By Tiffany Flournoy –

Editor’s Note: This article is part of an ongoing independent  reporting series that started in late 2025 examining municipal operations, public accountability and transparency in the Town of Cullen. The reporting and original work in this series were independently produced.

CULLEN, La. — Cullen voters will not elect a mayor to fill the town’s vacant leadership position until 2027, while a court-appointed fiscal administrator is set to oversee the financially-distressed town’s affairs under a final order signed by a district judge.

Under a proclamation issued by Gov. Jeff Landry, a special primary election will be held Oct. 9, 2027, throughout the jurisdiction of the mayor of the Town of Cullen in Webster Parish. The election will fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term. A special general election is scheduled for Nov. 20, 2027, if a runoff is necessary. Candidate qualifying will take place Aug. 3-5, 2027.

Former Mayor Terry “Bippy” Hoof resigned effective July 31, 2026. His term was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2028.

The mayoral vacancy has since been mentioned during Town Council meetings under “Other Business.” However, meeting records reviewed by the Webster Parish Journal do not show the council formally addressing the process for calling a special election or taking official action to initiate one.

In a separate development, 26th Judicial District Judge Michael Nerren signed a final order on Oct. 19 appointing Achilles D. Williams as fiscal administrator for the Town of Cullen.

The order stems from an Oct. 2 joint motion filed by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, on behalf of the state, and the town. The motion sought court approval to appoint Williams after the Louisiana Fiscal Review Committee determined Sept. 2 that Cullen was in a severe fiscal emergency.

Nerren’s order states that Williams is “immediately appointed” as fiscal administrator and grants him the authority, powers and duties outlined in Louisiana Revised Statutes 39:1351-1357. The judge also adopted the parties’ mutually-agreed consent judgment as the judgment of the court and designated the ruling a final order.

Under the order, Williams will oversee the town’s fiscal affairs and exercise the statutory powers and duties assigned to an independent fiscal administrator. The town is responsible for the costs of the administration.

In seeking the appointment, the state warned that Cullen’s inability to meet its financial obligations threatened town operations and the provision of basic governmental services, potentially placing public health, safety and welfare at risk.

© 2026 Webster Parish Journal. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication, including text, photographs, graphics, or multimedia, may be reproduced, distributed, republished, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission from the publisher.

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Pick’em players: Week 9 of Webster Parish Journal’s Pick’em Contest has begun, and Minden High School has a bye this week.

You can click below for this week’s games, pick the winning teams and get in the running to win $100. The game closes out at 6 p.m. Friday, and a new game starts Monday.

Our four parish high school teams will be featured in the contest (unless there is a bye), as well as some college and pro teams and two tie breakers.

Each week, the contest closes at 6 p.m. before Friday’s high school games, unless there is a Thursday game, then it closes at 6 p.m. that day.

Weekly winners will be notified and announced in the Journal. If you win, your photo will be taken with the owner of our Title Sponsor Under Dawgs. Remember, you must 18 or older to play.

Thank you to all our sponsors this year. In addition to Title Sponsor Under Dawgs, Broken Bean will be our anchor sponsor. Others include Holcomb’s Body Shop, A.J. Price Tire, Brown Chrysler, Shelter Insurance, KASO/KBEF, Express Tax and Title and Mike’s Hometown Spirits with Hugh Woods Specialty Meats and Catering. Please patronize these local businesses.

So, fire up your phones, tablets or computers to pick ‘em, click the button below and get started.

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Story and photos by Marilyn Miller –

Minden High School welcomed hundreds of alumni from the Classes of 1956 through 2026 during the weekend of Oct. 23-25, 2026. The weather was beautiful for all events, with the sun shining on floats of Homecoming royalty, classmates on floats (a roomy bus for the alumni of 1956), and marching groups from the MHS Band to the MHS Louisi-Annes.

Every venue in town was busy with alumni visiting, dining together, and some dancing. As a special measure of welcome, the Webster Parish Fair was in town for those wanting to stroll the midway and dine on cotton candy during the weekend.

The Minden Crimson Tide capped a successful Homecoming with a 52 to 13 win over the Southwood Cowboys (in a conference game). It was an especially memorable evening for the 12 members  of the Class of 1956 who attended the game. Their class took home the State Championship trophy in football that year. Minden is presently 6-2 in the Class 4-AAAA standings.

(Pictured) Ten members of the Class of 1956 gathered at the Broken Bean prior to climbing on the bus for the parade Friday afternoon; while the Classes of 1976 and 1986 (and others) climbed aboard hay-strewn semi-trailers for their hand-waving rides around historic downtown Minden.

