Gov. Landry on drones near Louisiana critical infrastructure: 'The federal government has stonewalled us'
Plus: New restaurants, expansions at existing eateries, and a new pickleball complex.
Bossier City weather — Today: Mostly sunny. Highs around 50. Tonight: Mostly clear. Cold with lows in the upper 20s. Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the lower 50s.
Beyond Bossier
Gov. Landry on drones near Louisiana 'critical infrastructure:' 'The federal government has stonewalled us'
While the issue of mystery drones in New Jersey has seemed to pass, a similar matter in Louisiana has raised the ire of Governor Jeff Landry.
When it comes to 'mystery drones' in the Bayou State, he's ready to take them down.
The sightings began on Christmas Eve in West Feliciana parish. On December 24, law enforcement authorities received reports of objects "as large as five feet in diameter" flying in "areas near critical infrastructure."
Entergy has confirmed that drones have been sighted at the company's River Bend Station nuclear power site in the parish.
Eyewitnesses have reported seeing multiple objects flying simultaneously, indicating that the flights may have been coordinated.
“At this time, we have no reason to believe these sightings pose a threat to public safety; however, it’s very concerning and we’re treating this as a criminal violation since they’ve been spotted over areas where drone flight is prohibited,” said West Feliciana Parish Brian Spillman.
The sightings continued through the first two weeks of the new year, and Sheriff Spillman said his office is working closely with local, state, and federal partners to identify the source and responsible party.
“If these reports are accurate, these are not Christmas toys being operated by a hobbyist,” said Spillman. “We’ve deployed technology to help us locate and track the activity, and we’re actively seeking additional resources to help reveal the identity of the devices and their operators.”
According to the sheriff, eyewitnesses, including his patrol deputies, have observed the flying objects at altitudes as low as 200 feet and up to over 500 feet. The suspected drones tend to hover over certain areas for extended periods and then disappear into the night. All reports to date have been at night.
Spillman said he is treating this as a threat to local critical infrastructure and has had conversations with Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill about involving all available state and national resources to defend West Feliciana from any possible threats to public safety.
Governor Landry was taking a hard-line stance on the mystery drone issue.
"We have worked to procure both detection and mitigation on these drones and have been stonewalled by the federal government," the governor said. "In fact, it is my appreciation that even the FBI is unable to mitigate drone threats in this country. We need answers now, and I intend to do everything in my power to get them."
New pickleball facility opens in Bossier City
A new pickleball complex had a soft opening this weekend. Just Pickleball unveiled its new facility at 805 E 1st St. to some enthusiastic, in-the-know players.
The five-court professional-grade venue is state-of-the-art but still needs some final touches. Just Pickleball owner Troy Shramek said coming attractions will include a player lounge, a pro shop, offices for certified Pickleball coaches, and an area for hosting parties.
Other amenities to come include court cameras, drill sessions, leagues and MLP events. There are daily drop-in fees and memberships available. Court reservations will be available soon through the Court Reserve App.
Open Rec Play (all ages & skills) is available Monday through Friday from 6-9 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 12-4 pm. Senior 50+ only Open Rec Play (all skills) is open on Tuesday from 3-6 pm and Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm.
More info can be found at Just Pickleball's Group Me.
Bossier City restaurant market sees new activity
If plans are approved, Bossier City will see the expansion of services at some local eateries and at least one new addition soon.
At today's Metropolitan Planning Commission meeting, officials will consider Holly Lim's application to sell high- and low-content alcohol at the Lucky Palace II restaurant at Louisiana Downs.
Also, Ark La Tex Restaurant Equipment will submit an application to modify the landscaping at 1030 Central Park Dr. for a proposed restaurant, Thiago Seafood, located at the southeast corner of Central Park Blvd. and Barksdale Blvd.
The commission will also have a preliminary hearing today on the application of Matt Peterson, Estacada, for a zoning amendment for a proposed convenience store with fuel sales at the southwest intersection of Old Minden Road and Airline Drive.
At the MPC's January 21 meeting, the application of Suchada Angkunwattana of All About Thai, LLC will request a zoning change for a boba tea and coffee shop, Bubble and Beans Café, at 2910 Shed Road.
Josh Morvant of Red River Billiards will also seek approval for the sale of high- and low-content alcohol for on-premise consumption at Red River Billiards, 2090 Brookshire Arena Drive, Suite 100 and for a restaurant, Looosiana Bistreaux, located in Suite 200.
Bossier City Police incidents and arrests report: January 9-12, 2025
Hour by hour. Day and night. This is BossierNow’s reporting of Bossier City Police Department incidents and arrests. This report includes actions that occurred on January 9-12, 2025. Identities of subjects involved in misdemeanor arrests or citations are withheld.
