Voting will not be held Sunday, May 3. The north side of the courthouse will serve as the entrance for early voting.

Polls will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily during the early voting period.

Voters are required to bring identification. Acceptable forms include a Louisiana driver’s license, Louisiana special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license through LA Wallet.

Eligible voters may also request a mail ballot. Forms are available through the Registrar of Voters Office or online at the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website.

Registrar of Voters Carol Morgan said residents are encouraged to take advantage of early voting opportunities ahead of election day.

The Lady Gators opened the week with a 25-11 win over Tornado Softball, collecting 27 hits and scoring in every inning but one. Delhi Charter scored three runs in the first, six in the third and 12 in the fifth to pull away.

Marlee Bonner went 5-for-6 with a home run and eight RBIs. Olivia Clark finished 4-for-5 with two RBIs, and Jasey Calhoun was 5-for-6 with three RBIs. K’Miaya Fletcher added three hits, including a home run, and drove in three runs. Destiny Griffin, Taylor Mitchell and Kaylee Osborn each had multiple hits.

Alli Henson pitched all six innings, allowing 11 runs on 11 hits.

Delhi Charter followed with a 14-13 win over Harrisonburg in a back-and-forth game. The Lady Gators scored three runs in the third, two in the fourth and five in the fifth to build a narrow lead, then held off a late rally.

Bonner scored four runs and drove in four while collecting two hits. Olivia Clark had two hits, and Calhoun and Shakayla Montgomery each added RBIs. Fletcher hit a home run and drove in three runs. Delhi Charter finished with 12 hits and drew two walks.

Henson pitched all seven innings, allowing 13 runs on 14 hits.

The Lady Gators closed the season with a 7-5 loss to Ascension Christian. Delhi Charter had seven hits, with Calhoun and Montgomery each going 2-for-4. Bonner added two hits, including a double, and Fletcher had a triple.

Delhi Charter scored three runs over the final two innings but could not complete the comeback.

Henson pitched six innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits with one walk.

Over the three games, Bonner totaled nine hits, including a home run and a double, and drove in 12 runs.

Calhoun collected nine hits and drove in five runs, while Fletcher had five hits, two home runs, a triple and nine RBIs.

Delhi Charter finished the season with a 17-6 record.

The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act would better support Louisiana’s timber economy in the event of natural disasters, ensuring more timely and effective assistance when disasters such as wildfires strike. These events not only devastate forest land but also disrupt grazing operations, destroy fencing and water infrastructure, and create significant recovery costs for livestock producers.

“I’m thrilled to see the House pass my bill to protect Louisiana’s timber economy. We are quickly approaching wildfire season, and when disaster hits, recovery cannot wait,” Letlow said. “Our family foresters and livestock producers shouldn’t be left picking up the pieces on their own after extreme weather events and often don’t have the operating cash to do so. My legislation would ensure that help is available as soon as disaster strikes, with more flexibility and less red tape.”

The measure would provide nonindustrial forest landowners with advance emergency payments following natural disasters rather than requiring them to pay upfront and wait for reimbursement. It also enables livestock producers to receive upfront support through the Emergency Conservation Program to cover critical repair and recovery costs. The legislation includes damage caused by man-made fires when spread by natural conditions, as well as wildfires originating from federal actions.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise praised Letlow’s efforts to advance Louisiana priorities.

“When disaster strikes, it can take weeks, months or even years for communities to get the help they need to rebuild, and this bill by Congresswoman Letlow that we passed today will bring relief more quickly to families impacted by disasters,” Scalise said. “Congresswoman Letlow has been a real fighter and champion for Louisiana farmers and landowners, and this bill will expedite relief for thousands of Louisiana families.”

In recent years, wildfires have burned more than 60,000 acres of forest land in Louisiana, causing evacuations and severe damage to timber operations and surrounding agricultural activity.