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Eligible organizations, including schools, local governments, camps, and nonprofits, may apply through March 31, 2027, to serve healthy meals to children when school is out for the summer

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Department of Education’s Division of Nutrition Support is now accepting applications from eligible agencies and organizations to serve as sponsors and program sites for the 2027 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides healthy meals to children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, during the summer months when school is not in session.

The federally funded SFSP is administered on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the state’s education department. Any child aged 18 or younger, or anyone over the age of 18 who is determined by a state or local educational agency or a local public education agency to be mentally or physically disabled and who participates during the school year in a public or private non-profit school program established for the mentally or physically disabled, may receive meals through the SFSP. The program is held in economically disadvantaged areas, or neighborhoods and communities in which half of the school children are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year. Eligibility may also be determined by census information, via use of site-level Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) information, or by use of individual eligibility of children.

Approved sponsors receive financial assistance to help with the cost of obtaining, preparing, and serving food under the program, including administrative costs. Sponsors must be able to provide capable staff, managerial skills, and food service capabilities. A sponsor may provide its own meals, purchase meals through an agreement with an area school, or contract for meals with a food vendor.

Examples of local organizations that often serve as sponsors include: public or private non-profit schools; local, municipal, parish, tribal or state governments; private non-profits; public or private non-profit camps; and private or non-profit universities or colleges.

To find more information about upcoming training sessions provided by the Louisiana Department of Education, visit Louisiana Fit Kids. From this link, click on “training” to view (and register for) an upcoming training session. Interested parties may register for the February (Prospective New Sponsors) or March (Returning Sponsor) training session on the LA Fit Kids Website. Trainings for the 2027 SFSP will be in-person and conducted by Division of Nutrition Support staff. Following the live trainings, associated slide decks will be posted to the LA Fit Kids Website (under “Training” > “Training Slides”) for individuals who wish to view the training after its conclusion.

Potential sponsors must complete training prior to application approval. Applicants will be notified once staff has reviewed applications. To view the application checklist for prospective new sponsoring organizations, please visit the LA Believes Website (clicking on Funding, then Federal: Child Nutrition, and then scrolling to the section titled “Learn More About Louisiana’s Child Nutrition Programs” to access the SFSP Checklist PDF).

The program is also in need of agencies or organizations that are willing to serve as program sites. The sites are the physical locations where food is served. Each site location must work with an approved program sponsor that is financially and administratively responsible for meeting all program requirements for the applicable meal service type(s) at the site.

Applications are being accepted now through March 31, 2027, from those who wish to participate in the 2027 Summer Food Service Program.

For more information on this program, contact the Department’s Division of Nutrition Support at 1-877-453-2721 or (225) 342-9661. Individuals may also contact Division of Nutrition Support Staff via email at the following email address: childnutritionprograms@la.gov.

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When it comes to raising financially responsible children, few lessons are more valuable than learning how to save, invest, and let money grow over time. A new option for families, known as Trump Accounts, offers an opportunity to introduce children to those principles while potentially building a foundation for their financial future.

Regardless of your political affiliation or opinion of the legislation that created these accounts, it’s worth understanding how these accounts work and whether your family can benefit.

What Are Trump Accounts?

Trump Accounts are a new type of individual retirement arrangement (IRA) established for eligible children under age 18 who have a valid Social Security number. They are designed to give children a head start on long-term investing, with special rules governing contributions, investments, and withdrawals.

One of the most talked-about features is a one-time $1,000 contribution from the federal government for eligible U.S. citizens born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. Families must elect to receive this contribution; it is not automatic simply because an account exists.

How Do You Open an Account?

As of October 2026, eligible children have been automatically enrolled by the Treasury Department. Parents or guardians must still claim and activate their child’s account before managing it or arranging family contributions.

The process begins with the official Trump Accounts app or website at TrumpAccounts.gov. You will need identifying information for yourself and your child, including the child’s Social Security number and date of birth. You will also be required to upload a valid form of identification as the child’s parent or legal guardian. Follow the instructions to verify your identity, claim the account, and complete activation. If your child qualifies for the $1,000 government contribution, make sure you also elect to receive it.

How Can Families Add Money?

Parents, grandparents, relatives, and friends can help build the account through contributions, subject to applicable annual limits. The general annual limit for contributions from individuals and employers combined is $5,000 per child, with certain exceptions. Employers may contribute up to $2,500 annually toward an employee’s account or a dependent’s account, subject to the rules and limits. Employer contributions can offer an additional way to help a child get started.

