Friday, February 26, 2021`

Because of an abundance of news, we are providing an extra Observations this week. Even with this one, we are still behind on the items we have. I’m retired, and this has really turned into a big job. But thanks for reading and letting me and Laurie know that you appreciate our efforts.

On Wednesday Observations ran a piece about the release of Deputy Coroner Ron Rivers from his duties and also his discharge as a Deputy Sheriff. We quoted both Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Walker and Coroner Dr. Mark Holder as having no comment as to why.

To clarify the matter, the reason neither had any comment is that the case has been turned over to the State Police for investigation. Chief Deputy Walker said when a disposition has been made on the case, he will notify Observations.

Dr. Holder in a conversation with Observations Thursday night, said the ongoing investigation was the reason he could not comment. He complimented Rivers on the outstanding job he did during something like 20 years as Deputy Coroner.

On Feb. 22, state officials informed Judge Stephen B. Beasley that the Director of the Human Services District serving Sabine Parish has confirmed that a Mental and Behavioral Health Clinic will be opening in Many beginning April 1. The Mental Health Clinic has been closed for many years, thus depriving the community of desperately needed services. Judge Beasley has seen this need, and its effects across the parish and has worked diligently for years to get such a clinic to service the area. We laude him for his leadership.

The new clinic will provide mental and behavioral health treatment two times per week. Patients will have access to mental health professionals, counseling and medication management. These vital outpatient services will prevent Sabine residents from having to travel upwards of 60 miles to neighboring parishes to receive mental health treatment.

“Mental health clinics are a critical portion of crime prevention and community safety,” Judge Beasley commented, “Having access to mental health treatment can reduce crime rates and greatly reduce the number of repeat offenders. After years of campaigning, Sabine will now finally have access to essential services to improve the lives of all citizens.”

Ms. Paula Hodge of 284 Thomas Rd. in the Zwolle area, is recovering after being attacked by seven mixed Pit Bull dogs while walking down her driveway. The event happened Tuesday, Feb. 16. She was viciously attacked and suffered a broken ankle and severe injuries to her arms, hands and neck. She was airlifted to a Shreveport hospital and her injuries were described as very serious.

Deputies from the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office responded and the four owners of the dogs were issued citations for dogs running at large and they were instructed to keep the dogs penned.

The case was further investigated and contact was made with the Sabine Humane Society, according to Chief Deputy Brad Walker. Deputies and detectives went back to the dog owners on Feb. 22 and additional charges for Unlawful Ownership of Dangerous Dogs were filed. After observing the conditions of the dogs on one of the owner’s properties, the owner was also charged with Cruelty to Animals. The Sheriff’s Office seized and took custody of all the dogs, who were then housed at the Sabine Animal Shelter.

Two of the dogs had to be put down because they had parvo, a highly contagious virus mainly affecting dogs. Pit Bulls are one of the breeds which are at an increased risk for this virus, especially if not vaccinated.

District Attorney Don Burkett will petition the court to determine what will be done with the balance of the dogs.

There was a video of the attack. Sheriff’s Deputies also received a complaint on Jan. 26 about dogs in the area.

Charged were Daniel Rowe, Jessica Ezernack, Elizabeth Ezernack and Colton L. Busher.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell would like to remind everyone there is a state law that dogs cannot run at large. It is Louisiana RS 3:2771. It states that dog owners must keep them on their property; it reads, “No person shall suffer or permit any dog in his possession, or kept by him about his premises, to run at large on any unenclosed land, or trespass upon any enclosed or unenclosed lands of another.”

Almost everyone is familiar with the book “The Bridges of Madison County” by Robert James Waller. It was later turned into a blockbuster movie staring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep.

I had the honor to meet and become good friends with Mr. Waller. He was born in Iowa, moved to Alpine, TX and then ended up in Fredericksburg. For years, Laurie and I visited with him and wife Linda each time we were in the area.

He was one of the most intelligent persons I have ever known. He was a recluse and I am grateful that he allowed me into his world. Mr. Waller was a college professor, a mathematician, an economist, a musician, an expert in management, decision theory and a gifted writer, among other things.

He wrote something like a dozen books, mostly fiction, but his last one was not. It was entitled “The Summer Nights Never End …Until They Do.” Its sub-title was “Life, Liberty and the Lure of the Short-Run.” Laure and I were honored that he asked us to read an advance copy and offer our comments on it before publication. In the book’s acknowledgements he quoted Laurie:  “…the most interesting comment came from Laurie Gentry who, having finished the book said this: ‘My life is ruined for the better,’ a comment that somehow captures the essence of the book.”

A review of this book states “Through experiences and latter-life intense reflection, shrewd reasoning and a hefty amount of trial and error, Mr. Waller has developed an inventive paradigm for thinking clearly and logically and applying this to everyday goals. His words are complex in their simplicity, but they can help readers turn from the madness of short-term, quick fixes toward time-tested, reasonable and detailed goals for cutting through the confusion of everyday life.”

