By Bonnie Culverhouse

Security cameras at a local business caught an alleged thief in the act and led to his arrest.

LaBarron Keith Johnson, 21, of the 100 block of W. Roosevelt St., Minden, was arrested by Minden Police and charged with simple burglary and theft by fraud – both felony charges.

Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said cameras caught Johnson entering the business and taking a battery back-up for the security cameras.

“Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Johnson and, after looking online, found Johnson took the battery back-up to a local pawn shop where he received $50 for it,” he said.

Cropper said Det. Keith King observed Johnson riding in a vehicle, stopped it and detained him.

“Johnson admitted to the burglary and stealing the back-up,” said the chief. “He also admitted to taking it to the pawn shop and received $50 cash for it.”

Johnson was 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 has the following needs:

Food:  Ramen noodles, crackers, biscuit mix, powdered milk

Clothing: men’s pants (34 waist), men’s coats (large sizes), men’s shoes

Household goods: sheets, towels, pots and pans

Toiletries: toothpaste, deodorant

Note:  UCAP is now open Mondays and Wednesdays, 10-1, and is closed on Fridays.

Thank you for supporting UCAP!

UCAP is open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at 204 Miller Street, Minden, for food, utility and rent assistance. Clothing is dispersed on Wednesdays only.

A Piece of Heaven Cakery located at 233 North Main Street, Springhill, held a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 29.

Chamber Executive Director Ronda Taylor started by thanking Jennifer Cooper, for the opportunity to have her business as part of the Chamber membership and presented her with a membership certificate. Ronda introduced those in attendance: Rhonda Mouser from Citizen National Bank, Main Street Director Linda McDaniel, Jan Hearnsberger from Express Tax Title & License, Councilman D. Nicole Frazier, Krewe of Artemis, and a host of friends and family. Representing the Chamber were Tim Mouser, Joshua Hanson, Nikki Reeves, and Brandy White. Main Street Board members present were Nikki Reeves, Callie Jo Carter, Nicole Frazier, and Brianna Savoy.

A Piece of Heaven Cakery is a full-service bakery located on Springhill Main Street. Owner Jennifer Cooper offers fresh baked muffins, cupcakes, cookies, and customized cakes. The hours of operation will be 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. until noon Saturday. For ordering or other information contact them at 318-539-3006.

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.

Nov. 1

Kawasaki C. Bradford, 21, of the 400 block of W. Todd St., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for possession of a firearm by a felon.

Billy C. Shepherd, 53, of Springhill, was arrested by Cotton Valley police as a fugitive from Bossier Parish.

Nov. 2

Larry J. Smith, 48, of 7th St. SE, Springhill, was arrested by Springhill Police for possession of methamphetamine and 3 counts of distribution of methamphetamine.

Melanie Elise Lope, 35, of Haughton, was arrested by MPD for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nov. 3

Dedrick Cortez Erving, 31, of N. Main St., Sibley, was arrested by Sibley Police for domestic abuse battery.

Anton Vonqueze Allen, 33, of the 800 block of Sibley Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for driving while intoxicated, careless operation, expired registration, driving under suspension and as a fugitive from MPD.

Nov. 4

Charles D. Castle, 41, of the 2000 block of Franklin Rd., Heflin, was arrested for a parole violation.

Lydell Tell, 34, of the 100 block of Curtis St., Cotton Valley, was arrested by Dixie Inn Police as a fugitive from Webster Parish.

Clayton Lynn Pratt, 35, of Lewisville, Ark., was arrested by Springhill Police for domestic abuse battery with child endangerment and sexual battery.

Tonya Weems, 52, of Minden, was arrested on three active bench warrants.

Garmal Ray Anderson, 23, of the 2800 block of Goodwill Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO on an active warrant.

Nov. 6

Christina Thompson Allison of the 300 block of 1st St. Springhill, was arrested by WPSO for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

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.

Nov. 12

10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mission Adoption Makers Craft Fair, Silent Auction, Bake Sale and Lunch at First Baptist Church Family Life Center, Minden. ALL  proceeds go to CASA and a family that is beginning the adoption process. Homemade craft items, jellies & canned goods, Christmas items, candles, and much more, baked goods and frozen casseroles, silent auction items and hot dog lunch or jambalaya lunch, drinks and popcorn.

Nov. 15

6 until 8 p.m. Junior High Fall Social, Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School.

