By Bonnie Culverhouse

Village of Dixie Inn aldermen are expected to elect Lance Milligan to serve as Mayor Pro Tem today at their 5 p.m. meeting.

Mayor Pro Tem is a position just under the mayor. He will fill Mayor Donna Hoffoss’ shoes if there is a reason she cannot fulfill her duties.

In addition, the council will hear reports from water/maintenance, police, aldermen and mayor.

In new business, Hoffoss is requesting approval to sign an intergovernmental agreement with Minden City Court.

“Minden City Court handles all of our traffic tickets so we do not have to do Mayor’s court,” said Hoffoss. “Then send us the money collected.” 

Also, aldermen will have the opportunity to approve a quote to outfit the 2023 Tahoe from TEECO Safety.

“The new Tahoe is being fitted with all the necessary equipment; they don’t come that way,” Hoffoss added. “There will be a cage in the back seat for prisoner transportation, radar, radios, lights. It will be a fully-outfitted police vehicle.”

The Village of Dixie Inn Council meets at 5 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month at Village Hall, 60 Shell Street, Dixie Inn. The public is invited to attend.

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What was your worst day on the job? Not something you want to remember? Why? I cherish the worst day I exchanged hours of my life for the GREEN. 

When you get gray in the hair, you sometimes start to think back about your worst day on the job. And I’ve got quite a bit of gray and have also realized I’m on the downward swing professionally. I’ve been at it longer than what I have left. So I thought – what was my worst day?

Easy. It came in August of 2002. Yep, a lot of you weren’t even born then, and if you were, you were toddling around in Huggies. Well in a normally hot summer August, I had a kind gentleman come into the offices at 203 Dixie Street. 

Side note: I was young y’all. Really young. Tasked with a huge job that somebody my age probably shouldn’t have had. I didn’t know what I was doing, but working hard was (and still is) all I have ever known. Fake it till you make it, right?

So this fella comes to see me. He spins me a yarn about lawsuits and a BIG BAD BANK stealing his family land. He hits me with the figure $250 BILLION. Yeah, billion. Not million.  I get on the phone with his lawyer. It sounds like the story of all stories. 60 Minutes type stuff. 

I didn’t think rationally. I thought competitively. All I wanted was to be first. All I wanted was to sell papers. I wanted to beat the Shreveport Times. I wanted to beat CNN. Hell, I wanted to win a Pulitzer Prize at 22. 

So since I tell you it was the worst day professionally of my life, you can imagine what the result was.

There was no lawsuit. It was a scam. It was a sham. And for the life of me I still don’t know what the endgame was. Maybe they just woke up one day and said “let’s see if we can get this young fool to run our bogus story and make him look like a jabroni.” Y’all like that word? Jabroni – thank you to The Rock. 

Well, mission accomplished. I ran it. It was a lie. And before the clock struck five (paper went out at 10 that AM) I was getting calls from lawyers in Atlanta. The bank’s lawyers. The big bank. One of the biggest bank chains in all of the world.

Oh lord, it was a mess. I thought I was gone. Jailed for defamation. Cut down before I even got started. And worse – sued into oblivion. I would get sued multiple times before all was said and done in that chapter of my life. Heck, being sued became commonplace – like changing socks. I was numb to it. That didn’t happen this go around. I did have a huge retraction to print, a come to jesus meeting with the head of said LARGE bank chain in his office – that was fun – and a pride so wounded I still have nightmares about it to this day.

But, in the end, it passed as all things do. Funny thing is, I am glad it happened. Anyone who knows me knows I am extraordinarily competitive and passionate. That’s how Yahweh made me. My good days aren’t as important as my bad days. I don’t learn from what I do right. But, brothers and sisters, let me tell you I do learn from my mistakes. I made a mistake that day. And I’ve made a whole heckofalot of mistakes since then. Still make them with each passing 24 hours. Don’t get sued any more, thankfully. A least not in the last decade. 

Bad days are good. They are cool. They are welcome. 

Mistakes make the person. Learning from them makes the soul.

It was a bad day in 2002. 

But I’d take nothing for it. 

Just…I hope I don’t have anymore quite like that again. NOTHING is as rough as staring down a group of Atlanta lawyers. And that isn’t even counting the time I was sued by the ACLU.

That was a bad day as well.

But that . . . is another story.

(Josh Beavers is a teacher and a writer. He has been recognized five times for excellence in opinion writing by the Louisiana Press Association.)

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Kathy Cropper, owner of Red Blooms Floral Designs and Events, made floral arrangements to distribute specifically to Savannah Court of Minden and Town & Country Health and Rehab in celebration of Valentine’s Day.

With a goal of 100 arrangements, businesses and citizens were asked to donate $20 to sponsor a senior citizen with an arrangement. Cropper said the business exceeded that number with $125 arrangements.

Helping Cropper and her crew unload flowers were Sheriff Jason Parker, former Police Chief Steve Cropper, Mayor Nick Cox and Town and Country staff. T&C Activity Director Leatrice Lee presented a bouquet to resident James Clark.

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Just prior to halftime of Sunday’s Super Bowl LVII, Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes was barely able to make it off the field after he aggravated an ankle injury suffered in the AFC Championship Game. The Philadelphia Eagles soon kicked a field goal to build their lead to 24-14 at halftime. 

Things didn’t look good for the short-term future of the reigning NFL MVP, and it appeared a couple of trends would continue. A newly-crowned league MVP had not won the Super Bowl since 1999 and the team who’d won the coin toss hadn’t won the game in nearly a decade. 

