Homer Lamar Bryan
October 31, 1935 – February 16, 2026
Visitation: Saturday, February 21 from 10:00AM – 1:00PM at Gallagher Funeral Home
Services: Saturday, February 21 at 1:00PM at Gallagher Funeral Home
Grant Parish Journalpublishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com)
A Shreveport man was arrested by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office following an investigation linked to a prior arrest.
Clayton Bowers, 40, faces charges of Sexual Abuse of an Animal and 21 counts of Pornography Involving Juveniles, authorities said.
No additional details about the investigation or the prior arrest have been released at this time. Bowers is currently in custody, and the Sheriff’s Office said the case remains under investigation.
The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office encouraged anyone with information related to these crimes to come forward.
The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a Missouri woman accused of attempting to smuggle illegal narcotics into a federal prison facility located in Grant Parish.
According to the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, Gloria Harmon, 36, of Warrensburg, Missouri, was taken into custody after deputies discovered a large quantity of illegal drugs intended for distribution. Authorities reported the seizure included approximately $2,300 worth of psilocybin mushrooms and nearly $10,000 worth of marijuana.
Harmon has been charged with possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and bringing contraband into a penal institution.
Sheriff’s officials stated the arrest underscores ongoing efforts to prevent illegal drugs from entering correctional facilities and to maintain the safety and security of inmates, staff, and the public.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges or arrests may be possible. As with all cases, Harmon is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Grant Parish will see generally mild and pleasant conditions through the middle of the week, followed by increasing rain chances and possible thunderstorms as the weekend approaches.
Wednesday will be partly sunny with a high near 77 degrees. There is a slight 20 percent chance of showers developing after noon. Winds will be calm early, becoming west around 5 mph later in the day. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy, with lows near 53. A light northeast wind around 5 mph will become calm overnight.
Thursday will remain partly sunny and comfortable, with afternoon highs near 76. Thursday night turns mostly cloudy, with lows around 57.
By Friday, skies will be mostly cloudy with a high near 79. A 20 percent chance of showers returns after noon. Friday night, rain chances increase to 40 percent under cloudy skies, with overnight lows near 59.
The wettest weather is expected Saturday, when showers are likely and thunderstorms may develop after noon. Highs will reach near 74, with an 80 percent chance of precipitation. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm may continue into Saturday night, with partly cloudy skies and lows around 51. Rain chances remain at 60 percent.
Conditions improve on Sunday, with mostly sunny skies and cooler temperatures. Highs will reach near 66, followed by a mostly clear Sunday night with lows around 44.
Looking ahead to Washington’s Birthday, sunshine returns in full, with clear skies and warmer temperatures. Highs on Monday are expected to reach near 71 degrees.
Residents should stay alert to forecast updates, especially heading into the weekend when thunderstorms could impact outdoor plans.
Everyone’s racing to hit the Assumptions button like it’s a reflex… while the big red FACTS buzzer just sits there, untouched.
Cue the game show music. Cue the dramatic pause.
Wrong answer, but thanks for playing.
In real life, jumping to conclusions doesn’t win prizes — it just spreads confusion. Accountability starts when we slow down, check the facts, and resist the urge to react first and think later.
Louisiana Operation Game Thief (LOGT), a wildlife crime-stopper program operated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, continues to play a vital role in protecting the state’s natural resources by empowering citizens to report wildlife-related crimes.
At its most recent LOGT board meeting, officials reviewed 23 cases that included tips from the public. Those tips resulted in the apprehension of 40 subjects and the issuance of 94 citations statewide. As part of the program, $8,300 was paid to informants whose information led to arrests or citations.
The cases that qualified for rewards involved violations related to deer, migratory game birds, and small game.
LOGT allows citizens to report illegal hunting, fishing, and other wildlife offenses at any time. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, and callers may remain confidential and anonymous. Tips that lead to an arrest or citation may be eligible for rewards of up to $1,000.
Officials with LDWF emphasized that public involvement is essential in protecting Louisiana’s wildlife.
