Congratulations, Jason Kirkland, Week 6 winner of Webster Parish Journal’s Pick’em Contest. Kirkland and several other players tied with 9 correct picks, but he broke it with the tie breaker. Kirkland is shown here with Claudine Thomas, owner of Under Dawg’s Sports Grill, Title Sponsor of our contest.
Here is Week 7’s Link. It will close at 5 p.m. Thursday, so be sure and play. Remember, you must be 18 or older to win. https://form.jotform.com/232385564755163
Forecast: Sunshine; cooler temperatures
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night
Clear, with a low around 40. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 70. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Thursday Night
Clear, with a low around 43.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 74.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47.
* Information provided by National Weather Service.
My first clear memory of her is not a happy one. It’s when she came into my brother’s bedroom and told us our father had just passed away. I was six. My final memory of her isn’t good either. She was in the hospital, unable to talk, unable to recognize me. It was just two weeks ago and the morning of my 63rd birthday. Even though those first and last memories aren’t joyful ones, I believe it’s the time in between, “the dash,” that matters. And she made all 91 years in that dash, count.
She was a single mother before single mothers were cool. Left with two boys to raise, she went back to school and got her master’s degree. She taught art lessons in our home to help make ends meet, sold her art, and eventually began teaching in local schools. She taught for 50 years and retired at 80.
She was tough. Two weeks after her husband died, Martin Luther King was assassinated. Two months later, Bobby Kennedy was killed. A few weeks after that were the Chicago riots. It must have seemed like the world was falling apart around her. Through it all, she remained strong. She had solid, loving friendships, and I was blessed to have grown up surrounded by those friends and their children. I can’t imagine having a better childhood. We didn’t have much money, and material things were sparse, but there was one thing that rose above all else: love.
She knew she couldn’t play backyard football and had no interest in hunting, but she figured she could learn how to fish. In 1971, three years into widowhood, she made one of the greatest single-mom moves ever and bought a fish camp. I have no idea where she got the money, but she made it happen. It wasn’t much— a mobile home a few blocks off the water— but to my brother and me, it was paradise. The three of us set crab traps in the morning and checked them at dusk. We fished, and water-skied, and swam. It was young-boy heaven, and everything in the world felt right. I probably never appreciated her sacrifice as much as I should have.
Looking back, I can only remember a few times in my childhood when I regretted not having a father. That’s because of her, and the community that surrounded us. The men and women in our neighborhood took great interest in my brother and me and went to great lengths to help raise us. But the main reason I rarely felt fatherless is because she was tough, committed, and did a fine job filling both parenting roles.
She never remarried. She dated a little, but she always said that no one would ever replace our father. Even though she was alone, she rarely let on that it was difficult. She was fiercely independent and determined to make a life for us the best she could. It’s only now, with the clarity of time, perspective, and kids of my own that I can fully appreciate the strength it took to carry that burden alone.
As the only widow in the neighborhood—for several neighborhoods actually—she designated herself the self-appointed in-house counsel for recently widowed or divorced women. I can remember going with her to several houses as she visited and offered comfort and advice (one thing she was never short of) to women who were going through what she had already dealt with.
In the early years of my marriage, my mother and wife didn’t always see things the same way. They were both fiercely independent, strong-willed women, each with her own approach to life. Like many mothers, she struggled with letting go. But over time, that initial tension softened, giving way to a mutually abiding respect. In the last two decades of my mother’s life, my wife became a dedicated caretaker, a role for which I am deeply grateful. Their bond grew, not out of ease, but out of the shared love they had for our family. In her final weeks, my wife sat at her bedside, reading Bible verses, playing recorded hymns, and quietly reminding her how much her two boys loved her.
She was a teacher, an artist, and a friend to many. She loved her church, but above all else, she was a mother. That was her most important role, the one she carried out with grit, determination, and love. She and I spent her last healthy decade sharing breakfast three days a week. As a kid, breakfast was just fuel—something quick before rushing out the door. But as we got older, those meals became something else entirely. It wasn’t just about eating; it was about sitting together, reflecting, and taking a little time before the day got away from us.
