Last week we talked about the early journey of my life and the difficulties I faced before the age of 9. Today we’ll continue this journey of perseverance and determination, along with two people who changed the course of my life forever. 

At the ripe old age of seven, and with my Little League baseball career on hold due to an age issue, I truly struggled in school the entire first half of the school year. Then that Christmas in 1968 my aunt and uncle (Laverne and Loyd Graf Jr.) came to Rosenberg, Texas, and brought me to their home in Northeast Texas…Mt. Pleasant. 

My aunt enrolled me in school there and I spent Christmas break and the entire spring and early summer trying to get caught up so I could finish out the first grade. I was also blessed to have a 1^st grade teacher by the name of Mickey Sinclair who played a huge roll in me passing and moving on to the 2^nd grade. 

This was when my life began to change for the good. I passed the first grade and spent the entire summer of ’68 there with my aunt and uncle working and playing on their ranch. It was an awesome summer as I made new friends and met my best bud…. Kevin Owsley. We took swimming lessons and played on the same Pee Wee League team, the Yankees! 

We had some great sleep overs and camping trips while becoming as close as brothers. I also learned how to fish and what it meant to do chores on our ranch. It really was the best summer of my life!  It was also the beginning of my baseball playing career and it didn’t take me long to realize, this sport was going take me places. God had blessed me with athletic ability and a good throwing arm. Turns out, sports gave me a purpose in life and a sense of belonging. 

At the end of the summer of ’68, my bio mom came and picked me up and took me back to Houston where I started the 2^nd grade. I really missed my aunt and uncle, along with all my friends back in Mt. Pleasant. Once again, there I was at the age of 8 and back into the same bad environment, struggling in school, but this time my mom had moved us to Houston. 

I was staying out till all hours of the night and running the streets of Houston while living in an apartment complex that did not have the best people living there. With so much freedom and mingling with thieves and drug dealers on a regular basis, bad temptations were a constant. I was actually smoking cigarettes and if you’re wondering, Marlboro was my choice of sticks. Now instead of just looking for food in the neighborhood, I’m also looking for smokes. 

During my time in Houston, I always knew that the people I was hanging with were not held in high esteem. For some reason, (only God knows) I separated myself from them and tried to keep my distance. One thing that came out of this, was the fact that I became street wise at a very early age and learned how to read people pretty quick. No doubt that the Lord above was looking out for me at this time of my life as I was headed down the wrong road. 

Failing the 2^nd grade at Christmas…again… Aunt Laverne and Uncle Jr. drove to Houston and picked me up and took me back to Mt. Pleasant for good. Once again, I found myself doing extra schoolwork during the holidays and the following spring of ’69 to get caught up and pass the 2^nd grade. But for me, my biggest joy was the fact that I was back with my friends and playing baseball once again for the Pee Wee League Yankees. By the way, the Yankees in two seasons under Coach James Stansell, were 24-0!!! 

Then a day that’s burned in my memory occurred. At the end of the summer of ’69, my bio mom showed up and was planning on taking me back to Houston. But my aunt and uncle stepped in and said “no” and felt it was better for me to stay with them permanently. So, I remember quite vividly the day my mom gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek and told me how much she loved me as I watched her with sadness in my heart, drive away for the last time. Even though I talked with her maybe a handful of times, I never saw her again until the day of her funeral. 

To this day, I can’t imagine how hard this must have been for her, but looking back, she knew it was the best thing she could ever do for me. As a parent myself with three awesome kids, I cannot even fathom giving up any one of them for any reason! Sadly, my bio mom was just not capable of raising two boys on her own since she had already divorced for the second time. But for me, I finally had some consistency and direction in my life and all was good! 

Next week I’ll wrap up this incredible journey and give credit to the two people who made a commitment to a young boy and put him on the path to success.Till next time, good luck, good fishing and don’t forget your sunscreen.  

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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By Pat Culverhouse

A Louisiana State Police trooper and a Minden Police Dept. K-9 teamed to sniff out a stash of illegal narcotics during a traffic stop on Interstate 20 Friday afternoon, and a Monroe woman is now behind bars as a result.

LSP Trooper Jacob Winiarski reportedly answered a call to I-20 around 3:30 p.m. Friday concerning a vehicle pulling a trailer which had lost several appliances on the roadway in Bienville Parish.