Anyone wishing to report a wildlife-related crime can contact Louisiana Operation Game Thief at 1-800-442-2511.
Residents have watched as Winn Community Health Center has grown from its 2,000 square foot building with a small client base in July 2009 to a multi-parish, nine-site health service with over 500 employees and last year surpassed its 1 million patient mark.
In the same way they’ve watched as ground was broken in spring 2024 on their Winnfield location between the 5-lane and East Lafayette St. and their spacious three-story building has slowly risen. It’s an impressive structure that will house the multiplicity of services that will be handed there once opened as well as the management needs of all locations under the umbrella of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana.
CEO Deano Thornton appeared before the Rotary Club of Winnfield and explained he cannot say for sure when the opening date will be, since finishing stages of any project always take longer than hoped. “But this will be a proud part of this community for years to come.” Looking at an edifice of this size and cost, he added that “people don’t know what WCHC has sacrificed through the years to get us to this point.”
Trinity opened clinics first in Winnfield then Colfax, Ringgold, Pollock, Ruston, Alexandria, Marksville, Dry Prong and Bossier, with others planned soon. Their goal from the outset has been to provide quality professional healthcare to patients regardless their ability to pay. This is vital in a low income area like north-central Louisiana, Thornton said, as some 63% of their 152,000 patients last year were Medicaid, while 11% were Medicare and 3% uninsured.
The speaker walked through a floor-by-floor slideshow of photographs and diagrams, showing what will greet patients as they enter the front door. The lobby and the building as a whole will have “a very open feel to it.” The health center is not simply primary care but many different specialty services as well, some of those varying from center to center throughout the Trinity organization.
The first floor will house general medical practices with 22 exam rooms, pediatrics, pharmacy, specialists, behavioral health, chiropractic, a spacious nurses’ station, radiology, labs, a warehouse and lots of office space. It includes two elevators and an escalator to the second floor. As big as the building appears from the outside, “it looks twice that size on the inside.”
Thornton explained that patients will be served through the same waiting area whether they arrive for an annual checkup, for behavioral services or other medical needs, thus eliminating worries of stigma issues. For the children, a glass wall will separate the “sick” from the “well” patients, giving parents peace of mind. Interactive boards are also installed to occupy the youngsters as they wait.
From the second floor, visitors will be able to look down from the common waiting area into the lobby. That floor will include physical therapy as well as the dental and oral hygiene departments.
The third floor will house support and administration for the entire Trinity organization. Included will be offices for finance, IT, billing, records, company officials, board room, kitchen (there are more than 130 people in the building) plus an employee break room, as on each floor. Thornton stressed that this does involve a number of people “but I’m old-school and want to hire local people who our clients can actually talk to rather than farm it out to businesses in other parts of the country. It helps our people and helps our economy.”
There will also be a banquet room on the top floor large enough to seat 100 people banquet-style that can be used for Trinity functions and when the organization wants to host a community event. He’s proud of the wood-look to many areas of the interior and exterior of the three-story. “I wanted it to look like it belongs to the community where timber products are so important.” He noted that TBA Studio is the architectural firm that made this happen, with Winn native Lisa Peddy Frontaura taking the lead role.
He also called attention to the center’s in-house 340D pharmacy serviced by pharmacists Steve Burnam and Chip Little. The advantage to patients receiving prescriptions from Community Health Center providers is that costs will be based on household income. He gave an example of a lady who had been paying $225 for one prescription who received the same for only $8 through the center’s pharmacy.
Be sure to watch the Journal for future details on the Grand Opening.
Lately, during the extremely cold weather that we experienced a couple of weeks ago, I took some time to watch a few fishing podcasts. There are a handful of programs that I follow from top anglers within the world of professional bass fishing.
One of these is “After the Cast” with Major League Fishing pros Andy Montgomery, Edwin Evers and Ott DeFoe, strong personalities and great reputations for not only being outstanding anglers, but good Christians.
Their podcast is a behind the scenes look at the daily rigors that tournament anglers go through from the travel they face, to practice and tournament days.
