The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court on Monday, April 28:

ALLUMS, DONALD

98395-CT.1 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

98395-CT.2 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

BELLARD, JOSEPH

99301 Ct. 1 Issuing Worthless Checks

99301 Ct. 2 Issuing Worthless Checks

99301 Ct. 3 Issuing Worthless Checks

BROWN, BILLIE JO

98545 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

BROWN, BILLIE JO

98711 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

CANTU, STEVEN

98814 Home Improvement Fraud

Restitution per report- $4,125.00, plus $618.75 fee = $4,743.75 total

CARSON, SANTARIO

99500 Ct. 1 Speeding 16-24 MPH

99500 Ct. 2 Possession of CDS I Marijuana (More Than Fourteen Grams)

99500 Ct. 3 Resisting An Officer

COLE, TYNIAH SHONTAY

99585 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

COOPER, ISIAH VEREON

98746 Armed Robbery

COX, LAPATRICK

99459 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

CROWLEY, ALAN DALE

99615 CT 1 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

99615 CT 2 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

99615 CT 3 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

99615 CT 4 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

99615 CT 5 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

BDCC St Conf 6/16 Trial 11/3

CROWLEY, KIMBERLY B.

99615 CT 1 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

99615 CT 2 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

99615 CT 3 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

99615 CT 4 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

99615 CT 5 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

DAVIS, JR., LARANCE EDWARD

99322-CT.1 Theft Of A Firearm – 1St Offense

99322-CT.2 Simple Burglary

99322-CT.3 Simple Burglary

DAVIS, TRAVIS ANTONIO

99318 Racketeering

99318A Obscenity

DEMOSS, COREY J

99169 Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment

ERVING, DEDRICK CORTEZ

99407 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

FARRAR, SHELLY ARETHA

99191 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS (Less Than Two and One Half Pounds)

Please make sure forfeiture of $7,094.00 in US Currency is part of any plea/sentencing agreement.

FIELDING, BRIAN EVERETT

98394-CT.1 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

98394-CT.2 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS

OC 2/10 Trial 10/20 A Status Hearing MPD

Co defs L. Rabb, D. Allums

FLOURNOY, DAMETRICK

99478-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

99478-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

99478-CT.3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

FLOURNOY, JR, DAVID

99614 Illegal Possession Of Stolen Firearms

FRAZIER, WILLIAM MATTHEW

99583 Insurance Fraud

GAMBLE, JR., HILLERY

99562A-CT.1 Cruelty To Juveniles

99562A-CT.2 Cruelty To Juveniles

GARNER, BRYAN DANIEL

99269 Molestation of a Juvenile Under Thirteen

BDCC Trial 10/20

GAY, ANTONIO

98746 Armed Robbery

Co defs: I. Cooper, S. Holden, K. Harris

GILL, DEAUDRICK

98905-CT.1 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS

98905-CT.2 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or CDS

GIPSON, DARKENDRIUS

98537-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS (Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

98537-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS (Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

98537-CT.3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS (Twenty-Eight Grams or More)

98537-CT.4 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

GOLDSTON, MATTHEW

97244 Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered

GRAHAM, DERRICK D

99166 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS (Two and One Half Pounds or More)

GRANT, SHAKAYLA LASHUN

98598 Aggravated Criminal Damage To Property

Possible restitution owed in the amount of $2,956.41 plus fee $443.46 = $3,399.87.

GREEN, GAVIN MICHAEL

98113-CT.1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

98113-CT.2 Monetary Instrument Abuse

HAMMONTREE, MATTHEW A.

99228 Theft Of A Firearm – 1st Offense

HARPER, JOSEPH ALVA

INCOMING Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or CDS

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

INCOMING Improper Lane Usage

HARRIS, JR., KELVIN

98746 Armed Robbery

Co defs I. Cooper, A. Gay, S. Holden

HARRISON, SAWYER BLAIR

99296-CT.1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

99296-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

HEGGAR, KAMERON

INCOMING Criminal Street Gangs and Patterns of Criminal Street Gang Activity

HOLYFIELD, JR., BENNIE JABIEN

99322-CT.1 Theft Of A Firearm – 1St Offense

99322-CT.2 Simple Burglary

99322-CT.3 Simple Burglary

HUDSON, KHALIA A

98842 Attempted Aggravated Arson

JOHNSON, JOSHUA MEREDITH

99382 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS (Two and One Half Pounds or More)

JONES, CHAMETERIA

99257 Illegal Use Of Weapons Or Dangerous Instrumentalities

JONES, SR., TERRY WYATT

99179-CT.1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

99179-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

JONES, SR., TERRY WYATT

97270 Illegal Discharge And/Or Disposal Of Non-Hazardous Substance

BRD only St Conf 5/19

KINGSTON, MICHAEL

99596 Second Degree Murder

LARD, DJIMON HETONIUS

97082A Criminal Street Gangs and Patterns of Criminal Street Gang Activity

MAYWEATHER, LAWRENCE

99258 Aggravated Second Degree Battery

MILLS, JAYDEN RICHARD

97611-CT.1 Principal To Illegal Use Of Weapons Or Dangerous Instrumentalities

97611-CT.2 Aggravated Second Degree Battery

MOORE, DEANDRE LEE

98330-CT.1 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

98330-CT.2 Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment

98330-CT.3 Aggravated Battery

MORRIS, CHRISTOPHER DEON

99578 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

ONEAL, WILLIAM AMOS

97903 Simple Arson

Restitution owed to State Farm Insurance Company- $151,181.90, plus $22,677.29 fee = $173,859.19 total

PALMER, CHRISTOPHER ADAM

97406 Simple Burglary

Restitution owed to the victim-$6,426.99, plus $964.05 fee = $7,391.04 total

PRICE, KAYLIEB RUSSELL

99511 Second Degree Battery

Restitution owed to the victim- $2,647.03, plus $397.05 fee = $3,044.08 total

RABB, LASHUNDA L.

