Chris Austin

May 25, 1983 – March 3, 2024

Shongaloo, La.

Visitation: 11:30a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2024, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Graveside service: 2 p.m. immediately following visitation, Pilgrims Rest Cemetery, Shongaloo.

Mike Wayne Vaughan

June 2, 1955 – March 12, 2024

Springhill, LA.

Visitation: Noon until 2 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2024, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Graveside service: 3 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2024, Western Cemetery, Emerson, Ark.

Steven Lee Sissom

August 31, 1956 – March 11, 2024

Springhill, La.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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.)

(Editor’s note: Part 1. Next: The new adults)

By Pat Culverhouse

Louisiana’s legislature forwarded to Gov. Jeff Landry’s desk a number of bills during its special session on crime which began last month, with some of those addressing issues that had previously been rebuffed during former Gov. John Bel Edwards’ terms.

One of the more high profile pieces of legislation will allow state residents to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Senate Bill 1 passed 75-28 after failing to move through the system for the past three years. 

That legislation also lowered the age to legally carry a concealed weapon from 21 to 18 years of age. Louisiana is one of a few states that will now allow 18-year-olds to conceal/carry without a permit, and will not require training.

Supporters say criminals will be more cautious if they believe a potential victim might be carrying a weapon. Opponents believe carrying without a permit, or necessary training, will result in more violence, especially when the lowered age limit is factored. 

Minden’s Chief of Police sees both sides of the argument, but supports the lower age limit…with a couple of understandings.

“I’m pro every responsible person carrying a firearm, with an emphasis on responsible, once they become 18,” Chief Jared McIver said. “If you can go to the military and possibly die for your country at age 18, I see nothing wrong with being able to carry a weapon.”

McIver said he knows those who enter the military will receive extensive, often specialized, weapons training that’s not available to the average 18-year-old. It does not mean, however, that a weapon in the hands of a younger person is guaranteed to be dangerous.

“Maybe what scares people most about this bill is hearing that an 18-year-old is able to carry a concealed firearm with no training,” he said. “Some might use this as a way of predicting more gun crimes, more violence. I just don’t see it that way.”

Approving the right to carry a firearm, even without a permit, is simply giving back to Americans a basic right they’ve had for centuries, McIver said.

“It’s a Constitutional right…we’re giving the Constitution back to the people,” he said. “I would much rather that good people have a gun if they meet criminals who have a gun. Laws are made for people. We do not need to handcuff good people.”

McIver said one portion of the conceal/carry bill which seems to trouble some opponents is the lack of a training requirement. Training can begin even before an individual becomes of legal age to carry a concealed weapon, he pointed out.

“I would challenge parents to begin teaching their children gun safety, how to shoot, all the information they can provide as they build toward the legal age,” he said. “Educating them and having the talk is better than hiding or sheltering.”

When youngsters come of age, self-protection should be a part of their life skill, the Chief said. 

“Parents who send their kids to college or into a career should feel good knowing their child enters the world prepared and they’ve been trained responsibly,” he said. “Good people need to protect themselves from criminals who intend to do them harm.”

McIver said stringent laws do little to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Laws, he said, are written for people who are law-abiding citizens while criminals have no intention of following the rules. 

“The good will do good; the bad will do bad things and a thousand more gun laws will not keep guns from infiltrating our cities,” he said. “We’ve seen gun laws become politicized and it seems we’re rewarding the criminal and criminalizing good people with all the restrictions.”

Politics should be taken out of consideration when the safety of individuals is concerned, McIver said. Safety is, and should be, the first priority of every law enforcement officer, individual and elected official on both a personal and national level. 

“Let’s set politics aside and remember that what’s right is right, and it’s right that we should be more concerned about our borders,” he said. “We’re seeing some very bad people coming here…a cocktail of gang members and people who might intend our country harm. If people can cross our border so easily then it’s easy to move items like guns across to facilitate whatever activities they might undertake.”

McIver said people should not be made to feel afraid to go safely about their daily activities. While some may try to find fault in laws, like the state’s new conceal/carry, benefits to the average citizens are many. 

“This is a good law that requires personal responsibility. People should educate themselves about a gun and practice as much as possible, preferably at an approved firing range under supervision,” he said. “Do everything you can to prepare yourself to use your gun. Then, hope you never have to use it.”

By Paige Gurgainers

Due to a recent round of thefts at the baseball complex in Springhill, the city council has accepted a bid for a new 16 x 24 metal building to store future equipment.  