After stopping the vehicle in Webster Parish, the trooper reportedly observed the driver, 50-year-old Jennifer Manning Zuber, acting suspiciously during questioning about the unsecured load.

According to the incident report, the driver denied the presence of anything illegal inside the vehicle, but refused the trooper’s request to conduct a search. At that time, Minden PD Lt. Brandon Curry and his K9 partner Brams were dispatched to the scene to assist.

When the K9 responded positively to the possible presence of narcotics, Trooper Winiarski reportedly searched the vehicle and found a glass smoking device and approximately 28.59 grams of methamphetamines in a zip-loc bag inside the suspect’s purse.

Zuber reportedly admitted ownership of the drugs and the smoking device during booking at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

She is charged with possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), possession of CDS in the presence of a juvenile and possession of drug paraphernalia in addition to the traffic offense of traveling with an unsecured load. Her total bond has been set at $30,000.

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.

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Daniel Paul Kirkland

June 1, 1987 – January 9, 2025

Minden, La.

Visitation: 4 until 6 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden, La.

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

Two local men have been arrested for their alleged part in the shooting at a Dubberly bonfire party that left six persons wounded, two critically.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker identified the suspects as 22-year-old Jacolby Tyrone Snell of Doyline and 23-year-old Zyan Adominick-Jaire Stanley, who listed an address in the 100 block of McArthur in Minden.

Parker said Stanley has been charged with six counts of attempted first degree murder while Snell has been booked as accessory after the fact and two counts of modifying a pistol to a machine gun.

Stanley, accompanied by his attorney,  reportedly turned himself in at the Sheriff’s Office just before 4 p.m. Tuesday. Snell was arrested Monday evening following interviews by Webster investigators.

Both men are currently being held in Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. Stanley’s bond has been set at a total of $900,000 while Snell is facing a total bond of $120,000.

“Our detectives had reasonable suspicion of Snell’s involvement after the crime,” Parker said. “We retrieved data that showed he had knowledge of the crime and helped hide the firearm used in the shootings.”

After gathering the information, investigators then obtained a search warrant for Snell’s residence in the 200 block of Hanson Dr. in Doyline. During their search, detectives found two firearms which had been modified with a Glock switch, converting the pistols into machine guns.

“Our detectives and all our deputies put in a lot of hours and conducted many interviews to bring these suspects into custody,” Parker said. “Even though we have these two, we will continue to investigate the incident.”

Parker said the two individuals who were reported in critical condition the night of the shootings appear to be improving.

“We understand the two critically wounded have non-life threatening injuries,” Parker said. “We hope for their full recovery.”

Webster deputies responded just before midnight Saturday, Jan. 11, to the report of the shootings at an apparent unpermitted bonfire event on rural property on LA Hwy. 531 outside Dubberly. According to responding officers, a crowd numbering in the hundreds was still partying after the shots were fired.

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 Marilyn Miller

Since graduating from Minden High School in 1963, Claude Minter Reeves has had two careers – and they couldn’t be more different. One involves law enforcement, and the other…well, let’s just say it doesn’t have anything to do with the enforcement of the law.

Right after graduating, Claude took a correspondence course administered by the Louisiana State Department of Embalmers & Funeral Directors. “I had to fly to New Orleans to take the final test…it was the only place the test was administered…a place called Delgado. But I got my license.”

Prior to that, Claude had dropped off an application at the Minden Police Department. Chief Harvey McClung and the Minden City Council gave him a call, and Mr. Reeves became Officer Reeves. He then dedicated a dozen years to the MPD.

Claude always worked nights because he drove a school bus for the Webster Parish School Board during the day (for 11 years). He had just reported for his first night when a call came in about a shooting at the corner of Martin Luther King and East Street. “We (WPSO Deputy Willard McClung was with him) arrived and there was a male lying in the middle of the street and another male on the side of the street…I don’t know what they were arguing about” but the defendant, a third man, had shot both of them.

“I’d been on the job for 10 minutes,” Officer Reeves recalled. “I had borrowed a uniform from Gary White, a gun from Dalton Shipp, and a flashlight from somebody. Everything I had on except my underwear was borrowed from someone else. I stood up on the street with a flashlight and turned cars and people away from the scene.”

When he got home, he told his wife, Betty, “if this is policing, I don’t know if I want any part of it.”

