Security at each Webster Parish school campus is being addressed in meetings with law enforcement leaders and parish school board members will be kept abreast of the progress, according to parish Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland.
“We have met with the Sheriff and we plan to talk with all the chiefs of police in each town in the parish about increasing school-based security presence,” Rowland told board members Monday. “We had a good meeting with Chief (Steve) Cropper and he knows how passionate and serious we are about security.”
Webster Parish currently has school resource officers at most parish schools, but Rowland said the goal is to place officers on every campus.
“We’re talking about one post certified officer per school,” he said.
Funds to pay officers come from each school’s maintenance fund, Rowland said.
During Monday’s meeting, board members voted unanimously to grant pay raises with money from local funds to parish school personnel. Certified personnel will receive a $500 hike while noncertified will see an increase of $250.
And, board members approved a number of expenditures for school projects from maintenance funds and sales tax funds. Included in those expenditures were $12,320 for an HVAC unit in the Agri Science building at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High; four SMART Boards at $3,759 each (plus installation) at J.L. Jones Elementary and two Elmo Document Cameras for use with the boards.
Also, a color LED sign for Phillips Elementary at a cost of $9,940; a $45,135 change order for the new multipurpose building at Minden High; $16,020 for a five-ton VRV heat pump split system in the North Webster Jr. High art room; and $5,500 for a video management server in the School Resource Officer office at North Webster Jr. High.
Webster Parish will soon have another option when it comes to the internet. Brightspeed, a broadband and telecommunications services company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, announced earlier this month they are beginning their first phase of fiber optics network build by the end of 2023.
Using funds made available by Louisiana’s Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities (GUMBO) program, Brightspeed will be expanding this fiber-based internet availability to multiple parishes in the state, including portions of Acadia, Calcasieu, Evangeline, Franklin, Jefferson Davis and Webster parishes.
“We are pleased to share our initial fiber build locations for Louisiana,” said Sherry Hessenthaler, Operation Strategy Lead for Brightspeed. “Brightspeed’s mission is to expand and accelerate the availability of high-quality broadband that will enable our communities to grow and thrive. We are looking forward to offering a new choice in internet and extending the full capabilities of our advanced fiber technology to residents and businesses in our Louisiana footprint.”
They will be working with local government officials throughout the build process, from planning to build completion. The fiber-based service will have the capacity to exceed 1Gbps, which will be an improvement over the current copper-based digital subscriber line (DSL) service that is offered.
During the first phase of this network build, they plan to deliver up to 14,000 new fiber passings bringing faster, more reliable internet and Wi-Fi to residential and commercial locations across these parishes by the end of 2023. They will then plan to build on another 14,000 additional passings in the following years, for a total of up to 28,000 fiber-enabled locations in Louisiana.
Brightspeed mission is to bridge the digital divide by building this state-of-the-art fiber network that will make staying connected simple and easy. They plan to reach up to 3 million homes and businesses over the next five years, including many rural and suburban locations where this type of technology has yet to be offered.
The company has been ramping up its network design and construction planning as it prepares for day one operations across its multistate operating territory, which so far will include Ohio, Alabama, Texas, Virginia and North Carolina in addition to our state.
A new law affecting veterans and active military was signed into law recently. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signed proposed law SB 143 into law making it Act No. 680.
The new law, authored by Sen. Jay Morris R-Monroe, allows all honorably discharged Veterans and active military who have not been convicted of a violent crime, are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs and are at least 21 years old to carry a concealed weapon without a permit in any place and under the same restrictions that those with a permit may carry a concealed weapon.
Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said he has no issue with this law, especially because of training.
“These members have received extensive training in the responsible use of firearms during their military service,” Parker said.
Also, the law provides for Louisiana State Police to create a free online concealed handgun education course available to all citizens.
“This office supports all law abiding citizens’ rights to responsibly keep and bear firearms within the law,” said the sheriff. “We also will continue our fight to remove illegally obtained guns from criminals who use them to harm our citizens.”
Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper agrees with the sheriff.
“These people have been property trained,” he said. “I don’t see an issue with it.”
Concealed carriers will need to have proof of being a veteran which can be any military ID card or even a driver’s license showing “veteran” on it. The new law becomes effective on August 1.
Cleveland County, North Carolina doesn’t get a lot of airplay nationwide. You might hear about it in August when they play the 95th American Legion World Series there at its permanent home, Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium, a gorgeous park and setting.
If you’re a member of the medical community, you can even get in free this year, the American Legion’s tribute to you for all your work during the pandemic.
So there’s that. (Oh … Shelby, the county seat and roughly 21,000 strong, also has a Bojangles. The biscuits are killer.)
But other than the mid-August baseball traffic, Cleveland County and Shelby keep a relatively low profile, just being cool and calm and living the good life at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains on the state’s southern line, there in the western Piedmont.
For a closer perspective, it’s 43 miles west, give or take a soybean field or two, from Charlotte. Just hop on Interstate 85 toward Spartanburg, take a right on Hwy. 74 at Kings Mountain, and pretty soon it’s paydirt.
