Decorrey Bridges may be the first alleged gang member to go to trial in the Ewell Park shooting case from April 2023.
Bridges, 22 of Sibley, is charged with criminal street gangs and patterns of criminal street gang activity, as well as attempted second degree murder and is scheduled to stand trial in 26th Judicial District Court December 11.
Two others – 19-year-old Latavion Thomas and 22-year-old Jacorian Taviccia Germany – pled guilty last month to charges of Criminal Street Gangs and Patterns of Criminal Street Gang Activity – a newly-revised state law. Thomas is the first of the “TTS” or “Trained to Step” street gang to plead guilty and be sentenced.
In exchange for their pleas, they received 8 years at hard labor.
Minden Police Department made seven arrests over several months in the Ewell Park case where four persons went to the hospital with gunshot wounds.
Chief Jared McIver said he had no doubt the shooting was gang related among rivals. Multiple types of guns were reportedly fired.
“Some were semi-automatic weapons, handguns and long rifles,” said the chief.
According to City of Minden Building Official Brent Cooley, the event being held at the city-owned park was a permitted fundraiser for Louisiana Trail Babes and Bandits.
“The estimated number of attendees was 50,” Cooley said. “The hours were from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.”
He also said there were to be no alcoholic beverages present, according to the permit. McIver said he is sure there were more than 100 persons at the park. The shootings reportedly occurred after 7 p.m.
Assistant District Attorney Hugo Holland will try Bridges’ case, while Attorney Patrick Jefferson will be on the defense’s team.
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.
On November 13 the Louisiana Department of Education released the 2022-2023 school performance scores for the state’s public K-12 schools and systems, and Webster Parish maintained its letter grade of C.
The LDOE press release reads, “Over the past five years our schools have made remarkable strides in improving their performance scores, reflecting our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and student success. This achievement is a testament to the collaborative efforts of everyone involved in the education journey, from students who have embraced learning to teachers providing quality instruction to parents and the community for fostering a supportive learning environment.”
Most Webster Parish schools maintained their letter grade scored in the previous year with two decreasing and one increasing. The district performance score decreased from a 71.7 “C” letter grade to a 71.4. The statewide average was a 78.5 “B” letter grade.
Listed below are the 2023 letter grades and school performance scores for each school that maintained the same letter grade:
Chief Jared McIver (left), coordinator of Minden’s National Night Out parties, presents an certificate to former mayor Tommy Davis in recognition of a party held at his home on Woodhaven Drive (District D). Davis was the only representative of NNO at November’s Minden City Council meeting. Other parties were held at District A Hillside Apartments, District B Greater Blessing Church of God in Christ and District E Kay and Jerald McGuire.
Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, gratitude, grubbing down and griping. The latter, especially, if you are a football fan of any of the established college football programs in the 318.
Grambling, Louisiana Tech, Northwestern State, ULM — all are festering in differing degrees of grim grid reality.
A bunch of pals now on Medicare treasure the times they convened on Thanksgiving mornings on the turf at Northwestern’s Turpin Stadium for the annual Turkey Bowl classic. Touch football, talked about for weeks in the run-up, and groaned about afterward because of sore hamstrings, twisted backs, and bruised egos.
NSU coach Sam Goodwin was an eager participant, and provided the football. Longtime Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court/current state Sen. Louie Bernard and councilman and eventual three-term Natchitoches mayor Lee Posey were among the pivotal players, or so they good-naturedly claim.
There’s no Turkey Bowl these days. Lawyers worried about liability would’ve gotten in the way eventually. But there are priceless memories, including Goodwin taking part just before his team boarded buses to the airport for a flight to Boise and a 1988 Division I-AA playoff victory.
Now, triumphs are distant for the Demons. Worse, they haven’t been allowed to try to win for the last month, their final four games cancelled, five total, an administrative decision related to the tragic shooting death of a teammate Oct. 12.
But despite fears that NSU might shelve the program indefinitely, don’t be shocked if athletics director Kevin Bostian is announcing a new head coach this week. There’s been a scan of possibilities since September and the search became official Oct. 26 with the predictable resignation of embattled coach Brad Laird, who remained well regarded by most players.
“Laird might not have had the most wins, but I can tell you he had so much love for his players,” sophomore safety Antwon Fegans told The Athletic in a story published Nov. 14 about the turbulent recent days in Natchitoches. “And he allowed his players to make so many decisions because he expected us to be mature enough to make those decisions, and I just don’t think this team was mature enough to be able to do that.”
It’s a tightly-guarded search. Interviews have been ongoing recently – former NSU offensive coordinator and very successful current Delta State coach Todd Cooley got one – and prospective picks were assured the salary pool for coaches will be significantly hiked.
Northwestern urgently needs a positive narrative on the football front, and sometime soon an exciting hire will be made, and a rebuilding process launched.
Will that happen along I-20? It’s being heavily speculated in Lincoln Parish and in Monroe. Such is the nature of the coaching cycle, where two or three seasons of struggle seems intolerable. Patience is fleeting. Progress is elusive.
In Ruston, a third straight three-win season – no matter how close several of those games were to wins – have Sonny Cumbie’s status in question. That, and a bizarre episode during a Nov. 7 practice, when Cumbie ripped BleedTechBlue.com reporter/publisher Ben Carlisle – a former Tech baseball player and an unabashed “Tech fan since I was born” — in front of players and coaches.
Wrote Carlisle on his social media account: “Coach Cumbie called me over to where the entire offense/offensive coaching staff … was gathered. After asking me to introduce myself and tell the offense what I did, I explained that I covered recruiting, radio show, post-game show, etc.
“As I spoke he demanded that I ‘look them in the eyes when I talk.’ When I was finished, he told me I wasn’t supportive enough to be given further access to the program, kicked me out and told me that I was no longer welcome at practice except for the open media portions (which hasn’t occurred since fall camp).”
