By Tracy Campbell

The Minden Lions Club was privileged to have Mike Herbster, camp director for Southland Christian Ministries, as guest speaker during Thursday’s noon meeting.

Located in Ringgold on Highway 371, Southland is a full-service camping facility serving local churches by offering summer youth programs to junior and teen campers, adult retreats throughout the year, a Christian college experience, and much more. Southland’s mission is to help every camper take the “next step” in their walk with God. 

Mike provided specifics about Southland’s various camps and outreach programs. He also spoke about a special teenager named Elizabeth “Bay” Moore, who passed away from a tragic accident just one day after her 15th birthday in May of this year. Living on property that borders Southland, Bay frequently volunteered at their camps, where she served by working in the kitchen, waitressing, babysitting for staff families, and helping as a barista in the coffee shop. Southland is currently planning development of a mini golf course near the property’s lake. It will be called “The Bay” in honor of this young camper and volunteer.

Pictured (from left) are Lion President Preston Gray, Mike Herbster, Rob Moore (Bay Moore’s father), and Lion Gene Reynolds, who invited Mike to speak to the club. Lion Gene is also Rob’s uncle and Bay’s great uncle.

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United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:

Food: Canned meats, green beans

Clothing: Men’s pants/jeans (waist 34), men’s shoes (9 and up), men’s socks and underwear

Household goods: towels, pots, pans & skillets

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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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.

Aug. 17

Jules Steven Gilcrease, 39, of the 100 block of Mattie Ln., Heflin, was arrested by WPSO for theft, no brake light, driving under suspension and 2 counts of possession of controlled dangerous substances.

Michael Shane Smith, 56, of Elm Grove, was arrested by WPSO, for the following warrants: hit and run, driving under suspension, careless operation of a motor vehicle, no insurance, plate display cancelled and failure to report an accident.

Aug. 18

Lisa Kiser, 52, of Shreveport, was arrested by WPSO for a probation violation.

Richard A. Roberds, 43, of the 200 block of North Main, Springhill, was arrested by WPSO for theft and criminal trespass.

Erica D. Holleman, 33, of the 200 block of Happy Trails Road, Downsville, was arrested by WPSO at the Department of Child & Family Services on Pine Street, Minden on a warrant for improper supervision of a minor.

Katie Holleman, 37, of Haughton, was arrested by mPD as a fugitive from an outside agency.

Aug. 19

Robert William Beil, 34, of Sugarland, Texas, was arrested by WPSO on five active warrants.

Cedrick L. Jones, of Country Lane, Minden, was arrested by WPSO on active warrant for driving while intoxicated.

William Brady Dildy, 39, of the 1000 block of King Orchid, Sarepta, was arrested by WPSO for aggravated assault.

Carley Ann Kennedy, 38, of the 300 block of Clerk St., Minden, was arrested by MPD on an active bench warrant.

Ira Lee Miller, 49, of the 400 block of Front St., Minden, was arrested by MPD on a warrant for failure to appear.

Chanstonce Morris, 38, of the 1200 block of Harper Ln., Minden, was arrested by MPD on an active bench warrant for possession of marijuana.

Demetrius Bernard Morris, 40, of Humble, La., was arrested by MPD for driving while intoxicated, aggravated flight from an officer, obstructing public passages, improper lane usage and open container.

Aug. 20

Lish Antonio Island, 51, of the 200 block of Buddy Brown Rd., Minden, ws arrested by WPSO for cruelty to a juvenile.

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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Addie Vowell

Dec/ 31. 1934 – August 18, 2023

Haughton/Sarepta

Visitation: 10: a.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2023, Haughton United Pentecostal Church.

Funeral service: 1 p.m. Tuesday, August 22, 2023, Haughton United Pentecostal Church.

Burial: 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sikes Ferry Cemetery, Sarepta, La., under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Dana Marie Wise Perkins

Oct. 17, 1956 – August 16, 2023

Shongaloo, La.

Memorial Graveside service: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Shongaloo, La., under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Haynesville, La.

Alice Peckham Thomason

Sept. 8, 1927 – August 4, 2023

Minden, La.

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, August 25, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Memorial service: 10 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023, Calvary Church, Mangham, La.

Burial: 11:15 Saturday, Calvary (Hewitt) Church Cemetery, Mangham, La.

Thomas “Tommy” C. Stokes Jr.

Oct. 26, 1939 – July 20, 2023

Sibley, La.

Celebration of Life: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, Stokes Residence, 484 Leachman Rd., Sibley, La. 71073

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

Since it’s difficult to predict a power outage in Minden, Mayor Nick Cox is proposing a power back-up plan to make the darkness a little lighter.

During a recent workshop, the mayor told councilpersons his ideas on keeping citizens comfortable during an outage.

“With the heat, it’s a very critical situation,” Cox said, referring to the recent forced outage due to a fire at Gilark Substation. “We need to come up with a local building with generator power in the city.”

Recently, Cox said Fire Chief and Homeland Security Director Brian Williams told him bathrooms would be necessary in the chosen location if it is to be a shelter.

Some of the locations batted around were Ewell Park, Minden Community House, old National Guard Armory and the Forestry Building at Minden Fairgrounds.

“The problem is, they don’t have showers,” Williams said. “If you go more than 24 hours, then it becomes a ‘shelter site.’ If it’s just a cooling center, you don’t have to have showers.”

Cox pointed out that Minden’s Rec Center is equipped to serve as a shelter.

