Editor’s note: This Caney Lake is NOT the Caney Lake located north of Minden.

When it comes to bass fishing, there are a lot of great lakes in our region of the country that are loaded with trophy size largemouth bass. Several lakes come to mind; Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Caddo and Lake Fork to name a few. Louisiana has another lake that would fall into this same category….Caney Lake! 

Located in the heart of Northeast Louisiana just north of Winnfield and south of Monroe off Hwy 34, Caney Lake pretty much dominates the landscape and holds many of the top ten record bass ever caught in Louisiana waters. 

It’s a 5000-acre lake created by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries in 1986 as a part of its “Trophy Lake” program; and boy it has not disappointed. Caney has seen a lot of changes over the years especially when it comes to grass (Hydrilla). It also has a great supply of coon-tail moss, dollar pads and milfoil, creating plenty of quality cover for bass to hide.

From the beginning, as part of the Louisiana Trophy Lake program, a slot limit was introduced from 15 to 19 inches. This slot allowed for good quality fish to spawn and reproduce. This means that any fish caught inside the slot must be released immediately. 

But it was only a few years ago that Caney was anything but a trophy lake as grass carp were introduced and almost destroyed this great fishery. Today, it has rebounded and is loaded with solid areas of grass (Hydrilla) with good structure as well. 

The bass have responded with record fish being brought to the scales. In order to win a tournament on this lake, you’ll need anywhere from 22 to 28 pounds with your best five fish. On December 28, 2023, a new state record for the largest 5 fish stringer came in on Caney as Colby Dark and Gage Struben of La. Tech Bass Fishing Team weighed-in an incredible 48.6 pound stringer!

But this lake is much more than a bass fishery, as the crappie and bream population is extremely strong. The problem is with great fishing comes a lot of traffic, as anglers from all over the region compete for the better places on the lake. There’s also a good selection of boat docks to fish if that’s your preferred choice of cover. 

The lake is such a beautiful place to go fishing but understand that you may have to sit in line to launch your boat. This is especially true during the peak fishing season of early spring, but there are plenty of ramps to choose from around the lake.  

It’s also a great family lake with plenty of room to ski, tube or just go swimming. Jimmy Davis State Park is an excellent place to set up camp for a long weekend and enjoy a great playground and a really nice beach area. The State Park also offers campsites and cabins along with two large family lodges. 

All of this is a testament to how good Caney Lake is today, and it doesn’t appear it will be slowing down anytime soon. But if it’s the big bass you’re after, the best time to catch one of these Caney lunkers would be from December through April. 

To wrap this up, if you’re looking for a great place to enjoy the great outdoors and maybe catch the biggest bass of your life, take the time to explore Caney Lake. It truly is a hidden gem in Northeast Louisiana and due to the recent national TV exposure and publicity from Major League Fishing (MLF), it’s no longer a secret! To learn more about this awesome fishery, go to caneylakelife.com

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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William F. Barnett

August 31, 1939 – October 19, 2024

Minden, La.

Visitation: 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Eastside Missionary Baptist Church, Minden.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. immediately following visitation.

Burial: 12:30 p.m. Whispering Pines 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.

William “Bill” L. Stanberry Sr.

March 1, 1932 – October 15, 2024

Minden, La.

Visitation: 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Minden.

Funeral service: 10 a.m., immediately following visitation.

Burial: Friendships Cemetery, Haynesville, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

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

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Monday was a good day at Minden City Hall thanks to word of a $509,000 grant to fund most of the replacement of a 100-year-old water main.

“This is a very important project,” said Mayor Nick Cox.

The city originally budgeted $650,000 of ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds to replace the Shreveport Road water main from the railroad tracks to the water tower.

States’ Economic Development Assistance Program (SEDAP) is a competitive grant program through Delta Regional Authority provides direct investments for basic public infrastructure.

With this grant, only a portion of the budgeted ARPA money will be needed, which means the rest can be used for other projects.

“That frees up half a million dollars in ARPA funds,” said Cox, “to pay for overages on that and other projects – maybe even a new project.”

Cox said the project will go out for bid “pretty soon.”

“The city pays for the project, and then is reimbursed with grant money,” he said. “And we have the money in a capital infrastructure project fund.”

All American Rescue Plan money must be designated for use by December 31, 2024 or returned to the federal government.

