Friday, November 30, 2020

Norman Booker III, Many High School Principal, was placed on administrative leave following his arrest Thursday afternoon, according to a release from Sabine Schools Supt. Sara Ebarb. The release stated his leave is “pending law enforcement’s investigation into the matter.”

Moses Curtis, Assistant Principal, has been named Acting Principal.  

The release stated, “We have no further information at this time.”

According to Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, Booker was arrested at 2:31 p.m. Thursday.  Reportedly, he had become aware of the investigation and when called by Deputy Greg Schulthorpe, he turned himself in at the Sheriff’s Office.

Judge Stephen Beasley set his bond at a total of $20,000 on all charges, and he was released at 5:45 p.m.

Booker, 49, was charged for alleged sexual assaults of two juveniles when he was a coach at Florien High School in the mid-1990s. Two women came forward saying they were victims, disclosing sexual acts by Booker while they were students in high school.

The first woman reported to the Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 13 that she had been a victim. She is now 34 and said the alleged incidents happened in 1997-98. The second victim said she was 12 years old when it started in 1995, and she is now 40.

Chief Deputy Brad Walker told Observations Friday morning that one other person had come forward prior to Booker’s arrest and another came forward afterward. One of the other victims who has since come forward is now 32, and said she was 13-15 at the time of the incidents. A second person informed the Sheriff’s office on Oct. 26 of her alleged incident. 

According to reports, rape is not involved, but Booker allegedly fondled the girls and also went into the locker room with them.

Detectives obtained two arrest warrants from Judge Beasley. 

The charges include sexual battery, oral sexual battery, misdemeanor sexual battery and two counts of indecent behavior with juveniles.

Deputy Walker said the statue of limitations on this kind of crime is 30 years. He stressed, “A person is innocent until proven guilty. We did not solicit this case. But we will follow wherever leads take us.”

He continued, “This is tragic for our community, but it shows the Sheriff is committed to doing his job. We are committed to investigate crimes, whatever they might be, to the fullest.”

Observations has never seen anything hit Sabine with the word spreading as fast at it did in this case. On the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, a total of 60,493 had viewed the Sheriff’s press release as of 11:20 a.m. Friday. As of 12:45 p.m., there had been 1,000 comments and 735 shares.

On the popular Cenla Report, as of 1 p.m. Friday, there had been 41 comments and 34 shares.

As this year has offered up many unusual circumstances, readers will not be at all surprised that a rare All Hallows’ Eve full moon will be in the sky this Halloween night, Saturday, Oct. 31.

The unusual sight is called a “blue moon,” but not because it looks blue in appearance. It’s simply called that when it is the second full moon falling in a month. The first full moon this month was the harvest moon back on Oct. 1.

A funny meme has been making the rounds on social media recognizing the occurrence which says, “This week’s forecast includes a hurricane, Halloween 2020, a blue moon and a time change! Better buckle up, Buttercup!”

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, a full moon on Halloween only happens about once every 19 years, so the next one won’t occur until 2039.

This weekend’s blue moon will peak at 9:49 a.m. CST, but it will appear full the night before as well as the night after. As you’re out this weekend after dark, be sure to look up and enjoy it.

You won’t have to wait as long for the next regular “blue moon.” Unlike the rare Halloween full moon, the next blue moon will happen on Aug. 31, 2023.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announces one arrest made for felony residential contractor fraud. Charles Nathan Beaudion of Cloutierville was arrested and charged with two counts of Residential Contractor Fraud. The victim reported to Detective Greg Sculthorpe that early in the month of September 2020, he contracted Beaudion and Courtney Rene Dipley to repair damage to his roof from Hurricane Laura and he wrote Dipley two checks for $6500 each. The victim told Detective Sculthorpe that the checks were cashed and the work was never started. Detective Sculthorpe also obtained an arrest warrant for Dipley for two counts of Residential Contractor Fraud. In 2018, Beaudion was arrested for the same crimes he committed in Rapides and Natchitoches Parishes, and it was learned several complaints had been filed against him with the Better Business Bureau in recent years. Sheriff Mitchell urges everyone to research potential contractors and make sure he or she is licensed and bonded, and to check their ratings with the Better Business Bureau.

