Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Because of an abundance of news items of late, Observations will be posted on Tuesdays and Fridays until we catch up, which will take three or four weeks.
Continued information on how the Coronavirus is affecting us:
TOWN OF MANY: To enable the merchants and citizens of Many to be eligible for federal assistance through FEMA for cost or loss of revenue due to the Coronavirus, Mayor Ken Freeman signed an executive order Friday declaring a state of emergency for the Town of Many. This state of emergency will last until the threats of public safety, health and economic hardship have passed.
Starting Saturday, additional steps taken by Many included pressure washing to disinfect all playground equipment at the various parks, disinfecting sidewalks and store fronts in the Town of Many, disinfecting nursing homes, hospitals and the Sabine Parish Courthouse.
Additional steps to protect Town employees and the public were initiated last week, which included the purchase of thermometers and a requirement all employees be tested for fever before clocking in for work. It was noted that if anyone was determined to have fever, they would immediately be taken to a physician and asked to stay home and self-quarantine until the fever had passed or the person tested negative for the Coronavirus.
Municipal lobbies in the Town of Many will remained closed. Any payments are to be made at the drive-thru drop box, paid by phone with credit card or mailed.
Police patrols are scheduled to continue as usual.
All Town employees were asked to wear masks and gloves when out in the public. At this time there is no interruption of city services planned.
Garbage collection resumed its normal collection schedule on Monday.
“We may be overreacting, but when it comes to the safety of our employees and our citizens I am determined to be safe rather than sorry,” posted Mayor Ken Freeman on Friday.
SABINE MEDICAL CENTER CEO Chris Beddoe stated: “We are committed to providing high quality care to our patients. Part of that commitment is providing a safe environment for our patients, employees and the community. In our preparation for COVID-19, we are following policies and procedures already in place concerning infectious disease. Those policies were developed using guidance from the CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health. We recognize these guidelines are frequently changing. We will modify our practice to reflect the most current standard.”
SMC reiterated the following recommended public health guidelines:
“… we must follow the guidelines the CDC and the Louisiana Department of Health established; wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds at a time, be conscious of everything you touch, cover your mouth when you cough, stand 6 feet away from others when having a conversation, and stay at home to prevent the spread of the virus. Please continue to contact your primary care provider to discuss any possible symptoms you may be having and follow the provider’s instructions. If we can stop the spread of this virus, should it arrive in Sabine Parish, we know we can defeat it with following the recommendations provided for you.”
SABINE PARISH SALES & USE TAX COMMISSION will be closed to the public. Office hours will be from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. until April 10. Payments will only be accepted through the mail or via online payment. If you have a question, call (318) 256-6219.
SABINE DISTRICT ATTORNEY DON BURKETT said his office will open on normal working days from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. to conduct business by phone or email only until further notice. If anyone has a critical situation or needs to contact Mr. Burkett, he will be available by sending a message on his personal Facebook page. He concluded, “Keep praying for our parish and may God bless and keep you all safe.”
TOLEDO BEND LAKE: All tournaments and events have been canceled.
SABINE HALL OF FAME 23rd Annual Induction Banquet is postponed until after Pandemic restrictions are lifted and a new date has been selected.
ZWOLLE LOGGER FESTIVAL has been canceled and will be held next year the second weekend in May.
TOLEDO FITNESS has closed temporarily, but memberships will be extended for the affected period.
THE BATTLE OF PLEASANT HILL re-enactment has been postponed pending further State Government decisions.
WARREN MEADOWS FUNERAL HOME has suspended all public visitations for the immediate future. Private family visitations of one hour for no more than 45 family members will be allowed. Funeral services will be permitted, but strongly discouraged, in the Warren Meadows Chapel, with the preferred method being a graveside service, restricted to 45 persons.
SABINE LIBRARY: The Sabine Parish Library and its branches will be closed at least until March 30. Patrons are reminded digital library services are available through Libby, a digital media service. Those not signed up can do so with their library card by going to the library’s website, clicking on “ebooks” at the top of the page and selecting “Libby” in the middle of the page.
SENATOR LOUIE BERNARD: “Louisiana has found itself in the crosshairs of the Coronavirus pandemic. It is unlike anything many of us have seen before. I don’t possess the medical expertise to second guess the measures Governor Edwards has implemented for our state. I believe he has acted responsibly and with the interests of Louisiana in mind.