But they’ll also sit down and talk about hot topics going on in bass fishing. They’re not afraid to voice their opinions and share their thoughts which makes the podcast very interesting to watch.
Another podcast I follow is “Zaldangerous,” also known as “The Bilge,” a program with Elite Series angler and Texas pro Chris Zaldain and his wife, Trait. These two do not shy away from controversial topics and are not afraid to challenge the establishments of B.A.S.S. or Major League Fishing (MLF) when it comes to rules violations or recent decisions that have been made with regards to a tournament organization.
Both podcasts, “After the Cast” and “Zaldangerous,” are programs that anyone would enjoy. They’re both great at shedding light on the hot topics in professional bass fishing while discussing possible solutions.
These are people “living the dream” by fishing for a living. They travel like gypsies and caravan across the country, fishing the best fisheries in America. They discuss today’s anglers and how to navigate the demands of professional bass fishing.
But their biggest concern is trying to provide for their families as a pro fisherman. So many of today’s anglers face obstacles that previous generations did not. First and foremost, how to navigate social media. This is a problem the older generation of anglers never had to deal with.
All three professional bass tournament organizations require that all anglers participate in social media. This can be in many forms like a podcast, Facebook page, YouTube videos, Tik Tok or maybe an Instagram account.
In today’s business world, it’s important that anglers have a social media presence as a way of promoting sponsor product and themselves as well. Of course, we all know that social media can be a place of controversy with people who are looking to discredit or cast blame on others for a particular situation.
Having a great social media presence is all about how many “clicks” or “likes” you’re getting with the posts you’re making. A really good account can translate into valuable dollars. It’s also another avenue where anglers can make money to help supplement their income.
But here’s a question — can the average angler make it as a professional bass fisherman today? The biggest issue facing anglers today are with sponsors; there just are not enough to go around. Sponsors are a critical part of how anglers make a living and provide for their families. Tournament winnings are just a bonus for anglers and are not factored into their annual budgets.
The fishing industry in general is just not big enough to support all the anglers looking to fish professionally. Most are stretched very thin with regards to how many anglers they can afford to sponsor.
The industry is short on sponsorship dollars with there being three major professional bass fishing organizations — Major League Fishing (MLF), B.A.S.S. and the new National Professional Fishing League (NPFL).
Anglers today are having to think outside the box and look at nonendemic companies that may have never had a presence in the bass fishing market.
Back during the old FLW days (2000 to 2012), there was Walmart, Land of Lakes, Kellogg’s, Snickers, Castro Motor Oil and many more that sank huge amounts of money into many of the old FLW Tour anglers.
But ever since the demise of the FLW Tour around 2012, these sponsors have chosen to walk away and are no longer interested in this market, leaving a huge sponsorship void for anglers to pursue.
Less sponsors means a bigger strain on anglers’ budgets as they try to navigate the costs involved with making a living as a professional.
Bottom line is this: with a shortage of sponsors it makes it very difficult for the average angler to participate on the professional level. It’s sad but it’s starting to look like only those anglers who have money, have a good financial support system like mom or dad, or wealthy grandparents will be the anglers who can compete on bass fishing’s highest level.
As the old saying goes, “money can’t buy happiness,” but it can buy you a spot on a bass pro tour!
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
About Ida
Beginnings are tricky, but here we are—fresh page, blinking cursor, and a head full of questions. I’m Ida B. Torn, a lifelong Southerner from Kenner, Louisiana, who’s spent years working in newsrooms, design studios, and public service. I’ve seen my share of life’s chaos and comedy—and learned that sometimes, folks just need straight answers and a little laughter along the way.
