News

United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced the sentencing of Lionel George Somersall, Jr., 45, of Many, who was convicted of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Somersall was sentenced by United States District Judge S. Maurice Hicks, Jr. to 195 months (16 years, 3 months) in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

Sgt. 1st Class Diana Carter, the 10th Support Group sexual assault response coordinator, reenlisted and swore an oath of enlistment for seven years on Mar. 14th. Col. Ned Holt, the commanding officer for the 10th SG, administered the oath of enlistment for Carter in the 10th SG Conference room at Torii Station in Okinawa, Japan.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell announces Sergio A Valdez (age-28) of Zwolle was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison (7 years, 3 months), followed by 3 years of supervised release in United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana in Shreveport today, March 20, 2024.

Valdez was convicted of Distribution of Methamphetamine.

On March 22, 2023, federal and state law enforcement agents conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Valdez in Sabine Parish. Agents were able to obtain information that Valdez sold an individual methamphetamine outside of his home. The drugs which were sold by Valdez were sent to the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Southeast Laboratory for testing and found to have a net weight of approximately 2 ounces of pure methamphetamine.

A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 28, 2023, charging Valdez with one count of distribution of methamphetamine and he pleaded guilty to the charge on November 7, 2023.

Gary Mark Rivers was a lifelong resident of Sabine Parish where he was notably very active through his work, community, and civic activities. In short, he was dedicated to service which was exemplified in all aspects of his life.

Gary was born on January 23, 1957, to parents Lee Roy “Jake” and Leatha Rivers joining a large family of siblings Lucille “Betty” Rivers, Joseph “Joe” Rivers, Martha Henderson, Roy Rivers, Nancy May, and Steve Rivers.

Gary attended grammar school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Zwolle and transferred to Zwolle Intermediate school where he graduated from Zwolle High School in 1975. After graduation, he received a scholarship to play basketball at Baptist Christian College in Shreveport, Louisiana. While there Gary was noted to break the school’s scoring record of 55 points in one game without a three-point line.

The 16th annual El Camino Real Sale on the Trail will take place Friday and Saturday, May 3-4, 2024, along 100+ miles of the historic El Camino Real de los Tejas from Natchitoches, La, to Nacogdoches, Tx.

Locals and visitors may travel the trail over the two days for hot sales and deals, food, vegetables, plants, flowers, art, antiques, and homemade, unique treasures. Along the trail, vendors will offer new and used items. Churches, civic groups, families, retail stores, and craftsmen along Louisiana Highway 6 and Texas Highway 21 are encouraged to have sidewalk and roadside sales, as well as garage and yard sales.

Douglas was born on June 4, 1942, to the late Exie B. Holden Palmer and Mack Palmer. He became a Christian while still young. Many was his hometown.

In 1961 he graduated from high school in Many in 1961 from Sabine High School setting his sights on military service for his future. He enlisted in the United States Army soon after graduation and served 24 years from 1963 to 1987. During his duty in the U.S, Army, he fought to protect and serve his country with honor during two tours of duty during the Vietnam War also serving during Korean War. His service included several tours of duty overseas including time in Korea and in Germany fighting as a first infantry soldier. Following his service in the U.S Army he retired in 1987 with the rank of Master Sergeant.

Locals and visitors won’t have to travel far this spring to get their seasonal plants and décor. The Town of Many’s annual event, Bloom on Main, will return Saturday, April 6 from 9am to 3pm.

In years past, Main Street in Many, La. has been lined with vendors offering a variety of items ranging from spring wreaths, yard flags, beautiful plants, as well as local artwork. With this year’s Events in Many Committee bringing local food trucks, sno cones, lemonade, arts and crafts, woodworking, jewelry, planter boxes and more, it promises to be another colorful event!

This event is FREE to the public and everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the festivities. The first 100 children to arrive at 10am will have the opportunity to paint their own spring blooms with local artist Shanna Gaspard at no cost. Don’t miss this fun, family event!

The annual Sabine Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be held at Cypress Bend Resort on Tuesday, March. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served 30 minutes later. Each year, numerous individuals are presented to recognize those who have made and continue to make significant contributions to Sabine Parish.

Being honored this year are:

Jaeger Ebarb, a Zwolle native, has been selected by the Sabine Hall of Fame Committee this year to receive the Accomplishment Award. This choice is based on his dedication to his church and community as well as his service and leadership. This recognition allows the parish to acknowledge his work and character. He is presently a first-year student at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. He is majoring in Biology with plans to attend medical school after graduation.

He was born on April 4, 2005, in Shreveport, Louisiana and named Jaeger McKeon Ebarb. His parents are Kenneth and Tamilyn Ebarb from Zwolle. The oldest of three children, Jaeger has siblings, Jensen, and Kadance.

Dr. Jack Corley was born in Converse, Louisiana at Allen Clinic to his parents Willie Jack Corley and Billie Horton Corley. His siblings include Veda Gay Corley and Christy Corley Stephens. He grew up in Many, Louisiana and attended school there and graduated from Many High School.

Jack and Debra Harper married in 1979 and enjoyed forty-nine years together. They and had two children, Wendy Corley Curtis, and Willie Jack Corley III. Their four grandchildren are, Jesse Tackett Curtis, Hope Corley Curtis, Pressly Harper Corley, and Joc Garland Corley. Their great-grandchildren are Kit Ikaika Curtis and Jackson Camvios. They continued to be residents of Many, Louisiana through the years.

Following his graduation from Many High School, Jack entered business with ownership and management of two Sears Catalog Stores in Texas. The stores were in Hemphill, Texas and Newton, Texas where he was able provide a local store to people of the area to purchase from the franchise.