Wednesday, August 30, 2023

Tackett Curtis made history Saturday night, Aug. 26, as the University of Southern California at Los Angeles defeated San Jose State in its first game of the year. Tackett, who was outstanding for the Many High School Tigers, started as inside linebacker for USC and became only the second inside linebacker to start as a true freshman in the past 45 years.

Tackett has made a great impact on the defensive side of the ball in fall camp working up the depth chart to start the first game.

His physical and relentless style of play has earned him the nickname of “Captain America” by his teammates. It was quickly picked up by the media and was heard across the country on numerous ESPN channels prior to the game. However, returning Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Caleb Williams prefers to just call him “The Destroyer,” because he destroys everybody he comes in contact with.  Tackett has been named true freshman preseason All American at inside linebacker by ESPN and 24/7 Sports.

Tackett played four years at Many High, helping to lead the Tigers to four straight championship appearances, winning two.  He was three time All State MVP Defensive Player of the Year in Class 2A, Max Preps High School All American his junior and senior years and was named Mr. Football for the State of Louisiana his senior year.

His parents are Moses and Leslie Curtis, and his grandparents are Pam and John Curtis and Ann and Warren Founds, all of Many.

Enjoyed a visit with Tom Walker of Family Farm & Garden last week.  He came up with a good one:  “Hwy. 120 from Robeline to the Sabine Parish line I call the ‘Heavenly Highway.’ And Hwy. 487 from Marthaville to Ajax, I call ‘The Highway from Hell.’”

Hwy. 120 has been re-blacktopped and is in good condition, and Hwy. 487 needs to be.

Thank God for the rain that fell in the area Friday afternoon and Sunday night.  J. J. Blake of Community Bank reported 1.5 inches in Many on Friday afternoon. It came along with high winds that blew down some trees, many limbs and leaves and knocked out power in a lot of areas.  Thank God also for the linemen who work for CLECO and SWEPCO and had the power back on as quickly as possible.  They had to replace poles and do a lot of tree trimming.  There was rainfall in the area again Sunday night.

These rains, along with lower temperatures, have helped the wildfire situation in Sabine Parish greatly.

We can never express our appreciation enough to the firefighters, law enforcement officers and volunteers who have worked around the clock during this tragic event.

The biggest fire last week in Sabine Parish broke out in the Pirates Cove area.  At 10 am. Friday, Aug. 25, it was reported that a wildfire was spreading from the Army Recreation Rd. to Caribbean Drive in the Pirates Cove area.  This was off Hwy. 191 in the southwest part of Sabine Parish.  It was described as a dangerous fire emergency, and the Sabine Sheriff’s Department asked everyone to evacuate the area.

At 11:30 a.m., it was reported that Louisiana Forestry had dozers and plows trying to contain the fire.  Fire trucks were staged near structures.

It was reported at 1:45 p.m. that Louisiana Forestry was trying to stay ahead of the fire, but the fire kept jumping the lanes.

At 2 p.m. it was reported that the wind had changed directions and some homes had burned near Caribbean and Captain Kidd Drives.  Everyone on Captain Kidd, Jolly Rogers and Billy Bones were advised to get out of the area.  By 3 p.m., Caribbean Road was added to the area to evacuate.

By 2:30 p.m., three helicopters had arrived and were dropping water from Toledo Bend on the fire.  It was reported that eight to ten homes were believed to have been destroyed off Caribbean Drive.

At 4:30 p.m. it was reported that the Pirates Cove fire was about 50 percent contained.  Winds had picked up from a storm traveling southwest across the parish.

By late evening, the fire was contained.  Several structures were destroyed.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell said it was a busy day at the Sheriff’s Office, and he issued a public “thank you” to the ladies who work as dispatchers.  The sheriff said, “Today, there were four dispatchers in the office to handle the endless call volume and radio traffic during the fire emergencies.  There are normally two.  They answer phone calls, transmit radio traffic on four or five different channels, answer 911 calls, enter computer reports, keep call logs and much more.  We cannot thank them enough.” Working hard all day Friday, Aug. 25, were Stacy Etheridge and Tonya Meshell, assisted by Lauren Smith and Deena Bossier. Handling calls and radio traffic Friday night were Stephanie Murray and Heather Rains, assisted by Chasity Falcon.

On Aug. 26, South Sabine Fire Department posted the following notice.  “Heartbreaking to all of us for the homes we could not save.  But it is amazing to see the houses where fire burned right up to the edges of the houses, sometimes on all four sides.  So many homes were saved.  Fire burned up to one house and pine straw on the roof burned also, but the house was saved.  We are thankful for the many agencies who help us today, yesterday and the past couple of weeks during our three major fires.  We are so thankful.  Please stay alert, stay safe and continue to pray for rain.”

TUESDAY, AUG. 22: In the afternoon a fire was reported along Hwy. 6 West at the Shady Oaks Rd.  It was caused by the hot brakes of a vehicle that had pulled to the shoulder of the highway.  At 4:45 p.m. a fire was reported off Hwy. 6 west and Queens Rd. near Bridge Bay Resort.

