As 2025 winds down and Webster Parish Journal staff prepares to take off another couple of days to be with family, we thought our readers and advertisers might like to see which of our stories made the Top 10 list over the past year.

We are very proud to inform our readers that we experienced 3 million views over 2025, which reflects a steady rise over the past four years and more than 500,000 since 2024.

So, in typical David Letterman fashion, please enjoy this Top 10 list of stories, beginning with the least read (No. 10) to the most read (No. 1), and we will see you next year.

10. October 4, 2025

UPDATE: Injured Lakeside player walks out of hospital

A Lakeside High School football player, Peyton Campbell, was airlifted from a football game following an injury. This final update was written and posted on Facebook by his family.

Praise report. He was flown on by helicopter on a stretcher and is walking out (of the hospital) on his own this evening. Thank you for all the prayers, calls and texts. We have a few follow ups but he has regained full feeling and full movement. God is so good!!!

Original story: The family of Lakeside sophomore Peyton Campbell is requesting prayers after he was injured during Friday night’s football game against Montgomery.

Campbell was airlifted to LSU Ochsner Medical Center in Shreveport with injuries affecting his extremities. According to a source, by Saturday morning, Peyton has limited movement and is lying flat in a neck brace.

Tests are being conducted. No other information is available at this time.

9. October 3, 2025

Woman charged with abuse of infirmed child

A Sibley woman is currently in the Webster Parish jail charged with cruelty to a person with infirmities after investigators found evidence that she kept her Down Syndrome child in a urine and feces filled environment. 

Dawn Sherman Calhoun, 51, a resident of the 500 block Miller Briarwood Rd., reportedly is being held on a $10,000 bond following her arrest last week.

According to a complaint received at the Sheriff’s Office, the young child (gender/age unreported) was allegedly placed in a filthy bed daily at around 4 p.m. and kept there until around 11 a.m. the following day. Additionally, the complainant claimed the child was fed only once a day.

8. July 16, 2025

Special Edition: MPD officer’s arrest stirs major controversy

A Minden police officer’s arrest has ignited controversy within city leadership and drawn strong criticism from the statewide law enforcement union, as Mayor Nick Cox and the Louisiana Law Enforcement Association (LLEA) question the judgment and leadership of Minden Police Chief Jared McIver. 

Lieutenant Christopher Hammontree, a 16-year veteran of the Minden Police Department, was arrested almost exactly a month ago on June 18 and charged with simple criminal damage to property. He has since been placed on administrative leave with pay, according to Chief McIver.

The charge, which can be classified as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the value of the property allegedly damaged, stems from an incident investigated by the MPD’s Internal Affairs. Hammontree was reportedly released on his own recognizance by the District Attorney’s office. 

7. October 30, 2025

Two arrested in connection with shooting

Two Springhill men have been arrested in connection with a shooting at an apartment complex earlier this month where three individuals reportedly were wounded.

Chief of Police Will Lynd said the men, 21-year-old Tytravion Jauntez Mendenhall and 29-year-old Alex Ja’kar Johnson, were arrested Monday on warrants in connection with the incident at the Camelot Apartments.

Lynd said Mendenhall has been charged with illegal use of a firearm during a crime of violence. He reportedly is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a $50,000 bond. Lynd said he was arrested without incident.

6. October 17, 2025

Two persons, including MPD officer, injured in two-vehicle accident

Two persons, including a Minden police officer, were injured Thursday afternoon in a two-vehicle accident on the Shreveport Rd.

According to reports, the Minden officer was traveling west on the roadway while responding to an emergency call for service when a vehicle pulled into his path from the parking lot of a business near the railroad tracks.

Reports from Louisiana State Police troopers investigating the crash show the police officer received minor injuries and has been treated and released from Minden Medical Center.

5. June 18, 2025

BREAKING NEWS: Minden police officer charged, facing disciplinary hearing

A Minden city police officer has been arrested and is facing a disciplinary hearing based on a charge filed Wednesday.

Lt. Christopher Hammontree, a 16-year veteran of the MPD, is charged with simple criminal damage to property and is currently on administrative leave with pay, Chief of Police Jared McIver said. He reportedly was released by the District Attorney on his own recognizance.

Value of property allegedly damaged determines whether simple criminal damage to property is a misdemeanor or a felony.

4. September 23, 2025

Body found dat Minden apartment complex

Minden police officers responding to a welfare concern check at a local apartment complex Monday discovered the body of a man who investigators believe had been deceased for several weeks.

And, Chief of Police Jared McIver said, the man’s wife had apparently been living in the apartment with the body since the man’s death. The body has been sent to Little Rock, Arkansas for autopsy to determine the cause of death, the chief said.

Lead investigator on the case, Lt. Shane Griffith, head of the MPD Major Crimes Unit, said officers discovered the body lying on the floor of the apartment’s living room.

“Responding patrol officers found the man’s body, and learned his wife had been living there with the body,” Griffith said “One of the questions we have in our investigation is why she did not report the death.”

3. October 25, 2025

City of Minden, Minden Police officer named in wrongful death lawsuit

A wrongful death lawsuit naming the City of Minden and Minden police Capt. Keith King has been filed on behalf of the widow of a 70-year-old man who died from injuries received in an Oct. 16 two-vehicle accident.

Attorney Trey Morris of Shreveport law firm Morris & DeWett filed the suit Thursday (Oct. 23) with the Webster Clerk of Court on behalf of Sherri Stoneking, wife of Robert Stoneking.

Robert Stoneking died six days later (Oct. 22) at a Shreveport hospital from injuries sustained in the wreck.

2. August 24, 2025

Sibley man killed in fiery single-vehicle Webster Parish crash

A Sibley man is dead following an early morning crash on U.S. Highway 371 near Yellow Pine Road.

At approximately 2:45 a.m. Sunday, Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to the single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of 40-year-old Joey Washington of Sibley.

1. May 9, 2025

A local businessman and his wife were found dead in their Webster Parish Home. Their joint obituary was the number 1 story in Webster Parish Journal for 2025.

