By Pat Culverhouse

Investigators are currently looking into the death of a 23-year-old Homer man who died while in custody at Minden police headquarters.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives have have been called in to handle the case of the death of Demonta Reshawn Tate, who apparently hanged himself early Tuesday morning in the MPD’s holding cell.

“Our officers had stopped him around midnight for the minor traffic offense of running a stop sign and learned he was wanted on warrants from Claiborne Parish,” McIver said. “We contacted Claiborne and they asked us to hold him.”

McIver said Tate was compliant during the traffic stop and showed no signs of anxiety or distress when he was taken to police headquarters.

“We followed all standard procedures when he was booked, and at no time did he display any signs that he was troubled,” the chief said. “After he was placed in the cell, he asked for water and appeared to be handling the situation well.”

Holding cells at the station are monitored by surveillance cameras at the dispatch desk, and McIver said nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

“The person monitoring the surveillance cameras noticed Tate appeared to be standing beside the cell’s cot, which didn’t seem unusual. But after noticing he appeared to be standing very still for longer than usual, the dispatcher notified an officer and requested a check on Tate,” McIver said.

When the officer arrived, he reportedly found Tate had hanged himself with a blanket taken from the cot inside the cell. Attempts to resuscitate proved unsuccessful.

“I immediately called Sheriff (Jason) Parker to initiate an independent investigation and his detectives were on the scene in just a few minutes,” McIver said. “The coroner’s office was also notified.”

Parker said the investigation is still in the early stages, but his detectives have found nothing to indicate anything other than Tate took his own life for unknown reasons.

“We will continue to look into this and hopefully we can find some answers to why he would decide to end his life like this,” Parker said.

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Although the weather was hot, the rest of Minden’s celebration weekend could not have gone better.

“It was better than I could’ve imagined,” said Minden Main Street/Economic Director Sarah Overall.
The rain held off until Sunday, and an unbelievable number of persons from the area and beyond were all over Main Street Friday and Saturday for a combination birthday party for the nation and Minden.

Clara Faye Miller could not attend but was named Minden’s Oldest Citizen at 103.

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Marty,

You called your students kiddos. I hated that word. I can’t tell you why. Some words just bug me. “Antiquing” is another one. Go figure. Kiddos was on the list, and I told you so every chance I got. But I would give anything to hear you say it now. We lost you this weekend, and that word is going to mean something to me you never intended.

I met you in 2014, my first year, my second career. I was in my mid-thirties and scared to death that I had made a mistake walking into a classroom. You were one of the first people I met, and you were glad I was there. You showed up in shorts. You were a little messy. You did things in an order that made sense only to you. We called it a mess. To you it was a system, and you were right more often than we wanted to admit. You were the smartest man I ever knew. You knew a little about almost everything and a lot about most of it.

You were an English teacher who believed words were the strongest force on this earth, and you used yours to lift up kids who needed lifting. They would roll their eyes at you like teenagers are wont to do. Years later those same kids still bring up Coach Cole and the things he told them, the kind you only hear from a good parent.

You told people what you thought. You did not always agree with them, and you made some of them angry, because you believed you knew what was best. The maddening part was that you usually did. You did not care who you upset if their thinking was going to hurt a student.

We used to talk about the state of the world and all the casual cruelty in it, and neither of us could make sense of it. So you preached love. Black, white, gay, straight, man, woman, all of it, no exceptions. You were a follower of Jesus in a time when a lot of people claim the title and skip the one instruction that matters. Love one another. Did I stutter? Love one another. And you actually lived it.

You loved Lakeside more than anything. Johnny Rowland told me that the first week I got there, back when he was our principal. He said sometimes he had to tell you to go home. You took red Solo cups and pushed them into the fence out front, on your own time, no one asking, to spell out that we loved our Warriors, or a teacher who was retiring, or a kid going through something hard. You were the voice of the Warriors. You worked the gate. You chaperoned. You volunteered for every thankless job there was and never took a dime for most of it. You did not half-ass a single part of it. You whole-assed all of it.

A lot of our students will never know what you were like in a regular classroom. When you moved to special education, a whole wave of kids missed having you that way. They got you another way instead. To you that mattered just as much. You wanted to hand people wisdom. You wanted to push them and lift them in the same breath, then turn them loose to make the world better than they found it.

So go on home, Marty. You earned it. We will try to love one another the way you told us to.

We’ve got your kiddos from here.

