A Minden man missing since Sunday morning was seen by a citizen early Monday. He is now at his brother’s home and is safe. Police thank everyone for their help.

Original story:

Minden police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate a man reported missing since early Sunday morning.

Walter Loud, 42, was last seen around 6 a.m. Sunday leaving the Exacta Inn. Loud is six feet tall and weighs 130 pounds.

When he was last seen, he was wearing a black T-shirt, black and gray shorts and black shoes. He is believed to have left the Exacta Inn on foot.

Anyone with information on Walter Loud is asked to call the Minden Police Department, 318-371-4226.

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Minden police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate a man reported missing since early Sunday morning.

Walter Loud, 42, was last seen around 6 a.m. Sunday leaving the Exacta Inn. Loud is six feet tall and weighs 130 pounds.

When he was last seen, he was wearing a black T-shirt, black and gray shorts and black shoes. He is believed to have left the Exacta Inn on foot.

Anyone with information on Walter Loud is asked to call the Minden Police Department, 318-371-4226.

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Two men wounded in a shooting incident south of Heflin Friday afternoon are listed in critical condition in a Shreveport hospital, and the man accused of firing the shots is being held in the Webster Parish prison on attempted murder charges.

Sheriff Jason Parker identified the victims as 27-year-old Markeese Germany and 30-year-old Tadazion Jackson. Both reportedly were transported to LSU Oschner suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

Parker said 21-year-old Remington Gage Jellum of Dubberly is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center where he is charged with two counts of attempted second degree murder. No bond has been set.

Deputies responded to a shots fired call just after 4 p.m. Friday to a Heflin residence in the 1800 block of Hwy. 792. At the scene, they found the two men suffering from what were described at the time as life-threatening wounds.

Jellum reportedly turned himself in at the Sheriff’s Office a short time after the shooting. The weapon allegedly used in the shooting was also recovered.

Parker said the victims were struck a total of seven times, with all shots entering their backs. Jellum first claimed self defense during interviews with detectives, but later admitted the shooting had evolved from a drug-related altercation.

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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Two men reportedly suffered multiple gunshot wounds in an incident which occurred at a residence near Heflin just after 4 p.m. Friday.

Sheriff Jason Parker said the two men were taken to a Shreveport hospital where they are listed in critical condition.

Parker said deputies responded to the reported shooting at 4:17 p.m. in the 1800 block of Hwy. 792 in Heflin.

“The shooter turned himself in to deputies shortly afterward,” Parker said. “Detectives are still investigating the circumstances.”

Names of the victims and the shooter have not been released pending further investigation. 

Webster Parish Journal will report details as they become available.

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By Tiffany Flournoy

Editor’s Note: This article is part of ongoing coverage of the Town of Cullen. The Webster Journal will continue to monitor and report on further developments.

CULLEN, La. — Routine law enforcement in the Town of Cullen remains functionally paralyzed as police cruisers enter a third consecutive month parked without fuel — leaving parish deputies to absorb a heavy volume of emergency calls while municipal leadership continues to dodge questions surrounding town finances.

The two patrol units, initially sidelined in early May, have now been non-operational for more than  eight weeks. With Cullen’s small force unable to patrol or respond to calls for service, the burden has fallen squarely on the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office to maintain public safety for a town with a population of under 800 residents. 

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said the situation has placed a strain on his agency. Since May, parish deputies have responded to at least 64 calls for service inside Cullen town limits — a staggering volume for a municipality of its size— handling everything from fights and domestic disputes to reports of shots fired at a local apartment complex.

When parish deputies initially stepped in to assist, Parker noted it was intended as a temporary fix to bridge a short-term gap. However, what was supposed to be a brief arrangement has dragged on for months with no local resolution in sight. While Parker noted his office lacks the manpower and budget to post dedicated deputies inside the town full-time, he made it clear that where public safety is concerned, parish law enforcement will not abandon the citizens of the town of Cullen as they await a resolution.

Taking over local law enforcement means far more than answering 911 calls. Parish deputies have taken on the complete back-end operation of Cullen’s police department: conducting full investigations, writing reports, transporting arrestees, issuing citations, collecting and submitting evidence to the state crime lab, and submitting cases to the District Attorney’s office when charges warrant. It places a heavy administrative and legal burden on WPSO deputies, who are executing dual roles for the exact same pay as taxpayers foot the bill for duplicate services.

The law enforcement crisis in Cullen actually began well before the cruisers ran out of gas. The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office had already been called upon to serve as Cullen’s primary dispatcher after neighboring Springhill terminated its dispatching agreement with the town due to Cullen’s failure to pay its bills.