98395-CT.1 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

98395-CT.2 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

RENO, TAYLOR

98987 Simple Burglary

Restitution to D.C. Pawn for Taylor Reno $40.00 + 6.00 fee = $46.00

Restitution to D.C. Pawn for Jessica Neal $300.00 + 45.00=$345.00

RENO, TAYLOR

99321 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

ROMERO, SHELDON

99534 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling

RUSHING, NIKKI COURTNEY

98735 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty- Eight Grams)

SEAMSTER, LATAVION K

99480 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

SHELBY, JAREL EDWARD

98331 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

98331A Possession of Schedule II CDS – Oxycodone

SNEED, III, ROBERT LEE

99444 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

SPECKS, JOSHUA

97954 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or CDS

STRIPLIN, TREASURE VARLEACE

99565 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

Co def M. Tarno

TARNO, MICHAEL ANDREW

99565 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

TATE, CORA MICHELLE

99562 Cruelty To Juveniles

TAYLOR, ALDARAVION

97082 Criminal Street Gangs and Patterns of Criminal Street Gang Activity

THORNTON, TYLER

98102 Ct. 1 Speeding 16-24 MPH

98102 Ct. 2 Unlawful Sales Of Tobacco To A Person Under the Age of 21

98102 Ct. 3 Operating a Vehicle with an Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection

98102 Ct. 4 Displaying/Possessing An Invalid Registration Certificate Or Registration Number Plate

THORNTON, TYLER

INCOMING Criminal Street Gangs and Patterns of Criminal Street Gang Activity

THORNTON, TYLER

98186A Illegal Use Of A Firearm During A Crime Of Violence

UPCHURCH, MATTHEW

99594 Illegal Possession Of Stolen Firearms

WALKER, JEFFERY VENTA

97082 Criminal Street Gangs and Patterns of Criminal Street Gang Activity

ZOOM 11:00am David Wade Detention Center

WALKER, JEFFERY VENTA

96211 Illegal Use Of Weapons Or Dangerous Instrumentalities

WARREN, DEONTE DEROKO

98664 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

WASHINGTON, KENTRAVIAN

99127 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling

WELLS, JR., CHARLES EUGENE

99526 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – Fourth or Subsequent

WHITE, BREAUNA LASHAE

98408 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

WHITE, III, NATHANIEL

99273 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

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

99201A Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

YATES, HANNAH MARIE

99201 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

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

April 24-26

The Easton Hoyt Archery Shooters Association Pro/Am Tour returns to Camp Minden.

April 25-27

Highway 80 Sale. Yard sales, antiques and more along historic U.S. Highway 80.

April 26

7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Rummage Sale. Gymnasium of First Baptist Church, Minden. Proceeds go to a mission trip to No. Carolina for FBC youth.

9 a.m. (until sold out) Minden Lions Club will be serving ready-to-go chicken charbroil box lunches for $10 in the parking lot of Walmart Supercenter. Tickets available from any Lions Club Member but aren’t necessary. All proceeds go to the club’s community projects.

9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Rain or Shine. Trails & Trellises Garden Tour, sponsored by Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners. Visit www.phlmg.com or facebook.com/PHLMG/  for information.

11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Furry Friends Fundraiser, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main Street, Minden. Percentage of proceeds will be donated to LaMa Animal Rescue to help with vet bills and expenses incurred from Doyline hoarding situation.

April 28

5 until 7 p.m. Manic Monday, 217 N. Main St., Springhill, sponsored by LaMa Animal Rescue. Burger, chips, pickle, drink and dessert: $12.

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.

Noon until 1 p.m. Lunch and Learn, Webster Parish Library, 521 East and West St., Minden. Dr. Mark Wilson with LSU AgCenter will present Ornamental Flowers Use in Landscape. Open to the public; no pre-registration required. Bring a sack lunch.

May 1

7:30 a.m. Minden Community House. National Day of Prayer with City of Minden. Pray with local leaders.

Preregistration begins for Discovery Camp 2025: Colors of Nature at Webster Parish Libraries. To register, go to local branch of the library or visit https://websterparishlibraries.beanstack.com/reader365 .

May 3

9 a.m. Minden Kidney Walk beginning in the First Methodist Parking lot on McDonald Street.  Registration forms are available online at http://www.mindenmedicalcenter.com at the bottom of home page or at Minden Medical Center Business Office 346 Homer Road.  Early registration $30 and after April 25 it is $35.  Students are $25.  Registration guarantees your t-shirt for event. Proceeds from race will go to Kidney Foundation. 

May 9

9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Minden Civic Center. Leading Legacies, a Women in Business Event. Presented by Catherine C. Hunt, realtor, LAState Realty, LLC and Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce.

May 10

10 a.m. Check in for Ride For W.H.O. Poker Run. Cash Magic, 1011 North Arkansas St., Springhill.

May 12

6 p.m., Night at the Museum, Peggy Adkins, mayor of Sarepta will share about her life and time as mayor. Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, 116 Pearl St., Minden, 318-377-3002..

May 30

6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) Seeds Women’s Center “Totally 80s Bingo.” Minden Civic Center, 520 Broadway, Minden. Sponsorships needed. Call Amber Bradford at 318-639-0907 for more information.

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The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week of April 21 through 24. Civil Suits are public record.

April 21

Callie Chancellor Martin, Adam Lane Martin vs. Misty Lanelle Price, custody.

TG Finance LLC dba Century Loan of Webster Parish vs John Bennett, Lanetta Coleman, monies due.

Audubon Recovery LLC vs. Kalan Little, monies due.

Discover Bank vs. David Ward, monies due.

Delloranzo M. White vs. Lakesha K. Gill White, divorce.