To me it’s become a kind of home away from home because, for various reasons, it’s been the site of most of our family reunions, the most recent of which was last weekend and which also didn’t get much national attention because people sitting around telling stories no one else would care about and eating fried chicken from Food Lion and watching kids play isn’t big news — unless you’re an Allen or unless, in a weak moment, you married into such a magnificent mess.
I love this little town.
It started in 1990, one year after grandmamma died, so this was the 33rd annual gathering, although we skipped two years ago when the world shut down because of the you-know-what, which we are all literally paying for now. No telling how many chickens have died, how many eggs have been deviled, how many potatoes have been peeled over the past three-plus decades, each a martyr to the Allen Family Reunion cause.
Sometimes I take a baseball. I don’t ask anyone to sign a baseball unless it’s a Very Special Deal, (a “VSD”). Unless it’s been a Little Leaguer, I’ve never asked a ballplayer to sign a baseball. But I’ve asked my Aunt Virginia and my Aunt Sarah. And Amy, who drew a little heart by hers this year. (Extra points for cousin Amy.) And Dylan, who added a smiley face. And Terry and Matt and Austin and Robin and Judy No. 1, not to be confused with the irreplaceable Judy No. 2 or other Judys that fell by the matrimonial wayside. (I appreciate that the Judys always sign with a Roman numeral I or II. Keepers, that pair.)
I look at the baseball anytime I want during the year, see the names, and remember. It’s a selfish tradition, I know …
We’ve had the reunion, depending on where people were living and who was hosting — been some moving around in 30 years — at New Smyrna Beach, Fl. (looked down the beach and saw the space shuttle launch and felt the sonic boom a minute or so later, a reunion highlight, because nothing much happens at our reunions); at Bowdon, Ga.; at North Myrtle Beach/Cherry Grove, S.C.; even in Swartz, La., which got no points for Things To Do but which did retire the trophy for Hottest Reunion Ever. Seems liked it cooled off to 102 one day.
It’s at Cherry Grove next year around July 10 if you want to come. Love to have you. You might enjoy it since all the old stories we’ve heard time and again will be new to you. And since it’s your first time, we won’t make you peel eggs.
From left, Robert St. John, Jesse Marin and Harrison St. John.
By Robert St. John
There is something deep inside of me that enjoys hosting people. It borderlines a compulsion or obsession. I’ve been that way since I was a little kid. Whenever I heard a new song on the radio, in my youth— and I had enough money to purchase a 45 single— I would ride my bike to the record store, by the record, and then spend the next week trying to get my friends to listen to it. I love turning people on to music. Six decades later, I still do it. A lot. Conversely, I also enjoy learning about new music from friends who have similar tastes.
In the years I worked in radio I was able to hear new music before it ever hit the market. That enabled me to introduce all sorts of great music to my friends before any of them had heard. When I got out of the radio business and moved into the restaurant business the search for new discoveries was the same. Though this time for food items, design elements, and restaurant concepts.
I have spent over 40 years in the restaurant business. Much of that time has been traveling around to different cities— and restaurants in those cities— to discover new dishes and new methods, as well as new themes, designs, and concepts. Restaurants are my hobby. Some of my friends live to play golf at Pebble Beach or Augusta. I live to travel to Chicago and go on a four-restaurant progressive dinner in one evening. It’s even better if I have people with me who have never eaten at those restaurants, or have never experienced a multi-location progressive dinner, St. John style. It’s a blast.
Several years back my church offered to give a test on spiritual gifts. Despite years of Sunday School, I had never heard of spiritual gifts. Had someone asked me if I had any, I might have been at a loss to answer. Though the test that evening stated that I have the spiritual gift of hospitality. Had you given me a list and asked me to list potential spiritual gifts, I would never have thought that hospitality would be on the list. Though there it was on my answer sheet, front and center.
I took the spiritual gifts test two other times at two different churches. Both times the test results stated that I had the spiritual gift of hospitality. The first thing that hit me was— I am certainly in the right business. The restaurant business is the hospitality business. But secondly, it answered the lifelong question of why I get such a kick out of turning people on to things I have discovered. It’s just another form of hospitality. It could be called “hosting.” I do a lot of hosting these days.
This hosting thing took a new turn several years ago when people started asking me to take them to Italy to tour to revisit the restaurants and places I discovered on a very long European sojourn back in 2011. Those requests sounded like a great idea, but I only planned on doing it once. That one time turned into 16 or 17 trips overseas, I have stopped counting. Each trip with 25 people, and each designed with the sole purpose of creating the most complete experience— whether in Tuscany, Rome, Amalfi, Naples, Venice, Bologna, Milan, or the entirety of the Spain— for the guest.
Those trips are nothing more than a modern-day extension of me going out and buying a 45 record in 1970 and turning my friends on to it. It’s just done overseas, and the music, food, and scenery are better. It’s basically coming from a premise of— I love this, I think you will love it too, here let me show it to you. Though, as a host, I am as happy as my least happy guest. So, it is always my number-one goal to keep everyone happy.
