Wednesday, July 19, 2023

Many native Phil Troha is presently constructing a beautiful memorial to military veterans at the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.  A beautiful bronze plaque and brick work are yet to be added to the area.  Troha lives in Arlington, TX and was recognized by the Sabine Parish Hall of Fame Board earlier this year with the Achievement Award at their annual banquet.

Hornbeck Mayor Clarence Beebe has announced that he will be a candidate for State Representative from District 24.  There are parts of Sabine, Vernon and Beauregard Parishes in the District, including the towns of Many, Fisher and Florien in Sabine.  It also includes Ft. Jesup, Mt. Carmel, Peason, Century, Plainview, Gandy, Pendleton, Negreet, Ratan and Toro communities.

He has accumulated a 36-year record of community service, both as an elected official and volunteer.  “Local government is about solving problems and fixing things,” he stated.  “We don’t have time for non-productive politics or grandstanding.”

The candidate said before he decided to run, he gave the matter much prayerful consideration.  He said he believes in faith, family and friendship.  He stated, “Where we’re from, we work hard, pray often, live for our families and love our great state.”

Beebe has served Hornbeck as Mayor for 23 years.  In addition, he was a member of the Hornbeck Council for four years, was a founding member of the Optimist Club, member of the Louisiana Armed Forces Alliance since 2012, on the Louisiana Municipal Association Board since 2000 and currently serves as District Vice-President.  He has served on the Louisiana Military Advisory Council since 2011 and has been employed by the Louisiana Rural Water Association for nine years.

He has accumulated quite a record as Hornbeck Mayor.  First of all, the town is small and is not a speed trap town.  During his administration:  occupational licenses were reduced to $5, property taxes were completely eliminated, streets have been improved, a new Town Hall has been constructed,  There have been a concession stand and restrooms added to the park,  water system improvements of $6,272,00 have been made, national gas system improvements have been made,  wastewater improvements of $995,000 are set for this year and in the planning stage is a new $2-million water plant.

“I will go to Baton Rouge and fight for these rural communities and their needs, just as I have done for Hornbeck and surrounding communities for the past 23 years,” he stated.  “I’ll not give in to some fat cat lobbyist or wannabe kingmaker in Baton Rouge.  That’s not how we work and it’s not how we solve problems.  Over the years, I have made many friends in Baton Rouge and plan to utilize those relationships to garner support for the communities of Dist. 24.”

Concluding, he said he looks forward to meeting folks, talking about the issues and earning support.  Folks who wish to contact Mayor Beebe may call (337) 353-1665.

Toledo Bend Lake has moved to the No. 6 spot overall in the coveted Bassmaster Magazine “Top 100 Lakes for 2023.”  The group is the nation’s largest bass fishing organization. We are happy for the recognition.

Honoring Our Ancestors:  Dedication of Jose Esiquio and Rebecca (Ferguson) Sepulvedo’s Tombstone

by Cody Bruce

Descendants gathered at the St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery to dedicate a long-awaited tombstone in honor of Jose Esiquio and Rebecca (Ferguson) Sepulvedo. The ceremony, held on July 7, marked a significant milestone in preserving the memory and legacy of our beloved ancestors. Mary Lucille “Betty” Rivers, the great-granddaughter of the Sepulvedos, performed a blessing with holy water. The event provided an opportunity for descendants to pay tribute to their ancestors and celebrate their shared Choctaw-Apache heritage.

Jose E. and Rebecca Sepulvedo, Choctaw-Apache tribal ancestors from the Ebarb Community, were married in 1874. This was their second marriage, and they had children from previous unions as well as additional children together. Genealogical research has identified 7,218 descendants across nine generations.

The idea for this project originated over five years ago and was sponsored by the Natives of Zwolle and Ebarb Genealogical and Historical Society, a 501c(3) organization. Donations were requested through the Society’s Facebook page. Dr. Cody Bruce, president of the Natives group, conducted research and designed the stone to ensure its genealogical and historical accuracy. A white marble that matched other tombstones from the same era was selected. The spelling of Sepulvedo on the tombstone reflects the spelling used in Jose Esiquio Sepulvedo’s last will and testament. The modern spelling, Sepulvado, evolved over two centuries from Zepulveda, Sepulveda and Sepulvedo, ultimately becoming Sepulvado, with variations at different times.

The tombstone includes their birth, marriage, and death dates, as well as their parents’ names. The names of their children are inscribed on the back of the monument. Additionally, a porcelain photo and the Choctaw-Apache Tribal seal adorn the tombstone. The craftsmanship was carried out by Mr. Dody Campbell and his team at Campbell Monument Company in Provencal, LA. Their exceptional work and generous discount greatly contributed to the successful completion of this tribute.