Izaiah Smith vs. Marshayla Greenard, custody.

Advantage Resourcing Group vs. Louisiana ENT Associates LLC, monies due.

Wayman Stewart Jr., Hailey Stewart, emancipation.

April 22

Joshua Porter vs. Kaycee Hernandez, Progressive Paloverde Insurance, State Farm Insurance, damages.

April 23

Robert Reed, succession over $125K.

Hannah Eulate vs. Cameron Romain, protective order.

Taylor Carpenter Hirth vs. Kristopher Hirth, divorce.

Samantha Jackson vs. Shane Jackson, divorce.

April 24

Kimberly Annette Thomas, succession over $125K.

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Demmer Franklin Price

March 31, 1956  –  April 19, 2025

Bernice/Springhill, La.

No services planned at this time.

Obituary through Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Jaclyn Elizabeth Strong

March 14, 1985 — April 23, 2025

A private graveside service will be held to honor her life.

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

An alleged physical attack on a Minden woman by her reported boyfriend as she was driving him to a Dixie Inn location has landed a Sarepta man in the parish prison.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said 20-year-old Tyreak A. Johnson is charged with domestic abuse battery with child endangerment in the incident which began inside the vehicle as it was traveling in the 1400 block of Shreveport Rd. around 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Arresting officers said the suspect came to the victim’s Tillman St. residence, knocked on a window and asked to come inside. The victim denied him entrance, but offered to drive him to a Dixie Inn business to meet a relative.

As the vehicle was traveling on Shreveport Rd., Johnson allegedly slapped the female victim several times, knocking her glasses from her face and attempted to grab the steering wheel on two occasions. The victim’s infant child was present in the vehicle during the incident.

Officers said once the victim arrived at the arranged meeting place, she managed to run inside and call police. Upon arrival, the officers reportedly observed swelling under the victim’s eye. Johnson reportedly was arrested at the scene in the 12000 block of Hwy. 80 just after midnight.

Further investigation revealed Johnson had been arrested in October of 2024 for the same offense. He is currently being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a $5,000 bond.

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 Pat Culverhouse

An improperly displayed vehicle tag proved bad luck for a Springhill man and he has been tagged with an illegal drug charge as a result.

Springhill Chief of Police Will Lynd said 42-year-old Robert Lee Brantley, a resident of W. 4th St., was arrested for possession of CDS Sch. I (synthetic marijuana) and resisting an officer with force or violence.

Brantley reportedly was scheduled for booking at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. No bond has been set.

Springhill officers initiated a traffic stop shortly before 6:45 p.m. Tuesday and began to inventory the vehicle after learning the owner was unable to provide proof of insurance.

Inside the trunk, officers reportedly found a backpack with a visible sandwich bag containing suspected synthetic marijuana. When the occupants were asked to exit the vehicle, Brantley reportedly began fighting and kicking the officers. He was subdued and taken into custody.

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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Bold priorities aim to save taxpayer money, ensure program stability, and improve health outcomes

The Louisiana Department of Health’s (LDH) new Secretary Bruce Greenstein announced three key initiatives on Monday to address the state’s most pressing healthcare challenges. These efforts also aim to ensure more stability in the programs the Department administers.

“Today, I hit the ground running,” Greenstein said. “The Department has a great team in place that has started moving the needle for our state’s healthcare system. Our new initiatives will improve health outcomes while saving taxpayer money.”

The three initiatives announced make up a portion of the Department’s vision. Priorities include improving behavioral health, making the Louisiana Medicaid program more efficient, and doubling down to fight fraud, waste, and abuse while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and security of patients’ and members’ information.

Fraud Waste and Abuse Task Force

The Fraud Waste and Abuse Task Force will initially target three key areas:

LDH/Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) data-sharing partnership: LDH and OMV launch a data-sharing partnership starting April 23 to help improve the accuracy of the Medicaid rolls. This will ensure that the state isn’t paying monthly premiums for individuals holding an active driver’s license in another state.

AI data project with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL): LDH is partnering with LA DOGE and ULL to utilize AI and data analytics to identify and address waste, abuse, and fraudulent practices within Louisiana Medicaid.

Enhanced collaboration between the LDH Program Integrity Unit and the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU): Enhanced collaboration with MFCU will increase LDH’s ability to detect, investigate, and prosecute fraudulent activity and maximize recoveries for the Medicaid program.

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By Pat Culverhouse

When there’s an emergency, a voice is often the only connection between the public and the responders who will be answering that call. Those faceless voices are what often makes a difference.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker called dispatchers “…a vital part of  law enforcement teams across this country and we want to give them the special recognition they deserve.”

Dispatchers received their well-deserved attention during the recent National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. Parker said this special group of deputies in his telecommunications office earn respect daily, unseen and without fanfare.

“They work behind the scenes 24/7, mostly unknown to the public, but when a citizen calls our office, a dispatcher may be the only contact with a deputy that person has,” he said.

Many calls coming into the office are unpleasant, dealing with tragedies that may include serious accidents, violent acts or even death. Parker said a calm voice can often mean reassurance during a critical time.

“Our dispatchers are the first voice a caller hears, and we know they are often a lifeline to not only our citizens, but to our deputies as well,” he said.

When deputies are responding to calls for assistance, information from the dispatcher is critical.

“They’re the backbone of our department. We cannot perform our duties without them,” Parker said. “They inform us of the situation clearly, calmly and professionally. We depend on them, and they deliver.”

Dispatchers received special treatment during their special week, Parker said.

“We planned special treats, fed them and gave them special recognition,” he said. “They have earned respect and deserve our appreciation. They are our connection with the public.”

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The City of Minden has issued a boil advisory for customers on the 400 block of Martin Luther King and the 100 block of Angelee Street. According to officials, it was necessary to turn off water to repair a service.

