No Struggle, No Progress
No Struggle, No Progress
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It is still almost two years before the next presidential election, but one would think after hearing from the so-called presidential contenders, the election is next week and that they need your vote. The current field of announced or those who may run include Nikki Haley, Sen. Tim Scott(only Black candidate), and Mike Pence. But, no matter who decides to run, will have to face the biggest elephant in the room, that being Donald Trump. Despite the fact that Trump may be facing an indictment stemming from his legal issues with NY DA Letitia...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A vigorous nightlife is essential for a community that wants to provide an area where people can relax, enjoy some downtime, and meet people like them who enjoy fun night activities. Some cities like New Orleans have a reputation for providing nightlife entertainment in places like Bourbon Street. It may not be for everyone, but communities like to offer it. A night out at one of Monroe's many nightlife entertainment venues took on a serious note for some when a shooting occurre...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Some people in these times feel at liberty to say whatever is on their minds openly and commit acts out in the open in a world that continues to spiral downward. We are responsible for looking out for one another, but more importantly, for the aged and the youth. A local family found themselves on the receiving end of what could have been a tragedy, as a local man allegedly tried to kidnap a member of their family. Monroe Police...
Have any elected in Districts 3,4, or 5 in the city of Monroe traveled through south Monroe? Southside residents are still waiting for their share of tax dollars. Many topics need to be addressed, but the most pressing questions Monroe city council members and mayor should answer is what they have done for south Monroe. Southside residents expect more than empty promises this time. There is a way for change to happen, and residents are growing increasingly weary of the lip service only given when there is an election cycle. It is as if area...
The nation has gone bonkers. It is about to go off of its rocker. Not only that, but the guys who started all of this by writing the Constitutional must be turning in their graves, as this nation may be set to show that lawsuits and so-called rights go hand-in-hand. Even when there appears no reason to do so. Case in point. Remember the 2020 presidential election where Donald Trump lost to Joe Biden BIGLY? We all thought that the issue of who won the presidency was settled, as the court had spoken, and Biden was implementing his policies to...
Recent comments by a Monroe City Schools Board member at a Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2023 meeting may have had good intentions, but some did not receive those comments with a warm reception. School board president Bill Willson gave a board report on a trip to Washington, D.C., representing educational purposes and the Chamber of Commerce recently. While in Washington, Willson said he had a great opportunity to lobby Louisiana’s congressional delegation and the state’s superintendent. Willson said the superintendent is expected to visit...
Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty. A failure to use a turn signal landed a local man in jail over the weekend. On Saturday, February 18, 2023, deputies with the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's office, spotted a driver in a beige Toyota traveling on DeSiard Street that failed to use a right turn signal when proceeding to South 26th Street. Deputies said the driver crossed the double yellow lines as they activated their emergency lights to conduct a traffic stop. The alleged...
Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty. Louisiana has stringent laws on how minors are to be handled by adults. Just as there are laws for physical abuse on adults, the penalty for abuse toward minors who often can't protect themselves carries harsh penalties. In what may have been an attempt to have a good time at a local playspace, it didn't turn out so well for a local man. According to Monroe Police, officers responded to a call at the Altitude Trampoline Park around 2:59...
President Joe Biden has been flexing his political muscles lately despite the criticism that comes from Republicans no matter what the president does. The so-called scandal following the Chinese balloon and other objects shot down by the military has only given the president a little more pep in his political step because the sightings are now relegated to the “old news” department. Republicans who now control the House have not exactly gotten off to the start that they were bragging about how varying investigations would “expose” the truth a...
Breaking news: There is talk circulating in the area that some big plans are in store for two main streets located in a part of Monroe's Black community. It is alleged that both Renwick St. and Louberta St. in Monroe, LA, are set to be closed at each intersecting point on 165 South. This would mean no traffic can turn off the streets, nor can cars travel across the 165 highway at the two streets through the two communities that the highway divides. Instead, it is alleged drivers will be forced...
Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty. A man sought following an incident on Dunlop St. in Monroe, LA, on January 7, 2023, was apprehended from a tip of an individual. He was wanted for his involvement in the death of another local man. Monroe Police Department (MPD) recently announced that Rickey Rogers was at a residence on Rogers St. where police believed Xavier Givens, the wanted individual, was located. Givens was not at the residence, as he is being sought after in the...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. When a crime is committed, a swift arrest is a welcome relief both for the victim and the community. Not all arrests are quickly carried out, as circumstances often can have a lot to do with an impending arrest. For one local, the arrest of her alleged attacker may have taken longer than some, but she is relieved that he is now behind bars. In December 2021, a woman was involved in a domestic altercation with someone she once lov...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven. A local man who was a "person of interest" following the shooting death of 45-year-old Derrick Moore has now been identified. Monroe Police Department (MPD) shared a press release on Monday, February 13, 2023, identifying Calvert J. Antoine as the alleged suspect. Antoine was allegedly involved with another suspect in Moore's death at a southside convenience store on Sunday, February 5, 2023. Antione was charged with Second Degree...
No, I don’t think E.T. is trying to pay us a visit. Nor are we about to experience a “War of the Worlds” moment as in being attacked by “little green men” from Mars. Until this nation lands more people on the moon first, any inhabitants on the planet Mars have nothing to worry about. Over a two-week period, there has been an increased interest in what is going on over our heads and not in a “sky is falling” ruse. To some of our political leaders and media pundits, we may soon see pictures of “Chicken Little” in some media circles, all in a...
Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. According to police reports, a suspect is being sought for allegedly firing shots at MPD officers who were in the vicinity of South 12th Street near Parkview St. in Monroe, LA. The shooting occurred in the 1600 block of South 12th Street on Sunday, February 5, 2023. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for the arrest or conviction by a grand jury of the alleged shooter. Law enforcement authorities say that Issazavian Webb...
In light of the recent attention given to long-standing work issues involving Monroe City Schools cafeteria employees, Monroe City Schools Board members are looking for solutions to adequately address those issues. The problems that cafeteria workers face are long hours on their feet, understaffing, no personal break time, issues keeping the cafeteria clean, low pay for many, and perhaps just a little recognition from their bosses. The Monroe Dispatch is doing a series of articles highlighting issues that employees say are prevalent in the...
Disclamer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty. A local man is dead. A Ruston woman is facing charges for allegedly knowing who the killer is as police officers search the area. According to police reports, the woman allegedly left Ruston and traveled to Monroe with an unknown female friend after allegedly being told that her female friend's mother had been battered. Derrick Moore, 45, was in a southside business on Sunday, February 5, 2023, when an unknown male entered the business...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Monroe Police are looking for a second individual who was recently involved in a deadly altercation at a convenience store. One alleged suspect has been identified as Xavier Givens but has not been arrested. Police believe he is the brother of Jarvis Johnson, the other individual involved in the shooting. MPD responded to a deadly altercation Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in the 1200 block of Winnsboro Rd. in Monroe, LA, that...
The local Monroe Chapter of the NAACP appears to be moving forward following the controversy of last year's election of officers, as Rev. Ambrose Douzart was elected to another term. The controversy came about as numerous individuals who had signed up as new members said that they were denied the opportunity to have their voices heard through their vote on who they wanted to have as president. Douzart's biggest challenger seems to have been community activist Marie Brown, who spoke to the...
By the time these words are read by Dispatch readers, “Balloon-Gate” will still be with us because some Republicans in Washington will try to milk the issue as much as they possibly can. It was the balloon seen ‘round America either in person or through round-the-clock news coverage, as a Chinese balloon somehow found its way into American airspace. How it got here, the Chinese blamed the balloon’s presence on Mother Nature, saying that wind currents pushed it thousands of miles across the globe until it just happened to show up over Alaska,...
The Monroe City Schools District is very aware that there are some pressing concerns involving the food/lunch program in its schools. Not only is there the issue of proper and adequate staffing at school cafeterias, but now the issue concerning the quality of food served may be of significance too. Nonetheless, sources believe school board leadership needs to look further. The Monroe Dispatch ran an article detailing the concerns of cafeteria workers who have to work many days and long hours...
