ArkLaTexNews.com - Breaking ArkLaTex News for the Four States region

Local hospital is searching for study participants to prevent Covid-19

2020-07-10T13:34:00.003-05:00

Willis-Knighton Health System is seeking participants to be part of a clinical research study to determine whether a new drug can reduce the infection rate and progression to COVID-19.The health system is one of 10 sites in the United States and the only one in Louisiana involved in this study.

“Willis-Knighton has a well-established research division that’s highly respected in the medical community,” says Clint Wilson, MD, of Family Medical Associates and principal investigator for the study. “That, in combination with the amount of COVID-19 cases in the area, led the sponsoring entity to feel comfortable with our ability to do a great job acquiring the data for this medicine.”

Dr. Wilson says the goal of the new drug and study is to see how to best achieve safety for all healthcare and nonhealthcare providers taking care of COVID-19 patients in the medical setting and at home.

Two groups of people qualify to participate: first responders or healthcare workers age 18 or older who have come in daily contact with COVID patients without use of N95 masks or adequate protective gear, and anyone age 50 or older who has lived with a person with COVID. People who have had the virus or who have a history of pulmonary disease are not eligible.

Carrie Kay, RN, CCRC, WK Physician Network clinical research manager, says everyone will be followed for approximately 28 days to assess the incidence of infection and progression to COVID-19. Participants will receive up to four doses of study drug or placebo via nebulizer over 10 days and will be monitored and tested by healthcare professionals for the duration of the study.

Six visits are required, but there will be no charge to the participant or insurance for these visits, medication or monitoring. Instead, each will receive a stipend of $75 per visit, up to $525.

“The end result of this preventive study is that participants will not develop COVID-19 symptoms,” Kay says.

“I’m excited that Willis-Knighton can be a part of such a large-reaching goal of preventing the spread of COVID-19,” Dr. Wilson adds. “The data will be so important in letting us know how we can continuously improve the health and well-being of the people we serve.”

GUILTY! Former sheriff's deputy pleads guilty to anabolic steroid distribution in federal court

2020-04-24T12:53:00.003-05:00

A former Arl-La-Tex area sheriff's department deputy pleaded guilty to a federal crime in an alleged "steroid distribution scheme."

U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph announced that Jonathan Colgin, 36, a former Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy, appeared in court yesterday afternoon via video conference and pleaded guilty to a felony for his role in concealing the federal crime in connection with steroid distribution.

U.S. District Judge Elizabeth E. Foote presided over the hearing.

According to plea documents filed in this case, in August of 2016, Colgin was assigned to investigate an individual shipping anabolic steroids through the U.S. Mail. Colgin identified Brant Landry as the individual shipping the steroids and learned of the details of Landry’s steroid trafficking, including the location where Landry produced the anabolic steroids. During his assignment to the investigation, Colgin also learned that a friend was obtaining steroids from Landry.

As part of the guilty plea, Colgin admitted that he was aware of Landry’s steroids trafficking, which constituted a federal felony, but Colgin failed to notify the appropriate authorities of Landry’s illegal conduct. Colgin did not reveal Landry’s identity in his investigative reports, nor did he attempt to obtain a search warrant for the location where Landry produced the anabolic steroids. Colgin further admitted that he concealed his friend’s role and conduct from law enforcement.

On November 13, 2019, Colgin, along with his co-defendant and former Shreveport Police Officer Brian Skinner, was indicted on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute anabolic steroids and misprision of a felony. Skinner pleaded guilty on April 16, 2020, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute anabolic steroids.

Following the plea hearing, Colgin remains on bond, and faces up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine, when he is sentenced on August 14, 2020.

This case is related to the prosecution in United States v. Brant R. Landry, and United States v. Mike Mosura, Criminal Docket No. 18-cr-00252. (Press releases linked.)

The DEA, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force and Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Earl M. Campbell and Jessica D. Cassidy are prosecuting case.

Flyover in Shreveport-Bossier of Barksdale's B-52 bomber to honor healthcare workers

2020-04-22T19:22:00.000-05:00

The 2nd Bomb Wing will be honoring local healthcare workers with a very special flyover on Friday.

B-52 bombers of the 2nd Bomb Wing headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base will flyover Bossier City, Shreveport and Monroe, in honor of healthcare workers on April 24th.

The special flyover will show appreciation and support for local healthcare workers who are at the forefront of combatting the pandemic.

The flyover will include a B-52 soaring throughout Monroe beginning at 3 p.m. and will last approximately 10-20 minutes in each city.

Local residents will be able to witness the flyover from the safety of their homes.

Military officials are asking citizens to keep social distancing guidelines during this event.

Event planners say participants should also refrain from traveling to local landmarks or gathering in extensive grounds to view the flyover.

“The men and women of Barksdale are honored to fly for the healthcare workers who continue to commit themselves during this unprecedented time in our nation,” said Col. Michael Miller, the 2nd Bomb Wing commander.

“They are true heroes and we look forward to demonstrating the support of the 685,000 total force Airmen of the U.S. Air Force for healthcare workers in our community and across the nation.”

The B-52 flight path in Monroe will start at approximately 3 p.m. from the South up 165, loop to the north of town, and around to I-20 headed west.

In Shreveport, the B-52 will hit all major medical centers in the area beginning at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Residents along the flight path can expect a few seconds of jet noise as the aircraft passes overhead, along with the sight of one of the nation’s most flexible bombers.

“Our B-52 is low and slow enough that no one should gather up to see us fly,” Miller said. “We need the folks in our community to look up and enjoy the display from their homes while keeping our brave medical care providers in their hearts.”

Real-life jail experience allows local students to see the reality of being locked up

2019-12-06T05:49:00.002-06:00

Visiting a real jail and seeing how it works proved to be eye-opening for Ark-La-Tex area students, as Lt. Bill Davis of the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office explains:

“Just to visit…definitely a place I just want to visit! I do not want to live here!” That’s how Benton High School junior Ta’mya Davis expressed her experience after touring a jail facility in Plain Dealing Dec. 3.

Davis was part of 51 Bossier Parish high school juniors in the Bossier Youth Leadership program who visited the Bossier Parish Maximum Security Facility and Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Training Academy.

It was a tour to see what life was behind bars and was an eye-opener for Airline High School junior Jackson White.

“Don’t go to jail!” said White. “That’s the best thing. Just follow the laws, and be smart with your decisions. I can tell you that’s not a place where I’d want to live.”

Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington hosted the students from all Bossier Parish Schools in the BYL program, a partnership between the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and the Bossier Parish School Board.

Each month, the students learn various aspects of the make-up of society and how they can become future community leaders. Today’s lesson was on how law enforcement officers are trained and what life is like behind bars.

They saw the booking process, classification, a padded cell, what it’s like ‘on the inside.’

“It was very nerve-racking, but it was a great experience,” said Davis. “Honestly, I saw stuff that I never even knew about, and I learned about things that were very intriguing and eye-opening.”

The majority of the students in BYL are girls, and when their large group slowly entered the female pod in Bossier Max, they were met with some ‘comments’ from the female inmates.

The students were not allowed to have their cell phones with them, and all their attention was on the sights and sounds of the jail pod.

