The following report displays all bookings made at the LaSalle Parish Jail between the dates listed. These arrests were made by LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office and surrounding local and state agencies. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Jena High School Band is preparing for a new chapter after announcing plans to move from District 1, a change band leaders said has been in the works for some time.
The program has spent years as part of District 1, which is centered around schools in the Monroe area. Jena High School Band officials described their experience in the district as a positive one, citing the knowledge, relationships and strong sense of community developed with fellow band programs and directors.
Band leaders said they are grateful for the years spent working alongside Monroe-area schools and the experiences students and staff gained through that association.
At the same time, the program said it is excited about the upcoming transition and the opportunity to expand its connections with additional bands and directors.
“This is something we have been working on for a long while,” the Jena High School Band stated in announcing the change, adding that the program is excited to welcome more bands and directors into its extended family.
Additional details about the new district and what the transition will mean for future competitions and events were not included in the announcement.
LaSalle General Hospital is helping introduce area students to career opportunities in healthcare through a partnership with the Central Louisiana Area Health Education Center’s MedStart Program.
Julius Lovasz, LPN, with LaSalle General Hospital Employer Solutions, and Susan Doughty, RN, LFMC supervisor, recently visited three eighth-grade classes, including one at Block High School and two at Harrisonburg High School.
During the visits, students learned about careers in nursing, emergency medical services and other areas of the healthcare industry.
The presentations also gave students an opportunity to participate in hands-on demonstrations of skills commonly used by healthcare professionals.
Activities included learning how to wrap and splint a wrist, checking circulation and testing for color blindness. Hospital representatives said students remained engaged throughout the presentations and asked questions as they explored the different career possibilities available within the healthcare field.
LaSalle General Hospital said its involvement in the MedStart Program is part of an effort to invest in young people while helping strengthen communities by exposing students to potential career paths.
The hospital thanked CLAHEC, Block High School and Harrisonburg High School for their partnership in providing the educational opportunity and said it was honored to help inspire students as they begin considering their futures.
LASALLE PARISH, La. — Hot and mostly dry conditions will continue across LaSalle Parish through Saturday, with temperatures climbing into the upper 90s before increasing rain chances bring some relief late in the weekend, according to the National Weather Service.
Wednesday will be sunny and hot with a high near 98 degrees. Heat index values could reach as high as 106 degrees. Light east winds will increase to 5 to 10 mph during the morning. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 73.Thursday will remain sunny and hot with a high near 97 degrees. Mostly clear skies are expected Thursday night as temperatures fall to around 68.
The heat continues Friday, with sunny skies and a high near 98 degrees. Friday night will be mostly clear with a low around 70.
Saturday will bring another sunny and hot afternoon with a high near 97 degrees. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 71.
Rain chances return Sunday, with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Otherwise, conditions will be mostly sunny and hot with a high near 96. A 20% chance of showers will linger Sunday night, with a low around 71.
By Monday, rain chances increase to 40%, with showers and thunderstorms possible. Despite the increased chance of precipitation, conditions will remain warm with mostly sunny skies and a high near 94.
With heat index values potentially reaching 106 degrees Wednesday and several consecutive days of upper-90s temperatures expected, residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day and take frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
LaSalle General Hospital is encouraging residents to use the transition into fall as an opportunity to refocus on their health and establish simple habits that can make a difference over time.
As summer winds down and families settle into fall routines, hospital officials said September can provide a good opportunity to evaluate everyday choices involving nutrition, exercise, sleep and overall wellness.
LaSalle General Hospital recommends continuing to drink plenty of water and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into daily meals. Residents are also encouraged to stay physically active each day and make getting adequate, quality sleep a priority.
Preventive care remains important as well. The hospital reminded residents to keep up with routine medical appointments and continue practicing good hand hygiene, particularly as the fall season approaches.
Mental and emotional well-being should also be part of a healthy routine, with residents encouraged to make time to care for those aspects of their health alongside their physical needs.
Hospital officials emphasized that developing a healthier lifestyle does not require making major changes all at once.
Small, consistent choices made each day can build over time, making the beginning of fall an opportunity for residents to establish habits they can maintain throughout the season and beyond.
Louisiana hunters will have an early opportunity to return to the marsh this weekend as the state’s September teal season opens Saturday, Sept. 19.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the statewide season will run Sept. 19-27, 2026.
During the special September season, hunters may harvest only blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon teal. LDWF reminded hunters that black-bellied whistling ducks and all other waterfowl species are not legal to harvest during the September teal season. Teal may also be taken during Louisiana’s regular duck season, which begins in November.