Nov. 16

9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Webster Council on Aging is sponsoring another On-on-One Medicare meeting. Call for an appointment. 318-371-3056.

Nov. 19

9 a.m. Poker Run Registration. See http://www.dorcheatmuseum.com for info or call 318-377-3002.

Nov. 22

9 a.m. until noon. Webster Parish Head Start/Early Head Start Program is hosting a Job Fair at Mother Gooseland Head Start Center, 618 Weston St., Minden, La. 

Nov. 26

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Mistletoe Market in Springhill’s CAC Building hosted by Springhill Chamber of Commerce.  Kick off the Christmas Shopping season with craft vendors and boutiques.  Admission free. Visit with the Shreveport Santa (10-2) sponsored by Carter Credit Union.

5 p.m. Springhill Christmas Parade hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.  Springhill Main Street.

Current-Nov. 30

Motorcycle exhibit at Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, 116 Pearl St., Minden. Motorcycles courtesy of 3 State Harley Davidson.

Dec. 2 & 3

6 p.m. “From Humbug to Hallelujah,” A musical comedy that presents the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge – with a twist. Eastside Missionary Baptist Church, Minden, La. For information, call 318-286-1259 or 318-377-2528.

Dec. 6

6 until 7:30 p.m. Webster Parish Library. Meriwether Wealth and Planning will present a community education seminar “No, It’s a Scam!” Learn about the latest scams and schemes targeting Webster Parish residents. Presenters Jason Parker, Webster Parish Sheriff and Tracy L. Campbell, financial advisor for Meriwether W&P. No cost to attend but pre-registration is required. Seating limited to 35. RSVP 318-377-1803. Refreshments will be provided as well as important take-home information.

Logan Wayne Greer

Sept. 12, 1992 – Nov. 1, 2022

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 at Trinity Heights Baptist Church, 3820 Old Mooringsport Rd., Shreveport, La.

Burial: Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Coushatta, La.

Patricia “Diane” Evans Coker

June 21, 1949 – Nov. 1, 2022

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City, La.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 at Benton United Methodist Church, 4615 Palmetto Rd., Benton, La.

Burial: Rocky Mount Cemetery.

Webster Parish Journal publishes paid complete 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.)

By Landrie Still

On Friday, November 4, the Glenbrook Apache Football team took the field for the last game of the regular season. The Apaches played strong throughout the entire game to honor the Class of 2023 for Senior Night. The River Oaks Mustangs played hard, but were no match for the Apaches. The 46-14 win over the Mustangs was a special one because of the MAIS rivalry between both schools. As a result of the determination of each coach and athlete, the Apaches finished the season with an undefeated record of 10-0, and their extension of the current longest LHSAA winning streak of 16 consecutive wins. 

To begin the matchup, the 11 senior football players took the field as the team captains of the night. As a result of the coin toss, the Apaches led the kick off, which resulted in a host of Glenbrook defenders, led by Landry Powell, stopping the ball on the 20 yard line. The Mustangs were forced to punt the ball, leading to the Apache Offense taking over. Ty Feaster then completed passes to Cason Clemons and Maddox Mandino, who each earned 1st downs for the Apaches. On Glenbrook’s next attempt, Feaster chose to hand the ball to Mandino, who found his way to the end zone for the first touchdown of the night. Feaster followed the touchdown with a successful kick, resulting in the Apaches leading over the Mustangs, 7-0 with 8:11 left in the 1st quarter. As the Apache defenders took the field, Powell, Dayton Sims, Rhett Johnson, and Daivari Jackson each made strong tackles against the Mustangs while Tre Kent deflected River Oaks’ pass. The Mustangs were once again forced to punt, leading to Glenbrook’s offense taking over. Feaster handed off the football to DJ Carter, who scored a touchdown for the Apaches. Feaster once again kicked a successful extra point, leading to the Apaches increasing their lead to 14-0 with 3:02 left in the first quarter. Johnson and Powell, who caused an incomplete pass for the Mustangs, continued to lead the Apaches’ defense. After a forced punt for River Oaks, Feaster completed a pass to Clemons, who pushed the ball towards the end zone. After the yardage gain, McLelland received the ball from Feaster and scored for the Apaches. With 1:25 left in the quarter, the Apaches lead the game 21-0. To conclude the first quarter, Johnson, Powell, and Seth Mangrum each covered their ground and made successful tackles as Kent once gain deflected a pass. 

