News

The Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) has commissioned artist Angela M. Osborn to create the 2023 Bass Unlimited Back-A-Great-Fighter poster. Angela is a local artist from Many, and her work can be seen in Sabine Parish at the Sabine Theater, Many Town Hall, Living the Dream Fishing Guide Service and Zwolle High School. She graduated from NSU with a degree in Fine Arts and has worked professionally as an artist with a focus on murals, commercial art and Louisiana landscapes. This year’s poster, sponsored by Community Bank of Louisiana, is titled “Richard’s Day Off” in honor of Angela’s uncle, an avid fisherman of Toledo Bend and major supporter of her artistic endeavors.

Chis Loupe will be inducted into the Sabine Hall of Fame Tuesday, March 28, at the Sabine Hall of Fame banquet at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Hall in Zwolle. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the program will start at 6:30 p.m.

Paul Christopher Loupe (Chris) was born October 6, 1948, in Lafayette, Louisiana. After Chris graduated in 1966 from Zwolle High School, he attended LSU in Baton Rouge, for two years then transferred to NSU where he graduated in 1971 with a BS in Animal Science. Having taken a vacation to Galveston he called home and talked to his mother only to find out he was drafted and was to report to Fort Polk for boot camp and be inducted into the United States Army. After his boot camp and AIT training, he received orders to report to Long Binh, Vietnam, where he spent 11 months. Returning home after serving 2 years in the Army he decided to attend La Tech and get his degree in Vocational Agriculture.

The office of The Sabine Index has moved into its new location at 210 Pico St. in Many.

This is the first move from the office since 2008, when it moved back to its original location at 875 San Antonio Ave.

The office hours, phone numbers, and email will stay the same.

Stop by to say hi!

Shantrece Underwood Hooker will be honored with the Good Citizens award Tuesday, March 28, at the Sabine Hall of Fame banquet at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Hall in Zwolle. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the program will start at 6:30 p.m. This award is presented to someone whose work to better Sabine Parish, its organizations and endeavors deserves special recognition.

Shantrece Underwood Hooker was born May 6, 1971 in Many, Louisiana. She is oldest of two children to Marshall and Brenda Underwood. She attended Many High School and was a 1989 graduate. In December of 1996, she obtained her B.A. in Social Work from Northwestern State University and is currently pursuing a MBA from Columbia Southern University.

Victoria Paige Gaspard will be honored with the Accomplishment award Tuesday, March 28, at the Sabine Hall of Fame banquet at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Hall in Zwolle. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the program will start at 6:30 p.m. This award recognizes a young Sabine Parish citizen with accomplishments that deserve special recognition who is 25 years old or below.

Victoria was born April 3, 2006. Her art career started as soon as she could hold a pencil. Victoria began taking Talented Art classes with the Gifted and Talented school program since she attended Many Junior High School and Nancy Dockens Hurley wanted to do something special with her husband, Ace, for her 50th anniversary. Especially since he had reminded her of its importance. “He said, ‘you know this is the big one?’” she recalls. “He was always thoughtful about birthdays and gifts.”

A great celebration for Operation Christmas Child was held recently at Calvary Baptist Church in Many. There were videos, prayers, and praises for the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes donated during 2022. Each church’s and group’s Operation Christmas Child donation was celebrated. These Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes, which are distributed in countries all over the world, not only include toys, school supplies, and other items; but include the Gospel of Jesus Christ printed in their own language. One packed shoebox makes an eternal difference in a child’s life and for each shoebox packed, ten people are positively impacted by the Good News of Jesus Christ. For every 6 shoeboxes donated, 1 child will spend eternity in Heaven.

Sabine High School Revitalization Project Management Group, Inc. (SHSRP) has been awarded a $748,650 History of Equal Rights grant from the Department of Interior, National Park Service (NPS) funded through the Historic Preservation Fund for the Sabine High School Exterior Rehabilitation Phase 1. SHSRP will use the funding to complete substantial rehabilitation of the historic Sabine High School gymnasium and install temporary roof and window coverings on all other campus buildings awaiting rehabilitation.

United States Attorney Brandon B. Brown announced that a federal jury has returned guilty verdicts against Aaron Wade Knight, 31, of Noble, Louisiana, on two counts of making threats of violence against employees with the Sabine Medical Center (SMC) and the Veterans Administration (VA).

Phil Troha is Sabine Parish’s Hall of Fame’s Achievement Award recipient. The 2023 Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Tuesday, March 28 at Saint Joesph’s Catholic Church in Zwolle, Louisiana. Doors open at 6 pm and the program begins at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $50.00 a person and can be purchased at The Sabine Parish Tourist and Recreation Commission, Robert Gentry’s office or by calling (318) 2943362. Profits will benefit SWAG of Zwolle and HELP of Sabine.

Phil Troha was born in Magee, Mississippi. Phil moved to Many, Louisiana in the summer after his 7th grade year where he finished out his high school degree at Many High School. Many became his hometown and till this day I still call Many home.

With all the rain in early February, Toledo Bend Lake was finally on the rise. Fishermen flocked to the boat ramps with lake levels reaching 170.91 msl. Any seasoned bass angler knows that storms have a significant impact on the feeding habits of fish. February fishing proved to be fantastic for anglers in search of lunker bass weighing over ten pounds.

For five fishermen, February has started extremely well.

Cody Pitt, of Elmer, Louisiana, caught this 13 lbs 6 oz pound bass on February 4, 2023. He weighed it at the MLF-Phoenix Bass Fishing League tournament held on Toledo Bend Lake. Cody Pitt catching the biggest bass ever that has been weighed in at the BFL competition sacked up 39 pounds, 15 ounces, which included the big bass of the event, a 13.6!

Kevin Lasyone, of Dry Prong, Louisiana, caught a 10 lbs 13 oz bass on February 4, 2023. He weighed it at the MLF-Phoenix Bass Fishing League tournament held on Toledo Bend Lake.