The North Webster Knights saw Friday night’s game against Class 3A powerhouse Sterlington end with a little over 2 minutes remaining in the third quarter following a scuffle where most of the 22 players on the field got tangled up. 

On a long run by the Knights, a shoving match broke out in the area of the tackle, prompting the officials to call the game with the score reading 28-0. 

There had been some extracurriculars on the previous drive, including one where it appeared a punch thrown on a North Webster player was missed by the officiating crew. Knights Head coach John Ware was ejected for arguing that sequence. 

The Knights (4-4) will look to get back above .500 next week when they return home to host the Bastrop Rams. 

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Congratulations, Marcus Harmon, our Week 7 winner of Webster Parish Journal’s Football Pick’em Contest.

Harmon was awarded $100 in cash from Laci Cheatham with title sponsors Under Dawgs. Harmon had 11 of 12 correct choices and won using the tie breaker.

Week 8’s contest link will be live by 7 a.m. Tuesday and remain open until 4 p.m. Friday.

So play to get paid.

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Experience Legendary Music, Food & History at the Louisiana Legends Fest presented by Car Giant Chevrolet GMC of Homer! This unique festival is this Saturday, October 21st from 10am-6pm in Downtown Historic Homer, LA!

The music line up this year includes two stages of live music starring multi-platinum singer/songwriter Deana Carter!

9:00 – 12:00 – DJ Haynes
12:00-12:30 – Firm Foundation (GBT Gospel Stage)
12:30 – 1:00 – Edgewood Square (GBT Gospel Stage)
1:00 – 2:30 – Muzikology (Fibrebond Main Stage)
2:30 – 3:00 – Combined Choirs of Homer & Haynesville 1st Baptist Churches,
Calvary Baptist and Cornerstone (GBT Gospel Stage)
3:30 – 4:00 – Sean and the Crew (GBT Gospel Stage)
4:00 – 5:30 – Deana Carter (Fibrebond Main Stage)

Tours will be available of the historic Claiborne Parish Courthouse and Ford Museum. Enjoy local antique shopping, over 50 art and craft vendors and mouthwatering food in the food Court. There will also be cars on display at the Thomas G. Bourn Memorial Car Show, Art Contest, Farmer’s Market and much more!

The Louisiana Legends Fest honors and celebrates Louisianans’ that have had a significant impact with their life. This year’s honoree is Coach Alton “Red” Franklin who served as Head Coach of Haynesville’s Golden Tornado. From 1966-2000.

FREE General Admission
$25 Super Fan (Special Seating – Artist Meet & Greet Access)
$100 VIP (Covered Special Seating – Artist Meet & Greet Access – VIP Parking – VIP Lounge Access & Complimentary LLF Folding Chair)

Tickets: https://www.legendsfest.us/tickets

Homer is located 45 miles south of El Dorado, AR and is approximately 50 miles east of Shreveport and 65 miles west of Monroe.

More information can be found by visiting legendsfest.us.

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Steve Graf, a weekly columnist for Webster Parish Journal, has been named to Mouth Pleasant Hall of Fame.

Graf graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1979 where he was a standout athlete in football, baseball, and track. Graf was the 1978 Recipient of the W.L. Means Outstanding Offensive Back award, the Edward Milam Award for Outstanding Football Player, and one of the Tri-Captains for the 1978 Football Team. He was a two-time 1st Team All-District Punter, a 3-time All-District Third Baseman/Pitcher and the District runner-up in the long jump to fellow inductee, Willie Houston. In addition to athletics, Graf was named All-School Boy by the faculty in 1979, was President of the VICA Club, and a member of the Key Club.

After graduation, Graf was a two-sport athlete at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, playing both baseball and football for the Demons. He was a three-year starter in football at safety and a four-year starter in baseball, earning All-Conference in baseball. Graf was voted into the Northwestern State Hall of Fame in 2009 for both football and baseball. He is the only athlete in NSU history to sign pro contracts in two separate sports. He earned a B.S. degree in Industrial Education Technology Engineering.

Graf was drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1983 as an outfielder and signed with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL as a free safety after his baseball career.

Graf’s favorite memory from participating in MPHS athletics was winning the 1978 State Baseball Championship, the first State Championship in school history for a team sport.

