It’s almost showtime for the 2023 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in Natchitoches (except for Friday’s BOM Celebrity Bowling Bash in Alexandria), so it’s time to plan to take in as much fun as you can.

The most-asked question — can I still get tickets for the Saturday evening Induction Reception (from 5-6:30 at the Hall of Fame museum) and Ceremony (at 7 in the Natchitoches Events Center)?

YES. While the usual big turnout is coming, there is still time to go online at LaSportsHall.com to purchase admission to the signature event. But don’t delay – it could sell out.

The reception provides an array of food stations with fare from not only local restaurants, but some from around the state, along with refreshments and music. It’s a chance to see new exhibits (the Kim Mulkey showcase, for example), new display items to celebrate the museum’s 10^th anniversary, the just-installed Class of 2023 display cases, and to meet all of the new inductees and perhaps snap a selfie.

The Induction Ceremony at the neighboring Events Center kicks off promptly at 7 with the National Anthem, followed by the stirring Walk of Legends showcasing past Hall of Fame members returning, then introducing the Class of ’23, set to music from The Natural. The 12 inductions begin immediately after, featuring compelling video introductions followed by on-stage conversations with inductees – producing lots of laughter and some misty-eyed moments certain to create lasting memories.

Saturday evening is the only “dress up” event of the Induction Celebration. Blazers for the men and cocktail dress-style attire for the women are requested.

Otherwise, it’s casual for the rest of the festivities, starting with the free, open to everyone Thursday evening Welcome Reception from 5-7 at the museum. La Capitol Federal Credit Union will mark its 20^th year presenting that signature event – again with food, refreshments and music, and the new inductees and their families having traveled in some cases almost 2,000 miles to celebrate the occasion.

There’s still room for bowlers to join in Friday’s BOM Celebrity Bowling Bash at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. The doors open at 11:30 with lunch provided by Walk On’s, plenty of warm up bowling and music, and more mingling with inductees, their families, and other sports celebrities before they’re introduced and “competition” begins at 1. Again – sign up at LaSportsHall.com.

The biggest free event is Friday evening on the downtown Natchitoches riverbank stage – the Rockin’ River Fest Concert, from 6-10:30.

It’s family friendly. A free interactive kids zone presented by Louisiana Propane Dealers will include basketball, football, golf and science games for all ages to enjoy.

Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. & the Zydeco Twisters are back as the headline act. Dopsie has played the White House to the Jazz Fest, boogied with James Brown and John Fogerty, and wowed crowds all over, described as “Mick Jagger of the marsh” as “a party seems to break out whenever and wherever Dopsie and his band show up.”

The opening act is Jason Ashley & The Hot Sauce Band, featuring the Alexandria native and regional country music star playing hits from yesterday and today, an act popular around the Gulf Coast and all the way to Nashville.

If you want to beat the summer heat and enjoy a tasty collection of Louisiana foods and specialty refreshments, you can visit LaSportsHall.com to snap up some of the few remaining $100 tickets to the VIP Taste of Tailgating presented by Hancock Whitney.

That party runs from 7-10 p.m. in the air-conditioned comfort of Mama’s Oyster House and Blues Room that will provide exclusive access to the 12-member 2023 Induction Class. They will also be introduced on stage at 9:15, just before a 10-minute fireworks show set to sports-themed music.

Saturday morning’s Junior Training Camp hosted by the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans at NSU’s Webb Wellness and Recreation Center has only a handful of free spots left for kids 7-17. Advance registration is required at LaSportsHall.com.

There’s no more room for Saturday’s Round Table Lunch downtown at The Venue. It’s sold out.

But there are plenty of other chances to see the Class of 2023:  Eli Manning, Alana Beard, Paul Mainieri, Matt Forte, Wendell Davis, Paul Byrd, Walter Davis, Ron Washington, Walter Imahara, M.L. Woodruff, and sports journalists Bruce Brown and Lori Lyons.

You’re invited to join the fun, starting Thursday evening in Natchitoches.

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Ephesians 6:10-12

10)Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

11)Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

12)For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

When we think of position, What’s the first thought that comes to our minds?  Maybe a certain rank in the military, status or sports? 

The position I’m  referring to today is to be spiritually in line with GOD! We are in a spiritual battle all over the world! 

Many people are facing great attacks on every side from the enemy and some don’t understand that the real  fight is not with flesh and blood, but the enemy is behind all the evil that’s taking place in our world today.  

God is our strength  and help in a time of trouble. We can’t fight the enemy with our own strength! 

The word is our  spiritual GPS  which always leads us in the right direction. 

We all must make sure we are in right position with God! Many of us have gotten out of position  and that’s why many are being defeated by the enemy. 

We must  position ourselves for battle. In order to do that we must first TRUST GOD! 

When we get in right position with God, then we are equipped and ready for spiritual battle. We have to put on the whole armor of God on daily , so that we will be in right position and not act out of character.  

Thank God for his son Jesus! 

Be Encouraged!

To God Be The Glory!

(LaTina DeLoach, a native of Minden, is a Christian,a devoted wife and mother and Lady Deloach As the wife of Pastor Gregory DeLoach, Blue Run Baptist Church.)

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Webster Parish Library will host a book signing for Louisiana native Rita K. Coleman from 2 until 5 p.m. Friday, August 4 at the Minden branch.

Coleman is the author of “God’s Hand and Order.”

“In my life, God has used me when I didn’t think I was usable,” Coleman said. “Know God uses whom and what He pleases.”

Coleman said she was inspired the short story book much like Balsam in Numbers 22:28-31: “Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey and she said to Balsam ‘What have I done to you that you have struck me these three times?’ Then the Lord opened Balsam’s eyes and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way with his sword drawn. And he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. Because Balsam didn’t realize that the donkey was seeing the angel.”

“I hope this book will inspire and open your mind to a God that only wants us to have life and have life more abundantly,” Coleman said.

