No Struggle, No Progress
No Struggle, No Progress
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We have been hearing for some time now about the hesitancy of many Black people when it comes to taking any of the Covid-19 vaccine shots. Truth be told, in the early stages of the development of the Covid-19 vaccines, there was a general apprehension among all segments of the population, not just here in the U.S. but all around the world. Among the Black population, many have doubts about taking the vaccines. In the early days of 2020, scientists were literally shooting in the dark, as the origin of the virus was said to have started in...
According to reports, David Harris died while in the custody of Monroe Police Department officers on Saturday, April 3. As of press time, the circumstances surrounding Harris' death are under investigation by the Ouachita Parish Sheriff Office. Law enforcement officials at MPD say that they asked OPSO to take over the investigation. It is customary for an "independent" agency to conduct the investigation to ensure that it will be handled appropriately. Details released by MPD are sketchy, as...
Local resident Darlene Caesar continued her quest, a hard one by anyone’s standards, to the right a wrong that she is convinced was done to her by certain family members. Caesar knows that the only way to get justice for herself and that of her deceased parents is to go through the legal process. That journey has had obstacles placed in front of her, and she has suffered several setbacks. Despite that, she knows that she is not alone, and she wants to enlist the aid of those who may have gone through similar circumstances. Caesar has a s...
On March 17, 2021, a hit-run incident involving a local man has forever changed the lives of those who knew him. On that date, 56-year-old Tony Martin was on his way to see a longtime friend when he was, some have said, hit deliberately by a driver who didn't bother to stop after hitting Martin. Martin's daughter, Keshanta Reed Williams' got word of her father's death from her uncle hours later, not from the Monroe Police Department. Martin was killed on Grammont Street as he was steps from the...
When Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election to Donald Trump back in 2016, Republicans were quick to pounce on Democrats that Trump won and Democrats needed to “get over” losing the election. Republicans couldn’t wait to manipulate a reality show guy, sans “art of the deal” businessman, into getting what they wanted now that they had the White House, but, ah, the plans of mice and men, can sometimes go astray. It went quickly with Donald Trump. Republicans would promptly find out that Trump as president, didn’t listen to anyone except th...
People are still talking about the "appointment" of Mary Ann Tellis to the position of assistant police chief at the Monroe Police Department. Tellis has put in about 33 years of service. Many would say she has undoubtedly "paid" her dues. What may be confusing to some in the public is that Tellis was PROMOTED to the rank of Assistant Police Chief, not appointed, as has been previously reported by various media outlets. The community celebrates Assistant Chief Tellis, but make no mistake....
A local business located in Rayville, LA, that has been successful over the years appears to be the target of a possible takeover by some members who want the CEO/President gone. Henry Davison now serves as the CEO/President of Davison Family Accounts, LLC-Caring Angels Connection. Davison comes from a large family and now faces what appears to be an attempted takeover by some family members to wrest control of the business from him. The business, called DFA, is an all-Black business entity,...
A local woman is still determined to “right the wrongs” that she firmly believes happened to her following the deaths of her parents. The pain of losing her father at Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe continues to bring pain and sorrow to this woman, as she has lingering memories of how her father looked just days before he passed in 2017. To this day, Darlene Caesar has many questions where the answers are just as elusive as someone trying to catch the wind. Her journey to know the truth has just been that difficult. Still, Cae...
The Town of Richwood allegedly owes some debts, but it seems that some of those debts won't be paid anytime soon. At a meeting last Thursday (Mar. 18), Clifford Thomas was on the council's agenda to hopefully settle a long-standing dispute over a pay issue. Clifford had won a case nine years ago (2011). The town was supposed to pay Thomas thousands of dollars according to court documents for the 2009 year. Clifford has tried several times over the years to get the money owed to him, only to see...
A couple recently decided to share concerns regarding their child who is in the Ouachita Parish School System as they feel he is being left with a sense of abandonment. The parents admitted that their child has been struggling and believe the communication between staff and parents should be mandatory. After gaining more clarity on their child's issues, they feel that all have failed him if their student does not succeed. The parents want all area schools to succeed in giving all children a good quality education. All children are not the...
