The Lion’s Club speaker today was David Cresson, Executive Director and CEO of the Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana.  In that role he oversees the organization’s conservation programs, legislative initiatives, coordinates development activities with CCA’s 26 local chapters and 20,000 members and volunteers. 

In his discussion he mentioned the practices of some commercial fishermen that use “pogie” boats to haul in tremendous loads of all of the fish trapped in their huge nets.  This kills everything they trap including many game fish that they only throw away.  This practice is detrimental to the game fish population which is diminishing rapidly.  Mr. Cresson urged everyone to speak to their Representatives and Senators about stopping the use of “pogie boats” to harvest their catch while greatly harming the numbers of other fish. 

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.

June 22

Donald Fields, 34, of the 200 block of Mullins St., Cotton Valley, was arrested by WPSO for criminal neglect.

Edward A. Sumlin, 62, of Springhill, La., was arrested by Cullen Police for domestic abuse battery and home invasion.

June 23

Henry L. Hines, 38, of the 300 block of Saltworks Rd., Sibley, was arrested by Sibley Police for domestic abuse battery with child endangerment.

Corey D. Henix, 35, of Shreveport, was arrested by MPD on an active arrest warrant.

June 24

Jeremy Chancellor, 53, no address available, was arrested by WPSO on an active warrant in Arkansas.

Tieisha Knight, 35, of Fort Worth, Texas, was arrested by MPD for disturbing the peace by intoxication.

Stephon White, 27, of Curry St., Springhill, was arrested by Cullen Police for domestic abuse of a dating partner.

Marlon Damon Sanders, 43, of the 500 block of Penal Farm Rd., Minden, was arrested by MPD for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of methamphetamine, fugitive from Department of Corrections and 2 counts of resisting an officer.

Michael McGee, 68, of the 200 block of Cotton Valley, La., was arrested by Cotton Valley Police for aggravated assault with a firearm after allegedly pointing a shotgun at a man who was mowing a church yard.

June 25

Shaun Edwin Hicks, 28, of the 1500 block of Harvey Barbershop Rd., Dubberly, was arrested by WPSO for failure to appear in court.

Carey Eason, 25, of the 200 block of Nursery Rd., Sibley, was arrested by MPD for resisting an officer by false information and a probation and parole warrant.

Dwain Tyranny McGhee, 44, of Shreveport, was arrested in Webster Parish by LSP-G for driving while intoxicated (second offense) and driving under suspension.

June 26

James Anthony Cheatham, 42., of the 100 block of Germantown Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for simple battery and unauthorized entry.

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.

Richard L. Pullman

Dec. 16, 1960 – June 25, 2023

Minden, La.

Visitation: 5 until 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Rosary: 6:30 p.m. immediately following visitation at Rose-Neath.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Thursday, June 29, 2023, St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Minden.

Burial: Woodard Cemetery, Taylor, La.

Charlene Osborne

July 21, 1938 – June 26, 2023

Minden, La.

Graveside service: 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, 2023, Holly Springs Cemetery, Minden, La., under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Pamela K. Hillidge

Sept. 23, 1955 – June 23, 2023

Minden, La.

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, June 29, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Service: 10 a.m. Friday, June 30, 2023, First Baptist Church sanctuary, Minden.

Burial: Bistineau Cemetery, Heflin, La.

Wilma M. Chambless

Jan. 31, 1927 – June 24, 2023

Sarepta, La.

Visitation: 5 until 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2023, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Graveside service: 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 28, 2023, Blocker’s Chapel Cemetery, Porterville Rd., Sarepta.

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.)

UPDATE:

By 3 p.m. today, state police had given the “all clear” in reference to a bomb threat at the Morris Drive medical clinic location, according to Minden Police Chief Jared McIver.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Minden Police and other law enforcement are currently on the scene of a bomb threat at Minden Family Care Center, 208 Morris Drive, Minden. (Around 1 p.m. Friday.)

According to reports, a call to the clinic was made from a 318-422- number. The person said there was a bomb and disconnected.

Police closed a portion of Homer Road.

Police Chief Jared McIver said the Louisiana State Police Bomb Squad was on its way around 1:30 p.m. 

UPDATE:

A Minden resident who will be referred to as ‘A,’ is the man who talked to scammers Thursday morning and contacted police.

“The first one who called identified himself as Sgt. Michael – I didn’t write down his last name, but he gave me a badge number,” said ‘A.’ “He told me that Judge (John C.) Campbell (retired) has issued a bench warrant and citation for my arrest because I did not show up in court as an expert witness in a case last week.”

