On the morning of February 20, 2005, Mike Bolesta and his son Christopher visited a Best Buy in Lutherville, Maryland, about twenty minutes north of Baltimore.  They were shopping for a cd player for Christopher’s car.  The carefully considered the pros and cons of each model until they finally decided on just the right one.  The technician assured Mike that the cd player would fit perfectly in Christopher’s dashboard without any alterations.  Mike agreed to pay a $114 installation fee in addition to the cd player once it was installed.  After a while, the technician returned with bad news.  The cd player would not fit but Best Buy had another model which would fit, and it was $67 cheaper.  Mike and Christopher were disappointed, but the technician’s offer to waive the $114 installation fee was too good to pass up.  Mike had the technician install the cd player.  After the technician completed the installation, Mike paid the cashier for the cd player and said he would be glad to pay the installation fee.  The cashier was aware of the technician’s offer and did not charge him for installation.  Mike and Christopher left the store pleased with their purchase.

As the old saying goes, “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.”  The following day, a representative from Best Buy called Mike and threatened to call the police unless he returns to the store and pays the $114 installation fee.  Mike mentioned that the technician had waived the installation fee because of their inability to install the cd player they had originally chosen.  The Best Buy representative stood his ground.  Mike agreed to come in the following day to settle up.

On the following day, Mike returned to the Best Buy to pay the installation fee.  He handed the cashier $114 in cash.  The cashier noticed that some of the ink on the bills was smeared.  She suspected the bills were counterfeit.  She pointed out the smearing to Mike and said, “I don’t have to take these if I don’t want to.”  Mike replied, “If you don’t, I’m leaving.  I’ve tried to pay my bill twice.  You don’t want these bills, you can sue me.”   The cashier took the money and checked each of them with an anticounterfeit pen.  The ink showed that the bills were real but the cashier was still uncertain.  Other employees became curious and inspected the bills.  “Are these real?” they asked.  “Of course, they are,” Mike contended, “They’re legal tender.”  They too suspected the bills were counterfeit.  One of the employees discreetly called the police.    

Within minutes, police arrived and inspected the bills.  One officer noticed that, in addition to the smearing, the bills ran in sequential order.  One of the officers asked where he got the bills and Mike replied that he got them from his bank.  “You got a problem, call the bank.”  By this time, all of the customers and employees in the area were gawking at Mike.  He later said, “I am 6 feet 5 inches tall, and I felt like 8 inches high.  It was humiliating.”  Like the Best Buy employees, the officers concluded that the money was counterfeit.  One of the officers handcuffed Mike and told him, “We have to do this until we get it straightened out.”  Mike retorted, “I can’t believe you’re doing this.  I’m paying with legal American money.”  The officers were unyielding.

One of the officers transported him to the county police lockup in Cockeysville, about 10 minutes north of the Best Buy.  They walked Mike into a jail cell which had a metal pole attached to the floor and ceiling in the center of the room.  Next to the pole was a single chair.  An officer sat Mike in the chair and uncuffed one hand.  Mike assumed he would remove the handcuffs.  Instead, the officer handcuffed Mike to the pole.  Mike was even more shocked when the officer shackled his legs to the pole.  Mike said, “at this point, I’m a mass murderer.”  Mike sat and waited.

Three hours after being handcuffed and shackled to the pole, United States Secret Service agent Leigh Turner arrived at the jail.  She examined each bill for size, thickness, weight, tested the paper’s ink, and paid close attention to the sequential numbers.  She concluded that the bills were absolutely real, legitimate American currency.  She had the final say in the matter.  In her report, agent Turner noted that “sometimes ink on money can smear.”  Officers released Mike and apologized for the inconvenience.

A few days later, Mike’s son asked him for some money.  Mike pulled his wallet from his back pocket and pulled out a few bills.  Mike’s son suddenly remembered the story of Mike being arrested and decided that he no longer needed the money.  Why were the Best Buy employees and officers confused about Mike’s form of payment?  Why was he arrested?  Mike paid the cashier the $114 cd player installation fee in fifty-seven crisp, real… $2 bills.      

