A high-speed police pursuit spanning multiple parishes ended Saturday evening with the arrest of a 26-year-old woman in Shreveport.

Authorities say Lakeya Lajon Lewis was taken into custody on March 21, 2026, following a dangerous chase that began in Red River Parish and stretched into Caddo Parish. She is currently booked into the Caddo Correctional Center on charges of flight from an officer and in-state fugitive status, and is being held without bond.

According to officials, the incident began along Highway 1 in Red River Parish after law enforcement received an “officer needs assistance” call. The suspect vehicle, later confirmed to be driven by Lewis, fled the scene, prompting a coordinated pursuit involving multiple agencies.

As the chase progressed into Caddo Parish, speeds reportedly reached approximately 120 miles per hour. Law enforcement units tracked the vehicle through several major roadways, including Flournoy Lucas Road, Youree Drive, East Kings Highway, and Stratmore Drive, raising concerns about public safety.

The pursuit came to a controlled end near the intersection of Bert Kouns Industrial Loop and Interstate 49 South, where officers were able to stop the vehicle without reported injuries.

Officials confirmed that deputies from the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, troopers with the Louisiana State Police, and officers from the Shreveport Police Department all participated in the coordinated effort to bring the chase to a safe conclusion.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Residents in and around Coushatta have felt more than a few unsettling tremors lately, and the recent spike in earthquakes is drawing increasing attention from both the public and government agencies.

Those concerns were the focus of a community meeting held Friday night, where about 50 people gathered to hear from Dr. Cynthia Ebinger, a Tulane University professor and earthquake expert, about the recent seismic activity affecting the area. Ebinger was the featured speaker for the meeting, which centered on her knowledge, research, and professional insight into what may be causing the earthquakes near Coushatta and what residents should know moving forward.

According to information shared during the meeting, the U.S. Geological Survey has recorded 10 earthquakes in the past 30 days in the area. A survey connected to the recent activity reportedly had about 1,575 people complete it, showing how many residents have been paying attention to the shaking and looking for answers.

Ebinger says one possible factor may be underground wastewater and saltwater injection. During the meeting, she explained that disposing of large amounts of water deep underground can increase pressure below the surface. Over time, that pressure can affect older rock formations and weak points underground, causing them to shift and sometimes trigger earthquakes.

She said small tremors are not unusual, but what stands out now is that both the number of earthquakes and their magnitude are drastically increasing. “That change is one of the biggest concerns in the Coushatta area right now,” stressed Ebinger.

Part of the challenge in tracking the full scope of the activity is that seismic stations across Louisiana are spread so far apart that they do not always pick up the smaller earthquakes. Ebinger said that in October, more instruments were placed around the area to help gather better data and improve monitoring closer to where the shaking is happening.

The increased seismic activity has now drawn the attention of both state and federal officials. A 4.9 magnitude earthquake in the area prompted greater involvement from the U.S. Geological Survey, which is now working to better understand what is happening underground. Ebinger said she was surprised that a 4.9 earthquake happened in North Louisiana. She noted that a 4.9 is considered a moderate earthquake and said she believes it is probably the strongest earthquake the area will feel.

Officials also noted that any earthquake over 4.5 magnitude receives help or investigation from the federal government, which explains the increased federal response following the larger quake near Coushatta. In addition, a task force is now being created as officials continue responding to the recent activity and studying what steps may be needed moving forward.

To gather more information, new seismic equipment has been installed in the area to track earthquake activity in real time. The added monitoring is expected to help scientists map the faults involved, study the sequence of events, and answer questions many residents have raised, including whether groundwater could be affected, how many faults may be involved, and whether stronger earthquakes are possible in the future.

Ebinger also encouraged that the river levees be inspected, noting concern about the direction of the earthquake waves moving from Coushatta toward the Pleasant Hill and Pelican area.