The Apaches started strong in the second quarter as Spencer Brantley and Carter shut down a fake punt. Soon after regaining possession of the ball, Feaster completed a pass to Johnson, who scored a Glenbrook touchdown. Although the extra point was not successful, the Apaches increased their score to 27-0. After the Mustangs took over on their 32 yard line, Dustin Clanton and Chase Sentell seized the opportunity to make important tackles. The Apache Offense then took the field after Johnson, Mandino, and Powell made huge tackles. With the ball on their 43 yard line, Feaster completed passes to Carter and Clemons, who scored yet another touchdown for the Apaches. The Apaches increased their score to 34-0 with 7:10 left in the second quarter. Glenbrook’s defense came out even stronger after the touchdown as a result of huge tackles made by Jonathon Bryant, Powell, and Johnson, which caused the Mustangs to lose the ball. At the start of halftime, the Apaches lead the Mustangs 34-0. 

The third quarter began with a kick off by the Mustangs as the Apaches took over on offense. Sentell returned the opening kick and ran it to the end zone for a Glenbrook touchdown. Only 0:20 into the quarter, Glenbrook had increased their score to 40-0. The younger Apaches then took the field on defense and did not disappoint. Strong tackles were made by Nolan Still, Hudson Glasscock, and Noah Cox, but the Mustangs broke through to score a touchdown and extra point, thus concluding the third quarter.

At the beginning of the final quarter, Ryan Reagan stepped into the quarterback position, where he passed the ball to Connor Williams, who scored a touchdown for the Apaches. Glenbrook still managed to lead River Oaks 46-7. After the touchdown, the 11 senior football players took the field together. Coach Feaster included, “The leadership of these senior football players is one of the main reasons why we have made it this far.” The players received a standing ovation as they walked to the sidelines for the last time during the regular season. To conclude the game, Reagan, Still, Clanton, Williams, and Naci Morales made hard tackles. The Mustangs managed to score, adjusting the final score of the game to 46-14. 

The Apaches never stopped working, which is the reason why they have been named undefeated District Champions. The Apaches await the conclusion of LHSAA games to see when they will be playing next in the 2022-23 Louisiana High School Athletic Association Football Playoffs. According to Coach Feaster, the Apaches will continue to prepare themselves for the upcoming matchups even though it is not for sure which team the Apaches will be taking on. Congratulations to this special team on earning a perfect 10-0 regular season, and we look forward to the upcoming playoff matchups. No matter whom the Apaches face, they have proven they are here, ready to play, and will continue to make the Apache nation proud. 

Daylen Robinson added another triple-digit rushing night and added his name to another spot in the Crimson Tide football record books, leading Minden to a 43-20 win over Woodlawn’s Knights in the season and District 1-4A finale for both teams Friday.

Robinson finished the evening with 143 yards on 20 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns, running his career TD total to 36. That moved him into sole possession of the number three spot in career rushing scores in Tide football history. 

Quarterback Jakobe Jackson had a productive night, tossing a pair of touchdown passes and rushing nine times for 48 yards. Jackson’s two scoring passes came on 3-of-4 attempts worth 111 yards on an evening where high winds limited the Tide’s aerial attack. 

Junior slot back Cameron Mitchell also contributed a big performance, rushing seven times for 47 yards and two touchdowns and hauling in a 19-yard scoring pass from Jackson for a three-touchdown performance.

Minden left no doubt that it had come to play, building a solid 30-0 lead in the first half behind a bruising running game mixed with timely passes. On the Tide’s second possession of the game, Jackson ended a run-heavy seven-play drive with a scoring strike to Mitchell that gave Minden the lead at 8-0. 

With 8:54 left in the second quarter, Robinson moved closer to his career total with a 40-yard scoring burst up the middle, overrunning and outrunning Knights’ defenders to build a 16-0 Tide advantage. Just four minutes later the Tide took advantage of a two-yard Woodlawn punt when Jackson hit Jaylen Williams from 42 yards out for a 24-0 lead.

Minden’s final score of the half took only seven plays but could have come much sooner. Tiders Williams and Jackson had 60-plus yard touchdown runs on consecutive plays called back by questionable penalty flags, but Williams finally got the Tide into the endzone with a three-yard run. The big penalty-free play that got Minden into scoring range was a 50-yard completion from Jackson to Brian Swan.

