Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Judge Elizabeth A. Pickett has made quite a mark in her chosen career. From her start as the first female attorney to reside in and maintain a practice in the 11th Judicial District to being sworn in as the Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeal last week, she continues to earn the respect and support of Louisiana’s top legal minds.
Judge Pickett was born in Converse and raised in Sabine Parish, the daughter of Judge and Mrs. John S. [Joanne] Pickett Jr. She attended college at Tulane University in New Orleans, graduating with a Batchelor of Arts in 1981. She then attended Tulane Law School and was graduated in 1984 with her Juris Doctorate.
After passing the bar, she returned to Many and opened a private practice in October 1984. A few months later, in January 1985, she went to work for the District Attorney’s Office in the 11th Judicial District handling juvenile matters and prosecuting both misdemeanors and felonies in Sabine and DeSoto Parishes. During that time, she continued to maintain a private practice handling domestic cases, personal injuries, contract issues, real estate title work and real estate transactions.
Already in the habit of breaking new ground by the time she joined the DA’s office, she was the first female Assistant District Attorney in the 11th District.
In 1990, her father, Judge John S. Pickett Jr., retired from serving the 11th Judicial District, which was comprised of both Sabine and DeSoto Parishes at the time. Judge Pickett Jr. was the second generation to serve in Louisiana courts having followed in the footsteps of his father, John S. Pickett Sr., who served as 11th District Judge before him.
Upon Pickett Jr.’s retirement, Elizabeth announced for the vacancy and was elected, opening another door as the first female judge elected to the 11th District and becoming the third generation of her family to serve in that capacity. She ran unopposed for the same position in 1996.
It is interesting to note there weren’t a lot of women practicing law in Northwest Louisiana, especially in rural areas, when Judge Pickett started her practice in 1984. There were women who had practiced law for many years, and some had served as judges in other parts of Louisiana since the 1970s, but there were no female judges serving in Northwest or Central Louisiana when Judge Pickett was elected to the bench in the 11th District. She was the first, not only locally, but across the entire region.
Another vacancy in a higher court provided Judge Pickett’s next opportunity to serve an even wider populace. In the fall of 1996, Jeannette Knoll was elected to the Supreme Court, which created a vacancy on the Court of Appeal in Voter District I. An election to fill that vacancy was held in April 1997. Vying for the position along with Judge Pickett were Mayor of Alexandria Ned Randolph and John McLure, an insurance defense attorney. Judge Pickett worked hard in the campaign visiting the district’s eight parishes: Sabine, Natchitoches, Grant, LaSalle, Catahoula, Concordia, Rapides and Avoyelles. District I voters showed their appreciation for her “what you see is what you get” honesty and her driven work ethic by electing her to the Third Circuit, Louisiana’s largest Court of Appeal.
The Third Circuit is comprised of 21 parishes in central and southwest Louisiana, reaching from the state’s borders with Texas and Mississippi, as far north as Winn Parish and as far south as Vermilion and Iberia Parishes.
Judge Pickett was re-elected to this position unopposed in 2002 and again in 2012. Last year, she was returned to the Court to serve another term again running unopposed. This will be her last 10-year term to serve, and she will go out on top.
After 25 years of service to the Third Circuit, she was sworn in for her new term on Jan. 3 of this year as Chief Judge. Observations was fortunate to get to attend the occasion, and it was a great one. The Swearing-In Ceremony was held in Lake Charles at the Third Circuit Court of Appeal courthouse last Tuesday morning at 10 a.m.
An invocation was given by the Rev. Elmore Garner, Pastor of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Lake Charles, and Judge Sharon Darville Wilson performed a moving rendition of the National Anthem. Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James T. “Jimmy” Genovese presided as Master of Ceremonies, introducing the current Judges of the Third Circuit Court of Appeal, the retired Judges in attendance and sharing other remarks.
After the Swearing-In of new Court of Appeal Judges Wilbur L. Stiles and Gary J. Ortego, Justice Genovese introduced Judge Elizabeth A. Pickett and administered the Oath of Office.
Judge Pickett was surrounded by family for the event, including her mother Joanne Pickett, brother Billy Pickett and wife Karen, brother James Pickett, sister Pam Johnson and husband Tim, daughter Kathryn Goff and husband Marshall of Jackson, MS; and daughter Rebecca Carr and husband James of Dallas, TX. Without a doubt, Judge Pickett’s three-year-old grandson Joseph Goff, whom she calls “The Prince,” was a Ceremony favorite. He was referred to in her and others’ remarks a number of times.
