The Sabine Parish Police Jury agreed to look into an ordinance that would provide information and control different aspects of events, sometimes called “trail rides,” in the parish during its monthly meeting Wednesday, July 17. District Attorney Don Burkett presented the proposal on behalf of Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and his Chief Deputy Brad Walker.
It was reported such an event was held Saturday, July 13, down Newton Road west of Many. Walker said it was reported that 1,800 persons attended at an admission price of $15 per person. Another release from the Sheriff’s Office placed the attendance at 1,000. During the event, three persons were shot, all suffering non-life-threatening wounds.
Said Sheriff Mitchell, “I came to work Monday morning and found out they had an event Saturday night. I didn’t even know about it [beforehand.]” It has been reported it was a two-day event with horse racing on a quarter-mile track being held on Sunday.
AT LARGE, WANTED: Julius T. Winfield IV
Julius T. Winfield IV, 21, of Many is wanted for attempted first degree murder, illegal use of weapons, aggravated criminal damage to property, possession of a firearm by person convicted of domestic abuse battery and terrorizing in connection with the shooting after the trail ride. There is a $1,500 cash reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Winfield.
Anyone with information may call the Sabine Sheriff’s Office at (318) 590-9475. It has been noted that anyone caught aiding or harboring Winfield will be arrested and charged with accessory after the fact. Conviction of this felony could result in a fine of $500 or imprisonment for five years, or both.
Sabine officials did not have any information in advance about the event, including who the sponsor was, how many were expected to attend, or what plans the organizers had for security, if any. Most of the advertising for such events is done on the internet and social media, and it is promoted to many people from outside the parish.
The proposal to the Jury is intended to let local officials know in advance about upcoming events, including who is putting it on. It also calls for the promoters of events to supply a certified security firm of appropriate size for the attendance. It was reported that law enforcement in the parish does not have enough staff to supply security at these type events as well as perform their regular parish duties. Sheriff Mitchell said the rule of thumb is about one security officer per 40-50 persons who attend.
Other issues to be considered include the handling of traffic, providing sanitary facilities and trespassing on private property. The property owner where the event is to be held must okay it. The paying of sales taxes was also questioned.
Walker reiterated that the purpose of the ordinance is not to try to curtail events by the Sheriff’s Office. “We are concerned about violence, the dangers of an overflow of traffic, litter and trash and other such matters,” he said, continuing, “We are concerned about the safety of those attending and the safety of the general public.”
“We are not trying to outlaw people from having gatherings,” Burkett said. He said a copy of a similar ordinance passed by the DeSoto Parish Police Jury will be their guide. They will report back to the Jury at its August meeting.
The ordinance in DeSoto Parish was brought about because of an event in Grand Cane about four years ago. More than 1,000 showed up, resulting in highways being blocked to emergency vehicles, trespassing, littering and attendees using the bathroom in people’s yards and on other property.
There have already been several such events in Sabine Parish. An event at the old Southern Leisure on Toledo Bend on May 7, 2023, led to a homicide. It was called a “rapping party” and about 200 attended. Burkett said the folks who attended this event were primarily from DeSoto Parish, adding, “Do you think they will talk?” [about who committed the homicide.] Walker said one person has been arrested and the investigation continues.
There was another such event this past weekend off the Carhee Road in Belmont. Walker said there were no problems concerning it. In addition, there was a similar event in Zwolle six to eight months ago, and there were some problems associated with it.
It was reported that two more such events are already scheduled for Sabine Parish, with reports of seven more scheduled in the region in coming months. “What about people who don’t get a permit?” Bo Stewart, District 1, asked. Walker said under the proposed ordinance they can be held criminally accountable.
During discussion, it was reported that only for-profit groups, no charitable groups, will be affected by the proposed ordinance.
Burkett said each town in the parish will have to pass its own ordinance about events. He said Chief of Police Cheryl Wooley has already said Many will do so, and Zwolle Chief of Police Daniel Thomas said it will be done there.
About three years ago, Walker asked the Police Jury to pass such an ordinance, but they never took action. Maybe they will this time.
Two employees of the Sabine Police Jury appeared at the July 17 meeting and charged they are being shortchanged when it comes to their pay.
Sonny Mason, foreman in Wd. 5, said the payroll is “broken up in order to keep from paying overtime.” He said it has been going on for years. He has been working for the Jury for three years and has been shortchanged anywhere from $4,500 to $5,000, he charged.
He continued, “We have tried to get the Jury to change the way it pays us but all we are told is ‘that’s the way it’s always been done.’” He stated, “We’ve tried to get it straight, but we always leave confused. All we get is mumbo-jumbo.”
Harold Procell said he has worked for the Jury nine years and, “I can’t figure out how I’ve been paid. I can’t find anyone who can explain it to me so I can understand.”
During the regularly scheduled July meeting, the Jury did pass a motion to change the payroll frequency from semi-monthly to bi-weekly.