“I owe a lot of my successes to the faculty and staff of Mt. Pleasant High School along with my parents, Laverne and Loyd Graf, Jr., all who did an excellent job of raising and preparing me for college, both athletically and academically,” said Graf. “I want to thank my former coaches and especially Coach Mike Fields who always believed in me, Coach Donnie Laurence, Marion Giesecke and Steve Rippee…coaches who pushed me to be the best I could be. I also want to thank former MPHS teacher, Mike McCallum, who helped me mature as a person in so many ways, believed in me, and gave me the confidence to be successful. I also want to thank a few guys that I looked up to growing up. Players like ’73 State Football Runner-up and Tiger HOF Quarterback, Craig Carney, and multisport HOF athlete, Ashley Walker; guys who inspired me at a young age to be the best I could be. And of course, some great teammates like MP HOF Maury Buford, Powell Bowers, Ricky Wright, Stan Garrett, Doug Galloway, and the late Kevin Owsley, all who pushed me to be the best player/teammate possible. From the bottom of my heart…thank you MPHS for the best four years of my life and thank you for this tremendous honor! What a ride it was!”

When asked what the MPISD Hall of Fame induction meant to him, Graf said, “There’s no other honor greater than being recognized for your accomplishments by the school you came from. As an alumnus, I’m so proud to be a former student/athlete at MPHS. I’m Tiger proud and Tiger strong because of the great experience I had here at MPHS. Growing up in a community like Mt. Pleasant was truly a blessing. This was a special place to go to high school in the 1970’s, and the entire city of Mt. Pleasant supported us with great enthusiasm and gave 100% support to all student athletes of this era.”

Graf continued, “To those student/athletes of today…enjoy your time in high school and dedicate yourself to be great in whatever you pursue as an athlete or as a student. Focus on making good grades and getting the most out of your education because no matter how great you are today, one day your athletic career will end and you’ll need that education to fall back on. Good luck and best wishes to all my Tiger brothers and sisters.”

Graf has been married to his wife, Sherrie, for 42 years and they have three children, Brittany, Meredith, and Brandon. He lives in Natchitoches and retired from Holloway Sportswear as the Louisiana Director of Manufacturing in 2004. Now self-employed, he is the owner of the Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Outdoor Radio Show, the co-host of an internet show called Tackle Talk Live and an outdoor column journalist for the Natchitoches Parish Journal.

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees will be recognized prior to kick off of the Homecoming game against Whitehouse on Friday, Oct. 20 starting at 6:50 p.m. A private, pre-game ceremony will also be held for the honorees, their families, and close friends. The inductees will serve as honorary captains and participate in the pre-game coin toss. In recognition of their selections, each inductee will wear a commemorative gold jacket during the pre-game ceremony. Portraits of each inductee will later be displayed in the hallway of the Willie Williams Gymnasium.

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

Every Saturday in October

7 p.m. Halloween Movie Nights. Lake Bistineau State Park. Family friendly movies. Bring a chair or blanket. Park admission is $3 per person, 3 and under, 62 and older, free.

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.

5:30 until 8 p.m. Wiggin’ Out, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main Street. Home Federal Bank matches 10 percent of sales.

Oct. 27

4 until 6 p.m. Commodity Distribution, First Baptist Church, 208 N. Arkansas St., Springhill, La. Must bring a photo ID and proof of residence.

4:45 p.m. National Night Out/Meet the Panthers event located in downtown Doyline. On top of celebrating National Night Out, Meet the Panthers is also held annually. It recognizes student athletes and hamburger plates are sold to raise funds for letterman jackets. At this event around 4:30 or 5 the sports teams will be announced.

Oct. 28

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

6 p.m. Pretties & Pajamas, Women Helping Others (W.H.O.) fundraising event. Bingo, dinner, silent auctions, raffles, door prizes. Tickets $50 individual, $400 reserved table of 8. For more information, visit whoofnorthwebster.org.

Oct. 30

5 until 7 p.m. Glenbrook Fall Fest

5:30 p.m. Ghostly Gathering Trunk or Treat, Minden Branch, Webster Parish Libraries.

Oct. 31

5 until 7 p.m. Trunk-or-Treat Fest, Beech Springhill’s Baptist Church, 15910 Hwy, 80, Minden. Games, trunks, free food, gallons and face paint. Special presentation at 6 p.m. by Luke the Gold Retriever.

Nov. 2

10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Greater Minden Chamber Job Fair and Resource Expo 2023. Minden Civic Center. Sponsored by Chamber, Coordinating & Development Corporation, City of Minden, Louisiana Workforce Commission. Open to the public.

Nov. 3-4

Main to Main, Vendors that wish to set up on City of Minden property can register online at https://www.mindenla.org/mainstreet-page/  There is a $10 fee for setting up downtown.

Nov. 4

10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mission Baby Bazaar Craft/Bake Sale. First Baptist Church gym, Minden. Blessing families that are adopting/fostering children. Handmade crafts, silent auction, bake/casserole sale, hot dog or jambalaya lunch. All proceeds go to the children. For more information, contact Martha Tucker @ 318-207-1079 or Tammy Burton @ 318-469-8742.

