By Pat Culverhouse

A 21-year-old Minden man is facing two serious felony charges following his arrest Tuesday in connection with a domestic incident at a Roy St. residence.

Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said Ladarius DeWayne Smith is currently charged with domestic abuse battery with child endangerment and aggravated assault with a firearm. He is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. No bond has been set.

Smith is accused of becoming physical with his girlfriend inside a residence in the 200 block of Roy St. shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday. Officers dispatched to the scene reportedly learned from a witness that Smith had also pointed a firearm during the altercation.

During the incident, the girlfriend’s juvenile child reportedly was inside the residence.

Smith reportedly had left the scene before officers arrived, but he was arrested just before noon when his vehicle was stopped at the intersection of Ellis Dr. and Howard St.

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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BATON ROUGE, La. — Governor Jeff Landry sparked debate over religion in government after a social media post saying the separation between church and state is a myth.

Gov. Landry said that “the separation of church and state is a myth” in a social media post responding to comments made on an episode of Joe Rogan’s podcast criticizing his push to put the Ten Commandments in public classrooms.

Minden Presbyterian minister Keith Marriott says pastors should always be careful to remember they serve the King of Kings and not get sidetracked with political movements. 

“The Church has been under many different styles of government over the last 2000 years and yet it is growing today in places where it is most persecuted,” Marriott said. “Maybe we should think about why that is.”

Pastor Fred Jeff Smith of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church said he disagrees with the governor’s comment and believes it conflicts with the First Amendment.

“There is no myth of church and state, it is the First Amendment to the Constitution that the government shall make no law that abridges the practice of religion nor underwrites a particular practice of religion,” Smith said.

Smith said individuals should be free to express their religious freedom and views.

“I am free to practice my faith in God in the way of my choosing, in the way of my upbringing, and in the way of my changing and you are free to do the same and be dismissive of it,” Smith said.

On the other hand, Livingston Parish minister, Larry Davis said, the country was founded on Christianity.

“We live in a time where people constantly try to attack the foundation of which this country was built. There’s no hidden history that denies the truth of why this country was built,” said Davis.

Political analyst James Hartman said the governor’s statement is technically correct because the phrase separation of church and state does not appear the Constitution or founding documents. However, he said there is an establishment clause that we cannot establish a state religion nor prohibit a religion from operating within national borders.

“This is a political showmanship. They are throwing red meat to their base, and it becomes difficult for anyone to publicly say you are wrong governor because nobody wants to say they do not like the 10 Commandments because we do,” said Hartman.

The Louisiana law was ruled unconstitutional by a federal appeals court in June.

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By Jessica Gorman

The Dorcheat Historical Association Museum has been in operation since 2008. Its purpose is to collect and preserve the history of Webster Parish and to share it with you. The museum exists for the public and it exists because of the public. The role of the association is essentially to be the facilitator and the caretaker.

In 2025, our museum is growing. Our long-awaited, much-needed expansion project is currently underway. That, too, is because of the public. The first phase of that project is 100% funded by private donations. We are immensely grateful to those who believe in the importance of our work and choose to support it. This project is not just about expanding our facilities, but increasing our capacity to serve our community.

That expansion project has been a dream for years. In January, it was still nothing but a dream, just something to figure out how to tackle – one day. And then, things began to change, quickly and unexpectedly. We launched a fundraising campaign and the community responded generously. I cannot adequately express my appreciation. Your support means more than you know. We can’t wait to welcome you to this new space and we hope that you are as excited and proud as we are.

Our annual fundraiser gala is a little over a month away. This year’s event is in celebration of our expansion and those who have made it possible. We invite you to join us for an evening celebrating our progress, acknowledging all those who have made that possible, and looking to the future. While we celebrate our future, we must also ensure the resources are in place for continued operation of the museum.

We hope you will plan to join us at the museum on Monday, September 8^th at 6:00pm. This event is crucially important to the museum and is currently our largest source of income. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Dorcheat Historical Association and Museum, Inc. depends upon the financial support of the community to fund the operation of the museum.  Each and every dollar is an investment in a community asset. It is an investment in the work of our organization to preserve our history and make it accessible to you. When you invest in the museum, we promise to honor your contribution by ensuring that it is spent responsibly and in full support of our mission.

As we have done the past three years, this year’s gala will feature a cake auction conducted by “Dr. Feelgood” Richard Campbell and “TLC Picker” Tracy Campbell. We will also have silent auction and live auction items as well as a chance to win $1,000 cash. Event tickets and raffle tickets are currently available on our website www.dorcheatmuseum.com.

We’re excited about what the future holds. We hope to see you on September 8^th and we hope you will join us in our mission to preserve the history of Webster Parish.