Following the extended halftime break, Mahomes looked like … well, Mahomes. 

The 27-year-old threw a pair of touchdowns in the fourth quarter, then engineered a game-winning drive in the final five minutes and the Chiefs rallied to defeat Philadelphia, 38-35, as Kansas City and Mahomes collected their second championship in four seasons. 

Former Minden star L’Jarius Sneed earned his first title. The Chiefs’ cornerback led the team with two passes defended and ranked third with seven tackles on Sunday. The former fourth-round draft pick was a rookie when the Chiefs lost to Tampa Bay in the Super Bowl to end the 2020 campaign. 

“I learned a lot this year – tried to learned how to try to be a leader,” Sneed said during this Super Bowl week. 

The performance marked the Louisiana Tech product’s return from a concussion suffered against the Cincinnati Bengals early in the AFC title game. 

“I was sensitive to light the first few days, but I was fine after that,” Sneed said. 

Sneed dedicated this year’s Super Bowl run to his late brother, TQ Harrison, who was killed in Minden in December of 2021. 

“I think about him every day,” Sneed said. “He raised me.” 

The second former Bulldog in the game, Philadelphia running back Boston Scott, had four touches against Kansas City in his first appearance in the big game. 

Scott had three carries for eight yards and one reception from quarterback Jalen Hurts for nine yards. 

Another former Tech standout, Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams, made one solo tackle. 

Former LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was inactive for the Chiefs on Sunday, but the running back will pick up his first ring. Edwards-Helaire, out with an injury during the second half of this season, was Kansas City’s leading rusher when it lost to the Buccaneers in the Super Bowl. 

Contact Roy at roylangiii@yahoo.com

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February 10 was Faye Miller’s 100th birthday. This photo was taken at her “early”  birthday party on Saturday, February 4 at Antioch Baptist Church in Dixie Inn. Pictured are in-laws and son (from left), Barbara Miller, Linda Miller, honoree Faye Miller, and Jimmy and Sharon Miller. To read about Mrs. Miller, visit http://www.websterparishjournal.com and search under 02/01/23.

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United Christian Assistance Program needs the following items:

Food: Cereal, crackers, powdered milk, biscuit mix, cornbread mix

Clothing: Men’s shoes/tennis shoes/boots

Household goods: sheets, pots and pans, plates and bowls

Toiletries: toothpaste, deodorant

Monetary donations are appreciated.

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.

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Send non-profit calendar events to wpjnewsla@gmail.com .

Feb. 14

Noon. Care and Maintenance of Roses, Lunch and Learn by LSU AgCenter. Webster Parish Library Main Branch in Minden. Speaker: Mark Wilson, regional horticulturist, LSU AgCenter. No pre-registration, open to public. Please bring lunch or snack.

Feb. 17

Last day to register for baseball/softball sign ups at Minden Recreation Center.

Feb. 18

11 a.m. 2023 Martin Luther King/Black History Parade & Youth Rally. Downtown Minden. Parade contests, Battle of the Bands, scholarship winners announced, area vendors.

Feb. 21

11 a.m. Ribbon Cutting at Shields Storage Center.

Feb. 25

8:30 a.m. registration; 9 a.m. until noon lectures for Buds & Blooms 2023, sponsored by Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardners. First United Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden. Topic: Landscaping for birds. Tickets: $15. All proceeds go to 4-H Youth Gardening Contest and 4-H Scholarships.

March 1

Boys/Belles registration begins at Minden Recreation Center.

March 4

2023 Jonquil Jubilee Homes and Garden Tour, Gibsland, La.

6 p.m. LaMa Bingo, Springhill Civic Center, 101 Machen Dr., Springhill.

March 24

Today is the deadline for vendors to register for 2023 Wings and Wheels Fly-in and Car Show at Minden Airport. Please make all checks payable to Parker Still and mail them to 100 Aviation Drive, Minden, LA 71055. Checks or cash may also be delivered in person to the Minden Airport seven days a week from 8-5. AirRunners Aviation will not be providing chairs so please bring your own. No more than 2 people per booth. Completed Registration forms must be mailed to 100 Aviation Drive, Minden, LA 71055, emailed to airrunnersaviation@yahoo.com, faxed to 318.377.6789, or delivered in person to the Minden Airport no later than March 24.

March 28

Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala. Call 377-4240 for more information.

April 1

AirRunners Aviation is seeking vendors to participate in the 2023 Wings and Wheels Fly-in and Car Show at Minden Airport.

April 26

10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Scottish Tartan Festival, Miller Quarters, 198 Gleason St., Minden, La.

• Scottish Highland dancing

• Storytelling, living history exhibitions 

• Food and merchant vendors, including Great Raft beer 

• Traditional music and Celtic Rock 

• Scottish Highland cattle petting area 

• Broadsword demonstrations and Highland Games exhibitions 

• Clan tent exhibits and the March of the Clans 

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Over the course of an angler’s career, there are times and situations that can turn deadly really quickly. How you react when you’re in one of these unexpected disasters can be the difference between living or dying. Your ability to remain calm is very important in maintaining a clear head and thinking things through. Today, we’ll go over one of these life-or-death events that this angler had to live through. 

