Nursing classes over, studying goes on

Recent graduates of the practical nursing program at Northshore Technical College-Sullivan Campus may now be out of the college classroom, but they are still studying.

Recent Sullivan Campus practical nursing
graduates (from left) Melissa Fortenberry,
Brandie Hansel, Darren Canova and Brandie
Arabie (back to camera) use group study to
prepare for their NCLEX.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Despite having met the college's requirements for graduating and receiving their nursing pins, the students have one more hurdle ahead of them — a big one.

Before they can actually practice as a nurse, they must pass their state boards before they become licensed practical nurses.

On Tuesday, four members of the spring class of 2011, put their heads together for a study group at the Bogalusa home of one of their former instructors.

Darren Canova, Brandie Hansel, Melissa Fortenberry and Brandie Arabie discussed the respiratory system and received pointers on how to study for the test, known as NCLEX, from Stephanie Walker, RN.

"It was definitely beneficial," Canova, from Covington, said. "The fact Mrs. Walker was willing to help us when we asked was great and she asked the questions in ways that really make you think."

"I would definitely advise students to take advantage of an instructors willingness to help when asked," Hansel, of Metairie, said. "I'd love to say I was going to study every day, but we don't have our tests dates yet (from the state) and will probably wait until I get my date, the study for the two weeks before the test."

Walker said that, "Over the past couple of years, I've had the opportunity to study with graduate nurses to help prepare for the NCLEX. I do it as a volunteer and my sole expectation from them is hard work and dedication."

She added: "Some study better in groups and some study better individually. I'm just willing to try and help those who want it ... but passing the NCLEX is the result of studying all the way through the program and not waiting until the very end."

Community honors fallen heroes

Bugler Gary Rushing
of Magic City Post 24
plays "Taps."
(Photo by John H. Walker)

More than 200 people, a larger than normal audience, gathered at the new Veterans Plot at Ponemah Cemetery Monday to honor America's fallen at Bogalusa's annual Memorial Day observance.


The program, as always, was hosted by American Legion Magic City Post 24 and included participation from Boy Scout Troop 86 and the Bogalusa High School JROTC Honor Guard.


Following the official welcome, delivered by Mayor Charles Mizell, keynote speaker Dr. Dennis LaRavia shared stories or heroism with the audience ... from World War I, World War II and Afghanistan ... and how the soldiers, sailors and Marines cited all shared a faith in God and belief in Him to help them survive the horrors of war.

Hon. John Gallaspy recites
"In Flanders Fields" for 40th year.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

And for what he estimated as the 40th year, Hon. John Gallaspy recited "In Flanders fields." Canadian physician and Lt. Col. John McCrae is popularly believed to have written it on May 3, 1915 after he witnessed the death of his friend, Lt. Alexis Helmer, 22, the day before.


The poppies referred to in the poem grew in profusion in Flanders in the disturbed earth of the battlefields and cemeteries where war casualties were buried and thus became a symbol of Remembrance Day — the predecessor of Memorial Day.


Prior to Mr. Gallaspy's recitation, Girl Scouts placed poppies on the graves in the Veterans Plot.

Some of the veterans in attendance at Monday's
Memorial Day observance at Ponemah Cemetery.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Placing poppies on graves.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Among those in attendance were a number of veterans, including Norma Paige Jenkins, who was an Army nurse in the Pacific Theatre.


"We worked in the evacuation arena,” she told wpnewsblog. "We saw the worst of the worst."


She said she remembered Aug. 6, 1945, when the Japanese city of Hiroshima was destroyed by an atomic bomb.


"We knew when we heard the bomb had been dropped that we would be coming home," she said. "I wondered how we could be so happy (at the news of so many deaths), but we were ... we were going home!"


(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Shared by Bob Ann Breland

Lest we forget…
 
 
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY
 
A Soldier Died Today  
He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.  
Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies:
They were heroes, every one..
 
And ‘tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.
But we’ll hear his tales no longer,
For ol’ Johnny has passed away.
And the world’s a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.  
 
He won’t be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life..  
He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way:
And the world won’t note his passing,
‘Tho a Soldier died today.
 
When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.  
 
Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land ,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?  
Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?  
 
The politician’s stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.  
While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.  
 
It’s so easy to forget them,
For it is so many times
That our Bills, Dennys, and Johnnys
Went to battle, but we know. 
It is not the politicians
With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys. 
 
Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop out,
With his ever waffling stand? 
 Or would you want a Soldier—
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.
 
He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.  
For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier’s part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start. 
 