“First of all, they cut the lock and took an old golf cart. They locked it back up and put another lock on it. They have since come back and taken the lawn mower and the drag,” said Mayor Ray Huddleston.  

According to Springhill Police Department Chief Will Lynd, they have only been able to recover the drag machine.  

“We don’t know when all of that stuff was stolen. Nobody had been using it. We happened to see people riding around on one that looked like that. We were able to recover it,” said Lynd. “If it’s gone for more than 48 hours, the chances of getting it back are pretty slim. I hate to say it, but the rest is probably gone.” 

Two were arrested in connection with the theft, but Lynd said they have not been able to prove who originally stole the items from the complex and sold it to those individuals.  

Huddleston said, “I am thinking we are going to have to buy another mower and I am thinking we don’t need to leave it out there unless we buy a metal building big enough to hold this equipment and put it inside the complex.” 

The mayor received a bid from Hol-Mont for a new 72” Exmart zero turn mower for $11,421 and that it would be under state contract.  

The council also considered bids for the metal building. They received three bids with Stanford Builders bidding at $12,250, Price Built coming in at $11,500 and Fortified Building Solutions being the lowest bid at $10,980.  

They approved Phase III and Phase IV for downtown sidewalk repairs with Phase III being $39,000 and Phase IV being $33,500. The council also approved a quote from Scott Equipment in the amount of $7954.13 for repairs to a Case Backhoe and approved the February 2024 monthly vendor bills totaling $115,155.61. 

Another item on the agenda included consideration of the city attorney’s recommendation to go into executive session to discuss litigation matters, but this item will possibly be moved to next month’s agenda.  

Huddleston said, “We were going to consider the city attorney’s recommendation to go into executive session to discuss litigation matters, but the city attorney and I talked today, and we don’t have enough information together yet to call that executive session – maybe next month.” 

By Bonnie Culverhouse

Doyline Fire District 3 still has a fire department and the assistant chief received a second chance during a meeting Tuesday of the Fire District Board.

Tyler Strickland was facing termination for documented policy violations by the commission, however, in the end board members voted to suspend him for 90 days.

During comments, other volunteers indicated if Strickland was terminated, they would resign.

Strickland, who is a volunteer, reportedly committed violations of speeding when responding to calls and posting his opinions on social media.

“In December, you were reported by police radar as traveling 110 miles per hour in a 55 mile-per-hour zone,” said commissioner Gary Loftin. He also cited an incident where Strickland was observed traveling at a high rate of speed on Highway 164 – a distance of 1.5 miles in less than 60 seconds. Speed was calculated by Commissioner Glen Long as approximately 98 mph in a 55-mph zone.

In January, Strickland reportedly posted on his personal Facebook page his “disdain for local police stopping he and other department members for speeding” … and included “#dummys.”

According to Fire District 3 bylaws, this act falls under Defamation of Persons or Organization Policy 1013.1.

While responding to comments on this post, Strickland wrote “our policy states we can only go over 10 mph. In most cases we do, but I’m sorry I do use discretion. If a child is not breathing the petal to the medal (sic).”

Commissioners agreed that even though they have addressed these issues with Strickland several times, using their progressive discipline policy was the best way to handle it.

Following the meeting, Strickland said he was ready to accept the suspension and use it as a learning experience.

“I’ll take anything that wasn’t termination,” he said. “Now nobody has to suffer. I don’t want nobody to be without protection.”

Thursday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. South wind around 15 mph.

Thursday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Low around 63. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Friday

Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 74. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Friday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Saturday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70.

Saturday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

* Information courtesy of National Weather Service.

Quartzsite, AZ Johnny Ray Rowland, Sr. passed away Saturday, March 9, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.  He was 74 when he went to his Heavenly home. 

There will be a memorial service in Mr. Rowland’s honor Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 3 pm at Brushwood Methodist Church, 6320 Brushwood Drive, Dubberly, LA. Officiating will be his sons, Johnny Ray Rowland, Jr. and Jason Bryan Rowland. 

Mr. Rowland was born on September 6, 1949, in Minden, LA to Irvin William (I.W.) Rowland and Allene Cooke Rowland. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, B.F. Rowland and Ola Hood Rowland, and William Richard Cooke and Era Batton Cooke. 