A spirited disagreement between two Monroe City Schools Board members over supplemental checks to employees turned awkward at a recent school board meeting, as words being hurled at some board members, who were only referred to as "they". The back and forth between District 2 board member Jennifer Haneline and former board president Betty Ward-Cooper erupted over an email put out by District 4 representative and current board president, Daryll Berry. Berry sent out an email that stated that...
Two Monroe residents were selected to serve as members of the Southside Economic Development District Board by the Monroe City Council. Local minister Roosevelt Wright and former SEDD member Otis Jones got council approval to serve on the board during the regular city council meeting Tuesday night, March 23, 2021. Both men received 3-2 votes, with District 5 Councilman Corday Marshall and District 4 Councilwoman Kema Dawson voting “no” respectively on the two nominations. Wright is known for...
When most of us are having what we call a “bad day”, we intend to mean that nothing is going the way we planned the day to go. If the day is going “really bad”, a few inappropriate words may come out of our mouths, but we tend to suck it up and try to make the best out of a rough day. When someone allegedly goes around and murders 8 people for only reasons known but to God, the last excuse that can be extended to that individual, cannot be, because that individual had “a bad day”. No, make that “a really bad day”. That is what a Georgia Chero...
Monroe police officers apprehended a local man following a high-speed chase through portions of south Monroe on March 11, 2021. The suspect was identified as Steven Turner, 32, of Monroe. According to reports, the alleged suspect was seen exiting a residence on the south side and fled in a vehicle when he saw police officers. As police officers gave chase, reports say speeds reached approximately 100mph. The pursuit allegedly was on portions of South 8th Street as Turner tried to elude police...
It is very difficult for a family to bury a loved one. For most families, the pain/grief can be almost unbearable as they prepare to see a loved one for the last time before the Second Coming. That pain/grief can be measured tenfold when a family has to bury a child. Now imagine how a family, especially the parents, would feel when they get to the cemetery to say goodbye, and they can't see their loved one being lowered into the ground, as the final act of closure. Joseph Burks alleged that is...
There is currently an election being held in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District to replace former elected representative Luke Letlow, who died just before replacing former Representative Ralph Abraham. All the candidates have stated their platforms that are supposed to separate one candidate from the other in hopes of being the next person who will represent the voters in Washington. Whoever is elected as the District's newest representative will have to face a situation that has haunted the 5th District for the last several decades. T...
Republicans are going out of their way to take the minds of their base away from the events of January 6. Republican leaders and those in the media have all of a sudden stopped talking about the attempted government takeover by people who looked at and followed Donald Trump’s every move. Republicans feel that the less they even remotely mention January 6, the less their base will focus on the event. January 6 is a date that should be mentioned in the same breath as 9/11. However, Republicans don’t even mention 9/11 anymore because there is not...
A little over a week ago, the governors of Texas and Mississippi rescinded mask mandates in their states, which surprised other governors around the nation. Texas governor, Greg Abbott said that all businesses “of any type” are allowed to operate at 100% capacity, effectively ending the mask mandate. Following suit was Mississippi’s governor Tate Reeves, who said that his order removes the mask mandate just as in Texas and can businesses are allowed “operate at full capacity” without any state-imposed rules or restrictions. Those two developme...
Like so many millions of Americans, Charlene Kendrix went through a devastating winter storm February 14-20, 2021 where temperatures in some areas set new record lows. Along with the record-breaking temperatures, there was a tremendous push for electric power to heat millions of homes affected by the storm. One of the hardest states to suffer a loss of power was Texas, but Louisiana had its share of power-related issues too. Slightly higher utility bills were expected from the storm, but nothing like the kinds of increases in utility bills...
Republicans in Congress and statehouses across the nation keep saying that they are for the “common man”, the guy who doesn’t sit at the same table with them. If that is the case, someone needs to explain why Republicans voted against President Joe Biden’s COVID Relief Bill that was passed by the Democrat controlled House of Representatives last week. Voters in every state who have Republican representatives should ask them to explain why they were against a bill that will help sustain people who are needy, as the country continues to go thro...
