By Shannon Wright

In typical fashion when the Panthers match up against the Tigers, it was a packed house. The gym was filled with fans on both sides – a sea of blue and gold and green and yellow – the atmosphere was loud and full of energy. Both teams matched that energy and played an exciting game of basketball.

It was a battle from tip-off to the final buzzer, but Doyline took the win 61-49.

Michael Normand, head coach of the Doyline boys’ basketball program, radiated with pride for his team. He said, “Coach Longino at Castor is one of the better coaches in the area and his teams are always very prepared so getting a win over them is always tough.”

When asked for his take on the game, Normand said, “That was a great environment for high school basketball!” He went on, “I thought we executed our defensive game plan very well and as usual, Tamp and Jay led us offensively and I thought Zach did a great job inside defensively controlling their paint touches.”

The Panthers were led by their guards, Senior, Damarion “Tamp” McLendon, with 25 points and Sophomore, Jay Patterson, with 24 points. Followed by Senior, Zach Normand, putting up 10 points.

Doyline sits at 20-3 for the season while Castor is at 13-7.

These two district teams will face off again in Castor on February 13.

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NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State University Foundation will host an announcement ceremony for the Doug Ireland Endowed Scholarship, created by Robert “Skeeter” Salim in the amount of $100,000. 

NSU supporters are invited to join Ireland, a Journal Services LLC columnist, and friends at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15 in the Office of Development Conference Room, 520 University Parkway. 

To RSVP, contact Courtney Thompson at (318) 357-4430. 

Friends can contribute to the scholarship by visiting https://northwesternstatealumni.com/ireland-scholarship/ .

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The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Friday, January 31.

Courtroom A:

ARCENEAUX, JENAYA LEEANN

98703 Ct. 1 Simple Battery

98703 Ct. 2 Disturbing The Peace

98703 Ct. 3 Battery of a Police Officer

ARD, RODRECAS ROGER

99345 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

BAILEY, JUSTIN RICARDO

99261-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

99261-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

99261-CT.3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

99261-CT.4 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

BILES, DAVID PAUL

99119 Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment

BOLT, NICOLE S

98668 Residential Contractor Fraud $1,000 – $5,000

Restitution owed to the victim – $3,100 plus $465 = $3,565

Co def J. Perkins

BOOTHE, JEFFERY RAY

99096 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

BRADLEY, ALEX D.

99138 Molestation of a Juvenile Under Thirteen

BURNS, VALENCIA

99001 False Personation of a Peace Officer or Firefighter

CAMPBELL, CORINNE E. HALL

99446 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

COOPER, KEVIN

99198 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

99198 CT. 2 Improper Lane Usage

CREECH, COREY

99181 Distribution of a Schedule IV CDS

CROMWELL, DAVID FORD

99280 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

99280 CT. 2 Possession Of Alcoholic Beverages In Motor Vehicles

99280 CT. 3 Speeding 16-24 MPH

DICK, ROBERT MCKINNEY

99336 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

FARRAR CALLENDER, AMANDA

98877 Ct. 1 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

98877 Ct. 2 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

FAULK, LAURA MICHELLE

98328 Violation Of Protective Order

FAULK, LAURA MICHELLE

99387 Violation Of Protective Order

FERGUSON, BRANDO

99348-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

99348-CT.2 Distribution Of A Schedule V

FERGUSON, BRANDO

99348-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

99348-CT.2 Distribution Of A Schedule V Controlled Dangerous Substance

GIDDINGS, RONALD GLEN

99085 Ct. 1 Resisting An Officer

GIPSON, LISA M.

99205 Ct. 1 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

99205 Ct. 2 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

GIPSON, LISA M.

98817 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – Third Offense

GONZALES, ALEXANDER

99397 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

GOODWIN, JASON ERIC

98210 Gross Littering

GOODWIN, JASON ERIC

98352 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

GORDON, BRAD WARREN

99237 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

99237A Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

GRANT, SHACOURTNEY JENEE

99106 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Valued At $1,000 Or More But

Under $50,000

99106A Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

GRIGSBY, DARREN D

99105-CT.1 40:967.C.(1) – Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

99105-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two

Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

99105-CT.3 Possession of Schedule II CDS

HENDERSON, EUGENE ELIAS

97238 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

HICKS, DONALD R.

99157 Ct. 1 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

99157 Ct. 2 Fail to Report Accident

99157 Ct. 3 Hit and Run Driving

HOLIDAY, ANTONIO

99452A Simple Burglary of a Vehicle

HUGHES, SADIE

98413 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

98413 CT. 2 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

98413 CT. 3 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

98413 CT. 4 Failure to Use Safety Belt

JACKSON, LADARREN

99238 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

KELLEY, CRYSTAL

99203 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

LEWIS, LARON

99332 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

LILES, DAVID M

T020923 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

T020923A No Insurance

MARKRAY, JEFFERSON LAMAR

99294 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

MCCLAIN, MICHAEL G

98920 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

MENDENHALL, FREDERICK D.

98595 Molestation of a Juvenile

MERRITT, MALLORY BROOKE

99204 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

MONTGOMERY, DEYAUN L.