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In 1957, after years of bit parts in numerous films and television shows, Thomas was cast as Lana Turner’s love interest in the film “Another Time, Another Place.” In the second week of October 1957, Lana’s boyfriend Johnny Stompanato, a former marine who was a bodyguard and enforcer for mob boss Mickey Cohen, flew from Los Angeles to Cornwall, England, to be with her for the remainder of filming. For three months, Johnny watched from the sideline as the chemistry between Thomas and Lana grew. Thomas and Lana played their parts so well for the camera that Johnny became increasingly suspicious and jealous. Around New Year’s Day 1958, while Lana and Thomas were filming an intimate scene, Johnny’s jealousy could take no more. He rushed on screen, pointed a pistol at Thomas’s head, and threatened him to stay away from Lana. In a split-second move, Thomas forcefully disarmed Johnny. Thomas was aware of Johnny’s underworld connections and knew to expect a reprisal of some sort.
Lana was not a pushover by any means. When her marriage to Lex Barker broke down six months earlier, she forced him at gunpoint to leave her home. Lana had Johnny removed from the film set and contacted police who quickly deported Johnny from England. He was back in Hollywood by January 4, 1958. Despite this incident, Lana and Johnny remained on speaking terms. According to letters between Lana and Johnny, Lana wanted space. In a letter dated January 15, 1958, Lana wrote to Johnny, “You must let me alone in my own world for a while, to rest, think, rest, think… I need the time and a different place to funnel thru all the emotional turmoil I’ve been through.” Johnny had no intention of giving her the space she requested. He wanted to marry. Johnny wrote to Lana, “Let me prove that you and I belong together.” In another letter he wrote, “Every second of every day since you have been gone, I’ve thought of nothing but you and your kisses.” Johnny persuaded Lana’s 14-year-old daughter Cheryl to help convince Lana to marry him. On a letter dated April 3, 1958, Cheryl wrote to Johnny, “I just got your letter this morning because I was home for the weekend. How have you been? …When are you all coming back? Soon, I Hope. Mother and I really had a wonderful time in Europe.” She ended the letter, “Love ya and miss ya loads, Cherie.” She only had a short time to wait.
On the following day, April 4, Cheryl and Lana were at their home in Beverly Hills when Johnny stopped by for another attempt at convincing Lana to rekindle their romance and marry him. Johnny’s sweetness quickly turned to rage when he realized she could not be convinced. Johnny grabbed Lana and shook here while he cursed and threatened her. Cheryl heard Johnny yell, “I’ll get you if it takes a day, a week, or a year. I’ll cut your face up. I’ll stomp you. And if I can’t do it myself, I’ll find somebody who will.” As Johnny continued his tirade over Lana, Cheryl grabbed a 10-inch butcher knife and sank it to the hilt into Johnny’s abdomen. He died moments later. Cheryl was not prosecuted because a coroner’s jury deemed the killing a justifiable homicide. Mob boss Mickey Cohen linked Johnny’s death back to the altercation in which Thomas disarmed Johnny in a move similar to what we would expect to see in a James Bond film. Well, Thomas eventually became James Bond. His full name was Thomas Sean Connery.
Sources:
February 11 marks the birthday of one of the most influential voices in modern music history: Whitney Houston. Born on this date in 1963, Houston’s impact on pop culture extends far beyond record sales, reshaping the sound of popular music and redefining what vocal excellence looked like for generations that followed.
Rising to fame in the mid-1980s, Houston quickly became a cultural force. Her 1985 self-titled debut album produced multiple chart-topping singles and introduced audiences to a voice that blended pop accessibility with gospel power. At a time when female pop artists were often boxed into narrow roles, Houston crossed genres effortlessly, finding success on pop, R&B, adult contemporary, and international charts simultaneously.
Her influence wasn’t limited to music. Houston’s presence on television and in film helped expand representation in mainstream entertainment. Her starring role in The Bodyguard (1992) cemented her status as a crossover superstar, while the film’s soundtrack became one of the best-selling albums of all time. Songs like “I Will Always Love You” became cultural touchstones, played at weddings, graduations, sporting events, and moments of public mourning.
February 11 also invites reflection on Houston’s broader cultural legacy. She broke barriers for Black women in pop music during an era when radio formats were more rigidly segregated. Her success opened doors for countless artists who followed, including Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, and Adele, all of whom have cited Houston as a major influence.