Dep. Lindsey Boggs is a field training officer with Bossier Corrections. She is also on the Corrections Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.).

“I think mainly that I want them to realize that it is very easy to make a mistake, and a lot of these people who are in here were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Dep. Boggs emphasized. “They’re hanging out with the wrong crowds. And a lot of them don’t know how to get out of that situation. So they just coming back.”

Sandy Franks is the BYL Law Enforcement Session planner, and she has been coordinating this session for more than 10 years. She is a retired Air Force veteran and is committed to helping these students understand their choices have consequences and the importance for them to become tomorrow’s leaders in our society.

Dep. Travis Buckmaster, also a C.E.R.T. team member at Bossier Corrections, explained everything from booking, intake, fingerprinting, jail rules and regulations, meals, and all aspects of life behind bars to the students. They even got to enter a small cell… albeit reluctantly.

“They did not want to really step foot in the cell because they were afraid the door was going to close behind them,” Boggs said. “When those doors slam, it’s kind of an eerie feeling. Sometimes it’s still an eerie feeling for me.”

Young Davis concurred. “Just being in there once the door shut, it just hit me.”

BYL has been around for nearly 25 years, and through the years of the program, learning about law and order is always a highlight. Caroline Reed from the Bossier Chamber coordinates the BYL activities in which they participate each month, learning about government, social services, government, education, and economic development.

One of the goals is to help mold these future leaders and make sure they understand how tax dollars are used to keep people safe.

“Not a lot of people know the ins and outs of jails, and I think bringing more awareness should come to everyday citizens, because I never knew most of the stuff that happened here,” said White. “I never knew how orderly it was.”

There are about 1,250 men and women incarcerated at the Bossier Correctional Facilities. Each of the BSO deputies who spoke with the students emphasized that those inmates are people just like them who made some bad choices. Life in a Plain Dealing jail is called a Corrections Facility for a reason.

“I would love for them to take away that making a mistake is not the end of the world, but being able to fix your mistake is key to staying out of here,” said Dep. Boggs.

Cpl. Ryan Buttenob provided a drone demonstration to the students to show how aerial support can help find lost children or wanted criminals. Then it was off to get intoxicated…sort of.

Capt. Sarah Rhodes, BPSTA director, showed the students what it’s like to be impaired by having them don the ‘drunk goggles’.

Trying to walk a straight line or play a simple game of catch was difficult. And it was more than a game, but rather an effort to help the young students understand the importance of quality public service and compliance with the law.

Davis was impressed. “Think before you act,” the junior from Benton High said. “Think about your life decisions and how they will affect you in the future.”

Thousands of teenagers in BYL and other youth programs have toured the Bossier Max, and it’s always an eye-opening experience. They don’t mind visiting…but they don’t want to stay.

“My biggest take-away is just follow the laws, don’t get in trouble to be in a position where you have to come here. Be smart with your decisions, because just one decision in a split second can make you come to jail for the rest of your life.”

Filming a rap video leads to firearms related guilty plea of Shreveport man

2019-12-05T14:41:00.002-06:00

Filming a rap video led to the wrong type of attention for a Shreveport citizen who pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearms.

Xavier Briggs, 27, of Shreveport, Louisiana, pleaded guilty on December 3, 2019, before U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to felon in possession of firearms.

On April 25, 2019, officers with the Shreveport Police Department responded to AB Palmer Park in Shreveport where a large crowd was filming a rap video with numerous firearms.

Officers allegedly encountered 10 individuals standing around a Chevrolet Malibu and recovered multiple firearms from the scene.

A camera used to shoot the video was also seized and a search warrant was obtained to view its contents.

Briggs could allegedly be seen in the video recordings in possession of a Jiminez Arms Model JA Nine 9mm pistol loaded with 4 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a loaded DPMS Model A15, 5.56 mm rifle containing two 30-round magazines, and 41 rounds of 5.56 ammo.

Police say Briggs has a 2011 armed robbery felony conviction in Caddo District Court and was released from prison in December 2018.

At sentencing Xavier Briggs faces up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Judge Walter set the sentencing date for March 24, 2020.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown is prosecuting the case.

Editor's note: Any person suspected, accused, arrested or charged with a crime is presumed innocent if and until they are convicted in a court of law.

Deputy Who Rescued Dog From I-20 Gets to Take Dog Home

2019-12-05T03:10:00.001-06:00

When Deputy Dusty Crenshaw of the Bossier Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a call on Dec. 2 about a dog running loose on I-20 in Bossier City, he immediately decided to bring it to safety.

“I’m a dog lover like most people,” Crenshaw, a school resource officer at Airline High School. “That’s man’s best friend, so I was going to do what I had to do to find her if I was able to. I found her and got her out of traffic.”

Well, it turns out that the Crenshaw not only brought this dog to safety, but he also gets to bring her home.

After rescuing the dog that Monday morning, he searched for an owner in the area. But to no avail. So he had to bring the dog to Bossier City Animal Control. He told them that if no one claimed the dog after the required three days of waiting that he would like for them to call him, because he wanted to adopt the dog.

Dusty never received that phone call.

His wife, Mona, had set up a scheme to have animal control contact her first if no one claimed the dog because she wanted to surprise her husband.

“He called me and told me about the dog and showed me pictures, and I thought, ‘We just have to have her,’” Mona said.

The phone call from animal control came around noon Tuesday, Dec. 3, and she did everything she could to keep it a secret from her husband. She contacted him to tell him that the owner had come forward and asked if he would come to the Bossier City Animal Control to meet the owner and say ‘goodbye’ to the dog he had rescued. That news got Dusty a bit emotional.

“He was so upset when he thought someone had claimed the dog,” Mona. “It took everything I had not to come clean. I think we pulled it off.”

Dusty showed up at animal control around 3:40 on Tuesday afternoon. He walked in a saw a few video cameras from the local media and was a bit surprised. But the biggest surprise was when Mona came out with the dog, shared a few moments with Dusty, and said, “We’re the new owners.”

Dusty, a man of few words, simply said, “I was very surprised. They got me.”

Just before she and Dusty left with their new canine companion, she said, “It’s going to be a happy family. We’re very, very excited. We’re going to give her a very good home,” Mona said.

It was at home that night that they decided to name their new family member, “Mia.”

Young Mia is a terrier mix, possibly some pit bull in her. She was found roaming near a busy interstate with traffic quickly driving by. A week later, she has a new home with the Crenshaw’s, where she’ll join their other furry friends and children.

Bossier City Animal Control at 3217 Old Shed Road in Bossier City has other dogs in their shelter looking for loving homes. They adopt between 40 and 50 dogs per month to loving families…you could be next.

Story and photos by Lt. Bill Davis, Bossier Sheriff’s Office

Standoff in the Ark-La-Tex ends with help of drones and K-9 deputy

2019-12-04T15:51:00.001-06:00

Police say drones and a K-9 deputy helped end a standoff in Tyler.

A member of the Smith County Sheriff's Department along with a K-9 Deputy initiated a traffic stop on an alleged felony suspect in the Econo-Lodge parking lot located at 2631 WNW Loop 323 in Tyler.

Additional personnel with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety were also on location at the time of the stop, according to Sgt. Larry Christian.