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While the most recent boil advisory on Yale Street has been lifted, the City Of Minden issued another Monday for the customers on the 100, 300, 400, 500, 600, 800 and 1000 blocks of Talton St. as well as all of Murdock St. due to a water main break. Visit the City Of Minden Website at Mindenusa.com for further information.

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It’s Week 8 of the Webster Parish Journal Pick’em Contest, and we have a link for you to click on and $100 for you to win. Week 7’s winner will have HER photo taken at Under Dawgs, our Title Sponsor. Just maybe it will be your photo in the Journal next week. Remember, you must be 18 or older to play! Good Luck!

https://form.jotform.com/232385564755163

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The Ticklebones family has been waiting so long to see Minden Mayor Nick Cox they have turned to … well … bones. The mayor is shown here chastising the Tickles for being so impatient as the important business of the city must come first before anything else. It’s not likely the Ticklebones will stay at City Hall very long. Ms. Jo McWoodsen has had enough of their flashing red eyes and crazy antics while they have been waiting for an audience with the mayor.

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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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Students from four south Webster Parish High Schools were presented with the Honesty & Integrity Awards from Minden Masonic Lodge #51 earlier this week. Special guest, Mason Jay McCallum, who sits on the Louisiana Supreme Court, gave out the awards and kept the audience laughing.

Today’s recipients, representatives of Lakeside High School, are Kameron Lewis and Lauren Williamson. Look for additional winners this week in the Webster Parish Journal.

“We need to do all we can to encourage these young people (to develop honesty and integrity in their lives),” Justice McCallum told a large audience gathered at Minden’s Masonic Lodge.

Each of the eight students, who were selected after interviews with people from their schools, churches, civic and school clubs, and various other adults, were also presented with a check by Masonic Chaplain Richard Fletcher on behalf of the Temple Masonic Lodge in Bossier City. (Photo by Marilyn Miller)

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By Paige Gurgainers

Cultural Crossroads of Minden is currently preparing for their 6th Annual Minden Maker’s Fair. The event is set to take place at the Farm (across from Save a Lot) on Saturday, November 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Cultural Crossroads is the only 501c3 non-profit arts organization in the parish whose mission is to “Unite All People Through the Arts.” The Maker’s Fair is only one way the organization strives to accomplish that.  

 “Minden Maker’s Fair is modeled after the Maker’s Fair Movement that has taken root in the U.S., where makers whose goods are handmade gather to sell their wares to the public, artisans demonstrate their craft and fun activities are available throughout the event,” said President of the Board of Directors for Cultural Crossroads. “Our event is focused on creating and fostering an appreciation for the arts and a sense of community and connection.” 

Vendors will be set up selling anything and everything from artwork, home goods, clothing, jewelry, pottery, stained glass and more. There will also be food vendors selling a variety of culinary confections for attendees to enjoy while they shop.  

“In addition to handmade goods, attendees will find several free activities and demonstrations to help them learn about what goes into creating art,” said Eaton. “There will be demonstrations scheduled throughout the day.” 

Ivy Woods will demonstrate glassblowing, and Mandie Ebard will be set up for kids to use her pottery wheel. Jennifer Aldridge from Turn Up Dance Fitness will host workshops teaching kid-friendly dance moves to anyone who may be interested. Jelly the Clown will offer free face painting and balloon sculptures. The Mischief Makers Creation Station will feature creative instruments kids can play and more in the courtyard of Zenobia’s house.

Webster Parish Libraries and the LSU AgCenter will be sponsoring some in-person crafts, as well.  

The Maker’s Fair offers many free components and only possible through the sponsorships of local businesses. The Cultural Crossroads of Minden is still searching for a title sponsor for the 2024 event.  

If your business or organization would like to play a vital role is “uniting all people through the arts,” please reach out to Elaine Eaton at culturalcrossroadsofminden@gmail.com 

You can also sign up to become a donor via http://www.mindenmakersfair.com. 

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Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night

Clear, with a low around 55. Calm wind.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 86.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 57.

* Information provided by National Weather Service.

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By Paige Gurgainers

The Webster Parish Library will be hosting their annual Trunk or Treat event in Minden on October 28 beginning at 5 p.m. 

“A Hogwarts Trunk or Treat – Chamber of Secrets Edition” will feature a brand-new attraction that not only fits this year’s theme but will offer a form of transportation for attendees.  

A 27-passenger trolley shuttle AKA the Hogwarts Express will be accessible from public parking locations (highlighted in red on the attached map). The shuttle’s pickup/drop-off location is highlighted in yellow. The trolley will run from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is free to ride.  