When ‘A’ told the caller he was unaware of the situation, the caller said  that on May 18, ‘A’ signed for a certified letter and court documents, as well as a summons to appear in court. When the caller suggested hand writing verification, he also told ‘A’ the charges were “Failure to Appear” and “Contempt of Court.”

“He gave citation numbers and said each one carries a charge of $4,000,” ‘A’ said. “He kept referring to Judge Campbell, and I thought about him (Campbell) being retired, but I thought maybe he isn’t.”

‘A’ said he was told he was on a recorded line and should not talk to anyone else about the situation because he was bound by privacy laws, including HIPAA.

“That didn’t make any sense to me,” ‘A’ said. “Then I told him that his number came up as No Caller ID. He was starting to ask questions that I didn’t want to share the answers. And I asked him how I would know he was legit.”

The caller hung up and called ‘A’ from the Minden Police Department phone number and asked ‘A’ to search online and verify that was the correct number. However, he then wanted to transfer ‘A’ to the original phone number, stating it was the number that was connected to MPD’s software and case recordings.

‘A’ disconnected with the scammer, who called him back from the No Caller ID number and “reminded him they would come arrest him” in a very stern and aggressive manner, while discussing criminal and civil law in a convincing manner.

When ‘A’ asked to speak to Chief Jared McIver or Deputy Chief Tokia Whiting-Harrison, he was told “Officer Whiting” was not available.

“He then transferred me to another guy who said he was Wayne Young and gave me another badge number,” ‘A’ said. “That’s when they talked to me about coming to the police station to do a signature test.”

However, when ‘A’ informed them he was in the police station parking lot, the scammer who identified as Young became belligerent and told ‘A’ to leave right away or they would come out and arrest him.”

It was when the caller began to ask for financial and personal information so they could send ‘A’ two 6-digit codes, he became more suspicious. He muted the phone call and placed a call to Dep. Chief Whiting-Harrison. The scammer began yelling at ‘A,’ telling him he knew he had been muted and to unmute him immediately due to violation of yet another code. ‘A’ disconnected with the deputy chief and texted her instead. She came back with “SCAM,” ending the nightmare this had become for ‘A.’

“They knew where I live, they had my phone number,” he said. “I was afraid for my family.”

Scams like this are difficult to trace, however, McIver said if anyone else has a scenario such as this, to please contact Minden Police Department right away. If possible, record the conversation.

ORIGINAL STORY:

By Bonnie Culverhouse

The bad guys are learning new ways to scam people out of their hard-earned money.

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver said Thursday morning that a Minden man came to the police station with a story of his own.

“The scammers are calling and telling people they were supposed to show up as a witness in court today and didn’t, so there is a warrant out for their arrest,” McIver said. “They’re using a Minden Police Department number – that is what’s showing up on the caller ID.”

The number to which McIver referred is 318-371-4226.

“The caller is telling the person that if they step foot on Minden Police Department property, they will be immediately arrested,” he said. “Then they’re saying they can pay a fine over the phone – and that’s what tipped off this gentleman who came to MPD today.”

McIver said the man did not give them the amount he was asked to pay.

“Any amount is too much,” McIver said. “The Minden Police will not call you for that. If you have a fine, call us and come to the PD. We will not contact you over the phone for those fines.”

Not only was the scammer able to program the police department’s phone number to the caller ID, they had apparently done their homework.

“They knew our officers’ names; they knew my name,” McIver said. “We just really want the public to be aware this is happening and while it sounds legitimate, I promise it is not. Please don’t pay anyone over the phone.”

By Bonnie Culverhouse

Louisiana National Guard at Camp Minden has joined Purple Heart entities within the state by becoming a part of the Purple Heart Trail.

Wednesday morning, a special ceremony unveiled the sign that will designate Camp Minden as one of those spots along the route. Receiving Purple Hearts were Sgt. Richard Mitchell and Lt. Derrick Smith.

Youth Challenge Program cadets Talyn Hillsher and Jayda Landry opened the ceremony with Hillsher providing a prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, while Landry sang the National Anthem.

CPT Quatiara Brewer, Deputy Post Commander at Camp Minden, served as mistress of ceremonies, introducing speakers and guests to a group of around 50 attendees.

LTC. Harry Wilson presented Hillsher and Landry with special commendations for their parts in the ceremony.

“What you two did just now was amazing,” Wilson told the two cadets, showing pride in the cadets.

Wilson then read a proclamation by Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Keith Waddell that covered all Purple Heart installations.

Waddell’s statement read in part: “…  the Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in present use and was initially created as a badge of military merit and was created by Gen. George Washington in 1782.”