Traveling with a group of 25 people, especially the way I travel in groups, takes a lot of planning. Transportation is crucial. The vans must be where they are supposed to be at the scheduled time, or everything goes awry. Whether it’s picking up guests at the airport, dropping them off at the end of a trip, or just being at the meeting point in the city center of Florence or Rome. Our ride must be there. Lodging is also crucial. A night’s stay at a bad hotel when someone is already jet lagged will ruin an entire trip.
When we are in Tuscany, our friend Annagloria and her daughters handle a lot of the logistics. When we are in Venice our friend Chiara is on duty. In Milan our friends Barbara and Alberto help me make reservations and get us around town. It truly takes a team.
In 2022 I will spend 14 weeks hosting guests in Italy, on the Amalfi Coast and Rome, and several weeks with several groups in Tuscany, a long trip covering the majority of Spain, and we will be preparing for a new journey next year into Holland and Belgium. I am the host. But to pull off something as complicated as 25 people moving around a strange city or country not knowing the language takes a lot of boots on the ground and a logistical team to help me pull this off. One of those people, who does an excellent job at that is my friend Jesse Marin.
Jesse is a Dutch citizen who lives in Rome. I met him through another Dutch citizen who lives in Tuscany, Marina Mengelberg. She is also one of my boots on the ground tour guides who helped me with all the logistical issues while we are traveling overseas.
Jesse landed at the New Orleans airport last night. He will be here for two weeks. This time he is not the boots on the ground guy. I am. We are here to host him and give him a break from his busy schedule of booking tours all over the world. It’s a job I take seriously and it’s a job I enjoy. We will spend two days in New Orleans showing him the city, my son will take him out at night to show him the night life, and then we will cross the border into Mississippi and I will proudly show off my home state to my Dutch-Italian friend. The final leg of his tour will be in the Florida Panhandle before he heads to a friend’s weddinng in Miami and then fly home.
When he landed, my son picked him up at the airport and I met them at one of my go-to restaurants, Gris Gris on lower Magazine. As soon as he sat down he said, “I don’t really know what to do. I am not used to this. I am always the one planning the trip. My mother asked me my plans, and I told her that I didn’t have a clue. This is weird.”
My wife kids Jesse that he never works and is always on vacation in some exotic locale. The truth is he’s always working. He just works in vacation spots. “I got this, Jesse.” It’s time for me to host you. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Onward.
Caponata
In the trattorias and osterias on the western coast of Sicily the day’s fresh, raw seafood catch is often displayed on ice in the dining room. One picks their specific fish and the server takes to back to the kitchen where it is prepared. There is usually an antipasta display and several vegetable courses served buffet style. Caponata is often among the offerings. Everyone prepares caponata differently. This preparation was inspired by my friend Annagloria, who is a native of Florence, but a lover of all things Sicilian.
1 each Red bell pepper, large diced 1 each Yellow bell pepper, large diced 1 each Large red onion, large diced 1 rib Celery, sliced ¼ cup Green olives, rough chopped 2 TB Capers ¼ cup Pine nuts ¼ cup Raisins ½ cup Extra virgin olive oil ½ cup Red wine vinegar 1 TB Sugar 1 each 28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand, with juice 1 tsp Kosher salt ½ tsp Fresh ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 375.
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Transfer to a large roasting pan and cook for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Serve immediately.
(Robert St. John is a chef, restaurateur and cookbook author who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss.)
Playing his music too loud led to the arrest of a south Webster Parish man early Monday.
Twantell Edward Brown, 35, of the 100 block of Eason Ln., Dubberly, was arrested by Minden Police for felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, multi-beam lighting, loud music, open container and driving while intoxicated (first offense.)
Lt. Chris Hammontree, according to Chief Steve Cropper, was stationary on Gum Street when his attention was drawn to a bright vehicle around 250 feet away.
“He could hear the vehicle’s loud music, and it had an off-road light bar activated on the roadway,” Cropper said. “As the vehicle approached officers, it stopped in the roadway and turned off the lights and music.”
As the vehicle passed, Hammontree reportedly initiated a traffic stop.
“The driver, identified as Twantell Brown, had slurred speech and was fumbling his wallet,” said the chief. “The officer said he smelled strongly of alcohol. He dropped his license out the window and offered to get out and pick it up. When he opened his door, an open beer fell over the driver’s floorboard.”
Lt. Hammontree and Off. Ben Sparks arrested Brown for open container.
“During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered a 9mm handgun beside the driver’s seat,” Cropper said. “The gun was reported stolen out of Humble, Texas.”
Brown reportedly admitted to being a convicted felon due to “sex offenses.”
“Brown refused to submit a breath sample into the intoxilyzer,” said the chief. “His vehicle was released to a friend.”
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
A Minden man is in jail on drug charges after being stopped by local police for no license plate on his vehicle.
Russell Glen Miller, 44, of the 1700 block of Jack Martin Rd., Minden, was arrested Saturday night by Minden Police for no motor vehicle license, no insurance, failure to register, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine in the presence of persons under 17 years of age.