The Smith County Sheriff's Department alleged that upon parking his truck, the suspect, Nasir Saleh-Saad Jabr, age 35, immediately barricaded himself in his vehicle and refused to cooperate with the lawful commands of law enforcement personnel.

Police alleged that a female passenger managed to exit the truck, and she was removed to a safe location. They said it was quickly determined that the suspect was armed with at least one handgun, so a perimeter was quickly established, and citizens were removed from the area.

According to police, trained negotiators and SWAT Operators from both the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Smith County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene. They were able to establish contact with the suspect in an attempt to resolve the standoff.

The Smith County Sheriff’s Office said they also utilized several drones to monitor the actions of the suspect while he was in his vehicle.

After several hours, negotiations began to deteriorate, and a decision was made to take additional action to neutralize the situation.

According to the Sheriff's Department, the priority was the safety of officers and the suspect.

At approximately 6:30 p.m., SWAT personnel were able to breach the back glass of the truck and utilize a flash-bang device within the cab of the vehicle.

They were then able to quickly shatter the driver’s door window and extract the suspect before he had the opportunity to take any action, according to police.

UT Health EMS quickly assessed Jabr’s medical needs, and he was subsequently transported to UT Health ER for treatment.

At this time, Nasir Jabr is being held on the Parole Violation warrant, and other charges are expected shortly, police say.

The successful conclusion of this incident was a combined effort involving the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Tyler Police Department, Texas Rangers, Tyler Fire Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Editor's note: Any person suspected, accused, arrested, or charged with a crime is presumed innocent if and until they are convicted in a court of law.

Check cashing fraud draws 20 year federal sentence for Shreveport man, 42

2019-10-30T16:00:00.001-05:00

A fraudulent scheme involving check cashing that netted almost 400k ended with a 20-year federal prison sentence for a 42-year-old Shreveport man.

The sentence for Carlos A. Spann was announced on Tuesday, October 29, by Chief US District Judge S Maurice Hicks, Jr. following a four-day trial in February.

Spann was also ordered to pay restitution of $399,723.04 to WalMart Global Investigations and Tower Loan.

The convicted fraudster was also ordered to serve an additional five years of supervised release following the completion of his prison sentence.

Spann allegedly conspired to use fraudulent identities at retail locations and banks throughout Louisiana.

Evidence presented in court showed Spann allegedly altered identification card overlays with checks drawn on bank accounts of Tower Loan.

Video cameras captured the altered identification cards being used.

The long sentence likely stemmed from Carlos Spann's two-decade history of fraud crimes, and the convicted man had nine prior offenses of white-collar crime.

“This offender made a career out of defrauding the people and businesses of Louisiana out of their hard-earned money,” U.S. Attorney David C. Joseph said. “The 20-year sentence handed down... should send a clear message to others that might consider engaging in this type of criminal activity.”

Local "Flea Market Boutique" is scaring up great deals and a pumpkin contest

2019-10-24T00:30:00.001-05:00

Just taking a few steps into a favorite Texarkana destination can provide a mountain of decorating ideas for fall - or any season.

Now through Saturday afternoon, vendors have organized a week-long Fall Festival that has already begun with lots of surprises for visitors.

According to its biggest fans, Owl's Nest on the Boulevard in Texarkana is one of the best places in the Ark-La-Tex to find current decorating trends and artisan crafts.

It's more than a flea market, according to many. That's why some people call it a "Flea Market Boutique."

Jayna McKinnon of the Owl's Nest said the Fall Festival has begun and will be happening through Saturday with extra special fun, such as a pumpkin decorating contest and giveaways.

"Customers can come in (until the close of business on Saturday) and vote for their favorite pumpkins which were decorated by vendors. They can also register for door prizes at the same time," McKinnon said. "There are different kinds of pumpkins, such as painted pumpkins and even a stone pumpkin."

Lucky customers who find unique "leaf" Fall Festival price tags made by Lisa Black are in for a special treat as well.

"We made special tags, and one of our vendors who also cashiers and is a teacher made adorable tags in shape of a leaf," McKinnon said. "If you find a leaf tag (that's only good through Saturday), you will get an extra special deal."

This means customers have to carefully look at each booth to find the special tags.

According to McKinnon, the success of Owl's Nest on the Boulevard is due to the hard work of its vendors. She said many sellers have had booths at the business for several years.

"The booths are more mature here than you will see elsewhere in the area," McKinnon said. "Vendors work so hard at it."

She added: "You really can walk through the store and become inspired by the creativity of the vendors. I am always amazed at what will come next."

McKinnon said the collective talent of the vendors of Owl's Nest on the Boulevard inspires her as well. She said people always tell her about the interesting products they find.

She said vendors at the Owl's Nest travel far and wide to find these unique items for customers.

Sellers, such as Karen Reavis from Space 88, also enjoy telling current and prospective customers about new finds on social media.

"I love the thrill of the hunt," Reavis told fans of the Owl's Nest on Wednesday. "The surprise when you open a barn door and get to go dig in an attic or get a call from someone that says 'I’ve got some stuff I need to get rid of” All my junkin’ friends are the best! It’s a big family."

The Fall Festival ends Saturday, but another event is around the corner: The Owl's Nest on the Boulevard's 6th Anniversary!

"Our biggest event of the year is the anniversary sale the first week of December," McKinnon said. "This is the highlight of the year for us, and we have great deals, special items, and cool appetizers all week long."

Of course, visitors will also be advised to pick up one thing that makes Owl's Nest on the Boulevard so special: Miss Shirley's homemade sourdough bread!

"It seems like everyone in town loves the sourdough bread, I also have to mention her cinnamon raisin bread, too," she said.

YUM!

Owl's Nest on the Boulevard is located at 4720 Texas Blvd in Texarkana, Texas. It opens at 10 am and closes at 6 pm.

While you are visiting at the Owl's Nest on the Boulevard in Texarkana, take time to vote on your favorite pumpkin decorated by local vendors.

It's Slammer Time for man and woman who made and passed counterfeit $100 bills in Shreveport

2019-10-23T18:00:00.001-05:00

It's NOT going to be raining $100 bills for a Florida man and a Texas woman after they were sentenced for making, possessing and passing counterfeit US currency.

Federal prison awaits the two convicted counterfeiters, United States Attorney David C. Joseph announced today.

Edward Christopher Deyoung, 46, of Crestview, Florida, and Antonia Esperanza Hernandez, 39, of Amarillo, Texas, were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald E. Walter to serve two years in prison each for conspiring to make, possess and pass counterfeit currency.

They were also sentenced to three years of supervised release.

Here's what happened: In March of 2019, Deyoung and Hernandez were arrested by Shreveport police following an investigation into a counterfeiting operation in the Shreveport/Bossier area.

Prior to their arrest officers identified two individuals who were using counterfeit $100 bills to make purchases at a Shreveport gas station.

The individuals told police that they obtained the counterfeit cash from a man and a woman staying at a hotel in Shreveport.

On March 12, 2019, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the hotel room where Deyoung and Hernandez were staying and found $4,000 in counterfeit bills, a fake identification with Deyoung’s picture, laptops, cellphones, paper cutters, a computer printer, and other items used to make counterfeit currency.

