No Struggle, No Progress
No Struggle, No Progress
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Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A shooting in Franklin parish turned deadly, as announced by authorities after an initial investigation. According to the Franklin Parish Sheriff's Office and Winnsboro Police Department, the shooting started after two groups met to exchange firearms. The Sheriff's Office, in a statement, said that "things took a turn for the worse" before the deadly incident. The July 8, 2024 incident resulted in the death of an individual, and...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A shooting on July 10, 2024, left a Monroe man injured alongside another victim. The incident occurred near the intersection of Breece Cir. and South First St. in Monroe, LA. According to police, the victims were in a vehicle when one of them, seated in the right front passenger seat, was struck in the right thigh. The victim alleged that Allen Bolden, 27, allegedly fired at them. He reportedly used a black handgun with an...
A municipality like Monroe needs to operate like a well-oiled machine to meet the needs of its populace. It starts at the top with a mayor supported by a city council representing the community's needs at city hall. Success requires these entities to work together, akin to "one hand washing the other". However, the lifeblood of any municipality is the workforce that keeps it running 24 hours a day—the individuals we see daily performing their jobs. Often taken for granted, these frontline employees are always there when calls for service are m...
Did Donald Trump have a "come to Jesus" moment Saturday when he narrowly missed death by centimeters as a bullet grazed his right ear. This reporter does not make light of what happened at Trump's campaign rally in Pennsylvania, because though Trump survived, an innocent victim lost his life. Much will be said about the shooter as more information becomes available. It is moments like these that remind us that life is a fleeting entity and can end in an instant. No one was probably thinking that a campaign rally would end without Trump stating...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. It was a hot, humid Fourth of July, which is not uncommon for Louisiana. Finding shade under a tree or having the AC on is priority number one until the evening fireworks start. That doesn't include gunfire. According to the Monroe Police Department (MPD), officers on the H.E.A.T. Team responded to shots being fired while working a detail for the Monroe Housing Authority at the Foster Heights location. A suspect was spotted in...
Before the vote, Councilwoman Gretchen Ezernack opposed the resolution, questioning the reasoning behind it and expressing concerns that it could delay city projects. Previously, any council member had until 3:00 PM to add an item to the agenda. Emergency add-ons were typically discussed in meetings where the public could hear and then vote on them. Now, the chairperson will decide if an item will be placed on the agenda, which appears to be on solid legal grounds. Some may view this as a power play by certain council members, potentially...
Imagine if you're on a football team and the championship is at stake. Even though it is a back/forth game, victory can still be yours if you play hard (not conservative) and aggressive. That's exactly what Democrats need to do if they want to win by rallying around their star player who happens to be President Joe Biden. Instead of going on offense as in football, they are letting the defense (Republicans) dictate how the game is being played by putting up the idea that Biden is finished as a leader. The problem with Democrats in the race for...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. On March 30, 2024, a shooting occurred in Charles Johnson Park in Monroe LA, according to the Monroe Police Dept. At the time of the shooting, police made no arrests, though they had a suspect(s) under suspicion that were considered to a person of interest in the case. Two victims were injured in the shooting that happened in the 1400 block Bernstein Park Drive. They were taken to a local hospital for treatment. On June 27,...
Disclaimer: All persons are innocent until proven guilty. Children don't ask to come here! The signs of the times are screaming for us to pay more attention to our children and grandchildren, or they will fall prey to horrible experiences, death, or lifelong trauma. Our Black youth face dangers like never before. Their lives are being devoured either by death or prison. The Bible says, "Better is a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer pays attention to warnings."...
There have been several missing person reports filed in the area over the past few months. Some cases have ended happily, while others have had tragic outcomes. Within the last week, another individual was reported missing. Christopher Muse, 32, reportedly left his Michael Circle residence in Monroe, LA, on June 25, 2024, and was subsequently found deceased. A body discovered in the Ouachita River near the Endom Bridge, which connects Monroe to West Monroe, was confirmed by Monroe Police on...
