Ronald Lynn Roberts 
September 25, 1954-August 20, 2024
Service: Services for Mr. Roberts were held Sunday, August 25th at Southern Funeral Home Interment followed in the Garden of Memories of Winnfield.

Dora Lane Scroggins Underwood
January 22, 1948-August 23, 2024
Service: Funeral for Mrs. Underwood took place Tuesday, August 27 after 10am under the direction of the Southern Funeral Home. Interment  followed at the Fellowship Cemetery near Sikes.

A motion of intent on a long-discussed ordinance on livestock was approved by the Winn Parish Police Jury during its August 19 session.

The parish already has laws on the books regulating (the owners of) livestock that get out on parish roads.  The new legislation centers instead on complaints on a loophole since problems with loose livestock getting into your yard, garden or carport are not covered, as cited in some lively meetings past.

After some discussion in the interim, the parish body has put together a three-page document to spell out control measures for the problem.  With Monday’s approval, this will be printed in the Official Journal, then put before a public hearing before being voted on at a future jury meeting.

Looking at the proposed measure, District Attorney Chris Nevils made two observations on terminology.  He questioned the stand-alone word “livestock,” asking if that means just cattle or does it also include horses, pigs, chickens and such.  President Frank McLaren said it is understood in the broader view.  (Jury Secretary Karen Tyler later found law on the parish books that defines livestock as everything from cattle to fish and may incorporate that into the ordinance).

He also said that this is a criminal ordinance, so if the unlawful action of owners in regard to their livestock is “willful or knowing,” that wording is suitable.  But “negligent” does not fit within the criminal scope.  That change will be made.

In separate action prior to beginning the business potion to Monday’s agenda, McLaren took a moment to pay tribute to the recent passing of former police juror Walter Williams, holding up an office photo of Williams to display to jurors and the audience.  Williams served from January 1972 until December 1987.

Season tickets are now on sale at Winnfield Senior High School for fans as the Tigers prepare for their 2024 season, with action beginning soon with their tradition Scrimmage and Jamboree before entering regular season play against longtime rival Jonesboro-Hodge on September 6.

Season tickets are $60 each, available at the WSHS office.  Parking passes are also available at $60.  For purchases, see Ms. Jackson.

2024 WSHS Tiger Season Schedule

Sept. 6 (Away) Jonesboro-Hodge

Sept. 13 (Home) Caldwell

Sept. 20 (Home) West Ouachita

Sept. 27 (Away) Jena

Oct. 4 (Away) Bunkie

Oct. 11 (Home) Rosepine…Homecoming

Oct. 18 (Home) Many…Pink Out

Oct. 25 (Home) Mansfield…Senior Night

Nov. 1  (Away) Red River

Nov. 8 (Away) Lakeside

Sheriff Josh McAllister gave the Police Jury some good news Monday night when he reported he’d waive costs for roadside litter pickup by a parish inmate crew, a monthly savings he estimated at $5,833.  He said lawmakers could apply the savings towards broadband expansion or whatever they see fit.

As an indication of how much trash residents throw out of their vehicles, he reported the crew had picked up 200 bags in the prior three days alone.

McAllister said the Sheriff’s Office will absorb this cost, adding that he’s proud to be involved in the cleanup effort recently spotlighted in the state’s “Love the Boot” campaign.  Not only does this ease the eyesore, he said, it is part of economic development.  “When a new business comes here and looks up and down our highways and sees litter, it’s not encouraging.”

The cleanup crew would be out on a four-day weekly basis.

The sheriff added that he’s working towards a second measure that could push the monthly savings to the jury to $9,000 or $10,000.  “I’ll ask that you give me one more month as we’re trying to get jail meal costs down from $15 to $14 per day per prisoner.  We’re working with the Department of Corrections.”  

This was an item he had voiced back when he served as police jury president.  Juror Author Robinson observed, “I understand food costs and that’s going to be quite a challenge.”  McAllister replied, “Yes, prices are high today.  What used to be $50 at the grocery store now costs you $200.  But I’ll try.  Our jail is not here for us to make money.”