Nov. 11

8 a.m. VFW Post 2885 and Auxiliary will be having a Buddy Poppy drive and bake sale at Walmart beginning at 8 a.m. until all sold. The money raised at this event will go to help veterans in the area.  

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Terry Stephens

April 12, 1958 – Oct. 13, 2023

Taylor, Ark./Springhill, La.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Bennie Sue Lingle

Feb. 27, 1935 – oct. 18, 2023

Florien, La.

Visitation: noon until 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Rose Neath Funeral Home, Many, La.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Rose Neath Funeral Home, Many.

Burial: Fort Jessup Cemetery.

Marcia Beth Wiggins Todd

Dec. 20, 1931 – Oct. 18, 2023

Hall Summit, La.

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, 2023, Rose Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport.

Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, Hall Summit United Methodist Church, Hall Summit.

Burial: Springhill Cemetery, Ringgold, La.

Webster Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)

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By Paige Nash

Despite the negativity surrounding the upcoming and inaugural Witches Ride of Minden, brooms will fly today (Thursday) in downtown Minden. Registration will begin at 4 p.m., at Miller Quarters Park. Witches will begin lining up at 5:30 p.m. and the ride is set to take off at 6 p.m. 

With the enormous amount of response and ticket sales, the group has decided to add a “Witching Hour” to the event.  

“We added this amenity, to promote riders and parade goers to support the local businesses that are official ‘brew’ stops,” said event organizer Sarah Watson Overall.  

So far, Smokin J’s, Say Baby, Under Dawgs, Parish Design and Red Blooms have been confirmed as brew stops that will be offering specials, with more expected to be added.  

Following the ride, a block party will be held at Miller Quarters Park, where all who attend will have the opportunity to enjoy food and spirits, spooky tunes played by an official DJ, and a Halloween movie playing on a big screen. 

Vendors will be set up within the park selling Halloween themed items.  

“We will have custom tea towels and artwork provided by Birdie Lu Designs, official Witches Ride t-shirts, custom notepads by Designs by Kelly Avery for sale and more,” said Overall. “All proceeds will be donated to the charities of choice.” 

They will also be raffling off items such as Julie Vos Earrings, Copper Whisk Cookbooks, a pampered chef deluxe mixer, a purple Yeti cooler provided by Webster Parish Tourism and pottery barn champagne glasses with an official custom bottle of Veuve Clicquot. Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each and can be purchased at the block party.  

The charities benefiting from the Witches Ride of Minden will be Miller Quarters Park and the We’re Here, We Care Minden Foundation.  

“We will not know the exact amount at the time of the event due to us leaving ticket sales open until ride time,” said Overall. “We will announce the amount raised and donated at a later date.” 

Tickets can still be purchased here https://linktr.ee/witchesrideminden or before the event.  

According to Overall, the buzz surrounding the event has already generated over 250 tickets sold for the ride and block party. “We are overwhelmed by the excitement of this event and thank the community for its support. The committee that has planned this event has worked hard for months to ensure its success,” she said. “We have even had other surrounding communities and organizations reach out inquiring about how to get it going in their community.” 

Event organizers encourage everyone who plans to attend whether you are riding or spectating, to dress in their best Halloween attire, support local businesses and have some innocent fun while raising money that will benefit the entire community.

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Thanks to support from many of the businesses in downtown Minden, visitors and shoppers are being encouraged to descend on the area to shop and eat today (Thursday) for the inaugural Witches Ride.

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver said his officers will begin closing specific roads downtown around 3 p.m. They will remain closed until around 8 p.m., so those driving (and not flying) through the area should find alternate routes.

Deputy Chief Tokia Whiting-Harrison will serve as the grand marshal. All proceeds from ticket sales and the after-parade party at Miller Quarters will benefit charities.

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This is a reminder that a Minden city-wide outage will take place tonight (Thursday) at around 11 p.m. and lasting for around 3 hours, while the Gilark substation goes back on line.  A temporary bypass has been in place since August.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Fortunately for those involved, there were no injuries in a two-vehicle accident early Wednesday.

According to Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker, a woman driving a pick-up truck and pulling a trailer exited Interstate 20 eastbound at exit 49 where it intersects with La. Hwy. 531.

“She wasn’t from this area and was unfamiliar with the roads,” Parker said. “She decided to get back on the interstate and pulled in front of another pick-up truck that was northbound. His truck struck hers from the side.”

The roadway was temporarily blocked. The sheriff said the woman, who was moving from New Mexico to Georgia, had a dog that escaped while she was talking with deputies. It is still missing.

“All we know about the dog is that it is white and tan, small in height but large in weight,” said the sheriff.

If you have any information on the dog’s whereabouts, please call the sheriff’s office at 377-1515.

No citations were issued.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Webster Tax Assessor Denise Edwards remains your go-to person when assessing property.