The Louisiana Dept. of Transportation and Development(DOTD)is preparing to implement some safety measures along a dangerous stretch of Hwy 165, in an effort to eliminate more potential deaths of pedestrians that cross the highway. An official from the agency said that the measures are being put in place saying, "that one fatal crash on our highway is one too many" and that the agency in conjunction with the Louisiana State Police(LSP) and the Highway Safety Commission "to advance policies" that...
First the good news. The long-anticipated wait for a roadway lighting project on an extremely dangerous section of Hwy 165 in parts of Ouachita Parish was announced not long ago to cheers of "hallelujah". At least people were saying, "at last", something finally is going to be done about a situation that should have been done a long time ago. That was the "good news". We know that where there is good, bad is not far behind. The bad news is that the road lighting project scheduled on Hwy 165...
Texas, “The Lone Star State”, is famous for its “can do alone” bragging rights, while fiercely claiming to want to be independent, was taught a big lesson during last week’s winter weather. Texas, a state where some of its conservative leaders have been toying with the idea of succession from the union, may want to rethink if the state really wants to go it alone. The weather that passed through Texas and much of the U.S. had millions of people facing record breaking cold and temperatures that left dozens dead across many states. Texas was...
Texas, “The Lone Star State”, is famous for its “can do alone” bragging rights, while fiercely claiming to want to be independent, was taught a big lesson during last week’s winter weather. Texas, a state where some of its conservative leaders have been toying with the idea of succession from the union, may want to rethink if the state really wants to go it alone. The weather that passed through Texas and much of the U.S. had millions of people facing record breaking cold and temperatures that left dozens dead across many states. Texas was...
As if religion or what it is supposed to mean scripturally, needs another black eye. Kamala Harris, just as Barack Obama has done, will stand in the annals of history in America until the nation ceases no more. As all things this side of the prophesy in Revelation state, will cease to exist after God’s new city, New Jerusalem is created for the elect, so shall the words and deeds of modern man. As some have been “called” to be spokesmen for God in the churches’ pulpits around the world, comments that we hear some say, has to make one wonder...
Ok, it’s over. No one was surprised at the outcome. Some might say, to borrow a word from ex-president Donald Trump, it was a “rigged” trial. Donald Trump is once again a “free man” to do what he has done since he arrived in the White House and that is to get and keep a nation deeply divided. Not that the nation was ever united in the first place. However, if there is one thing that Trump’s second impeachment trial showed the nation is that, when the nation was warned by those that Trump would be worse from his first impeachment, they were righ...
Louisiana's State Police Force, specifically Troop "F" which patrols the northeastern section of the state, had four of its officers charged for using excessive force during two news making arrests. The four Troopers have been identified as Jacob Brown, 30, Dakota Moss, 28, Randall Dickerson,34, and 26-year-old George Harper. They are charged with "simple battery and malfeasance in office". Brown faces another charge of obstruction of justice for his alleged role in one of the incidents. The...
What's in a name? Depending on the name, plenty. Names have been the subject of many debates, be they spirited or low key, names can bring out the best and worse in us. Sometimes they can lead to physical fights. People don't always agree with names, especially when that name of something conjures up hurtful memories and pain. It is oftentimes associated with people who have lived their entire lives having to do endure what a certain has meant to generations and how that even in times when one...
A local woman and former city employee is hoping that her case that she filed for wrongful termination will soon be resolved. People get terminated every day from various jobs, but in this particular case, this is her second termination. The woman was an employee of Monroe Transit, had a good record, and was well-liked by everyone. She says that one manager may have wanted to "like her a little more" than what was comfortable to her. She shared that incidents would happen while she was on her...
The Ouachita Parish Police Jury has long recognized that a certain section of Hwy 165 South that goes through the parish has been a major safety concern for residents who live on both sides of the roadway. That concern became a painful reality once again following the deaths of Shericka Hollins, 18, and Brianna Nea,l 17. The two young women were killed on a dark section of Hwy 165 South in Richwood, LA, when they were struck by an automobile driven by Corey Buie. He would later turn himself in and was charged with a hit & run misdemeanor. The d...