Jury president Frank McLaren wrapped up this discussion by thanking the sheriff for the roadside trash pickup program and for allowing inmates to assist with some of the parish road equipment.  Then he added, “Don’t be in a rush on cutting the meal costs and put yourself in a bind,” agreeing that it could take a few months to sort details with the Department of Corrections.

Winn Parish District Attorney Chris Nevils presented a very interesting program to the Kiwanis club, Tuesday, August 20.  He gave each member a handout that he received from the Natchitoches DA Billy Harrington. The first page was about domestic violence and the second page was the 2024 Legislative session highlights.

COVID greatly impacted the criminal justice system in Louisiana as well as other states. Because of people being forced to stay at home there was an increase in domestic violence involving family members. The Legislature passed a law that enhanced the sentencing range due to choking. Previously if one person tried to choke another person their sentence was the same as if they just punched the other person.   Domestic violence is hard to prosecute for many reasons including the fact that the abuser brings in the money so the victim is not willing to prosecute.

During Governor John Bel Edwards’ terms he tied the hands of the justice system to lower the incarceration rate in the state, the speaker indicated.

Nevils is part of a group that is trying to build a Central Louisiana juvenile facility in Pollock. They have the money to build but not to staff the facility after it is built. This facility would house juveniles from approximately 8 parishes. At the present time violent juvenile offenders are sent to Mississippi or south Louisiana because no one regionally will take them. 

In answer to a question he spoke about progressive DAs. These are actively engaged in non-prosecution. They are elected because they have the most money. In a fair fight, a law and order DA will win the election but not when it is based on how much money you have to use in your campaign. 

Nevils is a realist and knows there is not enough room in our jails for all the people who commit crimes. Therefore you have to pick and choose your battles.  He spoke about one sovereign citizen who believes there is no United States, no state of Louisiana, no law that he has to follow.  Because of his many felonies they were finally able to give him a life sentence at Angola. 

Another question asked was about the concealed carry permit. You no longer need a concealed carry in Louisiana, but if you do and you go to another state there can be reciprocity. If you have a gun in your vehicle and you are asked by a law officer at a routine traffic stop, if you have one you should say that you do.  

In answer to another question Nevils said he had worked well with Sheriff Cranford Jordan and he was very optimistic that he would work well with Sheriff Josh McAllister. 

Nevils believes that whatever job you have, especially in politics, you have to leave your ego at the door. Focus on your job and do the best you can.

The club thanked Winn Parish District Attorney Chris Nevils for a very informative program.

Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana a mission to provide quality healthcare to the people of the six parishes (Winn, Grant, Rapides, Avoyelles, Lincoln and Bienville) it serves.  Launched as Winn Community Health Center in July 2009, they’ve grown dramatically over the past 15 years to have served 144,999 patients last year through the skills of 300 employees.

CEO Deano Thornton was quoted as saying, “We want to bring more specialty services to our communities.  Several expansion projects are in the works.”  As proof, Trinity offers (at various clinics) pediatrics, mental health and behavioral services, dental health, podiatry, gastro-intestinal services, neurologist and diagnostic testing for eye care and diabetes.

Yet at the heart of Trinity’s mission to the community is offering quality primary healthcare for the many issues that affect families, accomplished through their team of professionals.  One member of that team is Terri Roberts, FNPC, (Family Nurse Practitioner, Certified) in Winn.

The Chatham native attended Dodson High School after Sikes closed while she was in kindergarten.  She attended Louisiana Tech but that provided only a two-year nursing degree so she went on to ULM where she received her BS degree in Nursing, then on to NSU where she received her MS degree in nursing.

“While I studied for my degrees, I worked at the Winn Parish Medical Center’s ER.  I really liked working ER.  Then 12 years ago, I was looking for a job.  Tony Acosta called and Deano Thornton gave me a chance because I was nurse practitioner just out of school at the time.”