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By Jessica Gorman

The 1970s saw the implementation of a new type of school, the nongraded, open-concept school. The second school of this type in North Louisiana was built in Webster Parish, Apollo Elementary in Bossier City being the first. J. E. Harper Elementary School opened on Germantown Road in Minden on 7 September 1971.

The school was named in memory of Mr. J. Elmer Harper who passed away in April of that year while attending the National School Boards Convention in Philadelphia. Mr. Harper became principal of Minden High School in 1924, president of Minden Bank in 1934, was the first president of the Minden Lions Club, and also served as president of the Louisiana Bankers Association.  He was a member of the Webster Parish School Board from 1946 to 1958 and again in 1965 and served as school board president from 1951 until 1958.

Three years of planning went into the development and construction of Harper Elementary School. The bond issue was approved in December 1968 and the contract for construction of the school was awarded to McInnis Brothers in January 1970. The school, with its open concept, was designed around the instructional style that had been developed. It was set to serve an attendance zone basically bounded by Country Club Circle, Gladney Street, Fort Street, and East Union/Highway 80.

The basis of a nongraded school is just what the name implies. No grade levels were to be used which also meant that there would be no promotion or failure. Instead, students would determine their own rate of progression with a focus on continuous progress. Students could remain with their peer group while being placed in a particular level to receive instruction based on their educational needs.

The main floor of the school building was primarily one big open room with the library at the center. No walls separated the classrooms. The office was separated from the rest of the school by glass. When I was a student there, from 1984 to 1990, first through fifth grades were all on the main floor of the school. Kindergarten was housed on the lower floor. The classrooms were only separated by chalkboards and low shelving.  If anything very exciting happened during the school day, everybody knew about it, and if somebody got sent to the principal’s office, it was no secret.

Mr. Joe Windham was principal. He was serving as Elementary School Supervisor when it was decided that Minden needed a new elementary school. Tasked with development of this new school, he chose the innovative new approach that was put into place. Mr. Windham spent 23 years as principal of Harper, retiring in 1994.

Harper Elementary became a model to be followed by others. The school and its methods of teaching were studied by school districts across the country. In 1974, officials from Little Rock visited the school and left with plans to implement the same system in the open concept schools they were building. Of all the schools they had visited, they were most impressed with what they saw at Harper.

The building no longer houses an elementary school. It is now the J.E. Harper Pathways to Excellence Center and provides dual enrollment opportunities for high school students in partnership with Northwest Louisiana Technical College. In addition, offices for school board personnel are also located there.

(Jessica Gorman is Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, and an avid genealogist.)

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In recognition of April as the Month of the Military Child, the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) has launched a new section of its website that’s dedicated to military families. Created in collaboration with Barksdale Air Force Base, this centralized online tool is designed to support the academic success of Louisiana’s military-connected students and their families.

“This new online resource reflects our commitment to ensuring every child—especially those whose families serve our country—has access to a high-quality education and a smooth school experience in Louisiana,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “We’re proud to partner with Barksdale to strengthen our outreach and service to military families.”

The new landing page offers streamlined access to essential information, tools, and resources to help military families navigate school transitions as they move to and from Louisiana. From enrollment to graduation requirements, the hub is designed to ease school changes and make families feel supported every step of the way.

“Our military families face a litany of pervasive challenges innate to the military lifestyle. They deserve our unwavering support in accessing high-quality, affordable, and special needs accommodating educational resources to provide them with every chance to thrive and excel,” said Barksdale Air Force Base Installation Commander Colonel Michael Maginness. “Their strength is our inspiration, and their education is our shared responsibility. This new landing page represents a significant commitment from our local partners to shoulder that responsibility. I am confident this new resource will be a boon to military families throughout the State of Louisiana.”

Key features of the military families resource hub include:

Advance Enrollment Information: Guidance on how military families can enroll their children in public schools before arriving in Louisiana.

Quick Links to Key Resources: Direct access to school directories, choice and course options, graduation requirements, and special education services.

Purple Star Schools: A spotlight on Louisiana schools that have earned the Purple Star designation for going above and beyond in supporting military-connected students.

Interstate Compact Info: Details about the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children, helping remove barriers as families move between states.

With more than 12,000 military-connected students attending Louisiana public schools across 1,300+ schools and 124 school systems, the LDOE remains committed to making every educational journey as seamless and successful as possible.

The new resource is now live and available at doe.louisiana.org. The site will continue to be updated regularly with new resources, tools, and information.

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Thursday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Southeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Saturday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 85.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 65.

*Info provided by National Weather Service.

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When it’s Springtime in Minden, there is plenty to do. If you’re feeling hungry the last Saturday of the month, fly down to Walmart Supercenter for the Minden Lions Club Spring Chicken Charbroil.

Beginning at 9 a.m. (until sold out) April 26, the group will be serving ready-to-go box lunches for $10.

Even if you aren’t hungry yet, they keep well in the refrigerator and warm up quickly in the microwave.

Tickets available from any Lions Club Member but aren’t necessary. All proceeds go back to the club’s community projects.

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The air was clear, the sky clean, the fried chicken forever crisp through that long-ago spring when all was new except our underwear because we were young and bold and free, the freedom coming mainly because of the faulty underwear or lack of it altogether.

There was also immaturity involved.

It was a simpler time.

This spring of new memories brings back that one and old memories, and when we say “old” we are talking memories with wrinkles, although we recall those days, THAT spring, in living color.

Those were the Salad Days, when we were young and free with good teeth, strong abs, and stretchy bladders, and Mountain Dew was cheap and easy to come by.

“Hey buddy, got a Dew?” we would ask on nearly every Lincoln Parish street corner.

“Anything for you,” the kind soul would say, and hand you not one Dew, but two.

In the sugary sweet Soft Drink Kingdom, there is nothing better than a cold Dew — unless it’s two Dew. A double Dew.

