The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office is celebrating the accomplishments of two deputies who have successfully completed correctional training.

Deputies Dalton Howard and Janina Reeves recently graduated from the Correctional Academy after completing an intensive 11-week program. The academy provides comprehensive instruction in Louisiana law, defensive tactics, physical fitness, and other essential skills needed for corrections work.

During the training, Deputy Howard earned special recognition after being selected as class Chaplain. He also distinguished himself academically, graduating second overall in his class.

Sheriff’s officials praised both deputies for their dedication and commitment, noting that their achievements reflect the professionalism and standards upheld by the department.

The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office congratulates Deputies Howard and Reeves as they begin the next phase of their careers serving the citizens of Grant Parish.

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An investigation by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office has led to the arrest of a Chicago woman accused of orchestrating a romance scam that cost a local resident tens of thousands of dollars.

Authorities say Asia Heaven Nicole Downing, 21, of Chicago, is accused of convincing a Grant Parish resident to send her more than $40,000 as part of the scheme.

Following the investigation, Downing was arrested and charged with Theft over $25,000, Computer Fraud, and Online Impersonation.

Officials have not released additional details about the case but are reminding residents to remain cautious when engaging in online relationships, particularly when money is involved.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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One of Central Louisiana’s most anticipated springtime traditions is returning, as the annual Dogwood Festival prepares to bring a full day of entertainment, community spirit, and family-friendly fun to Grant Parish.

The Grant Dogwood Festival, hosted in Pollock, is scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2026, at LaCroix Park, continuing a long-standing tradition held each year on the first Saturday in April.

Organizers say the event will feature a wide variety of attractions for visitors of all ages. Festivalgoers can expect arts and crafts vendors, live music, food booths, and carnival rides, along with a lively atmosphere celebrating the beauty of the dogwood season.

A highlight of the day will be the Dogwood Festival Parade, with lineup scheduled for the morning hours, giving local groups, businesses, and organizations a chance to participate in the celebration.

Additional activities include a car and truck show, with registration beginning early in the day, as well as community performances and entertainment throughout the festival grounds.

Leading up to the main event, festival organizers have also promoted kickoff activities such as music and crawfish events, encouraging attendees to bring lawn chairs and enjoy an evening of entertainment as part of the festivities.

Admission to the festival is typically free, making it an accessible outing for families across the region.

Community leaders say the Dogwood Festival not only celebrates the arrival of spring but also highlights the culture, talent, and small-town charm that make Grant Parish a special place to live and visit.

Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to come out, support local vendors, and enjoy a full day of fun, food, and festivities.

Mark your calendars and join the celebration as the Dogwood Festival returns to Grant Parish this April.

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Residents of Grant Parish can expect a stretch of pleasant spring weather in the days ahead, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.

Sunny conditions will dominate much of the week, beginning Wednesday with a high near 85 degrees and light winds becoming southerly in the afternoon. Clear skies will continue into Wednesday night, with temperatures dipping to around 58 degrees.

The warming trend continues Thursday and Friday, with both days expected to be sunny and highs reaching the mid-80s.

Overnight lows will remain comfortable, falling into the upper 50s Thursday night before cooling slightly to the lower 50s by Friday night.

A brief cooldown arrives Saturday, with sunny skies and a high near 72 degrees, followed by a cooler night with lows around 49 degrees.

By Sunday, temperatures rebound once again under sunny skies, with highs climbing back to around 80 degrees—perfect conditions for outdoor activities across the parish.

Forecasters say the extended stretch of dry, sunny weather provides an ideal opportunity for residents to enjoy springtime events and time outdoors throughout Grant Parish.

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Acadian Ambulance encourages the public to learn lifesaving bleeding-control skills through the national Stop the Bleed initiative. In emergencies involving severe bleeding, bystanders are often the first to act before EMS arrives, and quick action can help save a life.

The American College of Surgeons (ACS) Stop the Bleed program reported that more than 5 million people nationwide have been trained to recognize and control severe bleeding, helping save lives before emergency responders arrive.