Hunters are encouraged to make sure they have the required licenses, permits and certifications before heading into the field.
Waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to have a Federal Duck Stamp. Hunters age 18 and older must also possess a basic hunting license, waterfowl license and Harvest Information Program, or HIP, certification. Youth age 17 and younger are not required to have a hunting license.
Several LDWF Wildlife Management Areas provide teal hunting opportunities, including Pass-a-Loutre, Atchafalaya Delta, Pointe-aux-Chenes, Sherburne, Dewey Wills and Russell Sage WMAs. Visitors age 18 and older using WMAs must have the appropriate WMA access permit or a qualifying license.
LDWF is also reminding hunters to positively identify their target before shooting, particularly during the early teal season when other waterfowl species may be present.
The nine-day season concludes Sunday, Sept. 27. Hunters should review current LDWF regulations, licensing requirements and WMA-specific rules before hunting.
There are two times during the year that are awesome for bass fishing, spring and fall. During the spring, bass are moving up into the shallows to spawn and make more little bass. So, it’s a great time to catch that fish of a lifetime as the big females are full of eggs. In the fall, the bass are going through a feeding frenzy and fattening up for the winter which also makes for exciting fishing.
Of these two times of the year, fall is probably my favorite. If you want to catch fish in the fall, tie on any lure you want as long as it looks like a shad.
Shad colored spinnerbaits or crankbaits are deadly during the fall. Bass will slowly migrate out of their deep summer haunts and will move up shallow and into the back of the creeks.
They will literally go into ambush mode and destroy a school of baitfish. If whatever you’re throwing looks like shad, they will eat it! Here are few tips on what to throw if you’re not sure what you need to tie on.
I love to catch them on a shad pattern spinnerbait this time of year. You can throw either a white or any type of shad color and catch fish. Your hook up ratio with a spinnerbait seems to be really good. But a good shad colored crankbait like a Bandit 100 or 200 series in a pearl color with a black back or a white splatter back will also put fish in the boat.
It’s also a great time to throw a buzz bait or any kind of topwater bait. Bass love a walking style bait like Heddon Zara Spook in either chrome or white.
But there’s also another bait that is pretty much a guarantee for catching fish in the fall, a rattling shad bait like a Bill Lewis Rattle Trap or a SPRO Aruku Shad. Both baits truly mimic the bait fish bass are gorging themselves on this time of year.
Fall can also be an excellent time to go out on the lake and find new places you might want to fish next season. And if the lake is low, it’s really great to try to locate and mark those hard spots bass love to get on in the winter and early spring.
Too many anglers miss out on some of the best bass fishing of year as they park their bass boats and load up four-wheelers and head to the woods. Many start to focus on getting deer stands cleaned out or building and dressing their duck blinds.
So, take advantage of uncrowded boat ramps that the fall brings. Head out to your favorite lake and enjoy some of the best bass fishing of the year. You never know, you just might catch your personal best.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
In the early 1990s, video games were entering what I suppose we could call their second generation. Compared with what children play today, they were technologically primitive. But at our house, they were cutting-edge.
Our oldest daughter, Allison, asked for a Nintendo for Christmas—the one with Super Mario Brothers.
Christmas morning, the Nintendo was connected to our enormous twenty-five-inch console television. For those of you under forty, a console television was roughly the size of a small refrigerator, weighed slightly more than a Methodist church, and once you put it in the den, it stayed there until the Second Coming.
And Allison started playing Mario.
She was good at it. More importantly, she was persistent. If Mario needed to jump over something, she learned exactly when to jump. If there was a hidden passage, she found it. If there was some secret way through a level, she kept working until she discovered it.
She accumulated experience. She advanced through levels. She got better and better.
Every once in a while, she would let her younger brother Andrew play.
The rule was simple: You can play until you lose all your lives.
Andrew’s turn did not take long.
Bless his heart.
Mario would start running. Mario would hit something. Mario would die. A few moments later, Andrew would hand the controller back to Allison.
She tried to teach him.
“Jump here.”
“Don’t go that way.”
“Wait until that thing moves.”
“Push this button.”
None of it helped.
Then school started back. One afternoon Andrew got home before Allison. I told him, “Andrew, I’ve been working on a project for you.”
While the children had been at school, Dad had been playing Mario. This was not recreation. This was serious parental research. And while I played, I recorded the television onto our VCR—another ancient piece of technology. I had about thirty minutes of Mario being played reasonably well on videotape.
I told Andrew, “When Allison gets home, I’m going to play this tape. You sit on the floor with the controller and pretend you’re playing.”
