South Bossier toll bridge project: What's the status?
Plus: New recreation amenities planned for Tall Timbers and South Bossier Park.
Bossier City weekend weather — The extended forecast, including the next Arctic blast. Today: Mostly cloudy. Areas of frost this morning. A 20% chance of rain showers this afternoon. Highs around 60. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid-40s. Saturday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid-50s. Saturday night: Mostly cloudy in the evening, then clearing. Much colder, with lows in the upper 20s. Sunday: Mostly sunny. Much cooler, with highs in the upper 30s. Sunday night: Mostly clear. Cold with lows around 20. Martin Luther King Jr Day: Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid-30s. Monday night: Mostly cloudy with a 20% chance of snow showers. Cold with lows in the lower 20s. Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a chance of snow showers in the morning, then partly cloudy with a slight chance of snow showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s. Chance of snow 30%. Tuesday night: Mostly clear. Cold with lows around 20.
Beyond Bossier
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South Bossier toll bridge project: What's the status?
Alabama-based company Tim James Inc. is planning to build a privately funded toll bridge in South Bossier Parish, and at Wednesday's Police Jury meeting, James provided an update on the project.
The estimated $100 to $115 million project, the Red River Express, is a proposed new corridor connecting motorists from southeast Caddo Parish to South Bossier Parish. It will consist of nine miles of new road construction, with intersections at LA 3132, LA 523, LA 1, and US 71, as well as a toll bridge over the Red River.
The entire road network being constructed will not be tolled, only the bridge crossing the Red River.
Tim James said he anticipated construction to begin next fall, which would take three to five years to complete.
"We estimate in these things three to five years, which seems like a long, long time. But in the infrastructure world, when you have permits, federal permits, state permits, you have to have the right of way. We can't expropriate anything. We have to be able to secure the right of way with landowners all the way," he said.
"There's been discussions with the parish for the past couple of years about trying to connect to the parish's extension of Arthur A. Teague Parkway, and so depending on who gets there first, we'll figure out how to combine forces and then ultimately head into the north and connect into the Arthur A. Teague Parkway near the Parkway High School," he added.
All public vehicles, such as school buses and first responders, will be exempted from tolls. However, the tolls for general commuters will be permanent.
Bossier Parish government appoints new leadership, juror
At Wednesday's Bossier Parish Police Jury meeting, President Philip Rodgers handed the gavel over to incoming President Glenn Benton, who has served on the police jury since 2007.
“Glenn has the full support of the jury,” said Rodgers. “We have a great group leader on the jury, and I am confident that Glenn will do a great job leading us this year."
“I want to continue to expand our water and sewer to all areas of Bossier Parish to keep up with the growing needs of the parish,” Benton said.
He also said the jury must work with the State and Federal delegations to secure funds to help update the parishes’ transportation plan.
“We have made great improvements with the Arthur Ray Teague extension and Swan Lake Road extension but with all the growth we are experiencing, we need to be prepared for the citizens we represent," Benton added. “The future is bright for Bossier Parish, and I am honored my fellow Jurors have given me this opportunity to lead this coming year.”
It is Benton's third time serving as president of the police jury. District 11 Juror Tom Salzer was appointed to serve as 2025 Vice President.
The jury also voted unanimously for Kim Gaspard to fill the vacant seat in District 1 left by the death of Bob Brotherton.
Butch Ford, who served most recently as Parish Administrator, retired on Monday. The Jury voted for Dr. Ken Ward as the new Parish Administrator. He brings valuable experience from his previous 17 years with Caddo Parish.
“As a lifelong resident of Bossier Parish, I am appreciative of the opportunity to be at home,” Dr. Ward said.
In other jury business, the Parks and Recreation Committee is working on a disc golf course for Tall Timbers and a walking trail and a cross country track at South Bossier Park. Design proposals are being worked on for both.
Investigation results in arrest of two suspects for child sexual abuse material made in a Bossier hotel
Bossier Parish Sheriff's detectives have been working for months on a tip from Caddo Parish Sheriff's detectives regarding the possible production of child sexual abuse material that occurred in a hotel room in Bossier Parish.
During the investigation, which began on October 14, 2024, multiple media files were recovered from the suspects' electronic devices that contained the child sexual abuse material.