A Brandon Henderson five-yard scoring run on the second half’s opening drive brought the Knights to within 30-8, but the Tide responded with two scoring drives to increase the margin. Robinson bulled into the endzone from one yard out for his 36th career TD with 36 seconds left in the third quarter, then Mitchell scored on an eight-yard run with 5:30 left in the game for a 43-8 Tide lead.

Woodlawn would tack on two touchdowns late in the game on a Donovan Reliford to Joshua Dodson four-yard scoring toss and a Reliford 10-yard scramble to end the night’s scoring. 

Minden ends its season with an overall record of 4-6; 3-4 in district play. Coaches and players will now have to watch other scores and wait until later this weekend to see whether or not the Tide will continue its season by gaining a spot in the state playoffs. LHSAA rankings and pairings are scheduled to be announced Sunday.

North Webster’s season came to an encouraging close Friday night at Baucum-Farrar Stadium, as the Knight seniors went out on a two-game winning streak by defeating the Lafayette Renaissance Charter School Tigers 48-12. 

In front of a packed Homecoming crowd, the Webster Wolves finished off Cope Middle 24-6 to complete their undefeated season.

Webster received the ball first and marched down field before Jaden Johnson punched it in from 12 yards out for the first score of the game. After Cope was forced to punt, Webster received the ball inside their own 40. The Wolves would score again on 3rd down, Lucas Owens Jr was able to break free on a 33 yard run to make the score 12-0 in the 1st quarter. After stopping Cope on 4th down, Webster came out passing. Jaden Johnson hit Markel Miller for a 20 yard pass across the middle for Webster’s third TD. The Wolves would go into the half up 18-0. 

Webster’s defense would come out strong in the 2nd half.

Jaden Johnson intercepted 2 passes to set the tone. The wolves offense slowed down in the 3rd quarter. After two costly penalties early in the 4th quarter the wolves were pinned inside their own 10 and  forced to punt for only the second time all year. After a muffed punt Cope received the ball deep in Webster territory and was able to score 4 minutes into the 4th quarter.

After a failed onside kick, Webster received the ball at the 50 yard line with 1:40 left in the game and the offense came alive. After a 35 yard run by Lucas Owens Jr, Johnson found Abreon Curry for a 10 yard touchdown pass. A successful 2 point conversion made the final score 24-6.

Webster Wolves finished the season 7-0 in the Bossier League and outscored their opponents 202-38. The offense was led by Lucas Owens Jr, Jaden Johnson, Markell Miller, Kaiden Kinsey, Abreon Curry, Tykendrick Jenkins, Shylin Stanley and Jardon Carey. The defense was led by Javen Calloway, Marquan Miller, Jaquarion Martin, Broxton Oestreich and Brandon & Isiah Tate.

To be continued…..

Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroder was in Webster Parish on Friday at Lakeside High School. Students from Minden High and Doyline High joined the Warriors as the treasurer spoke about the fiscal business of the state. He said it was an opportunity he didn’t want to miss because it’s never too early to begin educating our youth on money matters.

Time to regain that hour of sleep we all lost in the Spring as Daylight Saving Time comes to an end this weekend.

The National Conference of State Legislatures said, “State legislatures have considered at least 450 bills and resolutions in recent years to establish year-round daylight saving time as soon as federal law allows it. Much of the legislation would stop the disruption-causing, twice-yearly clock switching. Inherent in the debate is whether to enact either permanent standard time or permanent daylight time. The federal Uniform Time Act allows the former option but not the latter. A CBS News poll in March 2022 found that 46 percent of U.S. residents preferred daylight saving time all year round, 33 percent preferred standard time year-round and 21 percent were okay continuing to clock switch twice a year.”

Regardless of the conversations sparked by the twice yearly ritual of resetting clocks, we will fall back an hour at 2 a.m. (DST) this Sunday morning.

Last week we focused on some of the fishing etiquette issues pertaining to today’s up-and-coming anglers. We looked at “cutting off another angler” and “asking for permission to share a spot.” Today, we’ll continue to spotlight more of the etiquette issues that are taking place on all our lakes and waterways. In the world we live in today, there’s a wealth of ways to gain knowledge…reading, the internet, video archives, or someone actually teaching and showing you what you need to know. By going to school, we learn or at least have the opportunity to learn and become educated. In the bass fishing world, 75% of what anglers learn is by someone teaching them or showing them how, why, and when…how to find fish, how to catch fish, how to maintain your boat, what techniques to use, and when, along with why bass react the way they do in certain situations. But the one area we have failed as older generation anglers is teaching these young anglers fishing etiquette.