If someone is bleeding heavily, taking immediate action can make a critical difference. Stopthebleed.org shares these tips that can help bystanders assist a victim:

1. Call 911 right away and protect yourself by wearing gloves, if available.
2. Find the source of bleeding. Open or remove the clothing over the wound so you can see it.
3. Stop the bleeding – all methods use firm pressure.

If you don’t have a trauma kit:

Cover the wound with a clean cloth (shirt, towel, etc.).

Press down hard with both hands.

If the wound is deep, stuff the cloth into the wound first.

Maintain pressure until help arrives.

If you do have a trauma kit but no tourniquet:

Expose the wound and wipe the pooled blood.

Pack the wound with hemostatic gauze, plain gauze, or a clean cloth.

Press down hard with both hands.

Hold pressure until responders take over.

If you have a tourniquet and the bleeding is from the limb:

Place it 2-3 inches above the wound.

Tighten it until bleeding stops.

Secure the tourniquet in place.

Note the time it was applied but

Acadian Ambulance encourages members of the public to attend a community stop the bleed training if available, to practice these lifesaving skills.

Acadian’s National EMS Academy offers EMT training at its campuses across Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee. For more information on upcoming classes, visit http://www.BecomeAMedic.com.

Acadian Ambulance is the largest employee-owned ambulance service in the nation, providing transportation and medical services to areas in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, and a member of the American Ambulance Association, dedicated to safeguarding the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education. Its sister division, Acadian Air Med, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems.

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A Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement leader serving multiple parishes across Central Louisiana has completed advanced training through the FBI National Academy.

Capt. John Volentine graduated from the 297th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, on March 18. He was among 253 law enforcement officers selected from across the United States and internationally to participate in the program.

Volentine serves as captain over enforcement operations across a large region that includes Sabine, Vernon, Natchitoches, Grant, Winn, LaSalle, Avoyelles, Rapides, Catahoula, and Concordia parishes. He has been with the LDWF Enforcement Division since 2005.

The FBI National Academy is known for its intensive 10-week training program focused on leadership, communication, and physical fitness. Participants are chosen based on their experience and leadership within their agencies.

During his career, Volentine has played a role in emergency response efforts during multiple major hurricanes, including Katrina, Rita, Gustav, Ike, and Harvey. He has also received recognition for his work in wildlife enforcement, including being named Waterfowl Officer of the Year in 2013 and 2014.

In addition to his enforcement duties, Volentine serves as an adjunct instructor at LSU of Alexandria, where he teaches criminal justice courses.

Officials say his completion of the FBI National Academy highlights continued investment in leadership and public safety across Central Louisiana.

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With over 30 years of bass tournament experience, I know that every bass angler that wets a hook has one goal in mind when they enter a tournament — win! While we all strive to bring winning sacks to the scales, the stars do not always align and allow that to happen.

My background as an athlete has proven to be beneficial when it comes to the mental side of tournament bass fishing. The “never give up” mentality is so important as a tournament angler.

Playing on a Texas state championship high school baseball team was one of my greatest accomplishments as an athlete. Twice during that special run in 1978, our backs were to the wall, but we never gave up and persevered on our way to winning it all.

We never panicked no matter what the situation was. We stayed strong and committed to each other, making sure things went our way. Tournament bass fishing is no different. There will be days when things just don’t go the way you thought they would.

But the guys who have a strong mindset, and the “never give up” attitude, seem to always find a way to put fish in the boat. Even if they don’t catch the winning fish, they still make a good showing.

One of my recent trips to Lake of the Pines brought me so much joy — eventually! It began when the fish I found in practice just did not pan out. Oh, I had lots of excuses as to why they did not bite, but to sum it up, I just did not catch them.

At 10:30 that tournament morning, I did not have a fish in the boat. I had caught a few, but none that would reach the 14-inch minimum. But I did not panic as I felt the fish would bite a little better in the afternoon due to the full moon we were fishing under.