For more Real Stories about Real People …with a Twist, order your copy of “Remember This?” at http://www.BradDison.com or from Amazon.com.          

Source:

The Baltimore Sun, March 8, 2005, p.B1.

WINN:
Gary Higgs
September 28, 1941 – October 25, 2020
Service: Wednesday, October 28 at 11 am in the Southern Funeral Home Chapel

GRANT:
Anita “Oma” Biedenbacher
January 12, 1944 – October 26, 2020

NATCHITOCHES:
Edwin Davidson, Jr.
September 12, 2003 – October 19, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Marjorie Remo
October 22, 2020
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Nickolas Charles Parrie
September 28, 2001 – October 25, 2020
Service: Thursday, October 29 at 11 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church

RED RIVER:
Roy Ricky White
October 26, 2020
Arrangements TBA

WINN PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Name: Justin D. Curry
Date: 10-18-2020
Age: 36
Gender: Male
Race: White
Charge: Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Assault-Simple, Resisting Arrest or Officer, Battery on A Police Officer

Name: Malcolm Rodney Barton
Date: 10-19-2020
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Race: White
Charge: Failure to Appear Arrest Warrant: Criminal Damage to Property, Arrest Warrant: Theft of A Motor Vehicle

Name: Brandy N. Coleman
Date: 10-20-2020
Age: 36
Gender: Female
Race: White
Charge: Warrant: Theft by Fraud > $1000 

Winnfield Police Department
Name: Kevin McDonald
Date: 10-23-2020
Age: 46
Address: Winnfield, LA
Gender: Female
Race: White
Charge: Battery of Dating Partner, Resisting an Officer, Simple Battery, Second Degree Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon
Bond: Not Listed

Name: Christopher Bryant
Date: 10-24-2020
Age: 43
Address: Winnfield, LA
Gender: Male
Race: Black
Charge: Open Container, Aggravated Assault, Resisting by Flight, Possession of Firearm with Obliterated Serial Number
Bond: Not Listed

Name: Edward D. Powell
Date: 10-24-2020
Age: 32
Address: Winnfield, LA
Gender: Male
Race: Black
Charge: Open Container, Aggravated Assault with Firearm
Bond: Not Listed

Name: Hacrares Tyson
Date: 10-25-2020
Age: 40
Address: Winnfield, LA
Gender: Male
Race: Black
Charge: Dating Battery, FTA x 2
Bond: Not Listed

Name: Brannon Hayes
Date: 10-25-2020
Age: 39
Address: Winnfield, LA
Gender: Male
Race: White
Charge: Bench Warrant x 2
Bond: Not Listed

Early Voting for the November 3, 2020 Election as of the Close-Of-Business on Saturday, October 24, 2020. 

Early voting will run through Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 8 am – 7 pm at the Registrar of Voters Office in the Winn Parish Courthouse. The Courthouse is considered a polling location during early voting and NO electioneering will be permitted within 600 feet of the building.

• a driver’s license,
• a Louisiana Special ID, 
• LA Wallet digital driver’s license, 
• a United States military identification card that contains the applicant’s name and picture, or
• some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature.

Voters who have no picture ID may complete and sign a Voter Identification Affidavit in order to vote; however, it is subject to challenge by law.

The deadline to request an absentee by mail ballot is Oct. 30 by 4:30 p.m. You can request an absentee by mail ballot online through our Voter Portal or in writing through your Registrar of Voters Office (other than military and overseas voters).

The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted mail ballot is Nov. 2 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).

Winn Parish Registrar of Voters has taken measures inside the courthouse to ensure that social distancing measures are followed while placing your vote.

It has been a very active hurricane season, and it could be record setting for Louisiana. Zeta is forecast to reach Louisiana at or near hurricane strength Wednesday — and if it does, it will set the record for most named storms in the state in one season.