Disclaimer All persons are innocent until proven guilty. According to police reports, one or more individuals were reported to have fired shots at officers of the Monroe Police Department (MPD). The alleged incident took place around Kingsway Apartments in Monroe, LA. Monroe Police said the shooting took place Saturday, January 28, 2023. It is unclear if the officers involved were on regular patrol or if they were responding to a call. There also appeared to be no witnesses to the shooting or...
Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty. Friendship is a precious commodity worth more than its weight in gold. Friendship can be earned from just one meeting or over a period of time. In any form, friendship should come with a level of trust in one another that makes the relationship worthwhile. A Monroe woman may have thought that she had that in a male acquaintance, only to find out that she was betrayed. The unidentified southside resident was at home when there was a knock...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A tattoo to some is glorified bodywork. A piece of art, if you will. They are dazzling to the eye with all of the intricacies and skills that a tattoo artist utilizes in their craft to ensure that the customer is satisfied with the work. Depending on the circumstances, they are not always pleasing to the eye. In an incident reported by Monroe Police, it appears that someone saw a tattoo that they didn't like. According to MPD, of...
The Monroe City School Board is off to a new four-year challenge for the kids they serve, as two changes are on the board in the form of a new board member and returning board member, Brenda Shelling. Board members Bill Willson, Brandon Johnson, Betty Ward-Cooper, Jennifer Haneline, and Daryl Berry were elected to serve for another four-year term. All appeared to be up for the challenge. And a challenge it will be. As with school districts across the nation, the Monroe City School Board has a responsibility to educate children with the best tha...
Just about in every community, whether it is a small town, city, or large metropolitan area, there is always a part where it seems one is living in two different worlds. One side seems to be more affluent than the other, with economic growth sprouting up in every section of the area that is doing well. The area that is doing well gets the lion’s share of economic dollars, incentives, and a push from those who can make things happen. All of this goes on as the other side seems to languish over years of neglect, which can be called the side t...
By now most of you may have heard of the passing of Ineitha Lynette “Diamond” Hardaway, one-half of the Black sister duo, who rose to fame with Herneitha Rochelle “Silk” Richardson, as ardent and fervent supporters of ex-president Donald Trump. “Diamond” as she was called, along with “Silk” became a 1-2 political punch for Trump during his first campaign and become a familiar face in conservative media, appearing at rallies among conservatives. Hardaway passed away a week ago and was funeralized Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023 with Donald Trump be...
All of us who have gone to school have wonderful memories of those formative years in grade school, learning and interacting with others. That extends into our high school years, collecting memories. Some memories we remember more than others, but this writer is convinced that just about everyone will remember someone who worked in the school cafeteria. Yes, those tireless workers who are up at the crack of dawn year-round to greet and serve the children. When students get to school in the morning, the first people they see are most often the c...
If most Americans think that Republicans in Washington D.C. are going to bring a wave of prosperity to the nation because they are in charge of the House, they are sadly mistaken. As long as the nation is divided along every line that one can think, that being racial, political, cultural, or economic, don’t expect anything of substance to be done. I would love to be wrong, but this nation “crossed the line of separation” a long time ago, as there are those who are making sure that this nation never becomes “united” if it ever was. Democrats...
Kevin McCarthy is finally the “king of the hill”. That’s Capitol Hill. After going through 15 agonizing votes to become Speaker of The House, and years of waiting in the wings, McCarthy has ascended to the mountain top of D.C. politics. It wasn’t an easy climb, as McCarthy “haters” pulled out all of the stops to deny McCarthy the speakership, when in most cases it is only a formality of who becomes the next speaker, as Democrats and Republicans both know ahead of time who they want. Take the example of Democrats, it was no contest that Hakeem...
An ordinance that would prove to be controversial was discussed by members of the Monroe City Council Tuesday, December 13, 2022, but would later be moved to a discussion for a "community" setting Wednesday, December 14, 2022, as more input from community leaders and concerns could be addressed. The introduction of the ordinance was met with fierce opposition at the Tuesday night by questions before council members and the maps' Demographer, but the answers weren't satisfactory. The ordinance...