Even better? A gaggle of Dew … Or is it a bevy? Perhaps a pod … Memory fails here.

But not all memory … I smell that spring in my nose, taste it on my lips, feel it on my skin. Possibly that’s sunburn. And still …

Life was grand. If we’d have been a bell, we’d have been ringing, dawn ’til whenever.

Alas, we go from the Memory Penthouse to the Memory Outhouse for a moment here and recall it’s been 15 years this week since the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded, more or less, off the Gulf Coast. (We’re thinking more, not less.) More than 130 million gallons of heavy crude into the ocean.

It was called, technically, a “spill,” which is something I do with milk in my kitchen. Five million barrels of crude oil in the Gulf is more like a gaggle or bevy or pod, whatever means “a whole lot.” Ask an oiled-up pelican or sidelined shrimper if it was a “spill.”

Funny how we use words to minimize.

In a perfect, cartoon world, next time they’ll hit a Mountain Dew well and won’t be able to get it capped. Ever. You’d have fish and shrimp and even oysters jumping into boats and nets, happy as the day they were hatched. And I’d be vacationing at the Redneck Riviera right now, playing with the caffeine-laced sharks and jellyfish.

It’s good to riff like this now and then, especially in the infancy of spring, the season that invented idle thoughts and daydreams. Without imagination and hope, we’re no more than a gaggle of bear. (I know that’s not right. I think for bears it’s “pack” or “sloth.” A sloth of bears. If you run into a sloth, you’ll want to drink about 14 Mountain Dews and hustle down the trail…)

The point is, dream a little. Let your imagination tickle your innards, which, believe it or not, is the old slogan for Mountain Dew. It was even written on the bottle, when Dew used to come in bottles. “It’ll tickle your innards,” a hurriedly drawn little cartoon hillbilly was telling you. On some bottles, there was an outhouse — Lord only knows why — and a jug of moonshine masquerading as Mountain Dew, which is what moonshine was often called back home on Route 2.

Bottled drinks used to have a much higher standard of creativity.

And I used to have a higher tolerance for Dew. Today, a soft drink in this bureau is rare as a cinnamon roll or a donut. Concession to age. But every now and then, as a salute to spring or if I don’t need to sleep for 42 hours or so, I’ll pop one (actually unscrew one since we have the new-fangled tops) and enjoy the taste of a youthful, carefree spring.

Now and then, it’s good to have your innards tickled, no matter your age. Now and then, it doesn’t hurt to just Dew it.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University will award diplomas during three Commencement ceremonies Wednesday, May 14 and Thursday, May 15 in Prather Coliseum.  

The ceremony for graduates from the College of Business and Technology and the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 14. 

The ceremony for graduates from the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 14. 

The ceremony for graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Louisiana Scholars’ College will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 15.  

Also during the 10 a.m. ceremony, NSU’s graduate class of 1975 will be recognized and awarded 50-year diplomas in celebration of their Golden Jubilee.  

All ceremonies will be live streamed via http://www.nsula.edu.   

For a detailed schedule, a list of Frequently Asked Questions and candidate information, visit http://www.nsula.edu/graduation. 

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

April 24-26

The Easton Hoyt Archery Shooters Association Pro/Am Tour returns to Camp Minden.

April 25-27

Highway 80 Sale. Yard sales, antiques and more along historic U.S. Highway 80.

April 26

7 a.m. until 2 p.m. Rummage Sale. Gymnasium of First Baptist Church, Minden. Proceeds go to a mission trip to No. Carolina for FBC youth.

9 a.m. (until sold out) Minden Lions Club will be serving ready-to-go chicken charbroil box lunches for $10 in the parking lot of Walmart Supercenter. Tickets available from any Lions Club Member but aren’t necessary. All proceeds go to the club’s community projects.

9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Rain or Shine. Trails & Trellises Garden Tour, sponsored by Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners. Visit www.phlmg.com or facebook.com/PHLMG/  for information.

11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Furry Friends Fundraiser, Under Dawgs Sports Grill, 605 Main Street, Minden. Percentage of proceeds will be donated to LaMa Animal Rescue to help with vet bills and expenses incurred from Doyline hoarding situation.

April 28

5 until 7 p.m. Manic Monday, 217 N. Main St., Springhill, sponsored by LaMa Animal Rescue. Burger, chips, pickle, drink and dessert: $12.

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.

Noon until 1 p.m. Lunch and Learn, Webster Parish Library, 521 East and West St., Minden. Dr. Mark Wilson with LSU AgCenter will present Ornamental Flowers Use in Landscape. Open to the public; no pre-registration required. Bring a sack lunch.

May 1

7:30 a.m. Minden Community House. National Day of Prayer with City of Minden. Pray with local leaders.

May 3

9 a.m. Minden Kidney Walk beginning in the First Methodist Parking lot on McDonald Street.  Registration forms are available online at http://www.mindenmedicalcenter.com at the bottom of home page or at Minden Medical Center Business Office 346 Homer Road.  Early registration $30 and after April 25 it is $35.  Students are $25.  Registration guarantees your t-shirt for event. Proceeds from race will go to Kidney Foundation. 

May 9

9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Minden Civic Center. Leading Legacies, a Women in Business Event. Presented by Catherine C. Hunt, realtor, LAState Realty, LLC and Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce.

May 10

10 a.m. Check in for Ride For W.H.O. Poker Run. Cash Magic, 1011 North Arkansas St., Springhill.

May 12

6 p.m., Night at the Museum, Peggy Adkins, mayor of Sarepta will share about her life and time as mayor. Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, 116 Pearl St., Minden, 318-377-3002..

May 30

6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) Seeds Women’s Center “Totally 80s Bingo.” Minden Civic Center, 520 Broadway, Minden. Sponsorships needed. Call Amber Bradford at 318-639-0907 for more information.