Friends in attendance from Many included Attorney Matthew Couvillion and wife Angela, legal assistant Pat Cook, former Mayor of Many Ken Freeman and wife Mary Ellen, and 11th Judicial District Judge Verity Gentry.
Hearty congratulations to Chief Judge Elizabeth Pickett on this honor and for building a lifelong, meaningful legacy for all those who come after. Her dedication to the law, commitment to constituents and personal integrity shine and are much appreciated. We salute her for it.
(Special thanks to my wife Laurie, who prepared much of the article above.)
“What does the Lord require of you? To seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8.
Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchel announced on Tedd Dumas’ popular “Open Line” radio program Monday morning that he will be a candidate for reelection this November. He has served as Sheriff of Sabine Parish for two and one-half years now.
He and his staff are racking up a record number of arrests for illegal drugs. His message to drug dealers: “You’re not going to sell methamphetamine in Sabine Parish. If you do, you are going to meet us.” He termed meth “an evil drug” and said his office is also seeing a little fentanyl in the parish which he termed “a super powerful pain killer.”
Since he has been Sheriff, there have been 33 indictments for selling meth and guns, there are 30 pending indictments and 15 drug dealers have been sentenced to federal prison with terms running from 15-25 years. Folks in Sabine are very proud of the great job that Sheriff Mitchell and his staff are doing and will be happy to learn that he is seeking reelection.
Dale Skinner was elected president of the Sabine Parish School Board at its meeting Monday night, Jan. 9. He represents Dist. 9, which is made up of Wards 7 and 9. Skinner is beginning his third six-year term on the Board. Kowonno Greene, who serves Dist. 4 which is Ward 4, was elected vice-president.
Skinner has more than 53 years of service in the field of education and is highly respected by most who know him. A native of Belmont, he has dedicated his life to aiding students and being an inspirational leader in education. He has always said, “The student comes first.”
He was graduated from Northwestern State University where he was a basketball standout. He taught and served as principal at area schools, including Pleasant Hill and Marthaville. In addition, he is highly ranked as one of the best basketball coaches to ever serve this area.
Dale served as principal at Natchitoches Central High School in Natchitoches, where he is regarded as “the man who brought order.” In addition, he served as Natchitoches Parish School Superintendent for more than six years. He retired from that position in July 2020.
Many High School Tiger linebacker Tackett Curtis has again made history by receiving the highest honor awarded by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, “Louisiana Mr. Football.” He became the first Many player to receive the honor since the award’s beginning in 1995.
Tackett is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Moses Curtis and the grandson of John and Pam Curtis and Warren and Ann Founds, all of Many.
He began classes at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles on Jan. 5. He selected USC a few months back after receiving offers from 40-plus colleges.
The nephew of former Many coach Jess Curtis, Tackett led the Tigers to four consecutive trips to the LHSAA championship games.
“There wasn’t a linebacker in the country we wanted more than Tackett,” USC coach Lincoln Riley said in his signing day news conference. “I think he’s the best inside linebacker in the country. There’s not one I would take over him.”
This past season, he served the team as quarterback, as well as linebacker/safety and as a kick returner. He completed 112 tackles, including 16 for a loss, six sacks and three interceptions. He also rushed for 1,115 yards and 11 touchdowns with two of his biggest coming in the state championship game against Union Parish. The title game MVP was a finalist for the high school Butkus Award, which recognizes the top linebacker nationally.
“He’s kinda like a little John Rambo; he doesn’t show a lot of emotion,” Coach Curtis said. “He just does his job. He doesn’t like the limelight. He likes to play and play hard, and he’s done it the right way. He was always in the weight room at night, lifting, not for any fanfare – he just wants to be better.”
Tackett has won many awards during his career which brought a lot of great publicity to Sabine Parish and Many High. He was the LSWA 2A Defensive Player of the Year, as well as earning All-District 3-2A honors. Moses Curtis, MHS Principal, said Tackett’s great grandfather, the late Leonard O’Neal Tackett, had a rough and rowdy past that might help explain some of Tackett’s grit on the gridiron.
“Papaw Tackett’s whole family was a bunch of Texas outlaws from Waco,” Moses commented. “They grew up hard and were in the Bonnie and Clyde family. That side of the family was tied into Bonnie. They were some interesting people.”
