By Paige Gurgainers

Students from across the area will put their civics knowledge to the test today, May 12, as the Louisiana Regional Civics Bee Competition comes to the Minden Civic Center.

Hosted in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and the Greater Minden Chamber, the competition will begin at 11 a.m. and will spotlight local middle school students competing for regional honors and cash prizes.

The event is part of the National Civics Bee initiative, which encourages young people to become more informed and engaged citizens while strengthening their knowledge of government, history and civic responsibility.

Representing the area in this year’s regional competition are Thomas Chibnick of Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School, Christian Lemoine of Glenbrook School, Carter Shirley of Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School, Josiah Stewart of Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School, and Brooklyn Sunderland of Glenbrook School.

Throughout the competition, students will showcase their critical thinking skills, understanding of civics and passion for their communities while answering questions and participating in challenges focused on civic engagement and leadership.

Audience members will also have the opportunity to participate by testing their own civics knowledge during the interactive event, making it an educational and family-friendly experience for all ages.

Regional winners will receive cash prizes, including $500 for first place, $250 for second place, and $125 for third place.

Community members are encouraged to attend and support these young leaders as they represent their schools and demonstrate the importance of informed citizenship. Admission is free and open to the public.

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By Jerry Strahan

Weather summary for Springhill. 
May 5: low was 64F high was 83F 
May 6: low was 59F high was 63F 
May 7: low was 52 F while the high was 71 F
May 8: low was 56F high was 83F 
May 9: low was 66F high was 83F 
May 10: low was 67F and the high was 85F 

Summary for Minden 
May 5: low was 68F high was 85F 
May 6: low was 63F high was 84 F
May 7: low was 53F high was 72F 
May 8: low was 56F high was 85F 
May 9: low was 67F high was 85F 

Rainfall totals are from the previous 24 hours ending at 7 a.m. CST each measurement is in 100s of an inch. 

Springhill
May 7: .11 100s 
May 9: .16 100s 
May 10: .21 100s 

Minden Rainfall totals 
May 6: .23 100s 
May 7: .26 100s 
May 10: . 68 100s 

Extended outlook. A good chance of thunderstorms each day.  The 18th of May looks to the best chance of severe weather. 

Lows in the upper 60s highs in the upper 80s. 

On the 10th of May the north end of Webster Parish experienced a non severe thunderstorm with pea size hail reported.  The radar shows the thunder and lightning strikes were approximately 70 per minute.

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

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May has a reputation for being the month where everything seems to happen at once. School is winding down, calendars are packed with graduations and end-of-year programs, sports seasons are reaching their peak, and the first real heat of Louisiana summer starts to settle in. It’s busy in a way that feels almost universal… like life collectively decides to speed up all at the same time.

And right in the middle of it sits one of the most meaningful days of the year (in my personal opinion): Mother’s Day.

It’s almost fitting, in a way. Mothers are often the ones quietly holding all the busy parts of life together. So maybe it makes sense that their day falls in the busiest month because there’s rarely a season when their presence, effort, and steadiness aren’t needed most.

May has a way of stretching families thin. There are late-night practices, school award ceremonies, last-minute project deadlines and travel plans squeezed between everything else. The pace of life doesn’t just pick up—it accelerates. And yet, in most homes, it’s still mothers who are making sure the toothpaste is stocked, the permission slips are signed and everybody gets where they’re supposed to be on time.

That’s part of what makes Mother’s Day in May feel so intentional, even if it wasn’t planned that way. It arrives in the middle of the chaos, not at the end of it. It doesn’t wait for life to slow down. Instead, it asks us to pause inside the busiest stretch of the year and notice what we might otherwise take for granted.

Appreciation doesn’t always come when things are calm and orderly. More often, it shows up in the middle of noise… when someone is doing a dozen things at once and still somehow making it all work. That’s the reality for a lot of mothers. Multitasking is not an occasional skill… It’s a daily way of life.

May also tends to be a month of gathering. Families travel for graduations, reunions start to take shape, and church services and school events bring people together in steady waves. It’s a season of seeing each other more often, but not always slowing down long enough to truly see each other. 

Of course, not every Mother’s Day looks the same. For some, it’s brunches and flowers and photos that end up framed or posted. For others, it’s a quiet day, a phone call or a memory held close. And for many, it carries layers… celebration mixed with grief, gratitude mixed with longing. That complexity is part of what makes it real.

Still, at its heart, the day is about recognition. Not perfection. Not performance. Just recognition.

Recognition of the early mornings and late nights. The steady presence in moments both ordinary and life-changing. The emotional labor that rarely gets scheduled but is always underway. The ability to make a house feel like home, even when everything else feels uncertain.

May may be the busiest month on the calendar, but maybe that’s exactly why Mother’s Day belongs here. Because in the middle of everything speeding up, it gives us a reason to slow down (if only for a moment) and say thank you to the people who have been holding it all together long before we noticed.

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

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Hannah was a great example as a woman of prayer. 