“Due to the anticipated large crowd, road closures, and limited parking availability on the day of the event at our Minden location, we are pleased to offer a complimentary trolley shuttle service,” said Director of Marketing for Webster Parish Libraries Kim Sentell. “We encourage the public to utilize this free service for a smoother and more convenient event experience. A special thank you to the City of Minden and the Webster Parish Police Jury for providing these designated parking options.” 

For the safety of walking pedestrians, the following roads will be closed to traffic: 

• East and West Street (between Elm Street and Buchanan Street) – Front of the Library 
• Ferguson Street (between Elm Street and Buchanan Street) – Behind the Library Parking. 

The event will allow guests to step inside the world of Harry Potter as the library has worked diligently to transform the branch into their own version of the “Chamber of Secrets.” Trunk or Treating will take place outside with food vendors set up in front. There will also be balloon artists and face painting. There is no charge to attend.

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I don’t know how the election will turn out Nov 5th, but many reliable metrics indicate that Pres. Trump is surging.  As are millions of Americans, I am prayerfully hopeful that the election will be conducted honestly and that he and his policies prevail.

Whatever the outcome, I think there are certain events and watershed moments that will, in the fullness of time, prove to have directly impacted the race. 

The first of these was the June presidential debate in which millions of Americans witnessed for the first time—due to the willful deceit of those around Pres. Biden—how mentally and physically deteriorated Biden had become.

The 2nd event was the forcing of Biden out of the race to be replaced by VP Kamala Harris who, while perhaps best positioned to step in as the Democrat nominee, was likely not the best suited to do so.  Nor, honestly, does she have the moral credibility to lead given her central role in the three-year cover-up of Biden’s declining faculties.  There are other national Democrats who would have been stronger candidates.  

VP Harris has demonstrated no willingness or ability to defend the policies of the Administration of which she has been a part for over 3.5 years—many of which are broadly unpopular.  On one hand, she can claim that she supports Pres. Biden’s policies and as a result must live with the negative view of millions of Americans about those policies.  On the other hand, if she tries to break cleanly with Pres. Biden, she offends her far Left base, upon which her only hope in this election rests.

In her first major, individual decision she chose Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, passing over the popular Gov. Josh Shapiro of the critically important swing state of PA.  There may be several reasons for this decision but one of them may have been VP Harris’s desire to avoid inflaming the Israel-Palestinian conflict by choosing a Jewish running mate.  In hindsight, Shapiro would have been a far preferable choice to the quirky and cartoonish Walz.  And Shapiro isn’t known for putting tampons in high school boys’ locker rooms or for claiming to have fought in combat when he was never anywhere near the battle.   

Of course, this is to say nothing of the Vance-Walz debate between the two VP candidates.  Walz was outmaneuvered and overmatched by Vance which helped form the nation’s impression of Walz.

The assassination attempt of Pres Trump in Butler, PA is another moment of great symbolic importance.  In an already iconic photo, Trump, bleeding from the ear—blood covering half his face—rose and exhorted the crowd to “fight, fight, fight!”  If it was possible to top that event, Trump’s dramatic return to Butler, a mere 30 days before the election, electrified the crowd, if not much of the nation. 

VP Harris’ appearance on The View was a colossal error.  This is particularly so given her response to the question of how she distinguishes herself from Pres. Biden’s policies and decisions.  She couldn’t think of anything she would do differently. “There Is Not A Thing That Comes To Mind,” said Kamala. This was stunning. Her response removed any doubt regarding whether she would continue the Biden policies that have the country in the shape it is in.  She will.

As Bret Baier asked her on the FOX interview, “You say you want to ‘turn the page.’ But turn the page from what? You’ve been in office for the last 4 years.'”

Perhaps the most disqualifying trait of VP Harris is her relentless effort to deflect when any substantive questions are posed to her.  Her unwillingness to address in detail what her plans are for the country beyond the generic and unavailing bromides she regularly offers, leaves voters with very little information about her based upon which to make a voting decision.

When you contrast this deflection and evasiveness with the countless unscripted interviews in which Pres. Trump and Sen. Vance have vigorously participated—and the simple, concrete, and repetitive articulation of plans and policies by those men—the candidacy and stature of VP Harris are diminished.

I think all of these factors will weigh on voters’ minds as they head to vote on or before Nov. 5th.  All we can do in the meantime is to continue to pray for our nation.