A ceremony was held for the inauguration and swearing-in of newly re-elected Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis and members of the city council. The festivities took place at the W.L. "Jack" Howard Theater on Monday, July 1, 2024. Ellis was sworn in as mayor after easily winning a second term, an outcome many might call an upset defying political wisdom. Although Ellis is beginning his second term, he will have a different city council body to navigate his agenda through. Corday Marshall, Sr. and Kema...
The debate between President Joe Biden and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is over. It should be the last one. Did the voters learn anything new or otherwise. There has never been a debate between presidential contenders (to my recollection) before they became their party's official nominees. It was not a "classic" debate by any stretch of the imagination, because both President Joe Biden and Donald Trump stuck to their scripts. The only good thing about the debate was the rule where the other candidate's mic would be...
The family of a missing teen believes that a body found in a wooded area in Bastrop, LA, may be their loved one. A body was located on June 23, 2024, in the area of Daisy St. and Vista St., as reported by the Morehouse Parish Sheriff's Office. Prior to the body being found, a missing teen identified as Ashley Barnes was reported as missing by her father on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Law enforcement authorities have not released the identity of the body found in the woods, as it has been sent to Little Rock, AR, for an autopsy. According to...
A local family is angry and wants some answers from the Ellis administration and Monroe Police Chief Victor Zordan concerning the recent arrest and force used to take a relative into custody. The family said that their loved one, Devonte Coleman, was with some of his friends on June 20, 2024, when MPD officers approached them. According to a family member, Coleman and his friends were just standing beside a vehicle when officers passed by them and made a U-turn, turning on their lights. They...
As Matthew Sims fought to prove his innocence in the judicial system, the notion that the prosecution wouldn't push for a date to try him convinced Sims that he could prove his case based on the discovery evidence given to him by the prosecution. Sims had to file numerous motions, which were objected to many times by the prosecution. Sims was so convinced of proving his innocence that he would ask the assigned judge to hear his case to set trial dates, but the prosecution kept asking for a stay or delay, perhaps in an effort to frustrate Sims....
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry is about to get the fight that he says he is ready for. When Landry signed a law that would require the Ten Commandments to be posted in public school and university classrooms, he knew that there would be opposition. Never mind the fact that court rulings have gone against such measures citing the separation of church and state against establishing a "national" religion. Conservatives like Landry still persist in having it their way. The bill that Landry signed into law would require (demand is a better word) tha...
Former president Donald Trump paid a visit to New Orleans to raise money on the campaign trail, as he rubbed elbows with some conservative elites. You didn't think that Trump was going to hang around people who don't have money, did you? Though Trump will have rallies in the heat where his supporters are dropping like flies from the heat, the money that was raised for him on this particular trip was from a wealthy uptown donor. On hand to the perspective Republican presidential nominee at the "Louie” (Louis Armstrong Int'l Airport) were Gov. J...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The alarm has sounded so many times, yet not being heard. Black people we are in serious trouble if we don’t help our Black Youth and young adults. Many organizations are doing all they can Greater New Free Gift Male Ministry, Newtown Community among others that are attempting save our youth before its too late. Monroe police officials recently announced the arrest of a suspect allegedly involved in a shooting thar occurred on Memorial Drive. According to police reports, on June...
The old saying "age is just a number" is really getting a closer look as we head to the fall presidential election. We have also heard the word "old" more times than you can "shake a stick at" simply because two old men are running for one of the most powerful governmental positions on Earth. Donald Trump, 78 and President Joe Biden, 81 are two old men, make no mistake about it. Both have thinning hair, as Trump wouldn't want to be seen on a rainy or windy day. The bald spot on Biden's head is something that you can't miss. Both men are not...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A suspect is fortunate to be alive after he was involved in an altercation with parish deputies. According to police reports, on June 6, 2024, around 8:26 p.m., deputies responded to a call that suspect Colby Bazan, 23, allegedly threatened some family members. Deputies quickly arrived at the scene, but the suspect had already left. An arrest warrant was issued for simple assault and criminal trespass against Bazan. Contact was made with Bazan over the phone, and he agreed to...
