We have moved ...

... from Blogger to a new location.

John H. Walker
Editor/Publisher

Blogger has served us well and has accommodated many stories and photos, but there are capacity limitations.

Our new home is http://www.mywpnews.com — as in your news, your way.

There are a number of features at this new location that we believe will help us better serve you ... including better separation of pages, expanding archives and local links you might find interesting.

Readers will also be able to place word classifieds and pay for them online ... oh, by the way, when we activate that section, all classified word ads will be free for the first 30 days. After that, I think you'll find the rates to be more than competitive.

And if you have a business, we want to talk with you about advertising on My WP News. Again, the rates are very competitive.

As with Blogger, our new host utilizes Google Analytics — which means they operate the visitor counter, keeps up with the clicks on ads as well as the click-thrus and provides audited reports.

As we've said several times before, we appreciate your support — both in the past as well as in the future.
                                                                           -John H. Walker

Sick council members force meeting cancellation

Three sick members of the Bogalusa City Council forced a cancellation of Tuesday's regular meeting, which included condemnation hearings, and left those coming to City Hall greeted only by a hastily scrawled sign.

As a result, City Judge Robert Black was at the front door of City Hall, meeting persons who were coming for the condemnation portion of the lengthy agenda.

"We work to notify people and we may have someone coming from out-of-town," Black told wpnewsblog. "It would be right to contact them, tell them we were going to have a hearing and then have them show up to a locked building."

Just as Black was explaining why he was there, four members of a family walked up to the door, asking about the hearings.

"We won't have the hearing," he told them, "but we can sit down and discuss what is going on and what options you may be facing."

Tuesday's agenda was a lengthy one, including four resolutions alone pertaining to the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program. Additionally, business operators could be facing another cost of doing business, based on the details of an ordinance that would allow for the creation of a tax on the "pursuit of business."

There is no indication as to whether council will call a special meeting or wait until the next session, scheduled for August 16.

Former WPSO jail employee charged with malfeasance after sexual incident with inmate

Bobby Riggs, who is said to be a residence of the Pine area and worked as a deputy at the Washington Parish Jail in recent days, has been charged with malfeasance of office in connection with sexual encounter with an inmate.

Sheriff Robert Crowe

Sheriff Robert Crowe confirmed the incident with wpnewsblog as he prepared to attend a campaign event in Bogalusa.

Crowe said it was his understanding that Riggs had given previously given his two weeks' notice and that the incident occurred on Sunday, his final day of employment.

Crowe said Riggs joined the sheriff's office after being laid off at Rayburn Correctional Center in Angie.

"When we took office, we said we expected our personnel to rise to a higher standard," Crowe explained. "I think we had something happen like this the first six months I was in office and we made the arrest and filed charges then, just like we did now."

If convicted of the charge, a state prison felony, Riggs could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fined up to $10,000.

Wpnewsblog learned of the incident about 1:40 Tuesday afternoon.

(Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)
(Reader news tip story)

Bogalusa council facing lengthy agenda today

An unusually busy agenda faces the Bogalusa Cit Council when it meets at 5:30 p.m. today, with 12 action items in addition to the normal housekeeping-type items.

Five resolutions, four ordinances, an emergency ordinance, condemnations and a motion are among the things council members will face. Four of the resolutions are tied to the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant program.

The motion, to be introduced by Councilwoman Oneita Graham, would result in Brenda Ford’s appointment as council secretary. Ms. Ford has handled council secretarial and clerk duties for several months on an interim basis.

Resolutions to be considered include:

            • Authorize the mayor to cancel the lease purchase option on the Industrial Park building occupied by Sitel (Graham)

            • Authorization to hire an administrative consultant for the city relative to Louisiana Community Development Block Grants (Drummond)

            • Authorization to hire engineering services for the city relative to Louisiana Community Development Block Grants (Drummond)

            • Authorizing the mayor to sign an application for funding for FY 2012-2013 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program (Drummond)

            • Re-adopt Citizen Participation Plan of the City of Bogalusa relative to the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant program (Drummond)

Ordinances to be introduced include:

            • Requiring the bill for water service to be the responsibility of the tenant and to make the property owner primarily responsible if more than one tenant is served by the same meter (O’Rea)

            • To amend and re-enact Sect. 12-109 of the Bogalusa Code to provide relative to sound amplification system, define violations and setting penalties (O’Rea)

            • To provide for the imposition of a tax on the Pursuit of Business as authorized by LRS 47:341 ET SEQ, and to provide for related matters. (Hodges)

            • Authorize the mayor to enter into a contract with James Purpera Consulting Services for State Capital Outlay Budget, State General Appropriations Budget – State Aid to Local Governments (Hodges)

In addition, members of the public who want to address the council must sign up in advance and are limited to three minutes.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Tuesday, Aug. 16.         

                              

Governor signs bill creating Northshore Technical Community College

It has been more than 80 years since Bogalusans created the state’s first trade school and in that time, many things have changed.

And things are about to change once again.

Founded in 1930 as Sullivan Memorial Trade School, it was the first post-secondary public technical school in Louisiana. The original school was built on Mississippi Avenue in Bogalusa, Louisiana with funds contributed by school children, local sawmill workers and citizens of the city in memory of the city's first mayor, William H. Sullivan.  The late Commissioner of Education, J.P. Starns suggested that a memorial to Sullivan be established in the form of a "manual arts training" center.  Initial capital requirements were quickly exceeded, and the training center became a reality.

Then, in 1970, the school known locally as simply “Sullivan” became the first vocational/technical institute to be accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

In addition to being known as “Sullivan,” it has officially been known as Louisiana Technical College-Sullivan Campus as well as Northshore Technical College-Sullivan.

Now, following the signing of SB 69, authored by Sen. Ben Nevers (D, Bogalusa), Northshore Technical College is poised to become Northshore Technical and Community College.

The change is more than in name only.

Unlike NTC-Sullivan, NTCC will be able to grant degrees and students will be able to transfer to other degree-granting institutions. The law, which became Act 209 when Gov. Bobby Jindal signed it into law on June 27, levels the playing field between the state’s oldest technical school and other community colleges in the state.

“The campuses in Bogalusa, Hammond and Greensburg can now offer associate degrees,” Nevers explained to mywpnews. “We can have locally enrolled students in high school working toward college hours and all of these can be applied to an associate’s degree or a baccalaureate degree.”

Nevers, a former educator and member of the Bogalusa City School board, said he could only imagine the frustration of someone, having gone through a course of study at one of the technical college campuses only to learn those credits are not transferable.

“The LPN course at Sullivan is a prime example,” he said. “I have been fighting that nursing issue since the seventies, when I served on the (Bogalusa) school board. Our students can leave Sullivan and go to Mississippi and get more credit for their courses than we gave them in Louisiana.”

No more.

Now, students attending the nation’s seventh-fastest growing technical college system will be able to either follow a technical curriculum to certification of quick entry into the work force or go through the community curriculum and earn an associate’s degree and, if they choose, take that degree, their hours and credits and transfer to a four-year school.

“That’s the reason the name is Northshore Technical Community College … to keep the technical component as well as add the community component. I believe this change will encourage students to stay in post-secondary education, rather than starting over.”

On Monday, William Wainwright, dean of Northshore Technical Community College, told mywpnews that work is under way to officially announce the name change and other new information tied to the changes created by the legislation.

Sunday downpour pushes July total past 8 inches

Portions of Bogalusa and eastern Washington Parish received an inch or more of rain Sunday afternoon as heavy thunderstorms literally blew through with high winds that stripped some smaller limbs from trees and left water standing in streets.

The one-inch recorded in northeast Bogalusa raised the rainfall total for July to 8.05 inches and was the sixth time during the month that at least one-half inch had been recorded.

While Washington Parish remains in a severe drought, the July rainfall erased 2.38 inches of the deficit, as the historic average for the month is 5.67 inches.

The weather forecast heading into August is for an extreme heat advisory on Monday with a 50 percent chance of thunderstorms Monday afternoon and evening. Highs are forecast to be in the mid-90s with the heat index reaching between 103 and 110 degrees. Because of that, the National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat advisory until 7 p.m. Monday.