Kenny Smith

April 15, 1967 — May 7, 2025

Funeral services for Kenny Smith will be held Tuesday May 13, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Rose Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Minden, Louisiana. Officiating will be Pastor Murray Twyman. Interment will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Minden, Louisiana.

Kenny was born April 15, 1967, in Shreveport, Louisiana and went to be with the Lord on May 7, 2025, in Minden, Louisiana. Kenny was a successful business owner and loved by many in the community. He was a loving father, husband, and Papa. Kenny was an avid outdoors man who could always be found hunting and fishing with friends and family. He never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy.

Melanie Jackson Smith

March 2, 1962 — May 7, 2025

Funeral services for Melanie Jackson Smith will be held Tuesday May 13, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Rose Neath Funeral Home in Minden, Louisiana. Officiating will be Pastor Murray Twyman. Interment will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Minden, Louisiana.

Melanie was born March 2, 1962, in Shreveport, Louisiana and went to be with the Lord on May 7, 2025, in Minden, Louisiana. Melanie was a loving mother, Nana, and wife with one of the kindest souls imaginable. Her smile could brighten the darkest of days. The love she showed her family was unparalleled. As the Webster Parish Registrar of voters for over 20 years, she undoubtedly touched many hearts in the community. Her memory will live on in the kindness we share and the love we give.

---

Jimmy Shine is wanted for an offense that occurred earlier in the month of December. A warrant was obtained regarding the incident.

Following is the charge and bond amount associated with Jimmy Shine:

• One count of simple robbery with a surety bond of $18,000.

Anyone with information on Jimmy Shine is asked to please contact Det. Matthew Hicks at 318-639-7776. All information will be strictly confidential. 

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

---

Fire District 11 was called out around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday to a residence in the 500 block of 6th Street SE, Springhill. Cause of the fire is still under investigation and damage is unknown at this time.

---

By Shannon Wright 

If you’ve driven through Doyline in the morning, you may have seen the familiar sight – a group of men gathered at the Doyline Country Store, sipping coffee and “solving the world’s problems one cup at a time,” they say, but what many may not realize is that those same men are quietly making a meaningful difference right here at home.

A few months before Christmas, one simple question sparked something special: What if we tried to help families in our own hometown this Christmas? From that moment, an idea was born and it quickly grew.

Robert Hayden, Chief of Police and a lifelong Doyline resident, shared how it all began.

“All of this got started one day over coffee,” Hayden said. “One of the men asked if I would be interested in starting a Christmas gift program for kids in the Doyline community.”

That conversation opened the door to a project that brought the community together. While the Doyline Police Department helped host the effort, it was truly the men, women, and families of Doyline who made it possible. Through generous donations, hours spent shopping, and volunteer support, Christmas gifts were provided to 20 local families which is a significant accomplishment for a town the size of Doyline.

Each child received items they needed, along with a special gift they had hoped for.

“I was amazed at the people who donated and how the community came together,” Hayden said. “I simply asked for donations and for people who needed help this year, and the men and the community stepped up and made it all happen.”

On Christmas Eve, members of the Doyline Police Department, along with the men and volunteers, personally delivered the gifts to the families.

“It was an honor to see all the excitement and smiles on the kids’ faces,” Hayden added.

Tommy Ward, one of the regulars from the morning coffee group and a Doyline resident, said the project was especially meaningful to him.

“Christmas is a very memorable time for me,” Ward said, “and I wanted to help make it memorable and special for these children.”

Once again, the Village of Doyline proved that it may be a small town, but it has a big heart.

“A special thank you goes out to everyone who donated, shopped, and volunteered their time,” Hayden said. “None of this would have been possible without the community coming together to care for its own.”

---

Ever dreamed of becoming a Master Gardener?  Now is your chance. The LSU AgCenter is accepting applications for the next Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners class, scheduled for June through September. Membership is open to all adults in Northwest Louisiana. Master Gardeners are the volunteer arm of the LSU AgCenter. They are trained in horticulture in exchange for 40 hours of volunteer service, sharing what they have learned with other gardeners.

Volunteer opportunities include organizing and staffing the annual garden tour, annual seminar, along with the spring Plant Sale, teaching children about gardening, creating, and maintaining demonstration gardens and assisting in local parish extension offices.

So, what will you learn? Topics include insects, plant health, vegetables, fruits, turf, ornamentals and more. Classes, both lecture and hands-on, are taught by Louisiana Cooperative Extension specialists, university professors and other horticulture experts.

Classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday for 11 weeks, starting June 16, 2026. Attendance at all classes is required for certification. There is a $165 registration fee, which covers the cost of training manuals, publications and supplies for the class. If you enroll before April 20, you will receive a $25 discount. The registration deadline is May 22, 2026.

Call 318-927-3110 or 318-371-1371, to request an application, or download one at http://www.phlmg.com (Programs and follow the links.) or jmonzingo@agcenter.lsu.edu

---

Letter to the Editor

As this letter is published on December 31, many of us are doing what we always do at year’s end—looking back, taking stock, and quietly thinking about what we want to do better in the year ahead.

From a woman’s point of view, one resolution worth making in 2026 is simple: stop mansplaining.

Mansplaining is not a disagreement. It is not a healthy debate. And it is certainly not men expressing opinions. Mansplaining happens when a man explains something to a woman in a patronizing or condescending way, often assuming she lacks knowledge or understanding—sometimes even when she is the most qualified person in the room.

Most women recognize it instantly. It shows up as being talked over, corrected unnecessarily, or lectured on subjects we already understand—our professions, our finances, our health, our lived experiences. It often arrives disguised as helpfulness, wrapped in phrases like, “What you need to understand is…” or “Let me explain this in simple terms.”

Whether intentional or not, the effect is the same. It diminishes women’s voices, discourages participation, and reinforces outdated assumptions about who holds authority. In workplaces, it chips away at credibility. In civic discussions, it narrows perspective. In everyday life, it undermines respect.