“I worried about him, especially with him working nights,” Betty, who was clerk of court for three different district judges, said. “And especially the night he had to put on special gear to face a Shreveport shooting suspect who was ‘holed up’ at Ramada Inn.” 

“After 12 years, I became dissatisfied with policing and decided I wanted to enter the profession I studied for,” Claude recalled. “Darryl Walker was the manager of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, and I went in and talked to him, and he laughed and said, “You are one lucky man.” An opening had just come up. “I was hired, and I stayed there for 30 years. I retired the last day of 2007.”

“People have asked me over the years about some of the biggest funerals I have worked,” Claude commented. “Well, there were Newt and Erlene Brown, Nancy Burns, Lt. Gary White, H. O. West, Grady Madden, Michael Butler…I can’t think of more right now. But those come to mind. I probably left somebody out.” Claude learned a hard lesson when he scheduled two of those services on the same day. “There were flowers everywhere,” he recalled. “I never made that mistake again.”

People also ask Claude how he can do the job he does, comforting the bereaved. ”Well, I feel like I’m doing what the Lord wants me to do…and he gave me a talent for doing it,” he answered.

At the end of 2007, the day he retired from Rose-Neath, Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton approached Claude and asked if he would consider working for him. Claude replied that he was “Older, wiser and more tired. I’ve been up 30 years doing night embalming and I can’t do much (physically).” But Sheriff Sexton replied that he had something perfect for him.

So, the morning after he retired from Rose-Neath, Claude was on the payroll of the WP Sheriff’s Office, assigned as a bailiff in the WP Courthouse. He got the “politics” speech from his boss — “Claude, just remember to work every day like the election is tomorrow. We are running every day that we work. Everybody is looking at us, watching us to see what we do right and what we don’t do right.”

Lt. Reeves remembered that advice every day, and he remembered his training under Lt. Mack Garrett, senior bailiff. A bailiff is a court officer who enforces the rules of behavior in courtrooms. Only one time in 18 years did Deputy Reeves recall having to “drag” someone (in this instance, the brother of a murder defendant), from the courtroom for yelling and disrupting a trial. When Lt. Garrett retired, Claude became senior bailiff.

CIaude is the son of a preacher and his wife, Bro. and Mrs. Paul Reeves, who transferred to Minden from Stamps, AR to work for the L&A Railroad. He was born Dec. 3, 1945 at Minden Sanitarium. He has a brother, Wayne, who is a retired schoolteacher living in Mexico. He had four sisters (now deceased). He and Betty have two children, daughter Angela R. Lilly and son Kevin Reeves & wife, Judith. They have four grandchildren – Morgan Lilly, Peyton Lilly & wife, Mary; Katie Reeves, and Emily Reeves.

What does the future of a retired Claude Reeves look like?

“I haven’t wet a jig (fished) in years, but I plan to now,” he said, adding that he wants to work more for his church, Calvary Missionary Baptist.

Lt. Reeves is still working parttime for the WPSO, escorting Minden High School teams to “away” games. And he’s working two days a week for Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

“Yeah, I retired just to keep working,” Claude laughed.

Might as well put that jig back in the tackle box…

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By Pat Culverhouse

Driving with an expired temporary license plate has landed a Springhill man in hot water after a Webster Parish deputy discovered a variety of drugs in his vehicle during a traffic stop, according to Sheriff Jason Parker.

Parker identified the suspect as 32-year-old Ashunti Dynell Wortham who now faces a number of charges related to illegal narcotics including one count of possession with intent to distribute.

Deputy Lance Stockman reportedly pulled over the vehicle driven by Wortham just before 9:30 p.m. Friday. After the stop, Dep. Stockman discovered the suspect was the subject of a pair of outstanding warrants.

During questioning, the suspect reportedly told Dep. Stockman that a quantity of marijuana was located in a back pack inside the vehicle. A search reportedly revealed several small bags of marijuana and a small bag containing Ecstasy and Hydrocodone pills

In addition to a traffic charge and warrants for failure to appear, Wortham reportedly is charged with possession of CDS Sch.I (marijuana) with intent to distribute, possession of CDS Sch.II (Hydrocodone) and possession of CDS Sch.I (Ecstasy).

Wortham is currently incarcerated at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under bonds totaling $8,250.

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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Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind.

Tuesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 32. Calm wind.

Wednesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 33.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 58.

* Information provided by the National Weather Service.