Temperatures are forecast to be in the low-to-mid 90s through Thursday with rain chances no greater than 30 percent.

Tangipahoa escapee turns himself in

Sedrick Smith, 33, who escaped from custody on July 22 while being transported to the Catahoula Parish Jail, turned himself in to U.S. Marshals early Sunday.

Sedrick Smith

Smith, of Greensburg, was in jail on armed robbery charges and surrendered to Marshalls in Livingston Parish and was booked into the Livingston Parish Jail on fugitive charges from Tangipahoa Parish.

Smith somehow broke free of his shackles, assaulted the transport deputy, broke the rear window of the transport vehicle and escaped on foot. An intense manhunt ensued for about 30 hours before Tangipahoa Parish officials called in off, speculating that Smith had headed west towards Baton Rouge.

In addition to his charges of armed robbery, Smith now faces charges of aggravated escape and second-degree battery on a police officer.

Bogalusa Crew 313 wins national championship

NORFORK, Ark. — Bogalusa Venturer Crew 313 won its 12th national championship here Saturday, winning three divisions and finishing second, third and fifth in another as the 45th National Invitational White River Canoe race came to a close.

The Crew, sponsored by the Bogalusa newspaper, is coached by Col. Robert Miller, United States Marine Corps (ret.) and left Bogalusa last Saturday, just hours after winning the Golden Anniversary 110-mile Bogue Chitto River Canoe Marathon.

Bogalusa took divisional titles in Open Cruising, Boys Aluminum-Advanced and Boys Aluminum-Novice and finished second, third and fifth in Boys Aluminum-Beginners.

In Open Cruising, Bogalusa finished the cumulative 120 miles in 11:49:33, edging Russellville, Ark. by 2:18 and beating New Brighton, Minn. by 16:39.

In Advanced, Bogalusa finished the race in 13:49:17, more than an hour better thn second place Little Rock, Ark., and 1:25.30 better than Bryan, Texas.

In Novice, Crew 313 finished in 14:15:53, claiming a victory of more than two hours over second-place Bryan. Bryan edged fellow Lone Star State entrant Fort Worth by 3:14.

In Beginners, Russellville, Ark. claimed the title and beat Crew 313's boat I4 by 20:32. Crew 313's boat I6 was another 13 minutes behind in third, while Little Rock was in fourth, just 24 seconds behind. Bogalusa's boat I5 was another nine minutes out.

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

Bogalusa LDRC needs more business surveys turned in; Response rate at 67 percent to goal

Unless the survey fairy, first cousin to the tooth fairy, comes through, Bogalusa’s goal of at least 1,001 responses to the Louisiana Development Ready Communities survey will fall short.

Through Friday afternoon there were 542 completed surveys — 361 online from community members, 81 online from the business community and 100 paper surveys tallied by Southeastern University.

In addition, there were 129 partial online surveys for a total response of 671 — or 67 percent of the mayor’s goal of “one more than last year’s top respondent (DeRidder).”

Project Chair Sandy Bloom said the Bogalusa LDRC committee would like to have more business surveys.

“We really need and want that input,” she told wpnewsblog. “With the online availability of the surveys, they can be done at any time of the day or night.”

On Monday, the program entered the second stage when about 100 persons attended two Town Hall meetings at the Bogalusa Senior Center. Starting out as one large audience, the attendees were broken up into subgroups, where they listed the communities assets, drawbacks and, in a bit of wishful thinking, what they would change if given a magic wand and the opportunity to wave it over the city.

Bogalusa is one of eight communities selected to participate in this year’s program, which is funded by the state and essentially helps a community map its own plan for the future.

“This is an exciting time,” Bogalusa Mayor Chares Mizell said. “We have the opportunity to make a difference and to do things differently and take a new course. Not everyone … not every community … gets to do that, but we can. It just requires participation so that we might prepare, plan and execute.”

Links to both the community and business survey may be found at the top right column on this web page.

City school year opens with personnel moves

Louise Smith has been on the job as superintendent of Bogalusa City Schools for just a couple of weeks, but there are already changes being made.

On Friday, Smith announced a series of campus leadership changes that will become effective Monday.