Matthew Sims said he was ready for the nightmare of a situation to end after going through dozens of court appearances that left his life in ruins. On May 20, 2024, the nightmare ended when four-year-old charges were dismissed against him in a 4th District judicial court hearing. On that day, Sims was finally going to get the opportunity to clear his name in a trial he had long pressed for; Sims had been in a four-year legal battle to clear his name, stemming from an arrest on May 24, 2020, when his ex-fiancée called the police, claiming that...
It was a full house in council chambers June 11, 2024, as members of the current Monroe City Council met on Tuesday evening to pass agenda items before the start of the next council. And that was the focus of the majority of the citizens who spoke before council members on "why the rush" to pass items that they knew were controversial in nature. There were two items in particular that raised the were ire of those who spoke before council members was the special tax measure to be placed on the...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. When Kilarious Owens was taken into custody by law enforcement authorities on May 6, 2024, it signaled the end of numerous searches for the alleged suspects involved in a local shooting. All of the suspects were allegedly involved in the Murphy gas station shooting at the Walmart store on Louisville Ave around Easter time this year. The shooting shocked the community because of the brazen attitude of the alleged suspects, as...
It looks as though Florida Congressman Byron Donalds has ruined his chances of becoming vice president of the United States. Especially if Black people have anything to do with it, or becoming the next Barack Obama. Donalds, the young Black Republican legislator in Congress has caused quite a stir around the nation saying that Black marriages "were better" during the era of Jim Crow and Black people in general during a period in American history that denied basic rights to native born Americans. Make no mistake, that Donald's as a Black man is...
The public is hereby legally notified that individuals must stay at least 25 feet away from law enforcement officers when they are handling a potential crime scene. The Louisiana Legislature passed a bill, signed into law by Gov. Jeff Landry, making it a misdemeanor to be within 25 feet of officers after being instructed to get back. In this day and age, people are naturally drawn to scenes involving police officers, not necessarily to interfere, but as "concerned observers." The public may...
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed a number of bills into law, getting most of what he wanted, but not everything. This is significant for the citizens of Louisiana, despite having a Republican-led government. One bill that hasn't been made public to this reporter is the one sponsored by Mike Johnson (R-Pineville, not that M.J.), which will shield the whereabouts of the First family when they are in public. The bill was initially intended to protect the information of public employees. However, as often happens in the last days of legisl...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. It must have been karma. How else could someone allegedly commit a crime against someone and then almost instantly need their help? According to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office (OPSO), such an incident occurred on May 19, 2024, when deputies responded to gunshots. Authorities reported that the chain of events began when the suspect, Makiejaalliuna Vallaire, traveled to Monroe from Acadia with others, bringing a female...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A local man is behind bars because he allegedly refused to understand what "no" means. In Louisiana, sexual assault and domestic abuse have high rates and continue to rise, as evident by a recent incident. Spencer D. Simon, 32, was taken to Ouachita Correctional Center (OCC) on a charge of rape. According to Monroe Police (MPD), detectives began an investigation on May 20, 2024, into an alleged sexual encounter that occurred at...
The Ellis administration is attempting to get the lame-duck Monroe City Council to pass a tax renewal before new council members are seated on July 1, 2024. At Tuesday night's, May 28, 2024 council meeting, an ordinance sponsored by the Ellis administration was introduced to call for a special election to authorize the rededication, levy, and collection of a special tax, applying to the Louisiana State Bond Commission. The introduction of the ordinance appeared to come as a surprise to those in attendance, prompting questions from concerned...
Another one has fallen in line or as they say, kissed the ring. It was an unexpected move, as the time that it took to make the move was perhaps "showmanship", but one to stay relevant. Nikki Haley, who wanted to do what Hillary Clinton couldn't, recently announced to the world that she was going to vote for Donald Trump in November. Seriously? Folks, that is not news, something like the old "dog bites man" bit. If Haley had said that she is not voting for Trump, that would have been news showing that she had some "spunk", the kind that she...
One of the happiest moments for parents and their children is high school graduation, creating lifelong memories. Unfortunately, some high school memories are best forgotten. A local mother and her daughter spoke to the Monroe Dispatch about two alleged incidents at Neville High School in Monroe, LA, that have profoundly affected them. The mother chose to speak out only after her daughter graduated, fearing earlier disclosure might have jeopardized her daughter’s credits and diploma. The mother alleges the first incident occurred on S...
