Caddo-Bossier Port celebrates completion of Bossier City water line
Plus — Bossier Parish Sheriff hosts first Junior High Fall Trap Shoot Out. In memoriam: Wanda Bennett.
Bossier City weekend weather — Today: Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Tonight: Clear. Lows in the mid-40s. Saturday: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Saturday night: Partly cloudy. Not as cool, with lows in the mid-50s. Sunday: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 70s. Chance of rain 30%. Sunday night: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers in the evening. Lows in the lower 60s. Chance of rain 20%.
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Caddo-Bossier Port celebrates completion of Bossier City water line
Eric England, the Executive Port Director of the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission, announced the completion of the Bossier City water line at a public ceremony Thursday morning. The waterline will provide water to the west side of the port along Highway 1.
"We can have all the land, you can have all the infrastructure, but without water, you are not going to recruit the type of industry that we've recruited to our area," England said.
England also announced that the Port Commission was closing on a $14 million purchase of 560 acres of property that will be converted from farmland to industrial sites. That tract is bordered by another 350-acre parcel of land that the port will purchase in mid-December.
"All this work has been put in place for a soon to be 3,000 acre campus on the west side of Highway 1," England added.
Building a 10-mile link from I-49
England recalled that years ago, the Port Commission purchased 2,000 acres of raw farmland near what was expected to be the Interstate 69 corridor.
"We went to bat, struck out twice, put everything we had into it, put together the best application to fund this $80 million road that is a 10-mile stretch from I-49 to the port. Third time at bat, we knocked it out of the park. We have amassed 70 of the 80-plus million dollars to build this connector road, and ladies and gentlemen, it will be constructed through the heart of this additional property that we have purchased," he announced.
Two men with an idea
The port director also told the story of two people sitting after work who came up with the idea, 'Well, what if we just built a water line under the Red River from Bossier to the port?'
He said one was Walt Bigby, and the other was Bossier City Councilman David Montgomery.
"It turns out that was the idea. That was the idea that we fulfilled. It was an engineering marvel," England added.
Montgomery recounted how he and Bigby were discussing the needs of the port and that "there would be greater needs in the future for water at the port. And that's when the call was made to Eric England. Of course, Eric was like, God, what are these, where are these guys? But anyway, it came to fruition. Plato said a need or a problem encourages creative efforts to meet the need or solve the problem," Montgomery added.
"We are here today because of a group of leaders from Bossier City and the Port and others not only saw the opportunity for Bossier City to provide millions of gallons of water to the Port, we are here today because we seized that opportunity," Councilmember Montgomery said.
"It is my hope that the completion of this project will attract even more businesses and industry here to the Port of Caddo-Bossier for many years to come," he added.
Bossier Parish Sheriff hosts first Junior High Fall Trap Shoot Out
On Tuesday, November 12th, the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office hosted its first Junior High Fall Trap Shoot Out. It's part of the Sheriff's new shooting sports league, a competition that brought together 23 talented students from across Bossier Parish for a day of camaraderie and skill.
Students gathered for the event at the Bossier Sheriff’s Youth Shotgun Range, each proudly representing their school. Students competed as individuals and as part of school teams.
The five Bossier Parish schools in attendance were Cope Middle School, Elm Grove Middle School, Greenacres Middle School, Benton Middle School, and Haughton Middle School.
"These young athletes displayed impressive marksmanship in the sport of trap shooting, a discipline that requires precision, focus, and quick reflexes," BPSO said in a release.
Benton Middle School emerged as the team champion with a total of 97 points. The winning team members included Austin Schultz, Eli Davis, and Parker Pierce.
Cope Middle School claimed second place with 92 points. Their team: Nolan Oselin, Hudson Roddam, and Clayton Scott showed remarkable skill, coming just short of the top spot.
Elm Grove Middle School took third place with 60 points, with team members Aiden Umling, Nelson Wilder, and Casen Parker representing their school proudly.
The individual standings were just as competitive.
Austin Schultz from Benton Middle School won the First Place Individual Award with 38 points. Hudson Roddam of Cope Middle School finished in second place, scoring 36 points. The third-place individual award went to Eli Davis, also from Benton Middle School, with 34 points.
The Junior High Fall Trap Shoot Out was not only a competition but a celebration of the growing popularity of trap shooting among young students in Bossier Parish. It showcased the talent and dedication of the participants and highlighted the importance of community support for extracurricular activities like this one. As these students continue to develop their skills, we can expect more exciting events and future champions to emerge from Bossier Parish.
Sheriff Julian Whittington congratulated all of the participants.
“The event was a fantastic display of skill, sportsmanship, and teamwork," Whittington said. "The Bossier Sheriff’s Office is proud to host the competition and give these young athletes a facility to compete in, giving both Junior and High school students an opportunity to be awarded scholarships and further their education while learning firearm safety.”
