Guest speaker for Thursday’s noon meeting of the Minden Lions Club will be Sarah Watson Overall, newly-hired Executive Director of Economic Development and the Main Street Commission for the City of Minden.

Born and reared in Homer, Sarah is a graduate of Claiborne Academy and LA Tech University. She is a Registered Nurse who has worked in healthcare for almost 15 years and was most recently working in Healthcare Quality for Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. Sarah has served communities across the state as an RN. Outside of her nursing role, she has worked as a social event consultant, planner and holiday stylist.

Sarah is a wife, mother and was a volunteer member of the Minden Main Street board of directors. She also co-founded the non-profit organization – Pearls of Purpose – to connect women from surrounding communities, build camaraderie and support charitable and community endeavors. Many say Sarah “has a servant’s heart but a leader’s mind.”

Sarah will be introduced Thursday by Lion Robbie Hayden. Minden Lions Club meets at noon Thursdays at the American Legion Hall on Pine Street.

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Cedar Creek scored 12 runs in the second inning on its way to a 16-0 win over the North Webster Lady Knights 16-0 Friday.

A solo home run, a pair of triples and five singles provided most of the scoring for the Lady Cougars in the big inning.

Emma Newsom, Anna Ray and Jayden Beaty each collected one hit for North Webster.

Downsville 9, North Webster 8

Downsville’s Lady Demons pulled out of a tie in the top of the seventh inning to take a 9-8 victory over the North Webster Lady Knights Friday. The game was tied at eight in the top of the seventh when Abbie Barkley doubled home the winning run for the Lady Demons.

North Webster got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Adryana White singled, Emma Newsom grounded out, and a wild pitch, each scored one run.

Jayden Beaty homered to bring North Webster into a tie at five in the bottom of the fourth but a home run off the bat of Addie Austin extended the Lady Demons’ lead to 8-5.

Barkley earned the win for Downsville and Newsom took the loss for North Webster

Jayden Beaty led the Lady Kinghts with two hits and three RBI in the game. Layla DeMoss and Anna Ray each collected two hits .

Austin led Downsville with four runs batted in on a two-for-three day at the plate. Barkley and Chelsea Walsworth each collected two hits.

(Stats and info provided by GameChanger Media.)

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By Shannon Wright

Mandi Sills Hart is making an impact on women’s lives from Minden to Monroe.

You may have heard of her – she and her husband are the proud owners of the ice cream shop in downtown Minden called Shug’s. She is Shug.

She has many accolades, including being the immediate Past Chair of the Greater Minden Chamber executive board and Webster Parish’s Top 15 Under 40, so it’s no wonder she was chosen by the University of Louisiana’s Women’s Symposium Board to be one of the three panelists to represent the Health Sciences track of this year’s convention.

She shared the stage with two other women in medicine – one being Sarah Hummel Gregory who is also from Monroe but owns Southern Roots Dentistry which has an office in Minden.

The room was filled to capacity with young ladies and women who were considering a career in medicine or pondering a career change, as well as other women who were simply interested in the topic of discussion.

The panel discussed topics such as contending with practitioner burn-out, patient frustration and insurance roadblocks.

Then, each panelist was asked how they became involved in their particular line of work and what they like most about it.

Hart said that she started out in Medical Technology but knew that was not for her because she wasn’t able to talk to people. Being a people-person, she turned to nursing and found her calling in Labor and Delivery in Monroe.

She met the man who is now her husband, and he lived in Minden so she moved to Minden from Monroe. She recalls telling him she would work in Shreveport, but he suggested that she work at Minden Medical Center.

“I did not want to work at that country hospital,” Hart recalled. “It was small.”

However, she said, “The minute I walked into Minden Medical Center and felt the family and community that’s there, I fell in love.”

She was surprised, too. That country hospital, as she had called it before, serviced all the surrounding communities and those people came to Minden to deliver their babies. The hospital had an 8-bed labor unit and a C-Section suite, “anything you would see at a bigger hospital,” she said. “I thrived in labor and delivery, and I had fun with my moms – it was a miracle most every day.”

She transitioned into the business side of the medical field after she became a mom to triplets, but she believes she can still make a difference by being that voice for the patients at the table with other people who are strictly business minded.

She feels she brings something different to the table because of her past experience.

Hart shined a light on the City of Minden as she represented not only herself but also the entire community in her presentation to the ladies at the University of Louisiana in Monroe.

“Being in a room filled with fellow trailblazers was a powerful reminder – both to me and to young women – that we can achieve anything when we empower and lift each other up,” she said. “The symposium’s theme, Transitions, was a perfect reflection of life’s unexpected paths. We may not always end up where we planned, but if we embrace change and nurture growth, beauty can bloom in the transition.”

Through her love and passion for Minden, she feels she can be an example to other ladies to uphold their civic duty by becoming involved in their hometown community and Webster Parish.

“You don’t have to be in a big city to do big things,” she said. “We can make a meaningful impact wherever God has planted us.”

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Jew-hating protesters supporting Mahmoud Khalil invade and occupy Trump Tower lobby

The actions of America’s so-called elite colleges and universities are often so absurd and reflexively anti-American that it seems futile to comment upon them.  However, I make an exception this week as it pertains to the plans of the Trump Administration to revoke the green card of Columbia University student, Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent supporter of the terrorist group Hamas, and leader of last year’s anti-Israel protests. 

Recall in a 2023 hearing before the U.S. Congress, the presidents of our “elite” institutions of higher education, including Harvard, MIT, and University of Pennsylvania, were unable—after being asked several times to do so—to say that calls for the genocide of Jews violated their student codes. 

These three college presidents were pressed about the massive protests on their campuses where chants calling for the genocide of Jews, “intifada,” and “from the river to the sea” were heard.  All three awkwardly dodged the question or claimed it did not violate their policies as such, and whether the characterization of such vile hate speech violated school policy depended on the “context,” seeming to suggest that only if gatherings of students chanting genocidal slogans crossed into “conduct” would it be prohibited.

