its students and helping the school continue its mission of educating dyslexic thinkers.

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First-generation students preparing to begin college this fall received assistance with enrollment, financial aid and campus resources during Northwestern State University’s Registration Rally, helping them complete the steps needed before classes begin.

The event, held from 9 a.m. to noon in the Friedman Student Union, brought together representatives from Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, Housing, Student Accounting and Cashiering, Admissions, academic colleges and other campus departments to answer questions and guide students through the enrollment process.

Emily Miller, director of recruiting, said Registration Rally gives students who were unable to attend Freshman Connection, including transfer, nontraditional and first-generation students, another opportunity to complete enrollment requirements before the semester begins.

“Registration Rally is a great opportunity for transfer students, nontraditional students and students who weren’t able to attend Freshman Connection,” Miller said. “For first-generation students especially, it’s an opportunity to get the extra support they need.”

Miller said students can meet with Financial Aid to discuss grants, scholarships and loans, visit Admissions to ensure they have completed all enrollment requirements and register for classes before the semester begins.

“We have some support services here, too,” Miller said. “Those support services are great for first-generation students, and they may not realize those resources are there for them.”

Kenjy Sanchez of Bossier City, a first-generation student majoring in nursing, attended the Registration Rally to prepare for his first semester at Northwestern State.

“It’s exciting and a little sad because my parents weren’t able to finish high school in their country,” Sanchez said. “Being able to come here has been such an accomplishment for all of us.”

Sanchez said Registration Rally helped him connect with TRIO Student Support Services and review his financial aid, making the enrollment process easier to navigate.

“After getting everything set up, I feel much more confident about being able to come here,” Sanchez said. “Everyone here has been so nice to me, and they’ve helped me every step of the way.”

Isabelle Wood of Castor, a first-generation student majoring in elementary education, also attended the Registration Rally.

“It’s really exciting because I’ve never done anything like this before,” Wood said. “I fell in love with NSU’s campus the first time I came here. Everybody was so kind, answered all of my questions and made it a really welcoming environment.”

Wood said Registration Rally answered her questions about the enrollment process and helped her complete the steps needed before the semester begins. She said the registration process was easier than she expected because university staff answered her questions and guided her through each step.

Registration Rally is open to new and returning students, but Miller said it can be especially valuable for first-generation students and families navigating the college enrollment process for the first time.

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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Airline baseball coach Toby Todd has an unused base sitting in the corner of his office. That might not seem to be all that unusual except for one thing: The base is green.

Yep, you knew it was coming because when the 2027 high school baseball season rolls around, the players and coaches will be dealing with the same thing that you see in an ever-growing number of playing levels.

The “extra” first base.

College baseball has it. Softball has it. Almost every level from T-ball on up has it. If you held out hope that high school baseball might break that trend, then you probably also thought they’d never switch from wood bats to aluminum. (And that was 50 years ago.)

But speaking of bats, that’s been the biggest point of discussion in the recent rule changes/suggestions implemented by the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS). Three ounces might not seem to be a lot to you, but that’s what everyone is talking about.

In the recent past, non-wood bats had to conform to a “Drop 3” rule, which means that the difference in the bat’s length (let’s say 33 inches) could only “drop” to a maximum of three ounces (30).

As bat technology began to take off, all sorts of different combinations were being used before a standardization – at least in college and high school – settled on Drop 3.

There didn’t seem to be much of an outcry to get that changed, but the NFHS did it anyway. Now, it can be up to a Drop 6, meaning a batter could have a 33/27 bat.

“I just I don’t know about it,” Todd said. “We are going to have to see what these new bats look like with these guidelines. There’s got to be some type of deadening mechanism or design to go along with these new dimensions because that’s very, very lightweight.”

The negatives are pretty obvious. Exit velocities will go up and with infielders – particularly pitchers – being so close, there’s a potential recipe for disaster. It seems strange that “double first base” is being implemented for safety reasons, but a pitcher’s reaction time will be lessened on a line drive right back at him.

Local coaches are taking a wait-and-see on how it plays out, but there are some positives. Forget about the senior who is busting out of his uniform and consider the 125-pound incoming freshman who is having to step up to a bigger field after playing U14 all summer.

“There are those kids who haven’t grown up yet and don’t have that strength,” Loyola coach Morgan Brian said. “It’ll make it easier for them to transition into high school baseball. But you worry about a pitcher going against a fully grown senior holding a 32/26 taking one off the face.”

“I wouldn’t say I’m for it because I don’t understand why they did it,” new Northwood coach Cole Downey said. “But I can see where it would make it easier for an eighth grader to make the adjustment. I know it’s not everyone’s goal to play college baseball, but if they are, they are going to have use a Drop 3 anyway.”

Fear not, says Louisiana Tech coach Lane Burroughs (who, by the way, has a son playing high school baseball). He says it won’t make much difference for college evaluators.

“At the end of the day when you are out evaluating and recruiting, you are looking at more than just the ability to hit,” he said “Will the power numbers and exit velocity go up? Yes, but you are looking at more than just to see if a guy can hit a ball hard. Defense, running and the intangibles. Honestly, I don’t think it will matter than much in evaluating talent.”

There’s no doubt that home run numbers in high school baseball – which are much lower than 20 years ago – will go up.

“We haven’t hit a home run in two years,” Airline’s Todd said. “So we will be excited to test them out.”

Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com

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From Monday through Wednesday this week, I was a guest on four sports talk shows.

