KTBS.com

Posted 14 hours 6 minutes 39 seconds ago
Posted In: News - Local, News - First News

 Southwestern Electric Power Co. plans to buy Valley Electric, a utility cooperative that serves parts of northwest Louisiana -- a move that is expected to lower power bills for the co-op's customers.

  Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell said Swepco has signed a letter of intent to buy Natchitoches-based Valley Electric's transmission and distribution operations.
 
  Campbell said Valley Electric's 30,000 customers would see their rates drop an average of 20 percent if the deal goes through because Swepco charges lower rates.

  Valley Electric has customers in parts of Caddo, DeSoto, Red River, Natchitoches, Sabine, Grant, Vernon and Winn parishes.

 The co-op's membership, and then the public service commissions from Louisiana and Arkansas, must approve the merger.
 
  The two companies said they're working to complete an agreement by the end of the year and put the proposal up for a vote among Valley Electric's members in January or February.

Tagged As: Valley Electric, Foster Campbell, SWEPCO

Posted 14 hours 39 minutes 28 seconds ago
Posted In: News - First News

      When dozens of runners pound the pavement tomorrow for the YMCA's half-marathon and 5K health walk, there will be a special group of women participating, along with another woman's spirit. They're calling themselves "Annie's Girls Going the Distanc."  They're hitting the pavement in honor of their friend Annie, who passed away after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2001.  The team is working to honor Annie's spirit by bringing awareness to ovarian cancer.

Tagged As: first, Annie, Annie's Girls Going the Distance, half marathon

Posted 14 hours 53 minutes 29 seconds ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Rick Rowe's making his final trek through the jungle.  He's finding out where the wild things are in his final trip Out of Africa.

Tagged As: first, Africa

Posted 1 day 12 hours 53 minutes ago
Posted In: Homepage, News - First News

    Rick Rowe's visiting the home of the Demons, the Northwestern State University Demons, that is!  Rick is visiting Northwestern as part of latest Community Caravan.  And, NSU is marking a special anniversary ... they're celebrating 125 years!

Tagged As: Northwestern State University, Northwestern, NSU, Demons, 125 years, anniversary

Posted 2 days 13 hours 24 seconds ago
Posted In: News - First News, Arklatex Made

     Rick Rowe's all aglow.  He's followed the illuminated path to Ruston, LA, where he's found a unique product that's Arklatex Made!  We're learning more about Hart Associates.

Hart Associates
2900 McDonald Road
Ruston, LA 71273
318-255-5757
800-592-3500
www.hart-associates.com

Tagged As: Arklatex Made, Hart Associates, Hart, lamp, lighting

Posted 2 days 13 hours 49 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

      Here ye! Here ye!  It's a Williamsburg Christmas at the 2009 Les Boutiques De Noel!  Shops and vendors from across the area will come together for a fun holiday shopping experience, presented by the Shreveport-Bossier Opera Guild.  The Boutique starts Thursday and runs through Saturday at the Bossier Civic Center.

Tagged As: first, Les Boutiques De Noel, Christmas, shopping

Posted 2 days 14 hours 2 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Artspace has a dynamic new exhibition Triumph Over Tragedy to commemorate the people, places and events of the Great Depression/New Deal era in north Louisiana.  Today local artists and the Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu will recognize the exhibition.  At 6:30 tonight local authors, artists and performers will be presenting their works for the exhibit in the Performing Arts Center at First United Methodist Church in Shreveport.  You have the chance to meet the artists afterward at Artspace in downtown Shreveport.

Tagged As: first, art, Artspace, Triumph Over Tragedy

Posted 3 days 12 hours 6 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

Performers from the Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO, stopped by KTBS 3 First News Tuesday. They're promoting all the holiday celebrations coming up in Branson.

The 1880’s themed park dazzles with a  highly acclaimed five-story special effects Christmas Tree and an all encompassing light-and-sound show on the Square. The festival runs November 7 through December 30 and includes the production of A Dickens’ Christmas Carol, a Holiday Light Parade, the interactive kids’ show Frosty, and over 4 million lights.