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

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Important news for Louisiana voters: Beginning on August 1, any voter who is registered as Independent will automatically have their party affiliation changed to “No Party.”

That change will affect 1,058 voters in Webster Parish, registered as Independents, who believe they were choosing not to affiliate with any party; however, they were affiliated with the Independent Party.

Changing voters’ registrations from Independent to “No Party” will help eliminate voter confusion heading into the Closed Party Primaries and will ensure that those who wish to be unaffiliated with a political party can participate in the party primaries.

Beginning in 2026, Louisiana will be transitioning to the Closed Party Primary system, which was created by the Legislature in Act 1 of the 2024 First Extraordinary Session.

In party primaries, Democrats (7,797 in Webster) can only vote in the Democratic primary, Republicans (9,255) can only vote in the Republican primary, and No Party voters can choose which party primary they participate in, but these voters must stick with that party through the first round and the party primary runoff, if one occurs.

Also, in Webster Parish, there are 4,641 voters registered as parties other than the above.

To learn more, or to check your party affiliation, visit GeauxVote.com or download the free GeauxVote Mobile App.

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BATON ROUGE – A new law increasing penalties for drivers camping in the left lane is set to take effect Friday, August 1. State Senator Jay Luneau said his bill works to prevent high-speed accidents and road rage caused by vehicles driving side by side.

“When wrecks happen in those circumstances, the injuries and the damage are a lot greater, so hopefully we can stop some of that,” said Luneau. “The road rage numbers were incredibly high for people driving side by side and blocking other traffic out, so hopefully we’ll prevent some of that from happening as well.”

Currently, drivers traveling 10 miles per hour or more below the speed limit in the left lane are subject to a $100 fine. The new law lowers that threshold to just 1 mile per hour below the speed limit, which Luneau hopes will help keep the left lane for passing.

“Now, there are some exceptions to that if you’re on the highway where there is a left turn that you’re getting ready to make, or if the person is getting over because of an emergency vehicle on the shoulder or some instance like that, there are exceptions to it,” said Luneau.

The new law also raises a first offense fine to $150, and if second and third offenses occur within a year, they can result in a $250 fine and up to a $350 fine and a 30-day prison term. Luneau said the previous law was ineffective and difficult for police to enforce.

“So, what I did is just made this bill where it’s a little easier for them to write the tickets, gave them some more discretion and increased the fines, so we can try to get some of those folks that insist on driving in the left lane side by side to stop doing that,” Luneau said.

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To celebrate expansion and support the future of the Dorcheat Museum, the 2025 Fundraiser Gala will kick off at 6 p.m., Monday, September 8. 

“This is our most important event of the year,” said museum Executive Director Jessica Gorman.

The annual cake auction will be conducted by  “Dr. Feelgood” Richard Campbell joined by “TLC Picker” Tracy Campbell. Donated cakes will be on the auction block all night long.

“Come for some fun and bring your sweet tooth and pocket book.” Gorman said. “Silent auction and live auction items will also be available where you can win $1000.”

Cost is $25 per person in advance or $30 at the door; raffle tickets are available.

Refreshments will be served. Dress will be casual.

“Bring a cake and a friend to support the museum,” Gorman added. “We hope to see you there!”

Tickets can be purchased at the museum, by mailing a check to P. O. Box 1094, Minden, LA 71058, or at the following link. All proceeds support operation of the museum in the coming year.

Unable to attend? Donations are always welcome.

“Help us preserve our history for the future,” Gorman added. “We can’t do it without you.”

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High school football begins in just over a month, and Webster Parish Journal is proud to announce that we will once again be holding our weekly football contest, beginning the first week of September and equally proud to welcome back Under Dawgs as our contest’s title sponsor.

This always-popular contest is held weekly and lists all parish high schools, some college and a few pro games. Winners receive $100 in cash and have their photo taken with at Under Dawgs’ with owner Claudine Thomas.

In order to make this contest a success, we need help from advertisers. We are offering ads with spaces between the listed games, so your ad will always be seen from contest players. If you are interested in advertising, please contact Cynthia Sandidge at 318-510-2611, Paige Gurgainers at 318-382-2118 or in the Springhill area, Zoe Pickett at 318-455-1972.

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Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind.

Friday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.

Saturday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71.

* Info provided by National Weather Service.

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

August 2

10 a.m. until 1 p.m., fourth annual ‘Black’ to School Toiletry Drive.

Items needed are edge control, hair gel, brushes, combs, toothbrushes, sunscreen for Melanin skin, deodorant and national hair products. All items will be delivered to Webster Parish schools.

