Observations is very happy this week to begin an association with the popular news aggregation Facebook page, The Cenla Report, operated by Zwolle native Damon Ryan Roberson. Created on Nov. 27, 2012, the social media news source has 46,000 followers and 40,000 likes.
Folks in Central Louisiana are very fortunate to have this Facebook page, created by Mr. Roberson, which covers an amazing amount of news – everything from regional arrest reports to obituaries, community news, crime news and an array of other interesting items. It is read daily by an impressive number of people.
Mr. Roberson is the son of the late Zwolle Pharmacist Fred Roberson and wife Shawnee. He attended Northwestern State University and Louisiana State University. A political conservative, at one time he worked for the Republican National Committee.
He also lived in Baton Rouge some years ago, but since 2006 he has operated a social media political business in Miami, FL.
We thank Mr. Roberson for partnering with Observations and providing a weekly link to our new website, observations.online, for his many readers of The Cenla Report.
District Attorney Don Burkett informed Observations that charges against two women who were involved in an altercation after the Sept. 20 Sabine Parish Police Jury meeting have been dropped at the ladies’ requests. Involved were Linda Schmidt McCormic, wife of Dist. 2 Police Juror Mike McCormic, and Joy Scarborough, wife of Pat Scarborough, who was in a runoff for Dist. 5 Police Juror but withdrew from the race.
The run-off will be Saturday, Nov. 18, and we urge you to let your views be known by voting. Early voting starts Nov. 3 and continues through Nov. 11 in the office of Registrar of Voters Zach Faircloth.
Persons can still register to vote online at Geaux Vote until Saturday, Oct. 28.
Voting is a precious right, and we hope you will take the time to vote.
We are sad to have lost some community leaders and friends in the last few weeks.
Billy Miller, 83, of Florien passed away Oct. 16. He attended Florien High, went to Louisiana College and served in the Army Reserve.
He worked many years at Vancouver Plywood Co. and later worked in insurance and auto sales. We extend our deepest sympathy to his wife Linda and other members of the family.
Longtime Many businessman Clauriste Byles passed away Oct. 13. He was 82. He operated Byles Welding and Tractor Co. for many years. He continued working until the time of his death.
Our sympathy is extended to his two children, Clauriste Jr. and Nicole Jackson and to other members of the family.
Jimmy Dees, 82, crossed the river Oct. 19. He was well known in the area having worked for years for the Many Police Department. Sympathy is extended to his wife, Jackie, and other members of the family.
And lastly, we learned that former Sabine resident Dr. Fred W. Thomas died last week. He lived in Many for many years where he practiced medicine for Dr. S. F. Fraser, Dr. Warren Founds and Dr. Richard Oosta. He was 91.
He received his degree from LSU Health Science Center New Orleans School of Medicine in 1957. He moved from Many years ago and at the time of his death lived in Perry, LA.
Sabine Parish Sheriff Detectives are requesting the public’s help in providing information about the attempted theft of a bush hog.
Sometime the night of Oct. 17, someone tried to steal a red 15' Bush Hog #3815 flex-wing rotary cutter from a farm at the intersection of Free Rd. and Old Pleasant Hill Rd. in northern Sabine Parish.
The thief took the bush hog from under the barn and for unknown reasons, left it near the ditch by the roadway.
After the attempted theft was discovered, detectives processed the scene, took photos of tire tracks and shoe prints, and obtained possible DNA evidence.
The owner is offering a $2,500 cash reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect(s.)
If anyone has any information, please call the Sabine Criminal Investigation Division at (318) 590-9475. Those who wish to remain anonymous may submit a tip through the free Sabine Parish Sheriff App.
(Special thanks to Det. D. W. Seegers for the information above.)
Mark it down! The big Autograph Party for Nancy Jones’ new book will be here before you know it!
The book celebration for “Playin’ Possum, My Memories of George Jones” is set for Saturday, Nov. 11, at Many City Hall from 10 a.m. until noon. The party will feature an Official Nancy Jones welcome at 10 a.m., food, drink and recognition of veterans. Admission is free.
Nancy was married to Country legend George Jones until his death. Over their 30-year marriage, she is credited with saving Jones’ life and career. Of her new book, Nancy says, “Some of it was really hard to write about, but I tell it just like it was – the good and the bad.”
“Playin’ Possum” will be available to buy at the party and is being discounted to $25 for the celebration. Jones, a native of Mansfield, looks forward to returning to northwest central Louisiana and seeing a lot of folks she used to know.
“The first 15 years were difficult,” Nancy shared about her marriage to Jones, “But the last 15 years, after he found the Lord and started to turn his life around, they were absolutely the best,” she said. She laughed about Jones lack of romanticism, sharing that his “proposal” happened while they were working outdoors one day on the Jones Country property in east Texas. George abruptly said, “You need to go put on some clean clothes if we’re going to get married today.” Nancy laughed, “That was it! George Jones was NOT romantic!”
