In 2007, Dr. David Dosa wrote an essay for The New England Journal of Medicine about a cat at the Steere House nursing home in Providence, R.I., who apparently had the ability to sense when a patient was going to die. The media picked up the story and almost overnight, Oscar the cat became an international phenomenon.

The shade of near black that is New England’s Atlantic Ocean sure looks a lot different in Bermuda. In fact, once you land — either by plane or cruise ship aside the endless ocean a shade reminiscent of Paul Newman’s eyes pairing perfectly with its pink sand beaches -- you become instantly hypnotized by the romance that unfurls before you on this island paradise.

James C. Palmer was Vernon Parish superintendent of education from 1902 to 1905. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise.
 

Weekly health rail, with items on an "In case of emergency" app, how to recognize a brain injury, a study on sleep and aging, and more.

Celebrations in downtown Leesville was the location for the annual Leesville High School Wampus Cats football banquet on Monday, Feb. 1. Head coach David Feaster and Principal Renita Davis welcomed a packed crowd to honor the 2009-10 Wampus Cats, a team that rallied to win its final three regular season games to advance to the playoffs.

One of the early churches in the Simpson area is the Church of God, established in 1897, with the Rev. R.H. Owens the first minister. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise. 

 The First Baptist Church of Leesville was organized in 1898 with the Rev. S.C.Self as its pastor. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise.

President Barack Obama, in his budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year, is putting off a trip to the moon. In 2004, President George W. Bush had outlined a strategy to return Americans to the lunar soil, which was set to take place as soon as 2020.

NATCHITOCHES– A recent election involving the sale of Valley Electric Membership Corp. (VEMCO) to Ohio-based AEP-SWEPCO (Southwestern Electric Power Company) is being challenged by members of the locally-owned electric cooperative.
The challenge has also gained the support of the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives (ALEC). ALEC agrees with the petition’s claim that the election was not legal.

Ymeka Smith, 36, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 2 at Rapides General Hospital. For the full obituary click here

The Vernon Parish School Board voted to replace retiring District 8 representative M. Gene Haymon on Thursday.
Haymon's term expires December 31, 2010; however the 15-year veteran of the School Board announced that he was stepping down in January, effective Jan. 31.
The board voted unanimously to accept Kay Willbanks to replace Haymon.

This weeks top photos.

Dog Lady offers advice on posing with your dog in a personal ad, and preparing your pooch for air travel.

One can’t help but wonder how the chickadee, a bird the size of a Tater Tot, doesn’t freeze just as solid during the frigid winter months. When the weather turns cold, animals — like people — can either adopt a strategy to deal with the change or flee to warmer temperatures elsewhere. Some, like groundhogs, simply choose not to deal with winter and sleep through the whole thing.

Dr. Brown Word served as Vernon Parish Sheriff from 1934 to 1936. From Tall Pines II A History of Vernon Parish, Louisiana and its People by Erbon W. Wise.