Journal Staff

As of 8 p.m. Wednesday, there were no further updates on the explosion at Goex Industries at Camp Minden other than those received from Louisiana State Police. Goex Industries’ officials have yet to release a statement.

Wednesday’s early morning explosion at Goex Industries, LLC, isn’t the first at the Camp Minden site for the black powder manufacturer which, according to its web site, is the only U.S. manufacturer of black powder.

An investigation of the incident, under the supervision of the Louisiana State Police, is continuing. Goex Industries reportedly is preparing a statement which will be released.

Since moving the operation to Camp Minden in 1997, Goex has suffered explosions on several other occasions. The last incident involving Goex Industries occurred in June, 2021 when roughly 1,000 pounds of black powder exploded in the corning mill plant. One worker reportedly was slightly injured during evacuation when he fell.

Other explosions occurred in July, 2006; November, 2004; October, 2001; January, 2000; and, November, 1998, less than a year after the plant opened. That 1998 accident resulted in the only death from explosion at the plant. 

Three employees have been injured in explosions, including two who were victims of the 2001 incident which caused roughly $2.5 million in damages.

While Goex has seen its share of explosive incidents, other similar accidents have befallen companies at Camp Minden and the former government-operated Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant (LAAP). Those include:

• October, 2012: A bunker owned by Explo, a company that dismantles and recycles old military bombs, exploded, a powerful blast that was felt throughout northwest Louisiana. No injuries were reported.

• August, 2006: Multiple explosions at Explo caused evacuations of homes, schools and highways in Doyline. The company lost about 200,000 sq. ft. of its plant; spent around $3.5 million relocating on the grounds and rebuilding. No injuries were reported.

• Also in 2006, a fire at Valentec Systems’ flare assembly plant destroyed one building. No injuries were reported.

• August, 1968: Six persons died and nine were injured when an explosion destroyed “F” line and facilities at the LAAP.

• January, 1963: One person died in a testing ground explosion at LAAP.

• July, 1962: An explosion on an assembly line killed three persons and injured six at LAAP.

• November, 1942: Five people were killed and one injured when a shell exploded in the “F” area shipping room.

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By Pat Culverhouse

What appeared to be a verbal altercation between a couple on Main St. turned into a drug arrest Tuesday evening after a Minden police officer intervened.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said 42-year-old Rankin Douglas Thomas, a resident of the 700 block of Plum St., is being held on charges of possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamine), obstruction of justice, resisting an officer with force or violence and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is currently housed at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. No bond has been set.

McIver said Officer Branthony Brown observed Thomas exit a vehicle stopped on the street around 9:45 p.m while arguing with the female driver. When the officer began interviewing Thomas, he reportedly reached into a pocket of the shorts he was wearing, produced a crystal substance wrapped in a lottery ticket and attempted to conceal the package under the fender of the vehicle.

Thomas reportedly ignored police commands to stop reaching into his pockets, then resisted attempts to be placed under arrest. After he was taken into custody, officers recovered the concealed substance from beneath the fender and found additional methamphetamine in Thomas’ front pocket.

During a search of a backpack belonging to Thomas, officers also discovered a used syringe containing a white substance.

McIver said the incident began when Thomas allegedly offered the driver of the vehicle money for gas rather than exit the vehicle as she requested. When the female driver refused a request from Thomas to accompany her to her residence, he allegedly grabbed the steering wheel and nearly caused a wreck.

In response to his actions, the driver applied her brakes, came to a halt and demanded that Thomas exit the vehicle. At that point, Officer Brown arrived.

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

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Thursday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1 p.m., then showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. High near 79. South wind around 5 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 77. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Saturday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 a.m., then a chance of showers between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m.. Partly sunny, with a high near 80. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Sunday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81.

Sunday Night

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then a chance of showers after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

* Information provided by National Weather Service.

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Today (Thursday) at 5 p.m. the link will close for this week’s Pick’em football contest in order to ensure all winners are in before games begin tomorrow.

Weekly winners will be notified and announced in the following Wednesday edition of the Journal, and photos will be taken with the owner of our Title Sponsor Under Dawgs. Remember, you must be 18 or older to play.

Monday, we will have wrap ups from this week’s high school games and Tuesday, the contest starts all over again.

