Council approves 2026 budget with debt reduction and no property tax hike
Plus — BCPD: 4th officer-involved shooting of the year.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
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Council approves 2026 budget with debt reduction and no property tax hike
In a Veterans Day meeting taking less than 10 minutes, the Bossier City Council approved all 28 city budgets for 2026.
The council also adopted a resolution redeeming certain Louisiana Local Government Environmental Facilities and Community Development Authority revenue bonds, saving the City some $905,000 annually.
That allowed the Council to pass the ‘26 budget without raising property taxes.
In other business, the council announced that the December 16th meeting will be the last to be held in the existing council chambers. Meetings will be held in the City Courtroom at the Municipal Complex during the council chambers renovation.
BCPD: 4th officer-involved shooting of the year
A police response to a suspicious person resulted in the fourth officer-involved shooting of the year, according to Bossier City Police.
It happened Monday, around 5:30 pm, when BCPD patrol officers responded to the 1700 block of Old Minden Road near the Heart O’Bossier Shopping Center.
BCPD says officers encountered a man, believed to be armed, who failed to respond to their commands.
Shots were fired, and the man was taken to Ochsner LSU Health with non-life-threatening injuries.
No officers were injured.
Detectives with the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations were called in to investigate the incident.
Anyone with information, including photos or video, is urged to share that information with LSP Detectives.
You may anonymously report information through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting lsp.org and clicking on Report Suspicious or Criminal Activity, or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.
BPCC Culinary Arts serves up first-ever fall holiday menu
Bossier Parish Community College’s Culinary Arts program has announced its first-ever Fall Holiday Menu 2025, offering the community a mouthwatering lineup of chef-prepared entrées, sides, and desserts, all made from scratch by BPCC’s talented culinary students and faculty.
Designed to take the stress out of holiday cooking, the menu offers a delicious, convenient way to bring gourmet-quality food to your family table or office celebration.
The Fall Holiday Menu features a variety of seasonal favorites available in various sizes, including one-third (6-8 servings), half (15-20 servings) and full (30-40 servings) pan sizes, perfect for family gatherings, office parties, and festive celebrations.
Orders will be packaged fresh and ready to heat and serve, making holiday entertaining easier than ever.
Menu items include:
Sliced Turkey with Gravy
Sliced Pit Ham
Cornbread Stuffing
Green Bean Casserole
Sweet Potato Bake
Squash Sauté
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Sweet Potato Pie
Apple Pie
Pecan Pie
Orders must be placed by Friday, November 14th, with pickup available on Wednesday, November 20, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, or Thursday, November 21, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Orders can be placed online at www.bpcc.edu/CulinaryFallMenu. Quantities are limited, so early ordering is encouraged.
“This new offering allows our students to showcase their culinary skills while providing the community with quality, chef-prepared meals for the holidays,” said Quentin Calhoun, Dean of Business and Information Technology. “It’s a great opportunity to support local talent and enjoy a stress-free holiday experience.”
Bossier Schools names 2026-27 Principals of the Year
They may lead at three distinctly different campuses, from the most northern part of the parish to central and south Bossier, yet there is a common denominator that prevails. Each of these top leaders is excelling in propelling their school forward and positioning their students for success, and it is not going unnoticed.
Bossier Schools Superintendent Jason Rowland and district administrators surprised Alyshia Coulson, Afiya Code and Jason Edwards with the news they will represent Bossier Parish as the 2026-27 Principals of the Year and advance to the next level of the Louisiana Principal of the Year competition.
Elementary Principal of the Year Alyshia Coulson
Bellaire Elementary Principal Alyshia Coulson was chosen as the Bossier Parish Elementary Principal of the Year. This is her 10th year serving as principal of the K-3 elementary school. Coulson also serves on the executive board of the Louisiana Association of Principals and is currently in the Louisiana Superintendents Academy cohort. Bellaire has seen tremendous gains in math proficiency and the percentage of students reaching benchmark on the K-3 Literacy Assessment.
Middle School Principal of the Year Afiya Code
Greenacres Middle School Principal Afiya Code will represent the district as its Bossier Parish Middle School Principal of the Year. The Mustangs have experienced consistent growth since Code took the reins two years ago as principal of Greenacres, where they are moving a higher percentage of students to proficiency in all content areas and continue to climb.
High School Principal of the Year Jason Edwards
Jason Edwards is the Bossier Parish High School Principal of the Year. Edwards is in his second year as principal of Plain Dealing High School, the only PreK-12th grade campus in Bossier Parish. Under Edwards’ leadership, the school has shown growth in the percentage of students reaching proficiency in all content areas and a higher graduation rate.
“We are incredibly proud of these outstanding leaders who embody the heart of our district and represent the best of Bossier Schools,” said Bossier Schools Superintendent Jason Rowland. “Day after day, their positivity, commitment and determination shine brightly, inspiring all those around them. We are cheering them on every step of the way as they take Bossier Parish to the state stage.”
The three school leaders will now compete against principals from districts throughout Louisiana. The statewide winner will be announced in July 2026 by the Louisiana Department of Education and will serve as Principal of the Year for the 2026-27 school year.
City sets bike ride, movie night
The City of Bossier City and Bikes Etc. are sponsoring a family bike ride followed by a family-friendly movie at Walker Place Park on Saturday, November 22.
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