“Louisiana is no stranger to natural disasters. The dynamic effects of wildfires, floods, hurricanes and even ice storms can leave foresters and landowners deep in the red for years to come,” said Richard Fontenot, Louisiana Farm Bureau president. “Louisiana Farm Bureau is thankful to Congresswoman Julia Letlow for hearing our concerns, working with us to develop solutions, and bringing forth the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act to the House floor and getting it passed to the next chamber. This will truly get aid to agriculture when needed, not years down the road.”

“On behalf of the Forest Landowners Association and the millions of acres of working forests our members steward, I want to thank Congresswoman Julia Letlow for her leadership on H.R. 1011,” said Scott Jones, CEO of the Forest Landowners Association. “This legislation provides critical, commonsense improvements to disaster recovery programs that will help forest landowners and family forestry businesses respond more quickly and effectively after hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters. By ensuring timely access to assistance, Congresswoman Letlow is helping strengthen the resilience of working forests and the rural communities that depend on them.”

The open-enrollment public charter network, which operates schools in Louisiana and other states, focuses on improving student outcomes and has campuses in Baton Rouge and Shreveport.

Rayville Elementary, which serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, will continue to serve local students under the new agreement, though administrative changes are expected as the transition moves forward.

During discussion of the measure, school board member Marie Lewis asked that the board acknowledge the work of Principal Elycia Hill, noting that the school had been making progress under her leadership. Lewis was the only board member to abstain from the vote.

During an April 20 meeting at Rayville Elementary, Deputy Chief of Schools and Operations Shirley Miles outlined the organization’s approach to parents and teachers, emphasizing its track record of improving struggling campuses.

Miles said she and her brother founded the network 10 years ago in a former Hobby Lobby building in Colorado. The organization has since expanded to 27 schools across Colorado, Texas and Louisiana.

“All schools have shown improvement from scores of F to As and Bs,” Miles said. “We see ourselves as turnaround specialists.”

She said the model centers on strong instruction and leadership.

“The most important thing is a quality teacher in the classroom,” Miles said. “The second most important thing is quality leadership.” Miles said the network aims for students to achieve 1.7 years of academic growth annually, noting that traditional one-year progress is not sufficient for students who are already behind.

“We don’t teach children what to think. We teach them how to think,” she said.

According to Miles, the system reports a 90 percent student retention rate and a 94 percent teacher retention rate, with teacher salaries set at $75,000 annually.

The academic structure differs from traditional models. The school will not use textbooks or assign homework, relying instead on standardized lesson plans developed for all teachers. Substitute teachers are not used. Instead, teacher apprentices, who are already familiar with students and the system, step in when needed.

Class periods begin with 45 minutes of instruction followed by an assessment. Students who demonstrate mastery move to a team center for advanced work, while those who do not receive an additional 45 minutes of targeted instruction.

Students are not automatically promoted. Those who fail to master material are required to attend summer school and may be held back if they do not improve. Discipline expectations are strict, with rules centered on respect and avoiding disruption. Students who cannot meet those standards may be expelled.

Miles acknowledged the school’s long-standing academic struggles.

“The school has been at an F for 14 years,” she said. “The main goal is to pull you out of F status.”

The campus will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate working parents.

Bus schedules will align with the existing district system, and all lunches will be provided at no cost.

There will be no uniform requirement during the first year, though the school will follow the Rayville Elementary dress code, including a prohibition on ripped jeans.

Miles spent time Tuesday observing current teachers interested in joining the new program and said interviews will be scheduled for those who appear to be strong fits.

Further details on staffing and day-to-day operations are expected to be finalized in the coming months as the transition proceeds.

As a newly established affiliate of Keep Louisiana Beautiful, the Richland Revitalization Board seized the opportunity to apply for the competitive grant program, which supports local communities by providing high-quality trash receptacles for placement in public spaces. The grant is designed to strengthen local infrastructure and reduce litter in high-traffic outdoor areas.