Officers also recovered $600 from local merchants in connection with Deyoung’s and Hernandez’s counterfeiting operation.

During their guilty plea hearing on July 2, 2019, the defendants admitted to manufacturing the counterfeit bills

The U.S. Secret Service, Shreveport/Caddo Parish White Collar Crimes Task Force and Shreveport Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth D. Reeg prosecuted the case.

Will a donation by Interim Bowie County Judge Bobby Howell to Obama official against Sen. John Cornyn complicate his 2020 Republican primary race?

2019-10-07T07:05:00.001-05:00

Editor's note: This is the first in a series of analytical opinion articles on local races in the ArkLaTex for the 2020 election cycle. We operate under the "horserace political journalism" style to determine who's up and who's down. This article will assess Interim Judge Bobby Howell's chances to win the 2020 special election for Bowie County Judge.

Bobby Howell kicked off the discussion of local races for the 2020 primary season by immediately announcing his candidacy for the special election to fill the unexpired term of Judge James Carlow only moments after he was appointed interim county judge.

All candidates for Democrat and Republican nominations in local races have to make their intentions known in the next few months.

Even though Interim Judge Howell has announced his candidacy, official filing for the race begins on November 9, 2019, and it concludes at the end of business on December 9, 2019, for the Tuesday, March 3, 2020, primary election.

Introducing Bobby Howell

One week ago, we all learned that Howell, who has represented some of the Texarkana area's largest employers as a real estate attorney, was named Interim Bowie County Judge following the retirement of Judge James Carlow.

Howell will serve as an interim judge until the winner of the 2020 special election takes the oath of office. The winner of this race will serve for two years but may then run for a full four-year term in 2022.

Howell's online resume at Langdon Davis Attorneys and Counselors LLP (with offices in Texarkana and New Boston) lists clients he has worked with, including the Truman Arnold Company, Orr Auto Group, Christus St. Michael Health System, Williamson Construction Co., and DPG Partners, LLC.

By all accounts, most people who know Howell seem to really like him. He says his primary residence is in De Kalb, Texas, but he announced that he spends a few nights a week in Texarkana, Arkansas.

After the commissioners voted, Howell announced to local news outlets that he had no agenda for his new office and wanted to continue what Judge Carlow had already started. Howell also said he would have an "open-door policy" and that he had no plans to increase local taxes. Click here to see the interview.

Passing the baton

It was great political theater as Bobby Howell was announced as Interim Bowie County Judge and spoke from atop the large staircase at the Bowie County Courthouse in New Boston on Monday and then slowly walked into the arms of adoring friends, family and observers.

In early September, James Carlow had disclosed that he was leaving office on September 30 after serving only 9 months in office of a four-year term.

The selection was completed in relative secrecy, and Bobby Howell appeared to be the only candidate being considered for the job when commissioners met to vote on October 1.

The 2020 special election

After the announcement of his appointment, Interim Judge Howell immediately proclaimed that he would be a candidate for the special election in 2020 to fill Judge Carlow's unexpired term.

However, last week, it was not clear if Howell would run as a Democrat, Republican, or Independent.

Howell would almost certainly have to run as a Republican to win the special election in Bowie County on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 — unless he ran unopposed as a Democrat or an Independent.

Any candidate without an "R" by his/her name in any local office would be significantly disadvantaged in a high-turnout general election with a presidential race being decided unless a candidate had no opposition in Bowie County.

Even Judge James Carlow had to switch to the Republican Party to return to the judge's office in New Boston after being ousted by the late former Judge Sterling Lacy.

Since it was not 100% evident if Howell would run as a Democrat, Republican, or Independent, we called and asked his office to find out.

His staff member called back and told us that he said he was a Republican.

What are Howell's chances?

This race will be won or lost in the Republican primary. Interim Judge Howell will only have been in office for about one month before candidates begin to file their candidacy papers for county offices in early November.

So what are the reasons Bobby Howell will win? And what are the reasons he might lose?

The 5 reasons Bobby Howell will win the Republican primary

1. There's a chance that Bobby Howell will be unopposed in the 2020 special election — especially since he has now identified himself as a Republican. It must be noted that Judge James Carlow was unopposed in the 2018 election.

In the event of a challenge, Howell might even be able to persuade someone not to oppose him or even pull out of the race. US Sen. Lindsey Graham is famous for turning would-be opponents into allies in his home state of South Carolina.

2. The theatrics on display last Monday (including his announcement to run in the special election) were carefully staged. This was beneficial to Howell's public image and could have discouraged potential challengers for 2020.

If this level of stagecraft is indicative of Howell's 2020 campaign, it bodes well for his chances if he has an opponent in the Republican primary.

Howell also received a mountain of positive press when he was announced as interim judge. Most new officeholders bask in a "honeymoon phase," and Howell's "honeymoon" will fall during the weeks leading up to the filing deadline for the 2020 special election.

3. Bobby Howell dramatically benefits from the careful timing of former Judge James Carlow's retirement, which neatly fell on the perfect dates for any successor.

James Carlow would have to be a fool to retire nine months into a four-year term, not knowing who his successor would be. And we all know Judge Carlow is no fool.

Since there are very few accidents in politics, Carlow's retirement date and Howell's selection were likely planned in advance with political motives in mind.

Therefore, we have to assume that most of former Judge Carlow's allies will line up behind Howell — with the former judge's blessing.

4. Incumbency usually improves electoral chances. So it is likely that the local business and real estate community that Howell comes from will rally around his candidacy along with most commercial entities who deal with Bowie County.

Furthermore, institutions that deal with county issues such as school districts, the TexAmericas Center, and other groups will likely not officially back Howell. But their endorsement of the incumbent might be implied through public displays of thanks on various issues, and this could prove helpful in a contested Republican primary battle.

5. Howell's pledge to not raise taxes will be popular, and this could swing some voters to his side in a contested primary.

The 3 reasons Interim Judge Howell might lose the Republican primary

1. Howell's statement to the media of "I don't have an agenda" is a political mistake and an unforced error.

Even if it's true, no one — absolutely no one — will believe that a lawyer for some of Bowie County's most prominent employers that has just been appointed interim county judge AND announced his candidacy for the special election in 2020 has no agenda.

It does not make logical sense, and it will cause people to make up all sorts of things that Howell might want to do secretly without telling the public.

It would have been much better for Howell to mention a few things he wanted to change even if one of them was as innocuous as a more robust recycling program — anything but saying he doesn't have an agenda at all.

Whether the charge has any merit or not, any opponent of Howell will imply that the real estate lawyer who comes from a law firm with offices in the county seat of New Boston and the county's biggest city of Texarkana is focusing his attention on enriching himself and/or people around him while letting the county basically roll along on its own.

A negative online web ad or cable tv ad could write itself and include the video from last Monday with Howell saying over and over "I don't have an agenda" and a narrator stating that Bowie County having a well-connected real estate attorney as a county judge with no agenda is akin to having a fox guarding the henhouse.

The good news for Howell is that he likely has the skills to fix this problem by using tools he already has in his "attorney's toolbox." Plus, the new interim judge has to make at least a few public announcements detailing issues he plans to address in office.

2. Bobby Howell said his primary residence is in De Kalb, but he spends "one or two nights a week" at a second residence in Texarkana, Arkansas, due to his wife's charity involvement.