FRIDAY, AUG. 25:  Sabine citizens awoke to the smell and sight of a smoke haze over the area.  The smoke was the result of overnight wildfires in Vernon Parish and the huge Tiger Island fire in Beauregard Parish.

FRIDAY, AUG. 25:  At 4:30 p.m. it was reported that the fire in the 1500 block of Holly Grove Rd. near Natchitoches Parish was contained, with no threat to property or homes.

FRIDAY, AUG. 25:  At 5:15 p.m. a woods fire was reported in the Sneed Road and Corleyville Rd. area off Hwy. 118 not far from the trash compactor site.

SATURDAY, AUG. 26:  It was reported that the fire on Sneed Rd. near Corleyville Rd. had reignited again outside the plow lines.

SUNDAY, AUG. 27:  A woods fire was reported off Strahan Rd. near Emmanuel Church Rd. in the Little Egypt Community.  Louisiana Forestry and fire units were on the scene.

The “Super Scooper” planes could be seen last week scooping up water from Toledo Bend to use on the wildfires in the area.  The planes can hold up to 1,600 gallons of water for missions up to four hours. The planes fly down and can fill up in 12 seconds and can skim from bodies of water as shallow as 6.5 ft.  Scoopers are relatively new in firefighting in the U.S. and are more common in Canada.

In addition, helicopters were also used to get water from Toledo Bend and drop on the forest fires.

Planes which dropped fire retardant were also in action.

There have been so many acts of kindness and helpfulness reported during this season of wildfires.  It makes you feel good to see that people still care.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reported that nursing home residents from Beauregard Parish were relocated to Sabine Parish late Saturday night, Aug. 26.  They were evacuated because of the vast wildfires in that parish.

About 20 persons were accepted at Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation in Many and Toledo Nursing Center in Zwolle.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Group (SOG) led the effort in unloading the patients and equipment. Also helping facilitate the move were Deputy Sgt. James Campbell, Lt. Justin McCullough of the Fire Marshal’s office, and Zwolle Chief of Police Daniel Thomas and his officers.

Speaking of helpfulness, acts of kindness have appeared everywhere – neighbor to neighbor, friends helping friends, and those acts of kindness have also traveled to Sabine from far and wide.

Tuesday morning, ladies from Redeemer Community Church in Shreveport, a group which included my sister, Evelyn Sutton, arrived to Many with Bibles, devotional books and gift cards for the Florien home fire victims.

“We just want to be of help,” they said, noting how devastating it can be to lose everything to fire and have to start over in life. They presented their items to Clancey Stewart, who is delivering the donation to South Sabine Fire District Chief Douglas Downs for distribution among fire victims as needed.

In addition, the group came loaded down with food, clothing, housewares, toiletries and other home supplies to be shared wherever needed with Beauregard or other nearby parishes also hit by wildfires.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, Chief Deputy Brad Walker and Dep. Earl Pearce unloaded all the items, thanked the ladies for their efforts and placed the items in a personal truck to be taken to a church farther south that is providing those type items to fire victims in need.

“We truly appreciate your care and concern, ladies,” Sheriff Mitchell. “So many have given so much from here and elsewhere to provide for our communities affected by the wildfires. We can’t thank them enough,” he said.  

Candidate for Senate, Dist. 31, Mike McConathy visited Marthaville Friday, Aug. 25, touring the school, visiting the Marthaville General Store and speaking to a group gathered at the former T. M. Middleton Store.

While at the General Store, the first rain this area has seen since early July started falling as McConathy stood outside near where the old gas pumps used to be. “I hate to go inside,” he joked. “I’m afraid the rain will stop!” The area enjoyed a good, little shower for the next while as McConathy visited with store regulars.

He spoke briefly to folks gathered, reiterating his pro-life/pro-family stance, education to prepare students to be job-ready and mentioning a new direction for the state, including intense job development, tax cuts and the protection and promotion of small business. McConathy stayed in Marthaville until early evening visiting with supporters.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reminds everyone again of the statewide burn ban issued by the Office of Louisiana State Fire Marshal.

Approximately 15 residents in Sabine Parish have been cited for outdoor burning since August 7, 2023, which the Sheriff’s Office reports is totally unacceptable.

Whoever fails to comply with the Burn Ban may be fined up to $250 by the fire marshal or imprisoned for up to six months, or both.

To date there have been approximately 370 wildfires reported to/handled by firefighting crews across Louisiana in the month of August 2023. [Editor’s note:  more wildfires have broken out since this report was issued.]

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry had provided this information regarding wildfire prevention and safety:  https://www.ldaf.la.gov/land/fire/safety.

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

Hill Arrested for Arson Threats

On Aug. 24, investigators with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Forestry Enforcement Division and the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department arrested 21-year-old Jeremiah Hill of Many.

The arrest followed an ongoing investigation into recent wildfires in Sabine Parish after investigators received information on an individual who used social media platforms to broadcast threats of arson in Sabine Parish.

On Aug. 23, investigators obtained a warrant for three counts of Communication of false information of planned arson. Hill was arrested at his residence, taken into custody without incident, and booked into the Sabine Parish Jail. Bond was set at $2,500 and he bonded.