Although Mr. Rowland had been a resident of Quartzsite, AZ, he spent the majority of his life living on the family farm in Dubberly.  Mr. Rowland was reared in a Christian home where he and his family were members and regular attendees of Brushwood United Methodist Church.  While living on the Rowland Farm, Mr. Rowland and his older sister, Kay, enjoyed the peace and tranquility of country living, but also learned to appreciate the value of hard work.  Together, they understood the meaning of phrases such as: “cotton pickin’time”, “hay hauling”, “grading eggs”, and “tending to the cows”.  Later, Mr. Rowland along with Kay and her husband, George, would become 3^rd generation descendants to make the Rowland Farm their home. 

Mr. Rowland was a product of the Webster Parish School System as he attended Dubberly High School from grades 1-12.  He was valedictorian of the Dubberly High School class of 1967 and earned All-State honors as a member of the Dubberly High School Class C State Championship Basketball Team.  In addition to being an outstanding student/athlete, Mr. Rowland was a gifted public speaker as evidenced by his winning multiple speech contests while in high school. 

After graduation from high school, Mr. Rowland attended Northeast Louisiana University and Louisiana Tech University, and it was during this time he decided to pursue his passion for singing and entertaining as his career path.  A talented singer, Mr. Rowland thoroughly enjoyed performing and recording music across much of the country.  However, he also loved the outdoor lifestyle and was an avid gun enthusiast.  From this love, Mr. Rowland would create and produce, “The Shootin’ Show” which aired on the Outdoor Channel for several years.  Later, he would develop the .460 Rowland, a handgun cartridge that equaled or surpassed the performance of the .44 magnum.  Through these pursuits and many others, Mr. Rowland lived a colorful and adventurous life while maintaining a personable disposition and kind spirit.  

He is survived by his wife Lori Jakl Rowland of Quartzsite, AZ; children: Johnny Ray Rowland, Jr. and wife Sherri of Dubberly, Jason Bryan Rowland and wife Marla of Benton, Allena Rowland, Zane Rowland, and Annah Rowland all of Quartzsite, AZ; three granddaughters: Madison Rowland of Haughton, Morgan Rowland Hall and husband Gray of Minden, and Rheagan Rowland McMinn and husband Brooks of Benton; 3 great grandchildren: Remi McMinn, Garrison Hall and Allyn McMinn; one sister: Kay Rowland Simolke and husband George of Dubberly; nephew Albert Simolke of Haughton; niece Shelley Simolke Christy and husband Jay of Minden; great nephew Parker Christy and wife Kelly of Minden; great niece Amelia Christy of Shreveport; and cousins: Eneile Cooke Mears, Sue Rowland Grisham, Charlie Mack Rowland, Bill Stahl, Jan Greer Trump, and Dennis Rowland.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Janet Thompson Children’s Ministry at Brushwood Methodist Church.

By Jessica Gorman

Academy Park is so named because of the Minden Male Academy that once stood on the site. The property was donated by William Abner Drake and the school opened in 1850. It operated until the opening of the Minden Graded School around 1898. Upon closure of the Male Academy, ownership of the property transferred to the city. In 1904, the academy building was sold to Congressman John T. Watkins and moved to the corner of Sullivan and East and West. It served as a private residence and then a boarding house for many years. 

When the academy building was removed from the lot, the intentions were to convert the property into a park. The ladies of the Civic Club had already begun their work of improving Minden through the development of its parks and took up the work of creating a new asset to the community. To beautify the new park, trees and landscaping were added. In 1909, concrete walkways were built. This more direct path across the park was considered a convenience for those traveling from Lewisville Road into town.  

A popular addition to the park was two tennis courts which were enjoyed by children and adults alike. The park was once described as “a mecca for tennis players” and many tournaments were held there. In 1930, those original courts were in need of repair and replaced with a single clay court which was subsequently replaced with a concrete court in 1936.

The following year saw further development of the park. The Civic Club recognized that the children needed a playground. It included sand piles, see saws, a slide, swings, and a wading pool. That playground was immediately put to use as the site of a summer recreation program under the Works Progress Administration. There were both morning and afternoon sessions that allowed parents to send their children to the park to play and participate in supervised activities. This program operated for several years.

In 1942, the federal government proposed building a recreation building in Minden. The city was required to provide the property. A proposal was made to allow the north end of Academy Park to be used for the construction of this building. The property owners around the park made their opposition clear. They felt that the park was too important to the children to lose such a large part of it to a building. I think that most would agree that it would have been a shame if this building would have been built.