Hannah was a woman who desperately wanted a child but could not conceive. She was ridiculed and mocked by Peninnah, which only added to her pain. But, in her suffering, Hannah turned to God. She poured her heart out, begged for a son, and promised to give him back to the Lord. God answered her prayer, and she eventually gave birth to Samuel – one of the most influential leaders in Israel. 

We as mothers must pour our hearts out to God.  

Hannah was a dedicated mother. She gave her son back to God.  

She was a great example. 

We as mothers should always pray without ceasing for our children. The power of a praying mother.  

1 Thessalonians 5:17 

Pray Without Ceasing.  

Prayer is a two-way channel by which God and man  communicate with each other. In other words, talking and listening to God through His Son Jesus Christ.  

We don’t just go to God only when we need something, but we acknowledge Him for who He is. God desires our fellowship more than anything else. He wants us to love him with all our being. 

Deuteronomy 6:5 says 

And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy soul, and all thy might.  

God wants us to know and experience His love and presence. He is seeking that kind of relationship with each of us.  

  Prayer is much needed!

Above all, prayer is important.  Prayer is one of the most powerful tool’s.  

We should always pray without ceasing. In other words, never stop praying.  

From the early church in Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto 

God for him.  

Prayer has been the building block and glue that has held our families and society together. The saints prayed!

We are here because somebody prayed for us.

It’s not because we were so good, but because of God’s grace and mercy. God heard the prayers of the righteous! 

Prayer is very important and much needed in our communities and all over the world.  

Prayer Still Works!!! When we pray sincerely in faith and not for show, God will hear and receive our prayers. 

Prayer is a precious gift from God that allows us the right and privilege to talk to Him anytime and anywhere.  Through prayer, we can confess our sins and ask for forgiveness. 

 Through prayer, we have the opportunity to acknowledge God for who He is. We thank God for what He has done, doing, and going to do. 

 Through prayer, we have the opportunity to intercede on behalf of others. 

 Through prayer, we find strength to get through life challenges.  

Through prayer, we build up our faith in God and in His Son Jesus Christ. This is why Jude 20 encouraged Christians to pray in the Spirit, 

 But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.  

From the dawn of history, the greatest men and women in the Bible who prayed from Moses, Abraham, David, Hannah, Deborah, Esther, and Mary, the mother of Jesus.

From Genesis to Malachi from Matthew to Revelation, the Bible shows the Saints consistently prayed. 

 Throughout the Bible, prayer sustained the people of God, and prayer is what will sustain us today.  

~The Power Of A Praying Mother~

1)We have to be persistent in prayer. 

2)We have to pray God’s will to be done.  

3)We have to believe what we prayed for. 

4)We should pray in humility. 

We are living in perils times. It’s time to pray and  not play! 

 A praying mother will never stop praying  for her children.  

Be Encouraged!!

(LaTina DeLoach, is a devoted wife and mother who shares these words in hopes of uplifting those who read what God writes through her.)

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By Jessica Gorman

As a student at Minden High School in the 1990s, I remember the Alma Mater on the wall at the front of the auditorium. At the bottom was the author’s name, Mollie Blake. It didn’t occur to me until many years later to wonder just who Mollie was.

Mollie Arnold Spencer was born on 20 April 1877 in Arkadelphia, Arkansas to John Aaron and Phoebe Spencer. On 23 December 1899, she married James Dwight Blake in Alton, Illinois where her sister lived.

The couple made their home in Arkadelphia. Dwight Blake was a band director. In 1924, the couple moved to Minden at the urging of Mr. Joe Miller. Mr. Blake took charge of the first municipal band in Minden and a few years later, the first boys’ band was formed, but the full story of Mr. Blake and Minden’s bands is an article for another day.

Mr. Blake served as band director at Minden High School for many years with Mollie right there by his side. One newspaper article reveals that she became interested in music and bands after her marriage and was self-taught. She helped with teaching, assisted with preparing the band for marching and stunts, and traveled with the band to competitions, performances, and football games. According to Aubrey Drake, “Mrs. Blake sees that the marching is done right.” She also headed up the Band Mother’s club.

Dwight and Mollie never had any children, but it is said that she treated each and every member of the band as though they were her own. This sentiment is echoed by a 1949 newspaper mentioning flowers given to Mollie for Mother’s Day by Euguene Frazier. The accompanying note read, “To you because you have always been such a wonderful mother to all of the boys and girls in Minden.” It’s obvious that Mollie was held in high esteem by band members and the people of Minden as another newspaper states, “Mollie has been a mother, sister, and friend to all.”  During WWII, she made a flag that hung in the MHS band room. She affixed a star to represent each former band member who was serving in the armed forces. The flag contained over 100 stars.

In addition to her work with the band, Mollie was active at First Methodist Church, the Methodist Missionary Society, and the Women’s Society of Christian Service.

In 1945, Dwight Blake retired as band director at Minden High School and the Spring Concert was given in honor of the Blakes. The couple moved to Hope, Arkansas to be near Mollie’s sister, Annie, whose husband had died the previous year. The people of Minden were sad to see them go.

