Funeral services celebrating the life of Kathy Kirby Wren will be held Sunday, December 31, 2023, at 2 p.m. at First Methodist Church in Minden, Louisiana with Bro. Brian Mercer officiating. Interment will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery in Minden, Louisiana under the direction of Rose Neath Funeral Home in Minden, Louisiana.  The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. at the church prior to the service.

Kathy was born August 24, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois and met her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ December 27, 2023, in Minden, Louisiana. Kathy was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend.

Kathy’s family moved to Atlanta, Texas in 1974. She always knew she wanted to be a dental hygienist. She graduated Texas Women’s University with a Bachelors in Science, Cum Laude, at 20 years old. She then moved to Minden to work for Dr. Ed Brown, helping to build his practice over the next 40 years. There she met her husband of 38 years, Rusty, in her dental chair. Kathy was very excited to start her next chapter with Dr. Richard Campbell in the coming new year.

Kathy loved serving her community, whether it was volunteering for St. Jude, working in different committees in the church, or more recently volunteering as a Night Angel at Royal Family Kids Camp. As well as many other things, she loved spreading joy.

Kathy was an incredible wife and mother of two. Her passion was her family and taking care of others, including stray animals of all kind. We could write a book about this amazing woman and all of her accolades, but anyone who knew her already knows what a wonderful person she was. She will be deeply missed everyday.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to St. Jude or local animal shelters in her honor. 

---

By Pat Culverhouse

A Christmas Eve traffic stop for suspected impaired driving has resulted in the arrests of two men on drug-related charges.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said 31-year-old Hanson McHale Taravella of Shreveport and 46-year-old Minden resident Ronny Paul Dunn are currently in Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center after officers found drugs and drug paraphernalia in their vehicle.

McIver said Taravella, the driver, is charged with possession of CDS Sch. II (Methamphetamine), possession of drug paraphernalia, improper lane usage and a tail light violation. Dunn, a passenger in the vehicle, is also charged with possession of CDS Sch. II (Methamphetamine) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers reportedly responded to a call of a suspected drunk driver and initiated a traffic stop at the intersection of Goodwill and Ash shortly before 2 a.m. Christmas Eve. McIver said Lt. Chris Hammontree observed the vehicle swerving and nearly striking a utility pole.

“We brought K9 Officer Tigo to the scene and he alerted to the presence of illegal narcotics,” McIver said. “Officers found a marijuana cigar in the driver’s pants pocket, a meth pipe with a small amount of unsmoked meth in a bag on the center console, several scales, bags of syringes and a marijuana grinder inside the vehicle.”

Sgt. Mitchell Hackett and officer Cadyn O’Conner assisted in the search and arrest, the Chief said.

---

My, how time flies when you’re having fun! And that’s exactly what we at Webster Parish Journal have been doing for almost three years.

As 2023 comes to an end, we want to tell our readers how much we appreciate them and share a bit of happy information.

From January 1 through December 28, 2023, your Webster Parish Journal garnered an impressive 1.516 million views and more than 496,000 unique viewers on our website. This tells us you believe in us, our product and our mission. 

We will launch into 2024 with the same dedication to bringing a quality publication with a well-rounded variety of stories and advertising to our readers and advertisers.

Thank you for trusting us to bring you the news.

Pat and Bonnie Culverhouse, Paige Nash, Marilyn Miller, Josh Beavers, Shawn White, Curtis Mays, Randy Ward, and all our weekly columnists.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! See you in 2024!

---

The City of Minden has issued a boil advisory for portions of Homer Road in blocks 300 and 400.  Visit the City of Minden website at Mindenusa.com for further information.

---

Another year is fading. And when the new enters in a just a few days, it will be out with the old self and in with the new and improved us via that most tried-and-true species enhancement mechanism…the resolution.

Nothing gets a new year off to a resounding start like promises to one’s self that become less a promise than a premise from which ill-conceived vocables become assertive assumptions. As your humble servant can attest, these self-promises are faithfully reneged faster’n a politician’s pronouncement.

Several decades of occupying space on this small corner of the cosmos has taught your favorite Rocker the fallacy of making unkeepable promises, even if they are to oneself only. We humans simply cannot be trusted to entrust ourselves with self-improvement commitments intended to last a whole twelve months. 

For those, and many reasons, your obedient observer resolves to make only reasonable promises. That’s why for the entirety of 2024, the only intention from the rockin’ chair is to trust the people who spend our money to do so with the skill and efficiency we’ve come to expect. 

Examples of how our revered representatives have expertly upped our national debt by a mere four trillion dollars just go to show our faith in them is justified. Fed funding for needy causes includes, but is not limited to:

•  “Struggling” musicians including Chris Brown and Lil Wayne were given $200 million by our Small Business Administration. Who knew “Rap” was wrapped under the SBA umbrella? All really small businesses must be excited to know the agency is opening its checkbook to the most needy. Interesting fact: Lil Wayne has an honorary Ph. D. which, apparently, is the acronym for Phree Dollars. The pot is bottomless.