Another concern raised during the meeting involved the many pipelines that run through the region. In response to a question from a concerned citizen, Shane Hubbard, director of Red River Parish Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, said that after a moderate earthquake, pipelines are inspected immediately before production continues.

Hubbard also added that additional earthquake information and preparedness resources can be found on the redriverready.com website.

With concern continuing to grow, local residents are paying close attention as experts and officials work to learn more about the unusual wave of seismic activity beneath North Louisiana.

RED RIVER PARISH, La. (March 19, 2026) — The Red River Parish Police Jury convened a special-called meeting Thursday morning to address key issues, including a proposed library project, contract legality, and board governance reforms.

Jurors present included Young, Hillman, Taylor, Davis, Moore, and Brown, with President Tray Murray absent.

The primary agenda item focused on an architect/engineering agreement tied to a proposed 7,000-square-foot library facility intended to house a museum of parish memorabilia. The District Attorney advised the Jury that a contract signed by President Murray on May 7, 2025, lacked legal standing because it lacked a formal vote or a recorded authorization in the meeting minutes.

Emphasizing that the Police Jury must act collectively, the District Attorney stated that no individual member has authority to bind the body without a motion, second, and majority vote. A provision within the contract—referred to as a “seven-day rule”—was identified as a possible means for the architect to recover some incurred costs.

Juror Jessie Davis motioned to invoke the seven-day clause, seconded by William Brown. The motion passed by roll call vote. The District Attorney was directed to notify both the architect and the Library Board of the decision.

Attention then turned to the appointment and structure of the Library Board. The District Attorney clarified that all board appointments must be approved in open meetings and noted recent statutory changes making such positions “at will” under Police Jury authority. Jurors discussed board composition and requested the drafting of a new ordinance requiring representation from each district and establishing term limits. Similar reforms may later be applied to other boards under Jury oversight.

The Jury also approved financial and administrative measures related to a joint construction project with the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office. Members adopted a resolution to establish necessary bank accounts and approved a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement outlining a 75/25 cost-sharing arrangement and a 15-year commitment for maintenance and utilities. Juror Davis was authorized to approve change orders with no specified monetary limits.

In other business, a purchase agreement from J&V was reviewed by the District Attorney and subsequently approved.

The meeting concluded with a directive that all entities governed by the Police Jury must have representation at meetings beginning April 1, 2026.

Red River Parish 4-H Shooters competed in the Northern Regional Shooting Sports Competition in Woodworth, Monroe, Grand Cane, and Alexandria, Louisiana for a chance to compete at State.

Morgan Moseley was first to compete in Woodworth, LA for the State 4-H Hunting Skills competition. Morgan had a great day at this competition.

Next up was Archery which competed in Alexandria, LA. It was a good day for the junior archery team! Colt Dulaney won 1st in FITA, Aaron Hester, a first-time shooter, placed in the top ten, and Levi Edwards, another first-time shooter, placed in the top 15. All 3 qualified for state.

For the second day of Archery our regional archery team did a great job and will ALL represent Red River at state! In the Senior Division, Morgan Moseley placed 10th in National Compound, Joseph Shaver placed 1st in Modified FITA and Field Compound Limited/Pins. In the Junior division, Colt Dulaney placed 1st in Modified FITA and 2nd in 3D, Aaron Hester placed 8th in Modified FITA, and Levi Edwards placed 7th in 3D. Archery Coaches Brian Shaver and Joseph Dulaney.

In Grand Cane, LA our BB team, Corbin Cummins, Jeremy Woodley, and Jameson Morse did a great job competing in their first Regionals! Jameson placed 2nd in the testing portion of the BB competition. Coached by Ron Jones.

In Monroe, LA our Red River Parish Shotgun team Remington Dabbs, Hunter Guice, Gabriel Dabbs, Gavin Franks, Mason Wilhite, Tyler Wilhite, Lauryn Bradley and Sawyer Maines. Four of our shooters will be advancing to State, Remington Dabbs, Hunter Guice, Gabriel Dabbs, and Gavin Franks. Coached by Josh Franks.

