Life

A lumber mill in Plain Dealing has been acquired by a Tokyobased company. Sumitomo Forestry Co. said it became the majority owner of Teal Jones Louisiana Holdings, enabling it to launch its first timber industrial complex in the U.S. In addition to providing lumber and other materials for residential house construction, the mill will consider mass manufacturing of timber to maximize the use of logs to nothing goes to waste. The lumber mill is spread over 240 acres and receives enough logs and materials equivalent to building about 14,000 homes a year. Sumitomo plans to use about 100 acres of unused land on site to sell mass timber and wood products in preparation for future increased demand.

Bossier Parish Fire District #1 congratulated the following personnel and their agencies for a monumental accomplishment within the State of Louisiana: - Training Officer Jacob Maddox-Benton Fire District 4 - Assistant Chief Reggie Oswalt-Bossier Parish Fire District 1 - Deputy Chief Nick Palmer-Haughton Fire - Assistant Chief Fred McCann-Haughton Fire - Mr. Beau Bevan-BPCC These individuals have over the past two years worked on attending, completing and graduating the inaugural class of the Louisiana Fire Chiefs Academy.

The Shreveport Police Department hosted firearms intelligence training alongside federal and local offices on Wednesday, June 25. The training was in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Attorney's Office, the Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office, the Shreveport City Marshal's Office, and the LSU Shreveport Police Department. Over 100 officers were in attendance at the LSU Shreveport University Center. The session focused on privately made firearms, machine gun conversions, homemade silencers, regional and national firearm trends, and strategies for building more prosecutable cases.

Bossier Arts Council’s 2025 ARTini Fundraiser Cocktail Competition was an outstanding evening full of color and good vibes! We saw nearly 600 attendees, including sponsors like Live! Casino & Hotel, treated to a bottomless supply of signature, crafted martinis from 15 Local SBC Bartenders competing for the night's spotlight! Bella Fresca won the 2025 Judge's Choice Award with their Signature Martini of the evening, 'The One', first-time Competitors, Koi Asian Fusion, won the 2025 People's Choice Award with their Super Pink 'Dragon-tini' and the Krewe Of Centaur flipped the script by taking home the 2025 Most M'Artisanal Award with their creative 'King Cake Martini'! 2025 Featured Artist, Eric Francis, was set up in the middle of the venue where he sold both original artwork and prints to original collectors and new fans in attendance. Eric was also responsible for creating the 2025 ARTini Awards for the evening. 2025 Mover & Shaker, Steve Ford accepted his Mover & Shaker Award, created by Eric Francis, on stage to the applause of the entire crowd.

George “Trey” Fauber, III and the Board of Directors of Providence House unanimously selected Sharpel Welch to serve as the new Executive Director effective June 16, 2025. Welch is no stranger to the Shreveport-Bossier community. She has served in several leadership capacities and has been honored by local and professional organizations for her many professional accomplishments.

Bossier City Animal Control has achieved official no kill status from Best Friends Animal Society.

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Willis Knighton Health President and CEO Jaf Fielder received an honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Northwestern State University during spring graduation. This honor recognizes his support for the university and its nursing programs. For the first time ever, six parish agencies have teamed up to create a summer slate of activities aimed at keeping youth and teens busy and safe.