By Bonnie Culverhouse

You win some, you lose some and sometimes you have to know when to cut your losses.

A three-hour meeting of the Minden Planning Commission Thursday ended in a divided vote on a split variance to allow Jim Huffman of Huffman Management LLC to keep Grace Estate on Broadway as a Bed & Breakfast but not an event center after purchase.

“I propose we split this variance where we would actually take two separate motions,” commissioner Morris Busby said. “The first motion, we would address the bed and breakfast, hear the motion and request from Huffman Management LLC.

“Then we can move to the part about an event center,” he continued.

In his request and in the variance, Huffman asked to use more than 20 percent of the house at 1114 Broadway for sleeping rooms.

Huffman said he intends to renovate the inside of the home, as well as the carriage house on the property.

“About 70 percent would be utilized,” he said. “It’s because of a conversion of bathrooms and the rooms that are currently there to be purposed as sleeping rooms.”

Inside the actual residence, there will be five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms. The carriage house will be renovated for two bedrooms and two bathrooms. There will also be a common room in the main house and a tea room that would serve small parties.

Members of the Minden Historical Residential District Association, as well as residents of the area around Grace Estate, expressed concerns about the outside of the residence, which must be compliant with the era.

The commission voted 3-2 to allow the zoning variance for Huffman to keep Grace Estate as a Bed & Breakfast. Morris Busby, Michael Davis and Sarah Haynes voted in favor, while Steve Wilson and Joeann McWoodson cast the two no votes.

But perhaps the most concern voiced was over the event center and past experiences that include large gatherings with loud music, fireworks and inebriated guests.

Huffman said he only intends to have small gatherings, with an occasional exception, and “no fireworks.”

“We will not be conducting any catering in the home itself,” he said. “All of that will come from outside sources.”

He also said the top number of persons at an event will be 100.

At the end of discussion, the commission voted 3-2 to disallow the variance for an event center. Haynes, Wilson and McWoodson voted against allowing the event center, while Busby and Davis voted in favor of it.

Huffman has 14 days to appeal the commission’s ruling with Minden City Council. It will require a 4-1 vote by the council to overturn the commission’s decision.

However, if Huffman does not win the appeal or doesn’t file one, he must wait an entire year before bringing it before the MPC again.

Immediately following the meeting, Huffman said he is unsure if he will file an appeal.

“My knee-jerk reaction is not to,” he said. “But I need a little bit of time to get to that place.”

“I feel good,” Leslie Rainer with the Historic Residential District Association said. “It’s so important to remember that the Historic Residential District is on the National Register and the neighborhood was overwhelmingly against an event center. It also impacted the neighborhood on Pennsylvania Avenue.”

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis may be the best place you hope you never go.

“With all the money we raised at Minden High School when I was principal, I had never gone there until recently,” said Morris Busby, whose grandson has spent the past several months at St. Jude. “It should’ve been a sad place, and yet it wasn’t. All those children running around everywhere … they didn’t care if they were sick. They were busy being kids.”

Busby’s grandson, Cole Benson is fighting a rare form of cancer – T Cell Lymphoma – that affects the T cells in his white blood.

“This one little T cell decided to start making infinite copies of itself,” said Cole’s mother, Ashleigh Benson. “We were very lucky that Cole’s just barely made it into the bone marrow when we found it.”

It’s very similar to leukemia.

“He’s doing pretty well,” she said of Cole. “The treatment plan he’s on is called Total Protocol. It’s like the longest cancer treatment plan.”

Cole just started phase four. It means low-dose chemotherapy for a while.

“That’s the last phase and the longest one,” she said. “The good news is, we have that Shreveport St. Jude affiliate clinic, so we don’t have to be in Memphis for all of it. We can be home and do a lot of it here. We will be making trips to Memphis every couple of months.”

Established in 1996, the Children’s Hospital of LSU Health Sciences Center at Shreveport is a primary and tertiary acute care facility dedicated to the health and well-being of children in the Ark-La-Tex area. 

“A lot of people don’t have that option,” Ashleigh said. “There are a lot of St. Jude families that have to be in Memphis a lot more than we are going to have to. I am very thankful for that.”

