Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Sabine Parish residents were saddened last week to learn of the unexpected deaths of two outstanding citizens.

Milton Milliken, 53, passed away at his Many home Monday evening, Dec. 26.  He was born in Thomasville, NC and had lived in Many for several years where he was an important part of Foy Motors.

He was married to the love of his life, the former Stephanie Dees.  He is survived by wife Stephanie; his parents Laney and Marie Milliken of Calabash, NC; children, Brittney Tolley of Trinity, NC, Lauren Hutton of Thomasville, NC, Christian Gage Milliken of Many, Bryan Carroll of Florien and Joshua Carroll.  He leaves other survivors and a world of friends.

And Sabine Sheriff’s Deputy Adam Nelson, only 26, passed away Dec. 29 while on vacation with his family in Colorado.  He worked at the Sheriff’s Office almost three years, first as a correctional officer, then as a patrol deputy.  He quickly became a member of the Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team and Special Operations Group.

We send deepest sympathy to Adam’s wife, Emily, and to his in-laws, Emily’s parents Brad and Crystal Ford, both of whom work here at the radio station.  Our prayers go out to other members of both families.

And near the end of last year, we sadly learned of the sudden death of long-time friend Jonathan “Johnny” Wayne Areno of DeQuincy.  He was a singing star, first as a member of the bluegrass group The Areno Boys and then later singing Gospel with his son, Nathan, and daughter Penny Pevoto as The Arenos.

I first met Johnny when we used to have Bluegrass Festivals at Rebel Park.  He performed on programs there for many years, and we always had a lot of enjoyment when we were together.  Johnny was a Christian, a good friend, dependable and always loyal.  When I married Laurie, he was a cherished groomsman at our wedding.

We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Shelia and to Nathan, Penny and other members of his family.  Johnny will be deeply missed.

If Tomorrow Never Comes…

Rylie McLendon of Many wrote an eye-opening post on Facebook last Thursday.  It shares loudly about how quickly and without warning a person’s station in life can change.

We think what Ms. McLendon wrote is certainly worth passing on in its entirety:

“Today I’m reminded once again of how fast life can change. In the blink of an eye, the unthinkable can become your reality. You are forced to enter a new chapter that you never would’ve written into your own narrative, with no idea that the last memories you’d have with someone were coming to a close.

“It’s important to love hard, forgive easy, and never take a single day for granted. ‘Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring – what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.’ – James 4:14

“Treat everyone as though it’s your final moments with them. Don’t allow conflict to rob you of moments you may never get the opportunity to have again.

“Also be mindful of what you spend your time doing and who you spend your time with. I see so many hustling to work towards retirement or to build a lot of wealth to leave their kids. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with leaving a legacy, but if it takes you away from the relationships you should be nurturing to grow in Christ (which is our eternal reward) then it has taken you from your most important work. A poor child who grows and has knowledge and understanding of following Christ dies a rich man. A rich child who is given earthly possessions and wealth but never grows in a relationship with the Lord, dies a poor man who will suffer for eternity.

“‘When I considered all that I had accomplished and what I had labored to achieve, I found everything to be futile and a pursuit of the wind. There was nothing to be gained under the sun.’ – Ecclesiastes 2:11 CSB

“And might I add:

“‘Therefore be alert, since you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. But know this: If the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he would have stayed alert and not let his house be broken into. This is why you are also to be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’ – Matthew 24:42-44 CSB”

Thank you to Ms. Rylie McLendon for sharing her wisdom and thoughts. May we all remember “It will never be today again.”

Santa Claus was a big hit on the Willie Stewart Family and Friends Christmas concert.  The group played to a packed house at the Sabine Theater on Saturday, Dec. 17.

As Santa shared about his day that weekend, he said he left the North Pole early that Saturday morning headed for Many.  He said the trip was going fine until he got to Robeline.  There he was stopped for speeding and issued a ticket.

A lady reported to Observations that when she brought some items to one of the Police Jury compactor sites near Toledo Bend Lake, a Sheriff’s Deputy stopped her and asked to see her Driver’s License before she could place any items in the dump.  The deputy said out-of-parish citizens could not dump without a permit.  We’ll check into the matter and hopefully have more next week.

The Sabine County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, Dec. 29, apprehended convicted murderer Matthew Hoy Edgar.  He was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshall’s Service and was immediately taken to County Jail to await formal sentencing.