Through this award, multiple trash receptacles have been secured and distributed across the towns of Delhi, Mangham and Rayville. These receptacles have been strategically installed in downtown districts as well as in parks and recreational areas to maximize visibility and usage by residents and visitors alike.

The Keep Louisiana Beautiful Trash Receptacle Grant is an in-kind program that provides durable, high-quality waste containers to communities, with the goal of reducing litter and promoting cleaner, more attractive environments. Studies have shown that areas with properly installed and maintained receptacles can experience up to a 78% reduction in litter.

“This grant represents an important investment in the future of our communities,” said Sharon Gilmore, president of the board. “By increasing access to trash receptacles in key locations, we are making it easier for residents and visitors to properly dispose of waste while promoting civic pride and environmental stewardship throughout Richland Parish.” Funding for the program is made possible through the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, supporting statewide efforts to build cleaner, more beautiful communities. The program promotes personal, corporate and community responsibility for a clean and beautiful Louisiana. Keep Louisiana Beautiful is affiliated with the national organization, Keep America Beautiful, and is supported by a robust statewide network of community affiliates and university affiliates.

The Richland Revitalization Board extends its appreciation to Keep Louisiana Beautiful for its continued commitment to litter prevention and community improvement. As a new affiliate, the board looks forward to expanding partnerships and implementing additional initiatives that enhance quality of life across the parish.

Sonny keeps getting the Family in trouble.

Sonny was arrested for “aggravated loan sharking” when he went into a local pizza parlor and threatened to break the legs of the owner if he didn’t pay some steep interest on the “protection” loan made to him by the Family.

The loan bears interest at a rate of 75%, payable on demand by Sonny. Now Sonny is behind bars facing prosecution. The Godfather seeks legal counsel from his attorney Tom Hayden.

Under Louisiana criminal law, “loansharking” occurs when a person knowingly solicits or receives any money or anything of value as interest or payment for a loan at a rate exceeding 45% per annum. This becomes an aggravated crime if, while collecting the money, the person causes injury to another or places that person in fear of injury.

This type of crime is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 or imprisonment between one and five years, or both.

Don Corleone makes the pizza parlor owner an “offer he can’t refuse” to drop the charges.

That brings to mind other crimes, but that’s a subject for another column.

David Doughty is an attorney with the law firm of Cotton, Bolton, Hoychick & Doughty.

In a compellingly written declaration for the ages, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas highlighted the dangers of Progressivism to our American constitutional form of government. The premise of his statement is that the values enshrined in the Declaration of Independence are no longer popular among many Americans who are foolishly open to progressivism taking their place. ‘Progressivism’ is a dishonest term which masks the brutal, atheistic socialism of Nazism and Soviet Communism.

The dangers of Progressivism include an unlimited expansion of government power that stifles liberty and creates highly inefficient bureaucracies, coupled with the scornful dismissal of traditional American

values.

Progressivism holds as its central premise the belief that our rights flow from an “enlightened” and “benevolent” government, which serves as a replacement for God who, in the secular view of Progressivism, does not exist.

The Declaration directly contradicts that premise, declaring that our natural, unalienable rights flow not from man or government but from God. That is why the values enshrined in the Declaration cannot ultimately coexist with Progressivism. They are directly antithetical and reflect a diametrically opposed worldview and concept of “Nature and Nature’s God,” to employ Thomas Jefferson’s eternal phrase.

There has simply never been a founding document like our Declaration of Independence, enshrining as it does one of the most profound principles in history: “We hold these Truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness...”

Jefferson was a brilliant man, and there can be no doubt that, as he sat there in the candlelight, dipped his quill pen in ink, and began his beautiful cursive, he fully understood that this principle of God-given equality he was laying down certainly did not exist in the colonies at the time he authored the document, or likely would during the period of his lifetime. We know that this principle of equality would, in fact, not be fully realized for another 150 years in this country.