Asked the role of a nurse practitioner, Terri replied, “I take care of families…people who are sick.”  A nurse practitioner handles many of the same duties as doctors. Included are physical exams, diagnosing and treating diseases and other health conditions, and prescribing medication.  

“An advantage to working with Trinity is its network of professionals.  If something comes up that I need help with, I can call.  Our Medical Director, Dr. Joan Walker, comes to our Winn clinic on a scheduled basis but I can call her or any of our other specialists as needed to help my patients.”

She adds, “I work alongside a lot of great people.  I think I’ve been here this long because they work together as a team.”

Terri is married to Andy Roberts, an investigator with the Winn Parish Sheriff’s Office.  They have three children, Sadie and Sarah, ages 9, and Owen, age 6.

The parish should soon take delivery of a piece of equipment that can lay down asphalt, not just patch potholes.  The state contract cost is $181,202.

The equipment from Covington Sales in Alexandria is on the lot and described simply as a “lay down machine.” It will be able to put down a 2-inch layer of asphalt from 8-feet wide to 13 feet to repair areas of existing areas of blacktop.  The road committee has been looking at this possibility for some months.  Earlier consideration of a used model was rejected due to the use hours on that model plus the price difference.

Juror Author Robinson raised two questions on the purchase and eventually abstained when the vote was called.  “I get more calls for cutting bushes in my district than I do for blacktopping.”  He also noted while other parishes have trucks designated for hauling hot asphalt, Winn does not and would have to pay extra for contract hauling.”  He also wondered if the parish would be able to prepare an adequate road base for the asphalt work.

President Frank McLaren said that one load of asphalt runs about $3,000 and would cover about 100 feet of a parish road.  Road superintendent Perry Holmes said the new machine can be hauled on the parish trailer and would take six to eight men, including inmate workers, to operate.

McLaren noted that the jury will pay off existing bonds between September and April, freeing up some $300,000 annually that could be put back into the road fund.

Perry Holmes gave his monthly report on Road Department progress.  “You might have noticed a little wind last night,” he quipped about the storm that came through around midnight Sunday.  “There were limbs down and a whole roof in the middle of a road.  The crew was out since 1:30 a.m. and everything is OK now.”

Other notes included that limb-cutting (around power lines) is going well and the crew has made a complete round of grass-cutting.  The Sheriff’s Office is allowing two inmates to work with the pothole-patching equipment and work is being accomplished.

The jury agreed to assist the Village of Sikes with their request for maintenance on Caney Street and bush hogging on Smith Road.

Stanley Garrett asked the jury to reject Capital Outlay bids on the on the Eugene Garrett Road.  Cited were issues of cost overrun and his belief that work would be more beneficial on one end of the road than was proposed.  Darrell Franks suggested there would be no funding guarantee when they reapply next time but McLaren is optimistic.

Rotary District 6190 Governor Rich Brontoli was the very special guest of the Winnfield Rotary Club on August 14. DG Brontoli, native of New York City, NY, grew up in Indonesia, Somalia and upstate New York. His degree in civil engineering was obtained from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and his MS in Civil Engineering, Construction Management from the University of Florida.

DG Brontoli served 20 years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in such areas as Fort Carson, CO, Baumholder, Germany, El Salvador in Central America, Fort Knox, KY, and St. Louis, MO. He was the executive director of the Red River Valley Association in Shreveport-Bossier, a member supported consulting organization with the mission of developing the water resources of the four-state Red River region of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas for 30 years, from which he retired in 2023. 

He has been a member of the Shreveport Rotary Club since 1994 and has served as chair of the civic grants committee, as well as on other committees, and president of the club. He has served District 6190 as chairman of the Paul Harris Society Committee and Finance chairman. 

District Governor Brontoli spoke to local club members about increasing membership, donations to Rotary International Paul Harris Foundation and the Polio Plus fund, and district and international grants for local projects.