He said, “Papaw Tackett was the first on his side of the family to attend and 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 12 years of school and will eventually earn a degree from one of the top universities in the country.”
We remember Dr. L. O. Tackett very well. When he got hold of my back he always said, “I want it to pop like a brush heap on fire.”
This sign, painted on a 4×8 sheet of plywood, was on display last week along the north side of Hwy. 6 east of Many at its intersection with Middle Creek Rd. The sign reads: “Warning. Some people from Apollo Apt. are throwing sewage in houses. Lil ‘D’ is taking parts off peoples rides. Also a punk (Skinny).”
The Sabine Parish Sales and Use Tax report for December has been issued by Wanda Rivers, Administrator. It showed that $341,681.20 more was collected in 2022 than in December 2021. The big winners were the School Board with an increase of $157,618.18, the Police Jury with $78,809.69 more and the Sheriff’s Office with an increase of $59,106.69.
Two good ole boys with roots in Marthaville met each other on Wednesday, Jan. 4, for lunch in South Boston, VA. Dr. Ted “Bussey” Mims, at left, met Dr. Ronald Byrd, right. Both gentlemen have outstanding records in the field of education. And both have more degrees than a thermometer.
Bussey, who lives in Normal, IL has been courting up that way and visited with Dr. Byrd and his wife while visiting with his North Carolina lady friend Carol.
We are glad they got to have lunch where Dr. Byrd lives and know they had a lot to talk about.
Signs Along Life’s Highway
We saw this sign on the side of the building at Martins Corner in Milam, TX. This business is a small café that features good food and friendly service. The sign says what the patriots in this part of the world believe.
It came as a big surprise Thursday morning, Jan. 5, when folks woke up to learn that Many High School Tigers Football Coach Jess Curtis was leaving to take the job as the new Natchitoches Central High School (NCHS) football coach.
The story was first posted on the Sabine and Natchitoches Parish Journals and was written by Doug Ireland. Shortly after, the widely read Cenla Report picked it up. NCHS was set to make the announcement the afternoon of Jan. 6, but Ireland jumped the gun on spreading the news. It was released before Jess had a chance to meet with his football team and let Observations know.
Such an outstanding high school coach, Jess has led the Tigers to three state championships in the last nine years and three more state runner-up titles. He has been a tremendous coach, not only by teaching the boys great football skills, but by being an example and teaching them good citizenship, character, responsibility, dependability and so many other things. He also didn’t put up with any bull. His team roster amounted to something like 100 players.
The Many team has won 10 consecutive district championships and are unbeaten in district play during that time, reaching the state playoffs every year and advancing at least to the state semifinals in all but one season.
Since taking over the Many Tigers in 2010, Jess posted a 163-24 record in 13 years.
We wish Coach Jess Curtis much success in his new endeavor.
Angie Laroux, Carolyn Sepulvado and Destiny Remedies supplied KSLA-TV News pictures of the Saturday night hail in Noble, Zwolle and Ebarb. Their photos are all shown at left.
Longtime friend of Observations Cindy Ezernack also reported large hail, two photos at right, as she was traveling home Saturday night. Because of emergency road closures and the bad storm, Cindy could not make it home until the next day.
The Many Police Dept. reports they are investigating a shooting that occurred shortly after 8 p.m. on Monday night, Jan. 9.
According to their report, “multiple gunshots were fired in the vicinity of Middle Creek Apartments.” One person was injured in the gunfire and treated at Sabine Medical Center.
The Many PD is offering a reward for any information that leads to the arrest of the person or persons involved. They have requested any tip submitters to contact the Dept. on their Many Police Department (Many, Louisiana) Facebook page by private message.
“Three Days in Ferriday,” the Jerry Lee Lewis Funeral Legacy will be presented by Michael Kuk at the Vernon Parish Library on Tuesday, Jan. 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The library is located at 1401 Nolan Trace in Leesville.
Fire Chief Michael Kuk of Anacoco will share his first-hand participation of the historical weekend that encompassed the visitation and final solemn honors rendered to one of America’s greatest Rock ‘n Roll legends in his hometown. The program will contain a slide show, explanations and special music.
Attendees will be able to take home a souvenir copy of the funeral program and an autographed photo of the Chief.
At the conclusion of the presentation, attendees will hear a solemn and very beautiful arrangement of “Amazing Grace” just as Chief Kuk presented it on his Zydeco accordion at the funeral.
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