 If we cannot not do him honor
While he’s here to hear the praise,
Then at least let’s give him homage
At the ending of his days.  
Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
“OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY”
 
 
 

By dawn's early light

In Ponemah Cemetery's "old" Veterans Section,
American flags mark the final resting places for
men and women who served their country. Many of
these soldiers, airmen, sailors or Marines paid the
ultimate sacrifice in service to their homeland. A
heavy mist shrouds the majestic old tree, watching
over our fallen on Memorial Day 2011.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Memorial Day an observance, not a holiday

The word "holiday" conjures up a trip to the beach, presents under the Christmas tree or hunting eggs while humming "Here comes Peter Cottontail."


It should not, however, cause one to think of American flags on graves in a cemetery or the playing of "Taps" or the firing of a 21-gun salute.


Memorial Day is not a holiday, yet thanks to members of Congress looking for a long weekend, it was moved from May 31 to the lasy Monday in May


Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country and some think it is a day for honoring veterans.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day.

As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

Thankfully, Bogalusa and Washington Parish have not forgotten. No, there won't nearly be enough people at Ponemah Cemetery at 6 p.m. Monday, but those present will know why they are there and they understand the significance of the solemn observance.

When Hon. John Gallaspy recites "In Flanders Fields" there will be those who know and understand ... who form a mental picture of a poppy and a battlefield grave of rifle stuck in ground with helmet resting on the bayonet.

And when those haunting strains of "Taps" reach across the gardens of stone that make up Ponemah, others will feel their eyes grow damp as tears well up at the thought of a loved one who went away, never to return and there are the shudders that simply can't be willed away when the rifles sound in 21-gun salute, their retort bouncing off the pines.

I suppose it's hard for something so somber to compete with the start of summer ... hamburgers and hot dogs and a trip to the river or the beach ... and it should have never been placed in such a position.

But rather than bemoan that fact, let's be thankful for those who served so that those who may never understand what Memorial Day is all about will have the opportunity to do their thing ... because had they not given their all, we might not have the opportunity to gather in their honor.

Hooah ... hoorah ... huzzah ... Semper Fi ... and God bless.

(The segment on the creation of the three-day weekend around Memorial Day was taken from http://www.usmemorialday.org)

Irvine, Bahm top 15th annual Milltown runners

Bogalusa Mayor Charles Mizell fires the shotgun to start
the annual Milltown Classic 5k walk/run at Cassidy Park
Saturday morning. The race is sponsored by the Bogalusa Rotary Club.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Tim Irvine and Faith Bahm took top spots overall in the men's and women's divisions of the 15th annual Milltown Classic 5k Walk/Run at Cassidy Park. The Bogalusa Rotary Club-sponsored event drew a field of 38.

The 42-year-old Irvine won the overall crown in a tight, 11-second win over 18-year-old Paul Dauterine. Irvine finished in 17 minutes, 46 seconds while Dauterine crossed the finish line in 17:56.

Bahm, who was the top female competitor, finished ninth overall with a time of 27:58.

Saturday's Classic came out of the blocks about three months later than its normal MCCA parade day start. That, and the anticipated warm weather, raised some question in regards to the size of the field.

While race coordinator Brad Lewis said he didn't know if the weather would impact the field or not, he said the range of entrants in recent years had ranged from 30 to 60 — which placed Saturday's field of 38 in the normal range.

"It's about an average field," Lewis said.


Bogalusa Mayor Charles Mizell fired the shotgun to start the race. "It's good to see these folks, both our local residents as well as our out-of-town visitors, come to Bogalusa," he said.

Saturday's race results include:

Order of Finish (name, age, time)

1. Tim Irvine, 42, 17 minutes, 45 seconds
2. Paul Dauterine, 18, 17:56
3. Ru Oswald, 15, 20:05
4. 4. Julio Chicas, 36, 22:18
5. William J. Burris, 61, 22:32
6. Fred Oswald, 48, 23:25
7. Braxton Lee, 13, 24:15
8. Denver Young, 32, 24:45
9. Faith Bahm, 53, 27:58
10. Maximo Flores, 17, 28:11
11. Katie Breland, 24, 28:16
12. Joe Tosterud, 63, 28:50
13. Jennifer Pope, 38, 29:02
14. Clay Norwood, 33, 29:12
15. Gary Rushing, 64, 29:47
16. Michele Lyons, 32, 31:21
17. Cindy Allen, 48, 31:34
18. Mark Kellar, 44, 32:14
19. Mignon Kellar, 43, 32:51
20. Susie Pittman, 39, 34:34
21. Mitou LeMaire, 38, 34:99
22. Julie Miller, 43, 35:44
23. Cheryl Bergeron, 49, 36:48
24. Lisa Stewart, 33, 37:41
25. Madison Pope, 12, 37:46
26. John Clayton, 49, 41:24