99434 Ct. 1 Resisting An Officer

99434 Ct. 2 Resisting An Officer

99434 Ct. 3 Resisting An Officer

99434 Ct. 4 Resisting An Officer

99434 Ct. 6 Simple Battery

MOORE, TIMOTHY EDWARD

98543A Felony Illegal Possession of Stolen Things (Over $25,000)

Co-Def: J. Blythe

PERKINS, JOHNNY R

T137223 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

T137223A Failure to Use Safety Belt

PERKINS, JOHNNY R

98668A Residential Contractor Fraud $1,000 – $5,000

Co def N. Bolt A Status Hearing MPD

Restitution owed to the victim – $3,100 plus $465 = $3,565

PETERS, TADARIUS

99376 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

POOL, TRACE TUGGER

99241 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

99241 CT. 2 Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test

REYNOLDS, TRAVIS LYNN

98738-CT.1 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or Controlled Dangerous Substance

98738-CT.2 Simple Burglary

Restitution owed to the listed victim in count 2 per the report- $2,170, plus $325.50 fee = $2,495.50 total

ROBINSON, DAVID ANTHONY

99136 Negligent Injuring

ROBINSON, SHARON DEANN

99019 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – Second Offense

99019 CT. 2 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

ROBINSON, SPENCER

99266 CT 1 Unauthorized Use Of A Motor Vehicle

99266 CT 2 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or Controlled Dangerous Substance

ROBINSON, ZYTWONE

98023 Illegal Use Of Weapons Or Dangerous Instrumentalities

ROGERS, JAMES JEREMY

99372 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

99372 CT. 2 Improper Lane Usage

SIMPSON, LINDSAY A.

99427 Ct. 1 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

99427 Ct. 2 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

SIMS JR, DONALD W

98647-CT.1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

98647-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

SMITH, ASPEN FAITH

99394 Illegal Use Of Weapons Or Dangerous Instrumentalities

SNEED, TAMMIE

99338 Obstruction Of Justice

Co def David Sneed

SPEARS, SHANNA

98616 Ct. 1 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

98616 Ct. 2 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian14:92.2.A.(2)(c)

98616 Ct. 3 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

SPURLIN, NATHANIEL CLYDE

99423 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

TATE, RODNEY

98988-CT.1 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

98988-CT.2 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

98988-CT.3 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

98988-CT.4 Forgery

Co def M. Freeman

THOMAS, PEYTON LEON

99334 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling

WELBOURNE, NATHANIEL

98862 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

WEST, SHARTRELLA NAVOSHEA

98782 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

WILLIAMS, DANIEL CHASE

99400 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

9400 CT. 2 Possession of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoids

99400 CT. 3 Possession Of Alcoholic Beverages In Motor Vehicles

99400 CT. 4 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

WILLIAMS, MICHAEL D.

98737 Indecent Behavior With A Juvenile Under Thirteen

WILLIS, KAZANEE ANQWASIA

98379 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

YOUNG, BOBBY LEE

99298 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

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

February 1

1 p.m. Take Your Child to the Library Day Minden Library Branch. Call Latishia Smith at 318-371-3080 ext. 110 for more details.

February 5

9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Evaluation Day for Upward Soccer at North Acres Baptist Church. K5-5th Boys and Girls. Come and go. Season begins March 10th-May 3rd. Practices will be Tuesday evenings and games Saturday mornings. There will be two Tuesday games towards the end of season. If you have any questions, please email nabcsoccer@gmail.com

February 15

11 a.m. MLK Black History Parade/Youth Rally, Downtown Minden.

5 p.m. Minden Mardi Gras parade rolls. Face painting begins at 3:30 p.m.

February 22

8:30 a.m. Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners, Buds & Blooms registration. Speakers begin at 9. First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden. Proceeds used for 4-H Youth Gardening and 4-H Scholarships.

March 22

Noon  until 3:30 p.m. MVP Room Minden Rec Center, 1000 Recreation Drive, Minden, Hearts & Halos, a heartfelt and creative event honoring families who have experienced infant or pregnancy loss. This free event is designed to offer healing through creativity, support, and connection. Spaces are limited to 30 attendees (plus 1 optional guest per registrant). RSVP is required to secure your spot. Register here: https://forms.gle/qwm5TLhhbNN5Ujbx9 

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/share/19MTtduPTF/

March 31

DEADLINE FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Meriwether Wealth and Planning is proud to support local students by offering four (4) $1,000 scholarships to eligible graduating high school seniors. They are able to double their scholarship offerings this year thanks to the generosity of their clients.

Applications are available at https://www.meriwether.com/resources and must be received by Monday, March 31, 2025 at 5 p.m.

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John D. “Johnny” Johnson

June 21, 1942 — January 27, 2025

Minden, La.

Visitation: 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 30, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. Friday, January, 31, 2025, First Baptist Church, Minden.

Burial: 3:15 p.m. Friday, Gardens of Memory, Minden.

Derrick Marcel Williams, Sr.

August 6, 1958 – January 22, 2025

Minden, La.

Visitation: 5 until 8 p.m. Friday, January 31, 2025, Mt. Zion CME Church, Minden.

Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025, First Baptist Church, Minden.

Celebration of Life: 11 a.m. immediately following visitation, First Baptist Church.

Burial: Point Pleasant Cemetery, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Lisa Shierlene Moorehead

August 31, 1966 – January 18, 2025

Minden, La.

Celebration of Life at a later date. Contact 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 Pat Culverhouse

Scott Tucker has served 31 years in law enforcement in Webster Parish, and his career with the parish Sheriff’s Office has taken a new, unexpected path.

“I run the largest adult day care center in Webster Parish,” Tucker told members of the Minden Lions Club, describing his new assignment as warden at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center (BDCC).

Tucker said he learned of his new job as BDCC warden in a round-about way. While driving home from his wife’s Webster Parish School Board retirement party, she asked about my new job.

“I asked what she meant, and she said she had spoken with Sheriff (Jason) Parker and he said I would be the next warden. I thought it was a joke, so I checked with the guy who had been my partner for nearly 26 years and he already knew about it. He said, ‘Oh yeah, we’ve been talking about that for some time.’ And that’s how I found out.”