Local Rotary president Mary Lou Blackley reminded club members of the upcoming 5K fundraiser on September 28 at the Winn Parish Fairgrounds before adjourning the meeting with the Rotary motto, “Service above Self!”

The classic line “I’m from the government and I’m here to help” is usually delivered with a sense of irony.  But when three representatives from the state’s Region 6 joined a gathering of local officials in the courthouse August 15, they were sincere.

Azar Kayal, Government & Community Relations for District 6 (north central Louisiana) told the group that he wears two hats, also serving at the Regional Director for Region 6 (that’s in south Louisiana) for the Office or Rural Development.  With him were Teresa Basco, Region 6 Coordinator for Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, and Dr. Christina Lord, Region 6 Directors for the Louisiana Office of Public Health.

Kayal told the Journal in advance of the session held in the Police Jury meeting room that he had no presentation, per se, but simply uses the travel opportunity to meet with local officials to make personal contacts to assure that help is available from the regional offices.  “We’re going from one parish to another to introduce ourselves and explain what we can do.  We’re not involved with federal matters but can insure you get the state resources needed.”

After informal remarks to the gathering, Kayal invited comments for discussion.  Sheriff Josh McAllister was the first to speak up, observing he’s already dealt with Kayal who has proven to be a good resource.  “If ever you need help, go to him,” he advised.  Kayal countered “It’s not a one-man issue…this is state government.”

Judge Anastasia Wiley asked “What can we do with people who have behavioral health issues?  We have people with mental health problems in our jails who don’t need to be there but there’s no other solution.”

“This is one of four top priorities with our department,” replied Dr. Lord.  She said there is actually a separate department on behavioral health within the Department of Health.  “We can get in contact.  I have numbers for you.  We can definitely help.”  Kayal concurred.  “Reach out to us.  We’ll find an answer.”

Stanley Garrett questioned how, if he sells or quits using an old vehicle and stops paying insure, can he avoid a hold on his driver’s license.  He heard that he should notify the local Driver’s License Office when he does that.  He was also advised to remove his old license at the time of transaction and turn it in to the Driver’s License Office.  Also by using the cell phone app “LA Wallet,” he’ll get notifications regarding his driver’s license.

Parish Librarian Priscilla Massey reported that the library has become a repository for numerous forms, some online, such as Social Security and Medicare and most often patrons need staff assistance filling them out.  Apart from the related responsibilities about personal information, Massey said she does not have sufficient staff to accommodate.  “I know we’re not obligated but we want to help.”  

Kayal responded that his office cannot supply staff but emphasized that this is an area where the regional office can put the library in touch with the right people who have the answers.  He also suggested that they library may consider partnering with knowledgeable high school seniors who would wish to volunteer.  “Volunteerism looks good on a resume.”

The issues of high speed fiber optics being installed to provide internet access of remote areas in Winn and a number of backup generators of public facilities around the parish fell within the discussion area of Teresa Basco.  Kayal said it will benefit local law enforcement services while Dr. Lord commented it will help facilitate telehealth services.  Basco confirmed, “We’re working on it.”

By Annie Goods, DART Advocate, Winn Parish

Bullying hurts everyone. It can have lasting effects on the victim, the bully, the school and the community. Bullying isn’t just a part of growing up. Bullying means repeated physical, verbal, or emotional abuse of another person. No child deserves to be treated this way.

Parents play a key role in preventing and stopping bullying. Reducing bullying in schools can lead to less overall violence in schools, increased student morale and improved overall academic performance.

Many children who are bullied keep it a secret. They may be ashamed to tell or afraid of making matters worse. A child who is being bullied may seem quiet or depressed, have unexplained bruises or injuries, or may have headaches or trouble sleeping. He might come home with missing or damaged belongings or ask for more lunch money. Children who are bullied often lose interest or perform poorly in school, or try to avoid school altogether.