BCS Supt. Louise Smith

In a letter to school district employees, Smith said, “Today, the District is announcing an important series of administrative changes that will help us build a more effective culture and accountability in our schools.  These changes, which will be effective as of August 1, 2011, are designed to improve student achievement and better leverage the strengths of our skilled staff members.”

The changes include:

            • Pamela Ard, the current Principal of Bogalusa High School, will take over as Principal of Byrd Avenue Elementary.  Ms. Ard’s wealth of knowledge in elementary curriculum and instruction, as well as her experience in our district at the elementary level makes her an excellent fit.  Ms. Ard is excited to have the opportunity to work with our Byrd Avenue Elementary students, parents, and staff.

            • Taking over as Principal at Bogalusa High School will be Bryan Stewart, recently appointed Principal of Bogalusa New Tech High School.  Mr. Stewart joined the District with an impressive resume, and he rapidly earned the confidence and respect of the Bogalusa High School students, staff, and parents alike through his position as Assistant Principal.  I’m confident Mr. Stewart will evoke the same response in his role as BHS Principal.

            • Lesley McKinley was appointed Assistant Principal/Athletic Director at Bogalusa High School.  Mr. McKinley is a long-time district employee who has extensive secondary experience from his tenure as Bogalusa High School Disciplinarian and Bogalusa New Tech High School Resource Teacher. Mr. McKinley is eager to work with the students, faculty, and staff of Bogalusa High School, and he will be a tremendous asset to the school.

            • Don McDaniel, the current Principal of Bogalusa Middle School, will become the Principal of Bogalusa New Tech High School.  Mr. McDaniel’s long-term experience in education and dedication to faculty and students will enhance his effectiveness at BNTHS.

            • Taking over as Principal at Bogalusa Middle School, will be Tanja Varnado-Seal, current Principal of Byrd Avenue Elementary School.  Mrs. Seal’s extensive experience in curriculum and instruction, dedication to student success, and her history of making a major impact on student achievement by launching new and imaginative school programs makes her a perfect fit for BMS.

Smith also said, “Since the day I arrived in Bogalusa City Schools, I have been privileged to work with a skilled team of educational leaders.  The tremendous depth of experience and skill in the District is what makes me completely confident these moves, while extensive, will happen smoothly.  I believe these administrative changes will move our District forward and make a significant difference in student outcomes.”

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

Watson judged incompetent to stand trial for double murder

Judge William Knight determined Quentin Watson to be incompetent to stand trial for the murders of 46-year-old Anita Smith and her 34-year-old nephew, William Lewis, in Franklinton.

Quentin Watson

Knight began the hearing at about 10 a.m. Friday in his chambers as officials of the district clerk’s office were calling roll of those summoned for jury duty.

With the determination of incompetency, Judge Knight order Watson to be taken to East Louisiana State Hospital in Jackson for the purpose of restoring his competency.

Watson pled “not guilty” during his arraignment and continued to profess his innocence during a jailhouse interview with the Bogalusa newspaper.

In the newspaper interview, Watson even claims to have talked with the person he believes to be the real killer and said his confession to police was out of fear for the safety for his family and himself.

Watson said he received a call on his cell phone the day the bodies were discovered and was told that if he said anything, he “would be next.”

Law enforcement discounted Watson’s claims and said he was looking for a way out. They also said the person Watson was referring to was never a suspect and that Watson’s claims are not supported by the evidence collected — which includes his DNA.

It was a contact DNA sample taken from the crime scene that resulted in Watson’s arrest. Watson was arrested for prescription fraud in November 2008 and had his DNA collected by Pardons and Paroles in March 2009.

A backlog delayed the entry of Watson’s DNA into the state system until July 2009 but when it was finally entered, investigators got a hit.

Police began tracking Watson’s movements before bringing him in for questioning when, Franklinton Police Chief Donald Folse said, “he took full responsibility” for the killings.

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

Bogalusa Crew 313 closing in on 12th national championship

After two days of competition in the 120-mile, 45^th annual White River National Invitational Canoe Race, Bogalusa’s Venturer Crew 313 continues to hold down first place in three categories, but slipped a bit in a fourth division, where it now has teams in and is second, third and fifth.