Despite the ongoing public safety breakdowns, plans are moving forward for a major public gathering in the town. Alderwoman Denise Epps-Hoof recently announced via social media “FROGGY BOTTOM REUNION 2026 Sept. 4th and 5th Save the dates Share.”

 The announcement has raised immediate concerns about crowd management and security, given that the municipal police force remains completely grounded and parish deputies are already stretched thin covering routine town calls.

At the center of the fuel shutdown is a long-standing impasse over municipal accounts. Months back, Cullen Police Chief Fannie Rankin said that the department had been without a dedicated fuel card for nearly a year following unpaid balances owed to vendor Smith’s South Central.

Meanwhile, Mayor Hoof has consistently refused to address the grounded vehicles or clarify the town’s financial standing. Reached directly for comment regarding the fuel shortages and the stranded police units, Hoof responded, “I’m not interested in it, Ms. Tiffany. I’m working right now,” before abruptly hanging up. Four minutes later, Hoof sent a text message that read: : “nocommentever.” Subsequent calls to Cullen Town Hall have gone unanswered or disconnected immediately after ringing.

The current fuel shortage follows a broader pattern of financial disruptions, including a six-day lapse in auto insurance coverage earlier this year due to late payments and a prior incident, where a police cruiser ran out of gas near the department and required a tow while the officer operating it was on duty.

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Henrietta Standokes is wanted in connection with an incident that occurred on June 22. Detectives secured an arrest warrant following the incident. 

The following is the charge and bond amount associated with Henrietta Standokes:

• One count of exploitation of the infirmed with a surety bond amount of $45,000.

Please get in touch with Detective Brandon Curry (318-268-7044) of the Minden Police Department if you have information regarding the whereabouts of Henrietta Standokes.

All information will be confidential.

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

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United Way of Northwest Louisiana is partnering with the Webster Parish School Board for two community-wide, back-to-school initiatives: Pack The Bus, a school supply drive on July 24-25, and the 18th Annual Back-to-School Bash on August 2. 

Pack the Bus is a school supply drive that gives community members an opportunity to help equip local classrooms and students with the tools they need before the first day of school. 

United Way volunteers and Webster Parish School Board staff will collect donations at Walmart locations in Minden and Springhill on Friday, July 24 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Donations will continue at both locations on Saturday, July 25 from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Together, the organizations are collecting school supplies, mobilizing volunteers, and connecting families with resources that help students succeed.

Volunteers, donors, educators, and community organizations will come together under the partnership to ensure Webster Parish students have the supplies and support they need before the first day of school.

On August 2 the partnership continues during the Webster Parish School Board’s 18th Annual Back-to-School Bash. Families can receive school supplies, connect with community organizations, and learn about programs that support student success throughout the year. 

United Way will also host a community resource table featuring local services available to children and families.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to begin the school year with confidence,” said Ursula Hullaby, Safe Schools Coordination and Community Liaison, Webster Parish School Board. “When schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community members come together, we can make a lasting difference for our students and their families. We are grateful for United Way of Northwest Louisiana’s partnership and support in helping make these back-to-school initiatives a success.”

“I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand what these events mean to the students, families, and the entire Webster Parish community,” said Kimberly Williams, Director of Community Impact for United Way of Northwest Louisiana. “That’s why I knew United Way of Northwest Louisiana had to be part of this effort. Our partnership with the Webster Parish School Board reflects our shared commitment to investing in students, supporting families, and creating opportunities for success. When we invest in our children, we invest in the future of Webster Parish and Northwest Louisiana.”

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I don’t think there has been a single day since becoming a mother that I haven’t questioned whether I’m getting it right. Not because I don’t love my children enough, but because I know firsthand how much of who we become is shaped by what we experience as children. More than anything, I want my kids to grow up carrying confidence instead of fear, peace instead of anxiety, and security instead of uncertainty. I want my healing to become part of their story instead of my hurt.

One of the quietest promises I ever made was that my traumas would not become theirs.

That’s easier said than done.

The older my children get, the more I realize that healing isn’t something you finish before you become a parent. For many of us, healing happens while we’re raising our children. We’re learning healthier ways to communicate while teaching them how to express their emotions. We’re discovering what healthy boundaries look like while trying to create them in our own homes. Sometimes we’re reparenting ourselves at the exact same time we’re parenting our children.

There are moments that catch me off guard. A reaction that comes a little too quickly. A fear that doesn’t match the situation. A voice in my head that sounds more like my past than my present. In those moments, I have to stop and ask myself a difficult question: Is this what my child needs, or is this what my trauma is telling me?

That’s a hard distinction to make.

The truth is, trauma doesn’t always announce itself. It doesn’t always show up as dramatic memories or obvious pain. Sometimes it’s the fear of not being enough. Sometimes it’s apologizing for taking up space. Sometimes it’s believing love has to be earned instead of freely given. Sometimes it’s expecting perfection because mistakes never felt safe.