Naturally, the topic was the annual SEC Football Media Days, which started on Monday in Tampa and ended on Thursday. Sixteen head coaches, 48 players and around 1,000 media members mostly wearing their latest free swag golf shirts.

On each show, the first question to me was “How do you think Lane Kiffin is going to be when he speaks on Thursday?”

I had a different answer for every show.

Show 1: “As I understand it, he’s going to wear a purple suit with gold pinstripes, a glittering gold fedora and walk to the main media room lectern at slow pimp’s pace.”

Show 2: “Supposedly, his entry music is `Disco Inferno’ and his opening remark will be “Media homies, let’s burn this mutha down.”

Show 3: “He plans to wear an Ole Miss coaching outfit but will strip it all off revealing his LSU threads by the time he reaches the lectern.”

Show 4: “Rumor has it that Ed Orgeron, another former Ole Miss and LSU head coach, will carry Kiffin to the lectern via piggyback. Then, in a revised Ole Miss cheer, they’ll scream “Hotty Pooty, rooty tooty, Ti-gahs gonna beat your booty booty.”

The continued fascination about LSU’s new head football coach is truly entertaining. His social media prowess – verbal jabs, pictures from clandestine locations, etc. – have made him almost a mythical figure.

But he isn’t. He’s a 51-year-old guy, now paid $13 million annually, who has two conference titles (in Conference USA) in 14 years as NCAA FBS field boss and yet he lives rent-free in so many people’s heads.

Like the butthurt Ole Miss fanbase, which has had only two head football coaches successful enough to be swiped by other schools – Tommy Tuberville to Auburn and Kiffin to LSU.

They raised Kiffin ahead of Tuberville in the Oxford Public Enemy No. 1 standings, and won’t let go. There’s this one highly-annoyed gray-haired cousin of Colonel Reb on social media who has latched onto Kiffin like a junkyard dog to a T-bone.

The national sports media, whose whole job is to right every wrong, continuously ripped Kiffin enough to awake Republican Senator Ted Cruz from a slumber. He made sure there was a rule in the proposed Protest College Sports act to prohibit schools from hiring head coaches until after the end of their seasons.

All because Kiffin exited Ole Miss last year for LSU before the College Football Playoffs. Brian Kelly did the same thing when he left Notre Dame for LSU in December 2021. Other coaches have done it for decades.

The screwed-up college football calendar, with an early December signing period and early January transfer portal opening makes it impossible for any school to wait and hire a coach.

Yet, it’s Kiffin’s fault. Just a cold, heartless narcissistic orb 24 hours/365 days a year.

“What happened with Lane Kiffin was really unfair to student-athletes,” Cruz said. “I just think that was bad for the system.”

What I really told the sports talk radio hosts was that Kiffin will deliver a Gettysburg Address-length opening statement in the main media room to leave less time for questions.

Maybe Kiffin thought maybe with fewer questions that reporters would have just enough time to ask about his team, or his quarterback situation.

Nope.

Kiffin was the only head coach in the four-day event to not field questions about his players in the 30-minute main media room appearance. Nobody asked him.

He had time to answer four questions, which produced two revelations.

The first is he doesn’t plan to change his transfer portal-heavy recruiting philosophy anytime soon.

“High school (recruits) can leave after year one when they don’t play as much as they like,” Kiffin said. “Or they want more money, or they do play and then they want more money. That’s why we built and will continue so much until they balance out the system, and they balance out how players’ contracts work.”

The second is developing a Teflon-coating to ignore his haters.

“I made a challenging decision in change (to move to LSU),” he said. “I thought I could find a way for everybody to understand. Now as I look back later on, that was never going to happen.

“As I get older and I go through things and losing both parents . . . some of the things that we put importance on, we worry about . . . I can’t be so concerned about little things and what people say and this. You got to make decisions; you got to go with them. You do things, and you make really good decisions, and you make poor decisions.”

That’s some Zen vibes flowing. Maybe Cuz of Colonel Reb might take that advice before he strokes out mid-rant.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Four future All-Pro players and an NFL rookie make up the latest five standouts named to the Independence Bowl’s 50th Anniversary All-Time team.

Players ranked 25 through 21 on the list of the 50 most remarkable players in I-Bowl history were revealed Thursday, as selected by a local media panel. The list was compiled considering a combination of their performances in the local bowl, during their college careers and in the NFL.

The top 50 has been released in six groups of five. Beginning next week, the final 20 selections will be announced individually every Monday and Thursday, said bowl officials.

The latest quintet includes a pair of star wide receivers from Nick Saban’s 1995 Michigan State team, two College Football Hall of Famers and one of the youngest members of the All-Time Team:

No. 25 – Muhsin Muhammad (WR, Michigan State, 1995) Muhammad was one of three great wideouts to play in the 1995 Independence Bowl – alongside teammate Derrick Mason and LSU’s Eddie Kennison. Muhammad lit up LSU’s defense with nine catches for 171 yards and one touchdown. The 1995 season was the best of his career in East Lansing, as he hauled in 50 catches for 867 yards for the Nick Saban-led Spartans. Muhammad was selected in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft after that breakout season, and he established himself as a star for the Carolina Panthers. He was named to two Pro Bowls (1999 and 2004) and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2004. He was the NFL’s receptions leader in 2000, grabbing 102 passes for 1,183 yards. The premier season of his career was 2004, when he led the NFL in receiving yards (1,405) and 16 receiving TDs (16). Muhammad was also a force in the Panthers’ run to the Super Bowl in 2003. He had 352 yards receiving in four playoff games, including the longest TD reception in Super Bowl history against the eventual Super Bowl champions, the New England Patriots. Muhammad was inducted into the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor in 2003.