Edwards won her second term with 65 percent of the vote in Saturday’s election over competitor Sharon Duncan. Voter turnout for assessor was 7,645; of those, 4,877 voted for Edwards and 2,588 cast ballots for Duncan.

Devotion to the people of Webster Parish and dedication to the work she has loved for 40 years since initial employment while still in high school are the top reasons Edwards is continuing her life-long career with the Webster Parish Assessor’s office.

“My number one priority is to provide our 24 taxing districts, which includes Police Jury, School Board, Law Enforcement, Municipalities, Library, North Webster Industrial District and Fire Protection Districts with assistance and support to ensure they comply with the many complex tax laws and regulations in order to set their millage rates,” Edwards said. “The approval of their millage documents and the balancing and filing of the taxroll is necessary to properly fund the services of our schools, police departments, police jury, and others public entities that provide for our Webster Parish citizens to give us all a safe, wholesome, peaceful and enjoyable community in which to live, work and raise our families.”

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Have you all ever heard of “depleted mothers’ syndrome?” 

Well, I have been down with the sickness this week.  

I am slightly obsessed with my kids and ever since their arrival on the planet, I have dedicated my whole being to making sure I am the best mother I can possibly be. This is a job I do not take lightly and in turn sometimes it leaves me completely exhausted and overwhelmed.  

I went to lunch with a friend, and she noticed I was acting a little “off” and asked me how things were going.  

I think I unleashed about ten years’ worth of troubles on this poor woman, but luckily, she is a really good listener and an even better friend.  

I told her that I felt guilty, that I was so tired all of the time and I felt like it was affecting my ability to be the best mother I could be right now.  

But she told me it wasn’t my fault. She is aware of the many hats that I wear, but out of all those other responsibilities that weigh on me, motherhood is definitely the toughest. Beyond there not being enough hours in the day, I am also sleep deprived and winging it half the time. 

In case some of you are not yet mothers, but one day hope to be – there is no secret manual or training opportunities. You are just thrown into the gauntlet of motherhood and hope for the best.

Sometimes when I am writing this column, I really feel like I am in no position to be handing out advice on motherhood. Most days (if not all), I judge myself. I set way too high of expectations for myself and I constantly put myself last.  

But from experience I can say that indulging in self-care and making yourself a priority is crucial not only to your own well-being but also to everyone else that must deal with you on a daily basis, including your kids. Not unlike the advice that flight attendants give when boarding a plane, “In the case of an emergency, please place your oxygen mask on yourself before helping others.” Motherhood is no different. 

Psychologist Rick Hanson came up with the term, “depleted mothers’ syndrome” and in his research he points out how important it is for mothers who are feeling this way to be there for OURSELVES to regain the strength needed to manage our caregiving roles effectively. 

So, my only advice is to quit feeling like you have to keep up with everyone and everything happening around you. The world these days glorifies being busy and sometimes makes you feel like you are not doing enough if you aren’t always on the go. Children do not need expensive trips, all the latest gadgets and clothes. They do not need to be involved in every sport known to man. Yes, those things are great, but all they really NEED is affection, a warm home, food in their bellies and involved parents who love them.  

I encourage you to be still today for a bit longer.  

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

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

It’s a sign of the times when an election ends but the signs are still seen all over town.

If a candidate is not in a runoff, (Nov. 18. 2023), they are expected to observe the following Minden city ordinance:

All political signs shall be removed within 30 days following the intended election. Upon failure to remove after one written warning of penalties for violation, the candidate in question, upon conviction under section 72-8 (Any person who violates the provisions of this chapter or fails to comply therewith shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both) shall pay an additional fine of $50 per each violation per location.

City Building Official Brent Cooley said so far, he has never had to enforce the ordinance.

“I may have made a few phone calls over the years, but most candidates are good about picking them up,” Cooley said.

Webster Parish has a revised statute 18:1470 that does not address a sign that overstays its welcome. It does however state the following:

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, political campaign signs shall not be erected, displayed or posted on any publicly owned property or right of way, or to or on any public utility pole or stanchion (bar or post).

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

Every Saturday in October

7 p.m. Halloween Movie Nights. Lake Bistineau State Park. Family friendly movies. Bring a chair or blanket. Park admission is $3 per person, 3 and under, 62 and older, free.

Oct. 19

4 until 6 p.m. Witches’ Ride in downtown Minden. Tickets can be purchased online at the following link https://linktr.ee/witchesrideminden or in person at Red Blooms, Say Baby or Simply Chic in Bossier.  They are $45 per ticket. All money raised from ticket sales will benefit Miller Quarters Park, which will serve as the ride’s starting and ending point and will be the site for the block party set to follow the ride. A portion of money raised will also be donated to a non-profit organization called We’re Here, We Care. 