 

Should the crew, coached by Col. Robert Miller, maintain those positions it would seem to have an insurmountable lock on a 12^th national championship in the prestigious race. The crew is sponsored by the Bogalusa newspaper.

In Open Cruising, the most advanced paddlers, Crew 313 leads Russellville, Ark. by two minutes, 29 seconds — a tightening of 3:10 off the day one margin. In Boys Aluminum-Advanced, Crew 313 leads Little Rock, Ark. by 46:07  — adding more than 20 minutes to their day one lead. In Boys Aluminum-Novice, Crew 313 leads Bryan, Texas by 1:05.16 — stretching their day one advantage by 39:47.

The slippage came in Boys Aluminum-Beginners.

Russellville, Ark. continues to lead, stretching its margin over second place Crew 313 to 14:21 and 20:34 over Crew 313’s third place boat. Crew 313’s canoe that was in fourth place after day one slipped to fifth after day two, 36:01 off the lead. That canoe was passed in the standings by Little Rock.

Russellville’s open cruising team, which gained 3:10 on Crew 313 on Friday, had the highest average speed for the day at 10.12 miles per hour. Crew 313 maintained the highest cumulative average speed at 9.92 miles per hour. Russellville’s 10.22 miles per hour on leg one was the fastest of the day, followed by New Brighton, Minn. with 10.18 miles per hour on that same leg.

Paddlers start 75 minutes earlier on Saturday’s final day, with the first oars hitting the water at 6:45 a.m. instead of day one and two’s 8 a.m. beginning.

Leg 6 — the longest of the race at 21 miles — gets paddlers under way as they navigate the river from Allyson/Sylamore to Lock No. 3 in a clock out run. A second clock out leg, 12 miles from Lock No. 3 to Lock No. 2, gets paddlers to within seven miles of the finish line, and that comes on Leg 8, from Lock No. 2 to Batesville.

Following completion of the race, officials will tally the results to determine the team champion as well as the winners of the numerous awards presented to entrants.

A total of 25 teams from six states were listed on the Day Two leaderboard, with two teams — one from Batesville, Ark. in Boys Aluminum-Advanced and one from Little Rock in Coed Aluminum-Beginners — had to be towed in an incurred 10 minute penalties.

The awards ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Pavilion near Norfork Dam.

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

DWI checkpoint tonight in Bogalusa

Bogalusa police will hold a DWI checkpoint within the city limits tonight. While impaired drivers will be the first priority, officers will also be on the lookout for other violations.

Bogalusa Crew 313 leads in three categories at 45th White River National Invitational Race

After the first day’s competition in the 120-mile, 45^th annual White River National Invitational Canoe Race, Bogalusa’s Venturer Crew holds down first place in three categories and is second, third and fourth in another.

 

The squad, winners of 11 national championships at the meet, lead by five minutes, 39 seconds in Open Cruising, by 25 minutes, 29 seconds in Boys Aluminum-Advanced and by 28 minutes, 39 seconds in Boys Aluminum-Novice.

Russelville, Ark. is in second in Open Cruising, while Little Rock, Ark. is in second in Boys Aluminum-Advanced and Bryan, Texas in second in Boys Aluminum-Novice.

In Boys Aluminum-Beginners, Crew 313 trails Crew 300 of Russellville, Ark. by five minutes, 49 seconds for second, seven minutes, 44 seconds for third and nine minutes, 52 seconds for fourth.

Bogalusa’s open cruising team had the highest average speed for the day at 10.6 miles per hour over the three legs. The team averaged 13.21 miles per hour on the 17-mile leg from Bull Shoals Dam to Cotter, 9.61 miles per hour on the 13.3 mile second leg from Cotter to Buffalo City and 8.98 miles per hour on the 12.3 mile third leg, which ran from Buffalo City to Norfork.

With 42.6 miles in the books, team rise early on Friday to have their canoes at the water by 7:45 to meet the 8 a.m. start. The first leg of the day, the second-longest of the entire race, is from Norfork to Callico Rock. After this 18-mile leg, crews may change paddlers in preparation for leg five, a 17-mile leg from Callico Rock to Allison/Sylamore.