During the course of a bass tournament, things can go wrong. You hit a stump and destroy your lower unit on your big motor. You run into a log with your trolling motor and break the shaft. You blow a fuse, and all your electronics stop working. You lose your aerator system with your live wells and all your fish die. But there’s also the possibility that your batteries go dead, leaving you without the ability to use the trolling motor. This is what happened to me during a promotional tournament sponsored by the Horseshoe Casino. 

For three or four years, the Horseshoe Casino sponsored an event in which they brought in all their “high rollers” and hired 20 to 25 of the best anglers in the area to guide these guys while they fished for a $10,000 purse, a “winner take all tournament.” It was truly a fun event with some great guys who were just looking to go fishing and have a good time. But make no mistake, each wanted to win, and they would sell their mother down the river in order to get the win. Horseshoe paid us (guides) well to take these guys out for a two-day tournament. We fished from daylight till about 1:00 each day and had to be at the Horseshoe for the weigh-in by 2:00. 

One of these events was on Red River and this is where one of my worst nightmares unfolded. My partner and I were fishing and doing pretty good, when around 10:00 AM that morning my trolling motor batteries went dead. At the time, we had about 14 pounds of fish in the live-well with three hours of fishing left. Well, let’s just say the wind was not our friend, blowing about 15 to 20 MPH out of the south, so not having a trolling motor was going to make fishing very difficult. So, I decided to go back close to the boat ramp we launched from and let the wind push us down a stretch of bank that I had caught good fish off of before. We made one pass down this 150-yard stretch and culled two good keepers that gave us about 16 pounds by 11:00 AM with two hours left. 

After we made that first pass, we ended up by a boat dock where people had a couple of houseboats tied up. Again, the wind was really blowing hard and as we drifted, we got hung up on the boat dock and I had to try and push us off. There was one piling that was in my way and as I was trying to push the boat away from this piling, my hand slipped off and into the water I went! One thing I learned when I hit the water was not just how cold the water was, but that the pullover jacket I had on, which was made of Burma fleece, was equivalent to a huge sponge. Understand this, you cannot imagine how absorbent  Burma fleece really is. The minute I hit the water, I gained 25 pounds of extra weight on top of my 230-pound frame. I went straight to the bottom and landed like an anchor being dropped from the Titanic. 

The first thing that went through my mind was, “This is not good,” as I opened my eyes and realized I was in a bad situation in 15 feet of water. I attempted to try and remove my pullover, but it was as if I had been shrink wrapped with this Burma fleece jacket. There was no getting it off, so now I’m just trying to figure out how to get back to the surface. The piling my hand had slipped off of was about 4 feet away from me, so I started walking on the bottom of the riverbed and wrapped my legs around the piling and started trying to shimmy my way up. Problem was, the piling was covered in algae, and it was like a  monkey trying to climb a greased pole. Finally, I was able to get enough grip with my shoes, that it allowed me to get my head above water. I’m not sure how long I was under the water, but according to my 75-year-old partner, it was at least 2 minutes. He thought I had drowned and was in total panic mode.

 After surfacing I asked him to throw my life jacket to me. Even though it was laying in the driver’s seat in plain sight, he could not see it. At this point there was no choice, it was either swim to the bank or try to get back to the boat. Getting to the boat, in my mind, was a priority as my partner was on the verge of a heart attack! At this point I pushed off the piling and swam towards the boat and lifted myself back into the boat with the help of the trim switch on the motor. Totally exhausted, I laid on the back deck of the boat for about 15 minutes trying to recover and gain my energy back. 

Once fully recovered, it was time to get these wet clothes off. This is why you should keep a complete change of clothes in your boat at all times. Once changed out, we went back to fishing…. against my partners wishes. But as far as I was concerned, we were in it to win it and we needed to get to 18 pounds to have a shot. Well, we ended up in 3rd with a little over 16 pounds, but to say it was an adventure is an understatement. 

After it was all said and done, I realized on my drive back home that day just how quickly things can take a turn for the worst. But looking back, the thing that stood out from this experience was that I never panicked. For some reason, I was able to maintain my composure, think clearly and slowly process my situation, and find my way back to the surface. Talking to a game warden one day about my experience, he told me that most drownings take place in water 4 feet or less, all because people panic and lose their thought process…when all they really had to do was stand up. Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget your sunscreen.

Steve Graf

Hook’N Up & Track’N Down

Show & Tackle Talk Live  

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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.

Feb. 6

Corbin Ray Tilley, 21, of the 100 block of Rural Rd., Sarepta, was arrested by WPSO for theft, criminal trespass and a parole hold through Arkansas.

Feb. 7

Julie Michelle Taylor, 40, of the 100 block of Earl St., Cotton Valley, was arrested by WPSO as a fugitive from Claiborne Parish.

Randall Tyler Sims, 19, no address available, was arrested by WPSO on two counts of contempt of court. Original charges were unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and unauthorized entry of a business.

Kristin Colter Davis, 20, of the 1000 block of Old Sarepta Church Rd., Sarepta, La., was arrested by WPSO as a fugitive from LaSalle Parish.

Feb. 8

Shawn Mathew Dowling, 30, of the 200 block of Lakeview, Doyine, La., was arrested by WPSO for simple battery and simple criminal damage to property.

Harley R. Coile, 20, of the 26,000 block of Hwy. 371, Sarepta, was arrested by Probation and Parole on a probation violation.

Shameka Henderson, 41, of the 800 block of Watterman St., Minden, was arrested by MPD for two active bench warrants.

Feb. 9

Braxton L. Leonard, 24, of the 400 block of Frazier Rd., Sarepta, La., was arrested on a warrant from Texas for aggravated robbery.