No. 24 – Tim Krumrie (NG, Wisconsin, 1982) Krumrie is one of the many College Football Hall of Famers to make this list. He played in the Independence Bowl – before defensive statistics were recorded – and was named the 1982 Defensive Player of the Game, as he led a Wisconsin defense that held Kansas State to 192 total yards and just three points. From the day he stepped on campus in Madison, Krumrie was a star at nose tackle for the Badgers, leading Wisconsin in tackles all four seasons he played. He was a three-time All-Big Ten selection, a 1981 consensus All-American and 1982 first-team All-American. Krumrie still holds the Wisconsin record for solo tackles in a career (276). A 10th-round selection in the 1983 NFL Draft, Krumrie’s success did not stop after college. Racking up over 1,000 tackles in 12 seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals, he made two Pro Bowl appearances in 1987 and 1988, and he was named first-team All-Pro in 1988 and second-team All-Pro in 1987. Krumrie is a member of the Cincinnati Bengals Ring of Honor.

No. 23 – Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech, 2023) Rodriguez is one of the most decorated linebackers to play in the Independence Bowl, despite being one of the youngest players on the All-Time Team. After beginning his college career at Virginia in 2021 as a quarterback, Rodriguez transferred to Texas Tech in 2022 and switched to linebacker. The 2023 Independence Bowl was one of the launching points of his career. Against future Heisman Trophy-winner Fernando Mendoza and California, Rodriguez stuffed the stat sheet – recording eight total tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and one pass breakup on his way to being named 2023 Defensive Player of the Game. In 2024, he was named first-team All-Big 12, and it all came together in 2025 with one of the best seasons by a college linebacker in recent memory. Leading one of the country’s best defenses, Rodriguez compiled 63 solo tackles (leading the Big 12), 128 combined tackles, four interceptions, 11 tackles-for-loss, six PBU, two fumble recoveries and seven forced fumbles – leading the FBS in that stat. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, Lombardi Award, Chuck Bednarik Award, and he was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year/ A unanimous All-American, he finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. Rodriguez was drafted in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins.

No. 22 – Garrison Hearst (RB, Georgia, 1991) Hearst, the Independence Bowl’s newest member of the College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026, carried the ball nine times for 21 yards in the 1991 Independence Bowl against Arkansas. He also added two catches for 24 yards in the Bulldogs’ 24-15 victory over the Razorbacks. He rushed for 968 yards that 1991 season, earning second-team All-SEC honors, before a breakout year the following season. Racking up an SEC-leading 1,547 rushing yards and an FBS-leading 19 TDs, Hearst won the Doak Walker Award as the best running back in the nation, and he was also named a unanimous All-American, first-team All-SEC and SEC Player of the Year. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. Drafted with the third-overall pick in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft, Hearst topped 1,000 yards rushing four times as a pro. His best season was in 1998 as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, when he compiled 1,570 rushing yards and 535 receiving yards – earning his first Pro Bowl nod and first-team All-Pro. After missing two full seasons in 1999 and 2000, Hearst returned in 2001 and had the second-best season of his career. On his way to being named to his second Pro Bowl team and earning the 2001 Comeback Player of the Year Award, Hearst rushed for 1,206 yards and collected 41 passes for 347 yards receiving.

No. 21 – Derrick Mason (WR, Michigan State, 1995) The second Michigan State wide receiver in this group, Mason, alongside teammate Muhammad, went toe-to-toe with LSU’s Kennison in 1995. Mason hauled in six passes for 74 yards, but the most memorable moments of that game came in the second quarter. After Kennison returned a kickoff for a TD to tie the game at 14 at the 14:30 mark of the second frame, Mason returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a TD to put the Spartans back on top. In two seasons under Saban in 1995 and 1996, Mason compiled 1,652 yards receiving. He also set the Michigan State school record for kickoff return yards (2,384). He was named second-team All-Big Ten in 1996. A fourth-round pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, Mason became one of the NFL’s constants over the next 15 seasons. Spending most of his career with the Tennessee Oilers/Titans and Baltimore Ravens, he earned two Pro Bowl appearances (2000 and 2003) and was named first-team All-Pro in 2000 after leading the NFL in punt return yards that season. Mason is the only player in NFL history to record over 10,000 yards receiving and 5,000 return yards.

The first 25 players on the Independence Bowl’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, as previously announced:

No. 26 – Ja’Mar Toombs (RB, Texas A&M, 2000)

No. 27 – Otis Wilson (LB, Louisville, 1977)

No. 28 – A.J. Green (WR, Georgia, 2009)

No. 29 – Rocky Calmus (LB, Oklahoma, 1999)

No. 30 – Flozell Adams (OT, Michigan State, 1995)

No. 31 – Willie Blade (DT, Mississippi State, 2000)

No. 32 – Scott Thomas (S, Air Force, 1983 & 1984)

No. 33 – Chad Hennings (DT, Air Force, 1984)

No. 34 – Dameyune Craig (QB, Auburn, 1996)

No. 35 – Geno Atkins (DT. Georgia, 2009

No. 36 – Rondell Mealey (RB, LSU, 1997)

No. 37 – Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama, 2007)

No. 38 – Weldon Brown (CB, Louisiana Tech, 2008)