Communicating false information of arson or attempted arson by mail, telephone, telegraph, word-of-mouth, or other means of communication or making threats of false information is a felony in Louisiana and carries a sentence of up to 15 years of hard labor.

Investigators remind citizens to be mindful of what they post on social media in times of disaster.

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Department assisted in the investigation. The Sheriff, Chief Deputy, and his investigators were an integral part of this investigation.

At this time, investigators do not believe Hill is responsible for any of the recent wildfires in Sabine Parish.

The public is urged to report any and all forestry-related crimes to the LDAF 24-hr hotline at 1 (855) 452-5323.

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

Laurie Gentry selected Good Ole Days Parade Grand Marshal

The Marthaville Good Ole Days Festival committee on Friday announced their 2023 Good Ole Days Parade Grand Marshal will be none other than my bride, Laurie. This year marks the event’s 31st anniversary, which begins Friday night, Sept. 29, at Fuzzy Hennigan Park downtown and continues Saturday, Sept. 30, with a 10 a.m. parade, all day music and activities, food and craft vendors.

“We are proud to announce this year’s Grand Marshal is Laurie Gentry,” Festival Director Fuzzy Hennigan stated at a small, surprise reception held Aug. 25 inside the former T. M. Middleton Store in Marthaville. “Our beautiful t-shirts will, for the first time ever, be pink,” he continued, explaining, “Breast Cancer Awareness Month kicks off immediately after Good Ole Days. Our slogan across the back of this year’s shirt will say ‘Tough enough to wear pink.’”

Among other things, Laurie is a five-year breast cancer survivor and co-founded Pink Sisters of Sabine a few years ago, which serves local breast cancer patients. Since its start, the non-profit has provided over 100 patients with recovery supply tote bags, prayer, encouragement, fuel and food cards for use during treatment and other support. In addition, my wife is a one-year survivor of endometrial cancer, which was unrelated to her previous issue.

“It is a privilege to be selected as this year’s Grand Marshal,” Laurie shared. “For a long time, I have considered myself an ‘honorary native’ of Marthaville. I love its people and its history as if they were my own. It’s truly a blessing to have married into such a special community that I can now proudly claim! Thank you to the Festival Committee for this honor, and I thank them for using their ‘small town, big heart’ leadership to shine a light on breast cancer awareness,” she said.

Other Marthaville Good Ole Days event organizers include Karen Rawls, Sheila Noe, Mitzi Roe, Bruce and Jan Tatum, and Parade Directors Phillip Strahan and Greg Goings.

On Monday, local schools got a temporary scare when word was received of a bomb threat.

The School Board released the following statement Monday morning:

“The Sabine Parish School Board and Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office received information regarding ‘Bomb Threats’ to schools. Sabine and other Louisiana school systems have received similar messages. As a precaution, all campuses are secure and on alert. SPSB SROs and SPSB Deputies have responded to the suspicious threats. The threats appear to be NOT CREDIBLE. These messages are currently under local and state police investigation.”

The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office reported, “Sheriff Aaron Mitchell said SROs and Deputies have checked each school campus. The Sheriff’s Office will coordinate with the Louisiana State Police in the investigation.”

Word coming to Observations is that the threats arrived by email to several school districts across the state and were almost immediately discredited. Nevertheless, schools were locked down during the school day as a precaution and a thorough search was conducted at each school for any suspicious packages or anything out of the ordinary.

Sheriff Mitchell reminded, “The communicating of false information of planned bombing on school property is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.”

Murphy Sentenced to Over 12 Years in Federal Prison

On Wednesday of last week, Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reported that John Michael Murphy, age 36, of Many was sentenced to federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine on Aug. 22.

Murphy was sentenced to 12 years, seven months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release in U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana in Shreveport.

The sentencing followed the investigation by Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team (TNT) Agents into the illegal drug sales activity of Murphy back in 2021.

On November 16, 2021, TNT Agents arrested Murphy during a traffic stop for possessing a large amount of meth.

A federal indictment was issued for Murphy on June 15, 2022, for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Murphy pleaded guilty on April 11 of this year to possessing a total of 158.35 grams (almost 6 ounces) of meth.

He has a lengthy history of illegal gun and drug charges dating back to 2006 according to his criminal record.

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

Last week, Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reported the Aug. 22 afternoon arrest of Jerry Dewayne Meshell, age 42, of Zwolle.

The arrest followed the execution of a search warrant on Meshell’s residence on Henderson St. in Zwolle. He and Michael G. Meshell have been the subjects of investigations of several sex crimes involving juveniles.

After Sabine Parish Sheriff Detectives were able to obtain a search warrant for the Meshells’ residence, Sabine Parish Sheriff Special Operations Group (SOG) was deployed to the residence to execute the warrant. They made numerous attempts to call the pair out of the house, then after receiving no response, SOG entered and found Jerry Meshell hiding in a room.

Michael Meshell was not located and is still wanted at this time.

Jerry Meshell was arrested and booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for:  two counts of First degree rape of juveniles, Second degree rape of juvenile, First degree rape of juvenile, Oral sexual battery of juvenile (two victims under age 13).

(All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)

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

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