Benton Police Department investigation leads to the arrest of man held on $1.2 million bond
Plus — Water boil advisory issued for customers on the Village Water System.
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Bossier City weather
Extreme Heat Warning in effect until 8 pm tonight.
Tuesday: Partly cloudy with a slight chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. 🔥 High: 102°F | 🌡️ Heat Index: 114°F | 🌧️ Rain Chance: 20% Winds: Light north, shifting east.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear skies. 🌙 Low: Mid 70s | 🌡️ Heat Index: 112°F early evening Winds: Light and variable.
Wednesday: Morning partly cloudy with slight chance of showers, turning mostly cloudy with afternoon thunderstorms. 🔥 High: 98°F | 🌡️ Heat Index: 110°F | 🌧️ Rain Chance: 50% Winds: Light north.
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Benton Police Department investigation leads to the arrest of Bossier Parish man held on $1.2 million bond
The Benton Police Department took the lead in an investigation resulting in the arrest of a Bossier Parish man on child sexual abuse charges.
On August 12, 2025, the Benton Police Department initiated an investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of a child involving Kenneth Wayne O’Briant.
Subsequently, O’Briant was arrested and booked into the Bossier Max on a charge of Molestation of a Juvenile. He was released after posting a $25,000 bond.
The investigation continued, with the Benton Police Department receiving assistance from the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office Forensics Unit. Based on the findings, BPD obtained warrants for additional charges. O’Briant was arrested again and charged with First Degree Rape and Child Grooming.
O’Briant is currently incarcerated at the Bossier Parish Maximum Security Facility under a $1.3 million bond. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are possible as officers from the Benton Police Department work to determine if other victims may be involved.
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the Benton Police Department at (318) 965-0579.
All persons named or shown are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Water boil advisory issued for customers on the Village Water System
The Bossier Parish Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 has issued a boil water advisory for a number of residents in Haughton who are served by the Village Water System.
Monday evening, crews made an emergency repair on the water line in the 700 block of Taylors Bend. The water service was temporarily shut off while the repairs we made, prompting officials to issue a precautionary boil advisory. The boil advisory will affect homes on Taylor Bend, Humphrey, and Humphrey Circle.
Boil water instructions:
Bring tap water to a full rolling boil for at least one minute.
Boil water even if it has been filtered.
Use boiled or bottled water for:
Drinking
Cooking
Brushing teeth
Preparing food
Water samples will be collected and sent to the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Public Health in Shreveport for testing. The advisory will remain in effect until test results confirm the water is safe to drink.
East 80 Branch Library to celebrate National Senior Citizens’ Day
The East 80 Branch Library will be honoring National Senior Citizens' Day, Thursday, August 21st, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
"Join us for a heartfelt celebration honoring our senior community members (ages 55 and above) with a day dedicated to health, connection, and well-being," the library staff said in a release.
Event highlights include:
Wellness and health activities
Giveaways and refreshments
Stress management and meditation session by Brahma Kumaris Shreveport (12:30 pm – 2:00 pm)
Valuable info from community organizations: part-time employment, welfare checks, fall prevention, transportation, and caregiver support
Special recognition for long-standing patrons and appreciation for the library's amazing volunteers
Senior Memory Wall: Share a cherished moment or milestone. Bring a memento or a written story to display and celebrate together.
Let’s come together to honor the wisdom, experiences, and vibrant spirit of our senior citizens. Spread the word and bring a friend.
Veteran deputy retires from the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office
A retirement ceremony was held in honor of Deputy Lex Webb to celebrate his retirement from the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Julian Whittington, along with family and friends, gathered to celebrate his retirement at the Bossier Parish Courthouse on Friday, August 15th.
Deputy Webb retires after serving 22 years with the Sheriff’s Office. He worked in Dispatch, the Dive Team, as a School Resource Officer and spent the last several years as Supervisor of the Young Marines Program.
Sheriff Whittington thanked Deputy Webb for his service and stated that it would be difficult to replace a deputy with his level of commitment and dedication to duty.
Alongside Deputy Webb was his grandson, Reed Horn, who received The Bossier Sheriff’s Office Life-saving Award for his swift action and bravery on July 11, 2025, when he saved a 3-year-old friend from drowning.
Bossier traffic notice: Lane closure I-20 at Hwy 157 in Haughton
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development says that beginning on Friday, August 22, 2025, at approximately 8:00 am, the I-20 eastbound off-ramp (left lane) to LA 157 northbound near Haughton will be closed.
This closure is scheduled to be in place until approximately 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 24, 2025, and affects only the left lane of LA 157 northbound.
The off-ramp itself will remain open, along with the right lane to LA 157 southbound. The LA 157 overpass over I-20 will also remain open.
This lane closure is necessary to allow for roadway pavement repairs related to the ongoing LA 3227/LA 157 Realignment Phase 2 project at the nearby intersection.
Bossier City events calendar
Live music in Bossier City and other notable events in the area for your free time consideration. If you would like to add an event to the Bossier City free time calendar, send the details to email@bossiernow.com.
August 22: The Marshall Tucker Band at Margaritaville Resort Casino
August 29: Sir Charles Farewell Show: Sir Charles Jones & Avail Hollywood at Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium
August 31: The 14th Annual Shreveport Blues & Southern Soul Pre-Labor Day Fest at Festival Plaza
September 5: Gene Watson at Margaritaville Resort Casino
September 12: Hudson Westbrook and the Texas Forever Fall Tour. Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.
September 12: Krewe of Justinian Coronation Party at Riverdome
September 13: Lainey Wilson at the Brookshire Grocery Arena
September 13: Beau Williams: Tribute to Sam Cooke at The Strand Theatre
September 14: Henry Cho at The Strand Theatre
September 19: Pat Green at The Stage at Silver Star Smokehouse
September 20: 90s Country Experience at Hurricane Alley LIVE
September 20: Biodiversity & Ecology 2 with Hulya O'Nel at Red River National Wildlife Refuge
September 27: Renest Fest 2025 at Live Casino & Hotel Louisiana
September 27: Hurricane Alley LIVE Presents: Just Like Pink – with Kate Watson
September 27: Fantasia & Anthony Hamilton at Brookshire Grocery Arena
September 27: Braxton Keith at Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium
October 3: Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters at Margaritaville
October 17: Zach Top and his Cold Beer and Country Music tour at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.
October 18: Wanda Sykes and her Please and Thank You tour at the Horseshoe Bossier City.
October 24: Styx at the Live Casino & Hotel. 8:00 pm. Tickets start at $59.99. Must be 21+
November 20: ZZ Top at Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
November 29: Little River Band, Live! Event Center
December 12: Jiaoying Summers at the Live! Casino and Hotel. Get ready for a night of fearless, dark, and laugh-out-loud comedy from a global sensation with over 1 billion views online! You’ve seen her viral “Uber Karen” sketch and hilarious English name roasts — now catch her live on her “What Specie Are You?” tour!
February 20: Rascal Flatts at the BGA.
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