Andrew immediately understood the spiritual gift God had given him for irritating his sister.
“Move the controller. Lean from side to side. Grunt occasionally. Act frustrated. Do everything Allison does.”
So when Allison came home, there sat her little brother in front of the television playing Mario. And he was magnificent. He sailed through places he could not get through the night before. He made impossible jumps. He advanced from level to level.
Finally Allison asked, “How did you learn to do that so fast?”
We had her. We absolutely had her. Until Andrew started giggling. He put the controller down, turned around, and grinned at his sister— and Mario kept playing.
“ANDREW!”
For a few wonderful minutes, Andrew looked like a gamer. He held the controller. He made all the right movements. He sat in the right place. He knew when to grunt. There was only one problem. He wasn’t actually playing the game.
I wonder sometimes whether that little scene from our den is a pretty good picture of what can happen in the Christian life. We learn how to hold the controller. We know when to stand and when to sit. We know the hymns. We know the prayers. We know when to say “Amen.” We know how Christians are supposed to look and sound. We can become very good at appearing to be disciples.
But Jesus never called us simply to look like disciples. He called us to follow him. To forgive when forgiveness is difficult. To love people we would rather avoid. To serve when serving is inconvenient. To trust when life is uncertain. To give generously. To pray honestly. To live differently because Christ is alive within us.
Faith is not something we merely watch somebody else do. It cannot be prerecorded for us by our parents, grandparents, preacher, or church. Eventually, we have to play. Every once in a while, perhaps all of us need to put down the controller and ask a hard but necessary question:
Am I really living this life of faith, or have I just gotten very good at going through the motions?
A benefit concert for Boston Pace will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 3- 9 pm at the Lagniappe Event Center in Alexandria featuring country and Southern music performers from Louisiana, Texas and Nashville. Tickets for the benefit concert are $25 for general admission. Doors open at 2 p.m., with the concert scheduled from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Lagniappe Event Center, 7521 Coliseum Blvd. in Alexandria.
Tickets will be available online and at the door. Online tickets are available through Eventbrite at Eventbrite.
Boston Pace, 7, became ill with strep throat in March 2026 along with his two brothers. While his brothers recovered, Boston’s symptoms worsened, including vomiting and severe headaches. After initially testing negative for strep, doctors attributed his symptoms to a virus and later to heat-related illness. Despite efforts to keep him hydrated and indoors, his symptoms continued.
On June 14, Pace took Boston to the emergency room, where a CT scan revealed a mass on his brain. Doctors suspected diffuse midline glioma (DMG), an aggressive brain tumor. The family was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where doctors placed a shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid and performed a biopsy that confirmed the diagnosis.
The event is presented by Buckshot Records LLC and Artist Development.
The lineup includes Jake Whyatt of Nashville, Tennessee; Heads or Tails Band of Alexandria, Louisiana; Thomas Tibbs of Jena, Louisiana; Pat Waters of Longview, Texas; and Big Green Tractor, Nashville’s tribute to Jason Aldean.
Organizers said the event will bring artists, businesses and community members together to show their support for Boston Pace and his family.
Jake Whyatt will travel from Nashville to join the benefit, along with Heads or Tails Band, Thomas Tibbs and Pat Waters. Big Green Tractor will close out the lineup.
Jena, La. — Students at Fellowship Elementary took time to honor the memory of Sept. 11 and show their appreciation for local first responders with a special visit to the Jena Police Department.
On Friday, Sept. 11, students presented Jena police officers with sweet treats and hand-drawn thank-you cards as part of their observance of the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
The Jena Police Department said the students’ drawings and heartfelt messages were meaningful reminders of the community support received by those who serve and protect LaSalle Parish.
“Those little drawings and heartfelt words may seem simple, but they mean so much to the men and women who serve our community,” the department stated.
Police thanked the students, teachers and staff at Fellowship Elementary for remembering the sacrifices made on Sept. 11 and for recognizing first responders who continue to serve their communities today.
The department closed its message with a reminder to “Never Forget” and thanked Fellowship Elementary for the thoughtful gesture.
On Sept. 16, 1992, “Seinfeld” introduced one of the most memorable concepts in television history when Jerry Seinfeld and George Costanza pitched NBC on a sitcom that was, essentially, about nothing.
The idea appeared in an episode titled “The Pitch,” which aired as part of the show’s fourth season. In the episode, Jerry and George are invited to pitch a television series to NBC. George comes up with the idea of creating a show about their everyday lives — with no traditional plot or premise.
The fictional pitch became one of the defining jokes of “Seinfeld,” a show that would go on to become one of television’s most recognizable sitcoms.