Cole, who turned 7 since he began this journey, is mostly staying positive, his mother said.

“He has his moments where he gets mad that cancer even exists. He says he hates cancer, and nobody should have cancer,” Ashleigh said. “He’s got his feelings about it, but he’s usually able to stay positive and find things to keep him happy.”

With the annual Minden St. Jude Auction kicking off this week, Cole hopes to participate, even though he has little or no immunity to germs.

“He’s still in a pretty intense part of chemo treatment, so we hope to do videos of him at the auction and maybe a Zoom interview,” said Ashleigh, who just tested positive for COvid. “Right now, he wants to do the race … that’s the plan.”

Cole wants to participate in the 5K race Saturday morning, even though he doesn’t have the stamina necessary to walk or run.

So, his granddad figured out a way to make that happen.

Keeping with this year’s auction theme: Greatest Show on Earth, Busby built a circus wagon for Cole to use during the race. He and two riding buddies will have rotating adults to pull the wagon.

“There wasn’t any plan; it just came in my mind,” Busby said. The wagon is four feet tall, four feet long and three feet wide. “Knowing he couldn’t walk that far, I was sitting one evening thinking about it. The next day I picked up 16 large dowel rods and sat around doodling with it, figuring out what I could do with it.”

Cole likes to help his granddad build things.

“I told him I’d let him sand some things,” Busby said. “So, he did some of the sanding.”

Cole is also trying to raise money for St. Jude because Ashleigh and his dad, Bruce Benson have helped him understand what donations mean to the hospital and care of other children.

“That was my dad’s idea, too,” Ashleigh said. “Also keeping with the theme of the auction, they are selling bags of peanuts with stickers on them about St. Jude and Cole’s diagnosis.”

One of the Busby’s friends, Logan McCorkhill, works at Texas Roadhouse in Bossier City, where there are always buckets of peanuts on the tables.  

“I had asked him about seeing if TRH could donate some peanuts,” Busby said. “He checked and at first didn’t think they would.  So Connie (Busby’s wife) and I bought four cases – 196 bags – to do this project.”

Last week, McCorkhill showed up with a surprise. 

“He brought us 10 cases of TRH peanuts – 720 bags – donated by the owner of the Bossier City TRH,” Busby said. “This is awesome!”

Some folks have messaged Busby on Facebook, asking for packages of peanuts.

“One day this week when the weather is better and warmer, we will take Cole’s brother and sister and go downtown and sell them,” Busby said. “We may sell them on the St. Jude play day (Saturday).”

Cole was concerned because not everyone knows he has cancer. He helped Busby place stickers on some of the bags.

“This will let people know I have cancer and how they can help by giving money so kids with cancer can get better,” Cole told his mother.

Cole is well aware of what St. Jude does and that his parents do not have to pay for treatment.

“He thinks that’s awesome,” Ashleigh said. “We’ve always supported St. Jude – it’s so big in Minden – but it’s very different this year. Cole’s really, really thankful.”

Ashleigh is a nurse and Bruce Benson works for PetroTech Solutions in Sibley. They have both missed work to be with Cole, but their employers have been understanding.

Ashleigh believes St. Jude is the best organization … “I don’t know what we would do without them,” she said. “It’s so wonderful not to have to worry about the financial burden, and instead we can focus on loving Cole and supporting him with no cancer bills hanging over our heads. I’m so, so, so grateful they exist and do what they do.”

The Minden St. Jude Auction kicks off Thursday, February 10 and runs through Sunday, February 13. Check out the auction’s website and Facebook pages for schedules and a list of auction and raffle items.

The four-day event is televised and online. It culminates Sunday evening with a drawing for the grand prize: a choice between a 2022 GMC Yukon and $50,000 cash (less tax withheld).

The auction began more than four decades ago, and Minden and the surrounding communities still boast the highest contributions of any other city in America per capita.

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Minden’s Mardi Gras/Fasching Parade was Saturday in downtown Minden. There were more than 40 entries in the parade. As of Monday afternoon, all winners had not yet been notified, but the Webster Parish Journal will list them when they are released. (Parade photos by Theresa Gardner, Pat Culverhouse and Bonnie Culverhouse.)