Chief Daniel Thomas of the Zwolle Police Department has issued an alert asking everyone to lock their vehicles. He said in the early hours of Saturday night, July 20, there were a number of vehicles broken into there. In addition, he said there were also some car thefts in Pleasant Hill.
Chief Thomas asks anyone having security cameras to check them to be sure they are working. He asks that persons noticing anyone walking around in their yard looking in their vehicle to contact:
Zwolle Police at (318) 645-6141;
Chief Thomas at (318) 315-0078; or
Sabine Sheriff’s Department at (318) 256-9241.
In addition, according to the Zwolle Police Dept., there were also a number of burglaries committed in the early hours of Sunday, July 21, in the vicinity of Ebarb and Jeter Streets and the Hwy. 191 area.
As a result of an investigation into these incidents, Qualon Holmes was arrested and charged with a number of felonies.
Chief Thomas thanks all who helped during the investigation.
(All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)
Benjamin Gulett and Dustin Rivers, both of Converse, won the Brandon Belt Show Championship held last weekend on Toledo Bend Reservoir. They won over $100,000. This is the second time they’ve won a $100,000 Brandon Belt tournament.
Marissa Freeman, above, was found severely beaten and deceased at Apollo Plaza Apartments in Many early Saturday morning.
ARRESTED: David Dawson Grimes
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell shortly after noon on Saturday, July 20, reported a woman was found deceased at Apollo Plaza Apartments in Many in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Marissa Freeman, age 29, of Many was pronounced dead by the Sabine Parish Coroner’s Office at 2:46 a.m. on July 20.
Freeman’s body contained numerous lacerations and bruises and blunt force trauma to her head and face. Her remains were taken to Ochsner LSU Health Medical Center in Shreveport for an autopsy.
Sabine Parish Sheriff Detectives investigated the case and continue to obtain evidence and interview witnesses.
As a result of their investigation thus far, David Dawson Grimes, age 49, of Many has been arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder.
No bond has been set at this time.
Sheriff Mitchell extends his thoughts and prayers to Freeman’s family and friends.
(Special thanks to Det. D. W. Seegers for the above report.)
Northwestern State University’s 21st President, former Louisiana Supreme Court Justice James Genovese, right, was welcomed to NSU at a Tuesday morning reception. He is shown here with Senator Alan Seabaugh, left, and his wife, Laura Seabaugh, center, who represented Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office at the packed event.
Louisiana Supreme Court Associate Justice James Genovese was named the 21st president of Northwestern State University during a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System on Thursday, July 18.
Genovese was named the lone finalist on July 16 after a day of meetings and forums with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community stakeholders, as well as a public interview.
“My vision is to reinvigorate and rejuvenate Northwestern,” said Genovese. “I have chosen this as perhaps my final endeavor in my employment. It means so much to me that I am willing to forego the remaining two years of my term and help the institution that allowed me to get to where I am today.”
During interviews, Genovese said he will focus on increasing enrollment, fund raising and increasing the university’s visibility.
“What a great honor and pleasure it is to be able to have a chance to say I can do something for Northwestern and the State of Louisiana,” said Genovese. “It’s going to be a challenge and I look forward to it.”
Genovese earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at NSU in 1971 and his juris doctorate from Loyola University in 1974 with honors in property law. He has been an associate justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court since 2017. He was a practicing attorney for 21 years before serving as a judge in the 27th Judicial District from 1995-2004 and a member of the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal from 2005-16.
Genovese served on the Louisiana Supreme Court’s Judicial Council Appellate Court Work Point Values Working Group and the Trial Court Committee to Review the Need for Judgeships and as chairman of its long-term subcommittee. He was the Supreme Court’s appointee to the Juvenile Justice Reform Act Implementation Commission. Genovese is a board member of the Supreme Court of Louisiana Historical Society.
Genovese has been a panelist, speaker and lecturer at conferences and continuing education seminars on recent updates, professionalism, ethics, summary judgment, writs and appeals, practices and procedures of the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeals and judicial review in the Louisiana Supreme Court.
As an undergraduate at NSU, Genovese was named in Who’s Who Among Universities and Colleges, Who’s Who Among Greek Fraternities and Sororities of America and Outstanding College Athletes of America. He was a four-year letterman in tennis at No. 1 Singles and Doubles, president of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and involved with Interfraternity Council, Student Government Association and intramurals. He was inducted into the Long Purple Line, the university’s alumni hall of distinction, in 2018.
Genovese practiced law in Acadiana from 1974-1995 and served as president, vice president and secretary-treasurer of the St. Landry Parish Bar Association. He is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, Colorado Bar Association and American Bar Association and is admitted to the bar in all state and federal courts in Louisiana, including the United States Supreme Court.
Genovese’s judicial career began as a judge ad hoc of the Opelousas City Court from 1975-1989. He was elected district judge of the Twenty-Seventh Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Landry in 1995 and served as district judge through 2004, whereupon he was elected to the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal. He served on the appellate court from 2005-2016. He was elected Associate Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, commencing January 1, 2017.
Genovese succeeds Dr. Marcus Jones as president of Northwestern State.