Those things have a way of following us into adulthood if we’re not careful.

I can’t protect my children from every disappointment life will bring. I can’t shield them from heartbreak or failure or loss. Those things are simply part of being human. But I can work every day to make sure they never have to question whether they’re loved. I can create a home where they feel safe enough to tell me the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. I can apologize when I lose my patience. I can let them see that adults make mistakes too, and that accountability isn’t weakness… it’s love in action.

I think that’s what breaking generational cycles really looks like. Not pretending we’re perfect, but choosing repair over pride. Choosing conversations over silence. Choosing to pause before repeating patterns we promised ourselves we’d never pass on.

I’ve realized that my children don’t need a flawless mother. They need a present one. They need someone willing to keep learning, keep growing, and keep showing up, even on the days when motherhood feels impossibly heavy.

Maybe one day they’ll look back and remember that our home wasn’t perfect. I know it won’t be. But I hope they’ll remember that it felt safe. I hope they remember they were heard. I hope they remember they never had to earn my love, and that they could always come home, no matter what.

If I can give them that, then every difficult conversation, every therapy session, every tear shed over becoming a healthier version of myself will have been worth it.

Because maybe the greatest gift we can give our children isn’t a perfect childhood. Maybe it’s making sure they don’t have to spend adulthood healing from the one we gave them.

(Paige Gurgainers is a mom of three girls, digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal.)

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The following persons are scheduled to appear before a petit jury in 26th Judicial District Court Monday, July 27.

JUDGE DOUG STINSON – FINAL PETIT JURY ORDER

COLLINS, WILLIAM DWAINE
100342 Unauthorized Use Of A Motor Vehicle

STAPLES, REBECCA MASON
99799A-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99799A-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

TURNER, TEVIN LOVAR
99980 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

SHINE, SHANNON
99110-CT.1 Attempted Second Degree Murder
99110-CT.2 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

MURPHY, MARSHAD FITZGERALD
99558 Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment
99558A Second Degree Rape

JUDGE PARKER SELF – FINAL PETIT JURY ORDER

BAILEY, BARRON SEMAJ
94980 CT 1 Racketeering
94980 CT 2 Illegal Possession Of Stolen Firearms
94980 CT 3 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)
94980 CT 4 Second Degree Murder
94980 CT 5 First Degree Feticide
$1797.33 restitution, $270 Fee = $2,067.33

BAILEY, BARRON SEMAJ
94784 CT 1 Possession with Intent to Distribute a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance, to wit: Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoids
94784 CT 2 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or Controlled Dangerous Substance

BAILEY, BARRON SEMAJ
94236 Illegal Possession Of Stolen Firearms

WILLS, DEMARCUS DEANDRE
99937 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

REYNOLDS, II, DANIEL WADE
100032 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

BOYD, JR, SHANNON KEITH
99852 CT 1 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
99852 CT 2 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
99852 CT 3 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS

ALEXANDER, RAKIYAH D.
100114 Home Invasion

GREEN, DEWAYNE DEMONT
100163 Obstruction of Justice by Tampering with Evidence
100163A Fail to Register and Notify as a Sex Offender/Child Predator

DAVIS, LAWEZLEON M.
99577 CT 1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)
99577 CT 2 Simple Burglary
99577 CT 3 Felony Illegal Possession Stolen Things ($5,000 – $25,000)
99577 CT 4 Felony Illegal Possession of Stolen Things ($1,000 – $5,000)
99577 CT 5 Felony Illegal Possession Stolen Things ($5,000 – $25,000)
Restitution per impact statements- $1,969 plus $295.35 fee = $2,264.35 total

MARKRAY, JADARIUS TERRENCE
100113 Unauthorized use of a Movable more than $1,000

STEPHENS, CEDRIC BERNARD
98255 Second Degree Murder

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The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Monday, July 27.

JUDGE DOUG STINSON – REGULAR DOCKET – Courtroom A

BIRDEN, III, JAMES
99414B Obstruction Of Justice
Please make sure forfeiture of 1,877 in US Currency is part of any plea/sentencing agreement.