During childhood, the money must be invested in eligible mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track broad indexes of primarily U.S. companies. This means the account is designed for long-term market investing rather than frequent trading or choosing individual stocks. As with any stock-market investment, balances can fluctuate and losses are possible.

The opportunity for financial education may be just as important as the money itself. Parents can show children how regular contributions, investment growth, and compounding work over time. A child who watches an account grow may develop an appreciation for patience, saving, and making informed financial decisions.

When Can the Money Be Withdrawn?

Trump Accounts are not intended to be a source of spending money during childhood. Generally, withdrawals are prohibited before the calendar year in which the child turns 18, with limited exceptions. Once the special growth period ends, most traditional IRA rules apply.

At that point, the account can become part of a young adult’s broader financial plan. However, it isn’t a penalty-free account for every purpose. Traditional IRA rules generally impose a 10% additional tax on taxable early distributions before age 59 1/2 unless an exception applies. Certain qualified expenses or circumstances may qualify for exceptions, but the details matter.

What About Taxes?

Trump Accounts generally follow traditional IRA tax rules, with special provisions during childhood. Investment earnings grow tax-deferred, meaning taxes generally are not owed annually on dividends or capital gains inside the account. Contributions made by parents or other individuals are generally not deductible, and employer contributions have separate tax treatment.

When money is withdrawn, the taxable portion is generally included in the beneficiary’s income. Depending on the child’s age, the reason for the withdrawal, and applicable exceptions, an additional tax may also apply. Families should review the rules with a financial advisor or tax professional before taking distributions.

A Tool Worth Understanding

No single account will address every family’s financial needs, and Trump Accounts should be compared with other savings options such as 529 plans, Coverdell education plans, and custodial accounts. Still, these accounts provide another opportunity to introduce children to investing and long-term planning. I think we’d all agree that additional financial literacy is a win for our children.

Tracy L. Campbell is a partner and financial advisor at Meriwether Wealth and Planning, an independent Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firm headquartered in downtown Minden, La. E-mail Tracy at tracy@meriwether.com. Disclaimer: This content is for general knowledge and education, not a substitute for professional advice.

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Springhill Medical Center, where they treat you like family, is hiring full- and part-time housekeepers. Apply online at www.smccare.com/careers .

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BARBERINO-TAVARNELLE, TUSCANY—Some of my closest friends have crossed the Atlantic with me 11 or 12 times. Ten years ago, I didn’t know their names.

This past June, 34 of my Yonderlust travelers came to Hattiesburg for a weekend. At dinner in the Branch Room at Crescent City Grill, I looked around at people I’d met over meals in Italy, boat rides in Greece, and late-night tapas in Spain.

They were talking, laughing, and catching up. Most of us wouldn’t have known one another if I hadn’t started hosting folks in Tuscany.

I’m 65. Between friends from childhood and the ones I’ve made over almost 40 years in the restaurant business, I figured the roster was pretty well set. Making this many new, close friends at this stage of the game has been the nicest surprise of Yonderlust Travel.

It started because people kept asking if I would take them to Tuscany.

I’d been traveling there for a couple of years and had gotten to know chefs, farmers, winemakers, and restaurant owners. Those relationships grew over repeat visits, kitchen conversations, and long lunches. Folks back in Mississippi wanted to meet some of those people and see the places I loved.

So, in 2016, I gathered a group and did just that. There wasn’t a business plan. I had restaurants to run, books to sell, a family to raise, and this column to write (not in that order).

I figured we’d eat well, see some beautiful countryside, and come home with a few stories, and that would be the end of it. I’ve been wrong about plenty of things in almost 40 years as a restaurant owner, but rarely by this wide a margin.

People wanted to go again, and they brought friends. Those friends wanted to know where we were going next, and it kept rolling from there.

Today Yonderlust Travel has a director and a team in America and partners in Europe who help us put the trips together. We’ve hosted roughly 80 trips for about 1,700 guests across more than 13 countries and 140 towns and cities. That’s with two years off for COVID.

I’m still a restaurateur first, I love that business as much as ever, and we’re growing. I didn’t go looking for another career, though. It sort of snuck up on me.

It turns out that running a restaurant and showing people around Italy have a lot in common. In both cases you’re asking people to trust you with their time and hoping they’ll enjoy themselves enough to come back.

Last year, I was going through our guest lists and noticed people who’d been on eight, nine, and 10 trips. A few have now reached 11 or 12.