“My heart aches for those whose businesses and livelihoods have been threatened by those policies put in place to rein in the spread of this virus. As a colleague said two weeks ago at the Capitol, ‘we can either take a tough stance and get this over with, or let it dribble out to its inevitable end.’ Three weeks ago, Louisiana had ‘0’ cases of the Coronavirus. One week later, it had 97 cases. This past Sunday, there were 897 cases confirmed. This is an alarming increase and, on a per capita basis, makes it imperative that we take initiatives to flatten the curve.
“For those businesses reeling from the ripple effects of this virus, unemployment insurance will play a role. SBA loans will be made available to assist businesses in bridging the gap. Federal stimulus packages are being finalized in Congress that will directly benefit families who qualify. I have no doubt that there will be more such packages in the days to come.
“Legislators have refrained from daily instructions on how to best cope with the Coronavirus. This information is more appropriately provided by the Governor’s office, the LA Department of Health, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, and the President’s team of health officials. Detailed instructions can be seen at any time of the day on television, radio, newspapers, and social media. I urge you to stay updated on these directives.
“Please be vigilant. Observe social distancing to the greatest degree possible. Help our restaurants by ordering take-out until this danger is past. Someone said, ‘tough times never last. . . tough people do!’ I firmly believe that. And I know for certain, ‘this, too, shall pass.’
“If our office can help you in any way, please call (318) 357-3116, or my personal cell (318) 663-0747.”
Louie Bernard, Senator, District 31
GOVERNOR’S DIRECTIVE ON MEETINGS: Gov. John Bel Edwards issued an order that all state agencies, board and commissions and political subdivisions can let members call in or teleconference meetings. It is suggested that effort should be made to let the public observe through live video-streaming and allow them to have input. Meeting notice requirements remain in effect.
Sabine Hall of Fame Presents Dale Skinner Special Recognition Award
Last week in light of looming Coronavirus Pandemic restrictions, the Board of Directors of the Sabine Hall of Fame voted to immediately present one of their 2020 honorees, Mr. Dale Skinner, with the Special Recognition Award. He was selected for the award earlier this year, which recognizes his many achievements in bettering local communities, Sabine Parish, its organizations and endeavors.
Skinner was diagnosed early this year with serious prostate cancer. Since there is not a set length of time yet for how long event gatherings may be restricted, the board wished to present Skinner’s award now, rather than waiting until a re-scheduled banquet date later. If health permits, he will be re-presented the honor publicly whenever the upcoming banquet is held.
A total of six met to make the presentation, including Pete Abington, Nell Britner, Robert and Laurie Gentry, Martha Henderson and William Ruffin. Board members who could not attend were Donna Ammons, Shanna Gaspard, Lauren Moore, Mary Perry and Joe Salter.
As he made the plaque presentation, Abington said to Skinner, “We’re glad you came over. We wanted to have an impromptu meeting on your behalf to award you this honor. We are so proud of all your years of service to our community.”
“I really appreciate it more than you know,” Skinner replied. “I will treasure this award.”
Skinner and those present reminisced about different eras of his career and each person shared memories of how Skinner had impacted their lives and the entire area. Skinner also shared about his health journey and the unexpectedness of his diagnosis.
“I’m doing good,” Skinner said. “But I went from a 70-year-old doing more than most my age, to being flat of my back,” he shared.
Ruffin, Abington and others shared memories of Skinner’s coaching methods and Skinner smiled, saying, “I might do it differently now. I’m not sure that was the right approach. But my daddy always said, ‘If you think you’re right, you stand by it. Don’t let other people influence you to do what you think is wrong.’”
“Well, I’ve heard a lot of stories about Dale Skinner,” Ruffin said, and everybody broke into laughter. “But one thing about it – you always know where you stand with him. I never heard anyone say anything disrespectful about Dale. They might not agree, but there was always respect,” he said.
Skinner shared about his faith, saying, “I believe God knows the exact time each of us will leave this life. I realize now I didn’t praise God as much as I should have over my life, but I’m at peace. If it took me being flat of my back to see God in the right perspective, I am satisfied. I’ve had a great life so far. Actually, if this had not happened, I was thinking I might coach another year or two!”
He continued, “I am happy to say most of the people I coached have been successful in life. I always told my players, ‘If I can coach you, you can work for anybody.’ I’ve never held awards in high regard because you are doing what you get paid for – it’s your job. But this,” he said, motioning toward the Special Recognition Award plaque, “This is really special to me.”