Love,

Josh

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No cases of infant illness identified in Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is advising parents, caregivers, and health care providers that Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula is recalling its infant formula because it may be contaminated with the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, which can make infants sick. No cases of infant botulism have been identified in Louisiana.

On June 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted that they were investigating an outbreak of infant botulism linked to Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula. As a result of the investigation, Nara Organics voluntarily recalled all cans of Nara Organics infant formula currently available in the U.S. Nara Organics infant formula products are distributed online and at Target retail locations.

Nara Organics Whole Milk Organic Infant Formula is not included on the Louisiana WIC Program formulary and is not distributed through the Louisiana WIC Program.

LDH public health inspectors are working with retailers throughout Louisiana to ensure that Nara Organics infant formula products are removed from shelves. Caregivers are advised not to use Nara Organics infant formula.

Nara Organics infant formula products should be thrown away immediately or returned to the store where it was purchased. Before disposing of any Nara organics formula, write down or take pictures of the lot numbers, which can be found on the bottom of the cans. Check for any formula you may have removed from the original can and placed in another container. Wash all items and surfaces that may have touched the recalled formula using hot soapy water or a dishwasher.

Infant botulism is a rare and serious illness caused when infants inhale or swallow the spores produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. Under certain conditions, the spores can grow inside the infant and produce toxins that can make infants very sick. Symptoms can take anywhere from several days to several weeks to appear.

Most babies with infant botulism may develop constipation, poor feeding (sucking and swallowing), loss of head control, and difficulty swallowing. Other symptoms may include decreased facial expression, a weak or altered cry, or other signs of muscle weakness. Infants with botulism must be treated quickly to stop symptoms from progressing to flaccid (floppy) paralysis and breathing difficulties.

Caregivers should seek immediate medical care for their infant if they consumed Nara Organics infant formula products and develop any symptoms of infant botulism.

Infants who consumed the recalled infant formula should be monitored for symptoms for 30 days after their last exposure to the formula. There is no testing or treatment recommended for infants who consumed the recalled formula but who do not have symptoms of infant botulism.

Caregivers should contact their infant’s pediatrician or healthcare provider if they have any questions about their infant’s health. Individuals with questions about the recall may contact the FDA at the link below. Updates to the national investigation are expected to be posted on the CDC’s and FDA’s webpages as they become available:

Infant Botulism Outbreak Linked to Infant Formula, June 2026 | CDC

Outbreak Investigation of Infant Botulism: Powdered Infant Formula (June 2026) | FDA

According to the FDA, Nara Organics infant formula products make up an estimated less than 1% of all infant formula sold in the U.S. This outbreak does not currently create concerns of a possible shortage in infant formula.

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By Jerry Strahan

Springhill Firefighters, at approximately 11:50 p.m on June 12, responded to a report of a vehicle on fire on Highway 157 east of Springhill at the bridges. Upon arrival the fire department discovered a wrecked mobile home completely engulfed in fire. 

According to reports, the first-in pumper truck pulled a hose line off of the fire truck, and began fighting the fire. Within 20 minutes they had the bulk of the fire knocked down.  Cullen and Shongaloo fire departments provided mutual aid.

Springhill Fire Chief Michael Morse requested the Louisiana State Fire Marshal as the fire “appeared suspicious in nature.” LSFM arrived on the scene at 12:20 p.m. to investigate. 

Deputies were called for traffic control and for an irate driver of a citizen vehicle. 

Someone was reportedly moving the mobile home from Springhill when the truck pulling it allegedly ran over a fire hydrant and put ruts in a home owner’s yard. 

Last week the fire department was called to the same address, due to a fire reportedly started by broken axles.

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By Jerry Strahan

Possible flash flooding this week.  Up to 3 inches possible. The estimated rain by Wednesday June 17 could reach 2.40 inches of rain which could lead to flash flooding.  

The pictures are estimated rainfall totals. 

A look back 

Springhill
June the 8 low was 77 F and the high was 91F 
June 9 low was 72F high was 88F 
June 10 low was 75F high was 91F 
June 11 low was 75F high was 90 F
June 12 low was 75F high was 90F
June 13 low was 76F high was 90F
June 14 low was 76F high was 90F 

Minden 
June 8 low was 77F high was 93F
June 9 low was 75F high was 93F
June 10 low was 75F high was 91F 
June 11 low was 77F high was 92F
June 12 low was 75F high was 90F
June 13 low was 76F high was 91F 
June 14h low was 75F high was 90F 

Looking ahead, lows in upper 60s to low 70s and highs in the upper 80s to low 90s. Those can be verifiable due to rain and cloud coverage. 