Edgar was arrested in November 2020 in connection with the death of Livye Lewis, 19.  A Sabine County jury convicted Edgar for the murder after he failed to show up for the third day of his trial on Jan. 27, 2022.  Folks are still wondering why he was ever released on bond as his trial was ongoing.

In late January of last year when Edgar disappeared during his trial, he allegedly threatened to hurt himself and his family before disappearing. He was ultimately found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 99 years.

Regular readers will recall that Lewis’ mother, former Zwolle resident Darci Bass, confronted her teenage daughter’s killer inside a Hemphill convenience store back on Dec. 20 of 2020. After the confrontation, Ms. Bass admitted on social media she had assaulted Edgar and damaged his vehicle as he was leaving the store. Edgar filed charges against Ms. Bass, and she was subsequently arrested for Assault and Criminal Mischief.

Dozens of persons protested Ms. Bass’ arrest at the time, understanding her deep angst in seeing her daughter’s alleged murderer out and about enjoying his freedom.

Edgar had been initially ordered to be held without bond until trial, but that changed when State District Judge Craig Mixon set a bond of $50,000 in April 2021, and Edgar was released to await trial.

Kudos to the Sabine County Sheriff’s Office for capturing Edgar. His incarceration is long overdue.

The Sabine Parish Library Board lacked a quorum and was not able to meet Thursday, Dec. 29.  Vice-President Lorene Jones called the meeting to order.  In attendance were members Diann Migliore and Sally Maxie and Librarian Deborah Anderson.

The purpose of the meeting was to approve this year’s Library budget.  Upon being questioned by Pat Scarborough of Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads, the board members said other members were not present because of surgery, Covid and holiday travel. Joy Scarborough livestreamed the short session.

The Board met in the Police Jury room.  The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 19, and it was announced they would move back to the library for their session. 

Board members who were absent were President Donna Ammons, Kenneth Ebarb, Bonnie Fox Miles and Paula Hardee.

In a related item, Pat Scarborough said he and wife Joy had a long conversation with District Attorney Don Burkett, who apologized to them at the Library Board meeting.  Burkett had issued a ruling that the Library Board did not have to let the Scarboroughs livestream the Library Board meeting earlier in December.  Prior to the meeting, the Board had even called in two Many Police Officers because of “security concerns.”

Burkett was wrong about the law – anyone has the right to record, broadcast or livestream a meeting of any governing body which receives taxpayer funding.  And there were no “security concerns” at the meeting. “All for show,” someone said.

According to reports, the Library Board did not apologize.

In another related note, the Natchitoches Parish Council voted to call a special election to divert millage for library funding to the highway department.  The election will be held April 29. 

On March 25, 2017 voters approved an 8-mill ad valorem tax for the library.  Now the Parish Council wants to use 4 mills for the library and 4 mills for the highway department.  An estimated $1.6 million is reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of each tax for an entire year.

The Sabine Parish Citizens for Better Roads group reported that as of Thursday, Dec. 29, the Sabine Registrar of Voters had verified 615 names on the petition to recall Jeff “Gilligan” Davidson, Dist. 5 Police Juror.  A total of 544 signatures were needed for the recall.

The Registrar sent the results to the Secretary of State, and the recall will be included in an upcoming election.

Monday morning, Many High School Tiger defensive back Tackett Curtis left with his father, Moses Curtis, for the trip to University of Southern California in Los Angeles.  He is looking forward to playing football there.  Before he left, it was announced by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association that Tackett led the Class 2A All-State football team, along with Mangham’s Jalen Williams. Tackett was selected as Defensive Player of the Year.

Tackett, one of the top recruits in the Class of 2022, received the Defensive Player of the Year award after helping lead Many to the Division III non-select title. He finished with 112 tackles, 16 for a loss as well as six sacks and four interceptions. He also served as quarterback for the Tigers where he rushed for 1,115 yards and 14 touchdowns.

There were some other Many Tigers who made the 2022 LSWA Class 2A All-State team. Joseph Cryer, a Junior at 6’4” and 295 lbs., made the offensive team. Swazy Carheel, a 6’3”, 230-lb. Junior, and Tylen Singleton, a 6’2”, 180-lb. Junior, were named on the defense team.

The Town of Many announces a Mardi Gras Parade will be held Saturday, Jan. 28, at 5 p.m. featuring costumes, beads and more.