5:30 p.m. Men of Courage, Minden Civic Center.

Oct. 19-21

10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Each Day. Louisiana Jet Rally Airshow. Minden Airport.

Oct. 21

9 a.m. Reunion of former students, teachers and workers of Sarepta High School. Sarepta Community Center. Lunch at noon. Reserve meal by Oct. 19. $17 per person. Call 318-847-4270 or 318-578-3053.

10 a.m. until noon Webster Parish 4-H Shooting Sports registration. DISCIPLINES OFFERED – BB, Shotgun, Archery, .22 Rifle, Air Rifle, Air Pistol, Hunting Skills. SIGN UP PROCEDURE – A 4-H’er must turn in BOTH a general 4-H enrollment form AND the outdoor skills registration worksheet as well as pay both parish/school dues and outdoor skills project club fees.

Participants can register at the Extension office at 1202 Homer Road in Minden or attend visit the 4-H Shooting Sports Practice Range on Landfill Road. Fees are due at time of registration and are as follows: $15 for the first discipline plus $5 for every additional discipline. For more information contact the Extension Office at (318) 371-1371.

5 until 11 p.m. Oktober Fall Fest on Pearl Street. Live music, corn hole, costume contest, charity raffle. Free entry.

6 p.m. Monster-Mash BINGO Event. $25 admission for 10 games. Costume Contest, silent auction, raffles. Springhill Civic Center, 101 Machen Dr., Springhill. Proceeds go to LaMa Animal Rescue.

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.

5:30 until 8 p.m. Wiggin’ Out, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main Street. Home Federal Bank matches 10 percent of sales.

Oct. 27

4 until 6 p.m. Commodity Distribution, First Baptist Church, 208 N. Arkansas St., Springhill, La. Must bring a photo ID and proof of residence.

4:30 p.m. National Night Out/Meet the Panthers event located in downtown Doyline. On top of celebrating National Night Out, Meet the Panthers is also held annually. It recognizes student athletes and hamburger plates are sold to raise funds for letterman jackets. At this event around 4:30 or 5 the sports teams will be announced. This year is extra special as the Doyline Fire Department (Webster Parish Fire District 3)  will be recognizing 2 volunteer firefighters with Life Saver awards from a baby’s near drowning experience that occurred in June.

Oct. 28

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

6 p.m. Pretties & Pajamas, Women Helping Others (W.H.O.) fundraising event. Bingo, dinner, silent auctions, raffles, door prizes. Tickets $50 individual, $400 reserved table of 8. For more information, visit whoofnorthwebster.org.

Oct. 30

5 until 7 p.m. Glenbrook Fall Fest

5:30 p.m. Ghostly Gathering Trunk or Treat, Minden Branch, Webster Parish Libraries.

Oct. 31

5 until 7 p.m. Trunk-or-Treat Fest, Beech Springhill’s Baptist Church, 15910 Hwy, 80, Minden. Games, trunks, free food, gallons and face paint. Special presentation at 6 p.m. by Luke the Gold Retriever.

Nov. 2

10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Greater Minden Chamber Job Fair and Resource Expo 2023. Minden Civic Center. Sponsored by Chamber, Coordinating & Development Corporation, City of Minden, Louisiana Workforce Commission. Open to the public.

Nov. 3-4

Main to Main, Vendors that wish to set up on City of Minden property can register online at https://www.mindenla.org/mainstreet-page/  There is a $10 fee for setting up downtown.

Nov. 4

10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mission Baby Bazaar Craft/Bake Sale. First Baptist Church gym, Minden. Blessing families that are adopting/fostering children. Handmade crafts, silent auction, bake/casserole sale, hot dog or jambalaya lunch. All proceeds go to the children. For more information, contact Martha Tucker @ 318-207-1079 or Tammy Burton @ 318-469-8742.

Nov. 11

8 a.m. VFW Post 2885 and Auxiliary will be having a Buddy Poppy drive and bake sale at Walmart beginning at 8 a.m. until all sold. The money raised at this event will go to help veterans in the area.  

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This week’s Webster Parish Journal Football contest will close a day early, due to a Thursday game between New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jags. You have until 4 p.m. today (Thursday) to submit your picks.

Each weekly winner over the life of the contest will be on the receiving end of $100 and have their photo taken at our title sponsor Under Dawgs Sports Grill, the gathering place featuring a home-field atmosphere. (Please see Saturday’s Webster Parish Journal for a photo of last week’s winner Marcus Harmon.)

Anyone 18 and older is eligible to participate. All it takes is an email address and a combination of skill and a little luck. Each week, area high school football games, college teams and pros will be posted on the Webster Parish Journal. And just like the Journal, there’s no cost to enter. 