Billy Ray Brister, of Gulf Shores, AL passed away very peacefully on October 16, 2020. His death is due to complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Billy Ray Brister was born in Sikes, LA to Vaudie Mae Simmons and John W. Brister Sr. He grew up with brothers John Brister Jr., Carl Ben Brister, Glen Brister and sister Violet Richardson. As a youth, he loved spending his time fishing and kicking around the Louisiana countryside until the sun went down. After graduating from Winnfield High School, Billy enlisted in the Army 1958-1961 serving as a personnel specialist. After being honorably discharged, he began working in the insurance field. His career spanned various aspects of business from sales, business owner to stockbroker. His passions were fishing, dogs, laughing, gardening, Jimmy Buffet, ice cream and LSU. He was known for his quick wit, sense of humor and generosity. Bill met the love of his life Myriam Diaz in Ventress, LA and they were married on October 11, 1999. Being a kind, loving and faithful provider was of utmost importance to Bill and he wholeheartedly loved his family.

Bill has four children Brenda Tsavatewa of Macon, GA, Stephen Brister (deceased), Jon Brister (deceased) and Andres Santas of Gulf Shores, AL. Bill had three stepchildren from an earlier marriage Brian Luckie, Dianne Guiffre and Sandra Luckie. His wife Myriam has three sons Jose Sabogal married to Adrianna Sabogal, Juan Carlos Sabogal married to Cindy Sabogal and Andres Santa. Together, Bill and Myriam are blessed with wonderful grandchildren Christopher Tsavatewa, Joshua Tsavatewa, Brianne Tsavatewa (deceased), Tyler Lester, Camilla Sabogal, Sarah Sabogal, Anna Sabogal, Mia Sabogal, and Mercy Sabogal. He is survived by a loving nephew Johnny Brister, Jeff Richardson, and niece Karen Richardson. He is preceded in death by Sandra Brister and Kim Brister.

Bill was also the proud papa of furry children whom he adored Sam, Buster, Lulu, Lucas, Buck, Tacky Jack, Scooby Doo, and Wyatt. He loved to rescue dogs, but he knew the dogs rescued him. All the friends and extended family who knew Bill loved his generous spirit, welcoming and humorous personality.

A private family gathering will be held on the waters near Gulf Shores on Sunday October 25, 2020. An online memorial remembrance album will be set up for friends and family to post memories and pictures for the family to cherish. See link in Bill Brister Facebook page.

Condolences to the family may be sent to the home of Bill and Myriam Brister.

WINN:
Angela Lynette Whatley
February 20, 1973 – October 16, 2020
Arrangements TBA

Henry Cooper Little
March 01, 1937 – October 23, 2020
Service: Monday, October 26 at 2 pm at Southern Funeral Home

NATCHITOCHES:
Marjorie Remo
October 22, 2020
Arrangements TBA

SABINE:
Shirley Jean Stewart
July 25, 1927 – October 23, 2020
Arrangements TBA

RED RIVER:
Lydia Ann Carter
April 10, 1957 – October 22, 2020
Service: Monday, October 26 at 10 am at Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home Chapel

Early Voting for the November 3, 2020 Election as of the Close-Of-Business on Thursday, October 22, 2020. 

Early voting will run through Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 8 am – 7 pm at the Registrar of Voters Office in the Winn Parish Courthouse. The Courthouse is considered a polling location during early voting and NO electioneering will be permitted within 600 feet of the building.

• a driver’s license,
• a Louisiana Special ID, 
• LA Wallet digital driver’s license, 
• a United States military identification card that contains the applicant’s name and picture, or
• some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature.

Voters who have no picture ID may complete and sign a Voter Identification Affidavit in order to vote; however, it is subject to challenge by law.

The deadline to request an absentee by mail ballot is Oct. 30 by 4:30 p.m. You can request an absentee by mail ballot online through our Voter Portal or in writing through your Registrar of Voters Office (other than military and overseas voters).

The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted mail ballot is Nov. 2 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).

Winn Parish Registrar of Voters has taken measures inside the courthouse to ensure that social distancing measures are followed while placing your vote.