In the same way she laid paint on a canvas with purpose, she lived her life with a strong hand, unwilling to let circumstances dictate her choices—always creating, always moving forward. People will say, “It’s a blessing.” She probably would have said the same, as she wouldn’t have wanted to live the way she did in her final year. She’s finally with my dad again. Therein lies the true blessing.
As I rode the hospital elevator down after saying my final goodbyes to her two weeks ago, it struck me: 63 years earlier, to the day, we were in that same building, at that same moment, but for a very different reason. I had just been born. In that instant, her life must have seemed full of promise and ease. She might have imagined the road ahead as bright and smooth. But life had other plans. Fate threw its share of storms, yet she faced every one of them with the unyielding grit and determination that always defined her. Standing in that hospital, it hit me: life had come full circle. What began with her bringing me into the world had quietly come to an end, with me standing there, letting her go, as if everything we had shared was always leading to that moment.
The timing of something like this can never be good, but it actually couldn’t be much worse. I am in Italy and begin hosting four separate groups of Americans over the course of four weeks, tomorrow. For the last few years, my brother and I have had a plan in place just in case. She was a hard-working woman. She raised two hard working boys who each started earning money around 12-years old. She would insist that I fulfil my commitment and do the work. I return in mid-November. The funeral will be held soon after.
In my mind’s eye, I still see her at the fish camp, behind the steering wheel of that little bass boat as we navigate the Pascagoula River. The traps just checked, and a small Igloo cooler full of live crabs at our feet. It’s just the three of us—a mom and her two boys—living life together. In those moments, nothing else mattered. There was no weight of the world, no burden of being widowed or fatherless, no struggles that awaited us back home. It was just us, on the water, savoring the simplicity of being together. Beautiful.
I hear that tiny outboard, the sound of the waves on the bow, and the smell of the brackish air mingling with the briny scent of crabs in the ice chest. Those moments, small as they seemed then, are the ones I hold closest to my heart now. We didn’t need much—just each other, a summer afternoon, and the promise of a seafood dinner at the end of the day.
She made those moments possible—the ones that felt effortless but were built on quiet strength and work ethic. She taught me that even in the face of hardship, there is joy to be found, especially in the simple things. And life goes on.
Until it doesn’t.
As I look back on her life, I see it clearly. She was right. Life isn’t about grand gestures or extravagant plans; it’s about the steady presence of someone who loves you, who keeps you moving forward, even when the waters are rough.
I’ll carry those memories with me for the rest of my days.
In the quiet corners of my thoughts, she’s still behind the wheel of that little boat, guiding us through the currents, her hair blowing in the breeze, the sun setting behind the cypress. My brother and I are in the other two seats, the day’s catch in the cooler, water lapping against the hull, and the sky painted with the final hues of day. We are headed home, just the three of us, as we always were—her leading the way, always steering us safely back, no matter the storm.
That’s who she was. A true force, steady and sure, always taking us home.
Onward.
(Robert St. John is a chef, restauranteur and published cookbook author who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss.)
While we all know that nothing is better for a sport or business than competition, it’s the one thing that makes everyone work harder. Competition creates diversity and allows for people or an organization to get better. If you want to see what diversity looks like, look no further than the options available for bass tournament anglers in the state of Texas. Today we’ll look at the many options anglers have to pick from.
While competition is great, it’s not always what’s best for everyone. Bass anglers in this part of the Ark-La-Tex are spoiled and offered a lot of different options to fish especially when it comes to team tournament trails.
The question is: “How do anglers decide what they want to fish?” Is it about the cost to enter, the payback or is it more about what lakes the circuit is going to? The answer is…. all the above! Anglers today have a plethora of circuits to fish with the big three being the Texas Team Trail, Bass Champs and the Brandon Belt Team Trail. Also available are the ABA Solo 150’s, along with the ABA Pro League.