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Last week I read an online article about feet. I can’t remember where I read it, or from which website I was perusing. I was probably during one of those Interweb rabbit holes where I’ll start watching a YouTube video about bicycle repair, and two hours later I’m glued to a music video of Herman’s Hermit’s singing “Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter,” wondering how I ever got there.

On this day the rabbit hole led me to all things feet. More specifically, bare feet. The piece touted the positive effects and beneficial outcomes of spending a substantial amount of time each day walking around barefooted. The author referenced some science and a few studies to back up the claim and it all seemed plausible. Who am I to doubt foot experts?

I once read a book by Wayne Dyer in which he stated the health benefits of walking barefooted on grass for 10 minutes before bedtime. He had findings and data to back his claim, too. But I didn’t need any of that. Walking barefooted on grass is something in which I have a lot of experience. Not much as of late, but I spent my childhood summers sans shoes.

Summers in South Mississippi are hot. In those days schools held their final day of the year before Memorial Day and didn’t reconvene until after Labor Day. My generation had three full months of summer vacation. Three very hot months of summer vacation. Three months in which I spent 90% of my time barefooted.

Those summers started out with May feet. May feet were soft and tender and made it difficult to even walk softly without shoes. By the end of the summer, we had August feet. August feet were hard and calloused. May feet had a hard time tiptoeing through Bermuda grass. August feet could run down a gravel road at full speed.

May feet would probably gain a lot of benefit from Dr. Dyer’s walking-in-grass-before-bed principle. August feet, hardened by weeks of exposure to aggregate driveways, rigged sidewalks, and hot August asphalt might not feel the first blade of grass.

There are periods in my youth when the only time I wore shoes in the summer was to go to church. I didn’t do it because a scientific study published in some random medical journal said it was the thing to do. I did it because I am a child of the South, and it was the thing to do. It’s what we all did. It may still be the thing to do. Though I am much older and much heavier, and I live in a constant state of May feet. At 61, I may even have February feet.

As a kid I also spent a lot of time walking around on grocery store feet. For some reason walking barefooted in grocery stores yielded much dirtier feet than walking down a dirt road. I wouldn’t let my kids go barefooted in a grocery store when they were young, but, in my day, it was a common occurrence.

One of the great surprises I have experienced at this stage of my life— I’m not sure when it started, but probably around the time I started receiving unsolicited letters from the AARP— is that my feet are one of my most important body parts. Feet never gained a second thought from me as a kid. Unless I stumped a toe, stepped on a nail, or cut my heel, I never cared much about anything below my knees. Shoes, no shoes, flip flops, support, no support, it didn’t matter. They were a vehicle to get me around and they did a fine job and I had other body parts that needed attention. These days I have way since passed the stage of style-over-substance in footwear, and I have become the old guy who doesn’t give a damn about what his shoes look like as long as they are comfortable, have lots of cushion, and offer substantial support. I haven’t started mall walking yet, but I feel the pull as it is beginning to make perfect sense.

Feet may be a strange topic for a weekly column such as this, but I guess that goes along with age. This column has been a weekly commitment for me for the past 24+ years. Over 1,000 words a week and I’ve never missed a week. I’ve never written about feet. But I’ve also never been on the cusp of 62 years on this planet.

Bare feet have their issues. In the mid-1960s I cut my foot on a broken mayonnaise jar that required several stitches. ThoughI don’t remember that injury ever being a hinderance. A boy came to our door one day, collecting money for charity or a school project and I saw my mom put a dollar in his jar. Being an entrepreneurial-minded five-year-old, I went straight to the pantry, grabbed an empty mayonnaise jar, and set out going door-to-door— barefooted, of course— raising money. There was no charity or school project. All I knew is that if I showed up at my neighbor’s doors with a jar there was a good chance they’d put money in it. They did. “Would you like to give me some money?” That’s all I had to say, and I ended up collecting a lot of money for a five-year-old in 1967. That is when karma kicked in.

On the way home with my beggings, I dropped the jar. It broke. In the mad scramble to collect the coins— and a few bills— I cut a large gash in the middle of my foot. After getting stitched up at the emergency room, my mother made me limp up and down the sidewalk, from neighbor to neighbor, returning all the ill-gotten gains. It was a good lesson on several levels, but it didn’t stop me from going barefooted for the next decade.

Kids today get somewhere around six weeks of summer vacation. There is a local school that started their “fall” semester last week. That’s mid-July. Their feet hadn’t fully moved from June feet to July fee yet. Kids today are missing out on August feet and grocery store feet.

Beginning today, I think I’ll start going barefoot more. I won’t walk barefooted in my yard before bed because it’s dark out there and there are two dogs who use that back lawn as their toilet, and one of them is over 100 pounds, and eats a lot. But maybe I’ll just be the old eccentric guy who walks around town barefooted, even in the grocery store.

My life’s goal these days is to die young— as late as possible. Maybe it’ll be even later if I ditch the shoes and live year-round with August feet.

Onward.

Dirty Rice

1 Tbl bacon fat

2 oz ground beef

2 oz ground pork

1 bay leaves

1 Tbl poultry seasoning

1 tsp dry mustard

1 /2  cup diced onion

1 /4  cup diced celery

1 /4 cup diced bell pepper

2 tsp minced garlic

2 Tbl butter

1 cup rice

2 cups pork stock, hot 

Brown the ground pork in the bacon fat.

Add veggies and seasoning and cook 10 minutes.

Stir in rice and hot stock, lower heat, cover and simmer 18 minutes.

Yield: 3 cups

(Robert St. John is a chef, restaurateur and published cookbook author who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss.)

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

July 26

11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Cotton Valley Community Health Day at CV City Hall. Sponsored by Springhill Medical Center and Louisiana HomeCare Springhill. Free event. Health information, hot dogs, snow cones and raffle.

July 27

1 p.m. Annual Membership Drive, Webster Parish Council on Aging, 1482 Sheppard St., Minden. Call 318-371-3056 or come by the address between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

July 28

4 until 8 p.m., Webster Parish School Board’s Pack the Bus, Minden Walmart.

