News

Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) volunteers are making preparations for the Bass Unlimited – Backa-Great-Fighter Banquet and Auction. This event will be held on Friday, April 22, at the Cypress Bend Pavilion on Toledo Bend. Tickets are now available, and you can secure yours by contacting Gaynell Goodeaux at 318- 842-7814 or email ned-goodeaux@gmail.com. TBLA is working to make this banquet better than ever so get your tickets now before they sell out.

The Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) is pleased to announce Eddie Pastureau of Toledo Bend as the artist commissioned to create the 2022 Bass Unlimited Back-a-Great Fighter poster for the Lake Association’s annual fundraiser. Artist Pastureau was recognized at a very young age with his God-given talent, and he graduated from LSU with a degree in art education. After teaching art and history, he went on to have a career as an industrial mechanic. Most of his artwork is on a commission basis, and his works have been displayed in restaurants, banks, and galleries in the New Orleans area. He has been fishing Toledo Bend since 1972, and after retirement he and his wife Gina built a home on Toledo Bend near North Toledo Bend State Park.

Louisiana State Conservationist, Chad Kacir of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) /USDA announced today the CSP Classic state-wide application sign-up period for fiscal year 2022 has been extended. All Louisiana agricultural producers and landowners who wish to be considered for this year’s CSP financial assistance should apply by February 18, 2022.

Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining their existing conservation management on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques. Funding is available for agricultural land, including cropland and pastureland, as well as non-industrial private forestland. The CSP program evaluates a producer’s entire operation and assists with improving their stewardship level over a 5-year contract.

Laurie Morrow has been named executive director for Economic Development, Innovation, and Outreach at Northwestern State University effective March 7. Her hiring is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

Morrow will supervise and lead the departments of Student Technology, Electronic and Continuing Education, SponsoredPrograms and Northwestern State campuses in Leesville, Alexandria, Barksdale Air Force Base and Marksville.

She will serve as principal leader for economic development and provide the vision for developing and implementing strategies and initiatives that will that support the development and continuance of business and industrial partnerships for the university and in the region.

State Representative Larry Bagley was recently presented with the Elected Official of the Year Award for his legislative efforts to improve the lives of those with disabilities. Bagley serves on the powerful Appropriations Committee and as the Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, which has allowed him to successfully direct over $76 million over the past 6 years to support organizations that serve those with disabilities.

The Town of Many announces the upgrade of electronic water meters including an Automatic Meter Infrastructure. This upgrade will allow meters to be read and monitored more accurately as well as operate more efficiently while improving service to the residents of Many. “The Town’s Water Department employees currently spend approximately 68 hours a month manually reading 1,444 water meters on the system,” commented

Robert H. Hable, Jr., Mayor, Town of Many. “These new automatic meters will allow that time to be invested in other needed areas such as improving infrastructure while delivering the best service possible to our community.”” The Town selected the Louisiana Municipal Advisory and Technical Services Bureau (LaMATS) to assist with the lease purchase program. Core & Main provided the metering solution including project design and installation. Lease Financing was provided by Government Capital Corporation, Southlake, Texas.

Community Bank is a silver sponsor of the TBLA Bass Unlimited Back-a-Great-Fighter Banquet that will be held on Friday, April 22 at Cypress Bend Pavilion. Senior Vice President J.J. Blake, along with Alexis Ross and Destiny Sepulvado from the Toledo Town Branch recently attended the TBLA February Social to present a $1,000 check to TBLA President Gary Moore.

During its Annual Membership Meeting on February 2nd, the Louisiana Travel Association (LTA) announced the winners of the Louey Awards, which honors and showcases individuals and organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the Louisiana tourism industry.

This year LTA and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser presented Louey Awards to two Toledo Bend Lake Country local businesses. Attraction of the Year was awarded to Living the Dream Guide Service. Accommodation of the Year Limited Services Lodging was awarded to Wildwood Resort.

Living the Dream (LTD) is a tourism partner in Sabine Parish who provides professional guide services specializing in bass and crappie fishing. The business is owned and operated by Gloria and Jerry Thompson. Their two children Brandi and Matthew Loetscher play prominent rolls in the business, along with a team of great guides. Gloria is a graduate of the Louisiana Tourism Leadership Academy.

Karla Caldwell Fullen, local nutrition educator for the LSU AgCenter, is pleased to extend the opportunity for free nutrition education programming for both youth and adult audiences through the AgCenter’s SNAP-Ed program.

The classes include a range of topics such as healthy eating, meal planning, managing food dollars, physical activity, and food safety. Fullen’s education and experience also allow her to offer more specialized topics such as nutrition for pregnancy, breastfeeding, weight management, and feeding infants and toddlers.

“Each lesson is reinforced with prizes and research-based resources for clients to take home and implement the learning experience,” Fullen said. “We can also offer cooking demonstrations and/or food tastings to accompany lessons if time permits. These classes are available to groups in Sabine and Natchitoches parishes such as schools and church organizations.”

The Lamar State College–Orange duo of Trent Buchholz of Beaumont, Texas, and Dakota Posey of Orange, Texas, won the MLF Abu Garcia College Fishing Presented by YETI event on Toledo Bend Friday with a five-bass limit weighing 16 pounds, 15 ounces. The victory earned the Gators’ bass club $2,000 and a slot in the 2023 MLF College Fishing National Championship.

“Dakota and I had been working up for this one,” said Buchholz. “And everything went right for us. When it’s your time, it’s your time. We just caught them. We never lost a fish, and it just happened. This feels awesome.”