That’s a lot of vacation days and a lot of money. Some of those folks have spent more nights in Italian hotels with me than at their in-laws’ houses.

I’ve always believed that if somebody eats at your restaurant every Friday, you ought to know who they are and what they like. Here were people who had crossed an ocean with me again and again. How do you thank folks like that?

We had kept improving the trips— better hotels, places guests would have a hard time finding on their own, and the kind of behind-the-scenes access you can’t book online. But another wonderful lunch in Tuscany wasn’t quite the thank-you I had in mind.

I wanted to bring them to Hattiesburg and take care of them there.

That’s how Yonderlust Elite began. Anyone who had traveled with me five or more times qualified for a weekend in my hometown, at my expense. I’d pick up the hotel bills, the meals, and the outings.

Thirty-four people came in June. There are 47 on the Elite list now.

We started with cocktails at my house. I had iced tea (43 years and counting). From there we headed to the Branch Room at Crescent City Grill, where Chef Nevil Barr put on a terrific dinner.

I handed out gifts recognizing the number of trips each person had taken, all the way up through 10.

The next morning, we had breakfast at The Midtowner and went to the Hattiesburg Zoo before it opened. We fed the giraffes. They were thrilled to see us (or at least the food we were carrying).

Lunch was at Ed’s Burger Joint. That afternoon, George Bassi gave us a private tour of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art in Laurel. Dinner that night was at Tabella, and we wrapped up the weekend Sunday morning with breakfast at Loblolly Bakery.

For years, I’d been turning people from Mississippi on to the places I love overseas. That weekend, I got to show them some of the people and places I love back home.

Though the thing I remember most happened around the tables.

People who’d traveled together years earlier picked right up where they’d left off. Others who’d never been on the same trip were talking like old neighbors. Nobody was in a hurry to leave.

If you go on a seven-day trip with us, you may eat 21 meals together. On a 10-day trip, that number jumps to 30. I’m not sure I eat that many meals with some of my oldest friends at home in an entire year.

These aren’t quick lunches, either. In Italy or Spain, you can sit at a table for two hours while plate after plate comes out of the kitchen.

On a trip to Spain a few years back, I sat next to Mike Boyles at a lunch that ran close to three hours. By the time dessert came out, I knew where he grew up and the names of every one of his grandchildren. At dinner that night, Mike had saved me a seat.

Mike and his family have been on eight trips with me since. These days, I’m the one saving him a seat.

I went into this thinking the best part would be showing people extraordinary places and feeding them great food, and I still love doing that. Over the years, though, I’ve watched strangers become friends. They keep in touch at home and visit one another, and when they travel again, there are familiar faces waiting at the table.

The Elite weekend will happen again. My hope is that the list grows to 100, then 200. If we outgrow the Branch Room, we’ll find another place to gather. I’ve been in the restaurant business long enough to know how to set another table.

I invited those 34 people because I wanted to thank them for coming back, year after year. They could have traveled with anyone— or stayed home— and they chose to spend those weeks with us.

We put them up, fed them, and showed them around my hometown. When Sunday morning came, I wished we’d had one more day.

Ten years ago, I was inviting people to sit at my favorite tables in Tuscany. In June, those same people were sitting at mine in Hattiesburg, and if that Elite list keeps growing the way I hope it will, the zoo is going to need a lot more giraffe food.

Onward.

Mini Pecan Tartlets

Rich and nutty, like your eccentric uncle. Must be held and served at room temperature.

Sweet Tart Dough:
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 /2 teaspoon salt
1 egg

Preheat oven to 325

To make the sweet dough: Place the sugar, butter, and vanilla extract in the bowl of an electric mixer. With the paddle attachment, beat ingredients until creamy. Add flour and salt and mix until just combined. Add egg and mix until just combined (this can also be done in a food processor). Form a disk out of the dough, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 1/2 hour.

When dough is slightly chilled, place on a lightly floured surface. Roll dough out in a rectangular shape, approximately 11×15-inches in size. Transfer dough to a 9×13 baking sheet, and gently press dough into bottom and sides of the pan (dough should come up the sides of the pan about one inch).

Refrigerate dough 30 minutes, and bake for 10 minutes. While crust is cooling, prepare the filling.