(Jerry Strahan was a first responder in fire and emergency services for almost 45 years. He lives in north Webster Parish and has written weather articles for other publications.)

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Gov. Jeff Landry has announced that Louisiana has climbed seven spots in WalletHub’s 2026 “Best States for Military Retirees” rankings, rising from No. 26 in 2025 to No. 19 this year. The jump places Louisiana among the nation’s most improved states for military retirees, driven by strong performance in affordability, quality of life (ranked No. 14 nationally), veteran community support, and access to services.

“Secretary Meginley and his LDVA team are delivering life changing opportunities for our military and veteran community,” Landry said. “Whether it’s climbing in national rankings for military retirees or seeing more veterans successfully accessing the benefits they’ve earned, Louisiana is building a state where those who served can thrive. This win reflects our commitment to veteran-friendly policies, quality of life, and economic opportunity.”

“Wallethub’s rankings prove that the initiatives and benefits the state has enacted to attract veterans to this state are having a generational impact on the state,” stated LDVA Secretary Charlton Meginley. Secretary Meginley further stated, “Arguably, Louisiana has a top five benefits package for its veterans, with generous tax exclusions, educational programs, and insurance discounts. When you further factor the $100 Billion dollars in capital investment Governor Landry and his team have brought into the state, creating thousands of jobs, Louisiana is a go-to destination for post-military life.”

Background:

At the same time, data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 2026 Annual Benefits Report shows a 7.1% increase in Louisiana veterans receiving benefits in FY25, outpacing the national growth rate of 6.1%. Total recipients in Louisiana grew from 102,827 in FY24 to 110,084 in FY25. A key highlight from the VA Annual Benefits Report is an astounding 9.5% increase in Louisiana’s veterans using their education benefits — significantly higher than the national increase of 3.6%. Overall, the VA reports that 87,618 veterans are receiving over $2.5 Billion dollars in compensation and pension benefits, and for the second consecutive year the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and its partners, including programs like The Boot, which connects transitioning service members and their spouses to careers and opportunities across Louisiana, have greatly exceeded expectations in delivering benefits for the state’s veterans.

The WalletHub study evaluated all 50 states and the District of Columbia across 28 key metrics, including job opportunities, housing affordability, healthcare access, and state support programs. Louisiana’s Top 20 ranking marks its strongest showing in recent years and signals growing momentum in veteran services.

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NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University announces the names of Dean’s List students for the Spring 2026 semester. Students on the Dean’s List must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern and have a grade point average of between 3.5 and 3.99. 
 
For questions regarding the lists, contact the NSU Registrar’s Office at (318) 357- 6171 or email registrar@nsula.edu.

Dean’s lists

Doyline – Landon Spears
Heflin – Riley Austin
Minden – Katelyn Baker, Lorelai Beavers , Ashlee Blanks , Charlotte Edwards, 
Landon Greer, Tyliayah Smith, Brian Ybanez
Shongaloo – Mackenzie Hosley, Taylor Hosley
Springhill – Isabella Sylvia

Honor lists
 
Cotton Valley- Skylaria Brown
Minden – David Adkins, Myles Adkins, McKenna Chreene, Emily Coleman, Arianna Gill, Cherdreviya Gray

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Looking for a new employee or to advertise a garage sale? Or even to sell a house or car? Recently, Donna Hoffoss, mayor of Dixie Inn ran a classified ad with Webster Parish Journal for a new part-time employee.

Here is her response after the first day the ad ran: “Hey Bonnie already had 15 resumes! You definitely have good readership! Thanks” – Donna Hoffoss

Classified ads are $70 per run with a minimum of three runs. Unlimited words and a photo.

According to Hoffoss, she received even more resumes after her three runs, and her council hired one of the applicants.

If you would like to have good results like Dixie Inn, email wpjclassifieds@gmail.com or wpjnewsla@gmail.com .

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United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:

Food: powdered milk, canned meats, soup, biscuit mix, Ramen noodles

Household Goods: wash cloths & hand towels

Clothing: men’s XL short-sleeved shirts, men’s pants/jeans 34/34, men’s shoes 11 &12

Thanks to all for supporting UCAP!!

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

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I have a disclaimer for this article, and it’s that I am incredibly biased. I hate gambling and I see it as a huge waste of money. I choose mutual funds over individual stocks because I am risk averse. I don’t feel that I’ve missed out on any winnings because I know I’ve missed out on a lot of losing. 