At Sylamore, teams will have a cookout and a talent show prior to getting some sleep and rest for the championship push on Saturday.

Crew 313 is sponsored by the Bogalusa newspaper. A total of 24 teams from six states entered the race.

(Published first at www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

Competency hearing begins Friday in double murder

Beginning Friday morning, defense attorneys for Quentin Watson will try to convince 22^nd Judicial District Judge William Knight that he is not competent to stand trial.

Quentin Watson

Watson, 29, faces the death penalty in the double murder of Anita Smith, 46, and her nephew, William Lewis, 32, in Smith’s East Acres Subdivision in Franklinton. Family members discovered their bodies on Feb. 6, 2008.

It will be up to Judge Knight to sort through the presentations of both defense and prosecution and decide if Watson, who initially admitted guilt when arrested in August 2009, can aid in his own defense.

If ruled competent, jury selection in the trial can get under way as quickly as Judge Knight decides.

Anita Smith

Watson pled “not guilty” during his arraignment and continued to profess his innocence during a jailhouse interview with the Bogalusa newspaper.

In the newspaper interview, Watson even claims to have talked with the person he believes to be the real killer and said his confession to police was out of fear for the safety for his family and himself.

Watson said he received a call on his cell phone the day the bodies were discovered and was told that if he said anything, he “would be next.”

Law enforcement discounted Watson’s claims and said he was looking for a way out. They also said the person Watson was referring to was never a suspect and that Watson’s claims are not supported by the evidence collected — which includes his DNA.

It was a contact DNA sample taken from the crime scene that resulted in Watson’s arrest. Watson was arrested for prescription fraud in November 2008 and had his DNA collected by Pardons and Paroles in March 2009.

A backlog delayed the entry of Watson’s DNA into the state system until July 2009 but when it was finally entered, investigators got a hit.

Police began tracking Watson’s movements before bringing him in for questioning when, Franklinton Police Chief Donald Folse said, “he took full responsibility” for the killings.

Watermelon softball tournament starts Saturday in Franklinton

The Franklinton Dixie Baseball Association will host its annual Watermelon Softball Tournament beginning Saturday morning at the Dixie Baseball Fields on Bene Street.

There will be a men's division and a women's division with the winning team receiving T-shirts and softballs while second and third place teams will receive softballs.

The entry fee is $150.00 per team and is payable prior to playing the first game.  The first 20 teams to prepay entry fees will be assured of a slot in the tournament and ASA rules will apply.

To enter a team, call Allan McCain at 795-9609. 795-0039 or 516-6524 or contact Aubrey Posey at 515-2335.

Statewide burn ban lifted, parish drought in severe stage

After stretching nearly a month longer than anticipated, State Fire Marshall Butch Browning and Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain have lifted the statewide burn ban.

Butch Browning

The ban went into effect on June 1 and it was hoped that it could have been lifted by the end of the month if the rains came. They didn’t, though, and the ban remained until enough rain fell statewide for the lifting.

Local burn bans remain in Bossier and Caddo parishes in extreme northwest Louisiana.

Strain said despite the lifting of the burn ban, the state remains in a drought state, ranging from severe to extreme. Washington, St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes are in a severe drought state.

Despite heavy rains over Washington Parish during the latter half of the month, neither Bogalusa Fire Chief Richard Moody or Washington Parish Homeland Security Director Tommy Thiebaud were willing to lift the ban in advance of the state.

“It is my understanding we have the authority to do that, based on local conditions,” Moody told wpnewsblog earlier in the month, “but despite the rain it is still really dry and I’m simply not comfortable lifting it.”

Thiebaud said every shower and rain helps, but that until the state fire marshal lifted the ban, it would remain in effect in the parish.

“We can get to calls pretty quick,” Moody said, “but the firefighters in the parish sometimes have to drive a pretty good distance to get to the fire … so just because it seems safe in one place doesn’t mean it is in another.”

There have been nine days with measurable precipitation in Northeast Bogalusa and three days when a trace was recorded. The monthly total in Northeast Bogalusa through noon today (July 28) is 7.05 inches.