In this article, we’ll focus on a couple more of the unwritten rules of bass fishing. Let’s look at how to handle angry dock or landowners. Nothing gets my blood boiling quicker than a private dock owner who comes out of his lake house and tells me I can’t fish his dock. Legally, as long as you stay in your boat and never step foot on his dock, you can fish it.  It’s a public body of water and the dock owner does not own the water underneath his dock, despite what he thinks. When I come across this scenario, I always have to take a deep breath before responding to his aggressive statement. I do much better when the dock owner “asks” me not to fish his dock. If he’s doing maintenance work on his dock or the family is out on the dock enjoying themselves, it is best to pass it up anyway because of all the noise they’re making. While trolling by, it is nice to always make a point to speak and say hello and wish them a good day. It is better to leave a dock owner with a pleasant experience rather than a negative one. But when the owner comes at you with aggression and threats, try to calm him down by saying hello and asking him why he doesn’t want you to fish his dock. The bottom line is this… it’s a good practice that if you see the dock owner, ask him if it’s okay for you to make a couple of casts in and around his dock. With this approach, you’ll meet some really nice people who don’t have a problem with you fishing their dock. But there is that 1% out there that will be total buttheads and make all kinds of threats from shooting a hole in your boat to calling the local authorities. Either way, it usually ends in a war of words between the angler and the dock owner. The best advice I can give on this topic…be nice and move on. 

One thing that’s actually making our lakes and waterways more dangerous is speeding boats! I’ve had a few near misses on the water and 100% of all these incidents involved speed. Today’s bass boats are literally high-speed water bullets that young anglers have no experience or the skills to drive. Most tournament bass rigs today are 18-to-21-foot boats with motors ranging from 200 to 300 horsepower engines. Most tournament trails today have a motor size limit of 250 HP. But today’s young anglers think they need to run 80 MPH to get to their next fishing spot. I get it…when you’re young, you love speed and think it’s cool. But there are two people you need to be conscious of when running across the lake…the partner in your boat and the other anglers you’re running by. Accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. It’s no different than driving a vehicle, you can be distracted and lose control quickly. SLOW DOWN!!! There’s no reason to drive at top-end speed when moving around the lake. Be smart and conscious of other anglers on the water.  

To wrap this up, I hope everyone who reads this article will take the advice I’ve given free of charge. The only way we can expect the younger generation to do things the right way is to teach them the right way. Most of the issues we’ve discussed are basically common sense. But as I’ve learned over the years, even common sense must be taught. Till next time good luck, good fishing and don’t forget to apply your sunscreen… Melanoma does not discriminate.

Steve Graf
Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show &

Tackle Talk Live

Nov. 5

Day 2 of Main to Main Trade Days

Nov. 6

5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, Community Thanksgiving Service, CAC Building, 202 W. Church St., Springhill. Sponsored by North Webster Ministerial Alliance. Special guest: Congressman Mike Johnson.

Nov. 7

11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Webster Council on Aging AARP Safe Driving Classroom Course. Call 318-371-3056 for more information.

Nov. 12 

10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mission Adoption Makers Craft Fair, Silent Auction, Bake Sale and Lunch at First Baptist Church Family Life Center, Minden. ALL  proceeds go to CASA and a family that is beginning the adoption process. Homemade craft items, jellies & canned goods, Christmas items, candles, and much more, baked goods and frozen casseroles, silent auction items and hot dog lunch or jambalaya lunch, drinks and popcorn.

Nov. 15

6 until 8 p.m. Junior High Fall Social, Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School.

Nov. 16

9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Webster Council on Aging is sponsoring another On-on-One Medicare meeting. Call for an appointment. 318-371-3056.

Nov. 19

9 a.m. Poker Run Registration. See http://www.dorcheatmuseum.com for info or call 318-377-3002.

Nov. 22

9 a.m. until noon. Webster Parish Head Start/Early Head Start Program is hosting a Job Fair at Mother Gooseland Head Start Center, 618 Weston St., Minden, La. 

