May 24

5:30-6:30 p.m. Central Elementary will be participating in the 2022 Parent Expo at Webster Junior High. Please visit your district’s web-based Student Progress Center for more details.

May 24, 31

2-4 p.m., 4-5 p.m., 5-7:30 p.m. Hula Hoop Group The Quad, Mindewn Main Library Branch. Limited spots available. Call Aubrie at 318-371-3080 ext. 135 to register.

May 26 

National Honor Society Induction at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School.

May 27

4 until 6 p.m. Commodity Distribution, First Baptist Church 208 N. Arkansas St., Springhill, La. Must bring photo ID and proof of residence.

May 27; June 18; July 16

9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. Louisiana Christian University Football Camps. All camps at Wildcat Stadium in Pineville. Cost 9s $40/$50 walk-up.

May 28

4 p.m. until … 232 Horseshoe Loop, Doyline, VFW Post 2885 will be hosting a free hamburger meal for veterans and families. Good food; great visiting.

May 31

9 a.m. Senior Awards at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School.

June 9

7 p.m. Lakeside High School graduation

June 10

8:30 a.m. High School awards at Lakeside.

10:30 a.m. Junior High Awards at Lakeside.

June 10 & 11

Sixth annual Grilling on Main. Sponsored by b1BANK and Webster Parish Tourism. Live music, craft and food vendors, fireworks display.

June 17

11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sponsored by Men of Courage, Webster Parish,  a chicken plate fundraiser for burn victims Reagan Hardaway, Chancey Hawk and Daniel Payne. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. Meals include chicken, beans, potato salad and dessert. Pick up is at Mel Smith’s Marine, 1610 Shreveport Rd., Minden. For more information, including sponsorship and donation inquiries, please contact Ramanda Ketchum at ramanda_lee@yahoo.com or 318-347-2614.

• 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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Gerald L. Glover

Jan. 6, 1938 – May 22, 2022

Visitation: 9 a.m. until service time Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel, Minden.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Thursday, May 26, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel, Minden.

Burial: Weldon Cemetery, Bernice, La.

Mary ‘Missy’ Whitham

Oct. 28, 1966 – May 21, 2022

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2022, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Graveside service: 10 a.m. Saturday, May 28, 2022 at Cotton Valley Cemetery, Cotton Valley, La.

Jerry Clifton ‘Poncho’ Bailey Sr.

May 22, 1945 – May 16, 2022

Visitation: 1 until 3 p.m., Saturday, June 11, 2022 at First Baptist Church, Haynesville, La.

Memorial service: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 11, 2022 at First Baptist Church, Haynesville, La.

Inurnment: Gordon Cemetery near Haynesville.

** Webster Parish Journal posts paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are free of charge.)

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

According to Minden Police, rumors that L’Jarius “J.J.” Sneed was shot today are grossly exaggerated.

“He was not shot; his vehicle was shot,” said Det. Lt. Keith King Jr. “He was not even in the vehicle, but everybody knows it was his.”

King said Sneed, a cornerback for the Kansas City Chiefs, posted a picture of his new black Ford Bronco on social media a few days ago.

“It had temporary tags,” King said, referring to the vehicle in the shooting. “Everybody knows it’s his.”

The shooting occurred around 11:30 a.m. Friday on East Street. King said the vehicle was in motion at the time. No one was injured.

The detective said the Bronco was shot multiple times with a large gun. Police discovered bullet casings at the scene. There are no suspects at this time.

“We are hearing several different stories,” King said. “This is like a thousand-piece puzzle. We are trying to put the pieces together now.

“The windows were tinted, but we are working on the conclusion that somebody thought they were shooting at J.J.,” he continued. “But the question is, who wants to kill J.J.?”

Police do not feel the shooting was connected to the stabbing death of Sneed’s brother back in December.

Sneed played football at Minden High School and Louisiana Tech University before he went to the Chiefs.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

A Minden man is behind bars for kidnapping his girlfriend late Thursday.

Henry J. Ary II, 22, of the 1000 block of West St., was arrested by Minden Police for 2nd degree kidnapping, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle on a peace officer, aggravated flight, hit and run driving, resisting an officer by flight and driving under suspension.