Posted 3 days 12 hours 20 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

Rick Rowe brought us more footage of his amazing trip to Africa.

You have to see to believe all the animals that let Rick and his camera get so close to all the action.

We'll have even more stories "Out of Africa" Friday morning starting at 5 a.m. on KTBS 3 First News.

Posted 4 days 14 hours 59 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Bob's getting into the Christmas spirit!  He's hanging out on the banks of the Cane River.  The City of Lights is gearing up for the annual Christmas Festival.  It's all part of his latest Griffin's Arklatex.

Tagged As: first, Griffin, Natchitoches, City of Lights, Christmas Festival

Posted 4 days 15 hours 19 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Rick Rowe's on a safari this morning!  He's venturing into the African jungle for an up close look at the king of the jungle and other wild animals.

Tagged As: first, Africa, wild, cheetah, lion

Posted 1 week 13 hours 58 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    November is National Adoption Awareness Month.  That's why Rick Rowe traveled to Texarkana to learn more about how adoption changed one little girl's life forever.

Tagged As: first, adoption, November, Alexis

Posted 1 week 1 day 13 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Rick Rowe's sporting red, white and blue this morning!  He's learning what it means to have Patriot Pride.  He's visiting Donnie Bickham Middle School for his latest 50 Cities Back to School stop.

Tagged As: first, Donnie Bickham MIddle School, Patriots

Posted 1 week 2 days 13 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

      The holidays are just around the corner.  So, what's on your party menu?  You can stroll the aisles of Brookshire's this Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 for ideas on what to serve at your holiday soiree.  They'll have holiday food ideas on display at the Brookshires on Line Avenue and Bert Kouns.

Tagged As: first, Brookshires, holiday, party, food, menu

Posted 1 week 3 days 14 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

    It's one of the most iconic images in the world ... the flag raising at Iwo Jima.  Rick Rowe visits with a veteran who was there when it happened.

Tagged As: first, veterans, Veterans Day, Iwo Jima, flag

Posted 1 week 4 days 15 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Bob's carving his way through the Arklatex art scene this morning.  He's in East Texas checking out some unique art pieces at the Hilltop Gallery just south of Carthage.  He's learning all about wood carving in his latest Griffin's Arklatex.

Tagged As: first, art, Hilltop Gallery, Carthage, wood

Posted 2 weeks 13 hours 25 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Rick Rowe's walking tall among the trees this morning.  He's hopped on his bike to learn about the historic trees dotting the landscape throughout Shreveport, and you can, too!  There's a guided bike tour of the trees tomorrow, Nov. 7th.  Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. at Columbia Cafe.  It's $10.  The 15 mile tour starts at 9:30 a.m.

Tagged As: first, tree, tour, Shreveport

Posted 2 weeks 13 hours 44 minutes ago
Posted In: News - First News

      Before you know it Christmas will be here, which means it's time to start making your gift list and checking it twice.  Tomorrow there will be some one-of-a-kind hand-crafted gift items for sale as well as lots of baked goodies to enjoy now!  It's time for the Women's Auxiliary for Goodwill Industries annual Christmas craft and bake sale.  It starts at 10:00 tomorrow morning at The Unique Shoppe at 402 Kings Hwy.

Tagged As: first, Goodwill, bake sale, crafts

Posted 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Rick Rowe's visiting the home of the Rockets.  They're marking a milestone at Apollo Elementary in Bossier City.  It's their 40th anniversary!  Rick has more on their birthday celebration for his latest 50 Cities Back to School Stop.

Tagged As: first, Apollo, Apollo Elementary, Rockets, anniversary

Posted 2 weeks 1 day 13 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

FEDERAL PROGRAMS: The U.S. welfare system was initiated in the 1930s during the Great Depression.  For 61 years, the federal government controlled the system, but in the 1990s, welfare became a widely discussed topic.  In 1996, a bill law was passed that gave individual states control over welfare. 