Ending mansplaining does not require silence. It requires listening. It requires recognizing that women come to the table with knowledge, experience, and expertise that do not need translation or approval. It means entering conversations as equals, not default instructors.

As we step into a new year, striving for better habits and stronger communities, this is one change that costs nothing—and improves everything. Conversations are richer, decisions are smarter, and communities are stronger when everyone is heard without being talked down to.

If we are serious about doing better in 2026, this is a resolution worth keeping.

Ida B. Torn

A Woman Who Knows What She’s Talking About

---

Dudley’s Second Chance

Dudley was found near the Louisiana–Arkansas state line, abandoned, scared, and desperately hungry. He was painfully thin, riddled with parasites, and suffering from heartworms, clear signs that life hadn’t been kind to him. Unsure of where to turn, Dudley’s story could have ended very differently if not for one caring family who saw his fear, and chose compassion.

That family took Dudley in, offering him the safety and kindness he so badly needed. While they opened their home and hearts, LaMa stepped in to cover his medical care, making sure Dudley received the treatments he needed to heal and grow strong. They also committed to fostering him through his recovery, surrounding him with patience, love, and reassurance during the hardest part of his journey.

Now, Dudley is at the end of his heartworm treatment and will soon be available for adoption.

He is five years old and weighs 60 pounds.

He is a sweet, joyful boy with energy to spare, he loves to play, does great with other dogs, and is gentle and happy around kids. Dudley’s life has been forever changed because a caring family showed him kindness, and his next chapter is waiting to begin.

And also the adoption application link:

https://forms.gle/ha3CbbSAKo13G9ef7

---

At the end of every year for the past 25+ years, I have listed my top ten dining experiences from the year that just wrapped. This year was a bit of an outlier, as you’ll see when you get to number one.

These days I spend about four months a year overseas working with my Yonderlust Travel business. I host roughly 250 guests annually across about 10 trips (five in the spring and five in the fall). Every one of those meals is different and memorable in its own way. I could fill 50 spots with the meals we share over there. I’m including only two on this year’s list.

Honorable Mention: Tapeo, Barcelona / King’s Day, Amsterdam

Truth be told, most meals on a Yonderlust trip could qualify for a list like this, and I never want to take them for granted. In March I took the Yonderlusters to dine with my friend Chef Dani Rueda at Tapeo in Barcelona. His Spanish ribs are the finest on the planet—full stop.

Then there was King’s Day in Amsterdam. I rented a boat and the Yonderlusters  and I cruised the canals. Imagine Mardi Gras on the water, everyone dressed in orange, and the city at full volume. Lunch was nothing more than a boxed meal, but this list is about experiences, and that day on the water was one I won’t forget.

10. “Ya Gotta Eat” Meals
My friend and production partner Drew Wootton and I launched a podcast this year called Ya Gotta Eat. At press time, we’re seven episodes in. The idea is simple: interesting people, all walks of life, and everyone has limited time. But everyone has to eat, so we sit down over a meal— in a location of their choosing— for an hour and talk about life. Every one of these meals has been compelling so far. Look us up wherever you get your podcasts.

9. The Roast / Hub Award
In any other year, these would have landed just behind a high-ranking family meal. I was roasted by the Mississippi Press Association in September, and two months later my hometown gave me its highest honor. I couldn’t tell you a thing about what was served at either dinner, but the experiences themselves were singular and deeply meaningful. I’ll always be honored and grateful for both.

8. Thanksgiving, Hattiesburg
Anytime I can get both of my kids around the same table these days is a good day. Add extended family and it’s an easy pick. Almost all the food came from Loblolly Bakery out of our holiday grab-and-go section. My son put that money I spent on his culinary education to work and cooked the turkey and made the gravy. He also made his brown butter mashed potatoes—so good they ended up in my new cookbook. For the record, they deserved it.

7. Emeril’s, New Orleans
I saw this one coming a couple of years out. I first met EJ Lagasse when he was a teenager working a summer at Emeril’s Coastal in the Panhandle. Even then, he spoke like a mature, well-adjusted, focused, and committed 40-year-old man.

After my first meal at the reimagined Emeril’s, I wrote that it was not only the best restaurant in New Orleans, but the best restaurant in the South. EJ’s food sits just a fraction of a notch under the best meals I’ve had at The French Laundry and Per Se.

In November, the Michelin gods confirmed my early impressions and awarded Emeril’s two stars—the only two-star restaurant in the South and EJ is the youngest chef ever to do it. My fourth meal there came this summer with friends. If you haven’t been, it should be next on your list.

6. Shere, Surrey Hills (with Holleman)
We had a few days off between groups in Ireland and Tuscany and ducked into London to unwind. Our daughter had never been, so she flew over to meet us. After some time in the city, she wanted a taste of the quaint countryside.

A little research led us to Shere in the Surrey Hills—a charming and picturesque village straight out of central casting. Turns out it literally was: The Holiday, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones had all been filmed there. We had cream tea mid-morning, a lovely lunch, poked through shops, then headed back to London. When she said, “I could live here,” I knew I’d nailed it.

5. Ninth Wave, Isle of Mull, Scotland
There are meals, and then there are journeys disguised as meals. The Ninth Wave on Scotland’s Isle of Mull is firmly the latter. Reaching it requires a boat across a dark loch a long ride on a single-lane road, and a willingness to be lost without a guide. That remoteness is the point. 

Run by Carla and John Lamont since 2009, the restaurant is shaped entirely by place. John catches the lobster and fish each morning. Carla grows the herbs, vegetables, and heirloom plants outside the door, cures and smokes on-site, and cooks with a confidence born of travel and deep respect for the island. Each course unfolds like a story—local seafood and venison layered with global influences, explained table-side by Carla herself. Open only five months a year, The Ninth Wave has become a destination people cross oceans to reach. Shared with friends, it felt personal, rare, and unforgettable together.