So fire up your phones or computers and get ready to pick’em.

Here’s your link:

https://form.jotform.com/232385564755163

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By Jessica Gorman

Sallie Baker is the subject of what is the best-known ghost story/legend in Webster Parish and yet, we will probably never really know her true story. This article will not focus on the rumors about this lady whose memory has been tormented for decades after her death, her grave desecrated and vandalized over the years. Previous attempts have been made to explain the life of Sallie Baker, but even those stories don’t always ring true.

Sallie Ryan Carruthers was born to George W. Carruthers and Francis M. Gertman sometime between 1867 and 1870. There is almost a complete lack of consistency concerning her age on all available records. However, the 1900 U.S. Census reports her birth as occurring in June 1867.

There seems to be little information available about Sallie’s early life. A number of her siblings died young, as indicated by census records. A newspaper article from 2000 tells that Sallie hated her mother. We have no way of knowing if this is true but the story that is provided as an explanation doesn’t quite add up. It is claimed that the family moved from the Carolinas to Louisiana by way of covered wagon. Along the way, they were forced to dump all their possessions when the horses tired. This included “their China from England.” Reportedly, Sallie was broken-hearted.

The problem with this story is that Sallie seems to have been born in Louisiana as all records indicating her place of birth corroborate this fact. So far, I have been unable to locate the family on the 1870 census in order to confirm their residence. However, her father is mentioned in a Shreveport newspaper in November 1868 as being a visitor to Brooks House and his residence is given as Bossier Parish. Even if Sallie had been born in Georgia, she clearly would not have been old enough to cry over the loss of the china.

Another part of the story that is incorrect is the claim that the family came from the Carolinas. Her parents were married in Pulaski County, Georgia in 1856 and came to Louisiana sometime after the Civil War. The story also includes a Logan family that accompanied them on their trip, but the Logans were in Louisiana long before the Carruthers. This story of the two families is told by a member of the Logan family, identified as a niece to Sallie Baker. No family relationship has been found between the two.

In December 1896, Sallie was married to John Thomas Baker. She was somewhere between 27 and 30 years old. He was about ten years her senior. The couple never had any children. This fact may fuel part of the legend that says she killed all her children and buried them under the house. Mr. Baker died in 1925, reportedly of a heart attack. He is said to have leaned over and fallen off the porch, later sparking rumors that Sallie had pushed him. Other versions say she poured hot lead in his ear. And while the stories always give some varying number of husbands that she killed, usually somewhere between three and seven, she was only married once. She lived out the rest of her life a widow.

After the death of her husband, Sallie lived alone on Bellevue Road. She owned a large amount of land and records reveal many financial transactions involving that land, including oil and gas leases, timber deeds, and transfer of mineral rights. The blame for the stories told about her is often placed on those who may have been seeking to take advantage of her. The Bodcau Flood Control Project began in the late 1940’s. As were others, Sallie was forced to sell her property to the federal government.

Sallie Baker died on 15 July 1952 at her home in Cotton Valley, the home she had moved to after the sell of her property. Her obituary indicates burial in the Carruthers Cemetery. This implies the existence of other burials and not simply what has become known as a single, lonely grave.

It would seem that every known story about Sallie Baker has holes in it. Even those that she is supposed to have told about her own life. As I look closer, I seem to come up with more questions than answers, but mostly a sense that we owe it to Sallie to make sure it is known that the worst parts of her legend simply are not true. 

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

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By Marilyn Miller

Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 was a day for the Minden Presbyterian Church to remember late member and elder Jimmy Williams, with the dedication of a plaque and a statue in the sanctuary garden. The ceremony was made possible by the Jimmy Williams Classroom.

Mayor Williams passed away January 20, 2024 after battling multiple myeloma for five years. His obituary states that, “No one expected that it would be Jimmy’s loving and generous heart that would take him from us while sitting at home watching an NFL football game.”

The mayor of Sibley and past president of the Louisiana Municipal Association (LMA), he was most proud of the improvements made to the Sibley Water System, of bringing new businesses and opportunities to the town, and the formation of a new subdivision in the northern part of the municipality.

One of Mayor Williams’ most memorable moments was when, as president of the LMA, he was asked to lay the wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery.