The greatest duplicity was when these school presidents attempted to draw a false moral equivalence between calls for the genocide of Jews—equating it to Islamophobia—despite virtually no evidence Islamophobia is a problem even remotely comparable to the shocking wave of hate directed at Jews.  (H. Grossman, Fox News, 12-08-2023) .  In fact, “critics say that putting incidents of antisemitism and Islamophobia together is to equivocate the two, when Jews are the #1 targets for hate crimes, according to the latest statistics.  Jewish people comprise 2.4% of the U.S. population but make up 60% of hate crimes linked to religion.”  (Id.).

Can you imagine if Black people were being verbally targeted for slaughter and elimination!  What about transgender people? What about the mentally handicapped? What about gay people, Asians, or American Indians? The Leftist uproar would shake the globe. But not for Jews. They can be threatened with murder and only when the knife comes to the throat, it might be condemned at Harvard.

Now, back to Mahmoud Khalil. 

As legal scholars have noted, a green card comes with certain legal obligations including the disavowal of terrorism.  Under 8 U.S.C. 1182, an alien is inadmissible if he or she “endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity, … or is a “representative … of a political, social, or other group that endorses or espouses terrorist activity.”

As the Wall Street Journal notes, “Mr. Khalil seems to have violated that obligation.  He belongs to Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) and was a lead negotiator during last spring’s anti-Israel encampment on the campus.  Those protests glorified Hamas.  CUAD was also a key player in the school’s encampment, which was a ‘Zionist-free zone,’ a designation that excluded Jews from a large part of campus.” (WSJ, March 13, 2025).   If that were not enough to have satisfied the legal justification for his deportation, WSJ further notes that “in October 2024, CUAD formalized its support for Hamas and again celebrated the Oct 7, 2023, massacre … stating that ‘Zionists don’t deserve to live.’”

As Josh Hammer writes in RealClearPolitics about the Trump Tower Occupation, “Khalil is a Syrian national and Algerian citizen who was the face of last year’s violent pro-Hamas Columbia University campus riots. He was the spokesman for CUAD, a demented organization which referred to the Oct. 7 slaughter of Israelis as a “moral, military, and political victory” and asserted that it is fighting for nothing less than the “total eradication of Western civilization.” 

This is the intellectual rot that has poisoned our American institutions of “higher learning” for decades—masquerading as political correctness—coming home to roost. This is where we are with the Woke American Left.  There can be no dissenting thought, no genuine exchange of ideas.  Rather, you are either Woke, or you are silenced.  Censored.  Cancelled.  Free speech in the context of genuine academic freedom is largely non-existent in American higher education.  Many of us have observed this academic censorship for years but the virulent antisemitism we have witnessed on college campuses over the last two years is a stark and disturbing reminder.

Mahmoud Kahlil should be deported immediately.

(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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Minden’s Crimson Tide baseball nine turned in a pair of winning performances over the weekend, downing Choudrant and Zwolle as warmups heading into District 1-4A play.

Minden 3, Choudrant 2

Hudson Brown’s three-RBI base hit in the bottom of the fifth inning pushed Minden’s Crimson Tide past the Choudrant Aggies 3-2 Friday.

Choudrant had led the game with two runs in the top of the third, but the Tide’s Jaxon Smith held the Aggies in check to claim the complete game victory.

Brown, Topher Wilson, Bray Winston, and Landyn Huddleston each collected one hit for Minden. Tide hitters worked six each.

Minden 8, Zwolle 3

Bray Winston drove in four runs on three hits and picked up the win on the mound to lead the Minden Crimson Tide past Zwolle 8-3 Saturday, putting the finishing touch to a successful baseball weekend.

Winston singles in the second and fourth innings accounted for all the runs the Tide would need. He surrendered three hits and no runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking none to earn the win.

Jacob Jefferson collected two hits in three at bats for Minden and Bryson Ranger stole two bases as the team turned in five stolen bases on the day.

Lady Tiders’ Ryan records 16 strikeouts to lead team over Simpson

Lindsay Ryan recorded 16 strikeouts and pitched a complete game to lead the Minden Lady Tigers past Simpson’s Lady Broncos 8-3 Friday.

Ryan gave up just two hits and three runs while walking five in going the full seven innings.

After Simpson scored once in the top of the first, Minden took the lead in its half of the inning when Tatum Oliver had a sacrifice fly, Ryan tripled down the left field line, and Charli Flournoy singled to drive in runs.

A ground out by Roikia Dotie extended the Minden lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the third inning and the Lady Tiders coasted to the win.

Minden had 10 hits in the game led by Ryan, Leigha Kennon Gilbert, and Flournoy with two each. Ryan and Oliver each drove in two runs.

Minden also helped themselves, collecting seven stolen bases for the game and playing errorless defense.

Hallie Rollins led Simpson, going one-for-three with two runs batted in.

(Stats and info provided by GameChanger Media.)

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It was a tough three-game stretch for the Glenbrook Lady Apaches, losing a Friday contest before splitting a pair on Saturday.

Grant 10, Glenbrook 4

Seven proved to be the lucky number for the Grant Lady Cougars Friday as the visitors exploded for seven runs in the top of the seventh inning for a 10-4, come-from-behind win over Glenbrook’s Lady Apaches.

Glenbrook scored all their runs in the bottom of the first inning on RBI singles from Vivian Still, Hallie Harmon and Ellie Earnhardt, wrapped around an RBI when Hadley Haynes was hit by a pitch.

Peyton Kirtland earned the win for Grant, giving up 11 hits and four runs over seven innings, striking out six and walking one. Rebecca Mosley took the loss for Glenbrook.

