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Given the choice, most of us want to stay in our homes. Sometimes, people need help to remain at home. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

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“Always Best Care feels like a family! We truly care for each of our clients and do everything possible to ensure the best care is provided. We have caregivers available 24/7 as well as a 24/7 phone line in case of emergencies.”

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“great company and does great things in Shreveport!”

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“I love working at Always Best Care! Everyone is so welcoming! I would recommend ABC to anyone who is in need of a great career choice or care for a loved one!!!”

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“Shifts are flexible and the office staff will answer your questions or get you answers. Both are a big plus for me.”

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“Always Best Care is a Awesome, Excellent Company to work for .Awesome office workers .Some Caring and Awesome Caregivers .I love working for this Company!!”

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“We love Always Best Care! They have helped a number of our friends and family with home health care. We couldn’t be more thankful to Keith, Kim, and their family, as well as the staff! Highly recommend this business to anyone living in or around Shreveport, Bossier, Minden, Natchitoches etc!”

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“Caregivers truly care about the clients they assist daily. Office staff and caregivers work hand in hand to provide Great care for your loved ones.”

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“I work with a wonderful group of people in the office. Everyone tries to help each other and is there for one another. This is a rare thing to find in an office with different personalities. The caregivers and clients care about each other which makes them a joy to interact with and the relationships they form are great for the clients (and caregivers). We just finished our caregiver appreciation days where we had food, games, prizes and fun. We have raffles and a caregiver of the month. The company has been planning events and other things to show how much everyone's hard work mean to us. The client's and their families wellbeing and happiness is important to us all. The clients and their families are appreciated and are given personal attention when needed and the co always has the client's best interests at heart.”

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“Wonderful In Home Care with certified caregivers. Guarantee the services”

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“This is a wonderful company to work for and service! Our caregivers are full of compassion.”

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“Best. Staff... And .caregivers available.... Who work around the clock for you. A service that is 24 hours... Can always reach them. ...”

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“Best. Staff... And .caregivers available.... Who work around the clock for you. A service that is 24 hours... Can always reach them. ...”

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“24/7 hour services..... and the best staff. n caregivers..”

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“I recommend this place for anyone that would like to get services here or even just working for them is great! Very professional”

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“I love working for Always Best Care. The staff is always friendly and very welcoming. I’d recommend this company to anyone who’s looking for a job or to someone to care for their loved one’s.”

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“Absolutely love working here. To work with other peopps that share the same interest in helping people like i do is a blessing.”

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“Top-notch care and facilities with friendly staff.”

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“Professional, safe, & reliable. If you are looking for the perfect caregiver-client relationship then this is who you need to call. A+++++”

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“ABC is the best! Their caregivers are very professional and caring. They are CPR certified and have training.”

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“Compassionate, kind and wonderful people to care for loved ones. From the moment they answer the phone you know they listen and truly care about who they serve!! Thank you wonderful folks!”

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“The,Best decision that I,made choosing Always Best Care Senior Staffing to take care of my Aunt.”

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“Always Best Care provider of exceptional care for your loved ones. Going above and beyond to assist with care and meeting family expectations.”

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“Excellent patient care ! management and staff were wonderful!”

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 In-Home Care Gibsland, LA

How does In-home Senior Care in Gibsland, LA work?

Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it's especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one ages, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

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 Senior Care Gibsland, LA

Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a unfamiliar assisted living community, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

Comfort
Comfort

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them? A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old. With the help of elderly care in Gibsland, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Healthy Living
Healthy Living

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors. Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

Independence
Independence

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like an assisted living community. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

Cost and Convenience
Cost and Convenience

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, can be less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care in Gibsland, LA gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

Empowers Seniors

Affordable Care Plans

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

Veteran's Benefits
Veteran's Benefits

Aid and Attendance benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.

Long-Term Care Insurance
Long-Term Care Insurance

Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.

Private Insurance
Private Insurance

Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.

Life Insurance
Life Insurance

Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.


