Look back at some of the biggest stories from the Shreveport and Bossier communities in 2022
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We experienced a lot of highs and lows together here in Shreveport and Bossier City this year. Take a look back at all of the highs like new films, restaurants and wins for the community along with the lows like tornadoes, controversies and drama.
New 'Scream' Documentary Details Shreveport Ties
We kicked off the year with a spooky start with news of a new documentary from Discovery+ that detailed the inspiration for the 1996 iconic slasher film "Scream."
It may come as a surprise that the infamous Gainsville Ripper actually got his start in Shreveport before going on to commit the gruesome crimes that would later inspire screenwriter Kevin Williamson.
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Played Iconic Album at The Strand
For the 25-year anniversary of the iconic record "Trouble Is..." The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band made a return to the theatre that started it all for a sold-out show playing the album in its entirety.
Shepherd is a Shreveport native who taught himself guitar at seven before becoming a household name at the age of 16 when he released his debut album "Ledbetter Heights."
The Bakowski Bridge of Lights Makes its Debut
The new LED bridge in downtown Shreveport made its debut with a community-wide party that included a mass wedding, but that's not the only thing we got from it this year.
From learning about a daughter getting married under the bridge 29 years after her mother, to Shreveport students gaining coding skills from a Broadway lighting designer for the LED bridge, to enjoying "GLO Fests" on the bridge the entire year long, here's everything about the Bakowski Bridge of Lights.
A Sit Down with MercyMe and Skillet Ahead of Brookshire Concerts
The Contemporary Christian band MercyMe made their way to the Brookshire Grocery Arean for their "inhale (exhale)" tour and talked with The Times about creating during COVID and taking a deep breath.
Skillet is known around the world as a Contemporary Christian Rock band and was the headlining act at this year's Winter Jam. Lead singer John Cooper talked with The Times about the iconic annual concert festival and defending God in rock 'n' roll.
Two Beloved Downtown Shreveport Restaurants Close Their Doors
In mid-March downtown fixture Parish Taceaux shut its doors next to ArtSpace with no news at that time what restaurant would be taking its place.
Just a couple months later in May, the Retro Downtown Cafe on Marshall St. had a note posted on the door stating that the go-to lunch spot would be closing and to follow the Facebook page for information on future "pop up locations."
Sci-Port Receives Out of this World Donation from NASA
Sci-Port Discover Center received a generous $25,000 grant from NASA to create an aeronautics education program for students in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. The funding will support a partnership with Sci-Port, the schools, Shreve Memorial Library and Southern University of Shreveport.
More:Take a look back at the people in Shreveport arts and entertainment we got to know in 2022
Shreveport Couple May Never Bring Home Ukrainian Kids Due to War
Three years ago, Angie and Steve Kelly made the decision to adopt three teenagers from Ukraine and now must face possibly never being able to bring them home with war breaking out.
Tornados Tear Through Caddo and Bossier
Caddo and Bossier Parishes took several hits from severe weather this year and the first came from tornadoes that tore through two separate mobile home parks in Bossier City.
In December, Caddo took a hit from an EF 2 tornado that left a Louisiana family without a home and several others missing, injured and dead right before Christmas.
Social Media Trends Cause a Rise in Eating Disorders
As the summer months began to round the corner, we took a closer look at how social media trends have affected the kids and teens of today and their body issues.
We talked with registered nutritionist and dietician Daphne Olivier and licensed marriage and family therapist Andy Sibly about the dangers social media can have on our youth and their eating habits.
Local TikTok Star Releases First Cookbook
In December of 2021, we got to know how Stonewall resident Britt Kham came to accidentally amass over 1.2 million followers posting cooking content on TikTok.
Earlier this year, the girl with the thick Louisiana accent and fun catchphrases who teaches the recipes she grew up with released her first cookbook after her followers begged her for one.
Before Duck Dynasty: The Phil Robertson Story
Fans of the hit reality tv show "Duck Dynasty" got excited earlier this year when news broke that a new film following the story of the head of the Robertson clan would be filming in Shreveport.