I finally put three fish in the boat between 10:30 and noon and then decided to move out of the area where I had found quality fish during practice. There was so much fishing pressure on the lake, I was sure that a lot of the fish I had found the day before had been caught.

So, I pulled up on a point and made a long cast, and low and behold I caught a solid 3-pounder! I’m thinking, “hmmm, this is a good sign and maybe there’s a good school of bass on this point.” Sure enough, it was loaded with good keeper-size fish including a 5-pounder that threw my bait back to me on one particular cast.

I anchored down on this spot and for three hours I began to catch over 35 bass off this one point. It was a day you don’t have all the time as an angler and even though I did not catch the winning bag, I had an awesome day on the water and enjoyed a trip I will never forget!

I’m wondering if age has anything to do with how I think now as an angler. At 65 years old, winning tournaments is just not as high on my priority list as it used to be. Oh, I’m still competitive and want to beat the pants off all these young bucks, but then there’s reality.

But one thing I can say for myself, no matter how much longer I continue to fish bass tournaments, my desire to compete and win will never wane. I just have to remember; it’s not always about winning.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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It’s barely spring, and it already feels like summer showed up early. Around here, people aren’t just noticing—it’s becoming the main topic of conversation.

Even the jokes are writing themselves. Crawfish might as well be saying they’re “boiling before the pot now.”

All humor aside, the early heat has folks doing double takes at the calendar and wondering what the rest of the season has in store.

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March 25 marks the birthday of music icon Elton John, born in 1947 in Middlesex, England. Over the course of more than five decades, Elton John has become one of the best-selling artists of all time, known for flamboyant stage costumes, unforgettable melodies and deeply personal songwriting.

Bursting onto the international scene in the early 1970s, Elton John teamed with lyricist Bernie Taupin to create a catalog of hits including “Your Song,” “Rocket Man,” “Tiny Dancer,” and “Crocodile Rock.” His blend of pop, rock and theatrical performance redefined what it meant to be a global superstar.

Albums such as “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” cemented his reputation as a musical innovator. Known for his dynamic piano performances and larger-than-life persona, Elton John became synonymous with arena-filling concerts and extravagant tours.

Beyond music, he has been a prominent advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, using his platform to promote philanthropy and social change.

In 2019, his life and career were dramatized in the biographical film “Rocketman,” introducing his story to a new generation. He also completed a multi-year farewell tour, closing a historic chapter in live performance history.

As fans celebrate his birthday each March 25, Elton John’s influence remains undeniable. From chart-topping hits to cultural impact, his legacy continues to sparkle as brightly as the sequined jackets he made famous.

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It was the most elaborate presidential inauguration in the history of our country at the time. An estimated one million people witnessed the peaceful transition of power in person. There was a 10-mile, two-and-a-half-hour inaugural parade which escorted incoming president Dwight D. Eisenhower from the Capitol to the White House. The parade was comprised of about 22,000 servicemen and women, 5,000 civilians, 50 state and organizational floats which cost a total of about $100,000, 65 musical units, 350 horses, three elephants, an Alaskan sled dog team, and the first public showing of our military’s most devastating piece of artillery at the time, an 85-ton atomic cannon called “Atomic Annie.” Overhead, a continuous stream of aircraft including 1,100 jet fighters and a fleet of super bombers flew over the parade route. To handle the huge crowds, two formal balls were held simultaneously at opposite sides of the city with President Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower having to be shuttled back and forth between the two for maximum effect. While at previous inaugurations, one or two film stars made appearances, at least 40 stars of film and stage entertained or were guests at the inauguration, more than at any previous inauguration. Newspapers around the world reported that it was the “biggest show ever staged in Washington.”