The big three listed above are all team trails while the two ABA circuits are professional style events as anglers fish solo in both. In 2024, ABA eliminated all co-anglers in order to offer anglers an affordable pro-style tournament trail with low entry fees of $325 for the single day Pro League and $625 for the Solo 150’s which are two-day events.
ABA also offers the opportunity for anglers to advance to a national championship event called The Ray Scott, named after the man who was a huge supporter of ABA and started professional bass fishing. The Ray Scott National Championship will draw up to 200 boats on average each year and is held on some of the best lakes in the country.
For 2025, Texas Team Trail has increased its payback with the intent to draw more anglers. Of the big three, Brandon Belt has become the top dog with huge paybacks of $100,000 going to the winners of each event. Bass Champs continues to cater to its angler base with great paybacks as well.
So, with so many great tournament trails available, anglers are sitting down and looking at what trail best fits their needs. The lakes selected by the circuit are a huge factor because anglers want to fish bodies of water they are familiar with. They want to fish lakes that give them the best chance to not only win but get a check.
The other problem with too many circuits is the fact that there are basically only 4 weekends in a month and anglers can’t financially afford to fish every weekend. This is why most anglers will only choose to follow two circuits.
This means some tournament trails will and are experiencing lower participation numbers. The next question is, “ Can they all survive?” So far, the answer has been yes, but as we prepare to elect a new President, there is a lot of uncertainty with regards to the economy and what direction our country is headed.
From an angler’s perspective, we better hope and pray that the American people are not being fooled by a candidate who is feeding us a “word salad” and trying to sound intelligent while trying to convince the American public they can do the job. Because the choice we make this time will have a lasting affect that could have grave consequences and end our days of enjoying the sport we all love so much.
Till next time, good luck, good fishing and just because the hot summer days are behind us, protecting your skin is still important. Wear your sunscreen and good protective clothing every time you head out to your favorite lake.
Steve Graf
Angler’s Perspective
Harol Lynn Thompson (left) and Lynn Baldree had a unique reunion during the recent Minden High School Homecoming celebrations. Not only were the two celebrating class reunions, but Harol Lynn was also a teacher at MHS when Lynn went to school there. Mrs. Thompson’s 1954 Class was celebrating its 70th year since graduation, while Mrs. Baldree was “coming home” for her special 50th year since promising to love dear old Minden High in 1974. “I just think it was so cool,” Lynn Baldree said.
Send non-profit calendar events to wpjnewsla@gmail.com .
October 17
1 p.m. Genealogical Meeting. Stewart Center at Webster Parish Libraries Minden Branch. Webster Parish Clerk of Court Holli Vining will talk about many resources available through her office for genealogical researches. For more information please contact Ginger at 318-371-3080 ext. 111.
October 18
6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Free Gospel Music Show by The Choir Boys Gospel Band, CAC Building, 301 West Church St., Springhill. Bid items, concessions. Sales are tax deductible. Cash, checks, debit or credit cards accepted. Proceeds go to help finish the future Fuller Center Home of Lauren Allman and her sons on Oak St., Springhill.
October 19
5 p.m. LaMa Animal Rescue Halloween Bash, CAC Building, Springhill, $25 Admission, dance contest, line dancing, costume contest, glow in the dark, BINGO, games, silent auction door prizes, refreshments.
7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Minden Foundation’s Annual Skeet Shoot. To sign up as a sponsor or register as a team visit https://mindenfoundation.org/2024-shoot-out/ .
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.
On November 10, 1951, Hugh Beaver, the managing director of a brewery, was part of an elite shooting party in Wexford County, in southeastern Ireland. Strict gun laws and expensive licensing in Ireland made owning firearms something of a status symbol. Hugh’s target on this hunt was the golden plover. They were not hunting the golden plover for food—it weighs only about seven ounces—they were hunting the birds purely for sport. The birds were about ten inches tall and flew really quickly which made them a difficult target.