All persons named or shown are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
01/09/2025 00:05:00 Arrest 2300 Blk Barksdale Blvd/Garden St Bossier City, La 1) Possession Schedule II (Felony), 2) Prohibited Acts - Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor), 3) Fugitive Arrest / BPSO (Misdemeanor), 4) DUS - Driving Under Suspension (Misdemeanor), 5) Violations Of Registration Provisions; Switched (Misdemeanor), and 6) Registration, Expired License Plate (Misdemeanor) James III Barker, Black Or African American, Male, Age 65
01/09/2025 00:19:00 Arrest 400 Blk Montgomery St Bossier City, La 1) Illegal Possession Of Stolen Firearms (Felony), 2) Possession Schedule I (Misdemeanor), 3) Possess Firearm/Carrying Conceal Weapon By Convicted Felon (Felony), 4) DUS - Driving Under Suspension (Misdemeanor), And 5) Turning Movements And Required Signals (Misdemeanor) Billy Dewayne Moore, Black Or African American, Male, Age 46
01/09/2025 00:19:00 Incident 3400 Blk Ponderosa Dr Bossier City, La Domestic Abuse Battery - Simple (Exceptionally Cleared)
01/09/2025 06:24:00 Arrest 3000 Blk Shiloh Ln Bossier City, La Contempt Of Court - Resisting An Officer (Misdemeanor) Contempt Of Court - Resisting An Officer (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 33
01/09/2025 08:32:00 Arrest 600 Blk Benton Rd Bossier City, La 1) Failure To Appear- No Drivers License (Misdemeanor), And 2) Failure To Appear- Improper Equipment (Misdemeanor) Failure To Appear- No Drivers License, M (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 28
01/09/2025 13:36:00 13:37:00 Incident 1100 Blk Bascom St Bossier City, La Home Invasion - Aggravated Assault (Active)
01/09/2025 13:20:00 Incident 2500 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La Theft (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
01/10/2025 01:58:00 Arrest 4500 Blk Longstreet Pl Bossier City, La Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault (Felony) Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault (Felony) Wendal Stillman Morgan, White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 42
01/10/2025 06:24:00 Arrest 600 Blk Benton Rd Bossier City, La Failure To Appear- DUS (Misdemeanor) Failure To Appear- Dus (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 20
01/10/2025 13:55:00 Incident 8000 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La Theft (Active)
01/10/2025 16:45:00 Incident 5300 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La Simple Battery (Exceptionally Cleared)
01/10/2025 16:50:00 Arrest 2700 Blk Old Minden Rd/Jacquelyn Av Bossier City, La Failure To Appear- Improper Display Of License Plate (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 20
01/10/2025 17:38:00 Arrest 100 Blk Benton Spur Rd Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest / BPSO (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 33
01/10/2025 18:32:00 Arrest 1500 Blk Mark Av/Thunderbird Ln Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest / BPSO (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 60
01/11/2025 02:22:00 Arrest 2100 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, 1) Possession Schedule II (Felony), 2) Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor), And 3) Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor) Storm Laroux Lewis, White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 32
01/11/2025 04:08:00 Arrest 700 Blk Margaritaville Way Bossier City, Battery Of Police Officer - Simple (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 43
01/11/2025 10:53:00 Arrest 2200 Blk Timothy St Bossier City, La 1) Failure To Appear- Criminal Trespass (Misdemeanor), And 2) Failure To Appear - Theft (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Female, Age 22
01/11/2025 10:58:00 Arrest 1100 Blk Forum Dr Shreveport, La Theft (Felony) Zxavier Rameal Nelson, Black Or African American, Male, Age 34
01/11/2025 14:40:00 Incident 2800 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La Theft (Active)
01/11/2025 15:42:00 Arrest 1600 Blk E Texas St/Butler St Bossier City, 1) Distribute Or Poss W/Intent Schedule I (Felony), 2) Window Tint (Misdemeanor), And 3) DUS - Driving Under Suspension (Misdemeanor) Gregory Lamar Coleman, Black Or African American, Male, Age 49
01/11/2025 15:55:00 Arrest 1600 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La Telephone Communications; Improper Language; Harassment (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 37
01/11/2025 16:36:00 Arrest 2800 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La 1) Theft (Felony), And 2) Flight From An Officer (Misdemeanor) Brian Byrnside, White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 45
01/11/2025 17:31:00 Arrest 2800 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La Theft (Felony) Chase Watson, White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 28
01/11/2025 17:49:00 Arrest 2800 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La 1) Aggravated Assault Upon A Peace Officer (Felony), 2) Theft (Felony), And 3) Resisting An Officer (Misdemeanor) David Ray Marsala, White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 45
01/11/2025 18:05:00 Arrest 2300 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La Theft (Felony) Theft (Felony) David Ray Marsala, White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 45
01/12/2025 00:54:00 Arrest 2400 Blk Barksdale Blvd Bossier City, La 1) D/P - Drunkenness (Misdemeanor), 2) Failure To Appear-Hit N Run (Misdemeanor), 3) Failure To Appear - No Drivers License (Misdemeanor), And 4) Failure To Appear - Criminal Sanctions For Operating MV (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 29
01/12/2025 01:24:00 Arrest 1700 Blk Old Minden Rd Bossier City, D/P - Drunkenness (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 32
01/12/2025 03:05:00 Arrest 1700 Blk Southview Dr Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest-SPD (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 23
01/12/2025 05:15:00 Arrest 1500 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest - SPD (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Female, Age 23
01/12/2025 14:58:00 Arrest 7400 Blk Pecanwood Haughton, La Simple Burglary - Residence/Business (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Female, Age 37
01/08/2025 15:32:00 Incident 8000 Blk E Texas St Bossier City, La Theft (Active)
01/12/2025 16:36:00 Incident 4000 Blk Barksdale Blvd Bossier City, La Theft (Active)
01/12/2025 17:04:00 Arrest 2800 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest-BPSO (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Female, Age 46
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