Signing up for the contest only takes a couple of minutes. Log on to https://form.jotform.com/232385564755163 and follow the instructions.

But hurry if you plan to compete this week.

A special thank-you to all our football contest sponsors including Yocom Law Firm. Please take note of these businesses and be sure to patronize them.

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By Jessica Gorman

A recent social media post from the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development generated much interest locally. Highlighting Louisiana Archeology Month, this post contained a graphic titled “Shipwrecks.” This graphic included what is identified as a boat wreck on Dorcheat. The only information provided is “unknown early 1900s flatboat, possibly a boat or a ferry.” However, there is one story that tells of what this boat may have been. 

Those familiar with Webster Parish history are probably familiar with the stories of boats that sunk either on Dorcheat or Lake Bistineau. The remains of the boat in question are mentioned by two different sources of which I am aware. Dr. Luther Longino, considered the first historian of Webster Parish, tells only of its existence in his book Thoughts, Visions, and Sketches of North Louisiana. He says that no one could remember how it had come to be there, just south of the bridge crossing Dorcheat at Dixie Inn. But it seems that someone must have come forward with information. Just a few years later, an explanation for its existence is put forth in the historical edition of the Signal-Tribune. 

John A. Walker identifies the boat as the Moonstone. Instead of being wrecked, the story says that it was abandoned sometime around 1880. It had been loaded with cotton for its return trip to New Orleans, but upon inspection, it was decided that it would be unable to make the trip. “It was tied up at the landing and left.” 

The landing, referred to as Minden’s upper landing, was located at what was then known as Murrell’s Point. Here, Judge John D. Watkins owned a toll bridge. He purchased the Moonstone and took from it all usable lumber, the engine, and the boiler to construct a cotton gin and a grist mill there on Dorcheat. Ten years later, he sold the gin and mill to Captain Thomas W. Fuller. In the 1890s, it was sold again and the engine and boiler were moved to the Beech Springs community east of Minden where they were used to operate a sawmill until about 1912. Reportedly, the remains of the boiler could still be seen near the site of the sawmill in the 1930s.

I have attempted to locate primary sources related to the Moonstone. So far, all that I have found are a series of newspaper reports in which it is mentioned. All reports are of its travel on the Red River in the fall of 1874. At that time, water levels were low and navigation had become difficult. The trip from New Orleans to Shreveport took almost a month to complete. After its arrival, the Moonstone remained at Shreveport for about a week before returning to New Orleans with no freight due to a lack of insurance. This is the last mention I find of the boat referred to as the “little side-wheel chap.”

While disappointing to have not yet found any direct evidence of the abandonment of the Moonstone, this could in fact support the story. A boat that had simply been abandoned wouldn’t necessarily have been newsworthy in comparison to having met a disastrous end. Whether the Moonstone or not, the remains of this boat are still visible during low water and pieces of it can be viewed at the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum. 

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

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Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana (RMHCAR-NLA) today is well on its way to reaching an end-of-year goal to raise $6.4 million to construct a new 20-family suite Ronald McDonald House^® on the campus of Willis-Knighton South at 9100 Susan Drive in Shreveport. The nonprofit charitable organization made the announcement at the kickoff of its “Where Hope Has a Home” capital campaign.

“There is a great need in Northwest Louisiana for families to have a free place to stay and receive the support they need during their child’s hospitalization. There are 386 Ronald McDonald Houses in the world, and it is time our community had one too,” said Roy Griggs, CEO of Griggs Enterprise, Inc. and a McDonald’s owner/operator.

Griggs is chair of the capital campaign and announced more than $6 million has been raised to date to construct the new House. 

Ronald McDonald House Shreveport-Bossier will offer free lodging for 20 families each night and a supportive environment while their children receive treatment in area hospitals.  Each family that stays in the House will have access to a private, double queen room, daily essentials, laundry facilities, indoor and outdoor play spaces, family great room, a spacious kitchen, dining room and family pantry in addition to many other amenities and activities. Meals will be provided by volunteer groups from the area, and transportation to and from other hospitals will also be provided to families.

“This will be the first Ronald McDonald House in Northwest Louisiana,” said Louisiana native and Ronald McDonald House Shreveport-Bossier mission director Lori Moore, “We’re so excited to be able to provide a home away from home for families of critically ill children who are seeking treatment at all local Shreveport-Bossier hospitals.”

“We are thrilled to expand our reach to support families in Northwest Louisiana,” said Janell Mason, chief executive officer of RMHCA-NLA. “Since we opened our first Ronald McDonald House in Little Rock in 1981, we have provided more than $47 million in free lodging, meals and support to more than 48,000 families from Arkansas and surrounding states, as well as from across the United States and other countries.