Police Chief Steve Cropper said Ofc. Anthony Miller initiated the traffic stop for no license plate on Bymo at Homer Road around 7:45 p.m.
“The officer noticed there were two juveniles inside the vehicle, and dispatch advised the vehicle was not registered to the driver, identified as Russell Miller,” Cropper said. “Lt. Chris Hammontree advised Ofc. Miller that Russell Miller had a history of narcotics and violent offenses.”
When the officer asked Russell Miller if he had any narcotics in the vehicle, the subject reportedly said “not that he knew of.” He then reportedly granted consent to search the vehicle.
“During a search, officers found suspected methamphetamine in a baggie located in a front pocket of a pair of jeans,” said the chief. “Another baggie was inside the pocket but just had residue inside. A needle was also located in a gun cleaning box in the back seat of the truck.”
Cropper said a marijuana pipe was located with burnt residue inside.
“Both juveniles were under the age of 17,” he added.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
Do you enjoy meeting new people and greeting old friends?
You may be perfect for an account executive’s position with the Webster Parish Journal. You don’t have to fit a particular profile, you just need to be as passionate about spreading the news as those with whom you will be working.
WPJ subscriptions are – and always will be – free. We depend on businesses and advertising to help us meet our goals and keep the public informed.
Contact us at wpjnewsla@gmail.com, if this describes you.
Love is complicated. Truer words have rarely been spoken or written. And so it was with Carlo and Little Stick.
In 1950, Italian attorney turned film producer Carlo met a beauty pageant contestant whose nickname was “Little Stick” because of her tall, thin frame. Carlo was 37 years old. Little Stick was just 15. Within a short time, Carlo and Little Stick became romantically involved. Their relationship grew and Carlo and Little Stick decided that they wanted to get married. They had been dating for a little while and marriage seemed like the next natural step. The couple had just one problem, Carlo was already married. In 1946, he had wed Giuliana Fiastri in Italy, when Little Stick was just 11 years old. Carlo had children too. He and Giuliana had a daughter in 1951, and a son in 1953. Carlo and Giuliana separated. The reason for Carlo and Giuliana’s separation depended on which side of the story you heard.
Divorce was forbidden in Italy. Working in the film industry required Carlo and Little Stick to travel all over the world, but, due to their not being married, they had to get separate hotel rooms wherever they went. Carlo’s first marriage remained as a barrier to their ultimate happiness.
In 1957, after years of searching for a solution, Carlo obtained a divorce in Mexico. As soon as the divorce was finalized, Carlo and Little Stick were married. They lived happily ever after. Well, not so fast. Remember, love is complicated.
Carlo and Little Stick learned of their marriage in the newspaper gossip columns. Neither of them was present at the ceremony. Neither of them was even in Mexico. As per the instructions of Carlo and Little Stick, as soon as Carlo’s divorce was finalized, the couple was married by proxy. Two male attorneys, acting on their instructions, stood in for them during what can hardly be called a ceremony.
Their marital bliss lasted only a short time before other complications arose. Carlo’s divorce and wedding may have been perfectly legal in Mexico, but divorce was illegal in Italy and Italy would not recognize foreign divorces. Carlo’s actions were also against the Roman Catholic church. Carlo was charged with bigamy. He and Little Stick were threatened with excommunication from the Roman Catholic church.
“I wanted to be his wife and have his children,” Little Stick proclaimed. “We had done the best the law would allow to make it official, but they were calling us public sinners. We should have been taking a honeymoon, but all I remember is weeping for hours.”
Carlo learned that they would be jailed if they ever returned to their home country of Italy. The legal system in Italy was stacked against them. Carlo and Little Stick lived in exile in foreign countries, but they remained Italian citizens. Another complication – their passports only allowed them to stay in foreign countries for a limited period of time. Carlo and Little Stick were running out of time on their passports. With no other option available to them, in 1962, Carlo and Little Stick had their Mexican marriage annulled.
Carlo and Little Stick were heartbroken but were more determined than ever to remain together. They spent the next four years searching for a legal way to marry. They tried to apply for Swiss citizenship in order to marry but learned that they would have to reside in Switzerland for 10 to 12 years before they could apply. There was no guarantee their applications would be approved. Under Swiss law, the couple could not obtain a divorce in Switzerland if the laws of their home country did not permit divorce. It was another dead end. In 1966, Carlo and Little Stick applied to become citizens of France. Their applications were personally approved and signed by French President Georges Pompidou. In that same year, Carlo and Little Stick married again, this time in Paris.
Carlo and Little Stick remained together for the rest of his life. Carlo died in 2007 at the age of 94. Despite the many obstacles their relationship experienced, love somehow found a way. That chance meeting at a beauty pageant had far-reaching effects for Little Stick. Carlo got Little Stick small parts in Italian movies, but her career failed to take off. Carlo thought that Little Stick needed a new image and name to make her more appealing to universal audiences. Carlo was right. In 1953, Little Stick began landing leading roles. In 1961, Little Stick won the Academy Award for best actress for her performance in Two Women. She has won numerous other awards for her acting including but certainly not limited to a Bafta Award, a Laurel Award, a Grammy Award, and an Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievements in the film industry. Little Stick was born Sofia Costanza Brigida Villani Scicolone, but, thanks to Carlo Ponti, the world knows her as… Sophia Loren.