When his late brother, Butch Williams, opened Minden Athletic Supply in 1973, Jimmy became one of its original employees. Over the past 50 years, he worked as manager, headed up team sales, constructed trophies, helped bring the first computers to the store, and completed many construction projects. He even started his own business, Williams Silkscreen.

Jimmy was a member of the 1972 Minden High School State Championship baseball team. He also played for and coached the Minden Redbirds baseball teams for over 30 years.

Mayor Williams was most proud of his family. He and his wife, Suzanne Kilgore Williams, have three children, daughters Christin W. Robinson and Jennifer W. Kirk; and one son, Jay Williams. A load of grandchildren made “Poppie” the most happy.

Leading the dedication ceremony were Pastor Keith Mariott, and fellow elders John Collins and Marilyn Miller, both members of the Jimmy Williams Classroom.

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By Pat Culverhouse

Friday’s Minden/Northwood matchup at W.W. Williams Stadium will showcase two of District 1-4A’s top teams and could go a long way toward notching an envious spot in the upcoming state playoffs.

State computer rankings have the Tide currently rated number seven in Class 4A while the Falcons come in at 14.

While North DeSoto sits atop the league with a perfect 5-0 record, Minden and Northwood stand at 4-1 entering the final two games of the season. Joining the Tide and Falcons in the three-way tie for second is Loyola, and the Flyers meet North DeSoto Friday night in another premier 1-4A clash.

Northwood has a tough finish to its season, facing the Tide and then hosting Loyola in its final game. Minden, on the other hand, ends its season against a Southwood team that is winless going into Friday night.

On paper, the Tide/Falcons contest appears even. The teams do have one common denominator: the only blemish on their record is a loss to North DeSoto. Minden dropped a 42-0 decision to the Griffins while Northwood fell by a score of 38-21.

Both teams have shown an ability to put the football into the end zone.

In district play, Minden has outscored opponents 138-79; Northwood is winning by 197-80. Overall, Minden is outscoring the opposition 231-132 while Northwood is overpowering opponents 332-154.

Offensively, the Tide has relied on a strong running game, piling up 1,660 yards so far this season on 325 rushes. Three backs have gained more than 200 yards this season, and five backs are averaging more than five yards per carry.

Denarius Crowe leads the way, picking up 490 yards on 85 carries for an average of 5.8 yard per carry and close behind is junior Caylien Aubrey who has 481 yards on 73 attempts, averaging 6.6 per carry.

Freshman Lucas Owens has gained 341 yards on 66 carries (5.2 average) while senior Porter Neal shows 188 total yards on 34 rushes (5.5 per carry). Junior Kaiden Shine has 162 yards  on 21 carries and a hefty 7.7 yards per try.

Through the air, junior quarterback Hudson Brown has completed 29 of 60 so far this year for 294 yards and two touchdowns.  Brayden Britton is the Tide’s leading receiver with 73 yards.

On defense, the Tide has strong showings in seven of its eight games this year, holding opponents to an average of just over 16 points per game while the offense is averaging nearly 29 per game.

Northwood will prove a challenge for Minden’s defense, with the Falcons scoring more than 40 points in six of its eight games, including a 64-point outburst against Mansfield. Defensively, Northwood has allowed just 20 points in its last three games.

(Statistics courtesy of Mark Chreene and KASO/KBEF sports.)

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Springhill Medical Center welcomes Sonya Thomas as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Sonya’s specialties are Family Medicine, Women’s Health and pediatrics.

FNPs assess, diagnose, and treat patients in all life stages, from toddlers to older adults. FNPs typically work on care teams with physicians and RNs. They handle common illnesses and injuries and refer patients to specialists when necessary.

For an appointment with Sonya, call 318-539-1701.

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Webster Jr High Football teams played their last games of the season Tuesday against Green Acres. The 7th graders lost, but the 8th grade Wolves blew them out 48-8.

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By GameChanger Media

Lakeside Warriors  easily dispatched Minden on Tuesday, 11-5.

Lakeside Warriors opened the scoring in the bottom of the first thanks to two walks. Lakeside first got on the board when McKenna Chreene drew a walk, scoring one run. An error extended the Warriors’ lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the third inning. Chreene stepped in the circle first for Lakeside. The hurler surrendered two hits and two runs (one earned) over five innings, striking out nine and walking two.