Along with Camp Minden, other LANG locations joining the trail include Jackson Barracks, Camp Villere, Gillis W. Long Center, Camp Cook, Armed Forces Readiness Center and Louisiana National Guard Training Center in Pineville.

Purple Heart Trail routes, created by the Military Order of the Purple Heart in 1992, are Hwy. 171 from Lake Charles to Shreveport, Interstate 20 from I—49 to I-220, Jones Creek Road in East Baton Rouge, Purple Heart Bridge over the Red River in Alexandria and USS Kidd DD661 Purple Heart Ship.

A crash shortly just after midnight Wednesday took the life of a Webster Parish man.

Louisiana State Police Troop G are investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on Fuller Road west of U.S. Hwy 371. This crash claimed the life of 50-year-old Steven Studdard.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Studdard, was traveling east on Fuller Road at a high rate of speed. For reasons still under investigation, the Silverado exited the roadway and began overturning. Studdard, who was unrestrained, was ejected from the vehicle.

As a result of this crash, Studdard suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Webster Parish Coroner’s Office. Impairment is a suspected factor. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

By Paige Nash

Two Webster Parish 4-H members qualified for the State 4-H/FFA Horse Show coming up next month. The Northwest Louisiana 4-H District Horse Show was held this past Friday, June 16, at the North Louisiana Exhibition Center in Ruston.  

Minden High School Senior, Abby Caraway, took home championships in multiple categories including the Senior Hi-Point Performance, Senior Speed Event, Premier Exhibitor Reserve and Showmanship Reserve. 

Carter Reeves, a fifth grader at Central Elementary School, was named the Junior Speed Event Champion. This was her first year showing in 4-H.  

Although Caraway qualified for the state competition, she will be unable to attend due to already being committed to compete in the upcoming Little Britches Rodeo. Reeves will be traveling to participate in the State 4-H/FFA Horse show which is to be held in Gonzales this year on July 11 at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center. 

By Bonnie Culverhouse

The heat is already on, and it’s gearing up to be a record breaker as far as temperatures go.

Michael and Chequella Walker and the Walker Holding Group are already on top of things, collecting fans and monetary contributions to purchase fans. This is their seventh year as fan fans, and the project has grown every summer.

“My wife and I started this because we wanted to help the elderly who couldn’t afford to run air conditioning,” Walker said. “Their utility bills were just too high and they couldn’t pay them.”

Walker said he really didn’t know if fans would help in the sweltering heat, but he thought to collect them for the elderly could be beneficial.

“I asked the public for about 20 fans that first year, and we got over 100, and from there on it’s just been building,” he said. “If I had to put a number on it, I’d say we’ve given away close to 500 fans … not counting this year’s drive.”

After they started with the elderly, the Walkers began to see a need in other households that weren’t made up of the elderly but still had trouble staying cool and paying utility bills.

“We look out for the elderly first, but then we start giving them to anybody who needs them,” he said. “If you know your neighbor needs one, just contact us. They can come get one or we will take a fan to them.”

While the Walkers are fans of fan drop off at their residence – 112 W. Roosevelt Drive, Minden, La. – between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. July 4, that is simply a time frame that isn’t hard and fast.

“We will have a tent set up at our house, and people can just drop them off, he said. “But we will start taking them right now and keep going as long as people donate and as long as there is a need.

There’s also no hard and fast rule about the type of fan.

“We mostly collect what I call box fans,” he said. “But we will take any size. If a person wants to go to Walmart and buy one, then put our names on it, we will go pick it up.”

Contact information for the Walkers is Michael: 318-210-1799, Chequella: 318-707-3532. To make a monetary donation using Cash App: $WarehouseMike or $ChequellaWalker.

One thing I envy about my husband is his assertiveness. He is what I would call the opposite of a people pleaser. He does not care about fitting in or saying the “right” thing. He is hard fast in following his own set of rules and is not swayed by others’ opinions. The song lyrics, “You’ve got to stand for something, or you’ll fall for anything,” by Aaron Tippin suits my husband well.  He is by no means the type of person to just tell you what you want to hear and I am pretty sure he has made that clear about 20 thousand times over the many years that I have known him. I can hear him now… “I am not going to tell you what you want to hear. I am going to tell you what you need to hear.” This probably sounds familiar to anyone who has any type of relationship with my husband whether it be personal or professional.  

Sometimes I wish I could be more like that. If that were the case, I would probably live a much healthier life all together. I know that it is great to consider others and try our best to not be insensitive or unkind, but there is a point where it becomes unhealthy when we are neglecting our own feelings and needs just to please others.  