Police Chief Steve Cropper said Lt. Chris McClaran, Ofc. Anthony Miller and Sgt. Jason Smith arrived simultaneously around 11:30 p.m., just as Ary reportedly forced his girlfriend inside a 2005 GMC pick-up truck and fled the scene of a residence in the 1400 block of Webster Ave.

“Ary accelerated the truck toward Lt. McClaran’s patrol unit while the officer was still inside of it,” Cropper said. “The lieutenant was forced to slam on his brakes to avoid a collision.”

Cropper said McClaran pursued Ary on Weston St., utilizing lights and sirens.

“Ary was traveling more than 70 miles per hour in a 25-mile-per-hour zone,” said the chief. “He failed to negotiate a left turn from Weston onto Shreveport Road and crashed into a fence and a utility shed on private property.”

Ary reportedly exited the driver’s seat and fled on foot from the crash.

“He escaped through a gate and into an adjacent neighborhood,” Cropper said. “The girlfriend also exited the vehicle. She was treated by medics for injuries sustained in the crash.”

The victim was transported to Ocshner LSU Health Center.

“Witnesses provided a detailed physical description of Ary, including his nickname, which is ‘2 Jay’,” Cropper said. “Shortly after, Lt. McClaran found Ary walking on South Fairview, approximately two blocks away from the crash scene.”

Post Miranda, Ary reportedly told Sgt. Smith his nickname is “2 Jay.”

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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By Paige Nash

Randall Tyler Sims finds himself behind bars again. The 18-year-old was arrested this past Thursday in connection to a string of burglaries that took place in Springhill and Haynesville. He is currently in custody at Claiborne Parish Detention Center. 

A little over two weeks ago seven Springhill businesses on and near Main Street were vandalized. Sims reportedly shattered the glass of the storefronts to gain entrance into the buildings. He allegedly attempted to steal money from the registers and was successful in getting into some, but not all the registers. DNA was reportedly collected from one of the businesses where Sims may have cut himself in the process of shattering a window.

Springhill Police Department said they did not have a solid suspect, until six businesses were burglarized early last week in the same manner. 

Springhill Police Department was able to join forces with Haynesville Police Department and Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office to bring in a suspect. They compared evidence, which included several snapshots of Sims caught on camera, and conducted an interview with Sims, who reportedly confessed to the crimes in both Springhill and Haynesville. 

“I would like to thank Chief Anothony Smith, Officer Will Wright, Sheriff Sam Dowies, Chief Deputy Brian Driskill and Detective Jay Perry for all the hard work that has been put into this investigation,” said Springhill Chief of Police, Will Lynd.  

Just this past October Sims stole a vehicle from Springhill Motors and made it to Winnfield before he was arrested by SPD.  

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Join The Farm of Cultural Crossroads on the Fourth Fridays of May-August for live music and local art.

Bring your favorite lawn chairs and ice chest, and unwind while you enjoy the sights and sounds of some of our area’s talented musicians and artists. The best thing about it is that it is FREE to get in!

Food trucks may also be readily available on some event dates. Announcements will be made at a later date. There will be a $5 ice chest fee and a quick check of each ice chest at the gate for the safety of our guests.

There will be 3 family-friendly nights and 1 adults-only night (June 24). Alcohol will not be permitted on family nights, but you are welcome to bring food and non-alcoholic beverages.

If you’re looking for summer fun, look no further than the Fourth Fridays Music Series at The Farm.

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Joe LeBlanc Food Pantry will have its regular monthly food distribution from 9 until 11 a.m., Saturday, May 21.

“If you are looking for a way to get connected to the community, your child needs those last-minute service hours for school or you just want to come serve with us, we would love to have you,” JLFP director Jessica Lewis said.

Volunteers are needed by 8:40 a.m. at 814 Constable Street.

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By Steve Graf

Bass fishermen are weather fanatics! We are constantly looking at the forecast and what to expect for our next event. We are so enthralled with the weather that we will look at the forecast 10 days in advance so we can start planning our fishing strategy. But nothing gets an angler’s attention quicker than stormy skies. During my 32 years as a tournament angler, there have been a couple of situations that really made me nervous.