Nov. 26

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Mistletoe Market in Springhill’s CAC Building hosted by Springhill Chamber of Commerce.  Kick off the Christmas Shopping season with craft vendors and boutiques.  Admission free. Visit with the Shreveport Santa (10-2) sponsored by Carter Credit Union.

5 p.m. Springhill Christmas Parade hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.  Springhill Main Street.

Current-Nov. 30

Motorcycle exhibit at Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, 116 Pearl St., Minden. Motorcycles courtesy of 3 State Harley Davidson.

Dec. 2 & 3

6 p.m. “From Humbug to Hallelujah,” A musical comedy that presents the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge – with a twist. Eastside Missionary Baptist Church, Minden, La. For information, call 318-286-1259 or 318-377-2528.

Dec. 6

6 until 7:30 p.m. Webster Parish Library. Meriwether Wealth and Planning will present a community education seminar “No, It’s a Scam!” Learn about the latest scams and schemes targeting Webster Parish residents. Presenters Jason Parker, Webster Parish Sheriff and Tracy L. Campbell, financial advisor for Meriwether W&P. No cost to attend but pre-registration is required. Seating limited to 35. RSVP 318-377-1803. Refreshments will be provided as well as important take-home information.

Richard Lee Miller

July 9, 2005 – Oct. 29, 2022

Visitation: Noon until 1:45 Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden, La.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. following visitation.

Burial: Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Minden.

Wendy Dunning

March 15, 1979 – Nov. 1, 2022

Funeral service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Burial: Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Shongaloo, La.

Clarence E. Dykes

August 6, 1929 – Oct. 22, 2022

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden, La.

Burial: Gardens of Memory

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.)

By Bonnie Culverhouse

While online political polls may not be the most accurate, they can still give a hint as to the results of an upcoming election.

For the past week and a half, Webster Parish Journal has posted an online poll on each of our publication days. Everyone had the opportunity to vote, however, only one person at each IP address could cast a ballot from there per Jotform, our polling company.

Although online polls are fun and eye-opening, Webster Parish Journal would like to encourage everyone to take the upcoming election very seriously. Go to the polls (if you haven’t already) on Tuesday, November 8 and exercise your right to vote.

Here are the results of our online poll:

Minden Mayor: 321 persons voted in this column.

Nick Cox: 264 votes or 82 percent

Billy Mills: 30 votes or 9 percent

Terika Williams-Walker: 27 votes or 8 percent.