• $33.2 million has gone to transgender monkey research. Somebody allegedly got this idea after watching the Tarzan movie where Mr. Chetah showed an attraction to lip stick and cold cream. We’re told researchers weren’t just monkeying around, they intended to link simian othersexuals and transgender humans to study social injustices. From the monkeys’ standpoint, this project was bananas.

• Costs, believed to be in the millions of dollars, targeted other projects where animals were subjects. Studies focused on Russian cats and treadmills, and Labradors walking in the summertime. We’re happy to report the “Hot Dog” review found a Lab’s fur color does not affect body temperature, and Russian cats do not dance the Trepak on treadmills. They do, however, purr to Rachmaninoff.

• Often the outlay of taxpayer funds is more cartoonish than Bugs and Daffy, which might also describe those who sign off on expenditures. One expropriation handed $118,000 to our fed friends to determine whether Marvel movie villain Thanos could snap his fingers while wearing the Infinity Gauntlet. That study was in conjunction with an alleged multi-billion dollar investigation proving Mitch McConnell can pick a taxpayer’s pocket while wearing oven mitts.

Waste of taxpayer dollars continues unabated. Last year, our caretakers spent a little over a million bucks to watch mice get drunk. Beverage of choice? The Mickey Finn. Also last year, $3 million dollars funded action matches between steroid-injected hamsters in an attempt to find drugs that can calm steroid-induced aggression. 

We hear no such remedies were found, but insiders say researchers learned those souped-up hamsters spun their little wheels with enough energy to charge 1,000 EVs per day, per furry critter. Of course, these are California hamsters using organic steroids.

So long as it is well spent, who are we to question those who finds the groups/causes/issues worthy of receiving our money.  

A D.C. friend says our Congresspersons do make resolutions but, like spending, they require someone else for fruition. They resolve that we, the overtaxed/overburdened great unwashed, work harder to earn more in taxable income. Currency circulation, it seems, is from us to political fingers permanently crammed in our back pockets.

And, we must oppose term limits. The seat holders must remain seated. In the real world, there’s not much of a job market for professional deficit spenders who believe constituent is defined as nuisance and lobbyists really represent the will of the people. 

Rocker thinks we agree. These fullabullerpompousites have earned our trust and the right to keep their power seats ’til hell, or Washington D.C. (redundant?) freezes over. 

— Pat Culverhouse

---

Well, here we are again…the week in between Christmas and New Year, when nobody knows what day it is or what in the world we are supposed to be doing. I always use this as a time to reflect on the past year; see what all I have accomplished, progress made and where I can make improvements. 

I am sure it is the same for most of you, the negatives always seem to stand out more than the positives. 

I cannot recall if I have ever mentioned the struggles I have had over the last decade with acne- the countless appointments, dozens of different doctors, multitudes of medication with little to no results.  

I finally found an amazing aesthetician that I have been seeing off and on for about six months now. Unlike the dozens of dermatologists I have seen over the years, she was more concerned with why this was happening and trying to cure it than just trying to remedy it temporarily.  

My complexion has come a long way since I began seeing her, but this past week has been a stressful one and stress always triggers my acne. I had a couple of places break out pretty badly. I reverted to wanting to hide at my house and not go out in public because I was embarrassed, but I had to go to my parents’ house for a fish fry.  

One of the first things my dad did was compliment me on how well my face looked. I was a little taken aback. I said thank you, but I also pointed out the two huge breakouts and told him it looked better before this past week. But it made me really (literally and figuratively) look in the mirror.  

Overall, my face did look loads better than it has in ten years. It made me realize something.  

We always harp on the negatives, so much so that we often forget the progress we have made and how far we have come.  

Why do we let a couple of blemishes on our record of accomplishment overshadow all the improvements? 

Well, I did a little research, and there is this thing called “Negative Sentiment Override.” 

Negative sentiment override occurs when negative feelings, such as anger or distrust, overshadow positive emotions. This can cause individuals to focus on negative experiences and ignore positive ones, leading to an overall negative view. 

So, what can we do to overcome this? Which also leads me to my personal New Year’s resolution. 

I am going to focus actively and consciously on the positive. I am not going to let a couple of negatives outweigh the loads of positives. I will not let a couple of small blemishes block me from acknowledging my blessings. 

(On a side note, for anyone dealing with literal blemishes, go see my girl Hannah Walker at the Nurse Aesthetician.)

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

The LHSAA has completed their list of the LHSAA fall sports all-academic team.  The list consists of two lists for each sport.   According to the LHSAA website, the composite list is composed of athletes six semesters who have achieved an unweighted 4.00 GPA.  The composite athletes are recognized at the state championship in which they have been selected.   The class list is any athlete who has achieved an unweighted 3.50-3.99 for their six semesters. 

Webster Parish boasts one composite list athlete in Olivia Downer from Glenbrook who achieved a 4.00 GPA and was recognized at the cross country state championships in Natchitoches in November.