Sources:
1. The Herald-Sun (Durham, North Carolina), April 15, 1957, p.14.
2. Panama City News-Herald (Panama City, Florida), July 15, 1957, p.1.
3. Chillicothe Gazette (Chillicothe, Ohio), April 21, 1979, p.4.
4. Associated Press, “Carlo Ponti, Husband to Sophia Loren, Dead at 94,” January 10, 2007, accessed July 7, 2022, foxnews.com/story/0,2933,242764,00.html.
Some athletes are just born to be great, and some must work hard to develop their skills in order to be great. The great ones do things that are unexplainable and sometimes there’s no logical reason for what they do or why they do it. They’re blessed with natural talent and abilities that help them make “in the moment” decisions that seem to always work out. The great ones have unmatched character and determination, that in layman’s terms means….they hate to lose!
In the bass fishing world, there are anglers who fit the definition of a “natural,” like Kevin Van Dam, Rick Clunn, Larry Nixon, and Skeet Reece. These are just a few of the guys who, at one time or another, have made and continue to make a good living as touring professionals and have dominated tournament trails for many years. But every now and then, another one comes along that just seems to fish on another level with unmatched instinct and abilities that other anglers just don’t have…a guy who is totally committed to the process of catching bass. The latest angler to possess these God given talents is Nick Lebrun of Bossier City, Louisiana. He is a guy who has worked hard for years, through commitment and dedication, to refine his skills in order to compete at the highest level.
There’s a saying that I’ve heard for a long time and I’m not sure who really said it first…”Good things come to those who wait.” Well for Nick, the wait is over with his two latest ($100,000 each) tournament wins on the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Tour. Nick became only the third person in MLF history to ever win back-to-back events. To win one time is a major accomplishment, but to win back-to-back events is the stuff legends are made of. His hard work, sacrifices, and years of tournament experience is starting to pay dividends.
Nick joined the Tackle Warehouse Pro Tour full time in 2019 after winning the 2018 FLW All-American event on his home waters of Cross Lake and has quickly made a name for himself, both as a very versatile angler and as a person. A devout Christian, Nick never takes full credit for his good fortunes. He gives all the praise and glory to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for putting him in position to be successful. The next person he gives praise to is his wife, Jolene, who has stood by his side with support and encouragement even when things weren’t going well. Like any professional bass fisherman, there are high and lows that can really strain a relationship, but Jolene has been the glue and the support that has allowed Nick to fulfill his dreams. Like they say, ”Behind every successful man is a supportive wife.” Jolene Lebrun is the perfect example of this quote.
The life of a professional bass fisherman is a tough way to make a living and is not attainable by everyone. Just like any other professional sport, many have tried and failed. There’s a very small percentage of anglers nationwide with dreams of fishing for a living that have actually made it to the highest level. A lot of anglers have gone broke and ended up in divorce court trying to achieve this dream. But if you are an up-and-coming angler and are looking for a great example of a person to follow, make it Nick Lebrun! Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to set the hook!
Memorial service: 11 a.m. Saturday, July 23, 2022, Rose-Neath Chapel, Minden, La.
Inurnment: Springhill Cemetery, Ringgold, La.
Malissa Ann Allen
Dec. 1, 1964 – July 4, 2022
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, July 16, 2022, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.
Webster Parish Journal publishes 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.)
Members of Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors say they are very happy to welcome back Stephanie Barnette as president/CEO.
“It is with great excitement that we announce we have hired our next president,” said board Chairman Logan McConathy. “After interviewing applicants and executive board discussion, we have decided on Stephanie Barnette to be our next board president. As many of you know, Stephanie is a past board president before she left to pursue a career in education. We are excited to have her back.”
Barnette replaces Jana Morgan, who resigned last month. Morgan had replaced Barnette in early 2020 when Barnette left the chamber office to teach fourth grade. From there, she worked in marketing at Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College.
Barnette said that during her time away from the chamber, her passion and love for the community grew stronger.
“I am looking forward to hitting the ground running and continuing where we left off,” Barnette said. “I’ve been able to tell the story for the college through the marketing aspect and now I’m looking forward to going back to the chamber to tell the stories for our local business community.”
McConathy thanked his board of directors for their great work, and Barnette agreed the group has their collective fingers on the pulse of the business community.
She said her goals include strengthening the chamber’s relationship with the business community and community partners.
“We’re going to work together to continue building the mission of the chamber, which is to create the best business climate in Louisiana,” she said. “There are some exciting things in store for the remainder of the year. It’s a good time to be involved with the Minden chamber.”
Barnette began her chamber career as the assistant to the president/CEO in 2013. She took over as president/CEO in 2016.