The stress and anxiety that comes along with every potential “no” that may have to leave my lips is gut wrenching at times. I hate feeling like I am letting anyone down and it doesn’t even matter if I know you. If you ask me for a favor, my natural inclination is to say, “yes.” I quickly agree to almost anything even when I know that I am stretching myself too thin.  

After being married to my polar opposite when it comes to this personality trait, I am well aware that I need to establish better boundaries. But that leads me to the question: Is it actually a personality trait or is this something we are perhaps unintentionally instilled with during childhood? 

I feel like it is natural for young children to want to please their parents or teachers MOST of the time. I mean wouldn’t it be nice if every time you ask your kid to do something, they immediately go do it without you having to ask 10 times?  

There must be a way to find a good balance between aggressiveness and passiveness though, right? I have said this time and time again, but I feel that our primary duty as a parent is to make sure our kids grow up to be assertive, self-assured, independent adults. So, the question remains, how do we as parents make sure that we aren’t raising people pleasers if it is indeed something that is instilled during childhood and not just some part of our individual personalities? 

This may be a better question for my husband to answer, but I will give it a go. 

I think by highlighting the fact that “fitting in” is overrated. Even though I am a recovering people pleaser I have always stood firm in this fact. By allowing your kids to embrace their individuality, you let them know it is okay to not be liked and accepted by everyone they meet.  

I also think that just simply paying attention and giving them your individual time when they desire to be seen or heard may eliminate them either acting out or trying to seek your approval and praise. 

But most importantly, we must be an example. Our kids pay attention to everything we do and say. If you have mistakenly let a not so nice word leave your mouth in front of a two-year-old, then you know this to be true. A huge part of them learning healthy boundaries will come from witnessing you, as a parent, setting those same boundaries for yourself.  

Walk the walk and talk the talk.

(Paige Nash is wife to her polar opposite, mother, publisher of Bienville Parish Journal and Claiborne Parish Journal and a digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal.)

Louisiana residents hoping for some relief after storm damage received during the period June 14 through June 16 should utilize Damage.LA.Gov to report that damage.

Residents applying should know the survey is voluntary and does not guarantee any federal disaster relief assistance. To access the survey, please visit the website  https://damage.la.gov/.

While no funding through FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has been granted for this event, data will help the governor and GOHSEP (Governor’s Office of Homeland Security) and parish officials evaluate situations and have accurate damage information. 

Residents who received damage to a residence or business should complete this survey to report damage to the home (residential structure only, no vehicles). Information collected here will help parish, state, and federal authorities understand how and where locations were impacted by this disaster event.

Take pictures up close to capture specific points of damage but also take pictures of the whole area. Make sure pictures are not blurry.  If the pictures are hard to capture, use the “other comments” field to describe the photos and help portray the damage. 

 When submitting, make sure the street address is accurate and the map pin is placed on or near the damaged building. Submit reports only on living residence or business; no out buildings/barn/shed/ garages or fencing.

Damage.LA.Gov is a Virtual Louisiana initiative and damage reporting process launched by GOHSEP in the Spring of 2020. It gives citizens of Louisiana access to self-report damages in the aftermath of significant disasters including hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and winter weather. 

By Jessica Gorman

Around 3:45 on the morning of 2 April 1941, a railroad crew noticed flames at the fertilizer plant of the Minden Cotton Oil & Ice Company. This building was located on Shreveport Road next to the railroad tracks. It took the fire department about an hour to control the flames. Owner and manager of the plant, J.B. Snell, was burned on his foot and ankle when “he stepped into a pool of fertilizer lava which had formed when the heated fertilizer came into contact with water used in fighting the fire.” He was taken to the Minden Sanitarium for treatment of his injuries. Fire Chief John David sustained a minor burn to the hand as he rendered aid to Mr. Snell.

Initial suspicion centered around three “hoboes” who had reportedly been sleeping in the building and had been witnessed boarding a train. Railroad car inspector, Henry Stratton, reported that he had been informed by another “hobo” that he had heard the three men talking in the woods near the fertilizer plant. “The trio, he stated, remarked how easy it would be for Hitler to take the United States through sabotage and mentioned how simple it would be to destroy the paper mill at Cullen.” He said that one of the men left and then returned stating that “everything was fixed.” The other two responded with, “We had better get out of here before the thing goes off,” before catching a northbound train. That afternoon, the three men were arrested at Cullen on suspicion of sabotage.

The men were identified as Jacob D. Jones, G.S. Gaunt, and Albert Taylor. They met at Winnfield and came to Minden the previous afternoon. Both Jones and Gaunt had criminal records. Jones had been arrested in Houston and Shreveport for vagrancy. Taylor had been arrested on various occasions for vagrancy, shoplifting, larceny, and had served time in federal prison on a narcotics charge. It is unclear what the outcome of the investigation was.