Age group finishers

Overall

Male

1. Tim Irvine
2. Paul Dauterine
3. Ru Oswald

Female

1. Faith Bahm
2. Katie Breland
3. Jennifer Pope

Age 1-12

Female

1. Madison Pope

Age 13-18

Male

1. Braxton Lee
2. Maximo Flores

Age 30-34

Male

1. Denver Young
2. Clay Norwood

Female

1. Michele Lyons
2. Lisa Stewart

Age 35-39

Male

1. Julio Chicas

Female

1. Susie Pittman
2. Mitou LeMaire

Age 40-44

Male

1. Mark Kellar

Female

1. Mignon Kellar
2. Julie Miller

Age 45-49

Male

1. Fred Oswald
2. John Clayton

Female

1. Cindy Allen
2. Cheryl Bergeron

Age 60-69

Male

1. Judge William Burris
2. Joe Tosterud
3. Gary Rushing

Walkers

Male

1. Stephen Tosterud

Female

1. Linda Inabnitt
2. Melin Lester

Bogalusa dentist Dr. Mitou Lemaire, second from left, and friends
sign in and collect their T-shirts at Saturday's Milltown Classic.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Bogalusa's Memorial Day observance set Monday

Beginning at 6 p.m. Monday at the new veteran's section at Ponemah Cemetery, local officials and citizens will gather to honor those who served their country.

One change, this year, is that local Boy Scouts will not conduct a retirement ceremony for American flags that have become soiled or torn. Instead, local Scouts will serve as the color guard for the ceremony.

Mayor Charles Mizell will deliver the official welcome to the observance and local attorney John Gallaspy will recite "In Flanders Fields," perhaps the best known of all poems relating to war.

The ceremony will be closed with the playing of "Taps" and the firing of a 21-gun salute by the honor guard of Magic City Post 24 of the American Legion.

The observance ceremony is open to the public and persons planning to attend are reminded of the need to bring a chair.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.com)

Scouts cleaning Ponemah, putting out flags

Members of local Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts will clean up Bogalusa's Ponemah Cemetery and place miniature American flags on the graves of those who served in the military.

The clean-up is expected to begin about 9 a.m. and the Boy Scouts will handle the clean-up while the Girl Scouts will place the flags in preparation for Monday's Memorial Day observation.

Franklinton police playing it forward in Joplin

FRANKLINTON — What began as a "what if" type conversation between members of the Franklinton Police Department has turned into a mission to help others rebuild following a disaster.


Just as other area residents were quick to come to the aid of Smithville, Miss., after that community was virtually destroyed in late April, so are members of the Frankllinton PPolice Department in Joplin.


Department members said looking at video on television was almost like reliving Hurricane Katrina and, to a person, they were ready to help pay it forward in response to all of the help that came to Franklinton and Washington Parish.


Having been through a similar situation, department members know what's needed most, and they've collected it and are ready to hit the road.

The Franklinton group will leave for Joplin early Friday, with the 635 mile trip expected to take between 11 and 12 hours. After delivering their supplies, the officers plan to visit with local officials and decide if they need to return with a second load.


(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Storms bring heavy rain, hail to Bogalusa

Washington Parish's dry spell was brought to a halt Thursday afternoon as a 70-mile long band of thunderstorms started moving through the parish.

Hail from Austin Street
(Photo by John H. Walker) 

In addition to rain, coming down in veritable sheets at time, hail up to one-half inch in size, peppered the Bogalusa and Varnado area about 4 p.m.

And while the rain was at its heaviest, a tornado was spotted west of Bush along Highway 40 — in the area of the Isabel Swamp cutoff. A second tornado was reported east of Bush and a third was reported in the Lacombe area, according to the National Weather Service.

The heavy rainfall overloaded Bogalusa's drainage system, although streets like North Border Drive, which traditionally took on more of a lake appearance than a street following rainfall of almost any amount, drained in a more normal fashion after city workers had cleared paths to and around drains.

One street that didn't drain well, though, was Virginia between Louisiana Avenue and North Columbia. That street was more like a lake as vehicles persisted in tackling the water, rather than driving another block to avoid the risk of flooding out.

Looking more like a lake than a city street, water covers Virginia Avenue between Louisiana Avenue and North Columbia following Thursday's deluge. (Photo by John H. Walker)

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.com)

Thunder, lightning ... Rain!

After a lengthy dry spell, portions of Washington Parish got rain beginning about midnight Wednesday.By 8 a.m., only puddles remained in Bogalusa - and it was barely damp heading south of town ... but that all changed about mid-morning, as a heavy band of thunderstorms moved through.

"My weather radio kep going off," one Bogalusa resident said. "There was warning after warning."