July 29

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

August 2

Webster Parish New Teacher Breakfast, Harper Pathways to Excellence Center, 618 Germantown Rd., Minden.

August 4

8:30 a.m. Glenbrook School New Teacher Breakfast, Glenbrook School.

August 4-5

8 p.m. Annual Pete Colvin Memorial  Rodeo, Minden Rodeo Arena.

August 9

15 under 40 Nominations due at Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce.

August 12

9 a.m. until noon. Springhill-North Webster Chamber of Commerce’s Back to School Water Wars, Springhill Recreation Complex. K-12th grades. Free water balloons, no outside balloons permitted, free water gun filling stations, concessions available. $10 admission fee benefits LaMa Animal Rescue.

5 until 9 p.m., Peace Out Summer Back to School Bash, Sarepta Community Park. Admission $2; games, food and raffle. Pack the Bus by bringing supplies. Sponsored by Women Helping Others. For more information: contact Ramanda Ketchum at 318-347-2612 or Rketchumwho@gmail.com,  Elizabeth Simmons at 318-517-5207 or emccuen92@gmail.com, Tammie Wynn 318-268-5535 or tammie.wynn@la.gov .

August 26

10 a.m. – 2p.m. Brunch. Minden Junior Service League “Mamma Mia” Girls Night Out, Minden Civic Center.

6 p.m. Dorcheat Museum Annual Fundraiser Gala, 116 Pearl St., Minden.

September 9

Vintage Car Club of Minden’s annual car show in downtown Minden. More information when available.

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

Oct. 14

11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Minden Makers Fair. Accepting vendor applications, demonstrations and volunteers. https://www.mindenmakersfair.com/vendorregistration.

Oct. 24

6:30 p.m. 15 Under 40 Awards Gala, Minden Civic Center.

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In 1923, Garrett Morgan was driving along the busy streets of Cleveland, Ohio.  By the age of 43, he had achieved the American dream which was characterized in the 1920s as the pursuit of material success, social status, and personal freedom.  Garrett was the owner and editor of the Cleveland Call newspaper, but he came from humble beginnings.  Garrett was born in rural Kentucky in 1877.  His parents were former slaves who survived on the crops they grew.  By the time Garrett turned 14, he realized he wanted more than to eke out an existence on the farm. 

In 1891, the 14-year-old left Kentucky and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to look for work.  His sights were not set too high.  Garrett initially worked as a handyman.  He had a mechanical mind and could build and repair any machine, even ones he had never seen before.  Within a few years, Garrett left Cincinnati and moved to Cleveland.  His ability to quickly repair machines enabled him to secure a position as a sewing machine repairman.  By 1907, Garrett had saved enough money and opened his own sewing machine repair shop.  Garrett’s reputation grew quickly based on the quality of his work and the speed at which he completed repairs.  His business thrived.  Two years later, Garrett added a garment shop to his business.  In 1920, Garrett started the newspaper, the Cleveland Call, from scratch.  Like his sewing machine repair shop and garment shop, the Cleveland Call was a huge success.

In 1923, when a lot of people in Cleveland still traveled by horse-drawn vehicles, bicycles, and streetcars, Garrett’s successes enabled him to purchase an automobile.  One day in 1923, Garrett shared the busy road with all manner of vehicles including many other automobiles.  At each major intersection, a policeman manually moved levers which raised and lowered metal signs.  Painted on the signs were the words “GO,” or “STOP.”  This type of traffic signal had been in use for decades and had saved countless lives. 

As Garrett neared one of these major intersections, the policeman moved the levers and the signs changed.  Specific details of the accident that followed vary depending on the source.  Some sources assert that the collision was between a horse-drawn wagon and a car, and other sources claim that two cars were involved.  What we know for sure is that there was a horrible collision which resulted in at least one person’s death, and Garrett witnessed the whole thing.  Gruesome images of the collision replayed over and over in his mind.  At night, he had nightmares of the collision.  After a few days, Garrett began to take a different view of the collision.  He began to analyze what he had witnessed to try to determine what had caused the collision.  The traffic signals had worked as designed.  The policeman moved the levers and one lane of traffic’s signal changed from “Go” to “STOP,” and, at the same moment, the signal from the crossing traffic changed from “STOP” to “GO.”  Garrett found what he thought would solve the issue and, on November 20,1923, he received a patent for it.  He eventually sold the rights to his invention to General Electric for $40,000.00, an enormous sum at the time.

Garrett’s invention evolved into something that we all still see and use today.  Rather than slowing traffic down, Garrett’s invention makes most drivers want to increase their speed.  Garrett’s invention added a “WARNING” sign to the two-sign traffic signal to warn drivers that the stop signal would soon change from “GO” to “STOP.”  Garrett’s invention evolved into the yellow caution signal on traffic lights.

Source: History.com, “Garrett Morgan Patents Three-Position Traffic Signal.” HISTORY, 13 Dec. 2018, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/garrett-morgan-patents-three-position-traffic-signal.

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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.

July 24

Vurile Eugene Johnson, 34, of the 1100 block of 3rd SW St., Springhill, was arrested by WPSO and Sarepta Police for careless operation, speeding (76 in a 55), contempt of court, driving under suspension and no driver’s license on person.

July 25

Brooklyn Eubanks, 29, was arrested by WPSO for failure to appear, probation violation, monetary instrument abuse and unauthorized use of a moveable.

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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Sharalyn “Shari” Abercrombie Pickett

Feb. 1, 1948 – July 32, 2023

Minden/Arcadia, La.

Visitation: 5 until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 27, 2023, Emmanuel Baptist Church, (Hurricane Community), Arcadia, La.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2023, Emmanuel Baptist Church, (Hurricane Community), Arcadia.

Burial: Hurricane Cemetery.