But, to me, that is what makes so astounding his inclusion of such a principle in the Declaration, the founding document of our fledgling nation, a principle that was later imbedded in our Constitution, our Supreme Court jurisprudence, and in the DNA of our historical and cultural patrimony handed down to us from our brave and farsighted Founders.

That Jefferson would have the wisdom, foresight, courage, and moral foundation to boldly include the principle that no matter when it may be fully achieved, equality was the fundamental and surpassing ideal. No nation in world history had ever included, as part of the very blueprint of its government, the belief that all its citizens were created by God and all of them were created equal.

Something else I have considered: Jefferson wrote that “we hold these truths to be self-evident...”

Jefferson had a masterful command of the language, and for him to invoke the words “self-evident” in this context means he intended to place the truths forming the foundation of this principle of equality beyond debate. They were settled, were so clear that anyone could understand and recognize them.

Returning to Justice Thomas.

He makes the point that the century of world Progressivism “did not go well.”

The European system that President Woodrow Wilson and the progressives scolded Americans for not adopting, which he called nearly perfect, led to the governments that caused the most awful century the world has ever seen.

Stalin, Hitler, Mussolini, and Mao all were intertwined with the rise of progressivism, and all were opposed to the natural rights on which our Declaration is based. Many progressives expressed admiration for each of them shortly before their governments killed tens of millions of people.

Far from the progressive delusion that our Declaration has kept us from achieving “higher” forms of government, it has done the opposite.

Grounding our Declaration in the sacred and transcendent belief in unalienable, God-given natural rights directly blocks a government’s ability to crush its people.

If our individual liberty and self-autonomy don’t flow from government, neither can they legitimately be taken by it.

By addressing this, Justice Thomas reminds us of why America is such a unique country and why we should be vigilant to see we maintain it.

Royal Alexander is an attorney from Shreveport. He can be reached at RoyalAlexanderlawfirm@gmail.com.

The War of 1812 was the first time in the short life of the nation that the U.S. had declared war, and the three-year conflict came to a final struggle at the Battle of New Orleans.

The major victory over the British by a small group of ragtag Louisianans launched America onto the world stage, and the new nation became a significant power. But it also just might have caused a domino effect that changed the course of world history.

New Orleans had always been a major target for the British.

The Queen City of the South was the largest American metropolitan area west of the Atlantic Coast, and the major outlet for U.S. exports worldwide was through the Port of New Orleans. But General Andy Jackson and his motley band of rogue bayou staters held firm and were immortalized in Johnny Horton’s lyrics:

We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin’ There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago We fired once more and they began to runnin’ On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico But what if the British had prevailed? What if America had become a territory under the British Commonwealth, similar to Canada at the time? How would the world be different today? Let’s start with the Civil War. Britain outlawed slavery throughout the British Empire in 1833. Without slavery, one can well argue that there would have been no Civil War. Remember that every other slave nation abolished it without any battles. Britain certainly would not have allowed slavery to continue throughout the Americas.

And without the Civil War, New Orleans could well have been the trade and financial center of the nation for the next century. No reconstruction, no carpetbaggers, and no sharecropping that kept poor farmers, black and white, in continual servitude. So a good argument might be made that British abolition of slavery, and America as a member of the Commonwealth, just could have been the best outcome for Louisiana.

America would become a reluctant warrior in World War I, which began in 1914. When U.S. interests became at risk, with American supply ships to Britain under attack, President Woodrow Wilson declared war on Germany in April of 1917. Germany misjudged U.S. economic involvement in Britain and assumed it would stay out of the war.

But what if the British had prevailed at the Battle of New Orleans and the U.S. was a part of the British Commonwealth when Germany considered attacking England? They would have considered that a giant ally full of natural resources, a major world trader, and a flourishing nation that would have come to Britain’s defense right from the first sign of German aggression. Would Germany still have attacked England with such a major partner at its side? Simply put, would the full scale of World War I have even taken place to begin with?