Young Black children face an alarming risk of dying at the hands of others, both known and unknown. Those responsible for children and grandchildren must step up to keep a watchful eye on their loved ones. This troubling trend of shootings will not go away anytime soon, and vigilance is a necessity. Many young people only know how to settle disputes in one way, and when the trigger is pulled, it's too late. This shooting epidemic is happening throughout Black communities in the United States. Si...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. On March 30, 2024, around 5:20 PM, a shooting occurred at Bernstein Park on Wilson St. in Monroe, LA. According to Monroe Police (MPD) , two victims were found and transported to a local hospital for treatment. During their investigation, officers questioned Laz'beon D. Harris at a later date, who allegedly had knowledge of the other suspects. Before the shooting, multiple suspects arrived at a gas station on Jackson St. in a red Nissan Versa, which then headed towards Wilson...
People are talking about Donald Trump and his "fitness" to serve as president when he suddenly appeared to "freeze" when he stopped talking for about 30 seconds while speaking to members of National Rifle Association (NRA) over the weekend. Some reports have said that Trump's "freeze" was more than 30 seconds and at times, his speech was incoherent. The Biden campaign naturally asserted that the episode clearly showed that Trump is unfit to serve as president. The full video clip showed the ex-president speaking and in the next second didn't...
It has been five years since local resident Ronald Greene allegedly died at the hands of Louisiana State Troopers on a dark Union Parish road. For five long years, a family has been waiting for any semblance of justice so its members can finally feel a sense of closure in a case where others like Greene, who were killed under highly questionable circumstances, have seen those convicted in a court of law. America has a legal system that is, for lack of a better word, complicated, and some may won...
Mother's Day is a day that holds special meaning for millions, as it is a day we honor the mothers who are no longer with us. Going to the graves of loved ones is a solemn occasion where we talk to our mothers as if they are still alive. It is the serene atmosphere of watching others doing the same thing that gives the day special meaning, honoring and showing love to those who will forever remain in our hearts. A former Monroe city councilman has another reason why he will not forget Mother's...
When it seemed that African American voters had been awarded a second majority congressional voting district, this reporter said that the war was not over, it was only beginning. A lawsuit recently filed by non-African voters was filed against a map outlining the new Black district was rejected by a three federal judge panel citing/agreeing with the group that filed the lawsuit that the map amounted to "constitutional racial gerrymandering" that discriminated against white voters who are represented in Congress by Garrett Graves. Now it seems...
By Eddie D. Gillis If Tuesday (May 14), 2024 night's meeting of the Monroe City Council was an indication of things to come, newly elected city councilmen Bishop Rodney McFarland and Minister Verbon Muhammad who are representing Districts 4 and 5 respectively have hit the ground running. Bishop McFarland addressed council members saying, that he and fellow councilman-elect Muhammad "are not coming on this council to tear down the council or tear down the mayor or tear down the city, or stop...
The alleged campaign violations involving Donald Trump are taking a toll on the former president as some of his Republican allies in Congress come to bat for him. They are probably doing this because there are no mass protests at the courthouse where Trump faces the real possibility of going to jail. This is because the prosecutor's star witness, Michael Cohen, is "spilling the beans" on his former boss, essentially backing up what Trump's former acquaintances said they did when arranging what has been called hush money to Stormy Daniels to...
For the past four years, Matthew Sims' life has been tumultuous. Following a domestic incident with a partner he believed would be in his life permanently, Sims has watched his once stable existence crumble. Previously thriving with a good job and close family ties, his life took a sharp turn following an arrest for alleged physical altercations with his partner. He has since been embroiled in a legal battle to clear his name, facing significant challenges from a prosecutor intent on preventing him from reclaiming his former life. Sims has...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A man sought in connection with an April 22, 2024, shooting on Elm St. has been arrested and is now behind bars. According to Monroe Police (MPD), officers arrested Zacherian Logan as the suspect in the shooting, which caused bystanders, including adults and children, to scramble for safety. On the day of the alleged shooting, Logan and three other female suspects were seen searching for and surrounding a female victim, leading to a fight between the suspects and the victim. As...