For decades, Academy Park has been the site of community events, birthday parties, and weddings. It is a popular spot to enjoy Minden’s Mardi Gras parade. Academy Park is a lasting reminder of not only the Minden Male Academy but of the ladies of the Civic Club and their work to improve and beautify Minden. 

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

By Bonnie Culverhouse

A south Webster man was stopped for speeding by Minden Police Monday and subsequently arrested on multiple charges.

Arzie Delane Jones, 70, of 400 Buttonwood Rd., Heflin, is charged with resisting an officer, drug paraphernalia and two warrants for Bienville Parish.

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver said Lt. Chris Hammontree stopped Jones’ vehicle on Martin Luther King Drive around 5:30 p.m. for traveling 36 miles per hour in a 15 mile-per-hour zone.

“All the occupants of the vehicle seemed nervous to Lt. Hammontree,” McIver said. “A check showed the back seat passenger, identified as Lane Jones, had an active warrant through Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office.”

When Jones was searched, officers located a used crack pipe in his pants pocket.

“During booking, it was determined that Lane Jones’ real name was Arze Delano Jones, and he had another active warrant under that name,” said the chief. “During the stop, backseat passenger Terry Jones lit a cigarette and began smoking with two small children in the vehicle.”

Jones, 64, of the 100 block of St. Rest St., Minden, was arrested for drug paraphernalia (crack pipe also found on person) and two counts of smoking in a vehicle with children present.

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.

Springhill Medical Center has a number of job opening opportunities – both nursing and non-nursing positions. Apply at http://www.smccare.com.

State of Purpose:
The Executive Director serves as the chief administrator, providing leadership to staff and directing the CVB operation in order to develop maximum potential of convention and visitor business, thereby bringing the greatest possible economic benefit to the Natchitoches area.

Reports to:  Natchitoches Parish Tourist Commission board members.

Degree of Supervision:  Monthly review by NPTC Board

Supervision Exercised: Supervises all NPTC employees

Location of Job: Natchitoches Visitors Center, 780 Front Street, Ste 100.

Qualifications:
Graduate of an accredited four year college in the field of Business, Marketing and Public Relations, Hospitality Management or any combination of education and experience to equal five years related experience.

Special Knowledge:
Extensive knowledge of the principles and practices in convention and tourism planning  services. Considerable knowledge in the fields of advertising, marketing, public relations, business administration, which includes but not limited to, personnel management, principles of accounting, and excellent communication skills. Must possess the ability to exercise initiative, judgment, tact, and diplomacy in a wide variety of public situations. Position requires frequent travel.

Submit to:  Arlene Gould director@natchitoches.com

780 Front Street, Suite 100
Natchitoches, LA 71457
Telephone: 1-800-259-1714
Fax: 1-318-352-2415

DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

• Provide administrative and professional assistance to the Chairman and Commissioners along with the staff of the Tourist Commission and ensure that the board complies with all local, parish, state and/or federal laws and regulations
• Responsible for hiring, termination and training all staff and volunteers.
• Preparation of the annual budget and management of Commission business within the budget.
• Preparation of annual marketing/advertising plan with all advertising potentials outlined in plan.
• Track and prepare all financial data for annual audit or Compilation of Finances by Accounting Firm.
• Represent Natchitoches Parish to national and international audiences by attending consumer and trade shows along with Groups & Tourism Sales Manager.
• Oversee press releases and press packets for local, regional and national media regarding activities along with Marketing & Communications Manager.
• Advise tourism partners with launching festivals, new events and ongoing events with consulting, publicity and advertising.
• Host local, national and international travel writers along with familiarization tours for group tour leaders along with Marketing & Communications Manager.
• Create publicity materials and brochures for distribution to guests, group tour leaders, retirees and newcomer inquiries.
• Work closely with advertising agencies to create ads for regional publications in a timely manner.
• Assist Marketing & Communications Manager with creating story ideas and articles for both regional and national publications.
• Attend meetings of city/parish stakeholders such as City, Chamber of Commerce, Parish Council, HDBA, NHDDC, CRNHA, Christmas Festival and several others including statewide, LTA and LACVB, and regional tourism associations, El Camino Real, No Man’s Land, Holiday Trail of Lights, councils and committees and others.
• Maintain a working relationship with the NSU hospitality program and university students for internships and other assistance to the Commission.
• Assist Groups & Tourism Sales Manager to consult and advise conference meeting holders and large groups visiting Natchitoches.
• Responsible for overseeing meeting notices, recording of minutes, transcribing and typing monthly board minutes, filing, letter writing and other necessary items for a small business office and Executive Director.
• Oversee that all inquiries from potential visitors and tour groups are acknowledged immediately.
• Assist Marketing & Communications Manager with updating websites, social media information with current events and festivals.
• Assist with daily operations as necessary supervising the Travel Counselors and Visitor Center.
• Follow the directions and seek counsel of the Chairman of the Board of Natchitoches Parish Tourism Commission, as the immediate supervisor, between Board Meetings.
• Ensure no employees, nor the Executive Director; conduct any personal business on Tourist Commission property, during working hours or with Tourist Commission assets.