Moose Jernigan appeared in relief. Raleah Harris, Lexi Wood, MaKensie Hamiter, Madilynn Squyres and Jernigan each collected one hit for Lakeside Warriors. Emily Jones, Wood, Squyres, and Jernigan each drove in one run.

Teal Austin led with two walks.

Overall, the team had a strong eye at the plate, amassing 10 walks for the game. Austin and Rhea Waller each stole multiple bases. Lakeside Warriors stole eight bases in the game.

No. 3 drove the middle of the lineup, leading Minden with two runs batted in. The number three hitter went 2-for-3 on the day.

Copyright © 2024 GameChanger Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution and is subject to the Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc. Terms of Use, License Agreement, and Privacy Policy.

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

October 31

7 p.m. Hilltown Horrors Nightmare on North Main. Monday: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Tuesday: Insidious, Wednesday: The Conjuring, Thursday: IT. Spooky dinner, specials all four days, Spooking Louisiana history, costume contest, pet constume contest. Hosted by LaMa Animal Rescue, Kindred Spirits and Cajun Gyspy.

St. Jude Fundraiser Halloween at Webster Jr. High. $1 Halloween Shirt and jeans. $5 complete costume.

November 1-3

Main to Main Trade Days downtown Minden, highway 80 to Springhill.

November 2

7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jambin’ on Main in conjunction with Main to Main Trade Days. Taste testing and judging beginning at 11 a.m. Great food, Cajun and Zydeco music. Minden Civic Center parking lot.

10 a.m. until 1 p.m. 7th Annual Mission Baby Bazaar Craft/Bake Sale, First Baptist Church, Minden. All proceeds go to local families that are in the process of adoption and/or foster to adopt and support of local CASA program.

November 4

6 p.m. Last Night at the Museum event of the year. Guest speaker, Dawn Glass.

November 5

LDWF’s second and final Get Out & Fish! Catfish stocking of the fall will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 5, Turner’s Pond. 301 Lakeshore Dr., Minden.

November 8

8:30 a.m. Central Elementary will host its annual Veterans Day program. All local veterans are invited to the event and will be honored for their service to our country.

November 11

9 a.m. Veterans Day Program to honor area Veterans, Doyline High School. Veterans arrive between 8:20 and 8:50 a.m. Point of contact: Don Watson at don.watson@websterpsb.org .

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One of the best things about traveling and fishing across the south is that you never know what or who you might encounter. Sometimes you come across some nice folks who like to strike up conversation with you at the gas pump. Then there are times when you just want to get back to the truck and get the heck out of there! But either way, it’s all a part of the so called “road time” that all anglers must endure. 

While most of my experiences have been positive, there’ve been a few that I would rather forget. The worst trip I ever had to make was an 18-hour drive (one way) to Lake Okeechobee in south Florida. The drive alone was brutal, and this is where I developed a major respect for the guys that fish for a living.

 While traveling, I’m not one to stop and spend the night at a hotel especially pulling a bass boat, as you can quickly become a target for theft. So far, I’ve been very fortunate to have never been taken advantage of.  But I feel safer pulling into a rest stop occasionally for a quick power nap. 

Traveling all hours of the night, I seem to do well driving after dark. All I need are sunflower seeds, a large sweet tea, and I’m good to go! But there was one occasion where I guess you could say I hit a bump in the road. 

While traveling back from Lake Chickamauga in Tennessee, I had a blow out on my boat trailer. This has happened to me several times, so often that I could probably try out as a tire changer on a NASCAR pit crew. 

But on this particular night, my pit crew would have fired me! Let me set the stage for my debacle. It was in the wee hours of the morning, around 1:00 AM, as I was coming through Birmingham, Alabama, when I felt a major vibration in the steering wheel. This usually means one thing…a blown tire on my boat trailer. So, I pulled over in an area where there was some major highway construction taking place. Keep in mind that it is very dark and the only light I had was a weak cell phone and the headlights of passing cars. 

After emptying the entire back end of my truck so I could get to the floor jack and my pneumatic wrench, I slowly started the process of changing the flat tire. Now understand, there’s a right and a wrong way to put lug nuts on a wheel. Each lug nut has a beveled edge that is supposed to go on the wheel one way. 

