Wednesday, August 17, 2022
Without doubt Joe R. Salter, a native of Florien, is one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known. He served Sabine Parish for many years in the school system as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent. He was elected State Representative where Gov. Kathleen Blanco named him the 62nd Speaker of the House. He served in the House from 1986-2008.
He and wife Bettye moved to Baton Rouge where he worked in the State Department of Education starting in 2008. He served as a lobbyist and liaison officer with the Legislature, Federal officials and school boards. When he moved to the Red Stick, it was Sabine’s lost and Baton Rouge’s gain. He is now Chief of Staff for Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin.
Joe was always very active in community affairs and served on the Council at Florien. He was named to the Sabine Hall of Fame and to the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in 2008. It would take a while to list all the good works Joe has done and all the good efforts he has been involved in.
Currently Joe has some medical issues, and we ask that you remember him in your prayers. He and I both strongly believe in the power of prayer.
We also ask our faithful readers and friends of Joe to send him a card or note of encouragement as he and his doctors determine a plan of action, and he starts the path to treatment, healing and recovery. The mailing address is: Joe Salter, 4990 Jamestown Ave., Unit 1, Baton Rouge, LA 70808.
And belated Happy Birthday wishes to Joe, who celebrated last Saturday. We wish him many, many more happy ones.
Folks Who Shared Fisher Bigfoot Story Say They Have Been Abused, Threatened
Robert Gentry, author of Observations, carried weekly on bdcradio.com and sometimes shared in part on The Cenla Report Facebook page, has issued the following statement concerning the story of the Bigfoot sighting reported in Fisher:
“It was reported to me there was a sighting of Bigfoot in Fisher. Being a long-time journalist, I knew I had to investigate. On Sunday, I spent 1 ½ hours talking to Bernice and DeWayne DuBose at their home in Fisher. I had anticipated only spending a half-hour talking with them and looking at photos, but the couple was eager to share their stories and they were very forthcoming. That’s why the interview ran as long as it did.
“They voluntarily gave me a statement and answered all questions. They posed for pictures without reservation. They supplied me copies of the pictures they had taken of Bigfoot. I took them to be honest, hard-working people who believed what they were telling me. I was treated cordially and with respect by the couple and their children.
“The article was posted Tuesday evening on bdcradio.com and was picked up later in the evening by the Cenla Report. As I write this on Wednesday afternoon, more than 3,000 people have seen the story on the BDC radio website Observations page. And on Cenla Report, the response has been tremendous with 402 comments, 253 shares and 288 likes.
“Now, Mr. and Mrs. DuBose have informed me that ugly, rude and disrespectful comments are being posted about them. In response, Mrs. DuBose said she had to deactivate her Facebook page. They have been called crackpots, she reported. She said they were getting threats and being called all sorts of names. Mr. DuBose said people are also sending hate mail.
“She reports that folks are accusing her, her husband and family of seeking fame and glory, and a desire to be paid. I want to assure the public that nothing was paid for this, or any story shared in Observations. In the spirit of full transparency, I did bring the family a dozen donuts as a gesture of goodwill and because it was breakfast time. They did not touch them. The DuBoses simply told their story so the public would know. The couple was not and is not seeking fame, fortune or notoriety. Everybody has a story to tell, and they have a right to tell theirs. I found their experiences of interest. In light of the critical online comments being posted, Mrs. DuBose said, ‘We want to be left alone. We know what we seen and still see on Lyddy Road.’
“We ask everyone to please leave these folks alone. They have a right to believe what they shared, so please be cordial and respectful. The Golden Rule and ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself’ are both good guides in response to this couple’s desire to now be left alone.”
It’s the talk of the town, yet few people know about it. We’re talking about the sighting of Bigfoot in the Fisher area in the last couple of months or so. Bernice DuBose and her husband DeWayne filled Observations in on the happenings in a lengthy interview Sunday.
Ms. DuBose said their son, Josh Caballero, first saw Bigfoot about four months ago while walking at night on Lyddy Turnpike in Fisher. She related, “He heard trees shaking and thought it was a hog. As he walked down the road, it was following him in the tree line step for step. Then it started grunting and growling at him. Josh then started running toward town where the big trucks park and there is a light. The moon was shining, and he saw it. It was big and its arms reached down to its knees. Josh ran all the way home.”