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By Theresa Gardner

A local non-profit organization wants to be a part of the “village,” in helping young pregnant women.

Amber Bradford, Executive Director of SEEDS (Safe, Empowered, Educated Decisions & Support) Women’s Center,  located, at 402 Broadway Street in Minden, said the organization is a refuge for young pregnant women who might be scared,  unsure of their decision to have a child and need direction to the best path for them.

“When these young women walk through our yellow door, our staff embraces them in love and compassion to help them understand that they are not alone,” Bradford said. “I tell many of our clients have you heard the saying it takes a village to raise a child? Well, I explain that WE are the Village and we want to help them.”

Bradford explained that SEEDS Women’s Center, LA is a non-profit organization that offers healthcare in a safe and confidential setting at no cost to the patient. It provides free pregnancy testing, nurse consultation and ultrasound by a licensed and trained medical team. 

“We also offer free online parenting classes for pregnant moms and dads,” Bradford said. “We have a Mommy Money program that our parents can “shop” in our Baby Boutique to redeem their Mommy Money they earn by completing classes and other activities with their baby such as reading a book, showing proof of employment, attending school, practicing safe sleep initiatives with their baby and many more opportunities.”  

Some of the services SEEDS provides are:

• Complementary Consultations

Trained staff meet with the client to see what their goal in care is and how they can best be served.

• Pregnancy Tests

Medical grade pregnancy tests that are 99 percent accurate and free of charge.

• Ultrasounds

Limited obstetrical ultrasounds are offered to women to verify their stage of pregnancy. 

• Reproductive Health & Loss Counseling

Reproductive health and loss recovery provides women with help and hope from pregnancy loss due to miscarriage or abortion.

• Parent University Classes

Providing men and women with up-to-date educational skills and tangible resources about parenting and family. 

• Adoption Options Counseling

Sharing what modern options exist and the path to making the right decision for the client pertaining to adoption.

“I am so excited to be the Executive Director of this life changing center,” Bradford said. “ My hope and goals for SEEDS is to help it grow and thrive to serve more families in Webster, Bienvillle and Claiborne Parishes.”

Bradford said she is also working to build a volunteer support team to help better serve their clients.

“SEEDS is not only a medical clinic, she said,” but a haven for our clients. I have always been an advocate for children, and I am very passionate about being the voice of the unborn and to help make a difference in these women’s lives. We have multiple opportunities to volunteer at SEEDS Women’s Center. To help be the voice of the unborn please consider joining our village! “

For more information on services or to volunteer, call 318.639.0907 or a.bradford@nwlpcc.org for more or visit the website info@nwlpcc.org

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Thanks to Minden Lions Club’s own Lion Jared McIver for providing last Thursday’s club program. A recently retired sergeant with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Jared talked about the rigorous requirements to become an enforcement agent. He also entertained the Lions with some of his “greatest hits” — tales of working in the field and some of his notable cases.

Jared was introduced by Lion Dr. Richard Campbell.

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United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs for the week of February 7

Food: Chicken & dumplings, lunch meat, powdered milk, crackers

Household goods: queen sheets, towels, pots, pans and skillets

Clothing; men’s pants and jeans 32 and 34 waist, men’s tennis shoes size 10 and larger

Many thanks to the community for supporting UCAP.

UCAP is open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays for food, utility and rent assistance. Clothing is dispersed on Wednesdays only.

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New business concerning solid waste collection and disposal is on the agenda today for the Village of Dixie Inn.

The meeting will take place at 5 p.m. at Village Hall.

Other items include a quote summary for IT management and financial statements.

Reports from water/maintenance, aldermen and the mayor will also take place.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

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Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution hosted the annual DAR American History Essay Contest, open to students in grades 5 through 8. This year’s essay topic was “The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier “ to mark the 100th anniversary of the dedication of the tomb.  Students were asked the following: Imagine that you had a brother who lost his life on the battlefields of France during World War I. You and your family attended the November 11, 1921, dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. Describe what this meant to you and your family. Why is it important to remember those who gave their lives to serve our nation? 