He took over reins at the parish prison in September, 2024, and told club members he’s in a learning process that requires lots of time.

“I never worked corrections so that means I am learning every day. I’m constantly studying,” he said. “I can say that the days I may have slipped out of the office a little early, I’m paying those back now.”

Tucker runs a facility that houses an average of 600 inmates, including general population and transitional work programs. The roughly 120 inmates in the work program are contributing to the parish and to themselves, he said.

“You see them out working, helping small towns that cannot afford maintenance personnel,” he said. “Some also work without deputy supervision in various businesses, and we only work for those that provide W-2 forms. The advantage to these employers is they can depend on the workers being there every day, on time.”

Work release participants can use the program to help insure they have a good start once their sentence is served.

“They’re paid, and a percentage of their paycheck goes to us for room and board and the rest is something they can build on and have money when they get out,” Tucker said. “We have had a couple of inmates who walked out with around seventy thousand dollars they had saved. And, they are paying child support while they’re incarcerated.”

At BDCC, Tucker said his staff provides an average of 1,800 meals daily which averages roughly 56,000 monthly, and a staggering 672,000 annually. Those meals are prepared primarily using inmate staff. His average meal cost is around five dollars each, he said, “…and we’re trying to get it lower, but that’s a major endeavor.”

Some of the improvements he’s made at BDCC include a new camera security system, one that was made utilizing previously used equipment. As head of procurement under Sheriff Jason Parker’s new administrative program, Tucker said he was not afraid of clearance or bargains in getting the best bang for the buck.

“I found out the National Guard was changing its camera system, so I talked to them and got their replaced system at a very good price. That included servers, software, cameras, everything,” he said. “This upgraded our system and now I can see what’s going on everywhere. We’ve also upgraded our computer network.”

Tucker said he’s trying to establish every program available to him that will help inmates who want to better themselves. Various classes for inmates are presented by Department of Corrections instructors, including a class for sex offenders which he said is one of the only such class offered in the state.

Offering these programs results in a better environment inside the prison, he said.

“They make it better for us, because we’re not having to house the worst of the worst,” Tucker said. “We have some inmates who are taking college courses which they’re paying for themselves. We have one who is about to get his bachelor’s degree and some others who are getting associate degrees.”

Other programs include Celebrate Recovery, AA and religious services that Tucker said are not denominational in nature. A nonsectarian, volunteer Chaplin comes to the prison to conduct services.

Tucker said female prisoners are still housed at the parish courthouse, but that will change when the new women’s facility is completed at the site of the old Penal Farm south of Minden. Currently, the courthouse jail holds up to 64 female inmates.

Offering female inmates options for several classes isn’t practical at the courthouse, Tucker said, but that will change when the new facility is completed. There, classrooms will be available for several programs he wants to see introduced. And, he added, there is one new class scheduled to begin within the week, thanks to a grant from the local technical college.

“The vocational school (Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College) obtained a grant and we will start this week with 12 inmates going to heavy equipment operator’s class,” Tucker said. “These first 12 will be females. This means they will not have to get out and start a minimum wage job. I think this is going to be successful.”

Tucker said the technical college is also working on a Second Chance Pell Grant the will offer more classes such as welding for all inmates. It would be the first classes available since 2019, he noted.

Inmates are also beneficiaries of assistance from local businesses, Tucker said. The owner of Mercy’s Closet has helped with clothing female inmates who work, and is doing so without charging the parish. Also, a local bank has offered to advise the work release inmates on financial planning.

Responding to a question, Tucker said inmates are held to a fairly rigid daily schedule. Wake-up for breakfast begins at 3 a.m., with lunch at 10 a.m. and dinner at 4 p.m. Meals are served in shifts. Head counts and searches are conducted throughout the day, and the days end with lights out at 10 p.m. 

Inmates are also provided with both federal and state mandated items such as TV and recreational activities. His main dormitories have only basic TV while inmates in the transitional work area do get satellite television. “They work for that little extra benefit,” Tucker said.

Tucker said his facility is staffed by about 90 individuals, including part-time workers and drivers. Morale among the staff is good, and he tries to keep the mood light but serious.

Although he tries to avoid housing serious offenders, Tucker said not all at the prison is “peaches and cream.”

“We do have bad people out there…some gang members, the shooters from Dubberly are there,” he said. “We try not to keep long sentence individuals, our average is between five and seven years. We have very good relationships with other jails and if we need to make a transfer, we can work something out. If there is a major problem, DOC will handle them.”

Roughly two-thirds of the inmates at BDCC are from outside Webster Parish, Tucker said.

“I have learned I can bring someone from down south and they will do better on work release because they do not have friends or family nearby,” he said. “A change of environment makes a difference.” 

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Wednesday

A 40 percent chance of showers after noon. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 56. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph.

Thursday

Showers. High near 72. Southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Thursday Night

Showers likely, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 65.

* Information provided by the National Weather Service.

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Notice is hereby given that the City of Minden will receive sealed bids as follows:

Tuesday, February 26, 2025 at 2 p.m.

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

01/29/25, 02/05/25, 02/12/25

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A friend recently became the proud father of a brand new bouncing baby vasectomy.

Do you have any idea how much it hurts me to write that? Well, you guys do …

Hate to type “vasectomy” right there in the first paragraph where everyone can see it. Tried to bury it somewhere down in here but wanted you to know right off the bat that we were dealing the serious stuff today. So there’s the V-word, right at the beginning, sticking out like a sore, well, thumb.

Anyway, my friend’s you-know-what is one week old today. However, he has aged considerably more than seven days.

