By Bonnie Culverhouse

Driving with an obstructed license plate caused a Minden man to be pulled over by local police, leading to an arrest on more serious charges.

Tony S. Waltman, 30, of the 100 block of High Street, is charged with possession of Sch. II Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, in addition to the charge of improper display of a license plate.

Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said Officer Chris Cayer was patrolling the area of Clerk Street when he observed Waltman’s white Chevrolet S10 and initiated a traffic stop.

“Waltman’s demeanor seemed nervous to the officer, and when he asked for permission to search the vehicle, Waltman denied, saying the vehicle was not his,” Cropper said.

As Waltman stepped out of the vehicle for a pat-down, Cropper said Lt. Brandon Curry arrived on the scene with his K-9 Brahmms.

“Brahmms alerted on the vehicle, and the officers conducted the search,” Cropper said. “They located a tin containing suspected Methamphetamine, along with a glass pipe. There was also a box containing several pipes located on the passenger side of the vehicle.”

A field test reportedly confirmed the Methamphetamine. Waltman was arrested and transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

For the first time in a couple of years, Wiley Pevy Post 74 American Legion will host a celebration of freedom at Eagle Park by Turner’s Pond.

According to Jerry Madden, American Legion 4th Dist. Vice Commander, the event will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 3.

“This the day we will have the changing of the flags,” Madden said. “We will have someone to sing, and there will be someone there to play ‘Taps’ at the end.

“We’ve been watching the weather reports, and it should be a clear day,” he added.

If rain sneaks into the forecast, Madden said the event will be canceled.

“Everyone should bring a lawn chair,” he said.

Guest speaker will be attorney and former state Sen. Ryan Gatti of Bossier City. was a Republican member of the Louisiana Senate from 2016 until 2020 for District 36. Within 23 months of being sworn in, Gatti visited every school in his district delivering a Louisiana Flag to each school. Gatti held more than town hall meetings from Plain Dealing and Castor to Springhill and Haughton.

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Danny Charles Davis, 41, of the 300 block of Goode Ave., Minden, was pulled over by Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies for speeding. It was discovered WPSO had two active warrants on Davis, and he was arrested.

Louis J. Reno, 40, of the 1100 block of Shreveport Rd., Minden, was arrested by Minden Police for remaining after being forbidden.

Tony S. Waltman, 30, of the 100 block of High St., Minden, was arrested by MPD for possession of Sch. II Methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper display of license plate.

Terrance Maynard Rhodes, 41, of the 1300 block of Sheppard St., Minden, was arrested by MPD for an active bench warrant.

Chantacy Lauderdale, 22, of the 2200 block of Reynolds St., Springhill, was arrested by Cullen Police for aggravated battery.

Louis Carroll New Jr., 55, of the 200 block of Moss Point Rd., Miden, was arrested by WPSO for public intoxication and bad language.

Cameron C. Thomas, 33, of Doyline, was arrested by WPSO deputies as a fugitive from Minden Police.

Christina L. Rice, 41, of the 100 block of Pine St., Doyline, was arrested by WPSO for possession of Methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and lack of bicycle lamps.

Timothy Brice, 42, of Ruston, was arrested by MPD for driving while intoxicated, speeding and improper lane usage.

Charles Shehee, 47, of the 200 block of Claibrone, Sibley, was arrested for simple criminal damage to property.

Tony Mitchell, 25, of the 900 block of McCausland, ws arrested for flight, registration, running a stop sign, no insurance, improper lane usage and driving under suspension.

Talvin West, 28, of the 100 block of Squire St., Minden, was arrested by MPD on nine outstanding warrants.

Michael Reeves Jr., 20, of the 100 block of Colby Lane, Sibley, was arrested on two outstanding bench warrants.

Donnie Holloway Jr., 48, of Homer, was arrested on one outstanding bench warrant.

Richard A. Richmond, 40, of the 500 block of Sullivan St., Minden, was arrested on two outstanding bench warrants for driving under suspension and following too close.

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By Josh Beavers

Minden dominated All-Star competition over the weekend on the way to sending five teams to state tournaments later this month.

In addition to the Sweetees, Pony Tails, the 11 and under boys team, and the 7 and under boys team, the Minden Darlings also advanced to state play after three dominating performances in Ruston.

The Darlings defeated their opponents by a combined score of 45-4.

Key performers for the Darlings in game one (a 15-0 victory over Haughton) were Emmaline Harmon with two inside-the-park home runs, and Layla Holiford with another inside-the-park home run.

Following a 12-1 thumping of Ruston in game 2, the Darlings claimed the championship with another defeat of Haughton, this time 18-3. In the title game, Lola Huddleston and Emmaline Harmon each hit inside-the-park home runs.

The Darlings will now represent Dixie District 4 in the state tournament later in July. The Darlings are coached by Amber Huddleston, Chase Huddleston, Bobby Igo and Malori Holford.