Our winners were: Bryan Buck (5^th grade), Bennett Speer (6^th grade), and Madison Grey (8^th grade), who attend Glenbrook. Our chapter Regent, Kathy Johnson, presented the winners with certificates at the January DAR meeting. They will also be presented with medals at Glenbrook’s end-of-the -year program. The winning essays have been sent to the state level competition.  Hostesses for the January meeting were Mary Beth Edwards, Mary Claire Kettler, and Jane Sistrunk.

Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution (1775-1783) is eligible to join DAR. For more information, please visit dar.org and our Facebook page: Daughters of the American Revolution – Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

A north Webster Parish man is in trouble with the law for opening fire on another man.

Simieon S. Locke, 21, of N. Roosevelt St., Springhill, was arrested Thursday by Springhill Police and charged with illegal use of weapons.

According to the report, Locke was driven by his girlfriend to the vicinity of Center Park Drive and 4th St. SE, where the vehicle stopped at the intersection.

Locke reportedly exited the vehicle and began firing a Glock .40 caliber pistol at a subject who survived the assault. Locke allegedly fired in excess of 10 bullets at the subject.

Residents confirmed Locke then entered the vehicle and, with his girlfriend still driving, sped away from the scene at a high rate of speed.

Camera footage from a local business showed audible sounds of gunfire, as well as the described vehicle leaving the scene.

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February 2

Alton Emmitt Bice, 46, of the 300 block of Reynolds St., Springhill, was arrested by Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office on an active warrant.

Andre Lavelle Poole, 54, of the 300 block of Lewis Loop, Cotton Valley, was arrested by Cotton Valley Police for trespassing and simple criminal damage to property.Paul A. Caldwell, 21, of Camelot Apartments, Springhill, was arrested by Probation & Parole on an active warrant and probation violation.

February 3

Paula Denise Berry, 49, of the 200 block of Garrett Dr., Dubberly, was arrested by WPSO for theft and issuing worthless checks.

Kenneth Britt Hood, 56, of the 1300 block of Rose Bud Loop, Springhill, was arrested by WPSO for issuing worthless checks.

Rodger Wright, 57, of Turtle Dove Drive, Monroe, was arrested by Cullen Police on warrants for sexual battery and as a fugitive from Webster Parish.

February 4

Matthew Wayne Decalongne, 41, of Curry Street, Springhill, was arrested by Springhill Police a  a fugitive from Cameron Parish, where he is wanted for possession of Methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

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Thomas Jerald Barnett Sr.

September 28, 1942 – February 6, 2022

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, February 11, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport

Graveside service: 10 a.m. Saturday, February 12 at Evergreen Cemetery, 8101 Dorcheat Rd., Minden

 

Michael Patton

January 20, 1950 – February 5, 2022

Visitation: noon until time of service Thursday, February 10, 2022 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church, 4700 Palmetto Rd., Benton

Memoria service: 1 p.m. Thursday, February 10, 2022 at St. Jude’s Catholic Church.

Inurnment: Rose-Neath cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Spur, Bossier City

 

Chad Shaw

March 19, 1977 – February 4, 2022

Visitation: 5 until 8 p.m. today (Tuesday, February 8, 2022) at First Baptist Church, Vivian

Funeral service: 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at First Baptist Church, Vivian

Burial: Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Mooringsport

 

John Boggs

May 27, 1964 – January 5, 2022

Graveside service: February 12 at Hill Crest Memorial Park, Haughton

 

Randall ‘Randy’ Lamar Carter

May 23, 1951 – January 20, 2022

Memorial Service: 2 p.m. March 19, 2022 at St. Mark United Methodist Church, El Dorado, Ark.

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By Theresa Gardner

Scams are on the rise, with seniors being one of the biggest targets. One local advocate says Webster Parish’s elderly are no exception.

“It happens every day,” Johnny Johnson, director of the Webster Parish Council on Aging said. “And unfortunately the scammers prey on our elderly.”

Johnson said that seniors are often targeted because they tend to be more trusting and polite.

“They also usually have savings, own their home and have good credit—all of which make them attractive to scammers,” he said. 