There is another attempt to find common ground by concerned Louisiana citizens with legislators and associates in the law enforcement community, where the goal is to have meaningful discussions on race/police issues. There are at least two pressing issues around the nation that need special attention: domestic terrorism and police accountability. Perhaps, with the images of "mob insurrectionists" storming the Capitol that resulted in death/destruction and the apprehension of dozens of...
As if religion or what it is supposed to mean scripturally, needs another black eye. Kamala Harris, just as Barack Obama has done, will stand in the annals of history in America until the nation ceases no more. As all things this side of the prophesy in Revelation state, will cease to exist after God’s new city, New Jerusalem is created for the elect, so shall the words and deeds of modern man. As some have been “called” to be spokesmen for God in the churches’ pulpits around the world, comments that we hear some say, has to make one wonder...
Ted Moore liked being around people. According to his son Mario Smith, Moore was getting ready to enjoy his golden years, as his children had set him up to receive disability benefits and enjoy being around his grandchildren. But a domestic tragedy struck Moore Thursday January 28 when he was shot and killed by a woman that he had known. Now Smith and the rest of his sisters and brothers will lay Moore to rest, a sad task for them when it seemed that Moore's life was taking off. They were...
A local woman is angry over how her mother’s death was treated by personnel at a local nursing home when she died. The woman said that her mother passed away at the nursing home on January 24 and that she allegedly didn’t hear from anyone in a managerial position that Sunday or the next day. She said that it all started when she arrived for Sunday morning (Jan. 24) worship service and the next thing she knew, a relative came to her and asked “Had she heard?”. Not knowing or understanding what she meant, she asked what was the matter. That wh...
Some moderate Republican Senators suddenly want to come to the negotiating table to discuss President Joe Biden's COVID-19 Relief Plan, not with Democratic Senators, but with the president. Two are them are Utah Senator Mitt Romney and Maine Senator Susan Collins. LA. Senator Bill Cassidy is also one of the senators mentioned, but he is not seen as being moderate. When it seems as if President Joe Biden and Democrats in the House and Senate are prepared to introduce COVID-19 legislation in the House and pass it in the Senate, all without Republ...
Another young life ended by senseless violence. Why does this continue to happen? Another young person has been taken away from us because of, what? Thirteen-year-old Stanminyunna "Yaya" Cobbs died Friday night (January 22) from a shooting on South Sixth Street in Monroe LA. The young victim was taken to an area hospital where she succumbed to her injuries. The new year is still in its infancy and there have already been several conspicuous shootings in the area that have led to several deaths....
It has been three weeks since the nation and the world witnessed just how far some Americans are willing to go when they don’t get their way. January 6 is a day that should be taught in schools across the nation to show the future of this nation (our children) that what happened on the steps of the Capitol, is not the way people settle their differences. Especially in a nation of laws, as we’ve been told that this is what separates America from non-democratic nations. That is important because if we are not careful in coming to a quick and dec...
One of the stunning revelations that we have learned following the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6 was the participation of individuals who work as public servants. The most stunning must have been the presence of police officers, firefighters and even school teachers. The participation or association of some police officers with far-right militia groups has been documented, but now we hear of firefighters at the Capitol being involved in the melee that occurred with Capitol Police where five people lost their lives. Equally shocking...
Maurice Holmes got a phone call that all of us dread getting. Holmes said that on Monday night, January 4, he received a phone call from a relative informing him that there was a shooting at his mother's home. Holmes was told that a shooting allegedly occurred on N. 21st St., right behind the Mini Mart on DeSiard Street. Holmes' mother was said to be at home asleep when she was awakened by the sound of gunshots in the neighborhood. According to Holmes, bullets from the shooter(s) entered...
The Monroe City Schools Board elected new officers for the 2021 school year Tuesday(Jan.19) night in their first meeting of the year. District 4 Board Member Darryl Berry was elected as board president, succeeding outgoing president Betty Ward Cooper. District 7 Board Member Sharon Neal Greer was elected as vice president replacing District 6 Board member Brandon Johnson. After the results were announced, Berry assumed the role as president directing the proceedings of the meeting. With the school board having a 5-2 majority, it’s amazing h...
