News

The 5th Annual Sabine’s Got Talent will return to the Many Community Center (old Sabine Theater) in downtown Many on Friday night, February 7 at 7 p.m.

Admission is $5 for adults and $1 for children 12 and under.

The annual show, which features talent from across Sabine Parish, raises money for Easterseals Louisiana. Numerous children and adults in Sabine Parish are recipients of assistance from the organization which works with the disabled.

Committee members include Nell Britner, Jamie Vincent, Brandy Mitchell, Frances Hopkins, Ashley Knippers and Donna Smith Ammons. Unable to work with the group this year due to illness are members Jan Varnado and Janna Smith.

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Rep. Howard given farewell reception

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Robert Gentry of Many, former publisher of the The Sabine Index for 47 years, has been selected to be inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield on Saturday, February 15.

Gentry’s lifelong passion for politics was born when Earl K. Long brought his ticket for Governor to Gentry’s hometown of Marthaville in 1956. The teen and his entire 10^th Grade civics class went to hear Long speak in front of Law’s Drug Store downtown.

While still attending Marthaville High School, Gentry wrote his first newspaper column for publication, starting a tradition that now spans over six decades.

Pastor Mark Rivers, 45, of New Life Ministry in Zwolle was arrested on Monday, January 14 on a charge of cruelty to juveniles.

The arrest came after a complaint filed with the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office after the child was taken to a doctor.

Many were alarmed over the weekend after photos were posted online of some of the bruising on the child, and the doctor’s prognosis after a check.  The post has since been taken down or hidden.

Rivers posted a bond of $2,000 on the cruelty charge and was released.  He was also booked on a number of Many Police Department warrants for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, speeding, and no insurance.  He paid the fines.

Tragedy struck Sabineland shortly after noon on January 12 when what appears to be a freak occurrence caused a structure fire that leveled one of the residential buildings at the Apollo Apartments in Many.

Although an investigation into the fire continues, official word as to the cause leans toward a tenant who set groceries down on his stove, which inadvertently activated one of the burners.

The Central Sabine Fire District was on the scene quickly and was shortly backed up by North and South Sabine Fire Districts, as well as Natchitoches Fire District No.7.

As the smoke settled, the parish was left with 16 families without housing, which affected a total of 23 people.

One of Toledo Bend Lake Country’s painted lunker statues has received a makeover. This newly restored fish at Zwolle City Hall was sponsored by the Sabine Parish Tourism Commission and hand painted by Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce Director and artist Shanna Gaspard. This fish is named Dreamcatcher, and the original design was imagined by Elaine Echels. Stop by and see this vibrant masterpiece next time you’re in the area!

The Lunker Art Fish Program was developed by the Sabine Parish Tourism Commission in 2011 to highlight the artistic talent and culture of the area while also supporting the Many Cultural District and Depot Art Guild.

Shanna Gaspard lives in the Toledo Bend Lake area, graduated from Many High School in 1985, and has faithfully served our community since. She is married to Austin W. Gaspard, a loving mother of five, and a grandmother to ten!

Young anglers across the country can officially start marking their calendars for 2020 tournament dates on Toledo Bend which was recently ranked fourth in the central division of Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes for 2019.

Bassmaster will launch its Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Bassmaster High School Series presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods on Toledo Bend Lake January 25-28. There will be 250 college and university teams representing 80 different schools from 30 states. Daily launch is at 7:00am and weigh-ins are at 3:00pm from Cypress Bend Park. The final weigh-in will be held on Saturday, January 25.

The Top 4 teams in the championship advance to the College Classic Bracket for an opportunity to earn a coveted berth in bass fishing’s biggest tournament, the Bassmaster Classic.