As the shooting party walked slowly through the mud flats of the Slaney River, an area known as the North Slob, Hugh flushed out a golden plover. The bird shot into the air. There was no time to take careful aim. Hugh raised his shotgun to his shoulder and pulled the trigger. Blam!!! The bird did not fall but continued to appear as little more than a streak in the sky. Hugh had missed. The others in the shooting party playfully teased him for missing the shot, but Hugh reasoned that he missed the shot because the golden plover was the fastest game bird in Europe. Another member of the shooting party disagreed and said the red grouse was the fastest game bird in Europe. Despite their best arguments, there was no way to settle the good-natured dispute during the hunt.
Later that evening, the shooting party returned to their host’s house in the small town of Castlebridge. Their discussion over which was the fastest game bird in Europe continued. Hugh was certain that they would find some sort of reference book to settle the dispute. He and the other members of the shooting party searched all of the books they could locate but none contained the information they sought. The debate remained unresolved.
Two years later, Hugh was searching for a new way to promote the brewery that he managed when he remembered the unsolved debate from the shooting party. He was sure that there were other people who had similar questions which could be answered if only there was an authoritative reference book. He enlisted the help of twin brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter, who were running a fact-finding agency in London, to compile a reference book to solve such questions. In August 1954, Hugh distributed 1,000 free copies of the reference book to pubs in England and Ireland. The reference book was immensely popular. In 1955, the first commercially available copies of the reference book became available. By Christmas, the reference book topped the bestseller list in Britain. In 1956, the reference book became available in America where it sold approximately 70,000 copies. Since its inception, the reference book has sold more than 150 million copies in 100 countries and in 40 languages.
When Hugh joined that shooting party in the winter of 1951 there was no way he could have known that a good-natured dispute over which was the fastest game bird in Europe would lead to the creation of one of the best-selling books in publishing history. Since Hugh used the reference book as a promotional item for the brewery he managed, he named it after the brewery. He called it Guinness Book of World Records. The question that spawned the reference book, which is the fastest game bird in Europe, has never been included in any edition of the book because it focuses not on regional records, but on world records.
Sources:
1. Dan Lewis, “The Bird That Set the Record Straight,” Now I Know, October 21, 2019, accessed October 13, 2024, https://nowiknow.com/the-bird-that-set-the-record-straight/.
2. Eleonora Pilastro, “Why was the first Guinness World Records book first published?”, Guinness World Records, accessed October 13, 2024, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2022/9/why-was-the-guinness-world-records-book-first-published-714607.
3. “Fastest Game Bird,” Guinness World Records, accessed October 13, 2024, https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/691273-fastest-game-bird.
Notice is hereby given that the City of Minden will receive sealed bids as follows:
Monday, October 28, 2024, 2 p.m. for one (1) Aerial Bucket Truck.
Bids will be accepted until the dates and times specified and will be publicly opened and read aloud at City of Minden City Hall Conference Room, 520 Broadway, Minden, Louisiana 71055. Please find bid-related documents and place electronic bids at http://www.BidExpress.com.
Bids received after the date and times of opening will not be considered. The City of Minden reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
Please See Attached/Download below.
/s/ Melaney Langford
City Clerk
/s/ Nick Cox
Mayor of Minden
10/09 10/16
Carolyn Neal Lemke
February 22, 1952 – October 14, 2024
Bossier City, La.
Funeral service: 3 p.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.
Burial: Welcome Cemetery, Taylor, Ark.
Luther Henry Hart
January 15, 1940 – October 11, 2024
Cotton Valley, La.
Funeral service: 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 16, 2024, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.
Burial: Springhill Cemetery.
Webster Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)
By Pat Culverhouse
A Dixie Inn couple has been arrested on multiple counts involving the care of juveniles after police responded to a call Friday evening (Oct. 11) of a naked child inside a local business.
Chief of Police Jeffrey McNeil said Dixie Inn officer Michael Dickey was called to the Hwy. 371 business on a report that a 10-year-old had walked into the store in the nude. During his investigation, Dickey reportedly learned the child was autistic and had left home on other occasions.
Dickey reportedly drove the child to his residence on Mason St. in Dixie Inn to make contact with the parents. On arrival, the officer reportedly found the front door open and received no response when he announced law enforcement’s presence.