Glenbrook had11 hits in the game with Still, Gabi Brown, and Anna Vining collecting two hits each.

Anacoco 8, Glenbrook 6

Hallie Harmon’s three-run first inning home run got Glenbrook off to a fast start Saturday, but that wasn’t enough as Anacoco’s Lady Indians outfought the Lady Apaches to take a comeback 8-6 win Saturday.

Anacoco claimed the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning on the strength of RBI singles from Ava Davis, Anna Claire Vinson and Emilee D’Amico.

Tori Haymon earned the win for Anacoco allowing six hits and three runs over five and one-third innings, striking out three and walking one. Savannah Mangrum took the loss for Glenbrook, giving up five earned runs while striking out eight and issuing two walks.

Glenbrook picked up 10 hits in the game, led by Colby Hollis with three hits in four at bats and Vivian Still’s two hits in four tries.

Glenbrook 8, Sacred Heart 6

Glenbrook jumped out to a six-run lead in the third inning Saturday, then held on to take an 8-6 win over Sacred Heart.

Glenbrook got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after a pair of Sacred Heart errors and a Chloe Gregg ground out produced a 3-0 lead.

A single by Gregg and a double by Anna Vining extended the Lady Apache lead in the third.

Rebecca Mosley earned the win for the Lady Apaches, giving up nine hits and six runs over six and one-third innings while striking out six and walking five.

Gregg and Vining each drove in two runs and Vivian Still went two-for-two at the plate to lead Glenbrook at the plate. Glenbrook didn’t commit an error in the game.

Glenbrook boys takes down West Ouachita Friday

Jackson Waller drove in five runs on two home runs and a bases loaded triple Friday to lead the Glenbrook Apaches past West Ouachita 7-2.

Waller’s triple came in the top of the seventh when the Apaches broke out of a 2-2 tie with the Chiefs with five runs to ice the game. That outburst came after West Ouachita’s Holdyn Herring produced a two-RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game.

Easton Sanders picked up the complete game win, recording 14 strikeouts while giving up four hits and walking two. Colin Thomas took the loss for West Ouachita.

Ryan Reagan collected two hits for Glenbrook in three at bats.

Herring went 1-for-2 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in.

(Stats and info provided by GameChanger Media.)

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Lakeside’s Lady Warriors picked up three wins in a row, using a walk-off home run and an 18-run onslaught to pick up a pair of softball wins Saturday after holding off a Byrd comeback Thursday.

Lakeside 9, Byrd 7

Lakeside watched a six-run lead nearly evaporate Thursday, but the Lady Warriors managed to hang on for a 9-7 win over the Byrd Lady Yellowjackets.

A five-run outburst on five hits in the bottom of the fourth inning had put Lakeside ahead, but Byrd tied the game 6-6 in the top of the fifth on three singles.

After Byrd took the lead in the top of the sixth, the Lady Warriors went back on top by 9-7, in the bottom of the sixth thanks to singles by McKenna Chreene, and Raleah Harris.

Chreene earned the win for Lakeside, going the full seven innings with nine strikeouts and two walks.

Lakeside collected 12 hits in the game, led by Emily Jones with three hits in five at bats.  Meredith Robinson collected two hits in five at bats.  Harris and Chreene each drove in three runs.

Lakeside 10, Cedar Creek 9

Home runs by Emily Jones and Raleah Harris in the bottom of the seventh gave the Lake Lady Warriors a walk-off 10-9 win over Cedar Creek in its leadoff Saturday game.

Harris’ blow came after the the homer by Jones had tied the game and put the lid on a hit-heavy contest as the Lady Warriors collected 13 hits while Cedar Creek pounded out 12.

McKenna Chreene earned the win for Lakeside in relief, giving up two hits and no runs over three innings.

Harris went 4-for-5 with four RBI for the day to lead the Lady Warriors.  Jones, Meredith Robinson, and Chreene each collected multiple hits.

Lakeside 18, Downsville 1

McKenna Chreene drove in four runs on three hits, including a solo home run, to lead Lakeside past Downsville 18-1 Saturday.

Lakeside scored 12 runs in the first inning on the way to victory with Chreene picking up her home run and following with a double in her next at bat to lead the outburst.

Teal Austin had two hits in the inning, including a two-run triple and Ella Wood, Madilynn Squyres, Maggie Mandino, MaKensie Hamiter and Emily Jones all had RBIs for the Lady Warriors.

Lakeside boys lose two out of three to Winnfield

Lakeside found itself with a Tiger by the tail, losing two out of three to the Winnfield Tigers.

Winnfield 9, Lakeside 2

Winnfield proved to be a rude host Thursday, pounding out 11 hits enroute to a 9-2 win over the Lakeside Warriors.

Daniel Luke Page doubled and Caplan Young singled to drive in runs as the Tigers got on the board in the bottom of the first and never trailed in the game.

Jacob Whisonant earned the win for Winnfield, giving up six hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out six and walking two. Eli Campbell took the loss for Lakeside.

Peyton Gray led Lakeside hitters with two hits in four at bats and also had a pair of stolen bases. Jake Glass went one-for three with both RBI.

Lakeside 6, Winnfield 5

Lakeside turned to a little small ball Friday, using a perfect Eli Campbell sacrifice bunt to slide past Winnfield 6-5 Friday.

Trailing 4-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth, Lakeside jumped ahead on a Gage Williams ground out and a wild pitch. Aron Guerrero singled in a run in the top of the sixth to get Winnfield into a tie at five each.

Williams earned the win for Lakeside while Daniel Luke Page took the loss.

Williams, Brock Case and Peyton Gray each collected two hits for Lakeside.  Jon Jon Dick and Case each had multiple stolen bases for the Warriors.

Winnfield 13, Lakeside 10

Winnfield collected 13 hits in the game but had to come from behind to beat Lakeside 13-10.