Hornets nest stirred. Cumbie soon doubled down, saying he would always defend players from critics. That’s his right, but it was bush league to do it that way, not to mention dubious to publicly criticize a media member, suggest he should be “supportive,” and foolish to take on a well-regarded, long-established local admitted fan/semi-journalist.
The discouraging conclusion to the season, dropping back-to-back games to just-arrived FBS teams and Conference USA newbies Sam Houston and Jacksonville State, have intensified speculation. A hefty contract buyout could be a key reason to retain Cumbie. We’ll soon see.
Hue Jackson is a charming personality, with a long coaching resume in the NFL, but his two seasons at Grambling haven’t produced any consistent progress. There’s a growing segment of Tigers fans lobbying for a change – and a second-straight loss in this weekend’s Bayou Classic, to a Southern team with an interim coach, could prompt it.
At ULM, there’s restlessness in the ranks. Ending his third season, Terry Bowden is 10-27. Early strides didn’t show up in back-to-back 4-8 marks, which won’t be matched this year. The Warhawks have tumbled nine straight times this season – competitively in overmatched contests earlier, recently, not much. Three Sun Belt losses by more than 30 points stand out more than two early wins, one over Army.
At least we have the Saints and Cowboys to count on, right?
Minden High School Senior Kylie Ryan signed with Trinity Valley Community College to continue her academic and softball career. Ryan had close to 100 members of her family, friends, past teachers, teammates and coaches show up in support of her decision at this signing held earlier this month, Nov. 1, on the new MHS softball field where she will end her high school career before moving onto this next big step.
Head softball coach Shelby Leach has coached Ryan since her sophomore year and describes her as a strong leader who loves her team and coaches. She said, “For the last two and a half years, I’ve watched Kylie grind day in and day out to be the very best she can be. She’s a force on both sides of the ball. She’s a dream player.”
According to Leach she has nominated Ryan on numerous occasions for different awards locally and statewide, but for some reason she “keeps coming up short.” Since she was not yet coaching at MHS during Ryan’s freshman year, she could not provide her stats, but did have a rundown for her sophomore and junior seasons.
Pitching: 150 IP, 16 wins (27GS), 10 losses, 191 SO, 126 H, 148 R, 73 ER, 3.4 ERA
“This was a much tougher schedule, still playing with the same broken foot that wouldn’t heal properly and our team was 20-12,” said Leach.
Going into her Senior year, Ryan still has a year to play and is well on the way to breaking many records set at MHS. “Now that she’s signed to play college ball, she can relax and just play. She’s going to bust it open this spring,” said Leach. “I cannot wait for spring 2024 to see what this team does with Kylie leading them on the mound. This will be her best year yet. This is just the beginning of her career and I’m just so glad that I get to be the one to experience this with her as her head coach.”
This upcoming season will be the first played at their new facility. Last week the Minden Evening Lions Club and American Legion Wiley-Pevy Post 74 presented the team a new American Flag to fly at the field.
Softball tryouts will be held next Tuesday, Nov. 28, from 4 to 5:15 p.m.
Minden City Workers erect the Christmas Nutcrackers to launch the holiday season. Minden Main Street Director Taylor Wren said although several of the nutcrackers were suffering from wear and tear, it was not necessary to purchase new ones this year. Photo by Paige Nash
Household goods: towels, king and queen sheets, pots,
pans, skillets
Monetary donations
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.
Deadline to register for ‘Prepare Him Room,’ First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden. Call 377-1483.
Dec. 3
4 p.m. Christmas event at Brushwood Methodist Church. All Strings for Granted – a quartet of 2 violins, 1 cello and 1 viola – will be playing Christmas classics. This is a professional string quartet that has provided music for special events all of over the Ark-La-Tex. Brushwood Church is located at 6320 Brushwood Dr., Dubberly. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome to come and enjoy.
6 p.m. The Sounds of Christmas, an instrumental concert. First Minden, 301 Pennsylvania Ave.
Dec. 4
5:30 p.m. Doors open for ‘Prepare Him Room,’ First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway Minden. Program begins at 6 p.m. Worship with Rachel Chapman. Program by Prof. Kristi McLelland.
Dec. 8
Christmas in Minden:
5:30 p.m. – Tree Lighting Ceremony, Minden Civic Center;
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.
Nov. 13
Seth Daniel Cochran, 34, of Forest St., Springhill, was arrested by by Springhill Police for monetary instrument abuse – stealing and cashing payroll checks.
Nov. 15
Rebecca Kemp, 26, of the 100 block of Bagwell Rd., Springhill, was arrested by WPSO on an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault. Bond was set at $5,000.
Tommy Ray Nolan, 53, of the 700 block of Moore St., Minden, was arrested by MPD on a warrant for aggravated battery. Bond was set at $25,000.
Nov. 16
Verna Mae Kennon, 64, of the 200 block of NE 6th Street, Sibley, was arrested by WPSO for issuing worthless checks.
Faith Elizabeth Miller, 18, of the 300 block of Blue Fox Circle, Haughton, was arrested by WPSO for battery of a dating partner.
Nov. 17
April J.J. Robinson, 34, of the 400 block of Chandler Street, Minden, was arrested by LSP-G for driving while intoxicated, careless operation of a motor vehicle and no seatbelt.
Maranda Richardson, 52, of the 100 block of Vienna Parkway, Natchitoches, was arrested by MPD on 5 active bench warrants.
Richard Edward Howell Jr., 37, of the 200 block of Melba St., Cotton Valley, was arrested by WPSO on active failure to appear warrants on charges of driving under suspension, expired license plat and improper lane usage. Other warrants include dimple battery, criminal trespass, simple criminal damage to property and illegal possession of stolen things.
Nov. 18
Christian Eugen Stancu, 38, of Hallandale, Fla., was arrested by WPSO on Interstate 20 East Bound, Webster Parish, for no driver’s license, improper display of plat and fugitive out of Bossier Parish.
Lrico Rachard Gill, 34, of the 1400 block of Harper Lane, Minden, was arrested by WPSO for two active warrants.