Composite

Olivia Downer, Glenbrook  (Cross Country-Girls)

Class

Olivia Downer, Glenbrook (Cross Country-Girls)

Sophie Spillers, Glenbrook (Cross Country-Girls)

Amiyah White, North Webster (Cross Country-Girls)

Brandon Bell, Lakeside (Cross Country-Boys)

Gavin Woodall, Lakeside (Cross Country-Boys)

Madelyn Whitehead, Glenbrook (Swimming – Girls)

Jackson Lott, Glenbrook (Swimming – Boys, Football)

Parker Davidson, Minden (Swimming – Boys)

Garrett Brown, Glenbrook (Football)

Joshua Chandler, Glenbrook (Football)

Landry Powell, Glenbrook (Football)

Chase Sentell, Glenbrook (Football)

Terrius Evans, North Webster (Football)

North Webster player surpasses 1000 career points

Aniyah Davis reached a milestone in the North Webster 40-8 win over Haynesville.  Davis joined the 1000 point club in her career. 

Sentell Makes LSWA All-State List

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has released each class all-state team .   Chase Sentell of Glenbrook was the only player selected from Webster Parish.   The Glenbrook Apache was choses on the Honorable Mention list.  

Scores from Last Week

Boys Basketball

Monday, December 18

Saline 56, Lakeside 16

Tuesday, December 19

North Desoto 65, Glenbrook 18

North Webster 37, Lakeside 20

Minden 63, Benton 61

Wednesday, December 20

Haynesville 51, North Webster 30

Girls 

Monday, December 18

Saline 45, Lakeside 31

Neville 60, Minden 31

Tuesday, December 19

North Webster 53, Lakeside 15

Wednesday, December 20

North Webster 40, Haynesville 8

Soccer

Boys

Tuesday, December 19

Minden 1, Parkway 0

Wednesday, December 20 

Minden 1, Rapides 1 (tie)

Top Performances

Boys Basketball:

Darnell Morris, Minden:  Morris scored 15 points in win over Benton

Girls Basketball:

Aniyah Davis, North Webster:  Davis scored 28 points in win over Lakeside

McKenzie Chase, Lakeside:  Chase scored 19 points in loss to Saline.

Aniyah Davis, North Webster:  Davis scored 15 points in win over Haynesville

---

Eating grapes, wearing polka dots, or burning scarecrows might be weird New Year’s Eve traditions to some, but centuries-old customs to others.

(Editor’s Note: This is the second of two parts on strange and interesting New Year’s traditions from around the world.)

As the old year comes to a close, we have a look at some of the most interesting traditions to welcome the new year. While some customs like popping champagne, fireworks and counting down the last few seconds seem universal, many countries have their own unique ways to celebrate.  Follow us around the world with these New Year’s Eve traditions, make a wish, and have a happy new year!

First Footing

In Scottish folklore, the “first-foot,” also known as quaaltagh or qualtagh, is the first person crossing the threshold after midnight. A tall, dark-haired male with gifts like coins, coal, bread, salt, and a “wee dram” of whiskey, is thought to bring the best luck for the house. The tradition probably dates back to the Viking days when big, blond strangers (commonly armed with axes and swords) at the door meant trouble, and in some places, first footing by a fair-haired male is still regarded as unlucky.

Tossing Furniture

“Out with the old” is the motto in Naples, where people toss everything from toasters to fridges off their balconies. Getting rid of old possessions symbolizes a fresh start in the new year. To prevent serious injuries, most locals stick to small and soft objects for their throwing tradition, though it’s still a good idea to watch your head should you travel to Naples (or Johannesburg, South Africa, where this custom is also practiced).

Animal Spirits

Romania is a country steeped in tradition. Especially in rural areas, New Year’s Eve highlights include mask dances and ceremonies about death and rebirth. Dancers dress up in furs and wooden masks depicting goats, horses, or bears, then dance from house to house to ward off evil spirits. The dance of the bear is the most popular. According to pre-Christian folklore, if a bear enters somebody’s house, it brings prosperity, health, and good fortune.

Mass Kissing

Venice is a romantic place any time of the year but on New Year’s Eve in Piazza San Marco, tens of thousands of locals and tourists gather for fireworks, a light show (which sees “hearts” raining down), and “a kiss in Venice.” The evening is all about love and your loved ones, so celebrate with a proper smooch and welcome the new year with happiness in your heart.

Potato Drop

With less tradition but more high-tech, for the fifth year running the people of downtown Boise will welcome the new year by dropping a giant spud from the sky. More than 40,000 spectators turn up to see the internally lit, 400-pound “GlowTato.” Other New Year’s Eve drop-sites in the US include Brasstown, N.C. (a possum), Bethlehem, Penn. (Peep – a 200-pound local marshmallow candy) and Port Clinton, Ohio (a giant fish called Wylie the Walleye).

108 Rings

At midnight, Buddhist temples all over Japan ring their bells 108 times to dispell the 108 evil passions all human beings have, according to Buddhism. Japanese believe that joyanokane, the ringing of the bells, will cleanse them from their sins of the previous year. Traditionally, 107 bells are rung on the last day of the year and the 108th in the new year. Many people eat buckwheat noodles called toshikoshi soba on New Year’s Eve to symbolize the wish for a long life.