Annie died in 1946 and the Blakes returned to Minden in 1948. At the spring concert in 1949, they were presented with an orchid from the high school band members and roses from the junior band. The Blakes celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary later that year. Dwight passed away 30 January 1951 and Mollie on 2 May 1957. They are buried in the Minden Cemetery.

The Latin phrase alma mater translates to “nourishing mother.” Not only did Mollie Blake author Minden High School’s alma mater, she herself seems to have been seen as a “nourishing mother” in the eyes of a community who loved her.

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

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United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:

Food: powdered milk, biscuit mix

Household Goods: towels, pots & pans, twin & queen sheets

Clothing: men’s shoes and boots

Thanks to all for supporting UCAP!!

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

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President Trump is reportedly considering pulling American troops out of nations that have not been supportive of the U.S. effort in Iran and placing them in nations that have.  I think such a decision is well-advised and long overdue.

European nations are largely weak and gutless.  What more dire warning does a nation need than that the murderous Iranian regime is on the cusp of a nuclear bomb—which it would not hesitate to use to annihilate its Middle Eastern neighbors, including Israel—and then the rest of the world?!

So, Trump may move U.S. troops from NATO countries unhelpful to the U.S. and relocate them in nations that are viewed as supportive of our critical effort.  It could also involve closing U.S. bases in countries like Spain or Germany who are highly unreliable, if not hostile to, U.S. interests.  

The Wall Street Journal has reported that this “proposal would involve moving U.S. troops out of North Atlantic Treaty Organization member countries deemed unhelpful to the Iran war effort and stationing them in countries that were more supportive.” (WSJ, April 2026).

“It’s quite sad that NATO turned their backs on the American people over the last six weeks when it’s the American people who have been funding their defense,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.  Trump wrote on Truth Social that “NATO wasn’t there when we needed them, and they won’t be there if we need them again.”

WSJ further reports that “the U.S. has around 84,000 troops stationed across Europe … It couldn’t be determined which countries would lose troops, yet a number of alliance members have run afoul of Trump since he returned to office and more recently attracted his ire by objecting to the war in Iran.”  

WSJ continued “Administration officials are frustrated with Spain, and also Germany, after top German officials criticized the war.  Italy also briefly blocked the U.S. use of an air base in Sicily, and the French government agreed to only allow the U.S. to use a base in southern France after it guaranteed planes not involved in Iran strikes would land there.” (WSJ, April 8, 2026).

The Trump Administration view is summarized by the Christian Science Monitor which states “Mr. Trump tends to see NATO as less a military organization than as shorthand for a collection of European allies who “freeload” on American military protection.  He has treated the alliance as largely expendable …” Millions of Americans, no doubt, share this view.  

Nile Gardiner, of The Heritage Foundation, stated “the lack of support for the United States has been nothing less than treacherous. I think the president has the right to be outraged by the lack of support from key European allies.”  Gardner continued “there is a very deep-seated cultural appeasement toward the Iranian regime that goes back many decades, and a flat-out refusal to accept the reality of the immense dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran.”

So, Trump has raised a legitimate question about the value of NATO itself.  Whatever purpose it may have served after World War II, it has become cowardly, unreliable and tends toward appeasement. 

NATO members screech in fear about the threat they face from Putin and Moscow. However, as the CATO Institute points out, “this view is dated and fails to recognize how profoundly Europe has changed. The United Kingdom and France have nuclear weapons, which they would use to defend themselves if needed. … And a Russia that cannot defeat Ukraine cannot expand into Europe.”

Further, the “sacred” Article 5, which states that “an armed attack against any NATO member is considered an attack against all of them,” really means only that the U.S. will come save NATO countries when they are threatened. It certainly does not mean that those same NATO members will assist the U.S.  They won’t. So, Trump reasonably asks, of what real use is NATO?  What does the American citizen and taxpayer get out of the trillions we have spent to defend nations who don’t reciprocate?

I am thankful to God that world history has included leaders like President Reagan and Saint Pope John Paul the Great who created The Holy Alliance which defeated the Soviet Union and ended the Cold War, as well as Churchill, Thatcher, and now, the courageous Trump.   Without them, the darkness and evil that hovers eternally over the lives of most people would have extinguished the light of freedom and hope. But it has not.

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

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As a kid who grew up watching the History Channel obsessively, I am no stranger to conspiracy theories. There are just so many things that we don’t have answers for and I have such an interest in figuring them out. If it says anything, I went to Roswell and White Sands Missile Range, the site of the Manhattan Project, on my honeymoon.

I usually like to keep my articles fact-based with only minimal speculation, so I tend to steer clear of subjects like these for the sake of my credibility. However, this has become more of a mainstream topic lately, with several officials now talking about it as a fact, not theory. It’s been in several campaign promises in recent years and it only seems to be getting more popular, so I figured it was finally time for it to get its own article.

So, uh. Let’s talk about aliens, I guess.