A young man Louisiana born and bred and the father of three sons, his personal breeding habits ended last Thursday in Memphis, where he now lives. He called me last Monday to proclaim The Upcoming Event. Misery loves company.

My first question was the obvious one: “Why?”

“Not wanting four kids in my home,” he said. “Three (boys) is about three more than you need. I’m willing to take a little bloodshed for lack of one more baby.”

After he and his wife decided this was the way to go, they had to find a doctor. They’ve lived in Memphis less than six months, hardly enough time to establish any sort of meaningful relationship with a urologist.

“You can ask people who works on their care or maybe, ‘Hey, who cuts your hair?’” he said. “But you don’t just walk up to somebody and say, ‘By the way, who’s your urologist?’”

So he did the logical thing. He looked in the Yellow Pages.

“Geography is a big thing,” he said. “I found the one closest to my house.

“I called and asked the receptionist to tell me a little about the doctor, you know, not that it matters, but I was just wondering. Keep in mind I was just playing this whole thing by ear, no pun intended.”

He expected her to say something reassuring, like the doctor graduated magna cum laude from the University of Tennessee and was first in his class in Vasectomy 401. Instead, this is exactly what she said:

“Well, he started this practice 19 years ago — and he’s nuts about Corvettes. Probably has 15 Corvettes. Maybe 20.”

“For some reason,” my friend said, “that didn’t exactly put me at ease. I mean, we’re not talking about changing the oil in my car here. Plus she used the word ‘nuts.’ Made me uncomfortable.”

Maybe a bit too cavalier.

She also told him he’d be able to drive himself home.

“She told me it was kind of like when you go to the dentist and your gums are numb,” he said. “Needless to say, I’m starting to lose a little confidence in my urologist selection by now. I mean, she’s comparing my gums to … you know what I’m trying to say.”

Well, he survived. Although FCC rules prohibit me from describing the actual procedure here, I can share some of the during-the-vasectomy conversation. For instance, at one point he thought he was going to faint.

“The nurse looked at me and said that people feel that way all the time, but it’s just from the Novocain and the pulling,” he told me. “I told her — barely— ‘No, ma’am, it’s just the pulling. Novocain’s got nothing to do with it.’ After that, they started running cold drinks in there to me.”

I guess to pass the time, he told the doctor his insurance company had said his $470 rate for The Procedure was a little high. The doctor disputed that, saying it was probably the cheapest rate in town.

“I wanted to ask, ‘Who are you, the Wal-Mart of urologists?’” our luckless friend said. “What does this guy do, put on a disguise and go price other doctors? But I didn’t say anything; shoot, I couldn’t say anything. And I was sort of in a position where I didn’t want to make him too mad.”

In a strange twist of circumstance, our cat had a similar operation last week. This makes him no longer a tomcat — only a consultant.

The cat’s name is Jingle Bell. We may change it to Silent Night.

• Springtime, 1995

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Last week, a polar vortex blew through the region and New Orleans got eight inches of snow. I think that’s a record. We had a couple of inches in Hattiesburg—just enough to shut everything down and turn the South into a snow day for grown-ups. The night before the freeze seemed like perfect weather for chili, the kind of meal that wraps you in a warm hug on a cold night. My wife thought so, too. She suggested we invite some friends out to the lake house for chili dinner and, as she put it, “it would be fun to have some s’mores” for dessert.

There is nothing fun about s’mores.

I love chili. Chili is dependable. Chili makes sense. But s’mores? Nope. I’ve never liked them and never will. “No one really likes s’mores. They only like the thought of s’mores,” I said. She gave me that look that says, “Here we go,” and then called me a name I can’t repeat in this space. And maybe she’s right, but has anyone ever finished a s’more and thought, You know, I could go for another one of those sticky disasters?

It’s not that I hate the idea of s’mores. In theory, it all sounds good: chocolate, marshmallows, graham crackers, and a bonfire. What’s not to like? But when you actually break it down, it’s a mess. Based on my research (read: two minutes Googling), s’mores got their start in the 1920s, when the Girl Scouts included a recipe for “some mores” in one of their guidebooks. Back then, they probably made sense. It was the Great Depression. Dessert options were probably slim. And if you had a campfire and some leftover marshmallows, that was about as fancy as life got.

But it’s 2025. We live in a world with cookies, brownies, and oatmeal cream pies. Yet somehow, s’mores have managed to stick around—probably because they’ve been romanticized to the point of absurdity. Again, people don’t love s’mores; they love the idea of s’mores. They picture a campfire under the stars, laughter, good times, out of tune guitars, and crusty old singalongs. What they conveniently forget is the reality: graham cracker crumbs everywhere, molten marshmallow burning the roof of your mouth, and a piece of chocolate that refuses to melt.

Let’s start with the marshmallow roasting process, which is where s’mores begin their slow descent into stupidity. Supposedly, the goal is to toast your marshmallow to a golden-brown perfection. But let’s be honest—when does that ever happen? You’re either standing too close to the fire and choking on smoke while turning your marshmallow into a crusty black flaming comet. Or you’re too far back, warming it just enough to make it sticky without actually cooking it. Either way, you’re left holding something that you cooked on a deconstructed coat hanger that looks like it’s been through a nuclear holocaust.

Then comes the assembly. You’re supposed to take your sticky, half-burnt marshmallow and try to sandwich it between two graham crackers and a chocolate bar. The graham crackers, brittle as they are, break the second you apply pressure. Meanwhile, the chocolate stubbornly refuses to melt, no matter how hot your marshmallow is. You’re left with a lopsided mess that’s impossible to eat without getting marshmallow glue on your shirt and graham cracker shards in your lap.