4. Scotland Farewell Dinner, Historic Prestonfield Golf Club, Edinburgh
I’ve now hosted two Yonderlust tours in Scotland. This September, my wife and I flew over early with friends and spent a week roaming that remarkable country. On the final night, the entire group dressed in formal Scottish attire—yes, kilts, and don’t knock it until you try it—and sat down to a memorable dinner. The food was good. The company was even better.

3. Fallow, London
When I visit a city, I have a much-researched to-visit list of restaurants and I usually only hit a restaurant once. Fallow connected to me like no other place has in years. I went back the next day. Then again, the following morning. I also visited their sister restaurant, Roe.

In any other year—one without so many meaningful family meals—this would have topped the list. It felt like the owners of Fallow sat down and said, “Let’s build a restaurant just for Robert.”

2. Dinner with Harrison at Maple & Ash, Chicago
When my son came to me as a teenager saying he wanted to go into the restaurant business, I made him a deal: four years of college, two years at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park—in my opinion, the Harvard of cooking schools—and at least two years working for other people.

Last January, six years into that plan, he headed to Chicago to start that final stretch. Our last dinner before leaving him was at Maple & Ash. The bone marrow butter alone is worth the reservation.

But the pride I felt watching my son commit himself fully to this industry eclipsed anything that came out of the kitchen.

1. My Daughter’s Wedding, Longleaf Plantation
I gave my wife and daughter a budget. They blew way past it—and by the end of the weekend, it didn’t matter one bit. Every dollar was worth it.

My team at Purple Parrot Catering knocked it out of the park. Kerrin Hightower, our queen of cakes at Loblolly Bakery, created something beautiful. After 37 years of catering every kind of event imaginable, this was— by far— the pinnacle.

As grand and unique as the reception was, the lunch the next day—with the bridal party and a few close family members after all the dust had settled—may have been the most special meal of the entire weekend. And of the year.

Onward into 2026.

Chocolate Christmas Cheesecake

Chef Linda Roderick has been by my side through these cookbooks for over two decades, and there’s no one I’d rather have guiding me through a cheesecake recipe. She’s a master of the craft—steady, exacting, and always aiming for perfection. This rich, decadent chocolate cheesecake is no exception.

It’s all about balance. The deep, smooth chocolate filling meets a crisp, slightly salty crust for a perfect bite every time. Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing—otherwise, you’ll end up with lumps. And when you melt the chocolate, give it time to cool slightly before mixing it into the batter, so you don’t end up with curdled filling. It’s worth the patience, every time.

A few techniques can elevate this recipe to another level: chilling the dough overnight for a richer flavor, using a water bath to ensure an ultra-smooth texture, and letting the cheesecake rest for at least 24 hours before serving for the best flavor.

Serves 8 to 10

Preheat oven to 350°F

For the Crust

8 full-sized graham crackers
16 Oreos
6 tablespoons salted butter, melted

Place the graham crackers and Oreos in a food processor. Pulse until fine crumbs form. Place the crumbs in a mixing bowl, drizzle with the melted butter, and mix well.
Pour the crust mixture into a 9-inch springform pan. Starting in the center, press the crust firmly, moving excess crumbs toward the outer edge. Firmly press the remaining crust up the sides of the pan.
Place the pan on a baking sheet and bake for 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and reduce the temperature to 300°F.

For the Filling

1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
8 ounces dark chocolate, melted and cooled
1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
4 large eggs, room temperature
2 egg yolks, room temperature
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Place the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the paddle attachment, beat on high for 1 minute. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula and repeat the process three times.
Add the sugars and salt. Beat on high, scraping the bowl every minute, for 3 minutes.
Add the melted chocolate and cocoa powder and mix well.
Lower the mixer speed and add the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, ensuring each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Scrape down the sides to ensure no large pieces of cream cheese remain.
Add the cream and vanilla and beat until smooth.

Pour the filling into the crust and place on the center rack of the oven. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the center jiggles slightly when the edge of the pan is tapped.

Using a Water Bath: Wrap the springform pan in heavy-duty foil and place it in a larger baking dish. Pour hot water into the baking dish until it reaches halfway up the sides of the springform pan. This helps prevent cracking and creates a silkier texture.

Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool for 2 hours at room temperature.

For the Topping

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Bring the cream to a boil in a small skillet. Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate chips. Once all the chips have melted, pour evenly over the top of the cheesecake.
Cover lightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight before serving.

Using the Right Technique: When cutting, dip your knife in hot water and wipe it clean between each slice for pristine cuts.

Refining the Texture and Flavor: Cheesecake always tastes better a day or two after baking, once the flavors have had time to meld. For the richest flavor, make at least one day in advance.

Options for Enhanced Flavor and Texture

1. Add Depth to the Crust: Incorporate 1/4 cup finely ground espresso beans to the crust mixture for a subtle coffee note that enhances the chocolate.
2. Layered Ganache Topping: Add a second layer of dark chocolate ganache before applying the final whipped cream topping. This extra layer gives depth and a glossy finish.
3. Salted Caramel Drizzle: Drizzle salted caramel sauce over the finished cheesecake before serving for a contrasting note of sweetness and salt.
4. Infused Heavy Cream: For the filling, infuse the heavy cream with crushed espresso beans or cinnamon sticks before mixing it into the batter.
5. Enhanced Cocoa Flavor: Adding a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the filling can deepen the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee.

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

---

Minden’s Crimson Tide dropped a heartbreaker Monday, falling 63-62 in overtime to Lakeview of Campti in an opening round game of the St. Mary’s Tournament.

After taking a 37-31 lead at the half, the Crimson Tide saw the Gators tie it at 57-all at the end of regulation.

Kameron Harris’ 19 points led Crimson Tide scorers, followed by Steve Lassien with 16, Cameron Parker with 11 and Gerald Richardson had 10.

Lakeview was led by Dayton Telsee with 16 points, Bobby

Reliford had 14, Kelton Carter scored 12 and Malique Prelow had 11.

