Wednesday, December 22, 2021

We are so fortunate to have Sabine Medical Center in Sabine Parish. Maybe you have to experience it to really appreciate it and the folks who work there. Monday evening my blood pressure was unusually high, so I called Chief of Staff Dr. Mark Holder, and he advised me to come to the emergency room immediately.

Once there, the staff was so nice, friendly and helpful and took me in quickly to start the process. It was a busy night, and there were several people there.

I just can’t say enough good things about Dr. Holder. He takes care of business and keeps things moving. We are so fortunate to have him in Sabine Parish. Others we noted hard at work were Brandin Frost, Steven Anthony, Lindsey Rivers and Tana McNeely. And there were others whose names we did not catch, but we are grateful for them and appreciate their professionalism and service.

Sabine Medical Center is clean, well-organized and has a group of dedicated professionals. I hope you never need to go to the emergency room or be hospitalized there, but if you do, you couldn’t find a better place.

I might add that I don’t see how Dr. Holder gets it all done. In addition to being Chief of Staff at the hospital, he is Sabine Parish Coroner and a detective for the Many Police Department. Quite a man!!

While at the hospital we saw Shannon Greer, who used to work at the Index. It was nice to visit with her and we were happy to hear her say that she reads Observations every week. She moved to Beaumont, TX 15 years ago and got married a couple of years back.

At its Dec. 13 meeting, President Lauren Moore told members of the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission that it had lived under a cloud of bad publicity during this past year. But with the hiring of new Director Georgia Craven, she said it was time for a new start. She is right, and we hope that Ms. Craven will indeed bring a new start for the commission. In order to do that, Ms. Craven and the Board have to do away with the “my vision” and initiate a “new vision.” We’re not sure the Board will do that but we believe Ms. Craven might.

At the meeting, Board Member Suzanne Williams questioned an expenditure of $11,000.  Linda Curtis-Sparks, who was attending her last meeting because of retirement, but is not leaving, said it was for attorney expenses related to employee matters. The expense was caused by having to ask how to legally get rid of Director Chip Davis, whom Curtis-Sparks hired without vetting. Problems arose, and the Board had to get rid of him. We figure the four months Davis was there cost the Tourist Commission something in excess of $50,000, and he didn’t bring the first hotel to the parish. Did he do anything to do what the Commission was created for, to “bring tourists to Sabine Parish”? What a waste. 

In addition, before his dismissal, ole Chip fired Curtis-Sparks, and she had an attorney represent her before the Board, so some of the expense could have been for this. We do not know.

An example of this past year’s bad publicity is when Curtis-Sparks announced Davis was going to be hired even before the Board met to make the selection. Not a good thing to do. And on a Monday morning, several days before the Commission was to meet to hire a new Director to take Davis’ place, three persons called Tedd Dumas here at the radio station to tell him the Board was going to hire Ms. Craven. Tedd informed Ms. Moore of this. And later in the week, that is exactly what the Board did. For shame again.

Despite the apparent continued devotion to the “my vision” of past direction, we hope under Ms. Craven a “new vision” will be embraced that truly represents the interests of everyone in Sabine and successfully builds tourism in this area as the Commission was intended to do.

At that same Tourist Commission meeting, they voted to keep Curtis-Sparks on for another three months, at least, because Ms. Craven needed her orientation and because the Board believes Curtis-Sparks is the only one who has the historical knowledge to see the Toledo Bend/Zwolle Museum project completed. The Board agreed to pay her $20 per hour and give her three months with a budgeted salary of $7,500.

Now there are folks in Many who make some points:  First, it’s the Sabine Parish Tourist Commission, and Many is in Sabine Parish. Second, Many is trying to complete the Sabine No Man’s Land Museum and the Tourist Commission has not given them much help. One person said they recalled that some years ago the Commission provided about $200 toward the Many Museum to purchase some hooks. 

Ed Reed of Hornbeck had a bull that was featured in the first and sixth rounds of Bull Riding at the National Rodeo Finals held in Las Vegas recently. The bull is a fine beast and is named Rico Suave.

This picture of Mike Nichols was taken by Carol Torsone of Raleigh, NC when she and her friend Dr. Ted Mims, Sabine native, were in town for a visit a few months ago. K&W Clothing, which is operated by Mike and wife Marilyn is closing in early January after almost 70 years in business. Carol’s photo really captures the spirit of friendly service the Nichols have made their hallmark at K&W.

The Nichols began discounting clothing and accessories following their announcement earlier this year that K&W would close. Storewide discounts are now at 50% off. They will continue to deepen the discount in 10% increments every week or so, depending on sales and how long they stay open.