In October, a release date for the film was finally announced and more information about the film itself was released as well.
The Robinson Film Center Continues its Focus on Education and Local Filmmaking
The Robinson Film Center is known for showing indie and local films for the community to enjoy, but they also work hard to get the local youth involved in the fun of filmmaking.
Through RFC's many programs, students can learn the different aspects of filmmaking like writing their own stories, analyzing Shakespear on-screen, learning how to operate cameras, editing and more.
In addition to teaching the next generation, RFC puts a spotlight on local filmmakers and frequently shows exclusive screenings of films made here.
A Look Back at the Wins, Trials and Losses in the Shreveport LGBTQ+ Community
This year we saw many triumphs for the LGBTQ+ community with the official announcement that June would be Pride month from the City Council to start.
We talked with the founders of ShrevePride to let the community in on what this important organization is and what they are doing for Shreveport and how to get involved.
In December, another huge milestone was met with the Respect for Marriage Act passing in the Senate with a 61-36 vote and a Shreveport PACE Vice President spoke out on the new bill.
Earlier this year nonbinary elementary music teacher Blaine Banghart came under fire at a Caddo Parish School Board meeting in March after a group of people took issue with Banghart's clothing and TikTok videos. Banghart found themself at the center of controversy again after they posted on Facebook that had many parents and others concerned. PACE Vice President Katie Bickham then spoke out against the "harassment and bullying" of Banghart.
Domestic Violence Issues in Louisiana
This year we all watched actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard take the stand telling their stories of domestic violence in a highly publicized way.
We talked with a local therapist about how male victims of domestic violence are often not taken as seriously and what we can do to change that narrative. Additionally, we talked with Chief of Domestic Violence at the Caddo Parish District Attorney's Office about all of the steps someone goes through when filing a domestic violence charge in Louisiana.
Chimp Haven Receives Federal Complaint and a Special Visitor this Year
Chimp Haven is a well-known chimpanzee sanctuary that takes in chimps who have nowhere else to go and have come from all walks of chimp life and gives them a safe and enriched environment to live.
Earlier this year they came under fire after allegations surfaced regarding the safety and care of some of the chimps in the sanctuary.
Just a month later, Food Network star and best-selling author Tabitha Brown stopped by to get an up-close look at the chimps and learn about their stories and retirement.
Woman Receives 'Indecent Exposure' Citation for Shorts and a Crop Top
Summer in Louisiana is not for the faint of heart and a Winnfield woman tried to beat the heat at a festival by dressing in denim shorts and a crop top only to get an indecent exposure citation.
Casey LaCaze-Lachney posted a now-viral TikTok telling her story and showing the outfit in question while stating that she simply wanted the citation dropped. LaCaze-Lachney then met with the police chief to talk about the citation and to try and get an apology for the incident.
Roe v. Wade is Overturned
In June the Supreme Court made the decision to officially overturn Roe v. Wade and it instantly shifted the decision of reproductive rights to the states after almost five decades of protection.
The Shreveport community reacted in various ways from a peaceful protest downtown, to a local abortion clinic fighting to stay open, to LGBTQ+ organization PACE speaking out and offering support.
More:Take a look back at some amazing events that happened in Shreveport-Bossier in 2022
Did You Know George Carlin Got His Start in Shreveport?
Popular comedian George Carlin is known for his rebellious standup acts and as an actor who made his mark pushing the envelope.
A new HBO documentary chronicling the life and accomplishments of Carlin revealed some interesting bits of information about the comedian including his ties to Shreveport.
Batman Arrives in Shreveport
Graphic designer Chip Kidd is known for his work creating iconic book jackets for best-sellers like Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park" and for his love of Gotham vigilante Batman.