The next day, Ms. DuBose said her brother Mervin Yazzie went back to the place where Josh had seen the creature. She related, “He followed the trail where it came out of the woods. He found a circle-shaped place that had been beaten down, there was trash there and [it was] an awful smell. They ran away and the thing followed them. It was about 4 p.m.”
She said the following day they went back again to see if they could find it, and “the thing started whooping.” That is the word she used to describe the sound the creature makes. She said several of them came out.
Jerry Williams and his wife Elizabeth of Antlers, OK, who are friends of the DuBose family and are “Bigfoot Experts,” came down for the action. They had night vision cameras and saw “three eye shines one night.” An “eye shine” is when a camera only captures Bigfoot’s bright eyes.
According to a post on The Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization Facebook page, after the initial encounters, Josh and Mervin returned the next morning at daylight. Josh made a few loud whoops from the road to draw the creature out. They waited quietly for 30 minutes until they noticed a dark figure emerge from the tree line. They recorded with their camera but were able to see the figure better with their eyes. The post states, “The video proves nothing, but it will encourage [Josh and Mervin] to return to this area to get better footage.”
Ms. DuBose said she moved to Fisher in December 2019. She said the first night they did not have electricity turned on yet, it was cold, and things were quiet. In the middle of the night, she heard a howling and the dogs started barking. She woke up her husband and he told her it was probably someone drunk. He went back to sleep, but she didn’t. She heard the howling again, and reports it was very loud. Ms. DuBose did not know what it was then, but now believes it was Bigfoot.
Mr. DuBose recalled in a two-day period they had four encounters. His wife said one night she woke up and saw something tall walk by. In addition, she said Bigfoot climbed a cedar tree near their house and peered into their daughters’ bedroom. They have four daughters and a child living with them, and Ms. DuBose said Bigfoot likes young girls and children. She said they also saw a Bigfoot footprint by the bedroom window.
Mr. DuBose was raised in Dixie and Brooklyn, MS, and he said he saw signs of Bigfoot there at the time but did not have enough knowledge about Bigfoot then to realize what he was seeing. He described the scent of Bigfoot as “being like death, body odor and foot odor – a very strong smell.”
The DuBose family moved to Fisher from Gallup, NM. Mr. DuBose moved here earlier and lived with his bother on Zachary Taylor Rd. near Fort Jesup.
Ms. DuBose also shared the story of Southern Yazzi, the boyfriend of one of her daughters. He got lost in the woods and people looked for him but were unable to find him. He finally came in at 5 a.m. saying he had been lost. She said Yazzi was scratched up and acting weird. She said he was shaken mentally, and said he heard growls and grunts all through the night. He told them he didn’t want to talk about it.
Here are other sightings the family reported:
– The thing crossed Main St. in Fisher and their son saw it. “It was in the woods and every time my son would take a step, it would take a step,” Ms. DuBose said.
– A son and his girlfriend were going to Walmart one night and saw it behind a utility pole.
– The couple saw Bigfoot cross Hwy. 171 just south of the Community Technical College. “It was huge and had big eyes,” Mr. DuBose said.
– Another time they were camped out at Kisatchie Falls and something brushed against the tent and threw something that sounded like pebbles during the night.
Observations asked the couple about Bigfoot’s intelligence. “It’s very smart,” the gentleman said, and his wife commented, “It don’t move when you’re taking pictures of it.”
We asked if anyone else around Fisher had reported seeing Bigfoot and they said not to their knowledge.
Observations then asked, “Why do you think Bigfoot is singling out your family to have a relationship with?” Ms. DuBose said it was because the creature was attracted to their daughters.
We asked Fisher Mayor Susan Slay for a comment about all the sightings, and she said she was unaware of the matter but would check into it.
Observations talked to both Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and his Chief Deputy Brad Walker, and both said no sightings had been reported to them.
And the beat goes on.
Speaking of the law enforcement gentlemen, it was reported they were driving back into Many on Hwy. 6 Monday and at the intersection near Walgreens, they saw a white chicken on the highway.
