Webster Parish Journal had an incredible 2024, thanks to our followers and advertisers. We began this online journey in 2021, but 2022 was our first full year and we thought it was a great one with more than 977,000 views.
Then came 2023 with 1.5 million views, which rocked our world.
But 2024 was amazing. Subscriber numbers are great, and thanks to our steadfast advertising base, our subscriptions will always remain free to those loyal readers – all 2 million of you in 2024.
You read that right. This past year, more than 2.1 million clicks from Minden to Morocco, Canada to Japan your Webster Parish Journal was read world-wide.
What did these people read about Webster Parish?
In typical David Letterman form (beginning with the least read) here are our Top 10 stories for 2024.
10. Two busted in separate drug cases, posted Dec. 20, 2024. Separate lengthy investigations by the Minden Police Department’s Narcotics Division into illegal drug trafficking resulted in arrests of two local men on numerous drug distribution counts. One was 47-year-old Angelo O’Neal and the other D’Marcus Gill.
9. Karma clips con artist, posted Dec. 24, 2024. 57-year-old John Wayne Bass was arrested by Minden Police on charges of vagrancy, resisting an officer by flight and violation of the open container ordinance.
8. Remembering Preston Smith Wise, posted Jan. 19, 2024. The son of Michael and Judilyn Wise of Minden, who died in a tragic all terrain vehicle accident. Readership is a testament to the love and respect of this young man and his family.
7. Minden man attempts armed robbery using hammer as weapon, posted Dec. 17, 2024. Derek Rodriquez Rice, arrested by Minden Police for two counts of attempted second degree murder, armed robbery and three counts of resisting an officer.
6. Gunshot victim found deceased, posted Oct. 10, 2024. 36-year-old Dequincy Jones was found shot in the head at Hillside Apartments complex.
5. Family feud ends with stabbing of third party, posted April 4, 2024. Jarai Jkira Green, 22, was arrested by Minden Police and charged with attempted second degree murder.
4. One dead, one arrested for vehicular homicide, posted May 4, 2024. Jacoby Mason, 33, arrested by Minden Police was charged in the hit-and-run death of 88-year-old Glennis Oliver.
3. Mother/daughter duo arrested for theft, posted April 5, 2024. Sybil LeGrand Layfield, 93, and Glenda C. Layfield, 73, were apprehended by Minden Police officers as they reportedly attempted to leave Walmart with two shopping carts containing stolen items.
2. One suspect arrested in Caney Lake Store robbery, posted Dec. 20, 2024. Cardarius Lamon Casey was charged with armed robbery; he was identified through DNA evidence.
1. Double homicide claims former mayor, councilman Joe Cornelius and daughter, posted Sept. 1, 2024. A juvenile suspect was arrested in the shooting death of 82-year-old Cornelius and his 31-year-old daughter, Keisha Miles.