PRIZE FEST RETURNS FOR 2021

ATTORNEY GENERAL CALLS OUT AYRES, SHELTON, WILLIAMS, BENSON & PAINE, LLC

CITY SHOULD SERIOUSLY CONSIDER OLD SEARS BUILDING FOR NEW POLICE HEADQUARTERS

PRENTISS SMITH Contributing Columnist Well, if it is a new year, then it has to be a new bond proposal, and if there is a new bond proposal, then there is also a continued outcry to build a new police headquarters, which is much needed.

SMOKING IS STILL BANNED IN SHREVEPORT CASINOS NEXT MONTH

JOHN PERKINSContributing Columnist  Oh, boy, this column practically writes itself. All I have to do is provide the coffee and computer. The Shreveport City Council met this week.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMITTEE ELECTS OFFICERS

 KERRY M. KIRSPEL Focus SB News  The Caddo Parish Planning and Zoning Citizens Advisory Committee held its first meeting Tuesday at Government Plaza to elect officers and discuss its scope of work.Elected as chairman was Gen. Jim Graves, with Loyd K. Thomas as vice chair.

WILL ANTI-SMOKE LOBBY FOCUS ON COVID VACCINATIONS AND/OR BOSSIER CITY?

Those persons and organizations that opposed the proposed amendment to allow smoking to continue at the Shreveport casinos and video poker bars pulled out all the stops.

NEW SHREVEPORT AIRPORT DIRECTOR HAS MAJOR CHALLENGES, INCLUDING LACK OF TRANSPARENCY

Stephanie Tucker was confirmed by the Shreveport City Council as the director of the Shreveport Airport Authority (SAA) on Tuesday, July 13.She has many challenges in her new job.Tucker advised the SAA Board that she had four priorities as the interim director, which was her position at the time.

SHREVEPORT TO ISSUE REVISED RFC FOR RECYCLING CONTRACT

At the Tuesday Shreveport Council meeting, an agenda item was the award of the $1.9 million recycling contract.The Request for Proposal (RFP) by the city had only one response that complied with its terms and conditions. Thus, it was forwarded to the mayor and then to the council for approval.

POKE'MAN GO FEST

PRESS RELEASEDates: Sat. & Sun July 17-18, 2021Contact: Liz SwaineDowntown Development Authority(318) 222-7403Pokémon Go Fest Means More Fun, More Creatures & More Food, Drink, and Deals in Downtown Shreveport!

SHREVEPORT’S MIDYEAR SALES TAXES UP 17.4%

KEN KREFFTContributing ColumnistThe city of Shreveport’s 2.75% sales tax receipts are 17.4% above the midyear point in 2020. Last year we were staying home more, shopping less. This year at the six-month mark, the city’s sales tax receipts add to $70,891,778.45. Last year it was $60,391,000.73.

RASA $50,000 HELPS LAND ALLEGIANT L.A. FLIGHTS

Allegiant Airlines recently started non-stop flights from Shreveport to Los Angeles.These low-cost flights are a big boon for Shreveport and the Shreveport Regional Airport.The Ark-La-Tex Regional Air Service Alliance (RASA) awarded Allegiant $50,000 to assist in marketing these flights.

SHREVEPORT FIRE TRUCK CRASH NEEDS TO BE EXPLAINED

It's like getting your favorite toy from Santa Claus, and then breaking it the first time you play with it.The Shreveport Fire Department (SFD) bought a  used fire truck from Bossier City.Within day, the truck was wrecked and damaged to the extent that the vehicle may be a total loss.

HOW MUCH JOB AND TAX LOSS CAN BE EXPECTED FROM CASINO/VIDEO POKER SMOKING BAN?

On July 13 the Shreveport City Council will consider an amendment to the smoking ban ordinance that will exempt gaming facilities and bars with video poker.There is opposition to the amendment from members of the tobacco prevention and health-care community.

WILL NEW BOSSIER CITY ATTORNEYS DEFEND COUNCIL FROM PUBLIC RECORDS REQUESTS?

Charles Jacobs was unanimously approved as the Bossier City attorney today. Richard Ray was also unanimously confirmed as the Bossier City assistant attorney.Both Jacobs and Ray spoke to the Council after confirmation.

BOSSIER COUNCIL NEEDS TO EXPLAIN VOTES AT MEETINGS AND AFTERWARDS

It’s like watching a line of penguins walking on an iceberg. Bossier council members meet in an anteroom before meetings and walk out in line to the council chambers.When the meeting is over, they line up and walk back to the anteroom.