A Street Dance is scheduled to follow the parade from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. at the parking lot across from Many City Hall (in the 900 block of San Antonio Ave.)

Parade lineup is at 4 p.m. For more information, call (318) 256-3651.

You might call it a Christmas miracle. God still hears and answers prayers.

At about 11:40 a.m. on Dec. 14, J.L. Dees started experiencing numbness down the right side of his body. His speech became slurred. It was classic, typical stroke signs.

“Yes, he did have a stroke,” Dees’ daughter, Shanna Gaspard of Many, shared later.

She had been busy that morning at the Sabine Tourist Commission’s Jingle and Mingle Holiday Open House. Shanna’s office, where she serves as Director of the Sabine Chamber of Commerce, is in the same building.

“Daddy was taken by ambulance to DeSoto Hospital, and there we met the helicopter,” Gaspard explained.  “They transferred him quickly, and his condition worsened. By the time they reached LSU Hospital, it was looking pretty grim.”

As soon as the emergency became known, prayers began. And God began to answer.

At the hospital, “They immediately intubated and placed him on a vent,” Shanna shared. He was then whisked off to surgery to remove a clot from the back of his head.

“We were met by the doctor in about an hour or so, who said they were able to remove the clot, but he said it would take time to see the full results,” Gaspard relayed.

As she and others waited for news and prayed, she got to see her dad twice – once being wheeled down a hallway and again in a holding room. It was there they started to glimpse the first signs of a miraculous recovery.

“Typical daddy of mine,” Shanna said. “In the holding room he began laughing and joking with us.  My heart overflows with thanks and praise for the miracle I witnessed,” she shared.

On Friday, Dec. 16 at about 4 p.m., Mr. Dees was released from care at LSU Hospital and got to go home.

It was a blessed Christmas indeed. God and the LSU team were “amazing” in the words of Gaspard. Everyone’s prayers were much appreciated.

“Let me tell you about my JESUS!!!” Shanna enthused. “My dad is doing great. God heard our prayers. I want to let everyone know how thankful we are to live in a small town that truly cares,” she shared.

(Special thanks to my wife Laurie for the article above.)

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell recently announced the Dec. 26 arrests of Scott William Wood, age 41, of Noble and Joey Michael Comoza, age 45, of Logansport.

The arrests came about when Deputy Jacob Bridges was near Saline Church Rd. looking for a wanted subject. He observed a vehicle behind him stop and saw a subject, later identified as Joseph Chad Castillo, age 34, of Converse, run from the vehicle. The vehicle then attempted to flee the area, but Deputy Bridges was able to stop the SUV on Saline Church Rd.

Deputy Bridges discovered Joey Michael Comoza to be the driver of the vehicle and Scott William Wood a passenger.

After a short investigation, Deputy Bridges located a small amount of suspected marijuana, over four ounces of suspected methamphetamine and three firearms inside the vehicle.

Wood was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth), Possession of firearm in presence of CDS and Possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies.

Wood’s bond was set at $60,000 by the 11th Judicial District Court.

Comoza was booked for Possession of schedule I (Marijuana), Reckless operation of a vehicle and No driver’s license.

Comoza’s bond was preset at $737, and he bonded.

An arrest warrant was obtained for Castillo for Possession of firearm by person convicted of certain felonies and Possession of firearm with obliterated numbers.

A $500 cash reward has been offered for information that leads to the arrest of Castillo.

Sheriff Mitchell and Chief Deputy Brad Walker commend Deputy Bridges and the Patrol Division for their efforts in getting these illegal narcotics and firearms off the streets in Sabine Parish.

Arrested the afternoon of Dec. 28 was Larry Maurice Malmay, age 46, of Zwolle.

The arrest came about after a Louisiana Probation and Parole Agent went to Malmay’s residence on Fuller Ln. to perform a compliance check. Malmay was under state probation for a prior drug conviction.

While talking with Malmay at the door of his house, the Agent detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside his residence. Malmay then admitted to the Agent there was a shotgun under his mattress. The Agent attempted to handcuff Malmay, but he pulled away and ran from the residence into the woods.

Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team Agents, Patrol Deputies, and K-9 were dispatched to the scene to search for Malmay. Sheriff K-9 “Kay” with handler Sgt. Nick Sandel located Malmay in the woods near the residence a short time later.

Malmay had approximately $4,680 cash in his pockets when he was arrested.