This is probably just a small problem for Howell, but it's still a problem.

The announcement of the second home was obviously meant to stop local chatter such as: "I know for a fact Bobby Howell lives on the Arkansas side."

This small problem could turn into a more significant issue for Howell if it turns out he has voted in Arkansas during the last few years or that he has had an Arkansas driver's license in the recent past. But that's doubtful.

Some voters won't like that the Interim Bowie County Judge is living in Arkansas up to 30% of the year, but it's an issue that Howell is probably equipped to handle.

3. The biggest issue facing Bobby Howell in a contested Republican primary involves political donations to national Democrats.

Federal Election Commission records show several donations by Bobby Howell — all to Democrats running for national office.

The FEC file (see image at the bottom of page) appears to show that Bobby Howell, an attorney with a Texarkana, Texas address, donated several thousand dollars to Democratic candidates in Texas and Arkansas from 1995 to 2008.

We could find zero donations by Howell to Republicans running for national office.

At the same time, FEC records show former Judge James Carlow donated to both national Republicans and national Democrats as far back as 1997 with money given to former Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson.

Only the most partisan Republicans will have an issue with the majority of Bobby Howell's donations, which went to Rep. Mike Ross of Arkansas and Rep. Max Sandlin of Texas since these two congressmen represented the Texarkana area.

It is the US Senate donations that will be a problem for Bobby Howell — and one in particular.

Howell donated to Democrat Sen. Mark Pryor in Arkansas, and he also gave money to former Democrat Rep. Jim Chapman's unsuccessful US Senate campaign in Texas. Those donations will not do any favors for a new interim county judge running in a Republican primary, but they aren't devastating.

A potential problem for the Republican primary

Bobby Howell's most significant obstacle to winning a contested Republican primary is a 2002 donation to former Obama appointee and former Dallas mayor, Ron Kirk. (see image below - we redacted the mailing address).

Information submitted to the FEC by the Ron Kirk for US Senate campaign committee shows that Bobby L. Howell, an attorney at Howell & Britt, contributed to the Democrat's campaign for US Senate.

According to FEC documents, "Bobby L. Howell" of "Howell & Britt" (which is listed on the interim county judge's legal resume) donated $250.00 to the "Ron Kirk for US Senate" campaign committee. The donation was received on October 25, 2002, for an election that was being held on November 5, 2002.

The possible impact of this one donation to wreak havoc on Howell's campaign cannot be understated.

If Bobby Howell loses the Republican primary, a big part of it will be because of this donation.

Ron Kirk ran a unique statewide Texas campaign in 2002. A Wikipedia entry on the 2002 Texas Senate race describes Kirk as "running on a socially-progressive platform: supporting abortion rights and opposing Bush judicial nominee Priscilla Owen."

Social progressivism was not popular in Bowie County in 2002. Although it may have gained a little traction in the area since Bernie Sanders' 2016 campaign and the 2018 rise in prominence of Alexandria Octavio-Cortez, it is still not "popular" among local voters in 2019.

Some might question whether Bobby Howell knew Ron Kirk's policy positions. Unfortunately for Howell, it would make him look terribly foolish not to know since the donation was made only a few days before a major election.

This particular US Senate race was huge news in every Northeast Texas newspaper and on every ArkLaTex TV screen following the retirement of Phil Gramm. Citizens could not go anywhere without seeing or hearing an ad for the race, and more than 18 million dollars was spent by the two leading candidates.

So even the most brilliant lawyer who donated to Ron Kirk's campaign on October 25, 2002 (after the two statewide debates on October 18, 2002, and October 23, 2002) would have an impossible time convincing anybody he didn't know the candidate's positions.

Politically, this donation gets even worse for someone running in the 2020 Republican primary, because the candidate to whom Howell made the donation was opposing Texas' senior US Senator, John Cornyn.

Yes, that's right, the same John Cornyn with whom Bobby Howell wants to share a Republican ticket in the November 2020 general election (as Sen. Cornyn seeks his fourth term).

At the same time, the partisan battle lines will likely be drawn like never before in the March 2020 primary election.

So it's conceivable that almost no Democrat voters in Bowie County will be willing to cross over and vote in the Republican Primary on March 3, 2020, to cast a ballot for a Republican in the race for county judge. That's because these voters will likely want to support their favorite candidate in the much-hyped Democrat presidential primary.

Likewise, diehard fans of President Trump will be fast and furiously filling out ballots at a time when partisan differences are at an all-time high. As most people already know, President Trump received about 72% of the vote in Bowie County in 2016.

People will also remember that Ron Kirk was President Obama's trade representative. This means that Kirk is one of the main people President Trump points to when he talks about "bad trade deals" made by the US with other countries.

How can Howell overcome the negative impact of this donation in a Republican primary? The short answer is that he can't completely overcome it. But he might not have to.

The best scenario for Howell is that voters have a short memory and forget about the donation to Ron Kirk.

But Howell also has to hope that he does not draw a Republican challenger.

A well-funded Republican could potentially beat Bobby Howell with a disciplined campaign, and it might not even be that difficult if the challenger effectively uses this donation to try to paint Howell as a sympathizer for socially progressive Democrat candidates and liberal causes.

Everything depends on the level of vitriol in the political air once March 2020 rolls around. But with impeachment in high swing, Republican voters will likely be out for blood and may not be interested in cutting a politician any slack.

However, Howell might be able to curry some favor with Republican voters by announcing that he now realizes the Kirk donation was a mistake.

Also, social issues may matter less to voters in local races, which are more often focused on taxation and local services.

For instance, Mount Pleasant Mayor Tracy Craig, a Democrat, recently beat the son of former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff in the city's mayoral race. However, Mayor Craig was not forced to run amidst a polarizing presidential contest.

What happens next?

The race for county judge will almost certainly be decided during the Republican primary in March 2020 — even if a Democrat or Independent challenges the GOP nominee in the November 2020 general election.

So it will be a waiting game for Bobby Howell to see if a challenger steps forward. At the same time, Howell will be trying to maneuver himself into an unopposed candidacy with a 100% chance of victory.

But a well-funded challenger from the business community could cause problems for Howell. And, technically, this will be the first "open" county judge race in Bowie County in a generation.

This is because Howell was appointed as "interim county judge." So a challenger might feel that this open contest is his or her one chance in a generation to be county judge. And they would probably be right as retirements like the one with Carlow are rare.

However, Interim County Judge Bobby Howell does have a good chance of victory against a Republican challenger if he convinces voters of four things: 1) He will be a steady hand operating with fiscal discipline; 2) He has a common-sense agenda; 3) He makes voters believe the Ron Kirk donation was an aberration which he now regrets; and, most importantly, 4) He hammers home the message of no new taxes for Bowie County residents.

If Bobby Howell can do all these things, he will likely win a contested Republican primary for Bowie County Judge.

But it is probably going to be a lot harder for Bobby Howell than he ever imagined when he took the oath of office last Monday.

Could the absence of liquor in Brookshires spur new Highlands liquor store

2019-10-01T05:01:00.000-05:00

Earlier this year Shreveport councilman Grayson Boucher pushed to amend Shreveport’s out-dated liquor ordinance to allow sales in grocery stores.