Along with Chief McNeil, the officer entered the residence and found 40-year-old Timothy Eric Miller and 30-year-old Sabrina Raven Harris asleep in a bedroom. The officers also found an infant asleep in a bed in the kitchen, and discovered another young child inside the residence.
Attempts to wake the couple reportedly proved difficult, but the pair was finally awakened and informed the youngster had left the residence.
Both are currently being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. Miller is charged with three counts of improper supervision of a juvenile. His bond was set at $1,500.
Harris is also charged with three counts of improper supervision of a juvenile, plus she faces additional charges on a warrant from the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office for failure to appear on two counts of improper supervision of a minor by parent or guardian. Her bond was set at $2,000.
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.
By Marilyn Miller
Ochsner LSU Health System’s Sarah Watson Overall was tapped as the 2024 Terry L. Gardner “Young Professional of the Year” at the “Fifteen Under 40” banquet and presentations Thursday, Oct. 10 at the Minden Civic Center.
Overall was among 15 honorees representing businesses in Minden and nearby municipalities who were introduced to the public earlier this month by the Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to her current employment in Quality Management with Ochsners, Sarah is an RN and was a travel nurse for 14 years. She is the owner of Sarah Overall Events and is the founding organizer of Pearls of Purpose, Inc. and the annual Witches Ride of Minden. She and her husband, Seth, are the parents of four-year-old Caroline Elizabeth. They are members of the First Methodist Church of Minden. Sarah sits on the board of Minden Main Street.
Lindsay McClaran, 2024 Board vice-chairman welcomed a large crowd, getting the evening started.
The individual “Fifteen Under 40” honorees were introduced by Mandi Hart and Logan McConathy. Recipients were Ryan Barnette, GB&T; Chris Bordelon, Forestry Techniques/RecLand Realty; Elizabeth Campbell, City of Minden; Jordan Cupples, AEP (American Electric Power); Michael Davis, Jr., The Michael Anthony Creative Agency; John-Joseph (Jay) Grigsby, Webster Jr. High School; Marcus Harmon, Carrier Enterprise; Halea Lipinski, Wise, Martin, and Cole, CPAs; Brandi McNeill, Minden Physician Practices; Twyla Mims, Webster Parish Assessor’s Office; Morgan Monday, b1BANK; Sarah Overall, Ochsner LSU Health System Shreveport; Braley Raborn, Mission Creek Resources; Kristin Reagan, Minden Medical Center; and Tamra Wichelns, Home Federal Bank.
Haynes Mandino, 2023 “Young Professional of the Year” then presented this year’s award to Overall.
The evening’s “Chamber Circle 2024” title sponsors were TG Companies, LLC, b1BANK, Bonvenu Bank, Catherine C. Hunt, LA State Realty, Gibsland Bank & Trust, Home Federal Bank, and Interstate Building Materials. B1BANK was also the Award Sponsor.
Also making the event possible were Signature Sponsors: Debbie Callender/Paige Salas, realtors with LA State Realty; Gibsland Bank & Trust, Home Federal Bank, Meadowview Health & Rehab, Minden Mayor Nick Cox, and Minden Medical Center; Sign Sponsors: Catherine Hunt, realtor, LA State Realty; Mike’s Hometown Spirits, Split Sea Marketing, and The Villas at Spanish Court; Dinner Sponsor: Hugh Wood Specialty Meats & Catering; Dessert Sponsor: Geaux Fresh Bistro; Social Hour Sponsor: Ace Hardware, La. Senator Adam Bass, Durrett Law & Title, Mike’s Hometown Spirits, Minden Family Dental; Wise, Martin & Cole, LLC; Under Dawgs Sports Grill.
Following a Variety Show featuring juggler and comedian, Arty Dodger, closing remarks were delivered by Chamber President Stephanie Barnette, who was the recipient of a special “15 Under 40” honor earlier in the evening. The award was given by her husband, Ryan Barnette, who was among the 2024 honorees.