Feb. 10

Lydell Tell, 35, of the 200 block of Sherwood, Springhill, La., was arrested by Probation and Parole for a probation violation.

Mark Alan Willis, 57, of the 200 block of Bryant Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO on a warrant for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Kayla Renee Faulk, 27, of Dorcheat Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for simple theft.

Terry D. Douglas, 30, of the 200 block of Ward St., Doyline, was arrested by WPSO for battery on a dating partner and fugitive from Minden Police.

Cory Joe Davis Oglee, 40, of the 100 block of Bobby Davis Rd., Shongaloo, was arrested by WPSO for criminal trespassing. He had been previously arrested for stealing from the victim.

Feb. 11

Kennie Tippins, 56, of the 1400 block of Webster Ave., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for burglary of an inhabited dwelling.

Brandon Michael Sukey, 31, of the 100 block of Cave St., Sarepta, was arrested by WPSO for driving under suspension and improper equipment.

Feb. 12

Daniel Glenn Wright, 37, of Haughton, La. Was arrested by WPSO for criminal neglect of family.

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.

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Evelyn D. Brooks

Nov. 11, 1950 – Feb. 12, 2023

Doyline, La.

Visitation: 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. immediately following visitation.

Burial: West Lake Cemetery, Doyline, La.

Michael Glennward Thompson

Sept. 12, 1956 – Feb. 11, 2023

Springhill, La.

Visitation: Noon until 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. immediately following visitation.

Burial: Springhill Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home.

Judith Charlene Jacks Teague

March 13, 1948 – Feb. 9, 2023

Visitation; 5 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, Central Baptist Church, Springhill.

Burial: Old Town Cemetery, Haynesville, La.

Graciela Amparan Driskill Moreau

May 17, 1969 – Feb. 7, 2023

Bienville, La.

Visitation: 5 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Arcadia.

Funeral service: 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Burial: Driskill Mountain 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.)

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

For the second time in as many days, Minden Police found themselves in a high-speed chase – this time the driver covered a lot of territory, sometimes in excess of 100 miles per hour.

Racking up charges in Webster and Claiborne parishes was James Matthew Patterson, 40, of Highway 159, Minden.

Chief Jared McIver said Off. Lita Hopkins was patrolling Homer Road Thursday morning when she observed a subject pass a vehicle, crossing the double yellow line into oncoming traffic.

“She tried to stop him and then gave chase up Country Club Circle, Germantown Road to Kisatchie National Forest roads, back to Germantown Road, up to Highway 2 in Claiborne Parish,” McIver said. “Then he turned east toward Homer.”

The chief said the pursuit ended with a collision between the subject and law enforcement officials’ vehicles. There were no injuries.

Claiborne Parish arrested Patterson for speeding, aggravated assault with a vehicle, careless operation of a motor vehicle, running a stop sign, failure to maintain his lane, no turn signal, resisting an officer, aggravated criminal damage to property, flight from an officer and no seatbelt.

Minden Police’s charges include improper lane usage, passing on a double yellow line, passing a school bus, littering and aggravated flight from an officer.

“While we were in Webster Parish, the driver was steadily throwing things out of his windows … water bottles and a black package,” McIver said. “We went so many places, it was hard to go back and find anything. Right now, Wildlife and Fisheries is in Kisatchie looking for the black package.”

The chief said Claiborne Sheriff’s deputies and Louisiana State Troopers were involved, along with Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies.

“They were a huge help,” McIver said. “Sheriff (Sam) Dowies with Claiborne Parish  … all his deputies were a huge help. All these agencies working together is what made it happen,” McIver said of the arrest. 

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.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

A high speed chase Tuesday night ended in a crash in a neighborhood just off Homer Road.

Xander Procell, 21, was taken to Ocshner’s LSU Health Center in Shreveport with non life threatening injuries. When released, he will be charged with aggravated flight from an officer, possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, simple criminal damage to property and obstruction of justice.

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver said Sgt. Chris Cayer was patrolling Claiborne Avenue around 11 p.m. when he observed Procell’s vehicle running a stop sign at the corner of Goode Avenue and Homer Road.

“Procell saw the sergeant’s emergency lights and accelerated at a high rate of speed,” McIver said. “The vehicle turned onto Cline Street running stop signs and traveling 70 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone.”

When Procell ran a stop sign at the intersection of Cline and East Todd streets, he reportedly lost control of his vehicle.

“The driver plowed through a yard in the 1000 block of Gloria Street,” said the chief. “He struck two pine trees, causing damage to both the vehicle and the trees. He kept driving into a yard in the 1100 block of Gloria Street where he came to a stop.”

McIver said emergency medical services was contacted when Procell complained of a back injury.

“He then told Sgt. Cayer that he had swallowed an 8-ball of methamphetamine,” McIver said, explaining it equals 3.5 grams. “At that point, his eyes began rolling back in his head and his speech slurred.”

In a search of the area and vehicle, officers recovered a bag of methamphetamine.

According to McIver, Procell took the truck from his employer without permission.

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.

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By Marilyn Miller

Volunteers have been working quietly behind the scenes since this time last year, but that will all come to a boisterous head on Thursday, Feb. 9 when the citizens of Minden, south Webster Parish, and, indeed, the world “Wave Goodbye to Cancer” during the four-day Minden St. Jude Auction.