Filling

1 cup unsalted butter
1 1 /2 cups brown sugar
1 /4 cup sugar
1 /2 cup honey
1 /4 teaspoon fine salt
1 /3 cup heavy cream
4 1 /2 cups pecan pieces

While the pastry is cooling, combine butter, brown sugar, white sugar, honey, and salt in a large pot over high heat. Boil six minutes. Remove from the heat and carefully stir in the cream (Mixture will boil up while adding the cream, so be very careful during this step not to burn yourself).

Add pecans and mix thoroughly. Pour the filling evenly over the baked pastry. Bake for 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

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

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BPCC students now have clear transfer pathways to pursue bachelor’s degrees at Louisiana Tech University

BOSSIER CITY, La. – Bossier Parish Community College and Louisiana Tech University have established an Education Pathway Partnership Agreement that streamlines the transfer process and provides students with advising and transfer information to help them reach their academic goals.

Now in effect, the agreement creates pathways to several bachelor’s degrees in Louisiana Tech’s College of Education and Human Sciences, including psychology, human development and family science, kinesiology and health science, elementary education, secondary education in biology, and secondary education in social studies. Students can transfer credits from BPCC associate degrees in arts, general studies, or science, including concentrations in social science, general science, natural science, and teaching grades 1-5.

“This partnership creates clearer pathways for BPCC students,” said Bateman. “By working together with Louisiana Tech, we are building on the strong foundation students establish at BPCC and helping them turn their ambitions into bachelor’s degrees and brighter futures.”

Each pathway identifies courses Louisiana Tech will accept, giving students and advisors a clear academic plan. Louisiana Tech advisors will work directly with BPCC students to review transcripts and confirm how their credits apply.

BA in Psychology at Louisiana Tech from the Associate of Arts (Louisiana Transfer–Social Sciences concentration) at BPCC.

BS in Human Development & Family Science at Louisiana Tech from the Associate of Arts (Louisiana Transfer–Social Sciences Concentration) at BPCC.

BS in Kinesiology & Health Sciences at Louisiana Tech from the Associate of Science, General Science (Natural Science) at BPCC.

BS in Elementary Education at Louisiana Tech from the Associate of Science in Teaching (Grades 1–5) at BPCC.

BS in Secondary Education (Biology) at Louisiana Tech from the Associate of General Studies at BPCC.

BS in Secondary Education (Social Studies) at Louisiana Tech from the Associate of General Studies at BPCC.

The Education Pathway Partnership Agreement formalizes transfer pathways to support student success and fosters collaboration among deans from both institutions to expand opportunities for students, faculty and staff through special events, advisory board service and professional development workshops.

“This partnership is designed to serve students even better by easing the transfer process and providing necessary support as students pursue their bachelor’s degree at Tech,” Louisiana Tech Provost Dr. Donna Thomas said. “The College of Education and Human Sciences is our fastest growing college and will continue that growth with students prepared at BPCC.”

Visit http://www.bpcc.edu for more information about Bossier Parish Community College and the opportunities available through this partnership.

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By Brad Dison

On April 3, 1783, in the same week that New Yorkers learned of the Treaty of Paris which officially ended the American Revolutionary War, proud parents William and Sarah welcomed a new boy into the world. William was a prosperous merchant who envisioned his son eventually joining the family business. As the boy grew older, however, he became less interested in his schoolwork and more interested in tales of adventure. He was the type of student who got lost in his own imagination when he was supposed to be studying. He longed for an adventure of his own. In 1798, an outbreak of yellow fever provided the boy with an unexpected adventure. To escape the epidemic, his parents sent him and his siblings to Tarrytown, New York, a small rural port town about 25 miles north of Manhattan along the Hudson River. The city boy fell in love with the countryside, especially a nearby Dutch settlement known as Slapershaven. The boy, Geoffrey Crayon, later described the settlement: “Not far from this village, perhaps about two miles, there is a little valley or rather lap of land among high hills, which is one of the quietest places in the whole world. A small brook glides through it, with just murmur enough to lull one to repose; and the occasional whistle of a quail or tapping of a woodpecker is almost the only sound that ever breaks in upon the uniform tranquility.”  To Geoffrey, it was paradise.

When the threat of yellow fever subsided, the children returned to Manhattan and resumed their studies. Geoffrey continued to daydream at the expense of his education. More interested in the arts than in business, he dreamed of becoming a writer. In 1802, he began publishing articles about the local social and theater scene in the New York Morning Chronicle, a newspaper edited by his brother. In 1806, he took and barely passed the bar exam, but his passion remained writing. In 1807, he helped create a moderately successful satirical magazine in which he referred to New York City as Gotham more than 130 years before the name became associated with Batman. The War of 1812 was disastrous for many New York merchants, including Geoffrey’s family. In 1815, he traveled to England in an unsuccessful attempt to save the family’s trading company. Rather than returning home, Geoffrey remained in England to pursue his writing career. Although he failed to save the family business, his writing career thrived. His books were well received.