“(Stephanie) has turned down nominations for this award over the years to ensure that others worthy of this honor didn’t miss their seat at the table,” Barnette told the audience, after describing the months of secret meetings that went into the development of his wife’s recognition, virtually relabeling the award “16 Under 40.”
“In Minden, (Stephanie’s) name is synonymous with words and phrases like professionalism, dedication, volunteer, work ethic, and lover-of-community. I watched, as we all have, day after day and year after year, how much she has contributed personally to the success of not only the Greater Minden Chamber, but so many businesses and people in our city and the surrounding areas. Additionally, so many of our city’s events, including this one, would not be possible without (Stephanie’s) hard work, dedication, and unparalleled leadership.
The last two acts of Arty Dodger’s vaudeville-type floor show had the audience at the annual “Fifteen Under 40” awards banquet holding their collective breaths. Picture a man balanced on the tops of three wine bottles successfully juggling three long metal knives. Dodger, of nearby Athens, LA, has spent 30 years developing his show, which features his wife as his trusted assistant. He calls himself the “Southern Gentleman Juggler” in a show that features comedy (did he drop that on purpose?), juggling, and balance tricks. (Photo by Marilyn Miller)
Just after noon Monday, fire departments in the northern part of Webster Parish were called to a woods fire in Shongaloo for mutual aid in man power, water and heavy equipment
Shongaloo, Cullen and Springhill fire departments responded and dozers were used to cut fire lanes around the area.
The fire was mostly contained and under control in around 3 to 4 hours. Cause is unknown and still under investigation.
Webster Parish Police Jury released a statement Monday saying over the last month, fire departments across Webster Parish have responded to more than 30 emergencies involving grass/woods fires. Over half of these have been from residents burning debris piles that have gotten out of hand. Some of these out-of-control fires have contributed to the 11 structure fires to which they have responded.
“While Webster Parish is NOT currently under a burn ban, please refrain from all outdoor burning until our area receives a significant amount of rain. Most of our area has received less than 3″ of rain over the last month,” the statement reads.
Webster Parish is currently under Moderate/Severe Drought conditions. Any outdoor activities that involve open flames should be avoided during these critically dry conditions, especially on a windy day. Small fires can get out of hand quickly and spread fast.
Tuesday
Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 67. Northeast wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night
Clear, with a low around 41.
Thursday
Sunny, with a high near 71.
Thursday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 44.
* Information provided by National Weather Service.
For the first time in school history, Mount Olive Christian School will host a volleyball playoff game, marking a significant milestone for the Lady Eagles and their fans. The playoff game is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 15, in the Eagles Gymnasium. Mount Olive’s girls volleyball team, ranked fourth, will take on Acadiana Christian Homeschool Athletics in a highly anticipated matchup.
For the first time ever, the Lady Eagles will compete on their home court in the postseason, making this an exciting moment for the team. Mount Olive, holding a 13-7 record this season, is gearing up to face Acadiana Christian, with a 4 -10 record. This exciting matchup for the first play-off round promises to be exciting with the Lady Eagles ready to defend their home turf in front of the crowd!
The Lady Eagles are proudly represented by a strong lineup of players. The team includes:
● #2 Pippa Monk
● #3 Abby Rodgers
● #4 Riley Morrow
● #7 Dixie Langley
● #10 Claire Miles
● #12 Cydnee Barnette
● #17 Kyra Wheeler
● #23 Destiny Williams
● #32 Breanna Miles
● #35 Maeva Sitagata
● Team Manager: Cannan Youngblood
Head Coach Collin Bell and Assistant Coach Marjorie Morrow have guided the team through a season of dedication and hard work, and they are excited about the opportunity to compete on their home turf.
“Our young ladies have made a tremendous jump this season by shattering nearly every school record in existence and we aren’t ready to stop yet.” said Head Coach Collin Bell, “Our Eagles started the season very strong and then adversity hit, we dropped 3 straight games and that’s when our Captains, Senior Riley Morrow and Sophomore Claire Miles stepped up and “rallied the troops” I believe facing those trials during the regular season will help us in our playoff run. We have not faced AHSA yet this season so it really allows us to go into the first round focusing on playing our best game”
The community is invited to come out and support the Lady Eagles as they make history with their first-ever home playoff game. Fans are encouraged to wear camo at the game.