Back in 2015 on Toledo Bend was one such day, as the forecast was for clear skies with light and variable winds out of the south at 10 to 15 MPH. But you must first understand that a south wind on Toledo Bend means it’s coming right down the pipe. It’s a lake where even a small amount of wind out of the north or the south can make navigation difficult. The problem with Toledo Bend is that you must run the boat roads which puts you out in the middle of the lake most of the time. To compare, Sam Rayburn has no boat roads, and you can run closer to the bank and get out of the wind most of the time.

But on this one occasion in 2015, the tournament was out of Fin & Feather Resort on the far south end of Toledo Bend. This resort is located on the south bank of what is called Six Mile Bay. A south wind has no impact on this area and is an area you can fish without much of a problem. But as my number was called for takeoff and I headed for the main lake to make a run north and across the lake to Negreet Creek, I was met with 20 plus MPH winds and four-foot rollers (waves). One thing about driving a boat, it’s a lot easier to go against the waves rather than go with them. As I made the turn north in this rough water, it was apparent rather quickly that my run to Negreet Creek was not going to happen.

After riding four-foot waves for about three miles and beating my co- angler and myself to death, I finally came to a pocket on the west side I could pull into and possibly fish. After we gained our composure and dried off from our soaking short run, I told my co-angler to settle in for the day because we were not going to go out and fight that kind of rough water until time to go back for the weigh-in.

Another problem with running in this kind of rough water is the wear and tear on your boat and equipment. I’ve seen anglers come in with trolling motors hanging off or their electronic fish sonars no longer on the boat after a rough ride in. Boat hulls have sustained major damage and anglers have been hurt fighting waves and trying to stay in the boat on these long runs back. At some point as an angler you must ask yourself, “Is it worth tearing up all my equipment for a few pounds of fish?”

The answer for me is a resounding “NO,” as I must not only worry about myself, but I have a co-angler that I’m responsible for getting back safely. After a long day of fishing, we headed back with south winds now exceeding 25 MPH. We were over three miles from the boat ramp, and I knew it was going to take at least an hour to go that distance in that kind of water. So, we left at 2:00 for a 3:00 weigh-in time. It was a good thing we did as I was never able to put the boat on a plane and run. We literally idled the entire three miles back to Six Mile Bay and made our check in time with only two minutes to spare. I’ve only kissed the ground twice in my life, once on Sam Rayburn and this day on Toledo Bend.

Again, anglers face all kinds of weather every season, but nothing affects us or our decisions more than wind. The first question I always ask myself when a decision must be made, “Is it worth it?” Most of the time, the answer is “no” and will always be “no” when it comes to the safety of my co-angler and myself. Until next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!

Steve Graf – Owner/Co-host

Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show & Tackle Talk Live

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May 21

10 a.m. until noon: Free Pet Vaccines. 202 W. Church St., Springhill. Canine and feline vaccinations available. Sponsored by LaMa.

May 21, 27; June 18; July 16

9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. Louisiana Christian University Football Camps. All camps at Wildcat Stadium in Pineville. Cost 9s $40/$50 walk-up.

May 24, 31

2-4 p.m., 4-5 p.m., 5-7:30 p.m. Hula Hoop Group The Quad, Mindewn Main Library Branch. Limited spots available. Call Aubrie at 318-371-3080 ext. 135 to register.

May 26 

National Honor Society Induction at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School.

May 27

4 until 6 p.m. Commodity Distribution, First Baptist Church 208 N. Arkansas St., Springhill, La. Must bring photo ID and proof of residence.

May 28

4 p.m. until … 232 Horseshoe Loop, Doyline, VFW Post 2885 will be hosting a free hamburger meal for veterans and families. Good food; great visiting.

May 31

9 a.m. Senior Awards at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School.

June 9

7 p.m. Lakeside High School graduation

June 10

8:30 a.m. High School awards at Lakeside.

10:30 a.m. Junior High Awards at Lakeside.