His book presents a methodology that can be applied to everything from losing weight, infidelity, saving for retirement, love, money and the national debt to examining the paths we take in life, the value of small increments, saboteurs of democracy, incentives, loose ends and recapitulation.

Mr. Waller died March 10, 2017 at his Fredericksburg home. I called him about a week before he died and asked if I might come over for a visit. He said it would be fine, and Laurie and I drove over one weekend to see him. I knew it would be the last time. 

After our visit, I told him we would leave because I did not want him to over-tire.  And he made this remark, “I am honored that you all would come to visit me.” My thought:  “I am honored that you would allow it.”

That all brings me down to this. The other day I found an old email that Mr. Waller sent me on March 11, 2015. His final paragraph was, “Things are fine here. Linda does stuff. I hunker down over my guitar and try to stay out of everyone else’s way and once an hour curse the federal government.”

I have often thought about what Mr. Waller would have to say about the terrible way our country is going now. Once you read his crystal-clear, amazingly intelligent reasoning presented in “The Summer Nights Never End,” you can only mourn his loss more deeply. And you can pray a few, clear-thinking folks who see things intelligently might be elected to national office some day.

Sabine Sheriff’s Transport Officer Karli Richard received a mild concussion when the vehicle she was driving was rear-ended on an exit ramp off I-20 in Bossier City Tuesday, Feb. 23, about 6:30 p.m. The injury was not serious. The accident was not her fault, according to Chief Deputy Brad Walker. She was in Bossier to pick up a CADA prisoner, but the prisoner was not in the vehicle at the time of the accident.  Richard was taken to Willis Knighton in Bossier City, as her head hit the steering wheel when the accident happened.

The Many Police Dept. is doubling down since the arrival of new Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley. The department reported to Observations on Wednesday morning that Officer Jason Hughes made a traffic stop, which resulted in recovering two guns, one of which was stolen.

Yesterday, the Many PD made five arrests – four adults and one juvenile – in the matter connected to the earlier traffic stop and weapon recovery.

The four adults arrested were:

DKendrick Cornillious Pittman, age 21, arrested on charges of Possession of schedule IV, Possession of firearm in presence of controlled dangerous substance, Possession of stolen firearm, Possession of controlled dangerous substance in presence of juvenile, Contributing to the delinquency of juvenile;

Quacie Delmanique Allen Kerlegon, age 20, arrested on charges of Possession of firearm in presence of controlled dangerous substance, Possession of stolen firearm, Possession of controlled dangerous substance in presence of juvenile, Contributing to delinquency of a juvenile, Possession of schedule I, Possession of schedule II, and  Possession of schedule IV;

Hilton Nathaniel Frazier, age 21, arrested on charges of Possession of firearm in presence of controlled dangerous substance, Possession of stolen firearm, Possession of controlled dangerous substance in presence of juvenile, Contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, Possession of schedule I, Possession of schedule II, and Possession of schedule IV;

Garlando Rashon Pittman, age 19, arrested on charges of Possession of firearm in presence of controlled dangerous substance, Possession of stolen firearm, Possession of controlled dangerous substance in presence of juvenile, Contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, Possession of schedule I, Possession of schedule II, and Possession of schedule IV.

The adults were booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center.

Information on the juvenile arrest cannot be released.

And the beat just continues to go on. That is, prisoners continue to try to escape from the Sabine Detention Center. Chief Deputy Brad Walker said the latest is Parker O’Neal Woods-Wilson, 26, of Leesville, who has accomplished a nice record of arrests. On Feb. 25 he was charged with Simple escape.

He was captured within 10-15 minutes, had to be tased and was placed on lockdown. Chief Walker praised the jailers for their quick action in re-capturing Woods-Wilson. They were Kyle Roberts, Curry Richardson, Bradley Harris, Leshaun Edmonson and Brett Laird.

The State requires that all prisoners on work crews be housed separately from the general jail population because of the Coronavirus risk. So, the work crews at Sabine Detention Center are housed in a nearby church building. There was an outdoor portable toilet near the building, which Woods-Wilson moved about three feet and climbed on top of, using it to jump over the fence. The new fence which has been installed around the compound served as a barrier that helped in his quick re-capture.

In addition, during the recent winter storm, another prisoner tried to escape through the attic of the detention center. His attempt failed.

Ronald Byrd, who was a star basketball player at Marthaville High School, is a highly respected educator and a regular reader of Observations, now lives in New Boston, VA. We correspond regularly. Here is his latest:

“Robert, thanks for my weekly trip to sanity, away from the establishment media circus. Your work is a breath of fresh air. Not that Many and Sabine don’t have problems, those are a fact of life no matter where you go. But compared to Virginia, where I live, and the world and nation at large, you aren’t even close to their craziness. If I weren’t too old to make another move, I’d be on my way to Sabine or Natchitoches Parish! You’re a fortunate man, my friend.”