BRUMELS, ANTHONY D
100108-CT.1 Domestic Abuse Battery – Strangulation – 1st Offense
100108-CT.2 Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment

BURDITT, DAVID TROY
100039 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

CHARLES, BRANDON MICHAEL
100000-CT.1 Aggravated Battery on a Police Officer
100000-CT.2 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon
100000-CT.3 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or CDS
100000-CT.4 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
100000-CT.5 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS
100000-CT.6 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS

CHATMAN, DAQUANESHA S
95343 Possession of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoids
95343 A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

COLLINS, WILLIAM DWAYNE
99342 Felony Illegal Possession of Stolen Things ($1,000 – $5,000)

EVANS, DAVENGELO LAJUAN
97438-CT.1 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Valued At $1,000 Or More But Under $50,000
97438-CT.2 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Valued At $1,000 Or More But Under $50,000
Restitution owed to the victims – $7,554.23 + $1,133.13 fee = $8,687.36 Balance as of 7/14/26 is $3,493.36

FARNHAM, MIKEL
100182 Fail to Register and Notify as a Sex Offender/Child Predator

GOLDSTON, LATRICIA
70,826 Theft Under $300

HUBBARD, KEVIN BRIAN
99977 Second Degree Kidnapping

JONES, JACOB D
99406 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

LOFTON, JATORIA MONIQUE
100124 Second Degree Battery

MCCUEN, BROOKSY JAKE
100039 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

MCKINNEY, DRAKE EDWARD
100115 Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered

PERRYMAN, JUSTIN W.
98315 Hit & Run Driving Resulting In Death Or Serious Bodily Injury

REEDER, RALTERRIAN
99103A Racketeering

REEDER, RALTERRIAN
99103A Racketeering

TRIPLETT, JR., ROBERT VERNON
99974 Possession of a Schedule IV CDS

JUDGE PARKER SELF – REGULAR DOCKET – Courtroom B

ANDREWS, II, JAMES ROBERT
99948 CT 1 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling
99948 CT 2 Attempted Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling

BAILEY, BARRON SEMAJ
94980 CT 1 Racketeering
94980 CT 2 Illegal Possession Of Stolen Firearms
94980 CT 3 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)
94980 CT 4 Second Degree Murder
94980 CT 5 First Degree Feticide
$1797.33 restitution, $270 Fee = $2,067.33

BAILEY, BARRON SEMAJ
94980 CT 1 Racketeering
94980 CT 2 Illegal Possession Of Stolen Firearms
94980 CT 3 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)
94980 CT 4 Second Degree Murder
94980 CT 5 First Degree Feticide
$1797.33 restitution, $270 Fee = $2,067.33

BOYD, JR, SHANNON KEITH
97709 CT 1 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
97709 CT 2 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
97709 CT 3 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS

BOYD, JR, SHANNON KEITH
T109924 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T109924A Improper Equipment (License Plate)

DOUGLAS, DEXRECH FAFON
100177 CT 1 Simple Burglary
100177 CT 2 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

EDWARDS, ERICA R
93586 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

EDWARDS, ERICA R
96402 Ct.1 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian
96402 Ct.2 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

EDWARDS, ERICA R
T-0723-20 Operating A Vehicle Without Current Number Plates
T-0723-20A Operating A Vehicle With An Expired Driver’s License

EDWARDS, ERICA R
T-3609-09 No Seat Belt
T-3610-09 No Child Restraint
T-3611-09 No Driver’s License

EDWARDS, ERICA R
T-2176-09 No Seat Belt

EMORY, HALEY BROOKE
100207 Theft of $5000 or More but Less than $25,000
Restitution owed- $7,776, plus $1,166.40 fee = $8,942.40 total

HENLEY, AMARU DAKWAN
99850 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or
Controlled Dangerous Substance
Please make forfeiture of firearm part of any sentencing/plea agreement

ISLAND, LISH ANTONIO
100491 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

ISLAND, LISH ANTONIO
99359 Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

JONES, BRUCE BERNARD
99073 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

JOSEPH, DAVID LYNN
100088 CT 1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
100088 CT 2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
100088 CT 3 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
Please make sure forfeiture of dwelling and property located at 707 Weston St, Minden, La and $3,268 in US Currency is part of any plea/sentencing agreement.

LAWRENCE, CHARLES AUSTIN
98628 Theft of a Motor Vehicle – $5,000 or more, but less than $25,000
Restitution owed to the victim per the victim impact statement- $947, plus $142.05 = $1,089.05 total

NEAL, QUAYCHARDIUS KEYUN
100272 Theft Of A Firearm – 1St Offense

PARKER, JASON DONALD
99630 Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

PATTERSON, JEREMY SHANE
98993 Aggravated Cruelty to Animals

QUAID, JUSTIN SHANE
95898 Theft of $5,000 or More but Less than $25,000
Restitution owed to the victim per report $15,000, plus $2,250 fee= $17,250 total

RUFFIN, DUSTIN JAMAR BLACKMON
99875 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

SHAW, SIMUEL MALIK
100011 CT 1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)
100011 CT 2 Obstruction of Justice by Tampering with Evidence

