From Natchitoches Fire Chief John D. Wynn, Jr.

This morning, at 04:14 a.m. The City of Natchitoches Fire Department was dispatched to a reported structure fire at The Mariner’s Restaurant. Engine 1, Engine 3, Truck 1, Rescue 1 and C2 were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters arrived on the scene and found flames showing through the roof. A call back page for all off duty firefighters was sent out and Fire District 6 was requested for mutual aid. No further details are available at this time and no reported injuries from this incident.

Read the original story in the Natchitoches Parish Journal below. 

Early Morning fire at the Mariner’s

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SaveCenla, a nonprofit organization focused on providing the public with information and events that will promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention, is hosting a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) interactive workshop on August 22-23, 2022 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM day 1 and 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM day 2 at CLTCC in Winnfield located at 5960 US-167, Winnfield, LA 71483. There is no cost to register. 

ASIST is a two-day interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may have thoughts of suicide and work with them to create a plan to support their immediate safety. Although healthcare providers widely use ASIST, participants don’t need formal training to attend the workshop—anyone 16 or older can learn and use the ASIST model.

​Since its development in 1983, ASIST has received regular updates to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice. As a result, over 2,000,000 people have taken the workshop. In addition, studies show that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings in those at risk and is a cost-effective way to help address the problem of suicide. 

Saving Lives from Suicide

Thoughts of suicide are surprisingly common. At any given time, around 1 in 25 people is thinking about suicide to some degree.

For most people, thinking about suicide isn’t about wanting to die. Instead, it’s the tension between their reasons for staying alive and their desire to escape from the pain that feels unbearable.

Within this tension lies the risk of death and the possibility of intervention, hope, and life. This is where someone with the right skills can help tip the balance and change a life forever. This is where LivingWorks training comes in.

For more information on the ASIST two-day training, click here.

Register for the two-day workshop in Winnfield, La here.

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Arcadia resident Tim Trahan made his fishing catch of a lifetime on Memorial Day, June 30, when he pulled in a bluegill that tipped the official scales at 2.235 pounds, crushing the existing Louisiana state record of 1.61 pounds. Trahan is in the process of getting this trophy catch certified.

“That’s not a fish, it’s a dinner plate!” exclaimed his brother Jason in Dandridge, TN, after Tim sent him a text with the photo. The local significance of the catch is that Tim is the brother-in-law of Winnfield native Laura Holeman Trahan.

Trahan, a Houma native, had been looking for a state-certified scale after boating the bluegill that morning and made his way to K&M Coffee, Corks &  Camo in Farmerville. Just the size of the fish brought drawn breaths as he unzipped his cooler and when he laid it on the scale to reveal the record weight, comments of congratulations were “Awesome!” and “That thing’s massive.”

The fisherman figured that the bluegill may have weighed slightly more when he first pulled it out of the water that morning. “It took me a while to figure out where to find this certified scale.” He said he was fishing for bass on a private pond using a Super Fluke when the fish struck. He would not initially reveal which pond but will have to supply that information for his state record certification.

As he stepped into the weighing room, Trahan had quipped that his wife would likely cook the fish stuffed with peppers and onions. The bluegill may actually be stuffed and mounted on the wall at K&M.

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Gov. John Bel Edwards sent a letter on June 10 to the Senate President and Speaker of the House explaining why it is premature to cancel the Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana Legislature set to begin June 15, 2022, which the Governor called after the Middle District Court ruled that the maps of Louisiana’s congressional districts drawn by Republicans in the legislature violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

Late Thursday, the Fifth Circuit issued an administrative stay of the Middle District Court’s injunction directing the Legislature to draw new maps. However, the court also requested briefings be filed by the parties regarding the stay request by 4 p.m. on Friday, June 10. Given the expedited timeline, there will likely be additional action by the Fifth Circuit on the stay request before the session is set to begin on June 15th.

