By Nathan Coker
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May 1st, 2026
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Article by Georgiann PottsPhotography by Kelly Moore Clark Proudly serving as the first graduate of Wossman to become principal there, Dena Staten-Sampson is setting a course for excellence for the students, faculty, and staff working with her. Because of her devotion to her students and the entire W...
By Nathan Coker
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Jan 5th, 2026
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ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK Jeff Thomas runs . . . a lot! He ran his first marathon (the Twin City Marathon) on November 6, 2022, and covered 26.2 miles on that day. Since then he has run nine marathons including three of the world majors (New York in November [&hell...
By Nathan Coker
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Dec 1st, 2025
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ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK LEADING WITH HEART:William Smart is reshaping how his community sees modern public housing, pairing kindness with a firm insistence that perceptions catch up with today’s reality. His journey from a tight-knit Monroe upbringing to dedicate...
By Nathan Coker
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Oct 31st, 2025
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Article By Georgiann PottsPhotography By Kelly Moore Clark From corporate boardrooms to bestselling books, Patricia’s inspiring journey of overcoming grief and giving hope to others makes her a true symbol of strength in our community. Patricia Mercer Cameron was asked recently to describe her life s...
By Nathan Coker
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Oct 1st, 2025
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1870 Views
ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTSPHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK Life is always unpredictable – filled with both blessings and challenges (and sometimes they are the same!). Cindy Gist Foust’s life is a testament to her faith, strength, and resilience. She has overcome the deaths of loved ones, fough...
By Nathan Coker
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Aug 28th, 2025
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2121 Views
ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTSPHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK HerringStones is celebrating 36 years as a company this year and is a testament to the hard work and incredible talent of its two founders — sisters Debbie Herrington and Cindy Stone – and the team they have assembled. Together they hav...
By Nathan Coker
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Jul 30th, 2025
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1691 Views
ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTSPHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK Frank Elkins III, our August 2025 BayouIcon, honors his late father’s legacy by successfully leading their family’s beverage businesses while actively supporting local culture and community events. Frank Elkins III is an accomplished business...
By Nathan Coker
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Jul 1st, 2025
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ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTSAND PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK Fifty-seven years ago, just days before the end of his Vietnam tour, Captain Herschel Ryan was severely wounded while leading a combat helicopter mission in the Suoi Ca River Valley. Despite losing his left hand and eye, he went on to bui...
By Nathan Coker
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May 30th, 2025
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3160 Views
ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTS PHOTOGRAPHS BY KELLY MOORE CLARK Mike Downhour and his wife, Sheila Kay, are well-known in our region. Both have enjoyed considerable success in their careers and in their lives. Mike began with the dream of becoming an air traffic controller like his dad. His second choic...
By Nathan Coker
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Apr 30th, 2025
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ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK The Flanigens have amassed an impressive record in our community as volunteer leaders even as Flanigen Builders has amassed a similarly impressive record building hundreds of custom homes. It’s easy to see why Eddie and Christy Flanigen ha...