Turns out, this is very important but when you’re changing a tire in the dark, some things you just don’t pay attention to. I was just wanting to get this tire changed and back on the road as quickly as possible. 

Getting the job done in record time that any man would be proud of, I was back on the road and headed for Louisiana. One hour later I needed gas, so I pulled into a Love’s Truck Stop (which are great) and hopped out of my truck and began to fill the tank. As the gas was flowing, I decided to do make sure the tarp on my boat was secure. 

Well, was I in for a shocking surprise! As I got to the trailer tire that I had changed out, I was amazed to see that the entire wheel was completely gone! OMG…where is the tire I replaced about an hour ago? It was obviously somewhere on the side of the road just west of Birmingham, Alabama! 

Still in shock, I pulled into the garage area of the Love’s Truck Stop and asked the mechanic if he had a trailer tire that would fit my boat trailer. Of course, he did not, but did know a local tire dealer who would. So, he made the call and the tire dealer sent me his store address that was luckily only ten minutes away, and told me to meet him there. 

Being 2:00 in the morning, I really hated to wake someone to get me a tire so I would not have to limp all the way back to Louisiana on just three tires. But this guy was not just a tire dealer, but the member of a local band that had just got in from a gig. 

He was so gracious and told me that one of two things probably happened for me to lose the wheel off my boat trailer. I either put the lug nuts on backwards, or I just didn’t get them tight enough. Of course, I blamed it on the dark and the fact that I couldn’t see what I was doing.  

Either way, this gentleman saved the day, and I pulled into my driveway 8 hours later. Again, this is all a part of the adventure of traveling and fishing some of the best lakes in the country. While things can get interesting quickly, you just have to stay positive and enjoy the drive…….most of the time!  

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Hanson Taravella, 32, 100 block Loop Rd., Minden; arrested Oct. 29 by MPD on warrant for failure to appear. Bond set at $20,000 surety or $1,200 cash.

Dock Antonio Odom, 63, 100 block Kennon Pit Rd., Heflin; arrested Oct. 29 by MPD on four outstanding warrants. Bond set at $20,000 surety or $750 cash.

Jerestin Logan Baugh, 22, 500 block Blue Run Rd., Minden; arrested Oct. 29 by WPSO for battery of a dating partner w/child endangerment.

Olympia Roslo, 43, 300 block 3rd St. SE, Springhill; arrested Oct. 29 by Cotton Valley PD for retail theft. Bond set at $500.

JoAnn Anderson, 63, 100 block Curtis St., Cotton Valley; arrested Oct. 29 by Cotton Valley PD for retail theft.

Angel LaMae Ward, 25, 700 block Madison Ave., Minden; arrested Oct. 28 by MPD for theft. Bond set at $500.

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

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Jerry Wayne Thompson

October 22,1944 – October 28, 2024

Cotton Valley, La./Taylor, Ark.

Visitation: 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, November 1, 2024, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024, Bailey Funeral Home Chapel, Springhill.

Burial, Plain Dealing Cemetery.

Cherry McEachern Covington

August 19, 1937 – October 25, 2024

Springhill, La.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until noon, Friday, November 1, 2024, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Graveside service: 2 p.m. Friday, November 1, Springhill Cemetery.

Marion Lee Elkins

July 23, 1945 – October 17, 2024

Shongaloo, La.

Graveside memorial service: 11 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2024, White Hall Cemetery, Shongaloo.

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

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From Louisiana State Police: On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at approximately 7 a.m., the Louisiana State Police Hazardous Materials Hotline received a notification from Goex Industries, LLC regarding an explosion that occurred at their facility on Camp Minden (Webster Parish). The incident necessitated an evacuation of the facility, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Louisiana State Police Emergency Services Unit promptly responded to the scene and confirmed the occurrence of the explosion.

Currently, there is no indication of any threat to public safety, and the incident has been contained within the perimeter of the facility. The Louisiana State Police is actively investigating the matter, and further details will be released as they become available.

Goex Industries, LLC is currently working on their press release and will disseminate it to the media.

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UPDATE: No one was evacuated from Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center following the explosion this morning. Sheriff Parker’s deputies were on the scene and have all returned to their regular duties. LSP remains on the scene.