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By Pat Culverhouse

Driving on city streets with bright lights on one end of a vehicle and none on the other has resulted in a pair of Minden men now facing a laundry list of drug and weapons counts.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said MPD officer Jessica Thompson observed a vehicle with its lights on bright, then noticed the vehicle had no tail lights. The officer initiated a traffic stop shortly before 11:30 p.m. Friday.

While checking identifications of the vehicle’s occupants, Officer Thompson reportedly learned the driver, 45-year-old Brian Raynard Hudson, had active warrants issued by the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office. He reportedly was placed in custody.

Thompson also learned the passenger was 45-year-old Dexter Donnell Walker. Walker had given the officer a different name at the time the initial traffic stop.

Other officers arrived to assist and Hudson reportedly consented to a search of his vehicle. During a search, the officers found illegal narcotics in several pill bottles located throughout the vehicle.

Also discovered were bags containing marijuana, methamphetamines and a syringe in a compartment behind the glove box. Also in the compartment reportedly was a semiautomatic handgun.

Combined, the men are facing 17 charges relating to illegal narcotics and weapon possession.

Hudson, a resident of the 600 block of District Dr., is charged with possession CDS Sch. I (marijuana), possession CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), possession CDS Sch. IV (Xanax), possession of Legend drug (Chlorphenramine), illegal carrying of weapon in presence of CDS, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, fugitive from Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office, traffic charges. His total bond is set at $20,000.

Walker, who lists a residence in the 200 block of Syrup Mill Rd.,  is looking at charges of possession of CDS Sch. I (marijuana), possession CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), possession CDS Sch. IV (Xanax), possession CDS Sch. II (crack cocaine), illegal carrying of weapon in presence of CDS, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, obstruction of justice, resisting an officer. Walker’s total bond is $10,500.

Both are currently being held in Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

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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One of the most popular, get ‘em-while-they-last items every year at the Minden Auction Benefitting St. Jude is the custom T-Shirt.

“Our online T-shirt sales for the auction are finally up for pre-sale for a short time before the auction starts,” Laura Hollingsworth said. “Shirts will also be for sale, of course, the weekend of the auction.”

The theme this year is Stay Golden, Celebrating 50 Auctions. And Thank You For Being A Friend, and the shirts, as always, reflect the theme.

Cost of the shirts, from $15 to $32, depends on the style ordered – long sleeve, short sleeve, sweatshirt or hooded sweatshirt.

While ordering your shirt, peruse the website. According to Hollingsworth, “Raffle Items are being added everyday and information pertaining to the auction is ramping up! We would love for everyone to get on line at mindenstjude.com to see our merchandise and buy some raffle tickets. Follow our social media, as well, on instagram and Facebook – Minden St Jude Auction.”

The auction takes place February 6 through 9 at Minden Civic Center. Tune in to Optimum Channel 11, KASO 1240 AM, KBEF 104.5 FM, MIRACLE 90.7 FM and Livestream.

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The Young Women’s Service Club (YWSC) is excited to see who will be crowned as the 2025 Miss Outstanding Teen and Miss Minden on Saturday, January 18. The scholarship competition will begin at 7 p.m. at the Minden High School Auditorium.  

The Webster Parish Journal is happy to highlight each of the women who will be competing for a 2025 title. Next up, we have the Miss Outstanding Teen contenders. These ladies will be competing for a chance to move on to Miss Louisiana later this year, along with a $1,000 scholarship that can be used to help further their education.  

In the Miss Outstanding Teen division, we have Kynzie Claire Smith. Smith is a lifelong resident of Minden. She is the daughter of Brooke and Jesse Smith, and she has two younger brothers.  

She attends North Acres Baptist Church where she is a worship leader at The Well Student Ministries. Kynzie’s hobbies are laughing with friends, drawing, listening to music and bible study with her youth group.

Kynzie attends Glenbrook School where she is involved in cheer, softball and multiple clubs. Her favorite club is Pals with Kindergarteners. This club is what sparked her passion for her community service initiative which is Early Childhood literacy. This platform is very important to her because she believes learning to read at a younger age has given her more opportunities to succeed thus far in school and will help her accomplish her goals in the future. To promote this initiative Kynzie reads a book of their choice with kindergarten and first grade students at her school twice a month. Her favorite part is when they run up to her begging to be in her group. She likes to make reading fun and change voices in stories to keep them engaged. She hopes her involvement will show them that even though learning is serious, it can also be fun.  