Children who bully others lack respect for authority and disregard rules. They may need to have power over others or display an attitude of superiority. They often use others to get what they want. Making jokes about violence is common. If you discover that your child is bullying or being bullied, talk and listen to your child. Stay calm. Find solutions together.

Tips to help prevent bullying include spending time talking and listening to your child. Be a positive role model. Use positive discipline, physical punishment teaches that violence is a way to get what you want. Teach nonviolence by challenging media violence. Get to know your child’s friends and get involved with school activities.

Help your child stay safe by teaching him to stick with a group, not fighting back and to report all bullying. Remind your child that no one deserves to be bullied. If you are worried about your child, help is available. DART of Winn Parish is here to help with information, advocacy, safety planning, and other services. Please call the DART of Winn Parish at 318-648-0559.

Sports Shock of the Day No. 1: Notre Dame has suspended its men’s swimming program for at least one academic year because investigations “both internal and external” (which we think are the only kinds of investigations?) have revealed a widespread gambling issue that violated NCAA rules.

Sports Shock of the Day No. 2: Notre Dame has a men’s swimming program?

Before any fans of Irish Swimming panic, know that the Notre Dame women’s team and both diving teams are not affected by the disciplinary action. 

Sports Shock of the Day No. 3. Notre Dave has a women’s swim team and TWO diving teams?!

What is NOT shocking is that the NCAA has picked on a swimming team. And in a big way.

The NCAA didn’t tell the student-athletes to just quit running on the concrete, as our moms did back in the day at the community cement pond.

The NCAA didn’t tell the student-athletes just to rest for 30 minutes after eating that Rice Krispie Treat to safeguard against cramps. 

The NCAA didn’t tell the student-athletes to powder dry after showers to hold down the possibility of a nasty itch problem in a delicate area.

Neg. Instead, the NCAA drained the program’s pool for a whole year.

A couple of things here: 

Competitive swimming is not football or baseball or hoops in terms of fanatical popularity. BUT … it’s as hard as any other sport and much harder than some, and fans who love it REALLY love it. (Remember how, just a couple weeks ago, we couldn’t wait to see what Katie Ledecky would do next? Anyone remember Michael Phelps? Mark Spitz? Uhh … YES.)

And that’s just the swimming. We haven’t even talked yet about diving, in which the student-athlete is required to do tricks in the air BEFORE hitting the water and swimming.

When you’re talking competitive swimming and diving, you’re not talking about dogpaddling in the kiddie pool.

But what swimming IS is an easy target for the NCAA if the organization — and we use that term loosely — wants to pretend it has more than only a couple of disciplinary teeth. 

In 2021, the transfer regulations were changed to allow students in some Division I sports to transfer schools without having to sit out a year. Those rules have been altered since, most significantly this past spring when it was ruled that athletes could transfer as many times as they wished, without penalty.

In other words, the NCAA didn’t think things through thoroughly, or at all, in 2021.

Same with NIL. No guardrails. Pitch ’til you win. “Yeah, we guess that’s OK, sure…”

So college sports have totally gotten out of the NCAA’s greedy little hands. Except … 

… except when it comes to Notre Dame’s men’s swimming program, which, after a long dry spell, surfaced with its first Top-10 finish at the NCAA championships in March, a first in program history.

And here is why the NCAA stepped in: the men’s team bet on each other’s swimming performances. Over/under lines and all that. 

ND swimmer No. 1 before practice: “I bet Ricky swims the 1000m freestyle in less than 49 seconds today. Five bucks.”

Other ND swimmer, (heretofore to be called ‘ND swimmer No. 2’: “No way!”

ND swimmer No 1: “Way.”

ND swimmer No. 2: “I’ll take it!”

ND swimmer named Ricky: “That’s a lot of pressure but … here goes!”

ND swimmer No. 1: “Anybody else want some of this?…”

So stupid.

I have never been around a swim team, but I have been around golf teams and, while the great unwashed might be blissfully unaware of this, I have never seen a college golf team that didn’t “bet” before practice. Usually on the first tee. Always very casually. Like as casually as breathing. Often with carryovers from the day before and the day before that. 

