The Vernon Council on Aging (VCOA) will hold their annual Fan Drive, Monday June 17, from 10 a.m. -noon. The VCOA has nearly 350 senior citizens that will be trying to stay cool this summer.
Fans may be dropped off at the VCOA office at 200 South Third Street in downtown Leesville all summer long. Vernon Parish senior citizens thank you!
Funeral services for Chris D. Corbin, 65 of Leesville were held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 10, 2024, at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Leesville with Rev. Joseph L. Garner officiating. Burial followed in the Central Louisiana Veteran’s Cemetery in Leesville.
Chris D. Corbin passed away on June 2, 2024, in Alexandria, Louisiana, surrounded by her loving family.
She is survived by husband of 37 years, Ronnie T. Corbin, and son, Jovan “Rudy” Corbin, of Leesville; brothers: Jackie Frazier of Centerville, Tennessee; Terry Frazier of Spokane, Washington; and Curtis Frazier, also of Centerville, Tennessee; sister, Tama Johnson, of Columbia, South Carolina; sister/friend, Della Tyus, of Austin, Texas; and four grandchildren: TaShawn, Grayson, Zacharis, and Nola.
Chris was well loved and will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
Douglas Ray Ritter, age 78, of Anacoco, Louisiana, passed away on Thursday, June 6, 2024. Douglas was born October 30, 1945, in Leesville, Louisiana. Funeral services for Douglas Ray Ritter will be Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at Burr Ferry United Pentecostal Church with Rev. George Jeane officiating. Burial will follow in the Burr Ferry Cemetery.
Doug began his career in 1964 as a welder working on the Toledo Bend Dam. He began a career on the pipeline in 1964 through the mid-90’s, working in various states, but spent most of that time in Alaska working for Alaskan Pipeline. Doug became a Certified Pipeline Welding Inspector on May 20, 2009. Doug was an active member of Union Local 375 in Fairbanks, Alaska for 49 years.
Words affectionately written by son-in-law, Bun Park: “On a cool winter day, I came to know Doug Ritter, not only as a young fellow hoping to be in good enough graces to date his daughter, Teri, but I grew to know him as a friend. He was a cool generous man with a straight-forward attitude and wasn’t afraid to let you know how he felt about you. You had to have thick skin to date one of his girls. He had a zeal for perfection. It wasn’t going to be “good enough”! It had to be “right”! It wasn’t long before I had permission to marry Teri. He was probably the most intellectual welder in the old ways who I had ever met. He certainly had it together. My interest in welding was probably the only thing I had going for myself, but it was enough!”
Doug is survived by his son, Robert E. Ritter and wife Crystal of Anacoco, daughters: Teresa Holcomb and husband T.D. of Anacoco, Louisiana, Teri Park and husband Bun of Pitkin, Louisiana, Darbee Ramsey and husband Dustin of Anacoco, Louisiana; brothers: Jerry Ritter and wife Fran, Frank Ritter, R.L. Ritter; grandchildren: Shelli Jarrell and husband Geoffrey, Justin Holcomb and wife Lakin, Tristan Ritter and wife Ariana, Destiny Kay and husband Kazden, Bailey Egan and husband Havn, Kelcie Ramsey, Alexandera Holcomb, Emma Ramsey, Emily Ritter, Garett Ritter and Bun Park III, Whitney Dease, Jackie Park and Austin Park; great-grandchildren: Laynee Holcomb and Dani Ritter; and special family friend, Monty Moore.
Doug is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Jeane Ritter; daughters: Sheila Kathleen and Deidra LaDonna; and sister: Louise Reed. Doug Ritter was well loved and will be greatly missed by all his family and friends.
CHRIS D. CORBIN
April 19, 1959 – June 2, 2024
Service: June 10, 2024, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Leesville at 11:30 a.m.
LELAND MILAND HARRIS
June 21, 1959 – June 4, 2024
Service: June 8, 2024, at Holly Grove Cemetery in Anacoco, Louisiana, at 12:00 p.m.
WANDA LEE SANDERSON SMART
December 20, 1929 – June 6, 2024
Service: June 13, 2024, at Cook-Walden Forest Oaks Memorial Park in Austin, Texas, at 2:00 p.m.