“We don’t have to use it for refugees from all over,” he added. “We can just use it as a shelter for local people.

“In my opinion,” Cox said. “People of Minden need a place to stay. If we can equip it with full bathrooms, showers and generators, I like the idea.”

If it is a parish-wide emergency, the shelter would be open to all Webster Parish residents in the south end of the parish.

“On a parish level, if we declare a state of emergency for a disaster, whether it be a power outage or a tornado, we are looking for a shelter site to house Minden residents or south Webster Parish residents,” Williams said. “Prior to Katrina, as soon as the Rec Center was built, that was the shelter site. Now there’s a mega shelter in Shreveport and Alexandria that house all that. Webster Parish is not a shelter site for outside of the parish.”

Williams went on to say that Homeland Security is in the process of getting around $500,000 in grant money specifically for city generators.

“Some are for water plants, some are for lift stations, one is for the fire department,” he said. “If the city decides they want the Rec Center to be the shelter, we can acquire whatever size generator is applicable if that’s what this council chooses.”

Staff would be put into place for around the clock surveillance at a shelter.

District C Councilwoman Latasha Mitchell Said she feels it will take a lot of work to police activity of the persons staying there.

“Of course, when I was there, there were a lot of people from New Orleans and other places because of Katrina, Gustav and Rita,” she said. “Not including those areas would alleviate all that.”

Police Chief Jared McIver said in working past disasters, “If you split the shelter among buildings, you are going to have to put law enforcement at every one of them. If you have it at the Rec Center, you have one central location.”

He also pointed out that it will take cooperation from the Sheriff’s department and state police.

“We will all be working security around the clock, and if you start spreading it, that’s just more and more places to keep up with,” said the chief.

The Rec Center hasn’t always had security cameras, but Recreation Department Director Zita Williams ays “we have them now.”

District E Councilman Andy Pendergrass asked if the Webster Parish Police Jury will be partnering with the city.

“They are giving us money on this,” Cox said.

Location is possibly the biggest issue with using the Rec Center as a shelter.

District D Councilman Michael Roy asked about busing affected citizens to the Rec Center, which is just off the I-20 service road.

Williams said if it’s identified as a state emergency, Homeland Security is authorized to call in buses from Webster Parish schools and Louisiana Transit to take residents to the Rec Center.

“And I can get National Guard drivers, if I need them,” he added.

Williams also stressed the difference between a shelter and a cooling/warming center.

“Two totally separate things,” he said. “Since the Rec Center has showers, it could be the shelter. But the other buildings we talked about – put a transfer switch on them, and in the next issuance of grant money, let’s put a portable generator on a trailer that the city owns. It can be moved to different locations.

No action can be taken at city council workshops, however, a workshop strictly on this issue may be in the future.

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By Marilyn Miller

Plans for Christmas and Mardi Gras celebrations in 2023 and 2024 highlighted the monthly meeting of the Downtown Development Commission and Minden Main Street Board of Directors Monday evening at Minden City Hall.

President Shawn Hatcher introduced three key items — a potential German Christmas Market, a Main Street Work Plan, and Mardi Gras activities.

“We’re toying with the idea of the German Christmas Market after the annual Minden Christmas Parade,” Hatcher said, opening discussion. He pointed out that this would likely be in 2024. However, he asked Main Street coordinator Taylor Wren to begin gathering ideas and pricing for new decorations immediately.

Wren agreed, stating that “We need to move toward German themes as we purchase our new decorations.” All agreed.

Among the ideas discussed were the availability of German-themed booths that can be set up for vendors (a 2024 project), a window-decorating contest for businesses (for ’23), and setting up singing groups for entertainment the night of the parade (’23). The Main Street Board is hoping to attract vendors for after the Christmas parade this year, but they will have to set up their own booths. The need for shuttles will be discussed at a later meeting.

All board members agreed that whatever plans are made will have to be syncronized with the Minden Greater Chamber of Commerce and the Office of Tourism. Wren said a meeting of all the participating bodies is planned for the near future.

MARDI GRAS 2024

Plans and ideas for the 2024 Mardi Gras season are being solicited from the board members, and a sponsor is being sought for the judges booth at the parade, as well as other sponsors. Hatcher suggested that a Mardi Gras Ball would be a good fund-raiser. Board member Larry Gipson urged the board to “look at the calendar NOW!” since there is so much competition for date/time slots. “I think we have time to have a Ball, though,” he added.

“If we’re interested in it, let’s pursue it,” Hatcher said, urging all Board members to send their thoughts to the Main Street office.

VINTAGE CAR SHOW

Larry Gipson gave a report on the Vintage Car Show, which will take place Sept. 9 in Miller Quarters Park. There is no fee to enter the show.

“We need a lot of help – volunteers for pre-registration, registration, set-up (at 5 a.m), concession stands, promotions, contests, entertainment, and breakdown,” Gipson said. He said contests like Hula Hooping and the Dance Off were popular last year and will probably return. Sponsors are also needed.

“I want our car show to be something different than the car shows down the road,” he added.

GAS UP THE BROOM

The Board members heard a report on the upcoming “Witches Ride” on Oct. 19 through downtown Minden, ending at Miller Quarters Park. Registration will be from 4-6. Registered riders are invited to a Block Party to follow the parade. Downtown businesses are urged to remain open late.

“I know some of the local churches don’t like that we’re having this, but nobody who is participating is practicing witchcraft,” board member Sarah Overall said. “Compared to the positive feedback we are getting, the negative is minute.”