Her first day back in the chamber saddle will be July 18.
Alumni from Webster High School traveled far and wide to the Minden Civic Center Saturday, July 9, to share their personal testimonies and to reflect on memories with friends, family and fellow graduates.
Project Reclaim Youth of Minden and the Webster Legacy Project partnered with Janetta Robinson, History Archivist with Webster Parish Libraries, Anne Easley with Easley Photography Studios and Meriwether Wealth and Planning and more than 60 donors to host this event.
“We didn’t sell tickets for this event, we raised money and many of you donated. We only asked that we cover the expenses of having this event. This is the reason why: this history should not be sold; it should be shared,” said Ron Anderson, Director of Project Reclaim. “If we were to sell this history that would mean that only the people who could learn it would be people who could afford it and that would be a disservice to our youth and these young persons who are going to march off into the future to represent us.”
The legacy of the Webster High School was reclaimed, and the history was shared, detailing the numerous hurdles that were overcome by many citizens in the parish in order to provide a better school facility for the children of color within the community.
“That school saved my life,” said Anderson.
The event presented multiple guest speakers, a delicious dinner and surprise unveiling.
Darrell Hampton, Con L. Flournoy and Reverend Terry Combs pulled back the curtain on stage to reveal a grand, 10-foot by 7-foot display titled, “Webster High School: Cradle of Champions.” The display portrayed 12 pictures and descriptions of African Americans, honoring their contributions to the parish and more specifically to the high school.
Among these people were W. Leon Hayes, who served as a beloved Principal at Webster High School. It was under his leadership the school made such progress that it would go on to be recognized as the most progressive school in the entire state of Louisiana. Hayes is also the father of Minden local Yvette Hayes Edwards who graduated from Webster High in 1972. Yvette is married to Minden’s current mayor pro tem, Wayne Edwards.
Alumnus of the class of 1971, Dorothy Rabb Brown Cook, was also one of the 12 recognized on the display. Just last year Cook was inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame in the field of law. She served as the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook, County, Illinois and continued to hold this office an additional four terms, which made her the longest-serving person in that position and the longest-serving African American to serve in a county-wide executive office in the country. Cook was a guest speaker Saturday, sharing her testimony.
“It is so important that we make sure that our young people understand what our forefathers went through to ensure that we have a quality education,” Cook said. “As African Americans we knew struggle and we still know struggle, but we are not deterred by simple obstacles we just simply fight on.”
This grand display will be making its first of many stops at the Webster Parish Libraries Minden location and will be available for public viewing, beginning as early as Monday, July 11. It will then begin its travels to various locations within the parish. Be sure to catch this traveling memorial honoring the Webster High School legacy and support this important piece of history and heritage.
Jon Simmons and his daughter Erin Simmons McBee. They graduated from the nursing program at La. Tech at the same time.
By Paige Nash
Jon Simmons completed his 7-year-long battle with cancer and went to be home with the Lord on Wednesday, July 6.
A lot of people use the term “lost” when mentioning someone who has passed away from cancer or a long-term illness. They will say, “so and so lost their battle with cancer.” I cannot say that Jon lost anything. If anything, he did quite the opposite.
He gained. Over the course of his cancer journey, he gained 3 daughters and a son, after he and his wife married off four of their children, and with that he gained a few wonderful grandchildren.
He gained a platform to help others. He became a nurse in 2012 and began working in the emergency room at Minden Medical Center right away. He cared for the sick in the community even in the midst of his own battle. Jon already had a caring heart, dedicating his time and energy to helping others feel better while working at the hospital, but through his journey he found that was able to more specifically help other patients facing a similar battle to his own.
“It’s been amazing to hear of all the lives that my dad has touched through his battle with cancer, how many people he motivated and encouraged to keep fighting their battles when he was fighting one himself,” said Simmon’s son, Andrew.
Jon always said he was thankful that God was able to use him this way. That God was able to use him as a stepping stone to minister and encourage others during the fight of their lives.
And Thursday, Jon gained the ultimate gift, the free gift of God, the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jon’s loved ones are feeling the loss. They have lost a husband, a father, a Pop, a son, a brother, a dedicated nurse, a mentor, a friend, an all-around great man and a true fighter.
Jon spent a lot of his adult life fighting. He fought for his country, serving in both the Air Force and Army Reserve, he fought for his life, and he fought for the lives of others. Now he is done fighting and is getting some much deserved and well-earned rest.
He touched the lives of so many during his time here on Earth and for the people who were lucky enough to know and love him, the loss of his light will surely be felt for the days to come, but perhaps it is not a total loss after all.
Andrew said, “I lost my best friend, my kids lost their Pops, but I do know that a lot of people gained a guardian angel.”
The Board of Aldermen for the Village of Dixie Inn will meet in regular session at 5 p.m. today (Tuesday, July 12).
Among the new business they will consider is cameras for the water yard. Buddy Caskey, mobile home park owner, is scheduled to address the council about Ordinance 38D that makes the landlord responsible for any water or sewage fees a renter leaves unpaid.