A chance of precipitation is forecast through mid-week next week, but the best chance for rain is later today when it is 80 percent.

Bogalusa's Crew 313 ready to pursue 12th national title

At the top of the list of winners is a name of a place some people seem to have difficulty pronouncing — Bogalusa, La.

Crew 313 advisor Col.
Robert Miller and helper
at the 2010 White River
National Invitational Race.

And Thursday morning, when oars make contact with water for the first time in the 45^th Annual National Invitational White River Canoe Race, Bogalusa Venturer Crew 313 will be seeking to add a 12^th national title to its total.

Crew 313 is headed by Col. Robert Miller and is fresh from the 110-mile Bogue Chitto River Marathon. As has been tradition, the Bogue Chitto race ended about mid-day Saturday and the Vogalusa team was on the road before dark.

Water levels, according to the USGS, are good — with 8.93 feet at Calico Rock and 9.54 feet at Batesville — although heat advisories have been issued by the National Weather Service.

Upwards of 160 canoers from across the country will gather at Bull Shoals Dam and must have their canoes at the water at 7:45, ready for an 8 a.m. start. The first leg runs 17 miles from the dam to Cotter, a small cradled in a bend in the White River while leg two is a 13.3 mile run from Cotter to Buffalo City. Crews may change paddlers after each of the first two legs, while leg three, the final of the day, is 12.3 miles and takes the teams to Norfork, where teams will eat, have a team meeting and camp at Quarry Park at Lake Norfork Dam.

With 42.5 miles in the books, team rise early on Friday to have their canoes at the water by 7:45 to meet the 8 a.m. start. The first leg of the day, the second-longest of the entire race, is from Norfork to Callico Rock. After this 18-mile leg, crews may once again change paddlers in preparation for leg five, 17 miles from Callico Rock to Allison/Sylamore.

At Sylamore, teams will have a cookout and a talent show prior to getting some sleep and rest for the championship push.

The final day gets under way earlier, with canoes due at the water at 6:30 and the race under way at 6:45.

Leg six is from Allison/Sylamore and runs 21 miles to Lock No. 3 on the White River. This is the longest leg of the race and is a clock out leg, as is leg seven, a 12-mile stretch from Lock No. 3 to Lock No. 2. This leg is also a clock out leg.

The final leg of the race is seven miles long, from Lock N. 2 to Batesville, with national titles on the line.

Following completion of the race, the awards ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. at the Pavilion near Norfork Dam.

Awards to be presented include:

            • Each member of a team placing first, second or third will receive an award;

            • The Doug Summer Memorial National Championship Traveling Trophy will be awarded to the team regardless of division entered that has the shortest accumulative elapsed time for the race. Doug's Faribault, Minn. Post 301 began attending the race in 1985 and by 1988, they were dominating most classes. Post 301 still owns all (Girls and Co-ed) of the Cruising Division records for the race as well as Co-ed Aluminum. This award is named for the late Doug Summer or "Coach Summer Sir". He was the first coach of Post 301, Faribault, Minnesota. His competed in the White River Canoe Race. He also swept all seven divisions of the race in 1998, the same year as his death from a car accident while returning from the United States Canoe Association (USCA) Nationals with junior paddlers.

• The Ron Eddings Memorial Traveling Trophy will be awarded to the Boy's Aluminum team with the shortest accumulative elapsed time for the race. Advanced and Novice Boy's Aluminum teams are eligible for this award. This award is named for the late Ronald Eddings, an advisor with Post 29 from Camdenton, Mo.

• The Dr. R.J. Van Patter Memorial Traveling Trophy will be awarded to the Girl's Aluminum team with the shortest accumulative elapsed time for the race. Advanced and Novice Girl's Aluminum teams are eligible for this award. This award is named for the late Dr. R.J "Doc" Van Patter, an advisor with Post 8 of Little Rock, Ark. and one of the early founders of the race.

• The Co-ed's Aluminum Championship Traveling Trophy will be awarded to the Co-ed's Aluminum team with the shortest accumulative elapsed time for the race. Advanced and Novice Co-ed's Aluminum teams are eligible for this award.

• The Girl's Cruising Championship Traveling Trophy will be awarded to the Girl's Cruising team with the shortest accumulative elapsed time for the race.