Also coming up are the Fair Parade on Oct. 3, Webster Parish Fair, Oct. 3-7, Main to Main, Nov. 3-4, and the Christmas Parade, Dec. 9.

In other business:

• Wren reported that she is gathering information for a Main Street “Work Plan, and that she is putting together a Main Street pamphlet for the public;” 
• Wren emphasized that “our focus needs to be on our businesses…we need to do everything we can to increase their foot traffic;”
• The next meeting will be Sept. 11 (unless the date of the Minden City Council meeting changes.

Attending the meeting were Hatcher, Wren, Gipson, Overall, Teresa Little, Kim Landaiche, Diane Silvis, and Tiffany Washington-Johnson.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

In the early hours Wednesday, Webster Parish Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a Minden location in reference to a disturbance that led to one arrest.

David Lee Beckwith IV, 33, of the 200 block of Winwood Dr., Minden, was charged with domestic abuse with strangulation.

Sheriff Jason Parker said Sgt. M. Hicks and Deputy D. Christian took the call around 2:30 a.m.

“They were advised that a female in the house was being choked by her live-in boyfriend, later identified as Beckwith,” Parker said. “Deputies picked up Beckwith as he was walking down the street. They said he seemed to be intoxicated, and he had several lacerations to his face.”

When deputies asked Beckwith what happened, he reportedly gave “incoherent responses.”

“The victim was walking toward deputies,” said the sheriff. “She said her oldest son called us. She did not want to write a statement but gave us permission to talk to her son.”

The witness told deputies he was awakened by a loud noise in the house. He said he “got up and seen Beckwith choking” the victim. 

“The victim declined to file charges and was advised the State would do so,” Parker said. “After he was mirandized, Beckwith admitted to drinking, but he denied choking the victim.”

Beckwith was booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Recently, 14 Louisiana municipalities – Jean Lafitte, Cheneyville, Plaquemine, Broussard, Woodworth, Franklin, West Monroe, Cankton, Carencro, Baker, Lake Charles, Many, Patterson, and Gonzales won top honors at the Louisiana Municipal Association’s Community Achievement Awards for exceptional improvements and accomplishments for the 2022 calendar year in Lafayette.

A Webster Parish municipality joined winners with an award of its own.

Basic Services Category for 3,000 and under population: Town of Sarepta (Updating Town Hall) took home a honorable mention, along with Town of New Llano (New Llano Fire Department – Main Station).

Honorable Mentions Winner: Village of Cankton (Village of Cankton Water System Improvements).

The prestigious awards, categorized under Community Development, Economic Development, Basic Services, and Technology & Connectivity, recognize the perseverance, dedication, and tireless efforts of elected municipal officials and their teams across various municipalities.

“The Community Achievement Awards are very important because they give the municipalities the opportunity to showcase the projects going on in their cities, as well as other municipalities seeing what’s going on in neighboring communities,” said outgoing President Jennifer Vidrine.

The pinnacle of the evening was the awarding of the Town of Jean Lafitte with the LMA’s 22nd Annual ‘Best of Show’ Award for “The Rosethorne Tidal Levee Project” – the second win in a row for the town. A monumental endeavor, this $34 million dollar project spans across approximately 580 acres, encompassing 150 homes, 5 businesses, and 4 government buildings. Started in 2022, this two-phase project, set to conclude in 2024, marks a collaborative effort between numerous mayoral tenures and parish, state, and federal officials. Designed to safeguard against 10-year tidal or rainfall flooding, the project not only embodies the community’s resilience but also its commitment to ensuring long-term environmental protection and sustainability for its residents.

“I want to congratulate all our Community Achievement Award winners,” said LMA Executive Director John Gallagher. “There were some creative and fascinating entries. I want to also give a special congratulations to Jean Lafitte on their second Best of Show win in as many years.”

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By Doug Ireland, Journal Sports

Thursday and Sunday on Louisiana Public Broadcasting (KLTS-TV Channel 24 in Shreveport), viewers statewide can enjoy a two-hour special, “Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame: 2023 Celebration,” recapping the July 27-29 induction festivities for the LSHOF’s Class of 2023.

LPB will televise the show on Thursday at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, August 20 at 5 p.m.

LPB programming is available live at www.lpb.org and also with the LPB app.

The program will be accessible through on demand streaming with LPB PASSPORT – an extended membership benefit available on the www.lpg.org website.

Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, four-time WNBA All-Star Alana Beard, LSU football record-shattering receiver Wendell Davis and College World Series champion baseball coach Paul Mainieri are part of a star-studded 12-member group of honorees recently inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.  Beard and Davis are Shreveport natives.

This LPB sports special, produced in partnership with the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, features highlights from the July 29 induction ceremony and many of the festivities surrounding it. Also included are the induction interviews and profile stories on each of the honorees, plus a look at  the newly-added memorabilia to the Hall of Fame Museum in Natchitoches.

“As LPB serves as Louisiana’s storytellers, audiences are used to seeing LPB programs featuring our state’s people, history, and culture,” says Clarence “C.C” Copeland, LPB President and CEO.

“A walk through the Sports Hall of Fame Museum will show you that our state’s contributions to the world of sports is another story worth telling! We are excited to expand our sports programming efforts and what better opportunity than this.”