June 10 & 11

Sixth annual Grilling on Main. Sponsored by b1BANK and Webster Parish Tourism. Live music, craft and food vendors, fireworks display.

June 17

11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sponsored by Men of Courage, Webster Parish,  a chicken plate fundraiser for burn victims Reagan Hardaway, Chancey Hawk and Daniel Payne. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. Meals include chicken, beans, potato salad and dessert. Pick up is at Mel Smith’s Marine, 1610 Shreveport Rd., Minden. For more information, including sponsorship and donation inquiries, please contact Ramanda Ketchum at ramanda_lee@yahoo.com or 318-347-2614.

• 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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Catherine Ann Salmons

April 12, 1950 – May 17, 2022

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden, La.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2022, Whispering Pines Missionary Baptist Church, Minden.

Burial: Whispering Pines Cemetery.

Sue Tatom Bryant

April 22, 1934 – April 21, 2022

Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Minden, La., under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

** Webster Parish Journal posts paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are free of charge.)

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By Paige Nash

The Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Commission reached out to a local law firm for advice about acquiring the Miller-Inabnett property for $500,000, which is a steep price and well over the appraisal value. The law firm informed them the Louisiana Attorney General does not suggest paying for anything over the amount of appraisal.  

The WPCVC originally entered into a signed agreement with the Miller-Inabnett family to pay $500,000. They recently sent over a written opinion along with the Attorney General rulings and after reviewing the documents, the family reconsidered and agreed to sell the property for $443,000, the amount for which the property was appraised. 

“He (Inabnett) has been very easy to work with and converse with,” said Ty Pendergrass, Webster Parish CVC chairman, “He wants to see a public entity on that space, that is his heart’s desire.” 

The title work is being processed and an upcoming environmental assessment will be done before the official closing takes place.  

It was decided by the board that $15,000 will be used from the Webster Parish reserve to promote the upcoming grand opening event at Miller Quarters. The event will be held on May 28. The WPCVC will be hosting an official ribbon cutting ceremony and Memorial Day celebration at the new location. 

The Germantown Bluegrass Festival and Scottish Tartan Festival will possibly be moving their future events to Miller Quarters. The Bluegrass Festival hosted by the Germantown Colony Museum had to change the location of their event twice due to the Germantown museum not having the space and the Minden Civic Center not allowing them to have vendors. That caused them to move the location to the Minden Fairgrounds at the last minute this year. 

The Scottish Tartan Festival can no longer hold their event at Scotland Farms, and if the WPCVC cannot find another suitable location to accommodate them, they will be moving the event to Alexandria. The board believes the newly-acquired Miller Quarters might be able to fulfill this need. 

“We really need to keep them,” said tourism commissioner Nick Cox, “That’s one of our biggest attractions.” 

The official decision will depend on how far along the WPCVC is in their development of the location. Many improvements have been made to the property with more to come.  

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Condolences to the many who showed up for a Minden City Council workshop that didn’t work out and a follow-up special council meeting that never got to the starting gate. And, appropriately enough for this council, it happened to not happen on Friday the 13th. 

Hizzonner “Bump” Gardner’s gavel was on silent mode. Only one council member (Mr. Roy) was present. Two members (Ms. Bloxom and Mr. Edwards) were unavoidably absent, but only Ms. Bloxom reportedly gave early notice. Mr. Edwards, we are told, was surgically unavailable. He had not, however, informed Hizzonner of that pending procedure.

We hesitate to use the term “as usual” but, as too-often usual, Ms. Williams-Walker and Mr. Bradford were no-shows. Neither reportedly answered reminder phone calls. Neither reportedly responded to early emails informing them of the workshop. This would indicate that neither has an interest in issues facing the city and their constituents. No quorum. No action. No comment.

Sadly, this council has a long history of quorum failures for workshops, special sessions and for regular meetings. This, by the way, is the same council that ignored a judicial order and continued a lengthy streak of no-quorum forums. But, as we’ve seen by past actions when all are present, this group might be serving Minden best by not showing up. 