Speculation is that Brad imagined his lovely wife Laura cooking some chicken and dumplings and called a deputy to come catch the bird. Unfortunately, someone else caught the chicken before the deputy could arrive. Brad was sad. We would be, too.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and Chief Deputy Bradford Walker made a tour of all schools in Sabine Parish recently concerning school security. That’s a matter on parents’ minds nowadays, and they viewed each school and talked with the administrators and faculty.
That is a good move on their parts and if a shooter comes forward, they are prepared to take care of it. There’s not going to be a Uvalde in Sabine Parish. If the situation arises, the matter will immediately be taken care of by the Sheriff’s Department.
And the word is “Don’t mess with the BIG GUY.” And we’re not talking about Joe Biden. We’re talking about Sheriff Mitchell, who recently underwent a physical exam and came out with an A+. Congratulations, Sheriff, and best wishes.
Our good friend Ronny Byrd of South Boston, VA is another “top of the line” kind of guy. He is educated and he is smart. In addition, he is a great writer who knows how to express his opinions in a to-the-point and interesting way.
He will soon celebrate his 90th birthday, and we want to send him congratulations and wish him many more productive, healthy, good years.
WE GET LETTERS. Always love to hear from Ronny Byrd. Here’s his latest:
“Robert, you are NOT invited to organize my upcoming 90th birthday, only two weeks away. I’m going for 95, like Governor Edwards, and I’m afraid you’d jinx me. I loved the picture and the story about [Dixie] Stems by Cally and hope that her new business thrives. There is hope for the future and folks like her will lead the way. I say that despite yesterday’s news about the rogue FBI’s invasion of President Trump’s home. You know, they started talking impeachment right after his election before he even took office and he’s had investigation after investigation ever since and nothing sticks. Presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Harry Truman, all noted for their honesty, could not have survived such scrutiny. Maybe we’ll learn that George didn’t really chop down that cherry tree but lied to protect someone else. Abe might have split and sold 133 rails that day, but a recount proved that he made a mistake and had billed the buyer for 134. And no telling what Harry did, but nobody’s perfect. I think that raid of Trump’s home will come back to haunt the Democrat Party. But it has become obvious that justice in DC is a joke. The contrast between year-long nightly riots of 2020 and the single conservative protest at the capitol is a case in point. In the former, with over two billion dollars’ worth of damages and thousands of police injuries, arrests were few and prosecutions rare. While President Trump asked for a “peaceful, patriotic protest,” his supporters did in fact go too far and entered the Capital in a protest still not even close to what they claim was an insurrection. Now, they’re making an example of a large number of participants, going after unjustifiably long sentences while Capitol Policeman Michael Byrd got a free pass after murdering an unarmed woman who posed no danger to him or to anyone else. I think that if there are no corrective measures taken after the midterms and the next presidential election, our country is doomed. Ronny”
Alan Seabaugh, who is running for the State Senate seat now held by Sen. Louie Bernard, was a visitor in Sabine Parish last week. He is a diligent campaigner. He currently is State Representative from District 5. Alan is an attorney in Shreveport.
Seems Pete Abington of Many is in training. “For what?” you may ask. Since 1994 Pete has done what’s called “running the chains” for the Many High School Tiger football team. And he is now exercising regularly so he can do it again this football season.
That is 23 years this season, if we’ve figured it right. Pete said he’s been told he’s being running the chains longer than anyone else in the state. He’s out exercising every day, walking something like two miles a day.
Bruce Gandy and John Curtis, who help with that job, stand by to catch Pete should he fall.
Scene Around Town
Woman Arrested in Fast Food Credit/Debit Card Drive-Thru Thefts
Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announces the Aug. 12 arrest of Desha Laneece Waller, age 25, of Many for numerous counts of Identity Theft.
Waller was previously arrested on Aug. 5 for Theft under $1000 (misdemeanor) and Obstruction of Justice in one case and Aggravated Cruelty to Animals in another case.
On Aug. 8, Waller was also booked for two warrants from Caddo Parish for Felony Theft.
Sabine Parish Sheriff Detective Don Flores seized and obtained a search warrant for Waller’s cellular phone for evidence in the misdemeanor theft case.
