News

Optimum, the local provider of internet, mobile, phone, and TV services, today announces that due to a significant upgrade made to the company’s network and infrastructure, local residents and businesses can now access up to 500 Mbps internet speeds in Florien, Anacoco, Fisher, and Hornbeck, Louisiana. With this launch, Optimum now offers the fastest internet speeds available in these areas, providing internet that is more than 16 times faster than the previous fastest speed offered by the company in these markets.

“We are excited to continue investing in these communities by bringing faster, more reliable and stronger internet service to our customers,” said Jesse Garcia, Vice President, General Manager of Optimum Mid Central. “With this network investment, local residents and businesses in these communities can enjoy a higher quality and more reliable connectivity experience across our full portfolio of products, all through Optimum.”

By Ramona Moore

The Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) will hold its Bass Unlimited – Back-A-Great-Fighter Poster Unveiling Gala and Auction at 6:30 on Thursday, April 4, in the Grand Ballroom at Cypress Bend Resort on Toledo Bend.

This year’s poster is sponsored by Toledo Town Realty located on the Texas Highway in the Toledo Town area. Tori Cathey, Owner/Broker is a multimillion-dollar producer and has been in the real-estate business for over 18 years with experience in planning and selling subdivision lots as well as camps and homes.

Tori has lived in the Toledo Bend Area for over 29 years, and is a proud sponsor and supporter of the bass fishing industry. Tori and her family hosted a bass tournament in honor of her late father Wayne Moran last year, whose favorite past time was bass fishing on Toledo Bend, with the proceeds going towards a scholarship.

Project Celebration has multiple events happening in the month of April. They would love for everyone to participate that can to show support of our children and men and women who are abuse.

April 2nd: Day of Action for SAAM, It is wear teal day and post on social media #SAAM2024 #pci2024 April 8th: Sabine Parish is having a Sex trafficking training at PCI 10-11am.

April 8th: Desoto Parish is having a Sex trafficking training at DPSO training center in Grand Cane at 1-2pm.

April 10th: Sabine community health fair at the Health Unit. All are welcome April 18th: Painting party for CAAM/SAAM at PCI Many. The cost is $40 and it goes toward services and things that children need to get through their journey after abuse and help train to prevent abuse. We must have all people that are attending by the 15th of April to prepare the products needed.

The 44th annual Battle of Pleasant Hill is scheduled for April 12-14 to commemorate the 160th Anniversary of one of the last Southern victories of the war between the states. The event’s re-enactments and festival activities will take place 3 miles north of Pleasant Hill at 23271 Hwy. 175 in Pelican, La.

The Battle of Pleasant Hill originally took place on April 9, 1864 and was one of the major battles of the Civil War. It was fought by Union soldiers who sought to march on Shreveport and Confederate soldiers who sought to keep control of the area. An estimated 3,100 people were killed in the battle; 1,100 Union forces and 2,000 Confederate.

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.