Along with Manning, Mainieri, Davis and Beard, the LSHOF Class of 2023 also includes New Orleans native Ron Washington, who managed the Texas Rangers to a pair of World Series appearances and helped the Atlanta Braves win the world’s championship; two-time LSU track and field USA Olympian and world champion Walter Davis; and Slidell native, Tulane great and Chicago Bears two-time Pro Bowl running back Matt Forte.

Also inducted were All-American LSU pitcher Paul Byrd, a 14-year Major League Baseball veteran who made the 1999 All-Star Game; multiple national champion and world class weightlifter Walter Imahara, a UL-Lafayette legend whose story began in a Japanese American internment camp in California during World War II; and retired Baton Rouge-Parkview Baptist baseball coach M.L. Woodruff, whose teams claimed 11 state championships.

Rounding out the Class of 2023: two transformational and highly decorated figures in Louisiana’s sports journalism field, Lafayette writer and editor Bruce Brown and longtime New Orleans Times-Picayune prep writer Lori Lyons.

Visit LaSportsHall.com for more information on the Class of 2023 and all 479 people enshrined in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame since 1958, along with information on past and upcoming LSHOF activities.

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Turns out that you are not getting rid of me after all. I have decided to continue doing what I am doing – sharing with you guys and covering local news and events in Webster, Bienville and Claiborne Parishes.  

After many sleepless nights and discussions with God, family, friends and colleagues, it became clear to me that I can make a bigger difference and impact right here, right now.  

But speaking of sleepless nights… 

My kids are having a hard time adjusting back to this school routine.  

The other evening, I tried to lay down with them at about 8:30 even though we did not wake up until about 11 o’clock that morning. I never expected them to actually go to sleep, but to maybe get settled for the night at least.  

Yea, that did not happen. Bed jumping, giggling, tossing, turning, pillow fights and running in and out of the bedroom commenced for about two hours.  

Even though I woke up later than usual that morning, I had a very long and tiring day. So, maybe I lied a little bit when I said I abruptly changed our bedtime to 8:30 just to get into routine – I was actually exhausted.  

I am laying there with kids bouncing around, getting up and down and turning my house inside out. As they are coming in and out of the bedroom, I am just lying there, possibly getting a tad frustrated if I am being honest.

But then I heard something- something that I have heard probably a million times before, but for some reason this time it had a different impact.  

It was the sound of bare baby feet pitter pattering across our hardwood floor.  

I am sure every one of you can relate to certain sounds, smells and evoking certain emotional memories. 

Kind of like when I smell Britney Spears’ perfume, “Curious,” it takes me back to sitting in the bleachers at my high school watching a football game on Friday night in 2007. I would have been wearing a blue jean skirt that was way too short with UGG boots that were way too hot. I was definitely sporting over-tweezed eyebrows and frosted eyeshadow that was sure to be smeared all over my face by the end of the night (that stuff never dried).  

The difference between that and this sound of baby feet hitting my hardwood floor is that I did not know it at the time I was spraying way too much “Curious” perfume on, that it would forever be registered into my memory bank.  

I knew as soon as I heard it that night- the sound of Kameron’s tiny bare feet running down the hall became a permanent part of my memory. It will be one of those sounds for me that brings me back to me laying on the bed that night and feeling utterly exhausted, but overwhelmingly blessed.  

The thing with these smells and sounds that evoke such distinct and emotional memories in us, is that we do not know when they are going to find us.  

I have very rarely come across anything that smells like 2007 and I may not remember hearing Kameron’s baby feet running around my house for many years to come. I may be a grandmother keeping my grandchildren at home, watching them galavanting and giggling as they play. But I know I will revisit that night one day down the road, and I already cannot wait to relish those memories- memories of being a young mother whose entire life revolved around her children and their entire life revolved around mine.  

I will welcome that flood of emotions…. much unlike the memories of scrunching my hair and freezing it into place with all of the hair spray until it looked like a pack of uncooked Ramen noodles. Although, I do not hate being reminded of falling asleep staring at a poster of Justin Timberlake above my bed sporting a hairstyle pretty similar.  

(Paige Nash is a wife, mother, publisher of Bienville Parish Journal and Claiborne Parish Journal and a digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal. We are happy she decided to stick around.)

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Healthy snacking is a great way for kids to meet their daily nutritional requirements that may be missed throughout the day. Kids need snacks that can help them get enough energy throughout the day, so choosing healthy foods that add nutrients, such as minerals and vitamins are essential. See below for easy, quick, and nutritious snack ideas for your kids to try. 

Dairy foods

• String cheese
• Fat free or 1% Milk
• Cottage cheese or yogurt with fruit (fresh or canned)
• Yogurt smoothies with 100% juice and sliced bananas or strawberries

Fruits & Vegetables

• 100% fruit juice
• Fruit cups
• Fresh Fruits 
• Raw vegetables with low-fat yogurt dip or hummus
• Applesauce
• Raisins
• Dried Figs

Grains

• Whole -grain crackers with cheese or peanut butter
• Whole-grain goldfish crackers
• Pretzel sticks 
• Fig bars
• Gingersnaps
• Graham crackers
• Vanilla wafers
• Air popped popcorn 
• Tortilla chips with salsa
• Flavored rice cakes 
• Trail Mix with nuts and dried fruit
• Granola bars

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

Shakera Williams, M.P.H. Assistant Nutrition Extension Agent, General & SNAP-Ed Nutrition – Webster/Claiborne Parishes

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By Josh Beavers

Lakeside seniors kicked off the year by watching the Sun rise over their school on Friday morning. 