No. 39 – Andre Smith (OT, Alabama, 2006 & 2007)

No. 40 – Tiki Barber (RB, Virginia, 1994)

No. 41 – Puka Nacua (WR, BYU, 2021)

No. 42 – Gary Kubiak (QB, Texas A&M, 1981)

No. 43 – Seneca Wallace (QB, Iowa State, 2001)

No. 44 – Todd McClure (C, LSU, 1995 & 1997)

No. 45 – Gary Anderson (K, Syracuse, 1979)

No. 46 – Booger McFarland (LB, LSU, 1995 & 1997)

No. 47 – Tremaine Edmunds (LB, Virginia Tech, 2015)

No. 48 – Bill Musgrave (QB, Oregon, 1989)

No. 49 – Larry Anderson (DB, Louisiana Tech, 1977)

No. 50 – Lorenza Baker (LB, Louisiana Tech, 1990)

The team has been selected to commemorate the half-century of local bowl history. The 50th edition of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl is Dec. 22.

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Tracy Jo Fortner, age 53, entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on July 19, 2026.

Born in Greenville, Texas, Tracy was the beloved daughter of Fred Gregory and Dianah Murphy. She devoted her life to her family as a homemaker and found her greatest joy in caring for those she loved. Tracy was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a fiercely dedicated caregiver to her special daughter, Shelby. Her daughters were the center of her world, and she treasured every moment spent with them.

One of Tracy’s greatest blessings was her precious granddaughter, Eliyanah, whom she adored beyond measure. The love she shared with her family will forever remain a treasured part of their lives and memories.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Jesse Fortner; her daughters, Brittany and Shelby Keith; her mother, Dianah Murphy; her sister, Ronnie Miller; her brother, Stacey Gregory; and her cherished granddaughter, Eliyanah.

Tracy was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Jordan Keith, who left this world far too soon, and by her father, Fred Gregory.

Though her earthly journey has ended, Tracy’s love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A private Celebration of Life will be held with family and close friends.

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Ronald Wayne “Ronnie” Adams, 77, of Elm Grove, Louisiana, passed away on July 17, 2026, after a lengthy illness. He was born on July 7, 1949, to Thomas Jeff Adams, Sr. and Wilma Evelyn Horton.

Ronnie was a resident of Elm Grove for the past 20 years and was well known for his love of fishing and his dedication to his community. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army. Following his military service, Ronnie enjoyed a long and distinguished career with the City of Shreveport Waste and Water Management Department, where he worked for 27 years before retiring as Superintendent.

An avid fisherman throughout his life, Ronnie was active in several fishing clubs, including the H2O Club and the Old Folks Fishing Club, where he formed many lasting friendships. Ronnie was also a member of the Lake Bistineau Pool League and the APA. 

Ronnie was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Jeff Adams, Sr. and Wilma Evelyn Horton.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela Miller; his son, Ronald Wayne Adams, Jr.; his grandchildren, Landon Jacob Miller, Jr., Noah Wayne Miller, and Ethan Charles Roth; his great-granddaughter, Adelyn Grace Miller; and his brother, Thomas Jeff Adams, Jr., along with numerous extended family members and friends who will cherish his memory.

Ronnie will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his love of the outdoors, and the time he spent with family and friends. His kindness, dedication, and quiet strength will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

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Phonetic: /rav·​en·​ous/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

very hungry

By the time dinner was ready, we were ravenous.

a ravenous wolf

After hiking all day, I had a ravenous appetite. [=I was extremely hungry]

Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

Play Sudoku online!

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Rose Ella Courtney
July 16, 1954 – July 21, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 10am at New Bethel Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Harriette Ann Clark Glazer
August 21, 1945 — July 21, 2026
Service: Friday, July 24, 2026, 9am at Greenwood Cemetery, Shreveport.

Gretchen Budemer Long
October 3, 1946 — July 20, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 10:30am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, Shreveport.

Rose Marie Eckenrode Clarke
March 27, 1939 — July 18, 2026
Service: Monday, July 27, 2026, 10am at St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Church, Shreveport.

Linnon Warren
February 25, 1935 – July 18, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 11am at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Greenwood.

Shajuadia Lee
June 26, 1965 – July 17, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 1pm at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, Shreveport.

James Johnson
July 18, 1935 – July 17, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 12pm at Greater New Zion Baptist Church, Benton.

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

Willie Boggs, Jr.
July 18, 1963 — July 16, 2026
Service: Wednesday, July 22, 2026, 2pm at Aulds Funeral Home, Shreveport.

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

Robyn Edwina Blackshire
February 7, 1997 – July 15, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 3pm at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, Shreveport.

Margie Louise Campbell
July 26, 1953 – July 15, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 11am at Oakland Cemetery, Sligo.

Aiden “Bubs” Castleman
April 27, 2007 — July 15, 2026
Service: Friday, July 24, 2026, 10am at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Bossier City.

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

Katherine Ann Brown
October 11, 1950 – July 14, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 11aam at Jerusalem Baptist Church, Koran.

Franklin Galloway
March 7, 1962 – July 14, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 11am at Gospel Light Church, Shreveport.

Ella Jane Strong
April 23, 1949 — July 14, 2026
Service: Friday, July 24, 2026, 11:30am at Word Of God Ministries, Shreveport.

Daisy Lee Swayzer-Anderson
June 11, 1935 — July 14, 2026
Service: Wednesday, July 29, 2026, 11am at Paradise Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Danny R. Whitaker
April 17, 1970 — July 14, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 11am at Greater New Zion Full Gospel Baptist Church, Shreveport.