(Special thanks to Fodor’s Travel.)

---

Confetti Cookie Dough Ball is the best kind of New Year’s Eve ball drop!  Keep me home and let me dive on into this while snuggled up on the couch with a good book.  Kids love this one, and it is also great to make and take as it transports easily. Use your favorite dippers of choice.  

Ingredients

• 12 ounces cream cheese spread
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup mini chocolate chips
• Sprinkles
• For serving:  Nilla wafers, pretzels, strawberries

Directions

Using a mixer, beat cream cheese and butter. Add brown sugar and vanilla. Fold in mini chocolate chips.  Lay a piece of plastic wrap on counter and scrap mixture onto it.  With your hands form into a ball.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours.  Pour sprinkles into a small bowl.  Reshape ball if needed.  Transfer to serving platter and press sprinkles to cover it.  Serve with Nilla Wafers, pretzels or strawberries.

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

---

(Editor’s note: Here’s wishing all our readers and advertisers a happy new year! We’ve told you about some weird traditions, but here are some that may be a little more familiar. However, we are big believers in make your own traditions as you enter 2024.)

By Paige Nash

Countries around the world celebrate the New Year in similar fashions. The more popular traditions include making lots of noise, eating loads of food to bring luck, exchanging thoughtful gifts and making an effort to put your best foot forward as you step into a brand-new year. Although almost every country across the globe shares in these traditions, they each have their own unique ways and reasons.  

For instance, in the United States the most popular event is watching the ball drop in New York’s Times Square, whether in person or on television. As the ball drops and the countdown begins, people across the country make toasts, cheer and exchange a kiss as the clock strikes midnight.  

Although the ancient saying is not “ball drop into the New Year.” It is, “ring in the New Year.” That is because decades before people began congregating in downtown New York to watch the ball drop, they would gather outside the churches to wait for the church bells to do exactly that- “ring in the New Year.”  

If you live in the United States, at least once in your lifetime, you may have eaten cabbage and black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day in hopes of a year full of good health and fortune. Many traditional meals take place on this day around the world. In Ireland households enjoy bannocks and countries like India and Pakistan believe eating rice on this day promises prosperity to come.  

Webster Parish local Melissa Young who is originally from Ciudad Mante Tamaulipas, Mexico said that New Year is a huge celebration in Mexico.  

“Family and friends gather to eat a big dinner and pop fireworks. We eat 12 grapes before midnight. One grape with each chime of the clock’s bell for good luck,” said Young. “We eat lentils for good fortune for the coming year. We also grab a suitcase and walk it around at midnight that is supposed to bring you good travels. 

In the United States it is not highly popular to exchange gifts, but in countries like Rome or Egypt this is a way to mark the start of the New Year. In Persia, eggs are gifted to others as a symbol of fertility, while in Scotland, people may exchange coal or silverware for good luck.  

Another highly popular tradition is making resolutions as a way of reflecting on the year that has passed and making plans for the year ahead. Common resolutions for people in the states usually revolve around health and include getting in shape, eating healthier or being more active. The Japanese and Australians tend to focus their goals on romance like finding a significant other or bettering their relationships, while the majority of people in Russia make resolutions regarding furthering their education or careers.  

Studies have shown that only 25 percent of people are still working toward their New Year goals after the first 30 days. Many people may not follow through on their resolutions, but it probably will not stop people from making them. Perhaps that is why when asked what her New Year resolution for 2023 is, Minden local Sharlene Warren said, “To not make any.” 

---

TO: Stockholders of Minden Golf Club, Inc.

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Minden Golf Club, Inc. d/b/a/ Pine Hills Country Club a/k/a Minden Country Club will be held pursuant to Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation on the first Tuesday in January, being January 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at the Minden Country Club/Pine Hills Country Club in the clubhouse in order to elect the Board of Directors for the upcoming year. The Board of Directors recommends that the current Board of Directors be re-elected in order to help organize the records of the club. The Board of Directors also seeks to amend Article IV of the Articles of Incorporation to allow the annual shareholder meeting to take place on either the first or second Tuesday in January each year.

If any shareholder would like to sign a proxy or request more information, please contact Tommy Sumner at 318-510-3925 or Kelli Morgan at 318-268-4388 before the Annual Meeting.

By order of the Board of Directors and the President.

---

Jimmy Lai.  I was generally familiar with him and his struggle, but recent developments have brought me greater clarity.

 He is a native of Hong Kong, a businessman who has owned newspapers, including his publication, Apple Daily, which was seized from him for no legal reason.  He is now on (a sham) trial for alleged “national security” charges, which is the time-honored method by which authoritarian governments crush and smother liberty.

The U.S. Embassy in China made this statement: “The United States condemns the prosecution of pro-democracy advocate and media owner Jimmy Lai in Hong Kong under the PRC-imposed National Security Law.  Lai has been held in pre-trial detention for more than 1,000 days, and Hong Kong and Beijing authorities have denied him his choice of legal representation.  We urge Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to respect press freedom in Hong Kong.  Actions that stifle press freedom and restrict the free flow of information … have undermined Hong Kong’s democratic institutions and harmed Hong Kong’s reputation as an international business and financial hub. We call on Hong Kong authorities to immediately release Jimmy Lai and all others imprisoned for defending their rights.”