Then there’s the name, “s’mores.” It’s supposed to mean “some more,” as if one isn’t enough. Let me just say this: they should’ve been called “s’neveragains.” By the time you’ve finished one, you’re sticky, frustrated, and wondering why you didn’t just eat the chocolate by itself. Actually, that might be the one dessert in which the ingredients are all better eaten separately than as the recipe instructs.

I’ve had my fair share of desserts that didn’t make sense. My grandmother was a wonderful woman—warm, generous, and an incredible cook. Her fried chicken and leg of lamb was legendary, and she had a knack for making every meal feel special. But she had a soft spot for Jell-O molds, and I could never get behind those. Lime-green Jell-O with shredded carrots floating inside? It looked like it belonged in a science experiment, not on the dinner table. But I didn’t eat them. Not once. I loved my grandmother, but there are limits, even for family. Nostalgia can make people put up with a lot—lime Jell-O molds, bad casseroles, fruitcake—but s’mores don’t hold that kind of sway for me. There’s no emotional attachment, no warm memory to lean on. It’s just a sticky, frustrating mess that leaves me annoyed and still hungry. Nostalgia might excuse a lot of things, but it can’t save a bad dessert.

Thankfully, the chili night never happened, which spared me from having to endure the s’mores disaster. I imagine it would’ve gone something like this: a group of adults pretending to enjoy themselves while wrestling with flaming marshmallows and crumbling crackers, brittle, unmelted chocolate bars falling to the ground, and sticky marshmallows flying across the room. My wife would’ve been silent, knowing full well I was biting my tongue to keep from saying, “Told you so.”

I get why people cling to s’mores. It’s not about the dessert; it’s about the memory. The campfire, the laughter, the off-key singing of “Kumbaya,” and the shared experience. But the reality of s’mores doesn’t live up to the hype. There are way better desserts out there, ones that don’t involve sticky fingers, burnt marshmallows, and shattered graham crackers.

S’mores had their moment in the 1920s. It’s time to leave them there. 

Now get off my lawn!

Onward.

Chili

1 Tbl olive oil

1 Tbl bacon Fat

2 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

1 Tbl Fresh ground black pepper

3 cups yellow onion, medium dice           

1 cup carrot, finely shredded

2 Tbl Ground Cumin

2 tsp Ground Coriander

1 tsp Oregano

2 Tbl  Chili powder

1/4 cup fresh garlic minced

1 6-ounce can tomato paste

2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes

1 quart V-8 juice

1 quart hot chicken broth

 2 Bay leaves

 2 14-ounce cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed

2 Tbl Corn flour/masa

1/2 cup water       

1 Tbl fresh lime juice

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Hot sauce to taste

Heat the oil and bacon fat in an 8- quart, heavy duty sauce pot over high heat. Sprinkle the meat with salt and black pepper. Place half of the meat in the very hot oil. DO NOT MOVE THE MEAT FOR 3-4 MINUTES, you want to achieve a nice golden brown sear. Turn the meat over and brown the other side the best you can. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel to drain. Repeat this process with the remaining meat. 

Turn the heat to medium and add the onion, carrot and garlic to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the spices and tomato paste. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. This step is very important, caramelizing the sugars in the tomato paste and vegetables with really make a difference in the outcome of the chili. 

Return the meat to the pot and add in the canned tomatoes, V-8 juice, chicken broth and bay leaves. Simmer VERY slowly, covered, for 2-3 hours. Stir often to prevent sticking. Add the beans and simmer for 15 more minutes.

Combine the corn flour with the water to make a paste. Turn up the heat up so that the chili reaches a slow boil and stir in the corn flour mixture. Allow the chili to cook for 2-3 more minutes. Add hot sauce to desired heat. Remove from heat and stir in the lime juice and cilantro.

Yield: 1 gallon

(Robert St. John is a chef, restauranteur and published cookbook author who lives in Hattiesburg, Miss.)

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It’s never easy to pick the best of the best.

It’s tougher when the choices are mostly subjective.

Who’s the best quarterback in the NFL right now? Patrick Mahomes, with all those Super Bowl appearances, maybe a third straight championship? Lamar Jackson, the reigning MVP, perhaps a repeat winner? Joe Burrow, who considering his supporting cast, probably had the best production of any passer this season? Josh Allen … and there’s cause to consider Jalen Hurts, even Jayden Daniels.

At least there are statistics that are absolute comparables in that debate.

But it gets tougher sorting through, say, nominees for all-district football teams. A lot of districts just punt and overload their first teams so that a second team is really what used to be honorable mention and honorable mention is anybody who gets nominated. Not often enough do we see all-district squads that reserve top billing for 22 or so who are selected by the majority of voters as best at their positions.

I’ve never voted on an all-district team. I have voted for all-conference, All-Louisiana, All-America and Academic All-America on the college level. For one season I was one of the media voters on the Associated Press major college Top 25 poll – the top teams in 1988 were Miami and Notre Dame, and I got some attention (and scorn) by voting Miami No. 1 although in the regular season, their failed two-point conversion try cost them a win at South Bend. How could an Ireland not pick the Irish? The U was the best team, I thought. Still do.

The last vote I cast was just a few days ago, as a board member for the S.M. McNaughton North Louisiana Chapter of the National Football Foundation, to narrow a field of 18 high school senior scholar-athletes down to nine receiving $1,000 scholarships.

All due respect to coaches who vote on all-district teams – and BTW, all 18 finalists were all-district selections last fall – but their votes didn’t award $1,000 to one kid and nothing to another.

So as we sat around a table, advocated our choices, submitted our ballots, tallied the results, there was careful deliberation. There were a few unanimous selections. There were a lot of votes spread among the other candidates, and we had a budget. We could easily have picked 18 and been proud of every choice, but only nine were going to be chosen.

