Shreveport driver killed in single-vehicle crash in Red River Parish
Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a single-vehicle crash on Aug. 24 around 9:15 am on Louisiana Highway 174 near Catfish Bend Road. The crash claimed the life of 41-year-old David Purvis, Jr. of Shreveport.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 1980 Ford F2000, driven by Purvis, was traveling east on Louisiana Highway 174. For reasons still under investigation, Purvis’ vehicle exited the roadway and overturned.
Purvis, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced deceased at the scene. Impairment is not suspected; however, standard toxicology samples were taken and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.
REOPENED: I-20 westbound off-ramp to LA 526 (Exit 8), Caddo Parish
DOTD advises motorists that the I-20 westbound off-ramp to LA 526 (Exit 8 – Bert Kouns Ind. Loop) in Shreveport is back OPEN to traffic following concrete and asphalt paving operations associated with an ongoing project to improve safety and traffic flow at the interchange.Motorists are urged to continue to use caution through the construction zone, as crews remain on site to complete the remainder of the work on the project. This includes additional dirt work, electrical, and installation of permanent roadway striping and rumble strips.
Barksdale Airman Rescued Near Plain Dealing Lake; Suspect Found Dead in Domestic Incident
A female airman stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base was rescued Sunday near Plain Dealing Lake after a domestic dispute that crossed multiple parishes left the male suspect dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies responded to reports of two individuals inside a vehicle near Lake Road in the Plain Dealing area. The suspect was found deceased inside the vehicle. The airman was found alive with injuries and transported to a local hospital.
The incident originated as a domestic dispute in a vehicle in northern Bossier Parish. The female victim was unable to provide her exact location to dispatchers. Investigators confirmed her identity through Barksdale Air Force Base and used Flock license plate recognition cameras to track the vehicle across multiple locations — including a stop in Hosston in Caddo Parish — before locating it near Plain Dealing Lake. The Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana State Police are leading the investigation.
Columbia woman arrested in connection with insurance fraud, arson investigation
The Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) has arrested 64-year-old Cynthia Lisenby of Columbia in connection with a June 22, 2026, residential fire that investigators determined was intentionally set as part of an insurance fraud scheme.
SFM deputies arrested Lisenby on August 24, 2026, on one count of insurance fraud.
The investigation began after the Hebert Fire Department requested assistance from the SFM Fire Investigations Unit following a house fire in the 1700 block of Templeton Bend Road in Columbia.
At approximately 4:30 a.m. on June 22, 2026, the Hebert Fire Department responded to a fire that ultimately destroyed the house.
Waterway Commission hires trapper for large alligator near Plantation Point
The Cane River Waterway Commission has hired a professional trapper to remove an alligator described by officials as unusually large that has been spotted near the Plantation Point subdivision. (Aug. 25)
Commission officials said the animal has been observed repeatedly in the area. Feeding alligators on Cane River Lake is prohibited under Ordinance No. 4 of 2019. The commission’s director of operations is Jason Adcock, reachable at 318-663-8815 or 318-357-3007. (Aug. 25)
$20,000 Reward offered for information on bald eagle shooting in Vermilion Parish
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Agents and United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are investigating the illegal shooting and killing of a bald eagle. The bald eagle was discovered at the intersection of Robert and Wilmer Road, in Vermilion Parish on Dec. 5, 2025.The eagle succumbed to the injury shortly after discovery. The eagle was sent to USFWS for an in depth necropsy.
A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered to anyone with information that leads to a conviction in this case.
Anyone with information regarding this illegal killing of the bald eagle should call the Louisiana operation Game Thief hot-line at 1-800-442-2511 or use LDWF’s tip411 program. To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LADWF and their tip to 847411, or download the free “LADWF Tips” iPhone and Android app.
The illegal shooting and killing of a bald eagle is a federal violation of the bald eagle protection act. The penalties for killing a bald eagle brings up to a $5,000 fine and one year in jail and a civil restitution fine up to $5,000 will be assessed.