While this statement highlights America’s position, the U.S. Government could do far more.  In fact, as The Heritage Foundation has observed, “it’s unlikely that President Joe Biden brought up the name Jimmy Lai in conversations with China’s communist dictator, Xi Jinping.  At least the records don’t show it.  But Lai’s impending trial in Hong Kong represents a classic showdown between a tireless defender of freedom and a brutal regime.”   Nevertheless “Lai richly deserves America’s benedictions and prayers, and Biden makes a mistake in not using his bully pulpit to press for his release.  Lai fought for freedom vigorously for decades in Hong Kong until Xi’s truculence burned it down by throwing him into prison in 2020.”  (M. Gonzalez, The Heritage Foundation, Nov. 21, 2022). 

Lai has not only demonstrated his strong belief in freedom of speech but is also credited with a major role in fostering Hong Kong’s economic liberty and, consequently, its great economic success.  These are tremendous accomplishments—and unprecedented—in a communist country like China that stifles individual liberty and economic freedom. 

 As noted by the Wall Street Journal, “Lai poses no threat to China’s national security, only to the CCP’s lust for absolute power.  Both Lai and Xi are obsessed with liberty—Jimmy with expanding it and Xi with crushing it.  After all other publications bent a knee to Beijing following the ‘97 handover, Jimmy’s Apple Daily empire continued to advocate continuing Hong Kong’s free way of life.  No tyrant can live alongside the free flow of information.” (W. McGurn, WSJ, 12-19-2023).

 However, while compelling, that is not what I find most captivating and intriguing about Mr. Lai, a convert to Catholicism who is willing to die in defense of his commitment to freedom.  Rather, it’s his strong faith in God that, to me, rings out with a clarion call.  His Christian faith, by all accounts, is what anchors him and informs his life devoted to his wife and his six children—and to freedom.

In an interview published by the Wall Street Journal we learn of Mr. Lai’s interaction with another lover of freedom, former Soviet citizen, Natan Sharansky, in 2020.  Lai and Sharansky discussed “how important it is never to back down and to live as a free man even in prison by rejecting the lies the government pushes.” (W. McGurn, WSJ, 12-19-2023).

 Then Sharansky, in as powerful a statement of life’s struggle as I have seen, encouraged Lai to “regard the burden laid on him as a blessing” such that “if you were chosen by faith, by God, by your people to lead, to be the example of this moment, it’s a great responsibility but it’s also a great joy. So enjoy it!” (Id.)

 What a powerful statement of hope and faith.  

Now, the dangerous road ahead for Lai in his trial will provide him an international platform from which to courageously reflect the timeless truths instilled in every human being: we are made in the image and likeness of God and, for that reason, possess intrinsic value, dignity, and the fundamental human right to be free, a right given to us by God and, therefore, a right that no government can take away. 

 One such example is worth more to life than the stained triumphs of 10,000 Caesars. (Author unknown).

(Shreveport attorney, Royal Alexander, worked in D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 8 years for two different Members of Congress from Louisiana.  He has witnessed up close several Speaker races.)

---

If you have recently lost a loved one, Webster Parish Journal will publish the obituary.

For $80 (paid in advance), your family member’s obit can have unlimited words and a photo. If needed, we will help you write those final words for no extra charge. 

In an online publication like WPJ, thousands of readers per week will see those words and then read about them any time in the future by searching for their names.

Talk with your chosen funeral director or email us at wpjnewsla@gmail.com  . 

---

Ever since the split between the two top professional bass fishing organizations, B.A.S.S. and Major League Fishing (MLF), there’s been some tension between anglers and both organizations. The reason for the split was due to the anglers themselves being unhappy with how little input they were having with B.A.S.S. They wanted more say so in the scheduling and other areas, but B.A.S.S. was not willing to listen.

Anglers wanted adjustments made to tournament payouts and to be heard on other requests. They wanted more input on when and where tournaments would be held. They wanted B.A.S.S. to avoid scheduling events on holidays so they could be home with their families. Anglers were not a happy bunch as most of their requests fell on deaf ears.

In 2011, and B.A.S.S. not willing to conform to their requests, the anglers decided to jump ship and start their own professional bass fishing organization called Major League Fishing or in short MLF.  At first it appeared this mass exit by some of the top 80 anglers on the B.A.S.S. pro tour would be devastating and possibly cripple B.A.S.S.

Turns out, that was not the case, as B.A.S.S. just reloaded and filled the vacated slots with anglers who were on the rise who had been fishing the Open Series. It opened the door for so many up-and-coming anglers looking for a break and the opportunity to fish at the highest level with the best professional bass fishing organization in the world. It’s very similar to professional baseball’s Major League strike years ago. The players thought they had the upper hand but found out rather quickly that there were Triple A players who were just as good, and ready and willing to cross the picket line for the opportunity to play in the Big Leagues. The strike was short lived as players realized they were replaceable.