Kenneth Bryan Middleton

Feb. 27, 1951 – July 22, 2023

Doyline, La.

Celebration of Life: Noon, Thursday, July 27, 2023, Evening Light Tabernacle in Dixie Inn.

Burial: 10 a.m. Thursday, July, July 27, 2023, Lebanon Cemetery, Ruple Community, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Jerry A. Stiles

Feb. 11, 1944 – July 20, 2023

Heflin, La.

Visitation: 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Bistineau Baptist Church.

Graveside service: 11 a.m., immediately following visitation, Bistineau Cemetery, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Mable Baker

July 7, 1950 – July 13, 2023

Shongaloo, La.

Service not scheduled at this time. Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Estelle Christian

July 13, 1943 – July 21, 2023

Arcadia, La.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Arcadia.

Burial: Alabama 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

A City of Minden superintendent is in his second week of suspension without pay.

Street Department head Terry Combs and his wife were in a crash on Interstate 20 around 2 p.m. Friday, July 14, while Combs was driving his city-issued vehicle.

“Terry had taken his wife to the doctor in Shreveport and they were coming home when he was distracted and ran into the back of another pick-up truck,” said Mayor Nick Cox. “It was a serious wreck, and his wife was injured.”

Cox said it is against city policy to take a vehicle outside city limits without permission.

“It’s against city policy to use your vehicle for personal use, and it’s against city policy to have a non-city employee in the vehicle,” he said. “We knew Terry was going to the doctor, but we didn’t know he was going in a city vehicle.”

Cox and Public Works Director Tyler Wallace went to the accident scene where there is road work on I-20. Together, they drove Combs to a local hospital for drug testing. He tested negative.

“Terry has been a really solid employee who made a bad decision,” Cox said. “He understands the consequences for his actions could have been much worse, and he’s remorseful for what happened. Right now, he is home with no pay and no pick-up truck, and the fact is, we really need him on the job.”

Cox said the city has plans to put GPS trackers on all public works vehicles to avoid future issues.

“Department heads can track city vehicles, and they will receive an alert if an employee takes their vehicle out of the boundaries,” he said. “With this case, we just want to move on. Terry is a valuable employee of the city.”

 Webster Parish Journal’s attempts to obtain an accident report from Louisiana State Police Troop G were unsuccessful. LSP-G requests 15 business days after the accident for the information to be searchable. Combs was not available for comment.

Human Resources Director April Aguilar said there is not yet a link for the employee handbook, however all current employees were issued the new handbook in February 2023. Any revisions were sent to each employee internally with a required acknowledgement page to be returned to Personnel. 

Employee handbook:

12-8.     Disciplinary Action Guideline/ Driving Offenses and Accidents

All driving offenses and accidents, as determined by the department head, Human Resources and the Mayor, shall be reviewed for possible disciplinary action within the guidelines of this policy.  The decision of the Mayor shall be final. The Termination Appeal Procedure is available to the full-time employee.  

Any accident involving City vehicles or other City owned property/ moveable stock shall require the employee and city employee passengers to submit to an immediate drug screen and alcohol test. Failure to report an accident involving a City vehicle or other City owned property/ moveable stock, at the time of its occurrence or as soon thereafter as possible shall be considered a Class 2 Offense under the Standards of Conduct, Disciplinary Action Guideline/Class Offenses. Failure to submit to an immediate drug screen and alcohol test shall result in immediate termination and forfeiture of appeal process.

The Mayor shall be given a copy of the incident report and all related facts available.  The employee must appear before the Mayor to explain his/her account of the incident and be prepared to answer questions from the Mayor.

This format shall be followed for an internal investigation conducted by the department head and Human Resources:

1.   Review of the report

2. Interview(s)
3. Enforce disciplinary action if necessary determined by the Mayor after his review of the investigation findings.

Disciplinary action is as follows:

First Offense (within a one-year period):

The employee shall be placed on notice that he/she is now subject to “Second Offense” disciplinary action under the guidelines of this policy.  Should the investigation determine gross negligence existed on the part of the employee; the employee shall be suspended, without pay, for a period of three (3) days.

Second Offense (within a three-year period):

Five (5) days suspension, without pay.

Third Offense (within a three-year period):

Ten (10) days suspension, without pay.  However, if the Mayor determines that gross negligence existed on the part of the employee, additional suspension without pay or termination may be recommended.  In the situation, termination is recommended by the Mayor, the Termination Appeal Procedure is available to the full-time employee.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Charges are on record for three persons arrested last Thursday in a huge drug bust by Minden Police.

Brian Everett Fielding, 45, of the 100 block of Hall St., Minden, is charged with operating a vehicle with suspended license, violation of registration (switched plates), resisting an officer by flight, possession with intent to distribute synthetic marijuana, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Donald Allums, 60, of the 100 block of Hall St., Minden, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute, illegal carrying of weapons in the presence of narcotics, as a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana.

LaShunda Lynette Rabb, 53, of the 100 block of Hall St., Minden, is charged with possession of methamphetamine and synthetic marijuana with intent to distribute, illegal carrying of weapons in presence of narcotics, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of marijuana.

ORIGINAL STORY

A check by Probation and Parole around 3 p.m. Thursday led to confiscation of a large amount of drugs, cash and firearms.

Narcotics Sgt. Shane Griffith said upon arrival at a residence in the 100 block of Hall Street, P&P agents discovered a gray Dodge Charger with switched plates.

“As officers approached the residence, a male jumped into the vehicle and left the scene,” Griffith said. “Probation officer Abigail Triplet called us (Minden Police) to check the tag, and it came back to a 2016 Hyundai Sonata.”

Griffith said the vehicle returned and the male exited with “something in his hands” and ran into the house.

“He came back outside and attempted to flee on foot,” Griffith said. “He was apprehended after a short foot chase.”

The black male was identified as Brian Fielding, 24 years of age.