I’ve said since 2013 that I refuse to invest in cryptocurrency because any currency that is only backed by vibes cannot be stable and has a high chance of manipulation. Even Bitcoin, the long-touted “most-stable token” has lost 27% of its value in 2026 alone. Sorry to burst the bubble, but cryptocurrency is only worth what other people think it is worth.

A counter argument to that is usually made by the crypto-bros that the US dollar is also not backed by anything, which isn’t exactly true. The US dollar is backed by the full faith and credit of the US Government, so it is secured by the huge portfolio of physical property owned by the government, as well as their revenue, which is a lot. Anyway, back to crypto. 

The main issue with cryptocurrency is that any money you invest is basically at the mercy of influencers, and I think everyone should be aware of that before investing in them. 

Unfortunately, the President of the United States is also a crypto influencer, which feels embarrassing even to type. Trump entered the crypto game in 2024 and Forbes tags his total crypto-related profits between $2.1 and $3 billion. He might have rejected his presidential salary, but crypto influencing is clearly much more lucrative. 

I want to also clarify before I get into the dirty side of crypto influencing that Trump is far from the only person guilty of this stuff. I am only choosing to highlight him because this conflict of interests between this and his position, coupled with his level of influence over the Boomer generation. They are the generation with the most money and the least knowledge of how crypto works, which makes them prime targets for crypto scams. The majority of them genuinely think crypto apps are actual investments and not just glorified gambling apps. 

So how can crypto influencing be so bad if Trump made so much money? Let me discuss the concept of rug-pulling. Imagine an influencer(or the President of the United States) tells everyone about this great new investment opportunity in this crypto token that is launching the next day. This person is rich, so you trust his advice and invest $100 in the token on opening day. The token starts at a decent value because the influencer owns the majority percentage of them, and the price of them is based on how many of these tokens are owned. So you, the investor, watch the price boom on the first few days, thinking you made a sound investment. 

Then you wake up one morning and see that the value you own is now $15 and you have lost most of your money. So what happened? The owner of the crypto token, who paid nearly nothing to start this coin, waited for enough people to invest to drive up the price, then sold the majority of their shares to cash out, crashing the value of the token for everyone else. Trump’s $TRUMP token crashed by 97% after the first few days, while his family made $616 million from it. Buyers collectively lost over $700 million. Yahoo! Finance reports that all of the Trump crypto tokens have left investors with a $4.3 billion loss. Contrast that with the amount of money Trump himself made from them, and it’s hard not to call it out as a scam. 

To think, Jimmy Carter sold his peanut farm when he became president because he felt it was a conflict of interest with his position.  

Now coupled with his ethics (or lack thereof) on crypto, it’s not a stretch to ask the question of if Trump is capable of using his financial influence to manipulate the much-harder-to-manipulate actual stock market. Trump has claimed around 40 times that he is in talks with the government of Iran and that the Iran War is nearly over. Every time he makes this claim, major indexes jump and the price of oil falls. Then, a few days later, he changes his mind and they both return to their previous positions. Most of the time, Iran responds that they haven’t talked to Trump and they have no idea why he would be saying these things. 

So why does he say them? We have to confront that he is either losing his mind, or that he has ulterior motives with these statements. I’m not sure which is worse. The concept of a senile president with access to the nuclear launch codes is horrifying, but what about a self-serving president who is extremely knowledgeable about manipulating the market that holds all of our retirement funds for his own personal gain? 

It’s easy to see why the prices of precious metals have surged over the past few years. Gold and silver are the only things that have retained their value throughout history. They will be here long after our country is just a memory, and historically, they are what Americans invest in during times where they have lost faith in the US Government. Gold surged in 1933 when the Gold Standard was revoked. Gold surged again in 1980 and also around the time of the 2008 financial crisis, and it surged 64% last year alone.  

My point is that it is important to be able to distinguish gambling from investing, even when it all kind of feels like gambling right now. 

Speaking of gambling, I’m not a prude who is against others gambling for fun. But back in the day, a person would have to travel to the casino to gamble, and it was a contained, rare experience. This changed in 2018, when the popularity of crypto apps led to the legalization of sports betting apps. Today, crypto apps and sports betting apps are on most people’s phones, and they can place bets from their lunch break or at home in bed. Over half of American men aged 18-49 have an active online betting account. 