With the win, Lakeview ran its season record to 15-2, while the Tide dropped to 4-5.

Next action for the Crimson Tide in the tournament was scheduled for Tuesday against the Rebels of Ebarb.

---

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 61. Calm wind becoming west around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 38. Calm wind.

New Year’s Day

Mostly sunny, with a high near 65. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 74.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 63.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 40.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 47.

Monday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

*Information provided by National Weather Service.

---

Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

Play Sudoku online!

---

As things wind down in 2025, I continue to question where we are headed with college athletics. Let me preface this article by saying that, yes, I’m old school when it comes to college athletes being paid. It’s just not right in my opinion, though I do believe in “reasonable” compensation.

Why is it no longer good enough to get a full scholarship and leave college with a degree that sets up a student-athlete for the rest of their life? Why does that no longer have value?

I’m all for subsidizing these athletes so they can go out and enjoy a pizza or go to a movie with a date, but we have now surpassed the idea of a little “spending money” to have a good time and enjoy college life.

As a former college athlete, I get that in the past certain athletes have been taken advantage of. I also get the positive financial impact some athletes can have on a university. But what we are doing with regard to paying college athletes is out of control!

Let’s not deceive ourselves into thinking this is something new. Ever since the beginning of college athletics, certain athletes with gifted abilities have always been catered to in some form. From the early days, the prized recruits might get a meal paid for or maybe a cow and some land given to their family—all due to an athlete’s ability to play at a high level.

In the 1970s, some elite athletes received cars as a gift or incentive to sign with a particular university. In certain instances, it took a briefcase full of money or a well-paying job for mom or dad to get a kid to sign. Some athletes were given high-paying summer jobs that exceeded the normal minimum-wage jobs other students got.

So, great athletes have been catered to for decades! But in 2025, this has gone above and beyond a car or a good-paying summer job. Today, kids are getting millions of dollars up front just to sign with a university—players who have yet to play a down or a minute in college.

What message are we sending to today’s young athletes with all this money being given up front?

They’re being paid whether they start or sit on the bench. What has happened to the idea of proving yourself and earning what you’re worth? Where’s the incentive for today’s athletes? Aren’t we setting them up for failure down the road?

We have placed kids on a pedestal and lifted their egos to levels never seen before! The word “entitlement” comes to mind as the number-one issue among all college coaches. Kids today don’t want to compete for a position—they want it given or promised to them. Oh, and coach, make sure they get some cash.

Just because they were an All-State player in high school, they think they should be starting as a true freshman and handed a starting position in college. Forget the idea of competing for a job and earning it—they expect it to be given to them! After all, they were All-District in high school.

Here’s another issue for today’s athlete. While travel ball in any sport has historically been a good thing, it has also been one of the worst things that has ever happened to so many of today’s athletes. The mindset and lessons learned through travel ball make some kids very hard to coach.

We have now raised a generation of athletes who are truly soft and uncoachable. Kids today cannot handle hard coaching and think a coach yelling at them means he or she doesn’t like them.

Over their entire careers, travel ball kids have been told how good they are and catered to. The recruitment of players, even at this level, is not beyond a few dollars being exchanged by a parent to get their kids on the right travel team.

A lot (not all) of these highly paid travel ball coaches, no matter what sport, are not in it to help develop players and make them better. Some (not all) are strictly in it to win. Winning is their primary focus, not making the kid better. But as all travel coaches know, the best way to attract the best players is to win!

Here’s the kicker with a lot of college athletes today: if they’re not happy, they’ll just transfer to another school. This is also starting to trickle down even to the high school level. If you’re not happy, transfer!

Forget competing and trying to get better—just go where they will pay you more money and promise you a starting position.

A college coach recently told me the first thing that goes through many players’ heads today after the season is over is not “How can I get better?” but “Where can I go and make more money?” Commitment and loyalty to the team have gone out the window with the bathwater, as so many athletes today are out for themselves.

Oh, I’m sure I’ll have many who will disagree with my assessment, especially those who have kids playing today. But just like a referee, I call it like I see it! This comes from someone who has coached and played at the Division I level in two sports.

I also know this: as a booster, it’s getting awfully hard to write those checks to a program where athletes only want one thing—more money. I want my money to be spent on things that will make the program better, not pay an athlete!

I can’t stand the idea that the check I’m writing is going to pay a kid to stay and play for a university that, in some cases, was the only scholarship offer they had. How about staying and playing for the college or university that made a commitment to you? How about playing for your teammates—now there’s a new concept!

If the powers that be (NCAA) don’t make some major changes to the structure and the money that college athletes can make, there’s no end to what lengths colleges will go to get the best players. As they say, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” Yay, go team!

---

By Brad Dison

As the new year approaches, many of us will be compiling our New Year’s resolutions, a tradition that dates back to 2000 B.C. in ancient Babylon.  The Babylonians held their New Year’s celebrations during a 12-day festival called Akitu which began with the first new moon after the vernal equinox, usually in what is now March.  Their New Year began with the beginning of their farming season.  One common resolution from their agricultural-based society was the return of borrowed farm equipment.  The ancient Romans adopted this Babylonian celebration along with the tradition of New Year’s resolutions.  In 46 B.C., the Romans reformed the calendar year and created the Julian calendar which was named after Roman dictator Julius Caesar.  The Julian calendar officially set January 1st as the New Year’s Day.               

In more recent history, people have shifted their resolutions away from returning borrowed farm equipment to what has become the most popular New Year’s resolution of all, improved fitness.  When 29-year-old Jeane Mortenson sat down in the winter of 1955 and scribbled her extensive list of resolutions for the upcoming year on the first page of her Gucci address book, she focused mainly on her career.  Jeane was in the midst of a very successful career, but she was unhappy.  In the margin, probably as an afterthought, Jeane scribbled, “Try to enjoy myself when I can – I’ll be miserable enough as it is.” 