Trust me when I say there was no shortage of anglers looking for an opportunity to fish at the highest level, even if it meant they would have to take out a second mortgage on their house. It goes back to that old saying, “Everybody is replaceable.”  

Turns out, MLF anglers may have made a huge mistake walking away from B.A.S.S. as MLF went through some tough times, not only losing anglers but sponsors as well. At the end of the day, it’s all about the sponsors and the money they bring to the table. Without sponsors, no organization can survive, and it appears MLF is dying a slow death. They are constantly revamping and applying band aids to their format. They are making desperate moves from a company standpoint that raises red flags and eyebrows on whether MLF is in trouble.

Some anglers have already jumped back on board the B.A.S.S. stability train due to the issues at MLF. There are some MLF anglers that will stay until the ship has sunk, then they’ll decide what route they want to take to get back to B.A.S.S. Some might be able to get back to B.A.S.S. through certain exemptions while others will have to requalify through the new 9 tournament Open Series format.

As you can see, it’s going to be a wild ride in 2024 with so much uncertainty in professional bass fishing. But I think it’s safe to say that B.A.S.S. is on firm and stable ground. They are and continue to set the bar for all professional bass fishing organizations. The Bassmaster Classic is STILL the top bass fishing tournament in the world that every bass fisherman dreams of fishing from the day they ever pick up a rod and reel. It is truly the Super Bowl of bass fishing!

Only time will tell if MLF (Major League Fishing) will survive. From this angler’s perspective, I hope they do as bass fishing NEEDS two professional organizations. There’s plenty of room and plenty of anglers for both organizations to co-exist. The question is, are there enough sponsors for both of them to survive?

Till next time, good luck, good fishing, and stay tuned as the 2024 professional bass fishing season will be very interesting. 

Steve Graf                                                                                                                    

Angler’s Perspective

---

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.

Dec. 21 

Samone Sanders, 30, of Springhill, was arrested by the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office for operating a vehicle with a suspended license/no license issued.

Erica Hafter-Seder, 27, of the 200 block of Monica Lane, Springhill, was arrested after surrendering on a failure to appear warrant for possession of schedule 2.

Darius Damon Allen, 45, of Hwy. 371, Cotton Valley, was arrested by LSP-G for modified exhaust, driving under suspension and a fugitive from Caddo Parish.

Dec. 23

Shelly R. Dance, 42, of the 200 block of N. Middle Landing, Minden, was arrested by WPSO on a warrant for domestic abuse battery.

Billy Joe Walker III, 32, of the 600 block of East St., Minden, was arrested by WPSO on two active warrants for driving under suspension.

Kendrick Lee Dudley, 37, of the 100 block of Kennedy Lane, Minden, was arrested by MPD for simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling and resisting an officer.

Dec. 24

Yolanda Daniels, 49, of the 700 block of Paynes St., Springhill, was arrested by Springhill Police for aggravated battery and domestic abuse battery for stabbing a man with scissors.

John Ray Black, 27, of the 600 block of Nella St., Minden, was arrested by MPD for domestic abuse battery and resisting an officer with force or violence.

Dec. 25

Kenneth R. Key, 62, of the 500 block of Midland St., Minden, was arrested by Dixie Inn Police for second degree battery.

Dec. 26

Johnni McCaleb, 31, of the 100 block of Oak Tree Lane, Minden, was arrested by MPD for possession of schedule 3 (Subutex), possession of drug paraphernalia, suspended driver’s license, failure to maintain lane and two active bench warrants.

Umeka M. Hawkins, 32, of the 700 block of 5th Northeast St., Springhill, was arrested buy Springhill Police for home invasion.

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.

---

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

Jan. 14

Noon until 2 p.m. W.H.O. of North Webster Chicken Spaghetti, benefitting Heather and Bubba Armstrong, Central Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. $10.

Jan. 27

Mardi Gras Fasching Parade 2024, downtown Minden. More details coming soon.

Jan. 31

11:59 p.m., nominations due for Man of the Year nominations. https://docs.google.com/…/1ebb7DFsd-TIb…/edit…

Feb. 8-11

Minden St. Jude Auction.

Feb. 27

82nd Annual Greater Minden Chamber Awards Gala.

---

The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week of December 21. All civil suits are public record.

Dec. 21

Credit Acceptance Corporation vs. Kenny Brown, judgment executory & garnishment.

Rachel Makenna Desadier vs. Justin Marcus Walters, custody.

Dec. 22

Eric P. Holley vs. Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections, judicial review.

Alice Anderson vs. District Attorney Schuyler Marvin, name change.

Credit Corp. Solutions vs. Mathew LaBorde, monies due.

Dec. 27

Carrington Mortgage Services LLC vs. Kaleeb Lamar Hawkins, executory process.

Penymac Loan Services LLC vs. Juan James Bush and Lisa Jean Bush, executory process.

Discover Bank vs. April B. Cook, monies due.

Republic Finance LLC vs. Dana M. Sikes, monies due.

---

Bobbie Horton Henson

March 26, 1941 – Dec. 25, 2023

Sarepta, La.