According to weatherbug, the official weather service for wpnewsblog, another heavy band should move through the area between about 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

"We really need this water," said a local watermelon grower. "It's been pretty bad, but if we can get some moisture along through here, we may have some good melons for July 4."

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Council clerk's sharp eye saves thou$ands

FRANKLINTON — Sherry Lyons, who serves as clerk for the Washington Parish Council, has a sharp eye for detail. It was developed after years of service in Tangipahoa Parish before changing jobs.

But Lyons developed more than a sharp eye for detail during her career — she learned the ins-and-outs of state government to such a degree that she's converted that knowledge into money savings.

At Monday's parish council meeting, members adopted a pair of resolutions approving the holding of elections in Fire District No. 5 (Angie) and Fire District No. 7 (south and southwest of Bogalusa) on Saturday, Oct. 22. Their action followed Lyons' recommendation.

While council members would have had to approve the resolution at some point, doing so this early allows the two elections to be held in conjunction with the state's gubernatorial primary. That means Lyon's sharp eye and willingness to speak up saved taxpayers several thousand dollars, because by holding the fire district elections on an "official" date, the state — and not the parish — foots the bill.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogger.com)

Parish council deals with busy agenda

Tommy Thiebaud, parish
director of Homeland Security,
explains the need for a burn ban.
(John H. Walker photo)

FRANKLINTON — Members of the Washington Parish Council methodically worked their way through a busy agenda here Monday night.

By the time council members were finished, they had held three public hearings — without any public input — introduced four ordinances and three resolutions.

Most prominent was an emergency, 30-day burn ban (see top right column) implemented parishwide. Council members also held a public hearing and approved Ordinance No. 11-546, which keeps the parish tax levy at 28.42 mills, the same as last year.

Additionally, Resolution No. 11-549, which will allow Parish President Richard Thomas to enter into an agreement with Landworks, Inc. for the operation of the Choctaw Road Landfill.

After the meeting, Thomas told wpnewsblog he was comfortable with the process undertaken to advertise for and review proposals for the operation of the landfill.

"We held three public meetings where people could attend and ask questions,” he explained. "These proposals were reviewed and it was a studied decision ... it wasn't done like it was in the past,” he said.

A public hearing and vote will be held on the resolution when the council next meets on June 6.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogger.com)

Workforce Commission relocates in Bogalusa

The Louisiana Workforce Commission's (LWC) Bogalusa office has relocated, moving into a smaller facility at 420 Avenue B, on the south  side of CP's Drug Store. The move was effective May 16.

Louisiana Workforce Commission's new office ,
located at 420 Ave. B in Bogalusa.  The new
location is on the south side of CP's Drug Store.

Part of the LWC’s network of Business and Career Solutions Centers offers a number of services free of charge, including:

  * Skills assessments

  *  Education and training information

  * Job counseling, referral and placement

  * Information on available support services and community resources

  * Labor market information

  * Employer resource library
  * Job posting assistance
  * Applicant screening
  * On-site interviewing
  * On-the-job training opportunities

Services are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at www.laworks.net.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com/)

Milltown Classic set for delayed run

(Updated Monday, May 23, 9:27 a.m.)

Without a doubt, Saturday's Milltown Classic scheduled for an 8 a.m. start on Willis Avenue in front of Cassidy Park, will be one of — if not the — warmest race on record.

That's because the 5k walk/run, sponsored by the Bogalusa Rotary Club, has been a start-of-the-day fixture for MCCA Saturday, getting things under way in either February or March, when the weather is much cooler than Memorial Day weekend.

Saturday's race forecast is for 70 degrees and high humidity following the forecast of rain on Friday. That's in contrast to 30 degrees a year ago but not far off from 64 degrees in 2008.

The norm for the race is about 60 entrants, and race coordinator Brad Lewis has high hopes for good weather and a good field of entrants.

Lewis said Monday morning he didn't expect the weather conditions to have a negative impact on the race, but still didn't have a feel for how big the field might be.

"Most years we have between 50 and 100 participants," he said.
Activities will get under way with registration at 6:30 a.m. with the race to follow at 8. The pre-race day registration deadline is Wednesday. For more information, contact Lewis at rbl@bradlewislaw.com or call 735-9003.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Part of Calpine ready to be shipped out

One of the transformers formerly located
at the Washington Parish Energy Center
is loaded on a specialty flat car for transit
to Needles, Calif. (Photo by John H. Walker) 

Updated Monday, 5/23

The Washington Parish Energy Center (WPEC) rises from the mix of sandy soil and red clay, just west of Bogalusa on the south side of Highway 10.

There was a bright future for the $300 million electric generating facility, but instead of creating electricity and jobs, it has instead stood silent — its voice muted by a depressed industry that sent its owners into bankruptcy.