(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.)

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United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:

Food: Vienna sausage, pasta, powdered milk 

Household goods: sheets, towels & wash cloths, pots, pans & skillets

Clothing: men’s pants (32 and 34 waist), men’s shoes (9 and 10)

Thank you for supporting UCAP!

UCAP is open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at 204 Miller Street, Minden, for food, utility and rent assistance. Clothing is dispersed on Wednesdays only.

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

October 21

6 p.m. Night at the Museum with Wesley Harris. Wild Boys: Outlaws Link Waggonner and Tom Kinder and the Policy of Violence in 1890s Louisiana.

October 22

10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Job Fair and Resource Expo 2024, Minden Civic Center. For inquires, call 318-377-4240 or email info@mindenchamber.com.

4 until 6 p.m. Webster Parish Library Springhill location, face painting artists Evelyn Colvin and Becky Meziere at Hogwarts Trunk or Treat event.

6 until 8 p.m.

Autumn Leaves & BINGO Breeze, Meadowview Health & Rehab Center. Free, all ages welcome. Prizes, refreshments, 400 Meadowview Road, Minden.

October 26

6 until 9 p.m. Fall Festival at Minden Rec Center. Jump houses, games, trunk or treat, costume contest, and lots of family fun! Haunted House entry is $1 per person. Parking and admission is FREE!

October 27

11 a.m. Pack the Pews Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Service, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1978 Hwy. 531, Minden, Terry Combs, pastor. Speakers: LaKishia Grider and Lawiess Grider. Please wear pink to show your support.

6 p.m. Voting ends for LaMa Animal Rescue’s Photo Contest. Visit https://www.facebook.com/share/p/uiaoKpWfYV9oRcuD/?mibextid=qi2Omg to cast your ballot.

October 28

5 until 7 p.m. Webster Parish Library Minden location, face painting artists Evelyn Colvin and Becky Meziere at Hogwarts Trunk or Treat event.

October 28-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.

November 2

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 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.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is reminding Wildlife Management Area (WMA) hunters and outdoorsmen of a burn ban in many parishes due to extremely dry conditions.

The bans include the burning of trash and vegetation, as well as any other open burning. For this reason, LDWF is restricting open fires, including campfires, on WMAs in these parishes until conditions improve and the burn bans are lifted. 

The burn ban map can be found at https://louisiana.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?layers=363fa05d91ee4d7d903c7167447785a2. 

While campfires are often part of hunting traditions in Louisiana, LDWF is asking hunters and campers to cooperate with the burn bans to ensure the safety of others and to protect forest and wildlife resources.

Violation of the burn ban order could result in criminal and/or civil penalties.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is tasked with responding to wildfires. In the event of an emergency, call 911 or the LDAF 24-Hour Emergency Hotline at 1-855-452-5323.

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Cameron Romain, 28, 1200 block Country Club Circle, Minden; arrested Oct. 18 by MPD for domestic abuse battery, false imprisonment, interfering with emergency communication.

Nona Kinsey, 65, 100 block Crichton Rd., Sibley; arrested 18 by Sibley PD on outstanding warrants.

Patrick T. Hatter, 35, Barrett St., Springhill; arrested Oct. 17 by WPSO on fugitive warrant.

Veronica A. Clements, 35, 700 block Hwy. 154, Jamestown; arrested Oct. 17 by Probation and Parole for probation parole.

Milton Lee Mosby III, 26, 1800 block Bridgeman Rd., Haynesville; arrested Oct. 18 by WPSO for speeding, driving under suspension, fugitive from Claiborne Parish.

Soldrekas M. Parker, 26, 1100 block 6th St. SW, Springhill; arrested Oct. 19 by WPSO on outstanding warrants. Bond set $250.

Jami Lynn Pauley, 53, 1200 block 4th St. SE, Springhill; arrested Oct. 20 by WPSO on outstanding warrant. Bond set $2,500.

Dexter M. Mason, 48, 700 Goodwill St., Minden; arrested Oct. 20 by WPSO on outstanding warrant.

Demario Marquis Walker, 37, Sullivan St., Minden; arrested Oct 21 by WPSO on outstanding warrants for unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, failure to appear on home invasion. Bond set $50,000.

Vacouski Kimble, 27, 200 block 3rd Pinehill, Springhill; arrested Oct. 18 by MPD on bench warrant. Bond set $550 cash or $20,000 surety.