While most people list a maximum of three resolutions, Jeane detailed 11 resolutions.  Her first four resolutions dealt with going to classes in her career field.  Her first resolution was, “go to class – my own always – without fail.”  Another resolution showed her determination toward her craft.  She wrote, “go as often as possible to observe…other private classes.”  She continued, “keep looking around me – only much more so – observing – but not only myself but others and everything – take things (it) for what they (it’s) are worth.”  In her list, she made notes on correcting certain aspects of her life.  She wrote, “must make strong effort to work on current problems and phobias that out of my past has arisen – making much much much more more more more more effort in my analisis [sic]. And be there always on time – no excuses for being ever late.”  Jeane resolved to take at least one class in literature and to take dancing lessons.  While most of our lists of New Year’s resolutions would begin with improving physical health, that was last on Jeane’s list.  She scribbled, “take care of my instrument – personally & bodily (exercise).”   

Despite Jeane’s seemingly constant feeling of miserableness, her list of New Year’s resolutions allows us to see how determined she was to make the most of the opportunities she had earned or had been given.  By the time she scribbled these New Year’s resolutions in December of 1955, Jeane had appeared in 26 films, she had become a star, and there were several more films to come.  On February 23, 1956, just two months after she scribbled her New Year’s resolutions, Jeane legally changed her name to the one she used in her professional career.  Jeane ultimately became more than a star; she became a pop culture icon.  Everyone knows Norma Jeane Mortenson as Marilyn Monroe. 

Sources:

1.     Catherine Boeckmann, “The Interesting History Behind New Year’s Resolutions,” The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Almanac.com, December 17, 2025, accessed December 21, 2025, https://www.almanac.com/history-of-new-years-resolutions.

2.     “Marilyn Monroe’s Go-Getter List of New Year’s Resolutions (1955),” Open Culture, January 1, 2015, accessed December 21, 2025, https://www.openculture.com/2015/01/marilyn-monroes-go-getter-list-of-new-years-resolutions-1955.html.

3.     “Marilyn Monroe,” ImDB.com, accessed December 21, 2025, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000054/?ref_=fn_t_1.

---

We have seen two recent examples of the use of American hard power. 

The first involves the gradual weakening of Venezuelan dictator, Nicolas Maduro, whose fraudulent leadership of that country allows an invasion of drugs to be manufactured there and then pumped into the bloodstream of the U.S., contributing to the deaths of 100,000 per year, almost double the number of 58,000 U.S. combat deaths during the entire Vietnam War.

The second involves the decision to strike ISIS terrorists in Nigeria who have been killing Christians and other religious adherents for years.

I will address them in that order.

The Trump Administration has deployed troops and special operations aircraft into the Caribbean to maintain pressure on dictator Maduro and his regime in Venezuela.  Trump followed that up with a blockade of oil tankers in and out of the country to choke off revenue. He also closed Venezuelan airspace.  This is to say nothing of strikes on drug boats making their way from Venezuela to the U.S.

I believe these seizures of Venezuelan crude oil are the most damaging blow to Maduro because it creates a financial crisis for a regime that runs on oil revenue.  While the blowing up of drug boats is a necessary and intimidating step in destroying the drug trafficking cartels—estimates are that 105 narco-terrorists have been killed in strikes that have destroyed an estimated 30 drug boats speeding toward U.S. shores—the vast amounts of dollars from oil sales are far more significant. Sales of crude oil represent approximately 90% of Venezuela’s export income.

So, the seizure of oil tankers creates greater problems for Venezuela.  The regime is simply going to run out of the money that funds its grip on power.  For example, observers note that a recently seized tanker was carrying roughly $80 million of oil, equivalent to about 5% of what Venezuela spends monthly on imported goods, immediately creating the likelihood of shortages and a recession. 

Let’s be clear.  This is not “regime change.” The long-suffering Venezuelan people have been held hostage by a criminal enterprise purporting to be a government.  Trump says “no longer.”

Turning now to ISIS in Nigeria, similar values and threats are at stake.

After stating repeatedly that he would move to protect the country’s Christian population, President Trump ordered a Christmas Day strike against ISIS in Nigeria. “The United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight there was.” 

Trump has vowed to block all aid and assistance to Nigeria if it “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”  International observers have found that violence against Christians has increased in northern Nigeria as ISIS terrorists wage attacks on the country’s government and people.  Trump Administration officials have indicated that the recent strike was due to both long term Christian genocide in the country as well as the killing of three Americans last week.

“Because of ISIS’s vicious killing of brave American Patriots in Syria, whose beautiful souls I welcomed home to American soil earlier this week in a very dignified ceremony, I am hereby announcing that the United States is inflicting very serious retaliation, just as I promised, on the murderous terrorists responsible,” Trump said in post.

Allow me to summarize.

The decisions surrounding American military engagement are influenced predominantly by U.S. national security interests, while cognizant of those of our allies, as well.  The Trump Administration prioritizes actions it deems are necessary to protect its citizens, allies, and global interests. That is why arguments in favor of intervention against groups like ISIS in northern Nigeria and Maduro in Venezuela are typically based upon protecting Americans from dangers such as illegal drugs, countering terrorism, and generally preventing the spread of extremist ideologies.  

Those are critically necessary and highly laudable goals.  The effect is already evident.  Hostile nations are already modifying their behavior in response to both interventions. Our allies are comforted and empowered.

Unlike past American presidents such as Barack Obama who in 2012 declared that the Syrian government’s gassing of its own people would cross a “red line,” but then did nothing when it occurred, President Trump unequivocally declares what he’s going to do and then does it.  That is what American leadership looks like.

(Shreveport attorney, Royal Alexander, worked in D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 8 years for two different Members of Congress from Louisiana.  He has witnessed up close several Speaker races. He can be reached at RoyalAlexanderlawfirm@gmail.com .)