Visitation: noon until 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, Kings Corner Assembly of God, Sarepta.

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

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

Stephen David King

Sept. 13, 1965 – Dec. 20, 2023

Homer, La.

Graveside service: 2:30 until 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, Arlington Cemetery of Homer, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Homer.

Suellyn Claire Knowles

Feb. 21, 1941 – Dec. 19, 2023

Benton, La.

Visitation: 1 until 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, First United Methodist Church, Bossier City, La.

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

Burial: 3 p.m. Hill Crest Memorial Park Cemetery, Haughton.

Dennis Charles Hershberger

August 8, 1957 – Dec. 24, 2023

Jamestown, La.

Visitation: Noon until service time, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, Rockett Funeral Home, Ringgold, La.

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

Burial: Providence Cemetery, Ringgold.

Evie Faye Hall

April 1, 1939 – Dec. 24, 2023

Ringgold, La.

Visitation: 5 until 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, Rockett Funeral Home, Ringgold.

Funeral service: Noon Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, Rockett Funeral Home.

Burial: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Ringgold.

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.)

---

More than half of the Top Ten Webster Parish Journal stories published in 2023 were crime-related. The number at the end of each stories reflects the number of readers. To see a breakdown of readership numbers for the entire year, see Thursday’s Webster Parish Journal.

Top 10 Stories of 2023

10. A Minden businessman was arrested for theft and mingling substances. The man stole prescription drugs and replaced them with other pills. 4,619

9. When you’re full of Bull, don’t brag about it. A Cotton Valley woman posted on Instagram how she stole a Red Bull energy drink at a convenience store. 4,649

8. City employee under suspension following accident. A Minden City employee drove his city-owned vehicle to Shreveport and was in an accident on Interstate 20. 4,821

7. Webster Parish woman dies in accident. A woman died inside Springhill city limits on Hwy. 371 when the vehicle she was driving struck the rear of an 18-wheeler. 5,017

6. Minden Police: Right place at right time brings in alleged shooter #6. A Dubberly man who showed up for court on a lesser charge, was arrested for four counts of attempted second degree murder and illegal use of a weapon during a crime of violence in the Ewell Park shooting. 5,196

5.  Murder suspect has warrant for arrest. In May, a subject was identified in the murder of Daniel Merritt. 5,260

4.  Bear sightings bear out.  In September, there were several black bear sightings in the Minden City limits. 5,297

3. Fight escalates into stabbing. In September, a group brawl led to a stabbing near Minden Housing Authority on East and Marion streets. 5,584

2. Concerns continue over Witches Ride. An October Witches Ride parade was discussed in a public breakfast meeting in August. 6,100

1. UPDATE: 2 arrested in Ewell Park shooting that injured 4 people. Reginald Moore Jr., 19, of Heflin, is charged with 4 counts of attempted second degree murder and 1 count of illegal use of weapons. Jamontae Holyfield, 21, of Homer is charged with 4 counts of attempted second degree murder and 4 counts of carjacking. Holyfield allegedly entered a car with persons who were not involved in the shooting and then demanded to be taken to another location. 6,112

---

A breezy and cool week ends with a warmer outlook.

Today (Wednesday) is sunny with a high of 57. Southwest wind 5 to 15 miles per hour becoming northwest in the afternoon.

Wednesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 28. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Sunshine continues through the week with a few clouds.

*Information by the National Weather Service.

---

Unless someone slammed a shopping cart into your shin or cut you off in traffic or sat you buy a drunk uncle at Present Opening Time, you might have counted your blessings in the past few says.

The spirit surrounding Christmastime and the New Year usually lends itself to such positive behavior.

Smelling coffee brewing and watching our 17-month-old granddaughter eat an apple and tell the puppy to ‘Get down!’ (a new phrase learned on Christmas Day) and considering that I can sense these things, even at the advanced stage of my development, reminds me that I might be the luckiest piece of protoplasm you could ever meet.

If not the luckiest, then at least in the Top 10 or so. There is really no other excuse for me even being here except by some mistake of nature. 

First came winning the Uterine Lottery thanks to my personal mother, and then being born in America and not on some hill in some country whose name I can’t pronounce or even locate without Google and a map.

So started a chain of events of God putting people along my wayward path to teach and encourage and inspire. One of those has a birthday December 28, and since I’ve missed writing to tell him “Happy Birthday” for 80 consecutive years, I won’t make that mistake again this time.

He’s had other jobs before and after, but Keith Prince was the sports information director at Louisiana Tech for 25 years, beginning in 1969 through the time I was there as a student in the early 1980s. It was outside what is now Scotty Robertson Memorial Gym that he asked me if I wanted to go to graduate school and be his graduate assistant.

Once I finished laughing, I thanked him and reminded him it had already taken me six years to earn a four-year degree. But … besides being organized and efficient and a wonderful writer and athlete, he is a kind and persistent man, sneaky convincing, a teacher by example, and I signed on with him for what ended up being one of the great adventures of my life. Even graduated in the legit two years, like a person with any sense is supposed to do.