Reading these applications and recommendation letters was an honor. Each nominee was impressive. They were undeniably each the best football-playing senior scholar-athlete at their school, a role model to teammates, to classmates, and to younger students, even boys and girls in elementary school.

Several had glowing letters from church leaders and business people, attesting to their leadership, their character, their integrity. Nearly every one had a recommendation from their head coach, and each coach was convinced their kid was not only the best on his campus, but was as good as any in the 318 area code.

They were right.

That’s what made it so challenging to select nine winners, and to have to leave nine finalists unrewarded for all their excellence.

I believe we had 18 winners, and just nine scholarship recipients.

Thanks to the 18 coaches who nominated. Thanks to the teachers and guidance counselors and administrators and janitors and cafeteria workers and teachers’ aides who inspired these Class of 2025 scholar-athletes to be the best they could be.

Who knows? There might be a future All-American, Academic All-American, or even Pro Bowler among them. Regardless of whether they ever play another snap, this much is certain: every one of the 18 is a winner.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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Springhill, LA — Springhill North Webster Chamber of Commerce has joined the Clean Biz Partnership, a program created by Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) to help reduce and prevent litter and is asking local businesses to show their community pride by joining the effort.

KLB is asking chambers of commerce across Louisiana to join the Clean Biz Partnership and recruit businesses in their area to participate as a Clean Biz Partner. As part of the campaign, KLB is providing supplies, recognition, and branded marketing toolkits to participating chambers and enrolled businesses to display in their place of business. The program was created to address a recommendation made by the Litter Abatement and Beautification Task Force created by Governor Edwards in 2023 and chaired by Lt. Governor Nungesser.

“A clean Louisiana is good for business. By doing our part and keeping our businesses litter-free, we are giving a great first impression to patrons and visitors while positively impacting our state’s economic development efforts,” said Tim Mouser, Board President of the Springhill North Webster Chamber of Commerce.

According to KLB Executive Director Susan Russell, a recent litter public attitude survey conducted in Louisiana showed that 89% of those polled stated they believe litter negatively impacts businesses by decreasing revenues.

“Litter is a problem that affects the health and vitality of all communities in Louisiana,” said Russell. “Street flooding, property values, tourism, our state’s image, the environment, and our businesses are all impacted by litter. It’s a responsibility that we all must share, including the business community, to make meaningful change and keep our communities litter free.”

Visit KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org/CleanBiz for more information about the program and the link to sign up as a Clean Biz Partner. This program is free to join.

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By Brad Dison

In 1873, Julius Wettstein, a German cheese maker, opened a cheese factory in Monroe, New York.  He named it Monroe Cheese Company.  The company was so successful that Wettstein sold the company five years later for $16,000.  Adjusted for inflation, that would be just over half a million dollars in today’s money.  The cheese company was bought and sold twice, each time making a profit, until Adolphe Tode and a partner bought it in 1884 for $25,000.  In 1888, they hired 21-year-old Swiss immigrant Emil Frey to work in the factory. 

In 1889, Adolphe challenged his cheese makers to produce a popular cheese called Bismarck.  Bismarck cheese imported from Europe spoiled before it reached American grocers.  After two years of failed attempts on his own time, Emil developed a new spreadable cheese that was so popular that the company discontinued their efforts to create Bismarck cheese.  They named Emil’s creation Liederkranz after a famous New York Singing Society.  Liederkranze cheese became popular across America, but Adolphe had made enough bad business decisions that he lost everything.    

In 1891, New York wholesale grocer Jacob Weisl bought the Monroe Cheese Company from the Goshen Savings Bank.  Under Jacob’s leadership, the Monroe Cheese Company grew and expanded.  They opened a second factory in Covington, Pennsylvania where they focused mainly on producing Swiss cheese.  Sales of Swiss cheese were spectacular, but there were some issues with producing and distributing wheels of hard Swiss cheese.  It often came out misshapen or was broken during the manufacturing or distribution processes.  Jacob deemed the misshapen or broken cheese unsalable, but what could they do with all the “waste cheese?”

In 1916, Jacob challenged his employees to find a way to turn the “waste cheese” into a profitable product.  Luckily, Emil Frey was still working for Monroe Cheese Company.  In his spare time in his home kitchen, Emil mixed and measured various ingredients.  After two years of trial and error, he came up with a concoction which used only three ingredients; the waste cheese, whey, which was the leftover liquid from milk curds, and an emulsifier used to blend and stabilize the product.  Emil patented the process, named his new cheese, and shared his discovery with his boss.  The new cheese could easily hold its shape, required no refrigeration, had a long shelf life, and turned into a silky sauce when melted. 

The Monroe Cheese Company quickly put the “waste cheese” into production.  Like Emil’s Liederkranze cheese, his new creation became popular in homes, hotels, and restaurants. It was so popular that on Valentine’s Day 1923, Jacob created and incorporated a new independent company to produce this one product.  In 1927, Kraft Foods bought the “waste cheese” company. 

Researchers at Kraft quickly began tinkering with Emil’s formula and process.  Remember that Emil patented the process for making his “waste cheese.”  Rather than three ingredients, the new formula had a paragraph’s worth of chemical ingredients.  Kraft advertised the “waste cheese” as a health food and diet aid, though it was neither.  With clever marketing campaigns, Kraft’s version of Emil’s “waste cheese” remains one of the most popular cheese products in the world.  Kraft’s version still tastes and melts pretty much the same as the Emil’s “waste cheese,” and still uses the name Emil gave it because of its velvety smoothness when melted.  You know Emil’s “waste cheese” as Velveeta.  What you may not know is that Kraft’s version of Velveeta cheese does not contain any cheese.