You know if you’ve read any of my past articles that I am a huge fan of personal freedoms, but at what point does this become detrimental to our society as a whole? Are we just going to accept an entire generation developing a crippling gambling addiction because we chose to legalize it? As unlike myself as it feels to say it, at some point it may be the government’s job to step in if citizens are unable to make rational decisions for themselves. Maybe not yet, but I have a bad feeling about the future of these apps and their influence on our people. 

I feel like our technology outgrowing our financial educations are to blame for a lot of these issues in our society. I had the benefit of working in finance for several years, so I spotted the red flags in crypto years ago, but did any of us really learn about investing at all in school? We learned about bull and bear markets, and the causes of previous stock market crashes, but a rug-pull wasn’t in the dictionary back then. And the most I learned about gambling was the once a year my grandmother “went to the boats” with her sisters for fun. She certainly didn’t watch the State of the Union speech with her phone in her hands, betting how many times Trump would say the word “China”.

These problems are new. We were never warned about them. Our Founding Fathers had zero idea that things like this would ever exist. There was no way for school to prepare us for this. So we should give ourselves some grace and do our best to educate ourselves now. After all, the best we can hope for is to know more tomorrow than we did yesterday. And, of course, not to fall for any more crypto scams. 

Taryn Ogletree is a local small business owner and author with previous experience of several years in finance.

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In the hectic and troubled times in which we live, we seek unifying worldwide events.  In fact, it could be said that global competition underscores the international language of athletics.  One such event is upon us.

The FIFA World Cup soccer competition will be played primarily in the U.S. over the next few weeks.  Although co-hosted by Mexico and Canada, 78 of the 104 matches across 11 cities will be played in the U.S.  As we are certainly aware, the 2026 World Cup coincides with America’s 250th Anniversary, providing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to highlight American ingenuity, world-class hospitality, and athletic excellence.  In fact, Fox News reports that “Europeans are obsessed with America during 2026 World Cup stay.”

The FIFA World Cup features 48 (expanded from 32 teams in 2022) national teams playing across two primary phases: the Group Stage and the Knockout Stage. Teams earn points, 3 for a win, 1 for a tie, and 0 for a loss. Ties that aren’t decided after regulation go to extra time and often dramatic penalty shootouts. 

This is exciting! The tournament kicked off on Thursday June 11 and will last 39 days, concluding on July 19th in New Jersey after matches across the three countries. 

An undertaking of this magnitude is not easy to organize and produce.  The Wall Street Journal has observed “organizing a World Cup is a colossal undertaking no matter where the tournament is held … but the challenge of coordinating a World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada exceeds anything attempted in the 96-year history of the tournament.” (WSJ, 6-11-26).  

Revenue from the tournament is also mind boggling–the last World Cup in 2022 generated around $7.5 billion.  This one is expected to generate in the neighborhood of $11-13 billion. 

While we Americans love our American football—which we are delighted begins in a few weeks—it is dwarfed by the World Cup.  At our American Super Bowl each year approximately 130 million Americans tune in to watch the game.  By contrast, across the world some 5 BILLION will watch the World Cup!  That’s astounding.  

While we will be fervently pulling for the U.S. soccer team—and I’m happy to report that this past Friday, the U.S. soccer team defeated Paraguay!—the two most famous soccer players in the world will be on hand playing for their respective countries.

They are Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Lionel Messi of Argentina. (One writer described Ronaldo and Messi this way: if an engineer designed the greatest soccer player in the world, he would design Cristiano Ronaldo. If an artist drew the greatest soccer player in the world, he would draw Lionel Messi).  Many of us may also recall past soccer legends Pele’ and Diego Maradona who left an indelible imprint on the world soccer stage.

More than anything, what we are drawn to by such a monumental event is the golden opportunity to welcome the world to our country and the chance to witness, nation versus nation, athlete versus athlete, who rises to the occasion, meets the global moment and claims what many consider to be the greatest title of all—World Cup champion. 

FIFA head, Gianni Infantino, believes the World Cup is about much more than just sport. “Football (soccer) is about joy, happiness and smiles, while bringing people together from all over the world to create shared moments for billions of fans.” He added that it’s not only “the biggest sporting event on the planet” but also “a chance to invest in something that connects and inspires with a truly global audience.” (These feelings of inclusion and universality are such that President Trump has even stated that he doesn’t have an objection to the Iranian national soccer team attending and competing).