In collaboration with the Caddo Sheriff's Office Detectives, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations, and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Bossier Parish Sheriff's Detectives issued arrest warrants for Breanica Smith, 33, and Spencer Millage Jr., 34.
Both were arrested and booked into Bossier Max on January 15, 2025.
Smith's last known residence was in the 4000 block of Lakeshore Drive in Shreveport. Millage's last known residence was in the 1400 block of Joanna Drive in Shreveport.
Breancia Smith was charged with:
1 count of Pornography Involving Juveniles (felony)
6 counts of Molestation of a Juvenile Under 13 (felony)
2 counts of Aggravated Crimes Against Nature (felony)
Smith's bond was set at $2,525,000.
Spencer Millage Jr. was charged with:
1 count of Pornography Involving Juveniles (production) (felony)
10 counts of Molestation of a Juvenile Under 13 (felony)
1 count of First Degree Rape (felony)
1 count of First Degree Rape (attempted) (felony)
1 count of Molestation of a Juvenile Under 13 (felony)
Millage's bond was set at $10,725,000.
The investigation continues.
All persons named or shown are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Bossier Parish bridge closure
The road closure on LA 160 in north Bossier Parish will resume on Monday, January 20, 2025. This will allow the contractor to begin removing and replacing these two bridges, which were originally built in 1969.
This work also includes constructing an access point for the crane and burning the vegetation that was cleared during the clearing and grubbing process in late 2024.
The entire project is expected to be completed in Spring 2026. Progress is dependent on weather conditions and other factors.
Bossier City Police incidents and arrests report: January 13-15, 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 13-15, 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.
01/13/2025 00:05:00 Arrest 1400 Blk Hamilton Rd Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest- Caddo (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 41
01/13/2025 01:12:00 01:13:00 Incident 700 Blk Horseshoe Blvd Bossier City, La Theft Of A Motor Vehicle (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
01/13/2025 01:48:00 Citation 500 Edwards St Bossier City, La 1) Registration, Expired License Plate, And 2) DUS - Driving Under Suspension Black Or African American, Female, Age 59
01/13/2025 01:55:00 Arrest 700 Blk Horseshoe Blvd Bossier City, 1) Possession Schedule I (Misdemeanor), And 2) D/P - Drunkenness (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Female, Age 53
01/13/2025 02:23:00 Incident 100 Blk Bass Pro Dr Bossier City, La Possession Schedule I (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
01/13/2025 02:41:00 Arrest 100 Blk Bass Pro Dr Bossier City, La 1) Possession Schedule I (Felony), 2) Possession Schedule I (Misdemeanor), And 3) Fugitive Arrest - SPD (Misdemeanor) Xavier A Jackson, Black Or African American, Male, Age 33
01/13/2025 04:16:00 Incident 400 Blk Edwards St/Peach St Bossier City, La Possession Schedule II (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
01/13/2025 05:01:00 Arrest 400 Blk Edwards St/Peach St Bossier City, La 1) Fugitive Arrest - SPD (Misdemeanor), and 2) Fugitive Arrest - Bpso (Misdemeanor) Fugitive Arrest - Spd (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 55
01/13/2025 06:55:00 Arrest 600 Blk Benton Rd Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest-ICE (Misdemeanor) Fugitive Arrest-Ice (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 29
01/12/2025 08:03:00 Incident 3900 Blk Wayne Av Bossier City, La Simple Criminal Damage To Property (Active)
01/13/2025 08:43:00 Arrest 600 Blk Yarbrough St Bossier City, La Theft (Felony) Tony Mack Moore, Black Or African American, Male, Age 56
01/13/2025 09:26:00 Arrest 300 Blk Oakland Pl Bossier City, La Theft (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 38
01/11/2025 15:38:00 - 01/13/2025 09:48:00 Incident 1500 Blk Clarence St Bossier City, La Simple Criminal Damage To Property (Active)
01/10/2025 20:04:00 - 01/13/2025 Incident 4800 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La Theft (Active)
01/10/2025 14:52:00 - 01/13/2025 10:48:00 Incident 4800 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La Theft (Active)
01/14/2025 00:11:00 Arrest 5300 Blk Lauri Ln Bossier City, La Illegal Possession Of Stolen Things (Felony) Martez Taylor, Black Or African American, Male, Age 23
01/14/2025 00:37:00 Arrest 2000 Blk Benton Rd/Riverwood Dr Bossier City, La Fugitive Arrest - BPSO (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 21