Johnson explained that older people may be less likely to report fraud because either they don’t know how, or they might be too ashamed at having been scammed.

“It can happen to anyone, and it does, “ he said. “The important thing is to know what to look out for.” 

Johnson said some of the ways to protect yourself are to:

• Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings and door-to-door services offers.

“Never give or send any personally identifiable information,” Johnson said. “This is how identities are stolen.” 

• Make sure all computer anti-virus and security software and malware protections are up to date. Use reputable anti-virus software and firewalls.
• Disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see a pop-up message or locked screen. Pop-ups are regularly used by perpetrators to spread malicious software. Enable pop-up blockers to avoid accidentally clicking on a pop-up.
• Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know, and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you.
• Take precautions to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or account. Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts, and monitor your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity.

Johnson said it is important to report suspected fraud as soon as it happens.

“We don’t want anyone to get scammed,” Johnson said, “especially our seniors.”

Johnson said anyone who feels they have been a victim of elder fraud, can call him at 318-371-3056. They can also contact the local FBI field office or submit a tip online. You can also file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Johnson said when reporting a scam — regardless of dollar amount — include as many of the following details as possible:

• Names of the scammer and/or company
• Dates of contact
• Methods of communication
• Phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses and websites used by the perpetrator
• Methods of payment
• Where you sent funds, including wire transfers and prepaid cards (provide financial institution names, account names and account numbers)
• Descriptions of your interactions with the scammer and the instructions you were given.

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As of Wednesday, there are 44 entries in the 24^th Annual Minden Mardis Gras Parade sponsored by the Minden Main Street Program.  

“We are still taking entries,” said Main Street Director Mahala Hutto. “Our max number is 60. Only those entries that register in advance will be permitted to parade.”

Entry forms may be found on the Main Street page of the mindenla.org website for online registration, requested by email at mainstreet@mindenusa.com, picked up at Minden City Hall or at the Webster Parish Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Office.  

The parade is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Saturday, February 5, with lineup at 3 p.m. at the Webster Parish Fairgrounds.  The parade route will cover a 3.3 mile route which begins at the intersection of Germantown Road and Elm Street and winds through the Minden Historic District, Downtown and back to Germantown Road.

• Serving as Grand Marshals will be Minden’s Man and Women of Year, Jake Chapman and Tokia Harrison
• Remix Band, a Jazz and Cajun Band, will perform from 2 until 5 p.m. downtown
• Face painters will be set up in the downtown area from 2 p.m. until the parade begins.
• A Block Party will take place on Pearl Street from 3 until 10 p.m. with a deejay.
• Food Trucks will be located in the Minden Civic Center Parking Lot.
• On Saturday, families are encouraged to tailgate along the parade route.  
• Judging for the parade entries will be in front of Minden City Hall at 520 Broadway in Historic Downtown Minden.  Categories are as follows: 

1) Most Spirited Group

2) Sweepstakes Winner (Best Overall) 

3) Best Small Float

4) Best Marching Group

5) Most Original (Creative) Entry.  

“Although there is no cash prize,” Hutto said. “Winners receive a trophy and bragging rights for the rest of the year.”

“Fasching” or the “Fifth Season” is the German equivalent of Mardi Gras which officially began on November 11 at 11:11 a.m.  The parade takes place during the Fasching Fifth Season, which ends on Shrove Tuesday. 

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By Theresa Gardner

The love of Reading has inspired a young Richardson Elementary student to create a “secret reading club.”

E.S. Richardson Elementary fifth grader Presley Wood approached her principal Michelle Finley about an idea she had for a reading club that would allow her and fellow students to join to read and discuss other books they had read.

“Presley loves to read and be with her friends, “ Lucia Wood, Presley’s mother said. “So she told me she wanted to start a reading club at school.”

Wood said her daughter, who is an honors student and recently named Richardson Student of the Year, told her she had heard of a club that was somewhat of a secret organization on campus where students could meet, discuss books they are reading and read together.  

“She really liked how “Harry Potter” style music would play over the intercom and the students would get up and walk out of class to a meeting area,” Wood said. “She decided to meet with her principal, Mrs. Finley, to share with her the idea for this new club.“ Wood went on to say that Finley told her to write up a description of the club and share it with her fifth-grade teachers. 