The Governor’s letter advised the Speaker and the President that, while he is not rescinding the special session call at this time, he will rescind the call if a stay from the Fifth Circuit is in place as of 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14th.

In the letter, Gov. Edwards states:

“I remain hopeful that the Fifth Circuit will vacate the administrative stay and allow Judge Dick’s well-reasoned decision and injunction to remain in place. I believe the legislature can and should meet next week to enact maps that create a second majority minority district. Further, while I am mindful of the costs to the taxpayers as pointed out in your press release, it is clear that the state would have saved the unknown thousands of dollars being spent on out-of-state lawyers if the legislature had originally enacted maps that comply with the Voting Rights Act and the standard of fundamental fairness. It is not too late for the legislature to do the right thing. However, while I am Governor, I also remain an officer of the court, and I respect the Fifth Circuit’s authority over this matter. Should the Court retain a stay over Judge Dick’s decision, I agree that further action of the legislature should be delayed until the Fifth Circuit can review the merits of her decision.”

As of now, the Special Session will begin on June 15, 2022 and must adjourn by 6 p.m. on June 20, 2022.

Read the Governor’s Special Session call here.

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Date: 6-5-22
Name: William B Winn
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 50
Charge: Unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling

Date: 6-6-22
Name: Kendra Pimpleton
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Female
Age: 43
Charge: Simple Battery

Date: 6-6-22
Name: Lashaunda Blackwell
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: Black
Sex: Female
Age: N/A
Charge: Theft

Date: 6-7-22
Name: James Folden
Address: Winnfield, LA
Race: White
Sex: Male
Age: 40
Charge: Direct contempt of court, Warrant

THIS INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AS PUBLIC INFORMATION. PERSONS NAMED OR SHOWN IN PHOTOGRAPHS OR VIDEO AS SUSPECTS IN A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, OR ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH A CRIME, HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF ANY CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

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Rotarian of the Day for June 8, 2022, Ted Wold, secured Winnfield’s mayor-elect, Gerald Hamms, to speak to the Winnfield Rotary Club about his goals and plans as he takes office in July.

Mr. Hamms, born and reared here in Winnfield along with his four siblings, graduated from Winnfield Senior High School in 1978. He attended Louisiana Tech, and then joined the United States Marine Corps. After a military career of 24 years in the Marine Corps, Hamms returned to Winnfield, where he has continuously lived and worked since.

Along with working in leadership positions in different businesses, Mr. Hamms served Winnfield as the City Councilman for District 2 for two terms before running for mayor. He served on the Budget/Finance Committee, the Public Safety Committee, and several others in his time on the city council.

“My goal is to move the city forward, with all of us working together,” Hamms told the group. He noted that the population of Winnfield reported from the 2020 census was down 844 people from the census of 2010. We lost our status as a city, “and we must grow to improve our status back to that of a city, because many more grant opportunities are available to cities, with populations of 5,000+ than to towns, with populations between 1,000 and 4,999.

Mr. Hamms says he will work to attract businesses to come to Winnfield to provide job opportunities for the children of Winnfield as they complete their educations, so they can stay here and raise their own children. This will require improvement of the infrastructure such as streets and drainage. He also wants to increase recreational programs and opportunities for adults as well as children in
Winnfield.

“We need to adapt to the 21 st century,” according to Mr. Hamms, and the city and parish have to work together for improved technology and safety. “I’m a hands-on person, I’ll meet with groups and listen to my constituents. I think leaders should be challenged by the citizens when they are not being responsive
to needs.”

He plans to work to improve emergency preparedness so that citizens are protected and shelters are in place for such times. We will have a balanced budget, according to Hamms, and he will sit down with our CPAs and the auditors to see what the mayor’s office must do to get audits completely timely. Hamms also says he will work to make sure there is no blighted property in town, meeting with property owners about their properties. He will also continue the program to dispose of abandoned property with controlled burning while training the city’s firefighters.