The quest for justice in the case of Ronald Greene has been a long, tedious one, and it appears that the road is about to get a little longer. Much longer. Greene’s death made national headlines when videos surfaced of how Greene really died, as it wasn’t from an automobile crash as northeast Louisiana law enforcement characterized it. The videos, which law enforcement officials at Louisiana State Police possess, were kept hidden from public view, causing many to believe that there was a coverup at the agency. The fact that it has been over thr...
The year 2022 is rapidly coming to a close, closing a chapter in time of a nation many are saying is no better than it was in 2021. Yes, this is the time that talk “of peace and goodwill” is exchanged, but in reality, when one actually takes the blinders off their eyes, everything is basically still the same. As long as this nation remains as divisive as it has become, that peace and goodwill, goes out of the window. The bible is true when it teaches us, “a house divided against itself will not stand”, is something that one doesn’t hear from th...
Friday, December 9, 2022, was a good day for hundreds of citizens in Monroe. One of those citizens was Augie Bosley. Bosley was at Monroe City court, Division A, to take advantage of the one-day set aside for those who wanted to clear up legal issues to avoid further action by authorities. On Amnesty Day, a citizen can call to see if they are eligible for forgiveness for things like traffic violations or missed court dates. Those with violent crimes are most often excluded from receiving amnesty. In announcing Amnesty 2022, all persons with...
Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty. John Badger is on a quest to clear some legal issues in Ouachita Parish, only to be pushed back at every turn. Badger says that he has been wrongly accused and charged on several legal issues and simply wants to have a fair day in court without being railroaded out of it. The issues he is confronted with include what he alleges is an illegal eviction and charges against him; he contends that he just wants to prove his innocence, but he...
The tragic school shooting in Uvalde, TX will stay in people’s memories for a long time, as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary will not go away. Nor should they. People are still asking how, in an advanced nation like America could, school shooting after school shooting happen, and next to nothing is done. Those types of shootings also happen at high schools, which presents a greater danger because high school students are thought to be more mature than their elementary counterparts as life-changing decisions begin to come into focus. Let’s not...
We have heard so much in the last year or so about how “being woke” is detrimental to the nation, as it is being used to divide people. You hear that kind of rhetoric from those who really don’t want to address the ills of the nation unless it is from their point of view. You hear from many conservatives how being “woke” turning the races against each other, trying to make one “guilty” for the sins of others in another time. It is a politically charged word that is used often in right wing media and by conservative leaders to label them as...
In a case that made national headlines, a former Monroe, La. Police officer was sentenced to six years in prison for violating the civil rights of an arrestee back in April of 2020. Former MPD Jared Desadier will spend the next 78 months behind bars for his assault on an surrendered Timothy Williams following a chase that led to his arrest. Williams had been surrounded by other officers when Desadier, for reasons that still needs an explanation, asked a fellow officer if his bodycam was on. The...
Reggie Brown has been axed from the Monroe Police Department (MPD). Again. It has been about two years since Oliver "Friday" Ellis became Monroe's newest mayor, but there has been what some may call a "stain" on his record as mayor that has to do with how he and his administration have treated former Monroe police chief, Reggie Brown. Brown was the interim leader of MPD when Ellis took office. Brown became embroiled in a controversy over his alleged handling of a police brutality complaint on...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed guilty until proven innocent. One of the commandments that God instructed His people to follow was to “honor their father and mother, that their days may be long". This is one commandment that so many of us dare not break. The family structure of husband, wife, and child is one of the building blocks of a strong community, as it has been since God established the Jews as His people. Disrespect in any manner towards parents was and is a sin against God, subject to strict punishment. That was one thing old s...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. According to the Monroe Police Department (MPD), a troubling trend has developed. MPD said that from December 1 - December 3, 2022, they have responded to four deaths caused by overdoses. MPD officials say that the four deaths are related to the dangerous drug fentanyl. Detectives are said to be working toward tracking down the source of the drugs. Without elaborating further, MPD shared they are warning the public of the deadly effects of “this particular strain” that see...