Gennie McAfee
February 21, 1937 — July 13, 2026
Service: Friday, July 24, 2026, 1pm at Midway Baptist Church No. 1, 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.

Joyce Woodard
January 28, 1956 – July 12, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 11am at Good Samaritan Funeral Home, Shreveport.

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.

Wanda Jean Reddick-Jenkins
January 3, 1950 — July 7, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 1pm at Winnfield 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.

Michael “Dusty” Callaway
August 12, 1979 – June 2, 2026
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026, 10am at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, Shreveport.

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A Shreveport man who coerced a teen-aged girl to have sex was found guilty in Caddo District Court Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Antonio Leon, 44, was convicted by a two-woman, four-man jury in District Judge John D. Mosely’s court, which deliberated for one hour and 12 minutes before returning its verdict of guilty as charged of molestation of a juvenile. The trial began July 20, 2026.

Jurors determined that on a Friday evening in October 2023, defendant Leon, the live-in boyfriend of the victim’s mother, coerced the teen to have sex.

The next day the victim told her sister and her boyfriend at the time and swore them to secrecy for fear of the effect on her family. The following September, the mother of the victim’s boyfriend told the victim’s father, who reported the crime to the police. The victim was taken to the Gingerbread House and interviewed, where she detailed the crime.  Leon was questioned and confessed.  

When Leon returns to Judge Mosely’s court for sentencing on August 31, 2026, he faces at least five and up to 20 years in prison with or without hard labor and a fine of up to $10,000.

Assistant District Attorneys Ashlyn Thomas and Ross Owen prosecuted Leon, who was defended by the Caddo Parish Public Defender’s office.

The case was docket No. 404330.

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The Caddo Parish School Board unanimously approved an employee stipend plan during its meeting Tuesday, continuing its commitment to invest in the employees who serve Caddo students and schools.

All eligible employees will receive a $1,000 stipend. Employees on salary grades with starting pay below $30,000 will receive an additional $500, bringing their total stipend to $1,500. Payments will be made on or before Aug. 15.

The approval follows the board’s June action providing a 6% across-the-board pay raise for eligible employees. According to the district, the investments recognize the work of Caddo Schools employees and support efforts to recruit and retain educators and support professionals.

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The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office recognized three longtime employees today as they officially retired following years of dedicated service to the agency and the citizens of Bossier Parish.

Family members, friends, and fellow employees gathered with Sheriff Whittington to honor Lieutenant Johnnie Estess, Dispatchers Vickie Baker-Kleinsasser, and Tina Revoir during a retirement ceremony celebrating their careers and contributions to the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Whittington said, “Today we recognize three individuals whose careers have left a lasting impact on this agency. Their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving others have helped make the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office stronger, and we are grateful for the example they have set throughout their careers.”

Lieutenant Estess began his career with the agency in 1998 and served in a variety of assignments throughout nearly three decades of service. His career included time in Patrol, and on the DEA Task Force before advancing through the ranks to Lieutenant. He concluded his career at the Viking Drive Substation, where he served as Escort Team Coordinator, EVOC Instructor, and assisted with POSSE operations.

Vickie Baker-Kleinsasser joined the Communications Division in 2007 and became a respected leader within the department, serving for many years as a shift supervisor. As the agency’s Terminal Agency Coordinator (TAC), she played a key role in maintaining CJIS compliance and ensuring personnel remained current on required certifications and testing.

Tina Revoir also began her career in Communications in 2007 and became known for her steady calm presence, professionalism, and commitment to service. Throughout her career, she provided critical support to deputies in the field while serving as a calm and reassuring voice during emergency situations.

Please join us in congratulating Johnnie, Vickie, and Tina on their well-earned retirements and thanking them for their years of service to the people of Bossier Parish.

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Peers’ criticism stung Wade, but hasn’t deterred LSU’s controversial recruiting plan

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – Will Wade was surprised.

And that’s unexpected by someone who has spent the majority of his previous 12 seasons as an NCAA Division 1 head men’s basketball coach unafraid to backstroke through controversial cesspools.

Wade, named LSU’s new head coach for a second time in his career on March 26, said he didn’t expect the largely negative criticism he has received for filling half of his 2026-27 roster with 20-something-year-old players with professional experience.

“Usually, I know if I say or do something that there may be some backlash,” Wade said Tuesday after his appearance at the annual Louisiana High School Coaches Association clinic in Baton Rouge.

“This time, I was pretty shocked at the reaction.”

Not only did Michigan State’s Tom Izzo (identified by college basketball reporter Jon Rothstein) allegedly refer to Wade as an “an idiot a-hole for the sake of being an idiot a-hole —– it up for everyone else,” but fellow SEC coach Todd Golden of Florida weighed in.

“When you’re bringing in 25-, 26-year-olds that have first of all been drafted and have played professionally for an extended period of time — that’s not what college athletics is supposed to be,” Golden said.

“I know a lot of it has changed. The financial pieces are as important and influential as ever, but this is not what college basketball is supposed to be. This is not what it’s about. We’re going to have to see if guys like this can get cleared or not. I don’t think they have a great chance, but you never know. Maybe Will knows more than us.”

The one thing the extremely analytical Wade knows is numbers. Whether it’s strength of schedule or which of his players shoot three-points more accurately from certain spots on the floor than others, he has usually done his research.