I totally agree with his comments and am so happy to live within 30 miles of where I was raised. There’s no place like home. And, Ronny, it’s never too late to move back down here. Everyone would welcome you with open arms.

The election for Many Mayor and Board of Aldermen is getting closer – set for Saturday, March 20. Online registration to vote ends tomorrow, Feb. 27. You can register online by going to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s web page under Geaux Vote or go directly to voterportal.sos.la.gov and then select “Search by Parish.” After you select your parish, simply follow the prompts to register.

Early voting at the Registrar of Voters Office starts Saturday, March 6, and continues through Saturday, March 13. It is daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. excluding Sunday, March 7. It is your duty as a good citizen to get out and vote. So, do it.               

A 2013 blue Ford Edge SUV was stolen from an address on Marthaville Rd. the night of Feb. 15. A vehicle was later found burned in the woods off of Doug Heard Rd. “We are pretty sure it was the vehicle,” Chief Deputy Brad Walker said.

Anyone with information is asked to call (318) 256-9241 or CrimeStoppers at (318) 256-4511. You can also submit a tip through the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office app. Information submitted to CrimeStoppers or through the app can be shared anonymously.

Folks all over this area are highly disturbed that our Sen. Bill Cassidy, who is supposed to represent us, voted for the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump when the matter recently came before the U.S. Senate. This billboard went up in Louisiana this week. We hope voters will remember this if Cassidy has any thought of running again. Donna Gallagher summed it up very well on Facebook:  “I thought he was supposed to be working for his constituents, not himself. He won’t run again. He just wants to be sure he can milk this job for all he can. Deplorable.”

Observations inquired this week if Norman Booker Jr. and his brother Jay Booker were still on the payroll of the Sabine Parish School Board following their indictments after their cases came before a Sabine Grand Jury earlier this month.

John Anthony “Jay” Booker of Many was indicted on two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. He was a teacher at Many Junior High, but after complaints were filed against him, he was transferred to the SPARKS School.

Norman Ural Booker III, principal at Many High School, was indicted on five counts, including sexual battery, oral sexual battery, two counts of indecent behavior with juveniles and one count of misdemeanor sexual battery.

Schools Supt. Sara Ebarb said she is in consultation with legal counsel and both remain on administrative leave. We understand this means both are drawing full salary and benefits.

Robert L. Hammonds, the Board’s Baton Rouge attorney, said in an email to Supt. Ebarb, “The status of the two employees has not changed since their Grand Jury indictments. They were already on administrative leave pending investigation of the allegations against them, and they are still on such leave. Moses Curtis is serving as Acting Principal at Many High School.”

District Attorney Don Burkett recused himself from these two cases, thus the reason they are being handled by the State Attorney General.

Angela Marie Kimbrough, 36, of Many was arrested Feb. 25, and charged with Contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and Improper supervision of a minor by parent or legal custodian. Her 15-year-old son was charged with several crimes recently, including Possession of stolen things, Theft of firearms, Simple criminal damage to property and Flight from an officer. He was taken to the Ware Youth Center in Coushatta where he is being held until a later court date determines his fate.

On Jan. 8, the youth was involved in the theft of a motor vehicle and other items from the Woodhaven Estates in Many, which resulted in a vehicle pursuit and crash in Bossier City.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell said parents will be held accountable for the actions of their juvenile children. Anyone age 17 and under is considered a juvenile. If a juvenile commits a crime, the parent or guardian will be cited and arrested for improper supervision or contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. Sheriff Mitchell said parents should contact the Sheriff’s Office if their juvenile child is not at home and unaccounted for.

Sheriff Mitchell told Observations, “It is important for parents to supervise their juveniles. If you have a problem with your child, and you can’t handle it, report it to the authorities.”

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Unit stopped a vehicle for speeding on Feb. 23 on Hwy. 191 North. The 2007 red Volkswagen Jetta was reported stolen from Bossier City. The driver was Krystal Nicole Bennett, 36, of Converse. She told officers she recently purchased the vehicle and had not yet registered it. She had her 11 and four-year-old sons with her.

Officers said Bennett was extremely nervous, but she gave consent to search her belongings. Agents found a small amount of suspected methamphetamine, a glass smoking device and two plastic straws containing drug residue. The vehicle was seized and towed, and a family friend picked up the two children.

Bennett was arrested and booked for Speeding 69 in a 55 zone, Driving while license was suspended, Possession of schedule II methamphetamine, Possession of drug paraphernalia, and Illegal use of CDS in the presence of persons under 17.

That will do it for this lagniappe Friday edition. We’ll see you on Wednesday. As always, thank you for faithfully reading.

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