And the apparently not-interested no-shows should take a look at what they missed this lucky 13th. They missed an overflow crowd assembled to watch and listen. Our sources said even a couple of power shapers dropped in to see the unseen. We hope these council persons understand that with elections fast approaching, their invisibility makes them very visible.

Without the necessary members present, our council failed to workshop a proposed juvenile curfew ordinance which would certainly have been a very entertaining conversation. Again we most likely would have heard how we would violate a parent’s civil right to allow his/her underager to do whatever and whenever they wish, up to and including stepping all over the right to peacefully exist.

Some workshop and special session items left dormant included new hires in the police and fire departments, grants for improvements to water mains and the awarding of about $1.4 million in street improvements. Items too insignificant to merit wasting the valuable time of our favorite no-shows.

We’ve said it before. The actions and inactions of some on this council reek of malfeasance and malpractice (i.e., mismanagement, negligence and dereliction). Maladministration, we believe, is not uncommon. We see malice among council members and hear malarkey from the council table. There’s a growing malignancy on the body of city government and it’s strangling progress.

An oft-told story has Ralph Waldo Emerson visiting his friend Henry David Thoreau who, in protest, had been jailed for refusing to pay a poll tax. Through the jail bars, Emerson asked Thoreau why he was there. Thoreau’s alleged response, “Why are you not?”

Criticism isn’t always a bad thing nor, contrary to some opinions, is it divisive. When people claim to be leaders, they will be held to standards higher than those they lead. They should be. If the mantle of leadership becomes too heavy, or if our self-anointed bristle when questioned, they are advised to remember what Harry Truman said.

To those who wonder why we ask questions concerning our public servants, we ask “Why are you not?” Perhaps the answers are some a few don’t want us to hear.

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Proving there are still people in this world who care, Men of Courage Louisiana Webster Parish, has planned a fundraiser for the three local men who were injured in a fiery blast south of Cotton Valley last week.

Chicken Plates will be served from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Friday, June 17. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. Meals include chicken, beans, potato salad and dessert. Pick up is at Mel Smith’s Marine, 1610 Shreveport Rd., Minden.

Sponsorships are available for $100, $250 and $500. Sponsors will receive recognition.

For more information, including sponsorship and donation inquiries, please contact Ramanda Ketchum at ramanda_lee@yahoo.com or 318-347-2614.

“Thou shalt love they neighbor as they love thyself” Matthew 22:39.

Reagan Hardaway, Chancey Hawk and Daniel Payne were seriously injured when a propane truck caught fire and exploded at a propane loading facility. They remain at Ocshner LSU Health Center.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division will be participating in “Safe Boating Week” from May 21-28, which signifies the beginning of the spring and summer boating season.

LDWF will again be reminding all boaters to be safe, responsible and knowledgeable while on the water during this safe boating week.  Safe Boating Week is a time for all boaters to inspect their vessels to ensure that all required safety equipment is on board and that vessels are in good working condition.

Jerry Madden is a past National Rear Commander for the United States Power Squadrons®, the world’s largest recreational boating organization with about 30,000 members. 

“It’s the largest boating and water safety education organization in the states,” said Madden, who is also certified to teach water and boating safety.

Madden said 10 local businesses participated Wednesday by allowing their employees to wear a personal flotation device to work.

For more than 108 years, thew squadron has worked to make the water a safer place through boating education, civic service and fellowship. 

LDWF agents will be out in full force as always during the week to perform boating safety checks that includes making sure all personal flotation device (PFD) regulations are being followed and that each vessel has a sober operator.

“We can’t stress enough the importance of how wearing a personal flotation device and having a sober operator could save your life while on the water,” said Lt. Col. Rachel Zechenelly, the state’s safe boating law administrator.  “We want people to have a good time while boating, but we also want people to come back home safe to their loved ones at the same time.”

Each vessel should have enough PFDs on board for all occupants.  LDWF regulations also state that anyone 16 years of age and younger must wear a PFD while underway in vessels less than 26-foot long.  For more boating and PFD regulations, please visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov and click on the “Boating” tab.