This routing tag, attached to the car,
shows the car was loaded Friday
with a destination of Needles, Calif.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Now, part of it is heading west to help bring another facility back on-line.

One of the transformers formerly located at the site sits on a drop-center — or depressed — flat car in Canadian National's South Yard in Bogalusa, ready to be shipped 1,700 miles away.

According to a load clearance card attached to the car, the transformer is headed for Needles, Calif., just a few miles from the South Point Energy Center. The specialized car was routed from Mobile, Ala. to Jackson, Miss., then down to Brookhaven and across to Wanilla before being delivered to Bogalusa.

"We have a facility near Needles,” Calpine employee Mike Fussell told wpnewsblog. "They lost a transformer and it was going to take it too long to repair it. Our company said, 'Hey, we've got one in Bogalusa we're not using' and that's how it all came together."

The concept for WPEC was originally developed by North Carolina-based Cogentrix, an independent power company. On Jan. 26, 2001, Calpine announced the acquisition of the 577 megawatt facility with a goal of having it operational in 2002.

But instead of generating power, WPEC's only public use has been as a staging area for power crews helping with the Hurricane Katrina clean-up and restoration.

As the $300 million facility was being developed, Calpine was forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization, from which it eventually emerged.

In August 2006, Calpine responded to a request for proposal (RFP) by Entergy, which, at the time, was short on power — especially on the Northshore. While Entergy's generating capacity was severely limited, the company decided against new technology and decided to keep its power generation in-house and Calpine was unsuccessful — with the WPEC standing as a silent sentinel over the land around it.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogger.com)

Mayor asks sign posters to be 'responsible'

Illegal signs at

South Columbia &

Marshall Richardson.

(Photo by John H. Walker)

Originally posted 5/17/2011
Updated 5/22/2011
Signs down on 5/24/2011

Bogalusa Mayor Charles Mizell this week asked sign posters in the community to be responsible, reminding them that unless they had permission to place a sign on private property, all were illegal.

"Yes," he said when asked after Tuesday's city council meeting by wpnews.com, "A citizen can remove any illegally posted sign without getting in trouble."

There are dozens of homemade, as well as commercial signs, staked in the ground, nailed to trees and tied to state highway signs. The small signs promoting commercial businesses are called "bandit advertising" signs.

Two big offenders include a daiquiri shop located off Marshall Richardson and a former business run out of a storage unit near Western Sizzlin'. That business, which now operates in the former Estelles, had "going out of business" signs up for over a year, refreshing them when they became weather worn.

Two hanging banners currently serve as eyesores at the intesection of La. 10 and La. 21. One is for an Easter Egg hunt held a month ago, while the other is for a horse ride on May 7 at Ponderosa Ranch in Crystal Springs, Miss.

And there are signs all over the community for commercial businesses located outside of Washington Parish, including Mississippi businesses.

"Take 'em down," Mizell said. "They're eyesores."

Illegal signs at corner of Highway 21 and Highway 10.

Most recent of the two events was three weeks ago.

(Photo by John H. Walker)

For locals posting garage sale signs, he asked that persons "be responsible" and clean up after themselves if they choose to break the law.

"We're trying to do some things to help the community look better," he said, "and we're asking out citizens to help."

(Posted first at www.wpnewsblog.com)

Local gas prices drop, still higher than area

Friday, 6:45 p.m.

At least some gas prices in Bogalusa took a drop Friday, just two days after wpnewsblog.com pointed out the disparity between Washington Parish prices are virtually every other community within driving distance.

After spending much of the last two weeks at $3.899, gas at Jr. Food Mart had two drops on Friday — first to $3.859 and then to $3.799. Despite the dime-a-gallon difference, that stills leaves the least expensive gas in Bogalusa 14 cents a gallon higher than Covington, 20 cents a gallon higher than Amite and Picayune and Columbia, Miss. and 25 cents more than Slidell.

Tuesday, 5:15 p.m.

The highest gas price in Bogalusa is at the convenience store located at the corner of 2^nd Street and Columbia St., where regular gas is $3.999. Those prices were posted following a delivery earlier this week. Previously, the pumpheads were bagged.

Drivers going on weekend trips have the opportunity to save significant money. If you’re going across Lake Pontchartrain, gas is as low as $3.349 in Kenner, with 10 outlets selling for less than $3.50 per gallon. If you’re heading north towards Jackson, gas is cheaper still — as low as $3.249 in Bryam and less than $3.50 in every region of the state. Gas on the Mississippi Gulf Coast ranges from $3.29 in Pascagoula to $3.54 in Gulfport and $3.59 in Biloxi.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Bogalusa's Whitney Bank to be sold to The First

While Hancock Bank's purchase of Whitney Bank has now received approval from stockholders of both institutions as well as the Justice Department and Federal Reserve Bank, there were some interesting stipulations.