 “Mrs. Carita Elkins, our ELA teacher, loved the idea and will be our teacher sponsor for our club,” Presley said with a smile. “We wrote a Donorschoose grant for floor cushions to be used during the meeting time, and it is already halfway funded!” 

Presley said the reading club will be called the “Roadrunner Readers,” and will meet once every two weeks to discuss the books they are currently reading or books that they especially loved.

“Presley loves being involved,” Wood said. “Once she was finally able to participate in school activities, Covid occurred and there were no school activities for the students. Now things are starting to get a little more back to normal and she is excited about this.”

 Presley explained that she and Elkins were thinking that members of the reading club should be required to have a minimum of 30 AR points, 80 percent or more in Dojo and a recommendation by their ELA teacher.

“They can’t have any bad referrals either,” Presley said. “Being in the club will not only help with getting students to read but also with them making good choices when it comes to discipline, so they can participate.”

Presley and the other students are asking for help in purchasing the remainder of the portable seat cushions they will be using at their meetings.

Anyone wishing to help these students meet their goal of purchasing their cushions can call the school at 318-377-2213 or visit donorschoose.org.

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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has concluded a drawdown of Lake Bistineau in Webster, Bossier and Bienville parishes. Purpose of the yearly drawdown is an attempt to control giant salvinia.

Following a recent survey of the lake and an evaluation of other environmental conditions, it was determined the best course of action was to conclude the drawdown. Closing the gates at this time should allow the lake to be at full pool for traditional recreational activities in the spring.

The drawdown is a necessary component of LDWF’s integrated management plan to control aquatic vegetation growth and improve Lake Bistineau sport fishery.

An annual cycle of high and low water fluctuation can provide beneficial effects similar to a natural overflow lake system.

For more information regarding the drawdown, contact Jeff Sibley, LDWF Biologist Manager, at 318-371-5294.

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Nine years ago, one of the volunteers from LaMa Animal Rescue in North Webster Parish found a beagle with a broken leg. She was lying on the side of the Route 371 in Sarepta.

Fast forward to today – healthy, happy and spoiled! Unlike most LaMa rescues, this girl was adopted locally by a family who had been searching for a rescue beagle as a companion to their other rescue dog. For more information on LaMa and its many services, please see the Facebook page.  

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February 8, 15, 22

1 p.m. Break Up With Salt by the LSUAg Center, offered at the Webster Parish Library’s main branch. For more information, call 318-371-1371.

February 3

6 p.m. Valentine’s Day Slime at Webster Parish Main library. Ages 7-12. Call 318-3080 ext. 166 or sign up on the Webster Parish Library app.

February 4

1 p.m. Council Workshop, City of Minden, to discuss items to appear on council agenda. Pelican Room, Minden City Hall.

February 5

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Mardi Gras Brunch, Geaux Fresh, 801 Broadway.

1 p.m. Springhill Parade and Tailgate Party. Springhill Main Street.

5 p.m. Webster Parish Fasching Carnival and Parade. Downtown Minden.

February 10-13

Annual Minden St. Jude Auction at the Minden Civic Center.

February 11

7 until 9 a.m. at Minden Civic Center. $5 Pancake breakfast. All proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

February 18

9 a.m. until noon – Louisiana Workforce Commission-sponsored remote work virtual fair. Contact the Louisiana Workforce Commission to sign up or for more information.

Current until February 19

Minden Recreation Center. Baseball/softball registration. $45 per child.

February 24

5:30 p.m. Council Chambers at Minden City Hall. Retail businesses and restaurants: Find out how national TV coverage may impact your business. 

April 15-17

Spring Highway 80 sale between Minden and Dixie Inn.

• If you have a non-profit event: church, school or community, please email it to wpjnewsla@gmail.com.* Webster Parish Journal reserves the right to determine if a calendar item is a paid advertisement.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

A routine traffic stop by a Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputy netted a Minden man on multiple drug charges.