SHEHEE, CHANDRICKA
100060 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

SHEHEE, CHANDRICKA
100060 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

STEPHENS, CEDRIC BERNARD
T032923 Speeding 25 & OVER
T032923A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

STEVENS, MARCUS DARE
99524 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling

STEVENS, MARCUS DARE
100282 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Valued At $1,000 Or More But Under $50,000

STEVENS, MARCUS DARE
T031026 Improper Passing
T031026A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

STRIPLIN, CHARLES BRUCE
100278 Attempted Unauthorized Entry of an Inhabited Dwelling

TAYLOR, JAMIE M.
98604 CT 1 Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment
98604 CT 2 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

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Neem oil is a great product that is safe to use around the house, yard, and garden.  

Neem is a fungicide/miticide/insecticide. It is for use on fruits, nuts, vegetables, herbs, spices, roses, houseplants, flowers, trees, and shrubs.  

I like to recommend using Neem at lot.  It is considered organic and is fairly easy to use.  Neem comes as a ready-to-use product and also a concentrate.  

Neem helps to control many diseases. Powdery mildew, black spot, downy mildew, anthracnose, and many other diseases.  

As for as insects you’ve got aphids, spider mites, scale, and many other insects.  Mix 2 tablespoons per gallon of water. Thoroughly mix the solution and spray all plant surfaces including the underside of leaves until completely wet. Shake your sprayer frequently to keep the solution mixed.  

Neem is not as aggressive as other chemicals to harm beneficial insects and birds. It is safe for gardens and is also used in dog sprays and shampoos. 

It breaks down quickly and is actually beneficial to the soil and you can use it anytime of the year.  

A bottle of Neem is a really good product to keep around.  I highly recommend it.  

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at  mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)

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Organizer Michael Walker and his wife, Chequella, want all of Minden and the surrounding area to know the 11th Annual Prayer in the Park is for the entire community.

“We will be praying for the kids going back to school, teachers, first responders, public officials and our city,” Michael Walker said.

The event is Saturday, August 8 at 9 a.m. at Academy Park in Minden. This year, prayers will come from Chris Plants of Men of Courage and Prescott Thomas, St. Rest Baptist Church of Cullen.

Music will be provided by Gary Swanson and Clifford Williams. Attendees will meet the principal of Webster Jr. High, Anthony Kennedy and the Minden Fire Department will be on hand with smoke detectors.

“We will also be giving away clear backpacks while they last,” Walker said. “Kids need to be present to receive one.”

Backpacks are provided by Ward Marshal Dan Weaver, GBT Bank, Attorney Eric G. Johnson. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Yocom Law Firm. Walmart will provide refreshments.

“Please join us,” Walker said. “Let’s come together as one and lift up our community in prayer.”

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Intake # 26165 “Godiva” is an approximately 5 1/2 mo old pit mix.  She is spayed, microchipped,  up-to-date on vaccines,  started on flea prevention and heartworm prevention.  

Godiva is the sweetest girl and loves attention. She will grin for you., and she’s good with cats and other dogs.

Available for rescue through 501c3 group or approved adoption (MUST fill out application for adoption)

Adoption fee $50

Adoption application-  forms.gle/TfS5pe939gbP4t2i6

To find a previously featured dog, simply go to the “Search” box at the top right corner of websterparishjournal.com, type in “Pet Project,” and click on “Search.”

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By Paige Gurgainers

The Greater Minden Chamber is once again shining a spotlight on the next generation of community leaders as nominations are now open for the annual 15 Under 40 Young Professional Awards, presented by TG Companies, LLC.

The awards program recognizes 15 outstanding professionals under the age of 40 who are making a meaningful impact throughout the Greater Minden community. From business leaders and entrepreneurs to educators, healthcare professionals, nonprofit volunteers and public servants, the program celebrates individuals who are helping shape the future of the area through leadership, service and innovation.

The Greater Minden Chamber launched the initiative to recognize young professionals who are not only excelling in their careers but are also investing their time and talents into making Minden and the surrounding communities stronger. Organizers say the awards are designed to encourage leadership, highlight local success stories and inspire the next generation to become active contributors in the community.

Community members are encouraged to nominate individuals who consistently go above and beyond, whether they’re leading in the workplace, mentoring others, volunteering behind the scenes or finding new ways to improve the quality of life in their city. 

Nominations are open to young professionals under the age of 40 who live or work in the Greater Minden area. Anyone may submit a nomination, and Chamber leaders encourage businesses, coworkers, friends, family members and community organizations to take the time to recognize someone deserving.

In addition to honoring this year’s class of recipients, the Chamber is also seeking sponsors to support the event. Sponsorships help make the program possible while demonstrating a commitment to developing and celebrating the area’s future leaders.