Hotels charge premium prices, and many desperate people had to pay a “black market bonus” of $100 just to make a hotel reservation. Adjusted for inflation, that would be over $1,200 in today’s money. Some of Washington’s “old families” rented out their luxury homes to millionaires and their friends for up to $3,000 for the week. That would be nearly $37,000 in today’s money. 60 special trains set up “Pullman Cities,” named after the 600 Pullman parlor and sleeper train cars which accommodated about 10,000 visitors. Forty steam locomotives kept constant “full heads of steam” to provide heat and hot water for the Pullman cities. The accommodation committee set up for the purpose of housing the influx of visitors to our nation’s capital referred to it as Operation Headache.

Rather than paying exorbitant fees and fighting the maddening crowds, most people chose to watch the inauguration from the comfort of their own homes. It was broadcast on all three major television networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC. An estimated 29 million people tuned in throughout the day for at least part of the inauguration.

President Eisenhower’s inauguration should have been the highest rated program on television during that era, but it was overshadowed by a regularly scheduled television sitcom shown the night before which depicted something that has happened to every living human being—a child was born. More than 70% of American households, some 44 million people, 15 million more than watched the inauguration, watched the 30-minute sitcom which aired on CBS, a single network. It remains one of the most watched sitcoms in television history. The episode was filmed two months earlier and starred an actress who was really pregnant, a first for television. This comedy showed the fictional chaos that happened leading up to the actress having a baby. The actress in the sitcom went into labor and had a son, named after his father, on the day the episode aired. The episode was titled “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” and starred Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

Sources:

1. The Mail (Adelaide, Australia), January 17, 1953, p.23.
2. Press-Telegram (Long Beach, California), January 20, 1953, p.3.
3. The Roanoke Times, January 21, 1953, p.18.
4. “Inaugurations: 1953 Inauguration,” Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, National Archives, accessed March 15, 2026, https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/eisenhowers-presidential-years/inaugurations.
5. “Lucy Goes to the Hospital,” IMDb.com, accessed March 15, 2026, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0609259/.

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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)

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Authorities in Grant Parish have arrested two Texas men accused of attempting to use a drone to smuggle illegal drugs into a federal prison, according to the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s officials reported that Michael Wayne Blanco, 31, of Dallas, was arrested and charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, and Taking Contraband into a Penal Institution.

A second suspect, Sedarius Deonte Miles, 30, of Balch Springs, was arrested on charges of Taking Contraband into a Penal Institution, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Methamphetamine with the Intent to Distribute.

According to the sheriff’s office, the arrests stem from an alleged attempt to use a drone to deliver narcotics into the federal prison located in Grant Parish. Authorities did not release additional details about the incident or the ongoing investigation.

Both men were taken into custody and booked on the listed charges as the investigation continues. Officials say the case highlights continued efforts by law enforcement to prevent contraband from being smuggled into correctional facilities.

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Residents of Grant Parish are invited to attend the annual “Pancakes with Puppies” community event this Saturday, hosted by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The event will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the parking lot of Bentley United Pentecostal Church, located at Bentley United Pentecostal Church in Dry Prong.

Officials say the event will feature a free pancake breakfast for the community, and everyone is welcome to attend. In addition to breakfast, attendees will have the opportunity to purchase a variety of arts and crafts created by inmates, with items available for sale during the event.

Sheriff’s officials say the annual gathering is designed to bring the community together while supporting local programs and showcasing inmate-made crafts.

Community members and families are encouraged to stop by, enjoy breakfast, and spend time meeting deputies and fellow residents during the Saturday morning event.

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Residents across Grant Parish can expect a stretch of pleasant, sunny weather through the remainder of the week and into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.

Wednesday will bring mostly sunny skies with a high near 71 degrees. South winds around 5 to 10 mph are expected during the day. Wednesday night will remain mostly clear, with overnight temperatures falling to around 47 degrees.

Sunshine will continue Thursday with a high near 78 degrees. Clear conditions are expected Thursday night with lows around 54 degrees.

The warming trend will continue into Friday as sunny skies push temperatures to near 83 degrees. Friday night will remain clear with a low around 57 degrees.

Heading into the weekend, Saturday will be sunny with a high near 87 degrees, followed by a clear Saturday night with lows near 59 degrees.