The episode aired on Sept. 16, 1992, making the date an especially fitting one for fans of the show — and for anyone who has ever wondered how a show about nothing could become such a big deal.
In the 1880s, getting mail in remote parts of the United States was exciting. In the era before electricity, mail and newspapers were the only connection between rural communities and the outside world. Dorsey was one of the many rural mail carriers for the U.S. Postal Service. Rural in an understatement in his case. You see, for several years in the 1880s, Dorsey was the only mail carrier between Barstow and Calico in California’s rugged Mojave Desert because no one else wanted the job. Dorsey lived in the silver mining town of Calico, about 10 miles as the crow flies northeast of Barstow. Ten miles may not seem like a great distance by our modern standards, but between Calico and Barstow stands the 2641-foot elevation Lead Mountain. Going around Lead Mountain would have added another four miles each way to Dorsey’s trek, so Dorsey went up and over the mountain. Dorsey did not ride in a wagon or on a horse. He walked.
Each day, Dorsey donned his satchel and began walking through the heat, dust, and over rugged terrain to Barstow. He knew what time the train from the California Southern Railroad was scheduled to arrive in Barstow and so he left in plenty of time to meet it. If Dorsey was ahead of the train, which he normally was, he rested and relaxed in town. As soon as the train arrived, Dorsey met the postman at the train’s mail car, loaded his satchel with mail destined for Calico, and began the return trip. On a good day, Dorsey could make the whole trip in about seven or eight hours.
Half a century later, the people of Barstow began searching for a photograph of the local legendary mail carrier so they could honor him with his own U.S. Postage stamp. Unfortunately, Dorsey’s likeness was never used on a postage stamp. To the people of Barstow and the few inhabitants of Calico, Dorsey remains a local hero. They still talk about his daily walks between their towns… on his four legs. You see, Dorsey, the rural mail carrier, was a black and white collie.
Sources:
1. The Astorian (Astoria, Oregon), November 21, 1885, p.1.
2. Desert Dispatch (Barstow, California), September 2, 1948, p.3.
3. Desert Dispatch, August 27, 1973, p.10.
© 2026 Brad Dison. All rights reserved. Remember This? is distributed for licensed publication only.
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Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop F began investigating a fatal crash on Sept. 12 around 5 am involving a pedestrian on U.S. Highway 165 at Dellwood Drive. The crash claimed the life of 22-year-old Tania Hamilton of Jena.
The initial investigation revealed that a 2019 Ford F-350 was traveling north on U.S. Highway 165, in the right lane. At the same time, Hamilton was walking across the northbound lane of U.S. 165. For reasons still under investigation, Hamilton was struck by the Ford.
Hamilton suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The driver of the Ford was properly restrained and uninjured. Although impairment is not suspected, routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
Louisiana State Police urge both pedestrians and motorists to remain alert and aware of their surroundings while on or near roadways. Crashes involving pedestrians are often preventable when basic safety measures are observed. Pedestrians should wear light-colored or reflective clothing, avoid dark roadways, and assume drivers may not see them. They should also cross in well-lit areas and walk facing oncoming traffic to improve visibility and reduce risk. These simple steps can help enhance pedestrian safety.
By Fire Chief Emeritus Michael Louis Kuk, PhD.
Without question, the story of United Airlines Flight 93 is one of the most profoundly moving and heroic chapters in American history. It is a narrative that shifts rapidly from a routine morning flight to a terrifying crisis, and ultimately to a self-sacrificing battle that saved countless lives.
A beautiful Tuesday morning was found everywhere when Flight 93 went airborne on the morning of September 11, 2001. As the early hours of the day unfolded, a rush of unknown terror filled the airspace of the upper eastern part of the United States, and one of America’s most infamous events started to unravel a peaceful passage of time in the skies.
One cannot imagine the horror that the plane’s crew and passengers faced that morning in the confined space of an aircraft. It should have been an enjoyable experience of flight and travel to arrive at destinations of living a full life in the freedom of America.
The terrorists did not win that morning on Flight 93. A group of determined American Patriots came together in mind, spirit, and courage to thwart the evil plans that America’s enemies wanted to carry out.
America has been built upon sacrifice, and it was that same manner of resolve and sacrifice that stood up to evil, and win another battle for freedom. The cost was high, but it will never be forgotten, and America will continue to be the bastion of freedom for the rest of the world to behold. America’s defenders that morning were inspired to do what is right and just for the cause of mankind to sustain life and liberty, despite the cost of paying for it with their lives.