Even decades after her peak, Houston’s voice remains a benchmark. Viral clips of her live performances continue to circulate online, often sparking renewed appreciation from younger audiences discovering her for the first time. Vocal coaches, music critics, and fans alike frequently reference her control, tone, and emotional delivery as unmatched.
While Houston’s life also included public struggles, her artistic legacy continues to overshadow controversy. Each year on February 11, fans around the world revisit her catalog, celebrate her achievements, and reflect on how deeply her music is woven into shared cultural memory.
In an industry that constantly evolves, Whitney Houston’s voice remains timeless — and February 11 serves as a reminder of the day one of pop culture’s greatest legends was born.
Dan Brooks Cornett
February 9, 1948 – January 28, 2026
Visitation: will be held after the service at 11AM
Services: February 17 at 10AM at Urania Methodist Church
Gary Ray Paul
July 1, 1963 – February 8, 2026
Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Ball, Louisiana.
Grant Parish Journalpublishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or billvance.erg@gmail.com. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to billvance.erg@gmail.com)
District Attorney Jay Lemoine announced that Malcolm Dennis Cameron has been sentenced to 22½ years at hard labor following his convictions on multiple sex offenses involving juveniles.
A jury found Cameron guilty on Oct. 23, 2025, of Sexual Battery, two counts of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile, and Attempted Third Degree Rape. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Alex Hooper and Renee Nugent.
Cameron was taken into custody immediately after the verdict. Sentencing was held on Jan. 29, 2026.
According to the court, Cameron was sentenced to seven and one-half years at hard labor for Sexual Battery. He received five years at hard labor for each count of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile, with those sentences running concurrently with each other but consecutively to the Sexual Battery sentence. He was also sentenced to 10 years at hard labor for Attempted Third Degree Rape, to be served consecutively to all other sentences.
The combined sentences total 22½ years at hard labor.
In addition to the prison term, Cameron was ordered to register as a sex offender for life following his release. District Attorney Lemoine stated that the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes and the office’s commitment to accountability and protecting vulnerable members of the community.
A theft investigation conducted by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office has resulted in the arrest of two men on multiple charges.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Dalton Ryan Shows, 32, of Atlanta, in connection with the case. Shows was charged with theft and criminal damage to property, according to officials.
A second suspect, Ryan Erik Johnson, 53, of Montgomery, was also taken into custody and charged with illegal possession of stolen things.
The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office said the arrests stem from an ongoing investigation into stolen property, though additional details surrounding the incident were not immediately released.
Authorities reminded the public that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information related to theft or other criminal activity to contact local law enforcement.
An investigation conducted by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office resulted in the arrest of a Sterlington woman on several felony drug-related charges.
According to authorities, deputies arrested Jenea Croom Gutierrez, 39 of Sterlington, following an inquiry into suspected narcotics activity. Gutierrez was charged with Possession of Xanax with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Fentanyl, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Violation of Probation.
Sheriff’s officials stated the arrest is part of ongoing efforts to combat illegal drug activity within Grant Parish and to keep dangerous substances off local streets.
The investigation remains ongoing. No further details have been released at this time.
As with all criminal cases, the suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Alexandria (the “Diocese”) filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code on October 31, 2025, in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana.
By order of the Court, the following deadlines (the “Bar Dates”) have been established for filing claims against the Diocese:
Governmental Unit Claims Bar Date: April 29, 2026
General Claims Bar Date: June 8, 2026
Sexual Abuse Survivor Claims Bar Date: June 8, 2026
Any person or entity that holds a claim against the Diocese that arose before October 31, 2025—including individuals alleging sexual abuse by clergy or other persons affiliated with the Diocese—must file a proof of claim by the applicable Bar Date or risk losing the right to receive any recovery.
Individuals who allege sexual abuse in connection with any parish, school, charitable institution, or other entity or activity associated with the Diocese are required to file a claim, regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred, whether the abuse was previously reported, or whether a lawsuit was previously filed.
The Bankruptcy Court has approved a confidential and sealed claim form for abuse survivors, and all information submitted using that form will be protected from public disclosure.