Rayenieshia A. Cole, 28, of the 1100 block of West St., Minden, was arrested by WPSO on an active warrant.
Lachale Richardson, 40, of the 1300 block of 7th St. SE, Springhill, was arrested by WPSO on an active bench warrant.
Dylan Michael Sistrunk, 32, of the 200 block of Ellis St., Minden, was arrested by LSP-G for driving while intoxicated.
Felisa Ward, 38, of the 1800 block of Johnson Chute Rd., Natchitoches, was arrested by MPD on a warrant from Natchitoches Parish.
Nov. 19
Eric Daniel Bolton, 34, of the 100 block of Sommersby Dr., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for domestic abuse battery with strangulation.
Lillian Leanne McDonald, 29, of the 3400 block of Dorcheat Rd., Minden, was arrested by LSP-G on a fugitive warrant from Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Kayla Stephanie Frazier, 32, of Holiday Motel, Springhill, was arrested by Springhill Police for cruelty to juveniles.
Angel Marie Van, 20, of the 1800 block of College St., Cotton Valley, was arrested by CVPD for possession of methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and tobacco under 21.
Nov. 20
James Alvin Compton, 61, of Hwy. 160, Benton, La., was arrested by WPSO for criminal mischief.
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.
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.)
The second round of the Select Division 4 playoffs found its way to Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, La. as the War Party Glenbrook Apaches took on the perennial powerhouse, St Mary’s Tigers. The Apaches fell in a close battle that went to the last possession, 30-27.
The Apaches received the opening kick and opened the game with Landry Powell running up the middle 45-yards. Chase Sentell picked up another 20, and the big man and unsung hero of the first-round playoff win, Cade Vining scored the first TD of the night! The 2-point conversion failed, but the Apaches led early scoring on the first drive, 6-0!
The Apaches’ defense came out looking to hold the Tigers at bay. Vining, donning the number 34 jersey for the night at middle linebacker, made 2 huge tackles, followed up by a holding penalty that had the Tigers behind the chains on 36 yard line for a 3rd and a cab ride, and the Streak Sentell cut the pass off by the Tiger QB and intercepted the football on a great play. The Apaches took over on the 20-yard line.
On the first play of the new possession, QB Easton Sanders executed a beautiful flee flicker and uncorked a bomb to find Sentell down the right sideline. Runs for Powell and Jackson Waller put the Apaches offense starting at a new set of downs from the Tiger 17-yard line. Sanders handed off to Sentell who ran through a hole big enough Moses could’ve led the Israelites through and Sentell found paydirt for the second Apache TD of the night from 17 yards out! The 2-point conversion failed, but the lead stretched 12-0 Apaches with 5:46 left in first quarter.
Apaches attempted the onside kick but came up short. The Tigers took over on their own 46. Waller made a great tackle in the open field, but the Tigers moved the sticks to the Apache 40. Powell and Vining swallowed up the Tiger back for no gain as the Apaches defense stiffened up. Vining made a great solo tackle to prevent the first down and brought up a 3rd and long. The Tiger QB called his own number on a bootleg and picked up the first down to the Apache 19. On the ensuing play, Mason Farnell blew through the line and completely disrupted the Tigers’ play and backed them up 6 yards. The Apaches held strong on 3rd down. The Apache defense forced a 4th and 5. The All-State kicker of the Tigers, who was making 52 yarders in warm ups, pushed it through the uprights for 3 points. The Apaches led the Tigers, 12-3 with 2:18 left in the first.
The Tigers’ kick went through the back of the end zone for a touchback. The Apaches’ offense took over on the 20. The first play, the Apaches fumbled the snap and the Tigers fell on it for a new set of downs and momentum at the Apache 13. The Tigers’ back made the defender miss and boiled his way to the 1-yard line. The following play, the stellar middle linebacker, Cade Vining blew up the play and forced a fumble that the Apaches fell on!!!
Sentell out of his own end zone, moved the ball 9 yards that gave the offense some breathing room. The Apaches faced a 3rd and short from their own 9-yard line. The Apaches’ fans reached their feet as Sentell moved the ball 5 yards to pick up another Apache first down to end the first quarter, 12-3 in favor of the Apaches.
After flip flopping the field to start the 2nd quarter, a roughing-the-passer after Sanders uncorked it 50-yards JUST off the finger of Sentell, gave the Apaches a new set of downs 15-yards closer to the end zone. Powell took a pitch straight ahead for a gain of 6-yards. The big full back Vining picked up another 3 for a 3rd down, but a miscue brought up 4th down that Thunderfoot Mangrum booted to the Tiger 48-yard line.
The Apaches’ defense looked to stall the Tigers’ offensive possession. Jonathon Bryant made a great tackle to force a third and long. Powell made the stop to bring up 4th and short from 45, and the Apaches stuffed the Tiger sneak attempt, and the big Defensive End, Garrett Brown demolished the second effort to force the turnover on downs.
The Apaches offense took over at the 47 and went to work from the shotgun behind Sentell. The Apaches faced a fourth and VERY short. But the pass over the middle fell incomplete to give St Mary’s another possession on their own 46.
The Tigers found a hole on the left side to move the chains to the Apache 40. Vining continued his great game and made a great stop for a gain of 1. The Apaches forced another 3rd and long from the Tigers. The Tigers executed a great swing pass to move them down to the Apache 16, but a swarm of Apaches sacked the Tiger QB for a huge loss that put the Tigers well behind the chains. And a broken play showed success as the Tigers got in the end zone for the first time, closing the lead 12-10 still in favor of the Apaches with 2:49 left in the first half.
The Colorado State commit for the Tigers kicked the cover off the ball and the Apaches started on the 22-yard line. Powell picked up 3 yards with the clock dwindling down for the first half, Sentell had a huge hole but a shoestring tackle by the Tigers stopped them for a short gain. The Apaches QB Sanders found Waller for a gain of 17 to move the chains. Sentell made a Sportscenter top ten catch in double coverage for a gain of 48 yards and the Apaches threatened with 1:03 left in the half. The Apaches needed to score from 21 yards out. Sanders executed the back shoulder throw to find Landry for a gain of 13. First and goal from the 4-yard line. With 16 seconds left, Sanders found Brown in the flat for an Apache touchdown! That capped off a 78-yard drive. Sanders kicked the extra point over the Donald G Kelly Athletic Complex to widen the Apache lead, 19-10 to close the first half!