Inside Malmay’s residence, a .410 shotgun, loaded 9mm pistol, suspected marijuana and methamphetamine; Alprazolam, Oxycodone, Diazepam, Hydrocodone, and Amphetamine pills; clear baggies and measuring scale were located and seized.

Malmay was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for two counts of Possession of firearm by persons convicted of certain felonies, two counts of Illegal carrying of weapons (while in possession of CDS), Possession with intent to distribute schedule I (Marijuana), Possession with intent to distribute schedule II (Meth), Possession with intent to distribute schedule IV (Alprazolam), Possession with intent to distribute schedule IV (Diazepam), Possession of schedule II (D Amphetamine), Possession of schedule II (Oxycodone), Possession of schedule II (Hydrocodone), Possession of drug paraphernalia and Second or subsequent offenses.

Malmay’s bond was set at $60,000 by the 11th Judicial District Court.

(Thanks for Det. D.W. Seegers for the information above.)

NOTE: Bond amounts are based on several factors, including arrest, the defendant’s criminal background, and the likelihood of flight before trail. As all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the bond amount is not a punishment, but an amount set to make sure the defendant appears in court for the criminal proceedings. Generally, the higher the risk of non-appearance before the court, the higher the bond.

WE GET LETTERS. Here is the latest epistle from our friend and regular Observations reader Ronald Byrd in South Boston, VA. We always love hearing from Ronny.

“Robert, that piece by Secretary of State Ardoin was so refreshing.  I’m a skeptic regarding elections in other states and am not at all confident in the outcomes of national elections as a result of that skepticism. A niece of mine, a mathematical wonder, accessed publicly available records of voting in Fulton and Dekalb Counties in Georgia (Atlanta plus) after the last presidential election and identified too many statistically improbable if not impossible numbers in which the Biden count in a district would be an even number like 10,000, 25,000, or 14,000 and Trump captured numbers like 1,321, 987, and 882.  You don’t have to be a statistician or a rocket scientist to know that smells to high heaven. This kind of data and reports of so many similar ‘smelly’ incidents across the nation nullifies my confidence in today’s federal elections.  Those even numbers of thousands was a dead giveaway; if they are going to cheat, they should get folks smart enough to report for Biden some believable numbers such as 10,221, 25,311, and 14,032. Hooray for Ardoin/Salter who do it right for Louisiana and don’t leave such lingering doubts as we see regarding Atlanta.”

[Additional photos courtesy of Ronald and Pollie Brandon, Cally Lang Killingsworth and Kaydee Meshell, whom we thank.]

Several of our own took part in the 134^th Rose Parade in Pasadena, CA on Monday. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announced some time back that Miss Zwolle Tamala Fiesta Kaydee Meshell was invited to ride on the Louisiana Feed Your Soul float in the historic parade along with himself, Country music star Lainey Wilson, the Hot 8 Brass Band of New Orleans and 20 other beauty queens from across the state. Miss Meshell participated in the historic occasion and was joined on the trip by past and present Tamale Fiesta Royalty, including Pageant Queens Board of Directors member Cally Killingsworth, the 2009 Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Queen; 1984 Tamale Fiesta Queen Suzette Anderson; 1978 Tamale Queen Pollie Brandon; and reigning 2022 Zwolle Tamale Fiesta King Ronnie Brandon.

The gorgeous $350,000 Louisiana Office of Tourism riverboat-styled float won the Showmanship Award and was the only float which gave a mid-parade performance. “American Idol” vocalist and Country music award winner Lainey Wilson of Baskin, LA sang “Born on the Bayou” as dozens of dancers filled the street and everyone aboard the float sang and clapped along.

Killingsworth, who owns Dixie Stems in Many, worked hard with float crews in Pasadena to decorate the Louisiana float and others.

“I have been living in a dream the past few days…” Cally said. “Whether gluing ground rice and cranberry seed, stretching on a scaffold seeding signs, or placing thousands of irises, roses and carnations on floats, it will be an experience I’ll never forget.” she said during her time there. 

“From the awesome Lainey Wilson to Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, from Miss Louisiana to the two float drivers, [I] loved seeing all the floats being decorated for the Rose Bowl Parade,” Pollie Brandon shared. “It was a great way to spend New Year’s Eve with Ronnie, Queen Kaydee, Kacey, Suzette and Cally!”

Congratulations to all and thank you for representing our area so well.

(Special thanks to my wife Laurie for the article above.)

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