Jesse Ruybal Jr., 36, 100 block Murphy St., Doyline; arrested Oct. 18 by MPD for stalking, harassing phone calls. Bond set $2,000.

Kathryn C. Wallis, 35, Burrell Lane, Minden; arrested Oct. 18 by Dixie Inn PD on outstanding warrants, as fugitive from Minden PD. Bond set $660.

Nicholas Williams, 23, Warren St., Minden; arrested Oct. 18 by MPD on outstanding warrant. Bond set $500.

Anthony Maurice Jones, 22, San Antonio, TX; arrested Oct. 19 by MPD on fugitive warrant from Bexar County, TX.

Quinterris Deangelo Rice, 26, 700 block Plum St., Minden; arrested Oct. 20 on outstanding warrant for domestic abuse with child endangerment.

Trey Kaelin Jackson, 29, 10,000 block Woodmeadow Parkway, Dallas, TX; arrested Oct. 20 by Louisiana State Police for DWI first offense, careless operation of a vehicle.

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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William F. Barnett

August 31, 1939 – October 19, 2024

Minden, La.

Visitation: 9 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Eastside Missionary Baptist Church, Minden.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. immediately following visitation.

Burial: 12:30 p.m. Whispering Pines 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.

William “Bill” L. Stanberry Sr.

March 1, 1932 – October 15, 2024

Minden, La.

Visitation: 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2024, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Minden.

Funeral service: 10 a.m., immediately following visitation.

Burial: Friendships Cemetery, Haynesville, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

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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Glenbrook School of Minden has received an international honor.

According to Darden Gladney, Glenbrook Head of School, “We are proud to announce that Glenbrook School of Minden has been named a 2024 Cognia School of Distinction for excellence in education. This achievement recognizes our school’s exceptional commitment to improving each day for our students.”

Accreditation from Cognia is a valuable mark of distinction recognized around the world. Each year, Cognia identifies schools that best exemplify excellence in education and stand out in their service to learners, based on Cognia’s rigorous accreditation process.

This honor is a recognition of schools which are memorable within Cognia for outstanding exemplification of the Cognia Performance Standards.

During the 2023-2024 school year, nearly 4,000 schools and systems were approved by the Cognia Global Commission for new or continued  accreditation, and 49 schools and 11 systems, from 20 states and 7 countries, were recognized as Cognia Schools of Distinction. Even more notable, one Louisiana school, Glenbrook School of Minden, is among the schools selected for this international honor.

On October 4, 2024, Christina McCreary, Cognia Director – Southeast Region, traveled from Oklahoma to present the recognition plaque and join the celebration of this accomplishment in an assembly attended by the student body of Glenbrook School.

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By Pat Culverhouse

A relentless ground attack and a smothering defense propelled the Minden Crimson Tide to its sixth win of the season Friday, a 41-16 victory over the BTW Lions in Shreveport.

Minden rushed for a season’s high 377 yards, with a pair of Crimson Tide runners going over the 100-yard mark. Junior Caylien Aubrey led the way with 135 yards on 12 carries while freshman Lucas Owens piled up 116 on 16 attempts.

Aubrey had two touchdowns on the night and Owens scored once.

BTW scored first in the contest when Jaylen O’Neal scooped up a Tide fumble and sped 66 yards to pay dirt. A Devion Stewart conversion pass to Von’travious Moore put the Lions up 8-0 with 9:03 remaining in the first quarter.

Minden answered with 4:22 left in the first quarter when quarterback Hudson Brown sneaked into the end zone from three yards out, the first of his three short TD runs in the game. Braxton Glover’s kick made it 8-7, and the Tide was just getting started.

Brown scored again from one yard out with 5:25 left in the second quarter to put the Tide ahead 14-8 heading into halftime.

Aubrey picked up a pair of scores in the third quarter when he broke loose on a 33-yard TD run with just over eight minutes remaining, then followed that only two minutes later with a five-yard burst up the middle. That score came following a Kameron Harris interception and Minden led 27-8.

Special teams put BTW back in the game when Vinson Blake, Jr. picked up another Minden fumble and dashed 70 yards for a touchdown. An Aaron Dillard run put the score at 27-16 heading into the fourth quarter.

A pair of fourth quarter scores on Brown’s two-yard sneak and Owens’ 11-yard run put ran the Tide’s season record to 6-1 and 3-1 in District 1-4A play.