01/14/2025 03:07:00 Incident 2200 Blk Old Minden Rd Bossier City, La Domestic Abuse Battery - Simple (Exceptionally Cleared)
01/14/2025 03:36:00 Incident 4000 Blk Industrial Dr Bossier City, La Telephone Communications; Improper Language; Harassment (Active)
01/15/2025 00:55:00 Incident 1300 Blk Barksdale Blvd Bossier City, La Resisting An Officer (Cleared By Arrest/Adult)
01/15/2025 01:32:00 Arrest 1300 Blk Barksdale Blvd Bossier City, La Resisting An Officer (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Female, Age 28
01/15/2025 02:08:00 Arrest 700 Blk Hope St Shreveport, La 1) Failure To Appear-Theft (Misdemeanor), and 2) Failure To Appear - Criminal Trespass (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Female, Age 51
01/15/2025 03:56:00 Arrest 8900 Blk Brookwood Dr Shreveport, La 1) Criminal Trespass (Misdemeanor), and 2) Resisting An Officer (Misdemeanor) Black Or African American, Male, Age 32
01/15/2025 06:45:00 Arrest 600 Blk Benton Rd Bossier City, La 1) Failure To Appear-Illegal Carrying Of Weapon (Misdemeanor), 2) Failure To Appear-Reckless Operation (Misdemeanor), And 3) Failure To Appear-No Motorcycle Endorsement (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 24
01/15/2025 06:59:00 Arrest 600 Blk Benton Rd Bossier City, La 1) Failure To Appear-Speeding In School Zone (Misdemeanor), and 2) Failure To Appear-DUS (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Female, Age 34
01/15/2025 07:26:00 Citation 5800 Shed Rd Bossier City, La 1) Window Tint, 2) Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection Sticker, and 3) Dus - Driving Under Suspension White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 38
01/15/2025 01:15:00 Incident 1000 Blk Princeton Av Bossier City, La Simple Burglary - From Motor Vehicle (Active)
01/13/2025 12:00:00 Incident 2100 Blk Airline Dr Bossier City, La Simple Criminal Damage To Property (Active)
01/15/2025 10:40:00 Arrest 600 Blk Benton Rd Bossier City, La 1) Court Ordered Sentencing-DUS (Misdemeanor), and 2) Court Ordered Sentencing- Fail To Yield (Misdemeanor) White Or Caucasian, Male, Age 35
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.
Tonight, Friday, January 17: Trace Adkins in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Hotel and Casino
January 17-18: Kicker Monster Truck Show at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
January 25: Jeff Dunham at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
January 31: Brooks & Dunn's Kix Brooks returns to his hometown of Shreveport with many of his talented friends for a concert night unlike any other at the Louisiana Grandstand. The concert benefits the non-profit "Hope On The Inside". The early 6:30 pm show is sold out but a late 9:30 pm show has been added.
February 6: Harlem Globetrotters at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
February 8: Bulls, Bands & Barrels at the Brookshire Grocery Arena
February 15: Priscilla Block in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Hotel and Casino
March 1: Winter Jam 2025 featuring Skillet, Anne Wilson, KB, Colton Dixon, NewSong, Micah Tyler, speaker Zane Black and more at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
March 1: Muscadine Bloodline in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Hotel and Casino
March 8: Justin Moore and special guest Austin Michael in the Riverdome at the Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City.
March 28: Frank Foster in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Hotel and Casino
March 29-30: Barksdale Air Force Base will host the 2025 Defenders of Liberty Air Show. The two-day event is free and open to the public. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will headline the air show with additional military aerial demonstrations including the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-135 Stratotanker, and the first-ever KC-46 Pegasus demonstration, as well as an exciting lineup of civilian acts, featuring Randy Ball, Red Bull Air Force, Smoke N' Thunder Jet Truck, and more. The event will also feature static aircraft displays, interactive STEM exhibits, food concessions, and activities for attendees of all ages.
April 4: Martin Lawrence at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
April 4: Larry Fleet in the Paradise Theater at the Margaritaville Hotel and Casino
April 25: The 17th Annual Shreveport Blues Festival with performances by: Tucka, King George, Pokey Bear, Marcellus The Singer, J-Wonn, West Love, and TK Soul at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
May 6: Bonnie Raitt at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.
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