---

The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Monday, January 5, 2025:

ALEXANDER, ASHLEY NICOLE
99978 Possession of a Schedule IV CDS

ARCENEAUX, JENAYA LEEANN
99520-CT.1 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling
99520-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

ARDISON, JAVANTA L.
99942 Attempted Home Invasion

AUSTIN, SAM
INCOMING Attempted Attempted Simple Assault
INCOMING Entry On Or Remaining In Places Or On Land After Being Forbidden

BURT, TERRY D.
99877 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

CAHILL, JAQUARIUS JAMAL
99684 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS

CATO, RUSSELL LEE
INCOMING Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

CHAMP, DAVION
99591 Identify Theft

COOPER, STEVEN D.
99347 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

DEAVER, ROBERT CHARLES
99968 Indecent Behavior with Juveniles

EASON, DESTINY S
INCOMING Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

EDDINGS, ANDRE ROBERTO
99925 Fail to Notify law Enforcement of Change of Address (Sex Offender)

ELKINS, SAMUEL EARL
99785-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
99785-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
99785-CT.3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99785-CT.4 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS

ELKINS, SAMUEL EARL
98893-CT.1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
98893-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

GANTT, CHRISTOPHER
99704 Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment

GUISE, ZONQUES
INCOMING Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
INCOMING Possession of Schedule II CDS
INCOMING Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance

HAIR, DANIEL W.
99857 Simple Robbery
Restitution owed to the victim- $384 plus $57.60 fee = $441.60 total

HARPER, JOSEPH ALVA
99705 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS (Two and One Half Pounds or More)

HARRIS, KENTRELL VASHAUN
INCOMING Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance

HARVEY, ANDREW JAMES
100085 Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

HENIX, COREY DONTE
98427-CT.1 Illegal Discharge Of A Firearm – Crime Of Violence / Uniform Cds Law
98427-CT.2 Aggravated Criminal Damage To Property
Restitution owed- $3,015.20, plus $452.28 fee = $3,467.48 total

JOHNSON, ALEX JAKAR
100082-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
100082-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
100082-CT.3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS

MITCHELL, JEFFREY JEROME
INCOMING Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

MOORE, NEIL ANTHONY
100068 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

NOLEN, DEBORAH ANN
99936 Cruelty To Juveniles

PEARSON, RONALD RAY
99428A Simple Burglary
Total Restitution owed per the report- $7,800 plus $1,170 fee = $8,970 total

THOMAS, YAMON D
INCOMING Possession of Schedule II CDS
INCOMING Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
INCOMING Speeding 1-10 MPH

THOMAS, YAMON D
T105124 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T105124A Operating A Vehicle With Improper Tail Lights

WEATHERS, TYKENDRICK
99894 Armed Robbery with the Use of a Firearm

WILLIAM, GUY
INCOMING Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

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

---

Becky Cummings Wilcher
October 6, 1957 — December 26, 2025
Memorial service: 1 p.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel, Minden.
Burial: 2-2:30 Minden Cemetery.

Walton Duane Smith
November 22, 1933  –  December 24, 2025
Shongaloo
Visitation: 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.
Funeral service: 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, 2025, immediately following visitation.
Burial: Smith Family Cemetery. Shongaloo.

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.)

---

The City of Minden has issued a Boil Advisory December 23 for the following locations:

1001 Broadway Street

1101 Broadway Street

1107 Broadway Street

300 Block of Lewisville Road

Watch Webster Parish Journal to see when advisory is removed. You can visit the City of Minden website at  mindenusa.com for more information.

---

By Pat Culverhouse

Using the U.S. Postal Service to deliver illegal narcotics to a Springhill nursing home has earned a Shreveport man a room of his own in the Webster Parish prison.

Anthony J. Lamendola, 52, was arrested the day after Christmas by Springhill narcotics detectives after an investigation revealed he was sending drugs to the nursing home where his wife resides. Lamendola reportedly was picked up when he arrived for a visit just before noon, Dec. 26.

During questioning, Lamendola reportedly admitted he mailed methamphetamines to his wife’s address on two separate occasions. A search of his belongings following the arrest reportedly uncovered a glass pipe with a small amount of methamphetamine in his backpack.

Lamendola is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center for three counts of possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines). His bond has been set at $60,000.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

---

Allegiance Health System (AHS) and its network of hospital facilities (including Minden Medical Center) are proud to announce that they have signed a Letter of Intent to enter into an affiliation with Ochsner Health to enhance patient care coordination and clinical innovation throughout rural Louisiana.

This collaboration represents a mutual focus on solving healthcare challenges facing rural communities, enhancing access to care and improving health outcomes and the quality of life for patients which the organizations serve.

“This affiliation reinforces our shared mission – to ensure that patients in rural Louisiana receive the same level of quality, innovation, and expertise found in major metropolitan centers,” said Rock Bordelon, President, Allegiance Health System. “By aligning with Ochsner, we are strengthening both the quality and the sustainability of healthcare delivery across the region.”

Together, AHS and Ochsner seek to:

• Serve more lives and improve access to care across the continuum, from primary to specialty and high-acuity services;
• Support patients managing chronic or complex health challenges and their caregivers through innovative care models and population health collaborations;
• Improve care coordination by sharing clinical expertise, research, digital tools, electronic health records and technology;
• Connect local care teams to specialists through advanced telemedicine programs such as Telestroke.

“This collaboration is founded on a mutual commitment to serving patients and enhancing the delivery of healthcare services in rural Louisiana through collaboration and shared expertise,” said Pete November, President & CEO, Ochsner Health. “By combining resources and leveraging technology, we are expanding access to care, supporting local providers, and ensuring patients can receive the right care at the right time, close to home.”

This affiliation is NOT a merger or acquisition, allowing AHS and Ochsner to remain independent and maintain current ownership, operations, financial and management responsibilities.

AHS owns and manages health facilities in Minden, as well as many others. Minden healthcare services include Freedom Minden (behavioral); Minden Nephrology & Hypertension Clinic, Wilson Orthopedics & Sports Medicine; Minden Primary Care, Minden Medical Center of Haughton, Foot & Ankle Specialists of Minden, The Women’s Clinic, Elite Family Medicine Clinic, The Women’s Clinic Rural Health of Minden, and Minden Medical Center.

