Wednesday, March 23, 2022

There was more news this week than we had room to publish, so be sure to watch for a lagniappe edition of Observations this Friday, March 25.

Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley termed it “a disturbance” or “a brawl.” As far as I know, it was a happening like our town has never seen before. There were reports of fights, loud music, loud and profane language and abuse of police officers and failure to follow their directives.

Here is the story as we can piece it together:  Anna Cate Williams Wright rented out her Rigs & Racks building on Hwy. 171 Bypass for a private party Saturday night, March 19. Renting the building out is something she has been doing for special events. About 150-200 people attended the function, which started at about 9 p.m.

The first call that came to the Many Police Department was a loud music complaint regarding the party at Rigs & Racks, which came in around 1 a.m. on Sunday. A second call came to the Many PD at about 1:45 a.m. that a fight had broken out. There were at least two fights at the fitness business property before the group moved to downtown Many in the vicinity of the Shop A Lott Chevron station, the only business that was still open at that hour. The Chief said there were 60-70 people who came downtown.

More fighting continued on San Antonio Ave. around the Chevron, according to Chief Wooley. She said four or five fights took place in that area, and she had heard that two to four people were injured and had to be transported to the emergency room at Sabine Medical Center with minor injuries, including broken bones.

The crowd downtown was rowdy and would not disperse, and Chief Wooley said it took at least two hours to put an end to the disturbance. Chief Wooley and five Many officers were on duty. Sabine Chief Deputy Brad Walker said the Sheriff’s Office was called to assist and responded with 10-15 deputies.  

Chief Wooley described the scene as “chaotic.” A chemical spray was used to help disperse the gathering. The Chief said she did not know what caused the crowd to erupt as it did.

No arrests were made. Chief Wooley said the officers spent their time trying to get the group under control and “get them out of town.” She said it has been reported that some of the trouble makers were from Mansfield, Zwolle and Pleasant Hill. She was unaware of any damage to property.

The disturbance caught the Many Police Department by surprise. “We are reviewing video footage of the event,” Chief Wooley told Observations. “If there is a next time, we will be prepared.”

A veteran law enforcement officer pointed out to us that by state law, bars must be closed by midnight, yet a private party can go on past that hour. This person noted that in the past, bars that operated past the deadline would be shut down by the Sheriff’s Department.

Stephanie Dees Milliken shared Sunday morning on Facebook, “I have spent half the night worrying and praying for our police officers. About 2 a.m. we were awakened by sirens and yelling that sounded like it was in our backyard.” [She lives about seven blocks from where the disturbance happened.]  Milliken said she drove downtown and observed:  “It was a sight I have never seen before. Cars and people everywhere fighting. It was the craziest sight I have ever seen. Our officers cannot be expected to do this. What is our world coming to?”

In response to Ms. Milliken’s post, David Jones asked, “What about the women working in the store and how do you think they felt? My wife was inside and other women.” Sabine Medical Center employee Meghan Wooley Evans commented, “My poor Chevron ladies. The ER was insane!” Chrystal Welch responded to her, “Thank you, lady. I’m so glad someone finally thought of us. I know the cops tried to contain everything outside. I’m so grateful. Nobody has cared to mention the fact that while all the cops were out, there was nobody able to help us inside. Me and the other girls had to control the inside trying to get everybody out and stay out. Being at that door was hell.”

Brenda Manasco, who lives across from the Chevron station wrote:  “To be honest, had I been the police I would have just left and whatever happened just happened. It was insane. I don’t ever want to hear anybody say the cops didn’t earn their pay that night, not to mention putting their lives in danger. If I could have gotten out of my driveway, I would have left and never come back.”

Brenda Lyddy wrote:  “Horrible thing to happen. Prayers for all first responders in Many and all called.”

The photos shared here from the night are poor quality, taken from three videos we viewed of the various fights. The backgrounds reveal that fights broke out around the Tobacco Plus Exxon station and near Burger King across the street from Sonic as well as at the Shop A Lott Chevron station.

The videos look as if the downtown mayhem all took place within a one and one-half block stretch of San Antonio Ave.

District Attorney Don Burkett told Observations that Chief Wooley contacted him Monday and went over the event with him. He said since no charges have yet been filed, there is no action from his office.

We have always been a strong supporter of law enforcement. The men and women who serve are the only thing standing between an orderly society and sheer chaos. We should honor and appreciate those in law enforcement. We are reaping what has been sown by politicians nationwide who neither respect nor appreciate law enforcement. That attitude of disrespect and disregard for the law and those who enforce it has led to the lawlessness we now see throughout our land. Many politicians have proudly worked hard to “defund the police.” Some of these same folks want to do away with law enforcement altogether or cut policing budgets to the nub. For shame, for shame.