“Ronald McDonald House Shreveport-Bossier will serve as a beacon of hope for families facing unimaginable challenges, offering a warm and welcoming environment where they can find respite and support during difficult times. To achieve this goal, we are calling upon the generosity and support of individuals, local businesses, foundations, and organizations who share our dedication to supporting families who need to be close to their child in the hospital. We invite you to be a part of this campaign by donating, volunteering, or partnering with us to create a restful haven for these families,” Mason said.

Construction of the new Ronald McDonald House Shreveport-Bossier is expected to begin in early 2024 and be completed in 2025.

For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas & North Louisiana and to donate to the ‘Where Hope Has a Home” campaign to construct Ronald McDonald House Shreveport-Bossier, go to rmhcar-nla.org.

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With Halloween approaching soon it is important to remember to limit the number of foods and beverages with added sugars your kids eat and drink. If you don’t buy them, your kids won’t get them very often. Sweet treats and sugary drinks have a lot of calories but few nutrients. Most added sugars come from sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, juice drinks, cakes, cookies, ice cream, candy, and other desserts. 

Here are 9 tips below that can help you cut back on your kid’s sweet treats. 

1. Pay attention to portion sizes. Candy comes in all shapes and sizes. If you choose to indulge, avoid full-size candy bars, which can lead to overeating. One full-size candy bar can equal three to four servings. Opting for a mini or snack size is a better bet. In general, reducing portion size is key when eating high-calorie desserts.
2. Use the check-out lane that does not display candy. Most grocery stores will have a candy-free check-out lane to help parents out. Waiting in a store line makes it easy for children to ask for the candy that is right in front of their faces to tempt them.
3. Choose not to offer sweets as rewards. By offering food as a reward for good behavior, children learn to think that some foods are better than other foods. Reward your child with kind words and comforting hugs, or give them non-food items, like stickers, to make them feel special.
4. Make treats not everyday foods. Treats are great once in a while. Just don’t make treats an everyday thing. Limit sweet treats to special occasions.
5. Make fruit the everyday dessert. Serve baked apples, pears, or enjoy a fruit salad. Or serve yummy frozen juice bars (100% juice) instead of high-calorie desserts.
6. Encourage kids to invent new snacks. Make your own snack mixes from dry whole-grain cereal, dried fruit, and unsalted nuts or seeds. Provide the ingredients and allow kids to choose what they want in their “new” snack.
7. Plan ahead. Consider stocking your kitchen with healthy snacks, such as vegetables and hummus, cottage cheese and fruit, protein shakes, or small slices of cheese and some grapes, so your kids are less tempted to eat candy as a fuel source.
8. Be a last-minute buyer- Avoid buying candy or sweets in the weeks leading up to Halloween, as you are more likely to indulge in them. Try to buy candy closer to Oct. 31 and only buy what you think you will need. The same rule applies for other holidays or celebrations to help eliminate sweet tooth triggers around the house.
9. Sort out the kids’ favorites. Help your child pick their favorite candy from the total bounty they received, while trick or treating. Keep their favorites and consider discarding, or donating, the rest. If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind.

 Shakera Williams, M.P.H.

Assistant Nutrition Extension Agent/ Webster Parish Chair

General & SNAP-Ed Nutrition – Webster/Claiborne Parishes

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The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week beginning Oct. 12. All civil suits are public record.

Oct. 12

TG Finance LLC, Century Loan of Webster Parish vs. Latisha Eason, monies due.

Julie Franks vs. Florella Willis, Shelter Insurance Co., damages.

Newer LLC, Shellpoint Mortgage Servicing vs. Jacob Ray Winiarksi, Jessica Taylor Winiarski, executory process.

Oct. 13

Terry Daylon Ramsey vs. Blake Jones, petition.

Oct. 16

Justin Jackson vs. Krista Rouquette, protective order.

Republic Finance LLC vs. Tracey L. Kennon, monies due.

Republic Finance LLC vs. Jemia Calloway, monies due.

21st Mortgage Corp. vs. Brandy Kiera Jones, executory process.

Oct. 17

Brian Timothy Weltz vs. Richard Douglas Morgan, petition to quiet tax title.

Discover Bank vs. Charlotte A. Green, monies due.

US Bank National Association vs. Deborah M. Lindsey, monies due.

Synchrony Bank vs. Tiffany Cooper, monies due.

b1Bank vs. Cody Corley, monies due.

Stacey Elaine Edwards vs. Jason Davis Edwards, divorce w/children.

Barksdale Federal Credit Union vs. Christopher Jones, monies due.

Oct. 18

Jacob Weldon Davis vs. Tiffany McClain Davis, divorce no children.

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Ava Nell McWhorter

Feb. 14, 1930 – Oct. 14, 2023

Minden, La.