By July, work on the new fertilizer plant had begun. Advertisements for the “new enlarged modern fertilizer plant” appeared in September. That same month, J.B. Snell was finally able to return to work after recovering from his injuries. 

(Jessica Gorman is the Executive Director for the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)

Is your church hosting a Vacation Bible School? Webster Parish Journal would like to know about it, so we can inform the public on where they can bring their kids to join in on the fun. 

Please email the time, date and location of your church’s Vacation Bible School to wpjnewsla@gmail.com and we will begin publishing immediately. (See below)

Unity Baptist Church

June 26-30, 6 until 8 p.m. Unity Baptist Church, Cotton Valley, 304 Humble Street, will host “Twist and Turns” Following Jesus Changes the Game, Psalm 25:4. Preschool to 6th grade. Registration: 5 p.m. Sunday, June 25.

North Acres Baptist Church

June 26-30, 6 until 8:30 p.m. “Twist and Turns” Following Jesus Changes the Game.

Heflin Baptist Church

June 26-30 from 6 until 8:30. pm. Heflin Baptist Church is is hosting “Twists & Turns” Vacation Bible School.

First Baptist Sibley

Monday, July 10 – 12, 6 p.m. until 8:10 p.m.. Stompers & Chompers for preK through 5th grade.

For many people, eating out is something they do to relax and socialize. You don’t have to give this up when you are on a low-sodium diet, but it is important to be more cautious about what you order in a restaurant. It requires extra effort to avoid sodium when you eat out, because you can’t always tell by glancing at the menu which items are high in sodium. It often depends on how the restaurant prepares the meal, what ingredients they use, and how much sodium they add. Here are some ways to avoid overconsumption of sodium when you dine out. 

1. Most fast-food restaurants have nutrition information available, including sodium content. If you do eat at a fast-food restaurant, ask for the nutrition information. Choose lower-sodium items.

2. Always taste food before adding salt from the saltshaker. If extra flavor is needed, try adding black pepper or lemon juice. 

3.  Request vegetables with no salt added or fruit as your side item.

4.  Watch out for these food words, such as  pickled, brined, barbecued, cured, smoked, broth, au jus, soy sauce, miso, or teriyaki sauce. These tend to be very high in sodium. Choose items that are steamed, baked, grilled, poached, or roasted, they may have less sodium.

5.  Ask if smaller portions are available; if not, share a meal with a family member or friend, or ask for a to-go box when you order and place half of your meal in the box before eating.

6. Ethnic foods, such as Asian, Chinese, and Mexican, often have lots of sodium. You don’t have to give up these foods but ask the server to help you make lower-sodium choices.

7. When you eat out, try to eat very low-sodium items the rest of the day. This will help you stay within your sodium limit for the day.

8. Keep takeout and fast food as an occasional treat.

9. The most common salt types are table, kosher, Himalayan, and sea. Salt with coarse or large crystals provides less sodium, per teaspoon of salt, than fine or small crystals. Sodium content can also vary widely by brand.  

Sodium content in 1 teaspoon of four types of salt. • Table Salt: 2,330 mg • Fine Himalayan Pink Salt: 2,200 mg • Fine Sea Salt: 2120 mg • Coarse Kosher Salt: 1,920 mg

The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in employment and programs.

(Shakera Williams, M.P.H. is Assistant Nutrition Extension Agent- FCS for Webster/Claiborne parishes. Contact her at (318) 371-1371.)

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

Every Saturday in June

9 a.m. until noon, Minden Farmer’s Market, at The Farm, corner of Highway 80 and Talton Street.

June 24

8 a.m. Registration for North Webster Martial Arts “Battle for the Shield.” Sanctioned event at Minden Rec Center, 1001 Recreation Drive, Minden. Sponsors and donations needed. Search for North Webster Martial Arts on Facebook.

10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Kids Day at Caney Lake hosted by Webster Parish Tourism.

June 29

4:30 until 6 p.m., Chamber Connect Networking Event, Minden Medical Center main lobby.

Every Saturday in July

9 a.m. until noon, Minden Farmer’s Market, at The Farm, corner of Highway 80 and Talton Street.

July 3

5 p.m. Downtown Minden, 5th Annual Duck Derby, Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce. https://greatermindenchamber.com/duckderby/

5 until 7:30 p.m. LifeShare Blood Centers Blood Drive at Duck Derby

July 29

10 a.m. until noon, Young Women’s Service Club Back to School Bash, Victory Park.