Action kicks up again this weekend with several more Minden teams competing in local action. The Minden Recreation Center is hosting the 10U Triple A District tourney while Shreveport is hosting the AA Coach Pitch Tournament. The 12U O-Zone tourney will be held in Minden beginning July 8.

Eight teams will be in town for the 10U Triple A tournament. Minden will play in Game 2 against the Shreveport Nationals. The game is set for today at 6 p.m. on field 10.

In the AA Coach Pitch tourney, Minden will play at least four games. First up are a pair of games today. Minden will play Haughton at 5:30 p.m. on field 3. The second game will be an 8:30 contest against Ruston. That will be played also on field 3.

The second round of games comes tomorrow (July 2). Minden will take on Shreveport at 5:30 p.m. on field 4 and then turn around and play Benton at 8:30. That game is also on field 4.

Look for a recap of team action in Tuesday’s Journal update.

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By Josh Beavers

Shelby Leach has coached at both the high school and collegiate level, and now she brings that experience to Webster Parish after being named head coach of the Minden High Lady Tiders softball team.

“I am so grateful to Coach [Dean] Francis and Mrs. [Rebecca] Wilson for this opportunity,” Leach told the Journal in a one-on-one interview Wednesday. “I am looking forward to this year with the Lady Tiders, and I am so excited to work with my staff — Joy Thomas, Christina Chester, and Jimmy Ashby.”

Dean Francis, Minden High athletic director, said, “I am excited to have Coach Shelby Leach come in and lead the Lady Tiders softball team. She brings incredible passion and knowledge to the team.”

Minden Principal Rebecca Wilson echoed that statement.

“This is an absolute dream come true,” Wilson told the Journal during a scholarship signing on campus Wednesday morning. “We are so excited to welcome Coach Leach to the MHS Lady Tiders softball program. We are happy with the direction of our program and what’s coming for our students.”

Leach said her first step will be to jump in with the girls and see what they have to offer.

“Most of them are used to playing at a high level of competition because of school ball and travel ball,” she said. “I don’t think there will be much that needs to change… just adjusted and tweaked a bit. As a staff, we have sat down to talk about what is most important for this team. For our staff, it is just having these girls and their families buy into our team becoming a family. We talk every time we’re together about being a family. The girls are buying into everything we have put in front of them.”

Leach graduated from Weston High School where she was a five year letter winner in softball and a four-time all-district player. In her senior year, she was all-district Co-MVP. Following high school, she attended Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC) and then Southern Arkansas University (SAU).

After playing collegiately, she became a coach at BPCC. “It was a weird transition going from player to coach,” she remembered. “I learned so much in those two years at BPCC.”

After two years coaching at BPCC, she moved into an administerial role in the athletic department where she oversaw budgeting, eligibility, and academics.

She moved back into coaching four years ago, taking up the helm of the Loyola Lady Flyers softball team.

“When I first started, I had 6 players,” she said. “When I left for Christmas break that year, we weren’t sure if I would have enough kids to even play in the spring. We have built this program back up over the last four years. Last year, I had 15 players on the team.”

She said Loyola is known for three things: academics, soccer, and having Snoopy as its mascot.

“Softball is not one of those things,” she said with a laugh. “We went from winning one game my second year to being second in our district last year. We played really well some days and really bad other days, but overall Loyola was an amazing experience. I had to learn how to be the best coach I could be and really make things more understandable for girls who had never played ball before. I’ll forever be thankful for Loyola.”

At Minden, her goal is for the players to be successful on and off the field.

“From what I’ve been told, our girls have a team GPA around a 3.6,” she said. “That’s amazing. If we can be as successful on the field as we are in the classroom, then I have no doubt that we will make it deep into the playoffs every year. We have so much talent on the team right now and just as much coming in from Webster. I’m just excited to see what these kids can do when our staff is able to work with them.”

It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Loyola, she said, but she sees the potential in Minden and wants to take her love of coaching and make an impact on the players, school, and community.

“I love this game. I started playing ball when I was three and never stopped until I graduated college,” she said. “I just want to pour my love of the game into everyone that plays for me. I am so passionate about being the best player that an individual can be and outworking everyone around us. I will forever be thankful for Loyola for taking a chance on me. But now, I am excited to say Roll Tide…”

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By Josh Beavers

It was a morning of smiles all around at Minden High School on Wednesday as two Class of 2021 grads signed to play sports at the collegiate level.

Football standout Raymond (R.J.) Dillard and basketball star Shaniah Washington were joined by family and coaches as the Tiders signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers.

Dillard will play football for Southern Arkansas University in nearby Magnolia and Washington will lace up her sneakers in Kansas at Cowley College.

Minden principal Becky Wilson congratulated both players.

“Keep accomplishing your goals,” she told them. “We are so excited to see what your future holds, and we are so proud of you. Roll Tide!”

