News

Fireworks. That’s what anglers competing in the 2019 Basspro.com Central Open at Toledo Bend can expect next week.

Less than 75 days into the year, the lake has already given up 22 largemouth over 10 pounds, with the biggest weighing 11.49 pounds. Plus, a 29.83-pound limit was weighed in during a recent couples tournament. And according to local anglers, it’s only going to get better.

“Fishing is so good right now, trucks are lined up a quarter-mile down the street from every launch ramp,” said Linda Curtis-Sparks, director of Sabine Parish Tourist Commission. “So, the timing really couldn’t be better for the event.”

The tournament is scheduled for Feb. 20-22, with daily takeoffs at 6:45 a.m. CT from Cypress Bend Park Boat Ramp, where daily weigh-ins will begin at 2:45 p.m. A bulging field of 215 boats will compete the first two days, with only the Top 12 pros and co-anglers advancing to Saturday’s final round.

The 2019 inductee into the Sabine Hall of Fame Linda Curtis-Sparks of Many, is a well-respected leader throughout the area.

The announcement of her election into the prestigious Sabine Hall of Fame was recently made by Chairman Pete Abington.

Linda Curtis-Sparks has been an inspiration to young women since her days in the Many Business and Professional Women’s Club back in the 1970s. She was named the club’s first Young Careerist in 1975 and was the club’s first Woman of the Year in 1979. She was active in the organization until 1981, when the group ceased to exist.

Throughout her lifetime, she has been a business owner, administrator, advisor, civic leader, governmental officials, executive director and steward of many worthwhile projects. She is also a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She is known as a strong woman of grace and dignity.

A new, Facebook-based sports show titled “Talking Trash” is taking hold amongst local fans for its quick-fire blend of content featuring both local and national teams.

Waylon Laroux and Jeremy “J-Dawg” Leone, the two hosts, developed their banter over a friendship that developed when they were children. It continued through their adult years and was sharpened and readied while both were employed at Weyerhaeuser in Zwolle.

They’ve been sports fans for even longer.

“I’m a Cowboys fan,” Jeremy says. “Waylon is a Saints fan, so we’ve had a lot of fun with that recently. In other ways, we match up. We’re both (Los Angeles) Lakers fans so that talk is usually a tad different.”

However, talk about the NFL and NBA is commonplace. It’s the local sports coverage that sets them apart.

“I say on the show that nobody knows more about local sports than Jeremy,” Waylon says. “I mean that.”

Berniece Nichols had one heck of a birthday party to celebrate her 100 years at Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation Center on February 1.

The facility’s cafeteria was packed to the rafters with family, friends, and a large number of well-wishers. Also on the agenda, other than a number of tasty treats, was live Gospel music, with the birthday girl even offering a little singing herself.

When asked how to live to 100, she simply replied, “Take care of yourself and love the Lord.”

Berniece Elizabeth Barrett Nichols was born on February 1, 1919, to Elmer and Ethel Barrett in Mitchell. She married her husband, William Samuel Nichols of Fisher in 1940. Sadly, he passed away from a heart attack in 1960.

He had come to Oak Grove to help build the new gym at the school when they met.

Berniece had five children and one stepson. Three of her children were stillborn.

On January 31, the Clerk of Court’s Office in the courthouse was packed to the rafters in a way it hadn’t been since the Haynesville Shale rolled through here years earlier. However, instead of browsing the many records in the room, they were there to celebrate Pricilla Wolf-King, who was a courthouse staple during her 35 years of employment in the office.

Clerk of Court Tammy Foster welcomed the massive crowd to the party and shown her appreciation for her dedicated work during her tenure and that of previous clerks such as Dollie Knippers.

Following an opening prayer by the Rev. Jerome Newsome, there were several on hand to provide their well wishes.

State Representatives Frankie Howard of District 24 and Terry R. Brown of District 22 both offered commendations on behalf of the state of Louisiana.

Eleven acts were presented onstage at the Many Community Center Friday night, February 1 at 7 p.m., as the Fourth Annual Sabine’s Got Talent got underway.

A large crowd attended the event, which benefits Easterseals Louisiana and helps children, adults, veterans and senior citizens with autism and disabilities.

This year the organization is 100 years old and have impacted the lives of many in communities across the nation.

In Louisiana, Easterseals has served nearly 10,000 families in the past year alone. Most of the funds raised locally, will come back to help people in Sabine Parish.

Members of the Sabine Parish Easterseals committee include Donna Smith Ammons, Nell Britner, Frances Hopkins, Brandy Mitchell, Jana Smith, Jan Varnado and Jamie Vincent.

On hand from the Shreveport Office of Easterseals of Louisiana were Bernie Bitting, director of Development and Development Coordinator MacKenzie Morgan.

Close your eyes, listen closely and you’ll be convinced Elvis has come back to life at the Many Community Center.

That’s because nationally famous tribute artist Richard Bruce Cook will perform his third annual Valentine’s Day concert at the Many Community Center, Saturday, February 9, at 7 p.m.

“Welcome to My World, Won’t You Come on In” Cook will croon to the audience at this special Valentine’s performance. Cook has reinvented Elvis and is almost a reincarnation of the famous performer from Tupelo, Mississippi who first performed on the Louisiana Hayride at the Municipal in Shreveport.

Cook has placed in the top 10 in Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist preliminaries and has been chosen to perform “Under the Tent” at Graceland Crossing during Elvis Week each year.

Renovations on the future “No Man’s Land Museum in Many” are moving right along, according to Many Mayor Ken Freeman.

Kowonno Green Handyman Services completed extensive repairs and renovations to all woodwork in the building. In some cases, new exterior doors had to be custom constructed to match the original two doors remaining in the depot.

A complete paint job throughout the exterior and interior of the depot is now in progress. Kevin Gosey Painting is doing the work, and it is expected to take at least another month to complete.