Respite Care Gibsland, LA

During your Care Plan consultation with Always Best Care, your Care Coordinator will speak with you about in-home care costs and what options there may be to help meet your budget needs.

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Gibsland,LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

 Caregivers Gibsland, LA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

An assessment of your senior loved one

01

An in-depth discussion of the needs of your senior loved one to remain in their own home

02

Reviewing a detailed Care Plan that will meet your senior loved one's needs

03

Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

Latest News in Gibsland, LA

Legislative auditor: Gibsland poses as town, but is really a village

BIENVILLE PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – An investigative audit of the Town of Gibsland not only found irregularities and possible violations of state law, but it also found that Gibsland may not be a town at all.Released on Oct. 5 by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, the 45-page report claims Gibsland does not meet Louisiana’s requirements to be a town but instead falls into the village category. ...

BIENVILLE PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – An investigative audit of the Town of Gibsland not only found irregularities and possible violations of state law, but it also found that Gibsland may not be a town at all.

Released on Oct. 5 by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, the 45-page report claims Gibsland does not meet Louisiana’s requirements to be a town but instead falls into the village category.

In Louisiana, municipalities with a population of 5,000 or more are classified as cities; those with populations of between 1,000 to 5,000 are classified as towns, and those with 1,000 or less are classified as villages.

The issue is that in Louisiana, towns are governed by a mayor and five aldermen, while villages have only three.

The last time Gibsland had a population of more than 1,000 was 23 years ago in the 2,000 census. The population dwindled to 979 in the 2010 census and down to 772 in the 2020 census, meaning the government of Gibsland has been in violation of state law for at least 23 years.

In addition, the audit found that Gibsland may have violated state law because it could not provide records of a “properly-adopted budget” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.

Gibsland Mayor Ray Ivory and Alderman Julius Pearson also were cited for disregarding bid requirements and signing checks to pay unbudgeted and unauthorized salary incentives to elected officials and town employees, as well as issuing checks for three vehicles for the town without approval or bids, in violation of state law.

The audit also found a discrepancy in pay to the part-time Gibsland Clerk, who also worked full-time as the Acadia Town Clerk, with payroll records not showing actual hours worked after August 2019.

Finally, Gibsland’s last internal audit, an annual requirement in Louisiana, was submitted on June 30, 2020, but none has been submitted since, meaning Ivory may have violated state law.

In the one-page response to state Auditor Michael Waguespack, Ivory defended his actions, blaming the COVID-19 pandemic for the discrepancies, saying how officials and employees “worked tirelessly to divert the Pandemic and all risks beginning in January 2020.”

He said they worked within the community to ensure safety and to prepare the town with protection that included resources, information, and protective equipment.

Ivory added that Gibsland’s “aged Water System required around-the-clock monitoring” and that there was no “downtime,” presumably to spend time documenting state financial requirements, since the staff, Council “and myself” were obligated to maintain Giblsland’s infrastructure and services.

He also said that Gibsland followed other municipalities on what was provided to their essential workers, including the mayor and council, adding that “there was no clear guidance or understanding of guidelines. Note: Currently, there are still unclear guidelines on meanings.”

Although the letter did not include a plan to remedy the discrepancies found in the audit, Ivory concluded by saying, “We will continue to do what is necessary to protect our communities, infrastructure, and critical services as before. We will not deter from our responsibilities.

Gibsland Bank & Trust (LA) Offers Rewards Checking Statewide

Deal Summary: GBT Hometown Rewards Checking, 4.11% APY on qualifying balances up to $15k.Availability: All Louisiana residents.I first wrote about Gibsland Bank & Trust’s (GBT) then-new GBT Hometown Rewards Checking account about seven years ago. At that time, the rate was 4.11% APY on qualifying balances up to $15k, with only the residents of North Central Louisiana eli...

Deal Summary: GBT Hometown Rewards Checking, 4.11% APY on qualifying balances up to $15k.

Availability: All Louisiana residents.