Claims may be filed:
Electronically:
https://cases.stretto.com/dioceseofalexandria
By Mail or Delivery:
Diocese of Alexandria Claims Processing
c/o Stretto
410 Exchange, Suite 100
Irvine, CA 92602
Claims must be received by the Claims Agent by the applicable deadline. Mailing alone does not satisfy the requirement.
Claims cannot be filed by email or facsimile.
Claim forms, instructions, and additional information are available at
https://cases.stretto.com/dioceseofalexandria
Questions regarding the claims process may be directed to the Court-appointed Claims Agent, Stretto, toll-free at (855) 655-5795.
Failure to file a claim by the applicable Bar Date may result in the loss of any right to receive compensation from the Diocese through the bankruptcy process.
This notice is provided pursuant to an order entered by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Louisiana in In re: Diocese of Alexandria, Case No. 25-31257.
State and local leaders will gather next week to celebrate the completion of major broadband expansion projects bringing high-speed internet access to thousands of homes and businesses across Grant and LaSalle parishes.
Officials from ConnectLA, Louisiana’s Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity, will join representatives from Swyft Fiber for two public events on Thursday, Feb. 5 marking the successful rollout of new broadband infrastructure funded through the state’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) 1.0 program.
The first celebration will take place in LaSalle Parish at 9 a.m. at the Jena Band of Choctaw Indians Tribal Administration Center, located at 551 Tuska Hina in Trout. A second event will follow in Grant Parish at 11:30 a.m. at Rue22, located at 183 Larue in Dry Prong.
Organizers say the projects represent a major step forward in closing Louisiana’s digital divide, providing residents and businesses with reliable, high-speed internet service that supports education, healthcare, economic development, and daily life.
ConnectLA, which operates under the Louisiana Division of Administration, leads the state’s broadband expansion efforts by partnering with federal, state, and local agencies to ensure connectivity reaches underserved areas.
Community members are encouraged to attend the celebrations and learn more about how broadband access is transforming rural Louisiana.
Grant Parish residents can look forward to a stretch of bright skies and gradually warming temperatures over the next several days, according to the National Weather Service.
Wednesday will be mostly sunny with afternoon highs near 55 degrees, accompanied by a light north wind between 5 and 10 mph. Cooler air settles in overnight under partly cloudy skies, with lows around 31 degrees.
Clear and sunny conditions continue on Thursday, with highs reaching about 56 degrees. Skies will remain mostly clear Thursday night, allowing temperatures to dip to around 38 degrees.
A noticeable warm-up arrives on Friday, as sunny weather pushes highs to near 67 degrees, followed by mostly clear skies overnight and lows around 40 degrees.
The mild pattern holds through the weekend. Saturday will be sunny with highs again near 67 degrees, and overnight temperatures around 42 degrees.
By Sunday, mostly sunny skies return with temperatures climbing to about 69 degrees, providing a pleasant end to the week.
Although mornings will remain chilly, the extended forecast points to improving weather and comfortable daytime conditions across Grant Parish.
Louisiana weather has never been great at picking a lane — and that’s the joke. One minute you’re digging out a winter coat, the next you’re debating flip-flops, all while keeping an umbrella close just in case. This week’s cartoon leans into that familiar mood swing, featuring a character dressed for every season at once, staring suspiciously at the forecast like it personally betrayed them.
It’s a lighthearted nod to a shared Southern experience: the daily ritual of checking the weather and still being wildly unprepared.
Sheriff Steven McCain has announced that the Louisiana Sheriff’s Scholarship Program is now underway, with applications currently being accepted for graduating high school seniors across Grant Parish.
The scholarship program provides financial assistance to local students pursuing higher education and is part of a statewide effort supported by Louisiana sheriffs to invest in the future of parish youth.
Applications are available online through the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office website at www.grantso.org/lsascholarship, or they may be picked up in person from Rona Barnes at the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, located at 205 Cypress Street in Colfax.
Scholarship recipients will be selected by a committee of retired school principals, ensuring a fair and education-focused review process.