August 26

Minden Junior Service League “Mamma Mia” Girls Night Out, Minden Civic Center.

September 28 through 30, Oct. 1

Minden High School 30th Class Reunion

Sept. 28 – 6 until 9 p.m. Meet and Greet, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main St., Minden, La.

Sept. 29 – 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Meet and Greet, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main St., Minden, La.

Sept. 29 – 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., Kickback, Camp Minden, 100 Louisiana Boulevard, Minden, La.

Homecoming Parade TBA

Sept. 30 – 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Family Fun Day, Hot Wheels Skating Rink, 3000 Old Minden Rd., Bossier City, La.

Sept. 30 – 7 p.m. until 1 a.m., Still Rollin 30 Years Later, Camp Minden, 100 Louisiana Boulevard, Minden, La.

Oct.1 – Church Fellowship TBA

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.

June 20

Justin Bradley Cranford, 34, of Waldo, Ark., was arrested by Cotton Valley Police for improper lane use, careless operation of a motor vehicle, possession of narcotics and operating a vehicle while under the influence.

June 21

Crystal Lynn Carpenter, 38, of Houston, Texas, was arrested by WPSO and Sibley Police for illegal possession of stolen things, methamphetamine, marijuana, Clonazepam and drug paraphernalia.

Harli Leighann Rushing, 26, of the 100 block of Country Lane, Minden, was arrested by WPSO on a warrant for theft after stealing a bag from the bed of a pick-up truck at a truck stop in Dixie Inn in May.

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.

The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week of June 15. Civil suits are public record.

June 15

Jared Seth Coleman vs. Rachal Murphy Coleman, divorce.

Republic Finance LLC vs. Charles E. Bagwell Jr., monies due.

June 19

Deja Rankin vs. Jeffery Rankin, divorce w/children.

June 20

Shannon McKinney vs. Arnold Chadwick, protective order.

June 21

Casey Wade Rhodes vs. Cory Alan Rhodes, divorce.

BBK Partners LLC vs. Robyn Warlock, monies due.

First Tower Loan LLC vs. Vinson Sneed, monies due.

NCB Management Services vs. John Finley Jr., monies due.

Bank of America vs. Mylinda Patton, monies due.

Christina Jean Lafleur vs. Caleb Gage Lafleur, divorce.

Bank of America vs. Ken Freeman, monies due.

Phenice Annette Drew vs. Jeffery Antonio Drew, protective order.

Wilton Sanders “Sandy” Perryman

March 13, 2940 – June 21, 2023

Dubberly, La.

Visitation: 9 until 9:45 a.m., Friday, June 23, 2023, Brushwood Methodist Church, Dubberly

Funeral service: 10 a.m. immediately following visitation.

Burial: Brushwood Cemetery, Dubberly, La.

Barbara Lynn Butler

July 16, 1943 – May 18, 2023

Minden, La.

Memorial service: 11 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2023, Christian Church at Minden, Minden, La.

Glenda Cox

Sept. 6, 1944 – June 16, 2023

Doyline, La.

Memorial service: pending.

William “Billy Joe” Bagwell

Nov. 28, 1926 – June 18, 2023

Homer, La.

Visitation: 1 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023, First Presbyterian Church, Homer, La.

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

Burial: Sibley Cemetery, Lincoln Parish, La.

Holly Renee Plunkett

March 16, 1981 – June 20, 2023

Ringgold, La.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023, home of Andrew and Tabetha Plunkett, 6888  Hwy. 4, Ringgold.

Pamela Rodgers Brown

Sept. 1, 1953 – June 19, 2023

Cotton Valley, La.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Thursday, June 22, 2023, Unity Baptist Church, Cotton Valley.

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

Pattie Finley

Nov. 1, 1926 – June 16, 2023

Shongaloo, La.

Graveside service: 11 a.m. Friday, June 23, 2023, Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Shongaloo.

Dr. Donald Ray Moseley

Oct. 19, 1933 – June 17, 2023

Ringgold, La.

Funeral service: pending

Jason Wayne Bennett

August 15, 1977 – June 16, 2023

Sarepta, La.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Camalia Sue Keith Pearson

Oct. 27, 1936 – June 14, 2023

Taylor Ark./Springhill, La.

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, June 23, 2023, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Saturday, June 24, 2023, Unity United Methodist Church, Taylor, Ark.

Burial: Sharon Cemetery, Taylor (Bussey), Ark., under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

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 Bonnie Culverhouse

A Minden woman was arrested by Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies after leaving her children alone without proper supervision, and her 15-year-old son and three other juveniles were taken into custody for possession of firearms.