MICHAEL CHARLES ENSLEY
December 26, 1978 – May 31, 2024
Service: June 15, 2024, at New Willow Baptist Church in Leesville at 1:00 p.m.
DOUGLAS RAY RITTER
October 30, 1945 – June 6, 2024
Service: June 12, 2024, at Burr Ferry United Pentecostal Church in Burr Ferry at 10:00 a.m.
Tristan Matthew Chaudron, age 24, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment. Bond was set at $5000. Chaudron posted bond and was released.
Jessica Nicole Marler, age 38, of Many, Louisiana, was arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Battery, one count of Cruelty to the Infirm, and one count Aggravated Assault. Bond was set at $35,000. Marler remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Bruce Allen Long, age 44, of Broussard, Louisiana, was arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Assault, one count Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile, and one count Second Degree Rape. Bond was set at $750,000. Long remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
John Henry Johnson, age 59 of Pitkin, Louisiana, was arrested and charged with one count Criminal Trespass and one count of Disturbing the Peace/Drunkenness. Bond was set at $2176. Johnson remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Jameson Kirby Benson, age 26, of Pitkin was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond has not been set. Benson remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
By State Representative Charles Owen, LtCol (ret), USAF
On 6 June, 1944, possibly the most pivotal battle in the history of western civilization took place. The concept of freedom was at stake on this day as the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and other warriors of the allied nations attempted to create a beachhead in Europe—in France, specifically. The land, air, and sea forces of the allied armies in what became known as the largest amphibious invasion in military
history undertook the operation to dislodge Hitler’s Fascism and tyranny from Europe. Almost 133,000 troops from the United States, the British Commonwealth, and Free France took part in this battle of battles. Casualties were high on this day, with over 2,500 American personnel losing their lives. Our
nation has paid and continues to pay great homage to the lives lost in World War II and on D-Day specifically.
Our beloved Louisiana lost 33 of its sons on this day. We also lost nearly 5,000 Louisianans in World War II and all of those lives are precious. But on this 80th commemoration of what history has called “the Day of Days”, we need to take a moment and remember the men from Louisiana who died trying to get a foothold in Normandy. The 33 included 2 commissioned officers, both from North Louisiana. It included about 10 Non-Commissioned officer and the remainder were junior enlisted personnel. Eighteen of our warriors are in their physical eternal resting places in France and England—in immaculately maintained American cemeteries. Twelve were brought back home to be buried in the cemeteries with their families. Three were never recovered and are memorialized in plaques in various places.
The names of the 33 bear repeating on this day. We have our freedom in this country for many reasons, but one of them is because free men through the centuries have paid the price for us to keep that freedom. With deference to all of our state’s war dead, this is a tribute to those from Louisiana who died on D-Day.
First Lieutenant James Holstun of Gibsland: Killed at 3 AM on D-Day. Parachuted in
behind enemy lines. While leading a squad to capture an anti-aircraft artillery battery,
was killed in action. Purple Heart. Buried at Normandy.
First Lieutenant Howard Brewster of Ruston: Died while in German airspace on a
glider. Member of the 84 th Troop Carrier Squadron. Awarded the Air Medal and Purple
Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Technical Sergeant Francis Guillory of Eunice: Top Turret Gunner on B24; his aircraft
disintegrated on flight over England after completing a mission in France. Awarded
Purple Heart.
Staff Sergeant Alvin Rainey of New Orleans: Crew member, B24; his aircraft crashed in
England after combat operations in Normandy. Awarded Purple Heart. Buried in
England.
Staff Sergeant Clarence Uzee of Lockport: Died during landings at Omaha Beach.
Awarded Purple Heart. Buried in Lockport.
Sergeant George Weil of Rayne: Killed in action at Omaha Beach. First generation
American, immigrated with family who owned a frog farm in Rayne. Buried at
Normandy.
Sergeant Leonard Davis of Sabine Parish: Jumped in behind enemy lines with 101st.
Died in a firefight in an apple orchard early on 6 June. Buried in Belmont, Louisiana.
Sergeant John Emanus of Sabine Parish: Jumped in with 82d Airborne behind enemy
lines in the early hours of 6 June. Killed in Combat. Buried in Louisiana.
