The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has scheduled a drawdown of Saline Lake for giant salvinia control, reduction of organic muck and fish habitat improvement. The drawdown will reduce the further expansion of giant salvinia as summertime temperatures promote maximum growth. The water control structure is scheduled to open on July 7, and the lake should dewater at a rate of four inches per day. The water level will be lowered to a maximum drawdown level of eight feet below normal pool stage, depending on the Red River Pool 3 water level. The Saline Lake control gates are scheduled for closure on October 1 to allow the lake to refill for fall, winter and early-spring recreational activities. Boaters will be able to access the main waterbody from the Mulligan Inn Boat Ramp with small craft, but caution is advised, as numerous obstructions that are normally not seen may become hazards. For additional information regarding the drawdown, contact Villis Dowden, LDWF Biologist, at vdowden@wlf.la.gov or (318) 357-3214.

Four individuals sustained injuries Sunday evening in a single-vehicle rollover crash along Kisatchie Bayou Camp Road in the Kisatchie National Forest. The incident occurred on May 25, around 8:00 p.m., and involved a vehicle that veered off the road in a curved section before overturning near a pine tree. Natchitoches Parish deputies responded to the scene along with Natchitoches Parish Fire District #4 and emergency medical services. First responders found three men and one woman with injuries. While all were reported to have non-life-threatening conditions, three of the victims—including the 22-year-old driver from Natchitoches, were transported to a regional trauma center for further care. The woman was evaluated at the scene and did not require hospitalization. Investigators believe the vehicle was heading southbound through a curve when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to leave the road and flip before coming to rest near a tree line. Officials have not yet determined what caused the driver to lose control, though environmental conditions, speed, or distraction are possible factors. The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office continues to investigate the crash and is conducting interviews with all occupants involved to gather additional details.

A Provencal man was killed in a Natchitoches Parish accident Sunday evening. On May 25, at approximately 6:23 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 117 north of Louisiana Highway 118. The crash claimed the life of 42-year-old Emmett Greene of Provencal. A 1993 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Greene, was northbound on Louisiana Highway 117. The Silverado crossed the centerlines into the southbound travel lane and collided head-on with a 2014 Dodge Ram. Greene, who was restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Dodge Ram, who also was restrained, sustained minor injuries. Routine toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis. State Police also are investigating a separate crash which occurred Sunday morning, around 6:45 a.m., State Police responded to a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 84. That crash claimed the life of 36-year-old Morgan Freeman. Police are still investigating how Freeman lost control of his vehicle before hitting a utility pole and tree.

Natchitoches authorities responded to a home collapsing Satlurday with 18 family members inside, including a pregnant woman. Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies, the fire protection district, and EMS from Natchitoches Regional Medical Center discovered 10 adults and eight children residing in the home at the in the 900 block of LA Highway 495 in Cloutierville. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. NPSO said the 28-year-old pregnant woman was transported to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center as a precautionary measure for observation. Initial assessments by deputies indicate that the rear foundation of the residence, built on an embankment, had gradually weakened over time, ultimately resulting in the collapse, according to NPSO deputies. Officers said the homeowners are now tasked with finding a place to live. Swepco utility crews were also dispatched to the scene to disconnect electrical service to the residence as a safety precaution.

A State Representative has been arrested by the Louisiana State Police. LSP Troop B responded to a single-vehicle crash on US 90B near Ames Boulevard in Jefferson Parish. As a result of the crash investigation, State Representative Kyle M. Green, Jr. of Marrero was arrested for DWI and child endangerment. Green was reportedly traveling westbound on US 90B in a 2023 Honda Accord when he ran off the roadway to the right and struck a concrete barrier. Upon arrival at the scene, Troopers noticed signs of impairment and conducted a series of standardized field sobriety tests. Green was subsequently placed under arrest. At the time of the crash, Green’s three children were in the Honda, uninjured, and were released to a family member. Troopers transported Green, who was uninjured in the crash, to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, where he refused to provide a breath sample. Details of the incident and arrest were provided to an on-call judge, who approved a search warrant that allowed Troopers to obtain blood samples. Troopers booked Green for First Offense DWI, three counts of DWI with Child Endangerment, Careless Operation, Improper Lane Use, and a Traffic Attachment from Jefferson Parish.

A mother has been arrested after a 6-year-old child drowned in Toledo Bend Lake on May 19, according to the Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office. At about 6:00 p.m., Sabine Parish officials learned that a child had been pulled from the lake. They responded to a residence on Dogwood Drive near the Lanan Bay cove area. The child was pronounced dead at Sabine Medical Center. The Sabine Parish Sheriff's Office said the 6-year-old was a special needs child who was allegedly left unattended and walked a short distance from the house to the lake. The mother then pulled the child from the lake and began CPR. The mother, Bethany N. Stocking, 27, of Many, was arrested that evening and booked into the Sabine Parish Women’s Jail. She was charged with one count of cruelty to juveniles. No bond has been set at this time. Officials said Stocking was on probation from an arrest in 2023, where she pled guilty to cruelty to juveniles and DWI with child endangerment. The case remains under investigation.

A motorcyclist was killed in a LaSalle Parish accident Sunday evening. On May 18, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash at Louisiana Highway 8 and Louisiana Highway 773. The crash claimed the life of 51-year-old Roger D. Bordelon of Enterprise. A 2025 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by 50-year-old Kathleen W. Kendrick of Trout, was westbound on Louisiana Highway 8. Kendrick attempted to make a left turn onto Louisiana Highway 773. Kendrick’s vehicle impacted an eastbound 2021 Harley Davidson motorcycle, driven by Bordelon. Bordelon and his passenger were ejected from the vehicle. Bordelon sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. Bordelon’s passenger sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital for her injuries. Toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. Impairment is a suspected factor in this crash. State police placed Kendrick under arrest for failure to yield, operating a vehicle while impaired, vehicular negligent injuring, and vehicular homicide. Kendrick was transported and booked at the LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office. This crash remains under investigation.

Winn Parish Sheriff's Department Arrest Report

Winnfield Police Department Arrest Report

Northwestern State University will offer three sessions of a 38-hour driver education course June 9-12, July 14-17 and October 6-9. Students must be 14 years and nine months old to take the class and must be 15 years old to take the driving portion of the class. The deadline to register for the June 9 session is Friday, May 30. A mandatory parent meeting will be held on Monday, June 2 at 6:00 p.m. in South Hall. For more information, visit checkout.nsula.edu or call (800) 376-2422 or (318) 357-6355.