And without World War I, would there have been a World War II? After Germany’s defeat and its surrender as part of the Treaty of Versailles, the Germans were bitter in their downfall over the demanding reparations imposed by the victorious Allies.

An obscure painter named Adolf Hitler was elected German chancellor after the war, running on a platform of tearing up the treaty and rebuilding Germany to its days of glory. Germany again took on Great Britain. But would Hitler have even emerged without Germany’s loss in World War I?

Oh yes, the whole scenario could seem pretty far-fetched. And maybe it is. But when one domino falls, it can often begin a cause and effect that is unpredictable.

What seems pretty clear is that there is a real possibility the course of human history could well have been affected by a handful of Louisianans banding together to fight the British at the Battle of New Orleans.

Peace and Justice Jim Brown

Jim Brown’s syndicated column appears each week in numerous newspapers throughout the nation and on websites worldwide. You can read all his past columns and see continuing updates at http://www.jimbrownla.com.

Competing against a strong field of 26 teams, Delhi secured a thirdplace overall finish with 64 points, demonstrating a well-rounded team effort.

Leading the way for the Bears was a dominant showing in relay events. The 4x100-meter relay team of Jatavious Hester, Devin Miles, Dae’rion Jackson and Terrance Williams sprinted to a first-place finish with a time of 43.73, setting the tone early in the meet. The same group, joined by Jayden Lusk, also captured first place in the 4x400-meter relay (3:37.09), closing out the meet in strong fashion.

Individually, several Bears stood out. Hester had an outstanding day on the track, earning first place in the 200-meter dash (22.38) and contributing to two winning relay teams. Meanwhile, Williams dominated the hurdles, securing first place in the 300-meter hurdles (38.60) and playing a key role in relay victories.

Miles also delivered a strong performance, placing second in the 110-meter hurdles (15.63) and contributing to the winning 4x100-meter relay team.

In field events, Zion Hogan led the charge with a first-place finish in the shot put (44-1) and added a third-place finish in discus, showing versatility and strength.

Additional contributions came from Tyson Ross (800 meters) and Daylen Beals (400 meters), who added depth to the team’s overall performance.

With multiple firstplace finishes and strong showings across both track and field events, the Delhi Bears continue to build momentum as they head into the 2-1A District Meet at Delhi High School Stadium on Friday, April 24.

The Rayville High School boys track team closed out the meet with a third-place finish.

Leading the way for the Hornets was Deleyoun Johnson, who captured first place in the 110-meter hurdles, showcasing speed and precision over the barriers. Johnson also added a second-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles, solidifying his status as one of the meet’s top hurdlers.

The Hornets’ relay teams also made their presence felt. The 4x800-meter relay team of Tacoda Johnson, Jadarius Natt, Ja’Tavion Collins and Sir Jamar Edwards secured a third-place finish, demonstrating endurance and teamwork. In the 4x200-meter relay, the team of Braylon Booker, Jadarius Natt, Deleyoun Johnson and Braeden Travis also earned third place. The 4x100-meter relay squad featuring Natt, Johnson, Travis and Booker matched that result with another third-place finish.

Individually, Jadarius Natt competed in the 400-meter run with a fifth-place finish, while Sir Jamar Edwards placed fourth in the 800-meter run, contributing valuable points for the Hornets. In the distance events, Mason Bryant delivered a strong performance with a third-place finish in the 3,200-meter run.

Field events were another area of success for Rayville. Braylon Booker claimed second place in the long jump with a leap of 21 feet, 6 inches, while Tacoda Johnson finished fifth with a personal record jump of 20 feet, 1 inch. Johnson continued his standout day in the field, earning second place in both the triple jump and high jump, the latter with a personal record of 6 feet.

Overall, the Hornets displayed depth, determination and growth across multiple events. With several athletes achieving personal bests and consistently finishing on the podium, Rayville continues to build momentum as the season progresses.

The team will look to carry this success into upcoming meets as it prepares for district competition. The Hornets are scheduled to compete April 17 at Ouachita Parish High School.