The Delayed Departure
Out of the four flights involved on that fateful morning, there was one major scheduling glitch which caused a delay in the departure of the fourth aircraft at the Newark International Airport.
Thus United Airlines Flight 93 was not on time on the runway, causing the aircraft to not be in sync with the other three flights, all of which were headed for their respective flight paths to cause a massive wave of destruction.
First of all, United Airlines Flight 93 was a fairly new Boeing Model 757 aircraft at that timeframe in air travel. The Boeing sported a large fuselage body with a modern design and powerful engines for excellent thrust in takeoffs. It easily established itself as a trusted aircraft in the skies around the world. Being highly respected by the flight crews, and enjoyed by the countless number of passengers whenever a flight went airborne, people were delighted to board that plane to their destination.
On that sunny Tuesday morning, it was scheduled to fly from Newark International Airport in New Jersey to San Francisco, California. Pretty much a routine westbound flight for the crew, and with excellent weather conditions, a stable and safe journey to be welcomed by the passengers, who were embarking on both business and pleasure activities.
This growing situation compounded what the air traffic controllers were dealing with on a daily basis. A lot of travelers were opting to use Newark and then take other ground modes of transportation into New York City.
The plane didn’t lift off until 8:42 AM—just four minutes before the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. This 41-minute delay would inadvertently change the course of history.
Information Trickles In
For the first 45 minutes, the flight proceeded normally. The aircraft kept gaining altitude and traversing the skies smoothly to its determined flight path. There was quiet and calm in the passenger section of the plane. Light breakfast snacks and beverages were being served, and no one expected anything to turn ugly. The plane finally reached its cruising altitude of 35,000 feet over Pennsylvania and turned west toward Ohio.
Meanwhile, the world below was fracturing. New York City and its population throughout the five boroughs was being thrust rapidly into a war zone. An unknown enemy, a ponderous destruction of iconic buildings, with death appearing everywhere on the streets below, and without question, something horrific attacking everyone’s lives in lower Manhattan. Of which New Yorkers were totally unprepared for.
The first tower struck at the World Trade Center was thought to be an accident. A real tragedy that was going to test New York City’s 1st Responders. No one thought it was an act of terror. Just horrible bad luck and very poor judgment on the pilot of the aircraft.
The tower appeared stable, despite the elevated crash and fire, with heavy dark smoke issuing forth from the impact zone. Everyone had faith that New York’s Bravest of the FDNY would handle the fire, rescue the building’s occupants, and get everything under control, despite the high-rise challenges that come with the duty of serving as a firefighter in our Nation’s largest city.
But by 9:03 AM, the second tower was hit by another terrorist controlled aircraft. This act quickly changed everyone’s thinking that we are now dealing with acts of terror via aircraft as weapons of mass destruction.
By 9:24 AM, United Airlines dispatchers began sending out text message warnings to all of their pilots: “Beware any cockpit intrusion—Two aircraft have now hit the World Trade Center in an act of terror.”
At 9:26 AM, Captain Dahl responded, asking for more clarification. In his mind, he had to be asking himself, would he and his aircraft become involved in an attack of some sort while still in the sky? He probably was also asking his co-pilot if any of this seemed real, and to watch the radar screen closely for any approaching aircraft near or on their flight path. Unfortunately it was his last normal communication. Flight 93’s radio traffic stopped at that moment.
The Takeover (9:28 AM)
At 9:28 AM, all hell broke loose on Flight 93. The aircraft was flying over Cleveland, Ohio at that moment, and the hijackers immediately started their attack in the air. The four terrorists quickly scrambled out of their seats, grabbing passengers and cabin crew members. They displayed knives and large razor like construction blades to everyone. Although not confirmed, it is believed that one terrorist struck an innocent passenger with his improvised weapon, causing them harm. This cowardly act sent a shockwave to all who witnessed the attack that this was for real! War in the air was just declared by the terrorists!
Meanwhile on the ground, air traffic controllers suddenly heard unmistakable bursts of screaming, scuffling, and shouts of “Get out of here!” over the cockpit radio. The hijackers, armed with their small knives, managed to gain entry into the cockpit. The crush of foreboding trouble was now at the threshold for the United Airlines’ pilots and personnel of Flight 93.
They first turned their attention to the pilot and co-pilot by shouting at them to leave their seats and controls, while directly forcing them to comply with their concealed weapons being waved wildly in the atmosphere. They also loudly proclaimed to have a hidden bomb on board, and would activate it if their orders were not obeyed immediately. Despite their commands in broken English, their message of terror was well understood by all.