In 2023, David Grusch, a former Air Force officer and intelligence official, testified to Congress that the US Federal Government has had secret programs that have been running for decades, with the sole purpose of reverse engineering aircrafts from crashed UFOs. He claimed that the first crashed spacecraft was found in 1933 in Italy, which was then under the dictatorship of Mussolini. He claimed the US was able to obtain the craft with the help of the Vatican.

He also alludes to the Roswell incident as being another cover-up where the US Government recovered a crashed alien aircraft. He even testified under oath that the government has recovered “non-human biologics” from crashes, specifically referring to them as “dead pilots”, which confirms that they were alien beings.

The entire subject of UFOs was nothing more than a conspiracy theory up to this point. Everyone speculated, but nothing had been officially confirmed. The subject was seen as a taboo to talk about to officials, because it was considered unserious. Funny enough, the event that changed that was the 2019 “Storm Area 51” Facebook page. Made as a joke, it invited people to meet at Area 51 at the same time, because “they can’t stop all of us.” Regardless of its legitimacy, it was covered on all major news outlets and made politicians realize just how many people were truly interested in learning the truth about if aliens existed or not.

In response to the overwhelming support for the “Storm Area 51” page, Trump announced that he would be reviewing and releasing classified UFO videos. On April 27, 2020, the famous “Tic-Tac” UFO video was released, along with some other UFO footage that the military deemed “unexplained”. Trump also promised during his 2024 campaign to release more info about aliens and UFOs if he was re-elected, and that promise has just come true.

This Friday, the Department of War announced a new website where they would be releasing tons of new UFO videos and files on aliens to the general public. At the time of writing, 17 pages worth of links have been released on the website. As a conspiracy theorist, I am so interested in what else they will reveal. However, as a skeptic of the government, I am concerned about what the timing of this means.

Are we going to see these aliens or UFOs in person soon? Does someone else have access to these files and are threatening to release them, so the Government is releasing them to get ahead of it? Or are we just finished reverse-engineering them, and that’s why it is safe to disclose them now?

It’s no secret that our country is massively ahead of the rest of the world in several areas of military tech. We have a specialized radar-absorbing coating that we use on our stealth aircrafts that make them 99% invisible to radar detection. We have had this technology since 1945 and we have been using it on aircrafts since at least the 1960s. China announced in 2019 that they have finally reached “near-stealth” capabilities, and in 2023, Russia announced they have reached the ability to absorb up to 95% of radar radiation.

Also, the B2 bomber was made in 1987 and no other countries have anything that even comes close to its technology. It’s a forty year old machine that still looks like something out of a sc-fi movie. Other countries are testing similar crafts, but none of them have the range and stealth that the B2 has.

Of course, it’s just a conspiracy theory and pure speculation, but these gaps in technology are nearly impossible to explain in my opinion. I think they give David Grusch’s testimony some weight.

Wernher von Braun was a German-American aerospace engineer. He designed the first artificial object that reached space for Nazi Germany in 1944, and then came to America after WWII and was influential in our own technological advances in the decades after. His assistant, Dr. Carol Rosin, claimed that von Braun gave her a warning shortly before his death in 1977: “The last card they hold is the alien card, the extraterrestrial card and none of them are hostile. It’s a lie.” There’s no way to verify this quote beyond her testimony, but it’s worth mentioning as an interesting take regarding our government’s intentions with releasing this info.

Since being elected Vice President, JD Vance has stated that he is “obsessed” with the UFO files. In March, JD Vance was asked his opinions on aliens. He answered “I don’t think they’re aliens. I think they’re demons.” His response was definitely concerning, especially considering he is an official who presumably has access to things that we can’t see.

But what do I think about all of this? I think that I am fascinated by what I do not know, but I also have no problem accepting that there is a huge chance I will never find out the truth about these things. I don’t expect the government to ever show their whole hand, so I expect anything that is released to be a drip-feeding of the tiny things they no longer want or need, just to keep us satisfied that they are doing something. I don’t know that I believe that the UFOs are demons or angels or whatever, but I am open to anything. The Bible says that humans are made in God’s image, but it doesn’t say anywhere that we were the only creatures made.

I think it’s okay to hold out on forming a solid opinion until we have more evidence. I’m personally keeping my eyes on the skies, but my skepticism of anything that is released at an all time high, because, as I’ve said in a previous article, things are getting weird.

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

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

May 27 through June 27

Roar & Explore: Discovery Camp 2026, Webster Parish Libraries Discovery Camp 2026.  STEM-themed weeks that explore Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics through fun, educational, and engaging activities with a lineup of special performers who combine entertainment and education in the most fun ways.

May 27

11 a.m. Jacqueline Park, downtown Minden. Time capsule burial ceremony as part of the City of Minden’s 190th anniversary celebration.

May 28

9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Champions of Character, Student Event, CAC Building, Springhill. Sponsors, City of Springhill, Springhill Medical Center, North Webster Athletic Dept. Lunch will be provided.

May 30

3:30 p.m. doors open; 4:30 p.m. games start, LaMa Animal Rescue Game Night, Springhill Civic Center, $20 for games, BINGO, purse raffle, dessert auction, concessions Split the Pot and door prizes.