What is happening at the Sabine Parish Detention Center? Last Wednesday, John Allen Martinez Jr., 40, of Robeline was found dead after hanging himself in his jail cell. Jailers found him hanging in his cell during a routine inmate check at shift change. The jailer cut the bed sheet and began CPR until an ambulance arrived. Martinez was pronounced dead in his cell. Coroner Ron Rivers said Martinez tied the sheet in a simple knot and attached it to a hanger that stuck out about two inches from the wall. Such a circumstance begs the question: why would “a hanger” be in a jail cell where a person could use it to hang himself?
Martinez was arrested March 7 on a charge of attempted second-degree murder in connection with an alleged murder attempt of his brother in Zwolle. He was housed alone in a two-man cell.
What else has gone on at the jail lately? A prisoner escaped by going between a gate and the fence at the detention center. A prisoner took a patrol car and escaped, and the Sheriff’s Department was later notified after a deputy down around Houston found the patrol car. Then, one of the jailers allegedly abused a prisoner, knocking him to the floor, and a video of the event was published on the internet.
How much is enough, folks?
Natchitoches Parish confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on Sunday. Natchitoches Regional Medical Center said, “Following all of our infection prevention and proactive CDC disease surveillance practices, NRMC treated and discharged home to self-quarantine a community member who has tested positive. This expected outcome was based on the immediate assessment and presumptive diagnosis made by one of our local providers in an outpatient setting. During the patient’s entire stay, there was never a break in our isolation and infection prevention practices thus minimizing exposure to care givers and patients.”
Sabine District Attorney Don Burkett posted the following on social media: “Experts talk about a best case scenario of a 20% [Coronavirus] infection rate over the next few months. Sabine Parish has an approximate population of 25,000, so 20% of this is 5,000 people infected. It is estimated that 15-20% of infected will need hospitalization. Best case scenario, that’s 750-1,000 beds needed in our parish. Sabine Medical Center has 30 beds and only six ventilators. Don’t think Shreveport or Alexandria because they will be in the same shape. Understand how critical it is to slow the spread. Stay home! Social distance! How successful we are at doing this may well be a matter of life or death for many. May God bless and protect each of you and yours.”
Our congratulations to long-time friend Jerry Pierce who will be inducted into the prestigious Long Purple Line at Northwestern. This recognition was created to provide recognition and appreciation to individuals whose career accomplishments and service to their fellow man have enhanced the reputation and prestige of Northwestern State University.
I first met Jerry when we both studied journalism at Northwestern under the late-great Dr. John C. Merrill. We both served on the staff of the college newspaper, The Current Sauce. Jerry served as Sports Editor. After receiving his journalism degree in 1961, he became Executive Sports Editor of the Times-Picayune in New Orleans at the age of 24.
Jerry returned to Northwestern in 1965 as Sports Information Director. He later served as News Bureau Director and Assistant to the President. He has been Vice-President of External Affairs for more than 30 years.
He has always been very active in community activities and was co-chairman of Northwestern’s Centennial celebration and 125th Anniversary activities. He has been NSU’s representative to the NCAA and Southland Conference, and he is a former president of the conference. He coordinates governmental affairs at NSU and was the university’s liaison for the filming of the hit movie “Steel Magnolias.”
Jerry brought the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame to Natchitoches in 1972 and directed it for almost 20 years. During that time, he was named one of the 20 “Most Influential People in Sports in Louisiana” by The Times-Picayune.
A prolific writer, he has authored literally thousands of newspaper and magazine articles as well as a book of columns, and was co-editor of books on the making of “Steel Magnolias,” and the history of Northwestern. He has been awarded numerous journalism honors and other awards for civic, social and professional activities.
Inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and N Club Hall of Fame, Jerry was recognized this year as a donor to NSU for more than 20 consecutive years. He and wife Regina have established endowed scholarships in athletics and education at NSU.
The induction will be held when the Coronavirus Pandemic restrictions are lifted. Congratulations again, Jerry, and thanks for the many years of friendship.
And congratulations to Amy Birdwell Vercher of Marthaville who has been promoted to oversee the Criminal Department at the Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court office in Natchitoches. She has been employed at the Clerk’s office since 1986 and has spent most of her career as a criminal deputy. The announcement was made by Clerk of Court David Stamey.
Amy is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Birdwell. She is married to John Vercher and is the mother of J. J. and “Sister.”
That’s a wrap for now. Stay healthy and safe, and be sure to follow the good health guidelines as outlined above. To see archived Observations, visit our Facebook page. To see columns of the last few years, follow the pages below. To save, send or print this week’s column, click on the appropriate icon below. Thank you for reading and please do contact me with your ideas and suggestions for future articles. Call me at (318) 332-8653 or send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com.
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