Shreveport is the only city in the state that does not allow hard liquor to be sold along with beer and wine in grocery stores.

Cuban Liquor and Thrifty Liquors lobbied the council hard to maintain the monopoly of Shreveport liquor stores.

Council John Nickelson vehemently objected to Boucher’s ordinance. After several tries, Boucher gave up his fight.

Nickelson may now regret his opposition.

The former Circle K building on the corner of King’s Highway and Gilbert may soon become a full service liquor store. The council will make this decision on Tues. Oct. 8.

When previously before the council last year, the chambers were filled with residents from the Highlands and South Highlands objecting to a special use permit approved by the MPC to allow the store.

The council vote was a 3-3 tie. Council member Stephanie Lynch was absent.

The tie was ruled to favor the special use.

Litigation to stop the store was filed. A Caddo court recently kicked the issue back to the council for resolution.

If the liquor in grocery store amendment had passed, the push for the new liquor store may have abated. Simply put, Brookshires (and other full service grocery stores) would have been selling hard liquor this summer.

There is a Brookshires two blocks west of the Kings/Gilbert intersection. Hard liquor sales at that location would undoubtedly have dented any demand for a liquor store at the old Circle K location.

Last time, council members James Flurry, Jerry Bowman JR and Willie Bradford voted for the store. Jeff Everson, Oliver Jenkins and Mike Corbin opposed the store.

Flurry, Bowman, and Bradford are back on the council. It is expected that both Nickelson and Levette Fuller will be pushed hard to vote against the liquor store.

How Boucher will vote will be interesting. He has sided with Nickelson and Fuller on most critical votes, and he may stick with his newbie buddies.

James Green is new to the council, but he has prior service. He has dealt with liquor stores in neighborhoods during his last term. His vote will probably be the decisive one.

Odds of who will be the next chair of the Shreveport City Council

2019-09-27T15:35:00.002-05:00

Not many people are talking about it right now, but the next chair of the Shreveport City Council is beginning to become an issue. John Settle tells us who is in the running and what it means for Shreveport.

Presently, this question is a back-burner issue.

But come December, it will undoubtedly be a front-burner matter if not sooner.

Jerry Bowman JR is the current chair. He also served as the 2018 chair.

And he could be re-elected as chair.

John Nickelson is the vice chair. He could be re-elected to that position.

Council rules allow any of the 7 members to be elected as chair and vice chair.

There is no requirement of past service or any seniority preferences for either of these positions.

In the past, it was the general practice of the council to move the vice chair up to the position of chair. And in the process of rotating the seat between white and black council members.

Oliver Jenkins was the 2018 vice chair. He termed out of the council in Dec.

This year’s council has deviated from many of the past practices of prior councils.

It will not be a surprise to many if someone other than Nickelson is elected chair.

Nickelson has often voted in the minority with the other 2 new council members–Levette Fuller and Grayson Boucher. He has frequently challenged the authority of the office of the mayor. He also voted along with the other 2 newbies against placing the bond propositions on the Nov. ballot.

The council chair makes the critical committee assignments, and names the chair of each.

He is also the mayor pro tem if the mayor is out of state. The position has additional prestige–and many essential responsibilities.

The mayor does not, of course, have a vote on the council chair or vice chair. But no doubt he does have some influence with several council members–especially after the split on the bond propositions.

If all three of the bond propositions pass, then those that voted for it may not want to reward Nickelson by voting him as chair. And the same is true is any of the 3 propositions fail.

Similarly, Nickelson may be put in many awkward situations as chair depending on the bond vote. He along with his cronies Boucher and Fuller have enjoyed making many bold statements while at the horseshoe and to the media that often have not been supported by the facts.

This practice is not well suited to being the council chair–and in effect, the spokesperson for this 7-person elected body. How the internal politics of the council play out will be interesting to follow–at least what is publicly disclosed.

Shreveport mayor and council are evidence of courage under fire

2019-09-27T15:19:00.000-05:00

Ugly. Brutal. Disgusting. Disrespectful. Divisive.

And that is just for starters.

The Shreveport city council meeting on Tuesday was all of that and more.

The confirmation of Ben Raymond was ultimately approved by a unanimous vote.

Actually it took four unanimous votes. The first to suspend the rules to consider adding an agenda topic. Then actually adding the topic–Raymond’s nomination.

Then a second motion to suspend the rules to vote on Raymond at that meeting. Then the actual vote confirming Raymond.

In the process many speakers took the opportunity to tear into Shreveport mayor Adrian Perkins and council members, especially the four blacks. Collectively, they were called everything but sons of God.

To those loudly denouncing Raymond—speakers and audience members alike–the facts were no object. The complaints ranged from illogical to absurd.

The Raymond opponents were upset that he had not walked on water during his 11 month term as provisional police chief. Every misdeed of every police officer since his Nov. 2018 appointment was attributed to Raymond.

They conveniently forgot that the last three police chief was black–Henry Whitehorn, Willie Shaw, and Alan Crump. Or that Perkins took office after 12 years of black mayors–Cedric Glover and Ollie Tyler.

While labeling the elected officials as racist, the angry mob’s attitude and comments spoke loudly to their own racial bias. Threats, not so subtle, were voiced against the mayor and the black council members.

Perkins was visibly stressed at the press conference Monday announcing Raymond as his choice and at Tuesday council meeting. He said the police chief decision was the hardest he had ever made.

After the Raymond vote, Perkins spoke passionately for unity in the city.

"This is the moment for us to actually come together as a community, to stand behind the police chief and move forward so that your kids won’t have to deal with what I dealt with, and they won’t have to deal with what you dealt with. But instead, all you hear is ‘Black this, White this.’

We have to stop this if we’re going to move forward."

Where Shreveport goes from the perspective of racial diversity is still an open question. The confirmation hearing and all the noise leading up to the vote was destructive.

Much like a hangover, how long the headache will last is unknown. Just like any lessons learned from the binge.

Lots of "C's" in the news as local politics in Shreveport invade police chief nomination

2019-09-23T09:07:00.000-05:00

It’s rare any one topic ever gets more press, online chatter and noise than LSU and Saints football collectively.

However, the continuing drama over who will be Shreveport’s next police chief has surpassed that on the local scene.

In this brouhaha, few commentators have looked at the playbooks-- this instance it’s the Shreveport charter and the state civil service laws.

These laws provide that a chief of police vacancy is to be filled by the Shreveport mayor and the council.

The mayor is to nominate a candidate from those applicants who score satisfactorily on the police chief civil service board. This is the ONLY limitation on the mayor’s nomination powers.

These names were released over a month ago.

The council is to approve a nominee of the mayor by a majority vote. Put another way, any police chief nomination must be approved by a majority of 4 on the council.

The mayor is NOT authorized to delegate this selection/nominee to any board, committee or agency.

And likewise, he is NOT bound by any recommendation of any board, committee, or agency as to whom he should nominate to be the police chief.

The council can NOT nominate a candidate, and can only vote on the mayor's selection.

If the mayor’s first choice is not ratified, then the mayor must make a second nomination---and so forth. Succeeding nominations are made at subsequent council meetings.