Sergeant John Hall of Oak Grove: Killed in action on Normandy Beach, member of 1st
Infantry Division. Purple Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Technician John Bray of New Orleans: Member of 101 st Airborne, onboard C-47 with 18
other paratroopers, downed by enemy aircraft fire in route to drop zone. Buried in New
Orleans. Purple Heart.
Technician Fields Rush of Pineville: Died of wounds on the beach at Omaha. Purple
Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Technician John Berlin of New Orleans: 101 st Airborne. Onboard C-47 with 21 other
paratroopers; all perished enroute to jump zone. Purple Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Technician 5th Class Royd Keys of Winnsboro: Member of 29th Infantry Division. Died
at landing in Normandy. Departed Normal College (NSU) to enlist in the war. Widowed
a young British nurse. Buried at Normandy.
Technician 4th Class Luther Lockey of Shreveport: Assigned to 743d Tank Battalion.
Died during landing at Omaha Beach. His body was never recovered.
Technician Alexander Oakley of New Orleans. Killed in action during landing. His
body was never recovered.
Machinist Mate Richard Harang of New Orleans: Killed in action on Omaha beach.
Buried at Normandy. Awarded Purple Heart
Corporal Sidney Manuel of Eunice: Killed in action at Omaha Beach. Purple Heart.
Buried in Eunice.
Motor Machinist’s Mate Glenn Soap of Shreveport: Killed during landing at Omaha
Beach. His body was never recovered.
Corporal Albert Callais: Jumped in behind enemy lines, killed in action. Member of
82nd Airborne. Buried at Normandy.
Private First Class Frank Cheek of Rapides Parish. Killed in action during beach
landing. Purple Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Private First Class Bose Kelly of Shreveport: While in route to jump zone with 82d
Airborne, his aircraft was downed by enemy fire. Purple Heart. Buried in Shreveport,
one of 3 brothers lost in the war.
Private First Class Houston Duhon of New Iberia: Died on Omaha Beach. Awarded
Purple Heart and Silver Star. Buried at Normandy.
Private First Class Reginald Brock of Rayville: Killed in action, Omaha Beach. 29th
Infantry Division. Purple Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Private First Class Claude Brownell of Madison Parish: Killed in action, Omaha Beach.
29th Infantry Division. Purple Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Private First Class Earl Howe of Marksville. Killed in action, Omaha Beach. 29th
Infantry Division. Purple Heart. Buried in Marksville.
Private First Class J.T. Pardue of Union Parish: Killed in action, Omaha Beach. 477th
Engineer Battalion. Purple Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Private Whitney Faulk of New Orleans: Killed in action on Omaha Beach. Purple
Heart. Buried in New Orleans.
Private Andrew Kling of Dutchtown: 82 nd Airborne. Killed in action behind enemy lines.
Purple Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Private Joe Peters: 29th Infantry Division Medic. Died probably rendering aid to the
wounded. Killed in action. Purple Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Private Simpson Courson of Bastrop: 101 Airborne Division. Killed in action behind
enemy lines. Purple Heart. Buried at Normandy.
Private Raymond Bell of LaSalle Parish: 29 th Infantry Division. Died during landing at
Omaha Beach. Purple Heart. Buried in Rhinehart, Louisiana.
Private George Baragona of Slidell: Jumped in behind enemy lines with 82d Airborne
Division; organized disparate team under chaos, fought and captured. Executed by
Germans after capture. Buried in Slidell.
WW2 Fallen 100: WW2 Fallen – George Baragona, 82nd Airborne.
Private Sidney DeRise of Rayne: 82d Airborne. Died on 6 June. Purple Heart. Buried
in Rayne, Louisiana.
SPECIAL THANKS TO Secretary Charlton Meginley of the Department of Veterans’
Affairs for helping compile this list and collate data. Meginley, a retired USAF Colonel,
will be representing Louisiana at Normandy on the 80 th Anniversary of the D-Day
Landings.
The Vernon Parish School Board met Thursday, June 6, at 10 a.m. in the Central Office board room.
Food Service Supervisor Raymond Jones relayed to Board members details on the Summer EBT/Sun Bucks program. This USDA sponsored program has no cost to the Vernon Parish system but offers great summer benefits for food and groceries to students and families. Students in several federal programs have already been identified and qualified. Students will receive $40 per month for the three summer months.