Louisiana will allow more high school football fans to attend games in outside stadiums, if they’re in parishes with low numbers of coronavirus cases in the last few weeks.

Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Thursday that the stadiums will be allowed to have crowds at 50% capacity in parishes where 5% or fewer of the coronavirus tests have come back positive in the last two weeks. All stadiums have been capped at 25% capacity.

The change will take effect Friday. The Democratic governor said 26 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes meet the criteria to boost crowd sizes in their high school football stadiums.

Edwards said the change comes in response to a conversation with House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and Senate President Page Cortez, Republicans who are leading an ongoing special session seeking to give lawmakers more authority over the governor’s coronavirus decision-making.

Among the strongest complaints from GOP lawmakers have involved restrictions on crowd sizes at high school football games.

Parishes that meet the criteria announced Thursday for more outdoor seating at high school football stadiums are Assumption, Avoyelles, Catahoula, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Grant, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Orleans, Rapides, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Terrebonne, Vermilion, West Feliciana and Winn.

“It’s a welcomed announcement and I’m very pleased to see Winn Parish is doing so much better as far as our percentage of Covid cases in concerned. The players are extremely excited about the possibility of having more fans in the stands so this in an invitation to come cheer on your Tigers,” said WSHS Coach Jay Watson in response to Thursday’s announcement.

Winn Parish School Board committees will meet Monday, October 26, 2020, at 5 PM in the meeting room of the Winn Parish School Board.

Today, October 23rd from 8 AM – 3 PM at the Winn Parish Health Unit Located at 301 W. Main St. flu shots are available to the public. Walk-ins are welcome. Wear short or loose-fitting sleeves and bring your private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare card if you have it. Your insurance will be billed.

If you miss these clinics, you can get your flu shot at another Department of Health flu clinic, your pharmacy or your doctor’s office.

Flu shot facts:

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Louisiana Department of Heath recommend a yearly flu shot for everyone over 6 months of age.
• A flu shot is especially crucial for people who may be at higher risk for serious complications. This includes babies and young children, pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions and people 65 years and older.
• The flu shot is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women, who can pass on antibodies to their babies that will help protect them.
• The flu shot starts to offer partial protection immediately, but takes about two weeks to offer full protection.
• Most seasonal flu activity occurs between October and May, and typically peaks between December and February.
• Last year in Louisiana, the flu was associated with more than 15,000 hospitalizations, more than 1,600 deaths and 5 pediatric deaths.
• Influenza is especially serious in long-term care facilities (nursing homes). Severe and even fatal illness can be introduced by healthcare workers, visitors and newly admitted residents.
• The flu has a tremendous impact on school attendance and on the families of school children. An estimated 28% of school-aged children get influenza each year.

Senator Louis Bernard is delighted that the Senate has passed a bill to provide extra pay for election commissioners this fall.  Final Senate vote of 37-0 came late morning Thursday.  Bernard said the bill now goes to the Governor.

“I don’t think there is any opposition to the Governor signing it,” said Bernard.  The money for the November 3^rd election is in the CARES Act and funding for December 5^th election will be in the Supplemental Budget the Legislature is working on.

The Journal spoke with Senator Bernard on the chamber floor.  He said the bill started out in the house, introduced by Rep. Beau Beaullieu of New Iberia.  The state House passed the bill on October 13^th.  Bernard told The Journal he managed the bill in the state Senate.  The goal was to get it passed and over to the Governor before the special session ended.

“It’s not a lot of money,” said Bernard.  Commissioners will get an additional $100 for working an election.  The bill states that it goes into effect when there is an emergency situation called by the Governor,  as is the case during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Bernard said, “Election commissioners were our unsung heroes of the election process. They have to sit at elections 15 hours, even when turnout is very slow.”

Many commissioners may be already at a health risk during the pandemic.  Bernard said, “They are exposing themselves to more people than they normally would.  This is an expression that we think you are doing a good job and we appreciate it.”