Minden’s defense turned in another strong performance, keeping the Lions’ offense out of the endzone and out of Tide territory for most of the contest, with both Lions scores coming on fumble returns. BTW managed just 79 yards of total offense, with 54 of that coming through the air.

Adding to the Tide’s rushing totals were Denarius Crowe with 60 yards on 13 carries, Porter Neal with 37 yards on four rushes and Kaiden Shine with 33 yards on 6 tries.

Through the air, Brown completed three of nine attempts for 21 yards to put Minden’s total offensive output at 398 yards.

Another District 1-4A contest is next on the Tide’s schedule when the team travels to Bossier to take on the Bearkats Friday.

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By Travis Chapman

The super moon of October led the way down I-20 to Lincoln Parish where the Glenbrook Apaches would defeat the district foe, Lincoln Prep Panthers by a score of 24-20. The Apaches started on offense and marched the ball down the field with a mixed attack, and on 4th and 5 from Panther 30, The Red Rifle found Action Jackson Waller for a 30-yard TD. The extra point was good and the Apaches took the early lead, 7-0. The Apaches pushed an onside kick where Sonic Seth made an NFL catch on the sideline with both feet in to give the Apaches the ball on the Panther 38-yard line. Sanders found Jackson on a middle WR screen where Action Jackson picked up a quick 17 yards. The Apaches faced a 3rd and 9 where the pass fell incomplete on the 1. The Apaches would go for it on 4th down but a rare dropped pass on the 10 forced a turnover on downs. The Panthers took over on their own 25. The defense stuffed 2 quick runs with Awesome Dawson Day and Huddy Glasscock making a tackle for loss to bring up a long 3rd down to which the ball fell incomplete. The Panthers were forced to punt quickly. The Apaches started on their own 21 yard-line, running it down the Panthers’ throats with Sonic Seth picking up a first down, then took the hand off again and picked up another 18 yards and a first down. The Apaches picked up a first down at the Panther 21 but a false start would back them up 5. Sonic Seth followed the hole and picked up 8 yards. Vicious Vining showed his prowess with nabbing a great ball to nearly pick up the first down. Vining said, FEED ME, and picked up another 5 yards and a first down at the Panther 9. The Panther D stiffened up and forced an Apache FG attempt. Easton Sanders booted it right down Broadway. The Apaches would stretch the lead, 10-0 with 40 ticks left in the first. The Apaches perfectly executed the onside kick again where Sonic Seth beat the Panthers and took possession for the Apaches, yet again at the 39 yard line. 

Viscous Vining stayed hungry and blasted forward from a great O-Line push behind Big D, Nolan Still, Franklin Bridwell. Colt Jellum, a 9th grader, came in and showed his toughness as he led blocked for Vining and blew the hole up with his hair on fire. There will be great things to come from him in his high school career. The Apaches nearly picked up a first down on 3rd and 8 but faced a 4th and a long 3 from the Panther 23. The Red Rifle found the solid hands of Darron “The Dime” Hollingsworth to pick up a fresh set of downs. Sonic Seth took it twice to pick up a new set of downs on the Panther 1. Sonic Seth muscled his way thru the hole for an Apache TD. The extra point was good. The Apaches led 17-0 with 7:52 left in the first half. On another perfectly executed onside kick, Huddy Glasscock blew thru the gap and picked up the ball for the Apaches AGAIN! The Apaches took over on the Panther 46 yard line. The Apaches moved the ball with great hands by Action Jackson and Sonic Seth where the Apaches punched it in again The Apaches lead grew to 24-0 at the 6:00 water break in the first half. 

Apaches had to kick it deep from an offside, but the Apaches defense looked to stop the Panthers speed.  The Apaches defense held strong and forced a 2nd and 35 where CP-10 nearly intercepted the Panthers QB. Nearly 2 INTs from the Apaches defensive backs, in which, Connor Bolton absolutely intercepted the ball, but they called incomplete. The Apaches took over after a Panther punt on the 50 with 4:12 left. The Apaches faced a third and long but 3 straight incompletions forced an Apaches punt. 

Big D-Boy, Daivari Jackson got to the QB on the ensuing possession and had a huge sack for a loss. D-Boy continued to eat with another sack in consecutive plays. The Panthers faced a 3rd down and a cab ride and the Panthers were tackled for loss again to bring up a 4th and 40 with 1:18 left in the half. After a bad punt the Apaches would look to score from the Panther 34 with 1:10 remaining. A nearly caught deep ball brought up a 4th down where Easton Sanders NARROWLY missed a 49yard field goal. The Apaches D smothered the Panthers to end the first half with the Apaches in the lead, 24-0. 