Secondary Curriculum Director Lisa Lohman addressed the Board on the new Firefighters I II programs that just received state approval this week. This is a pilot program. Six junior and senior students from Vernon Parish will be selected for the initial program. The program will lead to credits and five credentials. The result will be trained young firefighters eligible to join the workforce upon graduation. The program will include classroom time and experience training with fire departments at Leesville and Ft. Johnson. Applications for the program will be at Vernon Parish high schools Monday, June 10. Lohman reported the Capturing Better Initiatives welding program had 15 available slots for the coming school year and over 30 applicants.
Lohman also relayed to Board members that Louisiana has improved the state educational ranking to #40 in the nation according to recent polls. Lohman briefed the Board on the current BESE Board accountability proposal that will be discussed again next week in Baton Rouge. There were several points in the proposal she was unhappy with, including a pre-determined bell curve on school grades. She also pointed out a nearly complete reversal by the BESE Board on school accountability. One of the proposals would require a student maintain a dual enrollment (HS-College) and an ACT score of 21 or the school would get no accountability points, despite the fact that state universities do accept lower ACT scores for enrollment.
Superintendent James Williams urged Board members to contact anyone connected with the BESE Board to object and voice concern over these proposals.
Maintenance Supervisor Dwain Ducote updated the Board members on the state mandated AED program that must be in place in all schools and athletic sites this fall. School nurses have been training personnel in the use of the equipment, and Ducote said the system is only 4-5 AED’s short at this point.
The Vernon Parish School Board will hold its next meeting Tuesday, June 11, at 10 a.m.
Major General David W. Gardner relinquished command of the JRTC/Ft. Johnson in ceremonies Thursday morning at Warrior Field. MG Gardner ended his remarks by saying, “It has been an honor and a privilege to be Warrior 6.”
Brigadier General Jason A. Curl will assume command of JRTC/Ft. Johnson in a ceremony planned for July 11, 2024.
By Billy Crawford
Shortly after moving to Baton Rouge in 1995 to work at the Louisiana State Department of Education, I met a small group of guys in a coffee shop who loved watching sporting events as much as I did. I was so fortunate!
It was not long afterwards we started planning baseball trips. At first it included me, Steve Carter, Bridger Eglin, and Stanley Triche. We began by attending spring training games in the Tampa area.
After retiring, we decided to start traveling to different cities to watch Major League Baseball games. Then our goal was to attend a game in as many different parks as possible.
These were really good times–good friends, good weather, and lazy afternoons watching baseball with a hot dog and cold Brewski. Good Memories!
This reminded me of our trip to Fenway Park. Fenway is one of the most beautiful parks, situated in downtown Boston with the Green Monster dominating the left field wall. What I remember most though was reading the large Ted Williams plaque located under the stands behind first base.
In 1941 was posted William’s .406 batting average. In 1942 he won his first Triple Crown. Then, he served the next three years as a naval aviator during World War II. He returned to the Red Sox and was voted the Most Valuable in the 1947 World Series and won his second Triple Crown.
He returned to active duty for portions of the 1952 and 1953 seasons as a Marine combat aviator in the Korean War. In 1957 and 1958 at the ages of 39 and 40, he was the American League batting champion for the fifth and sixth time.
He retired in 1960. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966, in his first year of eligibility.
I was amazed by these amazing accomplishments as I read the plaque all those years ago. I still am!
Vernon Parish boasts a legendary list of things to do. That’s why we’re known as Louisiana’s Legend Country! You can stroll down Main Street and take in art, antiques, and boutique shopping, or find historic locations. You’ll find amazing outdoor and historic adventures throughout the area, along with so many spots to eat and drink along the way! Kick off your summer exploring Vernon Parish and enjoy the many activities.
Get on the water! With more than five notable bodies of water, Anacoco Lake, Toledo Bend Lake, Vernon Lake, Sabine River, and Toro Bayou, Vernon Parish provides ample opportunities for boating, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and, yes, abundant fishing! For more information, visit: https://vernonparish.org/outdoors/
Enjoy nature! Watch the beautiful phenomenon of eagles and other beautiful birds in our forested hills and water habitats. For more information on birding, visit: https://vernonparish.org/outdoors_cat/birding. You can even check out the webcam of resident eagles nesting in Kisatchie National Forest! We can’t wait to welcome the new hatchlings! https://www.facebook.com/KisatchieNF.