“Officers on the scene noticed baggies of a green substance in the Charger’s door, and a search of the vehicle yielded several small and large baggies of synthetic marijuana, and baggies of methamphetamine,” Griffith added.

Narcotics officers for MPD obtained a search warrant for the Hall Street address.

“We found large quantities of synthetic marijuana and almost 126 grams of crystal methamphetamine, all packaged for sale,” Griffith said. “Street value is more than $6,000.”

Also in the residence were several firearms, which included rifles, shotguns and handguns, as well as digital scales and empty clear baggies that are used for drug sales. Cash recovered was almost $1,000.

Officers are running the serial numbers on the firearms to determine if any were stolen. There were two high-grade homemade suppressors with the firearms, which brings Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms investigator into the picture.

LaShunda Rabb and Donald Allums were in the residence and taken into custody for questioning. Charges on all three are pending.

“If you sell drugs in Minden, you are going to be caught and prosecuted,” Griffith said.

Chief Jared McIver said Louisiana Probation and Parole, Minden Police and now ATF are involved.

“When you are fully staffed, you can actually get out an be proactive,” McIver said. “It’s something almost every day, and it’s making a big impact.”

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.

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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https://wp.me/pd0qLi-8s5

By Josh Beavers

Mr. Josh Utley, Lakeside teacher extraordinaire, traveled to West Monroe last week for the annual Louisiana Agriculture Teachers Association Conference. 

Little did he know he’d come home with not one but two distinct honors.  Utley was selected as Area 1 Vice President at large for the LATA. This means Utley will be president of the organization within a few years and charged with leading an initiative to help new AG teachers gain valuable skills they did not learn in university training. 

“There are more than 300 AG teachers in the state,” Utley said. “Our duty is to train new AG teachers in something they can’t get at school. We want to help them impart knowledge and skills for hands-on learning such as welding, small engines, leadership, pubic speaking, etc.”

In addition to the board election, Utley was the yearly recipient of the Teacher of Teachers Award, which is an honor earned by Ag teachers who have a former student become an Ag teacher. 

Early in his career at Lakeside, Utley taught Brooke Walker Henderson, who is now an Ag teacher at North Webster High School in Springhill.

In a previous interview with the Journal, Brooke was quoted as saying “whenever I find myself in a difficult position, I just ask ‘what would Mr. Utley do?’ And it usually works out.”

Of the honor, Utley said, “I guess I did the right things. She came to me when she was in school and said ‘I see what you do and I want to do.’ I’m so proud of her and want her to be successful. That never leaves you.”

Lakeside principal Denny Finley heard the news second hand from this reporter but was not surprised as all who know Josh Utley know his name is synonymous with humbleness. 

“He is a humble fellow,” Finley said.  “Josh is very passionate about his profession, and he passes it on to his students.”

Finley said longtime AG teacher Guy Sanders is the reason Utley is in the profession.

“He would have never went to college without Mr. Sanders building that confidence in him and Josh is forever grateful,” Finley said.  “Mr. Utley is doing the same thing on a daily basis.  He is helping people like Brooke, but Josh also sees it as keeping his profession alive for future generations to enjoy.”

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Louisiana State Police Troop G, responding to a 2-vehicle crash south of Sibley, arrested a Bossier City woman for drinking and driving with her 3-year-old child in the vehicle.

Jaime L. Cochran, 42, of the 1700 block of Old Benton Road, Bossier City, was also charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle.

Troopers were reportedly dispatched to the accident on U.S. 371 in Webster Parish Thursday around 4 p.m. Troopers Smith and Wynn discovered Cochran’s vehicle collided with the rearend of the vehicle in front of her.

According to reports, a strong odor commonly associated with an alcoholic beverage was detected in Cochran’s vehicle. She allegedly admitted to drinking prior to driving and voluntarily submitted to a field sobriety test to which she performed “poorly.”

Cochran was taken to the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office where she provided a breath sample of 0.127g% blood alcohol concentration. (Legally drunk in Louisiana is considered .08 percent, according to Louisiana DUI Laws and Penalties.)

Cochran was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. The child’s whereabouts are unknown at this time.

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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The parents of Hannah Heflin and Jason Barton are pleased to announce the upcoming wedding of their children.

Vows will be exchanged at 6 p.m. September 2, 2023 at Molto Bella in Calhoun, La. with Chelsea Patrick officiating.

Hannah is from Sibley and graduated Lakeside High School in 2016. She graduated Louisiana Tech University in 2020.

Her parents are Wendy and Clint Heflin and Amy and Shain Flanagan.

Jason is the son of Ginny and Brandon Hooper and Daniel Barton. He graduated Minden High School in 2016.

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Jan. 3, 1960 – July 16, 2023

Springhill, LA

A memorial service celebrating the life of Jeri Claiborne Melancon, 63, was held at 1 pm. Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Springhill Methodist Church in Springhill, LA with the Rev. Terry Hughes, and Dr. Charles Payne officiating.

Jeri was born on January 3, 1960, in Wichita, KS to Jerry Arthur Claiborne and Peggy Madison Claiborne and peacefully entered into rest on Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Dallas, TX with her family by her side. Jeri was a 1978 graduate of Parkway High School in Bossier City, LA and a 1982 graduate of Centenary College in Shreveport where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. Jeri loved teaching and began her 30-year career in education as a Kindergarten teacher at Vivian Elementary School in 1982. In October of that same year, she married her loving husband of 41 years, Derek Edward Melancon, and they then moved to Springhill, LA where they would live and raise their three children, Aubrey, Jerrod, and Seth.  Jeri continued her education, receiving her master’s degree in counseling from LA Tech and served as the school counselor at Brown Middle School in Springhill prior to her receiving her Principal’s Certification from LA Tech. She subsequently served as the Principal at Howell Elementary in Springhill until its closing. From there she continued her leadership role as the principal of multiple Minden area schools until her retirement in 2012. Jeri loved the children she taught and touched so many young lives in a positive way.   After her retirement from teaching, Jeri went on to receive her Real Estate License and LA Notary Public which would lead to her next career in 2016 when she began working as a Legal Assistant for one of her former students, Stuart McMahen, then an attorney at Bell & Boyd Law Firm and currently Springhill City Judge. She loved working with Stuart and continued to do so throughout her illness. She considered him as one of her children and took great pride in her job with him. Jeri was also very involved in many civic activities during her lifetime, including the Girl Scouts, Children’s Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, and the Springhill Jaycees. She won many local and state awards for the projects that the Jaycees sponsored in Springhill and was very proud to serve her community.