Winnfield scored six runs in the top of the third to take a lead at 6-1, but Lakeside captured the lead, 7-6, in the bottom of the fourth when Drake Chreene grounded out, scoring two runs, and Gage Williams singled in another. Winnfield reclaimed the edge, 8-7, in the fifth and held on to win.

Lakeside managed 11 hits in the game with Jake Glass, Brock Case, Williams, and Chreene each collecting two hits. Jon Jon Dick and Chreene  each drove in two runs and Dick and Gray each had multiple steals.

Daniel Luke Page went 3-for-5 at the plate to lead the Tigers at the plate while Payden Parker, Logan Brister, and Daniel Martin each collected multiple hits.

(Stats and info provided by GameChanger Media.)

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A strong outing by starting pitcher Noah Spears helped lead the Doyline Panthers past Converse 4-1 Thursday on the Converse home field. Spears gave up five hits and one unearned run over seven innings, striking out nine and walking two.

Doyline fell behind early, but came back to score four in the bottom of the fifth on a  Jonas Florence two-RBI single, a Zach Normand sacrifice bunt and a Converse error.

Florence went two-for-three with two RBI to lead the Panthers attack.  Ayden Moreno-Taule and Florence also collected two hits apiece for Doyline.

Jaxan Vansickle, Ty Smith, Riley Norman, Cameron Durr, and Eli Smith each had one hit for the Wildcats. Smith also stole two bases.

Zwolle 15, Doyline 4

Doyline found themselves in the hot seat Friday, losing 15-4 to the Zwolle Hawks in a game played at Stanley High School.

Zwolle scored in the top of the first, then proceeded to push seven runs across the plate in the second without the benefit of a hit. With the bases loaded, runs scored when three Hawks hitters were hit by pitches, one walk was issued and a third strike was dropped.

Dario Galvez took the loss for Doyline. Noah Spears led the Panthers with two hits in three at bats. Ayden Moreno-Taule had one hit and two runs batted in.

Mason Sepulvado, Hunter Rivers, and Macs Remedies each collected two hits for Zwolle.

(Stats and info provided by GameChanger Media.)

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

March 20

6 p.m. Minden First Methodist Church, UCAP Hungerfest and Dessert Auction Fundraiser. $5 per person, children 12 and under free. Purchase tickets at the door or from UCAP at 204 Miller St.

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/

6 p.m., Beast Feast Men’s Wild Game Cookoff at Community Church in Springhill. Speaker Chris Plants.

March 27

6 until 7:30 p.m. You’re Being Scammed. Minden Civic Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.  Dinner is free with limited seating. RSVP is required. Call 318-377-0523 (b1 Bank).

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.

April 3

2 p.m. Springhill Branch of Webster Parish Libraries. Pysanky Egg Classes. Make your own Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Supplies limited. Adults or teens must register through WPL app, call branch manager or Shelley at 318-371-3080 X 142.

April 5

8 a.m. until noon – Help prep the Miller Quarters Park in Minden for upcoming Tartan Festival.

April 8

1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Doyline Branch of Webster Parish Libraries. Pysanky Egg Classes. Make your own Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Supplies limited. Adults or teens must register through WPL app, call branch manager or Shelley at 318-371-3080 X 142.

April 9

8 a.m.until noon – Minden, City-Wide Clean Up Day. Then, let’s CELEBRATE! After all that hard work, we’re throwing a Thank You After-Party & Awards Ceremony at Miller Quarters Park on April 9 at Noon. Enjoy music, food, games, and FUN as we honor your efforts!

Awards will be given for: Most Spirited Team, Largest Team, Most Litter Collected. Businesses & Organizations, get a team together and Sign up today! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4AAAAA2CABFB6-55632417-2025#/

2 p.m. Minden Branch of Webster Parish Libraries. Pysanky Egg Classes. Make your own Ukrainian Easter Eggs. Supplies limited. Adults or teens must register through WPL app, call branch manager or Shelley at 318-371-3080 X 142.

April 12

8:25 a.m. Phillips 5K, a benefit run for Phillip’s Cottage, Minden. Tickets: run signup.com/Race/LA/Minden/PhillipSCottageK.

10 a.m. 23rd annual Scottish Tartan Festival, Miller Quarters Park, Minden. scottishtartanfestival.com.

April 29

10 a.m. until 2 p.m.,Greater Minden Chamber Job Fair and Resource Expo 2025. Minden Civic Center. There is no charge for a business or resource provider to participate. There are a limited number of spots available. Please respond no later than Thursday, April 24. Spots are first come, first serve. Contact the chamber at 318-377-4240 or info@mindenchamber.com . Event is in partnership with Coordinating & Development Corporation, City of Minden, Webster Parish Schools, Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College and Louisiana Workforce Commission.

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United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:

Food: soup, crackers, cereal, biscuit mix

Household goods: pots, towels & washcloths, queen sheets

Clothing: men’s shoes

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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Anthony Wayne “Tony” Dodson

August 7, 1960  –  March 16, 2025

Taylor, Ark.

Private memorial service: later date, under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Jennie Lou Baker

December 14, 1921  –  March 15, 2025

Springhill/Monroe, La.

Graveside service: 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, Springhill Cemetery, under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Frances M. Cardwell

January 3, 1929 — March 21, 2025

Minden, La.

Visitation: Noon until 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 21, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Funeral service: 2 p.m., immediately following visitation.

Burial: Pine Grove Cemetery, 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 condemnation order has been enforced on property owned by Kimberly and Adam Crowley, the site where Webster Parish deputies and animal rescue volunteers found more than 70 dogs living in squalor.

Sheriff Jason Parker said the order was issued Thursday on property at 334 Stable Dr. after investigators found the animals living in their own feces and urine in cages and pens in buildings on the property and inside the Crowley’s residence.