Wade, with no returning players from previous LSU coach Matt McMahon’s roster, had a pointed response to those critical of his pro-heavy roster.

“There’s 21 pro players in the SEC right now that are paid more than our guys,” Wade said.

Wade’s six pro signees (five international, one from the United States) are:

• G Yam Madar, 6-3, 181, Fr., Hapoel pro team in Tel Aviv, Israel, native of Beit Dugan, Israel.

• C Michael Ruzic, 7-0, 160, Fr., Joventut club pro team in Catalonia, Spain, native of Besancon, France.

• C Marcio Santos, Center, 6-8, 250, Fr. Maccabi Rapyd pro team in Tel Aviv, Israel, native of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

• C Brice Dessert, 6-11, 247, Fr., Andalou Efes pro team in Istanbul, Turkey, native of Pontoise, France.

• F Saliou Niang, Forward, 6-6, 190, Fr., Virtus pro team in Bologna, Italy, native of Dakar, Senegal, West Africa.

• G-F RJ Luis Jr., Guard/Forward, 6-7, 215, Sr., NBA G-League, native of Miami.

College transfers include Kansas State senior guard Abdi Bashir, Michigan State junior guard Divine Ugochukwu, Kentucky senior forward Mouhamaed Dioubate and Texas-San Antonio guard Austin Nunez.

The only player redflagged so far is Ruiz, the 6-7 former St. John’s star who was named the 2025 Big East Player of the Year.

Under NCAA rules, he’s currently ineligible to play college basketball because he signed NBA and two-way contracts. The NCAA strictly enforces a bylaw dictating that any prospective or returning student-athlete who signs an NBA contract permanently loses their collegiate amateur status and eligibility.

Ruiz was not selected in the 2025 NBA Draft, and signed a two-way (to play in the G-League and NBA) contract with the Utah Jazz before joining the Boston Celtics organization on a 10-day two-way deal. Although he never officially logged regular-season NBA minutes, the NCAA classifies the signing of an NBA contract — including two-way deals, as the line of demarcation separating college and pro basketball.

Eight of LSU signees are 21 years or older. Madar, a former second-round draft pick of the Celtics in 2020 who will turn 26 in December, reportedly signed a 1-year, $5 million deal with the Tigers.

LSU expanded its men’s basketball NIL budget to $12.5 million, one of the enticements that led Wade to leave North Carolina State after one season.

Had he stayed with the Wolfpack, Wade said he had planned to pursue signing foreign players.

“We’ve been looking at it there, and studying a lot of the guys,” Wade said. “It just made natural sense to bring that over here (to LSU).

“International players are a little bit older, a little bit more mature. They’ve played in some high-leverage situations, some high-level games. They’re a little bit more prepared here starting out for success.”

Wade felt he needed to acquire such experience to be competitive in his first year back in the SEC since the end of the 2021-22 season when LSU fired him for NCAA recruiting rules violations. He was 105-51 with an SEC regular season championship and three NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons

from 2017 to 2022.

As far as future recruiting of overseas talent, Wade said his signing numbers may not be as high.

“We think in the in the future, we can still get some younger, talented internationals,” he said. “But it won’t be as many.”

Wade said all of his signees should be on campus soon.

“We’ve doing more individual work right now,” he said. “We’ve still got kids flying in. We’re not going to be up and running until (fall) practice starts Aug. 23.

“I feel good about our roster. We wanted long, athletic guys that can compete in the SEC and needed some skill and shooting at the guard spot. We feel like we’ve accomplished a lot.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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Two local youth soccer teams bring home national titles

By DAVID ERSOFF, Journal Sports

Local youth soccer stock is rising fast and over the last few days has peaked.

The first local soccer team to qualify for, and compete in, a national championship event was when the Shreveport United ’03 girls team went to the US Club nationals in 2021.

Since then the floodgates have opened for local teams. There have been upwards of 15 teams making such trips, including seven this year alone. None had come home with the national title, until now!

On Monday, the Shreveport United ’08 girls won the US Youth U19 National Championship in Murfreesboro Tennessee. This was the third year in a row they qualified for the nationals.

The Shreveport United ’12 boys matched them, winning the US Club U14 national championship in Commerce City, Colorado.

The ’08 girls began their nationals going 3-0 in the group stage, scoring eight goals, while only conceding one. Their wins were over; Lobos Rush 07/08 Lady Lobos Desoto (Miss.) 3-1, Real Billings FC 07/08 Gold (Montana) 2-0 and FC 814 Energy (Pa.) 3-0.

The ’08 girls hit their stride even stronger in the quarterfinals, topping Cook Intel Soccer Club Elite (Alaska) 4-1. Stella Zippert scored three goals with all assisted by Ryleigh Stuart. Gabi Hamic added the other, assisted by Eryn Flowers.

The dominance continued into the semifinals when the local girls beat the Little Rock Rangers Academy ’07 Girls 3-0. Zippert had two goals, with assists credited to Hamic and Eden Whiteman. Flowers scored once with Hamic’s second assist of the game. Keeper Peyton Lewis had her third clean sheet of the tournament.

In the finals the SU girls faced off with TF Rapids SC U19G (Idaho), a team that was also undefeated. After 90 minutes of play, Shreveport United had its first national championship, winning 3-1.

The SU girls started the final strong with possession and a goal in the first 10 minutes by Zippert with Hamic contributing the assist. The scoreboard didn’t change until just before the halftime whistle, when the Rapids put in the equalizer.

