KVCL Local News
|
The Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Office and Jonesville Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the area of Tal Gibson Street around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26. Officials say callers reported a man was walking down the levee saying he had been shot. When authorities arrived, they say they immediately provided emergency medical services, and the victim was airlifted to Rapides Parish Regional Medical Center. Catahoula officials said that witness statements and evidence collected at the scene helped them identify a suspect, and officials began searching the surrounding area. Block High School and Jonesville Elementary School were placed on lockdown until the suspect was taken into custody. Authorities say the incident did not occur on school grounds or involve students, and the lockdown lasted for less than an hour. Sheriff Toney Edwards urges anyone with information regarding this incident to call the Catahoula’s Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-744-5411. A new study by WalletHub shows that Louisiana is the third most stressed state in the country. "Largely in part because it has the second highest poverty rate in the country, 12% of the residents Louisiana haven’t seen a doctor in the past year because of the high costs," Wallethub analyst Chip Lupo said. Lupo says another reason is that Louisiana has the second lowest median credit score in the country. "The median credit score in Louisiana is 675 and on the traditional credit score scale that ranks just above fair credit," Lupo said. With credit scores at that level, that means the majority of Louisiana residents may experience trouble getting credit; and those who do, pay more in interest rates. And Lupo says those financial burdens oftentimes lead to other stress factors. "Louisiana is among the ten worst states for both the share of adults reporting poor mental health and the share of the adults diagnosed with depression," Lupo said. The two most stressed states according to the study are, in order, New Mexico and Nevada. At the other end of the spectrum, the least stressed state in the country is Nebraska. The Grant Parish Sheriff's Office has reported the arrest of a New Orleans woman. Identified as Kalinda Celestine, 37, she faces multiple charges, including the distribution of heroin, methamphetamine, distribution of Suboxone, and bringing contraband into Pollack's federal prison. Details about the operation, including how the narcotics were transported into the facility, remain scarce as the investigation continues. While authorities are holding back the specifics, they have emphasized the severity of the charges. The arrest of Celestine adds to the tally of similar cases at the federal prison in Grant Parish. Multiple arrests have been made on similar grounds involving the Pollock facility. The recurring nature of these arrests draws attention to systemic challenges faced by prisons in controlling contraband and highlights the need for more stringent security measures. As the case progresses, authorities are expected to provide more details about the specific smuggling attempt and the strategies that may be implemented to address similar activities in the future. On March 14, officials of the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Department conducted a traffic stop on a motorcycle on Oakloosa Road. During the traffic stop, authorities made contact with Joseph L. Thompson and discovered that the motorcycle was stolen from Texas. Deputies also discovered that Thompson was in possession of methamphetamine and approximately $4,980. Authorities obtained a search warrant for Thompson’s residence and found over a pound of methamphetamine and fentanyl, a firearm, and a stolen trailer from Ouachita Parish. Thompson was arrested and charged with possession with Intent to distribute a CDS, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal possession of stolen goods, possession of drug paraphenalia, and traffic violations. Thompson's bond was set at $158,500. Law officers in Natchitoches Parish are investigating two chaotic events that happened on the night of Saturday, March 22. A mass shooting occurred during a trail ride resulting in four Shreveport residents being injured, and a police chase that ended in a fiery wreck. Around 9:00 p.m. Natchitoches Parish deputies responded to reports about a fight in the parking lot of the Clarence Town Hall. As deputies got there, a black 2018 Chevrolet pickup sped away, leading deputies on a chase on US 71. Officials say it’s believed the people in the truck had just come from the trail ride on Catholic Lane where four people were shot. That incident happened around 7:45 p.m. The truck headed north on US 71, then turned left onto Highway 6. The truck kept going, headed westbound on Highway 6, and turned its headlights off in heavy traffic as people were leaving the trail ride, the sheriff’s office says. The chase ended when the driver lost control of the truck, causing it to leave the road and crash into a ravine on the left side of Highway 6 near Highway 486 Campti Cutoff. At that point, the truck burst into flames. Deputies report seeing three people get out and run away from the truck. After a search deputies found two people from the truck. The driver was found suffering from non-life-threatening injuries about a mile from the crash scene. All three men in the truck are from Shreveport. The driver of the truck was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The investigation is ongoing, and charges are pending. Two persons were killed in two separate accidents in Concordia Parish Friday and Saturday. On March 21, at approximately 7:40 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a fatal crash on Louisiana Highway 569 near Ferriday. This crash killed 46-year-old Jason R. Tipton of Vidalia. A 2014 Eager Beaver 50 GSL Trailer was parked in the southbound lane of Louisiana Highway 569. Tipton was standing behind the trailer assisting with loading a piece of heavy machinery. A southbound 1994 Ford F-150, driven by 68-year-old Edwin R. Tillery of Ferriday, failed to slow down and rear-ended the trailer. As a result, Tipton was struck and pinned against the trailer. Tipton sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Tillery, who was not restrained, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital. On March 22 at approximately 5:15 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 84 near Louisiana Highway 3232. The crash claimed the life of 51-year-old Mark Carney of Monterey. A 2008 Toyota Tacoma, driven by Carney, was traveling west on U.S. Highway 84. Carney’s vehicle ran off the road and collided with a nearby building. Carney, who was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Both crashes remain under investigation. |
Winn Parish Sheriff's Department Arrest Report 3-19-25 - Christopher Caballero, Winnfield, LA, Carnal knowledge of a juvenile 3-20-25 - Sirena G. Whitstine, Montgomery, LA, Failure to appear 3-23-25 - Jessica L. Malone, Winnfield, LA, Failure to appear Winnfield Police Department Arrest Report3-20-25 - O’Bryan Holden, Winnfield, LA, Arrested as a peeping tom 3-20-25 - Dayra K. Ball, Winnfield, LA, Theft by embezzlement 3-20-25 - Kameshia K. Williams, Winnfield, LA, Theft of goods under $500.00 3-24-25 - Kendrell J. Wilson, Winnfield, LA, Direct contempt of court, contraband, resisting an officer 3-24-25 - Sadie J. Jones, Winnfield, LA, Two counts of direct contempt of court Northwestern State University will offer a Pick Up Your Brush painting class on April 3 and 10 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the second floor of South Hall. The fee is $45.00 for each separate session. Participants will learn the art of painting using step-by-step instructions to create a masterpiece. On April 3, students will take home a completed painting at the end of the class titled "Roses in Pink Leopard Vase." On April 10, they will paint "Whimsical Cow." No special or prior skills are required. Children ages 7 – 12 years old are allowed to enroll, but a parent must accompany the child the entire class. Parents do not have to enroll unless they take part. All supplies are included. For more information or to register for classes, visit checkout.nsula.edu Northwestern State University will offer a 38-hour driver education course during the 2024-2025 school year. The classes will be April 14-17. Students must be 15 years of age. For more information or to register for NSU non-credit programs,visit checkout.nsula.edu or call (800) 376-2422 or (318) 357-6355. The next meeting of the Louisiana Crime Victims Reparations Board will be on Tuesday, April 8, at 9:00 a.m., at the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement Office, at 602 North Fifth Street in Baton Rouge. The public is invited to attend this meeting, and assistance will be provided to those who need special accommodations in order to attend this meeting. For more information, persons may call 225.342.1500 |