Partygoers are invited to bring a veteran photo to display on a Veterans Day Table of Honor, a special part of the event, which falls on the holiday.
The Autograph Party is sponsored by ArkLaTex Financial Consultants, Senator Louie Bernard, BOM, Brandon Law Firm, Curtis Family Pharmacy, Foy Motors and Guillett Realty Co.
Also sponsoring the event are
Pete Abington, Many;
District Attorney Don Burkett, Sabine Parish;
Blake Byles, Earthmovers Construction, Many;
Dr. Leah V. Byles, Many;
Clauriste Byles Jr., Byles Welding & Tractor, Many;
James Cook, Crawfish Hole, Many;
Robert & Linda Davidson, Lagniappe Land Co./Circle D Tree Farm, Mansfield;
Attorney Dan Dyess, Many and Natchitoches;
Deputy District Attorney Anna Garcie, Sabine Parish;
Judge Verity Gentry, 11th Judicial District;
Good Gracious Apparel, Accessories & Flowers, Many;
Donald G. Kelly, Kelly & Townsend Law Firm, Natchitoches;
Sheriff Aaron Mitchell, Sabine Parish;
Chief Judge Elizabeth Pickett, Third Circuit Court of Appeal;
Clerk of Court Shelly Salter, Sabine Parish;
In Memory of Billy Wayne Sepeda by his Family;
Jeff Thomas, Thomas Law Firm, Natchitoches;
In Memory of Gerard F. Thomas, Legendary Natchitoches Attorney;
Assessor Chris Tidwell, Sabine Parish;
Chief Deputy Brad Walker, Sabine Parish; and
Buddy Wood, State Farm Insurance, Many.
Thank you to all the community-minded businesses and individuals listed above for helping support this fun time for folks from across Sabine and beyond. See you there!
Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reported last week that Malik Quendell Newton, age 25, of Many will spend the next 10 years in federal prison for drug charges.
Last month, Newton was sentenced to 120 months in United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana in Shreveport for Distribution of Methamphetamine.
This case stems from an investigation by the Sabine Parish Sheriff Tactical Narcotics Team which resulted in the arrest of Newton in May 2022 for selling methamphetamine at Apollo Plaza Apartments in Many. A search warrant was executed at the apartment where Newton was living with his girlfriend, Kianna Ezernack, and small child. Tactical Narcotic Team (TNT) Agents located and seized numerous illegal pills, drug paraphernalia and three firearms.
In January 2023, Kianna Ezernack, age 24, of Many pled guilty to Possession of Schedule II in 11th Judicial District Court where she was sentenced to two years in jail. Her sentence was suspended, and she was placed on two years’ supervised probation.
(Thank you to Det. D. W. Seegers for the above report.)
We were excited this week to learn Miss Ella Claire Freeman, champion swimmer and granddaughter of former Many Mayor Ken Freeman and wife Mary Ellen, has committed to attend Texas A&M University. The following was written by Chandler Branded for Swimming World:
IM Specialist Ella Freeman Gives 2025 Verbal to In-State Aggies
NEW COMMIT: Texas A&M University has kept Lone Star native Ella Freeman of Rockwall, Texas, in state for her college career, as she recently verbally committed to the Aggies for Fall 2025.
She told Swimming World:
"I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at Texas A&M University. First, and most importantly, I would like to thank God for blessing me with this incredible opportunity. I would also like to thank my family, friends, and coaches for supporting me throughout this process and helping me get to where I am today. I cannot wait to see what this next season in life holds! GIG'EM!"
Freeman is a U.S. Open qualifier who does her club swimming with Rockwall Aquatic Center of Excellence. She's coming off a great long course season which saw her place fifth in the 400m IM at Austin Sectionals before going on to race that event at Junior Nationals. She was a three-time finalist at College Station Sectionals back in March, too.
Her best times include:
200 IM - 2:05.93
400 IM - 4:19.36
The Aggies finished ninth in the team standings at the 2023 SEC Championships.
Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell recently reported the arrests of Ashley Nicole Ballard Bell, age 33, and Marcus Glenn Bell, age 28, both of Hemphill, TX, for felony theft of a trailer from a Many, LA business.
The arrests followed an investigation by the Sheriff’s Office into a Dec. 25, 2022, car-hauler trailer theft. The trailer was stolen from 1215 Customs, a business located on Texas Hwy. west of Many. The theft was captured on a surveillance camera video around 10 p.m. on Christmas night.
The vehicle that took the trailer appeared to be a dark-colored, heavy-duty truck with chrome wheels. There were no other leads in the case, but the trailer information was entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database.
Five months later, in May 2023, Newton County Texas Sheriff’s Deputies located the trailer at an ATV park. It was found in the possession of Marcus and Ashley Bell hooked to their truck, which was a close match to the truck on the surveillance video. The Bells claimed they had purchased the trailer from someone on Facebook Marketplace, and authorities returned the trailer to its owner at that time.