Shreveport shook it off and came out for the second half determined. The game winner came about halfway through the second half when Zippert put a cross in that Hamic was able to finish. The final goal was an unassisted goal Baleigh Ware intercepted a backwards pass to the keeper and converted.

When reflecting on the journey, coach Mark Matlock said, “I’m so proud of this group of girls and what they have accomplished not only this year but over their club careers. Being four-time state champions, attending regionals and nationals for the three previous years, and finally putting it all together and winning the first ever Louisiana USYS national championship.”

US Youth awards tournament honors that the Shrevport United team clean up in: Golden Boot — Zippert, Golden Glove — Lewis and Golden Ball (overall MVP) — Gabi Hamic.

Across the country, the SU ’12 Boys were competing in the US Club Nationals in Rocky Mountain territory. The local boys had a bumpier ride to their title then the girls did.

The ’12 boys started the tournament with back to back scoreless ties with Calvary FC ‘12B ECNL-RL (south Texas) and Huntingdon Valley (Pa.) AA HV Armour ‘12B NPL. Needing a win in the final group stage game against Idaho Slammers FC ‘12B Neon, the SU boys played their hearts out in a 4-2 victory, ensuring their spot in the semifinals.

The semifinal round brought on a familiar opponent in Arkansas Comets FC 12B NPL, with our hometown heroes coming out on top of a hotly contested 1-0 game. The only goal came in the 17^th minute of the first half, when Jackson Watkins was able to put the ball into the back of the net. The rest of the game was an evenly match battle to the end, with keeper Mason Minor getting his third clean sheet in four games.

The final was Tuesday morning against Carolina Football Club Swarm ‘12B, with the local boys coming out on top 3-1. SU took control early when in the 11^th minute of the game they had a corner kick. Wyatt Rath put the ball in the box and Cole Quinlan slotted it into the net. In the 28^th minute, with the ball bouncing around in the Carolina box, it found its way to Watkins’ foot and he doubled United’s lead.

Carolina cut the advantage in half eight minutes into the 2^nd period. The one-goal spread was short-lived as three minutes later Minor hit a long punt to Watkins who shot and scored the final goal. It’s not often a keeper gets credit for a goal, something he’ll remember for a long time.

“They have the same makeup as the ‘03 girls’ team in that the team had great chemistry” said Andrew Yurochko whose son, Andrew, is a member of this ’12 boys team and his daughter, Aila, was on that ’03 girls team that broke the ice five years ago.

Contact David at dersoff@bellsouth.net

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Morgan stepping up to NAIA athletics directors leadership role

JOURNAL SPORTS

He’s not moving on, just moving up.

LSU Shreveport’s Lucas Morgan is taking over as the NAIA Athletics Directors Association president for the 2026-27 membership year, the organization announced Wednesday from its suburban Cleveland headquarters.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the next President of the NAIA-ADA,” said Morgan. “I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by my colleagues and I’m inspired by the dedication of the leaders before me who have helped advance both the NAIA and NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics).

“As we move forward, I am committed to leading through service by listening, collaborating, and supporting our NAIA-ADA members as they navigate the evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics. This is also a tremendous opportunity to build on our strong foundation, as we continue to strengthen our profession, develop future leaders, and champion the values that make the NAIA unique.” 

  
Morgan takes the reins from Dr. Jesse Godding, director of athletics at Nelson University, who will transition to Immediate past president.

Since arriving as AD in 2016, Morgan has led LSUS into a national powerhouse across multiple sports, fostering a culture rooted in competitive excellence, academic achievement, and student-athlete development.

LSUS secured its first-ever national championship in record-setting fashion in 2025, with the baseball program capturing national attention by completing a perfect 59-0 season. The team also became the first NAIA school to receive an invitation and be recognized by the President of the United States at the White House.

The Pilots have amassed 42 Red River Athletic Conference championships, 37 national tournament appearances, and nine NAIA Opening Round titles during his tenure. Beyond the scoreboard, LSUS student-athletes have excelled academically, with the department’s overall grade point average improving each year and nearly 65 percent of athletes maintaining GPAs above 3.0.

He has been an influential voice within the NAIA governance structure since 2018. He currently contributes to key bodies such as the NAIA National Administrative Council, Competitive Experience Committee, Championship Competition Committee, and the Minority Opportunities Athletics Association. He also plays an integral role on the NAIA Men’s Soccer Executive Committee and National Selection Committee.

Morgan was selected as a national Athletic Director of the Year by NACDA in 2024–25 and is a four-time RRAC Athletic Director of the Year (2018–19, 2022–23, 2024–25, 2025-26). LSUS was honored as an NAIA Champions of Character Five-Star Institution and captured its first RRAC All-Sports Trophy in 2020–21, marking the department as the conference’s top overall program.

In 2025-26, Morgan fostered one of the most successful athletic years in school history as LSUS captured conference championships in five of its six sports programs. Four of the university’s six teams advanced to NAIA national tournament competition, with two programs reaching their respective national championship final sites.

In addition to competitive success, LSUS elevated its national profile by serving as host for NAIA postseason events in men’s soccer, men’s basketball, and baseball. It marked the first time the institution hosted national tournament events in both men’s soccer and men’s basketball, showcasing the growth and visibility of the Pilots’ athletic department under Morgan’s leadership.

He is a former basketball player at Dodge City Community College and Newman University, and a graduate of Wichita State.

Among those serving alongside Morgan will be board of directors member Tyler Unsicker, AD at LSU-Alexandria.