• The Co-ed's Cruising Championship Traveling Trophy will be awarded to the Co-ed's Cruising team with the shortest accumulative elapsed time for the race.

• The Sportsmanship Traveling Trophy will be awarded to the crew, post, or troop best representing the commonly accepted attributes of good sportsmanship such as fair play, respect for others including teammates, competitors and officials, helpfulness, positive attitude, fellowship, encouragement, and effort. The Sportsmanship award will be voted on by team captains at the conclusion of the race.

• The "Tom Edwards" award will be given to the team that travels the greatest distance to compete in the race.

• The "Carl Garner" award will be given to the crew/post/troop exhibiting the greatest spirit in the opinion of the race organizers.

Deteriorating infrastructure taking toll on city resources

On Monday, at the first of two Town Hall meetings tied to the Louisiana Development Ready Communities program, the question was asked, "What do you mean by infrastructure?"

The smaller of two trucks belonging to Compliance Enviro
Systems, LLC is caught in a sinkhole that opened under it
on Military Road. (Photo by John H. Walker)

The answer, of course, is streets and water mains and service lines, drains and sewers — and before that first meeting was over Bogalusa Public Works Director James Hall had gotten a call about a location where workers thought there would be a problem.

Tuesday afternoon, in the 1400 block of Military Road, that problem became evident, as a sewer line collapsed under a truck belonging to a company Hall had brought in to check the conditions of the lines.

"We had a problem on another street and then yesterday, as they were working over here, they called me and told me it looked like we were going to have a problem ... and here it is," Hall said, gesturing to the left rear dual wheel set of the truck that was in the collapsed hole.

The opening is about four-to-vive feet across and 14 feet deep and about six feet away from a manhole cover the crews were getting ready to check.

In fact, had it not been for the trucks bumper hitting the ground several feet away, Hall said the problem might have been bigger still.

Looking down into the hole.

"These are 100-year old pipes and lines," Hall said. "These lines are only 50 years old, so they're the new ones we have to work with."

Hall said he brought Compliance Enviro Systems, LLC of Baton Rouge in because of a problem last Saturday, when water was bubbling out of a manhole on Jefferson Davis after a heavy rain.

"We put sandbags on it and did everything we could do," he said. "Then, as we were checking it, we saw sand in the water."

Hall said Compliance Enviro utilizes two units, sending a camera down into the line to record what it sees and to look for trouble spots and potential trouble spots.

"The problem is you can't budget for things like this," Hall said. "(Personnel director) Sandy (Bloom) found us an emergency loan program, but it takes three weeks to get approval and you can't get reimbursed for any of the money you have to spend. That doesn't seem like much of an emergency loan program to me."

Anton Atkins tied to shell casings found at robbery scene

Shell casings found at the scene of an alleged armed robbery at the corner of Rosa Pearl and Plum on July 10 have been tied directly to a gun to which Bogalusa policeman Anton Atkins had access.

"We got the forensics back and they're (casings) from a gun he (Atkins) had access to," Chief of Police Joe Culpepper said. "Thankfully, it wasn't his service revolver."

Anton Atkins

Culpepper said he understands Atkins, who is on administrative leave with pay while he is under arrest, has bonded out.

Atkins, 29, was charged with armed robbery and dangerous use of a weapon after he allegedly robbed Willie Holloway of more than $300. Both charges are felonies and carry a jail sentence of up to 99 years. In addition, while not a separate charge, armed robbery with a gun is listed as part of the complaint as a sentencing enhancement.

Culpepper said the police department received a complaint at 8:44 p.m. on July 10 about an off-duty officer firing his gun.

Culpepper said responding officers found spent casings at the scene, which were collected as evidence and sent, along with Atkins' service revolver, to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office for forensics testing.

Culpepper said Atkins will now face an Internal Affairs investigation.

"Essentially, in an IA investigation, the chief of police is ordering the officer to testify," Culpepper explained. "Whatever he says, if he admits responsibility, cannot be used against him in a criminal proceeding because he does not have the right to take the Fifth (Amendment)."

Culpepper said the investigation is ongoing.