June 4

10 a.m., Turners Pond, the second and final GOF catfish stocking of the spring by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

June 20

8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Men’s Wellness Fair, presented by Healing from the Heart LLC. Minden Recreation Center.

June 21

8 a.m. until a p.m., service at 10:45 a.m., Men’s Wellness Fair weekend continues, New Light Baptist Church, Minden. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at eventbrite or at the door.

June 22 – 26

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

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

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Word of the day: Gallivant

Phonetic: /GAL-uh-vant/
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition
To gallivant is to go or travel to many different places for pleasure. Gallivant is a somewhat informal word that is often applied when the user of the word does not approve of such pleasurable traveling.

They’ve been gallivanting all over town instead of studying for their finals.

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Play Sudoku online!

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Joshua Scott Young, 26, 1200 block Airport Rd., Springhill: arrested May 5 by WPSO on warrants for driving under suspension, failure to appear. Bond set $1,250.

David R. Coleman, 56, 400 block N. Roosevelt St., Minden: arrested May 6 by WPSO on warrants for no drivers license, criminal neglect of family. No bond set.

Damien Duralle Brewer, 44, 2300 block Rodney Martin Rd., Shongaloo: arrested by Springhill PD on warrant for failure to register as sex offender, on warrants from Webster Parish SO. Bond set $12,000.

LaDarrien Javonte Wallace, 37, 400 block McIntyre St., Minden: arrested May 6 by Louisiana State Police on warrants for disturbing the peace, resisting an officer (two counts), reckless operation, simple battery, theft. No bond set.

Croy Chase, 27, 14 Hill Top Lane, Springhill: arrested May 6 by Springhill PD on multiple warrants. No bond set.

Jessie Clayton Fetzer, Jr., 36, 200 block Forest St., Springhill: arrested May 6 by Springhill PD on felony warrants for possession CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), distribution of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), two counts failure to appear distribution of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines). Bond set $50,000.

Hannah Marie Clement, 24, 1200 block Johnson Rd., Doyline: arrested May 6 by Louisiana State Police for DWI first offense, possession of CDS Sch. I (marijuana), possession of CDS Sch. IV (Alprazolam), possession of Legend drugs. No bond set.

Shanaya Lyntrice Green, 25, 100 block 3rd St. SE, Springhill: arrested April 30 by Springhill PD on warrants for aggravated second degree battery, cruelty to juveniles. Bond set $175,000.

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

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Jerry D. Marcantel
June 29, 1945 — May 10, 2026
Minden, La.
Visitation: 9 a.m. Thursday, May 14, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel.
Funeral service: 10 a.m. immediately following visitation.

Gregory Michael Lee
May 27, 1970  –  May 7, 2026
Shongaloo, La.
Funeral service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Bailey Funeral Home Chapel, Springhill, La.
Burial: Western Cemetery, Emerson, Ark.

Webster Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)

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By Pat Culverhouse

A Minden man has learned that throwing keys into someone’s face is a key to a cell in the parish prison.

Jeffrey Lane Flournoy, 59, is charged with domestic abuse battery with child endangerment after his arrest Wednesday for an incident at a residence in the 400 block of Front St.

Officers were called to the residence where they learned Flournoy had reportedly thrown a set of keys and struck his girlfriend in the face.

According to statements, the pair had been involved in a verbal dispute when the female asked for her phone charger and keys. At that time, Flournoy allegedly threw the keys.

Officers reportedly learned six juveniles ranging in age from one to 12 years were present inside the residence during the incident.

Flournoy reportedly is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

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 Tiffany Flournoy

CULLEN, La.  — A Town of Cullen council meeting was canceled just minutes before it was set to begin Tuesday, marking the second last-minute cancellation of a scheduled meeting in just over a week and renewing questions about transparency, public notice and decision-making inside Town Hall and the legalities surrounding them.

The town’s regular April meeting, originally scheduled for April 27, had been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 5. Both meetings were ultimately called off shortly before they were set to take place, and no official public explanation has been provided.

Residents who gathered at Town Hall Tuesday said they received no advance notice the meeting would not take place. Instead, they said Mayor Terry Hoof stepped outside shortly before 6 p.m. and informed those present it was canceled.

Webster Parish sheriff’s deputies were present outside Town Hall in marked units after being requested by the mayor in advance of the meeting. Sheriff Jason Parker said the request was made Friday ahead of Tuesday’s meeting to assist in maintaining order if necessary.

Accounts from town leadership offer limited insight into the cancellations. Alderwoman Bianchi Veal said Hoof said the April 27 meeting was canceled due to “unforeseen” circumstances and that the May 5 meeting was rescheduled because town attorneys wanted to be present.

Hoof could be heard outside Town Hall telling deputies and others that, under the advice of town attorneys, “they prefer that we reschedule it so they can be here,” referring to the attorneys.

Veal told the Webster Parish Journal, “This one was unethically canceled minutes before 6 p.m. due to lawyers wanting to attend, is what he told me. It sounds fishy on all ends. Then, while people were gathered outside Town Hall, the mayor said his life had been threatened. The truth is still a question.”