Of special note regarding the bomb, it was found that during the intense post-crash investigation on the ground near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, it was determined and later revealed to be a fake threat, as no debris evidence yielded any bomb and/or incendiary materials. It was one of the hijackers’ scary maneuvers to force their way into the cockpit for control of the aircraft.
Once the terrorists gained control of the aircraft and were firmly seated in the cockpit, Jarrah took the controls in a rather calm and determined manner, thereby turning the plane around from its original flight path. He then headed back in an easterly direction. His new flight path actually shadowed US Route 30 on the ground below.
US Route 30 is very well known as the Lincoln Highway. This notable roadway stretches across our Nation, encompassing 3,000 miles. During his time in office, President Lincoln used that path of travel to return to his home state of Illinois during his presidency. Thus, US Route 30 will take one directly into DC, and then with a few extra turns, it becomes an easy connection to Pennsylvania Avenue and the White House.
Of course, with the Capitol also being in close reach from Pennsylvania Avenue and Route 30, both nearby historic structures would be of immeasurable target value to any terrorist. Overall, US Route 30 is a much chronicled highway in our Nation’s history. Our enemies know this fact all too well.
A noted railroad line also parallels the highway. The Union Pacific Railroad built their tracks to mirror the path of the highway. Union Pacific’s management wanted to provide a more rapid mode of transportation in the early days of America spreading westward, but also staying duly connected with the seat of the Federal Government.
By maintaining this new course of travel, and in concert with the highway direction of Route 30 below the aircraft, the evil mindset of terrorist/pilot Jarrah was truly aiming directly for Washington, D.C., and a handsome collection of America’s treasures in our Nation’s Capital.
His intended target is widely believed to have been the U.S. Capitol Building or the White House. It’s entirely possible that Jarrah was receiving critical damage information all the while in the airplane’s cockpit via a cell phone, and also being updated as to which target in DC would cause the greatest casualties and destruction.
The Airphone Calls: Operational Intelligence
While the struggles in the cockpit were going on, the other two hijackers forced the cabin crew and passengers to the back of the plane. Since the terrorists could not watch every angle of the plane’s new “manifest” hostages, they started to quietly communicate with each other via eye sight, blinking, and other body language to come up with a plan for a counterattack to regain control of the plane.
Some were hopeful that they were just hostages being held for leverage, but then they started learning about the Twin Towers attacks and the Pentagon strike. They then knew that this was a deathtrap, to say the least. Finally the passengers, with help from the cabin crew, began using the aircraft’s GTE Airphones and their personal cell phones to call loved ones and authorities.
Overall, in the remaining few minutes of life in the sky, they made a total of 37 calls. Through these conversations, a devastating reality set in, and it was confirmed that America was under attack, but not in a war scenario like World War II or even Vietnam. It was a combination of planned terror, with unsuspecting aircraft as the weapons, to render as much damage to America and its institutions of prominence. All on board came to realize the following and extremely shocking information:
Some of the last conversations of loved ones spoke of courage in the face of death. “Deena, they are breathing fire. They are going to use this plane to destroy something. It’s up to us. I think we can take them.” — Passenger Tom Burnett, Jr., in a phone call to his wife, Deena. Courage was now replacing fear!
The Vote and the Plan
Putting fear aside and instead of panicking, the passengers organized. A group of fighters was coming up to take action. A core group—including Todd Beamer, Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett, and Jeremy Glick—retreated to the back of the cabin to formulate a plan.
They took a vote, and their decision was unanimous…they would fight back! It would be bold, but no other choice could be made. They knew that some would have to suffer injury and possible death to counteract the ongoing work of the terrorists. When one is in a confined space, with limited resources like a ship on the ocean, there are few options for defense. This is what they faced in the final moments of Flight 93’s time in the air. A fight for freedom!
Without question, they weaponized what they had access to—hot water from the galley, heavy catering carts, coffee pots, forks, and even rolled-up magazines. Anything that could hurt another human being was put in close proximity for use by the team. These items were ready to be used as improvised weapons of defense. Nothing of value was overlooked.
Just before the counterattack began, Todd Beamer tried to place a call to his wife, but couldn’t get through. He was connected instead to GTE supervisor Lisa Jefferson. She listened to what he said about going up against the hijackers. After detailing their plan and praying the Lord’s Prayer together, Beamer turned to the other passengers. His last audible words over the open line became the rallying cry for our nation:
“Are you guys ready? Let’s roll!”
The Counterattack (9:57 AM)
Todd Beamer’s open line was being heard intensely and recorded by the GTE staff on the ground. What the GTE personnel heard at 9:57 AM was the rush and noisy chaos of a group of determined American Patriots, going for broke in taking back the control of the aircraft, no matter what the cost. The passenger revolt against the terrorists began without delay. No one hesitated in going forward to do battle with this evil group, who only wanted to inflict death upon innocent people, and destroy their communities and livelihoods.