Sunday is expected to remain sunny and warm with afternoon highs around 87 degrees, providing ideal conditions for outdoor activities throughout the parish. Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated and take advantage of the pleasant early spring weather.

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POLLOCK – The Cenla Medication Access Program (CMAP) Cancer Screening Mobile Unit is coming to Grant Parish on April 7 and 8 to provide free breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings for eligible residents of Central Louisiana.

The mobile unit will be parked at East Grant Community Health, 9465 US 165 on Tuesday, April 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday, April 8, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Services include mammograms, cervical screenings, and take-home colorectal cancer screening kits. Appointments are required.

Recommended screening guidelines include:

Mammograms – every year for women ages 40–64

Cervical screenings – once every five years for women ages 25–64

Colorectal screenings – for men and women ages 45–64

Uninsured residents and those with Medicaid coverage may qualify for services. Interested individuals should contact the Cancer Screening Project to confirm eligibility.

The Cancer Screening Mobile Unit is made possible through a partnership between The Rapides Foundation, CMAP, and the Partners in Wellness Program at Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at LSU Health Shreveport.

To schedule an appointment, contact Cancer Screening Coordinator Stephanie Heinen at 318-767-3027 or toll-free at 1-855-767-3027.

For more information, visit cmaprx.org.

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Have you ever wanted to use prescribed fire on your property for wildlife or forest management? We’re hosting an interesting meeting to kick off a Prescribed Burn Association in Winn Parish and other surrounding areas!

March 24, 2026
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Winn Parish Library
200 N St. John St, Winnfield, LA 71483

Prescribed burning is a commonly recommended land management tool, but can present challenges for landowners with limited experience and confidence to carry out without professional help. Prescribed burning associations (PBA’s) consist of landowners and other concerned citizens creating partnerships to conduct prescribed burns – Neighbors Helping Neighbors Getting Fire Back on the Ground. Through the sharing of knowledge, equipment, time, and experience the PBA can reduce risk, safely increase burned acres and help landowners accomplish their habitat management goals.

If you’re passionate about wildlife habitat, forest health, wildfire risk or overall land management, this is for you. Let’s work together to use good fire safely and effectively.

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As seasonal allergies begin to increase, Acadian Ambulance is sharing important safety information to help individuals manage allergy and asthma symptoms and recognize when emergency care may be needed.

Spring and fall allergy seasons often bring higher levels of pollen, mold, and other airborne allergens. These seasonal allergens commonly cause symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes, and nasal congestion. While they are not typically associated with life-threatening allergic reactions, they can trigger serious breathing problems in people with asthma or severe respiratory allergies.

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, millions of Americans live with asthma or allergies that can worsen when exposed to seasonal allergens.

Monitor pollen levels: Limit outdoor activity when pollen counts are high.

Avoid triggers: Reduce exposure to pollen, mold, dust, pet dander, and smoke when possible.

Refill prescriptions and take medications as prescribed: Keep inhalers and other prescribed medications readily available.

Have an action plan: Know your symptoms, treatment steps, and when to seek medical help.

It is also important to recognize the difference between common seasonal allergy symptoms and a life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

Seasonal allergies typically cause symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, or mild coughing. In contrast, anaphylaxis is a medical emergency and may include severe breathing difficulty, throat swelling, hives, dizziness, or fainting. These reactions are most often triggered by foods, medications, and insect stings rather than seasonal pollen.

If someone experiences severe breathing problems, swelling of the face or throat, or symptoms of a life-threatening allergic reaction, call 911 immediately.

Families, schools, and workplaces should ensure emergency medications, such as inhalers or epinephrine auto-injectors, are accessible when prescribed and that others know how to assist during an emergency.

Acadian’s National EMS Academy offers EMT training at its campuses across Louisiana, Texas, and Tennessee. For more information on upcoming classes, visit http://www.BecomeAMedic.com.