There appears to be a lot of apprehensions coupled with a certain amount of concern for many residents of Districts 3,4, and 5 in the city of Monroe as redistricting maps are being presented that will show changes that, in the long run, will not satisfy everyone. Redistricting was a word that didn’t matter to people because they thought it didn’t really affect them, but in the current political climate, redistricting is being used for political advantage, as we see more instances of redistricting being challenged in court because of its per...
Donald Trump must feel like a man going down for the third time. First of all, the 2020 presidential election didn’t turn out the way he wanted it to. All throughout the campaign season, Trump had long planted the seed of doubt that would propel his numerous attempts to try to turn the results of the election in his favor, which failed. An attempted coup to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power that he has been faulted with by his followers failed, leading to numerous injuries and several deaths that ensued. The dozens of legal challenges t...
December 6, 2021 is a day that will bring nothing but more pain for a local woman. On that day, an aspiring young 19-year-old's life tragically ended on Hwy 165 in Monroe, LA, as she was headed back to her job. Janecia Walker was hit and killed by an unknown driver, who, after hitting Walker, drove off, not caring if she was still alive or dead. The hit-and-run incident shocked the community as Walker became a grim statistic in the number of people who lost their lives on Hwy 165. As of press...
Donald Trump loves to entertain at his residence in Florida. The rich and famous are people with whom the ex-president loves to rub shoulders and let’s not forget, play golf. Normally, someone in Trump’s position know beforehand who he will be associating with before he hosts his guests at his Florida home. I think we all do that. The “old folks” used to tell us that one shouldn’t “have just anybody” showing up at our homes. The same is equally true in today’s climate. So, imagine Mr. Trump allowing rapper Kanye West to have dinner with him...
James Tabb is facing life in prison. Tabb’s parents said their son and an alleged co-suspect “were railroaded” by the justice system in Rayville, LA. They also think the deck was stacked against their son from the beginning. Their son, James is facing a 114-year sentence for his alleged crime. Joshua Butler and his wife were allegedly attacked by two men back in August 2018 over an alleged business venture where there was to be an exchange of money for work. According to media outlets, James was alleged to have struck Butler with an objec...
A report published on November 16, 2022 indicated that schools in the state of Louisiana did better than expected when the state compared performance scores in 2022 as compared to those from 2021. That would be (and is) good news to state education officials, but the report also said that "a majority" of schools, not all, improved their scores. That being the case only highlights that more work is still needed. The scores come on the heels of numerous school disruptions caused by COVID-19 and...
On Saturday, November 19, 2022, the NAACP Monroe/Ouachita local chapter, held an election for officers. Several candidates were vying to unseat current president, Rev. Ambrose Douzart. Initial results of the votes showed that Rev. Douzart won with 35 votes, while Rev. Tharris Bishop, 10 votes, Mrs. Lynetta Whitehurst, 16 votes, and Ms. Marie Brown, 24 votes. That number of votes tallied is different from the total number of members in the local branch, perhaps indicating that many members did not cast their vote. An official complaint is in...
A young newlywed couple was returning home from getting something to eat on what began as an ordinary day, enjoying their life together. As they were headed to their Grammont St. home, a Monroe police officer was parked to the side ahead of them. As they approached where the officer was, the officer cut in front of them and continued on his way. Eddie Williams and his wife didn't think much of it at the time. The officer allegedly sped away as Williams and his wife turned a corner heading home....
There is a new “Jaws” movie that is on the horizon. No, not that Jaws. If one would take a look at what is going on in the Republican Party, it is clear to see, that they are not a bunch of happy campers. What was joy and euphoria before the midterm elections quickly turned to gloom as election night wore on. Republicans weren’t able to ride the big wave that they thought was coming, which would have sent Democrats running for the hills. When the wave ended up being only a ripple, it didn’t take long for the finger pointing to start. Now, a...