Many Mayor Robert Hable sent this statement regarding the chaos:  “Early Sunday morning, around 1:45 a.m., Many PD was dispatched to a local business where some fist fights had broken out. Due to the number of people involved in the fights, the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office also responded and assisted in crowd control. From the original location, the crowd then spread to local businesses on San Antonio Ave. and officers were also dispatched there. The situation was resolved in a couple of hours. Minor injuries [were] reported from some of the fights.”

The Rev. Cyle Clayton, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Many, presented a lot of good food for thought after the downtown row. His social media post of Monday was shared by over two dozen people, and we thought he made some great points. His writing follows:

RIOTING IN MANY: CAUSE & EFFECT

“The night is nearly over, and the day is near; so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us walk with decency, as in the daytime: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to gratify its desires.” – Romans 13:12-14

I read on Facebook that there was a party with several hundred people that went wild in Many. I didn’t think much of it until I spoke with one of the law enforcement officers who was involved in dealing with the riot. Details aside, it was a frightening event for citizens of Many and even for law enforcement personnel.

Within a short time of that situation, another citizen was threatened by a group of individuals, police were called, and little could be done in that situation. Two situations within a matter of days in a small town in rural Louisiana that hasn’t seen much of this type of thing.

One person wrote, “What’s this world coming to?” How did we get to this point and what can we do about it?

First, we should abide by just laws. Societies only work when citizens obey just laws.

Second, we should support law enforcement when it is acting in accordance with just laws. God established government, including officers of the peace, to keep peace in society (read Romans 13).

Third, judges should work with law enforcement to hand out sentencing that is unbiased, fair, equal, and appropriate according to the law. Officers cannot keep the peace if courts continually dismiss crime and criminals. However, courts must be guided by the law, not by the law enforcers. Police must police and judges must judge. They work together to keep the peace, but they also work in tension. We must remain innocent until proven guilty or there is no justice. There is also no justice if the guilty go unpunished.

Fourth, nothing will work in law enforcement, the courts, or society if the citizenry has no moral foundation, and there is no moral foundation that works apart from the moral foundation laid down by the Creator. Any foundation determined by humanity is doomed to fail, because humanity has proven itself fallen. When the ethics and morality of the Creator are discarded, the citizenry will determine what’s right and wrong. That never works.

That’s what happened this week. A group of citizens decided it was right to riot. Another group decided it was right to threaten people living in their neighborhood. Another group, law enforcement, decided it was right to try to stop them.

This goes on every day across this nation. Sadly, many law enforcement officers across the country are deciding it’s time to do something else, because the society and, some feel, the courts have decided that laws do not matter. Teachers are quitting our schools because of the insanity. Pastors are quitting the pulpit because of discouragement, immorality, and faithlessness.

Why? Why is this happening?

It’s happening because we’re sinners in need of a Savior. It’s happening because long ago we stopped following the Creator’s design for ethics, morality, and society. Long ago we planted the seeds of rebellion against God and now we’re reaping what we’ve sown.

Long before the courts and society redefined marriage, we discarded the Creator’s definition of marriage, his condemnation of divorce, and his plan for family.

Long before the courts and society redefined sexuality and gender, we discarded God’s definition of sexual morality and the Creator’s plan for men and women in the only acceptable sexually active relationship – heterosexual, monogamous, life-long marriage.

Long before the first ship of Africans were sold into slavery in the United States, the courts and the society discarded God’s teaching about the unity of humanity, race, and the way we are to treat our fellow man.

Long ago we started quitting the churches that preach the truth of God’s word, requiring our “communities of faith” to reflect our “society of faithlessness.”

We quit God’s ethics and morality, we quit preaching it, we quit attending church where it’s proclaimed, we quit marriage (resulting in fatherless generations), we quit His standards of sexuality, we quit His standards for the way we should treat one another, and there will never be enough cops or courts to reverse the consequences of quitting God.

The only solution is to quit quitting and return to God. The only solution to the problem is mass repentance from the pulpit to the pew, from the gated community to the hood, from the white house to the statehouse to the schoolhouse to our own houses.

When society is going to hell, the only answer is to repent of our sin and return to the One who rules all Creation, who redeems sinners with His own blood, submitting to His standards for ethics and morality, seeking wisdom, and obeying His word.

Sabine Parish Sheriff Detectives request your help in solving a local theft. Anyone who knows the identity of the man pictured above is asked to contact the Sabine Criminal Investigations Division at (318) 590-9475 or submit a tip through the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s App.

Shortly before 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 20, the man pictured took two Lew’s baitcast fishing reels from Toledo Town & Tackle located on Hwy. 6 west of Many.

The man used what appeared to be pliers or cutters to remove the reels from the rods. He then put the rods back on the shelf and put the two fishing reels in his waistband. The value of the two fishing combos is over $450.

The man exited the store without paying for the items and drove away in a small, maroon four-door car that appeared to be a Honda Civic or similar. It had Texas license plates.