Drop off at 3Jays Tax Office, 306 E. Union, Minden. Send monetary donations to Tayler Banks Cashapp at $taybanks022. For more information, call 318-617-3737.

10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Cuffs & Hoses Blood Drive, Springhill Fire and Police departments. Choose FIRE or POLICE. In front of Southern Market (Piggly Wiggly) on August 2. Help make this the best blood drive ever.

August 3

1 until 3 p.m., Snacks & Packs Giveaway Beech Springs Baptist Church, 15910 Hwy. 80, Minden, 48 elementary school backpacks w/supplies to give away, first come first serve; free snacks and drinks also. Child must be present to receive his/her backpack.

3 until 6 p.m., Webster Parish Schools will host the 17th annual Back to School Bash supply drive. North Webster High School is place to be in Springhill, while Webster Junior High will have supplies in Minden.

August 4

10 a.m. until 6 p.m. or until supplies run out. Mercy’s Closet, annual school uniform/backpack giveaway

August 5

5:30 until 8 p.m. LifeShare Blood Center community Blood Drive at your Webster Parish Libraries Minden Branch, 521 E and W St, Minden.

August 7

10 a.m. Minden Planning Commission meeting, Pelican Room, Minden City Hall. On the agenda is a request from Jim Huffman with Huffman Manor for a zoning variance on property owned by him located at 1114 Broadway Street. The property is zoned R-1 (Residential). The purpose of this zoning variance request is to use the property as an event venue. All interested parties will be given a chance to be heard.

August 9

7 p.m. Piney Woods Jamboree 4th anniversary show, CAC building, Springhill. Guest Star will be Georgette Jones daughter of George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Advance Tickets on sale at Springhill North Webster Chamber of Commerce and Express Tax Title & License in Springhill for $15 General Admission and $25 for reserved seating. Tickets purchased at the door will be $20 General Admission.

August 16

6 p.m. Murder Mystery, “Betrayal At The Block Party,” The Oak Cottage, 406 3rd St. NW, Springhill. Preregistration required. To register, text Michelle at 318-272-6093.

August 21

5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Bites and Beats, Miller Quarters Park, Minden, food trucks and live music. mindenmainstreet.com .

August 23

5 p.m. Doors open at Springhill Civic Center for W.H.O. Matters, celebrating 10 years of Women Helping Others.  Ladies-only event featuring BINGO, raffles dinner, door prizes, shopping and a silent auction, beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets: Kylee Ayers at 318-268-0027,

Info: Amber Cobb at 318-423-3710 or Kalee Adams at 318-578-1574,

Vendors: Elizabeth Simmons at 318-517-5207, Donations: Pam Jenkins at 310-453-3740.

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Play Sudoku online!

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The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Friday, August 1:

ANDERSON, III, CHARLES WILLIAM

99621 Telephone Harassment

BATTON, JAQUAVA MALIK

99289 CT 1 Aggravated Assault Upon a Peace Officer

99289 CT 2 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

BERAUD, KALEB PAUL

BERAUD, KALEB PAUL

97813 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

BRACEY, JR., JOSEPH JEROME

99367 Public Bribery

Restitution: $1,500 plus $225 fee = $1,725 total

BROWN, KENDRICK

99632 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

CHISM, GERRY DEWAYNE

99516 CT 1 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

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

CHISM, GERRY DEWAYNE

99516 CT 1 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

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

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

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

*OC 7/21 Trial 11/3

DANCE, BRENDA T.

99698 Violation Of Leash Law (6 counts)

DANIELS, YOLANDA RENEE

99635 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

DISOTELL, JACOB DAWSON

99324 Simple Battery

DISOTELL, JACOB DAWSON

99063 CT 1 Simple Battery

99063 CT 2 Aggravated Assault

DISOTELL, JACOB DAWSON

98679 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

FEIBEL, STEPHEN MICHAEL

99790 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

FLOURNOY, JR, DAVID

99614 Illegal Possession Of Stolen Firearms

FRANKLIN, TYSON

99797 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or

Controlled Dangerous Substance

FRAZIER, WILLIAM MATTHEW

99583 Insurance Fraud

GILLINS, DANYETTA R

99546 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

GULLETT, PRESTON CONWAY

99762 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

HARRIS, JAIVEON

99557 Attempt First Degree Murder

*BDCC OC 6/16

HARRIS, LAJAYDEN VIDALE

99683 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Under $1,000

HOSS, JAMES WADE

99392 Cruelty To The Infirmed

HOSS, JAMES WADE

99392 Cruelty To The Infirmed

HUTCHINSON, BRANDI N.

