Will the City budget cut stand? Bossier City Council finance committee to hold public budget meeting today
Plus — Bossier City Police report a half-dozen new theft cases, worthless checks, and bank fraud.
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
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Will the City budget cut stand? Bossier City Council finance committee to hold public budget meeting today
A public meeting of the Bossier City Council Finance Committee will be held today at 11 am in Council chambers at City Hall.
The Finance Committee was one of three established by the newly seated City Council in July. Council President Chris Smith explained the new structure at the meeting, saying, “It’s going to be establishing three permanent subcommittees of the major city council, a budget and finance committee, an infrastructure committee, and a community needs committee. The council president, every year, will appoint members to each committee along with the committee chair. Those committees will be responsible for helping steer the ship as you will.”
The Finance Committee’s purpose was guided by an ordinance: To review matters related to the financial affairs of the City, including but not limited to annual budgets, audits, financial policies, revenue sources, expenditures, debt obligations, contracts, and related financial matters.
The Finance Committee’s agenda issued Monday for today’s meeting only noted that there would be a discussion of the 2026 Operating and Capital Budget. No other details were revealed.
In response to a query by BossierNow, Committee Chair Joel Girourard provided additional context.
“The discussion will primarily recap previously suggested amendments while allowing for any additional ideas that could help finalize the city’s budget,” Girourard said. “Our action items will include determining the committee’s formal recommendation to the full City Council for consideration at the next meeting.”
One proposed major change to the budget was Council President Chris Smith’s request for the Chandler administration to consult with City department heads in submitting budget cuts of 2% to 3%. The total savings are an effort to avert a property tax roll forward.
The Finance Committee is “looking forward to an open, transparent discussion as we continue working toward a clear and responsible budget process,” Girourard added.
Owner of local bail bond company arrested on human trafficking charges
Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office Detectives have arrested Victor Llanito, owner of SBC Bail Bonds, on multiple human trafficking charges.
Llanito was taken into custody and charged with four counts of Human Trafficking following an ongoing investigation. He was booked into the Bossier Maximum-Security Facility, where his bond was set at $400,000.
“The Bossier Sheriff’s Office takes all allegations of human trafficking extremely seriously,” Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington said. “We are committed to protecting victims and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.”
Detectives said this remains an active investigation.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Detectives at (318) 965-3418.
Film Prize screenings begin Thursday at BPCC
For the second consecutive year, Bossier Parish Community College will serve as a screening site for the Louisiana Film Prize, part of the 2025 Prize Fest celebration.
Prize Fest 2025 is a five-day festival spotlighting the creative energy of the region, celebrating food, comedy, film, and music. The festival runs October 15-19. The Louisiana Film Prize kicks off on Thursday, October 16, with Film Prize University and the Red Carpet event. Films begin screening on Friday, October 17, and will feature 20 original short films, each produced and filmed in Louisiana, competing for the world’s largest cash prize awarded to a short film — up to $50,000.
As part of the festival’s programming, BPCC will host screenings inside the Stephen W. Slaughter Theatre in Building C on its Bossier City campus, located at 6220 East Texas Street. The partnership expands access to the festival for students and community members in Bossier Parish and provides another venue for moviegoers to experience the unique atmosphere of the Film Prize.
“The Film Prize is all about celebrating creativity and community, and we’re thrilled to partner with BPCC again to bring this experience to even more people across our region,” said Gregory Kallenberg, founder of the Prize Foundation. “BPCC’s support helps us showcase the incredible talent of filmmakers while making the festival more accessible to students, families, and audiences who might be experiencing Prize Fest for the first time.”
BPCC Chancellor Dr. Rick Bateman, Jr. said continuing the partnership is a reflection of the college’s mission to serve as a hub for cultural enrichment in Northwest Louisiana.
“Bossier Parish Community College is proud to once again be part of Prize Fest,” Bateman said. “Hosting Film Prize screenings on our campus allows us to connect students and our community to the thriving creative economy in our state. It’s a tremendous opportunity for our students to see what’s possible when passion, talent, and innovation come together.”
The Louisiana Film Prize has become one of the most innovative film competitions in the country. Unlike traditional festivals, winners are chosen not only by a panel of industry judges but also by audience members, who cast their votes after viewing all competing films. This approach has made the festival a one-of-a-kind experience for both filmmakers and moviegoers.
Audiences attending screenings at BPCC and downtown Shreveport venues will have the opportunity to directly influence the outcome by voting for their preferred filmmaker to win the coveted top prize. The festival also provides networking and educational opportunities for students and aspiring filmmakers interested in careers in the arts, film, and media.
Screenings of 20 original short films begin Friday, October 17, in the Stephen W. Slaughter Theatre (Building C, Bossier Campus).
Visit https://prizefest.com/ for the complete schedule of Prize Fest 2025 events, to purchase passes and see a list of all screening locations.
Bossier City Police report a half-dozen new theft cases, worthless checks, and bank fraud
Hour by hour. Day and night. This is BossierNow’s reporting of Bossier City Police Department incidents and arrests. This report covers the actions that occurred from October 7-9, 2025.
All persons named or shown are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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10/07/2025 00:57:00 Citation 500 block Colquit St Bossier City — Failure to Dim High Beam When On-Coming Traffic Closer Than 500’. White or Caucasian, Female, Age 38.
10/07/2025 00:57:00 Incident 500 block Colquit St Bossier City, La — Possession Schedule IV (Cleared by Arrest/Adult).
10/07/2025 01:46:00 Arrest 500 block Colquit St Bossier City, La — Possession Schedule II (Felony), Possession Schedule IV (Misdemeanor), Possession Schedule V, Penalties (Misdemeanor), Prohibited Acts - Drug Paraphernalia (Misdemeanor), Contraband Defined, Taking to and from Penal Institutions (Felony), and Fail to Dim High Beam When On-Coming Traffic Closer Than 500’ (Misdemeanor). Amanda Catherine Davidson, White or Caucasian, Female, Age 38.