And, while some “localized, largely non-violent protests over social and economic issues are likely to target World Cup events in the U.S.” (S&P Global) that is expected to be the extent of it.  ICE has also stated that no large-scale illegal immigration enforcement actions are planned at World Cup events.” (N.Y. Times).

I am hopeful that even beyond the great athletic competition between, and spectacle of, 48 nations of the world and their proud athletes rubbing shoulders with each other in many different languages, that a simple but universal truth emerges: while our religions, cultures and forms of government may differ dramatically, we are all human beings and we are far better off coexisting peacefully. 

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

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

June 15 – 19

6 until 8:30 p.m. First Baptist Church, Vacation Bible School, Cotton Valley, Pre-K through 6th grade.

Building Bridges of Opportunity Summer Day Camp, males entering grades 6-9 in Minden and surrounding areas. Webster Jr. High School, 700 E. Union St., Minden. For more information, call 318-470-2031.

June 17

11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Giving is Groovy blood drive featuring City of Minden Police and Fire departments’ CUFFS & HOSES Drive, 520 Broadway, Minden. Give blood and tell which department to help one of them win the competition, while doing something to benefit others. Donate and receive a special edition LifeShare Groovy tee shirt while supplies last.

June 19

5 until 9 p.m., Juneteenth celebration, MLK Drive, Minden. Food, live music, games and activities for all ages, fellowship, community unity, local vendors. For more information, call Michael Walker at 318-210-1799.

June 20 – 21

Minden St. Jude Diamond Open in memory of Stanton Haynes. Minden Recreation Complex. Call 318-465-1938 or visit http://www.mindendiamondmemorial.com .

June 20

8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Men’s Wellness Fair, presented by Healing from the Heart LLC. Minden Recreation Center. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at eventbrite or at the door.

June 21

8 a.m. until a p.m., service at 10:45 a.m., Men’s Wellness Fair weekend continues, New Light Baptist Church, Minden.

June 22 – 26

9 a.m. until noon, Earth Camp 2026 at The Farm of Cultural Crossroads, Minden, ages 6 through 9.

1 p.m. until 3 p.m., ages 10 through 16.

6 until 8:30 p.m., Vacation Bible School, North Acres Baptist Church. Register at https://onrealm.org/NorthAcresBapti31149/Registrations/Registrants/e37ca670-d1e0-4d26-8e23-b409010037cd?congregantView=true&connect=true&viewIndividualId=cd5677d8-e681-479f-af07-b3fc012389f5 .

June 25

10 a.m. Elder Fraud Awareness Session, presented by Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. Sibley Town Hall, Sibley, La. Call 318-377-0345 to RSVP.

June 27

Annual Ride for WHO Poker Run. Pre-register to ride at http://bit.ly/3PG71ZH .

9 until 10 a.m. Check in at Cash Magic Springhill for W.H.O. Poker Run. Pre-register at http://bit.ly/3PG71ZH . Benefits Women Helping Others.

2 until 6 p.m., Miller Quarters Park, Minden, Daddies With Angels Cookout. Hearts & Halos event to support grieving fathers.

July 9

5:30 p.m. Gather and Grow – Gardening for Pollinators, Webster Parish Extension Office, 1202 Homer Road, Minden. For more information, call 318-371-1371 or 318-927-3110.

July 13 – 17

5:30 until 8:30 p.m., Vacation Bible School, First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden, ages pre-K through 6th grade. Supper provided. Call 318-377-1483 or visit https://www.facebook.com/100064614286593/posts/1321421020021695/?fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=wKEx4hN4p2w03lR0# for more information.

July 26 – 31

6 until 8:10 p.m. Vacation Bible School, Calvary Baptist Church, 1400 Homer Road, Minden. For more information: calvaryminden.com/vbs .

August 15

9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Rooted Women’s Conference, North Acres Baptist Church, 1852 Lewisville Road, Minden. This is a day for women who strive to be rooted in The Word. Hear from our keynote speaker, Stephanie Smithson, as she focuses on spiritual understanding and biblical literacy along with our multi-generational panel of ladies, who will describe what being rooted in Christ means to them. Come for a day of acoustic worship, fellowship, teaching and food! Your $30 ticket includes the conference, t-shirt, and a light lunch provided by Hugh Wood Catering. Childcare is provided. Registration is open through July 5. Register at https://onrealm.org/NorthAcresBapti31149/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=ZTc4OTQ2Y2EtZmM3Ny00MWM2LWE2NmUtYjQzMzAwZmUyZDgx .