Jeri was a devout Christian and her love for the Lord never waivered up to her last breath. She loved her family with all her heart and placed no one other than the Lord above them. Jeri was most proud of how her children grew to be successful and caring adults. When she became a grandmother, a new chapter in her life began. She loved being Nonnie to her four grandchildren and was so excited for the fifth one on the way.  She loved and adored each of them and they loved her.  

Jeri was preceded in death by her mother, Peggy Madison Claiborne.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Derek Edward Melancon of Springhill, LA; her 3 children, Aubrey Leigh Melancon of Springhill, LA, Jerrod Arthur Melancon and wife Samantha of Splendora, TX, and Seth Alexander Melancon and wife Nikki of Haughton, LA; 5 grandchildren, Wade, Mason, and soon to be born Charlotte Melancon and Raelynn and Evelynne Melancon; her father, Jerry Arthur Claiborne and wife Kim of Marshall TX; sisters, Stacy Claiborne Day of Bossier City, LA, and Katherine Claiborne-Clark and husband Adam of Marshall, TX; and brothers, Randall Lloyd Claiborne and wife Pam of Bossier City, LA and Kamphi Claiborne of Marshall, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

The family would like to express their gratitude to her physician’s, nurses, and staff who provided their loving and compassionate care for Jeri during her illness.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Fuller Center of Webster

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Woke, woke, woke, woke, woke. You can’t doom-scroll on Facebook for five seconds without a “friend” posting a meme about “them” coming to convert your kids into transgender Devil worshippers. Heck, Ron Desantis, the least charismatic and most vacant-eyed politician to ever mount a run on the president’s office, has built his entire campaign on “woke.” That’s it. His entire deal is stopping the “woke.”

Y’all, “woke” is a boogeyman, a pejorative term meant to rile you up and stoke your fear, turn it into a roaring hate toward a small minority of people that are vastly different than what’s considered traditional America. Not saying the “woke” are bad. Just different. See but the Desantis crowd and pretty much all politicians with an R by their name go along with the “woke” fear they helped create in hopes you’ll run with that fear all the way to the voting booth. Push that button to fight the war against the “woke.”

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the other side, of course. The Rs have the “woke” and the Ds have the perpetual all conservatives are racist, homophobic, and misogynistic cards to play. Each side flip those out like UNO Reverse Cards every second of every day. 

A wise guy once said all liberals think conservatives are evil and all conservatives think liberals are stupid. They’re just wired differently, and it’s easy to target what’s different.

Throughout human history, fear has driven people more than love. Hate is more powerful. Fear keeps you alive. Love makes you vulnerable and reach out. Sometimes reaching out gets you bit. No one ever got bit by pulling away. It’s basic offense versus defense. In other words, it’s easier to get elected through a campaign of fear – “you better elect me to stop the evil conservatives or the stupid liberals” – than it is to run on a campaign to fix things. 

Because fixing things, repairing the broken bits of America, is danged hard. And, moreover, there ain’t much money in it. Curing a disease isn’t as profitable as indefinitely treating its symptoms.

You want a real threat? Stop doom-scrolling and read about the imminent threat of AI. 

Artificial Intelligence is here and within a few years it’s going to eliminate hundreds of millions of jobs. These aren’t just jobs like cashiers and fast food. These are truck drivers, nurses, writers, designers, architects, paralegals, researchers, front office staff, on and on. 

And when robotics catches up? No more than 20 years from now, the world economy is going to be in shambles. The very real threat of AI and robotics is going to destroy America. Pretty much every job will be able to be done by a machine. This isn’t a boogeyman. It’s a real-life monster that’s about to pounce. 

Politicians have been warned about this. Congress has had hearings and given the very real and scary truth from tech leaders such as Elon and Zuckerberg and many others. 

They all have told the politicians the same thing – this is coming, it’s already pounding on the door. They’ve warned the politicians to do something now, regulate the industry because if they don’t, the people you serve aren’t going to have jobs and won’t be able to buy gas to drive to the voter booth to put you back in office. 

The response from the politicians? Blank stares and empty promises. They don’t get it. It’s too big for them. Some of them can’t even turn on computers, y’all. How can they comprehend a world where jobs are as rare as winning the lottery? 

So it gets filed away, kicked down the road for younger folk to deal with. And they go back to fighting the evil conservatives or the stupid liberals. 

Listen to me, folks. You want to really make a difference? Next time you go to one of those rallies where the politician is trying to get your money in the fight against the boogeymen, ask them what they’re doing to address the real monster at the door. You have to educate yourself. You have to ask questions because politicians are human, and humans don’t like tough problems. It’ll get kicked down the road and you’ll be the one out of a job, not the politician. 

AI is real and it’s coming. And bad times are coming with it. 

(Josh Beavers is an award winning writer and author. He has earned more than 40 individual writing awards and is syndicated in 12 North Louisiana news journals. The Louisiana Press Association has recognized him five times for excellence in opinion writing, and he has earned numerous Best Investigative Reporting Awards and Freedom of Information Awards for exposure of governmental corruption in Webster Parish.)

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There are football legends, a women’s basketball great, four baseball icons, a two-time USA Olympian, a world-renowned weightlifting champion with an amazing life story, and five LSU Tigers.

They – and a fun-filled slate of events — are among the reasons to be in Natchitoches Thursday, Friday evening, and Saturday, to enjoy the 2023 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration.