The Apaches were set to kick off to the Panthers to start the second half. Nearly catching yet another onside kick, the Apaches defense would look to continue to dominate as they started the second half. The Apaches never allowed a single first down in the first half. But a quick WR screen let the Panthers pick up their first new set of downs of the game and a massive gain. On a 3rd and goal, the Panthers found the end zone and converted 2 point conversion, Apaches were up 24-8 with 8:16 left in the third quarter. 

Apaches’ offense took the field but a false start on the first play backed them up. But a great run by Sonic Seth picked up a quick 7 yards. The Apaches moved the chains on a great play up the middle. The Apaches backed themselves up on this drive with penalties and was forced to punt. Seth Mangrum unleashed a BOOM of a punt to flip the field of 52 yards. 

The Panthers came out and picked up 2 first downs in as many plays. The Panther’s RB continued to gash the Apache defense and on a quick WR screen, the Panthers found the end zone. The Apaches led drop to 10, but still led 24-14 with 4:26 left in the third. 

The Apaches’ offense came out with great blocking and Cade Vining blowing up the hole. But a crucial false start on 4th and inches forced an Apache punt. The Panthers would take over on their own 35. The first play from scrimmage and the Panthers RB gashed the Apaches quickly to be in plus territory. The Apaches’ red zone defense looked to stop the blazing Panthers’ rushing attack. The 4th quarter started with a huge sack, but the Panthers would punch it in for another TD. The Apaches defense stopped the 2pt attempt, and the score narrowed to 24-20, Apaches with 11:40 left in the contest. 

The Apaches’ offense looked for life in the second half from their own 20. Vining picked up a quick 5 yards. Sanders narrowly missed a wide open Lollar down the sideline that would’ve been a sure TD. The Panthers took over on their own 49. A 50/50 ball put up by the Panther QB had Bolton in the position to make the INT. Everyone in the crowd saw Bolton come down with what should’ve been his second INT of the night, but the officials moved the chains for the Panthers. Outstanding defense from the Apaches forced a 4th and long. After breaking the huddle with 12men for the 4^th time on the drive and coming up short, the officials gave the Panther RB an extra 2 yards and moved the chains for a first down. The Apaches’ stout defense would force another 4th and 7. The Apaches defense would make a great stop to turn the ball over on downs! 

The Apaches finally found the momentum they needed in the second half. Sonic Seth would pick up 7 followed by Vicious Vining hard nose running would pick up the first down. Vicious Vining and Sonic Seth would keep pounding the ball to move the chains. The Apaches survived the Panthers second half surge to win a tough district game, 24-20! The Apaches have an off week next week where they look to heal injuries and prepare for another district game against the Jonesboro-Hodge Tigers on 11/1 in Jonesboro. Come one, come all to route on your Apaches!

IT’S A GREAT DAY TO BE AN APACHE!!

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By Shawn White

The Lakeside Warriors (6-1, 1-1) had been one of the hottest teams in Northwest Louisiana regardless of class.  Under the helm of John Ware in his first year, the Warriors started with the best start in the history of Lakeside football.  The move out of District 1-2A to District 3-2A looked to be a good move.  The Warriors had to get past the Red River Bulldogs (3-4, 2-0) would define who would be in the driver’s seat for the district title.  As the Chaucer proverb goes, “All good things must come to an end…”.  The Warrior’s six-game winning streak came to an end with a trip to Coushatta in the 30-6 loss against Red River.    

Don’t let the 3-4 record for the Bulldogs think this was a surprise against Lakeside.  Red River has traveled to Catholic-Pointe Coupee (7-0), defending Division IV Non-Select state champion Oak Grove (6-1), and a road trip to White Castle (3-4).  This has been a road-tested team.  

The lone score for the Warriors came from Kentravion Miller with 18 carries for 106 yards.  

The Warrior’s defense kept the Bulldogs in check as Eli Santelices grabbed 7 tackles (6 solo, 2 assists) and snagged an interception.  Caleb Bryant added another 6 tackles (3 solo, 6 assists) and added an interception.  Jamarion Evans had 5.5 tackles (2 solo, 7 assists).  

Red River’s Cedric Moody reached the end zone twice.  Jomello McDonald and Carl Lewis each added a touchdown for the Bulldogs.  

