Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises the public that as the LA 531 overpass replacement project over I-20 near Minden in Webster Parish draws closer to completion, upcoming nighttime interstate closures will be required.
Those closures have been scheduled as follows:
6 p.m. until 7 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2025, I-20 westbound at LA 531
6 p.m. until 7 a.m. Tuesday, August 26, 2025, I-20 eastbound at LA 531
These closures are necessary to allow the contractor for the $20.7 million project to safely finish the work located in the median of I-20. This will be done, weather permitting.
Traffic will be diverted to the on and off-ramps at the interchange. The LA 531 overpass will also be closed to traffic, which will be routed to the ramps as well.
As a reminder, the newly constructed LA 531 overpass was previously opened to traffic, and the old bridge was removed. The two roundabouts on either end of the new bridge are undergoing the final phases of construction, with traffic flowing through.
The entire project should officially wrap up in September 2025, depending on weather conditions and other factors.
The Village of Shongaloo has received a $25,000 grant from the FY 2024-2025 Louisiana Local Government Assistance Program (LGAP) to make much needed repairs to the town’s Civic Center. Governor Jeff Landry’s office confirmed the award in a letter to Mayor Amanda Sexton.
Sexton said this is not the first time grant funding has brought improvements to the community.
“The last grant I applied for allowed us to replace the Civic Center roof and renovate the bathrooms at our ballfield,” she said. “Our Civic Center still needs a lot more attention, and thanks to our amazing town clerk, Mrs. Tracy Purvis, we were able to get another grant this year.”
The Civic Center is a vital part of life in Shongaloo, regularly rented for community gatherings and housing the Fire Department. With this year’s $25,000 grant dedicated solely to the facility, the village is eager to begin the next round of improvements.
Have I ever mentioned how much I love living in the country?!
Living in the country means our mornings aren’t just about getting everyone out the door — they’re mini adventures. Now that Emerson, Ashton and Kameron are at different schools, I’ve got two drop-offs on two different routes, which means we encounter just about everything rural roads have to offer.
We dodge the occasional armadillo that didn’t quite make it to the other side (country kids barely notice anymore), slow down for deer crossings and sometimes even wave to a cow that has decided the grass really is greener on the wrong side of the fence.
The other morning, Ashton spotted what she called a “steep hump” in the road. Most folks call it a speed bump, but honestly, “steep hump” is way better. We laughed as the car rolled over it like we were climbing a tiny mountain instead of coasting over asphalt.
Some days (most days, honestly), we get stuck behind a tractor on the way to school. Nobody honks. Nobody weaves. We just wait, knowing that tractor is headed to a field that’s been worked for generations and that field probably feeds a lot of families.
But my favorite thing about these drives through the country? When a funeral procession comes by, every car pulls over to the shoulder — every time, without fail. It gives me chills every time and brings tears to my eyes. It doesn’t matter if it’s a beat-up pickup or a shiny SUV, whether the driver knows the family or not. The world just slows down. For a moment, we’re all the same… just small-town people paying our respects.
Country roads may have their “steep humps,” slow tractors and the occasional unfortunate possum, but they also carry something worth holding on to: respect, patience, and the quiet reminder that we’re all in this together. I also never miss any opportunity to yell “cow” any time we pass a field.
(Paige Gurgainers is a mom of three girls, digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal.)
Dr. Pallavi Shirsat, a distinguished nephrologist committed to advancing kidney health and patient care, has been awarded the prestigious Fellow of the National Kidney Foundation (FNKF) designation. This esteemed recognition honors her exemplary contributions to the field of nephrology, academic medicine, and community outreach.
Dr. Shirsat serves as Associate Editor for two respected peer-reviewed medical journals, Cureus and the Journal of Medical Case Reports, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping high-quality clinical scholarship and advancing evidence-based medical knowledge.
A passionate advocate for kidney disease awareness and prevention, Dr. Shirsat recently spearheaded a successful community fundraising event to support education, early detection, and treatment programs for chronic kidney disease (CKD). The event brought together patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community members in a shared mission to fight kidney disease and promote lifelong kidney health.