The auction, which has contributed nearly 20 million dollars to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis during its 47 year run, is broadcast and streamed all over the world by KASO AM and FM, Optimum (formerly Suddenlink) Cable and mindenstjude.com.

But there was a time when the auction was a 24-hour event broadcasting from KASO 1240 AM at its small radio station tucked between Turner’s Pond and Lakeshore Drive.

In 1976, Minden businessman, Pete Treat, lost his daughter Anne to cancer, and he wanted some way to honor her memory. At the same time, he wanted to help St. Jude, the non-profit hospital where she was treated with such love and care. He approached station owners Bo Cook and Digger O’Dell about using the station for an auction. They said “Yes,” and the rest is, as they say, history.

“I was working part-time for KASO at the time and Pete Treat approached me and asked me if I would ‘run the board’ for the auction,” recalled Minden journalist Pat Culverhouse. “If you’ve ever been in the station, you know that the rooms we were working in are small, like 10’x10’, barely room for three people.”

But on that day, Pat and Pete did the talking while 10-15 other people crammed themselves into the studio. In another 10’x10’ room, 10-15 more people worked, manning phones, taking donations, ringing cowbells.

“We had three whole phone lines,” Pat said. “I spent probably 12 hours running equipment (to talk over the air). We didn’t have digital equipment like they do today.”

One way the organizers utilized to attract donations that first year was the “Mystery Prize,” a taxidermist-donated deer’s butt, complete with eyes and a nose.

“We got nearly a thousand dollars for that thing,” Pat said, a smile in his voice. Not too shockingly, the “Mystery Prize” didn’t reappear in 1977.

“It was a lot of fun,” Pat recalled, and people were eager to help. “You know, people would call in a $5 or $10 pledge and we’d be tickled to death.”

People also donated airtime. Mike O’Brien was an evangelist, and he had a 30-minute show on KASO that day. He donated his airtime, with the only stipulation being that he be allowed to pray before the start. And he did.

“We had one guy who wanted to buy a thousand dollars-worth of Grand Prize tickets, and we had to tell him we didn’t have that many Grand Prize tickets.”

Yes, listeners were eager to help in 1976, just like they are today. And help has never been hard to find.

“It started out with a core group of about 20,” Pat recalled. “Then it grew to 40, then 80, 160…then the whole town of Minden.”

That core group the first year did everything from soliciting prizes to baking cakes. And some of the first people, like Mike Harper, have been a part of the auction for all 47 years.

That first Minden-KASO St. Jude Radiothon netted $10,000 for the children’s hospital. Today, proceeds from the many fund-raising activities of the Minden St. Jude Auction have exceeded two million dollars.

“I did the St. Jude auction for 20 years,” Pat recalled. “It was quite a lot of fun.”

“Except for those cowbells…”

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Some guys grow beards during hunting season. Others grow beards during the giving season. Then there are those who do both.

A group of deputies with Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office have expanded their facial hair in order to donate money to the annual Minden St. Jude Auction in “Operation Fuzzy Wuzzy.”

“A year ago, some of my guys came to me and asked if they could grow beards for hunting season,” said Bienville Sheriff John Ballance. “I said no, indeed. This year they came back and asked again.”

The deputies agreed to put money in a pot specifically to donate to a charity. The sheriff chose St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the Minden St. Jude Auction, and the campaign began to grow beards as well as money. He even offered to match what the deputies grew – in money, not the beard.

Ballance said they began collecting and growing in November and have kept it going.

“Some of my deputies can’t grow beards,” he said. “The ladies wanted to participate, too, so I told them they could still put in money.”

Wednesday afternoon, the sheriff and a couple of his fuzziest wuzzies met St. Jude Auction folks at the Minden Civic Center to present a check for $7,500.

Ballance said he would like to see some of the surrounding law enforcement agencies participate next year.

Consider the challenge flag thrown.

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By Josh Beavers

Minden and the surrounding communities will likely bring in another million dollars over the next few days. The money goes to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the local St. Jude Auction has become an iconic event in Webster Parish and beyond.

Local schools get in on the action as well. The exact number eludes this report; however, it would not be too hard to imagine our schools have combined to bring in more than a million dollars on their own over the last few years.

One such school is located down Sibley way. On the side of Hwy 371 lies Lakeside, a little school that has brought in $111,520 for St. Jude over the course of the last seven years.

“We do not have any large donors,” assistant principal Ashley Hooter said. “Our teachers and students work throughout the year selling food items, hosting events such as teachers versus students volleyball, powderpuff football, and students participating in dress days throughout the year.”

Here are the numbers:

2016: $10,500

2017: $14, 200

2018: $16,590

2019: $19,233.08 

2020: $15,017.59 

2021: $15, 200 

2022: 20,789 

Total: $111,520 

There have been two Lakeside students who have received treatment at St. Jude in recent years. Conner Bell and Jake Chumley both were diagnosed with variants of the deadly disease. Both received life-saving treatment and are now living symbols of the importance of continuing to raise funds for St. Jude.

The Lakeside students and surrounding community understand that importance.

“Our students are aware that St. Jude is leading the way in treating and defeating childhood cancer,” Hooter said. “It is personal to the faculty/staff and students at Lakeside because we have had members of the Warrior family that have been directly affected by cancer resulting in treatment at St. Jude.”

Prior to the Covid pandemic, there was a school trip to Memphis every May for those Lakeside students who are instrumental in helping with the annual fundraising. That’s right. It’s not solely a teacher endeavor to make the Auction such a success at Lakeside. After all, it takes dedicated students to break records.