Game Details:
● Date: Tuesday, October 15
● Time: 6 p.m.
● Location: Eagles Gymnasium, Mount Olive Christian School
All students, families, and fans are encouraged to attend and cheer on the Lady Eagles as they push for a playoff victory.
For more information, visit the Mount Olive Christian Athletics Facebook page or call Mount Olive Christian School at (318) 258-5661.
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.
It’s Week 7 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 6’s winner will have his photo taken at Under Dawgs, our Title Sponsor, and it will be published Wednesday. 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
By Paige Gurgainers
A new pilot program that began October 1 now allows patrons in 18 parishes to borrow a day pass to any state parish or historic site just by using their library card.
“People can now check out state park day passes. With these passes they can visit 21 state parks across the state at no charge and with that they can visit 16 historical sites,” said Executive Director of Webster Parish Libraries Savannah Jones.
Along with Webster Parish other participating parishes include Calcasieu, Claiborne, East Baton Rouge, Evangeline, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson, Livingston, Morehouse, Richland, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Union, Vermilion, Vernon and Washington parishes.
Participants can also check out Geaux Explore backpacks filled with binoculars, compasses, and nature guides to enhance your outdoor adventures.
“It actually worked out perfectly because we just installed a permanent story walk in Doyline at Lake Bistineau State Park,” Jones continued. “They were wonderful to work with. It is located on the Kid’s Trail and the book is the ‘Leaf Thief.’ Hopefully we can help them attract some visitors and then it helps of course on our end.”
United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:
Food: Canned meats
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.
The Mardi Gras Krewe of Artemis-Springhill announces the winner of the annual gun drawing. David Boggan of Magnolia, Arkansas, bought his ticket at the Springhill Lumberjack Festival on October 12, and won the Savage Axis 30-06 rifle with Weaver scope, gun case and sling a couple of hours afterward.
Sharing in Mr. Boggan’s joy are (from left) Artemis members John Jandebeur, Mike Reeves, a proud David Boggan, Joe Connerly and Fred Schroeder.
The Krewe of Artemis meets at 6 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at their Mardi Gras Den located at 025 Bice Street in Springhill. The public is invited to attend.
‘The problem is not that people are taxed too little; the problem is that government spends too much’
Many of us who were born and raised in Louisiana or who have lived here for a number of years understand that our state tax code, specifically including that portion of it located in our State Constitution, needs some re-evaluation and updating to account for current and future fiscal realities. In connection with this, Gov. Jeff Landry highlights the coming 2025 fiscal “cliff” in which Louisiana will face a $500-$700 million deficit.
The question has always been, what is the best way to do tax reform?
Well, much as he stated he would during his campaign for governor, Gov. Landry has taken a first step to eliminate the state individual income tax to make Louisiana more competitive with our neighboring states like Texas and Florida that have no state income tax. He feels doing so would send a message that Louisiana is becoming increasingly tax “friendly” and more efficient with the taxes it does collect—which, of course, contributes nationally to our profile as being a pro-growth state. In fact, the Plan specifically states that it “seeks to attract new investment while protecting low-income earners, our middle class, and senior citizens.”
So, what does the Landry plan entail?
Some of the prominent items include going to a 3% flat tax rate, down from 4.25%, a $12,500 standard deduction for low and middle-income earners, reducing the corporate tax rate from 7.5% to 3.5%, increasing the deduction for seniors (65 years and up) from $6,000 to $12,000 a year, eliminating state sales taxes on prescription drugs, a permanent teacher pay raise and repealing the corporate franchise tax.
Wow! That would be quite a change. How would those tax revenues be replaced?
The services that would fall under the new sales tax plan include activities such as political lobbying, dog grooming, massages, car detailing, landscaping work, streaming services in our state, and numerous others. It would also likely require making permanent our “temporary” 0.45% state sales tax.