Brian Kelly Herndon, 36, of the 100 block of Posey Lane, is charged with improper lane usage, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of Marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and three counts of possession of Sch. IV with intent to distribute.

Sheriff Jason Parker said Deputy Aaron Barnes was traveling southbound on Hwy. 371 near Sibley when he observed Herndon’s vehicle cross the center line and fog lane several times.

“He conducted a traffic stop just north of a Sibley dollar store, and talked with Herndon, who admitted he was swerving,” Parker said. “He appeared nervous and would not look at the deputy, but Barnes could smell an overwhelming odor of Marijuana coming from the passenger compartment.”

Barnes reportedly asked Herndon if there were any weapons in the vehicle.

“Herndon told the deputy there were not,” said the sheriff. “Deputy Barnes had Herndon step out of the vehicle where he conducted a pat down for officer safety. When the deputy asked about the odor, Herndon admitted he had a couple of ounces.”

Deputy Barnes reportedly conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle and located a loaded handgun in the center console. With the aid of Deputy Jordan Greer and Lt. Chuck Clark, further search of the vehicle reportedly turned up approximately 4.92 ounces of suspected Methamphetamine in several baggies, 4.52 ounces of natural Marijuana, a plastic bag containing 3 Clonazepam pills and 1 Alprazolam pill, several glass pipes, small baggies and a set of scales.

“They also found more than 700 dollars in different denominations,” Parker said. “The handgun was a 1917 model with no serial number.”

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

The arrest of Tyler Thornton brings the number of alleged TTS gang members incarcerated to 19.

Minden Police officers Ofc. Reece Tewell, Sgt. Jeremy Sitter and Off. Lita Hopkins took Thornton into custody Sunday evening at a Hillside Lane, Minden address. The 19-year-old is charged with criminal street gangs and patterns of criminal street gangs.

Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said there are six warrants left to serve.

“We still have some warrants to be served,” Cropper said. “They will be charged, according to Title 15, with criminal street gangs and patterns of criminal street gang activity.”

Cropper said a FBI task force, Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, Probation and Parole, United States Marshal’s Service and Bienville Parish assisted in the initial arrests.

Cropper said for the past several months, detectives have been documenting and photographing everything about TTS (Train To Step) gang members.

(Editor’s note: In this case “Step” is slang for approaching someone with the intention of violence, either to fight or shoot.)

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Minden Police arrested a south Webster Parish man Saturday evening on drug and weapons charges.

Trenton Fausett Campbell, 18, of the 1700 block of Pilgrim Rest Rd., Doyline, is charged with illegal carrying of a weapon, possession of Sch. II with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said Ofc. Reece Tewell and Off. Lita Hopkins responded to the call at a restaurant on Homer Road.

“An individual claimed a guy pulled a gun on him,” Cropper said. “The man also said he could smell Marijuana coming from the suspect’s vehicle.”

Officers reportedly located the suspect’s vehicle at the intersection of E. Union and Sheppard Street.

“They got behind the vehicle and initiated blue lights,” said the chief. “The vehicle, driven by Campbell, pulled over at a local pawn shop. He identified himself as Trenton Fausett. Ofc. Tewell said he asked Campbell if he had any weapons in the vehicle, and he said yes. The officers said they could also smell Marijuana in the vehicle.”

The officer conducted a pat down of the suspect and asked if there was any Marijuana in the vehicle. The suspect reportedly said yes, in a backpack in the back seat.

Cropper said officers reportedly located a firearm in a holster under the driver’s seat, along with the backpack with a combination lock.

“When asked for the combination, Campbell provided it,” said the chief. “Inside the bag were there individual clear bags containing a green leafy substance, suspected to be Marijuana.”

Officers reportedly discovered a metal tray, scale, glass pipe, rolling papers and a device used to store Marijuana in the bottom, with a one-time use pipe and a plastic grinder.

Using the scale in the bag, it was reportedly determined the total approximate weight of the Marijuana was 30.58 grams.

“When officers asked him why he pulled a gun on the man, the suspect told them these men were ‘barking’ at this girlfriend, and it made him angry,” Cropper said. “He told them he exited his vehicle and put the pistol in his pocket, but he said he never pointed the pistol at the men.”