Detective Shelly Sepulvado discovered over 40 videos in Waller’s phone of different credit/debit cards (front and back) made while she was working the drive-thru at Southern Classic Chicken in Many on the evening of Saturday, July 2. Waller was employed at Southern Classic a little over a week, from June 24 until July 3.
It appears Waller’s phone was lying on the counter in video record mode, and she would hold the different cards in front of the camera to record all the card information. The videos also show Waller’s face in the background.
Detectives said Waller had used one of the victim’s credit card information for purchases, but it is unknown about all the others at this time. They learned Waller was recently employed at Burger King in Many as well.
Detectives are still searching through Waller’s phone data. Additional charges could be pending.
Waller was already incarcerated at the Sabine Parish Women’s Jail.
She was booked for 42 counts of Identity Theft. As of press deadline, no bond had yet been set by the 11th Judicial District Court.
Sheriff Mitchell advises the public that if anyone believes their credit/debit or bank card information has been compromised or stolen, to contact the issuing bank or institution, and to contact Sabine Parish Sheriff Detective Shelly Sepulvado at (318) 590-9475.
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell also recently announced three more federal indictments for narcotic and firearm charges.
Three subjects were indicted in United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana in Shreveport on Wednesday, July 27.
Deverrick Martell Winfield, age 30, of Zwolle was indicted for two counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine.
Julius Theodore Winfield III, age 43, of Zwolle was indicted for three counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
Clifton Davis Williams, age 47, of Many was indicted for three counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine, one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, one count of Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking, one count of Possession of Firearm and Ammunition by Convicted Felon.
The Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) has been investigating D. Winfield, J. Winfield III and Williams’ illegal drug sales activity for months.
Williams’ indictment is a result of his February 10 arrest earlier this year when TNT Agents executed a search warrant at Williams’ Buffalo Drive home in Many and seized methamphetamine, a firearm and ammunition, as well as other illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
Sheriff Mitchell said this makes 30 indictments for federal narcotic and firearm charges in the last two years, with over 10 federal indictments pending.
(A big Thank You to Det. D. W. Seegers for the information in the two articles above.)
The Sabine Chamber of Commerce welcomed another blooming Many business into its membership on Monday. The Flower Market, owned by Sonia Hammons Smith and daughter Hannah Womack, is located at 350 S. Capitol St., across from Warren Meadows Funeral Home.
A Grand Opening was held on Aug. 15 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with door prize giveaways, free hot dogs, drinks, chips, dessert and all the trimmings. A noon Ribbon-cutting was well attended by Chamber members, Many Mayor Robert Hable and several representatives from local businesses. Brad Ford from Baldridge-Dumas Communications was also on hand with a live radio remote broadcast that aired on several local stations.
The new Flower Market is well-stocked with plenty of florals, floral and home décor, gifts, jewelry and more.
“We are a Southern floral boutique,” Sonia explained. “We put Southern flair in everything we do,” she said with a big smile. “The Flower Market can design gift baskets of any kind – jewelry, candy baskets, home décor items – whatever is desired,” Sonia shared.
They also handle all regular flower requests, such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, funerals and other occasions.
“Whatever you need, you can depend on us!” Smith said.
Sonia and her husband also own the 2,500-square-foot Jefferson Flower Market in Jefferson, TX. Owning a prime business in a tourist spot like Jefferson no doubt helps her understand what people are hoping to find in a full-service flower and gift shop.
Shop hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They may be reached at (318) 256-2288.
This article appeared in The Shreveport Times on Monday, Aug. 15. It was written by Jimmy Watson. The accompanying photo is by Henrietta Wildsmith/TheTimes.
USC commit Tackett has connections to Bonnie and Clyde
Many four-star linebacker Tackett Curtis comes from a long line of family members with an apparent “rough and rowdy past,” if we might borrow a description of the Soggy Bottom Boys from the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”
According to Curtis’ father, Many principal Moses Curtis, the family of Tackett’s great grandfather, the late Leonard O’Neal Tackett, were known to harbor two of the most famous criminals to eventually die in North Louisiana – Bonnie and Clyde.
“Papaw Tackett’s whole family is a bunch of Texas outlaws that came from Waco,” Moses Tackett said. “They grew up hard and were into the Bonnie and Clyde family. That side of the family was tied into Bonnie. They were some interesting people.”