From the evidence they uncovered, detectives believed the Bells were involved with the theft of the trailer, and they were able to obtain digital data evidence which linked the couple to the crime. Warrants were secured for their arrests on Sept. 1 of this year.
On Sept. 25, the pair was arrested and booked for Felony Theft ($5,000-$25,000.)
Marcus’ bond was set at $4,000, and he bonded. Ashley’s bond was set at $0, and she was released.
Sheriff Mitchell thanked Newton County Sheriff Robert Burby and his deputies for their assistance in the case, pointing out that many cases are solved months after the crimes take place.
The Sheriff said fingerprints, DNA, digital forensic data, and other evidence can take months to obtain and process. Sheriff Mitchell also commended his detectives at the Criminal Investigation Division for their determined perseverance to solve crimes in Sabine Parish.
(Special thanks to Det. D. W. Seegers for providing material for the above article.)
Lots to do at the upcoming Many Fall Festival this Saturday, Oct. 28, in downtown Many! It starts at 3 p.m. and goes until 7 p.m. with a kids carnival, food trucks, arts and crafts, painting with Shanna, popcorn, cotton candy, facepainting, games, a jump house and more. The event will take place in downtown Many between San Antonio Ave. and Main St. on the vacant lots across from Many City Hall.
The Rosedown Rockers will be at the Many Community Center [Sabine Theater] this Saturday, Oct. 28, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. after the downtown Many Fall Festival. All are invited to come out and enjoy this five-piece band from Lake Charles who plays a variety of music.
Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell reports there are approximately 114 registered sex offenders in Sabine Parish, and the Sheriff’s Office wants parents to know which houses their children should avoid when trick-or-treating.
On Halloween night, next Tuesday, Oct. 31, Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Deputies and Louisiana State Probation and Parole Agents will be monitoring the residences of convicted sex offenders throughout Sabine Parish.
According to Louisiana state law, registered sex offenders are prohibited from giving out candy or wearing Halloween masks. Neighbors will be encouraged to report any violations to the Sheriff’s Office.
“Registered sex offenders report their home address to us. If you are going trick-or-treating, visit our [free] Sabine Parish Sheriff App to see whose door you don’t want to knock on,” said Sheriff Aaron Mitchell. “Parents should search for offenders on their trick-or-treat route, and near any addresses where their children spend time. The search and maps on the App pinpoints where offenders live,” he said.
Citizens can also sign up for free email notifications from the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office website, which lets users know when a sex offender moves into their neighborhood or around an address important to the parent.
“If you aren’t planning on trick-or-treating in your neighborhood, but will be in a family or friend’s neighborhood, search their address beforehand so you know which houses to avoid,” Sheriff Mitchell advised.
The Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office lists three things parents should do before Halloween:
1. Search for sex offenders on the Sabine Parish Sheriff App.
2. Sign up for email alerts from the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office at https://sabinesheriff.org/ .
3. Download the Free OffenderWatch App from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store or the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office website at https://sabinesheriff.org/.
The OffenderWatch App is a free app partnered with law enforcement to inform families on registered sex offenders. Parents can find sex offenders near them, track their children while they are trick-or-treating, and receive updates from law enforcement.
For further information, contact the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office at (318) 590-9475, and speak with Deputy Harold Pardee.
We had a gentleman come in the other day with a ring and bracelet he had just bought, wanting to know if they were real gold. Both were marked 18K, but when tested they were both fake.
The man said he was at a service station in Many when a guy with a Middle Eastern appearance approached him saying he was in a tight for money, needed $40 and was willing to sell some expensive jewelry for cheap.
Someone is working this area and pulling this rip-off. The gentleman who visited my gold-buying office is about the fifth person who has come by for me to check whether jewelry just purchased from the gas station con artist is actually real.
If you meet someone who attempts to pull this scam, don’t fall for it. A similar con worked this area sometime back and, apparently, may have returned for a second round.
Pictures from Life’s Highway
We saw this unusual “Smokin’ Gun” barbecue pit at Woody’s Smokehouse and Shell station last week in Centerville, TX. It was quite patriotic and when in use, the pit smoke comes out the barrel of the pistol. Very unique and very interesting.
Haunted Museum set for one more weekend
Rebel State Historic Site in Marthaville reminds all that their 22nd Annual Haunted Museum will be offered only one more weekend, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28.
Tours begin at 7 p.m. and end at 10 p.m. In keeping with a 22-year-long tradition, the Louisiana Country Music Museum has been converted into a spectacular, spooky dwelling inhabited by ghosts and goblins of all kinds for the Halloween season. So, come prepared to be terrified.
Also this year, there is a haunted hayride, children's activities, such as a rope maze and games. Concessions are available. Admission is $4. Guests who are age 62 and over, and those age 3 and under are all admitted free.
For more information, please contact Rebel toll free at 1 (888) 677-3600 or at (318) 472-6255. The address is 1260 Hwy. 1221, Marthaville, LA 71450-3459.
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