The mayor is to make his nomination today - Monday - at 2 p.m.

The Shreveport city council has its work session today—Monday—at 3 pm.

At this meeting, a resolution can be passed to place the mayor’s nomination on the agenda for tomorrow’s (Tuesday) regular council meeting. A unanimous vote is required on this resolution.

State law mandates that the permanent chief be appointed by Sun. Sept. 29.

If the mayor's nomination is not placed on the council agenda for Tuesday (or if his nomination is not approved), then the council will be back at work this week.

The mayor will then call a special meeting of the council, which must be preceded by 24 hours notice. In this instance, the only agenda item will be the police chief nomination.

The only "good news" is that this long, unfortunate saga will end soon.

Hopefully, that is Tuesday.

Is there a name on the City Council agenda for Shreveport Police Chief?

2019-09-20T13:01:00.000-05:00

Could it be that there is no name on the City Council agenda for Shreveport Police Chief?

Yep – its still a mystery as to who Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins will nominated to be the next Shreveport permanent police chief.

The city council agenda for Monday’s work session was just posted. It has NOTHING on the police chief.

That means that this decision can NOT be made on Tuesday unless the council adds to the agenda the police chief nomination.

This will require a unanimous vote of the council. Seemingly all would vote to add this to agenda so this selection can be completed.

By state law, a new police chief must be selected within 60 days of a vacancy in that position.

Former SPD chief Alan Crump resigned effective July31. Thus, the time line to name a new chief is Sat. Sept. 28.

The benefits of being a Shreveport Airport Authority board member

2019-09-17T23:31:00.002-05:00

The Shreveport Airport Authority has been in the news constantly. So what are the benefits of being a board member? Columnist John Settle gives his opinion.

No, they don’t get paid big bucks.

At least not publicly.

At one time appointment to this 5 member board was the creme de la creme of civic appointments.

Now many consider a seat on the Port of Shreveport Bossier to be more glamours.

Bragging rights being what they may—lets look at the board "beenies", as in benefits.

For starters, high dollar portraits of board members hang on the wall at the Shreveport Regional Airport. There’s a lot of passenger traffic on that wall just left of the restaurant going to the gates!

Also there are free tickets to Mudbug Madness, the Red River Revel, the State Fair, Shreveport Symphony and Christmas in the Sky.

Who got all of them is unknown–at least that is what the airport staff says. At least 3 board members did get season Symphony tickets.

Add to that is airport sponsorships to events/organizations closely associated with board members.

These include the Symphony, State Fair, Christmas in the Sky and Robinson Film Center.

Lastly, what board members say or how the vote at authority meetings is virtually secret.

The board minutes are not published online–despite the fact that the Open Meetings Law dictates this.

The cherry on top is the selection of the next airport director.

The screened applicants were forwarded to board chair Waynette Robinson and board member Jonathan Reynolds for screening.

How much involvement of the other board members in this process is an unknown.

Ballengee and two other board members hired the last airport director who was basically proved to be a failure. The current board hired the same head hunter firm that recommended him.

The board’s recommendation is to be forwarded to Shreveport mayor Adrian Perkins. The final candidate must be approved by the Shreveport city council.

The board meets this Thurs. Sept. 19 at 10 am in the regional airport’s board room.

Bad timing: The Shreveport bond propositions and the new police chief?

2019-09-17T23:24:00.002-05:00

Its often said that timing is everything in politics. Both bad and good.

In a perfect world, the selection of Shreveport’s new police chief would be AFTER the Nov. vote on the three bond propositions.

Shreveport Police Department (SPD) provisional chief Ben Raymond has been an essential member of the team that has explained the bond propositions at 4 community center meetings.

At 3 of these, he was very warmly received.

Citizens attending the other meeting were mad at all of the speakers because of the actions/inaction of prior administrations.

Fortunately, there is not a bond proposition citizen meeting this Thursday. The next will be on Thurs. Sept 26 .at the Airport Park Community Center.

The $64 question is who will be representing the Shreveport Police Department at that meeting

And if not Raymond, how will the mayor explain the change and how will it be perceived.

More importantly, how will the change to a new police chief be received by concerned citizens who are seriously reviewing the bond propositions. And especially those who are undecided.

The reality is that most citizens think of Raymond and the SPD synonymously.

And they probably do as well on the proposition that includes funding for police substations and a new central police office.

Add to this the nonbinding recommendations of the mayor’s advisory committee and the push by some to have a black police chief.

As Mayor Perkins learned at West Point and in 3 overseas combat tours (the last as a commander), leadership is not for the timid.

What he is learning now is that politics is not always about what is "right."

But he probably realized that long ago growing up in Cedar Grove as a poor African American in a single parent household, hiding under his bed when he heard gunshots, and playing on streets with no curbs or gutters.

Attorney for asylum seekers chosen as speaker on Constitution Day that celebrates US citizenship

2019-09-16T22:58:00.002-05:00

Centenary College seems to be taking a political position against the Trump administration's immigration policies with its choice of speakers for Constitution Day.

The United Methodist-affiliated college has invited an attorney who is a frequent critic of US immigration policies for asylum seekers to be the speaker for Constitution Day on September 18, 2019, at 7 pm in Room 114, Mickle Hall.

According to a press release sent to media outlets by the college, attorney Lara Nochomovitz has been working in Louisiana in a role that is "bringing justice for immigrants, especially those detained as asylum seekers."

The Centenary College Registrar's Office will also host a voter registration drive for Texas and Louisiana students from 8 am to 4 pm.

Nochomovitz’s discussion is presented as Centenary’s annual Constitution Day observance and will take place on Wednesday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m. in Room 114, Mickle Hall.

Constitution Day commemorates the Sept. 1787 ratification of the US Constitution.

The press release portrays Nochomovitz as a heroic individual who "has dedicated her career to the pursuit of justice, particularly for populations who may not have a voice."

Promoting Nochomovitz as the speaker for the event as Constitution Day and announcing the voter registration drive at the same time seems to be an unmistakeably anti-Trump political statement.

Constitution Day was created to celebrate US citizens and the millions of immigrants who have already been naturalized as US Citizens. However, the press release did not list any Centenary College event that would celebrate great US citizens or exceptional immigrants who had already become US citizens.

What does the Shreveport Airport Authority Board actually do?

2019-09-12T22:41:00.001-05:00

Everyone in Shreveport may have wondered this at one time or another. Now columnist John Settle asks the question: "So what are the duties of the Airport Authority Board?"

No, they do not fly planes into and out of Shreveport Regional Airport or the Shreveport downtown airport.

Nor do they sell plane tickets, weight luggage, and load/unload the planes.

The Airport Authority–which is a city agency–is represented by a five-person voluntary board which serves on rotating terms. The board members are appointed on staggered terms by the mayor of Shreveport when their terms expire.

Current board members are Waynette Ballengee (chair), Grant Nuckolls (vice-chair), Jonathan Reynolds, Margaret Shehee, and Mary Jackson.

The airport website states that "the director of airports reports to the Shreveport Airport Authority and the Mayor."

The airport board recommended the hiring of the last full time airport director–Henry Thompson.

Their were many complaints by the aviation community about Thompson. After a meeting in early January of this year with then new Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins, Thompson resigned.