The April 27 meeting was also called off the same day it was scheduled, shortly before it was set to begin.

Earlier that day — ahead of the April 27 meeting — a confrontation involving the town clerk and a resident unfolded outside the back side of Town Hall, as seen in a video circulating on social media. The footage shows the clerk exiting the building and moving toward a vehicle where the resident was seated. No physical contact is visible, but the exchange appears heated, with raised voices and profanity audible.

Whether that incident is connected to the cancellation remains unclear, and town officials have not addressed it publicly.

Agenda changes further add to uncertainty. The April 27 agenda listed 14 items, including a proposed change in the town’s banking institution to JPMorgan Chase and an ordinance related to a land sale — neither of which appeared on the May 5 agenda.

No details about the proposed bank change were included on the agenda, including which accounts would be affected or where the town’s funds are currently held. The agendas also made no mention of mid-April changes to the town’s water policy, including reconnect fees and revised payment hours.

The pattern of last-minute cancellations, shifting agendas and limited public explanation has left some residents questioning how and when key decisions are being made and the legalities surrounding them.

A recall petition targeting the mayor and alderwomen Floydean White and Yolanda Castleman, which began more than a month ago, remains in motion throughout the small town of fewer than 800 residents as organizers say it continues to gain traction.

A request for comment and information regarding Tuesday’s canceled meeting was sent to Town of Cullen attorney Amberlee Nix of Bradley Murchison, and Mayor Terry Hoof was also sought for comment; no response had been received from either as of Wednesday’s publication deadline.

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National Day of Prayer was celebrated in Minden on a chilly Thursday, May 7 beginning at 7:30 a.m. in Jacqueline Park.

Mayor Nick Cox led the welcoming prayer, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by a group from Minden High School. Then a Community Prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, was lifted up under the leadership of Terry Combs of the City of Minden.

Preachers and leaders from the city’s churches prayed or led Scripture surrounding the topics of Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church, and Family. The seven topics were taken by Reverend T. A. Knapp, Mt. Calm Missionary Baptist; Brother Charlie Lechner, First Baptist Church; Father Nicholas Duncan, St. Paul Catholic Church; Pastor Royal Scott, Greater St. Paul Baptist Church; Mrs. Jodie Martin, elder, The Christian Church of Minden; Rev. Steve Berger, First Methodist Church; and Pastor Doug Greg, Calvary Baptist Church.

Afterward, MHS students prayed for individuals one on one.

About 50 people attended the early morning prayer service. But the nippy air, along with coffee from Brick Street, kept everyone quite awake.

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Ashley Nicole Shows is wanted for failing to appear in Minden City Court on April 30. The following is the charge(s) and bond amount(s) associated with Ashley Nicole Shows:

• Failure to appear with a cash bond amount of $800 or $20,000 surety.

Please get in touch with Detective Matthew Hicks (318-639-7776) of the Minden Police Department if you have information regarding the whereabouts of Ashley Nicole Shows.

Any information will be confidential.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

City of Minden’s new Administrative Court kicked off with seven properties on its first docket April 20.

City Court Clerk Ashlee Drake told members of the Minden City Council that one of the property owners cleaned his yard before his court appearance, therefore, that case was dismissed.”

“Six of the property owners were present; one did not receive his notice,” Drake said.

Four of the property owners attempted to clean their property prior to court, however, “…they did not fully clean them up to the standards that we wanted them.”

Drake said those the standards were discussed with the owners, and if they clean their properties and can show proof to the court during their next meeting, their citations will be dismissed.

“But,” she said. “They must come to court on that date. They can’t just skip court because they cleaned their yards.

“They were fined, with the fine suspended until the next court date,” she added.

Drake said fines issued were between $50 and $400.

“We are not trying to make money on this (court),” she said. “We are just trying to keep our city beautiful.”

District E Councilman Andy Pendergrass requested the same notices mailed to property owners also be sent to the council, so they would be aware in advance.

“So, when we get those phone calls, we will know how to respond,” he said.

Administrative Court will be held the third Monday of every month, providing there is a docket. It will meet again May 18.

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Spinnin’ Stacks Laundry, owned by Nancy Blanchard, is ready to take care of your laundry. Located at 801 Lewisville Road, Minden, the laundromat is open daily from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Different laundry services are offered, including self-service washing and drying, wash-dry-fold service, steaming, Wash Express, and cleaning for bulk items. For $10, they will also pick up and deliver inside the Minden City Limits.

Recently, the Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the new business.

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If you want your pet to be Minden’s next four-legged Mayor, today (Friday) is your nomination deadline.

“We currently have 20 pets in the running for Pet Mayor,” said Ashlee Drake. “The deadline for both sponsorships and pet registration is May 8.”

Voting will begin on May 15, she added.