Education is a big part of who Kynzie is. She has been in honors classes and on Headmaster’s list since middle school. One of her biggest aspirations in life is to attend LSU, majoring in political science. Next is LSU Law School and then to become a marriage/divorce attorney.

If Kynzie were crowned Miss Minden Outstanding Teen, she would be an exceptional role model. A pure heart, strong morals, and a listening ear is what makes a good role model and that is exactly the type of young lady Kynzie is. She believes this title will also give her more opportunities throughout Webster Parish to read to children and get to know them.

Please continue to follow the Webster Parish Journal Facebook page or subscribe at websterparishjournal.com, to read about other contestants throughout the rest of the week leading up to the big night.  

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By Paige Gurgainers

The Young Women’s Service Club (YWSC) is excited to see who will be crowned as the 2025 Miss Outstanding Teen and Miss Minden on Saturday, January 18. The scholarship competition will begin at 7 p.m. at the Minden High School Auditorium.  

The Webster Parish Journal is happy to highlight each of the women who will be competing for a 2025 title. The third contender that will be competing in for a $2,000 scholarship that can be used to further her education and a chance to compete in for a Miss Louisiana title later this year is Adreaunna Scott.  

Scott is a graduate of the Paul Mitchell Esthetician School. She now works as a freelance makeup artist and stylist, but her plans do not stop there. She plans to enroll into a dental hygienist program in the upcoming school semester.  

In her free time, she loves to fish, talk and study the Bible. She is always looking for more ways that she can apply it to her daily life.  

Please continue to follow the Webster Parish Journal Facebook page or subscribe at websterparishjournal.com, to read about other contestants throughout the rest of the week leading up to the big night.

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Institute for Organization Management, the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce that Stephanie Barnette, IOM, President/CEO of the Greater Minden Chamber, has graduated from the program and has received the recognition of IOM. Awarded to all graduates of the Institute program, the IOM Graduate Recognition signifies the individual’s completion of 96 credit hours of course instruction in non-profit management. In addition, participants can earn credit hours towards the Certified Chamber Executive (CCE) or Certified Association Executive (CAE), certifications. Nearly 1,000 individuals attend Institute annually.

“Institute graduates are recognized across the country as leaders in their industries and organizations,” said Raymond P. Towle, IOM, CAE, the U.S. Chamber’s vice president of Institute for Organization Management. “These individuals have the knowledge, skills, and dedication necessary to achieve professional and organizational success in the dynamic association and chamber industries.”

Since its commencement in 1921, the Institute program has been educating tens of thousands of association, chamber, and other nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations, better serve their members and become strong business advocates. Institute’s curriculum consists of four week long sessions at four different university locations throughout the country. Through a combination of required courses and electives in areas such as leadership, advocacy, marketing, finance, and membership, Institute participants are able to enhance their own organizational management skills and add new fuel to their organizations, making them run more efficiently and effectively.

Institute for Organization Management is the professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It is the premier nonprofit professional development program for association and chamber professionals, fostering individual growth through interactive learning and networking opportunities.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America leading industry associations and large corporations.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that the following intermittent ramp closures have been scheduled at the LA 531 at I-20 interchange near Minden in Webster Parish as part of the ongoing overpass replacement project at this location:

• Wednesday, January 15, 8 a.m. – noon: Westbound on-ramp
• Wednesday, January 15, 1 p.m. – p.m.: Westbound off-ramp
• Thursday, January 16t, 8 a.m. – noon: Eastbound off-ramp
• Thursday, January 16, 1 p.m. – 5 a.m.: Eastbound on-ramp.

These ramp closures are necessary to allow the contractor on the project to pave the new ramps for the newly constructed overpass, which is adjacent to the existing bridge.

Restrictions/Permits: Total ramp closures at the specified locations.

Alternate Route: Detour signage will be in place.

This work will be performed WEATHER PERMITTING.

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Only time will tell if this is a true ‘Come to Jesus’ moment or a self-serving change in Facebook’s business model.

“The truth will out!” William Shakespeare tells us, and it has.  

Certainly since at least 2020, millions of us have believed that speech—primarily conservative speech—has been suppressed and censored by the huge social media platforms, prominently including Facebook/Meta.  Under the guise of so-called “fact checking” the huge platform tweaked its complex algorithms in such a way as to tamp down and de-emphasize the speech valued and sought by so many of us.  