Haley Todd Rhodes, 35, of the 500 block of Lanning Street, is charged with 2 counts of cruelty to a juvenile.

Sheriff Jason Parker said deputies conducted a traffic stop around 2 a.m. Monday in Dixie Inn because the driver failed to stop at the traffic light.

“The driver was found to be a 15-year-old juvenile who was without an adult,” Parker said. “He had with him three other juveniles ranging in ages from 15 to 17.”

Deputies recovered firearms, one of which was reported stolen, and high caliber ammunition in the vehicle.

“Deputies tried unsuccessfully multiple times to contact the mother, identified as Rhodes, by calling her cell phone,” the sheriff said.

Minden Police officers reportedly went to Rhodes’ residence and knocked on the door.

“Her 6-year-old child answered the door and let the officers inside,” said the sheriff. “Officers said the home was filled with dirty clothes, roaches, moldy food and multiple dirty diapers.”

A 4-year-old child, alleged to have special needs, was also found in the home.

“Rhodes contacted the sheriff’s office and stated she was on the way,” Parker said. “She was arrested around 5 a.m. when she arrived at the sheriff’s office. She told deputies she had been at a casino in Bossier.”

Rhodes reportedly told deputies she had left her teen-age son at home to watch the two younger children.

“She stated that he often watches the younger children from Monday through Friday while she is at work, and that she stays at the casino in Bossier on some Saturdays,” the sheriff said. “She also said she cleaned the home before she left but hadn’t been home since around 7 the night before. But she also didn’t know her teen-age son was out driving around at 2 o’clock in the morning.”

Rhodes reportedly said she knew the 15-year-old occasionally smoked marijuana, while the teen said he knew he was responsible for his brother and sister during the time of the traffic stop when they were home alone. He also stated his mother would not answer a phone call or talk to police.

All four juveniles were released into a family member’s custody, while Child Protective Services took the 4 and 6 year olds.

“We are discussing charges for the juveniles with the DA’s office,” Parker said. “We are just glad to get those weapons off the streets before someone got hurt.”

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.

Louisiana’s Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) is one of a still undetermined number of government entities, major businesses and organizations to be affected by the unprecedented MOVEit data breach.

MOVEit is an industry-leading third party data transfer service used to send large files. It is widely used across the country and around the world, and reports are rapidly emerging of newly discovered exposures of sensitive data in this major international cyber attack.

There is no indication at this time that cyber attackers who breached MOVEit have sold, used, shared or released the OMV data obtained from the MOVEit attack. The cyber attackers have not contacted state government. But all Louisianans should take immediate steps to safeguard their identity. 

OMV believes that all Louisianans with a state-issued driver’s license, ID, or car registration have likely had the following data exposed to the cyber attackers:

1. Name 
2. Address 
3. Social Security Number 
4. Birthdate 
5. Height 
6. Eye Color 
7. Driver’s License Number 
8. Vehicle Registration Information 
9. Handicap Placard Information 

Gov. John Bel Edwards met with the Unified Command Group at 11 a.m. Thursday to be briefed on the incident, where he instructed the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), Louisiana State Police (LSP), and the Office of Technology Services (OTS) to act to inform Louisianans of the breach and their best next steps as soon as possible.

We recommend all Louisianans take the following steps immediately: 

1. Prevent Unauthorized New Account Openings or Loans and Monitor Your Credit 

Individuals can freeze and unfreeze their credit for free, which stops others from opening new accounts and borrowing money in your name. Freezing your credit does not prevent the use of any existing credit cards or bank accounts. Freezing your credit may be done quickly online or by contacting the three major credit bureaus by phone: 

 | Experian

1-888-397-3742

www.experian.com/freeze  |

Equifax

1-800-685-1111

www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/ |

TransUnion

(888) 909-8872

www.transunion.com/credit-freeze 

Please also request and review your credit report from these agencies to look for suspicious activity.

2. Change All Passwords 

As an additional precaution, consider changing all passwords for online accounts (examples: banking, social media, and healthcare portals) in the event your personal data was used to access these accounts. Utilize multi-factor authentication when able. Learn more about password protection at www.CISA.gov.

3. Protect Your Tax Refund and Returns with the Internal Revenue Service

To prevent someone else from filing returns or receiving your federal tax refund, request an “Identity Protection Pin” from the Internal Revenue Service by signing up at: https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin or calling the IRS at 1-800-829-1040.

