Wednesday, February 17, 2021

It was some 48 years ago that I first met Donna Ammons. She was Donna Smith at the time. I was publisher of the Sabine Index and Donna was working at Vancouver Plywood Co. putting their newspaper together. At the time, we were producing and printing the newspaper locally at the Index office. I admired Donna’s work, enthusiasm and spirit from the beginning.

Somewhere along the way, a job came open at the Index and I hired her for it. In relating the story to me recently, she said I didn’t do much of an interview, only told her to come in the following Monday and go to work. She didn’t know it, but I had already interviewed her by watching her work. Her first day on the staff as a reporter was Sept. 4, 1973.

Not only did Donna become a longtime Index staff member, but we became longtime friends and we have maintained that friendship to this day. And I am proud to say that in all the time we have known each other, we have never had a cross word.

Her work at the Index is the thing that legends are made of. I always told staff members that their work at the Index was very important. I said that in years to come the only record of what was happening in Sabine Parish at the time might be found in the pages of the Index.

Donna could always be counted on to do her duty. She worked as News Editor, Managing Editor and after she retired a time or two (only in her dreams), she took care of Special Assignments. She leaves a long paper trail of news, special features and sports stories. She covered the School Board for almost 30 years and Many Tiger Football for over 15 years.

She especially enjoyed the crime beat and writing police news. She served as Crime Scene Photographer for eight years under the administration of the late Chief Roger Freeman. In addition, through the years she took a lot of crime scene photos for the Sheriff’s Department. There are those of us who think that she and former Police Chief Dean Lambert should get together and write a book or two on crime in Sabine.

She is best known for her longtime personal column called “Patchwork.” Readers of the Index looked forward to reading it each week. Other popular columns by Donna were “Personality of the Week” and “Looking Back,” which was a capsule of the news in Sabine 25 and 50 years ago. Through the years, she literally contributed thousands of stories to the Index. At one point in time she was also a stringer for the Shreveport Times, sending in Sabine stories.

During her tenure, she was recognized for her writings many times over the years by the Louisiana Press Association. The walls of the Index were filled with her awards. She also received the prestigious School Bell Award for the Louisiana Association of Teachers. In addition she was recognized nationally by the Louisiana Blood Bank in Shreveport.

I wrote earlier about Donna’s retirements from the Index, but am proud to say she never could leave. In 2003 on the occasion of her fourth retirement, the Index honored her at a “Farewell Banquet.” The place was full and there were others who couldn’t get in. Former Gov. Buddy Roemer, a close personal friend of Donna’s, was the guest speaker. Over 200 attended.

Donna has always been active in community affairs. I wish I had enough space to write about these many activities, but as space is limited here, I cannot.

The end of January I received a phone call from Donna one afternoon. “I have been fired,” she said. I was taken aback. “What do you mean?” I asked. She had been informed by the management of the Index that she was a non-essential employee and was no longer needed. She said she was shocked and hurt. She got emotional, and I got emotional, too. I understood how she felt, as I had earlier felt the same way.

Donna wrote her final column for the Index on Feb. 3. In it she thanked her faithful readers over the years and the people who allowed her to interview them, for the photographs and all the help along the way. She said her association with the Index had ended, but that she might write a blog on Facebook.

And she paid me the greatest of compliments when she said, “It was always my dream to work at a small town newspaper. I’d like to thank Mr. G (as she called me) for allowing me that privilege.”

Thank you, Donna, for all your years of hard work, dedication, loyalty, devotion and kindness in bringing the news of Sabine Parish to the many readers we used to have.

And we would be remiss if we did not mention Donna’s lovely family. She and Kenneth are the parents of Davy (wife KT) and Paul (wife Alexis) and the proud grandparents of five. They enjoy their trips to Arkansas and North Carolina for family visits.

Sabine Parish took a big hit on sales tax collections during January, according to Collector Nolan Rivers. Total collections were down by $1,220,934.14 compared to the same month last year. This represents a loss of almost 36 per cent. His report follows:

VOICE FROM THE CISTERN:  Monday was Presidents Day. Trouble is we don’t have a President.

OH DEER

The Zwolle Rural Health Clinic had an unexpected visitor last week when a deer came crashing through a window to check out the facility. We’d heard that place was popular. Didn’t realize the extent of it!

Another deer – her baby, perhaps – attempted to follow, but was not at all successful in leaping through the hole Momma had made.

After rambling through the office, the deer tried to leave through a plate glass door. No luck. It later found the broken window and attempted to leap back through it to freedom. No luck again. Ouch! A second try was rewarded with success. 

After all that, we bet that deer could use a check-up.

On Feb. 11, NSU Director of Communications David West celebrated his 30th anniversary at Northwestern State University. He has worked in the University’s News Bureau since 1991.

“I am grateful to have found a job that matches my skills and varied interests. I have done my best to seek out good stories and shine a light on the accomplishments of students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university. I think that has been done,” West shared.

We are happy to say David is a longtime friend. We always look forward to hearing from him, whether a short note of hello or a thoughtful comment on our weekly Observations.