Nominations will be accepted through Thursday, Aug. 14.

To nominate a young professional or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit greatermindenchamber.com/15under40.

As Minden continues to grow and evolve, the Chamber hopes the annual awards will serve as a reminder that the community’s future is already being shaped by young professionals who are choosing to lead, serve and make a lasting difference.

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By Jessica Gorman

Elizabeth Ferguson, born in 1776, has the oldest known year of birth in the Minden Cemetery and, to my knowledge, the parish. While we don’t know her exact date of birth, and as we celebrate 250 years of our country’s independence, we also acknowledge 250 years since Elizabeth’s birth. Next week, July 27th, is the anniversary of her death in 1851.

Elizabeth has been on my list to write about for some time, but I’ve struggled to find more about who she was. As I committed to writing this article, I hoped I would find the missing link that would put the pieces neatly together. That hasn’t happened, but that in itself is something to write about, the lesson in the search. We can learn from what we don’t find, or at least what hasn’t been found yet. We can also learn from analyzing what we do have.

So, why have I had trouble pinning down who Elizabeth Ferguson was? It’s partly because she’s a woman and one born during a time when there tends to be fewer records for women. She died in 1851 meaning, that unless she was widowed and a head of household during an earlier census year, the 1850 census is the only one that lists her individually by name. Even then, it’s just going to be a married name and, if we’re lucky, maybe some clues to a maiden name.

I start with a quick Ancestry.com search hoping to find Elizabeth in Claiborne Parish in 1850. No such luck. However, there is an Elizabeth, of the right age, in Avoyelles Parish. Next, I look for clues at the cemetery. There is no defined family plot where her grave is located. I check for other Fergusons that could be related. Elizabeth’s grave is located adjacent to graves for members of the Scott and Wade family. On FindAGrave.com, a contributor has listed Eliza Scott’s maiden name as Ferguson. That is my first solid clue.

Eliza Catherine Ferguson Scott was the wife of Rev. Winfrey B. Scott. A monument was erected in her memory many years after her death and indicates her death occurred 15 May 1864. Her husband was killed in the Civil War two weeks later on 1 June 1864, and then their son, Robert, was killed 18 December 1864.  

Eliza’s marriage to W.B. Scott occurred 19 September 1839 in Avoyelles Parish, a possible connection to Elizabeth Ferguson listed in the census in Avoyelles Parish.  That Elizabeth was married to James Ferguson. My focus shifts to him hoping for a record that names his wife and children. Typically, I would hope for a probate record. In this situation, I already know that he outlived Elizabeth. James is listed on the 1860 census in the household of a daughter, Elizabeth Morrison. His wife is not.

I have yet to find a probate record for James Ferguson, but I did find one for Elizabeth Ferguson Morrison filed in April 1867. This record indicates she had inherited land as part of her mother’s estate. It names her mother as Elizabeth Curry Ferguson.

Still unable to make any solid connection back to Claiborne Parish, I turned my attention back to Eliza Catherine Ferguson Scott, who I feel certain is the daughter of Elizabeth Ferguson buried in the Minden Cemetery. That’s when I finally found the only real evidence I have for now. 

Eliza’s marriage to W.B. Scott was not her first. On 24 December 1830, she married Isaac Enoch in St. Landry Parish. A notarial record in New Orleans, dated March 1839, names Mr. Elijah Curry Ferguson as representative of Mrs. Eliza Ferguson, widow of Isaac Enochs. It doesn’t reveal their relationship, but it certainly supports the possibility that the Elizabeth Ferguson I’m looking for was Elizabeth Curry Ferguson, wife of James Ferguson, resident of Avoyelles Parish.

Sometimes, in researching a person’s life, we find less by concentrating that search on them. We have to cast a wider net and look at the people around them to find the clues that tie them together. For now, the story of Elizabeth Ferguson is one of a woman who lived 75 years and for whom there is minimal evidence of her existence but her grave marker in the Minden Cemetery tells us that she did exist. Circumstantial evidence ties her to potential family members and I’ll keep digging.

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

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Two Washington Parish inmates face new charges in connection with jail fire

Two inmates are facing new charges in connection with a July 18, 2026, fire that caused the evacuation of the entire Washington Parish Jail in Franklinton. Following an investigation by the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal’s Fire (SFM), 69-year-old Harold G. Russell, an inmate from Bogalusa, and 41-year-old Eric Causey, an inmate from Franklinton, were each charged with Fire Raising in a Correctional Facility, a violation of Louisiana Revised Statute 14:204.1.