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The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court on Friday, April 25:

ALLEN, CHRISTIE L.

99548 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

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.

ARNOLD, CHADWICK DUANE

98958 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Under $1,000.00

Restitution owed to the victims- $4,244.04, plus $636.61 fee = $4,880.65 total

BEALE, JUSTIN CLAY

99537 Indecent Behavior With A Juvenile

BOYD, SCOTTY DEANDRE

99506 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

BOYD, SCOTTY DEANDRE

T-737-09 Maximum Speed Limit

T-738-09 Driving Under Suspension

BROWN, KATHLEEN NICOLE

99599 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

BUTLER, SHYANNE MARIE

98753 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

COLEMAN, MARLON T.

99328 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

CORNELIOUS, JOHN KERRY

98808 Aggravated Assault With a Firearm

COX, CHRISTOPHER DAVID MARC

99385 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

99385 CT. 2 Possession Of Alcoholic Beverages In Motor Vehicles

99385 CT. 3 Speeding 16-24 MPH

COX, JAIDYN KYLE

99514 Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered

DUNNKING, JUSTICE

98792 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

ELKINS, LAMARIO J

INCOMING Violation Of Protective Order

FLOURNOY, RACHAEL

99547 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

FRANKS, JULIE C

99177 Simple Burglary

99177A Battery of a Dating Partner

99177B Simple Battery

FRANKS, JULIE C

98833 Gross Littering

FRANKS, JULIE C

99440 Violation Of Protective Order

GILLINS, DANYETTA R

99546 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

HALL, JALON GLENN

99384 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – Second Offense

HAYDEN, RONALD WAYNE

99531 CT 1 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

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

HILLMAN, JASON MICHAEL VAUGHN

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

Please make forfeiture of Firearm part of any plea/sentencing agreement

HODGES, TYLER KENE

99068 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

JENKINS, CARNESHA

99587 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

JERNIGAN, RONALD DAVID

99142

Molestation of a Juvenile Under Thirteen

*BDCC OC 3/17 Trial 10/20

A Status Hearing WPSD

Holland, Hugo Kammi Whatley Allie A Stahl

LILES, DAVID M

99610 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

*BDCC St Conf 6/9 Trial 10/20

LOWE, MICHELLE LEE

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

MAKOWSKY, MICHAEL WAYNE

99242 Ct. 1 Theft Under $1,000.00

99242 Ct. 2 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Under $1,000.00

Restitution owed to the victim- $292.35, plus $43.85 fee = $336.20 total

MALHAM, JOSHUA W

99556 Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

MANNING, JAMAREA JAYVEON

99292 Violation Of Protective Order

MAYFIELD, DEVIN PAIGE

99514 Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered

MENDENHALL, DARIUS JARAY

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

MILLER, IRA L.

99182 Theft Under $1,000.00

MOORE, DEMARCUS JERICHO

99054 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

99054 CT. 2 Possession of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoids

99054 CT. 3 Following Too Closely

PEARSON, ANGELINA M.

99602 Violation Of Leash Law

REEVES, CELESTE L.

99601 Violation Of Leash Law

SEEGERS, GARY A

99600 Violation Of Leash Law

SHINE, KAYLA

96311 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

Children are still missing school as of 4/23/2025

SIMS, JR., MARTIN WAYNE

99555 Illegal Use Of Weapons Or Dangerous Instrumentalities

Please make forfeiture of firearm part of any sentencing/plea agreement

TOLEDO-COLLAZO, ERNESTO LUIS

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

WALKER, JAMES LEE

99243 Ct. 1 Theft Under $1,000.00

99243 Ct. 2 Criminal Trespassing

Restitution owed to the victim- $173.16, plus $25.97 fee = $199.13 total

WASHINGTON, III, PRENTIS BERNARD

99158 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

WEIDNER, BRADLEY JOEL

99143 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

WEST, JOSEPH MICHAEL

99395 Aggravated Assault

WIGGINS, CYNTHIA GAIL

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

WIGGINS, CYNTHIA GAIL

98682 Simple Burglary

WILLIAMSON, MICHAEL LOYD

99598 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

99598 CT. 2 Speeding 11-15 MPH

99598 CT. 3 Improper Lane Usage

99598 CT. 4 Possession Of Alcoholic Beverages In Motor Vehicles

WILLIS, CORTORIA UNIQUE

T059923 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

T059923A Switched License Plates

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

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Demmer Franklin Price

March 31, 1956  –  April 19, 2025

Bernice/Springhill, La.

No services planned at this time.

Obituary through Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Jaclyn Elizabeth Strong

March 14, 1985 — April 23, 2025

A private graveside service will be held to honor her life.

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

Minden’s Deputy Chief of Police Tokia Harrison has been trained in life-saving techniques in classrooms, but Saturday she found herself in a position to put those lessons to use in a real-life emergency.

Harrison and MPD Officer Kendale Booker were working a security detail for an event at the Forestry Building on the local fairgrounds when a woman suffered a medical emergency.

“She just passed out,” Harrison remembered. “At the time we didn’t know if was a heart problem or something else, but we knew we had to do something.”

Harrison and Booker immediately called for an ambulance, and then their training kicked in.

“We moved the people away to give us room and began performing CPR, each of us switching places as we learned in our classes,” she said. “There was a lady attending the event who was a nurse, and she helped.”

Harrison said the ambulance responded very quickly, the EMS personnel took over and applied defibrillators. She was then transported to the hospital where, Harrison said, she appears to be recovering.

“The last time I checked she was doing OK,” she said.

Harrison said officers in the Minden police department receive annual training for certification as first responders, and just recently completed a more strenuous Tactical Emergency Casualty Care for Law Enforcement Officers training.

That training was conducted by Brian Sparks, who serves as the MPD’s Special Response Team medical officer. Sparks, who is a certified tactical paramedic, also owns SMR Training Solutions.