Alcohol use is one of the leading causes of boating crash incidents and fatalities on the water.  Alcohol consumption impairs a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time.  The penalties for operating or driving a vessel while intoxicated (DWI) are the same as driving a vehicle.  Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver’s license and boating privileges for the specified time ordered by the judge in the case.

In 2020, Louisiana reported 24 boating fatalities.  In 2021 Louisiana reported nine fatalities.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Village of Dixie Inn mayor and aldermen will hold a special meeting today (Thursday, May 19), beginning with a public meeting at 4:15 p.m.

The meeting that follows will have the following agenda items:

• Pay rates for aldermen;
• Introduction of annual budget for Village of Dixie Inn;
• An ordinance to proclaim June 19 a legal holiday;
• Resolution to call an election for mayor and aldermen, due to recent events; and,
• Accept resignation of Donna Hoffoss from position of alderman.

Meetings are held at Village Hall, 60 Shell Street, Dixie Inn. The public is invited to attend.

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May 20

Noon until 4:30 p.m. Blood drives in conjunction with LifeShare Blood Center for Reagan Hardaway, Chancey Hawk and Daniel Payne. www.lifeshare.org to sign up.

May 21

10 a.m. until noon: Free Pet Vaccines. 202 W. Church St., Springhill. Canine and feline vaccinations available. Sponsored by LaMa.

May 21, 27; June 18; July 16

9 a.m. registration, 10 a.m. Louisiana Christian University Football Camps. All camps at Wildcat Stadium in Pineville. Cost 9s $40/$50 walk-up.

May 24, 31

2-4 p.m., 4-5 p.m., 5-7:30 p.m. Hula Hoop Group The Quad, Mindewn Main Library Branch. Limited spots available. Call Aubrie at 318-371-3080 ext. 135 to register.

May 26 

National Honor Society Induction at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School.

May 27

4 until 6 p.m. Commodity Distribution, First Baptist Church 208 N. Arkansas St., Springhill, La. Must bring photo ID and proof of residence.

May 28

4 p.m. until … 232 Horseshoe Loop, Doyline, VFW Post 2885 will be hosting a free hamburger meal for veterans and families. Good food; great visiting.

May 31

9 a.m. Senior Awards at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School.

June 9

7 p.m. Lakeside High School graduation

June 10

8:30 a.m. High School awards at Lakeside.

10:30 a.m. Junior High Awards at Lakeside.

June 10 & 11

Sixth annual Grilling on Main. Sponsored by b1BANK and Webster Parish Tourism. Live music, craft and food vendors, fireworks display.

June 17

11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sponsored by Men of Courage, Webster Parish,  a chicken plate fundraiser for burn victims Reagan Hardaway, Chancey Hawk and Daniel Payne. Tickets are $10 and must be purchased in advance. Meals include chicken, beans, potato salad and dessert. Pick up is at Mel Smith’s Marine, 1610 Shreveport Rd., Minden. For more information, including sponsorship and donation inquiries, please contact Ramanda Ketchum at ramanda_lee@yahoo.com or 318-347-2614.

• 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

Friday the thirteenth was lucky for a local man, but Tuesday the seventeenth was not.

Zytwone Robinson, 18, of the 1200 block of Fulton St., Minden, was released by Minden Police Friday when he was in the vehicle with a friend who was arrested for drugs and firearms.

Robinson was arrested by police Tuesday for resisting an officer by flight and unauthorized entry.

Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said Ofc. Reece Tewell responded to the 500 block of Marion Street around 10:30 a.m. for reports of a subject inside the resident.

“This subject was not allowed inside,” Cropper aid. “Ofc. Tewell spoke with a juvenile who stated she was asleep and awakened by her brother yelling at Robinson to get out of the house.”

After the juvenile and a witness described Robinson and his clothing, the officer reportedly saw a man fitting that description exiting a residence across the street.

“That person was identified as Robinson,” said the chief. “When Tewell spotted him – and Robinson realized it – he got on a bicycle and took off  between Stone and Evans streets. Tewell followed in his patrol car and located Robinson behind a residence on Marion Street.”

At that point, Robinson reportedly ditched the bicycle and took off on foot.