Beamer and his resolute team of fighters first sprinted down the narrow aisle, and knocked down the two main cabin hijackers with their improvised weapons. It is believed that the hijackers were quickly overpowered, thereby becoming knocked out and unconscious. It is also believed that they both suffered serious, if not fatal blows, to render them completely out of action.
Now the fight for the cockpit was paramount. Regaining control of the aircraft meant everything. Otherwise, this aircraft would find its target and submit a final succession of terror upon America. This bold action, led by a very courageous Todd Beamer, became the prime mission objective for the retaking of the plane. Mission failure was not the anticipated result.
Beamer’s team started using a food cart as a battering ram against the cockpit door. The cockpit voice recorder, via the back-up recording of the plane’s Black Box, captured the terrifying and chaotic sounds of the struggle. One could hear the smashing of heavy dishes, with shouting and indiscernible screams as the doorway was being rammed.
Inside the cockpit the two sole hijackers were desperately trying to keep the door blocked. Each new blow was weakening the integrity of the lightweight door and its frame rails. It was slow work, but Beamer and his fighters were not going to give up. Total success of disabling the hijackers was close at hand. Entry into the cockpit was the end game.
Now realizing that he was about to lose everything that the hijackers accomplished a short while ago, Jarrah was starting to panic. The door was failing, and he knew that one of the relentless blows was going to be the final straw to be broken for entry, thus he felt that he needed to take another course of action against the passengers.
So to throw the passengers’ attacks off balance, Jarrah began violently rocking the plane left and right with his joystick. He slammed it left and right to make the aircraft pitch itself into a series of scary shakes. Even though he thought he was gaining the upper hand, he quickly noted that no one was giving up. He figured that they would overpower him, and end his evil mission.
He even went so far as to pitch the nose up and down. This action had no negative effect on the passengers. They didn’t stop. They didn’t want to. They just kept pounding on the door, and Jarrah knew that it would soon be over for him. He would have failed in his mission to reach the inside of DC for a juicy target.
By 10:00 AM, Jarrah realized the passengers were seconds from breaching the cockpit and overpowering them at the controls. He felt that only one final piece of action would work.
The Crash (10:03 AM)
In his final and desperate act to prevent Beamer and the rest of the passengers from taking the wheel, Jarrah rolled the plane upside down. He could easily see the ground below him. He even caught a glimpse of US Route 30. Jarrah, now in a state of unforgiving desperation, took the controls, thereby moving the plane’s speed to a very high rate of descent. In the post-crash analysis, it was determined that he drove the aircraft into the ground at over 560 miles per hour.
Without any further embellishment, Flight 93 crashed into an empty reclamation coal field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, at 10:03 AM. The destruction and resultant fire was immediate.
All of the 40 passengers and crew members died instantly. The impact of unforgiving percussion would have easily killed anyone else being on the ground within a short range also.
United Airlines Flight 93 was only about 20 minutes of flying time away from the heart of Washington, D.C.
The following report displays all bookings made at the LaSalle Parish Jail between the dates listed. These arrests were made by LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office and surrounding local and state agencies. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Jena Police Department is giving residents fair warning: “Warrant Wednesday” is coming.
The department announced it is beginning a weekly Warrant Wednesday initiative aimed at notifying the public about outstanding warrants while also encouraging individuals to take care of missed court dates, forgotten citations and other unresolved matters before they lead to an arrest.
“Fair warning… We’re starting a weekly Warrant Wednesday, and nobody wants to find out they have a warrant from scrolling Facebook,” the department said in announcing the initiative.
As part of Warrant Wednesday, the department will share information regarding individuals for whom the Jena Municipal Court has issued bench warrants and/or arrest warrants.
Police stressed that those who believe they may have an outstanding warrant do not have to wait until their name appears in a weekly post. Anyone who missed a court date, forgot about a citation or otherwise believes they may have an unresolved matter is encouraged to contact the department.
According to Jena Police, individuals with warrants have several options for addressing them. A person may turn themselves in at the Jena Police Department, where they will be processed through the jail, given a bond amount and, if bond is posted, released with a future court date.
For a simple Show Cause warrant, an individual may be able to report to the police department and pay the fine, allowing the warrant to be dismissed.
Ignoring an active warrant, however, is not recommended. Police said individuals with outstanding warrants may eventually be arrested and could remain in jail until they appear before a judge or post bond.
