With Governor John Bel Edwards’ Executive Order moving Louisiana into Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan, Central Louisiana Technical Community College (CLTCC) officials are ready to move forward with the school’s Return to Campus Plan, effective June 15.

“Our foremost goal is preparing for the continued safety of our students, faculty, and staff,” said Chancellor Jimmy Sawtelle. “As such, CLTCC pledges to adhere to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and State of Louisiana guidelines regarding COVID-19 while finding ways to provide face-to-face services to students and maintaining flexibility in our operations, delivery of service and instruction.”

At the June 8 Sabine Parish School Board Meeting, the Board voted to name the new Converse High School Basketball Court - Coach Terrell D. Snelling Basketball Court. Present to support Mr. Snelling were various members of the Snelling family. Pictured is Ken Webb, Terrell D. Snelling, Melyssa Snelling and Terri Webb, Converse High principal.

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(The Center Square) – Three regions of Louisiana have seen an increase of COVID-19 cases in recent days even as the amount of testing has leveled off, state officials said Thursday.

Gov. John Bel Edwards is expected to announce Monday whether the state will move into the next phase of loosening restrictions meant to control the spread of the new coronavirus. Edwards didn’t say Thursday if he was leaning toward moving into the next phase, or whether he would consider issuing different rules for different regions.

But statistics Dr. Alex Billioux with the state Office of Public Health presented suggest the southwest, Acadiana and central regions of the state would not meet federal guidelines to further reopen. Edwards said he had not seen any indication that COVID cases will overwhelm health care capacity in any region of the state, which had been a concern when Louisiana was among the world leaders in case growth.

It’s always great to be back at Toledo Bend Lake at Cypress Bend Park to enjoy the fisherman’s paradise. With the world-wide Corona virus pandemic, it wasn’t a sure thing if the eleventh annual Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) and the Sabine Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Fish Fest could be held. Saturday, June 6, 2020 was the very first day a group fishing tournament could become reality because of COVID-19. Youth fishermen gathered early to cast a rod for the largest bass, bream, catfish, white perch (crappie), turtle, and any other freshwater fish off the banks of Cypress Bend Park. TBLA President, Ricky Yeldell heads the non-profit organization formed by volunteers dedicated to improving the quality of fishing on Toledo Bend. Fishermen have been flocking to the lake where no social distancing is needed in your own boat

Tyler Hunter Meshell of Florien was named to the President’s Honor Roll for Louisiana State University. He attends the Manship School of Mass Communication.

For a student to be placed on the list, they must be enrolled in at least 15 credit hours and earn a grade point average of 4.0 or higher.

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Northwestern State University’s sculpture yard might be mistaken for a Little Shop of Horrors next week as faculty await the bloom of a giant corpse flower, a rare and attractive tropical plant named for the rotten-meat stench its bloom produces.

The corpse flower, amorphophallus titanium or titan arum, is a single inflorescence that can grow to nine feet or more. It only flowers once every seven or eight years and only three to five blooming events from plants grown in cultivation happen worldwide each year. Native to Sumatra, Indonesia, the plant flowers infrequently in the wild and even more rarely when cultivated. Titan arum generally requires seven to 10 years of vegetative growth before blooming for the first time. After its initial blooming, some plants may not bloom again for another seven to 10 years while others may bloom every two or three years.

Ask Rusty – What will my Wife’s Survivor Benefit Be?

Dear Rusty: I am a 68-year-old retired male and had planned on waiting to collect Social Security benefits beginning at age 70. My wife is currently 53 years old. When I die, would my wife’s spousal benefit at her full retirement age be equal to what I would be receiving at age 70 or be reduced? Also, if I were to die before 70 and before collecting social security, what would be my wife’s survivor benefit at her full retirement age? Signed: Older Husband

Dear Older Husband: Your wife’s survivor benefit as your widow will depend upon two things – the amount you were receiving (or were eligible to receive) at your death, and the age at which she claims her survivor benefit as your widow.

Well, I am at it again.

I am riding my recumbent bicycle. What netter way to get some exercise during this Covid-19 disaster??

Several years ago, I was up to five miles a day. Hubby dear added the bike and a big screen television to my library, which he sneakily turned into an exercise room. He figured I could kill two birds with one stone---ride my big and watch my favorite show, NCIS with Leroy Jethrow Gibbs (Mark Harmon). He thinks I’m exercising, when I am actually chasing Gibbs on my bike!!

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Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $98,475,000 in funding from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) impacted by the coronavirus pandemic in Louisiana.

“Throughout this pandemic, nursing homes have faced unparalleled challenges while looking after America’s most vulnerable people. This HHS funding will give these health care professionals key resources to protect seniors and each other,” said Kennedy.

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Sabine Parish School Board Superintendent Dr. Sara P. Ebarb and staff wish to formally congratulate Dr. Cade Brumley, who has been appointed as our new State Superintendent of Education by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Dr. Brumley is a Sabine Parish native from Converse, and has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Sabine Parish.

“Cade is the right person for the job, and we are excited to work with him as our state leader,” said Dr. Ebarb.

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