This is a relatively new tradition which began a few years ago. The Class of 2024 wanted to keep that tradition alive. 

“On the second day of school our class got together and watched the sunrise together,” senior Ava Dison said. “It is a recent tradition started a few years back called Senior Sunrise.”

She said the moment her class heard about the tradition, they knew they couldn’t wait to participate. 

“Little did we know that day would come so soon,” she said. “Many people in my class have gone to school together since the first day in Pre-K back at Central. It became a routine to see all your friends at school for about 10 months then take a break and come back to do it all over again.”

She said it is saddening knowing this routine will soon come to an end. 

“But I will forever cherish the memories I have with each one of them,” she said. “As for the time I have left with them, I am going to make it the best senior year ever.”

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By Jessica Gorman

The Civic Club was a ladies’ group that worked for the beautification and improvement of Minden in the early 1900s. These ladies were directly responsible for the development of Minden’s city parks.

On 1 May 1906, a May Day celebration was held by the Civic Club. Everyone was invited to attend to celebrate the installation of the fountain in City Park. These ladies also wished to express their gratitude to those who supported them in their efforts of civic improvement. Refreshments were served and music for the evening was provided by the Citizens Cornet Band. A may pole dance was performed by young girls wrapping the may pole in streamers of red, white, & blue. Gladys Whitmarsh was crowned queen and presented with flower garlands from each of the other girls. Mayor Robert Roberts was the speaker for the occasion.  

The May Day celebration became an annual event to recognize the importance of civic work. In 1907, the weather caused the event to be postponed until later in the month. Congressman John T. Watkins was the speaker and Emma Lou Garland was crowned queen. In 1908, Professor C. A. Ives, principal of Minden High School spoke and Mary Drake was crowned queen. Professor Ives speech was published in The Webster Signal. In it, he praises the work of the Civic Club. 

“I have read the report of the Secretary of our local Civic Club made to the State organization meeting recently in New Orleans. I note what is said as to the spirit of that organization in Minden. How plans are laid and carried out to successful issue in varied lines. There is as much performance as sentiment in their order. They dream of beautiful things and then proceed to bring them to pass. They have with their own hands and with the aid of willing helpers annually devoted a special day to the cleaning of our streets of unsightly and unsanitary rubbish. They have inspired in us all a disposition to be more careful of the appearance of our town than we should otherwise have been. They have planted numerous trees in various parts of town, and have caused others to do the same. The improvement of Academy Place has been begun and soon it will be a thing of beauty.

There are evidences of their refined taste about the court house. This beautiful spot in our little city is made possible by this self same band of women. This charming little park will be a perpetual testimonial of their taste and energy. It is so situated as to be almost the first thing noticed by a stranger visiting Minden and to impress him favorably with the quality of refinement to be found here. It furnishes a pretty spot for outdoor gatherings. It is a place where the band will add to the charm of the summer evening if it is properly supported by our people.”

The 1909 celebration coincided with two major events being held the same month. The Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias held their state convention in Minden on May 17-18. On the 18^th, Governor Sanders was in town to speak about good roads. In preparation, the bandstand, fence, and benches in City Park got a fresh coat of paint and work was done to improve the appearance of Academy Park.

These May Day celebrations were held until at least 1912.

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

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Louisiana Wildlife Federation (LWF) is calling upon residents and businesses throughout the state to join others in turning off bright or excess lighting from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m. each day between August 15 to November 15 to help protect the billions of migratory birds that fly through Louisiana at night during this period.

Louisiana sits within the Mississippi Flyway migratory path, with the state’s vast wetlands, forests, and coastline serving as critical stops along the birds’ migration routes. During the 2022 fall migration, an estimated 478 million birds migrated through the state of Louisiana. The majority of those birds migrate at night and typically start their nightly migration about 30 to 45 minutes post-sunset, with peak flights between 10 and 11 p.m.

While the dark skies allow the migratory birds to avoid predators, take advantage of calmer air and utilize the moon and stars for navigation, it also brings with it other dangers such as bright artificial lights and the skyglow from larger cities that can confuse the birds, often causing them to fatally collide into buildings or windows.

“Our city lights can misguide birds, diverting them off course with often dire consequences. This initiative is an easy yet impactful step in helping these birds continue their incredible journey,” Rebecca Triche, executive director of LWF, said. “Louisiana is well-known for the populations of migratory birds we see here at different times of the year and people care about keeping wildlife sustainable. By supporting the Lights Out initiative, businesses and individuals can take a practical step to protect the birds that briefly call Louisiana home.”

According to the National Audubon Society, which started the first Lights Out program in Chicago in 1999, just one building in a community with bright lights can cause major problems, citing a week in 2017 when nearly 400 birds were killed when they flew into windows of a 32-story Texas skyscraper because of its floodlights.

Dr. Dan Scheiman, Plants for Birds Program Manager for Audubon Delta, said, “Following that incident, the skyscraper in question joined many other buildings in Houston Audubon’s Lights Out for Birds Program, saving the lives of hundreds of thousands of birds. Each year in the United States an estimated 1 billion birds die by colliding with windows. This number is not sustainable. Every building, every Lights Out program helps reduce this threat to ensure the long-term health of our bird populations.”

Dr. Phil Stouffer, the Lee F. Mason Professor at the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources, has been studying the problem on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge and leads the LSU Bird Window Collision Monitoring Project, which has been in place for five years. The group has recorded 569 dead birds of 75 species on the LSU campus. The most common victims during the fall migration have been the Common Yellowthroat, the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, and the Ovenbird.