Anyone who thinks they may have a warrant or is unsure whether a name appearing on a Warrant Wednesday list refers to them can contact the Jena Police Department at 318-992-5111. A department clerk can verify whether a warrant is active and provide information on how to address it.
The department also cautioned that the names shared through Warrant Wednesday will not represent its complete warrant list, so the absence of a person’s name from a post does not necessarily mean there is no outstanding warrant.
Being listed as having a warrant does not mean an individual has been found guilty of an offense. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
LOUISIANA — A new Louisiana law that took effect Aug. 1, 2026, increases the potential criminal penalties for possessing marijuana on or near school property, including possible jail time and fines.
Under Act 305 of the 2026 Regular Session, possession of marijuana in a designated school zone can carry a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment, with or without hard labor, and a fine of up to $1,000.
The law applies on school property, within 2,000 feet of school property and on school buses and covers public and nonpublic elementary, middle and high schools in Louisiana.
The change represents a significant increase in potential consequences for marijuana possession within those areas. According to information released by the State of Louisiana, prior to Aug. 1, possession of 14 grams or less carried a fine of up to $100. Act 305 created a new penalty specifically addressing marijuana possession within a school zone.
The law also specifically addresses smoking and vaping. A provision added under Act 305 applies to individuals who violate drug laws while smoking, vaping or otherwise using a controlled dangerous substance in covered locations. THC vape pens are included.
Another important provision is that a person does not have to know they are within the designated school zone for the law to apply. Under the statute, lack of knowledge that an offense occurred on or within 2,000 feet of school property is not a defense.
The possibility of a sentence involving hard labor also creates what state officials describe as felony-level exposure, since Louisiana defines a felony as an offense for which an individual may be sentenced to imprisonment at hard labor.
Students may face consequences through the school system in addition to any criminal proceedings. For students in grades six through 12, a first occurrence involving marijuana possession at school, on a school bus or at a school event may result in a recommendation for expulsion. A second or subsequent occurrence requires expulsion for at least two complete school semesters and referral to the district attorney, according to the state notice.
The new provisions apply statewide and are intended to strengthen restrictions on controlled substances in and around Louisiana schools.
With the law now in effect, residents should also be aware of the size of the covered area. A 2,000-foot school zone extends approximately 667 yards — more than one-third of a mile — from school property.
LASALLE PARISH, La. — Hot September temperatures will continue across LaSalle Parish through the weekend, with highs reaching the mid-90s each day and chances for afternoon showers and thunderstorms, according to the National Weather Service.
Wednesday will be mostly sunny and hot with a high near 96 degrees. Heat index values could reach as high as 102 degrees during the afternoon. A 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms will develop after 1 p.m. Winds will be calm before becoming easterly around 5 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low near 72.
Thursday will bring another mostly sunny and hot day with a high around 95 degrees. There will be a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with a low near 72.
Rain chances increase Friday, when showers will be possible during the day and thunderstorms could develop after 1 p.m. The chance of precipitation is 40%. Otherwise, conditions will remain mostly sunny and hot with a high near 95 degrees. Friday night will be partly cloudy with a low around 73.
Saturday will feature a similar pattern, with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms and a high near 95 degrees under mostly sunny skies. Saturday night will turn mostly clear with a low around 73.
Sunday will be sunny and hot with a high near 95 degrees. A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms remains in the forecast before skies become mostly clear Sunday night. The overnight low will fall to around 72.
While rain chances will be present each day, Friday and Saturday currently offer the best chances for showers and thunderstorms at 40%. Much of the activity is expected to favor the afternoon hours.
Heat will remain another concern throughout the period. With temperatures consistently reaching the mid-90s and Wednesday’s heat index potentially climbing to 102 degrees, residents spending time outdoors should stay hydrated, take frequent breaks and limit strenuous activity during the hottest portion of the afternoon.
LaSalle General Hospital and the LaSalle Parish Ambulance Service are showing their support for Jena High School by providing an ambulance team to help keep students, athletes, families and fans safe during school athletic events.
Hospital officials said the partnership reflects their commitment to serving the community both on and off the field.
The ambulance team is on hand to provide emergency medical support when needed, helping ensure an added level of safety for those attending Jena High School events.
“It’s our honor to serve LaSalle Parish, and the Giants — on the field, off the field, and wherever our community needs us,” LaSalle General Hospital stated.
The hospital emphasized that its role extends beyond providing medical care inside its facilities, with staff and emergency personnel continuing to support local schools and community activities throughout LaSalle Parish.
The message closed with a show of school spirit for Jena High School: “Go Giants!”