Lakeside is not out of the district race yet.  Lakeside dropped to third in the district with the loss on Friday.  The last two weeks of the regular season can determine who could district champion.  Scenarios exist for outright titles for Winnfield and Red River.  Other scenarios show how Lakeside could share a district or even a three-way split.  

The Warriors season is in no way over with the loss and are currently looking at a first-round home playoff matchup.  The loss brings up a sports debate that has gone on for years. Does the loss take the pressure off of being perfect or does it become a stumbling block for the rest of the season.  They will answer that one game at a time and that will begin on the road Friday at Ringgold (3-4).  

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By Gray Haynes

The North Webster Knights traveled down Interstate 20 this Friday to face the Sterlington Panthers in a district 1-3A matchup.  Sterlington won the coin toss and deferred their option to the second half.  North Webster took the opening kickoff out to the 33 yard line where they began their night.  Confusion running a new offense caused the Knights to have to call a timeout on the first offensive play.  The Knights picked up a first down on the ground, but then they had to punt from their own 45.  Sterlington began their first offensive drive from their own 25 yard line.  The Panthers methodically ran the ball down the field and scored on a 3 yard run.  The PAT was good to put Sterlington up 7-0.  The ensuing kickoff went through the endzone giving North Webster the ball on their own 20.  North Webster had trouble securing the snap from under center and fumbled at their own 25.  Three plays later, Sterlington crossed the goal line to make the score 14-0.

After another touchback, the Knights began their next drive at the 20.  The Knights’ new offense looked good moving the ball down to the Sterlington 29.  After 3 consecutive penalties caused the Knights to face a 3rd and 25, they went for it on 4th and 5, but the visitors were unable to convert.  Sterlington drove across midfield and fumbled at the North Webster 43.  After picking up a first down, North Webster fumbled another snap and gave the ball back to Sterlington at the Panthers’ 47 yard line.  Four plays later, Sterlington reached pay dirt to make the score 20.  The two point conversion attempt was no good.  North Webster returned the kickoff out to the 25 where they began their next drive.  An untimely penalty negated a first down, and the Knights had to punt from the 30.

Sterlington took over at the Knights’ 49.  Donte Owens picked off a Sterlington pass at the North Webster 20 and returned it to the 36 to thwart the Panthers’ drive.  The Knights ran two times to end the half with the score 20-0 in favor of the home team.

Sterlington took the 2nd half kickoff out to the 32 yard line.  On their first play from scrimmage, a 68 yard run made the score 26-0.  The PAT was good to increase the lead to 27.  North Webster took over at their own 20 after another touchback.  They were forced to punt the ball back to Sterlington.  The Panthers took over at the North Webster 41.  Six plays later, the home team increased their lead with another touchdown.  The two point attempt was no good.  The score was 33-0 midway through the 3rd quarter.  North Webster took the ensuing kickoff out to the 29 yard line.  On a 3rd down and 5 play, North Webster threw up a jump ball that was intercepted at the North Webster 41.  Sterlington marched down the field throwing the ball and running the quarterback to score again.  After the PAT was good, the Panthers increased their lead to 40-0.

The Knights fumbled the ensuing kickoff and recovered it on their own 6 yard line.  On the second play of the final period, North Webster attempted a punt from their own end zone.  The snap slipped through the hands of the punter and out the back of the end zone.  The safety made the score 42-0 in favor of the home team.  This would be the final score.  Next week, the Knights host Richwood for Homecoming at Baucum-Farrar Stadium in Springhill. 

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By Marilyn Miller

Students from four south Webster Parish High Schools were presented with the Honesty & Integrity Awards from Minden Masonic Lodge #51 earlier this week. Special guest, Mason Jay McCallum, who sits on the Louisiana Supreme Court, gave out the awards and kept the audience laughing.

Today’s recipients, representatives of Glenbrook School, are Emily Cook and Noah Cox. Look for additional winners next week in the Webster Parish Journal.

“We need to do all we can to encourage these young people (to develop honesty and integrity in their lives),” Justice McCallum told a large audience gathered at Minden’s Masonic Lodge.

Each of the eight students, who were selected after interviews with people from their schools, churches, civic and school clubs, and various other adults, were also presented with a check by Masonic Chaplain Richard Fletcher on behalf of the Temple Masonic Lodge in Bossier City. (Photo by Marilyn Miller)

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