That loud and labored breath of air you just heard was the sigh of relief from several billion people in the world, knowing that Donald John Trump is no longer president of the United States. Yes billions, because it wasn’t just the millions of Americans who voted for Joe Biden to become the 46th president, but countless more people who say things can firmly get back to normal. At least how it was before Trump became president in 2016. However, Joseph Robinette Biden is sitting in the Oval Office, a culmination following decades of public s...
In just under a week, the Monroe City Schools Board will hold its first meeting of the New Year and quite frankly, no one knows what to expect. The board went through some ups/downs throughout 2020 beginning on how it would maintain/conduct a normal school year of activity with the coronavirus on the horizon early in 2020. COVID-19, as the virus came to be known as, proved to be challenging for all school boards across the nation and it still is for the current board. How effective was last...
January 6, a day that will live in infamy in the history of the United States. It will be a day that many here and around the world thought would never happen. What’s the old saying about saying “never”? In the span of several hours, the world was witness to a nation that has often talked about turmoil in other nations due to civil unrest, while at the same time ignoring long simmering/smoldering fires of unrest in a divided nation that erupted as a volcano would on Jan. 6. It was not a race riot, but just as a volcano will give warning signs...
Has anyone noticed anything different about 2021? No? I didn’t either. We may be in another decade of time, but we still have decades-old problems that go on year after year. There is still no peace on Earth, even though every December 25- 31, we say we want it, but somehow the effort to attain it continues to elude us. Is that by design for sinister reasons, or is it something that man may never attain? Take a look around the world and wait; look no further than the boundary lines of this nation. Racial, economic, and judicial disparity s...
The family of Jakannis Golden laid their loved one to rest Saturday, January 2, 2021, following the news that the person who allegedly killed him has been captured. Golden was one of two individuals that were shot by the alleged gunman, Michael Jacobs, Jr., on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020. Both individuals have since died. The shooting allegedly occurred in the 2100 block of DeSiard St. in Monroe, LA, for reasons that are still unclear at press time. The other person killed by Jacobs was ide...
The smoke from New Year's Eve fireworks has barely dissipated as people celebrated the incoming year 2021, has now been replaced by a shooting that had tragic consequences. Two local women were shot in the 300 block Jason Drive Monday January 4 that left one dead and the other with serious injuries. One of the women, Samarius Colquitt died from her wounds and the other unidentified(as of press time), was airlifted to a regional hospital according to media reports. The shooting was allegedly...
Has anyone noticed anything different about 2021? No? I didn’t either. We may be in another decade of time, but we still have decades old problems that go on year after year. There is still no peace on Earth, even though every Dec. 25- 31, we say we want it, but somehow the effort to attain continues to elude us. Is that by design for sinister reasons or it is something that man may never attain? Take a look around the world and wait; look no further than boundary lines of this nation. Racial, economic and judicial disparity still exist on l...
If Jesus “is the reason for the season”, then where is the peace? Nowhere to be found. Especially here in America. America, of all nations is not that bright city on a hill that we hear about when it comes to bringing people together from other nations, so that they might pursue “the American dream”. President Donald Trump made sure of that. Case in point is an example of the violence that occurred in the nation’s capitol over the weekend when members of Trump’s supporters and protesters clashed, stemming from a supposed “Stop the Steal” ra...
The building that was the Monroe Manor Nursing Home and what should be done about it was up for debate Tuesday (Dec. 8) night at the Monroe City Council meeting. The building located at 4201 S. Grand St. was on the city's proposed condemned list because it is dilapidated and a hazard to the surrounding community, according to city department heads. However, community activist Damian Coleman said that he has a group and owner Karlin Richardson who are willing to work with the city and try to...
We often hear from politicians about how much the nations owe our veterans who has served and that they deserve the respect owed to them for protecting our freedoms. The nation has a vast complex medical system that is there to make sure that our veterans receive the best in care, no matter what it is. But we also know that the V.A. Medical System has "issues" with many veterans when it comes to receiving the kind of care that the private industry can supply. Kenneth "Duke" Arnold is a proud...