Festivities include three free events and four others which require admission charges. Only the grand finale, the Saturday evening Induction Reception and Ceremony presented by State Farm Agents of Louisiana, is a dress up affair.

Two – the Friday lunchtime Bowling Bash presented by BOM, in Alexandria at Four Seasons Bowling Center, and the free Saturday morning New Orleans Saints and Pelicans Junior Training Camp on the Northwestern State campus – are activity-filled.

Another – the free Friday night Rockin’ River Fest Concert featuring Rockin’ Dopsie and The Zydeco Twisters, and rising country artist Jason Ashley, along with a 10-minute fireworks show over Cane River – is activity-optional, dancing encouraged.

The concert also features a free kids zone presented by Louisiana Propane Dealers with football, basketball, golf and science fun on the Natchitoches riverbank.

Tickets for the Bowling Bash, the Friday night VIP Taste of Tailgating party at the concert, and the big finale, the Induction Reception and Ceremony, are available at LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255. The Saturday noon Round Table Luncheon is already sold out.

Advance registration at LaSportsHall.com for kids 7-17 is required for the free Junior Training Camp, which will feature many of the 2023 inductees participating as coaches in football and basketball.

Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning (from New Orleans) joins four-time WNBA All-Star Alana Beard (a Shreveport native with Natchitoches roots) and College World Series champion LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri in a star-studded 12-member induction class.

The Class of 2023 also includes New Orleans native and resident Ron Washington, who managed the Texas Rangers to a pair of World Series appearances and in 2021 helped the Atlanta Braves win the world’s championship (and is still the Braves’ third base coach); two-time LSU track and field USA Olympian and world champion Walter Davis from Arnaudville; and Slidell native, Tulane great and Chicago Bears two-time Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte.

Also set for induction are All-American LSU pitcher Paul Byrd, a 14-year Major League Baseball veteran who made the 1999 All-Star Game; Shreveport native Wendell Davis, who shattered LSU football receiving records before heading to the NFL; multiple national champion and world class weightlifter Walter Imahara, a Baton Rouge florist and UL-Lafayette legend who as a child spent 2 ½ years in a Japanese American internment camp in California; and retired Baton Rouge-Parkview Baptist baseball coach M.L. Woodruff, whose teams claimed 11 state championships.

Two south Louisiana sports journalists, Bruce Brown of Lafayette and longtime New Orleans Times-Picayune high school reporter Lori Lyons, will also be honored.

The Class of 2023 will be enshrined Saturday night at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 64^th Induction Celebration.

The Thursday reception at the museum, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free. As noted above, camp participants need to register online in advance.

The 2023 Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors. 

For information on sponsorship opportunities and other participation, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com, or Greg Burke, Director of Business Development and Public Relations, at 318-663-5459 or GregBurke@LaSportsHall.com .  

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Minden Police are hoping to get a shot in the arm from a couple of local folks, as well as the public.

Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Friday, August 25, J.D. Cottle and Keith Jellum will be raising funds for the department by way of the public’s appetite.

The two are in need of donations from local businesses or individuals to help with food, drinks and serving supplies.

“We are serving pulled pork and burger plates,” Jellum wrote in a Facebook post. “We will be taking pre-order donations until August 17.”

Pulled pork plates will be $15 and burger plates will be $13. They come with chips and choice of water or soft drink.

“We will be setting up and serving at the police department,” Jellum posted.

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver said Jellum approached him about the fundraiser.

“I’m very excited. I mean, we have had some individuals and businesses come forward and are generously donating to the department, whether it’s in the form of equipment or money to purchase equipment,” McIver said. “It feels real good to see we have that many people that care … people that are wanting to be a part of our department, and this is a way they can do that – by giving.”

“The city is on the right track, and I would love to get as many people involved as possible,” Jellum wrote. “Thank you in advance for any help. Looking forward to a great time.”

Anyone interested in donating, please call Jellum at 318-584-3853 or private message him on Facebook. He will pick up the money if necessary.

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Could anything be better for summer than this sweet and spicy dip served with cinnamon pita chips!? I surely think not! I love the juiciness of the fruit combined with the heat of the jalapeno and cilantro flavor.  This is also extremely good over ice cream or yogurt!

Ingredients:

• Strawberries
• Pineapple
• 3 kiwi
• Jalapeños
• Purple onion
• Cilantro
• Juice of 2 limes
• Cinnamon chips for serving

Directions

Dice the strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, jalapeños, and purple onion.  Mix together.  Stir in cilantro to your desired taste (fresh is better!).  Squeeze lime juice in and stir.  Refrigerate until ready to serve.

(Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.)

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United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:
Food: Vienna sausage, canned fruit, crackers, powdered milk

Clothing: Men’s pants (waist 32 and 34), men’s shoes (9 and up), men’s socks and underwear
Household goods: towels, twin sheets, forks & spoons
Toiletries: toothpaste, deodorant
Thank you for supporting UCAP!

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

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By Tracy Campbell

The Minden Lions Club thanks Lee Ann Hodges, public information officer for Louisiana State Police Troop G, for serving as Thursday’s guest speaker during our noon club meeting. Trooper Hodges spoke about driver training and proper procedures when drivers are stopped by law enforcement officers. She also discussed the steps for becoming a state trooper and answered questions for Lions in attendance. Trooper Hodges was invited to speak by Lion Sheriff Jason Parker, program chairman.

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

July 26

11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Cotton Valley Community Health Day at CV City Hall. Sponsored by Springhill Medical Center and Louisiana HomeCare Springhill. Free event. Health information, hot dogs, snow cones and raffle.

July 27

1 p.m. Annual Membership Drive, Webster Parish Council on Aging, 1482 Sheppard St., Minden. Call 318-371-3056 or come by the address between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

July 28

4 until 8 p.m., Webster Parish School Board’s Pack the Bus, Minden Walmart.

July 29

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

August 2

Webster Parish New Teacher Breakfast, Harper Pathways to Excellence Center, 618 Germantown Rd., Minden.

