Wednesday, June 22, 2022

 

Lawlessness is running rampant in our country.  It used to be primarily in large metropolitan cities, but now it is moving on down to rural areas like Sabine Parish.

On Friday night about 8 p.m., Haleigh Dockens was getting off after a 12-hour shift at Walgreens in Many where she is a pharmacist.  A native of Many, she has been working there for about a year. What happened next is something everyone needs to read about and know.

Here is Haleigh’s story:  “I got in my car and locked my doors (a habit I had after living away from home) and was putting all my stuff down, per usual, when I felt my car rock. 

“I looked up to see a man staring back at me through the passenger window.  He had just tugged my door handle trying to get in.  He then knocked on the window and said ‘Open.’  I yelled, ‘No!!! Get!!’  I swear I heard my grandmother’s voice yell that in the moment and he again said, ‘Open,’ and motioned for me to get out.  I said, ‘No.  Go.’

“He stood for a moment, then went and got back in the back seat of a van parked several spaces down from me.  He and the driver both sat looking at me as I stared back at them and googled the number for the Sheriff’s Office.

“Thank you so much for the quick response from the dispatcher at the SPSO and from the Many Police Department officers.  I have no idea what the intentions were of this guy.  It could have been something harmless, but I was not about to let the next person who may have their doors unlocked find out.  We may be a small town, but always be aware of your surroundings.

“P.S.:  I also had ‘Crime Junkie’ podcast playing in the background as the entire event took place.  So, shout out to Ashley and Britt for giving me anxiety about safety because it, unfortunately, came in handy.”

Haleigh’s mother, Linda Dockens, shared, “Thank God for his protection over Haleigh and for the quick response of the Many Police.”  She said the police responded with three different vehicles within minutes.  Ms. Dockens added, “Ladies, pay attention to your surroundings.  Lock your doors immediately when you get into your cars.  I am bad about putting everything down, then cranking the car and the doors lock only when I put the car in gear.  This could have turned out different.  I am so thankful that it didn’t.”

Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley said Southern Atsa Yazzi, 25-year-old white male, was charged with attempted simple burglary of a vehicle. 

According to reports reaching Observations, the man who drove the minivan in which Yazzi was riding lives near Florien. His stepdaughter had communicated with Yazzi and encouraged him to come to this area. On Friday, the stepdaughter went to Walgreens to get an item, but could not find it. She then went to the Dollar General store located next door to Walgreens. While she was gone, Yazzi suddenly bolted from the minivan and tried to get in Ms. Dockens’ vehicle.

Chief Wooley said Yazzi has a criminal history in New Mexico and Idaho, including convictions for aggravated burglary.  She confirmed he was staying in the Florien area and said the investigation into the incident is still underway.

“[We are] unsure of exactly how he came to Sabine Parish,” she said.  “I will have reports from other states and associates as soon as possible.”

Chief Wooley said investigators did not know what Yazzi’s intentions were, as he is not talking. She said, according to reports, he claims to be Native American, and investigators are trying to obtain information about him from other states. She said he does have an FBI number.

Observations can confirm that “Yazzie/Yazzi” is a rather common Native American surname in the Five Corners area around Farmington and Gallup, NM and elsewhere in the Southwest.

As Observations was posted Tuesday, Yazzi was still in the Sabine Parish Detention Center, but Chief Wooley said a bond hearing had just been held and his bond had been set at $50,000. We will stay on the story and have more information next week. Big city crime moving into Sabine Parish.

Ten small businesses from across Louisiana have been selected to participate in the Rural Entrepreneurship Initiative, a Louisiana Economic Development (LED) program that helps small companies overcome challenges unique to rural communities.  Among them is Original Zwolle Tamales.

Program participants are considered second-stage businesses and are poised for further growth.  The initiative is designed to address issues that are common to all small businesses but often magnified in rural areas.

Corey Bland, left, recently visited Observations with a suitcase full of old newspapers from the days President John F. Kennedy was killed.  The papers were kept by his late grandmother, Cala Sue Bland of Lake Charles.  He was accompanied by his friend LeTishia Miers, a native of Singer.  After looking over the papers, Observations will be donating them to the Sabine Parish Library, if they want them, in memory of Ms. Bland.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office last week informed the public about the recent Louisiana Legislative Session in which lawmakers passed a bill restricting law enforcement from sharing certain booking photos of arrested individuals.

The bill has now been signed into law by Gov. John Bel Edwards. The SPSO and all other law enforcement agencies are no longer allowed to release certain booking photos to the media or post them on social media outlets.

In fugitive cases or violent offenses as outlined in the list below, the photo may be released. Following a conviction of arrested individuals, the booking photo can also be released.