10/07/2025 04:20:00 Arrest 100 block Rochell Lane Grand Cane, La — Fugitive Arrest/SPD (Misdemeanor). Black or African American, Male, Age 38.
10/07/2025 04:38:00 Arrest 1200 block Elsa Jane St Bossier City, La — D/P - Drunkenness (Misdemeanor). White or Caucasian, Female, Age 25.
10/07/2025 08:11:00 Incident 2300 block Walnut St Bossier City, La — Telephone Communications; Improper Language; Harassment (Active).
10/07/2025 09:36:00 Incident 4800 block Shed Rd Bossier City, La — Theft from Building (Active).
10/07/2025 11:21:00 Incident 8000 block E Texas St Bossier City, La — Theft (Active).
10/07/2025 11:32:00 Incident 3200 block Jana Pl Bossier City, La — Forgery (Active).
10/07/2025 12:47:00 Incident 2000 block Airline Dr Bossier City, La — Theft - Shoplifting (Cleared by Arrest/Adult).
10/07/2025 13:08:00 Arrest 1900 block E Texas St Bossier City, La — Fugitive Arrest - Probation and Parole (Misdemeanor). Black or African American, Male, Age 43.
10/08/2025 00:06:00 Arrest 100 block Benton Spur Rd Bossier City, La — Fugitive Arrest/BPSO (Misdemeanor). Black or African American, Male, Age 27.
10/08/2025 00:08:00 Citation 1600 block Barksdale Blvd Bossier City — Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection Sticker and Owner to Secure Registration. Asian or Pacific Islander, Male, Age 44.
10/08/2025 00:42:00 Arrest 1300 block Hamilton Cir Bossier City — Fugitive Arrest - CPSO (Misdemeanor). Black or African American, Male, Age 41.
10/08/2025 01:01:00 Citation 1999 Old Minden Rd/Preston Blvd Bossier City — No Driver’s License, Limitations on Backing, and Traffic Control Signals. Black or African American, Male, Age 26.
10/08/2025 01:10:00 Arrest 200 block E Texas St/Traffic St Bossier City, La — Issuing Worthless Checks (Felony). Bernice H. Davis, Black or African American, Female, Age 69.
10/08/2025 02:13:00 Arrest 1900 block Old Minden Rd/Preston Blvd Bossier City — Possession Schedule I (Misdemeanor), Obstruction of Justice (Felony), Fugitive Arrest/SPD (Felony), No Driver’s License (Misdemeanor), Limitations on Backing (Misdemeanor), and Traffic Control Signals (Misdemeanor).Jamarea Lashun Applewhite, Black or African American, Male, Age 26.
10/08/2025 03:30:00 Incident 1100 block Margaret St Bossier City, La — D/P - Drunkenness (Cleared by Arrest/Adult).
10/08/2025 04:08:00 Arrest 1100 block Margaret St Bossier City — D/P - Drunkenness (Misdemeanor). Black or African American, Male, Age 32.
10/08/2025 08:40:00 Incident 2600 block Beene Blvd Bossier City, La — Resisting an Officer (Cleared by Arrest/Adult).
10/08/2025 09:16:00 Arrest 2600 block Beene Blvd Bossier City, La — Resisting an Officer (Misdemeanor) and Public Urination/Defecation (Misdemeanor). Asian or Pacific Islander, Male, Age 59.
10/08/2025 10:53:00 Incident 2800 block Airline Dr Bossier City, La — Theft - Shoplifting (Active).
10/09/2025 00:12:00 Arrest 1100 block Forum Dr Shreveport, La — Failure to Appear - Driving Under Suspension (Misdemeanor). Black or African American, Male, Age 29.
10/09/2025 00:23:00 Arrest 1100 block Forum Dr Shreveport, La — Bank Fraud (Felony). Lewellyn Hines, Black or African American, Male, Age 80.
10/09/2025 00:38:00 Incident 1300 block Carver St Bossier City, La — Battery of Dating Partner Child Endangerment - Aggravated (Active).
10/09/2025 01:27:00 Arrest 2900 block Old Plain Dealing Rd Plain Dealing, La — Accessory After the Fact (Felony). Genishia Lashay Shaw, Black or African American, Female, Age 18.
10/09/2025 02:14:00 Incident 600 block Benton Rd Bossier City, La — Resisting an Officer (Information Only).
10/09/2025 03:28:00 Incident 600 block Hamilton Rd Bossier City, La — Domestic Abuse Battery - Simple (Exceptionally Cleared).
10/09/2025 03:46:00 Incident 1000 block Gould Dr Bossier City, La — Theft (Active).
10/09/2025 05:01:00 Arrest 5000 block Pecan Acres Lake Charles, La — Failure to Appear/Following Too Close (Misdemeanor). White or Caucasian, Female, Age 36.
10/09/2025 05:01:00 Incident 1300 block Carver St Bossier City, La — Resisting an Officer (Cleared by Arrest/Adult).
10/09/2025 05:03:00 Arrest 1300 block Carver St Bossier City, La — Resisting an Officer (Misdemeanor). Black or African American, Male, Age 23.
10/09/2025 07:58:00 Incident 2700 block Shed Rd Bossier City, La — Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Active).
10/09/2025 10:38:00 Incident 100 block Westerfield St Bossier City, La — Access Device Fraud (Active).
10/09/2025 11:34:00 Incident 4900 block Barksdale Blvd Bossier City, La — Theft (Active).
10/09/2025 11:42:00 Incident 400 block John Wesley Blvd Bossier City, La — Identity Theft (Active).
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