Many of the animals, which ranged in sizes and ages, reportedly were found in pens and stacked cages, many without food or water.

“The conditions inside the residence were deplorable,” the Sheriff said. “I cannot believe people were living in this residence. I don’t believe I’ve seen anything worse than this.”

According to Parker, the condemnation order includes all the property, including the residence and other buildings.

“In addition to the overall condition of the property, we believe this had become a public health hazard,” he said. “We requested the condemnation order as a matter of public safety and public health.”

During the course of the investigation, which began two weeks ago when more than two dozen dogs were dumped on a rural road outside Doyline, deputies found a variety of other animals at the Stable Dr. property. Carcasses of dead animals were also discovered.

Parker said no other properties in the Stable Dr. area have been the subject of complaints or suspicions.

“We have no reason to believe there has been any other questionable or illegal activities in that area,” he said. “The condemnation order covers only the Crowley property.”

Both Kimberly and Adam Crowley are in parish custody facing multiple charges of cruelty to animals. Adam Crowley is being held on a $500,000 bond. Kimberly Crowley is also facing an additional charge of felony theft  with a $510,000 bond set.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

It took three tries, but the plans for Minden Animal Control’s new facility are approved and right where they want them.

Thursday, the Minden City Council and Mayor were joined by other officials as they turned first dirt on the spot where it will be built.

“We had to go back to the drawing board (three times),” said Mayor Nick Cox. “We had to redesign it and get a new engineer.”

Engineer Brad Graff proved to be the person for the job. Blackrock Construction of Keithville will handle construction. 

The building will be around 1,800 square feet (under roof), approximately half of which is offices, space for 10 inside canine kennels – twice the number as the current shelter – and a room for cats. Preliminary estimates were around $350,000 to $400,000.

The council awarded Blackrock’s bid of $294,185 in November, 2024.

Money for the project will come from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) which was before December 31, 2024, a state grant and donations.

Cox said the project was “high priority” for the city.

This has been District D Councilman Michael Roy’s “pet” project.

“Our four-legged friends are our families,” Roy said. “This will be an ongoing endeavor to fund, and we are selling calendars from our Pet Mayor election as well as taking donations.”

Roy said the city is working on a way to take donations at the animal shelter, whether it is money or food.

Minden Police Department oversees the animal shelter along with manager Carrie Ford.

Chief Jared McIver said his department receives calls about loose animals every day.

“We’ve been out there with Carrie chasing dogs all over town,” he said.

Cox pointed out that animal control is not for everybody.

“It’s a thankless job,” he said. “Carrie has the heart and brains for it. She doesn’t just do the job, she is the job.”

Please send donations to City of Minden, 520 Broadway, Minden, LA 71055 or City of Minden, P. O. Box 580, Minden, LA 71058-0580.

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Treveontae Deshawn Ytez Walker, who is an 18 year old black male, is wanted for simple burglary.

On March 16, 2024, Walker and two unnamed “cousins” illegally went inside another’s vehicle to smoke marijuana and steal at a Minden apartment complex. The victim allegedly walked outside and caught the three black males inside the vehicle.

When the three exited the vehicle a “cloud of marijuana smoke” emitted from inside the vehicle. One of the cousins reportedly left his backpack with marijuana in it inside the car. Walker also reportedly stole the vehicle owner’s Apple watch.

Anyone with information on Treveonte Walker is encouraged to contact MPD Detective Lt. Jason Smith at 318-371-4226 (office), 318-268-1441 (cell) or email at  jksmith@mindenusa.com.

All information will be confidential.

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 Shannon Wright

Fire Protection District No. 2 (Sibley) voters will have a tax renewal on their ballots in the March 29 parish-wide election.

This encompasses the rural areas of Sibley, and they are the ones who will see this on their ballots.

“We need to keep our fire ratings down,” said Fire District No. 2 President, Harold Holley. “If this is not voted in again then the people’s insurance will immediately go up.”

Every part of Louisiana has a fire rating which is based on how safe an area is – how close emergency services are and access to equipment and personnel.

Fire ratings are based on a scale of 1-10. The higher the number, the worse the rating.

Manpower is the most significant factor to the rating in a rural area because they depend on volunteers. How many volunteers respond to each call and how quickly they respond are factored into the rating.

As of now the fire rating for this area is 5. If the tax is not renewed, that rating will go up which will substantially increase the insurance premiums for every citizen within the area.

Money received from the tax is used to pay the Sibley Volunteer Fire Department to service these areas.

Early voting is from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. beginning Saturday, March 15 and runs through March 22 (excluding Sunday, March 16) at Webster Parish Courthouse and Springhill Civic Center.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 4:30 p.m. March 25  (other than military and overseas voters) and the deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted absentee ballot is 4:30 p.m. March 28. Request an absentee ballot online through the Voter Portal or in writing through the Registrar of Voters Office.

On election day, March 29, the polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

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Minden’s Crimson Tide couldn’t overcome an ice-cold start in the LHSAA Division II non-select semifinal game Thursday in Lake Charles, losing by 51-35 to Bossier’s streaking Bearkats.

Bossier wasn’t piling up points in the first half, but the Tide managed only 11 points over the first two quarters to go into halftime trailing 22-11.

A comeback attempt by the Tide shaved the lead to single digits late in the third quarter, but Bossier pulled away on the strength of free throws and offensive second attempts to move into the championship game against number one seed Wossman on Saturday.

“We have nothing to be ashamed of,” Tide head coach Jacob Brown said in a post game interview. “People often remember the last game…we are not defined by this last game.”

Bossier’s free throws and baskets at the rim off offensive rebounds combined with Minden’s missed shots proved to be the difference in the game, the coach said.

Brown, in his second year as the boys’ head coach, guided Minden to a 22-4 season record and a trip to the state tournament for the first time since 2001. His goal is for the team to return to the Top 28 on a frequent basis.