Repairs to the water hydrant at R & S Supply will also be discussed.
Items on the agenda:
Adopt the minutes of the June 14, 2022 regular session
Adopt the financial statements for June 14, 2022
Department reports:
Water/maintenance report
Police report
Aldermen’s reports
Mayor’s report
New business:
Discuss cameras for water yard
Buddy Caskey to address the council
Old business:
Water hydrant at R & S Supply
The meeting will be held at the Village of Dixie Inn – Village Hall, 60 Shell Street, Dixie Inn. It is open to the public.
After waiting for what seemed like six Christmas mornings all put together when I was a child, I finally got to see the delivery truck drive into our yard late Wednesday afternoon. With the help of more people than I can thank here, we have unloaded and set up 2,000 cookbooks for delivery and pick-up.
If you ordered yours to ship, it is on the way to you if not already in your home. If you selected local pick-up, they are available at Parish Design Company on Broadway in Minden.
I am fulfilling wholesale orders for over a dozen locations this weekend. Extras are available online at http://www.thecopperwhisk.com until they are gone. Additional copies are also available at Parish Design Company and the following businesses for those who aren’t local.
Caroline & Company – Lafayette
Deb’s Stitchin Coop – Hooks, TX
Deen & Co. – Coushatta, LA
Good Gracious Boutique – Many, LA
Ivy & Stone – Bossier City
John Ward Interiors – Alexandria
Juniper & Co. – Mandeville
Killgores Pharmacy – Haynesville
Lewis’ Gifts – Shreveport
Parish Design Co. – Minden
Pied a Terre – Natchitoches
Red Blooms – Haughton
The Bear Den Inn – Cheyenne, OK
Uptown Downtown Bakery – Ruston
(Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and cookbook author. Email her at ashley@thecopperwhisk.com.)
Webster Parish Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division has arrested a south Webster Parish man on burglary charges.
Devin Lee Lucas, 30, of the 4900 block of Camp Joy, Doyline, is charged with simple burglary and illegal possession of stolen things.
Sheriff Jason Parker said Lt. T.D. Kemp Jr. and Sgt. Marvin Garrett studied video from a grocery store in south Bossier that revealed Lucas driving a white Ford F150.
“The vehicle pulled into the grocery store and Lucas picked up an accomplice after the second man hid a white Polaris SXS in the wooded area off a pipeline located near Hwy. 527,” Parker said.
The Sheriff said Lucas and Austin Tyler Davis of Elm Grove burglarized a residence on Harville Day Rd.
“Davis put everything he stole in a party barge and drove the boat to Lucas’ residence at Camp Joy,” Parker said. “Then he took the barge back to the first house, left it and stole the side by side. After he hid it in the woods, he called Lucas to come get him at the grocery store and that’s what our investigators caught on tape.”
Lucas was arrested at his Camp Joy residence. Davis is in a Shreveport jail on unrelated charges. According to investigators, Davis stole the side by side, two televisions, two chainsaws, a laser level, a rod and reel and Garmin live scope. Some items have been recovered.
“Lucas is a convicted felon from when we arrested him several years ago for a rash of burglaries in Heflin,” said the sheriff. “Davis is also prohibited from possessing a firearm.”
Davis will be released to WPSO from Shreveport’s custody “when his issues are resolved.”
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
A West Monroe woman had a rude awakening last weekend when the vehicle in which she was sleeping was detained by local police.
Tyeece Gore, 34, of the 1900 block of Hwy. 557, West Monroe, was arrested on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a legend drug, resisting an officer and a fugitive from an outside agency.
Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said Ofc. Chris Cayer was patrolling Broadway near the intersection of Sibley Road around 8 p.m. Saturday, July 2 when he noticed a GMC Suburban driving at a low rate of speed up the hill.
“The officer initiated his lights, and the vehicle pulled into the parking lot of a nail salon,” Cropper said. “He made contact with the driver who identified the female as Sarah Pinkley. Off. Jared McIver arrived on the scene and the driver was asked to step out of the car.”
Cayer reportedly awakened the female passenger who said her name was Samantha Smith.
“They were placed under arrest for resisting an officer by supplying a false name,” said the chief. “The female finally admitted her name as Tyeece Gore. Dispatch confirmed Gore has active warrants through Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office.”
Prior to stepping into a cell at Minden Police Department, Gore admitted she had a small liquor bottle and a pill bottle on her person.
The pill bottle reportedly contained 2 yellow IG283 pills, 2 orange 022 pills, suspected methamphetamine, an unidentified orange powder and a baggie containing an unidentified strip.
Gore was charged and transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
Having no license plate on a vehicle led to the arrest of the driver’s passenger on drug charges.
Melinda Patton, 34, of the 1300 block of Sheppard St., was arrested by Minden Police Saturday, July 2 for possession of marijuana, possession of methamphetamine, possession of cocaine, possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute and four active bench warrants.
Chief Steve Cropper said Ofc. Chris Cayer was patrolling the Shreveport Road area Saturday night and observed a black Dodge Ram leaving a fried chicken restaurant.