98539 Possession of a Schedule IV CDS

JONES, DEVON

99554 Terrorizing

JONES, DEVON

98093 Simple Arson

Restitution owed to the victim for damages- $1,000, plus $150, = $1,1500

JONES, NICHOLAS LEBOB

98010 CT 1 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

98010 CT 2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

98010 CT 3 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

98010 CT 4 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

98010 CT 5 Obstruction Of Justice

98010 CT 6 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

LABRIEL, YASHIKA

T253616 Operating a Vehicle with an Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection

LISTER, LAPATRICK

99668 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

MANGRUM, JR, RUSSELL THOMAS

99464 Vehicular Negligent Injuring

Restitution Paid 6/20/25 – Restitution per the victim impact statement- $2,500, plus $375 fee = $2,875

MCDONALD, CHRISTOPHER J.

99353 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

MORRIS, ANQUANESHIA

99539 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

QASSEM, MUKHTAR S

99761 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

RICHARDSON, CORWIN K.

99721 CT 1 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

99721 CT 2 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

RICHARDSON, LAREGINALNEICKA RASHAYE

99763 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

RUSHING, BRANDON KALEB

99673 Violation Of Protective Order

RUSHING, BRUCE DANDRE

99146 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

SHEPPARD, KOBE

99557 Attempted First Degree Murder

SHEPPARD, KOBE

99239A Misdemeanor Access Device Fraud

Restitution owed to the victim per the report- $771.23, plus $115.68 fee = $886.91 total

STANLEY, ZYAN ADOMINICK-JAIRE

99557 Attempted First Degree Murder

STANLEY, ZYAN ADOMINICK-JAIRE

98584 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS

STEPHENS, CEDRIC BERNARD

98255 Second Degree Murder

THORNTON, RODNEY W.

99319 CT 1 Aggravated Battery

99319 CT 2 Illegal Use Of Weapons Or Dangerous Instrumentalities

TRIM, CAROLYN Y.

99380 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

WALLACE, COLTON LANE

98451 Aggravated Assault With a Firearm

WALLACE, COLTON LANE

99810 CT 1 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

99810 CT 2 Simple Assault

WEBB, JAMIE LEE

T061422 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

T061422A Switched License Plates

T061422B No Insurance

WILLIAMS, BRETT DEMARCUS

98643 CT 1 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

98643 CT 2 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling

WILLIS, TYRONE WILLIAM

98637 Obscenity

WRIGHT, NICHOLAS

99324A Simple Battery

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James “Jimmy” Lynn

November 8, 1951 — July 27, 2025

Minden, La.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Friday, August 1, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial: Pleasant Valley Cemetery.

Flora Ida Rushman

January 14, 1947  –  July 28, 2025

Springhill, La.

Graveside service: 11 a.m. Friday, August 1, 2025, Springhill Cemetery, under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Amber LeAnn Beard

June 5, 1987  –  July 26, 2025

Minden/Springhill

Private family service will be held at a later date, under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Jerry Charles Harper

October 1, 1942  –  July 26, 2025

Springhill, La.

Graveside memorial service: 9 a.m., Friday, August 1, 2025, at the Springhill Cemetery, under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Sandra Butts Modisette

February 21, 1945  –  July 15, 2025

Shongaloo, La.

Memorial service: 10 a.m. Saturday, August 9, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, La.

Betty Renee Burns

August 23, 1965  –  May 2, 2025

Springhill, La.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Spring Branch Cemetery

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 Shreveport man has been arrested on a warrant for felony theft for allegedly stealing multiple loads of scrap metal reportedly worth more than a million dollars from his Webster Parish employer.

Webster Parish detectives Capt. Tommy Kemp Jr. and Chase Walsworth closed the case with the Tuesday arrest of Shayvon Haney, 31, a resident of the 1900 block of Downing St. in Shreveport.

Haney is accused of hauling 21 loads of scrap without authorization over an unspecified period of time from the oilfield services company where he was employed.

Investigators say Haney received just under $28,000 for the stolen scrap. According to reports, replacement value of the oilfield iron is in well in excess of one million dollars.

Haney is currently being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on a $100,000 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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Details have not yet been released about a motor vehicle accident Tuesday afternoon. Around 2 p.m. a pick-up truck and sedan collided in front of Sonic Drive-In on Homer Road in Minden. Although Minden City Rescue One was called to the scene, the woman alleged to be trapped was removed from the car by paramedics. Her condition is unknown.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

When District 10 Rep. Wayne McMahen began his stint in the legislature, there was a $14 billion state-wide backlog of infrastructure projects. Now, seven years later, it’s more than $20 billion.

“It’s getting bigger, not smaller,” McMahen said. “We’re not keeping up with aging infrastructure.”