Sources:

1.     David Levine, “Where Does Velveeta (and Liederkranz) Cheese Come From? Monroe, NY, Of Course!” Hudson Valley Magazine, March 18, 2013, https://hvmag.com/food/where-does-velveeta-and-liederkranz-cheese-come-from-monroe-ny-of-course/.

2.     David Levine, “Who Emil Frey whipped up a smooth dairy sensation,” Smithsonian, January-February 2025, p.35.

3.     “The History of Cheese Making in Monroe,” Monroe Historical Society, https://www.monroehistoryny.org/cheese-in-monroe.

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If you answered yes to the above questions, then we would love to talk with you.

Webster Parish Journal is looking for a writer to help cover the northern part of Webster Parish. We are specifically interested in someone who is familiar with the people and places north of Cotton Valley to Springhill, preferably someone who lives in that area or has lived there in the past.

We want someone who loves to write features about the people who make this community great.

We also need someone who can take on some assignments and cover local government.

If this sounds like you, please email wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Send a resume and samples of your writing.

This is NOT a full-time job, but a great opportunity to earn extra money as a stringer.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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When it comes to bass tournament anglers and sponsors, the winds are changing, and the opportunities are diminishing. Today we’ll take a look at what many young anglers are facing with regards to landing sponsors while trying to compete on one of the professional bass tournament trails. If you’re looking to fish for a living, pay close attention to what I’m about to tell you. 

First, let’s address why sponsors are necessary; without them the decision to fish professionally can be next to impossible unless you have parents or grandparents willing to foot the bill. To fish at the highest level requires lots of money up front even before you ever wet a hook. Without great sponsors, it’s almost impossible to make the dream of becoming a professional bass fisherman a reality. 

In today’s professional bass fishing world, there are only so many sponsors available as anglers are constantly competing for what few there are. Not all sponsors are created equal, as some are willing to pay the angler a salary, while others just give product such as a bass boat, fishing tackle, or possibly a truck in exchange for the angler’s  promotion of these items.

But before an angler needs to worry about sponsors, he or she needs to learn how to find fish. The one mistake I see with many young anglers on the rise is that they are too worried about how to obtain sponsors rather than learning how to find and catch fish. 

Kids today are star struck by the fancy sublimation shirts that really do turn heads. But it goes without saying that unless you can catch fish, you won’t have to worry about landing sponsors. Tournament success is still important!

Another thing young anglers don’t understand in today’s professional bass fishing world, it’s not just about catching bass, it’s also about an angler’s ability to promote a product. Most sponsors could care less if you can catch bass. They’re more concerned with your ability to communicate and sell product for them.  

They want an angler who will represent their brand in a professional manner by attending boat shows, fishing seminars and doing a great job with social media promotions. My first advice to any angler looking to fish professionally is to take speech and learn how to sell yourself and communicate with people. 

Here’s the truth…once you sign with sponsors, you’re now obligated to them and must respond to their beckoning call. They’re not paying you to fish, but rather to represent their brand and promote product. 

Here’s where the love hate relationship comes into play. Every angler will tell you that when it comes to sponsors, it is a double edge sword. With success comes more responsibility and commitment to the sponsors you’re connected with. 

This means more time off the water and less time practicing, which can interfere with your ability to compete at the highest level due to the fact that your sponsors are pulling you away from what you really want to do the most….go bass fishing!

But sponsors are a necessity for a fulltime professional angler, and they hold all the cards in an angler’s ability to make a living. Every angler will tell you there’s no way an angler can make a living just off tournament winnings. Anglers must draw a salary and get help with expensive tournament entry fees in order to make a living for their families. 

So, the next time you see a professional bass fisherman wearing one of those great looking sublimation shirts with all the different company logos, understand that each logo comes with a high level of commitment and dedication, not just to the companies he represents, but his family as well. 

Till next time, good luck, good fishing and always believe that the fish are going bite tomorrow. The power of positive thinking is the most important ingredient an angler can have in order to achieve success. 

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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

January 30

10 a.m. Cake ’n’ Coffee Talk, Senior Adult Planning Session, First Methodist Church Wesley Room, 903 Broadway, Minden.

February 1

1 p.m. Take Your Child to the Library Day Minden Library Branch. Call Latishia Smith at 318-371-3080 ext. 110 for more details.

February 5

9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Evaluation Day for Upward Soccer at North Acres Baptist Church. K5-5th Boys and Girls. Come and go. Season begins March 10th-May 3rd. Practices will be Tuesday evenings and games Saturday mornings. There will be two Tuesday games towards the end of season. If you have any questions, please email nabcsoccer@gmail.com

February 15

11 a.m. MLK Black History Parade/Youth Rally, Downtown Minden.

5 p.m. Minden Mardi Gras parade rolls. Face painting begins at 3:30 p.m.

February 22

8:30 a.m. Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners, Buds & Blooms registration. Speakers begin at 9. First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden. Proceeds used for 4-H Youth Gardening and 4-H Scholarships.

March 22

Noon  until 3:30 p.m. MVP Room Minden Rec Center, 1000 Recreation Drive, Minden, Hearts & Halos, a heartfelt and creative event honoring families who have experienced infant or pregnancy loss. This free event is designed to offer healing through creativity, support, and connection. Spaces are limited to 30 attendees (plus 1 optional guest per registrant). RSVP is required to secure your spot. Register here: https://forms.gle/qwm5TLhhbNN5Ujbx9 

For more information: https://www.facebook.com/share/19MTtduPTF/

March 31

DEADLINE FOR THE FOLLOWING:

Meriwether Wealth and Planning is proud to support local students by offering four (4) $1,000 scholarships to eligible graduating high school seniors. They are able to double their scholarship offerings this year thanks to the generosity of their clients.