If you have a student interested in competing in Youth Shooting Sports, email Dep. James Lonadier at jlonadier@bossiersheriff.com for more information.
In memoriam: Wanda Bennett, Bossier leader 'with an enviable legacy'
Eleanor Wandalynn “Wanda” Seabury Bennett passed away peacefully on November 12, 2024, in Bossier City. Wanda was born February 26, 1937, in Marshall, Texas, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Seabury.
Wanda Bennett spent most of her career serving the public in government and elected office through volunteer work and retraining individuals for the job force. Service was her passion.
Bennett was a groundbreaker. She won her first term in public office in 1978 when she was elected to the Bossier City Council, at a time when women were seldom seen on public bodies. Bennett was a member of the council for three terms before moving to Bossier Parish Community College to head a program that retrained individuals for the workforce.
When the parish began searching for someone to implement its 911 system, Bennett answered the call. Again, she served the people of Bossier Parish in a crucial program and helped bring what became a widely respected agency online in 2005.
Not long after the system’s successful start, Bennett received a phone call from the incumbent in Police Jury District 3 (her home district) saying he did not intend to seek reelection. He wanted someone to take his place who understood people and how the government operated.
Even though her husband was seriously ill at the time, with his encouragement and support, she ran and won.
Bennett’s passion for service made it easy to address the concerns of her constituents. Even though, at times, decisions may be questioned, Bennett knew it was because residents of the district wanted the same thing: a better Bossier Parish.
And she knew the importance of listening not only to her constituents but to all who live in the parish. Her skills were recognized when she was elected to serve a term as President of the Police Jury, and the parish thrived under her leadership.
Philip Rodgers, current President of the Police Jury, followed Bennett into the District 3 seat.
“I watched Mrs. Wanda on the jury for years, and her work made me want to become a juryman,” Rodgers said. “She was always upfront and honest with me. After she retired from the jury, she supported me in my run for her seat, and I am grateful for that. She will be missed.”
Bennett believed a major reason Bossier Parish continued to grow and prosper is because the Police Jury, along with other public bodies, pulled together in the same direction for the people who live and work here.
Bill Altimus, long-time Parish Administrator, knew Bennett well before the two became partners in the progress of Bossier Parish.
“I met Mrs. Bennett while dating my wife Nelda, who was best friends with her daughter, Sherry. She was a substitute teacher at R.V. Kerr Elementary and then became the first woman to be elected to the Bossier City Council,” Altimus remembered. “She ran a good race but lost to become Mayor. Not long after, she was asked to start the parish’s 911 system, which is recognized as one of the best in the state.”
Altimus remembered Bennett as “…a first-class lady, always dressed to the nine’s and always complimentary of everyone she worked with and the public she met. She could dress down or " straighten” out someone, and when they left, they were happy about the experience. A very rare skill indeed.
“She will be very much missed by those who knew her. Those who did not will enjoy in the future the great and positive things she accomplished for Bossier Parish,” he said.
Bennett lost her husband (Earnest “Bo” Bennett) to illness in 2014. She found joy in her three children (Sherry, Jeffery, and Tracy), her five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. She was comfortable knowing that each step of her career served a purpose and that each day brought an opportunity. And even in retirement, Bennett worked tirelessly for her neighbors and her parish.
Her passing leaves an enviable legacy. She helped lay the groundwork that has made Bossier Parish a better place through her service, dedication, and just plain old-fashioned hard work. She was never interested in accolades. She desired to see people succeed.
— By the Bossier Parish Police Jury
Bossier City free time calendar
Live music in Bossier City and other notable events in the area for your free time consideration. If you would like to add an event to the Bossier City free time calendar, send the details to email@bossiernow.com.
November 16: Creed, Are You Ready? Tour at the BGA with 3 Doors Down and Mammoth WVH.
November 22: John Michael Montgomery at the Riverdome in the Horseshoe Casino and Hotel.
November 23: William Clark Green brings his "Whole Lotta Lubbock" tour to his debut appearance at the Louisiana Grandstand. Green is tearing up Texas dance halls and filling venues nationwide with his hits like "She Likes The Beatles" and "West Texas in My Eye."
November 29: Neal McCoy in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Casino.
December 5: The Trans-Siberian Orchestra performs The Lost Christmas Eve at the BGA.
December 6: Neo-traditional country artist Braxton Keith at the Louisiana Grandstand.
December 7: Williamson Branch, one of Nashville's fastest-growing family bands, is touring the country with their traditional country sound and will perform at the Louisiana Grandstand.
December 13: Creed Fisher at the Louisiana Grandstand.
December 14: A Candlelit Evening with Marc and Ted Broussard.
December 19: Marcus King, the southern blues & rock guitar phenom, is coming to the Louisiana Grandstand. Marcus will be playing an intimate acoustic evening featuring Drew Smithers.
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