Beat the heat and enjoy indoor fun! Get your game on and enjoy bowling at Strike Zone Bowling Center. Indoor activities are widely varied in Vernon Parish, from taking in a live theater show or art gallery exhibit, to taking a spa day! For more information, visit: https://vernonparish.org/things-do-cat/indoors/
Shop local! Third Street Market is held in Leesville each Saturday, from 8am-1pm. Second Saturday, June 8, features extra activities and family fun along with the produce, homemade and handmade, local crafts and gifts! For more information, Second Saturday at the Third Street Market – Vernon Parish Louisiana’s Legend Country.
Tag us on social media at #LALegendCountry and share your legendary fun this summer!
The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present the program “Fiddlin’ with the Finest! A Celebration of Louisiana Folk Fiddling” on June 15 at 11 a.m. at the Beauregard Museum at 120 S. Washington in DeRidder. The event is free and open to the public.
Three past Louisiana State Fiddle Champions — Clancey Stewart, Joe Suchanek, and Ron Yule — will discuss the importance of the folk fiddling tradition with Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the Louisiana Folklife Center and Northwestern State Professor of English. Live music performed throughout the program will include various regional fiddle styles accompanied by demonstrations of fiddle stick playing and twin fiddling. A Q&A session on participating in fiddle competitions will follow. Fiddlers of all skill levels are invited to bring their instruments for a jam session with the invited musicians.
This year’s Louisiana State Fiddle Championship will take place as part of the 44th annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival, to be held July 20 at 1 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall on the NSU campus. Fiddlers may compete in the championship or non-championship, as well as in the twin fiddle category. Registration is at noon in the first-floor foyer outside the Magale Recital Hall. The Fiddle Championship winner will perform on the Festival main stage in Prather Coliseum at 5 p.m.
“Fiddlin’ with the Finest!” is sponsored by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum and the Louisiana Folklife Center. Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana.
The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
For more information, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu, or go to nsula.edu/folklife/.
By VPJ Staff
The late great R&B singer, Aretha Franklin, had a monster hit song with Respect, in which she laid down some ground rules with her man in their relationship. Respect can be defined as a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something, elicited by their abilities, qualities or achievements. It is also understood to be due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others. The word is derived from the Latin verb respicere: to look back at; regard.
To say there is an overall lack of respect in our society today would be a gross understatement! Given the current traffic situation in Leesville with the south roundabout project, a lack of respect among drivers sticks out like a sore thumb. Social media is awash with tales of drivers acting less than courteous to other drivers. In limited driving time this week alone, I was not respected as a fellow driver at least twice.
Now, we are all in the same situation driving around town. If you are from Leesville, you probably know the shortcuts to get you through town while staying off Highway 171. Use that local knowledge and plan accordingly. You will lower your stress level.
With respect, where have we gone wrong? It seems that respect was not a big parental topic over the last twenty years. This is not a blanket condemnation. I know some great teenagers and young people who say and do all the right things. They are the exception, not the rule! When adults and parents show a lack of respect to authority, another person’s feelings or society in general, you can bet their kids pick up on it. Now, it works both ways. Some persons in authority show a lack of respect to the “Average Joe” and that just exacerbates the overall problem.
We may not understand what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes, but we must try a little harder. You may encounter situations every day that frustrate you; just take that deep breath and exhale.
The editor of the Vernon Parish Journal will tell you I can be pluckish and prickly at times. I am 72 and still working on it! It makes me think that younger generations will “grow into it.” We are all capable of change. Often it takes just one experience to adjust your attitude. Here’s hoping your attitude adjustment is not as severe as the Hank Williams Jr. song.
We have all heard the phrase “respect is given when respect is shown.” We may not agree on much — politics, religion, music, food, cars — but let us try and respect points of view of others. We might come to a better understanding and find that respect for someone or something that we may have missed in the past.
Like the Staples Singers said, “Respect Yourself!” We just have to make an A for effort.