I first wrote about Gibsland Bank & Trust’s (GBT) then-new GBT Hometown Rewards Checking account about seven years ago. At that time, the rate was 4.11% APY on qualifying balances up to $15k, with only the residents of North Central Louisiana eligible to open an account. While many reward checking accounts have experienced declining APYs and lowered balance caps in the past few years, GBT Hometown Rewards Checking has not only maintained its initial APY and balance cap since 2013, but has also expanded its availability to a statewide market area. Qualifying balances above $15k earn 0.51% APY, with non-qualifying balances earning 0.05% APY.

APYMINMAXINSTITUTIONPRODUCTDETAILS
1.75*%-$15kGibsland Bank & Trust CompanyGBT Hometown Reward Checking
OTHER TIERS: 0.10% $15k+

Rates as of September 27, 2023.

The statement cycle qualifications haven’t changed in seven years and include,

The GBT Hometown Rewards Checking account can be opened with a $100 minimum deposit. There is no minimum balance requirement to earn the stated APY, but there is a $9.99 monthly fee on balances of $499.99 and below. Unlimited nationwide ATM fees will be reimbursed up to an aggregate of $30 per statement cycle, if qualifications are met. Paper statements are not offered.

While the GBT Hometown Rewards Checking account has remained unchanged for the last seven years, the same can’t be said about the GBT Hometown REALSaver: it no longer exists. The REALSaver was a companion savings account linked to the Rewards Checking account and earned 1.51% APY on qualifying balances up to $25k. As stated on the Compare Our Accounts page,

Interest earned in GBT Hometown Rewards Checking is automatically transferred to GBT Savings account each statement cycle and does not compound.

Gibsland Bank & Trust's website does not list any rates for any accounts, other than the GBT Hometown Rewards Checking, and the GBT Savings account is the only savings account to be found on the website.

Availability

Headquartered in Gibsland, Louisiana (Bienville Parish), Gibsland Bank & Trust’s primary market area is northwest Louisiana, but all Louisiana residents are now eligible to open a Hometown Rewards Checking account.

Opening a GBT Hometown Rewards Checking account can be done online. The lobbies of the nine Louisiana branches (located in Arcadia, Athens, Bossier City, Gibsland, Homer, Minden, Shreveport (2), and Sibley) remained closed to walk-in traffic, but,

Branch staff and commercial bankers will be available by phone, email or by appointment. Please call your branch during regular business hours to schedule an appointment. All drive thrus will maintain regular hours of operation

Bank Overview

Gibsland Bank & Trust has an overall health grade of "B" at DepositAccounts.com, with a Texas Ratio of 28.86% (average) based on December 31, 2019 data. In the past year, GBT increased its total non-brokered deposits by $15.31 million, an excellent growth rate of 4.2%. Please refer to our financial overview of Gibsland Bank & Trust (FDIC Certificate # 16689) for more details.

Established in 1948 with $30k in capital, Gibsland Bank & Trust was originally known as the Gibsland Bank. Between 1997 and 2009, the GBT opened seven branches in seven northwestern Louisiana towns. GBT is currently the 30th largest bank in Louisiana, with assets in excess of $465 million and more than 17,000 customer accounts.

How the Rewards Checking Account Compares

When compared to the High Yield Rewards Checking Accounts tracked by DepositAccounts.com that are available to all Louisiana residents and have qualifying balances of at least $15k, Gibsland Bank & Trust’s Hometown Rewards Checking APY* currently ranks first.

The above rates are accurate as of 6/27/2020.

To look for the best Reward Checking Account rates, both nationwide and state specific, please refer to our High Yield Reward Checking Account Rates Table page.

*We continue to work to keep our rates up-to-date, but there have been just too many rate cuts for us to process all the changes quickly. For the time being, please be aware that the rates listed at DepositAccounts.com may not reflect the latest rates published by the banks and credit unions.

Train blockages, bridge closure leave Gibsland community cut off

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GIBSLAND, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Residents of one Gibsland community are frustrated with what they say are regular and lengthy blockages to the only remaining way in and out, thanks to a dispute over repairs to a bridge along the alternate route.