“This is a problem that can be overcome,” Stouffer said. “Reducing illumination is one of the easiest approaches that we can all take. Dark skies also benefit other wildlife, and we humans might see a few more stars.”

One local building that is participating in the Lights Out project this fall is the Center for Coastal & Deltaic Solutions, which sits on the banks of the Mississippi River in Baton Rouge on the city’s old municipal dock. The building, owned by the Wilbur Marvin Foundation and houses The Water Institute, will turn off its large upward spotlights during the designated Lights Out times.

Beaux Jones, acting president and CEO of The Water Institute, emphasized the importance of the Lights Out initiative, stating, “Living in Louisiana, a vital migration route, is a birder’s dream. Yet, it poses navigation hazards for migrating birds. The support from the Wilbur Marvin Foundation makes this endeavor even more significant to me and aligns with The Water Institute’s commitment to ecological sustainability.”

At LWF’s February 2023 Board of Directors meeting, the organization passed a resolution requesting that “all public buildings observe ‘lights out’ as official policy of the State of Louisiana, City of Baton Rouge and other governmental entities.” The full resolution can be found at https://lawildlifefed.org/resolution/lights-out-to-save-migrating-birds/

Individuals and organizations wanting to join others in the Lights Out Initiative should follow these guidelines:

• Turn off non-essential lights nightly from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. during the migration period.
• Avoid using landscape lighting on trees or gardens where birds may be resting.
• For essential security and safety lighting, use these dark skies-friendly lighting adjustments:
  • Aim lights downwards.
  • Use light shields to direct light downwards and prevent an upward glare.
  • Use motion detectors and sensors so lights turn on when needed.
  • Close blinds at night to limit the amount of light seen through windows.
• For building owners/managers:
  • Adjust custodial schedules to be completed by 11:00 p.m.
  • Ensure lights are turned off after custodial cleaning.

Additional Guidelines for Buildings Over 3 Stories:

• Dim or turn off:
  • Exterior/decorative lighting.
  • Lobby/atrium lights.
  • Perimeter room lights on all levels.
  • Floodlights.
  • Lighting on interior plants/fountains.
  • Lights on vacant floors.
  • Lights with blue-rich white light emissions (over 3000 K in color temperature.)
• Instead use:
  • Desk lamps or task lights instead of overhead lights.
  • “warm-white” or filtered LEDs outdoors (less than 3000 K in color temperature.)

Migration routes, along with the timing of the flight, can vary from day to day due to a number of factors such as the weather conditions. According to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology BirdCast dashboard, on Monday, August 7, there were an estimated 550,700 birds that crossed Louisiana during the night. Exhibiting the vast difference in flight paths, 276,400 of those birds were estimated to have flown over the Shreveport/Bossier City area, while only 11,200 birds were estimated to have flown over the Baton Rouge area.

Just a week earlier though, the Baton Rouge area had an estimated 56,100 birds fly over in one evening. During last fall’s migration period, on September 13, 2022, the Baton Rouge area had 436,100 birds cross the region, compared to 123,100 birds in the Shreveport area. On that night alone, more than 3.5 million birds migrated across Louisiana.

Individuals can monitor the bird migration in their area by using BirdCast, a migration dashboard provided by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Dashboards for Louisiana and selected cities are:

Louisiana – https://dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-LA

Shreveport – https://dashboard.birdcast.info/region/US-LA-017

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

August 17

4 until 7 p.m. Minden Medical Center Job Fair, MMC HR Education Building, 729 Main St., Minden.

August 21

Competitive Soccer League begins at Minden Rec Center. Includes 3 practices a week, 2 tournaments and regular league games.

Aug. 25

7 p.m., One Night Revival, Homes Memorial Temple Church, Evangelist Eld. Ted Lamont Scott; Pastor Supt. Roy C. Hill.

August 26

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

Sept. 1

Webster 4-H enrollment begins.

Response cards and checks to be mailed to Dorcheat Museum for annual fundraiser to be held Sept. 11.

Sept. 2

Last day for fall soccer registration at the Minden Rec Center.

Sept. 8

Last day to drop off checks at Dorcheat Historical Museum for annual fundraiser to be held Sept. 11.

Sept. 9

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

Football season at Minden Rec Center begins and runs through November 4.

Sept. 11

6 until 8 p.m. Dorcheat Historical Museum annual fundraiser. Dress like your favorite movie or TV character. $25/ per person.

Sept. 15

Webster High School Homecoming

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

Youth Basketball registration begins and runs through December 1 at Minden Rec Center.

Oct. 7

8:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. “Day of Worship for Women, North Acres Baptist Church, 1852 Lewisville Rd., Minden. Cost is $25 and space is limited.

Kathy Nelson with Speak It Ministries will be the speaker and Serena Gray will be leading worship. Register by contacting Janice Nelson at or 318-393-1990

or calling the church 318-377-4315. Childcare provided, lunch included.

Oct. 12

6 p.m. Seeds Women’s Center annual Fundraising Banquet. Dinner at program. Minden Civic Center. For tickets, call 318-639-0907.

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.

Oct. 26

4:30 p.m. Ghostly Gathering Trunk or Treat, Mack Memorial Library, Springhill, La.

Oct. 28

6 until 9 p.m. Minden Rec Annual Fall Festival.

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The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week of August 10. All civil suits are a matter of public record.