Hooter said the trips are about making personal connections and let the students see first-hand how important what they do is to young children and their families.  

“Our students hosted a BINGO night at the Ronald McDonald House for patients and their families,” she said. “This was such a gratifying experience. Our students had the opportunity to put smiles on the faces of several kids and their parents for a couple hours. Some of the kids asked students to go outside and draw with them on the sidewalk with sidewalk chalk. Those students will never forget that.”

As part of a tour of the hospital, Hooter said, “I think the favorite part for all of us was the hallway where the No More Chemo parties take place. It was surreal to see the leftover pieces of confetti on the hallway floor. It was such an incredible opportunity to visibly see what the money we spend months raising does for the patients/families at St. Jude.”

Hooter said every faculty member helps, but there is a core group that leads the way.

“Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Gregg, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Greene, and Mrs. Wynn have been working tirelessly to raise money as well as plan events,” she said. “We could not give what we give nor do all that we do without the entire faculty, but these particular teachers go above and beyond in helping fundraise.” 

One thing is certain, Minden will continue to break fundraising efforts for St. Jude. And Lakeside will be right there every step of the way.

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Sittin’ in the rocker one lazy afternoon and saw a teaser for a Hometown Patriot segment on Shreveport TV station (Channel 3) featuring one of our own, Dr. Richard (Feelgood) Campbell. Watched with much pride as his service to our country was put on display. 

Most in our hometown have known Richard for years. Yours truly had the privilege of having the good doc as a classmate beginning in the eighth grade at the old school building and continuing through high school years at MHS until 1964 graduation. 

As some would say, there are stories to tell. Sitting in the rocker watching the piece brought memories of sitting in other seats alongside the good doctor, including a few stints in a certain Studebaker. But those are better left deposited in the memory bank.  

While the Patriot segment told a story of an important part of his life, it doesn’t tell the whole story of the young Army officer who survived combat service in Viet Nam and returned home to become one of Minden’s most underpublicized servants. 

To list all he has done for his hometown and his world would run a flash drive short of memory. We’d have to expand the definition of philanthropy and altruism to tell of all his good works to help others, both here and beyond the borders of this country he fought to protect. 

He’s given his time, talent, legal tender and even blood to benefit others. Dr. Campbell has long been recognized as one of the most prolific blood donors in our corner of the planet. He’s received his share of awards and tributes, and is deserving of more.

One of Richard’s most admirable qualities, however, is his ability to serve and contribute without fanfare. He’s a leader/supporter who needs no Facebook selfies, no social media self-serving autobiographical pronouncements, no publicist on retainer and no medical treatment for injury suffered from dislocating a shoulder while patting one’s self on the back.

Dr. Campbell exemplifies that of which Minden needs more; selfless leaders who think of others more often than themselves and quietly go about their good works. We know there are others in our hometown, maybe more than we think. The public won’t know them all because they neither need nor seek acknowledgement.

It would be comforting to know we’re encouraging a generation of selfless leaders to follow in the footsteps of people like Richard. To the people who want to fill big shoes, consider a revised version of The Speech. 

“People are basically good. Faith, family, honor and courage mean everything. Power, money and social status mean nothing, and those who believe otherwise have already failed.” 

Briefly taking a more typical Rocker tone, we watched Minden’s city council run through its regular Monday meeting with nary a hiccup…well, not so much that you’d notice unless you’re a rememberer. We remember some on the previous council could pop a migraine over our city’s employee manual and the need for upgrading same.

Apparently there’s been movement on that issue, but watching and then reading about Monday’s session raised a question. In a news story, we saw one line that said the city council voted unanimously on “Employee Manual Revision.” Curious: did that mean the manual has been completed and approved, or only parts have been revised?

And, we’re wondering if that manual gives jobs and descriptions for city employees. Do any revisions cover the filling of vacancies or the time frame for doing so? We ask only because there was much publicity concerning the loss of our economic development coordinator, and we understand that position is still vacant. Maybe we’re waiting to fill that slot until another TV show comes along and upgrades a house. 

– Pat Culverhouse

 

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Last week we talked about victims and how they’re selected.  This week I’d like to jump right into a discussion about the other side of a violent encounter – the criminal – and some of their common traits and behaviors.  Let’s begin, shall we?

For starters, roughly 50% of violent attacks are committed by pairs or groups of bad guys.  It’s generally easier for bad guys to do bad guy stuff to you if they have assistance.  Therefore, if you’re prepared for violence and you’re able to stop an initial threat or attack, it’s extremely important to know that there might be another attacker present that you didn’t spot.  Just because you successfully defend yourself against one person, don’t immediately assume an attack is over.  You need to be looking around – you need to find other bad guys, good guys, and places to go – because standing in one spot with all your attention devoted to one person could get you killed.

Most bad guys committing violent acts against others will likely have an extensive criminal history.  It’s unlikely that a bad guy begins their crime career with robbery, rape, or murder.  Usually, criminals start young, committing various other crimes, and ultimately work their way to violence against other people.  Bad guys spend a lot of time getting good at being bad.  They hone their skills and escalate their behaviors over time.  Criminals are constantly getting better at their “craft.”  How much effort do you put into getting better at being a defender of yourself and others?  Chances are you’re probably getting outworked and it’s up to you rectify the balance and tip the scales in your favor. 