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Word of the day: Mellifluous

Phonetic: /mel· lif· lu· ous/
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition

having a smooth rich flow
a mellifluous voice

filled with something (such as honey) that sweetens
mellifluous confections

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Play Sudoku online!

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Mardrekus S. Burnett, 32, 200 block Boucher Ext., Cullen: arrested June 10 by WPSO on warrants for theft, criminal trespass. Bond set $26,000.

Bryan Jordan Walker, 40, 2200 block Shed Rd., Bossier City: arrested June 12 by Probation and Parole for parole violation. No bond set.

Austin Wade Todd, 30, 700 block Gladney St., Minden: arrested June 11 by MPD for DWI third offense, driving left of center, no seatbelt, suspended drivers license, no proof of insurance, open container. Bond set $45,000.

Ladarius Jerome Scott, 34, 600 block Blacksmith Sr., Ringgold: arrested June 12 by WPSO for probation violation. No bond set.

Kenneth Ray Wallace II, 43, 200 block Jones St., Sibley: arrested June 13 by WPSO on warrant. No bond set. 

Marvin Porter, 46, 300 block RobinsonSpring Rd., Flora, Mississippi: arrested by Probation and Parole as fugitive from state probation and parole. No bond set.

Thomas James Boyd, 52, 500 block McIntyre St., Minden: arrested June 12 by Minden PD for possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), possession of drug paraphernalia, pedestrian in roadway. Bond set $5,002.

Lacy Brianna Carter, 33, 1400 block 7th St., SE, Springhill: arrested June 13 by Springhill PD for possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), failure to use head lamp, expired drivers license. No bond set.

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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Martin William Cole
May 15, 1970 — June 12, 2026
Minden
Tuesday night, June 16, Lakeside will host an evening of sharing memories of Marty Cole: a teacher, mentor, and friend, from 6-8pm. All who loved him are welcome to attend.
Celebration of Life: 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, First Baptist Church, Minden, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Dale Matthews
September 12, 1948  –  January 11, 2026
Sarepta
Memorial service: 2 p.m. Saturday, June 20, 2026, Cotton Valley Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Shirley Ann Bass Gulett
October 5, 1941 — June 12, 2026
Minden
Visitation: 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
Funeral service: 11 a.m. immediately following visitation.
Burial: Cotton Valley Cemetery

Sherry Jo Kirkland
March 25, 1947 — June 11, 2026
Cotton Valley
Visitation: 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 17, 2026, Cotton Valley First Pentecostal Church, Cotton Valley.
Funeral service: 11 a.m. immediately following visitation.
Burial: Gardens of Memory, Minden, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Frances Ann Lester Posey
October 10, 1937 — May 23, 2026
Minden/Mansfield
Graveside service: 11 a.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026, Mansfield Cemetery.

Patsy Ann Greene Cahoon
August 2, 1943  –  May 26, 2026
Springhill/Shreveport
Graveside service: 1 p.m. Saturday, July 11, 2026, Old Sarepta Cemetery, Sarepta, La., under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

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 two-vehicle, head-on collision on LA Hwy. 531 around 3:15 a.m. Saturday has claimed the life of a Haynesville man and left two others suffering serious injuries.

Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver identified the deceased as 26-year-old Michael Hice. He reportedly was a passenger in a vehicle driven by 23-year-old Slaid Gandy of Minden. Gandy reportedly was taken to a Shreveport hospital where he was listed in critical condition.

McIver said the driver of the second vehicle, 70-year-old Melvin West of Kilgore, Texas, is also in critical condition in a Shreveport hospital.

According to statements taken during the early stages of the investigation, the vehicle driven by Gandy was traveling north on Hwy. 531 when it apparently crossed the center line, running head-on into the southbound F250 commercial pickup truck driven by West. 

McIver said the accident is still under investigation. 

“We’re taking all the necessary steps to try and determine the cause,” he said. 

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By Pat Culverhouse

A Sibley man busted by Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators during a Wednesday raid is now looking at one more drug-related charge, plus a bond of more than $1.7 million in connection with multiple drug distribution counts.

In addition to four counts of distribution of illegal narcotics, Germany had a charge of introduction of contraband into a penal facility tacked on when deputies reportedly found drugs on him during a pre-booking search at the parish prison.

Deputies reportedly found small baggies of a green leafy substance, individually packaged, allegedly ready for sale. Bond on the introduction charge was set at $10,000.