“Some of the concerns we have here in our hometown is that the railroad companies would come through Gibsland, where they are only supposed to stop on the main tracks for no more than ten minutes, however, it has been documented that they have been on the tracks anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes,” said Vanessa Leggett, who used to live in the Blue Goose community and still has family there.

Residents used the Sparta Street bridge, also known as the Blue Goose bridge, just a few miles down the road from the crossing as an alternate route until it was closed for repairs a few years ago. It has remained closed as a disagreement between the city and Kansas City Southern over who is responsible for fixing it drag on.

“The people that live in that neighborhood, since the bridge is in disrepair, if the train is across the track they can’t get in and out of this town.”

Tommie Curry says the train travels up and down the tracks daily, all too often when he’s trying to get home from work.

“We got to sit out there until like 2 o’clock or three in the morning and the train still there. I would just leave my car and walk home sometimes.”

While that is a major inconvenience, the even bigger concern is the potential life and death consequences of a poorly timed blockage. Leggett says it has happened before.

“When the ambulance got there they had to wait. By the time they were able to get over into Gibsland to get to the gentleman’s home he was deceased.”

“I think about all of our community, the people that live down there in Blue Goose and myself,” said Curry. “We all kinda sickly and if somebody gets sick, the ambulance can’t come down in there.”

Gibsland Mayor Ray Ivory, Sr. says they have been working with the Louisiana Department of Transportation to determine exactly what needs to be done to reopen the bridge, but he says the town is in no financial position to take ownership and repair it.

“Nobody is doing anything to do anything to fix that bridge,” said another frustrated resident, William Lathon, Jr. “And it makes it much easier for the people who live over there to get out and come over here and catch 80 and wherever they have to go. It would be much easier if that bridge was repaired.”

Mayor Ivory said he is working to set up a meeting with KCS next week and will update citizens with those details.

See a tiny house and a million jonquils at Jonquil Jubilee

GIBSLAND — Almost on a whim, Dawson and Wanda Anglin joined the tiny house movement when they traded their 2,700-square-foot house in town for one they built. The new house has only 500 square feet.They also gave away or sold all their possessions collected during 41 years of married life.Yes, without a lot of forethought, the Anglins joined the trendy tiny house movement you've probably read about."Simply put, it is a social movement where people are choosing to downsize the space they live in,...

GIBSLAND — Almost on a whim, Dawson and Wanda Anglin joined the tiny house movement when they traded their 2,700-square-foot house in town for one they built. The new house has only 500 square feet.

They also gave away or sold all their possessions collected during 41 years of married life.

Yes, without a lot of forethought, the Anglins joined the trendy tiny house movement you've probably read about.

"Simply put, it is a social movement where people are choosing to downsize the space they live in," said the website thetinylife.com. The typical tiny house is between 100 and 400 square feet, said the site.

Want to see one for yourself?

Well, visit the Anglins' contemporary, green and purple digs at Folly Ranch at The Pines.

It will be open to the public March 3 at the 20th Jonquil Jubilee, which will feature other gardens and a million jonquils all over Bienville Parish. The jubilee is headquartered in Gibsland, the "Jonquil Capital of Louisiana," so named by act of the Louisiana Legislature.

Other activities include garden tours, quilts and crafts to see, and a talk by Author Shelly Redmond called "Skinny Louisiana in the Kitchen."

The Anglins moved to Gibsland from Shreveport, where Dawson delivered mail downtown and in the Southfield area, in 1995 when he was named postmaster. Wanda, who is an artist, worked for Reliant Energy.

"We always thought we would go back to Shreveport, but we feel in love with the town and the community " said Wanda, who is 68.

She and Dawson, 67, talked during an interview on their screen porch, several feet from the large pond — the center, really, of the property and where Merganser ducks and blue heron gather and have families.

A house in the country had been a lifelong dream of Dawson's, so when he retired in 2014 and heard 42 acres near Gibsland might be available, he tracked down the owner and drove out to see it.