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NSU/I-Bowl Kickoff Luncheon set for Aug. 20 at Superior’s Steakhouse

JOURNAL SPORTS

Reservations are open now for the annual Northwestern State/Independence Bowl Kickoff Luncheon, sponsored by John and Lynne Manno, set for Thursday, Aug. 20 in Shreveport.

The longtime event, which will honor the 50th anniversary of Shreveport’s bowl game, will take place inside Superior’s Steakhouse, located at 855 Pierremont Avenue in Shreveport. The luncheon begins at 11:45 a.m., one week ahead of Northwestern’s Aug. 27 season opener against Louisiana Christian in Natchitoches.

“As the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl celebrates its golden anniversary, Northwestern State remains both proud and appreciative of its relationship with one of the country’s oldest bowl games,” Northwestern State Director of Athletics Kevin Bostian said. “For more than three decades, the annual kickoff luncheon has signaled not only the opening of football season but also the partnership between Northwestern and the Independence Bowl. This event brings the excitement of football season to the forefront for our fans and alumni in Shreveport.”

Cost for the all-inclusive lunch is $25 and includes salad, a plated meal and dessert. Reservations are being accepted by contacting the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl office at 318-221-0721. Attendees are asked to bring cash or check to the event to cover the cost.

The luncheon features Bostian, third-year Demon head coach Blaine McCorkle and members of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl staff. Bostian and McCorkle will preview the 2026 season while bowl staffers will provide updates on the 50th annual Independence Bowl, which is scheduled for Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Independence Stadium.

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Jody was born June 18, 1939, to Harry James and Nettie Cannon Van Dyke and heard the Master’s call on Saturday, June 18, 2026.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Patricia Van Dyke Frey. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 56 years, Thomas “Tom” Staggs; nephews and nieces, James Frey (Rachael), James Barnett (Amy), and Becky Henderson; her heart sister, of 50-plus years, Marilyn Abbott; loyal, faithful and loving friends, Debbie Rudolph, Holi Teague, and Wanda Fields; daughter, Karen Foster (Garth); five grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren.

Jody was a devout Christian and strived to obey the commands of the Lord Jesus and was always active in the church where she and Tom resided. One of the great joys in her life was her privilege to serve as a “Pink Lady” with the Schumpert Hospital Guild in Shreveport.

Jody grew up in Shreveport, and since her father was denied the companionship of sons, he raised his daughters as if they were. She was an accomplished horsewoman, could willow a duck blind, lay a spinner bait at the foot of a cypress tree 30’ away, and much to the chagrin of her husband, could back a boat trailer better than he. When they married, Tom brought her to Houston, where he had a bachelor apartment in the bohemian section of the Westheimer/Montrose neighborhood. The next morning when he left for work, she went for a walk in the district and little did he know, when he returned home, they would be relocating. He just thought it was a great place to live.

Jody and Tom kept horses during the time they lived in The Woodlands, Texas, and spent many happy hours trail riding, grilling, and fishing at the horse pasture. They loved traveling in the Texas Hill Country, and they covered thousands of miles on rural ranch roads of the hills and the land of clear living waters.

While living in The Woodlands, Jody was exposed to a situation where children were traumatized as a result of a motor vehicle accident. She envisioned a program that would bring comfort to children experiencing distress, and so the “Hug-A-Bears” initiative was born. She created a pattern of a child’s stuffed bear, hounded stores for cloth and stuffing donations, and recruited women’s civic clubs and organizations in South Montgomery County to sew. These Hug-A-Bears were supplied to ER rooms, firefighters, police, and other first responders to give to children in trauma situations. For her efforts, she was selected as the Montgomery County “Woman of the Year” in 1990.

The family would like to thank Tommie Ann Cassidy, FNP-C, and her staff for their loving and compassionate care through the years. We also would like to recognize Bristol Hospice staff, Selina Harper, Tamya Sims, Sonya Walton, and Tonia Hogan for their tender and devoted care of Jody.

The family suggests memorials may be made to the Springhill Methodist Church Choir, 104 4th Street NW, Springhill, LA 71075.

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John Manuella, 92, of Sandusky passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning July 15, 2026, at his home surrounded by his children.

Born on January 17, 1934, in Shreveport, LA, the son of Pete and Grace Manuguerra. He worked in sales for over 20 years with Grill Meats and later retired from Dinner Bell Foods.

He will be remembered as being a loving, kind, selfless father and grandfather who enjoyed being with his family.

He is survived by his daughter, Cindy Urso and her family, and his son, Thom Manuella, and his family. As well as numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces, and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Angie Zam, and three brothers, Mike, Joe, and Frank Manuella, his wife of 50 years Betty (Baumler) Manuella, his two sons, Jeff and Jude Manuella, his daughter-in-law Debbie (Baumeister) Manuella, and his grandson Jon Manuella.

As per John’s wishes, there will be no services. His desire was to be cremated and laid to rest with his wife, Betty.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to Cancer Services, 505 E.  Perkins Ave, Sandusky, OH  44870.  Many thanks go out to Clair with Western Reserve and Kelly with Ohioan Home Health and Hospice.

Arrangement entrusted to David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services 520 Columbus Ave, Sandusky, OH 44870

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Phonetic: /epis·​to·​lary/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

of, relating to, or suitable to a letter

contained in or carried on by letters
an endless sequence of … epistolary love affairs.
The Times Literary Supplement (London)

written in the form of a series of letters
an epistolary novel