Video reveals deterioration of Bossier Parish water towers
Plus — Former Shreveport Sears building to see new life.
Bossier City weather — Today: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers this morning, then a chance of showers with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs in the lower 80s. Chance of rain 40%. Tonight: Partly cloudy in the evening, then becoming mostly cloudy. A slight chance of rain. A slight chance of drizzle after midnight. Lows in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 20%. Tuesday: Mostly cloudy in the morning, then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the mid-80s.
Beyond Bossier
Video reveals deterioration of Bossier Parish water towers
A video released by the Bossier Parish Police Jury reveals the decline of area water tanks. While no press release was issued with the YouTube video, the corrosion of the structures is apparent.
While the drone video shows only exterior views, the Environmental Protection Agency has long urged municipalities to inspect and maintain both the exterior and the interior of water towers.
"Much of the drinking water distribution system infrastructure in the United States has exceeded its life expectancy and is deteriorating," the EPA said in a 2019 analysis, noting that "much of the nation’s drinking water distribution system infrastructure was installed 50 or more years ago."
Corrosion, animal infiltration, dirt and other contaminants often collect inside these massive tanks, and the exterior decay can also be a clue to problems inside the structure.
In recent months, Bossier parish residents have complained about discolored drinking water, and the BPPJ began flushing water hydrants to help eliminate the problem. Perhaps now, the Jury is also looking into the status of water towers in the parish.
BossierNow has contacted the Jury for information regarding the video and any details related to water tower inspection, maintenance, and possible structural issues.
LSU Health to convert the former Shreveport Sears building into a research facility
Citing "continued growth in externally funded research over the last several years," LSU Health Shreveport has announced plans to convert the former Sears property located at Mall St. Vincent into a state-of-the-art research facility.
LSUHS leadership partnered with the LSU Health Sciences Foundation to purchase the property.
"With the current available laboratory and office space in the Biomedical Research Institute and the medical school projected to be filled within the next 18-24 months, a timely expansion of research space became essential to retain and recruit research talent," LSUHS said in a release.
The projected need for more research space was based on projections of new grants from the National Institutes of Health to be awarded to existing researchers, in addition to the space needs of funded researchers who are being actively recruited to LSU Health Shreveport.
This purchase follows the opening of the $84M Center for Medical Education in late 2023, which marked the first new building on the LSUHS campus in fifteen years.
"The former Sears building provides the potential for a modern research facility with wide open spaces, allowing for a timely and cost-effective conversion of the existing Sears interior to research labs and supporting spaces such as faculty offices and educational/conference rooms," the release added.
The property consists of 160,000 square feet of interior space on 18 acres with more than 800 parking spaces. The building is less than a mile from the main LSU Health Shreveport campus.
“My optimism regarding the future of LSU Health Shreveport is increasing exponentially with this future research expansion. The determining factor of the stature of U.S. academic health centers is the amount of externally funded research they acquire. Through this building project, which will not require any state funding, LSU Health Shreveport instantly becomes much better poised not only attract more world class funded researchers but to give our currently funded researchers the space they deserve and need to grow and thrive,” said David Guzick, MD, PhD, Chancellor, LSU Health Shreveport. “Moreover, the dollars flowing into Shreveport from external sources, along with potential revitalization of Mall St. Vincent, will spur economic development in the region.”
The LSU Health Sciences Foundation in Shreveport will lead a fundraising campaign to secure financial support for the project.
SoBo sees the debut of the Bellaire Pickleball Academy
Founders Jeff Koeppen, Eric Zheng and Tonia Zuber will open the Bellaire Pickleball Academy today.
Eric and Jeff will be teaching several classes with a focus on helping players become the best they can be at an affordable cost.
"Our goal is to have everyone improve to the next level, and there will be something for everyone — from the brand new beginner to the most advanced players," the BPA founders said on social media.
The first week will begin with the following classes and clinics:
Footwork Fundamentals: Learn to move effectively and efficiently from all over the court, including at the baseline, transition zone, and kitchen.
Topspin Mastery: Learn the importance of topspin and how to execute it, including topspin serves, ground strokes, roll volleys, and dinks.
Play, practice, play: Four players will play a game, and the instructor will keep track of certain indicators. Then, the players will drill on what the instructor saw was needed most. There will be three games, discussions, and drilling between games.
3 and me: Three players and an instructor play games. All three players play with the instructor, and we will discuss strategy and tactics with our partners between rallies.
Twoey: Eric will be teaching the two-handed backhand. Learn the technique and importance of this shot in today’s game.
The BPA founders say many more classes and clinics are planned for the future. Find out more on the Bellaire Pickleball Facebook page.
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