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The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Monday, May 11:

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

ARCENEAUX, JENAYA LEEANN
100315 A Attempted Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling

BAMBURG, JUSTIN
100156 A Aggravated Battery BDCC Trial 6/22

BENTLEY, DAVID
INCOMING A Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or CDS
INCOMING Possession of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoids
INCOMING Improper Lane Usage

BROWN, JENNIFER
INCOMING A Theft of a Motor Vehicle – $5,000 or more, but less than $25,000
INCOMING Reckless Operation of a Vehicle

BURDITT, DAVID TROY
100039 A Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS
Probation Violation Hearing
Arraignment
Bond Return
Bond Return

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

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

CRAVENS, ALLTON B.
98115B A
Second Degree Murder

DEAN, JESSY LEE
100300 A Indecent Behavior With A Juvenile

DEAVER, ROBERT CHARLES
99968 A Indecent Behavior with Juveniles

ELLISOR, LEAH M
100250 A Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty- Eight Grams)
Status Hearing
Status Hearing
Arraignment
Status Hearing

FISH, JODIE MICHELLE
100344-CT.1 A Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
100344-CT.2. Distribution of a Schedule II CDS (Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)
100344-CT.3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS (Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)
Total bond $105,500

FISH, JODIE MICHELLE
100344-CT.1 A Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
100344-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS (Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)
100344-CT.3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS (Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

FISK, NAKITIA ILENE
100330 A Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
100330A Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
Status Conference

FLOURNOY, RAVI ANDRELAVERE
100101 A Possession of Schedule II CDS

FLOURNOY, RAVI ANDRELAVERE
100101 A Possession of Schedule II CDS OC 3/16 Trial 6/22

FLOURNOY, RAVI ANDRELAVERE
T015426 A Improper Equipment (License Plate)
T015426A Possession Of Alcoholic Beverages In Motor Vehicles
Status Hearing, Arraignment Bond Return Date

FUMICELLO, DEBORAH DEE ANN
100241 A Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

GIPSON, VICTOR
INCOMING A Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
INCOMING Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or CDS

GOMEZ, ALEXIS DAVID
100277 A Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

GRIFFITH, WESLEY B.
98868-CT.1 A Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty- Eight Grams)
98868-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty- Eight Grams)

GUISE, ZONQUES
100165-CT.1 A Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
100165-CT.2 Possession of Schedule II CDS
100165-CT.3 Conspiracy to Distribute Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance
Status Hearing
Please make sure forfeiture of $8,201 in US Currency is part of any plea/sentencing agreement.
Sentencing Hearing

HAIR, DANIEL W.
99857 Simple Robbery OC 4/24 Trial 6/22
Status Hearing

HAIR, DANIEL W.
100331-CT.1 A Simple Battery
100331-CT.2 Interfering with Emergency Communication

HALL, SEAN OTTO
T044426 A Speeding 25 & OVER
Provide Defensive Driving Certificate

HARGUS, SAVANNA
100271 A Unauthorized use of a Movable more than $1,000
Arraignment
Restitution owed to the victim- $384 plus $57.60 fee = $441.60 total
St Conf 7/6 Trial 9/21 Restitution- $1,737.46 + $260.62 = $1,998.08 total

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

HAWK, CHARLES GILBERTT
INCOMING A Possession of Schedule II CDS
INCOMING Pedestrian On Highway

HILL, SALLIE R.
100224 A Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty- Eight Grams)
Status Hearing Bond Return

HOLLAND, KALIA NANETTE
T044526 Failure to Use Safety Belt32:59
T044526A Use of Wireless Telecommunications Device Prohibited
Courtroom Status DA

HOWARD, JEDRICK K.
100225 A Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

INGRAM, ALLYSSA FAITH
100201-CT.1 A Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered
100201-CT.2 Aggravated Obstruction Of A Highway Of Commerce

JACKSON, CARLOS ANTONIO
INCOMING A Home Invasion
INCOMING Simple Criminal Damage To Property Under $1,000
INCOMING Disturbing The Peace ARR 6/26

JEFFERSON, LEE ROY
99971 A Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

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

JOHNSON, LORI A.
100328 A Simple Cruelty to Animals

JOHNSON, PRINCESS MARIE
INCOMING A Aggravated Battery – Domestic Violence

LANE, SARAH JANE
99543 A Simple Burglary
Held in contempt

MARTIN, BRANDON EVERETT
99115-CT.1 A Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered
99115-CT.2 Attempted Attempted Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or CDS

MASON, KEYSHAWN
100203-CT.1 A Manufacture/Transfer/Possess Machine Guns
100203-CT.2 Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault

MCLAIN, ASHLEY S
100332 A Accessory After The Fact

MEJIA-REYES, RACHEL ELIZABETH
100164 A Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
Sentencing Hearing

NEWMAN, MATTHEW JORDAN
100337-CT.1 A Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
100337-CT.2 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

PERKINS, AUSTIN
100254 A Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

PINK, ELLIS ALVIN
99513-CT.1 A Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS
99513-CT.2 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS

POTTS, TIFFANY
100306-CT.1 A Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
100306-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule IV CDS WPJ Trial 9/21

RANKIN, JACOBE
100205 A Manufacture/Transfer/Possess Machine Guns

RICHARDSON, MARANDA
100336 A Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – First Offense
Arraignment Bond Return Date