Well, this week Meta/Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, “in a mea culpa for the ages” clearly and unmistakably ‘walked back most of the platform’s speech controls. We’ve reached a point where it’s just too many mistakes and too much censorship.’” (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 7, 2025). Wow.  He concluded, interestingly, that “the recent elections also feel like a cultural tipping point towards once again prioritizing speech.'”

This censorship has included everything from the blanket suppression of the Hunter Biden “Laptop from Hell” story a few weeks before the 2020 election—which polling indicates would have likely given the Electoral College and the election to Trump had voters known of the contents of the laptop before they voted—to the banning of fundraising efforts for the legal defense of Kyle Rittenhouse, the young man who was accused of, and then acquitted of, killing several of the Antifa rioters in 2020. 

Zuckerberg had testified before Congress that no such censorship was going on—or if it was occurring it was because such speech violated Facebook’s vague and broad “hate speech” restrictions. Well, we knew better, and our belief has now been confirmed by him. 

Further, in addition to the suppression of speech it was engaged in of its own accord, Facebook was also pressured to censor certain speech by the Biden Administration. The Murthy v. Missouri lawsuit and litigation has proven Facebook’s coercion by, and collusion with, the Biden Administration.

The, arguably, most egregious example of this suppression was the labeling of any Covid-related speech or content as “disinformation” that did not completely adhere to the Dr. Anthony Fauci-CDC view of Covid.  This included everything from the mandatory masking and vaccination of children in schools to the forced closing of churches—while the big box stores and casinos were allowed to continue operating—to denying people the final opportunity to see their loved ones in nursing homes and hospitals before they died.  

The Murthy v. Missouri suit was brought in federal court in Monroe, Louisiana by a number of states, including Louisiana.  The basis of the suit involved states and individuals whose Covid posts were censored who then sued federal government officials for violating their free speech rights. Lower courts ruled in favor of these plaintiffs, finding that certain government officials had pressured social media platforms to censor and suppress their posts. 

The legal question is obviously one regarding freedom of speech and how these enormous social media sites choose to “moderate”—in fact, censor—the content of speech and whether, either by their own doing or as a result of pressure from the federal government, or both, these tech giants are suppressing speech—which, again, is virtually always conservative speech.

This is where I think we are.

Even prior to his purchase of X (formerly Twitter) Elon Musk deemed X and other social medical platforms as integrally important to free speech: “Given that (these platforms) serve as the de facto public town square, failing to adhere to free speech principles fundamentally undermines democracy. What should be done?” He answered his own question later by purchasing X in a direct response to the suppression of speech by Big Tech.

The greatest virtue of free thought and free speech is that all kinds of ideas are thrust into the rough and tumble of the marketplace of ideas where the best idea prevails.  It is this collision of, this testing of, speech and thought in a free and open exchange that produces the best results—and leads the nation to wise and popular policy results on challenging national issues. 

For this reason, there are no more important constitutional freedoms than those of free speech and freedom of conscience.  When we are not allowed to speak—and other parties are not allowed to hear—our liberty is diminished.  It is deeply encouraging to see Zuckerberg announce a return to these principles.

(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. He can be reached at RoyalAlexanderlawfirm@gmail.com .)

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United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:

Food: spaghetti, powdered milk, crackers, cornbread mix, canned meats

Household goods: sheets, towels & wash cloths

Clothing: men’s shoes/tennis shoes (9 and up)

Thank you for supporting UCAP!

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

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

January 18

8 a.m. until noon Dorcheat Soil & Water Conservation District Scholarship Program Tree Sale, 216 B Broadway, Minden.

9 a.m. until noon Active Shooter Defense Training, Eastside Missionary Church, 1201 Park Hwy., Minden. http://www.phhtraining.com.

Registration is open now for Upward Soccer at North Acres Baptist Church. K5-5th Boys and Girls. Register here: https://registration.upward.org/UPW87120

January 19

3 p.m. MLK Commemorative Service Mt. Zion CME Church. Keynote speaker: Dr. Grady Smith. MLK Leadership Trailblazer and Contest Awards will be presented.

January 20

8 a.m. MLK Prayer Call

10 a.m. Ecumenical March on MLK Drive

6 p.m. MLK Community Reflections via Zoom.