The 36^th annual “Hungerfest and Dessert Auction” will take place on Thursday, April 4 at 6 p.m. at the Minden First Methodist Church (Second Street entrance). Admittance is $5 for adults, with children under 12 free.

The event features a meal of homemade soup, crackers and iced tea.

“There is no entertainment, unless you include auctioneers Dr. Richard Campbell and Tracey Campbell,” said Charlotte Jones, director of the United Christian Assistance Program. All proceeds from the auction benefit UCAP.

Desserts include cakes, pies, brownies, cookies, candy and more. “Come join us for food, entertainment (Campbell/Campbell), and lots of fellowship,” Charlotte added.

Tickets can be purchased at the door the night of the event or at UCAP on Miller Street.

Every year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars has an Americanism Program. This program is for K-12.   VFW Post 2885 had 239 entries from some of our local schools.  From these, we had 18 winners.  These winners were honored at our awards ceremony on March 9.

Category 1 – Kindergarten – colored a printed American flag

1st place –  Andi Hollinsworth-Glenbrook

2nd place – August peevy-Glenbrook

3rd place – Charlotte Lawrence-Glenbrook

Category 2 – 1st and 2nd grade – drew and colored the American flag

1st place – Emily Burson-Central Elementary

2nd place -Conleigh Jernigan-Central Elementary

3rd place -Dayton Herriage-Central Elementary

Category 3 – 3rd and 4th grade – drew a patriotic event

1st place – Tage Finley-Central Elementary

2nd place – Tessa Adams-Central Elementary

3rd place – Ina Lee-Glenbrook

Category 4 – 5th grader – wrote essay entitled “How I Honor Veterans”

1st place – Eastyn Pate-Central Elementary

2nd place – Mary Jane Farness-Glenbrook

3rd place – Gracey Reynolds-Central Elementary

Patriot’s Pen – 6th-8th grade – wrote essay entitled “How are You Inspired by America”

1st place – Emma C Horton-Glenbrook

2nd place – Kyla M Whitt-Glenbrook

3rd place – Anna Grace Vining-Glenbrook

Voice of Democracy (9th – 12th grade) – wrote essay entitled “What are the greatest attributes of our Democracy?”

1st place – Alyssa Chang-Lakeside

2nd place – Madison McGraw-Lakeside

3rd place – Mallori Sanders-Glenbrook

Alysssa Chang read her VOD essay to the attendees.

By Shakera Williams

March is National Nutrition Month! Celebrate all month long with some of these healthy, low-calorie snacks that you can prepare yourself. You’ll save money, reduce waste, and stay fuller longer with these 100- to 200-calorie ideas that you can portion yourself.

1. Raisins (50 or about 1 oz.): 85 calories
2. Skim milk latte (8oz.): 85 calories
3. Low-fat cottage cheese (4oz.) with 2 canned pear halves (in own juice): 80 calories
4. Air-popped popcorn (3 cups or 1 oz.): 95 calories
5. Graham crackers (8 small rectangles or 2 full squares): 100 calories
6. Thin pretzel sticks (48 sticks or 1 oz.): 100 calories
7. Celery (5 pieces) with peanut butter (1 Tbsp): 100 calories
8. Unsweetened applesauce (1 cup): 100 calories
9. Apple (small) with low-fat cheese (2 oz.): 150 calories
10. Baby carrots (10) with hummus (1/4 cup): 150 calories
11. Peanuts (a handful or 1 oz.): 175 calories
12. Raw or toasted almonds (23 whole or 1 oz.): 170 calories
13. Walnuts (14 halves or 1 oz.): 190 calories
14. Pecans (20 halves or 1 oz.): 200 calories
15. Low-fat yogurt (6 oz.): 175 calories (or less)
16. Tortilla chips (12 chips or 1 oz.) with salsa (1/2 cup): 175 calories
17. Whole wheat crackers (10) with peanut butter (1/2 Tbsp): 175 calories

Shakera Williams, DHSc, MPH, Assistant Extension Agent, Nutrition and Community Health, Webster and Claiborne parishes.