Aug. 10

Cedric Tillman vs. Terica Harris Tillman, divorce.

21st Mortgage Corp. vs. Amber S. Taylor, executory process.

Aug. 11

First Financial Investment Fund LLC vs. Lorie Powell, monies due.

Gregory Rasbury vs. Amber Nichole Rasbury, divorce w/children.

Aug. 14

Republic Finance LLC vs. John C. Lindsey, monies due.

Dianna Brewer vs. Makayla Daniel Cross and Zachary Ryan Cook, custody.

Aug. 15

Carter Federal Credit Union vs. Michael Brendan Flint, executory process.

Andrea Gale Vina vs. Sidney Alston Eason, custody.

Aug. 16

Amanda Powell Peevy vs. Peyton Chase Peevy, divorce.

Annie Faye Moore vs. Erin E. Soleto, M.D., medical review panel.

Frances Thompson vs. Jimmy R. Taylor, protective order.

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David Mallory Banister

May 7, 1940 – August 14, 2023

Minden, La.

Visitation: 10 a.m., Friday, August 18, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

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

Burial: Noon, Gardens of Memory, Minden.

Margaret Bullard Kratzer

Sept. 9, 1948 – August 14, 2023

Minden, La.

Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday, August 19, 2023, First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden.

Funeral service: Noon until 1:15  p.m. following visitation.

Burial: Gardens of Memory, Minden.

Dana Marie Wise Perkins

Oct. 17, 1956 – August 16, 2023

Shongaloo, La.

Memorial Graveside service: 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Shongaloo, La., under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Haynesville, La.

Alice Peckham Thomason

Sept. 8, 1927 – August 4, 2023

Minden, La.

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, August 25, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Memorial service: 10 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2023, Calvary Church, Mangham, La.

Burial: 11:15 Saturday, Calvary (Hewitt) Church Cemetery, Mangham, La.

Patsy Ruth Scarborough Young

April 4, 1938 – August 14, 2023

Homer, La.

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2023, rose-Neath Funeral Home, Homer, La.

Funeral services: 10 a.m. Friday, August 18, 2023, Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Homer.

Burial: Hurricane Cemetery in Hurricane Community.

Gregory Eugene McCluskey

July 16, 1963 – August 7, 2023

Sarepta, La.

Graveside service: 2 p.m. Saturday, August 19, 2023, Old Sarepta Cemetery, Sarepta.

Thomas “Tommy” C. Stokes Jr.

Oct. 26, 1939 – July 20, 2023

Sibley, La.

Celebration of Life: 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, Stokes Residence, 484 Leachman Rd., Sibley, La. 71073

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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If you are a candidate running for political office, you can get out your word in Webster Parish Journal.

All candidates running for office in the upcoming October 14 election will receive one free announcement with photo.

Email your announcement and photo to wpjnewsla@gmail.com . We also having political advertising available, and one of our advertising staff will be in touch with you. Let us give you a hand at websterparishjournal.com .

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By WPJ Staff

A pair of local public bodies could be considering the barter system to pick up parcels of land that may prove important to future plans.

Talks are expected to speed up between the City of Minden and the parish School Board concerning a property swap that would give the school board Griffith Memorial Stadium while the city would pick up the site of a water plant on Clerk St.

During a city council workshop, Mayor Nick Cox said the school board has constructed a new softball field near Griffith Stadium. And, he pointed out, Minden High School wants to invest in the city-owned stadium. A swap makes sense for both entities, he said.

“I cannot see why the city of Minden needs a baseball field, and I don’t see why we should hold Minden High School back from investing in that stadium,” Cox said.

Griffith Stadium sits on approximately 3.74 acres and the Clerk St. property is roughly the same. If the swap becomes a reality, the city plans to use capital outlay funds to expand existing tanks for additional water storage.

Mayor Cox said he had met with representatives of the school board and Minden High, and both sides “…wanted to do it, but no deals were made.” Cox presented the idea to the council during its workshop; the school board discussed the swap at its last meeting.

Attorney Paul Kitchens has been researching necessary documents on the potential land swap for the school board. Kitchens told board members his search showed title is clear on both properties, with the Clerk St. property still under lease to the city.

In the event the two entities were interested in making the swap, properties would have to be surveyed and the bodies would have to pass a resolution to authorize the exchange and to put in place a cooperative endeavor agreement. 

Kitchens said from a legal perspective the exchange could be made with no difficulties. And, he added, it’s an exchange that makes sense for both parties.

Neither the city nor the school board indicated a time table for more discussions on the issue.

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By Paige Nash

The Louisiana Educational Assessment Program (LEAP) scores are in.  

Students in grades third through eighth and eleventh are tested annually to measure their proficiency in the four core subjects of English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. They are scored by four categories – Approaching Basic, Basic, Mastery and Advanced. Scoring in the Mastery category means students are proficient in that subject and are ready for the next grade level.  

How did Webster Parish Schools perform this year? 

According to Webster Parish Schools Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability Supervisor Dusty Rangel, seven out of the eleven LEAP 2025 testing schools saw an increase in the percentage of students who scored Mastery or above.  

“Richardson led the way with a 5 percent increase in Mastery and above students with Minden High School and Brown Upper Elementary tied for second with a 4 percent increase,” said Rangel.  

Five of the six LEAP 2025 tested high school subject areas saw an increase in their Assessment Index.  

“The Assessment Index measures how a group of students performed on the LEAP assessment. Students receive Assessment Index points based on their achievement level,” said Rangel.  