Congratulations to Milton Milliken, the winner of the big Foy Motors Chili Cook Off! They raised a total of $1410 to benefit Project Celebration, which operates Taylor House, the local domestic abuse shelter.

The event was planned to raise awareness and funds during October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Foy Chevrolet–Buick–GMC sent their thanks out on social media to all who came to taste chili, pick a winner and make donations.

“I was so happy with the community support,” General Manager Robert Hable said, “And look forward to doing another fundraiser paired with the Sabine Social event!”

Observations stopped by the Foy Chili Cook Off a little while and we tasted every chili! All were absolutely delicious and it was great chili weather – rather cool on Thursday compared to recent temperatures. Simply perfect for chili in our book.

My granddaughter, Alyssa Collins, came to stay with Laurie and me in late spring of 2015 to help me with some work projects at that time. We were so glad to have her here and enjoyed every minute. As shared below, what was meant to be a short stay turned into a wonderfully long stay. She recently shared her personal thoughts about that time in our lives, and we wished to share it with our Observations readers. And we would be remiss if we did not mention that Oct. 26 this year marked Alyssa and husband Raul Zambrano’s one-year wedding anniversary. They were married under the old oak tree in the front yard of my old family home place in Marthaville last year. Alyssa’s writing follows:

Forks in the Road

In 2015 I was in the midst of trying to decide what career I wanted to pursue after college and two jobs that I did not find fulfilling. My grandpa and Laurie were kind enough to offer me a part-time job and the chance to spend some time at home. My 3-month plan turned into two and a half years of immense growth and wonderful adventures. The past five years have flown by and lately, I’ve been reflecting on the paths that have led me to where I am today. I am a firm believer in the power of gratitude and recognizing those who have played a part in creating your story, so I wanted to share my story and thank those who have gotten me to where I am.

After reconnecting with my wonderful 7th-grade teacher, Amy Johnson, she informed me of a Student Success Coordinator position at the Sabine Valley Campus. I thought about pursuing a career in higher education and thought this position might help me decide what I wanted to do with my life. I was interviewed by Laurie Morrow and was fortunate enough to be offered the job.

Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Morrow did not know it, but the seed they planted and the opportunity they gave me has led me to a fantastic career in technical education. I absolutely loved working at Sabine Valley and Natchitoches campuses under Mrs. Morrow’s leadership and guidance. She inspired me to pursue my Master’s in Student Affairs at NSU and entrusted me with helping students start their journey at CLTCC. Three years ago I moved to South Carolina to be closer to my parents and boyfriend at the time – now my husband. I still work at a Technical College and find each day fulfilling. I even had the opportunity to advance my career this fall.

The point I am trying to make is that we never know the impact we will have on someone’s life or how our actions can inspire others…

Because my grandpa and Laurie opened their home to me, I was able to learn from their experiences and had new doors open for me.

Because of Mrs. Johnson realizing my potential in 7th grade and as an adult, I was able to start in a career field I love.

Because of Mrs. Morrow’s guidance, I was able to find my passion, continue my education, excel in my career and help others. Thank you for the opportunities and trust you placed in me, Mrs. Morrow! It truly was an honor and privilege every day to work with you. Your encouragement and advice are always in the back of my mind guiding me in my decision making and interactions.

Mrs. Morrow always said, “Your interactions could be the best part of someone’s day,” and these are words I live by. You never know what impact kindness can have, but we know it will always be positive! I love working in higher education because I truly feel it can be transformative for people, now and for future generations. I think our daily interactions, no matter how small, can truly make someone’s day or change their life. When your path crosses someone else’s, remember, you may impact a person’s life for years to come!

That is all for this Friday lagniappe edition of Observations. Please call or write to share your ideas and suggestions for future articles. Call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com. To save, send or print today’s column, please click on the appropriate icon below. To see columns of the recent past, scroll through the pages provided. To see older Observations, please visit our Facebook page. Thank you for your faithful readership.

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