The last of the week was spent in Monroe, LA where our Rifle team competed. CMP Sr team Laynie Morse, Gabbi Bounds, Morgan Moseley, Tye Weems and Ben Moseley had a good day of shooting. Ben Moseley will advance to State placed 12th . Also competing that day in SR Silhouettes was Ben Moseley who will be advancing to State with a 5th place. Coached by Jason Moseley, Asha Hester, and Clayton Hester.

The Red River Paish 4-H Shooting Sports Club is very proud of all our shooters and our Sponsors are too. We appreciate all of our Sponsors: Lester Farms, Four B Garage, Moseley Leather Works, State Farm Tray Murray, Farm Pro, Bank of Coushatta, Christus Coushatta, Mabile’s Pharmacy, Cason Plantation, Weems Cattle Company, 3 W’s Feed, AA Donuts, BOM, Big Piney Leatherworks, Big Jiggs, Testament, NRA, Red
River 4-H Foundation, Red River Parish Sheriff Glen Edwards, Shaver Adventures, Guice Family, Rex Whilhite Farms, Rivertown Market, Country Market, The York Chop, Valley Farms, 318 Land Services, Bumper To Bumper, Lagrane Services, American Bank, B.O. Jone Tree Services, Youngblood Outdoors, Tyler Insurance, Jones Brothers, NELA Roofing, Hester Hunts, 3Franks,Mechanical Concepts, Woodley Farms, BOMAC, and Glover Family.

Shared by Red River Parish 4-H

Monday:

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 82F. Winds light and variable.

Partly cloudy sky overnight. Low 56F. Winds light and variable.

Tuesday:

Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 81F. Winds light and variable.

Partly cloudy overnight. Low 58F. Winds light and variable.

Do you have travel plans in the near future? Even though there have been no major delays reported at local airports, you may still want to allow extra time as TSA staffing shortages continue to affect security operations across the country.

The issue is tied to unusually high absenteeism among Transportation Security Administration officers during the ongoing partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown. At this point, the biggest problems appear to be centered at larger airports including New Orleans, Dallas and Houston. Travel conditions can shift quickly, so you should check flight updates often, arrive early, and be prepared for possible wait times.

Federal officials have also warned that the situation could worsen if staffing shortages continue. For now, leaving from nearby airports may not be seeing the same headaches reported in larger cities, but a little extra planning could still make the trip smoother.

Red River Parish Public Schools will have Intersession March 30 – April 2 and Spring Break from April 3 – 10. School resumes Monday, April 13. 

Mudbug Madness is slated for May 22-24 from 11am-10pm at the Festival Plaza in Shreveport.

Bayou Cruisers Car Club presents Rumble on the Bayou June 20 at Grand Bayou Resort. Open to all vehicles and motorcycles. Proceeds benefit Operation Christmas Child and local charities.

Eugene Desadier
January 29, 1943 – March 21, 2026
Graveside services will be held Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 11am at Our Lady of the Rosary Cemetery.

Katherine Guy
01/17/1935 – 03/17/2026
Funeral Services will be held Saturday March 28,2026 at 11am at Springville B.C. in Coushatta.

A Community meeting organized by Homeland Security Coordinator Shane Hubbard will feature Dr. Cynthia Ebinger. Friday afternoon at 5:00pm at First Methodist Church, Coushatta, Ebinger will discuss the recent seismic activity and allow time for questions and answers for all participants.  

As reported by Stacey Plaisance of Tulane, Ebinger, a Tulane University geoscientist, has installed seismic monitoring equipment in northwest Louisiana following an unusual series of earthquakes in the Coushatta area of Red River and DeSoto parishes, including the largest inland earthquake recorded in state history.

