Tonight history was made when Benton High School senior and valedictorian Zach Cryer achieved a perfect trifecta after being named the 2024 Louisiana High School Student of the Year by the Louisiana Department of Education. Cryer was also the Louisiana Elementary Student of the Year in 2017 and Louisiana Middle School Student of the Year in 2020. During his school career, Cryer has been a model student academically and athletically, and has served his community and state as a leader. He has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout high school, demonstrated athleticism in basketball an ..read more

Greenwood Police Department Sr. Ofc. Harris located an 18-wheeler at Love’s Truck Stop on May 7. The truck had been reported stolen a few weeks ago. The truck had two people in it. Those individuals were detained and interviewed. Even though it would have been easy to book them both into jail for Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, several GPD officers went beyond that and dug into the investigation. It’s believed that the detained individuals had no knowledge of the vehicle being stolen. They were driving for a company and the company assigned them to that vehicle. Sr. Ofc. Harris, Cpl. Far ..read more

The Shreveport Police Department hosted its annual awards banquet on May 8, welcoming a larger-than-average crowd of officers, families, and supporters. The event, organized by the North Shreveport Business Association and hosted by the esteemed Debbie Martin, was a testament to the dedication and bravery displayed by the city’s law enforcement.   Chief Smith took the stage to express gratitude to his officers for their unwavering commitment and hard work throughout the year. In a heartfelt address, he emphasized the importance of finding purpose, embracing small victories, and never ..read more

Luis Caleb Gomez, 24 of the 200 block of Barrington Drive in Bossier City, was arrested on May 7 by Bossier Sheriff’s Office Detectives for 31 counts of Possession of Child Pornography involving prepubescent children, seven counts of Sexual Abuse of an Animal, and two counts of Indecent Behavior of a Juvenile.   The investigation began after detectives received a cyber-tip regarding Gomez’s activities. The case progressed when Gomez shared pornography with a deputy posing as an underage child. A search warrant was obtained and executed at his residence during the investigation.   ..read more

The Shreveport Police Department responded to a distress call on May 7 at approximately 6:39 p.m., regarding an armed individual posing a threat to public safety. The incident occurred at 900 Lewis Place, where reports indicated that a 19-year-old male, Bobby Davis, was brandishing a firearm and threatening individuals in the vicinity. Upon receiving the report, Shreveport Police Patrol Officers promptly mobilized to the scene to addresst the escalating situation. With a commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the community, law enforcement officers acted decisively to neutralize th ..read more

It is a scene repeated over and over and over again after certain high school baseball games. After the third out is recorded and one team begins celebrating, only to remember that there is the ritual of the handshake line. Once that is completed, they continue the celebration. And the other team doesn’t. That team will slowly make its way down the foul line nearest its dugout and stop somewhere in the shallow part of the outfield grass. Significantly, in a place where privacy is needed. This is the last moment that this team will be this team. The Benton Tigers made that long, slow walk from ..read more

BRINGING HEAT:  Vanderbilt transfer Christian Little has stepped forward as one of the stoppers in LSU’s bullpen as the Tigers try to mount a late surge into the NCAA Tournament. (Photo by SIERRA BEAULIEU, LSU Athletics) By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports TUSCALOOSA. Ala. – Ask LSU’s baseball players where the Tigers rank in RPI (rating percentage index) or how RPI works in the NCAA tournament at-large invitation process. None of them can likely tell you. That’s how it is and has been for LSU, which has lost its first five league series and now has won its last three including last weekend vs ..read more

MILESTONE MOMENTS:  Centenary supporters and community leaders gathered Thursday evening at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the college’s new football-centric athletic facilities. (Journal photo by DOUG IRELAND) By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports Centenary football coach Byron Dawson is a big man, with a big smile. It was especially big Thursday evening, beaming as he stood in front of a crowd eagerly awaiting the moment the college’s president, Dr. Christopher Holoman, would cut the ribbon to officially dedicate the Gents’ new football-centric athletic facilities. Two years ago, Dawson was a ..read more

FIRED UP:  LSUS sophomore all-conference pitcher Draven Zeigler was pumped off coming off the mound during a recent Pilots’ game. (Photo courtesy LSUS Athletics) JOURNAL SPORTS The LSUS Pilots had another strong spring on the diamond, and will again be hosting an NAIA Opening Round regional pod beginning Monday as a result. The fourth-ranked Pilots, 42-9, welcome four visiting teams to Shreveport beginning Monday in the double-elimination bracket wrapping up Thursday. It’s the third straight season LSUS is hosting and the program’s 20th consecutive NAIA Tournament berth. Other teams ..read more

JOURNAL SPORTS Eleven Shreveport-Bossier softball players were named to the 2024 All-District 1-4A softball team selected by district coaches.  Evangel placed five players, Northwood three, Caddo Magnet two and Huntington one to the first-team list of 24. State runner-up and district champion North DeSoto had 10 selections that included Most Valuable Player Laney Johnson, a Louisiana Tech signee. Lady Griffin coach Tim Whitman was Coach of the Year after leading North DeSoto to a 30-5 record.  Evangel had one senior, Haven Brooks, make the all-district infield, while also on the 1-4 ..read more