“Brian and his group worked us really hard in both tactics and cooperation with EMS during that training,” she said. “I didn’t know all the things he and his people were teaching us would be put to use so quickly.”

Harrison said this incident was the first time she had ever been called upon to put her training to practical use.

“For both of us, our training just kicked in at that moment,” she said. “While the EMS people were working on the lady, we were doing what we have been trained to do in cooperating with them. It worked just fine.”

Harrison said both she and Booker believe what they did Saturday evening should only be considered a part of their responsibility to Minden’s citizens.

“We were doing what we were supposed to do…doing our job as we are expected to do, and love to do, every day,” she said.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

United States Election Assistance Commission has recognized Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry’s office for excellence in election administration with a national Clearinghouse Award for Best Practices in Recruiting, Retaining and Training Poll Workers. The office also received an honorable mention award for their “I Voted” sticker.

Webster Parish Clerk of Court Holli Vining said she believes Louisiana has one of the best election systems in the country, from top to bottom.

“The awards we win for that system are always an honor and a sense of pride for those of us who work so hard to provide honest, accurate and fair elections to the public,” Vining said.

“This award and honorable mention are incredible honors that recognize the countless hours of hard work that go into administering Louisiana’s elections,” Landry said. “I am immensely proud of my staff for implementing this recruitment program to help alleviate our state’s poll worker shortage. Poll workers are an essential part of the election administration process, and we are always looking for innovative ways to recruit more citizens to serve their communities by working the polls.”

Election commissioners are vital to the democratic process, so recruiting and retaining those commissioners is a top priority, Vining pointed out.

“We faced some special challenges last year across the state with a shortage of commissioners prior to the Presidential election. Clerks across the state, along with the Secretary of State, have begun recruiting commissioners on social media, as well as some creative efforts, such as,  sending letters to school principals to distribute to teachers and visiting college campuses or job fairs,” Vining added. “The Legislature is currently considering legislation that would increase commissioner pay which, if it passes, would go a long way toward making sure we have enough commissioners.”

Webster Parish has not experienced commissioner shortages, as some parishes.

“It takes about 160 workers to man the polls on election day, and I like to have at least 30 more available in our commissioner pool to fill in for those who can’t work,” Vining said.    

Anyone interested in serving as a commissioner can view a training video and instructional pamphlet on my website and take the test electronically.

“Before big elections we have a pre-election meeting to refresh the commissioners on important procedures,” she said.    

Also known as the “Clearies,” the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) presents awards annually to celebrate the hard work of election offices across the country. Now in its ninth year, this year’s Clearie Awards honored programs that took place during the 2024 presidential election year. The EAC is an independent, bipartisan federal agency solely focused on election administration. Submissions were judged on innovation, sustainability, outreach, cost-effectiveness, replicability, and the generation of positive results.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Here’s a reminder to dog lovers: What better place to hold a fundraiser for the Under Dogs of Doyline than Under Dawgs Sports Grill?

Owner Claudine Thomas said from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Saturday, April 26, a percentage of their profits at the sports grill will be donated to LaMa Animal Rescue in Springhill.

“Our hope is to bring in enough to help with vet bills and expenses incurred due to the rescue of the animals from the Doyline hoarding situation,” she said.

In early March, nearly 2 dozen dumped dogs in the Doyline area led law enforcement to property on Stable Dr., where they discovered more than 70 dogs of various breeds, ages and sizes living in squalor in pens and crates. While inspecting, deputies also found bodies of dead animals, including dogs, a horse and goats.

Owners of the property, 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. Their property was condemned.

LaMa’s rescue operation involved several volunteers and a quantity of animal carriers. Donations to assist in its efforts can be made by contacting the group’s web page at https://lamaanimalrescue.org/donate, and/or patronize Under Dawgs April 26 and purchase food and drinks to help.

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Wednesday

A slight chance of showers before 10 a.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10 a.m. and 1pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

Wednesday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Thursday

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Thursday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Friday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

* Info provided by National Weather Service

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(A Life I Didn’t Plan, But Am Grateful to Live)

PETROGNANO, TUSCANY— Two full days off. That’s a rarity over here, and I don’t take it lightly. I spent those two days doing the kind of work I love—getting several long-simmering projects moving forward back home, catching up on Zoom calls with the restaurant teams covering new and current projects, and even watching a couple of movies with my wife, who’s here with me this spring helping lead the charge. We took time for an outstanding Easter lunch with our friend Marina and her family, then ended each day watching the sunset—cool, crisp, quiet, and better felt than explained.

This current leg of RSJ Yonderlust Tours began in early March, two days after my daughter’s wedding. No pause button. Life just kept moving. We started in Spain with a group of 25 Americans. It was my fourth time in the last four years leading a tour through that part of the world. Some of the travelers were familiar faces—folks who’ve joined me on previous tours. That always makes things easier. They know the rhythm, the way I travel, the way I host. They settle in fast.

After Spain, I flew straight to Tuscany and hosted three groups back-to-back-to-back. The first two were what I call the RSJ Yonderlust Foundational Tour. It’s the flagship. The original. The gold standard. These are the tours I’ve led for years, and they’ve become the entry point for most people who travel with me. I’ve probably hosted more than 40 of these in Tuscany alone. It never gets old.

Part of that is because of the place—Tuscany makes it easy. The land is beautiful. The food is outstanding. The people are warm and welcoming. That kind of hospitality can’t be faked. But the other part—the more important part—is the people who choose to come here with me.

The early moments for first timers are always filled with quiet uncertainty. I can see it in their eyes at the airport—so many questions still bouncing around:
Did I pack the right things?
Are we going to have enough to eat?
Will I like the other people in the group?
Is this going to feel like a forced itinerary or a real experience?