Since December, at least 14 earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 2.5 have been detected in north Louisiana, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The most significant occurred on March 5 near Coushatta and measured magnitude 4.9. Several additional earthquakes, including one measuring magnitude 4.4, were recorded March 9 within minutes of one another.

Smaller earthquakes were missed because of the distances between large detection instruments.

Cynthia Ebinger, the Marshall-Heape Chair in Geology in Tulane University’s School of Science and Engineering, traveled to the region to deploy instruments that will help scientists better understand the source of the seismic activity.

“Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey have used new data from instruments we recently installed to relocate the earthquakes,” Ebinger said. “They are occurring in crystalline rocks much deeper than any of the industrial activity and along an ancient fault line.”

Five additional earthquakes were recorded in the most recent sequence, and scientists expect the activity may continue.

The earthquake cluster has drawn attention in part because it aligns with the Haynesville–Bossier Shale formation, one of the largest natural gas production regions in the United States. Scientists have documented cases in other states where wastewater injection from oil and gas production can trigger earthquakes under certain geological conditions.

“Throughout the U.S. and elsewhere, we’ve learned that injecting wastewater produced during oil and gas extraction back into deep wells can cause earthquakes,” Ebinger said. “Over time, the added weight of the injected water can put pressure on ancient faults and cause them to reactivate.”

Still, researchers say determining the exact cause of the Louisiana earthquakes will require further analysis.

“The question of natural earthquakes versus human-induced earthquakes does not have a simple yes-or-no answer,” Ebinger said. “But the increase in the number and magnitude of earthquakes over the past 15 years since we’ve had local monitoring suggests something is changing.”

Ebinger leads Tulane’s Geophysics and Active Tectonics Research (GATR) Laboratory, which studies the forces that deform Earth’s crust and shape tectonic plate boundaries. Her research focuses on tectonic and volcanic processes in continental rifts and passive margins and their implications for earthquake hazards, energy resources and the evolution of Earth’s plates.

The monitoring effort builds on earlier work by Tulane and other researchers. Between 2019 and 2022, geoscientists installed seismometers across parts of Louisiana to monitor ground movements.

“Those instruments measure vertical and horizontal ground motions so small they can’t be detected at the surface,” Ebinger said. “Our goal was to establish a baseline for earthquake activity to inform state planners and to better understand Louisiana’s subsurface structure.”

That monitoring revealed clusters of small earthquakes and suggested activity in some areas was increasing over time. A Tulane array of instruments installed in October captured the recent earthquakes, providing researchers with detailed data about the sequence.

The instruments measure earthquake locations, depths, directions of fault movement and ground acceleration — the shaking people at the surface may feel.

The monitoring network is connected to the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Earthquake Information Center, which allows data from Louisiana to be analyzed alongside seismic information from across the country.

“Owing to the quick USGS response, Tulane data are now monitored remotely and automatically transmitted to a national automated system that collates and uses information from Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi and throughout the United States,” Ebinger said. “That allows scientists to quickly analyze earthquake locations and ground shaking and then combine those results with older data to visualize the subsurface faults.”

Research students are using aftershocks and other measurements to better understand the fault systems responsible for the earthquakes and to improve hazard assessments.

“We are using aftershocks to map out the fault plane or multiple fault planes,” Ebinger said. “We’re also measuring ground acceleration so engineers can use that information for hazard zoning and improved ground-shaking maps.”

For residents, the key factors that determine risk are the size of earthquakes and how strongly the ground shakes.

“Earthquakes happen all the time,” Ebinger said. “The important factors are the magnitude of the earthquake and the ground acceleration it produces. Fortunately, we now have instruments in place to collect that critical information.”

Small “sand volcanoes” formed in soft sediments near Coushatta, Louisiana, after recent earthquakes shook water-saturated ground, causing sand and water to bubble up to the surface. The formations were photographed by Tulane geoscientist Cynthia Ebinger during fieldwork in the area.

Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – When a team runs the table in district play, it’ll show on the all-district team.