Now and then a bit of money might change hands, and sometimes a payoff might be in burger or Icee form, but “bets” are all part of the game in these semi-individual contests.

There is no official sports book for swimming. Or for golf practice. Same goes, as far as I know, for college bowling or archery. And there is no danger, as far as I can see, in wagering a buck to see how fast Ricky might swim on any ordinary Tuesday or whether or not I can get it closest to the pin on a par 3 to, you know, perk up a boring day.

That’s called fun. Makes perfect sense.

But when it comes to rhyme or reason concerning the NCAA, all bets are off.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

All eyes have been upon the start of the school year for more reasons than one. Goldonna parents and students have all breathed a collective sigh of relief knowing that their school is in fact open for the 24-25 school year. 

Principal, Cori Beth Manuel, is beginning her fifth year at Goldonna and no one is more excited than her. 

“I am looking forward to great things this school year. We have a different model than we have ever had before and everything is falling into place as smoothly as possible. Our teachers are excellent and as ideas for improvements arise, they don’t sit back and say, ‘hmmm, we should do something to make more efficient and effective’, they quickly take action and make improvement rooted decisions in order to more positively affect our students,” shares Manuel. 

Principal Manuel admits the school is basking in community support. The sentiment was echoed by their elected School Board Member as well. 

“I can definitely say the start to the 24-25 school year for Goldonna Elementary Junior High School has been a success!,” shared Natchitoches Parish School Board District 7 Member, Chad Fredieu. 

He went on to say, “For me it kicked off with an invite to the Teacher/Staff Appreciation Banquet held at Goldonna Baptist Church on July 31st. Pastor, Ben Dupree and his congregation honored all of our teachers and staff with a meal, games and door prizes.”

The K-8 rural school’s staff worked hard all summer to prepare for this year leaving no stone unturned. Fredieu shared, “I have not received one negative call or complaint since the start of school. Trust me, that is a rare comment to be able to make as a board member. I’m hopeful that this school year is the best yet for the staff, students, and the community of Goldonna”.

Mr. Fredieu also wanted to add, “Our high school kids in the area, the positive vibe and turnaround at Lakeview Jr. Sr. High School so far this year is undeniable. I am looking forward to seeing that to continue to improve.”

The Goldonna Wildcats have released their long anticipated Basketball schedule for the 2024-2025 season. Tip off will be held on October 28 as they take on the Provencel Panthers. 

Home Games

Goldonna vs Magnet 10/31

Goldonna vs Middle Lab 11/4

Goldonna vs NJH 11/7

Goldonna vs Lakeview 11/11

Open 11/14

Goldonna vs Marthaville 11/18

The Wildcats and Lady Cats will play on the same day. Be sure to check back for game times or possible schedule changes. 

“It’s a great year to be a GES Wildcat”, says Principal Manuel. There are countless ways you can support the school.

If you have news to share please email Reba Phelps jreba.phelps@gmail.com

Glenn Wheeler is a longtime friend of mine. As a fellow outdoor journalist, our friendship developed over the years through our association with outdoor writer conferences. In addition to being a journalist, Wheeler is also Sheriff of Newton County Arkansas and from time to time, his duties involve trying to locate a missing person. This is where Mellie Martin enters the picture.

Martin, who along with husband Jay, own and operate Dubach Heat and Air but her sideline involves raising and training hounds, not just any hounds. Her focus is on bloodhounds. A few weeks ago, Martin learned of a missing person in Newton County Arkansas and offered to bring her hounds there to assist. Here’s where I entered the picture. Martin conveyed a message from my friend Sheriff Wheeler that piqued my interest enough to try and learn about raising and training bloodhounds.

“As a member of the Delta Elite K9 Search and Rescue team, I have been involved in raising and training bloodhounds for the past eight years,” Martin said.  “My interest in bloodhounds was the result of an incident where a special needs child left home and met with a tragic accident. I thought that if the child could have been found and rescued before the accident happened, the result would not have ended in tragedy.”