He pointed out that improvements and replacements on the Interstate 20 bypass at La. 531 are scheduled to be finished in early fall.

“The three bridges on La. 160 between Cotton Valley and Leton are due to be finished in early fall, too,” he added. “It’s taken three years to build three bridges across Dorcheat. It is an imposition because people are having to drive 10 or 12 extra miles to get from one side to the other.”

Manual labor workforce is a major issue for contractors that are moving workers from one project to another, McMahen explained, making it difficult to finish projects in a timely manner.

A few months back, Eaton purchased Fibrebond, and the bridges between Minden and Dixie Inn on Hwy. 80 remain a concern for McMahen.

“They (state) say they have tested the bridges, and they are still adequate. But they are still 50-year-old bridges,” he said. “That’s the only way for Eaton to leave that facility with the structures they put together. One failure and that could shut down their transportation egress for two or three months until you get a work-around bridge there.

“It is one of my priorities, but getting DOTD (Department of Transportation and Development) onboard with it is not easy,” he continued. “DOTD leadership just changed, and they are pretty optimistic about our projects. There is so much at stake due to the investment Eaton has made.”

McMahen said a key accomplishment in rural infrastructure came through the Louisiana Transportation Infrastructure Fund (LTIF), which renewed its commitment to roads and bridges.

“The state allocated just under $1 billion in funding toward urgent needs,” he said. “Homer Road is on that list of LTIF projects.”

The City of Minden is expecting $8 million in state funding to redo Homer Road from its intersection with East and West and Elm streets to the Claiborne Parish line.

McMahen said the first step will be a design for making Homer Road safer.

“You could be going alongside another vehicle, hit a hole and crash into it,” he said.

McMahen complimented the local government – mayor and city council – for forward-thinking when it comes to building Minden up and out.

“They’re in a great situation,” he said.

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The passing Monday of Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, the Chicago Cubs hero for a generation, seems so out of place, and not just because he was only 65.

Sandberg, whose play defined a true love of the game, dies in the middle of baseball season? The pictures shared this week were of him smiling with thumbs up, despite the IV at his side, wearing his “Baseball is better at Wrigley Field” Cubs-blue T-shirt.

Looked like he could still pinch hit.

For those of us his age and for everyone with a TV set and cable, he was part of our young adulthood. He was part of mine. One of us even won the National League MVP in 1984 at age 25. (It wasn’t me.)

I have a bestie in Webster Parish who used the Cubs and WGN to help rear her children, even if she had to VHS the home games (it was all daytime ball at Wrigley back then) to watch at night. Sandberg (I shouldn’t even have to write this) was her favorite: those kids of hers gave her a Cubs jersey with Sandberg’s No. 23 on it for her birthday one year.

There was a time when that’s what Sandberg meant and that’s what the Cubs meant to a lot of us.

It was a summer weekend back then when airfare was cheap and I caught it just right and went to Chicago and watched Sandberg and the Cubs and the Cubs’ fans play a bunch of ex-Shreveport Captains and then-San Francisco Giants in the Friendly Confines, where everything and everyone was happy and humming.

A smiling grandmother wore a Cubs cap and checked tickets in our section. Evelyn was her name. She called people “Honey,” and Harry Caray blew her kisses from the press box during the seventh inning stretch.

All in all, it was a fine way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

In a way, it was like watching the game in your den with friends. With the Giants slugger Barry Bonds at the plate big moment, the hometown Cubs fan behind me leaned forward. He’d heard me talking about how good both Bonds and my cheeseburger were. He said: “You guys aren’t from Chicago, are you?”

“Sure,” I told him. “From the South side.”

And he laughed and his buddy laughed. “From the SOUTH SIDE!” he said. “You mean waaaaay South.” Then he spilled beer on his Bermuda shorts and a good time was had by all.

The guy laughed at everything. He wanted me to say more things. “Please,” he asked me, “say ‘reckon’ again. Just one more time. Please.”

It was only a few minutes later when the woman in front of me turned around with a bag of Gummy Bears. “Here,” she said. “Welcome to Chicago.”

Her name was Rivian. She was sitting by Ira. Ira comes to every game and he wants the Cubs to start bunting more, even when they play defense. When Mark Grace got the game-winning hit, Ira hugged Rivian. She’d had her fingers crossed.

That night we watched the White Sox in Comiskey Park. I should have felt more at home there — 3-year-old Comiskey really is on the South side — but I prefer Wrigley. At Cubs’ games, they play the organ between innings. Between innings at Sox games, they play metal and everybody tosses dimes at cracks in the concourse.

Sunday. It was back to Wrigley. And unanticipated peril.