Allegiance and Ochsner will work together on initiatives that improve care, support caregivers, and help ensure rural communities have access to healthcare for generations to come.

---

By Shannon Wright

The first half of the Doyline High School basketball season came to a close with a night that celebrated far more than just points on the scoreboard. It was an evening filled with school pride, tradition, and community support; everything that makes small-town athletics so special.

Both the Panthers boys’ and girls’ basketball teams earned victories over Dodson, setting a positive tone as the season reached its midway point. Adding to the excitement, upperclassmen athletes were honored during the school’s traditional letterman jacket ceremony, and Santa Claus even made a surprise appearance, posing for Christmas photos with students and families.

The gymnasium was filled wall to wall with parents, students, cheerleaders, faculty, and community members, all coming together to support the Panthers.

Boys’ basketball coach Michael Normand praised his young team’s effort and mindset.

“Our kids play hard and with a good attitude, so that goes a long way,” Normand said. “With no seniors on the team, I’ve told our players we are a two-year project, and I believe we are building something special again in the coming years.”

Normand noted that the team has shown noticeable growth since the beginning of the season, particularly when facing tough competition.

The girls’ basketball team also closed out the first half of the season on a high note with a hard-fought win. Head coach Sterling Bailey said he is proud of his players and optimistic about what lies ahead.

“Our win against Dodson was a great team win. I’m really proud of the way our young ladies stuck together and played hard until the last seconds ran off the clock,” Bailey said. “Hopefully we can finish out the second half of the season in a way that makes Doyline proud.”

Between games, the focus shifted from the court to a long-standing and cherished Doyline High School tradition. Upperclassman athletes from various sports were presented with their letterman jackets by their coaches. The tradition dates back to around 1987, when a group of parents began fundraising to ensure student athletes would not have to pay for their jackets themselves.

While some details have evolved over the years, the pride and significance behind the ceremony remain unchanged.

“Getting my letterman was more than just receiving a jacket. It was something I have counted down the days for since my sister got hers when I was in elementary school,” said junior Lanie Gates. “It’s a trophy of my dedication and hard work as a student athlete, and the tradition has become something the younger kids can’t wait to be a part of. It’s sentimental and a memory we will hold onto for the rest of our lives.”

Today, the jackets are funded through continued community support.

“The money for the jackets is raised at the Meet the Panthers bonfire every year so they are essentially paid for by the people of Doyline,” Normand said. “The tradition of giving out letterman jackets is something we take pride in at Doyline.”

Christie Carter Gates, a parent and Doyline alumna, echoed that sentiment.

“I love the way our community comes together to support our kids,” she said. “We host a large fundraiser every year to cover the cost of the athletes’ jackets, and our community always steps up to make it successful. It was also great to see a packed house when the kids were presented with their jackets.”

The evening served as a reminder of what makes small schools, and small towns, so special. From athletes and coaches to parents and community members, there is an incredible amount of support and dedication that often goes unseen.

At Doyline High School, it truly takes a village, and on this night, that village showed up in full support of its Panthers.

The second half of the basketball season will tip off after the holiday break on January 6 with an away game against North DeSoto.

---

By Pat Culverhouse

A 66-year-old Cotton Valley man spent Christmas in the parish prison after he allegedly pulled a handgun on a family member during a reported verbal altercation.

Victor Moore, a resident of the 400 block of Cox Rd., is facing charges of aggravated assault with a firearm (two counts) and domestic abuse/aggravated assault as a result of the Dec. 23 incident.

Moore reportedly is being held in Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a $110,00 bond.

Webster Parish deputies responding to the disturbance call around 7 p.m. reportedly learned the sister and nephew of Moore’s wife had come to his residence and an argument ensued between the two men. During the confrontation, Moore allegedly pointed a .45 caliber handgun at the nephew and threatened to shoot.

Deputies reportedly were told the nephew pushed his mother and Moore’s wife out the front door of the residence in an attempt to escape. According to victim statements, the gun was pointed in the direction of all three individuals.

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.

---

BATON ROUGE, LA – As families across Louisiana celebrate the holidays, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is urging motorists to make safe decisions behind the wheel during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

December is consistently one of Louisiana’s higher months for traffic fatalities, driven by a combination of increased travel, holiday events, and risky behaviors such as impaired driving, speeding, and failure to wear seat belts.

“Holiday celebrations should never end in tragedy,” said DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet. “I encourage every driver to slow down, buckle up, and never drive impaired. By making smart choices and looking out for one another, we can all arrive safely and enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season.”

DOTD Offers the Following Safety Reminders:

Never drive impaired. Alcohol, drugs, and prescription medications can affect driving ability.

Buckle up—every seat, every trip. Seat belts remain one of the most effective ways to prevent death in a crash.

Slow down. Speeding reduces reaction time and increases crash severity.

Eliminate distractions. Put phones away and keep full attention on the road.

Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver or arrange alternative transportation if celebrating.

DOTD encourages all motorists to take extra precautions during the Christmas and New Year holidays, especially with extended travel periods expected this year due to the holiday falling closer to the weekend.

“Let’s make safety part of every holiday plan,” Secretary Ledet added. “From my family to yours, I wish all Louisianans a safe, Happy New Year.”

For more information on highway safety initiatives, visit http://www.dotd.la.gov or http://www.destinationzerodeaths.com.

---

By Jerry Strahan

Weather recap from the 22 of December until the 28 of December. For the most part it was an uneventful weather week. Although, we did experience a warmer than normal usual with highs in the upper 70s with December 27 being the warmest. Springhill capped out at 83.4 degrees F while Minden’s high was 82.3 degrees.

We won’t see those temperatures for a while.

December 28, a strong cold front entered northwest Louisiana at 7 p.m. Central Standard Time with the front it brought non severe thunderstorms.  See attached radar image.

Temperatures will continue to fall Monday through at least Wednesday. Lows will be in the upper 20s and struggle to reach 40 degrees F each day.

---