Dillard was a standout at running back and linebacker for the Crimson Tide. He thanked his family and coaches for pushing him to make it to the next level of athletic play.

“They pushed me,” he said. “They helped me achieve, and I have been working toward this for a long time.”

His mother, Latonya, was on hand for the signing.

“I’m very proud of my son and what he has accomplished. There are so many kids out doing whatever, but he kept his head on straight and focused.”

Spencer Heard, Minden’s head football coach, said R.J. is a great young man and an excellent role model for younger players.

Dillard will major in sports medicine at SAU.

The second signing of the morning saw Washington put her name on papers to play basketball for Cowley College, one of the winningest programs in junior college basketball.

She was joined by her mother and sisters for the signing.

“This is something she has always wanted to do,” said Ramona Washington, Shaniah’s mother. “I and her entire family are so proud that she is going to get an education and be able to continue playing basketball. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Jacob Brown, MHS girls basketball coach, noted her athleticism will allow her to thrive in the league.

“She can play multiple positions,” he said. “She had to play in the post on the (2018-19) state semifinal team, and her senior year she had to move to point guard and run the show. She is versatile and can score and then can create offense from the defensive end.”

Brown’s statement was echoed by Cowley coach Todd Clark.

“I like Shaniah’s versatility,” he said. “She can play a lot of positions and is athletic enough to guard a lot of positions. We look forward to working with her.”

Clark has won 393 games in 17 seasons at Cowley, which is a community college in Arkansas City, Kansas.

Washington will major in sports medicine.

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The R.W. Norton Art Gallery
4747 Creswell St. Shreveport
318-865-4201
http://www.rwnaf.org/
Free and open to all ages

This installment of Kevin Hits the Road will take us to Shreveport’s R. W. Norton Art Gallery. The gallery’s extensive gardens, children’s programs, and varied art collections make it an ideal destination for anyone in the area looking for a day trip in under an hour or so drive from Webster Parish.

The gallery’s art collection is incredibly eclectic, ranging from modern art to items from Ancient Rome and Egypt. The first thing a visitor sees upon walking in the door is a life size acrylic sculpture of the iconic Marilyn Monroe photograph of her holding her dress down over a grate. The next room holds Western themed sculptures and paintings by Remington, Russell and others. Then there is a Roman Army discharge set in bronze that is well over 1,000 years old. There are 16th century Belgian tapestries depicting Hannibal Crossing the Alps once owned by a French King, as well as collections of photography and WWI & WWII posters. There are over 400 paintings by 100 artists in the gallery’s collection. The gallery also houses an extensive collection of rare firearms. The variety is simply amazing.

The R.W. Norton Gallery is also quite family friendly. There are educational programs for children as well as professional development opportunities for teachers.

There is more to the Norton Gallery besides a world-class museum. The Gallery is set in 40 beautifully landscaped acres of gently rolling terrain with over 15,000 plants. The walking path takes visitors past streams, waterfalls, trees and a wide variety of flowers. The botanical gardens are a superb way to cap off a visit to the museum or could be worth a trip by itself.

The R.W. Norton Gallery is one of our state’s hidden gems. From art lovers of all ages to gardeners, the Norton offers something for everyone. It is worth a visit!

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Ninety-three-year-old former Governor Edwin W. Edwards joins Billy West Live and provides his thoughts on Donald Trump, the news media of today and social media’s impact on politics. Governor Edwards talks about his tenure as the only four-time elected Governor of the State of Louisiana, race relations and voter suppression issues that dominate the news.

Next week Governor Edwin Edwards joins Billy West Live and discusses teacher pay, the value of funding higher education and his relationship with former Governor Dave Treen as well as his thoughts on Governor Jon Bel Edwards. Governor Edwards also discusses his race against former KKK Grand Wizard David Duke.

Billy West Live Profile

Billy West has been a practicing attorney in Louisiana for 32 years with an active practice in all areas of civil and criminal law. Continue reading →

Gerald Palmer
April 13, 1954 – June 21, 2021
Visitation will be 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 2nd, 2021 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier City
Services:  11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at Rose-Neath Bossier Chapel.
Interment:   Will follow the services at Doyline Cemetery. 

Antoinette Vines Jones
November 3, 1946 – June 22, 2021
Service:   Friday, July 2, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at her home with Dr. Richie Bell, Jr. officiating

Malcom E Rainey, Jr
May 24, 1946 – June 24, 2021
Visitation: Friday July 2nd from 9:00 a.m. until service time.
Service:  11:00 a.m. Friday, July 2, 2021 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 705 S. Spruce Street, Vivian, LA.
Interment:   will follow in Salem Cemetery in Bloomburg, TX.

Ouida Francine Dawe
November 26, 1936 – May 19, 2021
Service: Monday, July 12, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Open Range Fellowship Church in Greenwood, Louisiana

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