"When I topped the hill on the property, I said, 'Wow,'" Dawson recalled of his first visit to the 42 acres with a three-acre pond along Coffee Road. "It was such a majestic site."

But a mess.

Blackberry brambles filled the "island" in the middle of the property, where 5,000 bulbs were planted this fall.

After a big cleanup, the Anglins worked on the area where their tiny house now stands, thinking it would become a guest house.

But as the decision to turn the guest cottage into their home grew. Plans for the 1,900-square-foot house on the hill disappeared.

"We decided when we moved we would build something different. I was looking for calm," Wanda said, indicating that even the house on the hill would have been something different.

"Ultra modern" is how Dawson described what would have been.

As Dawson measured for the tiny house, he identified the living space and discovered it was almost exactly how much space they used in their house on town.

"I measured the space in town and it was three rooms that we lived in," he said.

Dawson drew the plans for the tiny house, and the couple did all the work they could, though professionals were in and out when necessary, Wanda said.

"We did everything we were capable of doing," she said.

And the cottage for guests turned out to be a friend's camper.

"A Shasta, the model Mallard. My dream is to own one," Wanda said.

A look at the their tiny house:

Dawson pointed out that the house has no ducts house and that walls and ceilings are insulated, warmed by a heat pump.

The Dawsons share the house with three dogs who have their own lime-green dog houses with round port hole-inspired openings. An array of fowl inhabit the pound, and wild animals visit the property.

When you go, also take note of the Yarn Bombing," afghan squares wrapping a tree when you enter the property. And yard art such as orbs that roll around under a pine tree and a giant spider at home under it.

Although the Anglins certainly planned to downsize, they did not specifically have a tiny house in mind.

"We had nothing to lose. We could still build the house on the hill," Wanda said.

But, after a pause, she added, "We would never go back. We are so happy with what we have."

What: Jonquil Jubilee

Where: Gibsland, the Jonquil Capital of Louisiana in Bienville Parish.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 3.

Breakfast: 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. with the Jonquil Jubilee Pancake Breakfast at Gibsland Lions Club building. Cost is $5.

Special event at noon: Speaker Shelly Redmond will discuss "Skinny Louisiana in the Kitchen" Gibsland City Hall.

Special note: A million jonquils are planted in Bienville Parish. The driving tour will take you to special gardens and other events.

Admission: $10 for a map for the jubilee.

For more information on the event: (318* 843-6228. Web site: [email protected].

Gibsland audit shows town still in poor financial state, but improving

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GIBSLAND, LA (KSLA) - After years of being in the red from serious financial problems, the latest state audit is showing improvements for the Bienville Parish Town of Gibsland.

But, the community of nearly 1,000 still has a long way to go.

"To see the deterioration of this town over a 30 year period, it broke my heart," said Mayor Terry Wilson.

Wilson has been in office a little more than a year now. Throughout his year as mayor, he admits he has to work on fixing problems from the previous administrations.

A previous audit showed the town owed $80,000 to the IRS in payroll and other taxes.

"In the mid 80's, the new water system was put in and we incurred a debt there with the USDA. That debt was not managed correctly moving forward, and here we are in 2016 still having a giant debt left with USDA," said Wilson.

About 30 percent of Gibsland's more than $700,000 debt is owed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and residents are feeling the impact.

"We are paying for our water and sewer we are paying some of the highest bills or receipts, if you will, than any other municipality in North Louisiana," explained Wilson.

The town is still in poor financial state according to the newest audit from the state, but it is better than it has been in previous years.

"They're able to be audited now, they've still got a lot of problems, you know, they're not out of the woods yet, but they're headed in the right direction," said Daryl Purpera, Louisiana Legislative Auditor.

With the town's money problems dating back more than 20 years, Wilson knows it isn't going to be an easy, one-or-two year fix.

The mayor says he hopes to decrease the water and sewer bills by the end of the year.

Copyright 2016 KSLA. All rights reserved.

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