WE GET QUESTIONS: “Why was a Many Police car parked at the convenience store in Robeline at 6:29 p.m. Monday, July 22?”
We checked with Many Chief Cheryl Wooley, and she said two decommissioned vehicles were sold in a police auction and were picked up late Monday afternoon. One was a car and the other a Tahoe.
Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing upcoming with Gospel Singing Convention guests
Alford Heights Baptist Church at 235 Byles St. in Many
Alford Heights Baptist Church in Many will host an Old-Fashioned Hymn Sing this Saturday, July 27, at 6 p.m. featuring some well-known Gospel Singing Convention guests helping lead music as well as several area song leaders and musical talents. Pastor Billy Gibbs and Alford Heights invite everyone to “come enjoy the old songs of the church” at this special evening of sacred music.
In addition to their regular music leadership, Alford Heights will welcome John Will Martin of Birmingham, AL as guest pianist. Martin, a graduate of Alabama, is one of the top Gospel Singing Convention pianists in the nation and a highly sought after piano teacher. He has a passion for church piano.
Also present will be two past presidents of the Louisiana State Singing Convention, Marshall Kelly and Sonya Kirklan. They will join area song leaders in leading hymns throughout the evening.
Attendees will be treated to the masterful accompaniment of John Will Martin, above, renowned church pianist and music teacher from Birmingham, AL.
Various song leaders and a full choir will present the hymns for congregational singing, and among the additional music will be a special quartet number, as well as songs by Laurie Gentry, accompanied by her autoharp.
The first part of the service will be “round robin” song leading of old hymns by the various participants. Hymn selections in the second part of the service will be made up of requests by the audience.
It should also be noted the service is planned to end before sunset in Sabine on Saturday [8:13 p.m.], so attendees will not have to travel after dark.
Alford Heights Baptist Church is located at 235 Byles St. in Many and may be reached through their Facebook page, Alford Heights BC, or by calling (318) 256-5400.
Mrs. Pam Pickett Johnson gets a big hug from one of the many precious, young lives she has impacted by teaching at Sunshine Kids.
Mrs. Pam Pickett Johnson retired in May from her teaching position at Sunshine Kids Early Learning Center, located at the First United Methodist Church of Many.
She was surprised with a retirement party to celebrate the six years she dedicated to teaching. As students called her, “Mrs. Pam” always provided her classes with snacks, schooling and lots of love.
She will be dearly missed by students and parents alike.
(Special thanks to Observations Intern Lauren Ray for the article above.)
[Some may remember it was not many years ago when talk was strong to permanently close Sunshine Kids due to low enrollment numbers. Thanks to Pam’s generosity of spirit and the committed efforts of Pam’s sister, Judge Elizabeth Pickett, the school’s doors remained open, and many more young minds have been nurtured in a foundation of faith since that time.]
Shown celebrating the lady of the hour, Mrs. Bonnie Fox-Miles, front and center, are from left, Sabine Tourism Commission Director Georgia Craven, Board Treasurer Suzanne Williams, Commission Board Member Noah Foulkes, Board Vice-President Martha Henderson, Commission staff Kelsi Horn and Krystal Sepulvado, Board President Lauren Moore, former Director Linda Curtis-Sparks, Board Members Hannah Savell and Mary Brocato.
The Sabine Parish Tourist Commission at its July meeting honored a woman who has spent 32 years working for the Tourist Commission.
Tourist Commission Director Georgia Craven presented Bonnie Fox-Miles with a plaque recognizing and thanking her for her 32 years of devoted service to the Commission.
Former director of the Tourist Commission Linda Curtis Sparks credited Ms. Fox-Miles with working hard to raise much needed funds for the Tourist Commission needed to market the Toledo Bend area nationwide.
Curtis-Sparks had this to say about her friend. "When the Tourist Commission was created in 1975, we had only $6,900 for our budget. We finally got the yearly budget up to $75,000. Now the yearly budget is $600,000.00 Bonnie never missed a meeting or event. For all these 32 years Bonnie has been the backbone of fund raising for the Tourist Commission."
Commission board member Martha Henderson, from Zwolle, commented, "I didn't know Bonnie until I got on the board. I learned an awfully lot from her."
A new board member asked Ms. Fox-Miles why she was giving up her seat on the board. She laughed and answered, "Don't you think 32 years is long enough?"
Ms. Fox-Miles is from Westlake, LA. She retired and made the move to Toledo Bend Lake in 1989.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Southwestern University of Louisiana in Lafayette.
In addition to serving on the Tourist Commission board, Ms. Fox-Miles is a member of the Toledo Bend Lake Association, the Sabine Parish Library Board, the Sabine Parish Chamber of Commerce, the Advisory Board for Sabine Medical Center, the Wildflowers Group, the First United Methodist Church in Many, the Toledo Bend Gourmet Dining Club, and many others.
However, according to the Tourist Commission Director Georgia Craven, Bonnie may be best known for her three decades of fund raising to support events to market the Toledo Bend area nationwide.
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