Geometry saw the largest increase with a 12.2-point increase. Followed closely by English with a 9.2-point growth.  

This assessment index plays an important role in the overall School Performance Scores, making up 70 percent of that score for grades Kindergarten through eighth and 12.5 percent for high schools. 

The Louisiana Department of Education’s School Performance Scores will not be released until early November.

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By Paige Nash

Lakeside High School alumni Jessica Chiasson has been on a year-long mission to establish a support group for parents with children who have been diagnosed with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This evening she will have the opportunity to witness her mission come to fruition.   

ADHD is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood. Children diagnosed with this disorder may experience a range of symptoms such as a short attention span, impulsive behaviors and hyperactivity.   

This is personal for Chiasson who has a son that was diagnosed with ADHD at the age of 6. Even though he is 13 now, it was a difficult experience for her and her family that came with many challenges.  

“We have struggled for years with different schools and at home dealing with his emotional and behavioral needs,” she said. “I felt like I was a terrible mom because I found myself getting so stressed out and overwhelmed that I would lash out at my family and pretty much everyone around me. I felt like I had to fix all his problems and protect him from the negative things people would say about him and I just couldn’t.”  

Chiasson found herself going from feeling overwhelmed to depressed and alone.   

“I felt like I didn’t have anyone to talk to and that I couldn’t help my child. With every phone call from school, outburst at home, every time I saw a kid make fun of him or when he would tell me they picked on him at school, and judging looks from other parents, I found myself deeper down that hole,” said Chiasson.  

That is the reason she wanted to start this group – to help parents and any other family members that have a child that has been diagnosed with ADHD to cope with daily struggles that come along with it. 

“I just wanted to talk to someone who wasn’t a clinician, who knew how I felt and who wouldn’t judge me. I didn’t see any kind of group that really offered something like that,” she said. “So, about a year ago I felt like God put it on my heart to start a group myself. I’m lucky I have a husband who is involved and understands and close friends, but I knew there were probably moms or dads who didn’t have that.”  

Last September, Chiasson’s son committed self-harm and it was at that moment that she knew she needed to step up and do something.   

She said, “I never wanted my family or anyone else to have to go through the pain of losing their child or simply feeling alone with nowhere else to turn. I know God is going to do amazing things with this group and I just want to be the vessel he uses to help these families and their children.”  

Parents who are interested in attending meetings can expect to hear from professional clinicians regarding different aspects of ADHD and other diagnoses but will mainly serve as a safe space to voice fears, frustrations, hope and successes with other parents who can relate.   

“I want this to be different than just a meeting where someone tells you all the scientific information behind ADHD. More than likely they’ve either done enough research to be a doctor themselves or they have seen several different doctors all saying the same thing,” said Chiasson. “While I do think it’s important to have, this group is offering something you can’t get in the doctor’s office.”  

“Finding Hope for ADHD” will be held on the third Wednesday of every month beginning today, August 16, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Broadmoor Baptist Church. The church is located at 4110 Youree Drive in Shreveport – Room 1406A. For parents who need to bring their children along there will be childcare and youth services available for them to attend.   

Registration is not required to attend but is encouraged for planning purposes. To sign up visit moorinfo.tv/adhd and follow the steps listed.   

Chiasson also has a Facebook page called, “The Village,” that can be used as an additional resource for parents. She will be keeping the page up to date with upcoming meetings and topics of discussion.   

“I want to make it clear that I am not a professional and cannot give clinical advice or take the place of a doctor or therapist,” she said. “Everything shared is my personal experience only and what has worked for me. I want families to know they are not alone and that there is hope for the child with ADHD.” 

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Louisiana State Police would like to remind all motorists about the importance of safety in and around school zones, while driving near school buses, and when transporting a child. We urge everyone to be vigilant and follow the rules of the road to ensure the safety of all motorists and our young students. 

School Zone Safety: 

According to Louisiana law, crossing guards have authority to stop traffic or send traffic through intersections for the safety of students. Please be observant of the crossing guards and the posted speed limits in designated school zones. Be prepared for sudden stops and increased pedestrian/vehicle traffic, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. Be mindful of posted Hands-Free Zones. These particular school zones ban all drivers, even those over 18, from using a cell phone to engage in a call, read/send a text, or use social media. Lessen distractions, stay alert, and always be mindful of children in the area. 

School Bus Safety: 

When approaching a school bus with flashing red lights, from either direction, traffic must come to a complete stop at least 30 feet away from the bus. Remain stopped until the bus’s stop arm is retracted and the bus resumes motion. Be extra cautious around school buses, as children may quickly enter into the roadway unexpectedly. While many drivers can be confused when to stop for a bus when traveling in the opposite direction, a good rule of thumb is always stop unless on a four-lane road with a physical barrier, a raised median, or continuous turn lane.  

Car Seat Safety: 

Louisiana law requires children under the age of 13 to ride in the backseat of a vehicle when one is available. For younger children, rear-facing until the age of two and have outgrown the upper limits of the seat by weight or height. Children that are older and are able to face forward must utilize the internal harness to its upper limits, which on most seats that upper limit is 65 pounds. If any caregiver is ever unsure about their child’s seat installation, they are urged to contact their local State Police troop office to consult with a certified child passenger safety technician; this is always a free service. 

  As a community, we must work together to keep our children safe, whether it be traveling to and from school, to afterschool activities, or work. As a driver, please stay alert and stay safe. Our future is depending on you.  

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