The Federal Food Stamp Program, now known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), assists 34 million people in getting food every month.  The reformed program is focused on putting nutritious and healthy food on the table of low- income households.  Foods that can be purchased using SNAP include breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry and dairy products.  Seeds and plants that grow household foods to eat can also be purchased.  SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes or tobacco, nonfood items likes like pet foods, soap, paper products, vitamins, medicines, foods to be eaten in the store, and hot foods.

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), also provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk.

FALLING SHORT: According to the Diaper Bank, the Food Stamp Program and WIC do not cover the cost of diapers, which can cost a mother more than $100 a month.  Most day care centers will not accept cloth diapers and require parents to bring an adequate supply of disposable diapers. Sometimes babies from poor and low-income families will spend a day or more in one diaper, which poses health threats and abuse risks.

The Diaper Bank raises money for and distributes diapers through local food pantries, soup kitchens, daycare centers, social service agencies and shelters.  It includes a network of 50 agencies.  The organization provides more than 200,000 free diapers every month to families in the New Haven, Bridgeport and Hartford areas of Connecticut.

Tagged As: first, women, rescue

Posted 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

      It's the last weekend for the State Fair of Louisiana!  And, it's not just fun, food and games at the fair!  In fact, students from the area are headed there today to check out the exhibits and to learn about proper handwashing.  Cathryn Robinson with the LSU AgCenter has some tips to help you stay germ free.

Tagged As: first, hand, wash, washing, AgCenter, LSU, fair

Posted 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

    It's time for 50 miles of food, fun and shopping in Webster Parish for the 10th annual Main to Main Trade Days in Minden Nov. 6 & 7.  The event features hundreds of vendors selling art, crafts, flea market items, garage sales and food.  It begins on Hwy. 371 from the south Webster Parish line below Heflin, up through Sibley and into downtown Minden along Main Street and Broadway.  The route continues on Hwy. 80 west to Dixie Inn and turns north on 371 through Couchwood, Cotton Valley, Sarepta, Cullen, through Main Street Springhill and on to the Arkansas line.  The event is free!

Tagged As: first, Main to Main Trade Days, trade days, Minden, Webster Parish

Posted 2 weeks 4 days 13 hours ago
Posted In: News - First News

    Veterans Day is this Wednesday.  Bob's honoring those who have defended Old Glory past and present for his latest Griffin's Arklatex and you can, too!  You're invited to the KTBS 3 and KPXJ/CW 21 Veterans Day parade Nov. 7.  It starts at 10:00 at Bossier Parish Community College.  Also sponsored by KTBS 3 and KPXJ/CW 21, a massive flag display honoring our veterans.  Over 400 flags from countries all over the world will be on display Nov. 7, 8, and 9 at the Bossier Civic Center.  You can view the flags Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00, Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 and Monday from 10:00 to 3:00.

Tagged As: first, Veterans Day, parade, Griffin

Posted 3 weeks 1 day 11 hours ago by from Rex Allison, KTBS News Now
Posted In: News - First News

For this week's 50 Cities Back to School stop our Rick Rowe went back home.  Back to Bossier High School where he met and will introduce you to, David 'Big Daddy' Thrash.

Oh and by the way, it's never a good idea to step on The Bearcat!

Posted 3 weeks 1 day 12 hours ago
Posted In: Homepage, News - Local, News - First News

      Maggie Lee Henson would have turned 13 years old today had she survived a church bus accident over the summer.  To make sure her spirit isn't forgotten, the Shreveport girl's family is holding an event called Maggie Lee for Good.  Today the Hensons are asking you to take a moment to honor Maggie Lee by doing a good deed.  The family initially set a goal of getting 1,300 people to participate.  But, within 24 hours of posting it on facebook, 1,500 had signed up.  As of this morning that number was more than 17,000.  Throughout the day First Baptist Church School students will remember their classmate and friend by doing acts of service of kindness.  Then, tonight from 5:00 to 7:00 a Maggie Lee for Good celebration will be held in the First Baptist Church parlor.  Maggie Lee's mom Jinny Henson stopped by to tell us about the event.

Tagged As: Maggie Lee Henson, Maggie Lee for Good, First Baptist Shreveport