“We’re hoping to close by the first week in January, but we may not have enough time to finish up by then,” Marilyn explained. “We have weddings with formal wear rentals right up through New Years Eve,” Mike said with a smile. Ever accommodating, they plan to stay open until their final wedding customers have time to return their rentals.  

As they look toward the future, Marilyn shared the couple has several “projects” to complete and would like to do a little traveling but plan to stay pretty close for the foreseeable future so they can attend to Marilyn’s mother’s needs. She lives in a local care facility.

Plans are to sell the K&W building after the store closes. It is not yet sold, but there has been interest expressed in the location since the couple announced it will be for sale soon.

On one hand, the Nichols regret another locally owned business closing its doors but, understandably, they look forward to retirement without the demands of a busy work week. They are also hopeful a future business will enjoy great success in the San Antonio corner spot that has been so good to them.

K&W Clothing is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at 780 San Antonio Ave. They carry a full line of men’s suits, sport coats, slacks, dress shirts, ties, belts, cufflinks and other accessories. They also have a large stock of LSU men’s casual wear and other name brand wear for men. For ladies, they offer a large selection of dresses, blouses, slacks, casual tops and pants – both trendy and for work, as well as scarves, wraps, holiday sparkly wear, earrings, necklaces and other accessories.  All items in the store are currently priced 50% off. The store may be reached at (318) 256-2392.

Many Alderwoman Cherry Murray Williams has been a hard worker since she took office. She has worked to beautify our town and has been seen many times out picking up trash along our roadways. We appreciate her efforts. By the way, Cherry, there is a lot of trash along Nabours St. near the grocery store that continually needs to be picked up. Seems no sooner than that area is cleaned, it needs picked up again. Maybe wind blowing across the nearby parking lot causes that stretch of street to catch a lot of trash. And the rumor is out, as rumors sometime are, that Cherry is looking at running for Mayor next term.

A Sabine Parish woman, Kelsey M. Sepulvado, 20, was jailed in connection with a stabbing incident in Natchitoches on the evening of Dec. 15. Natchitoches Parish Deputies were called to an apartment in the Oak Grove Community where they discovered at 19-year-old female sitting in the rear of a vehicle suffering from a stab wound to the neck and other injuries.

During the investigation deputies learned the incident was possibly drug related. They learned Sepulvado had fled the scene, and an all points bulletin was issued to all area law enforcement.

On Dec. 16, Sepulvado turned herself in to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office. She was charged with Aggravated second degree battery and was released the next day on $10,000 bond.

We wish all a very Merry Christmas! We are blessed to have your faithful readership, and we thank you for it. Wishing all the best to you and yours as we celebrate the birth of Christ, thank God for His wonderful gift and celebrate all the many blessings of the season. May you experience the gifts of peace, joy and love this holiday.

Sabine Parish Detention Center Staff and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) investigated an attempt to bring illegal narcotics into the jail recently.

Warden Berlion Sweet and Assistant Warden Kaylynn Remedies investigated communications of Inmate John Michael Murphy, age 35, and Inmate Steven Edward Renois, age 35, with Wallace Remone Meshell, age 24, of Many.

Their investigation revealed Murphy was allegedly conspiring with Renois to get Meshell to assemble a “package” to be brought to them inside the Detention Center.

The Wardens contacted TNT Agents and arranged to intercept the delivery.

TNT Agents had already been investigating Meshell’s illegal narcotic activity for the last two months.

On Tuesday morning, Dec. 14, Warden Sweet and Asst. Warden Remedies located approximately 8 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 2 grams of marijuana and 8 Xanax pills hidden in a shampoo bottle and a coffee container.

Simultaneously, TNT Agents located Meshell on Ivanhoe St. in Many. Agents took Meshell into custody and located approximately 2 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 34 grams of marijuana in his possession. Meshell had a prior drug charge conviction on his criminal record.

Meshell was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth), Possession with intent to distribute schedule I (Marijuana), Second or subsequent offenses; Criminal conspiracy, Principal to Contraband in penal institutions prohibited, Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth), Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I (Marijuana), Distribution of schedule IV (Xanax); a warrant for 3-counts of Distribution of schedule II (Meth).

Murphy and Renois were booked for Criminal conspiracy, Attempted Contraband in penal institutions prohibited, Attempted Possession of Schedule II (Meth), Attempted Possession of schedule I (Marijuana).

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell commends Warden Sweet and Asst. Warden Remedies for their quick action and tenacity to keep illegal contraband and narcotics from being brought into the Detention Center.

