Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program celebrated its inaugural year, and Executive Director David Smith said they did so with seven new companies that have already created 27 jobs in North Louisiana and received more than $10 million in additional capital from San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

Lt. Col. Oliver North, combatdecorated U.S. Marine, bestselling author and military correspondent, will be the guest of honor at a special fundraiser to benefit Caddo- Bossier Crime Stoppers at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 11 at Sam’s Town Casino and Hotel Ballroom.

“The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum is the culmination of a dream that began in the fall of 1974 when under the leadership of Beth Drew White, an organization was formed to preserve the history of Webster Parish,” museum director Schelley Brown Francis said.

This year’s featured chef is Gunter Killian. He is head chef with DiamondJacks Casino, the event’s major corporate sponsor for the past three years. Host emcee is Kate Archer Kent of Red River Radio, with Charisse Gibson of KSLA-TV Channel 12 presiding over a silent auction and entertainment.