First among them was that Whitney must sell eight locations — including Bogalusa's Columbia Street office — to gain JD approval. Hattiesburg, Miss.-based The First has agreed to purchase all eight locations.

The First currently serves 12,500 customers and has $540 million in assets at its 10 locations. The Whitney Bank branches have more than 15,000 customers and the Bogalusa branch held deposits of $46.7 million as of June 30, 2010.

Next, as part of the initial deal, announced in December, Hancock will switch branding on all of its Louisiana branches to Whitney, while Whitney's branches in Mississippi, Alabama and Florida will carry the Hancock logo.

While no official announcement has been made, the Franklinton newspaper reported that bank employees expect that community's Whitney location to be closed and operations folded into the current Hancock facility. Both banks are located on Cleveland Street.

The last major change is that Hancock will move its headquarters from Gulfport, Miss. to New Orleans, although much of the banks operations department will stay on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

(Published first at http://www,wpnewsblog,blogspot.com)

Circle K leaves Washington Parish

Circle K, the nation's second-largest convenience store chain behind 7/11, has closed it's store on Highway 21, south of Bogalusa.

The closure took place at the first of the month, but the gas tanks have just been removed this week. All windows on the building are covered with plywood and the gas pumps have been removed, as well.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com/ by iPhone)

Is there still a Supercenter on the way?

It has been slightly more than a year since Wal-Mart's Tice White, Divisional Manager for Public Affairs, said the Bentonville, Ark.-based retailer had no plans to build a Supercenter in Bogalusa.


And just a day shy of six months ago, outgoing Mayor James "Mack" McGehee said the retailer would, indeed, build a SuperCenter in the Magic City.


“They signed a purchase agreement on the old Wade Tung Oil Plant property and they’re doing the environmental testing,” he told the Bogalusa newspaper last November 21. “Providing everything works out, they plan to open in 18 months.”

“We started this deal 10 years ago, and that’s the first site I took them to,” McGehee was quoted in the newspaper. “Then they went to the west side of town, the east side of town, the south side of town and ended up back at the original location.”

McGehee's announcement came two months after Wal-Mart completed a remodeling of its Shopyard Square store.

So, where are the smiley faces?

"I talked with them just the other day," current Bogalusa Mayor Charles Mizell told wpnewsblog. "They said their builder will be in here by June 1 to look at the site and if everything goes as planned, they'll start site preparation."

Mizell said he asked for a time frame on the project and was told about 12 months. "If they do it," he said, lifting his eyebrows as if in doubt, "I would think we would be talking about around July 1 (next year)."

Mizell said he hoped the retail giant would make a commitment to Bogalusa. "They've got SuperCenters all around us and if they don't build one here, I would be very concerned about their commitment to helping the community instead of pulling money out," he told wpnewsblog.

The property under consideration is located north of CVS. It is bounded on the south by Ontario Ave., on the east by Memorial Drive, on the north by Caswell Avenue and on the west by Sabine Drive.


(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Sitel employee: "We don't know what's going on"

The news that Nashville, Tenn.-Sitel is closing its Bogalusa Call Center, as first reported in the Bogalusa newspaper, caught workers by surprise Tuesday afternoon.

"We don't know what is going on," one employee said. "We've always had rumors, but this came out of the blue."


"I am officially out of a job as of July 18 uggghgh!!!!!!!!!!," one employee posted on Facebook.


The decision will result in the elimination of 149 jobs in Bogalusa. The Bogalusa site was one of several call centers, along with Asheville, NC, and Bartlesville, Okla., handling customer service calls for Providence, R.I.-based Citizens Financial Group and Charter One Bank, both operating divisions of the Royal Bank of Scotland.


The Bogalusa payroll included site supervisor Chad Luikart, H/R Director Jerry Couch, an IT person, a trainer, a receptionist who also administers employment tests, and between seven and 10 team leaders, called coaches, who lead teams of 15-20 customer service representatives (CSR).


CSR pay rates begin at $8 per hour with the opportunity to eventually climb to the $9 per hour range. Coaches are former CSRs whose performance metrics positioned them to advance into the spots, where the pay range was in the vicinity of $10.50 per hour. Employees were eligible for a benefits package that included insurance and 401k.


"They say they're giving people the opportunity to transfer," a city official said, "But you probably won't see many $8 people moved."


Over the years there have been consistent rumors that Sitel was closing. One recent rumor began in December when coaches began discussing job opportunities in Glasgow, Ky.


"Them looking at job postings online made a lot of people think it was going to close," a CSR with less than a year's experience, said.