“Tewell announced that he was police and to stop several times, but Robinson kept running,” Cropper said “Tewell observed him jump a fence, and when the officer reached the corner of the fence and announced he was armed, Robinson gave up.”

Once Robinson was on the ground, Off. Lita Hopkins handcuffed him before returning to the Marion Street address and speaking to witnesses. They reportedly asked to press charges against Robinson.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

A man can now list his address as Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center after making himself “at home” in a residence where he did not live.

Nathaniel Paul Haney, 46, no address listed, was arrested by Minden Police for unauthorized entry and altered/switched tags.

Chief Steve Cropper said Off. Logan Clingan was dispatched to the 100 block of Robertson Drive just before noon Sunday, to follow up on a complaint.

“A female subject who lived at that address told the officer that an ‘unwanted person,’ later identified as Haney, was inside sitting on the couch,” Cropper said. “She stated he gained entry through an open back door without her permission.”

When the officer asked Haney to exit the home, he reportedly complied.

“When Off. Clingan asked for identification, Haney said he did not have any,” said the chief. “The officer arrested him for unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.

“Haney stated the vehicle he was driving belonged to him,” Cropper continued. “After further investigation, it was discovered the vehicle had switched tags.”

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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The following arrests were made by local law enforcement agencies. Minden Police Department (MPD), Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office (WPSO), Louisiana State Police (LSP) and others which are named.

May 15

Nathaniel Haney, 46, of Fort Laramie, Ohio, was arrested by MPD for felony illegal possession of stolen things.

May 16

Timothy Marques, 38, of the 1400 block of Lewisville Rd., Minden, was arrested by MPD for theft and as a fugitive from LSP.

Jeremy D. Smith, 26, of the 100 block of JD Lane, Dubberly, was arrested by WPSO as a felon in possession of a firearm.

May 17

Teresa Nidiffer Frazier, 52, of the 600 block of East St., Minden, was arrested by the City Marshal’s Office and MPD on active bench warrants from Minden City Court, WPSO and Dixie Inn Police.

Brandon Merritt, 22, of the 500 block of Lakeshore Dr., Minden, was arrested by MPD on 2 counts of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week of May 12 – May 17

May 12

Amanda Michelle Deloney vs. Phillip Ray Callender Jr., divorce.

Goldman Sachs Bank vs. Angela Davis, monies due.

Robert Eugene Parkerson and Janet Hornbeck Parkerson vs. Dakota Rose Parkerson, interdiction.

Hannah Mallory vs. Preston Clay Mallory, divorce.

Cindy Spence Moore vs. Robert James Moore II, divorce.

May 13

ZMAC Transportation Solutions LLC vs. Intergrico Composites Inc., monies due.

Candice Young vs. Buffet Coleman, protective order.

Matthew Shelton vs. Amanda Shelton, divorce w/children.

Keystone General Contracting LLC vs. Justin Crawford, monies due.

May 16

Jennifer Garrett vs. Shawn Woody, divorce w/children.

Renee Marie Spence and Joseph Spence vs. Devyn Sullivan and Samuel Ashworth, custody.

May 17

Caliber Home Loans Inc. vs. Aaron Casey Anderson and Chelsea Leola Jones Anderson, executory process.

Cynthia Brown, Catherine Pendegraft, Christine Vaughan vs. Michael R. Sewell MD, Michael A. Banda MD, James Lamar Adams, Stae of Louisiana Board of Supervisors of LSU Agricultural and Mechanical College LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, Deadre Chao MD, PHC Minden LLC dba Minden Medical Center, CLHG Minden LLC dba Minden Medical Center, Daksha Bipin Turakhia, Willis Knighton Medical Center, damages.

Citibank vs. Michael D. Olson, judgment executory & garnishment.

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Catherine Ann Salmons

April 12, 1950 – May 17, 2022

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden, La.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2022, Whispering Pines Missionary Baptist Church, Minden.

Burial: Whispering Pines Cemetery.

 

Sue Tatom Bryant

April 22, 1934 – April 21, 2022

Graveside service: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Minden, La., under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

 

Rodney Rhone

Sept. 13, 1958 – May 12, 2022

Visitation: 9 a.m. prior to service at the church

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Friday, May 20, 2022 at Heflin Baptist Church, Heflin, La.