After Mr. Hamms fielded questions about the lack of a landfill which can take debris from deconstructed buildings, the need to enhance downtown with its many derelict vacant buildings, the use of the VoTech property, and plans for the Fourth of July celebration, the meeting was adjourned as customary with the
Rotary motto, “Service above self!”

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Graduate of Winnfield Senior High School Macy Taylor Hemphill was awarded one of two Kiwanis scholarships for 2022. Macy is the daughter of Brittany Gardner. She scored a 32 on the ACT and was involved in many school activities and clubs. Macy said she worked very hard during her last 4 years in high school because she was working for her future. Macy will be attending Louisiana Tech with a major in accounting. She was very happy to be the recipient of the Kiwanis scholarship and very thankful. Congratulations, Macy and best wishes for a wonderful future.

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Louisiana Christian University’s Physical Therapy Assistant program has a sound history of strong academics and superior student outcomes. With the addition of the LCU Bachelor of Applied Science, program director Dr. Shaina Goudeau expects it to attract more attention than ever.

The PTA program is committed to the highest standards of ethics, professionalism and academic excellence while remaining rooted in Chrisitan faith. Part of the program’s success can be measured by a 100% pass rate on the NPTAE national licensure exam through the Federation of the State Board of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) as well as a 100% employment rate for program graduates, Goudeau said.

“I am grateful for Dr. Goudeau’s leadership and the teamwork of Penny Reeves, Eve Deselle, and Cheryl Bullock, for their tireless efforts to make our PTA degree a stellar healthcare professional program,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Cheryl Clark. “The students’ 100% pass rate on the national exam and their 100% employment rate speaks volumes of the program’s academic rigor, LCU’s outstanding PTA faculty who are dedicated to student success, and LCU’s commitment to producing quality healthcare professions to help meet the demand and needs of the healthcare profession.”

The 13th cohort of students just will complete their degrees in July, Goudeau said. Each summer, a new cohort of 20 students are accepted into the program through a competitive application process. To apply, students must have completed prerequisites including 30 hours of general education and obtain a minimum of 60 hours of observation in two different physical therapy settings. After acceptance into the program, students progress through 14 months consisting of 45 hours of didactic content focusing on technical skills as well as three clinical internships, which enhance and support hands-on skill while working in physical therapy clinics.

Miyah Portalis, a May 2022 graduate, said she plans to work with geriatric patients in a skilled nursing home facility.

Portalis, is one of many nontraditional students, who find the program attractive. She had already completed a four-year degree upon entering the program last year.

“The classes were challenging, but I know they will benefit me in the future,” Portalis said. “I was able to form great friendships with a few of my classmates. We supported each other throughout the entire program. Dr Goudeau is an amazing instructor. She pushes her students to be the best they can be and because of that I have a deep appreciation for her.”

Other graduates may choose to take their PTA degree and work toward a four-year degree and even apply to Physical Therapy School.

“The new Bachelor of Applied Science will suit our students well because they can complete their associate degree in two years and then continue on to earn a bachelor’s degree while being allowed to use the PTA coursework as acceptable hours toward the Bachelor of Applied Science,” Goudeau said. “The implementation of this degree allows PTA students and PTA graduates to complete both degrees in four years. Students who earn their bachelor’s degree may then choose to work toward a bridge program (bridging from a PTA to a PT) or apply to a traditional physical therapy program.”

Ashley Lewis has been working as a PTA in Monroe since graduating from the program. She has been finishing her four-year degree part-time.

“I recently was accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program [at University of Louisiana Monroe],” Lewis said. “Dr. Goudeau was kind enough to write me a letter of recommendation even after years of being a student [at LC]. I’m so grateful for her and helping me in this journey.”

Goudeau said the program has never stopped growing and producing quality PTAs.