That took place in District 3-2A boys basketball where eight players and head coach Dadrian Harris were recognized.

Six players were named to the first or second team with two players receiving honorable mention status.

Senior Demarche Newton was voted District Most Valuable Player after leading Red River to an undefeated district title and a 22-11 record.

Coach Dadrian Harris took Coach of the Year honors after Red River won its second straight district title.
Seniors Warren Bowman and Malique Smith earned first-team status.

Senior Collin Stafford accumulated two honors – second-team status and a spot on the all-defensive team.

Junior Damija Harris joined Stafford on the All-Defensive Team.

Junior Landon Wilson and sophomore Lathyn Lewis, who were honorably mentioned, will have the task of carrying the Red River basketball program forward.

The 2025-25 Bulldogs won all eight district games with the closest contest coming in a nine-point win against Many to start the district slate. Red River reasserted their dominance in the second meeting with Many, a 46-point win.

This year’s senior class appeared in consecutive Top 28s in 2024 and 2025 before falling in the second round this season as a No. 6 seed.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport issued a Special Weather Statement alerting the public to the potential for weather conditions favorable for wildfire growth until 7pm tonight. 

See the statement below:

ELEVATED FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED FOR ALL OF OUR
FOUR STATE REGION WHICH INCLUDES EXTREME SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA,
SOUTHWEST & SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS, EAST TEXAS, AND NORTHERN &
CENTRAL LOUISIANA...

Weather conditions will be favorable for wildfire growth.

* TIMING: Until 7 PM Friday evening.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY: Afternoon minimums will range from 30 to 45
  percent.

* WIND: 10 to 15 mph sustained with higher gusts possible.

* FUELS: Critically Dry.

These conditions will support the spread of wildfires. Outdoor
burning and activities that involve open sparks or flames are
discouraged. Please report all wildfires to local law enforcement
as soon as possible.

Churches, community groups, and local organizations are beginning to announce their annual events, giving families several opportunities to celebrate the season with candy-filled eggs, prizes, and outdoor fun. Below is a look at the local egg hunts already planned in and around the area.

Bonnie & Clyde Trade Days Easter Egg Hunt Mar 21 at noon.

First Baptist Church Coushatta Mar 28 at 10am.

Ashland Fire Department Mar 28 at 11am. This event is to raise money to purchase fireworks for the Christmas Open House. The community event, in partnership with Ashland Baptist Church, will also feature hamburger & hot dog plates, a fun jump, cake walk and obstacle course. Arm Bands are $10 (includes the jump house, obstacle course and one meal). Egg Hunt age groups: 0-5 and 6-11. 

Hall Summit Community Center & Park Mar 28 at 3:30pm. 

First Methodist Church Coushatta Apr 3 at 10:30am. Egg hunt open to babies through 12 years old. The Easter Bunny will be there for photos.

Fairview Baptist Church Apr 3 at 5pm. Birth – 4th grade will enjoy the egg hunt while 5th-6th grade will participate in the Escape Room. Fried fish will be served to all.

Gator Country in Natchitoches Apr 4 will host 2 hunts; 11am and 2pm. Age groups 1-3 years, 4-5 years and 7 years and up. Regular park admission applies.

Share you event details with the journal at redriverparishjournal@gmail.com

John Dillinger was one of the most notorious of the Depression Era criminals. His crime sprees included charges of desertion from the U.S. Navy, theft, auto theft, armed robbery, bank robbery, attempted murder, and murder. On January 25, 1934, Dillinger and his gang were captured in Tucson, Arizona. Dillinger was extradited to Crown Point, Indiana to stand trial on a host of charges including the murder of a police officer. Lake County officials claimed their jail where Dillinger was held was “escape proof.”