Acadian Ambulance is the largest employee-owned ambulance service in the nation, providing transportation and medical services to areas in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services, and a member of the American Ambulance Association, dedicated to safeguarding the future of mobile healthcare through advocacy, thought leadership, and education. Its sister division, Acadian Air Med, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems.

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Life has so many variables out of our control that makes navigating our daily situations difficult. But in some instances, there are a few things we can control and it’s up to each of us to make it happen.

One thing we have zero control over is who our parents are. We as individuals have zero say on the DNA we are blessed with, nor the people it came from. Even though we are who we are, we do have the ability to become the person we truly want to be. In most cases, we can pave our own path to success or failure with the skills we have been blessed with.

Even with bad DNA flowing through our bodies, we still have the task of shaping our lives into whatever we want to be. But only if we as individuals take control and ownership of who we are will our direction in life be confirmed.

I learned at a very early age that the good Lord above had blessed me with good athletic abilities. I figured out before the age of 10 that it would be through sports, with hard work and determination, that I could possibly have some success. Sports gave me a purpose!

That’s what we’re all looking for … a purpose! Even if it goes against the beliefs of the people who raised us, we have to take control of our own destiny at some point.

Even when the odds are against us, there are also times when we have to accept the consequences of our actions. We have to make decisions that not only affect ourselves, but those around us.

Sometimes this means hurting the ones we love the most because the direction they want us to go may not be the same as the destination we had in mind.

By the time we reach 17 or 18 years old, most people know who they are and possibly what direction or path they might want to take. They start to see things in a different light than, say, their parents. But as parents, we must recognize that even though we think we know what’s best for our children, that may not always be the case. We must allow them to spread their wings and continue to grow even if they make a few mistakes along the way. It’s called growing up!

I’ve always heard the excuse that he or she was a product of the environment in which they were raised. Sometimes this can be true, but it doesn’t always have to be that way.

For example, my stepdad was a wife beater and treated women like they were worthless. Even though I witnessed many of these incidents first-hand at a young age, I always knew in my heart that this was wrong, and I made a conscious decision to never be that kind of person.

I always felt that God instills in each of us the ability to know right from wrong when we are born. He gave all of us a brain and the ability to reason when we see things that are not right.

Just because you grow up in a house with little to no guidance doesn’t give you the excuse to ignore what is right. Subconsciously we still know right from wrong and it’s up to each of us to make good decisions and do the right thing.

We all need direction in our lives, which was lacking early in my childhood. Hopefully, we have those we can turn to for advice like a parent or maybe a grandparent, aunt, uncle, preacher, teacher or maybe a coach. No matter who it is, it should be someone we trust. A person who has our best interest at heart.

Bottom line is this — at some point in our lives we must take control over our destiny no matter what our background is. But when we make a decision, we must accept the consequences for our actions. This is what we call accountability!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Across Louisiana, spring weather often feels like a roller coaster. Residents can wake up to thick fog, enjoy warm sunshine by midday, and then find themselves watching storm clouds roll in just hours later. Sudden thunderstorms and severe weather alerts are not uncommon during this time of year, sometimes followed by clear skies again before the day ends.

The rapid shifts are a familiar part of life in the state, where warm Gulf air, cold fronts, and seasonal storm systems frequently collide. For many Louisianans, keeping an eye on the forecast—and being prepared for just about anything—has become a routine part of the spring season.

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John Dillinger was one of the most notorious of the Depression Era criminals. His crime sprees included charges of desertion from the U.S. Navy, theft, auto theft, armed robbery, bank robbery, attempted murder, and murder. On January 25, 1934, Dillinger and his gang were captured in Tucson, Arizona. Dillinger was extradited to Crown Point, Indiana to stand trial on a host of charges including the murder of a police officer. Lake County officials claimed their jail where Dillinger was held was “escape proof.”