In 1819, Geoffrey began publishing essays and short stories in a collection called The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. His thoughts often returned to the little Dutch settlement he had visited as a boy. Slapershaven had made a lasting impression on him, and he used the peaceful community as the setting for one of his most famous stories. Geoffrey eventually returned to the United States and settled near the place that had captured his imagination as a boy. He remained there for the rest of his life. His tale became wildly popular and has never been out of print. It has been adapted for television, films, and other media. So popular was the story that the old Dutch community, originally known as Slapershaven, Dutch for Sleepers’ Harbor, eventually became known by the name in Geoffrey’s book. Geoffrey Crayon was not the name given to him by his parents, it was the pen name of Washington Irving, the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  Happy Halloween!

Sources:

1.     Washington Irving, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., 1820.

2.     Chicago Tribune, November 30, 1859, p.1.

3.     Washington Irving, Salmagundi, New York : R.F.Fenno, 1900, https://archive.org/details/salmagundi00irviiala/page/13/mode/2up.

4.     Tarrytown Daily News, December 11, 1996, p.1.

© 2026 Brad Dison. All rights reserved. Remember This? is distributed for licensed publication only.

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Motorcyclist killed in St. Landry Parish crash

Washington – On October 24, 2026, shortly after 5:00 p.m., Louisiana State Police Troop I began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash involving a motorcycle on Louisiana Highway 103, south of Wedgewood Road. This crash claimed the life of a 53-year-old man from Washington.
The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2021 Harley-Davidson was traveling north on LA 103. For reasons still under investigation, the Harley-Davidson failed to negotiate a right-hand curve, exited the roadway to the left, and struck an embankment.
The motorcyclist was ejected from the motorcycle, sustained fatal injuries, and was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was wearing a DOT-approved helmet at the time of the crash.
A standard toxicology sample was collected from the motorcyclist and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Motorcyclist killed in Rapides Parish crash, impairment suspected

Rapides Parish – On Sunday, October 25, 2026, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a one-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 1207 at Leon Whatley Road.  This crash claimed the life of a 44-year-old man from Deville.
The initial investigation revealed that a 2023 Harley Davidson motorcycle was eastbound on Louisiana Highway 1207. For reasons still under investigation, the vehicle exited the roadway, entered the ditch, overturned multiple times, which sequentially ejected the driver from the vehicle.
The driver sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. Impairment is a suspected factor. This crash remains under investigation.

Residential fire claims lives of Livingston Parish siblings

Livingston Parish (October 26, 2026) – A 65-year-old woman and her 61-year-old brother died following a residential fire Saturday morning.
The Livingston Fire District 2 responded to the fire in the 20,000 block of Faust Cir at approximately 6:42 a.m. Oct. 24, 2026. The two siblings were found deceased inside the home.
At the request of Livingston Fire District 2, the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) is investigating the fire.
The origin and cause remain under investigation. SFM investigators determined the home did not have a working smoke alarm.

Custodian sentenced for role in New Orleans jailbreak of 10 inmates

NEW ORLEANS — A New Orleans jail worker received a 2.5-year prison sentence Thursday for enabling 10 inmates to escape through a hole behind a toilet after he turned off its water.
Custodian Sterling Williams, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of malfeasance in office for clearing the way for one of the largest jailbreaks in recent U.S. history. In May 2025, after Williams shut off the water in a cell, 10 inmates removed a toilet, crawled through a gap in the wall and scaled a fence out of the jail. They left behind a scrawled graffiti note reading “To Easy LoL.”
Williams’ attorney, Michael Kennedy, said that Williams did not intentionally help the escapees but acknowledged making mistakes. Williams should have had a work order generated before shutting off the water for the clogged toilet, his attorney said.
“He does admit that he failed to follow protocol in a job as a public employee, and that it is possible that those actions aided in a plan hatched by 10 inmates to escape,” Kennedy said. “But again, without Mr. Williams’ knowledge.”

Former caregiver arrested in $2,302 utility identity theft investigation

Shreveport police announced Monday, Oct. 26, the arrest of a former in-home caregiver accused of using a former client’s identity to obtain utility services. Investigators identified the suspect as Gabrielle Moore. According to authorities, Moore allegedly used the victim’s personal information to establish a utility account, resulting in an unpaid balance of $2,302.40. The investigation involved allegations that the account was established without the former client’s authorization. The case highlights the potential financial consequences of identity theft involving personal information obtained through a position of trust.