State Fire Marshal investigation leads to Monroe woman’s arrest

A 42-year-old Monroe woman has been charged with insurance fraud and theft over $5,000 after a Louisiana State Fire Marshal (SFM) investigation determined a fire-related insurance claim was filed for damage that  ccurred several months before the policy took effect. An arrest warrant was obtained July 21, 2026, for Tashira Glover, 42, of Monroe. Glover surrendered to the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office on the same day.

The investigation began following an insurance fraud referral from the Louisiana Department of Insurance. SFM investigators determined an insurance claim was filed with USAA on Jan. 13, 2026, for fire-related damage to a home in the 200 block of Eisenhower Drive in Monroe.

Additional investigative efforts determined the reported loss had actually occurred several months before the inception of the insurance policy.

State trooper make arrest in connection with fatal hit-and-run in Bossier Parish

Troopers have made an arrest in connection with the fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of 43-year-old Jerry Vest. As a result of the investigation and through information obtained, Troopers identified the vehicle involved in the crash as a 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe and  determined that 71-year-old Miguel Angel Ceballos-Vasquez of Shreveport was the vehicle’s driver when it struck Vest. On July 20, 2026, working in coordination with local, state, and federal authorities, Troopers located Ceballos-Vasquez and took him into custody without incident. Ceballos-Vasquez was transported to the Bossier Parish Maximum Security Jail, where he was processed on charges of felony hit-and-run driving and obstruction of justice. This investigation remains active and ongoing.

Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrests Baton Rouge man for defrauding EBR Program

Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) agents arrested a Baton Rouge man on charges of fraud involving an East Baton Rouge City-Parish program. The suspect, Roderick Shannon of 79th Avenue in Baton Rouge, was identified after agents received credible information alleging that Shannon may have defrauded an East Baton Rouge (EBR) program known as Safe, Hopeful, Healthy BR, a sub-unit of Mayor’s Healthy City Initiative (MHCI).

On June 20, 2026, Shannon was arrested on the following charges:

· LRS 14: 133 – Filing or Maintaining False Public Records (2 Counts)

· LRS 14:67 – Theft (Felony)

Fields will not seek re-election; plans to run for state Senate

Democratic U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields said Tuesday he would not seek reelection to his redrawn Louisiana congressional district that was at the center of a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling on race and redistricting.

The majority Black congressional district was redrawn by the state legislature in May to favor Republicans in November’s midterm elections. A month earlier, the Supreme Court ruled that Fields’ district relied too heavily on race and was an “unconstitutional gerrymander.” Fields, who a longtime fixture in Louisiana politics, said he would instead seek a seat in the state Senate.

SEC changes kill certain football rivalries

The league is introducing a nine-game league slate this season in an attempt to boost strength of schedule for what is now a playoff system that has a committee awarding seven at-large spots in the 12-team field. According to the AP, the once-a-year matchup between Florida and Tennessee that, back in the day, featured Steve Spurrier, Peyton Manning, Phillip Fulmer and snark that sometimes even outweighed the stakes — “You can’t spell Citrus without ‘U-T’” — is absent from the schedule for the first time in 37 seasons. Alabama-LSU — soon that’ll be gone, too, for the first time since 1963. The Gators and LSU — they’ll miss each other this year for the first time since 1970. Such is the price of progress in the Southeastern Conference, which has grown from 10 teams in the old days to 16 now.

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Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 93. Heat index values as high as 103. South wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.

Sunday

Sunny and hot, with a high near 96.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 77.

Monday

Sunny and hot, with a high near 99.

Monday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 77.

*Information provided by National Weather Service.

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

July – Every Tuesday

2 until 4 p.m. K-4th grade, Lakeview Methodist Church, Minden, crafts, games, and snacks.  July 28 we will have a movie and popcorn. Come join us for a month of summer fun – we can’t wait to see you!  Please wear clothing that you can paint or get messy in.

Register at: LakeviewMinden.com .

July 23

10 a.m. Town of Sibley: Identity Theft Community Awareness session, Sibley Town Hall. Call 318-377-0345.

July 24

4 until 7 p.m., Pack the Bus, Springhill Walmart and Minden Walmart.

July 24-26

6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday, 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Vacation Bible School, Pine Grove, Methodist Church, 4549 Lewisville Rd., Minden.

July 25

8 a.m. until 11 a.m. Pack the Bus, Springhill Walmart, Minden Walmart.

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 1

11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Girl Scout Troop 203 lemonade stand and fundraiser, Angel Park, corner of Main and North Monroe streets, Minden.

August 2

1 p.m. Backpack Give Away, Beech Springs Baptist Church, 15910 US-80 Minden, pre-K through 5th grades. First come, first served. A parent must be with the child in order for them to receive a backpack. For more information, email jennyogle83@gmail.com or call 318-344-4919.