January 21

1 p.m. The Circle, sponsored by Minden Medical Center. The Price is Right. Webster Parish Library. Guest speaker: Brittany Harris. Accepting new members – applications available.

January 22

1:45 p.m. The Circle. BINGO at Minden Medical Center Cafe. Guest speaker: Leah Walker, RD LDN. Accepting new members – applications available.

January 22-23

3 – 4:30 p.m. Glenbrook School’s Mini Sundancer Camp. Performances at halftime of varsity games January 24.

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. Buds & Blooms registration. Speakers begin at 9. First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden.

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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At the January 7 meeting of the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC), Commissioner Kevin Sagrera was elected Chairman, and Commissioner Andy Brister was elected Vice Chairman. 

“Our family has been a part of Louisiana’s fur industry since the 1930s. But my love for the resource extends beyond the fur and alligator industry; hunting and fishing have been a part of my family since I was a boy,” said Chairman Kevin Sagrera. “I am proud to have the opportunity to serve Louisiana as Chair of the Commission and am committed to moving our state forward to preserve and protect our hunting and fishing opportunities for generations to come.”

Former Chairman, Commissioner Brandon DeCuir, said, “When I came on the commission as Chair, it was to fill an unexpired term. As soon as I joined, the commission faced several controversial issues that impacted the sportsmen of Louisiana. I am proud of the progress made during my term and all that we have accomplished to help protect our natural resources to benefit Louisiana sportsmen and commercial industry,” said Chairman Brandon DeCuir. “My time as Chair was also filled with many firsts for the department, including myself serving as the first African American Chair. I am now excited to be able to pass the torch to my colleague and friend, Kevin Sagrera. Kevin and I joined the commission at the same time, and since day one, I have been amazed at his ability to hear all sides to find the right solution. These are exciting times for the department, and I am eager to see all that will be accomplished during Mr. Sagrera’s term as Chair.” 

The Wildlife and Fisheries Commission was created to protect, conserve and replenish the natural resources and wildlife of the state, including all aquatic life. The commission promulgates regulations for hunting, fishing, and trapping and approves programs and policies for the management and conservation of all fish and wildlife in the state. 

According to the statute, the commission is comprised of seven members appointed by the governor, subject to senate confirmation.  Members include three residents of the coastal parishes of the state who are representatives of the commercial fishing and fur industries and four members from the state at large.

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Rosemary Stokes, 40, 500 block Woodard St., Minden: arrested Jan. 8 by MPD on warrant for felony theft. Bond set $10,000.

Racheal Flournoy, 35, 1000 block Tillman Dr., Minden: arrested Jan. 8 by MPD on warrants for two counts aggravated assault with a firearm. Bond set $100,000.

Ronald Giddings, 66, 1200 block Coyle St., Springhill: arrested by Springhill PD on outstanding warrant. Bond set $2,500.

Torrance A. Black, 32, Homer: arrested Jan. 12 by WPSO on warrants for forgery, domestic abuse battery. Bond set $30,000.

Christopher Hampton, 39, Horton St., Minden: arrested Jan. 9 by WPSO on warrant for non-support. No bond set.

Andre Levelle Poole, 56, Lewis Loope, Cotton Valley: arrested Jan. 10 by Springhill PD on warrant for monetary instrument abuse. Bond set $15,000.

Bobby Hampton, 61, 100 block Milton St., Minden: arrested Jan. 11 by MPD on warrants. Bond set at $20,000 surety or $350 cash.

Elisa Maria Palma, 35, Luke Lane, Benton: arrested Jan. 11 by MPD for appearing in intoxicated condition. Bond set $500.

Gilbert Roy Wynne, 55, 200 block 3rd St. SE, Springhill: arrested by Springhill PD on outstanding warrants for three counts of distribution of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamine). Bond set $45,000.

Shameka M. Henderson, 43, 21000 block Hwy. 371, Cotton Valley: arrested Jan. 9 by Cotton Valley PD on warrant for access device fraud. Bond set $5,000.

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Scott Park

June 16, 1966 – January 10, 2025

Springhill, La.

Funeral service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Springhill Methodist Church, Springhill, La.

Daniel Paul Kirkland

June 1, 1987 – January 9, 2025

Minden, La.

Visitation: 4 until 6 p.m. Friday, January 17, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden, La.