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January 28

James D. White, 62, of the 200 block of Shane Dr., Minden, was arrested by Minden Police for driving while intoxicated, second offense, careless operation of a motor vehicle, improper turning and open container.

Trent Michael Walraven, 19, of the 18,000 block of Lake Rd., Heflin, was arrested by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for illegal possession of Marijuana, possession of Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Jatavious R. Wortham, 33, of the 300 block of Orr St., Cullen, was arrested by Probation and Parole on a warrant by Springhill Police.

January 31

Terrance Lyons, 29, of the 1300 block of Sheppard St., Minden, was arrested by Minden Police as a fugitive from Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, resisting an officer and simple criminal damage to property.

Dangelo Lyons, 23, of the 1300 block of Sheppard St., Minden, was arrested by MPD for obstruction of justice.

February 1

Kelvin Dewayne Moore, 45, of the 200 block of Washington Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for disturbing the peace.

Johnny Key, 63, of the 400 block of E. Union St., Minden, was arrested by MPD for possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

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Charles Edward Ritter

November 29, 1946 – January 30, 2022

Visitation: 1 until 2 p.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022 at North Keithville Baptist Church

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022 at North Keithville Baptist Church

 

Marjorie Evers Boles

October 6, 1936 – February 1, 2022

Visitation 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, February 4, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 5158 Swan Lake Spur, Bossier City, La.

Funeral: 10 a.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 5158 Swan Lake Spur, Bossier City, La.

Burial: Rose-Neath Cemetery

 

Kristina ‘Kris’ Lynn Hershberger

October 24, 1963 – January 31, 2022

Visitation: 1 p.m. until time of service Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City

 

Carolyn Sue Mallard

March 9, 1035 – January 27, 2022

Funeral service: 1 p.m. Friday, February 4, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Drive, Bossier City La.

Burial: at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5581 Swan Lake Spur, Bossier City

 

John Boggs

May 27, 1964 – January 5, 2022

Graveside service: February 12 at Hill Crest Memorial Park, Haughton

 

Randall ‘Randy’ Lamar Carter

May 23, 1951 – January 20, 2022

Memorial Service: 2 p.m. March 19, 2022 at St. Mark United Methodist Church, El Dorado, Ark.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Kelly Wells, executive director of the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission and some of his co-workers came bearing gifts for Webster Police jurors Tuesday and to say ‘thanks’ for work the jury has done at Camp Minden.

“I’ve been doing this for about 20 years, and this is about the neatest story,” Wells said. “I want to present to y’all a sincere gratitude and thanks for you guys being a part of this at Camp Minden.”

April 21-24, 2022 is the target date for Camp Minden to host the McKenzie Archery Shooters Association Pro/Am Tour, and more than 2,000 archers and their families are expected to descend on Webster Parish, Bossier Parish and Minden.

Thanks to Webster and Bossier parish police juries, extensive preparation work was done on around 20 acres including the parking area/National Guard staging area at Camp Minden to help host the four-day tour. It will be an annual event for the next 10 years and will bring an estimated economic impact of $25 million dollars to the area over the course of that decade.

‘Without the experience and the relationships, we would not have been able to do this without y’all,” Wells said. “It’s been about seven years in the making.

“This is the largest archery shooters association in the country,” he continued. “They do an incredible job. This is evidence of what can happen when different agencies work together as a team.”

This event will put a spotlight on the National Guard, as well as the entire area.

“The people at Camp Minden have become my family,” Wells said. “Your investment in providing equipment and labor to that area has met our needs to bring in this event.”

In other business Tuesday, the Webster Parish Police Jury voted unanimously on the following items:

• Accept the unexpired term resignation of Minden Fire Chief Kip Mourad for Webster Parish Communications District and appoint Brian Williams to fill his position;
• Approve to advertise and hold a public hearing concerning the adoption of Plan 1 for Webster Parish Reapportionment;
• Approve to advertise and hold a public hearing for the abandonment of Waldron Road;
• Approve to advertise to surplus and sell Webster Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness equipment; and,
• Advertise for bids for Disaster Recovery & Emergency Planning services.

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