“I have a great bunch of heroes who did some special stuff. They laid it on the line for a great community,” Brown said in his interview. “We hope this is a continuous thing.”

Minden came into the semifinal game riding a nine-game winning streak. Ironically, its last loss had come at the hands of the Bearkats. Bossier, now 25-16 for the year, won its 15th in a row.

Minden was led by Darnell Morris with 15 points and 11 rebounds. For the Bearkats, Kameron Davenport had 15 and was joined in double figures by Kerel Woods (14) and T.J. Bunnery (10). Bunnery had a game-high 18 rebounds.

Bossier will be shooting for its fifth state championship since 2011.

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Minden, March 5, 2025 – The Greater Minden Chamber held a ribbon cutting Wednesday at Interstate Building Materials to celebrate the completion of a major renovation of its lumberyard, adding an 11,000 sqft drive-thru shed and 30,000 sqft of concrete driveway. It follows the hardware store renovation completed in 2022, highlighting the company’s continuous commitment to providing top-notch service and facilities.

This project marks another major investment into Interstate’s commitment of serving customers with convenience and speed. Interstate’s friendly staff hand loads customer orders, getting them back on the road in minutes.

About Interstate Building Materials:

Founded in 2014 in Many, LA by Kyle Martinez, Interstate expanded to Minden in 2021 with the purchase of Howard Lumber. The company specializes in a wide range of building materials, including lumber, siding, moulding, paint, and more. It serves a diverse customer base, from new home builders to do-it-yourself weekend warriors.

Interstate was recently a finalist for the Greater Minden Chamber’s “Large Business of the Year”.  The company currently has two locations with a third opening in June 2025 in Sabine Parish.

For more information, visit Interstate’s website at http://www.interstatebm.com .

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(BATON ROUGE, LA) – The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is updating its Freedom Framework social studies standards to reflect President Trump’s executive order renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Following a recommendation from Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley, the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approved the change today.

“The Gulf is a sustaining engine for Louisiana—it helps fuel our energy sector and food and seafood industry and sustains generations of families,” said Dr. Brumley. “Updating our academic standards ensures alignment with the leadership of President Trump and Governor Landry while reinforcing the Gulf’s significance to our state’s future.”

Aligning with National Leadership and Emergency Response Agencies

In January, President Trump issued an executive order officially renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. Since then, major corporations such as Chevron, Murphy Oil, Shell, Google, Apple, and Microsoft have adjusted their materials and references accordingly. Louisiana state agencies, including the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, have also adopted the new terminology.

Organizations such as the National Weather Service (NWS), National Hurricane Center (NHC), and U.S. Geographic Names Information System have also implemented the change. Standardizing the terminology ensures consistency in hurricane tracking, emergency alerts, and public safety communications, all of which are critical for Louisiana’s emergency preparedness efforts.

Impact in Louisiana Schools

Louisiana’s Freedom Framework social studies standards specifically reference the Gulf in two areas—one in fourth grade and one in fifth grade. These updates will take effect in the 2025-2026 school year. Louisiana schools will not be required to purchase new instructional materials ahead of their regular update schedule, with digital materials likely being updated faster than materials that have already been printed. The LDOE will issue guidance for school systems and is working with publishers of fourth and fifth-grade Tier 1 social studies materials to incorporate the updates. Social studies instructional materials are routinely adjusted based on political boundaries and historical events.

Freedom Framework: A Commitment to American Exceptionalism

Dr. Brumley led the adoption of the K-12 student standards for social studies. Known as the Freedom Framework, these standards tell the story of American exceptionalism as well as the nation’s continuous journey towards becoming a more perfect union — highlighting the struggles, sacrifices, and success of the American people. Recognized as among the strongest standards in the nation, Louisiana has since advised other states in developing similar standards.

Adopted in 2022, the 2023-2024 school year marked the first year of implementation in Louisiana classrooms. The new standards are more rigorous and also introduce historical content in a more precise, coherent, and chronological manner while ensuring students develop essential skills.

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 Have you noticed the crepe myrtles around town.  Many are covered by a black scale from the roots to the top of the tree.  This is called crepe myrtle bark scale.  It is a nasty looking scale that will eventually kill the tree without you treating it.  

     One way to treat is to wash the tree.  Use water mixed with dishwashing soap(like dawn).  Take a brush and scrub all over the tree, including the limbs.  

     I prefer to recommend the chemical treatment.  Fertilome tree and shrub drench is the easiest and most used chemical.  Just measure the circumference(distance around the tree trunk) in inches at chest height. or at 4.5 feet from the soil.  Mix 1 oz. of Fertilome tree and shrub drench per inch of circumference of the tree trunk to 1 gallon of water.  Apply the solution to the root zone as a band around the base of the tree.  The chemical in this drench is Imidacloprid.  I’ve mentioned Imidacloprid many times in my articles.  It is one of the newer chemicals and really does a good job.  It is systemic so that the tree roots just suck it up and it runs all through the tree.  It may take more than 1 application but it is still the best solution.  Washing the tree before would not be a bad idea also.

   Don’t be afraid of the drench because it is so much easier than spraying.  Good luck with this and go check the trees.

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal.)

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The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Monday, March 17:

ABROMS, JOYCELYN ANN

98724 Possession of Schedule II CDS

ALLEN, CHARLES THOMAS

98467 CT 1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

98467 CT 2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

98467 CT 3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

98467 CT 4 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

ALLEN, LAEVERETTICA QUEVETTE

98967 CT 1 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS

98967 CT 2 Public Bribery

Make sure forfeiture of 2005 Chevy Tahoe is part of any plea/sentencing agreement.

