News

(The Center Square) – Louisiana lawmakers are expected to have about $1.6 billion more in revenue to spend in upcoming budget cycles than previously projected, according to predictions from economists at a Revenue Estimating Conference.

Ben Vincent, chief economist at the Legislative Fiscal Office, told the conference revenues in 2021 came in 8% higher than a prior projection of $12.3 billion, resulting in $970 million in excess. For the general fund, revenues were $565 million above the previous projection of $9.9 billion, or about 5.5% above.

“The largest contributors are sales, personal income, and corporate tax,” Vincent said at Tuesday’s meeting. “Roughly $300 million in personal income, $258 (million) in general sales (tax) alone.

Combined corporate income and franchise – $255 million. And motor vehicle sales tax adding on another $36 million.”

The Sabine Prevention Alliance partnering with the Town of Many and The Sabine Drama Club is sponsoring an art contest for elementary, junior high and high school students in the Parish. Students may enter a 14” X 22” poster depicting the SPA’s tag line, “Keeping our children and youth Safe, Sober and Successful”. The art medium can be in pencil, pen, magic marker, or tempera paint and can show how students can keep themselves safe, sober and successful at home, school, in the community and/or with peers. Posters will need to be judged FIRST at each school level with first, second, and third place winners for each grade category of Elementary, Jr. High and High School.

Zwolle High School’s Homecoming has been scheduled for Friday, January 28, 2022. We will be facing the Converse High School Wildcats. The Homecoming Court will be presented at 5:15 PM in the gym and the first game will begin at six o’clock. All graduates of Zwolle High School ending in two will be honored at halftime during the first game. Classes of 1952, 1962, 1972, 1982, 1992, 2002, and 2022 are encouraged to come out and support your school.

Ebarb High School’s 2021 Homecoming Court cordially invites all interested parties to Homecoming activities on January 14 at 5 p.m. at the Ebarb school gymnasium. Alumni are especially encouraged to attend, especially the classes of ‘52, ‘62, ‘72, ‘82, ‘92, ‘02, and ‘12. Pictured on the front row, from left are Trinity Smith, Madison Boggs, and Kendra Meshell. On the second row are Camryn Cartinez, Bailey Durr, Keeley Garice,-Claylee Rutan, and Paisleigh Rivers. On the third row are Kaleb Ebarb, Jermaine Hudson, and Tucker River. Members of the court on the back row are Max Martinez, Kaleb Gatti, Kaden Ezernack, Jerlando Shepherd, and Kadyn Collins.

Pictured are the Junior members of the Homecoming Court. Pictured are Madison Boggs,Trinity Smith, and Max Martinez. Jayden Wilson is a member of the court but not pictured.

Sophomore Homecoming Court consists of Paisleigh Rivers, Kadyn Collins, and Jermaine Hudson. Not pictured is Preslee Sepulvado.

At the end of December, Sabine Parish Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sara Ebarb retired after serving in that post for 10 years. “It has been the greatest honor of my career to serve as superintendent in my home (and beloved) Sabine Parish,” she recently shared. “It has been a privilege to live and work in Sabine Parish.”

The following is an in-depth look at Dr. Ebarb’s career and accomplishments:

EDUCATION AND CAREER

Dr. Ebarb earned her initial Bachelor of Arts Education at Northwestern State University in 1983. From ’83 until 1986, she taught in the classroom at Mrs. Eddie Jones West Shreveport Elementary School.

There’s nothing quite like a Christmas love story. The season lends itself so well to that type of tale that entire industries have been built around it. However, one doesn’t have to look far to find that same type of magic happening locally.

Our story begins several years ago when when Eric Cato first met Teri Williams. They were both on an outing looking at Christmas lights with other residents at Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation Center and met during that outing.

“I kept hearing this silly little giggle and fell in love with it,” Eric told the Index during a recent interview.

The two became quick friends, and spent every day together.

“When they wake up in the morning they have to find each other first thing,” said Sharon Chance, who heads up activities at the facility.

Things progressed when Eric got to go home with Teri for this year’s Thanksgiving celebration, and Eric and Sharon put a plan in motion for a Christmas Eve proposal.

(The Center Square) – Louisiana is experiencing a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, according to the Louisiana Department of Health.

Department officials said 2,619 new cases have been reported out of 12,831 tests conducted since Sunday, marking a 20% positivity rate.

Over the four-day holiday weekend, officials said 12,164 cases were reported to the state.

“Omicron is surging,” the agency said on social media about the latest COVID-19 variant. “Please take precautions as you gather and celebrate with loved ones this holiday season. Wear your mask, get boosted if eligible, work remotely if possible, [and] limit your exposure to those outside your household.”

Studies have shown the omicron variant is highly transmissible and less severe than previous COVID-19 strains, though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said more data is needed.

In what has quickly become an annual holiday tradition, Weyerhaeuser in Zwolle has seen fit to present over $50,000 in grants to a number of local schools and organizations.

Zwolle Mill Operations Manager Anthony Ebarb took time to hand out the much-needed awards and was joined by a number of mill employees, who are made up by the fantastic people that call Sabine Parish home.

“Weyerhaeuser operates in small communities and believes in helping the local communities,” Ebarb said. “This is just one way that we can support the communities that support us.”

Over the years these small gatherings have become a family, much like the way that family runs throughout these communities. During the gathering, everyone was happy to sit and visit.

Weyerhaeuser already has plans to do this again next year and will take applications.

Awards were recently given to these Sabine Parish 4-H youth exhibitors who had great success at the 2021 NW District Horse Show. Sabine Parish was well represented with winners and State Qualifiers in showmanship, halter, western, and english classes. The show was held at the Red River Cowboy Church arena and drew competitors from 12 parishes in Northwest Louisiana.

The 4-H horse project, which is open to all 4-H and F.F.A. members, is popular because it promotes and teaches animal husbandry, work ethic, responsibility, planning, and dedication. There are classes offered and prizes awarded to all breeds of horses which compete in Showmanship, Halter, English, Western, Ranch, or Speed disciplines.

The Sabine Parish Extension Office congratulates all the local competitors for a job well done.

BOM’s Many location donated personal items to their local nursing home for the residents. Pictured from left to right: Sharon Chance, BOM’s Linda Guay, Ashley Parrie, and Savannah Garcie.

BOM is proud to sponsor the Many High School Baseball Team. Pictured left to right: Dagen Knippers, Keaton Oxley, and BOM’s Kayla Sepulvado.