On the boys side, Rayville finished seventh overall with 31 team points, while Delhi Charter followed closely with 30 points.

Rayville’s top performance came in the 4x800-meter relay, where the team of Braylon Booker, Jadarrius Natt, JaTavion Collins and Jamaar Edwards placed second with a time of 9:13.41.

The Hornets also turned in a strong effort in the 4x400 relay, finishing sixth at 3:41.27 with the same quartet.

Individually, Booker placed third in the 400-meter dash in 52.23, while Natt also competed in the event.

Tacoda Johnson added points in multiple field events, finishing third in the triple jump (44-01.00) and clearing 6-02 to win the high jump.

Delhi Charter was led by a standout performance from Tayven Carter, who won the triple jump with a leap of 49-03.00 and also captured the long jump title at 22-06.50.

The Gators’ 4x200 relay team of Joshua Harris, Lee Jones, Tayven Carter and Conner Hayman placed fourth with a time of 1:32.05.

Jones also turned in a strong individual performance, finishing fourth in the 400-meter dash in 52.58.

On the girls side, Delhi Charter scored 10 team points, led by Aaliyah Fortenberry’s first-place finish in the shot put with a throw of 34-07.00.

Paityn Alexander added a solid showing in the 400-meter dash, finishing in 1:06.29, while Delhi Charter athletes competed across multiple sprint and field events.

Both teams competed in a meet featuring many of the region’s top programs, with Ouachita Parish and Neville leading the overall standings.

For Rayville and Delhi Charter, the meet provided another opportunity to measure progress against strong competition as the season continues.

Through a new longitudinal, statewide study – dubbed the Pennington Generation study – researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center are delving into how physical activity, nutrition, sleep and other factors affect children’s health and growth and will examine how those behaviors can relate to weight gain and obesity over time.

A new partnership between Pennington Biomedical and the LSU AgCenter is working to broaden the reach of the Pennington Generation health research study by helping to bring it to communities across Louisiana.

With a presence in all 64 parishes, the LSU AgCenter will leverage its nutrition and community health agents across the state to help educate people in their community about the study and recruit participants.

Peter Katzmarzyk, associate executive director for Population and Public Health Sciences at Pennington Biomedical, is the Pennington Generation study director.

“Pennington Biomedical is thrilled to work with the LSU AgCenter on identifying and recruiting families for the Pennington Generation study,” Katzmarzyk said. “The combined expertise across the two campuses in community engagement and pediatric obesity will ensure the highest level of impact for the population of Louisiana.”

The study is coordinated with Pennington Biomedical’s Greaux Healthy initiative, an evidence-based public service initiative in partnership with the state of Louisiana and focused on preventing and treating childhood obesity.

Pennington Generation participants will complete a study visit when they join and have follow-up visits once a year throughout their lives. Pennington Biomedical has a mobile health unit that will conduct the initial visits in the participant’s local area.

Pennington Generation aims to recruit up to 1,500 families in Louisiana representing every region of the state. Participants can be children or young adults from birth through 24 years old, adults aged 25 years and older who are immediate family members of a study participant, or an adult who is trying to have a baby or is pregnant or has a partner who is pregnant.

The study is looking for family-based participation and multigenerational impact.

Denise Holston, LSU AgCenter associate professor and state nutrition specialist, has spent her career building relationships centered on health and wellness between the LSU AgCenter and communities across the state.

Through LSU AgCenter initiatives such as Healthy Communities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s High Obesity Program and the SNAP-Ed program, Holston has led statewide efforts that generated positive health outcomes at the local level.

“The LSU AgCenter has long-standing, community-engaged relationships with the communities it serves and is viewed as a key trusted information source in rural areas,” Holston said. “Because trust is a key factor in successful clinical or longitudinal research, our agents will be a key communicator about the opportunity and benefits of participation.”

