WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2021 | $1.00 | BOSSIER CITY, LA | SERVING GOD & OUR COMMUNITY | VOL. 92 NO. 28
Bossier Press-Tribune bossierpress.com
Lighting the way for others ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Bossier City Council approves agreement for Texas Street Bridge LED light project STACEY TINSLEY Bossier Press-Tribune The Texas Street Bridge lighting project will soon take shape. At last week’s Bossier City Council meeting, the council approved a SCHOOL BOARD
‘Madam President’ Smith takes the reins of BPSB
proposed agreement between the Red River Waterway District, the City of Bossier City, and the City of Shreveport for installation of a programmable LED light system on the Texas Street Bridge. The programmable, LED-lit
structure is expected to serve as a beacon for events, venues and attractions, promoters said. “We’re looking at this as an economic development engine that can help spark some energy into our downtown and Louisiana Boardwalk in Bossier/Shreveport,” said Pam Glorioso, Bossier City Chief Administrative Officer. Terms of the agreement state: ■ The City of Bossier City and/ See, COUNCIL, Page 3
Courtesy Photo An artist’s rendition of the Texas Street Bridge lit with LED lights.
A bright spot
HISTORICAL MOMENT
A dark day in America
Haughton man leaves hospital after 99 days
Special to the Press-Tribune
STACEY TINSLEY Bossier Press-Tribune A new leader is taking the reins as 2021 Bossier Parish School Board President. It is District 3 School Board Member Tammy Smith. After reflecting on accomplishments made in 2020, BPSB President, District 12 Member Dennis Bamburg, Jr. passed the gavel to Smith at the BPSB meeting held on Jan. 7. District 5 BPSB Member Adam Bass SMITH took over as Vice President. In her acceptance speech, Smith spoke of challenges faced in 2020 and what the school board and administration will continue to work on in 2021. “I remember as a child thinking how futuristic 2020 seemed — artificial intelligence, smartphones, driver-less cars and so forth. Little did we know that 2020 would actually bring us back to the basics. The busy tasks that filled our day suddenly would be brought to an abrupt halt. Schools, businesses, restaurants and churches closed, leaving everyone time to reflect. During COVID quarantine, we began to realize what is truly essential — faith, family and health. Without a doubt, 2020 was certainly See, BPSB, Page 3 © 2021 Bossier Newspaper Publishing Co., Inc.
Courtesy Photo Supporters of President Donald Trump gathered on Jan. 6, 2021 at the “March for Trump/Save America” rally to hear President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.
Trump rally takes turn as protesters storm U.S. Capitol DELPHINE LUNEAU AND TED O’NEIL The Center Square Supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol Building Wednesday afternoon, interrupting the congressional session that was meeting to confirm the Electoral College votes. Hundreds of protesters were shown on TV news coverage walking through Statuary Hall without having gone through any security checkpoints. Debate was halted, and lawmakers
From the Publisher
Randy Brown: The chaos that occurred in Washington, D.C. last Wednesday was totally unbelievable and totally unacceptable. See Page 4
were ordered to return to their offices and shelter in place. Legislators were told they may need to hide under their chairs and to be quiet and not draw attention to themselves.
Vice President Mike Pence and some lawmakers were evacuated from the building, and media reports indicated that there was an armed standoff between law enforcement officials and invaders. Photos and video from inside the House chamber showed police with guns drawn. “My staff and I are safe and have been brought to a secure location by the Capitol Police,” said U.S. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y. “Everyone who is responsible for this violence and lawlessness must stop. This See, RALLY, Page 3
Terry Roberson, of Haughton, left Willis-Knighton Medical Center, Friday afternoon after spending 99 days first in COVID ICU and later the critical care unit, where he was on an ECMO machine for 73 days. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is used in critical care situations when the heart and lungs need help so they can heal. It pumps and supplies oxygen to the patient’s blood from outside his or her body. Roberson will spend the next two to four weeks at WK Rehabilitation Institute, where he will undergo physical and occupational therapy before returning home. Healthcare workers wore Team Terry ECMO Survivor t-shirts and lined the hospital hallway cheering as Roberson left the critical care unit and was transported to the rehabilitation institute. “This is a bright spot in what has been a very bleak few months,” said Christie Armstrong, patient care coordinator for Willis-Knighton Medical Center Critical Care Unit.
Courtesy Photo Terry Roberson waves goodbye.