The Natives of Zwolle and Ebarb Genealogical and Historical Society express deep appreciation to the kind-hearted donors who generously supported this meaningful endeavor. Their contributions played a vital role in preserving our family’s legacy. A total of $4,700 was raised, demonstrating the spirit of unity within our community. The donors include Robert and Tammy Barber (in honor of Wesley and Selina Sepulvado), Steve and Glenda Faye Brewton, Dr. Cody Bruce and David Richardson, Jan Vines Currier, Dr. Henry Ebarb, Earl Ferguson, Johnny and Ruby Jo Ferguson, Larry Ferguson, Paul Ferguson, Carol Ebarb Gregorek, Connie Henderson, Martha R. Henderson, Cynthia Lee, Janet McBride, Anna Molleur, Amanda Reeves, Mary Lucille “Betty” Rivers, Roy Rivers Jr., Roy Rivers Sr., Marty Sepulvado, Davis and Tracey Sepulvado, Virgil and Rama Jean Sepulvado, Jimmy W. Smith, Sarah Smitha, Misty Sepulvado Soehnge, Harold Vines and Dana Rene Williams.

The descendants extend a warm invitation to those interested in visiting the new tombstone at St. Joseph Cemetery. It is situated on the east side, in the first row, encompassing the second and third plots.

(Special thanks to Dr. Cody Bruce for submitting the article and photos above.)                                             

Sheriff Mitchell Announces Sentencing of Zwolle Man on Rape, Drug Charges

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announced on Tuesday that Jermaine Epps, age 38, of Zwolle was sentenced in 11th Judicial District Court on Monday, July 17. He received 20 years at hard labor without the benefit of parole.

Epps pled guilty to First Degree Rape in a 2018 case investigated by the Zwolle Police Department.

Epps also pled guilty to one count of Possession of Schedule II in a 2022 case investigated by the Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team into the selling of methamphetamine by Epps. He was sentenced to five years at hard labor in that case.

Sheriff Mitchell said the Sheriff’s Office continues to work with all local police departments in Sabine Parish to get violent offenders off the streets.

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

The Friends of the Toledo Bend/ Zwolle Historic Museum are continuing to work toward an opening date in 2023. Funds received this year from the State of Louisiana provided final rehabilitation to exterior wood in some areas, the handicap entrance ramp and painting of the building. Also included in this project was the completion of all necessary carpentry work inside, such as the risers for the refurbished antique theater seats (saved from the old Zwolle Theater) where documentaries will be shown, and an area for storage of exhibits.

Over $200,000 has been donated locally by individuals or through grants from Weyerhauser and other organizations to renovate the historic depot and save it from extensive termite damage and for the development of exhibits.

The project began for several reasons. One, as an economic development project to stimulate new business growth in Zwolle that would meet the needs of visitors to Toledo Bend in the northern region. This will also provide additional sales tax revenue for town management. The dedication of Toledo Bend was 54 years ago. The Museum will tell the story of how local citizens, and people from Louisiana and Texas had the vision, resilience and perseverance to build the man-made lake and how it became the number one bass fishing lake in the nation. All information gathered has been scanned and will be stored on an LSU site that can be accessed by school groups and anyone researching the project in future years. The museum will capture the history of the growth and importance of the timber industry in the region and the history of Zwolle.

The Sabine Master Gardeners recently provided a grant to landscape the public area on the South Main Street entrance. Janice Hutton, who donated the design for the planting and irrigation was assisted by volunteers, the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s office Detention Crew, and the Town of Zwolle. Planting will be completed in September when cooler weather will be more favorable for plant survival.

Research and design of displays is continuing. Persons who have information to share or loan on the building of Toledo Bend, the beginning of the logging industry in Sabine Parish or on the Zwolle area are encouraged to contact a member of the Friends Group led by President Chris Loupe, Vice President Anna Garcie, Secretary Becky Anderson and Treasurer Edith Palmer.

(Special thanks to Martha Henderson for supplying the above article and photo.)

Many High School Tiger Tylen Singleton, one of the country’s top 2024 defensive backs, has narrowed his college choices to five schools.  They are LSU, Arkansas, Tennessee, TCU and Texas A&M.  He has not set a date for verbally committing, but he plans to graduate in December and enroll early.  He is 6-feet 2 inches and weighs in at 210 lbs.

Tylen said recruiting is going smoothly, and he plans to visit all the schools this fall.  He did not visit Tennessee because the weekend he was going to make his official visit his grandfather got cancer.