Maybe that helps explain why Tackett Curtis was one of the most sought-after football recruits in Louisiana’s 2023 class with 46 offers before he “1,000 percent” committed to USC a couple of weeks ago. The 6- foot- 3, 220-pound Curtis is the No. 1 area recruit in The Times list of Elite 8 senior recruits. He’s also the No. 6 athlete in the state on the 247Sports Composite. He comes by his physicality honestly, thanks to his heritage, as well as from battling older brothers Gunner and Carson.
Scattered four years apart, the Curtis brothers put on some epic battles in the front yard of their North DeSoto Estates home when they lived in Stonewall.
“Most of them ended up in fights. They were some physical games, but I definitely never took it easy on Tackett,” Carson said. “For a while growing up we were the same size, so we had some pretty even matchups. But as I got into high school, I was a good size bigger. Even then, we had some good battles, because what he lacked in size he made up for in physicality and speed. I think he found any advantage that he could get. Competing with each other was what we loved to do.”
The efforts to land Curtis, the country’s No. 5 linebacker, began during his freshman year and he narrowed his extensive list to three (USC, Ohio State and Wisconsin) a few weeks ago. He involved his entire family in the process from his brothers, little sister, mother and uncle Jess Curtis, the Many football coach. USC wasn’t the top choice for Tackett’s mom, Leslie Curtis, a Many pharmacist.
“She’s all about education and Leslie liked Stanford the most,” Moses said. “Mine and Tackett’s thinking was along the same lines. Tackett really believes USC is going to be climbing the mountain while he’s there.”
Curtis has already led the Tigers to one LHSAA Class 2A state title (2020) and to the state championship game last season. He’ll be the team’s quarterback this fall in addition to running the defense. But he’s a ‘workout-aholic’ spending more time in the weight room than most teenagers spend texting. When he isn’t working out, he’s eating, sleeping or playing ‘Fortnite’ or ‘Apex Legends’ against his brothers.
“Tackett is a pretty boring guy,” Moses said.
Papaw Tackett was the first on his side of the family to attend, and to graduate, from college. He earned a doctorate as a chiropractor, built a car from scratch and could fly an airplane. His great-grandson, and namesake, hits like a Mack truck, has made just one “B” in 11 years of school and will earn a degree from one of the top universities in the country.
Sometimes the apple not falling far from the tree is a good thing.
John Stewart has qualified for Sabine Parish School Board, District 6. His announcement follows:
“My name is John Stewart, and I have qualified to run for Sabine Parish School Board Member for District 6. I am married to Candice Etheridge Stewart and together we have four children: Makayla, age 20; MaKinah, age 13; Mack, age 9; and MaKynzlee, age 5.
“After working in the oil field for 11 years, I now own and manage John Stewart Trucking and John Stewart Timber Services. I’m also a lifelong member of St. Ann’s Catholic Church. Following in the footsteps of my mother, grandparents, and all four of my older siblings, I am a 2005 graduate of Ebarb High School. My oldest daughter is a 2020 graduate, and two of my children currently attend Ebarb High School. It is safe to say that Rebel pride runs deep in my blood.
“Along with my care for the community, my decision to run was influenced by my two children who attend Ebarb. It is my sincere hope to move the school in a positive direction; a direction where the students of Ebarb have access to the highest quality education available. I understand that the faculty and staff are crucial parts of any school’s success. If elected, supporting the students and the faculty and staff will be top priorities of mine.
“Another primary goal will be to ensure that students have the opportunity to graduate with enough college credits to be declared sophomores and juniors before starting college, while students looking for a trade or to join the workforce are properly trained as well. This would benefit not only aspiring students, but also the wallets of our hard-working parents. My intent is not to dwell on the past, but to look towards the future; a future that is brighter now than ever for the children of Ebarb High School.
“As School Board Member, I will represent all children, no matter their family or background. After all, it is all about the kids. If anyone has any questions or concerns, you are more than welcome to stop by my shop located in Zwolle or call me at (318) 315-3109. I am asking for the opportunity to be an effective and unifying voice for our community.
“So please keep me in mind this November and vote John Stewart for District 6 School Board Member.”
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