Monroe woman booked for attempted murder after Spearsville shooting

The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman following a shooting in Spearsville Sunday evening.
At about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, UPSO deputies, along with the Spearsville Police Department, responded to a residence in Spearsville regarding a shooting. Officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to his shoulder. The suspect was identified as Delynn Eubanks, 58, of Monroe.
During the investigation, deputies learned an altercation had occurred between the victim and Eubanks. According to the victim, Eubanks went outside to retrieve a firearm from her vehicle before returning to the residence and shooting him. The victim said Eubanks attempted to fire a second shot, but the firearm did not discharge.

The victim was transported to a medical facility for treatment. As of Monday morning, he is considered to be in stable condition.
Eubanks was arrested and booked into the Union Parish Detention Center for attempted second degree murder.  Her bail was set at $500,000 by a Third Judicial District judge.

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Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 55. Calm wind.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.

Friday Night

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Saturday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59.

*Information provided by National Weather Service

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

Every Friday in October

7 p.m. American Legion Post #182 BINGO, Ringgold.

October 29

7:30 p.m. Outdoor Movie Night, Lakeside Jr/Sr High School football field. The Nightmare Before Christmas is featured.

October 30

7 p.m. “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” movie in courtyard of First Methodist Minden, 903 Broadway.

October 31

BOO with the Blue: Trick or Treating at Dixie Inn Park.

November 6-8

Main to Main Trade Days, from downtown Minden to Main Street Springhill.

November 7

10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Mission Adoption Bazaar, Craft, Makers Fair, Bake and Casserole Sale, Silent Auction and Lunch

First Baptist Church, Family and Community Life Center, Minden.

All proceeds go to participating families adopting and/or fostering.

4 until 6 p.m., Fall Festival, 814 Constable St. (back parking lot), hosted by The Christian Church at Minden and Joe LeBlanc Food Pantry. Outdoor movie playing immediately afterward.

7 p.m. Movie Night, sponsored by Men and Women of Courage, 314 Dixie Street (behind Seafood Empire), Minden.

November 10

8:15 a.m. Breakfast with the Experts: The Power of Business Storytelling, Greater Minden Chamber Office.

November 11

9 a.m. Doyline High School’s Veterans Day Program. Veterans are asked to arrive between 8:20 and 8:50 a.m., https://forms.gle/4dcPrMHnQnFrQGr18 .

November 14

8 until 10 a.m., American Legion Hall in Minden, Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast, hosted by Minden Evening Lions Club, with support from Webster Parish Veterans Safety Net and American Legion. Veterans and their families are invited to come out, share a meal, and spend the morning together.

November 16-28

Community voting for Joe LeBlanc Food Pantry’s “We CAN make a difference: canned food competition. Vote on the organization’s Facebook page. Each vote is $1. The participants that are open to the public will also have in person ballot boxes. There will also be a passport  for voters to get stamped at each location. Voters can turn their completed passports in to be entered into a drawing for a prize. Winners announced Nov. 30.

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Word of the Day: Refractory

Phonetic: /re·frac·to·ry/
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition
resisting control or authority : stubborn, unmanageable

resistant to treatment or cure
a refractory lesion

unresponsive to stimulus

immune, insusceptible
after recovery they were refractory to infection

difficult to fuse, corrode, or draw out
especially : capable of enduring high temperature

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Last week we broke the sad news that co-anglers no longer have a place to call home since Major League Fishing decided to eliminate co-anglers all across their tournament circuits.

Today, I want to talk about a couple of co-anglers I drew out in both the BFL’s and the Toyota Series. Like anything else, you can get a good one or a bad one depending on the co-angler you draw.

I can honestly say that most of the co-anglers I drew over time were great people. Not always good anglers, but 90 percent were really good folks who I have become friends with.

Then there are co-anglers I wish had never gotten into my boat! Let’s focus on those. The first one that comes to mind was a gentleman who was paired up with me years ago on Sam Rayburn.

While I try not to judge people (until I see them) this was one angler who was not the picture of health and was not looking to be on the front cover of GQ magazine.

This guy weighed 350 pounds plus, if he weighed an ounce. He had all kinds of health issues and notified me that he had major lower back issues while we waited for take-off on Day 1 of the tournament. He told me he needed surgery and was just putting it off.