Goudeau began the PTA program 14 years ago along with former program director, Dr. Amy Stallings. The development of the Division of Allied Health at Louisiana Chrisitan University including a Physical Therapist Assistant Program was initiated in an effort to address a dramatic shortage of healthcare professionals in Louisiana, especially in its rural communities, most of which had been designated Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) and Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Louisiana Christian University has been a leader in higher education for over one hundred years and through the consultation and support of the Louisiana Hospital Association (LHA), Rural Health Coalition (RHC), Louisiana College Allied Health Taskforce, and health professionals across Louisiana a grant proposal was submitted and approved by the state of Louisiana.

“The program has largely grown by word of mouth,” Goudeau said. “Our goal is to increase our marketing efforts to areas outside of central Louisiana so that program graduates can reach all areas of the state and be of service to those in need, especially in rural, undeserved areas.”

What sets LCU apart, Goudeau said, is the combined focus of technical skills and spirituality.”

“Our focus is providing sound education, facilitating students to reaching their ultimate potential and using physical therapy skills while serving others for Christ,” Goudeau said. “Faculty is steadfast in ensuring the three strands of the PTA program (competencies, Christian service and life-long learning) are interwoven throughout the curriculum and valued by all shareholders.”

For more information about the PTA program contact Dr. Goudeau at (318)487-7162 or shaina.goudeau@lacollege.edu.

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NATCHITOCHES:
John W. Bailes
August 27, 1936 – June 8, 2022
Service: Tuesday, June 14 at 11:30 am at Marthaville Cemetery

RED RIVER:
Johnny “Hobo” Marvin Williamson
September 27, 1953 – June 10, 2022
Service: Monday, June 13 at 10 am at the Pentecostals of Martin, located at 159 Kellogg Rd in Coushatta

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Meet Ginger R.

Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge exists to provide men and women with an effective residential, biblically-based solution to life-controlling problems. Our purpose is to produce graduates who function responsibly and productively in society, and who have healthy relationships in the workplace, family, church and community.

Adult & Teen Challenge is one of the largest and most successful accredited programs of its kind with over 1000 residential locations worldwide. Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge was founded by Greg and Abigail Dill in 1987. Over the last 35 years, we have grown to 8 campuses statewide, with the ability to accommodate men, women, and women with their children.

WHAT IS STUDENT SPONSORSHIP?

Students often come into Louisiana Adult & Teen Challenge with little or no hope in life. They have burned every bridge and lost almost everything due to drug abuse and other crimes. Most times, they have little outside help supporting them during this time; therefore, we do not charge a monthly tuition. If you would like to help offset these costs, you can sponsor a student for as little as $35 a month. You can also sponsor a child that is enrolled here with their mother for an additional $15 per child. Your sponsorship means that they have someone who cares and is invested in their success!

As a monthly sponsor, you can expect:

• A packet with information about your student
• Monthly updates
• The opportunity to write letters to your student
• The opportunity to send care packages to your student
• You can pray for them
• You will receive a personal invitation to attend their Graduation Ceremony

For more information about becoming a sponsor visit https://www.louisianateenchallenge.com/sponsorship/

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The annual WHS/WSHS alumni school reunion will be held Saturday, June 25 at 6:00 at the CLTCC in Winnfield, LA. Doors will open at 4:30 PM for a meet and greet hour from 5-6. Pre-registration is required

For a registration form or more information contact Jimmie Frazier Davies at 318-628-6622.

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By: Dr. James Lee

Last month we discussed Melanoma Awareness, but May was also Awareness month for other skin cancers and safe sun.  Skin cancer is the most common of all human cancers.  Skin cancer is diagnosed in 3 million Americans each year.  The number of skin cancers annually is estimated to be 5.4 million, indicating that many people are diagnosed with more than 1 skin cancer in a year.  However, if caught early can be easily treated and only accounts for less than 1% of all cancer deaths.  The two most common types of non-melanoma skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. 

Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common, accounting for 80% of these cancers.  They arise from the basal layer of the epidermis (skin) and usually develop on sun-exposed areas like the face, head, and neck.  They grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body.  However, if left untreated basal cells can grow into nearby areas and invade bone and other tissues beneath the skin.  The treatment is surgical removal with a margin of normal tissue where there are no residual cancer cells (negative margin).

