Columns & Opinions

My friends and family called me this week to tell me that Shreveport was on the national news, and at that moment, I knew it was not good. I knew that it was not one of those uplifting stories that we see from time to time on the national news, and a feeling of dread immediately ensued.

My decision to be a candidate in the October 2024 Sheriff’s race has been made. My family and I have discussed it at length as well as prayed for a safe and clean race for all candidates who choose to enter the race. As I do intend to qualify, I also intend to do my very best to earn the majority of votes necessary to earn the position of Caddo Sheriff. As we can all agree, I have worked hard for this to say the least. My focus is on my race as a candidate for sheriff. I am not running “against” anyone as it pertains to making it personal about any other candidate. I have a great deal of respect for the current candidate that has formally announced his candidacy. I am simply running for the office of “Caddo Parish Sheriff” as it is a race that I would love to win for every citizen of Caddo Parish. Any issues or differences of opinion that may have existed prior to this decision are in the past. My mission is in forward motion. It is important for me to note that I have been in law enforcement for close to 20 years after first working as a “court-appointed special advocate” in Caddo Juvenile Court, where one of my first cases was a young child who was locked in a room with a padlocked door and starved until his death. That child suffered as his sisters snuck candy under his door in an attempt to keep him alive. This case was followed by many others. However, that case led me to a career in law enforcement in hopes of helping others who may be in need as well as working with other skilled professionals within our judicial system who share my same passion for honest justice accompanied by a moral compass.

I love and appreciate America! I fondly remember celebrating our 200th birthday during my last year of college in 1976 with friends. I have always loved my native state of Louisiana. It is unique, beautiful, full of natural resources and has been so good to my family and me. I respect our form of government, and I have long supported installing term limits in all layers of our government. Granted, I mostly focused on our federal legislators and the silly, stupid things that get done and the good, conservative things that do not get done up there. The fact that we would lose some good senators or congressmen before they are through doing their good work is balanced by the fact that we will also get rid of legislators that do not love a free and independent America. I trust that more good Americans will stand up and take their turn at the helm.

The National Weather Service warns that my patch of North America will experience “excessive heat” this week.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and James Construction Group, LLC (James) executed the Design-Build Agreement for the Jimmie Davis Bridge in May.

Why do fireworks cause anxiety for my pets?

Old friends are like old shirts. And, no, I’m not bonkers. Behold the photo above of a shirt that’s garnished my torso for so long I can’t recall when I got it. Twelve years ago, at least. The shirt is comfortable and colorful – and nice enough for semi-special events, yet sufficiently casual for cookouts. I’ve mowed in it, shoveled snow, dined at semi-swanky restaurants.

Orlando Chapman's spirit was heavily present and had to have been extremely elated with the turn out of this year's 21st Annual Gentlemen's Cooking Classic! Over 300 attendees from Shreveport and surrounding areas filled the Shreveport Convention Center to partake in some of the finest southern cuisine the city has to offer including seafood, pork, beef and desserts! 6 p.m., last Staurday night, spice filled the air, and the competition was on! Everyone who participated brought their 'A' game and was prepared to battle as some booths challenged others with their baked goods, sizzling dishes or BBQ. Cookies, cupcakes, fruit platters, sweet tea and a cash bar complemented the rows and rows of down-home goodness. If you were able to catch this event, it's safe to say you enjoyed a plethora of exquisite meals ranging from simmering soul food to mouth-watering cajun dishes. The Gentlemen's Cooking Classic did not disappoint in its 21st year and has kept the Shreveport-Bossier area in a salivating chokehold since 2002. A fundraising event to benefit the Southern University Shreveport Foundation Scholarship Fund, competitors include community leaders, politicians, Shreveport citizens, as well as children who come out to show their flick of the wrist and proclaim the title 'Best Cook'! This year, over 40 booths lined the Shreveport Convention Center in a Tetris-styled fashion honoring Chapman's son, Damien, as well as the restaraunt Orlandeaux's Cafe. Upbeat and outgoing, Damien worked the room and thanked everyone for coming out shortly after the winners were announced; even Mayor Arceneaux participated! Among other politicians who joined in on the fun were CPSB District 12 Representative Dottie Bell, District 12 State Representative Sam Jenkins, District 3 Commissioner Steven Jackson and Caddo sheriff candidates Henry Whitehorn and Steve Prator. Whitehorn stunned with his to-die-for brisket, and Sheriff Prator came to fight with his five-star chicken and sausage wild rice also!