The airport board retained the services of a head hunter firm to find candidates for the open director position. The board chose the same firm that had recommended Thompson for the job.

Reportedly there were the head hunter received 20 applications. These have been pared down to 10 for board consideration.

The board has appointed 2 members–the board chair Waynette Ballengee and Jonathan Reynolds–to select the final candidates for full board consideration.

That person, or persons, will be forwarded to Mayor Perkins for nomination to the council.

It is unknown at this time if only one person will be recommended or more than one.

The city council must approve the appointment of the airport director–just like other appointments by the mayor.

The time line is not known, however, it is expected to be completed in the new few months.

The next board meeting is Thurs. Sept. 19 in the regional airport board room. The 10 a.m. meeting is open to the public.

Are two Shreveport City Council members leaking the Audit Report?

2019-09-12T21:49:00.000-05:00

Columnist John Settle is puzzled, and he is asking a simple question: Are Councilmen Nickelson and Boucher leaking the audit report?

"Loose Lips Sink Ships"

This phrase was coined in Word War II by the U.S. Office of War Information. This was an effort to mitigate the risk of leaking information to enemy spies.

And it served a great purpose during the war.

Evidently Shreveport council members John Nickelson and Grayson Boucher realize the significance of this phrase.

Rather than buttoning their lips, they have publicly made many comments about the yet to be released 2018 Legislative Audit of Shreveport’s Finance Department.

Both Nickelson and Boucher voted NO on placing the bond propositions on the ballot for Shreveport citizens.

Their public comments obviously serve to undercut passage of this bond propositions.

Nickelson sounded off on the audit at Monday’s council work session.

Boucher followed up with similar remarks during a KEEL radio interview yesterday. He even said Shreveport was teetering on bankruptcy.

Both of these council members received a draft of the audit–as did other council members.

All council members were cautioned in the transmittal of the draft audit to not publicly discuss it.

Bombastic self-serving sound bites are not consistent with good government principles.

These two council members ran their campaigns on this platform.

As they say, talking the talk is much different from walking the walk.

Convicted felon sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for illegal firearm possession

2019-09-12T17:08:00.001-05:00

North Louisiana is getting serious about enforcing existing gun laws, and that proved to be bad news for a Bastrop resident.

U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty sentenced Bastrop resident, Troydarius Jamal Jackson, 29, on September 4, 2019, to 10 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Jackson admitted during his guilty plea hearing on April 5, 2019, to possessing a rifle, despite having previous convictions in 2012, 2013 and 2015.

A Louisiana State Police trooper encountered Jackson and co-defendant Cortez Demoria McWilson, 29, also of Bastrop, in a vehicle on September 11, 2017, in Bastrop.

As the trooper approached the vehicle, in an attempt to speak to the defendants, McWilson started the vehicle and drove off, prompting a pursuit of the vehicle by the LSP trooper and other law enforcement officers.

Eventually, the vehicle stopped and McWilson and Jackson fled the area but were later apprehended.

A law enforcement officer searched the vehicle and found a GSG, Model 522, .22LR-caliber rifle and ammunition on the front passenger seat.

Also on the front passenger seat was a grocery bag containing methamphetamine, Xanax, marijuana, clear plastic baggies and a digital scale with marijuana residue on it.

Jackson was previously convicted for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance in 2013, for perjury in 2012, and for possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance in 2015.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

McWilson previously pleaded guilty on April 5, 2019, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Methamphetamine, Xanax, and marijuana, and was sentenced on August 22, 2019, by U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty, to serve two years in federal prison.

The ATF, Louisiana State Police and Morehouse Parish Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan prosecuted the case for United States Attorney David C. Joseph.

Louisiana man who purchased 10 AR-15 rifles faces federal prison for lying on ATF form

2019-09-12T16:56:00.000-05:00

If you're thinking of not telling the truth when you buy a gun, you should reconsider that decision.

Jerry A. Morgan, 30, pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell for making a false statement on a federal firearms transaction record, known as an ATF Form 4473.

According to the guilty plea, Morgan completed an ATF Form 4473 when he purchased 10 AR-15 style rifles from a licensed firearms seller in Lecompte, Louisiana, on November 29, 2017.

On the form, Morgan said he was purchasing the firearms for himself, but in truth, he was purchasing them for another individual, co-defendant Dagoberto Yanez, 26, of New Mexico.

Yanez gave Morgan approximately $4,300 to cover the cost of the firearms purchase.

Yanez pleaded guilty on August 19, 2019, for conspiring to make false statements to a licensed firearm dealer.

According to Yanez’s guilty plea, Yanez intended the guns to go to a drug-trafficking organization in Mexico.

Morgan, of Woodworth, Louisiana, faces five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Judge Drell set Morgan’s sentencing for December 17, 2019. Yanez is scheduled to be sentenced on November 22, 2019.

The ATF investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian C. Flanagan is prosecuting the case.

Perception of increase in crime unsupported by facts

2019-09-10T12:21:00.001-05:00

There seems to be a perception of an increase in crime, but columnist John Settle says this view is not supported by facts.

Ok, I get it.

Perception is often reality.

In a few short years the internet has become the "know all, tell all" expert opinion on practically everything.

Couple that with the constant FaceBook authorities, viola! No need to look for truths.

Such is the case with many Shreveport citizens and their perception of public safety.

Admittedly, four recent murders of innocent victims have certainly contributed to these concerns.

But let's look at facts...the old fashion way of discovering what is correct.

So here it is—ready or not.

Crime is down 12% through July compared to last year. (August statistics not yet available.)

Repeat–through the end of July, crime is down 12% below 2018 numbers.

These are part 1 crimes–homicide, rape, aggravated assault, burglary, property theft, and auto theft.

The total number of Part 1 crimes for 2018 was lower than 2015, 2016, and 2017.

Police substations that are included in the bond propositions will probably reduce these numbers.

Factually, substations will undoubtedly reduce by 30 to 40 minutes of drive time from the central police station on Texas Avenue to officer patrol areas. That means more time actually patrolling versus commuting to neighborhoods.

Columnist answers reader responses to Chris David Political Signs opinion article

2019-09-06T12:12:00.002-05:00

Reader's response to John Settle's article about political signs in Caddo Parish was tremendous.

So the columnist is making a rare response to issues addressed by local citizens below:

Several readers have emailed me asking about political signs after my column yesterday.

The Shreveport Unified Development Code regulates political yard signs. If these are posted on vacant, undeveloped land, then there is hoop to jump through.

Written consent to the placement of the sign must be filed with the Shreveport Department of Public Works.

Gary Norman, Public Works director, advises that NO permission forms have been filed with his office.

This writer is not a political sign policeman. But I do ride the streets in my district.
Several signs of Chris David are on vacant, undeveloped lots.

So it appears—and the operative word is “appear”–that David is not in compliance with the Shreveport ordinance.

Political signs are also prohibited in the area between the street and the sidewalks. David has several signs in this area.

Political signs always catch my attention. There may be other violations by other candidates, but none have jumped out into my field of vision.

Generally, I write one column identifying an issue and move on. However, push back on the column published yesterday motivated me to write a followup.

Hopefully this is the last column on this issue. I have other “fish to fry.”