District A Minden City Council: 186 voted

Carlton “Buddy” Miles: 107 votes or 58 percent

Darrell Morris: 52 votes or 28 percent

Wayne Edwards: 27 votes or 15 percent

District B Minden City Council: 182 voted

Damien Kemp: 23 votes or 13 percent

Joey Frye: 145 votes or 80 percent

Levon “Charlie” Thomas: 14 votes or 8 percent

District 4 Minden City Council: 141 voted

Javelin Hardy: 64 votes or 45 percent

Latasha Mitchell: 33 votes or 23 percent

Maretta Gage: 23 votes or 16 percent

Vincen “Cheese” Bradford: 21 votes or 15 percent

District D Minden City Council: 208 voted

Habacu Morales: 100 votes or 48 percent

Lakeyla Williams: 20 votes or 10 percent

Michael Roy: 88 votes or 42 percent

District E Minden City Council: 258 voted

Andy Pendergrass: 130 votes or 50 percent

Michael Fluhr: 25 votes or 10 percent

Thomas Adams Jr.: 103 votes or 40 percent

Minden Police Chief: 302 voted

Jared McIver: 252 votes or 83 percent

Larry Morris: 50 votes or 17 percent

Webster Parish School Board District 2: 115 voted

Debbie W. Thomas: 75 votes or 65 percent

Terrell Mendenhall: 40 votes or 35 percent

Webster Parish School Board District 4: 58 voted

Jeri “JJ” O’Neal: 14 votes or 24 percent

Jonathan “Goose Guthrie: 44 votes or 76 percent

Webster Parish School Board District 6: 159 voted

Fred Evans: 71 votes or 45 percent

Jana Watson: 88 votes or 55 percent

Webster School Board District 8: 209 voted

Glenda Sherrill Broughton: 117 votes or 56 percent

Phillip Michael Smart: 92 votes or 44 percent

Mayor of Springhill: 128 voted

Ronnie Hearnsberger: 46 votes or 36 percent

Courtney Allen: 24 votes or 19 percent

Ray Huddleston: 48 votes or 45 percent

Mayor, Village of Doyline: 90 voted

Crystal “Christie” Gates: 44 votes or 49 percent

Gary T. Carter: 46 votes or 51 percent

Alderman, City of Springhill, District 1: 85 voted

D. Nicole Frazier: 33 votes or 39 percent

Danyell Gipson: 52 votes or 61 percent

Alderman, City of Springhill, District 2: 85 voted

“Johnny” Craig: 51 votes or 60 percent

Dennis Smith: 34 votes or 40 percent

Alderman, City of Springhill, District 3: 77 voted

Debra Rester: 10 votes or 12 percent

Patsy Leonard: 36 votes or 47 percent

Stacey Willard: 31 votes or 40 percent

Alderman, City of Springhill, District 4: 87 voted

“Alex” Edwards: 45 votes or 52 percent

“Mike” Whitlock: 42 votes or 48 percent

Alderman, City of Springhill, District 5: 88 voted

Brandy White: 30 votes or 34 percent

Derek Melancon: 58 votes or 66 percent

Poll conducted by Jotform. . 

Once upon a time long, long ago your humble observer rocked in his little porch chair in a fair land not s

.o far, far away.  This land was much like our hometown both in citizenry, geography and attitude. In other words, there were many good folks, some not-so-good ‘uns, several superiorists and a pack of digjams.

Your rocker had several happenstances in those old days and from one emerged a best friend who, over time, became teacher/mentor/confidant. Mr. Charles was a one-of-a-kind American who didn’t know there was a U.S.A. for the first three or four years of his life.

Charles was a native born Lithuanian. If you aren’t familiar with what or where that is, look it up. His parents decided to emigrate where there was better opportunity, probably a dozen or so years before some dolt named Adolf decided their country needed to be “liberated.” Something about that forced takeover made Charles a lover of individual freedom and its accompanying responsibilities.

We think of Charles often, especially during the season in which we currently find ourselves. In about five days, all of us will have the chance to let our collective voices be heard one at a time. Without having to ask permission of those who assume themselves to be in control, we can stroll to the polls and flip a switch. With that action, we express our preference. In private. We hand someone a very large responsibility. 

We also slap on the back of those persons a very large label. It reads, accountable. Whether they like it or not, elected officials answer to each of us. Will Rogers most accurately identified those too-often self-considered royalists for what they are. He referred to them as “the hired hands.” And many of these seldom earn their keep. Seeing to it that they do so is our responsibility.

Charles would wonder loudly and longly why some elected officials felt so empowered after an election. He would be the first to point out that OK, so-and-so was elected by a margin of 55-45. But, he would say, that margin came from only 20 percent of the registered voters who bothered to go to the booth. How, he would wonder, can a person claim to be popular when his/her majority comes from so few. 

Charles carried a grudge against anyone who did not take advantage of the chance given to only a small percentage on this planet. He couldn’t stand to hear anyone say “the people have spoken” when so few voices are heard through voter turnout. Absence is ignorance in action, he would say. And to those who would claim we elect too many fools to office, he would respond that fools are elected when bigger fools fail to vote. 

Experts tell us we will see around 25 to 30 percent voter turnout this year, despite the trumpets blowing about turnaround in the federal elections. Sounds a little high to us. We will watch that, of course, but we’re more interested in happenings around our own environs. 

It’s Minden that interests us, and we want to see if complacency really does breed incompetency. We want know if Minden is ready to put the community transmission in drive, neutral or (gasp) reverse.

People seeking public office here are, hopefully, sincere in wanting to effect change of the positive kind. We will know, possibly after next Tuesday, who will be chosen to take government to the next level. If there are runoffs as many predict, we will have to wait until November. Regardless, there are choices to be made. Knight to Indy: Choose wisely.

When the smoke finally clears, we’ll separate the promise keepers from the promise makers. We’ll know who are problem finders, problem solvers or just plain problems. But, there needs to be a whole bunch of us making those determinations. Charles said if you don’t vote, you lose the right to complain. But, as we all know, that’s not way it works. He who does least complains loudest.

One word of advice from an optimistic cynic. You folks who become public employees need to loosen up. Criticism follows any public official. Live with it. Those who are elected, and even those who are appointed to boards and commissions are not immune. If you think you are, go home. Anyone who puts themselves above criticism is tinyesque.