One hour into the tournament I needed to make a long run up the lake to a group of fish I had found in practice. The problem was that the wind was blowing out of the north at 20 miles per hour. If you know Sam Rayburn, that means a rough ride!

As I headed across the lake in three-foot rollers, my co-angler, through high-pitched moaning and groaning, decided he could not make that kind of run. I then shut down the boat and told him he had two choices, either suck it up and make the run or I could drop him off back at the boat ramp and he could go home.

Before you think I’m being a little insensitive, the problem with this situation is that there’s a tournament rule that states an angler cannot handicap another angler in the boat. He was penalizing me by not allowing me to run the lake like I needed to in order to compete.

After a short phone call to the tournament director, the decision was made for me to drop him off at the ramp. While I really hated this, because I never had to kick anyone out of my boat before, it was obvious that he was in no kind of physical shape to be fishing bass tournaments.

My next bad co-angler was a gentleman who I was paired with on Day 2 of the National Championship on Red River. The Red River has been very good to me over the years, and I was actually in position to win this event, sitting in the top 5 after Day 1.

The co-angler I drew was from Tennessee and had at least 15 cups of coffee before he got into my boat that morning. This guy was so wound up and excited to fish on Day 2 but had never done that well in tournaments before.

He literally walked so much on the back deck of my boat that I thought he was going to wear a hole in my carpet. It only got worse after we left the dock that morning. My first stop was on the main river in a spot where I had caught at least a three-pounder three days in a row.

Let me back up and explain a rule that existed in this event. The rule stated that at no time may a co-angler make a cast in front of the boat or past the pro/boater during the tournament without permission from the pro/boater.

So now that you know the rule, the rest of this will make total sense to you. As I fished my first spot and caught the three-pounder, my co-angler decided he would throw past the front of the boat into the exact spot!

As I was putting the fish in my live well, I noticed him set the hook and pull a four-pound bass off the spot I was fishing. The only way he could fish this spot was to throw past the front of the boat, which was a rules violation.

Being the nice guy that I am, while fuming, I reminded him of the rule and requested he not do that again. He apologized profusely and said he wouldn’t do it again. So, I forgave and forgot and moved on to my next spot just off the main river.

When we arrived, after making three casts, I caught another quality bass on a spinnerbait going down the backside of a rock jetty. While I was boating this fish, my co-angler decided to make a cast past the front of the boat — AGAIN! He caught another bass that was a keeper.

Trying to be nice, I once more reminded him of the rule. The problem was that he was working off a caffeine high and was totally out of control with his actions and his emotions.

Then it all came to a head about 15 minutes later when I hooked another good fish on a Texas rigged worm and as I was fighting this bass, I noticed him throw a bait past my head and in front of the boat! At this point, I’m done with this idiot who obviously could care less about the rules, so I took things into my own hands…literally!

While fighting my fish, I simply reached up, grabbed his fishing line, and bit it in half, which cost him his favorite crankbait! He exploded and could not believe that I actually did that. I looked at him while putting my fish in the live well and in a very calm voice I told him that he had two choices.

“You can keep throwing in front of the boat if you want, but understand this, I will not sign your weigh slip at the weigh-in which means you’ll be disqualified from the tournament. Or you can quit casting past the front of the boat the rest of the day. Your choice, Slick!”

Let’s just say the last four hours of this event were extremely quiet, and he did not speak five words the rest of the day. I guess some guys are just slow learners and have no regards for the rules. But I was more disappointed when I didn’t get a Christmas card from him.

Despite these two bad apples, I have overwhelmingly enjoyed the vast majority of my co-anglers. The old BFL format will be missed now that it’s a team trail and will leave a void in the sport especially for the weekend warrior.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Play Sudoku online!

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Ruby B. Moore
April 20, 1944 — October 24, 2026
Minden
Graveside service: 11 a.m. Thursday, October 29. 2026, Gardens of Memory Cemetery, Minden.

Dr. Thomas “Tom” Joseph Tracy
October 10, 1955 — October 21, 2026
Minden
Funeral service: 11 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2026, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway, Minden.

John E. “Chuck” Byrd
July 5, 1952 — October 22, 2026
Shreveport/Minden
Visitation: 10 a.m. Friday, October 30, 2026, North Acres Baptist Church, Minden.
Celebration of life: 11 a.m., immediately following visitation.

Judy Jeraline Willis
June 10, 1938 — October 9, 2026
Lisbon
Graveside service: 11 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2026, Lisbon United Methodist Church.

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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