Bad guys who commit sexual offenses (especially against women or children) will likely be registered sex offenders.  If they’re not registered sex offenders, they’re unregistered sex offenders which are just as bad and just as dangerous.  One could argue that they’re even more dangerous than their registered predecessors because they’ve been clever enough not to get caught.  Don’t think that just because someone is a violent criminal that they’re inherently stupid.  A lot of violent criminals are highly intelligent and underestimating them can have tragic consequences.

A lot of violent criminals are drug and / or alcohol abusers.  Everyone understands that hard drugs are bad, and that people under the influence of mind-altering substances can be dangerous.  However, I’d like you to also consider the drug addict who isn’t high in the moment but is jonesing for his next fix.  There’s not much that a meth-head won’t do for an 8-ball.  A drug addict who isn’t high is always looking to get high, and they’re likely to maim or kill someone over a small amount of cash that they’re just going to put up their nose, or into a vein.  They might not want to hurt you, but their need for a fix can be far more powerful than any shred of humanity they have left, making them particularly dangerous.

Most bad guys will have some sort of communicable disease.  Evil doers tend to live high risk lifestyles, which opens them up to various illnesses and disease which they can pass to you through bloodborne pathogens.  If you missed it, I encourage you to go back and read Slicing the Pie installment #9 titled “There Will be Blood.”  It covers this specific topic in more detail and outlines important steps to take following a self-defense scenario – to screen for various things that Ajax won’t take off.

Attackers might have a legitimate mental disorder.  If you’re a follower of Slicing the Pie, or a student of Nine and One Tactical, then you know that avoidance, deterrence, and de-escalation are always preferred methods of conflict resolution, as opposed to using force.  That said, folks who suffer from mental disorders such as bi-polar or schizophrenia, (yes, I had to use spell-check for that one) are far less likely to be phased by any attempt at deterrence or de-escalation for the simple fact that their capacity for reasoning is, at best, diminished.  Some mental disorders can be managed with medication, but it’s very common for sufferers of mental illness to be non-compliant with their prescription regiment.

If you’re unfortunate enough to encounter a legitimate psychopath – a condition for which there is no known treatment – other than the once popular, Nobel Prize-winning Frontal Lobotomy – you should know that they don’t have the capacity to feel empathy, whatsoever.  Not every psychopath is violent, but the ones that are can only be stopped one way – with extreme ruthlessness.  Estimations of psychopathy cases in the United States range from approximately 1% to 4.5% – basically 1 – 5 out of every 100 people is a legitimate psychopath.  Now, look up your community’s population and do the math.  Frightening, isn’t it?

Almost all violent attackers will be armed.  They’re more likely to have weapons than accomplices, but you should be prepared to encounter both.  Just like having help, having weapons makes it easier for them to do bad guy stuff to you.  Hopefully, this bit of information prompts you to arm yourself and, more importantly, get trained.  Ending up at knifepoint or gunpoint is a terrible situation.  Ending up there without a weapon of your own is likely a death sentence.  Furthermore, you should know that nobody wins a knife fight – knife fights just determine who dies last.  Firearms are the most effective and efficient tools at our disposal for personal defense and is why I love to see them in the hands of good, trained people.  Good guys with guns make everyone safer.

If you have a topic you’d like to see addressed in Slicing the Pie, please email me.  I’d love to hear from you, and if I can, I’d love to tackle your question.  You can keep your questions anonymous or, if you like, I’d be glad to mention you in an article.  Until next time…

Avoid what you can.  Defeat what you can’t.

-Ryan

Please submit your questions to Ryan via email at Ryan@9and1tactical.com

(Ryan Barnette is not a licensed attorney or a medical provider, and no information provided in “Slicing the Pie,” or any other publication authored by Ryan Barnette should be construed, in any way, as official legal, or medical advice.)

 

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By Paige Nash 

Dave Tierney with Maximum Security Systems attended Tuesday’s Webster Parish Police Jury meeting to demonstrate the prison cell that will be put on location at the new women’s prison. The facility will sit on approximately 5 acres of land located on Penal Farm Road. 

Each cell will hold two prisoners. The cells include two beds with a sink, mirror and toilet. These cells will be stacked by two and are already built and ready to go. The plan calls for 64-66 beds in total.  

The WPPJ has been busy working on the land on Penal Farm Road where the new prison will be located. It has been cleared

 with stumps removed.  

All that stands in the way of the prison opening is getting the main building constructed. According to Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker, the main building will be 100 x 100 metal building. The plans also include an exercise area and parking.  

After that project is complete, they will begin moving the already pre-built cells to the location. 

The prison is expected to be open and fully functional by the end of the year. They will begin transporting prisoners as soon as it is completed.  

The WPPJ budgeted $214,000 for this facility. The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office will be covering the overage. 

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Smoother roads are in Minden’s future after the city council voted unanimously Monday to advertise for bids for the 2022-2023 street improvements project.

Superintendent of Streets Terry Combs said once the council votes to advertise, they will move fairly quickly. So far, there is no order to the list of improvements.

“It really depends on the contractor and his schedule,” Combs said. “I’m assuming that since Country Club (Circle) is probably going to be a complete rehab, they may start on that one first. But there’s no way of knowing for sure.”

The following streets and roads are on the list:

• Country Club Circle from Germantown Road to Lewisville Road;
• Bayou Avenue from Pine to High streets;
• High Street from Bayou Avenue to Shreveport Road;
• North Middle Landing from West Street to Shreveport Road;
• South Middle Landing from Shreveport Road to Horton Street;
• East Street from Martin Luther King Drive to Industrial Drive;
• Carolina Street from East to Sibley Road; and,
• Intersection of Davenport and Erwin Thompson drives.