While the building was configured into two halves, only about 60 percent of the north side was utilized year-round. Limited usage of the south side occurred only around Christmas, when Sitel handled calls for mobile telephone providers.


The building, which received damage during Hurricane Katrina, was plagued by a number of issues. Last summer, employees were forced to work with only shop-size fans to provide cooling as the air conditioning was inoperable. Employees also complained of a constant, moldy smell and there were almost constant equipment issues.


"I think they are bailing because they're going to have to spend serious money to bring everything up to standard,” one former employee speculated.


Additional speculation was that the company's contract was running out with the city and, rather than spend money to upgrade the building. it was easier to leave. Terms of the agreement with the city included a clause pertaining to the number of jobs created and maintained.


Employment at the center has dropped from 240 when the ClientLogic-Sitel merger was announced to the 149 announced Tuesday.

There has been a call center operation in Bogalusa for more than 10 years, beginning with Service Zone, which operated in a storefront in Shopyard Square. Service Zone, a privately-held company based in Brandon, Fla. was acquired by ClientLogic in a deal that closed in early January 2004. ServiceZone had moved to the Industrial Park prior to the acquisition.


In mid-February 2007, ClientLogic announced it had completed its acquisition of Sitel by merger, but the Sitel name was retained because it more widely recognized.


(Exclusive content at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Who is highest paid state employee in parish?

Did you ever wonder what state employee makes the most money in Washington Parish?

Well, according to the website http://www.louisianasunshine.org, there are two who shared the No. 1 spot in 2010 — both physicians at LSU-Bogalusa Medical Center or, as it is still carried in state payroll records, Washington-St. Tammany Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Richard Colon and Dr. Hamid Hussain both earned $350,000 while carrying the designation of Physician I. They earned the same amount in 2009.

Four other physicians — all at LSU-BMC — earned more than $225,000 in 2010. Those four were Mark D. East at $290,000, Rojina Jasani at $250,000, Anthony T. Pham at $240,000 and Maria Buenaflor at $227,000. Pham was listed as director while the other three were shown as Physician I staff members.

Other high-profile state employees in the parish, their job description and salary for 2010 included:
  • Dennis LaRavia, Med. Dept. Dir., Rayburn Correction, $180,000
  • Kurt Scott, CEO, LSU-BMC, $163,862
  • Jerry A. Thomas, Physician I, LSU-BMC, $145,600
  • Regina Runfalo, COO, LSU-BMC, $102,761
  • William Wainwright, Dean, LTC System, $98,788
  • Bobby Tanner, warden, Rayburn Correction Center, $93,434
  • Beverly Sheridan, Dir.-In-Service Ed., LSU-BMC, $92,144
  • Richard Friend, Dir., LSU Fam. Med. Clinic, $82,500
  • Henry Harrison, Assoc. Prof., LSU Ag Center, $73,923

The highest-paid state employee overall, according to the website, was John Lombardi, president of the LSU Board of Supervisors. Lombardi was paid $550,000 in both 2009 and 2010.

The website details records for 189,852 state workers and a total payroll of $8,422,808,835 in 2010. The average pay was $44,365 was a minimum of $0 and a maximum of $550,000.

The website can be found at www.louisianasunshine.org/payroll. There are a number of search options available.

OPINION — Are Parish drivers being gouged?

Jr. Food Mart at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Crude is below $100 per barrel. The national average has dropped from above $4 per gallon, yet cheaper gas prices are as close as Bush.

With the Texaco by the Pearl River still at $3.929 and Jr. Food Mart in Bogalusa at $3.899, one has to wonder how much traffic is going out of town to buy gas?

Gas was $3.76 per gallon (on average) in Covington on Sunday and $3.65 on Tuesday — the same as in Picayune. If you shop at Winn-Dixie and participate in Fuel Perks, that means a 20-cent-a -gallon discount gets your gas for $3.729 in Bogalusa or $3.45 in Covington and Picayune.

And that raises the next question ... if you can save that much at the pump, why not just go to the grocery store there as well?

Gas prices aren't just less expensive in larger communities, they're cheaper in the country, as well. Just drive up Highway 21 and cross into Mississippi ... the little country store on the west side of the highway was at $3.63 LAST week and has dropped further!

Gas is already below $3.50 a gallon in the Jackson area and New Orleans Metro. The price ranges between $3.60 and $3.75 in the rest of the area — outside Washington Parish — which makes one think long and hard about paying an extra 30 to 40 cents a gallon.

We're all for shopping at home, but not at the expense of common sense!

Bogalusa City Council handles brief agenda

Members of the Bogalusa City Council faced a brief agenda at its regular meeting Tuesday in the Municipal Courtroom at City Hall.