August 4

8:30 a.m. Glenbrook School New Teacher Breakfast, Glenbrook School.

August 12

9 a.m. until noon. Springhill-North Webster Chamber of Commerce’s Back to School Water Wars, Springhill Recreation Complex. K-12th grades. Free water balloons, no outside balloons permitted, free water gun filling stations, concessions available. $10 admission fee benefits LaMa Animal Rescue.

5 until 9 p.m., Peace Out Summer Back to School Bash, Sarepta Community Park. Admission $2; games, food and raffle. Pack the Bus by bringing supplies. Sponsored by Women Helping Others. For more information: contact Ramanda Ketchum at 318-347-2612 or Rketchumwho@gmail.com,  Elizabeth Simmons at 318-517-5207 or emccuen92@gmail.com, Tammie Wynn 318-268-5535 or tammie.wynn@la.gov .

August 26

10 a.m. – 2p.m. Brunch. Minden Junior Service League “Mamma Mia” Girls Night Out, Minden Civic Center.

September 9

Vintage Car Club of Minden’s annual car show in downtown Minden. More information when available.

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

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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.

July 14

James Granger, 42, of the 2500 block of Cotton Valley, was arrested by Cullen Police for monetary instrument abuse and forgery.

July 19

Sabrina L. Weaver, 43, of the 100 block of Shreveport Rd., Minden, La., was arrested by Probation & Parole for parole violations.

July 20

Joshua Allen Flowers, 30, of the 9000 block of Hwy. 80, Minden, was arrested by WPSO for batter of a dating partner with a dangerous weapon (rake) and simple criminal damage to property.

Cartavious Monte Webb, 24, of Spruce St., Springhill, was arrested by WPSO for speeding, expired plates, possession of marijuana and no motor vehicle insurance.

Richard George, 59, of the 400 block of South St., Minden, was arrested by MPD on 2 warrants for distribution of crack cocaine, 1 warrant for distribution of methamphetamine and resisting by flight. His bonds total $50,000.

Jamarea Manning, 30, of the 200 block of Miller St., Minden, was charged with domestic abuse battery with child endangerment.

July 20

Lamar D. McKinsey, 22, of the 3700 block of Franklin Rd., Heflin, was arrested by Probation and Parole agents for possession of marijuana, a firearm by a convicted felon, drug paraphernalia and probation violation.

July 21

Jerry Dean Dedeaux, 73, of Pascagoula, Miss, was arrested by WPSO, MPD and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries of driving while intoxicated and no license plate lamp.

Calvin Lewis Theus, 38, of the 200 block of Goode Ave., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for failure to appear in court.

Dustin James Coker, 34, of the 200 block of Coker Ln., Minden, was arrested by Dixie Inn police on a violation of protective order warrant through Haughton police.

Ted Evertt, 61, was arrested by WPSO in court for an outstanding warrant for cruelty to an animal warrant. A search yielded possession of morphine.

Kenyaskey Williams Moore, 38, of the 200 block of Goode Ave., Minden, was arrested by MPD as a fugitive from Shreveport Police.

July 22

Sarah Gryder, 45, of the 2100 block of Henderson Ln., Haynesville, was arrested by Minden Police for criminal mischief (making 5 non-emergency calls to 911).

Cory Montgomery, 34, of Springhill, was arrested by WPSO for probation violation.

Wesley Johnson, 35, of the 100 block of Alford Loop, Dubberly, was arrested by MPD for resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, fugitive from justice and two active bench warrants.

Jarvous Lewis, 29, of the 200 block of Shirley Dr., Minden, was arrested by MPD as a fugitive from Bossier Sheriff’s Office.

July 23

Christopher Ray Johnson, 45, of the 400 block of Maritzky Rd., Homer, La., was arrested by Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies on Dorcheat Rd., on a warrant for failure to appear (in court).

Whitney Nicole Mixon, 34, of Holomon Loop, Dubberly, was arrested by WPSO on an active warrant for speeding.

JaMichael DeWayne Sustain, 25, of the 8700 block of Edgewood Place, Shreveport, was arrested by LSP-G for driving while intoxicated on Carolina Street in Minden.

Montique M. Morris, 29, of the 800 block of Harris St., Minden, was arrested by MPD on five active warrants.

Mario Ladell Dixon, 34, of the 200 block of W. 80th St.,  Shreveport, was arrested by MPD as a fugitive from Caddo Sheriff’s Office.

July 24

Riley Richardson, 18, of the 17000 block of Hwy. 157, Plain Dealing, was arrested from Bossier Max by WPSO on an active warrant for drug paraphernalia and schedule 2.

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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Kenneth Bryan Middleton

Feb. 27, 1951 – July 22, 2023

Doyline, La.

Visitation: 5 until 78 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Homer.

Celebration of Life: Noon, Thursday, July 27, 2023, Evening Light Tabernacle in Dixie Inn.

Burial: 10 a.m. Thursday, July, July 27, 2023, Lebanon Cemetery, Ruple Community, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Jerry A. Stiles

Feb. 11, 1944 – July 20, 2023

Heflin, La.

Visitation: 9 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Bistineau Baptist Church.

Graveside service: 11 a.m., immediately following visitation, Bistineau Cemetery, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Michael Bayne Smith

Sept. 25, 1954 – July 20, 2023

Springhill, La.

Memorial service pending under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Mable Baker

July 7, 1950 – July 13, 2023

Shongaloo, La.

Service not scheduled at this time. Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Herbert “Butch” Casey Jr.

Jan. 9, 1946 – July 21, 2023

Visitation: 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2023, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Arcadia, La.

Graveside service: 11 a.m., Atkins Cemetery, Athens, La.

Estelle Christian

July 13, 1943 – July 21, 2023

Arcadia, La.

Visitation: 5 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Arcadia, La.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 26, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Arcadia.

Burial: Alabama 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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