YES SHE IS MY DAUGHTER--AND I AM PROUD OF HER

Many readers have asked if Emily Merckle is my daughter.Yes, she is!And yes, she is running for Judge - -  Shreveport City Court.And yes, dad is proud! Actually very very proud!As my friends say (and I admit) Emily's good looks, brains and sweet personality are from her mom.

LISTEN UP: NO FINGERS ARE BEING POINTED, YET

BILLY ROY WAYNEColumnist Prentiss Smith wrote a powerful "Declaration of Truth" in an article published in this paper on Aug. 28, 2020, on yet another tragedy.Depending upon one's point of view, the article was also a condemnation on where the black community has matriculated to over the years.

COVID, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT?

MARYANNA MAKENZIEOK, I have a serious question .Mask.Are they supposed to match our outfits, or can we have a little fun with it? That's what I think about now. Who would have thought?By the way, my mask rarely matches my outfit. The real issue I have with this is, what is normal?

OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY

JOHN PERKINSThe illusion of wealth has been our stock in trade, but we are not thriving . Could it be that what we have been doing since the end of WWII does not work?This post-war pattern of big-box sprawl might not be as sturdy as the ways of our grandparents.

ANONYMITY KEY TO CRIME STOPPERS SUCCESS

KERRY M. KIRSPEL THE INQUISITORWhen police need assistance from the public, they rely on tips that come in through Crime Stoppers.The service allows citizens to anonymously alert police to information about local crimes, including the identity and/or whereabouts of a potential suspect.

BIG CHANGE IN DUTIES OF SPD

JON GLOVER CONTRIBUTING COLUMNISTMy momma told me, "Don't start something that you aren't willing to continue." I think that is what happened with our Shreveport Police Department (SPD).I don't have a problem with addressing what isn't or shouldn't have been a part of an officer's duty.

COUNCIL ON AGING SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

Caddo Council on Aging (CCOA) Meals on Wheels program provides five nutritious, well-balanced meals to over 1,100 homebound senior citizens.The program ensures seniors age 60 or older have access to adequate nutrition when family support, mobility, and resources are insufficient.

I STILL LOVE MY LAND LINE TELEPHONE

Jim’s WifeI am not prepared to give up my land line telephone.  So many people tell me that they gave up their land line and just use their cell phone.  The kids say, “No one has land lines anymore.”   They must.  Have you seen a phone book?

30-SECOND READ: DON'T BE A HYPOCRITE

JEFF GAUGERSome 136.8 million Americans cast ballots for president in 2016, or just over 59.1% of eligible voters.Given the tenor of our national politics today - anger, rage and even shooting - you'd think more folks would vote.

TEXAS STREET BRIDGE LOOKS GREAT BUT UNFINISHED

By John E. Settle Jr.Editor / Publisher It’s sorta like wearing a brand-new suit with old, worn-out, unpolished shoes.The Louisiana Department of Transportation recently completed a "redo" of the Long-Allen Bridge, commonly referred to as the Texas Street Bridge.

LOCAL LEADERS JOIN TOGETHER IN PRAYER

By MAKENZIE BOUCHER On Wednesday evening, local leaders and citizens joined together in prayer on the steps of Government Plaza. Despite the possibility of rain, many citizens came to pray for the victims of gun violence.

LISTEN UP: CATCHING A PASS VS. CATCHING THE VIRUS, SHOULD WE PASS ON FOOTBALL?

BILLY ROY WAYNEIt has been said that for many of our black youth the entertainment field and/or the filed of athletics are venues for their success. I beg to differ, given the many success stories of our youth in every field of life.

WALTER B. JACOBS NATURE PARK A LOCAL TREASURE THAT NEEDS UPGRADING

Caddo Parish’s Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park, just west of Blanchard, is a local treasure familiar to many students, families, and nature lovers throughout the Ark-La-Tex.

INSTALLMENT #3: THE ILLUSION OF WEALTH

JOHN PERKINSWith apologies to my friend, Charles Marohn, founder of Strong Towns, “The illusion of wealth” has been our stock in trade here dating all the way back to when we were truly “a city on the grow.”Now we are more like “the Other Side” (of the tracks).

PEOPLE SHOULD BE MARCHING IN THE STREETS FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLD MESSIAH MURPHY

PRENTISS SMITHMessiah Murphy's grandmother, Twyla Smith, said that he was a "fun-loving, mischievous normal kid." He loved to dance, and he loved his mom. He would always make you laugh and loved to watch cartoons."Four-year-old Messiah Murphy was murdered in a drive-by shooting a month ago.