Completed applications must be returned to Rona Barnes at the Sheriff’s Office no later than April 1, 2026.
Students and families are encouraged to apply early and take advantage of this opportunity to support continued education after high school.
Over the years of playing both baseball and football, along with fishing tournaments, so many of my life’s lessons have come from playing or participating in sports. Some lessons we learn the hard way and some we learn through experience. Today, we’ll look at a couple of lessons I learned even when things didn’t always go the way I wanted.
This first lesson I learned came very early in my baseball career. In my hometown of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, my baseball playing days started at the age of 7 in what was called Pee Wee League.
Spending my first summer in MP with my aunt and uncle, we lived on the west side of the town.
It was an awesome neighborhood where everyone knew each other. Every day we played baseball on a sandlot or on one of the neighbor’s side yards. Several windows were broken during these summer battles and like most kids our age, trouble wasn’t far behind.
Then the day came for Pee Wee League tryouts. There were six teams in the league with a lot of very good players. This is where a man by the name of Coach James Stansell shaped and instilled confidence in me to be the best baseball player I could be.
The day before tryouts, he asked me to pull back during the evaluation. He wanted me to “look bad” so that other coaches would not draft me onto their team. Being the new kid on the block, he did not want the other coaches knowing the ability I had.
This was hard for me to go out and miss ground balls and look silly on fly balls as if I had never played before. But I played along and pretended I could not even throw a baseball much less catch one.
Lo and behold, Coach Stansell called later that night and told me that I was going to play for him and the Yankees!
The best part of all this was that our entire neighborhood, including my best friend Kevin, was going to be playing for the Yankees. And oh, how good we were! Over the course of two seasons, the Yankees went 24-0 for two straight years and won back-to-back city championships!
Then at the age of 9 it was time to move up to the next level called Minor League. But then there was a draft, and this time there was no fooling the coaches into thinking I could not play.
When it came to the draft, the team that finished last in the league the year before got the first pick of the draft, which meant it would be the Tigers.
Tigers head coach Ted Leach took advantage of this opportunity and picked me first in the draft. This was the last team I wanted to get picked by, because they were horrible and for the previous two years hardly ever won a game.
When Coach Leach came to my house and told me I was his first pick, I wanted to cry but didn’t. They were absolutely the worst team every year! But he assured me that these Tigers were not going to be losers.
Then later that same night, Coach Stansell came by the house and explained how he was not able to draft me. But adding salt to the wound was the fact that Coach Stansell was able to get every Yankee player that went 24-0 over those two years, including my best friend (Kevin), to play for him and the Cardinals.
When he told me this, the tears began to flow, and I thought my world was coming to an end. How in the world was I going play without all my buddies? How was I going to face them daily on the sandlot while being the only one not on the Cardinals?
I was going to play for those losing Tigers while the Cardinals and all my friends would probably dominate the league and win the championship. I was crushed and did not know how to handle this. I was now the neighborhood outsider as a Tiger and not a Cardinal!
But this is where one of life’s lessons began to take shape. After my first practice with the Tigers, I realized that maybe we weren’t going to be that bad. In fact, we might actually be pretty darn good. This is when I took ownership and decided I would do whatever I could to help my team win.
Lo and behold, at the end of the season we played the Cardinals for the City Championship. We had one loss in that season before those games, and even won a game in the best of three championship series as I pitched and beat the Cardinals. But the Cardinals prevailed, and we finished league runner-up both years.
So, what was the lesson I learned? Things are never as bad or as good as you think they are. You must believe in yourself and always think you’re just as good as any player on the field. Believe that “you” can make a difference on whatever team you’re playing on. Go out, compete, and prove to yourself that you are and can be a winner no matter what team you’re on.
Over the years I’ve heard how kids quit playing a particular sport because they did not like the coach. One thing I’ve always told these kids and their parents is, “it doesn’t matter who the coach is because you don’t play for the coach; you play for yourself and your teammates.” Adolf Hitler could have been my coach, and it would not have changed how much I love the game or how hard I played.