Charles told a story about a researcher who polled people on the street, asking if they thought the problem with politics today was empathy or apathy. The first person asked responded, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”

Sure hope that guy wasn’t standing on one of our street corners. 

By Paige Nash

The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the winner of their gun raffle yesterday, November 1, with the proceeds going towards supporting Wade Wells and his family. They were able to raise a grand total of $12,240. 

The winner of the Benelli 12-gauge Super Black Eagle 3 was Brian Still.  

Wells served more than 20 years as a patrol deputy for the WPSO before becoming ill this past July. Soon after discovering he had liver disease; he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. He is currently waiting for a liver transplant.  

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said, “Just to give an update on Wade Wells, he was able to get medical retirement, but he is over in Dallas right now. He is on top of the list over there for a liver transplant. We thought we had some good news about a week ago, a possible match. They went to get him into surgery, and something just didn’t go right. He is back trying to recover.” 

Last Thursday, Wells’ wife Terika, gave an update via Facebook. 

“In regard to future transplant: We will be meeting with those surgeons in a few days to reevaluate if he’s ready. If he is, they will reactivate him again. In the meantime, until he has the transplant the liver docs are going to try and keep him in the hospital to keep him healthy enough to have surgery. At first, we saw this whole thing as a setback. However, more than one doctor has told us if he would have had the surgery it is likely that he wouldn’t have survived. God intervened and it’s a miracle that he is still here. So please keep praying. Prayers are being answered in more ways than our minds can imagine. God is hearing each and every one of them.” 

Volunteers have joined forces to sell hamburger plates at this weekend’s upcoming Main to Main. They will be set up at the corner parking lot of the Webster Parish Courthouse on Friday and Saturday with all proceeds being donated to Wells and his family. 

By Bonnie Culverhouse

Inconsistent stories concerning an altercation eventually led Minden Police to arrest a local woman on felony charges.

Tiara Sims, 23, of the 800 block of Carolina St., Minden, was arrested for aggravated second degree battery with domestic abuse, false imprisonment with a dangerous weapon and criminal damage to property (misdemeanor).

Chief Steve Cropper said Ofc. Chris Cayer was dispatched to Minden Medical Center’s emergency room around 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in reference to a stabbing victim.

“When Cayer arrived, he talked with a male victim who had 2 severe lacerations to his right arm and 1 severe laceration to his left shoulder blade,” Cropper said. “At first, the victim claimed an unknown person stabbed him in the parking lot behind the Carolina St. apartments.”

His injuries reportedly were inconsistent with his story, and he had scratch marks on his chest and back.

“The victim finally admitted his girlfriend – Sims – had stabbed him,” said the chief. “He told the officer he was attempting to leave the residence after an argument, and Sims was trying to force him to stay.”

According to the report, the victim pushed his way out of the apartment  and Sims followed him into the parking lot. During a struggle, Sims reportedly stabbed the victim and scratched his torso.

Lt. Brandon Curry, Lt. Kenneth James and Sgt. Shane Griffith travelled to Sims’ residence, along with Ofc. Cayer.

“They knocked on the door several times, but there was no answer,” Cropper said. “Sims’ mother showed up and began trying to make contact with her.”

Cropper said the Housing Authority was also on scene with a master key to Sims’ apartment. Officers received permission from the mother to open the door after a citizen passed, saying a witness reported Sims was struck in the head with a hammer.

Around 10 a.m., officers gained entrance but reportedly did not find Sims.

“At 11:43 a.m., Minden Medical Center notified us that Sims was in the emergency room, stating she had head trauma from being hit in the head with a hammer,” Cropper said. “Sims told officers, ‘he hit me in the head with a hammer and I guess I stabbed him.’”

According to the report, Sims said the altercation took place inside her apartment, however, officers found no signs of a disturbance or blood. Sims reportedly told the officer that a cousin helped her clean it “and the hammer’s in the trash can.”

“Officers said there was no coagulation of blood on her wound, so they don’t believe it happened three hours before Sims arrived at the hospital,” said the chief. “It happened more recently than that.”

Due to the conflicting stories between Sims and the victim, officers handed over the case to Det. Lt. Keith King Jr. Sims was reportedly discharged from MMC and transported to the police department and then 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.