The reason I suggest that this tax reform proposal is worthy of our consideration (and I hope the governor will take on the permitting process in this state next) is because we have seen, time and again, at the federal level that tax reform (which prominently includes tax cutting!) does create jobs, spurs economic growth and attracts investment.
Pres. Reagan and others have reminded us many times that “the power to tax is the power to destroy” and the more we tax something the less we will have of it. We must apply this commonsense advice to our own state tax structure. Some of the deductions and exemptions that riddle our State Constitution are decades old and may serve no need or have no real purpose any longer. Those constitutional dedications must be examined in light of Louisiana’s current needs.
In short, by reducing personal and corporate income taxes we protect families and small businesses—which are the economic backbone of this state—and we provide hope. We give our children the thought that perhaps in a better economic climate they would not need to leave Louisiana and go to Dallas or Atlanta for jobs. We know many of them want to stay here, where they are from, we just have to make it possible for them to do so. We already have the best people, best food and the most interesting culture in the world. Now, let’s develop an equally great business climate.
I close with two points:
1). I note that because several of the aforementioned proposals will require changes in our State Constitution, the voters will have to agree to them and most likely that voting opportunity will come in March of 2025.
2). I commend Governor Landry for taking this on. No matter how it turns out, and I’m certain there will be much debate and numerous amendments, the Governor’s plan puts a spotlight on our state tax structure and performs the equivalent of an audit. That is all for the good.
It is morally essential that government at every level impose the awesome tool of taxation—the power to remove from the pockets of American and Louisiana citizens under force of law their hard-earned monetary gains earned through blood, sweat and tears—with respect and with care, taking as little as possible and only as much as is necessary for essential government functions.
(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.)
Send non-profit calendar events to wpjnewsla@gmail.com .
October 17
1 p.m. Genealogical Meeting. Stewart Center at Webster Parish Libraries Minden Branch. Webster Parish Clerk of Court Holli Vining will talk about many resources available through her office for genealogical researches. For more information please contact Ginger at 318-371-3080 ext. 111.
October 18
6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Free Gospel Music Show by The Choir Boys Gospel Band, CAC Building, 301 West Church St., Springhill. Bid items, concessions. Sales are tax deductible. Cash, checks, debit or credit cards accepted. Proceeds go to help finish the future Fuller Center Home of Lauren Allman and her sons on Oak St., Springhill.
October 19
5 p.m. LaMa Animal Rescue Halloween Bash, CAC Building, Springhill, $25 Admission, dance contest, line dancing, costume contest, glow in the dark, BINGO, games, silent auction door prizes, refreshments.
7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Minden Foundation’s Annual Skeet Shoot. To sign up as a sponsor or register as a team visit https://mindenfoundation.org/2024-shoot-out/ .
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
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.
Steven Daniel Nipper, 43, 100 Lawson Dr., Minden; arrested Oct. 11 by WPSO on several outstanding warrants. Total bond set $4,500.
Traci Noelle Flint, 44, 2500 block Old Arcadia Rd., Minden; arrested Oct. 12 by WPSO on warrants for remaining after forbidden, theft. Bond set $5,000.
LaJarvas D. Bridges, 41, Burson Rd., Heflin; arrested Oct. 14 by WPSO for probation revocation.
Angelo Shelton, 37, 7200 block Jennifer Lane, Princeton; arrested Oct. 12 by MPD on multiple outstanding warrants. Bond set $1,500 cash.
Kayla L. Moss, 28, 2000 block Coastal Drive, Princeton; arrested Oct. 12 by Doyline PD on fugitive warrant from Webster Parish. Bond set $1,000.
Nicholas Jones, 35, 200 block Azelea, Minden; arrested Oct. 13 by MPD for simple possession of CDS Sch. I (marijuana), prohibited acts-CDS Sch. II. Bond set $2,000.
Roderick Tyrone Harris, 21, 9000 block Youree Dr., Shreveport; arrested Oct. 13 by MPD for aggravated flight from an officer with life endangerment. Bond set $5,000.
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.