The Sheriff’s Office said they will continue to make every effort possible to keep the citizens of the parish informed but noted they must follow the laws passed by governing authorities.

If the Observations man was Sheriff, he would continue releasing all the booking photos of everyone who gets arrested, in spite of it now being restricted by state law.  And we believe in following the law.  This is just one more example of politicians helping the criminals instead of the victims.  We’ll say it loud and clear one more time, “If you don’t want your booking photo released, don’t get arrested.”  And a final note, our State Sen. Louie Bernard voted for the bill.

The list shared below is a list of offenses in which a booking photo may be released by law enforcement.

Editor’s note: “Attempted simple burglary,” (the charge in the Many Walgreens incident covered above), is one of the charges NOT included on this list. This is a classic example of what is wrong with the new photo restriction law. If the man’s booking photo could be published, at least our citizens could be made aware of what the guy looks like and could exercise caution should they come in contact with him. So, we ask: does keeping his mug shot private make the public more or less safe?

(1) Solicitation for murder.

(2) First degree murder.

(3) Second degree murder.

(4) Manslaughter.

(5) Aggravated battery.

(6) Second degree battery.

(7) Aggravated assault.

(8) Repealed by Acts 2017, No. 281, §3.

(9) Aggravated or first-degree rape.

(10) Forcible or second-degree rape.

(11) Simple or third-degree rape.

(12) Sexual battery.

(13) Second degree sexual battery.

(14) Intentional exposure to AIDS virus.

(15) Aggravated kidnapping.

(16) Second degree kidnapping.

(17) Simple kidnapping.

(18) Aggravated arson.

(19) Aggravated criminal damage to property.

(20) Aggravated burglary.

(21) Armed robbery.

(22) First degree robbery.

(23) Simple robbery.

(24) Purse snatching.

(25) False imprisonment; offender armed with dangerous weapon.

(26) Assault by drive-by shooting.

(27) Aggravated crime against nature.

(28) Carjacking.

(29) Repealed by Acts 2017, No. 281, §3.

(30) Terrorism.

(31) Aggravated second degree battery.

(32) Aggravated assault upon a peace officer.

(33) Aggravated assault with a firearm.

(34) Armed robbery; use of firearm; additional penalty.

(35) Second degree robbery.

(36) Disarming of a peace officer.

(37) Stalking.

(38) Second degree cruelty to juveniles.

(39) Aggravated flight from an officer.

(40) Repealed by Acts 2014, No. 602, §7, eff. June 12, 2014.

(41) Battery of a police officer.

(42) Trafficking of children for sexual purposes.

(43) Human trafficking.

(44) Home invasion.

(45) Domestic abuse aggravated assault.

(46) Vehicular homicide, when the operator’s blood alcohol concentration exceeds 0.20 percent by weight based on grams of alcohol per one hundred cubic centimeters of blood.

(47) Aggravated assault upon a dating partner.

(48) Domestic abuse battery punishable under R.S. 14:35.3(L), (M)(2), (N), (O), or (P) (strangulation, burning-serious bodily injury, dangerous weapon, serious bodily injury).

(49) Battery of a dating partner punishable under R.S. 14:34.9(L), (M)(2), (N), (O), or (P).

(50) Violation of a protective order if the violation involves a battery or any crime of violence as defined by this Subsection against the person for whose benefit the protective order is in effect.

(51) Criminal abortion.

(52) First degree feticide.

(53) Second degree feticide.

(54) Third degree feticide.

(55) Aggravated criminal abortion by dismemberment.

​-Fugitives.

​-Person is a threat.

​-Order of judge.

​-Upon conviction.

(Thanks to SPSO Det. D. W. Seegers for supplying the list above.)

The Louisiana Cooperative Purchasing Commission (LACPC) is pleased to announce the nomination of Suzanne Williams by the Town of Many to serve as the LACPC’s first Commission Chair. When confirmed, Williams will help guide the Commission’s agenda and goals and will preside over official meetings held during her one-year term commencing July 1, 2022.

The Town of Many has participated in the statewide cooperative purchasing commission since its inception. Williams was tapped to represent the town by Mayor Robert H. Hable, Jr. Her nomination is expected to be approved at the next meeting of the Louisiana Municipal Advisory and Technical Services (LaMATS) Board of Directors.

Williams brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this role. Not only has she been an active participant in the LACPC, her official duties as Many’s Grant Writer include identifying funding opportunities and generating proposals and supporting documents in response to solicitations.

The LACPC is a participant-directed cooperative joint commission for Louisiana municipalities and local political subdivisions, organized to cooperate in the procurement of materials and supplies, as well as other procurement activities defined in Title 33 or the Louisiana Revised Statutes. The LACPC goal is to establish valuable purchasing contracts with national and regional brands of equipment and materials – supporting needs in construction, recreation, building maintenance, fleet management, and more – that are essential to municipal services operations.