Discovering the most Googled Sexually Transmitted Disease in Louisiana
A new study by druggenius.com has identified the most commonly Googled STD/STI in Louisiana. They analyzed Google search data relating to sexually transmitted diseases and infections (STDs and STIs) over the past four years and combined this with a survey of more than 1,100 Americans.
Why Doesn't Louisiana Have a Tax-Free Weekend?
When it comes time to start back-to-school shopping one of the main perks is the tax-free weekend discount, except if you live in Louisiana.
Find out the reason why Louisiana lost its tax-free weekend in 2018 and if and when it could return.
William Joyce Announces New Show on Netflix
Shreveport native and well-known children's book author William Joyce has a new show on Netflix based on his 2016 book "Ollie's Odyssey."
The four-part adaption re-titled "Lost Ollie" is a hybrid of live-action and animation from series creator and executive producer Shannon Tindle ("Kubo and the Two Strings", "Coraline") and directed by Academy Award winner Peter Ramsey ("Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse").
20 Films Go Head-To-Head at Film Prize
Filmmakers across the world are invited to participate in Film Prize, but only ones shot in Caddo Parish will be eligible for the full $50,000 prize. A Mentor Judge panel and the Prize Fest audience will vote to choose the grand prize winner in October.
A national selection committee watched and reviewed all 147 submissions, and they selected these 20 films to compete this year. Learn all about those films here.
Saying Goodbye to a Safe Place for Shreveport's Artistic Outcasts
Minicine¿ opened in 1995 as a place for independent filmmakers to show their work and where cinephiles could come and see experimental films. However, over the years, owner David Nelson began allowing artists to open galleries, and musicians to play shows.
Soon Minicine¿ became a safe place for the outcasts in Shreveport and now it's time to say a sad goodbye.
Bossier Arts Council's Fight for the East Bank District and Plaza
On Tuesday, October 4 the Bossier Arts Council announced via a Facebook post that the Bossier City Council decided to cut funding from the East Bank District & Plaza
The BAC took the issue to the city council meeting that night and the council decided to move the issue to the Tuesday, October 18 session.
A Community Thrives: The Prize Foundation
A Community Thrives is the grantmaking and crowd-funding program from the USA Today Network and the Gannett Foundation.
One of the 2022 grant recipients was the Prize Foundation for their work in promoting economic growth, job training, increased tourism and more for Shreveport and Northwest Louisiana
Shreveport Farmer's Market Ranked Number One
The 2022 America's Farmers Market Celebration is an annual celebration of farmers markets coordinated by the Farmers Market Coalition and American Farmland Trust and they've named Shreveport's Farmers Market the best.
Since 2008, the America's Farmers Market Celebration has highlighted the important role farmers markets play in communities across the nation while celebrating the vendors, staff and volunteers that make the markets happen.
There's a New Performance Pavilion in downtown Shreveport
The newly constructed performance pavilion had its ribbon cutting at Caddo Common Park in Shreveport in November with an afternoon full of food, fun and live performances.
Back in 2012, this green space was several abandoned parking lots and now it has been transformed into a community space in the heart of downtown.
Hustler Hollywood Opens in Shreveport
After news broke of a Hustler Hollywood coming to Shreveport, the City of Shreveport filed a lawsuit to prevent it from opening.
Soon after the lawsuit was filed, a group of concerned citizens banded together to try and stop it from opening with a petition.
Despite the temporary closure for a reinspection, lawsuit and pushback from the community, Hustler Hollywood opened its doors in early December.
The Shreveport Little Theatre Celebrates 100 Years
For 100 years the Shreveport Little Theatre has been entertaining the community and educating its kids with quality productions and guidance from trained professionals.
Chef Tootie Morrison Says Goodbye to Abby Singer's and Hello to a New Venture
We ended the year on quite the high note with learning all about beloved Shreveport Chef Tootie's new restaurant after saying a tearful goodbye to her at Abby Singer's Bistro in late August.
Meredith G. White is the arts and culture reporter for the Shreveport Times. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at mgwhite@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Looking back at some of our biggest stories in Shreveport in 2022