At the half, the Apache cheer squad and Sundancers dazzled both Apache and Tigers fan alike with their mile high kicks!
The Apaches kicked off to the Tigers to start the second half. The Apaches’ defense trotted out looking to capitalize on the great first half. After a horrible horse collar penalty, Big D and I Don’t Mean Dallas made a great tackle for a loss but on the ensuing play, St Mary’s found the end zone from a quick swing pass with great downfield blocking. The score tightened 19-17 in favor of the Apaches with 10:06 left in the third.
The Apaches took over, looking to continue the offensive performance of the first half from the 20 yard line and right off the bat, the senior Powell took it 9-yards. A tough penalty took away a first down run and made it 2nd and long. But Sentell took the handoff from the right side and picked up 13 yards for an Apache first down! The Apaches continue the ground assault and picked up another 12 yards. The Apaches quickly faced a third and 6 from the 50. The Tigers’ defender made a great tackle for a short gain and the Apaches had a miscommunication on the route on the 4th down play and turned the ball over on downs.
The Apaches’ defense needed to stop the offense of St Mary’s to retain the lead. But The Tigers moved the chains into Apache territory. The Tigers methodically moved the football down the field with the QB moving the chains on his own. The Apaches forced a 3rd and short and the QB kept it all the way and walked into the end zone untouched. The Tigers took their first lead of the night, 23-19 with 2:51 left in the third.
Sentell made a great return of 30-yards to give the Apaches the ball on the 30. Powell fought hard for 3 yards against this stuff Tigers defense. The Apaches faced another quick third down and short, and Powell picked up 7 yards and a new set of downs. But Sanders forced the ball into double coverage and threw an interception to give the Tigers great field position at the Apache 28.
The Apaches’ defense found themselves in a war to start the 4th quarter trailing the Tigers 23-19. The Tigers continued to move the ball running the QB like Mike Vick. The Apaches swarmed the Tiger RB for a loss. The Apaches forced another 3rd down, and Jonathon Bryant stuffed the QB run and forced a 4th down. The kick attempt rang off the left upright to retain the close score. The Apaches took over on their own 20-yard line needing a score but after a series of very questionable calls, the Apaches punted for the second time tonight.
The Tigers took over on their own 48 with 8:50 left in the game. Big G Brown stuffed the Tiger RB. Big D, Daivari Jackson forced a fumble and tackle for a loss to force a long third down. On the third down play, the Apaches defense forced an errant toss from the Tigers QB that the Apaches fell on to give them great field position. The side officials signaled first down Apaches, the fans roared across Turpin Stadium, but hold it, the white hat official ran in from 40 yards away and reversed the call saying the QB was down before the fumble that everyone in attendance knew did not happen. After the horrible call took a forced fumble away from the Apaches, the stellar Tigers’ punter flipped the field 50 yards; 3 more consecutive, let’s just say HIGHLY questionable calls from the white hat forced the Apaches punt late in the game.
St Mary’s took over and began to run the football and eating clock with 4:49 left on the Apache 11. And fitting, number 11, Brown made a huge stop. The Tigers QB called his own number and scored making the score 30-19 with 3:39 left.
The Apaches took over on the 20 and Powell took the ball 40 yards on a pass play, followed by a screen to Sentell, then quick pass to Waller. The Apaches moved the ball quickly and forced a timeout from the Tigers at the Tiger 25 with 2:20 left.Sanders called his own number and brought up a 4th and 5. The Apaches needed to convert this to save hope for the season, but the pass fell short and turned the ball over on downs with 1:57 left in the game. On the ensuing possession, the Apaches forced a fumble and recovered it with 1:25 left. The Apache faithful in attendance rose to their feet as Sanders called his own number, moved the chains then added a screen pass to Sentell that moved the ball down to the 5 with 54 seconds left. The next play Easton Sanders ran like his hair was on fire and his tail was catching for an Apache touchdown. The Birthday boy, Sanders, found Sentell in the end zone for the 2-point conversion. The score tightened to 30-27 in favor of the Tigers with 44 seconds left.
The onside kick attempt failed, and the Tigers went into victory formation to seal the game.
You never want to say the officials changed the outcome of the game. There were some plays we could’ve executed better. For instance, if we had converted the first two 2-point conversions we would’ve won the football game. But there were 4 consecutive calls that the white hat made on his own on big turnovers and pass completions of over 40 yards that he waived off after the other officials already made the call, that absolutely contributed to the outcome of the game. I hate it for our Apaches as every one of the Apache faithful felt this hard loss in their gut from this special group of young men. They had an outstanding game and season! They played their hearts out all year. We learned a lot about the heart, tenacity, guts and will of this group of young men. As the tears soaked the field of Turpin Stadium, love was felt from every soul for the senior cheerleaders, Sundancers, and boys of fall.
The Apaches finish the 2023 season ranked #11 in the state with a record of 8-3 and tally another playoff win.
Next August, the Apaches will look to put in the hard work and expand on the stellar seasons they have had in our first years on the LHSAA. To the coaches, faculty, staff, Dr. Coyle and the Apaches Family Tribe, THANK YOU for giving me the opportunity keep up with, step out of my comfort zone, write and share in the huge moments, heart break, triumphs and accomplishments of these incredible young men. I am already looking forward to sharing coffee with all of you on Saturday mornings in the fall of 2024. Travis Chapman signing off from the 2023 season- SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS….
North Webster Knights ended their 2023 football season Friday with a 42-12 loss to St. James in the LHSAA Football Playoffs.
The first quarter saw a fast pace and ended with St. James 21 and NWHS 6.