LSU AgCenter agents will coordinate and staff onsite recruitment events in their parishes, identify locations for the Pennington Biomedical Healthy Moves Bus and direct families to the study screener and interest forms. They also will integrate recruitment into their existing programs and outreach efforts.

Recruitment support will focus on four regions of the state, including parishes in the northeast, northwest, central and southwest with an emphasis on rural communities.

“This is a really strong fit for both institutions. Pennington Biomedical does world‑class biomedical research, and the LSU AgCenter has a long history of working directly in communities across the state through our extension model,” said Matt Lee, senior vice chancellor and dean of the LSU College of Agriculture. “We are excited about what this partnership can mean for Louisiana families and the opportunity to help make our state healthier for generations.”

This partnership is combining rigorous science with trusted community based outreach. Pennington Biomedical and the LSU AgCenter are helping ensure that families from every corner of the state have an opportunity to play a role in shaping the future of obesity prevention in Louisiana and beyond.

Louisiana residents interested in learning more about the study or seeing if they are eligible to participate can visit https://greauxhealthy.org/family-hub/penningtongeneration.

They’ve farmed, worked the oilfield, hunted, come back from the military, raised a family, buried friends and kept going. They’ve got the scars to prove it and a story to go with every scar and, no matter how bad the scar, the story usually ends with a laugh — even if it starts with him pinned under a bush hog, watching the blades spin a few inches from his face.

One of those men stopped by the office the other day.

We talked for a while. The conversation wandered without trying to get anywhere in particular. A story about a job turned into a story about a hunt. That turned into another story about something that happened before I was born, but I ended up feeling like I was there. If I hear the story a few more times, I’ll probably forget I wasn’t.

I kept him talking longer than he planned to stay and I had things I should have been doing, but they didn’t seem that important at the time.

Somewhere in the middle of it, something stood out.

None of his stories were about what he built.

Now, this was a man who could do some bragging if he wanted to. There’s a lot in his life to be proud of, but that wasn’t the part of any of his stories.

Well, not really. He spoke of his wife and kids in glowing terms. Chances are they haven’t heard those stories, because you don’t brag about the people you love in front of them, right?

Maybe we should, but it’s just not the way men talk.

But that’s what stood out in all the stories we swapped that day.

He didn’t talk about the size of a crop or the money from a job or the things he owned.

Those details were there, sure, but they weren’t the point. They were just the setting.

Every story, when you followed it to its center, was about who he was with.

The men he worked beside. The friends he hunted with. The people who showed up when it mattered, and the ones he showed up for in return.

It’s easy to forget that. Most days, life feels like a list of things to get done. Deadlines to meet. Tasks to complete. Problems to fix. There’s always something else waiting as soon as you finish the last thing.

We measure our days by what we accomplish. How much we got done. Whether we stayed ahead or fell behind.

We think our legacy is going to be something we build — some piece of property we leave behind, a house, a farm, a business.

But we’re wrong. Years from now, nobody is going to sit around and reminisce about how many emails they answered or how efficiently they worked through a to-do list. Those things matter in the moment, but they don’t stick.

What sticks are the people.

The conversations that ran long. The work done side by side. The small moments that didn’t seem important but stayed. All the effort we pour into a life is necessary, but it’s not what people remember.

They remember who was there.

I’m not saying the work doesn’t have to get done. It does. I’ve worked a lot of late nights because I talked too much during the day.

But sometimes, those interruptions that pull us away from our to-do list are the most important thing that happened that day.

They’re what we’ll remember in 20 years.

Darryl Riser is editor of the Richland Beacon-News.

The crash claimed the life of 66-year-old Natalie Phillips of Alexandria.

The initial investigation revealed that a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling west on Interstate 20. For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree.

Phillips, who was the front-seat passenger and properly restrained, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The driver, who was also properly restrained, sustained minor injuries.

Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

Troopers remind motorists of the importance of making good decisions while operating motor vehicles. Never drive impaired, fatigued or distracted. Additionally, Louisiana law requires that every person inside a motor vehicle, regardless of seating position, be properly restrained at all times. While not all crashes are survivable, taking simple precautions like these can mean the difference between life and death.