Squamous cell carcinoma arises from the outer part of the epidermis.  These also occur on sun-exposed areas of the body including the neck, ears, face, lips, and the back of hands.  They can also develop from actinic keratosis, which is a rough, scaly area on the skin related to sun-damage.  Squamous cell carcinoma may also develop in chronic wounds or areas of the body exposed to other types of radiation.  Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma is treated with excision with negative margins.  However, squamous cell carcinoma has a greater tendency to grow into deeper layers of the skin and can spread to lymph nodes and other parts of the body if left unchecked.

The primary risk factor for basal and squamous cell carcinoma is, of course, UV exposure, either natural sunlight or tanning beds.  Older individuals are more at risk due to the buildup of UV exposure over time.  Light colored skin that freckles, blue or green eyes, and naturally red-or blond-haired individuals have greater risk because melanin, the dark skin pigment, is protective in people with darker skin.  Traditionally males are at greater risk, presumably due to more sun exposure.  Exposure to coal tar, petroleum products, and arsenic also increased the risk.  Other risk factors include prior skin cancers, radiation treatment, severe skin inflammation, psoriasis, and Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.

As with other cancers, early detection is associated with better outcomes and survival.  Skin surveillance monthly at home to identify any skin lesions that are new, getting larger, or otherwise changing is key.  Any concerning lesion should be brought to the attention of your doctor.  For those with a history of skin cancer, regular physician examinations for recurrence or new skin cancers are important and should occur every 6 to 12 months.

Prevention is primarily to limit exposure to UV rays.  “Slip!  Slop!  Slap! . . .and Wrap” is an easy reminder of ways to protect yourself from sun exposure.  Slip on a shirt.  Slop on Sunscreen, at least SPF 30, but 45 and 50+ are better.  Slap on a hat, especially a wide-brimmed hat that protects your ears and neck as well as your face.  Wrap around sunglasses will protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around them.  Children require special consideration because they spend more time outdoors and burn easily.  The risk of later skin cancer increases with each sunburn before the age of 18.  Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours and if possible, avoid the sun between 10-2:00 when the UV index is highest.

Dr. James Lee serves as the Coroner of Winn Parish. He is a General Surgeon and Surgical Oncologist who has been practicing in Winnfield for over ten years. Dr. Lee attended the University of Colorado for his medical degree. He completed his residency in Surgery at the University of Oklahoma before completing a fellowship in Surgical Oncology and Endoscopy at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY. Dr. Lee and his wife Scarlett live in Winnfield with their son and are active in the community.

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By: Reba Phelps

As I pulled off of the Interstate in picturesque Cheyenne, Wyoming for gas I purposefully did not look at the price on the well lit and welcoming sign. It was what it was at that point. The gas station signs brought so much disappointment to my bank account on our recent trip. My Buick was gently reminding me that it was time for a refill. My weary traveling body needed a stretch and a piping hot cup of ambition, as Dolly Parton’s song so famously said.

Once I exited my car, my daughter trotted inside to see what kind of road snack she would need to continue our journey home. The gas pump area was packed with travelers. Some had small cars like mine and some were large trucks pulling travel trailers. I shuddered as I thought about their gas bill. It was none of my business but I just assumed that they were overrun with disposable income, buying gas without a painful look on their faces.

One of the fun things my daughters and I always do on road trips is look at other license plates. Most are so much prettier than our Louisiana license plates. Some have plates on the front of the cars and on the back. Some are clearly far from home while some are locals. It is innocent entertainment to break up the doldrums.

As I inserted the gas nozzle into my thirsty Buick I heard a sweet lady’s voice say, “Oh my dear, you are far from home or did you rent that car with a Louisiana license plate?”

With a somewhat cheerful smile I said, “No ma’am, it is not rented. I am from Louisiana.”