Two ordinances were introduced, a public hearing held on a third and the agenda was amended to allow modification of the city's engagement letter for the annual audit.

  • Following a motion by Council member Oneita Graham, the agenda was amended to allow for the change to the audit engagement letter. Prior to the unanimous passage, Graham explained that the changes dealt only with the start and end dates.


  • Introduced an ordinance to re-enact Sect. 4-31 of the Code of Ordinances, which provides a 300-foot distance operational restriction for certain alcohol-related businesses in regards to church, synagogue, public library, public playground, school, full-time daycare center or correctional facility or halfway house. A public hearing will be held June 7.


  • Introduced an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a contract with the successful bidder for operation of the Choctaw Landfill.


  • A public hearing — with no comment — was held to change property located at 607 Rio Grande Street from A-2 Residential to C-Commercial for the purpose of constructing commercial building (sic) for assorted business (sic) at this location. The ordinance reads that the Planning and Zoning Commission requested the change —not that the change was requested of P&Z by the property's owner.


Neither the ordinance nor the agenda mentioned the owner by name, but a check of the Washington Parish Assessor's website shows two tax records for the property — one to Laurel Lane Farms, LLC and the other to Timberland Broadcasting Corp.


According to www.hoovers.com, Gardner Adams is president of Timberlands Broadcasting and Bill Adams is vice-president. The Timberlands Advertiser, a division of Timberlands Broadcasting, lists G.S. (Buddy) Adams, Jr. as owner/publisher and William "Bill" Adams, Sr. as owner. Gardner Adams, Jr., 14194 Hwy. 1075, is listed as the primary owner of Laurel Lane Farms.


Council will next meet Tuesday, June 7 at 5:30 at City Hall.


(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com/)

Obituaries - Tuesday, May 17

Wendell E. Galloway
(Feb. 19, 1943 - May 16, 2011)

METAIRIE -- Wendell E. Galloway, age 68, a resident of Bogalusa, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2011 at East Jefferson General Hospital in Metairie, La.

He is survived by a daughter, Aimee (Johnny) Hill; two sons, Wynn (Michelle) Galloway and Joel Galloway all of Isabel; 1 sister, Oma Lee Roche of Zachary; 11 grandchildren, Jessica Burris, Kaylie Fink, Stefany Jenkins, Johnny Hill, Jr., Emilee Williams, Shaydon Hill, Madison Jordan, Logan Jordan, Camryn Jordan, Holden Galloway and Mak Galloway and two great-grandchildren, Taylor Burris and Bailee Galloway.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Paula Jean Galloway; his parents, Jack Cauley Galloway and Clara Plaisance Galloway; three sisters, Dennie Holland, Theo Carpenter and Joanette Galloway.

Visitation was be held at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home Tuesday and continues at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home Chapel from 10 a.m. Wednesday until the service at noon. Rev. Ed Jenkins and Rev. Jeff Mizell will officiate with burial to follow at Adams Cemetery in Isabel.

To view and sign the register, www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com

Letter Carriers may repeat food drive

Washington Parish and Northshore Letter Carriers are checking into the possibility of conducting a second "Stamp Out Hunger" food drive, after Saturday's effort was less-than-successful.

Notices to postal customers advising them of the food drive did not go out to Northshore postal patrons and local publicity was minimal.

"We're trying to get the okay to hold another food drive," one Bogalusa carrier said Monday.

During the drive, postal patrons are asked to place non-perishable food items in a bag and either hang them from their mail box flag or place the bag by their mailbox so carriers can collect them.

In 2010, letter carriers delivered between 8,000 and 10,000 pounds of food to the Bogalusa Help Center. In 2009, about 6,000 pounds was collected. (Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Northshore Technical graduates new nurses

Northshore Technical College-Sullivan Campus nursing director Judy Wamsley tells the audience at First Baptist Church about the rigorous curriculum the 20 soon-to-be-graduates followed to become nurses. (John H. Walker photo)

On Friday, May 13, Northshore Technical College-Sullivan Campus, held a combined pinning and graduation ceremony for 20 members of the 2010-2011 Practical Nursing class. The ceremony was at First Baptist Church of Bogalusa.

Members of the class included (alphabetical) Letisha Andrews, Brandie Arabie, Cadie Burr, Darren Canova, Melissa Fortenberry, Brandi Hansel, Andreleta Higgins, Chelsea Jackson, Marlinda James, Lori Knight, Hannah Ledlow, Ashley Luper, Ashley May, Jared Mizell, Keyonna Oatis, Portia Peyton, Amber Scott, Keisha Smith, Christopher Taylor and Riva Williams.

Brandi Hansel won the academic award and Hannah Ledlow was recognized by the nursing staff as most caring. (Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com/)