Now, Germany is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a bond totaling $1.760 million. 

A breakdown of the drug-related charges and bond amounts include:

• Possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute: $1 million.
• Possession of CDS Sch. I (synthetic marijuana) with intent to distribute: $300,000.
• Possession of CDS Sch. I (Ecstasy) with intent to distribute: $200,000.
• Possession of CDS Sch. I (marijuana) with intent to distribute; $200,000.
• Possession of CDS in presence of a juvenile: $50,000.

Germany was initially arrested Wednesday morning when Sheriff’s Office investigators, concluding a lengthy investigation, enforced warrants on his vehicle and his Frazier Rd. residence.

Investigators also found more than $10,000 in cash in various denominations inside the residence and in Germany’s possession when his vehicle was stopped.

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

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By Pat Culverhouse

A Minden man’s attempt to run from the scene of a traffic stop in the early morning hours Thursday has landed him in the parish prison facing multiple charges.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said 39-year-old Shederrick Tyrelle Shine was apprehended in a wooded area behind a church at the the corner of Shreveport Rd. and S. Randall St. just before 2 a.m., following a foot chase.

McIver said Officer Morgan Jester stopped Shine for no tail lights on his vehicle and during questioning, observed signs of possible impairment. During questioning, Shine reportedly fled, ran up S. Randall and ducked behind the church.

As he was giving chase, the officer reportedly observed Shine tossing items on the ground as he fled. When he fled into a wooded area, Shine reportedly hid behind thick underbrush and continued to discard items. 

After he was apprehended and placed in custody, officers retraced the route of the foot chase and found a firearm magazine loaded with 9MM ammunition. A further search reportedly revealed a 9MM handgun near the church property.

McIver said Shine was booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on seven counts including possession of a firearm/carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, flight from an officer, no driver’s license, operating while impaired first offense, no vehicle registration, no vehicle insurance and no illuminating devices.

His bond has been set at $2,004.

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

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

A city-wide boil advisory could be lifted as early as today (Friday), according to Minden Public Works Director Tyler Wallace.
The advisory was put into place Tuesday when it was learned that recent wind had damaged the local water tower.

“High winds caused a cap to shift on the top,” Wallace said. “It blew an antenna over, as well. After it’s lifted, operations will be back to normal.”

By Thursday, repairs were complete. The city must now await testing by Louisiana Department of Health before the advisory is rescinded.

“We are still under the advisory, but hopefully, they will test and have us an answer by Friday,” Wallace said.

Webster Parish Journal will post the information as soon as the boil advisory is rescinded.

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Javonte Morris is wanted for an offense that occurred on May 27. Detectives secured an arrest warrant following the incident.

The following is the charge(s) and bond amount(s) associated with Javonte Morris:
 

1. One count of aggravated assault with a firearm with a surety bond amount of $50,000.
    
   Please get in touch with Detective Matthew Hicks (318-639-7776) of the Minden Police Department if you have information regarding the whereabouts of Javonte Morris.

Any information will be confidential.

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

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Louisiana motorists will no longer be required to display vehicle inspection stickers on personal, non-commercial vehicles beginning Jan. 1, 2027, under a new state law approved during the 2026 Regular Legislative Session.

House Bill 1085 was passed by the Louisiana Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Jeff Landry. The law eliminates the inspection sticker requirement for personal, non-commercial vehicles registered in Louisiana starting Jan. 1, 2027.

The law also creates a transition period beginning June 30, 2026. From June 30, 2026, through Jan. 1, 2027, law enforcement officers may not issue citations solely for failing to display or produce a certificate of inspection.

As a result, Louisiana State Police announced that it has immediately stopped enforcing inspection sticker violations.

Even though inspection sticker enforcement has ended, other traffic and vehicle laws remain in effect. Drivers are still responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe and properly maintained, including working lights, brakes, tires and other required equipment.

Louisiana State Police said its focus during the transition period will be on educating motorists and helping the public understand how the new law affects them moving forward.

• June 30, 2026: Officers can no longer issue citations solely for missing inspection stickers or certificates.
• Jan. 1, 2027: Personal, non-commercial vehicles in Louisiana are no longer required to display inspection stickers.

If you drive a personal, non-commercial vehicle in Louisiana, you do not need to worry about receiving a ticket for an expired or missing inspection sticker during the transition period, and the sticker requirement will officially end on Jan. 1, 2027. However, your vehicle must still meet all other safety and equipment laws on Louisiana roadways.

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