With under a minute left in the second quarter, St. James’ quarterback completed a pass for a touchdown. St. James 27, NWHS 6. The PAT was good, bringing St. James’ score to 28 as the game took a halftime break.
At the start of the third quarter, St. James kicked off to the Knights who failed to score. With 10 minutes to go in the third, St. James QB completed another pass for a touchdown. St. James 34, NWHS 6. Another point after was good; score St. James 35, NWHS 6.
North Webster scored on a completed pass, with five minutes to go in the quarter. A rushing two-point conversion failed. St. James 35, NWHS 12.
With four minutes to go in the game, St. James scored with a rushing touchdown. The PAT was good, and the final score was St. James 42, NWHS 12.
Deadline to register for ‘Prepare Him Room,’ First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden. Call 377-1483.
Dec. 3
4 p.m. Christmas event at Brushwood Methodist Church. All Strings for Granted – a quartet of 2 violins, 1 cello and 1 viola – will be playing Christmas classics. This is a professional string quartet that has provided music for special events all of over the Ark-La-Tex. Brushwood Church is located at 6320 Brushwood Dr., Dubberly. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome to come and enjoy.
6 p.m. The Sounds of Christmas, an instrumental concert. First Minden, 301 Pennsylvania Ave.
Dec. 4
5:30 p.m. Doors open for ‘Prepare Him Room,’ First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway Minden. Program begins at 6 p.m. Worship with Rachel Chapman. Program by Prof. Kristi McLelland.
Dec. 8
Christmas in Minden:
5:30 p.m. – Tree Lighting Ceremony, Minden Civic Center;
Burial: Point Chapel Cemetery immediately following funeral.
Margot Millet Murphy
April 18, 1938 – Nov. 14, 2023
Bossier City, La.
Memorial Service: noon until 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, 22 Fairmont Circle, Bossier City, La.
John Todd III
Jan. 11, 1966 – Oct. 19, 2023
Arcadia, La.
Celebrating of Life Service: 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, 2023, Bear Creek Cemetery.
Webster Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)
The alley between Imperial Cleaners and WPOCS building.
By Paige Nash
Webster Parish Police Jury (WPPJ) along with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and William T. Taylor, owner of Imperial Dry Cleaners and Laundry are being sued.
In a petition filed on May 5, 2023, with Webster Parish Clerk of Court, family members of deceased Debra K. Dick of Minden are suing for damages. Petitioners include Ellis R. Dick, widower of Debra, and daughters of the deceased, Kaylin L. Chanler and Holly L. Holtzclaw.
The petitioners are taking wrongful death action against the defendants seeking damages including loss of love, personal grief, loss of financial support, medical expenses, funeral expenses, conscious physical and mental agony, pain and suffering that Debra experienced before she succumbed to her fatal illness and other losses allowed by law.
It states in the petition that Debra Dick was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in February 2021 and passed away in May of 2022. Prior to her death, she worked at Webster Parish Office of Community Services (WPOCS) for more than 25 years. WPOCS, owned by the WPPJ, is located directly behind the Imperial Cleaners building with Dick’s office facing the alleyway between her office and the cleaner’s building located at 211 Pennsylvania Ave. It is mentioned in the petition that she often worked with her office window raised.
Shortly after the death of her mother, her daughter Kaylin, became aware of the contamination leaking from underground storage tanks on the cleaner’s property. This contamination included many carcinogens, and it was believed this attributed to her mother’s health.
In April 2022, letters were mailed and posted to the front doors of local businesses warning them of the high concentration of tetrachloroethylene and other potentially harmful chemicals. This was caused by an improperly disposed solvent often used in the dry cleaning business.
Previously, Dr. Brian Salvatore, chemistry professor at LSU-S, expressed concern over the high level of the toxins that were 1,000 times above safe levels and the daily exposure of the chemicals to people who work and resided near the cleaners’ building.
Soon after Kaylin Chanler discovered the condition in which her mother had been working for more than 25 years, she became concerned that her mother’s cancer may have been caused by her exposure to these toxins. It states in the petition that her mother had not been notified of these conditions by either the police jury or LDEQ. It also states that many other employees that work in the office have also been diagnosed with serious medical conditions including cancer.
In June of 2022, LDEQ entered into a contract with WPPJ to investigate the property and to conduct any remedial activities on the property that were deemed necessary.
William T. Taylor, heir and owner of Imperial Cleaners and Laundry, along with WPPJ are being sued for failure to notify tenants and employees of the dangerous work conditions, failure to take precautions and failure to remedy the situation and in turn were the proximate cause of Dick’s injuries and illness that ultimately caused her death.
LDEQ and its management are being sued for failure to perform adequate tests or take remedial action on the property in a timely manner.
(This is an active lawsuit, therefore, Webster Parish Police Jury members and representatives of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality are currently unable to comment. Imperial Cleaners owner William T. Taylor has not been reachable over the duration of these proceedings.)
A Springhill man, arrested on juvenile charges, is due to stand trial November 27.
Fernundo Lopez Thornton, 52, allegedly molested a juvenile between 2016 and 2020, when that juvenile was a young teenager. According to reports, he committed lewd and lascivious acts with a juvenile with more than two years difference in their ages “all by the use of duress, menace, psychological intimidation and by the use of influence by virtue of a position or control and supervision over the juvenile.”
Thornton is also charged with indent behavior with juveniles during October 2022 when he “transmitted, uttered and delivered a textual, written and oral communication depicting lewd and lascivious conduct, text and words to a juvenile who was under the age of 17 and more than two years younger.”
Thornton will be tried according to RS 14:81, which states (if convicted) “Whoever commits the crime of indecent behavior with juveniles shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned with or without hard labor for not more than seven years, or both, provided that the defendant shall not be eligible to have his conviction set aside or his prosecution dismissed in accordance with the provisions of Code of Criminal Procedure Article 893.