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

March is colorectal cancer awareness month. Persons 45 and older should schedule a colonoscopy today.

According to the American Cancer Society, excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States.

Call 318-539-1078 and schedule one today.

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

March 16

9 a.m. until noon, District 2 Star of Hope O.E.S. 30th Annual Gala, “Star Struck” Welcome to Old Hollywood. 630 Factory Outlet Dr., Arcadia, La. Attire: Sunday’s best with “fascinators and fedoras. Entertainment, food, drawings. Public is welcome. $5 donation at the door.

March 19

6:30 p.m. North Webster High School cafeteria. Meet and Greet new head football coach Christopher Wilson.

March 22

Deadline for nominations for Springhill-North Webster Chamber of Commerce awards. Civic Service Award, Ambassador of the Year, Businessman of the Year, Businesswoman of the Year, Business of the Year, Lifetime Achievement.

5 p.m. Lakeside High School, Gary Cooper Day, inviting all alumni to honor Gary Cooper for his dedication of 23 years coaching Sibley and Lakeside High School.

March 23

11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Easter Eggstravaganza, North Acres Baptist Church. Egg hunt, Easter presentation, hot dogs, bounce house, face painting, snow cones and cotton candy!

March 24

Noon until 5 p.m. Thomas & Rhone Elementary Reunion. Registration, Meet & Greet, Ole Fashion Fish Fry.

March 25

10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thomas & Rhone Elementary Reunion. Games, Hamburgers & Hot Dogs, Visit to School Site, Shongaloo Civic Center. For more information, call  (318) 847-4436 or (501) 347-4856

April 3

Greater Minden Spring Job Fair & Resource Expo.

April 4

6 p.m. 2024 UCAP Hunger Fest and Dessert Auction. First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden. Tickets are $5 each; table sponsorships are $100.

April 15

The founders’ vision for ACE Scholarship was powerful but simple: that all children have access to great schools. Glenbrook School has partnered with the ACE program for the 2024/2025 school year.  Applications for scholarships due date is April 15. For more information, go to:

 Welcome to Grant & Aid (factsmgt.com) or call Naomi Coyle at 318-377-2135.

6 p.m. Night at the Museum with Museum Director Jessica Gorman. Discussion: preserving local cemeteries. Admission is free; donations welcome. Refreshments: potluck snacks and desserts. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Seating is limited. Call 318-377-3002 for more information.

April 16

6 p.m. Springhill North Webster Chamber of Commerce 70th Annual Awards Banquet. Community Activity Center, 301 West Church St., Springhill. Entertainment by Piney Woods Jamboree. Table sponsorships available. Individual tickets $50.

April 18

10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Senior Fun Day sponsored by Springhill Medical Center. Springhill CAC Building. Ages 50 and older. Free admission. Free meal sponsored by Bristol Hospice.

May 4

6 p.m. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to LaMa Bingo, Springhill Civic Center. $50 jackpot, $00 and $200 games, door prizes, silent auction, concessions, costume contest, split the pot.

May 18

9 a.m. Registration, 10 a.m. Freedom Walk 2024 at Broken Bean. Sponsorships available. Registration $25 per person. All proceeds go to Minden Adult and Team Challenge. Live music, food, fun, games and more … ends at 4 p.m. Register online at www.laatc.com/freedomwalk or at Broken Bean. Call 318-382-0203 or 318-469-5393 with questions.

May 24, 25

A committee of former Thomas & Rhone Elementary School students have planned a reunion for all former students, faculty and staff.  This reunion is schedule for Memorial Day Weekend, Friday and Saturday, (May 24 and 25).  All activities will be held at the Shongaloo Civic Center, 119 LA 2 Alt Rd, in Shongaloo, La.

Given the political and cultural similarities between Louisiana and Texas, I have watched with interest the Texas school choice debate. 

This past week, several Republican state representatives who had opposed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s school choice legislation have now either been defeated or are looking like they might be in their respective runoffs.  Gov. Abbot’s proposal principally involves the use of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs).  The 2023 ESA bill would have been worth approximately $10,500 per student.