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By Jessica Gorman

Dr. Luther Longino described Yellow Pine as a “noisy, bustling town of two thousand population.” A place where “life was real and in earnest. Children lived and died, men and women were cut down by disease and accident, poverty and sadness went hand in hand; men came and went, some were successful and some failures, character was made, and character was lost.” As a child, Gene Austin lived in Yellow Pine while his step-father worked there as a blacksmith. The famous artist, Ben Earl Looney was born there in 1904. His father, Julian, was a hotel keeper. 

Yellow Pine began with the construction of a sawmill by the Lake Bistineau Lumber Company in 1891. A railroad was built for the operations of the mill, transportation, and as a means for conveying supplies shipped by steamboat to Noles Landing on Lake Bistineau. This railroad became the Sibley, Lake Bistineau, and Southern Railway. 

Ownership of the mill changed hands several times before it was purchased by Long-Bell Lumber Company in 1898 and the name changed to Globe Lumber Company. Just two years later, the mill burned but was rebuilt. 

The new mill was “a modern three-band saw mill…It has full equipped steam dry kilns and the largest planing mill in the South under one roof. All new and up-to-date machinery.” A company office, hotel, and 210 houses for employees were built. According to Allen Dale Lindsey, “The company produced its own electricity and supplied it to some of the employees’ houses, the mill, and the company buildings. They built their own telephone system for communication and installed plumbing in some of their facilities.” There was also a boarding house, post office, doctor’s office, commissary, and of course, the church and school. 

In 1903, the mill employed about 750 men and owned 68,093 acres of timber. Lumber from Yellow Pine was shipped all across the country until 1913 when “the great virgin forest of the area had been cut over and a new mill site had to be selected” leaving “the desolate ruin of what had been the great longleaf pine forest.”

(Jessica Gorman is the Assistant Director and Archivist for the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum in Minden and is an avid genealogist.)

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By T-Bubba Edwards

The NFC Championship game was played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, home of the #1 Seed Philadelphia Eagles. This matchup between the San Francisco 49’ers vs the hometown Eagles was pretty lopsided. 

Eagles offense was led by quarterback Jalen Hurts. Hurts was able to do basically whatever he wanted to do against the 49’ers defense which really surprised me. Hurts threw for 121 yards, throwing 15 completions on 25 attempts and rushing 11 times for 39 yards and scoring 1 touchdown. Just as impressive as the Eagles offense was, the Defense was even better. The Eagles defense is very deep and the new additions of Ndamukong Suh and Linval Joseph to help strengthen the inside of the D-line has really paid off for the Eagles. The final score was Eagles 31 and 49’ers 7. The Eagles move on to Super Bowl 57 to face the AFC champion.

The AFC Championship game was the same exact game as last year when the Cincinnati Bengals had to travel to Kansas City Missouri’s famous Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs. This game featured in my opinion, the best 2 quarterbacks in the NFL with Joe Burrow of the Bengals and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs. Our home town hero, L’Jarius Sneed was injured early with a concussion and was not able to return to the game. I was worried that with Sneed out that Joe Burrow would take advantage of the replacement for Sneed but that was not the case. Burrow did do well but Patrick Mahomes picked up a huge first down on his bum ankle that sealed the win for the Chiefs. This will be the Chiefs’ 3rd Super Bowl in the past 4 seasons.

Super Bowl 57 will be played Sunday February 12th at State Farm Stadium in Glendale Arizona. This super bowl will be between the Philadelphia Eagles vs the Kansas City Chiefs. With the news that Sneed has passed all of the NFL’s concussion protocols I believe that my prediction is that the Chiefs will win 35 to 23. I believe that Mahomes will score 3 touchdowns and that Jalen Hurts will throw 1 pick to Minden’s own L’jarius Sneed. 

Win or loose, I plan on begging, I mean asking L’jarius Sneed to let me interview him and having that story soon.

(T-Bubba Edwards is a student at Glenbrook School and a columnist for Webster Parish Journal. Listen live to T-Bubba’s Sports Talk at 6:05 p.m. Mondays on KASO AM 1240 and kbef.com.)

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Anyone who has ever dreamed of becoming a Master Gardener will now have that chance.

LSU AgCenter is accepting applications for the next Northwest Louisiana Master Gardeners class, scheduled for June through September. Membership is open to all adults in Northwest Louisiana. Master Gardeners are the volunteer arm of the LSU AgCenter. They are trained in horticulture in exchange for 40 hours of volunteer service, sharing what they have learned with other gardeners.

Volunteer opportunities include organizing and staffing the annual garden tour, annual seminar, along with the spring Plant Sale, teaching children about gardening, creating, and maintaining demonstration gardens and assisting in local parish extension offices.

So, what will you learn? Topics include insects, plant health, vegetables, fruits, turf, ornamentals and more. Classes, both lecture and hands-on, are taught by Louisiana Cooperative Extension specialists, university professors and other horticulture experts.

Classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday for 12 weeks, starting June 13. Attendance at all classes is required for certification. There is a $165 registration fee, which covers the cost of training manuals, publications and supplies for the class. Register by April 28 and receive a $25 discount. Class size is limited, and the registration deadline is June 1. 

Call 318-927-3110 or 318-371-1371, to request an application, or download one at http://www.phlmg.com (Programs and follow the links.)

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