ORIGINAL INFORMATION: According to Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker, there was another Goex Explosion at Camp Minden around 7 a.m. Wednesday (today). Parker said Louisiana State Police has taken over the investigation and information will be forthcoming. According to LSP PIO Eddie Thomas said they are verifying no injuries and a Hazmat team is on the scene assessing the situation.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

With only five hours left for early voting Tuesday, more than 7,300 persons had cast their ballots at Webster Parish Courthouse, Springhill Civic Center and by mail, according to Registrar of Voters Angela Hall.

“From the stats I saw, the first day of early voting was the largest number I’ve seen in any stats before,” Hall said. “But since then, it’s tapered off some, and it doesn’t look like we are going to beat the overall stats of 2020 – the last presidential election.”

Hall said that – as of Monday night – 678 fewer votes have been cast thus far than were cast in the same timeframe of early voting in 2020.

As of 1 p.m. Tuesday, 299 had voted in person in all of Webster Parish.

“We will continue to receive mail-in ballots until November 4 – the day before the election,” she added.

For those who did not vote early or by mail-in ballot, head to your polling place Tuesday, November 5.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that the first of four bridges has been removed and replaced along LA 160 in Webster Parish as part of an ongoing $9.4 million project. The largest bridge of the four, over Dorcheat Bayou, is now complete.

The contractor has now mobilized to begin work on the other three smaller bridges located over Dorcheat Relief in close proximity to each other, just east of the first bridge, and will begin removing all three simultaneously to prepare for replacement. (see included map)

The replacement of the three bridges is anticipated to take approximately one year, with progress always dependent on weather and other factors that can impact construction timelines.

Other work associated with these bridge replacements includes grading, drainage structures, pavement patching, roadway base, and asphalt overlay.

Motorists are currently detouring using US 371, LA 2, and LA 159.

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By Paige Gurgainers

Local muggles (although many tried to pass as witches and wizards) had a once in a lifetime opportunity to enter the magical realm of Harry Potter on Monday evening at the Webster Parish Library Minden Branch. 

“I think participants enjoyed this year’s ‘theme’ in particular. Drawing inspiration from one of our most popular book series, this year our staff created a Harry Potter Attraction House that was, in my opinion, incredible,” said library executive director Savannah Jones. “Next year, we plan to make improvements to accommodate the growing crowds.” 

Attendees were able to catch a trolly and enjoy a stroll through numerous depictions of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After they finished up inside, they were able to move along the line gathering treats and visit with many local municipalities, businesses and schools that adorned the parking lot with decorated trunks. 

The Webster Parish Library administration enjoyed seeing all the creative costumes.  

“The library is seen as a place for all,” said Jones. “Each year this event has grown. To me, this indicates that parish residents look forward to coming together as a community to celebrate the season. Our libraries are the perfect place for this because we serve all Webster Parish residents providing them a sense of ownership and in turn offering them a welcoming environment.” 

Between Minden, Springhill and Doyline Trunk-or-Treat events, there were collectively more than 3,400 that attended.  

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Wednesday

A 20 percent chance of showers after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 10 to 15 mph.

Wednesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70 percent.

Thursday

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 77. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Thursday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.

Friday

A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.

Friday Night

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

* Information provided by National Weather Service.

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Congratulations, Bernadette Key, Week 8 of Webster Parish Journal’s Pick’em Contest. Key and several other players tied with 9 correct picks, but she broke it with the tie breaker. Key did not want her picture taken, but here is a hard worker at Under Dawg’s Sports Grill, Title Sponsor of our contest waving her $100 prize.

Here is Week 9’s Link. It will close at 5 p.m. Thursday, so be sure and play. Remember, you must be 18 or older to win. Here’s your link: https://form.jotform.com/232385564755163

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There is a popular Christian contemporary song called the Goodness of God, that has been around for awhile now, but its message continues to touch the hearts of anyone who hears it. My favorite version is CeCe Winans. The song begins with these lyrics:

I love you, Lord

For Your mercy never fails me

All my days, I’ve been held in your hands

From the moment that I wake up

Until I lay my head

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.