Regarding Texas voters, the Wall Street Journal has stated “sixty percent of Republican primary voters said they would be less likely to vote for an incumbent who rejected school choice last year …”  In response to a ballot question in 2022, 88% of GOP primary voters indicated that they support parents’ “right to select schools, whether public or private, for their children, and the funding should follow the student.” (WSJ, Mar. 1, 2024).  

The WSJ continued, “the larger case for choice is moral when so many public schools are failure factories that can cripple students for life. The state reports that fewer than half of students across all grades and subjects met grade level requirements in 2022-23.  The Houston schools superintendent said last year that 111 of that district’s schools merit a “D” or “F” grade.  That should be a scandal.”  Often, sadly, the most important part of school choice isn’t affording parents the option to choose a quality, safe school for their children to attend, but, rather, creating an escape hatch for their children to be able to flee a failing, dangerous school.

In support of this movement that is rapidly spreading to states all over America, I have noted before that the virtues and benefits of school choice apply to Louisiana as well.

Louisianans have long recognized that the state’s education will not improve until parents can choose what’s best for their children, which includes embracing educational freedom, reversing our history of imposing onerous regulations on school choice participation and, most importantly, allowing ESAs to liberate parents and students alike to take charge of their education in new and ambitious ways. (R. Cambre, The Heritage Foundation, Jan 30, 2024).

In explaining why parents embraced school-choice policies in the wake of the pandemic-era school closures … “parents were left hungry for alternatives, especially amidst bitter disagreements over masking and Woke ideology.  This was all immensely practical.  It wasn’t about moral imperatives or market abstractions.  It was about empowering families to put their kids in schools that address their needs, reflect their values, and do their job.” (Bedrick and Burke, The Heritage Foundation, May 31, 2023).

Yes, Dr. Fauci’s Wuhan Lab-China Virus created a great deal of awareness on the part of parents that had previously been absent, and it has changed the school choice debate.

“Parents want to pass on their values and culture to their children and they expect schools to aid—or at least avoid undermining—this process. Yet increasingly, parents are wary of schools that seem to be pushing an ideological agenda that is antithetical to their own values, such as teaching children that people are “oppressors” or “oppressed” based on their immutable racial characteristics or that “gender” is a “spectrum” that is unconnected to biological sex.  Highlighting the gap between what parents want and what district schools are doing bolsters support for school choice because it is a solution to an immediate and deeply felt problem.” (Id. The Heritage Foundation).

What Texas is doing is a reflection of a larger distinctive, national trend toward school choice in public school education.  It is long overdue and will have an immeasurably valuable impact on the lives of children, many of whom are the most economically and socially vulnerable.

Texas is following in the grand tradition of President Reagan in promoting school choice, school safety—which rests on a foundation focused on the basics such as religious freedom in schools, school discipline and character development—as well as academic rigor in history, reading, writing, arithmetic, and government.

As we all recall, President Reagan demanded that ‘Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall’ separating Freedom from Communism.

But President Reagan was just as determined to ‘tear down the wall’ that separates America’s children from educational success.

Texas is one of the states that is leading the way.

(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.)

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.

March 11

Eduardo Hernandez, 20, of Benton, La., was arrested by WPSO on failure to appear (in court) warrants for aggravated assault and possession of sch. III controlled dangerous substance.

March 12

Jarraius D. Franklin, 28, of the 100 block of Robertson Dr., Minden, was arrested by WPSO on a failure to appear warrant for no seatbelt.

Joshua Cody Monk, 37, of Mansfield, La., was arrested by WPSO for direct contempt.

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.

Mike Wayne Vaughan

June 2, 1955 – March 12, 2024

Springhill, LA.

Visitation: Noon until 2 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2024, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Graveside service: 3 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2024, Western Cemetery, Emerson, Ark.

Steven Lee Sissom

August 31, 1956 – March 11, 2024

Springhill, La.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Danny Bob Turner

March 25, 1946 – March 8, 2024

Benton, La.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Thursday, March 14, 2024, Cypress Baptist Church, 4701 Palmetto Drive, Benton, La.

Burial: Rose Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Rd., Bossier City.

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.)

By Pat Culverhouse

Sibley’s board of aldermen believe a proposed subdivision inside the town limits on U.S. 371 will be a reality, but it could be coming to fruition under different conditions following Monday’s meeting.