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We are glad to see plans continue to resurrect the Ark-La-Tex Music Variety Show.

Upcoming show dates are June 24, July 22, Aug. 26 and Oct. 28, all of which are Fridays. Showtime is 7 p.m. On the June 24 show this Friday will be special guests Cole Stephens, talented grandson of the late Ark-La-Tex Music Show founder Rod Hopkins, and Terry Lemaster of “Picking on Jesus” Gospel songwriting fame.

Generally, the performances will feature a variety of Country, mellow Rock and Easy Listening from the 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s. The shows will also feature a guitar giveaway, which was always a tradition of the original Ark-La-Tex Show. Adult admission is $10, Students in Grades 7-12 are $5, Students in 6th Grade or under are admitted free, as are all veterans.

For more information or to make a talent submission, contact Buster Jordan at (318) 607-4484.

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The Town of Many will receive a special treat when a nationally published author launches her latest novel right here in Many.

Susan Noel Sands, author of five published novels, will be at Many City Hall at 645 San Antonio Ave., to sign her new novel, “Home to Cypress Bayou,” on Saturday, June 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. She will also speak to guests about her writing career and the influence of this area on her writing.

In addition, she will appear on the “Save the Date” radio program on Thursday, June 23 at 8 a.m. to talk about her Saturday appearance at Many’s City Hall.

Sands is a native of Negreet and Many and is a graduate of Negreet High School.  She graduated from Northwestern State University in 1989. Sands now lives in Roswell, GA.

Ms. Sands’ visit is sponsored by the Town of Many, Mayor Robert Hable and the Many City Council.  There is no cost to attend the cultural event, and refreshments will be served to the guests as they chat with the noted author.

Susan Sands is the published author of five humorous Sothern fiction novels with Tule Publishing, and the first book in her new Louisiana Bayou trilogy, “Home to Cypress Bayou,” was released on May 31. A second full-length novel, “The Island of Summer Sunsets,” was due to be out June 8  from Harpeth Road Press.

Sands pulls her stories and characters from charming small towns and open spaces where the air is clean and words roll out with a lovely Southern drawl and just a hint of “bless your heart.”

Susan is married to Doug Sands (1989). They have three grown children.

She is the 2017 recipient of the Georgia Author of the Year award and is a member of the Atlanta Writer’s Club and the Georgia Romance Writers.

Susan loves connecting with readers! That’s part of why she will visit Many on June 25, but she’s also coming to catch up with old friends and acquaintances and to just enjoy being back home again.

Be sure to Save the Date for Saturday afternoon, June 25, and meet this highly acclaimed author of Southern fiction.

(Special thanks to Mary Brocato for the above article.)

During a local, routine traffic stop on Saturday, June 11, the Many Police Dept. discovered a missing man from Dallas, TX.

Upon stopping the vehicle, Many PD Officer Blake Meyers found that the driver, Mr. Miguel Ramirez, had been reported missing after failing to pick up his wife, Sandra, from work.

Mr. Ramirez is believed to have a medical condition that affected his memory.

“We are glad this ended in a family reunion,” Many Police Chief Cheryl Wooley noted. Shown in the photo with Mr. Ramirez, second from left, and Officer Meyers, center right, are relatives of the located man – his wife, a niece, the niece’s husband and child.

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There was another drowning on Toledo Bend Lake on Sunday evening, June 12.  Texas emergency responders were called to the area of Lowe’s Creek off Hwy. 83 East where a person was found unresponsive.  On June 6, RonSarius Hongo of Florien drowned while swimming with friends near the Toledo Bend Dam Spillway.  This makes at least five drownings on the lake this year.  Please be careful.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports Ollie Vee Davis Jr., age 35, of Many was arrested by the Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) Monday afternoon, June 13.

TNT Agents have been investigating the illegal drug sales activity of Davis for over a year.

Agents were able to obtain warrants for Davis’ arrest and located him at his home on Andrews St. in Many.

TNT Agents located additional methamphetamine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia inside Davis’ home when he was arrested.

Davis was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for Warrant for nine counts of Distribution of schedule II (Meth) and Second or subsequent offenses; Warrant for Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth) and Possession of drug paraphernalia; Possession of schedule I (Marijuana); Possession of schedule II (Meth); and Possession of drug paraphernalia.

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

Word is out that Mike McConathy, highly regarded retired Northwestern State University basketball coach, is going to throw his jersey into the ring for our State Senator. He is well known throughout the area. Sen. Louie Bernard has announced that he will not seek re-election.

Former State Sen. Don Kelly of Natchitoches says that “Mike is the man,” and he believes he will be elected. And Don knows politics. We’ll see.

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