First, a rain delay. Then in the bottom of the first inning, two women and two boys were hit by foul balls and had to get first aid. What are the odds?

Then Cubs third baseman Steve Buechel fouled a ball off his leg.

Then, another guy was reaching for a foul and almost fell clean out of the upper deck. For a while, it looked like there might not be enough fans and players left to play and watch a whole nine innings.

But there we, of course, and I knew they’d be back the next day, a few to play the Expos and a lot to watch them and to try and catch foul balls and to throw opponents’ homers back onto the field and to pound down the ol’ Mountain Dew. Which is why, as I left Wrigley Field slowly that Sunday during an eighth-inning rain delay to catch the late-evening flight back home, I wondered by everyone didn’t come here at least once a summer, if only to watch Sandberg play second, if only to share hugs with Rivian, if only to blow kisses to Evelyn.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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I’ve eaten thousands of meals in restaurants. The ones that have stuck weren’t about the food. What I remember is the person sitting across from me.

In my business, service times, table numbers, and orders all start to blur. But the moments that rise above it—the ones that last—are about people. A shared meal has always meant more than what’s on the plate. It’s the company, the conversation, the connection.

These days, I eat lunch with my wife almost every day. That’s become our rhythm. I know how rare that is—especially in a world that seems to be moving faster than it should. We always plan it. Sometime mid-morning, one of us will ask, “Where do you want to have lunch?” And these days, our daughter—who lives and works in town—can sometimes free herself up and join us. Most days, we end up somewhere around 1 p.m., ordering something familiar and settling in. It’s not extravagant. It’s steady. A small act that means a lot.

It wasn’t always this way.

When we dated and when we were newlyweds, both of us worked full-time. I spent the early years of my restaurant career in the kitchen during lunch service, and the next decade or so working the floor. She was holding down a demanding job of her own and rarely even stopped for lunch. We made it work when we could. A quick bite. Fifteen minutes squeezed between obligations. We didn’t have much time, but we valued what we had.

That shifted when our daughter was born. Once she was old enough to sit upright in a highchair, we’d pick her up from preschool and take her to lunch. Never fast food. Always a sit-down meal in a real restaurant. She was perfect—quiet, observant, content to be right in the middle of the lunch crowd. She grew up in dining rooms, learning how to act civilized, how to listen politely, and how to stare at strangers chewing without making a face—which is, frankly, more than I can manage most days.

Our son was a different story. Loud, excited, always moving—like a chihuahua on espresso. Never misbehaved, just thrilled to be in the mix. That was just who he was, even back then. He grew up in restaurants too, and today he’s working in one, living in Chicago and following his own path in the business.

Back when both kids were small, breakfast on weekends was its own tradition. First with my daughter, until she discovered sleeping in. Then it became my son and me. These days, when I’m in Chicago, we’ll still meet for breakfast before he heads to work. Those early hours matter. They’re quiet and honest.

Some of the most meaningful time I’ve spent as an adult came in the form of a fast-food biscuit breakfast with my mother. For over a decade, we met three mornings a week—after my time at the gym, and before work. She liked the biscuits at Hardee’s. Said they tasted like her mother’s. They didn’t. But that didn’t stop her. We always sat at the same table by the window she liked. Thirty, forty-five minutes, just catching up. Talking about everything and nothing. Usually debating whether the sausage biscuit was worth feeling terrible the rest of the day—which, of course, it always was.

She’s gone now. But those mornings still feel close. Just the two of us, making space in the middle of life.

I’ve always admired the men in my old neighborhood who came home for lunch. You could set your watch by them. Pulling into the driveway at noon, back to work an hour later. A small, steady tradition. I still know a couple who do it. That kind of consistency says something about how people choose to spend their time.

For us, lunch means going out. That’s how it’s always been. My wife and I fell into that habit early and kept it. Whether it’s a neighborhood spot or something new, we’ve had thousands of meals together. We talk about the kids, about work, about whatever’s going on that day. Sometimes we talk less. We’ve reached the point where silence is comfortable, at least on my end. She’s never met a quiet moment she didn’t want to fix. But most days, just sitting across from her, splitting an entrée, drinking iced tea, watching the room, feels like a reminder of how good this life is.

Most business meetings I take these days happen at The Midtowner, around 7 a.m. at table 19. It’s my preferred time. People are fresh, there’s little distraction, and nobody’s had enough time to make really bad decisions. I like how breakfast sets the tone. Even when we’re talking business, the food makes it feel more grounded.