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The CENLA Food Bank mobile delivery truck will make the following stops in Vernon Parish in the month of June:
Friday, June 21: First Baptist Church in Hornbeck 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Burr Ferry Pentecostal Church 11a.m. – noon
Friday, June 28: Church International at 1436 Church St., Rosepine 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Slagle Mall in Slagle, noon-1 p.m.
The Vernon Council on Aging (VCOA) will hold their annual Fan Drive, Monday June 17, from 10 a.m. -noon. The VCOA has nearly 350 senior citizens that will be trying to stay cool this summer.
Fans may be dropped off at the VCOA office at 200 South Third Street in downtown Leesville all summer long. Vernon Parish senior citizens thank you!
None to report in this edition.
Derrell Radin, age 26, of Ft. Johnson was arrested and charged with one count of Identity Theft. Bond was set at $5000. Radin posted bond and was released.
Stephanie Perez Dobbins, age 39, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was arrested by agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force. Dobbins was charged with one count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $1561. Dobbins remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Michael Wayne Turner, age 43, of Leesville was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond has not been set. Turner remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Shellie A. Johnson, age 51, of Leesville was arrested by agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force. Johnson was charged with one count Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and one count Open Container. Bond has not been set. Johnson remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Rachel Monique Thompson, age 30, of Leesville was arrested by agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force. Thompson was charged with one count Possession of Schedule 1 Narcotics in excess of 28 grams and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond has not been set. Thompson remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Jerry Dale Busby, age 50, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count Domestic Abuse Battery. Bond has not been set. Busby remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Joshua Clayton Hilton, age 21, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count Entry on or Remaining on Land or in a Place Where Forbidden. Bond has not been set. Hilton remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Justin Lane Shockley, age 37, of Lacamp, was arrested and charged with three counts of Improper Telephone Communications, one count of Stalking and one count of Aggravated Assault. Bond has not been set. Shockley remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Gavin Blake Sorenson, age 17 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Damage to Property. Bond was set at $1281. Sorenson posted bond and was released.
Christopher Michael Brandon, age 45, of Anacoco, was arrested and charged with one count Entry on or Remaining on Land or in a Place Where Forbidden and one count Principal to Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling. Bond has not been set. Brandon remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
By Elizabeth White and Maddie Scott/LSU Manship School News Service
BATON ROUGE–Gov. Jeff Landry took office with a conservative agenda and a Republican super-majority in the Legislature after eight years of a Democratic governor, promising sweeping changes in this year’s legislative session.
A major focus of Landry’s agenda was to reorganize the Louisiana Constitution by moving amendments into statutes. He and conservative lawmakers made a big push for the Legislature to authorize a limited constitutional convention.
But their efforts were stymied in the Senate. It also stripped-down proposals by Landry and his supporters to provide parents with state funds to send their children to private schools and to seal many state government records from public inspection.
As a result, Landry’s first regular legislative session, which ended Monday, was more of a mixed bag than expected given the Republican dominance in both chambers. He and his allies also had victories in taking more control of state boards, reclassifying abortion pills as dangerous controlled substances, limiting gender discussion in schools and deregulating home insurance providers.
The Legislature also passed $48 billion in budget bills that included the governor’s proposals for one-time stipends of $2,000 for public K-12 teachers and $1,000 stipends for school support workers.
Where the governor ran into opposition
Landry had momentum after pushing through most of his anti-crime proposals in a special session earlier this year. He initially wanted the Legislature to start a constitutional convention on May 20 as the regular session was going on, and the House seemed willing to go along.
“This is about giving the Legislature the tools to address the problems that we know are coming,” Landry said in April, referring to a projected decline of more than $400 million in state revenue next year when part of the state sales tax expires. “We got to start working and figuring out how we can minimize the cuts to education and health care,” he said.
One of Landry’s goals was to remove constitutional protections on much of the state’s spending to give him more leeway in dealing with the drop-off in revenue next year.
Opponents of the bill were worried that the timeline was too rushed and that he could turn the convention into a power grab.
Under House Bill 800, the Legislature would have held joint committee meetings on different articles of the constitution throughout June and July and then convened for a two-week-long convention in August.
But there was opposition in the Senate to cementing that timetable. Sen. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, the chairman of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee, told WBRZ that he refused to put the House bill on his committee’s agenda.
However, Landry and convention supporters still have plans for public meetings in June and July with intentions of calling a special session in August.
Another area where Landry got less than expected was in education reform, most notably creating education savings accounts that would allow parents to use state funding to send their children to private schools.
“The steps we need to take are simple,” Landry said during his opening remarks for the 2024 session. “Make all education lead to a vocation and put parents back in control, and let the money follow the child.”
The original plan for the education savings accounts was included in a bill that passed the House and was shelved in the Senate.
State officials and private experts estimated that Landry’s plan would have eventually cost taxpayers $300 million to $500 million a year, and many lawmakers wondered where the state would find the money.
Landry’s proposal also ran into opposition from school officials in rural parishes, including some that do not have many private schools. Opponents were concerned that giving parents $5,000 to $7,500 a year for each child who attended private school would divert funds from public education.
Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, sponsored a compromise–a scaled-back version that would delay the plan’s implementation and make it easier for the Legislature to reduce the funding. It calls on state education officials to study existing educational resources to determine the need for a savings plan and then work with lawmakers on funding levels.
Where Landry won clear victories
Landry is expected to sign other education bills to limit the use of alternative pronouns and discussions of gender and to require schools to post the 10 Commandments in classrooms.
Landry also sought more power over state boards and commissions, leading lawmakers to pass two bills giving the governor more power over higher education and state ethics boards.
Senate Bill 462 by Sen. Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs, would allow the governor to appoint certain boards and commissions. Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge. said 483 boards and commissions have appointed positions, and Hodges’ bill would affect 148 of those.
“It helps us to be able to start the move—the agenda of the incoming governor, who by the way, is elected by the people,” Landry said on April 24. “It’s only fair that he has, or she has, the opportunity to work with the boards in a manner that he or she sees fit.”
Senate Bill 497 by Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, amended provisions concerning the selection of members of the state Board of Ethics.
In appointing members, current law requires the governor to pick from a list of nominees presented by college and university leaders. The bill removes the involvement of colleges and universities, giving the governor and legislative leaders more power to appoint who they want.
The bill’s final version also expanded the number of board members from nine to 15. Of those 15 members, the governor would appoint nine.
Taking a risk on insurance?
Many Louisiana homes remain unrepaired after a series of hurricanes hit the state in recent years. After 2021, homeowners saw insurance companies raise prices.
Tim Temple, the new commissioner of insurance, pushed for a series of bills to deregulate the industry with the aim of attracting more competition.
“Our new insurance commissioner is working tirelessly to find solutions that make Louisiana an attractive market for more companies to write here,” Landry said during opening remarks for the legislative session. “Commissioner Temple believes, and I agree with him, that the deregulatory measures he is undertaking will improve market conditions.”
House Bill 611, one of the more controversial insurance bills, would end the three-year rule limiting policy cancellations. This means an insurer may decide not to renew up to 5% of its customers’ policies per calendar year for any reason, provided that no more than 5% of the insurer’s policies be dropped in one parish. Landry signed the bill on May 7.
Another new law will allow insurance companies to raise premium rates without obtaining prior approval from Temple’s office.
Some lawmakers warned that there could be a political backlash against Landry and Temple if a devastating hurricane hits Louisiana and premiums surge or insurance companies bail out of the state again.
In the final hours of the session Monday, Landry also salvaged a small part of what he wanted in closing records of state deliberations to the public. The Legislature passed an amended version of House Bill 767, which would prohibit anyone who is not a Louisiana resident from making a public records request about the governor.
Public records have been a widely debated topic with the Senate blocking a push by Landry’s office pushing for far greater restrictions.
The following has been provided by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries:
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division arrested 10 boaters statewide for allegedly driving or operating a vessel while intoxicated (DWI) during the Memorial Day Weekend from Saturday, May 25 to Monday, May 27.
The LDWF Enforcement Division also reported zero boating fatalities for the Memorial Day weekend.
”Our agents continue to do a great job of enforcing recreational boating regulations including being very strict when it comes to looking for impaired boat operators. Doing that makes the waterways of Louisiana a safer place for everyone,” said Major Clay Marques, the state’s boating law administrator.