At about 9:30 on the morning of March 3, 1934, Dillinger and his cellmate, convicted murderer Herbert Youngblood, sat impatiently in their cell as a guard, Sam Cahoun, was making his rounds. As Sam peered into their cell, Dillinger aimed a pistol at him and ordered him under threat of death to open the cell door. Sam was unarmed and had no choice but to comply. Dillinger told Sam to remain quiet and to follow him. At Dillinger’s request, Sam called out for Deputy Earnest Blunk. As the deputy stepped out of the fingerprint office, Dillinger stuck the pistol against his side. Dillinger led Sam and Deputy Blunk back to the jail cell. After locking Sam in the cell, Dillinger had Deputy Blunk call out for Warden Lou Baker. As Warden Baker and three others stepped out of their offices, Dillinger aimed his pistol at them and forced them into the cell with Sam. Dillinger locked the cell door and headed for the warden’s office. Dillinger exchanged his pistol for one of the machine guns from the warden’s gun rack and told Youngblood, “Come on, quick. Get one of those guns there.” Youngblood took a machine gun from the same gun rack and followed Dillinger’s lead. Dillinger used Deputy Blunk in the same manner to disarm a total of six deputies and 16 guards, all of whom he locked in jail cells. Unable to find any car keys in the prison offices, Dillinger, Youngblood, and Deputy Blunk made their way out of the jail house where they met the warden’s wife. Dillinger told her, “Be a good little girl and we won’t kill you.” She let them pass. Dillinger, Youngblood, and their hostage made their way to the Main Street Garage where they located Edward Saagers, the garage mechanic. Dillinger ordered Saagers to give Deputy Blunk the keys to the fastest car in the garage, which happened to be a black police car. Then, Dillinger ordered Saagers to get in the car with them. At Dillinger’s order, Deputy Blunk slowly drove the escape car away from the prison as to not attract attention. Mrs. Baker alerted the sheriff, which set off a search for Dillinger by practically all of the law enforcement officers in Indiana and Northern Illinois. Two hours after their escape, Dillinger and Youngblood released Deputy Blunk and mechanic Saagers at Peotone, Illinois, 35 miles south of the Crown Point jail. Before driving off, Dillinger gave Deputy Blunk and Saagers a $4 tip and told them, “Good job!”

Newspapers reported that it was one of “the most spectacular breaks in the history of American crime,” partly because the pistol Dillinger used to set off the daring jailbreak was absolutely harmless. It was not loaded. It could not be loaded. You see, the pistol Dillinger used in that escape was one he had whittled out of a piece of wood.

Sources:

1. The Times-Picayune, March 4, 1934, p.10.

2. The Times (Hammond, Indiana), March 5, 1934, p.10.

             The Red River Parish Library has recently received an order of new books.  In this article, we are highlighting five new books by a Louisiana author with local ties.  Barbara P. Walsworth lives in northwest Louisiana.  She has family in the Coushatta area and in the Shreveport-Bossier area.  Barbara will tell those who ask that she does not have a college.  She just loves to write stories.  The five books she has written are The Red Dirt Road, Charlie’s Moment, Under the Pecan Tree, Uncommon Lands, and Jubal.  Each of these novels stands alone and can be read in any order.

            The Red Dirt Road is the first novel by Barbara P. Walsworth, who grew up in the backwoods and freshwater swamps of northwest Louisiana.  She draws from her experiences there to create intriguing characters and a suspenseful novel.  In the summer of 1962, fourteen-year-old Parthenay Preiste’s abusive, alcoholic father moved his family from southwest Texas to the backwoods of northwest Louisiana . . . and then, immediately abandons them.

            Charlie’s Moment is an intensely emotional story of a family held hostage by their love for a son caught in the agony of drug abuse and the tragedy that follows.  Stevie Thomas’ eighteen-year-old son, Charlie, is missing.  It isn’t uncommon for him to disappear for a day or two . . . hiding out with his drugs, but now he has been gone seven days.  Something is wrong.

