News

On July 1, 2022, at approximately 4:15 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 6, west of Many. The crash claimed the life of 48-year-old Ronald Williams of Powhatan.

The initial investigation revealed a 2013 Lincoln MKT, driven by 22-year-old Chas B. Pilcher of Many, was eastbound on Louisiana Highway 6. For reasons still under investigation, Pilcher’s vehicle crossed the centerlines into the westbound travel lane and collided with a westbound commercial vehicle. This impact caused both vehicles to exit the roadway. The Lincoln subsequently impacted an unoccupied structure and the commercial vehicle impacted a creek ditch embankment.

Pilcher, who was restrained, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Williams, who also was restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis.

The Many Christmas Festival is currently seeking entries for its second annual poster. This year, entries will be entered into a contest and the winning artist will win $200.

The winning poster will determine the theme for the Christmas season. The poster itself will be available in 18”x24” and postcard sizes.

Entry forms can be found on the Events in Many Facebook page or be picked up at city hall. Deadline for entry is July 22.

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner (LPSC) Foster Campbell of Bossier City has an issue with the way customers in North Louisiana are being treated by utility companies when it comes to storm damage costs.

If you look at the details on your utility bill you’ll notice a charge for “storm restoration.” That charge is the same for every customer regardless of where you live and Campbell doesn’t believe that’s fair.

Most of the storm damages are caused by hurricanes occurring in South Louisiana. He doesn’t believe Entergy customers in Bienville Parish (for example) should have their bill increased for South Louisiana repairs. He argues that since the most damage is in South Louisiana, then South Louisiana customers should pay a higher rate then the ones in North Louisiana.

Entergy is not the only utility to go to the customer to pay for repairs. He said others go to the LPSC seeking relief.

Sabine Prevention Alliance (SPA) and its Community Partners are hosting a parish-wide community forum for the prevention of substance abuse at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, located at 1000 Main St. in Many on Saturday, July 23, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

SPA is a volunteer coalition dedicated to reducing under-age drinking throughout Sabine Parish.

Facilitation of the gathering will be provided by Drew Brooks, Faith-Partners Inc. CEO.

The event will provide an opportunity to:

– Get professional training and information on key factors affecting youth and families

– Meet and interact with others throughout the parish from areas such as: education, healthcare, law enforcement/legal, faith-based organizations, youth serving agencies, 12 step groups, CADA, municipal governments, parents, and families, recovering alcoholics/addicts and more!

– Learn about existing groups, organizations, and resources

The annual Sabine Parish Back to School Rally will be hosted at the First United Methodist Church’s Family Life Center on Saturday, July 30, according to Chairman Mary Gore.

Members of the Rally Committee have been making plans for weeks, in order to host the giveway of school supplies for kindergartners through high school. Numerous organizations and donors have supplied funds to assist the committee in pursing needed items and gifts.

Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Elizabeth Pickett will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies and the guest speaker will be Matthew Couvillion. Mi chael Cutright of Zwolle will provide the music and give his testimony.

Throughout the program, students from the parish schools will participate by giving testimonies, singing and offering prayers. Boy Scout Troop 80 will present the colors at the opening ceremony.

Registration begins at 8 a.m.

For those individuals who hold recreational fishing or hunting licenses expiring today, June 30, you will need to wait until 12:00 a.m. July 1, before you may repurchase the same license.

Moving forward, all recreational licenses will be good for 365 days from the date of purchase. For instance, if you purchase a recreational fishing or hunting license on July 2, 2022, it will be good through July 1, 2023.

Licenses can be purchased at https://louisianaoutdoors.com/ or your local fishing/hunting license vendor.

Last week, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced that commercial weights and standards enforcement within the state will transfer to DOTD from the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C). Act 384 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session moves stationary weight enforcement under DOTD’s authority effective July 1, 2022. The act also creates the Weights and Standards Stationary Scales Police Force within DOTD.

“This is a major move that demonstrates DOTD’s unwavering commitment to safety for all travelers in our state,” said DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson, Ph.D. “We are committed to building a state-of-the-art system that will provide an efficient and effective process for this critical industry.”

The legislature has transferred weight enforcement in Louisiana between DPS&C and DOTD a few times in the past. Most recently, the legislature moved weight enforcement in 2010 from DOTD to DPS&C.

Calling all Alumni, Friends, Citizens and Volunteers to join the “Beacon Brigade” and revitalize the campus of Sabine High School in Many, Louisiana! This gem in the northwestern region of Louisiana has a rich cultural heritage ... but a poor facade that needs an investment of $3.SM to renovate and bring back as a cultural Beacon of Hope for the citizens - the youth - of this Region.

Will you help Save Sabine High School?

Let’s look at how the Sabine School campus was formerly a beacon for the community ... and can return again as a Beacon of Hope:

1958- 1970: Sabine School was the educational center for African American students in grades 1 to 12.

1970 - 2001: Sabine School housed Many Junior High School.

2001: The Beacon was left to deteriorate ... for 20 years.

2020: The Sabine School was declared a historical site by the U. S. Department of Interior and listed on the National Register.

The Ebarb-Zwolle VFW Post 5187’s devotion to their community can be seen in many aspects of our area. Post 5187 recently made a charitable donation to aid in the improvement of the electrical infrastructure at the Zwolle Festival grounds.

Present to show their appreciation and support of this project are sereval members of the Tamale Fiesta Board. These members are Christian Sepulvado, Anna Remedies, Pat Procell, Nicole Ezernack, Priscilla Craig, Jackie Craig,and Fiesta photographer Phyllis Lehr. Fiesta President, Mr. Chris Loupe, along with wife Becky Loupe, and Queen Canada Sepulvado, accepted the check from Commander Walt Korb. Also in attendance were Post 5187 members Bruce Ray, Syl Martinez,CD Polk Jr.,and Keith Gibson.

Spencer Faust, three-term member of the Sabine Parish School Board, has announced that he will not seek re-election. He served District 3. The primary is set for Nov.

8, with the qualifying period being July 20-22. “I believe the voters in District 3 deserve to know that I will not run, so that anyone interested will have a fair chance to do so,” he stated. “I had three opponents the first time I ran and then returned to office the other two times unopposed. The voters in the district have been good to me, and I thank them for their support.”

Faust continued, “I have enjoyed my service on the Board. Our system is running good right now. Our academics are up. Right now, Many High is an A school. During my term we constructed a new Many Elementary School. And we put turf on the Many High football field. I am proud of that. In addition, I helped elect two Superintendents - Dr. Sara Ebarb and Shane Wright.”