Some of the best meals I’ve ever had weren’t special occasions. Just memories that stuck. In 2011, our family spent six months traveling through Europe. My son and I had breakfast almost every day—Barcelona markets, Paris cafés, Milan bakeries with croissants as big as your head. But the one I remember best happened in Athens, on the rooftop of the Royal Olympic Hotel. The Temple of Zeus in front of us. The Parthenon beyond. A perfect morning. Just a quiet table, soft boiled eggs, croissants, and the city waking up around us.

I’ve forgotten a lot of what I’ve eaten over the years. But I remember the meals that meant something.

Life doesn’t slow down on its own. We have to make the space. The table does that. Whether it was a biscuit with my mother, breakfast with my son, lunch with my wife, or sneaking my daughter out of elementary school to share nachos, those meals have been a steady thread. They connected our days. They brought us together. They reminded us—without ever needing to say it out loud—that we were right where we were supposed to be.

Who was across from me mattered then. Still does.

Onward.

Apple French Toast

Serves 4 to 6

French toast has been a favorite since childhood—probably one of the first things I could make on my own. Pancakes were my grandmother Muz’s domain, but French toast was all mine. King’s Hawaiian Bread is always a solid choice, but if you can find a bakery that makes fresh brioche or sweet sourdough, grab it. Never been shy about my love for apples, especially Honey Crisp and Fuji. Apple pie’s always been my go-to, but this recipe takes the best part of apple pie and turns it into breakfast.

Apple Topping
3 each Honey Crisp or Fuji apples, core removed and cut into 1/4-inch slices
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup apple brandy
1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For the French Toast
1 cup whole milk
6 large eggs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pinch salt
6 to 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
12 slices King’s Hawaiian Bread

Preheat oven to 175° F

For the topping, in a 12-14-inch skillet, melt four tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the apples and sauté for four to five minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add the apple brandy (stand back a bit as the brandy will create flames).

Simmer until the flames burn off then stir in the brown sugar and honey. Continue cooking for eight to ten minutes, until a thick syrup forms. Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Hold the topping warm in the oven while you prepare the French toast.

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and salt. Place a large non-stick skillet over medium heat (If using an electric griddle, set the temperature to 350° F). Brush the surface with the melted butter.

Cook in batches that will fit evenly in the skillet. Dip the bread in the batter for 15 seconds and place it in the hot skillet. Cook for three to five minutes, or until the surface is golden brown. Flip the bread over and continue cooking for four to five more minutes. Hold the French toast on a cooling rack, over a baking sheet in the warm oven while you finish cooking the remainder of the French toast.

To serve, cut the French toast in half on a diagonal. Place four to six slices on each serving dish and spoon the apple topping over the top.

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

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Nominations are officially open for the 2025 15 Under 40 Awards presented by TG Companies, LLC.

Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce is shining a spotlight on 15 standout professionals under 40 who are making a difference in the Greater Minden area—whether through leadership, innovation, community impact, or just plain hustle. 

Know someone who deserves the recognition?

 Submit your nomination here: https://greatermindenchamber.com/15under40/

Deadline to nominate: Thursday, August 14.

(Heads up—nominees cannot turn 40 before October 7, 2025.)

Let’s celebrate the next generation of leaders.

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High school football begins in just over a month, and Webster Parish Journal is proud to announce that we will once again be holding our weekly football contest, beginning the first week of September and equally proud to welcome back Under Dawgs as our contest’s title sponsor.

This always-popular contest is held weekly and lists all parish high schools, some college and a few pro games. Winners receive $100 in cash and have their photo taken with at Under Dawgs’ with owner Claudine Thomas.

In order to make this contest a success, we need help from advertisers. We are offering ads with spaces between the listed games, so your ad will always be seen from contest players. If you are interested in advertising, please contact Cynthia Sandidge at 318-510-2611, Paige Gurgainers at 318-382-2118 or in the Springhill area, Zoe Pickett at 318-455-1972.

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By Brad Dison

In the mid-1880s, David McConnell was a traveling book salesman in New York.  He went door-to-door trying to convince women to purchase his books.  Many women refused to open their doors to him because their husbands were away at work.  The ones who opened their doors to him were too uneasy with a man they did not know being in their homes to actually make a purchase.  Most of them became irritated that he had stopped their work for a sales pitch.  Word spread quickly when David made it to a new neighborhood, and even fewer women opened their doors to him.  David altered his introduction, added more charm, and tried different approaches, but sales remained dismal.  David realized that unless he came up with a way to sell more books, he would soon be out of business. 

David searched for a way to make women feel comfortable with letting a strange man into their homes and to make them comfortable enough with him so they could consider purchasing a book from him.  But how?  He considered several different gimmicks but discounted each for one reason or another.  He considered giving each woman who opened the door to him a free sample, but a sample of what?  He could not just give them a page from a book.  He needed something that most women would be interested in immediately to make that most important good first impression.  Items for cooking and cleaning were okay, but he wanted something inexpensive that would make them feel good, something that would take their minds off their household chores.  Finally, he settled on perfume.