On May 25, agents arrested:
Santo Spitale, 23, of Morgan City, on the Atchafalaya River. Matthew Fuller, 44, Sulphur, on Prien Lake. Kelly R. Foreman, 54, of Rayne, on the Mermentau River. Michael Phillips, 44, of Pineville, on Kincaid Lake. Kory Despaux, 41, of Arabi on Intracoastal Waterway.
On May 26, agents arrested:
Richard Minchew, 49, of Columbia, on the Ouachita River.Ian Johnson, 28, of Loranger, on the Tickfaw River.
On May 27, agents arrested:
Jaycob Golightly, 26, of Ragley, on the Calcasieu Ship Channel. Landin S. Carriere, 20, of Eunice, on the Mermentau River. Brody Holt, 20, of Sieper, on Kincaid Lake.
Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver’s license and boating privileges for the specified time ordered by the judge in the case. Also, each offense of operating a vehicle or vessel while intoxicated counts toward the total number of DWI crimes whether they happened on the water or road.
In Louisiana, a DWI can be issued to anyone operating a moving vessel or vehicle while impaired. First offense DWI carries a $300 to $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
BY RICKEY ROBERTSON
When General Robert E. Lee surrendered his Confederate Army to General U.S. Grant at Appamattox Court House in Virginia on April 9, 1865, the war was supposedly over. But further south there were several Confederate Generals and units that refused to surrender and they moved into Texas to continue the fight. General Kirby Smith and General Chief Stand Watie and their units had moved from the area around Shreveport, La. and the state of Arkansas into Texas and Oklahoma and the Union Army had to send units into Louisiana to counter these Confederate units now in Texas. Over 3000 Union cavalrymen arrived in Alexandria, La. and were commanded by one of the Union Army’s most famous cavalry officers, General George A. Custer. They would train and resupply then head to Texas to stop the rebellion.
Due to Alexandria, Louisiana, having been burned in 1864 by the retreating Union Army commanded by
General Nathaniel Banks in its failed attempt to win the Red River Campaign and capture Shreveport, Louisiana, Custer’s men lived in tents down near the Red River. Custer himself lived in one of the few houses that had not been destroyed in the area of present day downtown Alexandria on 4th Street. I have read many excerpts of how during this occupation of Alexandria Custer’s cavalrymen would make forays westward toward present day Gardner and Hineston searching for any type of food supplies they could find and on many occasions they would take cattle and yearlings back to Alexandria to be butchered to feed the troops. And sadly Southern folks were starving to death throughout the area.
Custer and his troops stayed from June to August 8, 1865 preparing for the expedition into Texas. When orders arrived for the command to move out and advance into Texas, wagons were loaded with supplies and hundreds of tents were taken down and folded, and over 3000 Union cavalrymen said good bye to Louisiana and hello to Texas. It took this large column of cavalry and supply wagons 4 days to get to the Sabine River where they crossed into Texas at “Bevil’s Ferry”.
Custer led his command on into Texas ever watching for Confederate units that had not surrendered. But General Kirby Smith surrendered his army and General Chief Stand Watie surrendered his Confederate unit comprised of Oklahoma Native Americans at Doaksville, Oklahoma on June 23, 1865.
All Confederate units had now surrendered. There would be no more battles. Custer led his troops into
Austin, Texas where he eventually commanded a cavalry division during the Reconstruction Period in the
South. After the war Custer was given the permanent rank of Lt. Colonel. Custer always wanted to be in
the spotlight during his career. He requested a transfer to the northwest territories so that he could be in
the fight against the Plains Indian tribes. The flamboyant and fancy dressed Custer did lead his famous 7th Cavalry into battle in 1876 and we all know the story of his great defeat at the Battle of the Little Big
Horn where he died fighting with his cavalry detachment . Yes even in death this battle addressed Custer
as the hero of the Little Big Horn fight.
So even not in Louisiana but a couple of month’s, our state can now lay claim that Custer had served in our state before carrying his troops into Texas. Louisiana has so much military history, dating all the way back to the War of 1812 to the present War On Terror, with so many famous officers having been in our state. And now we can add George Armstrong Custer to this list of famous officers !