A hiring event is scheduled for 3 to 6 p.m. May 7 at the Rayville Civic Center. The event is open to employers across the region and offers a chance to meet with job seekers and fill open positions at no cost to participating businesses.

Organizers say the event is designed to bring together local talent and employers in a single setting, helping streamline the hiring process and create new opportunities within the community.

Businesses currently seeking employees are encouraged to register in advance, while those not hiring are asked to help spread the word to individuals who may be looking for work.

In addition to the hiring event, Workforce Development Board 83 will host its April Richland Roundtable at 2 p.m. April 29 at the Delhi Civic Center.

The roundtable meetings provide a forum for local business leaders, community partners and workforce officials to discuss ongoing needs, share updates and collaborate on strategies to support economic growth in the region.

“These roundtables are a great way to stay connected and work together on workforce needs and opportunities in our area,” said Jamie Massey, a business service team member with Workforce Development Board 83.

Organizers emphasized the importance of community participation in both events, noting that partnerships between employers, job seekers and local organizations play a key role in building a stronger workforce.

For more information about the hiring event or roundtable, interested participants can contact Workforce Development Board 83.

Deputies with the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Mangham Police Department responded to a complaint at approximately 10:44 p.m. after a resident reported her vehicle had been entered and personal belongings, including a purse, had been stolen.

While on scene, deputies learned additional vehicles in the area had also been entered.

Authorities began patrolling the area and soon located three juvenile suspects nearby.

All three were detained and transported to the Criminal Investigation Division for questioning.

The investigation determined the juveniles had been entering unlocked vehicles and taking property.

Each juvenile was charged with three counts of theft and later released to their parents.

Most of the stolen property, including the purse, was recovered during the investigation.

“These types of crimes are preventable,” Chief Fleming said. “We want to remind everyone to lock your vehicles and remove valuables. If you see suspicious activity, please contact the Richland Parish Sheriff’s Office.”

The event, titled Community & Candidates: A Richland Parish Conversation, will feature a moderated panel discussion with mayoral candidates, along with a meet-and-greet session for other local races.

Candidates for police chief, Police Jury District 3 and alderman have been invited to attend a pre-event networking session, giving residents a chance to speak with them one-on-one ahead of the formal program.

The evening will begin with the networking session at 5:30 p.m., followed by the moderated mayoral candidate panel discussion at 6 p.m.

Organizers said all candidates have been invited to participate and encouraged the public to attend.

The event is free and open to the public and will be held at the Rayville Arts Center, located at 193 Foster Street.

The Rev. James Smith and Mount Zion Baptist Church of Pioneer will be the special guests.

The public is invited.

Travis and Taylor are a couple who have been dating during their last year and are planning to get married in a true “Love Story.” Travis uses his entire football career savings to buy Taylor a 10-carat diamond engagement ring. Taylor and her parents are busy preparing for the big wedding, but on the day of the ceremony, Travis gets cold feet and backs out.

Taylor is so angry that she can’t “Shake It Off.” She keeps the ring and sues Travis. Taylor claims humiliation, abandonment and physical problems. She is now taking an antidepressant and has a distrust of men she had never had before.

Travis wants his ring back; otherwise, he will have to keep playing football to survive. Will she win? Will he win? Will it be a “Cruel Summer” in Louisiana? The courts in Louisiana have recognized that the breach of a promise to marry can give rise to a claim for damages, but not specific performance. This means Taylor may be entitled to damages for money spent on marriage preparations, her wedding dress, mental anguish and damage to her reputation, but she cannot force Travis to go through with the marriage if he does not want to.

At the same time, Travis can have his diamond ring returned because gifts given in contemplation of marriage are annulled if the marriage does not occur.

David Doughty is an attorney with the law firm of Cotton, Bolton, Hoychick & Doughty.