August 8

9 a.m., 11th Annual Prayer in the Park, Academy Park, Minden. Prayers for kids going back to school, teachers, first responders, public officials, City of Minden. Clear backpack giveaways. For more information, call Michael Walker at 318-210-1799.

August 11

11:30 a.m., Q4 Growth Blueprint: Marketing & Lead Generation for Local Businesses, Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce, 110 Sibley Rd., Minden. Register at online at https://forms.gle/v9teyC62HpfHLhTy9 .

August 14

Nomination deadline for 15 Under 40 Top Young Professionals. greatermindenchamber.com/15under40.

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 and a light lunch provided by Hugh Wood Catering. Childcare is provided. Registration is open through July 31. Register at https://onrealm.org/NorthAcresBapti31149/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=ZTc4OTQ2Y2EtZmM3Ny00MWM2LWE2NmUtYjQzMzAwZmUyZDgx .

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The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week of July 17 through 23. Civil Suits are public record.

July 17
Billy Howard Kidd, succession over $125K.
Malissa Glenn vs. Justin Glenn, divorce.
Cameron Cosby vs. Jerry Walker, Cynthia Walker, petition.
Capital One vs. Thomas E. McVay, damages.
Aaron D. McCray vs. La. Depart. Of Health, petition.
James Cameron Brunston vs. Benson Environmental Service of La., Inc., Robert Michael Allen Pennell, damages.

July 18
Cavalry SPV I, LLC vs. Hannah Gearard, monies due.

July 20
Olivia Greene Thornton, succession over $125K.
Sara Hindley vs. Daniel Hindley, divorce w/children.
James M. Boots vs. William Cherry, protective order.
Southwood Financial LLC vs. Cameron Combs, monies due.
Republic Financial LLC vs. David M. Jackson, monies due.
U.S. Bank Trust National Association vs. Sherrica L. Moody, executory process.
Carter Federal Credit Union vs. Charles W. Bishop, Mindy R. Bishop, executory process.
Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC vs. Geoffrey Moseley, executory process.

July 21
Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Jennifer Lewis, judgment executory and garnishment.
Capital One vs. Allie E. Coleman, monies due.
Crown Asset Management LLC vs. Steven Woods, monies due.

July 22
Gary Vincent Evans, succession over $125K.
Bewel Leon Durbin, succession over $125K w/petition to probate.
Regions Bank vs. the unopened succession and union heirs of Grady Edward Franklin, executory process.
Justin W. McCarty vs. Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles, other.

July 23
Gerald Ray White, succession over $125K.
Martha Sappington vs. Thomas Garland, damages.
Marlon Coleman vs. LaTasha Robinson Coleman, divorce.
Joatthan P. Maxwell vs. Brittany Ann McCoy on behalf of minor child, damages.
LaQuerryia Coleman vs. Chacoria Rhone, protective order.

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Anternisha Keaurdra Zardee Kingsby, 32, 300 block West 4th St., Homer: arrested July 22 by WPSO on warrants. Bond set $8,500.

Johnny Thompson, 65, Camelot Dr., Springhill: arrested July 22 by Springhill PD on warrants for resisting arrest by force/violence, battery of a police officer. Bond set $10,000.

Ashley R. Doss, 40, 600 block Gilmer, Plain Dealing: arrested July 23 by WPSO for misdemeanor theft. 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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By Pat Culverhouse

A man wanted on fugitive warrants from the Shreveport Police Department is currently waiting in the parish prison after a failed attempt to outrun a Minden police officer on Interstate 20.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said 21-year-old Jeremiah Dejuan Buffin’s vehicle was radar measured at 92 miles per hour on I-20 around 1:50 a.m. Wednesday by Lt. Shawn Griffith who was working speed enforcement.

When the officer initiated his emergency lights, Buffin reportedly accelerated to speeds in excess of 130 miles per hour in an attempt to flee. During his flight, Buffin reportedly swerved in and out of traffic and drove his vehicle on the shoulder of the highway.

Following a brief pursuit, Buffin reportedly exited the interstate at the Hwy. 531 exit (mile marker 49) and abruptly applied his brakes at a traffic roundabout. The sudden stop caused Lt. Griffith’s patrol unit to strike Buffin’s vehicle, forcing both vehicles into a ditch.

Lt. Griffith was assisted by his K9 partner, Brahms, to ensure Buffin did not attempt to flee on foot after the vehicles were stopped.

Buffin reportedly told officers he was fleeing Shreveport due to an encounter involving a firearm. He told officers he fled when he saw the emergency blue lights due to him being “afraid.”

Charges against Buffin include aggravated flight from an officer,  fugitive from Shreveport PD, speeding (92/70), no driver’s license and reckless operation. He is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. No bond has been 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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