“Whoever commits the crime of indecent behavior with juveniles on a victim under the age of thirteen when the offender is seventeen years of age or older, shall be punished by imprisonment at hard labor for not less than two nor more than twenty-five years. At least two years of the sentence imposed shall be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.”
Webster Parish Sheriff’s investigators arrested Thornton. Judge Charles Smith will rule over proceedings with Webster Assistant District Attorney Hugo Holland trying the case and Attorney Mary Jackson defending Thornton.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency and by criminal court documents 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.
Don’t look now, but the best record in Louisiana in college football is not at LSU or Tulane.
It’s in Pineville, at what is now known as Louisiana Christian University, where only a few years ago, the program was floundering.
The Wildcats’ PR drums are banging about this fall’s team celebrating a conference football championship for the first time in 84 years, which the Wildcats achieved last Saturday with a comeback 34-24 victory at Texas Wesleyan to clinch the Sooner Athletic Conference championship and their first berth in the NAA national college football playoffs, as the No. 21 seed. They have the best season winning percentage (.900) and most season wins (9) in the state, and in the modern era for Louisiana Christian University, formerly known as Louisiana College.
Parenthetical note: It’s still privately known as Louisiana College among many alumni, who weren’t consulted about the name change that happened out of the blue (and orange) almost two years ago.
Nonetheless, it’s a marvel to think the little college “on the hill” in Pineville is enjoying such unprecedented football success, even if the Wildcats are doing so at the NAIA level, rather than the previous NCAA Division III level.
The architect of this upsurge is a 36-year-old Minden High graduate and former Glenbrook School coach, Andrew John Maddox, who answers to the name “Drew.”
A Shreveport native and former Army cavalry scout who did two tours of duty in Iraq, Maddox inherited a football program in 2020 that had deteriorated significantly from the days when he played defensive tackle for the Wildcats under Dennis Dunn, his former Dixie Youth baseball coach in Shreveport. It had bottomed out in an even shorter time since he had risen through the assistant coaching ranks to be defensive coordinator at LCU under Justin Charles in 2017.
In the meantime, Maddox built a head coaching resume by resurrecting Glenbrook’s football program in Minden over two seasons. Then he got the call to try to do the same at LCU. To make the challenge tougher, he took over on Feb. 6 in 2020 and had all of two meetings with his new team when Covid and the feds shut everything down for several months. The Cats played an abbreviated schedule in the spring of ’21, finishing 2-3 in the American Southwest Conference.
LCU then switched from NCAA Division III to NAIA, but the football team was a lone wolf in finding a conference in which to play because all the other sports teams at LCU went to the Red River Athletic Conference, where none of the schools play football. The closest NAIA football league LCU could find, said Maddox, was the Sooner Athletic Conference, which has eight other teams from Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona.
“That allowed us to get some scholarship money,” said Maddox, who doles out that money along with some academic scholarship funds to recruit players. In his first full season, the fall of ’21, his team finished 4-7 but lost four games by less than a touchdown. Last year, the Wildcats finished 7-4 for the first winning season since his senior year, 2014 (remember, he served two tours with the Army in Iraq), when the Wildcats went 6-4.
Now, they are 9-1 overall and won a tiebreaker with Texas Wesleyan, who like the Wildcats finished 7-1 in league play. LCU’s lone loss was by three points at Ottawa University of Arizona (OUAZ).
How did it get to this point, where the dramatic victory Saturday assured winning a tiebreaker in the SAC with previously unbeaten TWU and earned a first-round playoff game Saturday against No. 20 Baker (8-2) at Liston Stadium in Baldwin City, Kansas?
For one, Maddox made a bold and impressive hire last spring, bringing his old high school coach, David Feaster, to LCU to be the offensive coordinator. Yes, Minden and Glenbrook prep football fans – your former head coach.
Feaster boasts an impressive 188-77 record as a high school head coach at six stops over two decades: Many, Minden, Leesville, Parkway, D’Arbonne Woods and Glenbrook Academy. As a senior in 2004 at Minden, Maddox played for Feaster, who was in his first season as head coach of the Crimson Tide.
Feaster’s trademark has been dynamic offenses. This season, in his college coaching debut, Feaster has overseen an LCU offense that ranks in the top five of all NAIA teams in total yards average, red zone scores, red zone touchdowns and first downs.
Feaster’s son Sammy is a Wildcats’ receiver who, by the way, scored the go-ahead touchdown last Saturday on a 70-yard reception from Sal Palermo III. The tie-breaker clincher came on a 40-yard field goal with no time left on the clock by Hunter Mertens. Coach Feaster’s younger son, Ty, the former Glenbrook star, is the senior QB at Alexandria Senior High, one of Class 5A’s second-round playoff teams.
Adding Feaster to the staff has helped Maddox take the Wildcats to another level, with a simple core philosophy.
“Work hard and believe in what you do,” said Maddox. “God’s been good to me. The players bought in. If players buy in, you can probably turn things around.
“I took a disciplined approach,” he added. “If you don’t lift weights, you don’t practice. If you don’t practice, you don’t play. It’s built on hard work and trying to do the right thing. There are no short cuts to being good.”
Palermo, the fifth-year senior quarterback from the Denham Springs neighboring town of Watson, calls Maddox “a great leader, not just in football but in life as well. He’s a great Christian leader, he helps us be good men, and that translates to us being good football players.”
On a team blessed with several fourth- and fifth-year players, Palermo said Maddox “preached from Day 1 that all our work will pay off. He said, ‘If you work, things will change.’ We’re seeing that.”
The Village of Dixie Inn had a “brief, but happy” monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, highlighted by the delivery of an early Christmas present from Webster Parish Police Jury member Mike Griffith.
The parish is “making more money with the Webster Parish Landfill being sold, than us owning it,” Griffith told the aldermen and mayor. He explained that the interest earned off of the $40 million investment from the sale of the landfill is largely used to finance new equipment and infrastructure costs. However, every municipality in the parish receives a yearly stipend from the earned interest. Dixie Inn receives $8,000.