Toledo Town & Tackle has had more than their share of shoplifters. Thank goodness they have superior video security surveillance equipment. The images they capture are almost portrait quality.

Sure would have loved to see someone holler at the guy as he was headed out the door, “Drop ‘em!”

When you zoom in on the car photo, you can see a nice dog sitting in the passenger seat. Poor boy.

(Thanks to Det. D.W. Seegers for the photos and information regarding the theft.)

The Arc of Sabine, who serves developmentally disabled Sabine citizens, is celebrating their brand-new facilities this week at 545 San Antonio Ave. The complex was completely rebuilt after suffering a devastating fire about three years ago. Their new offices feature smarter use of space, dining facilities and more. At the rear of the building is a huge, new workspace for large and small work projects.

The Arc invited a number of people to attend an Open House event on Friday. Watch future Observations to learn more about all this worthy custodial care group now offers.

We Remember Hardrick Rivers

Music lost a master when saxophonist Hardrick Rivers of Natchitoches passed away recently. The beloved musical icon of this area died from heart failure during dialysis on Thursday, March 10.

A service celebrating the life and legacy of Mr. Rivers was held Monday at the Natchitoches Events Center. We were among many who paid our respects. The visitation was especially meaningful with a nice display of the sax man’s mementos and awards, and a group of a half-dozen or so musicians who played live jazz to honor their friend.

Hardrick was born to Elijah King and the late Melba Rivers on Sept. 12, 1956, in the Powhatan Community. At the time of his death, he was Mayor of Powhatan.

He was survived by wife Pamela, children Donna Conday, Douglas (Kesha) Conday, Renee (Marlon) Brown, Melba (Bruce) Rivers, Hardrick (Petula) Rivers Jr., Tiawana Rivers, Joy (Vantrey) Dove, Charles (Hannan) Dove, Justin Dove, and a host of other family and friends, including 24 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.

At age 13, Hardrick began studying the craft of music under the late Blues artist Overton Owens, “Dr. Drip Drop.” He honed his skills, later joining the Mustangs then founding the Lighthouse Crew. As he matured musically, he became an integral part of the Rivers’ Revue Band.  A great love of his was the monthly jam session with some of his favorite musical colleagues at Roque’s Grocery and Pool Hall on Carver Ave. in Natchitoches. An outgrowth of these musical sets was the Roques’ Blues Band.

Rivers was a graduate of Allen High School. Over twenty years ago, he gave up a construction job to earn a degree in music from Northwestern State University where he performed with NSU’s jazz ensemble. He went on to become a music instructor at Coushatta High School.

After earning his degree, Hardrick was inducted into the Louisiana Folk Life Center’s Hall of Master Folk Artists. He later teamed up and toured with B. B. Majors Blues Band in Italy and at various Blues events and venues.

Our favorite memory of Hardrick and his wife, Pamela, was when they came down to Baton Rouge with our longtime friend, Henry Reggans, to play music for former Gov. Edwin Edwards’ 90th Birthday Party. The entire group was a big hit. Hardrick’s saxophone and Henry’s keyboard set the mood for the memorable evening. Pamela’s rendition of the national anthem that night brought the house down as well.

Those who wish to honor Hardrick Rivers’ memory may do so with a contribution to the Hardrick Rivers Memorial Scholarship Fund at BOM (Bank of Montgomery), Account #40909041.

Our deepest sympathies go out to Pamela and all the family and friends of Mr. Rivers. He will be sorely missed.

A Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Deputy was involved in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Hwy. 171 and Hwy. 175 (the Belmont Road) just north of Many on Friday, March 18 at about 4 p.m. Chief Deputy Brad Walker said Reserve Deputy Levi Remedies, coming north on Hwy. 175, drove the patrol car into an oncoming 18-wheeler which he did not see, as it was hidden by another 18-wheeler. Thank goodness there were no serious injuries.

Alford M. Dye, 34, ran off from the Sabine Sheriff’s Investigations Office on San Antonio Ave. in Many on March 17 at about 3:20 p.m. Caused quite a bit of excitement for a minute. Seems he was being questioned and said he had to go to the bathroom. He was in handcuffs, so they were removed so he could answer nature’s call. But apparently, nature called him clear out of the building. That was when he made his escape. Seems you just can’t trust anyone anymore.

Dye is a big guy – 6 ft. tall, 240 lbs. and he left without any shoes on. The word went out and less than 10 minutes later he was back in custody. Chief Deputy Brad Walker said he was found hiding under the School Board warehouse located on Sabine Alley.

Dye was charged with Flight from an officer, Simple escape and being a Felon in possession of a firearm. He was also wanted for earlier charges of Battery of a dating partner by strangulation, Child endangerment and Unauthorized entrance of an inhabited dwelling.

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