ROBINSON, ZYTWONE
INCOMING A Obstruction Of Justice
INCOMING Possession of a CDS I Marijuana (Fourteen Grams or Less)

ROWE, CHRISTOPHER L.
100179 A Aggravated Second Degree Battery
Restitution owed- $7,240.65, + $1,086.10 fee = $8,326.75 total

RUSHING, ALLISON INCOMING
A Bond Return
Felony Illegal Possession of Stolen Things ($1,000 – $5,000)

RUSHING, DEROME
INCOMING A Possession of Schedule II CDS
INCOMING Illegal Use, Consumption, Possession, Or Distribution Of Cds In Presence Of Persons Under 17
INCOMING Sale/Distribution/Possession of Legend Drug Without Prescription
INCOMING Sale/Distribution/Possession of Legend Drug Without Prescription
INCOMING Possession of CDS I Marijuana (More Than Fourteen Grams)
INCOMING Possession of a CDS I Marijuana (Fourteen Grams or Less)
INCOMING Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – First Offense
INCOMING Speeding 11-15 MPH
INCOMING Possession Of Alcoholic Beverages In Motor Vehicles

SMITH, SHAKEVIYON
T017926 A Speeding 11-15 MPH
Provide Defensive Driving Certificate
Arraignment
Status Hearing
Sentencing Hearing

STEWART, ANTAEUS A.
INCOMING A Indecent Behavior With A Juvenile ARR 7/20

STEWART, KENNETH MICHAEL
INCOMING A Simple Criminal Damage To Property Valued At $1,000 Or More But Under $50,000

TATOM, DILLON B
INCOMING A Felony Illegal Possession of Stolen Things ($1,000 – $5,000)

TAYLOR, CEDRIC DEWAYNE
99740-CT.1 A Forgery
99740-CT.2 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Valued At $1,000 Or More But Under $50,000

TAYLOR, DERAYIS MARYE
INCOMING A Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment
INCOMING False Imprisonment
INCOMING Interfering with Emergency Communication

THOMAS, PEYTON LEON
99334 A Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling
Defense Motion to Withdraw as Counsel
Determine Counsel

THORNTON, LASHONDA
98913 A Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

VALDEZ, JR, BASILLO ADRIAN
100277 A Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS
Status Hearing

VIRGIL, KERA GERRI
100329 Simple Burglary
Status Conference

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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ronald Edward Whatley, born February 13, 1947, who left us for his heavenly home on May 5, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ouida and Harry Whatley, and his daughter, Melanie Whatley . He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Cheryl, and his daughter Lori Townsend, along with her husband Brent Townsend, stepson Dusty Adcock and his wife Tammy.

He was a proud grandfather to Marci Sutherland, Peyton Prince and her husband Josh, Braeton Edmonds, Sterling Hutchinson and her husband Levi, Skyler Carney, Tyler Melna, and Emilee Townsend. He also leaves behind great-great-grandchildren Addie Beth, Layton, Larkyn Sutherland, and Atlas Riley Hutchinson, as well as bonus grandchildren Casey Pylant, (Jesse) Holly Bolt (Justin), along with their children Emily, Emery, and Emerson.

With a dedicated career of 45 years as a coach and teacher, he positively influenced countless young people. Known for his love of hunting, fishing, and football, he was most devoted to his family. After a long battle with health issues, he embraced his faith and now rests in peace. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Visitation for Ronnie will be held Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Minden, Louisiana with funeral services celebrating his life beginning at 12:00 noon. Officiating will be Bro. Leland Crawford. Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory in Minden, Louisiana under the direction of Rose Neath Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Larry Sanchez, Phil Nelson, Bobby Lyle, David Kidd, Allen Ensminger, Bud Copeland, and Roger Kirkland.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Randy Tate, Al Miller Scott Johnston, Steve Brasher, Jerald McGuire, Larry Jolly, and Dick Lawson.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to First Baptist Church or St. Jude.

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Angel is a medium-sized spayed female at LaMa Animal Rescue. She is three years old and avaialbel through LaMa Animal Rescue & Support Services.

Angel is up to date on all age-appropriate vaccines and on flea/tick prevention.

She is HEARTWORM POSITIVE but has completed treatment at our veterinarian. She will make a complete recovery, so do not let the HW+ status deter you! Angel came from Minden Animal Control. 

Say hello to a brilliant and affectionate 3‑year‑old German Shepherd who thrives on learning. Whether it’s mastering new cues, practicing obedience, or exploring enrichment games, she’s all in. She enjoys spending time with adult dogs who match her energy and respect her space- not a huge fan of puppies. With her sharp mind, loyal nature, and love of connection, she’s the perfect match for someone who enjoys training, structure, and a devoted canine partner!

Adoption Fee: $200

Interested? Please fill out the application at the link below:

https://forms.gle/id1eJGf1VnA7ftoW8

Or the PDF version on our website:

https://lamaanimalrescue.org/adopt

To schedule a meet-and-greet, you must fill out an application first.

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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