Sports information directors are today called Associate Athletic Directors for Strategic Communications, or something like that. The job is the same as always though: promote your student-athletes, cover the games, never get ahead, and have four days off a year.

It’s a job that requires stamina, talent, grace, and the ability to deal with egos that often accompany your more dynamic competitors. 

To make us better, Mr. Prince introduced us, maybe even shared us, to others who did his job at their schools, to Bob Anderson at what was then Northeast, to Collie Nicholson at Grambling, Jerry Pierce at Northwestern State, Larry Hymel at Southeastern, the incomparable Louis Bonnette at McNeese State, and a bunch of others. They became our teachers but also our friends. Tremendous break. 

Mr. Prince had all the tools, but his best attribute was grace under pressure. That, and the ability to convince you that you could earn a place. He gave me and so many others a chance. And he showed us the way. Still does.

For those reasons and many more, I hope this is his best birthday yet.  

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

---

Eating grapes, wearing polka dots, or burning scarecrows might be weird New Year’s Eve traditions to some, but centuries-old customs to others.

(Editor’s Note: This is part one of two describing strange and interesting traditions from around the world.)

As the old year comes to a close, we have a look at some of the most interesting traditions to welcome the new year. While some customs like popping champagne, fireworks and counting down the last few seconds seem universal, many countries have their own unique ways to celebrate.  Follow us around the world with these New Year’s Eve traditions, make a wish, and have a happy new year!

12 Grapes of Luck

In Spain and some Latin American countries, one New Year’s tradition is to eat 12 grapes, one for each month of the coming year, to secure prosperity. Sounds easy? Here’s the challenge: you need to eat one grape with each bell strike at midnight. The favored way is to take a bite, then swallow the grape halves whole. A glass of bubbly afterward might help to flush it all down. The tradition dates back to 1909 when vine growers in Alicante came up with this idea in order to sell more grapes after an exceptional harvest.

Wear Colorful Undies

In Latin American countries like Mexico, Bolivia, and Brazil, the color of your panties will determine what kind of year you’ll have, so choose carefully! Tradition holds that red will bring love and romance, and yellow leads to wealth and success. White stands for peace and harmony, while green signifies well-being and nature. In Turkey, red panties are also handed out as gifts for good luck and the promise of a fruitful new year.

Pouring Lead

Who doesn’t want to know what the next year might bring? In Germany, people melt small pieces of lead in a spoon over a candle, then pour the liquid into cold water. The bizarre shapes from the Bleigießen (lead pouring) are supposed to reveal what the year ahead will bring. If the lead forms a ball, luck will roll one’s way, while the shape of a crown means wealth; a cross signifies death and a star will bring happiness.

Break a Plate (or Two)

A Danish New Year’s Eve tradition is to throw plates and dishes against friend’s and neighbor’s front doors. It’s a bit of a popularity contest as the bigger the pile of broken china is the next morning, the more friends and good luck you’ll have in the coming year. In times of apartment and urban living though, it’s a dying tradition, but smashing fun for those who still practice it. Another custom in Denmark is the jumping off chairs at midnight, symbolizing the leap into the New Year when the clock strikes 12.

Scarecrow Burning

In Ecuador, people build scarecrow-like dolls of politicians, pop stars, or other notable figures to set them alight. Burning the año viejo (old year) is meant to destroy all the bad things from the last year and cleanse for the new. The scarecrows are made from old clothes stuffed with newspaper or sawdust and a mask is fitted at the end. The Ecuadorian tradition possibly originated in Guayaquil in 1895 when a yellow fever epidemic hit the town, and coffins packed with clothes of the deceased were burnt for purification.

Round Food, Round Clothes, Round Everything

In the Philipines, the start of the new year is all about the money. The locals believe that surrounding themselves with round things (to represent coins) will bring money or fortune. As a result, clothes with polka dots are worn and round food is eaten. To really push Fortuna, coins are kept in pockets and constantly jangled, believed to keep the money flowing.

(Special thanks to Fodor’s Travel.)

---

As we approach the new year 2024, we must make God a priority in our lives.  

We must submit and allow him to have total control in all that we do and say.  Let go of the old and focus on the new.  

To let God have total control means to be submitted to his way. We should submit ourselves totally to God.  

Not sometimes or occasionally, but all the time.  In doing so, we have to deny self and yield to God’s will for our lives.  

We have to commit our lives to him and be willing to follow him, giving up totally control.  

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God in his Sermon on the mount.  

We are to seek the things of God first over everything else in this world. We are to seek salvation because it is greater value than anything else in this world.  

So many times we have allowed the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life to control us and push us further from God, then we start depending more on other things than on God.  

When we seek God First and his righteousness and not self-righteousness, he will give us the desires of our heart. Everything else will work out in God’s timing.  

~Let God Have Total Control~

When we make God a priority by putting him first and try our best to live in obedience to him and his will by sharing the good news of the kingdom with others, then he will take care of us like he promised in his word. God will take care of his children by supplying all their needs! 

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, we thank you! Help us to be more like you. Forgive us of our sins known and unknown. Help us to put you first in all we do. In Jesus’ name, we pray. 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.)

---