(Special thanks to Det. D.W. Seegers for providing the above article.)

Senior Detective D.W. Seegers recently completed 40 hours of training in Digital Evidence Investigations (DEI) at the National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI) in Hoover, AL.

NCFI is operated by the United States Secret Service’s Criminal Investigative Division, the United States Department of Homeland Security, and the Alabama Office of Prosecution Services.

NCFI is a federally funded training center dedicated to instructing state and local officials in digital evidence and cyber-crime investigations. It opened in 2008 with a mandate to provide state and local law enforcement, legal and judicial professionals a free, comprehensive education on current cyber-crime trends, investigative methods, and prosecutorial and judicial challenges.

State and local agencies benefit from a tuition free education. In addition, all travel costs, hotel and per diem are covered by the NCFI. In some of the forensic courses and intrusion courses, students are issued all the hardware, software, and licenses necessary to conduct these investigations. NCFI students receive the same equipment and software as the Special Agents trained by the Secret Service.

Det. Seegers became a member the United States Secret Service Task Force earlier this year and was nominated for training at NCFI by the Resident Agent in Charge from the Baton Rouge Resident Office.

Thirty-five law enforcement officers from 20 different states across the country attended the DEI training, including the Seattle PD, Chicago PD, New York State Police, Maui, Hawaii PD, Indiana State Police and East Baton Rouge S.O.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell is committed to seeking all available resources for his staff to receive the highest level of training possible. Sheriff Mitchell is thankful to NCFI and the U.S. Secret Service for the opportunity for his Detective to attend this training and more training in the future. Sheriff Mitchell commends Detective Seegers for his desire, passion, and dedication to learn and explore the field of digital forensics investigations.

Observations adds its hearty congratulations to Det. Seegers as well.

Looked like a great time was had by all at the recent Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Christmas Party. The event was held Thursday, Dec. 16 at Cypress Bend.

It was a full house as about 130 SPSO officers, staff and their guests attended to enjoy food, fellowship and music by DJ Nick Sepulvado. The SPSO Facebook page reported, “Everyone had a great time, with some even showing off their dance moves!”

Sabine Parish Sheriff Chaplain Anthony Lowe Sr. and Rev. Wilton Anthony from Siloam Baptist Church entertained the crowd with stories about the Sheriff, Chief Deputy and some other Deputies.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell also expressed his heartfelt appreciation to his employees for the job they do at the Sheriff’s Office.

Several local businesses and individuals donated items that were given away as door prizes throughout the night.

Both Sheriff Mitchell and Chief Deputy Walker thanked the SPSO staff again for their dedicated service to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office and to citizens of Sabine Parish.

About 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, the Sabine Sheriff’s Department pursued an SUV traveling down Hwy. 171 South at a high rate of speed. The driver was identified as Tristen Dupuis, 22, of Zwolle. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office and State Troopers joined the pursuit.

The driver entered the exit side of the parking lot of Dollar General in Hornbeck, which caused the vehicle to strike a pickup truck. The vehicle, determined stolen, did not stop but exited and continued south. Deputies observed the vehicle weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle turned onto Hwy. 111 East in Vernon Parish and then onto Cold Springs Loop where it left the sight of deputies. A short time later, Leesville Police encountered the vehicle, which turned east onto Hwy. 28. The driver continued to drive in an extremely reckless manner and at speeds approaching 120 mph.

Next the vehicle was driven to the area of Laurel Hill Rd. where Dupuis drove through the locked gate of the High Hopes Hunting Club, across from the Laurel Hill Baptist Church. He then fled from the vehicle on foot into a densely wooded area. Law enforcement officers immediately established a perimeter around the area. Officers and K9 began searching the area and continued to conduct their search throughout the night.

At 6:55 a.m., Dupuis was taken into custody after he was found hiding in a wood line by a lease road. Poor boy was wet and had lost his shoes during the night.

He was transported to Vernon Parish jail where he was charged with Reckless operation of vehicle, Illegal possession of stolen goods, Criminal damage to property, Aggravated assault, Hit and run driving and an Out of jurisdiction warrant from Sabine Parish relating to the stolen vehicle.

Christmas Eve by Candlelight Upcoming Friday

The First United Methodist Church of Many invites you and your family to join in as they gather for a beautiful Christmas Eve by Candlelight service! They will recount the birth story and worship through carols, special music, prayer and Communion to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The event is Friday, Dec. 24 at 5:30 p.m.

Though filled with beautiful song and scripture, the service starts early in the evening and is brief so those who come may continue on to their other celebrations afterward.

This special service is for anyone who wishes to attend. All are welcome.

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