Wednesday, May 19, 2021

It is alarming how many arrests have been made for assault, battery and sex crimes involving juveniles since Aaron Mitchell became Sabine Sheriff on July 1 of last year. The sheriff last week released statistics for July 2020 through April 2021. 

There were 18 arrests of adults involving juveniles, resulting in 44 charges. All told, there were 25 juvenile victims. In addition, there were 12 juveniles arrested resulting in 14 charges.

Here is a breakdown of the charges against adults:  cruelty to juvenile, 11; assault, 5; domestic abuse, 4; indecent behavior with juveniles, 4; felony knowledge of a juvenile, 2; sexual battery, 13; second degree rape, 3 and first-degree rape, 2. Here are the charges made on juveniles: non-consensual disclosure of private image, 1; sexting, 5; first degree rape, 1; second degree battery, 1; aggravated assault, 3; battery, 2; and domestic abuse battery, 1.

So those who remark that the Sheriff’s Department has a vendetta toward certain persons and that is the reason certain arrests have been made concerning juveniles just do not know what they’re talking about. You might call it unjustified blabbering. Do they know what they are claiming is erroneous? Probably. As you can see, the Sheriff and his staff are doing their job – something we haven’t seen around here in quite a while. We appreciate their good work.

The Irish Sports Daily on Saturday featured a long article on Many High School football star, safety Tackett Curtis, who has already received a ton of offers to play ball for top teams across the nation. The Daily highlighted Curtis’ recent offer from the University of Notre Dame.

Curtis is a sophomore and will graduate in 2023. As of now, he has not decided which team he’ll join, but he says he has a “ton of visits locked in” for this June.

So far, he’s received offers from Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Louisville, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Oregon, Penn State, South Carolina, Stanford, Tennessee, Texas A&M, USC, Vanderbilt, Wisconsin and others. And the offers keep on coming.

“I’ve been starting relationships with lots of schools,” Curtis commented to the Daily. “It’s hard to turn a bunch of other schools down when they’ve been talking to me for a while and asking me if I would go.”

Curtis said he wants to get a feel for each team’s culture, their locker room culture, what kind of guys they have and each team’s values.

He noted he will be especially attracted “If their motto is grind on the field and off the field, do the right things and have good players that I can really grow with and good coaches to be able to develop me. That’s why this is such a big deal to me with finding the right school with the right coaches,” Curtis explained. He said he knows he can learn a lot and he wants to try to find the absolute best place to do that.

Curtis said visiting Notre Dame would be a “big step in the process” of making a final decision.

Tackett is the son of Many High School Principal Moses Curtis and his wife, Pharmacist Leslie Curtis. He is the grandson of John and Pam Curtis and Warren and Ann Founds, all of Many.

The Many High School Tigers Football Team held their banquet Monday night. Championship rings, as pictured above, were presented to team members. Hats doffed again to Head Coach Jess Curtis and all the players for winning the state title. We also send congratulations to John Curtis, whom I have given the title “Honorary Coach.”

MOVIES IN MANY

Movies in Many will play a special and tender war movie, “Memorial Day” this Saturday, May 22, at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] on San Antonio Ave. in downtown Many at 7 p.m.

The movie is free and is presented in honor of all Sabine Parish soldiers who fought for our country in World Wars I and 11, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Iraq War, and the wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Door prizes will be given out in honor of Sabine Parish veterans. Prizes will include American flags and other items that respect our country and the valiant soldiers who served our country.

“Memorial Day” is a touching war movie that the entire family should see. During this country’s troubled times, families can be reminded of the sacrifices soldiers have made throughout the years for the United States.

The film tells the story of a 13-year-old German American boy, Kyle Vogel, who finds his Grandpa Bud’s World War II footlocker during a game of hide and seek.

Although Bud has never talked about the war, he finds himself striking a deal with his grandson:  Kyle can pick any three souvenirs, and Bud will tell him the stories behind each one. “Memorial Day” not only takes viewers on a journey into Bud’s complicated wartime past, but also into Kyle’s wartime future. As the two men share parallel experiences in combat, they come to realize how that magical day on the porch shaped both of their lives.

“Memorial Day” is a poignant film that tells the stories of a grandfather’s and grandson’s experiences while commanding squads in World War II and the Iraq War, respectively.

Lots of free door prizes that celebrate our soldiers who served our country will be awarded before the movie begins.

This summer Movies in Many will award door prizes that relate to the movies being featured. “Memorial Day” begins that practice. 

Movies in Many are always free and offer families the opportunity to enjoy activities that won’t break the budget. Popcorn and soft drinks are available for only $1 each. 

“We want our families to be able to enjoy activities here in Many at low or no cost,” said Mary Brocato, Many Alderwoman at Large and Chairperson of the Many Cultural District. “These free movies at the Many Community Center are just one way of doing this.”

A special thank you to Mary Brocato for the above article.                

Shanna Gaspard, Director of the Sabine Chamber of Commerce, went down to Baton Rouge during National Travel and Tourism Week to remind Legislators to visit Sabine Parish and connect with them on Tourism Day. At right is a picture of her with Gov. Edwin W. Edwards in the background. Shanna was one of those who helped put together Edwards’ 90th Birthday Celebration in Baton Rouge almost four years ago. The four-time Governor will be 94 on Aug. 7.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser helped host the recent tourism event and former “Dukes of Hazard,” Broadway and Country music star John Schneider was one of the featured musical artists at a legislative reception, which was co-hosted by Louisiana Seafood.

We were also gratified to see Sen. Louie Bernard on hand to help promote travel in our neck of the woods.

WE GET LETERS. This one is from Derek Campbell, as follows: “Back in October, my daughter got death threats from a student at Pleasant Hill School. The cops were not called by the school. One parent called Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Brad Walker. The Pleasant Hill police were never called. The School Board took it in their hands. All the student got was going virtual. No discipline at all. This wasn’t his first time either. We’ve been in contact with a lawyer, and she is requesting any reports made, but it’s hard to get something that was never made. It’s past time for change in Sabine Parish.”

Derek told us that his wife had talked to Leesville Attorney Katie Beaird of the “Justice4Sabine” Facebook page.

Summer Faust of Zwolle, shown left above, has received an academic scholarship from the Louisiana’s Sheriff’s Scholarship Program, according to Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, shown at right. Summer plans to attend Centenary College in Shreveport and will pursue a degree in Biology/Pre-Medicine. Her parents are Nicholas Faust and Kristi Cartinez Faust. The Sheriff stated: “Academic awards by the Sheriffs’ Scholarship Program demonstrates what the Association is all about. This is one of our finest accomplishments. It invests in Louisiana’s future and give something back to the community. This would not have been possible without the kind and generous support of Sabine Parish’s Honorary Members.”

IT’S A BIG ONE:  Colby Craig is shown with the Alligator Gar he took into custody around Toledo Bend’s Huxley Bay on May 14. It was eight feet, three inches long and weighed 265 lbs.

Adam Valentino Hicks was arrested Monday morning by agents of the Tri-Parish Narcotics Task Force, the FBI and Louisiana Probation and Parole, Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announced. The Sheriff said his Tactical Narcotics Team and FBI agents began an investigation of Hicks last year. Agents had received information and tips of his illegal narcotic activity. Agents obtained a federal indictment from the Western District US District Court for distribution of methamphetamine and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Sheriff Mitchell has really cracked down on illegal drug activity since taking office last July. He said his agents and detectives have received help from the FBI, ATF and Tri-Parish Narcotics Task Force in investigating illegal drug and firearm activity in the parish. He continues his pledge to investigate and arrest not only illegal drug users, but especially the drug dealers in Sabine. Keep up the good work, Sheriff.

With all the recent rains, Toledo Bend Lake is at 171.75 ft. Top of the power pool is 172 ft. As of Monday, flood gates were open releasing 11,000 cubic feet of water per second. The two generators were operating around the clock releasing 15,130 cubic feet per second. That totals 26,130 cubic feet per second. We are told that the release is 200,000 gallons per second.

Jennings Chapel Church where I attended as a lad had its annual Homecoming on Sunday. We always go to the adjacent Bethany Cemetery at the end of the service to remember our loved ones with a congregational hymn and prayer.

The grave of Sheriff George R. Cook and his wife Doris caught my attention. His daughter, Carol Cook Pattison of Pleasant Hill, recently placed some beautiful flowers on their graves in remembrance. Carol is married to former Sabine Sheriff Guffey Lynn Pattison.

Donna Dyson Horn writes Marthaville news for the Natchitoches Times and has been doing a great job for many years. We look forward to reading her column each week.

There is presently a discussion going on about where to locate a new school in western Natchitoches Parish. Donna is all out for it to come to Marthaville and has made her wishes known. We laude and congratulate her on the great job she is doing. We know that she is like a bulldog and will keep up the good work.

WE GET LETTERS. This one is from Joey Harris, as follows:  “I live in Vernon Parish, but my job has me traveling down a lot of roads in Sabine Parish. Something has to give here. These roads are almost undrivable across both parishes. I’m talking mostly about the dirt roads, but even the paved roads are crumbling right before our eyes. My road in particular is just a mess and it’s only a mile and a quarter long. Half of it has been shut completely down for three months and the other half is accessible only with 4-wheel drives. I’ve never seen it this bad. Ten years ago, you could drive 55 mph down that road. I wouldn’t advise it, but just saying that you could because the road was in great shape. What happened to our Police Jury in both parishes? I really would like to know.”