Applications are available at https://www.meriwether.com/resources and must be received by Monday, March 31, 2025 at 5 p.m.

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John D. “Johnny” Johnson

June 21, 1942 — January 27, 2025

Minden, La.

Visitation: 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 30, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. Friday, January, 31, 2025, First Baptist Church, Minden.

Burial: 3:15 p.m. Friday, Gardens of Memory, Minden.

Joe Wayne “Big Joe” Corley

March 21, 1961 – January 24, 2025

Dubberly/Minden, La.

Contact Rocket Funeral Home, Ringgold, La., for arrangements

Derrick Marcel Williams, Sr.

August 6, 1958 – January 22, 2025

Minden, La.

Visitation: 5 until 8 p.m. Friday, January 31, 2025, Mt. Zion CME Church, Minden.

Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday, February 1, 2025, First Baptist Church, Minden.

Celebration of Life: 11 a.m. immediately following visitation, First Baptist Church.

Burial: Point Pleasant Cemetery, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Lisa Shierlene Moorehead

August 31, 1966 – January 18, 2025

Minden, La.

Celebration of Life at a later date. Contact 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 Pat Culverhouse

A 16-year-old juvenile has been arrested for the theft last week of a vehicle from a local automobile dealership.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said the young person was picked up Friday by MPD detectives after his parents learned the vehicle was stolen and notified authorities. He reportedly was charged with theft of a motor vehicle and released to the custody of his parents.

“Apparently, the youngster rode a bus to Minden High Thursday, but left the school grounds and walked to various places around town including the Ridgewood subdivision,” Det. Lt. Jason Smith said. “He eventually walked through the parking lot of a local car dealership, found an unlocked car with the keys inside, took the car and drove it home.”

Smith said the youth’s parents contacted the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office when they discovered the vehicle was stolen. The youth reportedly has admitted he took the vehicle.

Minden police had posted surveillance photos of the youth apparently looking inside the vehicle on the department’s Facebook page, along with information on the theft and a description.

“We appreciate all the assistance from our amazing community,” the department posted in an update reporting the arrest and recovery of the 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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By Paige Gurgainers

The Young Women’s Service Club (YWSC) is gearing up for their annual Minden St. Jude Kid’s Day set to take place beginning at 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, February 8. 

“The club is always ecstatic to host the St. Jude Kid’s Day,” said President Gillian Davis. “We love seeing all the smiles on the kids’ faces, but most of all we are always ready to help the kids at St. Jude. This event is just a little contribution to helping those young kids and their families through a tough time.” 

The YWSC will be set up beside the fountain right outside the Minden Civic Center. It will be $10 dollars for the kids to enjoy bounce houses, temporary tattoos, snacks, games and more. All the proceeds raised will be donated directly to the auction following the event.  

Thanks to the support of the community, the club has been able to donate around $2,000 each year.  

The auction will kick-off on Thursday, February 6 and run until Sunday, February 9. The committee is still gathering raffle items if your business or organization is interested in donating, please reach out to the Minden St. Jude Auction Facebook page or email: mindenstjudemerch@gmail.com  

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Tuesday

Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, partly sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind.

Wednesday

A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a high near 64. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Thursday

Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after noon. High near 70. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

Thursday Night

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before midnight, then showers likely. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 55. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent.

* Information provided by the National Weather Service.

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By Pat Culverhouse

A north Webster Parish duo is being held on drug charges after a traffic stop by a parish deputy resulted in the discovery of a large quantity of illegal narcotics.

Sheriff Jason Parker said 29-year-old Jaquan Lee of Sarepta and 31-year-old Qued Jinayl Frankiea Kennedy of Cullen were arrested last week following the traffic stop on La. Hwy 615 near Shongaloo.

Both reportedly are charged with possession of CDS Sch. I (marijuana) with intent to distribute and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor.

Kennedy, the reported driver of the vehicle, is also looking at a pair of traffic violations. The pair reportedly was booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. No bond has been set.

WPSO Lt. Chase Wimberly reportedly made the stop about 6:30 p.m. and detected the odor of marijuana inside the vehicle during initial questioning. Minden police Lt. Chris Hammontree arrived to assist, along with his K9 partner, Tigo.

According to an incident report, Tigo alerted to the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle, and a consequent search revealed an unopened postal box. Based on indicators, deputies secured a search warrant for the box and inside they found plastic packages reportedly containing several hundred grams of natural marijuana.

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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NATCHITOCHES – Seven hundred seventeen Northwestern State University students were named to the Honor List for the Fall 2024 semester.  Students on the Honor List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of between 3.0 and 3.49.

Webster Parish students listed by hometown are as follows:

Minden – Lorelai Beavers, Emily Coleman, Cameron Dauzat, Emma Dauzat, Charlotte Edwards

Sibley – Cassie Mosley

Eight hundred ninety-two undergraduate students were named to the Spring 2023 Dean’s List. Students on the Dean’s List must be enrolled full time and earn a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99. 

 Webster Parish students named to the Dean’s List by hometown are as follows:

Cotton Valley – Haley Sandlin

Minden – Clotis Ary, Adrianna Maddox, Kameron Sappington, A’Shuntee Simmons, Anunye Thomas

Northwestern State University announces the names of 529 students named to the President’s List for the Fall 2024 semester.  Students on the President’s List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of 4.0. 

Webster Parish students listed by hometown are as follows:

Minden – Madison Fread, Sarah Galvan, Arianna Gill, Landon Greer, Hollan Haynes, Richard Mitchell  

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