Aldermen voted unanimously to declare the site of Lane Meadows, approximate seven acres, as surplus which would pave the way for opening the property for public bid to potential developers.

“We want to see the dream Mayor (Jimmy) Williams had for developing this subdivision come true, but after much research we found unanticipated expenses that the town simply cannot cover,” interim Mayor Robert Smart said. “We’re simply taking a different direction to make this happen.”

Smart said those expenses would have dramatically increased the price of individual lots. “We spent a lot of time studying the project and we believe this is the most appropriate way to keep it on track,” he added.

Under Williams, the town had purchased the property located just inside the northern city limits. A 21-lot development was platted and plans had been moving forward to begin dirt work in early summer of this year.

Lane Meadows was a unique concept for a subdivision with the town of Sibley owning the property and promoting the development, which included selling lots for homesites.

After consulting the town’s attorney, Smart said the decision was made to seek the Sibley board’s approval to declare the property as surplus, and schedule a public hearing on Monday, April 8 to discuss seeking public bids.

“We’ve already been in contact with potential developers who have expressed an interest in developing the property,” Smart said. “Our intentions are to see Jimmy’s vision for Sibley’s future continue to come true.” 

Wednesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 77. South wind around 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Thursday Night

Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 4 a.m., then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 4 a.m. Low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Friday

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 7 a.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 76. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday Night

Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Chance of precipitation is 60percent.

* Information courtesy of National Weather Service.

You sports fans know we’re in the Crossover Season. Lots of moving parts. 

In the pros, baseball is in spring training, the NFL is in trade/arbitration/free agency/pass-the-blame offseason, and the NBA is nearing the start of its third trimester.

Yawn…

Then there is college, where campuses might not have enough fans to go around.

Tennis.

Track and field.

Softball and baseball.

Bowling. 

For some, beach volleyball. (We see you waving goodbye, Pac-12.)

Golf, for sure.

And in the Cucumber States, pickle ball. (Well, maybe one day …) 

But Crossover Season has just one Real Season, one that counts, and everybody who’s ever been in a gymnasium knows that.

It’s college basketball. Until March Madness is over, it’s tough to make more than a token investment in anything else. 

The men’s tournament started with eight teams in 1939 and grew with television, to 16 teams in 1951, to 64 in 1985, and eventually 67 games and 68 teams, from the First Four to the Final Four.

The women’s game and ultimately the tournament began to grow in the early 1980s. Check this out: the first Division I NCAA women’s champion defeated Cheyney State, 76-62, in 1982 in The Scope in Norfolk, Va. That would have been Louisiana Tech. Hometown team Old Dominion had been upset in the East Regional Semifinals, so the announced sellout crowd of 9,000-plus, thanks to corporate locals buying bunches of tickets, was a bit smaller than that.

TV ratings — CBS televised the title game as part of their contract with the men’s tournament — were miniscule. Still, the ball was rolling, and the Lady Techsters were the bunch that first kicked it down the road.

So Tech won the first one.

And the most recent Division I NCAA women’s champion, if memory serves, is LSU, a 102-85 winner over Iowa in the highest scoring final in the tournament’s history. That game was played before an announced crowd of 19,842 — and most of them were actually there — in the American Airlines Center in Dallas. ESPN viewership was nearly 10 million, a 100 percent increase over the year before.

Good times. 

So now the March action is twice the fun for those who are fans of both sports. If you are a fan of only one, that’s enough. That’s how good this tournament-times-two is.

I have not, as a writer, covered an NCAA Tournament beginning-to-end in a hard-to-believe 34 years. So when I write about things that happened in the mid-1980s, let’s say, it would be like me, back then, writing about the tournament as it was in the early-1950s.

In other words, names I’d type today about those 1980s times — names like Loyola Marymount, Bobby Cremins, Bucknell, St. Bonaventure, Bob Knight and Dick Tarrant — would be like me going back 30-plus years then and typing Canisius and Bradley and Clarence Iba and Slats Gill, Phil Woolpert and Adolph Rupp and a youngish John Wooden. Bill Russell and B.H. Born.

Go much further back and you’re talking peach baskets and a jump ball after every made basket.

Time is the great mystery. 

Things change. But that Thursday and Friday the first week of the tournament, four games in one day at each site, that’s the best Daily Double of the year. 

And always the surprises, in a tournament that’s proven timeless.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu