News

The Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) will once again hold its Bass Unlimited – Back-a-Great-Fighter Poster Unveiling Gala and Auction at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 7, in the Grand Ballroom at Cypress Bend Resort on Toledo Bend.

This year’s poster is sponsored by First Choice Real Estate Services, located on Hwy 191 in the Toledo Town area. Dayna Yeldell, Owner/ Broker is a multimillion-dollar producer and has been providing first class service to her clients with property sales, purchases and rentals since opening her business in 2011. Dayna and her husband Ricky have been Toledo Bend residents since 1999.

Black History Month is the annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Also known as African American History Month, the event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history. (History.com)

Jeremie Jacob Ryan, 48, of Many was arrested by Sabine Parish Sheriff Detectives last week.

Ryan has been the principal of Many Junior High School since July 2021.

In late January, the Sabine Parish School Board discovered Ryan had used the school credit card for personal expenses since August 2021.

Ryan was placed on administrative leave on January 25, 2022 and he later resigned on February 1st.

Ryan had been a teacher and coach with the Many School District since August 2009.

The Sabine Parish School Board reports the total charges to the credit card to be over $3000 and an audit of Many Junior High School has been ordered.

Ryan was booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for Felony Theft $1000-$5000.

Bond was set Tuesday evening at $4000 by the 11th Judicial District Court and he bonded.

Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) volunteers are making preparations for the Bass Unlimited – Backa-Great-Fighter Banquet and Auction. This event will be held on Friday, April 22, at the Cypress Bend Pavilion on Toledo Bend. Tickets are now available, and you can secure yours by contacting Gaynell Goodeaux at 318- 842-7814 or email ned-goodeaux@gmail.com. TBLA is working to make this banquet better than ever so get your tickets now before they sell out.

The Toledo Bend Lake Association (TBLA) is pleased to announce Eddie Pastureau of Toledo Bend as the artist commissioned to create the 2022 Bass Unlimited Back-a-Great Fighter poster for the Lake Association’s annual fundraiser. Artist Pastureau was recognized at a very young age with his God-given talent, and he graduated from LSU with a degree in art education. After teaching art and history, he went on to have a career as an industrial mechanic. Most of his artwork is on a commission basis, and his works have been displayed in restaurants, banks, and galleries in the New Orleans area. He has been fishing Toledo Bend since 1972, and after retirement he and his wife Gina built a home on Toledo Bend near North Toledo Bend State Park.

Louisiana State Conservationist, Chad Kacir of USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) /USDA announced today the CSP Classic state-wide application sign-up period for fiscal year 2022 has been extended. All Louisiana agricultural producers and landowners who wish to be considered for this year’s CSP financial assistance should apply by February 18, 2022.

Through CSP, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) helps farmers, ranchers and forest landowners earn payments for expanding conservation activities while maintaining their existing conservation management on their land. CSP also encourages adoption of new technologies and management techniques. Funding is available for agricultural land, including cropland and pastureland, as well as non-industrial private forestland. The CSP program evaluates a producer’s entire operation and assists with improving their stewardship level over a 5-year contract.

Laurie Morrow has been named executive director for Economic Development, Innovation, and Outreach at Northwestern State University effective March 7. Her hiring is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System.

Morrow will supervise and lead the departments of Student Technology, Electronic and Continuing Education, SponsoredPrograms and Northwestern State campuses in Leesville, Alexandria, Barksdale Air Force Base and Marksville.

She will serve as principal leader for economic development and provide the vision for developing and implementing strategies and initiatives that will that support the development and continuance of business and industrial partnerships for the university and in the region.

State Representative Larry Bagley was recently presented with the Elected Official of the Year Award for his legislative efforts to improve the lives of those with disabilities. Bagley serves on the powerful Appropriations Committee and as the Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, which has allowed him to successfully direct over $76 million over the past 6 years to support organizations that serve those with disabilities.

The Town of Many announces the upgrade of electronic water meters including an Automatic Meter Infrastructure. This upgrade will allow meters to be read and monitored more accurately as well as operate more efficiently while improving service to the residents of Many. “The Town’s Water Department employees currently spend approximately 68 hours a month manually reading 1,444 water meters on the system,” commented

Robert H. Hable, Jr., Mayor, Town of Many. “These new automatic meters will allow that time to be invested in other needed areas such as improving infrastructure while delivering the best service possible to our community.”” The Town selected the Louisiana Municipal Advisory and Technical Services Bureau (LaMATS) to assist with the lease purchase program. Core & Main provided the metering solution including project design and installation. Lease Financing was provided by Government Capital Corporation, Southlake, Texas.

Community Bank is a silver sponsor of the TBLA Bass Unlimited Back-a-Great-Fighter Banquet that will be held on Friday, April 22 at Cypress Bend Pavilion. Senior Vice President J.J. Blake, along with Alexis Ross and Destiny Sepulvado from the Toledo Town Branch recently attended the TBLA February Social to present a $1,000 check to TBLA President Gary Moore.