The more she learned about bloodhounds and what they can do, the more intrigued she became so she began raising and training bloodhounds some eight years ago. What she has learned about these remarkable dogs is fascinating.

“Bloodhounds have about 270 million scent receptors in their noses compared to about 5 million we humans have. These dogs can be trained to find a specific person even after they have been gone two or three days,” she said.

“Each person’s scent is individualized in the same way that no two people have the same fingerprint. Before a search begins, an article, such as a cap or pillow case that no one else has used is presented to the dog and it is homed in only on that one person.”

Martin says she is called on average about two times a month to bring her dogs to where a missing person has been reported. Not only do they search for run-aways but also criminals who may be on the run.

“We don’t compete with law enforcement agencies that utilize dogs; we work with them. Our area of responsibility involves serving all of Louisiana north of Alexandria over to East Texas and just south of Little Rock, AR as well as portions of Mississippi. We wait for law enforcement agencies to contact us before offering the services of our dogs,” Martin said. 

Martin’s work with her dogs is on a strictly volunteer basis where no fee is charged. I am reminded of the similarity of what she does with her dogs and the organization deer hunters utilize to find wounded deer.

“My most rewarding event took place in south Arkansas when an elderly and sickly gentleman had been missing for 36 hours and family assumed he had probably passed away somewhere. My dogs were able to locate him, alive but dehydrated, and when we came back with him riding with us on a side-by-side, I joined with the family shedding happy tears. Just seeing that dog I have trained find someone in such a situation is so rewarding,” she said.

To learn more about what has been done and can be done with bloodhounds, go on-line to Delta Elite K9 Search and Rescue Team.

FISHING REPORT 

BLACK BAYOU – Fishing is slow. A few crappie have been caught around the trees.  Contact Honey Hole Tackle Shop 323-8707 for latest information.

BUSSEY BRAKE – Hot weather has slowed things a bit. Bass best early mornings on topwaters and big plastic worms later in the day. Crappie fishing has been fair fishing around deep brush. Bream fishing has slowed. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole at 323-8707. 

OUACHITA RIVER – Crappie fishing has improved around deep brush in the river. Bass fishing has improved fishing shad imitation lures in the cuts. For latest information, contact the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE D’ARBONNE –. Bass have been best early morning on topwaters. swim baits and square billed crank baits fished around the edge of the grass. Soft plastics and crank baits working best later. When lake begins drawdown, moving water should turn them on. Crappie are good on the flats in 12-14 foot water and along the edges of the channels and hitting shiners and jigs. Bream are off the beds and scattered. Catfishing is good fishing cold worms off the banks. For latest information, call Anderson Sport Center at 368-9669 or Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE CLAIBORNE –Bass fishing is best at night fishing soft plastics and dark spinners and crank baits around lighted piers. Some have been caught early mornings on topwater lures fished along the edges of grass. Crappie are in deep water and are best around submerged brush on shiners and jigs. Bream are slow. No report on Stripers. For latest information, call Kel’s Cove at 927-2264 or Terzia Tackle at 278-4498.

CANEY LAKE – Bass fishing has been fair early mornings fishing topwater lures around the grass. Some are also being caught at night on plastic worms and deep diving crank baits. During the day, deep diving crank baits and soft plastics fished on underwater humps is best.  Bream fishing has slowed as the fish are scattered. Crappie are fair fishing jigs or shiners around submerged tops. For information contact Caney Lake Landing at 259-6649, Hooks Marina at 249-2347, Terzia Tackle at 278-4498 or the Honey Hole Tackle Shop at 323-8707.

LAKE POVERTY POINT – Catfishing has been good while others are slow. For latest reports, call Poverty Point Marina at 318/878-0101. 

LAKE YUCATAN – The water is at a standstill with slow fall expected. Fishing overall is quite slow. For info call Surplus City Landing at 318/467-2259.