Visitation: 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, Antioch Cemetery, Dixie Inn.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, Antioch Baptist Church, Dixie Inn.

Burial: 1 p.m. Rocky Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, Lisbon, La.

Terry Stephens

April 12, 1958 – Oct. 13, 2023

Taylor, Ark./Springhill, La.

Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Webster Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)

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By Journal Staff

Three Texas residents are in custody following a high-speed vehicle chase early Monday that began on residential streets in Minden, wound through rural areas of Webster and Bossier parishes and eventually climaxed in Smith County, Texas.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said the suspects are believed to be part of an auto theft ring in the Dallas area who had come to Minden to meet other unidentified suspects with the intent of selling a stolen vehicle.

Currently in custody in Tyler, Texas are Everl Carbenas, 23, and Christopher Powell, 18, both listing Dallas addresses and 18-year-old Terrance Boley of Savoville, Texas. Deputy Chief Chris Cheatham and lead detective Sgt. Shane Griffith were in Texas Tuesday to question the suspects, McIver said. Extradition to Minden will be pursued, the chief said.

McIver said events began around 8 a.m. Monday when an alert citizen reported suspicious vehicles and activities at an abandoned church on the corner of Midland and Plateau streets. 

“Because of our proactive patrol program, an officer was in the area and immediately responded. That quick response stopped the transaction and the suspects fled the scene with our officer and other agencies in pursuit,” McIver said. “Our officer did everything right in pursuing the vehicle and keeping vital information coming to us.”

According to the chief, the suspects led officers from multiple agencies in a chase at speeds that exceeded 100 m.p.h. south on U.S. 371 through Sibley before turning onto side roads near Heflin. More units joined the pursuit as the suspects returned to Sibley before turning west on LA 164 where officers reported the suspects reaching speeds over 140 m.p.h. in the stolen Chevy Camaro SS.

“They got through Haughton and apparently turned north at the intersection of LA 157 where we lost contact,” McIver said. “We received word later that the suspects were in custody in Smith County where they were apprehended after the stolen vehicle was disabled.”

During the chase, MPD was joined by officers from the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, Sibley PD, Haughton PD, the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana state troopers. 

“We want to thank the other agencies for their assistance and especially thank the Smith County Sheriff’s Office for helping with our investigation,” McIver said.

Although three suspects are in custody, investigators are still looking for others who could be involved in the case. McIver said the suspects were meeting others at the abandoned church and those individuals are being sought. Investigators have a description of the second vehicle and are asking anyone who may have information to contact the MPD office.

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For years, National Night Out Against Crime parties have been a way for neighbors to get to know each other, as well as community officials and law enforcement.

Once held in August, local National Night Out is now celebrated locally once the weather turns cooler, and October 17 was a perfect evening for the four parties held in the Minden area.

“Meet and Greet Your Neighbors” is an annual get-together by Kay and Jerald McGuire in the Beaver Creek subdivision.

“Every year we say this may be the last year we do it,” said Kay McGuire. “But then when it comes around, we just can’t help it. We have to do it … and we really enjoy it.”

Hillside Apartments on the service road chose the 1970s as their theme with games, food and fun for all ages.

Greater Blessing Church of God in Christ on Sibley Road celebrated “We Are Better When We Join Together!”

Then the Davis and McClaran families hosted an event in Woodhaven with a taco food truck, bounce house and desserts brought by neighbors.

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Matthew 18:21-22

21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

What Jesus meant by this is that we ought to forgive others without limitations. We can’t put a limit on forgiveness.  

 Why is this? The reason Jesus went on to say is because we should treat others the same way God has treated us. 

You see, we owe God a debt that is far greater than anything we could ever repay—a debt caused by our sin. But God in His grace has forgiven us anyway—not because we deserve it, but simply because of His love, grace, and  mercy.

And once we have experienced God’s forgiveness and grace in our own lives, we should treat others the same way.

 No, they may not deserve it—but neither did we when God forgave us! 

I know it’s not always easy to forgive someone who intentionally does you wrong or continues to mistreat you, but we still have to forgive and let God handle the situation.  

Some battles are not for us to handle. We must seek wisdom from God on which battle to choose.  

 The Bible says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you”

 (Ephesians 4:32).

Have you experienced God’s forgiveness in your own life? If not, or if you are unsure, ask Christ to come into your life and commit yourself to Him. 

God wants us to forgive others the way he forgives us. None of us are so good that we CAN look down on others! We need to humble ourselves and remember how God brought us out of darkness into his marvelous light. We didn’t deserve it either, but because of God’s Love, Grace and Mercy!! (See John 3:16)

Precious father, help us to forgive others the same way you have forgiven us. In Jesus’ Name Amen 

Be Encouraged

All Glory Goes to GOD!!

(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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