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

Six persons have been wounded after gunfire erupted late Saturday at a large gathering billed as a “#BigBlessed Littlest Bonfire Pt. 3” on property located in the 5100 block of LA Hwy. 531 in Dubberly.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said two of the six reportedly are in critical condition.

“What we have is a very large crime scene with hundreds of people involved, and we’re still investigating,” Parker said.

Parker said deputies were called to the rural area sometime before midnight Saturday where a large crowd had gathered for what appears to be an unpermitted event.

“Our office knew nothing about this event in advance,” he said. “We first learned this bonfire was posted on social media late Saturday. We’re not aware of a request for a permit at this time, but we’re checking on that.”

According to a poster, the event featured a live performance by two groups, a DJ and announced free food and drinks. A $15 entry fee was posted along with a the claim, “security strictly enforced.”

“What we found for security was a lady collecting the entry fee and handing out arm bands,” Parker said. “We are told she started with around 350 arm bands. We’re still talking to people, but there was no licensed security we’re aware of at this time.”

When deputies arrived at the scene, they learned most of those who had been shot had already been removed from the scene by private individuals. And, the sheriff said, the party was still in progress despite the gunshots.

“When we got there people were still partying as if nothing had happened,” he said. “Our deputies couldn’t get to the site because of the traffic. They had to park on the highway and walk to the scene. If we had needed emergency vehicles, they would not have been able to get in there.”

“We have a parish ordinance in place to bring structure to this type of event, including a notice that appropriate security be provided,” he said. “I am extremely disappointed that this doesn’t appear to have followed due process.”

Parker said the investigation will most likely take some time due to the large number of persons who must be interviewed. And, he said, investigators will also be taking a hard look at how this event was organized.

“We want to maintain order in the parish, and we have ordinances in place to help prevent these things from happening,” he said. “We don’t know the reasons for the shootings yet, but this is what can happen when you have a combination of large uncontrolled crowds, music and alcohol plus little or no security.”

Parker said anyone who may have information is urged to contact his office and speak with investigators. All information will be confidential.

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By Shannon Wright

The Village of Doyline experienced unusually high attendance for the very first council meeting of the year on Monday, January 6.

Travis Moorehart, the Village’s CPA, presented the 2024 audit review findings. He gave the mayor and council members some helpful tips for future budgeting but said, “The town is in the best financial shape it’s been in in a long time.” 

Moorehart gave praise to the Clerk, Myra Kilburn, to the Mayor, Christie Carter Gates, and to the council for the financial surplus.

However, he mentioned that while the village is in good financial standing it is still not where it needs to be to be fully sustainable.  The council discussed different ways in which current issues could be resolved to continue in a positive financial direction and ideas for income producing activities were suggested and will be considered.

When asked what she would contribute to the long over-due financial good standing of the Village, Gates said, “I would say we are in good standing because we increased the sewer rates as soon as I took office.” She went on to say, “That wasn’t fun or easy, but it was something that had to be done. We had not had a significant increase in many, many years.” 

Gates also mentioned that they have been able to make repairs and purchase new equipment for the town with the use of grant money rather than using the town’s revenue. 

To continue to build on the increased revenue, the mayor and council members are working to address some commercial needs in the community and are encouraging the sale of vacant properties as well. 

The council meeting is held on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Doyline Town Hall and residents are encouraged to attend. 

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On March 16, 2024, the Minden Police Department received a report of theft from Brown’s Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram.

Detectives obtained camera footage from GBT (Gibsland Bank and Trust) showing a male subject who parked in the GBT parking lot. The male subject then walked over to Brown’s Chrysler, Jeep, and Ram, where he stole the center hub caps off a vehicle.

Detectives were able to track the male subject to the Dixie Mart on Homer Rd. Detectives used the assistance of Google and camera footage from the Dixie Mart to positively identify the suspect as Brad Washington, 46, (birth date April 17, 1978), a resident of Ponchatoula, Louisiana.

Brad Washington currently has an active warrant for LRS 14:67 Theft and LRS 14:63 Criminal Trespass.

Anyone with information on Brad Washington is urged to contact MPD Det. Michael Hicks at 318-371-4226 (office), 318-639-7776 (cell) or email to mhicks@mindenusa.com.

All information will be strictly confidential.

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Friday

Rain showers likely, mixing with snow after 9 a.m., then gradually ending. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Friday Night

Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 24. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 44. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 27.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 53.

Sunday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 48.

* Information provided by the National Weather Service.

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