Shreveport Financials Show $97.1M In Sales And Use Tax Collected Year-To-Date

By Emilee Calametti | The Center Square The Shreveport City Council released the monthly financial report, which showed the city brought in $14 million in sales and use tax for July.Overall, the city has collected $97.1 million from sales and use tax in Shreveport this year.

NO MORE CHRISTMAS IN ROSELAND AT AMERICAN ROSE CENTER?

It's been an annual holiday event for 41 years, but 2024 may have been  the last.The American Rose Center in Greenwood has been turned into a winter wonderland for the annual Christmas in Roseland since 1983.

WHAT WAS THE REAL ATTENDANCE AT GRAMBLING-LANGSTON FOOTBALL GAME AND DOES IT MATTER

The past Saturday local football fans at least three choices to watch a football team with local interest/ties. The first was the Grambling-Langston game at Independence Stadium. The other was the LSU-Clemson televised game. And there was the Louisiana Tech home game with SE Louisiana.

CADDO COMMISSION IS IN A PICKLE ON PROPOSED PICKLEBALL COMPLEX

Today at 2 pm the Caddo Parish Economic Development Committee meets to discuss the proposed $10 million pickleball complex to be built with revenue bonds.  The full Commission bounced the ball BACK to this committee after receiving the committee's recommendation to approve the project.

SHREVEPORT'S PROPOSED VAPE SHOP ORDINANCE RAISES CONTINUING QUESTIONS ON ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

It’s almost an unfunded mandate, like those legislative requirements coming out of Baton Rouge or Washington to do more work with no money to pay for the added requirements.

GOOD NEWS FOR RED RIVER DISTRICT--A NEW RESTAURANT TO OPEN SOON

Good news for the beleaguered city-owned Red River District.Fusion Enterprises LLC will open a restaurant named Red River Social in the near future. Jason Bogard will be running this new establishment.The lease, effective Aug. 1, is for three years with a three year option to renew.

WHY CAN'T SIRA ATTACK SHREVEPORT'S ADJUDICATED PROPERTY MONSTER NOW

It is the proverbial elephant in the room.It costs the City major bucks each year to mow the grass.It is a major contributor to  Shreveport blight.It is a massive  source of potential city income from ad valorem taxes.It is a land resource for additional housing.

ANOTHER GIANT HAUL AT STONER HILL IN BLOCK BY BLOCK INITIATIVE

It's good news.And it's bad news.

CADDO SHERIFF FAILS TO ANSWER PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST ON TRAVEL EXPENSES

The 2025 Louisiana Sheriff's Association Sheriffs' and Wardens' Training Conference was held at Hilton Sandestin in Destin Florida from July 27th-31st of this year.Caddo Sheriff Henry Whitehorn, Chief Deputy Rick Ferris and Deputy Sheriff Attorney Josh Williams attended this conference.

GETTING SHREVEPORRT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR NEEDED INFORMATION 

William "Bill" Sabo was hired last year by Shreveport Mayor Tom Areceneaux to be the city's Economic Development Director, effective November first.When Sabo moved into city hall he had nothing more than the shirt on his back, a raggedy beard and an unkempt hairstyle.

APPRAISED VALUE $299,000 AND SIRA PURCHASED FOR $550,000 WITH PUBLIC DOLLARS

Yes--the headline is correct.The property that just changed hands is the old YWCA on Pierre Avenue. This building has long been abandoned and it has become dilapidated.The property was just appraised at a value of  $299,000. The breakdown is $265,000 for the building and $34,00 for the land.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE CADDO PARISH FINANCE DEPARTMENT TO RECONCILE TRAVEL REPORTS

Maybe they are busy calculating the expected payout on the proposed $10 million pickleball complex.

WANT TO BUY OLD PIERRE AVENUE YMCA AND/OR FIVE VACANT ACRES ON EXPOSITION AVENUE

It may be your lucky day.The old Pierre Avenue YMCA is now owned by the Shreveport Implementation and Redevelopment Authority (SIRA). The long delayed purchase was recently completed. SIRA has not forumulated any plans for development of this old structure.

ANOTHER BIG HAUL ON PINES ROAD BLOCK BY BLOCK SWEEP LAST WEEK

Where does all this stuff come from and how does it get on vacant lots, abandoned properties, public roads and rights-of way?"Stuff"  being defined as trash, old furniture, dead animals, discarded building materials and appliances, limbs, clothing, garbage, broken toys, and you name it.

GOVERNOR LANDRY PRAISES CADDO DA STEWART

In a Baton Rouge press conference yesterday, Governor Jeff Landry acknowledged that state district attorneys need more funding to hire and retain prosecutors. He stated he would ask the Legislature to provide these funds in the next legislative session.Landry gave special kudos to Caddo D.A.