Joey is right. Roads are in horrible condition. What happened to the days when our legislators brought home money for good roads to their districts? Remember the days when Sen. Bryan A. Poston and Rep. Mutt Fowler used to bring home the bacon? We haven’t had much state highway improvement or good maintenance in Sabine Parish in years. Seems like we haven’t had even a crumb of bacon for such a long time.

Four Sabine Sheriff’s Deputies have completed their Louisiana POST Level 1 Certification for Basic Law Enforcement Peace Officers, according to Sheriff Aaron Mitchell. Shown left to right are Sheriff Mitchell, Deputy Josh Sandel, Deputy Jarod Weldon, Detective Shelly Sepulvado, Detective Chris Abrahams and Chief Deputy Brad Walker. Sheriff Mitchell offered congratulations to these deputies and commended them for their determination and sacrifice during the four-month course. Under the leadership of Sheriff Mitchell and Chief Deputy Walker, the Sheriff’s Department continues to strive to have well-trained deputies.

Chief Cheryl Wooley at the Many Police Dept. also reports that Many PD Officer Evan Eddington graduated from POST training on Friday, May 14. He completed the four-month intensive training at the Bossier Parish Training Academy. Eddington is shown above at left, along with Training Officer Matt Cook, center, and Chief Wooley, right. We congratulate the chief for encouraging, supporting and providing the necessary resources to train Many’s police officers to increase their work skills and professionalism.

RONNY’S REVIEW:  Comments on last week’s Observations from Ronald Byrd of New Boston, VA:

“Robert, I went to gas up our car yesterday and there wasn’t any to be had.  My Jeep tank is almost full, though, so we’re ok for a while. It reminds me of another time of gas shortages, long lines, and short tempers. I lived in Baton Rouge at the time and got gas from an Exxon station run by Jimmie Rae Durr’s widower (Lester Durr’s oldest daughter). I went in just to say hello one day when the pumps were all down, and he told me that he had plenty of gas and if I’d drive around to the back, out of sight, he had a pump back there and would fill it up any time. He said the government was controlling everything to do with the supply, availability to customers, and prices. They wanted people to be hurt, for some reason. We didn’t have the Internet then and you couldn’t find out what was going on unless you knew an insider, so I really don’t know their reasoning. All I know now is that some sort of government-controlled scam was at work. Jack Byrd (Ancel’s son) later told me that at the time he had a little store and gas station, and ignored their rules and sold all he could get as fast as he could get it. I don’t know where that was; he later had that little station/store in Ajax. Like Pres. Reagan said, the worst thing you can hear is ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help.’ We had the same problem about ten years earlier, with Jimmie Carter’s administration. Gas shortages big time. I lived in Tallahassee then, and when gas is in short supply, tourist dollars dwindle and that’s the lifeblood of Florida. The state was in serious trouble. At the same time, interest rates soared and I had several friends teaching at FSU who lost their homes… could not pay the notes on 20% interest that resulted when they had those adjustable rate mortgages. The fine print got them. Needless to say, they probably didn’t vote Democrat again. Those days, the OPEC cartel dictated and we just managed with what they decided to supply. Since Trump made us energy independent that can’t happen again. While this present problem is just on the east coast and related to a pipeline delivery problem, this isn’t too bad. It does point out the importance of energy independence  and pipelines, and after Biden shut down that Canadian delivery and forced crude oil transport via truck and rail, which are riskier, he has even some Democrats uneasy. Man, you can push my buttons! …By the way, your daughter is a real artist with that camera… later.”

A child’s shoulders were not built to bear the weight of their parents’ poor choices.

The Louisiana House tucked $26.6 million for lawmakers’ pet projects into the budget plan it approved last Thursday, May 13. Terrebonne Parish received $2.95 million for pet project funding, more than any other parish. Sabine received $200,000 to the Police Jury for recreational infrastructure. What in the heck does that mean? Seems to us it would be better spent on our parish roads. 

House Speaker Pro-Tempore Tanner Magee, Houma Republican, said he doesn’t see a problem with earmarking state funding for local projects.  “One man’s pet project is another man’s critical infrastructure project.”

Pet projects are defined as those that benefit a local community more than the state as a whole. They were added to the state budget plan in secret. It is not clear what criteria lawmakers used for picking them.

In general, the pet project funding reflects the priorities of the legislative leadership. A fifth of all pet projects, costing $5.7 million in total, are going to road projects. But, again, none is going toward roads in Sabine.

-30-