I tell them right away, “You’ve worried about enough already. From this moment forward, you have nothing to worry about. Seriously, nothing. All is covered. Everything. Lodging, meals, transportation, wine, tips, tours, guides, decisions—you name it. Just relax. Let us take care of you.”

They don’t believe me at first. That’s OK. By day three, all do. That’s usually when the questions start shifting. “Where else are you traveling?” “Tell me about the trip to Sicily.” “What’s next year’s itinerary look like?” That’s the moment they stop looking for a plan and start embracing the experience.

Those first two Tuscany tours this spring were filled with folks new to the RSJ Yonderlust family. But the third group, the one that just wrapped, was what we now call Tuscany 2.0. That tour is for folks who’ve already done the foundational tour. We stay in a different villa. We explore different towns. We eat in new restaurants. Same region, fresh experience.

What made one of the tours this spring even more special was that every traveler in the group was from Mississippi. That’s a first for me. Even on the Mississippi Tours I host, I’ve never had an entire group made up of folks from back home. It added an extra layer of comfort and familiarity. Some of the guests in the 2.0 group have travelled on six of my tours. Five of them are heading with me to Holland and Belgium tomorrow—for their seventh RSJ Yonderlust tour.

They settle in immediately. No learning curve. They know how I host. They know how we travel. It’s not a vacation anymore—it’s a reunion. And over the years, the friendships have grown deeper. I know about their kids, grandkids, hobbies, and hometowns. It’s like those long-standing childhood friendships you slip back into without missing a beat.

I’ve always valued friendship. But there’s something about this season of life that’s made me value it even more. Maybe it’s age. Maybe it’s perspective. In my twenties, I probably took it for granted. It wasn’t until I hit forty that I started to understand what really matters: faith, family, friends, food, and fun. The Five Fs. Those aren’t just things I talk about—they’re the backbone of my personal life and they guide my professional life, too. When the first four are in place—as they are in restaurants and travel—the fifth one— fun— shows up on its own.

Working with my boots-on-the-ground team, Marina and Jesse, has become one of the greatest joys of this chapter. They’re more than colleagues. They’re family. They flew to Mississippi for my daughter’s wedding in March, then immediately turned around and went back to work with me here. We laugh. We play jokes on each other when the guests are out exploring. Sometimes I feel like a fellow sibling, sometimes a friend, other times like the dad of the group. Those relationships are real, and they mean the world to me.

Tomorrow, we head to Amsterdam for the RSJ Yonderlust Holland/Belgium tour. It’s only the second time I’ve hosted that one, but it’s already become a favorite. The cities are charming, the culture is vibrant, and the food is good. But more than that, it’s meaningful because I get to work with Jesse and Marina in their homeland. Both of them are Dutch. To see them share their heritage with our guests is something special.

People often ask how I can leave my restaurants for three or four months at a time to do these tours. The answer’s simple—I’ve got the best team I’ve ever had. In 37 years of restaurant ownership, I’ve never been surrounded by a more committed, more talented, more values-driven group of leaders.

They’re not just holding down the fort. They’re carrying out our mission with passion and purpose. That mission—“to give our guests exceptional experiences through fanatical, wall-to-wall hospitality”—isn’t just a sentence on a wall. It’s something we live every day.

A few years back, we committed—really committed—to our five core values: Hospitality. Quality. Consistency. Cleanliness. Community. Once we centered everything around those five, everything changed. Two years out of COVID, our culture started to take off. The energy shifted. The results followed.

I’ve always said I love work. Some people raise an eyebrow at that, like work’s supposed to be a negative word. But outside of my family and friends, it’s my greatest joy. I don’t hunt. I don’t fish. I don’t play golf. I do restaurants and I do travel, sometimes 18 hours a day. That’s what fills me up.

I’ve told my kids for years—figure out what you love, then find a way to make a living doing it. That way, you never really “work” in the traditional sense. That’s not to say there won’t be stress or problems. But when you’re doing what you love, even the problems become chances to learn and improve.

A few years ago, I hired an executive coach named Donald Burns. He works with me and also coaches our C-suite and restaurant leadership teams through three meetings every week. He introduced me to the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen—getting just 1% better every day. That stuck with me. One bite of the apple. Not the whole orchard.

And when I think about everything we’ve built, it’s humbling. There are moments—on a hilltop in Tuscany, beside a canal in Amsterdam, or standing by a quiet loch in Scotland—when I pause and think, What a gift this is. I can’t believe I get to do this.

I didn’t plan it this way, I don’t take it for granted, and I definitely don’t take credit for it—it’s just something I’m deeply thankful to get to do, and something I’ve been blessed to share with others.

And it all comes down to people. The guests who trust me enough to spend their time and money traveling with me across the world. The partners and team members like Marina and Jesse who make the journey smoother and more joyful. The friends I’ve made along the way, many of whom started as strangers. And most of all, the people back home—the ones who keep the restaurants humming, who carry the torch of our mission, who lead with values and conviction every single day.

This work, this life, these people—I don’t take a second of it for granted.

I’m grateful. Humbled. Honored.

Onward.

Risotto

Add a teaspoon of saffron threads to the stock in this recipe and top the finished product with Parmigianino Reggiano and you’ll have Risotto Milanese. 

2 TB  Extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup Shallot, minced
2 cups Arborio rice
½ cup Dry white wine
4 cups Stock (vegetable, chicken, seafood or combination), heated
2 tsp Kosher salt

Combine stock and salt in a sauce pot over low heat,

In a heavy bottom skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add shallot and sweat for 1 minute. Add rice and toss to coat, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.

Add white wine and turn heat up, continuing to stir, and reduce until all wine has evaporated.

Reduce heat to low and slowly add hot stock, stirring occasionally to avoid sticking to the pan. Cook to desired texture.

Yield: 6 cups

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

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