There was an instant frown on her aged but well preserved face that I chalked up to me calling her “ma’am”. We were not in the South where it is expected and appreciated.

“What do you mean, did you drive all this way by yourself?”. I could tell that she was so confused and concerned as to why I would be so far from home.

I went on to explain that we drove my oldest daughter to Idaho. We made a vacation out of it, we were leaving the breathtaking mountains and we were now on our way back to the humidity of Louisiana. I even told her we did the very same thing last year but took a different route this year. I was truly telling this stranger my whole life story at the gas pump. Maybe we were both visiting to ignore the inevitable pain of watching the gas pump rack up dollars upon dollars?

Just when I heard the click of the pump signifying that the thirsty tank was now full, my new friend told me, “You are so brave driving that far from home all by yourself, you be careful going back to the South.”

For a brief moment, I thought maybe she didn’t see that I had my youngest daughter with me. I was not alone. Wait, was she making a comment about us not having a man along for our trip?

I refused to let any part of our visit end with anything but positive vibes.

Brave. Wow. She called me brave. Hmmm….and all of a sudden I felt brave and a little proud. I was truly feeling like I had accomplished something great.

When we hopped back into my road-worn Louisiana Buick, I thanked the Lord for the little reminder from a new friend that I was brave for taking this journey. But I also thanked him for his traveling grace that he showered over our trip. I thanked him for the special memories made between mom and daughters that will last a lifetime. I also took the time to thank him for the time I was able to spend with him while driving down the road. While the girls were deep into their current streaming service, I had alone time listening to praise music and talking to the Lord as we crossed many state lines.

I may have forgotten to thank the Lord that the gas prices were not any higher than they were. I will have to add that to my next conversation with him.

My Louisiana license plate amassed right at four thousand miles on this journey and not one of those miles did we not feel the love and security that only our Savior could provide.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9

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By: Steve Graf

Time is a funny thing…it’s always changing, and it never seems to stop. But like everything, there is a past, present and eventually a future. The sport of bass fishing goes way back, and today we’ll take a hard look into the past and see just how the sport has evolved into what it is today. They say if you want to see what the future may hold, you must first look into its past.

Bass fishing goes as far back as 1791 when Naturalist William Bartram wrote an account of Indians in the American South catching largemouth bass with a “bob” and long pole in 1760. This is apparently the earliest reference, not only to American bass fishing but also to fishing with hair bugs. Then in 1897 William Shakespeare, Jr. patented a level wind device for baitcasting reels, making their use easier and more popular. This revolutionized the fishing world on all levels for both fresh and saltwater anglers.

It was in 1948 that things really changed for bass fishing with the creation of the first bass boat designed and built by Skeeter Boats, still one of the leading boat manufacturers today. Because of this innovation, now anglers not only had good quality gear, but they had a better means to get around on larger lakes and rivers, opening up America’s waterways. The following year in 1949, fiberglass fishing rods were invented, replacing bamboo rods. Also in 1949, Nick and Cosma Crème of Akron, Ohio, melted plastic on their kitchen stove, poured it into molds and created the first modern soft-plastic worm….the Creme Wiggle Worm.

Now on to the 1950s with the first ever organized bass tournament put on by outdoor writer Earl Golding on Lake Whitney, Texas, in 1955. A total of 73 anglers participated in this first ever one-of-a-kind event. Then in 1957, the beginning of sonar revolution began with Carl Lowrance introducing the first portable sonar capable of detecting both the bottom and individual fish. It was in 1959 when more than 20,000 fingerling bass were stocked in California’s upper Otay Lake, that the United States had its first fish management program. This is also where the first creel limits were set, along with season dates and the establishment of a bass lunker program. Twenty-one of the top twenty-five bass on record were caught from California waters.

I hope you’ve enjoyed a look back into bass fishing history to see how it all began. Next week, we will continue our journey by looking at the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, which had a huge impact on where the sport is today. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!

Steve Graf – Owner/Co-host
Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show
& Tackle Talk Live

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