Tuesday March 7 was a day in Donald Trump's life that he would not like to live over. Tuesday was the day that Stephanie Clifford otherwise known to the world as Stormy Daniels testified in the hush money trial where Trump is accused of paying Clifford/Daniels thousands of dollars for her to keep quiet over an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. The encounter happened back in 2006, long before Trump entered into politics because he was on top of the world as a businessman and television star on his "Apprentice" show. As the 2016 presidential...
When it seemed that African American voters had been awarded a second majority congressional voting district, this reporter said that the war was not over; it was only beginning. A lawsuit recently filed by non-African American voters against a map outlining the new Black district was rejected by a three-judge federal panel. The panel cited agreement with the group that filed the lawsuit, stating the map amounted to "constitutional racial gerrymandering" that discriminated against White voters represented in Congress by Garrett Graves. Now, it...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A Winnsboro man who was sought for an alleged murder recently surrendered to authorities. According to sources, an arrest warrant was issued for Isaiah Davis in connection with the death of a local man known as "Quay". Allegedly, Davis was robbed by Quay and others. Sources indicate that Davis learned about the alleged robbery from one of the individuals acquainted with Quay, leading him to confront Quay and allegedly shoot him several times. Additionally, sources claim that...
A shooting incident unfolded at the Parkview Apartments early Tuesday morning, April 30, 2024, resulting in injuries to three individuals. According to community activist Verbon Muhammad, who is poised to assume office as councilman for Monroe's District 5 council seat, the shooting occurred around 2:00 AM, marking yet another tragic instance of Black-on-Black crime tearing families apart. On April 30, 2024, the Monroe Police Department (MPD) responded to a Shotspotter alert at 1101 Richwood Rd. 2, Parkview Apartments in Monroe, LA. Upon arriva...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Local law enforcement authorities are searching for 25-year-old Brandon Caryell Hubbard in connection with a shooting that resulted in one man's death. The shooting took place on Barrington Dr. on Friday, April 26, around 1:20 PM in Monroe LA. According to police, police and emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene in the Foster Heights area, prompting a temporary lockdown at Carroll High School as a precautionary measure. Upon arrival, authorities discovered an...
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry continues his crusade to make it mandatory for athletes to be present during the presentation of the national anthem at the start of athletic activities, not just in Louisiana but across the nation. The Lady Tigers of the LSU women's basketball team were not present during the playing of the anthem prior to their Iowa Elite 8 matchup, which drew the ire of Landry. Though Kim Mulkey's team was doing what it had done on previous occasions, going through their pre-game rituals, this particular instance prompted Landry to...
Just when you thought that the dust had finally settled between the Monroe City Schools Board and former Superintendent Brent Vidrine over his controversial retirement. The two now find themselves involved in competing lawsuits. Vidrine fired the first volley across the bow of the school board when he filed a lawsuit claiming that the board failed to properly execute provisions in a contract agreement related to his retirement. In that agreement, the Board was supposed to pay Vidrine funds into his retirement through TRGL, but instead, those...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The Monroe Police Department (MPD) has announced the arrest of two more individuals who were allegedly involved in the shooting at a Murphy gas station in Monroe. The shooting, which occurred on March 29, 2024 at the Walmart located on Louisville Ave. and Lamy Ln. and left two people injured, comes as a relief to the community. MPD stated that the arrest of Terrikiris Smith and Tristan Barber follows the arrest of Jaylen Webster on April 14, 2024. According to MPD, Smith and...
Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. A Ouachita Parish man has been arrested after allegedly going to a residence and discharging a weapon. According to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a disturbance call on April 22, 2024, at a residence on Blackwood Dr. in Monroe. Deputies were informed that the suspect, later identified as 20-year-old Sincere Johnson, allegedly fired two shots from his weapon before leaving in a black Dodge truck. While enroot to the scene, deputies spotted the...