The next lesson learned was to be positive and have a good attitude, no matter what. Some things in life you cannot control, but the one thing you have total control over is your attitude.
Playing sports has taught me that life doesn’t always go the way we want, but going through trials and tribulations help shape us into the kind of person we want to be.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
A family’s guide to navigating the biggest decision of a young adult’s life, and why a single Saturday in Natchitoches might hold the answer.
By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University
The kitchen table is often where the panic sets in. It starts with a stack of glossy mailers, each promising the best four years of a student’s life. Then come the spreadsheets, the deadlines, and the quiet, gnawing questions that keep parents awake at 3 a.m. Can we afford this? Will they be safe? Is this the place where my child becomes the person they are meant to be?
For high school seniors, the pressure is immediate. They are standing on the cliff of adulthood, trying to discern their future from a website or a brochure. For families, the challenge is different. You bring the weight of experience. You understand the long-term implications of student loans and the reality of living away from home. You want to protect them, yet you know you must let them lead.
This tension between parental wisdom and student autonomy is natural, but it does not have to be stunned by anxiety. The remedy is not found in more paperwork. It is found in experience. It is found in stepping onto a campus, walking the grounds, and feeling the texture of the community.
That is the philosophy behind Northwestern State University’s N-Side View Day.
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, NSU opens its doors for an event designed to cut through the noise of the college search. It is an invitation to move beyond the statistics and step into the reality of life in Natchitoches.
“Your future is calling and it begins here,” says Emily Miller, Director of Recruiting. “We want students and families to see not just what Northwestern offers, but how it feels to be part of our community.”
Finding the right college is about finding a value match. It is about aligning a student’s ambition with an institution’s culture. This is difficult to do from a distance. You need to see the residence halls. You need to sit in the classrooms. You need to look a professor in the eye and ask them how they will mentor your student.
N-Side View Day provides that access. It transforms the abstract idea of “going to college” into a tangible plan.
The day is structured to address the specific anxieties that families face. Financial stability is often the largest hurdle. Many students, and honestly, many parents, are inexperienced in managing large-scale finances. During the event, financial aid experts break down the process, comparing packages and explaining scholarships in simple terms. It turns a conversation about debt into a strategy for investment.
Academically, the event allows students to explore over 100 degree programs. This is where the student takes the lead. While parents look for security, students look for inspiration. They can connect directly with faculty, asking the questions that matter to them.
“We have designed N-Side View Day to go beyond information. It’s an experience that inspires,” Miller explains. “Families leave with clarity, confidence, and excitement about the future.”
There is also the undeniable influence of place. Natchitoches is Louisiana’s oldest city, a place where history and progress coexist. The campus reflects that balance. It feels grounded. It feels like home. When families visit, they often find that their preconceived notions shift. A parent might have envisioned a different path but seeing their student light up while walking through Alost Hall changes the conversation. It validates that the student knows themselves better than anyone else.
NSU President James T. Genovese views this day as a critical first step in a lifelong relationship. “We are committed to preparing students not just for jobs, but for meaningful lives of impact,” Genovese says. “N-Side View Day is a chance to experience that mission firsthand.”
The event acknowledges that this transition is emotional. Having family support provides a safety net that fosters confidence. By visiting together, you are not making the decision for them; you are standing beside them as they make it.
The day concludes with a classic collegiate experience: a Demon Baseball game. Every attendee receives a free ticket. It is a chance to sit in the stands, eat a hot dog, and watch the B-Stro Boys compete on the diamond. It is a moment to stop worrying about the application process and start enjoying the atmosphere.
“NSU is Louisiana’s best-kept secret,” Miller says. “Once students step on campus, they feel it. They know this is where they belong.”
The labyrinth of college admissions is navigable. It requires patience, honest conversation, and a willingness to explore. It requires a trip to Natchitoches.
Register today for N-Side View Day at www.nsu.la/nsideviewday.
What: N-Side View Day
Where: Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA
When: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Includes: Campus tours, academic sessions, financial aid guidance, and Demon Baseball.
Register: www.nsu.la/nsideviewday