4. Check your Social Security Benefits

All individuals who are eligible, applied for, and/or are receiving social security benefits (including disability), please consider registering for a ssa.gov account at https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ to stop others from stealing your benefits. If you suspect Social Security fraud, call the Office of Inspector General hotline at 1-800-269-0271, Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or file a complaint online at oig.ssa.gov.

5. Report Suspected Identity Theft

If you suspect any abnormal activity involving your data, including financial information, contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP or visit www.ReportFraud.FTC.gov immediately. 

The State of Louisiana will be issuing additional information in the coming days. Additional tips on protecting your data and identity can be found at nextsteps.la.gov and www.IdentityTheft.gov.

A successful Juneteenth Celebration Saturday will be a building block for future events, according to Michael Walker, one of the coordinators.

Martin Luther King Drive in Minden was the site of the celebration that drew more than 200 people at one point during the day.

“First of all I want to thank the Good Lord for a hot blessed day,” Walker said. “A good time was had by all in attendance.”

Walker thanked the Juneteenth Celebration committee that made it happen. 

“I also so want to thank all the vendors – food, ice cream and snow cones,” he said. 

Walker said there was art for the kids, water slides, shirts and jewelry vendors. There was a history of Juneteenth and stories of freedom.

“A huge shout out to our very own Walmart Academy for providing free water to all and gift bags,” he said. “We also want to thank Minden Police and Fire departments and a host of public officials. Once again Minden came together for a good time.”

By Marilyn Miller

Ask Helen Nelson to talk about her life and music, and the conversation will always turn back to someone else. Everything starts, of course, with her mother, who loved piano and encouraged her daughter to learn to play at an early age.

Then her music teacher at Bernice Junior High School thought it was his responsibility to prepare students for ministering through music, and he taught his pupils to play both the piano and the organ. And this led the Ruston native to her first job — as piano teacher for the First Baptist Church in Bernice. She was only in high school at the time!

Helen pursued and earned BS and MS degrees, and a Plus 30, in Elementary Education from Louisiana Tech University. In 1989 she put her degrees to work and entered the classroom in Webster Parish, and in 1990, she signed on as organist/pianist for the First Baptist Church of Minden.

“I feel like God picks you up and puts you down where he needs you,” Helen said. “We were attending, (and I was playing for), another church, and we came to the decision that First Baptist Church was where we should be. I said at the time that I may never get to play again.”

That was 33½ years ago. Two jobs, and “it was all good,” she noted. She taught for 26 years before retiring, and on June 25, 2023, she will retire from her job as organist for FBC of Minden.

Has she seen many changes in Christian music over the past 50 years?

“Drastically, but slowly,” she affirmed. “A new music minister always comes in with his own changes. Your willingness to adapt to a new minister makes all the difference. And I have been at First Baptist through five ministers of music. They all brought change. And there is good in all of it. And change is good. I try to tell people that I grew up with contemporary church music because there have been new songs for as long as I’ve been around. Scotty (today’s Music Minister) does a good job of revitalizing old songs with new songs.

“I will definitely miss working with Scotty and Rachel (Chapman). She fell in here at the ideal time.”

“The people here are totally amazing and supportive,” she said of the congregants, and other musicians. She lovingly recalls the late Patsy Grafton (who played piano for FBC for 57 years, and who she played with for 25 of those years. “There are many days when I wish I could just call her up and talk to her,” she said of Mrs. Grafton. She also recalls Alicia DuBose, who told her that “music is part of our DNA.”

Helen has made many memories over the years. She remembers choir members, some who have been singing for First Baptist Church for 50 years, like Paul Kitchens, and his sister-in-law, Roberta Kitchens, and Trudy Bishop. She remembers great soloists through the years. “I love to watch rehearsals,” she admitted. “I remember the Instrumental Christmas Programs, Christmas Plays, weddings, even funerals…I’ll remember the orchestra, the accompanists, the choir, the music minister. I’ve only had a supporting role in all of this.”

She will continue to play for the Senior Adult Choir, which sings once a month at a worship service, and has a nursing home ministry. Retiring, however, will give her more time to spend with her family. She and her husband, Glen, have two daughters. Mark and Sara Chreene and Connor, 4, live nearby in Minden, while Jeffrey and Anna Downs and Logan, 14, live in Tyler, TX.

On June 25 (a Sunday) there will be a reception in Helen’s honor at noon in the Commons area of First Baptist Church. Is she looking forward to the recognition?

“It’s not about me, it’s a service…it’s a calling,” Helen said. “God gave me what I needed to fulfill that calling.” She also believes that God will give her another purpose.

But now it’s time to sit by her husband in Sunday School and at worship service. “It’s time,” she reiterated.

“But if you need me, I’m here.”