ALLEN, JR., LARRY RAY

99466 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

BAILEY, BRITTANIA BRICOLE

99491 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

BAILEY, BRITTANIA BRICOLE

99492 Theft Under $1,000

BEIGLER, MATTHEW

99519 Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault

BOOKER, KEDRON S.

99408 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

BOYD, THOMAS JAMES

99390 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

BROWN, EMMANUEL JAMES

98324A Second Degree Robbery

CANTU, STEVEN

98814 Home Improvement Fraud

Restitution per report- $4,125, plus $618.75 fee = $4,743.75 total

CHISM, GERRY DEWAYNE

99516 CT 1 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

99516 CT 2 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – Fourth or Subsequent

COLEMAN, MARLON T.

99328 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

COLSTON, MICHELLE R

99162 Felony Illegal Possession Stolen Things

($5,000 – $25,000)

COLSTON, MICHELLE R

97819 Ct. 1 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

97819 Ct. 2 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

97819 Ct. 3 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

COLSTON, MICHELLE R

98613 Ct. 1 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

98613 Ct. 2 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

98613 Ct. 3 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

COOK, LARRY

99221 Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault

COOK, LARRY

99180 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

CORNELIOUS, JOHN KERRY

98808 Aggravated Assault With a Firearm

DAVIS, SARA ELIZABETH

98323 Second Degree Robbery

ELKINS, LAMARIO J

INCOMING Violation Of Protective Order

EVANS, NORMAN

98350 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

FULLER, KANDIS

97243 Cruelty To Juveniles

GAVIN, DERRICK LAMONS

99522 Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

GERMANY, AYENDE TREVELL

99214 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

GILCREASE, JULES STEVEN

99368 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

GILCREASE, JULES STEVEN

98229 Ct. 2 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

GILCREASE, JULES STEVEN

97384 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

GILES, KEVIN LEE

99393 Simple Burglary

GILL, JR, DARRYL W

99162 Felony Illegal Possession Stolen Things ($5,000 – $25,000)

Restitution owed to the victims- $3,021, plus $453.15 fee = $3,474.15 total

GORDON, GARY MICHAEL

98275 Simple Criminal Damage To Property

Valued At $1,000 Or More But Under $50,000

Restitution owed to the victim per the report- $2000, plus $300 fee = $2,300 total

HALL, TIMOTHY

INCOMING Aggravated Assault With a Firearm

HARRELL, CRYSTAL MARIE

99350 Forgery

HARRELL, CRYSTAL MARIE

99277 Distribution of a Schedule III CDS

HAVARD, JAMES

98091 A Probation Violation Hearing WPSD

Simple Burglary

Restitution per the victim impact statement owed to the victim- $12,353.38, plus $1,853.01 fee = $14,206.39 total

HAYDEN, RONALD WAYNE

99531 CT 1 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

99531 CT 2 Sale/Distribution/Possession of Legend Drug Without Prescription

HENDERSON, RAMON C.

99532 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS (Less Than Two and One Half Pounds)

HILLMAN, JASON MICHAEL VAUGHN

99010A Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

HODGES, TYLER KENE

99068 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

HUNTER, CHARLES E.

99439 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

JERNIGAN, RONALD DAVID

99142 Molestation of a Juvenile Under Thirteen

JOHNSON, TYREAK ANTONIO

99304 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense – Victim Pregnant

LARY, RANDALL GENE

98287 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

LEWIS, NATHANIEL

98992 A Ct. 1 Simple Battery

98992 A Ct. 2 Simple Battery

LOWE, MICHELLE LEE

99533 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

LUCAS, COLBY BENJAMIN

98992 Ct. 1 Simple Battery

98992 Ct. 2 Aggravated Assault

MAYFIELD, DEVIN PAIGE

99514 Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered

MCCLAIN, MICHAEL G

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

MCFARLAND, JR, THOMAS

99222 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

MCNEILL, CALEB A.

99275 Violation Of Protective Order

MENDENHALL, DARIUS JARAY

99149 Illegal Discharge Of A Firearm – Crime Of Violence / Uniform CDS Law

MOYA, SAMUEL PAUL

99409 Aggravated Criminal Damage To Property

NESS, LANESHIA SHANTE

98570 Manslaughter

OLMSTEAD, STEVEN CRAIG

INCOMING Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – Third Offense

PEARSON, CYNTHIA ALEXANDER

98425 Arson with the Intent to Defraud

Restitution owed to the insurance company- $133,400.40, plus $20,010.06 fee = $153,410.46 total

PEARSON, RICKY

98425 Arson with the Intent to Defraud

PETERS, MICHAEL OLINDA

99412 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

RICHARD, CHRISTOPHER ELLIS

99536 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

SHEHEE, ROY K

99268 CT 1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

99268 CT 2 Obstruction Of Justice

SNEED, JAMARION

99417 Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment

SNELL, JACOLBY TYRONE

INCOMING Accessory After The Fact

INCOMING Manufacture/Transfer/Possess Machine Guns

INCOMING Manufacture/Transfer/Possess Machine Guns

STEPHENS, GENE LYNDELL

99517 Introducing Contraband Into Or Upon The Grounds Of Any State Correctional Institution

STEVENS, MARCUS DARE

99524 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling

TAYLOR, ROBERT ALLEN

99521-CT.1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

99521-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

THORNTON, ANTONIO D.

99532 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS (Less Than Two and One Half Pounds)

TOLEDO-COLLAZO, ERNESTO LUIS

98955 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS (Two and One Half Pounds or More)

WASHINGTON, ANGELA

97148 Second Degree Murder

97148A Obstruction of Justice by Tampering with Evidence

WASHINGTON, CHELSEA

99040 Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

Restitution owed to B1 Bank- $4,716.69, plus $707.50 fee = $5,424.19 Total

WELLS, JR., CHARLES EUGENE

99526 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – Fourth or Subsequent

WHITE, ROY ANTHONY

99525 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

WIGGINS, CYNTHIA GAIL

99438 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

WILLIAMSON, MICHAEL C

99416 Illegal Use Of Weapons Or Dangerous Instrumentalities

WILLIS, CORTORIA UNIQUE

97893 Issuing Worthless Checks ($999 -$4,999)

Restitution owed: $4,218.36 check amounts + $1,665.08 fees = Total Amount Due: $5,883.44

5/13-paid $200. New balance is 5543.44 as of this date.