‘Cause all my life you have been faithful

And all my life You have been so, so good

With every breath that I am able

Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God

As we approach the Thanksgiving season, it is a common practice to be more intentionally mindful of all our blessings. Some of you may even currently keep a gratitude journal on a regular basis. During a recent Bible study, the writer shared that she took the concept of a gratitude journal and instead of writing down her blessings, she wrote down how God was showing up for her in that season of life. She wanted to shift the focus from what blessings she was grateful for receiving to focusing on who God is. She shared that a shift began to happen in her heart as she set her heart to know God in a more personal and intimate way. She began to look for God first when she opened the scriptures. She became more aware of God’s presence in her life. He began to increase in her life. His goodness, grace, mercy, love, kindness, conviction, compassion, and the list goes on and on.

What if we took on this practice for the month of November and focused our attention not on the gifts and blessings we receive and enjoy, but focused on the Giver of all things? Maybe you grab a journal and make a note at the beginning or end of our day how God made himself known to you? Was He your Comforter? Did His kindness lead you to repentance? Did you experience peace that surpasses all understanding? Was He a place of refuge and strength?

Write it down or maybe write your own Psalm using the song lyrics listed above or one of the Psalms listed below as a guide.

Here are just a few Psalms that talk about giving thanks to God and acknowledging who he is and what he has done, is doing, and will do.

Psalm 9:1 ~ I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart: I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 103:1-2 (you really need to read the entire Psalm) Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—

Psalm 136: 1 ~ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

May God meet you where you are in this season of Thanksgiving. In joy, may you experience His celebration with you. In trials, may you experience His guidance, strength, and endurance. In grief, may you experience His comfort and peace. In all things, may you experience His goodness, grace, love, and mercy. May you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart open to receive it all and then share it with those around you.

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Good chicken salad is like pornography. We can’t really define it, but we know it when we see it.

And taste it.

We live among a people bent on throwing wrenches into what should be the simplest things. Pee wee ball. Music awards shows. The high school prom.

And chicken salad. 

Instead of just playing, singing, dancing, or eating, we end up injecting everything with steroids, putting it under strobe lights, and driving people crazy.

These are the people our parents warned us about, the kind of complicated folk who mess up one-car funerals. And it’s not because they’re stupid. It’s because they want to add seven more cars, two taxis and a tow truck — just because. Too much time on their hands.

Big problem.

Nowhere is the disease more rampant than in your foodstuffs. I offer, for your consideration and contemplation, chicken salad. So simple, yet so misunderstood. It falls into a troublesome category of food that can be either really good or really bad. Usually, it turns bad when people try to glorify it and lift it above its reason for being. 

Think of a jacked-up VW with chrome and mud flaps. Some things just aren’t meant to be. 

My friend Ma Parker came back from lunch this week lit up like a Christmas tree. The reason was music to my ears.

“I just had,” she said, “some really, really good chicken salad.”

Sweet. It’s hard to come by in these modern times, so hard that, when you find it, you have to seek out a friend and comment, spread the love.

Chicken salad need not be complicated. I am no pro but when I think chicken salad, I think chicken, a little mayo and hint of mustard, some ground pepper, a smidge of lemon juice, and you’re ready to roll. 

Remember when you were little and you got sick and had to go to the doctor, and your mom always tried to do a little extra something special for you to get you over the hump? 

Mine bought me a chicken salad sandwich at a pharmacy that had a grill in the same town that had a doctor. Spoiled me for life. David’s Pharmacy in Mullins, S.C. They had a sandwich press deal and it would toast the bread with your “chick sal” stuff already inside and it came out crisp and heavenly.

The word I’m looking for is succulent. So succulent. It was almost worth getting sick just to get one.

On the panini sandwich deal, they were 40 years ahead.

Forty YEARS.

So I had David’s when I got sick, and every other day I had my momma’s understated chick sal in a clear Tupperware bowl in the icebox at the house. You just snatched a bit, put it on a piece of white bread, fresh and lush, folded it over and went back to your bicycle. 

Sweet.

But today … cranberries and grapes and nuts in chicken salad? Apples? 

Seriously? Would you put pork butt roast in your jello mold?

No doubt there are different strokes for different folks. To each his own and to and fro and all of that but …

I’m on a campaign to get celery, whose popularity defies logic, out of tuna fish sandwiches and chicken salad and I know my work is cut out for me there, but grapes? Nuts? Really? I love trail mix. 

But not in chicken salad.

Where we error is when we think “adding stuff” makes things better. Not always.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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