“I got you some more money,” Griffith said, receiving an ovation from the board. “You were making $8,000 a year, and I got you $8,000 more, for a $16,000 a year total from the police jury.”
Griffith added that he will keep coming to the board meetings because “I am here for you. And at least you are getting some money back from the landfill.”
A hiring freeze in the Police Department was rescinded by a unanimous vote of the board. Chief Alan Davis explained that he would open the “new applications” window from Nov. 15, 2023 through Jan. 2, 2024.
In other police business, Mayor Donna Hoffoss introduced Ordinance 99-F, which will be available for public inspection at the Village Hall from Nov. 15 through Dec. 5. The ordinance will go before the aldermen at the next monthly meeting on Dec. 12, 2023.
The proposed ordinance is as follows: “An ordinance amending Ordinance 99 – A, D, E and all amendments thereto of the Cod of Ordinances of the Village of Dixie Inn, Louisiana, to revise Section 101-Pay Scale for new hires, Section 101.1 changing hours worked to 84 hours in a 14-day pay period with over-time starting at 84 hours, change the longevity pay increase.”
Chief Davis also reported that 75 pounds of prescription-type drugs were dropped off for disposal on “National Drug Take-Back Day” two weeks ago; and that the first camera registered under the “Watch-Guard” warranty program has been replaced.
In other business, the board:
Approved the September and October Minutes; and the October Financial Report;
Amended the Budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year “with corrections” because the Village had more income in one area, and to reflect pay to the Webster Parish School Board for collecting the Village’s taxes;
The new garbage trailer is in, with the required logo for “Keep Louisiana Beautiful;”
The Main-to-Main street sale was very successful in Dixie Inn and many thanks go out to the departments which participated in the clean-up both before and after the weekend event;
In the Water Department, new scales have been installed beneath the chlorine bottles; new chlorine analyzers have been installed, and chlorine regulators replaced.
I feel like this past week has taken about 10 years off my life.
We have been struggling to find answers to a medical issue that my youngest has been dealing with off and on over the last couple of months. I have handled this pretty well overall, but her issues peaked earlier this week and all my emotions, worries and stresses came to a head as well.
Any decent parent would tell you that not knowing what is going on with your child’s health is one of the most heart wrenching parts of parenthood. Any time that they are sick, whether it be a simple cold, a virus or any type of pain, I wish that I could go through it for them. If this was an option, I would accept it without question or hesitation, every single time.
We were finally able to eliminate some of the scarier possibilities and have it narrowed down after a couple of labs, x-rays and a few trips to the doctor. We have worked out a treatment plan with the pediatrician and pray that it works. In the meantime, we are still dealing with some side effects which are to be expected.
I woke up yesterday morning and was ready to tackle everything I had scheduled to do that day, when she got sick again. I planned to still get everything done that I needed to do that day, but as I was laying down comforting her until this spell passed, she looked up at me and said, “I want you to stay with me today.”
And that is exactly what I did.
Yes, I had two meetings scheduled and another job to get to after that, but nothing was and will ever be more important than being there for my babies.
I am their safe base.
I have proudly served in this role since they were squalling newborns, temper tantrum-throwing toddlers and moody pre-teens, and will do so through the rebellious teens and confusing early adulthood years – for the rest of my life.
This is my most important job and one of the most paramount and valuable gifts I could ever give them.
I know we all have other jobs to maintain in order to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table, but knowing when to take time away from those jobs to show up and be present for your kids is crucial.
I am sure we have all seen different videos where a child is performing in a school play or something of the sort and they are on stage, looking around for a loved one and as soon as their eyes meet the one they are searching for, you can literally see the excitement and joy on their faces.
This is a perfect example of how showing up for our kids and being present really makes all the difference.
Isaiah 66:13: “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.”
(Paige Nash is a wife, mother, publisher of Bienville Parish Journal and Claiborne Parish Journal and a digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal. But she still shows up for her kids.)
Springhill Medical Center is seeking a Licensed Practical Nurse. A licensed practical nurse is a health care professional responsible for basic patient care and comfort. LPNs are essential to the patient experience and work closely with RNs and physicians. They monitor a patient’s status, manage basic care, and keep up-to-date medical records.
SMC offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits for this full-time position. Apply at http://www.smccare.com.
This is the final week of Webster Parish Journal’s Football Pick’em Contest. Last week was the first time our Week 11 Minden’s Clayton Rainey played, and he is our happy winner on the receiving end of $100.
While Rainey was unavailable at this time for a photo, he will have it taken later at our title sponsor Under Dawgs Sports Grill, the gathering place featuring a home-field atmosphere.
With no Thursday games on the schedule, you have until 4 p.m. Friday to get in your picks, and Webster Parish has 2 high school teams advancing in the playoffs.
Anyone 18 and older is eligible to participate in the contest. All it takes is an email address and a combination of skill and a little luck. The two remaining parish high school teams, as well as some colleges and pro teams are listed in the contest. And just like the Journal, there’s no cost to enter.
Webster Parish Journal thanks Under Dawgs, Yocom Law Firm and all our sponsors. Please patronize these businesses including Brown Chrysler, Ace Hardware, Holcomb’s Body Shop, A.J. Price, Inc. and Minden Athletic. And thank you, readers, for participating.
The Springhill-North Webster Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Dr. Sam Holladay has been chosen as the Christmas Parade Grand Marshal for 2023.The Chamber Parade is set to roll on at 5 p.m. Saturday, November 25, with a fun theme of “Elves on Parade”.The parade will start at South Main Mall and proceed north on Main Street turning right on Clinic Street traveling around the Civic Center and stopping at the triangle. Immediately following the parade, the public is invited to attend Christmas in the Park hosted by Springhill Main Street.There will be free carriage rides, barrel train rides, caricatures, bounce house, games, and face painting.Food trucks will be available for food purchases. Santa will also be in the park for pictures. Bring your own camera.
Dr. Sam Holladay, Jr. has dedicated his life in Springhill caring for patients at Springhill Medical Center and Doctor’s Clinic. Dr. Holladay went to public schools in Louisiana and attended Northwestern State where he earned his M.S. degree. He later earned his Master of Education at LSU-Baton Rouge.He taught high school and coached at Baskin, Louisiana for two years.He decided to attend New Orleans LSU Medical School where he graduated in 1957.He completed his residency in 1959.He moved to Springhill on July 1, 1959, and two days later began work at Doctor’s Clinic and Springhill General Hospital.The hospital at that time was located on First Street NE. In the early 70’s, a new hospital and clinic was built and now known as Springhill Medical Center and Doctor’s Clinic. Dr. Holladay retired from full-time practice at the age of 75 and continued part-time at the clinic and emergency room.He completely retired the year of Covid. He is currently 94 years old.
Dr. Holladay during his career worked with LSU medical students, President of Webster Parish Medical Society, and Delegate to Louisiana State Medical Society. He is a member of Springhill Methodist Church and active in many activities. He is married to his lovely wife Frances. His hobbies include hunting, fishing, and football, especially Springhill and LSU.
Again, the Chamber encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the day to kick off the Christmas season with shopping at the Mistletoe Market, Pictures with Santa in the Civic Center, participate in the Cocoa Crawl, run in the 5K race, Christmas parade at 5 p.m. and end the night with Springhill Main Street in the park!
In September 1910, a new building opened for Minden High School. It replaced the buildings that had been constructed for the Minden Female College and had been in use ever since. In the years following, the population growth of Minden exceeded expectations. By February 1922, Superintendent E.S. Richardson, in response to crowded conditions, called for construction of a new building to house the high school students and the 1910 building to be used for the grade school.
In April, a bond issue was passed to provide funds for construction of the new building. The next order of business was to choose a suitable location. In June, the school board announced plans to purchase the “Watkins block on College Street…including back territory and residence of Mr. S.W. Brown, adjoining the former home and grounds of Judge J.T. Watkins.” This plan also included converting Academy Park into an athletic field for use by the school. The board felt the purchase of the Watkins property “would afford one of the most beautiful sites in North Louisiana.” An alternate plan was to build the new schoolon the existing campus.
Following this announcement, residents of Minden expressed opinions in support of improving and utilizing the existing campus. A letter written by Mr. Joe Miller appeared in the Webster Signal. Among other things, he shared that one advantage was the central location of the campus. Property could be bought to increase the size of the campus and it could be done without the closing of any roads. Use of the Watkins property would have required closures. He also felt that, regardless the location of the new building, the existing campus needed improvements to make it more sanitary and this could be achieved in conjunction with construction of the new building. He referred to several financial benefits of the school buildings sharing the same site ranging from money that would be saved by the school board to increasing property values in the vicinity of the school. The Webster Signal expressed support of Mr. Miller adding that “the reclaiming of this large area in the center of town will do away with the unsightly branch, which has been a source of great inconvenience.” The branch referred to is the creek that runs through the area occupied by the football stadium and track field. This branch, or creek, not only created a wet, swampy area behind the school, but was also considered a divider between Minden and what was called West Minden. During rainy weather, the area would become impassable.
Another Minden resident, J.A. Looney, also shared his thoughts on the benefits of utilizing the existing campus. While Mr. Miller’s opinions were more practical and from the perspective of a businessman, Mr. Looney was more concerned with what he considered sectionalism within Minden. Looney tells of how when he came to Minden in 1901 as a telegraph operator for the L&A Railway, he “was informed that my business address was known as ‘Dirty Six’.” For those not familiar with the location, the Dirty Six neighborhood was the area near the railroad tracks. He said that he soon learned that different sections of town were referred to by different names, “Crichton Hill, Warsaw, Shiney, West Minden, and Minden.” Looney felt that the town seemed to be divided by its neighborhoods. He also related a story about a resident of the “West side” who was afraid that the sale of his house may fall through because a resident of the “East side” had presented a negative view of West Minden and claimed that it would be too difficult for the children to get to school from that part of town because of the creek. Looney felt that improvements to the campus could help bring a sense of unity to Minden. He stated, “if a little old branch is all that is stirring up strife between ‘East’ and ‘West’ Minden…in my humble opinion, they have the best kind of a panacea, in the shape of plans to erect a new High School building on the ‘East’ side of the creek, pull down the ‘West’ bank and hide the little old stream in oblivion…eliminating the little old sore spots as they bob up, and be known at home and abroad as JUST MINDEN!”
On 1 August, the school board met and came to a decision to construct the new high school building to the west of the 1910 building. Seven acres of land was purchased, enlarging the campus to a total of twenty-two acres. Work was set to begin immediately. The Webster Signal described “the splendid plan for the building” and for improvements to the “twenty-two acres of wasteland, mosquito-infested swamp.” The description of the area goes on to identify it as “an unsurpassable barrier in times of wet weather to the many school children living on the other side of the branch, in what has been called ‘West Minden’” and, to echo Mr. Looney, “the barrier that has helped to divide the city.” It goes on to include the details of the improvements that were underway. “The old branch bed is being filled in, and the water bed being moved over to the very edge of the school property at the foot of the hill sloping up to West Minden.” Drains were added to ensure that the “low, marshy ground will be as dry and firm as any ground in the highest and best residence portions of the city.” Behind and to the side of the school, the property was to be terraced with plans for “the section all the way to the limit of the land” to “make one of the best athletic fields in the South.” Later, “the broad tract just back of where the new building will be placed, will be made into an athletic field for the High School alone.” The city was to improve the roads around the school and a bridge was to be constructed to connect the hill behind the school to the school property making it “easily accessible from all directions.”
Hope for these improvements to bring unity to the city were again expressed. “By means of this link, it will be only a short distance and easy traveling from College Hill to the streets of ‘used-to-be’ West Minden. Then there will be no necessity of calling it West Minden any longer. Minden will be united into one real city without division.”
(Jessica Gorman is the Executive Director for the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)