“I value the many friendships I have developed over the years,” West said. “I am also thankful for those along the way who influenced, mentored and shaped me. At this point in life, I think I am getting there. Today is a milestone, but not an ending. I do have plans, but I remember an old saying, ‘If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.’ I am looking forward to a good spring semester and hope by the end of 2021, we will be able to enjoy all of the great things about university life. As always ‘Fork ‘em Demons,’” he concluded.

Happy work anniversary, David. Your light has always shined brightly at NSU, and your efforts there are much admired.

Mr. Marthaville Good Ole Days Fuzzy Hennigan, shown at left, was with Sabine Parish’s own Cade Dillard #97 at the World of Outlaws Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Daytona Beach, FL last Wednesday. Thanks to Fuzzy for sending the picture. We’ll feature Cade in an upcoming edition of Observations. He’s a fine young gentleman who has brought a lot of goodwill and publicity to Sabine Parish.

THEFTS CONTINUE…

Still a lot of thefts of vehicles, guns and other valuables going on in Sabine Parish, according to Sheriff Aaron Mitchell. The latest is an SUV that was stolen from a residence on the Marthaville Rd. Monday.

Sheriff Mitchell said the crimes are being committed by juveniles ages 14-17 and most of them have been arrested. Unfortunately last week the current juvenile correctional centers designated for Sabine were at full capacity.  Judge Stephen Beasley ordered the juveniles to be placed in custody of their parents, with law enforcement to check on them at any time.

The Sheriff said the firearms have been the hot item stolen from vehicles, homes and businesses. He stated, “This can be a very dangerous situation when juveniles steal these firearms and they end up out on the streets.”

He stated that when a juvenile commits a crime, the parent or guardian will also be held accountable. Parents will be cited and possibly arrested for improper supervision of a minor. He stated it is very important when any parent notices their child not at home or not accounted for, for the parents to call the Sheriff’s Office and report it.

Sheriff Mitchell again stressed how important it is for owners to never leave valuables in their vehicle unattended and to always lock their vehicles any time they step out of it. Some of the thefts have been from unlocked vehicles, and some from vehicles in which the keys were left.

Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley said the town’s curfew law will be enforced. The law states anyone under 17 years of age caught on the public street or in a public place between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights (unless accompanied by a parent or other guardian) will be in violation of the Many curfew laws. A juvenile in violation of curfew will be taken to the Many Police Dept. until a parent or legal guardian can be contacted.

Wooley stated, “The Many Police Department, in a cooperative effort with the Zwolle Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office, has made multiple arrests in relation to the recent vehicle and firearms theft rampage in Many and surrounding areas. We hope this success will lead to a reduction of theft and general crime in the coming days for the Town of Many residents. We do encourage all residents to continue in vigilance, and we extend our appreciation for all who volunteered their assistance. Our investigations are continuing and we are working diligently to produce positive results.”

Deputy Coroner Ron Rivers was relieved of his duties last week. In addition, he was also discharged as a Sabine Sheriff’s Deputy.

Congratulations to Sheriff’s Deputies Nick Sandel, Trevor Beason and Adam Nelson for their good work in relation to a Kawasaki Mule UTV stolen in Texas. Their work led to the arrest of Gerald Wayne Foster, 58, of Many and the recovery of the UTV. Detective Greg Sculthorpe arrested and booked Foster for theft of a Motor Vehicle and Illegal Possession of Stolen Things.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office has been very busy during this unusual winter storm with vehicles sliding off of parish highways. Chief Deputy Brad Walker urges all drivers to stay off the highways except in a case of dire emergency. The highways are expected to be more dangerous Wednesday than they have previously been.

Chief Walker said he activated all deputies as of midnight Tuesday. They are to monitor their telephones and respond to any calls within three to five miles of their homes. This will be effective through Thursday.

In addition, Chief Walker has talked to all police chiefs in Sabine Parish and asked them to answer any calls within a few miles outside of their city limits.

Telephone service to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office was lost Tuesday morning, according to Chief Deputy Brad Walker. The telephone company was immediately contacted and they promised to make restoration of service a top priority. In the meantime until service is restored, emergencies may be called in to 9-1-1.

Bussy Mims, a native of Many, and now a resident of the Springfield, Illinois area is a longtime friend and very interesting person. He often sends me items along the way, and Tuesday morning I received a message from him about Monday night low temperatures.

On Monday night the low in Many dipped to 7 degrees. But the temperature in Chicago, much farther north, was a big 10 degrees. In Springfield it was one degree.  Stonewall came in a 3 degrees and Baton Rouge, 19.

SNOW DAY in SABINE… AGAIN

Sabine got hit again early this week with a winter storm which brought snow and ice to the area. As this was posted on Tuesday afternoon, the weather forecast said Sabine Parish had a 100 per cent chance of receiving more snow and ice today.

We went exploring Monday morning and captured a few snow photos. They’re included here along with a few we borrowed from friends who shared some beautiful scenes from around the parish.

That will do it. As always, thank you for faithfully reading. We appreciate it much! Stay safe and warm, and we’ll see you next week.

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