At about 9:30 on the morning of March 3, 1934, Dillinger and his cellmate, convicted murderer Herbert Youngblood, sat impatiently in their cell as a guard, Sam Cahoun, was making his rounds. As Sam peered into their cell, Dillinger aimed a pistol at him and ordered him under threat of death to open the cell door. Sam was unarmed and had no choice but to comply. Dillinger told Sam to remain quiet and to follow him. At Dillinger’s request, Sam called out for Deputy Earnest Blunk. As the deputy stepped out of the fingerprint office, Dillinger stuck the pistol against his side. Dillinger led Sam and Deputy Blunk back to the jail cell. After locking Sam in the cell, Dillinger had Deputy Blunk call out for Warden Lou Baker. As Warden Baker and three others stepped out of their offices, Dillinger aimed his pistol at them and forced them into the cell with Sam. Dillinger locked the cell door and headed for the warden’s office. Dillinger exchanged his pistol for one of the machine guns from the warden’s gun rack and told Youngblood, “Come on, quick. Get one of those guns there.” Youngblood took a machine gun from the same gun rack and followed Dillinger’s lead. Dillinger used Deputy Blunk in the same manner to disarm a total of six deputies and 16 guards, all of whom he locked in jail cells. Unable to find any car keys in the prison offices, Dillinger, Youngblood, and Deputy Blunk made their way out of the jail house where they met the warden’s wife. Dillinger told her, “Be a good little girl and we won’t kill you.” She let them pass. Dillinger, Youngblood, and their hostage made their way to the Main Street Garage where they located Edward Saagers, the garage mechanic. Dillinger ordered Saagers to give Deputy Blunk the keys to the fastest car in the garage, which happened to be a black police car. Then, Dillinger ordered Saagers to get in the car with them. At Dillinger’s order, Deputy Blunk slowly drove the escape car away from the prison as to not attract attention. Mrs. Baker alerted the sheriff, which set off a search for Dillinger by practically all of the law enforcement officers in Indiana and Northern Illinois. Two hours after their escape, Dillinger and Youngblood released Deputy Blunk and mechanic Saagers at Peotone, Illinois, 35 miles south of the Crown Point jail. Before driving off, Dillinger gave Deputy Blunk and Saagers a $4 tip and told them, “Good job!”

Newspapers reported that it was one of “the most spectacular breaks in the history of American crime,” partly because the pistol Dillinger used to set off the daring jailbreak was absolutely harmless. It was not loaded. It could not be loaded. You see, the pistol Dillinger used in that escape was one he had whittled out of a piece of wood.

Sources:

1. The Times-Picayune, March 4, 1934, p.10.
2. The Times (Hammond, Indiana), March 5, 1934, p.10.

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On March 18, 1944, the romantic wartime drama Casablanca took center stage at the 16th Academy Awards, winning three Oscars including Best Picture.

Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, “Casablanca” tells the story of an American expatriate torn between love and sacrifice in the shadow of World War II. Set in unoccupied Morocco, the film blended romance, suspense and patriotism at a time when global audiences were living through the war itself.

The film’s win for Best Picture cemented its place in Hollywood history. Director Michael Curtiz also took home the Oscar for Best Director, and the film earned a third award for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Though not initially predicted to sweep the ceremony, “Casablanca” resonated with audiences and Academy voters alike. Its themes of duty over desire and moral courage struck a chord during wartime America.

The film’s dialogue has since become iconic, with lines like “Here’s looking at you, kid” and “We’ll always have Paris” embedded in pop culture for generations. Bogart’s portrayal of Rick Blaine transformed him into a lasting symbol of cinematic cool, while Bergman’s performance remains one of the most celebrated in classic film history.

Over the decades, “Casablanca” has consistently ranked among the greatest films ever made, frequently appearing atop lists from the American Film Institute and other organizations.

March 18 marks not only a major milestone for a beloved film but also a reminder of Hollywood’s enduring power to capture emotion, history and hope on screen.

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Wendell Wayne Young
July 31, 1938 – March 14, 2026
Memorial Visitation: Saturday, March 21 from 1:00-3:00 pm 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)

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