            Under the Pecan Tree tells the story of Anna Belle Lee who had been wandering in the land of the lost, bored and lonely widowhood for two years . . . unable to sleep or focus.  She had not had a “cry-free” day since Mac’s death.  His clothes still hung in the closet.  She had begun to wonder if she needed professional help.  But then she returned home one morning to find Jesse Allen sitting in a rocker on her front porch, naked and homeless.

            Uncommon Lands is an emotionally gripping story of how quickly a life can turn dangerously wrong.  Mary Beth Ivy loses her husband Jack, but, just when she begins to find contentment and happiness in her life, new people enter her life and threaten everything she holds dear.

            Jubal is the main character in the book bearing his name.  Living alone on a mountainous hill top deep in the forest of Big Sandy is just the way Jubal Holley likes his life, but life and people threaten to pull him away from it.  Will he survive the events that encounters along the way?

            Author Barbara P. Walsworth has become a favorite of many of our local library patrons.  There are many other books that have been purchased as we try to update our collection.  In addition, if there is an author or a book title that our patrons would like to see added to the collection, they should contact the library.  Also, patrons should be sure to check the library calendar on the Red River Parish Library website for upcoming events.

Friday:  

Mainly sunny skies. Very warm. High 84F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

A mostly clear sky overnight. Low 59F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday:

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. Near record high temps. High 87F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Clear overnight. Low 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Sunday:

Mainly sunny. Hot. High 86F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.

Clear skies. Low near 60F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.

Life has so many variables out of our control that makes navigating our daily situations difficult. But in some instances, there are a few things we can control and it’s up to each of us to make it happen.

One thing we have zero control over is who our parents are. We as individuals have zero say on the DNA we are blessed with, nor the people it came from. Even though we are who we are, we do have the ability to become the person we truly want to be. In most cases, we can pave our own path to success or failure with the skills we have been blessed with.

Even with bad DNA flowing through our bodies, we still have the task of shaping our lives into whatever we want to be. But only if we as individuals take control and ownership of who we are will our direction in life be confirmed.

I learned at a very early age that the good Lord above had blessed me with good athletic abilities. I figured out before the age of 10 that it would be through sports, with hard work and determination, that I could possibly have some success. Sports gave me a purpose!

That’s what we’re all looking for … a purpose! Even if it goes against the beliefs of the people who raised us, we have to take control of our own destiny at some point.

Even when the odds are against us, there are also times when we have to accept the consequences of our actions. We have to make decisions that not only affect ourselves, but those around us.

Sometimes this means hurting the ones we love the most because the direction they want us to go may not be the same as the destination we had in mind.

By the time we reach 17 or 18 years old, most people know who they are and possibly what direction or path they might want to take. They start to see things in a different light than, say, their parents. But as parents, we must recognize that even though we think we know what’s best for our children, that may not always be the case. We must allow them to spread their wings and continue to grow even if they make a few mistakes along the way. It’s called growing up!

I’ve always heard the excuse that he or she was a product of the environment in which they were raised. Sometimes this can be true, but it doesn’t always have to be that way.

For example, my stepdad was a wife beater and treated women like they were worthless. Even though I witnessed many of these incidents first-hand at a young age, I always knew in my heart that this was wrong, and I made a conscious decision to never be that kind of person.

I always felt that God instills in each of us the ability to know right from wrong when we are born. He gave all of us a brain and the ability to reason when we see things that are not right.

Just because you grow up in a house with little to no guidance doesn’t give you the excuse to ignore what is right. Subconsciously we still know right from wrong and it’s up to each of us to make good decisions and do the right thing.

We all need direction in our lives, which was lacking early in my childhood. Hopefully, we have those we can turn to for advice like a parent or maybe a grandparent, aunt, uncle, preacher, teacher or maybe a coach. No matter who it is, it should be someone we trust. A person who has our best interest at heart.

Bottom line is this — at some point in our lives we must take control over our destiny no matter what our background is. But when we make a decision, we must accept the consequences for our actions. This is what we call accountability!

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com.