He’ll play his final season under new coach Dillon Barrett, who plans to open up the Tigers’ offense and use Singleton on both sides of the ball.

A four-year starter, Tylen was part of the team that led Many to two LHSAS state titles, including the 2022 crown, from his defensive secondary position.  He teamed with fellow senior Swazy Carhill and USC signee Tackett Curtis to give the Tigers one of the best defenses in the state last season.

He works out twice daily, once in Many and once in Shreveport.

We met Tylen recently when we went to a gathering Jill Horton hosted in Fisher recently, and he was a mighty nice guy.

WE GET LETTERS:  We love to get letters from our readers.  This one came from Sarah Erwin of Many and concerned a little paragraph that we ran last week as follows:

“Word is one of the vehicles stolen in Many last week belonged to Joseph Rainer who works for the Sheriff’s Department.  Reports are the car was unlocked and the keys left in it.  For shame. For shame.  Unfortunately, Many is not Mayberry, folks.”

She wrote: “I just want you to know that YOUR comment about my son-in-law has not gone unnoticed.  What is a shame is that instead of being on the side of the victim, you are bashing them.  You should find out all the story before you post things that could potentially hurt someone physically or otherwise.  These CRIMINALS were walking around the same neighborhood that your family lives in.  Armed with an AR and pistols.  And the last time something like this happened, if the cars were locked, the windows got busted out.  For shame that you don’t have the common decency to withhold comments like this one.  And the true author should be listed so everyone knows who is really making these comments.”

Her comments are somewhat bewildering.  First of all, the rumor last week was there was some Sheriff’s equipment left in the stolen vehicle.  We did not use this statement, but checked Monday with Chief Deputy Brad Walker.  He said at first Deputy Rainer said there were items in the vehicle belonging to the Sheriff’s Department, but later recalled that other than possibly a can of mace, there were not other items.

I don’t know how my remarks could potentially hurt someone physically or otherwise.  Many Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley and other law enforcement officers have been issuing warnings for a long time now to not leave valuables in your vehicle, to always lock it and never leave keys in a car. Call 247 auto locksmith immediately if you have locked your keys inside your car. In fact, four times in the last few weeks that express warning has been posted on the Many Police Facebook page.  Seems to us like the thing to do.

Thirdly, we made no mention of criminals walking around the neighborhood.  We are against this happening as much as Ms. Erwin is, but there could be no one who supports law enforcement as much as we do. Always have, always will.

And lastly, we have been writing Observations now for 66 years.  I don’t think there is a question in anyone’s mind except Ms Erwin’s about who writes it.  In fact, the column head reads:  “by Robert Gentry.”

We love to hear from our readers, and again thank Ms. Erwin for her letter.

Gordon Doerle announced at the end of June that he was building a new strip mall called Fish-N-Fuel with a convenience store, gas station and laundry mat.  He said there will be a Subway inside the convenience store and also an opportunity to open a tackle store, coffeehouse and donut shop with a drive through available to lease and other business opportunities.

Doerle said he bought the whole corner of Hwy. 6 and Hwy. 191 at Toledo Town.

When he first made the announcement, Doerle said there would be a Jersey Mike’s, but the company turned him down.  He said he is looking for another chain.

A mulcher was on the property recently and cut three lanes so that borings can be done and a topographic survey can be made.  He explained, “This will tell us what is beneath the ground and also the level of the ground.  The engineer will use this information to lay out the building.”  Soil boring was done on the property July 5.

Persons who may be interested in locating a business there can message Doerle on the Fish-N-Fuel Facebook page or at gordondoerle@gmail.com.

Louisiana’s 4-H shooting team made waves at the recent national championships, bringing home not just one, but several national titles in several categories.  Westin Airhart from Sabine Parish helped bring home the championship in hunting skills.  He said it is not just about the ability to shoot, it is about demonstrating knowledge and ethical hunting practices.

“[There are] Tons of good information you need,” he stated.  “Other events they kind of just separate on just the one gun or the one thing, but you learn safety, the laws of the land and hunting laws.”

Noah Palmer, also from Sabine, is co-champion in hunting skills.  He said he will take this experience forward and share his wisdom with younger shooters.

This photo appeared on the popular Cenla Report Tuesday morning.  Robeline is now enforcing the speed limit by photo.  That means if you speed through town, you’ll get a ticket in the mail.  The speed limit through town is 35 miles per hour.  Robeline has long been a speed trap town and this move will only make it worse.  So, if you travel through Robeline, be sure to slow down.  If you don’t, you’ll pay the price.

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