WILLIS, CORTORIA UNIQUE

99089 CT 1 Aggravated Assault With a Firearm

99089 CT 2 Aggravated Assault With a Firearm

99089 CT 3 Aggravated Assault With a Firearm

WILLIS, CORTORIA UNIQUE

T059923 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

T059923A Switched License Plates

WILLIS, CRYSTAL MARIE

98810 Aggravated Battery

WYNNE, GILBERT ROY

99528-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

99528-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

99528-CT.3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

YATES, HANNAH MARIE

INCOMING Possession of Schedule II CDS

INCOMING Operating A Vehicle with an Expired License Plate

INCOMING No Insurance

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I have sat in the U.S. House Chamber as a Congressional staffer several times for presidential addresses, and I never remember feeling more hopeful or moved by a speech than I did watching this one.  The American people echoed my feeling with anti-Trump CBS’ Poll finding that a 76% Super-Majority Approved of Trump’s speech.

Trump announced that “America is back” and then detailed the dizzying pace of his first 6 weeks in office. 

“I declared a national emergency on our southern border and deployed the U.S. military and Border Patrol to repel the invasion of our country. As a result, illegal border crossings last month were the lowest ever recorded.”  Perhaps the best line of the night was when Trump stated “Democrats said that we needed new legislation to seal the border, but as it turned out, all we needed was …. a new president.”

He then explained he had “imposed a freeze on all federal hiring, all new federal regulations, all foreign aid and terminated the ridiculous green new scam. I withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord, which was costing us trillions of dollars that other countries were not paying. I withdrew from the corrupt World Health Organization and also from the anti-American U.N. Human Rights Council.  I have also directed that for every new regulation, ten old regulations must be eliminated.”

He also stated that he had “declared a national energy emergency.  It’s called drill, baby, drill.”  Trump also emphasized the $1.7 trillion of new investment in America since his swearing in.

Let’s review these changes.   

The freeze on federal hiring and the identification by DOGE of enormous amounts of waste, fraud and corruption have, alone, already saved several hundred billion dollars. 

Further, Trump’s termination of the green new scam and withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord will prevent further economic damage. It’s nonsensical to harm our economy to respond to so-called climate change when the major polluters across the world such as China and India are building new coal plants every week. 

Also, Trump stated he ended the electric vehicle mandate, keeping his promise to traditional American automakers.  

Trump’s mandate that for every one (1) new federal regulation imposed on American business and industry, ten (10) regulations be eliminated will powerfully strengthen and grow our national economy. 

Trump also declared that federal workers must return to the office or be fired.  He then stated he had also “ended weaponized government” a/k/a as ‘lawfare,’ “where a sitting president is allowed to viciously prosecute his political opponent, like me;” that he had halted “all government censorship and brought back free speech in America.”  He also signed an order making English the official language; and he stated, “we’ve ended the tyranny of so-called Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies across the entire government.”

“You should be hired and promoted based on skill, competence, and merit, not race or gender.  We have also removed the poison of Critical Race Theory from our public schools, and I signed an order making the official policy of the United States government that there are only two genders, male and female.”  He has also “signed an executive order to ban men from playing in women’s sports or the schools will lose all federal funding.”

As significant as these policy changes are, it’s the riveting way Trump portrayed them that is memorable.

Regarding the danger of allowing men to compete against women, Trump had sitting in the House gallery a young lady named Payton McNabb “who had been an all-star high school athlete preparing for a future in college sports. But when her girls volleyball match was invaded by a male, he smashed the ball so hard in Payton’s face, causing traumatic brain injury, partially paralyzing her right side and ending her athletic career.” 

To emphasize the danger of illegal immigration, Trump reached two of the most emotionally compelling moments of the night as he recalled, with their mothers in attendance, Laken Riley and Jocelyn Nungaray, two young women who were murdered by illegal aliens.

I realize there are stark policy differences between the two parties, but I think Democrats damaged themselves with their disruptive, disrespectful behavior including when they could not even rise and applaud a 13-year-old boy who is battling brain cancer.  They did stand and clap for Ukraine but not America.

We are not only inspired by this address, but I believe we will look back and realize it was a spectacular blueprint for the coming years.

(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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Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 67.

Sunday Night

Clear, with a low around 42.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 74.

* Information provided by the National Weather Service.

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The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week of March 7 through March 13. Civil suits are public record.

March 7

Crown Asset Management LLC vs. Steven Carr, monies due.

Discover Bank vs. Erika Pickens, monies due.

Sabrina Carol Chandler vs. Jeremy Lee Harvill, custody.

March 10

Virginia Lanette Sheppard, succession over $125K.

Discover Bank vs. Chakiyah Green, monies due.

March 11

Kenneth Ray Shaw, succession under $125K.

Nicolas LaBarron vs. Candace McEachern, custody.

The Bank of New York Mellon, as Indenture Trustee for Mid-State Capital Corporation vs. Alexis Chavez Garcia Aaron, Kaitlyn Brooke Gunter, executory process.

March 12

Tilman T. Nichols, succession under $125K.

Shanda Kimbell Hoper vs. Charles Lee Hooper, divorce.

March 13

Dawn Marie Calhoun vs. Tony Calhoun, divorce w/children.

Carlton Rand Williams vs. Linda Moore, divorce.

Oree Smith Jr. vs. Carter Federal Credit Union, monies due.

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