 

** Webster Parish Journal posts paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are free of charge.)

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Today marks one year since we kicked off the Webster Parish Journal, an online publication. And it’s been a great one of growth – relationships and numbers.

Let us say thank you first to our subscribers and readers. In just one year, you have grown beyond our wildest dreams. We will continue in the coming year to bring you the same quality news we have during the first year. News is the heart of our publication.

Special thanks to our writers, two of whom do this part time while teaching school: Theresa Gardner and Shanda Gann. Both have backgrounds in newspaper, and their ties to education bring a perspective that enables us to cover and appeal to our young people and their parents.

Paige Nash, with her background in communications and journalism, is a natural covering the news. She can do it all, from features to hard news, while being a wife and mom, and she does it all well.

I am simply an old-school journalist who likes covering hard news. I’ve been doing it for more than 30 years. No longer is ink in my blood; however, I guess now you can say it’s the Internet.

We are still seeking help for our Sports department. We have a few contributors, but Sports is a huge part of Webster Parish, and we welcome more who are interested in sharing their expertise with our readers.

We have a very diverse group of columnists – faith, sports, recipes, history and humor – oh, yeah, and that community aggravator who thrives on snarkasm. Something for everyone.

Our goal is to show you different sides of each issue and sometimes make you think … and possibly change your mind.

Subscriptions to the Webster Parish Journal will ALWAYS be free, thanks to our advertisers. They are the backbone of our publication.

Paige Nash doubles as an account representative. Erin Burrell, who is also in sales, has lived in Minden all her life and learned about sales from her dad. Almost one year ago, we contracted with Jennifer Spurlock and her firm, Split Sea Marketing. It’s been a great partnership. If any of these ladies contact you, please consider how we might help your business grow with advertising in an online product that thrives on growth.

 Here’s to another great year! Webster Parish Journal, Simple and Free. Visit us at www.websterparishjournal.com .

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By Paige Nash

If you are one of the many residents of Webster Parish who do not yet have access to the internet (or particularly good internet,) this may be changing soon. It’s hard to believe that in the year 2022, not every single home has access to reliable internet services, but it is true for rural households and many that are even located within the city limits.  

Conterra Networks is hoping to work with the parish to provide a fiber optic backbone. Their slogan, “Fiber driven, people powered,” reinforces the idea that they can deliver the highest level of connectivity to residents, providing unlimited bandwidth capacity. They will work in collaboration with the police jury, libraries, schools, and residents to pinpoint the areas in the parish that have the greatest need for internet access.  

“We are basically going to build a backbone,” said Timothy Burks, Service Engineer with Conterra. “Then, we will work with service providers that do serve residents, to have access to build distribution networks off of that and support all the residents within the parish.” 

The parish will be able to apply for a grant offered by a program named, The Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities or GUMBO for short. This program is providing $177 million to be spent on increasing access to the unserved communities in the state. 

These types of grants and funding became available when the pandemic occurred causing most to transition to working from home or taking classes virtually. It was during this period it became apparent the need for internet access was greater than most realized.  

“A lot of students did not have the appropriate bandwidth or broadband to access school resources,” said Burks. “It caused a lot of kids to fall behind.” 

The Federal Communications Commission originally stated that any area that receives under 25 megabytes per second is considered unserved or underserved, but now that this funding is available, that number is now 100 mbps. If you look at an FCC map of Webster Parish, you can see that hardly any residents receive over 25, if that. 

In most cases, you will find that people pay for a gigabyte and only receive a couple of megabytes. A neighborhood shares bandwidth. Installing the fiber infrastructure will allow residents to have that dedicated circuit to each home, so that way they get what they pay for.  

“That is our focus, to build a backbone network, not only to support enterprises, which will bring more businesses into the parish, but to support everybody in the parish,” said Burks. 

Conterra will begin working with the parish to conduct surveys and density tests. With that feedback, they will then begin putting together a presentation, providing the cost, areas of focus in the parish and in which ways they will go about applying for funding.

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