In 1886, David put his new plan into action.  He knocked on the first door, met the woman with a charming smile and a free perfume sample, and she let him in.  So far, so good.  She was happy enough with the perfume to listen to his book sales pitch, but she did not buy a book.  Neither did the next, nor the string of perfumed women that followed.  Now David’s business was in worse shape than before.  He had the expense of his book inventory plus the expense of the perfume that he was giving away, but he had few book sales to show for it. 

Then, in September of that same year, David had an epiphany.  If the women he was trying to sell books to were more interested in perfume, why not sell them perfume.  David began redesigning his sales strategy, but there was one issue he was unable to overcome on his own.  Most of the women were still uncomfortable allowing a strange man into their homes.  He solved this issue by hiring 50-year-old Mrs. Persis Foster Eames Albee.  He invested what little money he had left in his new idea.  If it failed, David would go bankrupt. 

David sent Mrs. Albee out on her first day and waited impatiently for her return.  Women welcomed Mrs. Albee into their homes as if she was a lifelong friend, and perfume sales went beyond David’s wildest dreams.  David named his new venture the “California Perfume Company” purely for marketing reasons, hired more ladies to sell perfumes, and profits grew exponentially.  Through the years, California Perfume Company expanded to a full line of beauty products, all of which were sold, not in stores, but in homes.  In 1928, David renamed the company after the birthplace of William Shakespeare.  David, the traveling book salesman who continually altered his failing business model until it became successful, was the founder of Avon.

Sources: 

1.     “It All Began with David H. McConnell – Avon’s Founder,” Avon, accessed July 20, 2025, https://www.avon.com/135-years-of-avon/david-h-mcconnell.

2.     “The Best Beauty Story Ever Told – 135 Years of Avon,” Avon, accessed July 20, 2025, https://www.avon.com/blog/avon-insider/132/the-best-beauty-story-ever-told—135-years-of-avon.

3.     “Our Story,” Avon Worldwide, accessed July 20, 2025, https://www.avonworldwide.com/about-us/our-story.   

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As athletes, and no matter what sport you play, the day comes when you must ask yourself, “Am I having fun?” At the age of 35, softball was a sport I truly enjoyed, and I was fortunate enough to play on two national championship teams while making friends for life. 

But after winning the last championship, I knew my time was up as I walked out the gate of the USSSA Men’s Softball World Series in Shreveport. I knew this because it was no longer fun. Additionally, my kids were now playing sports as well and it became my time to give back and start coaching. 

Tournament fishing is very similar in the fact that there comes a day when you are no longer having fun. Once it becomes a grind and more like work, that’s your cue to do something else.

Being competitive on any tournament trail requires commitment and time on the water, otherwise you’re just donating to the rest of the field. In today’s tournament world, the competition is so good it’s ridiculous.

Twenty years ago, out of 100 anglers in a tournament, maybe 15 were a legitimate threat to win. Today, out of 100 anglers there are probably 40 guys who are capable of winning. The competition level has totally changed with young anglers on the rise and having access to so much information while taking advantage of their ability to use their electronics so much better than the older guys.  

Then there’s the mental side of bass fishing that can really take a toll on an angler’s ability to compete. Just like any other sport, you have to believe in yourself as much as you believe in the bait you’re throwing in order to catch bass. 

There’s so much thought and preparation that goes into a tournament that it can be exhausting. The research it takes to get ready for an event can be overwhelming, especially if it’s a new body of water you’ve never fished.

That’s why for an angler, it’s important to make sure you enjoy what you’re doing. Never take an event for granted no matter how many times you’ve been to a specific body of water. Have fun and enjoy your practice days because the only way to stay focused is if you’re enjoying the process. 

When fishing becomes too much like a job, it’s time to get out and do other things with your time like playing golf or going camping. Do something that you enjoy! Do something that you look forward to and not something you dread.

For me, tournament fishing is still fun, and I enjoy the competition probably more today because at the age of 64, it’s pretty satisfying knowing that you’re beating guys half your age! But most importantly, I enjoy my time with the guys I travel with as we share our experiences on the water over a good meal. 

‘Til next time, good luck, good fishing and happy times! Make sure to stop me and say hello when you see me at a boat ramp or on the lake. 

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Wednesday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 109. Calm wind.

Wednesday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Calm wind.

Thursday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Thursday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m, then a slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 75. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 90.

Friday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72.

* Info provided by National Weather Service.

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