“As he approached, the officer noted there was no license plate on the vehicle, so he initiated a traffic stop,” Cropper said. “The male driver of the vehicle admitted his truck was a ‘work in progress’ and he had just gotten it running.”
As additional officers arrived on scene, Cayer reportedly asked the driver to step out of the car. A female passenger was identified as Melinda Patton. Dispatch reportedly said Patton had four active warrants through Minden Police Department.
“Off. Jared McIver had her exit the vehicle and placed her into custody,” said the chief. “The driver gave consent to search the vehicle and Ofc. Cayer located a baggie containing pills, suspected marijuana, suspected crack cocaine and suspected methamphetamine. Patton stated that all of the controlled dangerous substances were hers.”
Patton was booked on the above charges. The pills were identified as T194 oxycodone, .8 grams of methamphetamine, .6 grams of crack cocaine and 4.6 grams of marijuana.
Patton was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
A Heflin woman lost her independence July 4 when Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies arrested her on multiple charges.
Andrea F. Grubbs, 39, of the 200 block of Flenniken Trail is charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, improperly displayed license plate, no vehicle registration, no insurance and expired license.
Sheriff Jason Parker said Deputy Jacob Winiarski initiated a traffic stop on a black Buick SUV in the early morning hours last Monday.
“The vehicle was northbound on Hwy. 371 when the deputy observed it turn from Nursery Road onto 371 with no license plate,” Parker said. “The driver, later identified as Ms. Grubbs, continued several hundred yards after the initiation of blue emergency lights. She passed multiple well-lit places to pull over, continuing at a low rate of speed.”
Grubbs reportedly stopped at a Sibley church.
“Deputies noticed she seemed extremely nervous and talkative,” Parker said. “She kept tugging at her clothing and seemed extremely hesitant to exit the vehicle.”
Parker said the deputy asked to search her vehicle.
“She admitted to having 2 open containers in her vehicle, including a mixed drink in the cup holder,” said the sheriff. “When she finally gave him consent, he discovered a small pink zipper pouch containing suspected methamphetamine. There was also a pill bottle with an unreadable label and containing 3 unidentifiable pills.”
Once Grubbs was under arrest and had been mirandized, she reportedly told the deputy that she had a pipe hidden in her pants.
“She removed it and gave it to the deputy,” Parker said. “Then she stated that she had found the suspected illegal narcotics and wanted to hold on to them to throw away at a later time.”
Grubbs was booked on the above charges and transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
A local man learned last week that even if you return a stolen vehicle, it’s still a crime.
Gerald Beene, 56, of the 1100 block of Shreveport Rd., Minden, was arrested June 6 by Minden Police for unauthorized use of a moveable and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Chief Steve Cropper said Det. Shane Griffith conducted the investigation.
“He made contact with an employee at Advanced Ambulance, who advised on the morning of June 5 a subject with a dog is seen on video around 3 a.m., getting in a white Yukon that is a company vehicle,” Cropper said. “The subject cranked the vehicle and left the parking lot. At around 5:30 a.m., the vehicle was put back into the place it was before. The man exited it as an ambulance was exiting as well.”
An ambulance business employee reportedly told Griffith there were ambulances on the south side of the property that were not in use and that someone (Beene) was living in one of them.
“Det. Griffith looked inside the units and found one to be in total disarray,” said the chief. “He found pornographic magazines, condoms, dirty syringes, clothes and other miscellaneous items.”
The chief said after reviewing video footage, the detective was able to identify the subject as Beene. A short time later, Lt. Chris McClaran arrested Beene.
“Beene told the detective that he was on the property with a dog named White Man. He used the vehicle to go down toward Ringgold to pick up another subject. He took the keys from the vehicle when he returned and they were located on the back porch of a Weston Street residence,” Cropper said. “Then Beene identified items from the ambulance as belonging to him.”
Beene was booked and later transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named 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.
United Christian Assistance Program (UCAP) received a big boost from b1 Bank in the form of a $21,000 check Thursday.
The bank was title sponsor for UCAP’s annual golf tournament, held in May this year. It is UCAP’s biggest fundraiser every year.
From left, Micah Hanson and Mike Burton of b1 Bank; Jay Kumar, Charlotte Jones, Fred Cabaniss and John Earnhardt with UCAP; and Lindy Ray and Morgan Monday of b1 Bank.
Minden Lions enjoyed an educational and, at times, humorous presentation on birds during Thursday’s club meeting. MHS English teacher and Nature Club sponsor John Dillon provided the program entitled, “Don’t Be a Dodo: Myths, Misinformation, and Mumbo Jumbo About Birds.”
John spoke about the lore and science surrounding birds and cleared up many misconceptions about our feathered friends (e.g. those aren’t actually buzzards…they’re turkey vultures, and birds don’t fly South for the winter, they fly North for the summer). He also offered the Lions advice on selecting the best bird seeds, provided organic substitutes for chemical herbicides, and how to make the perfect hummingbird food.
John was invited and introduced by Lion Henry Bridges.