“It’s an honor to receive the FNKF designation,” said Dr. Shirsat. “This recognition reflects not only my dedication to nephrology but also the collective efforts of my colleagues, patients, and the community. I remain deeply committed to advancing clinical care, research, and outreach in the battle against kidney disease.”
With a growing national presence in both academic and clinical nephrology, Dr. Shirsat continues to inspire peers and patients alike through her leadership, compassion, and advocacy.
Clothing: men’s large (and up) short-sleeve shirts, men’s shoes sizes 12 & up
A special thanks to those who heard of our food shortage and brought in food last week. 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.
This past week President Trump exercised his authority to deploy the National Guard, federalize the D.C. police department, and take control of the City’s streets.
He did so vowing to “rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor—and worse.” He’s also calling up 800 troops from the D.C. National Guard to begin to return order. “Crime is out of control,” states Trump’s emergency declaration. “The city government’s failure to maintain public order and safety has had a dire impact on the Federal Government’s ability to operate efficiently to address the Nation’s broader interests.”
To do this, President Trump invoked the Home Rule Act which allows him to federalize the police in certain circumstances. This first installment is expected to last 30 days. AG Pam Bondi has been tasked with overseeing the City’s police department.
Knowing Trump’s personality, I think it likely that the tipping point for his deciding to take this step was the recent brutal beating of one of Elon Musk’s former DOGE staffers, Edward Coristine, who was viciously attacked while trying to defend a young woman on a D.C. street.
The Wall Street Journal has observed that “on the whole, local control of D.C. looks like a failure. The city has enshrined noncitizen voting in local elections and “sanctuary” policies to thwart federal immigration enforcement. Why should the President and Congress stand for this in America’s seat of government?” (WSJ, Aug. 11, 2025).
Even former President Biden signed a Congressional resolution in 2023, “amid that year’s murder surge, to overturn the D.C. City Council’s revisions to its criminal code, which included a reduction in the maximum penalties for carjacking and illegal gun possession. The vote in Congress included dozens of Democratic ayes. One was Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig, who had been assaulted in an elevator at her D.C. apartment building. Another was Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar, who later that year was carjacked at gunpoint.” (Id. WSJ, Aug. 11, 2025). Naturally, though, now that President Trump is the one addressing the crime and dysfunction in D.C., the same individuals will likely oppose it.
In fact, national Democrats bizarrely assert “crime is down.” My response is, down from what? Is crime down in DC because last year there were only 200 murders instead of 250 murders? How many murders are acceptable? If D.C. were a state, it would have the highest homicide rate of any state in the United States. (The Heritage Foundation).
Which brings me to the tragic, maddening story of Nasrat Ahmad Yar who, according to CBC, ‘survived a lifetime of war, more than a decade of work as an interpreter for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, a Taliban takeover, and a perilous journey to America — only to be shot and killed while driving for ride-hailing service Lyft in Washington, D.C.’
This issue is personal to me.
I worked in D.C for nearly 8 years serving two different members of Congress from Louisiana. During that time, the threat of crime hung continuously like a dark cloud in the air, impacting the quality of life in our nation’s capital. I would come and go from the Capitol building and travel to different parts of the city many times. I would often hear from colleagues and local news of violent crime occurring and was always anxious about that. Crime and dysfunction in D.C. were my lived experience.
(As an aside, I note that period of time in my life also finished making concrete my views in strong support of gun rights and gun ownership. D.C. strictly prohibits firearms and as I walked or drove its streets, I, many times, thought to myself “if I’m attacked, I have no way to defend myself and the cops will never get here in time. Great. Only the criminals have guns!”)
I close with a prediction.
Trump will be successful in this. Crime, the homeless problem, ugly graffiti, and D.C.’s status as a “sanctuary” city for illegals are going to be reduced or eliminated. Thereafter, the rest of the country is going to notice these improvements and Americans across the country are going to wonder why, in their crime-ridden cities like Chicago, NYC and LA, the same thing is not accomplished by their Leftist, soft-on-crime, Democrat leaders.
Americans deserve a capital city—our Nation’s front door—that is safe, clean and reflects well on the USA to the world. We are having that returned to us.
(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 .)
Sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 107. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Tuesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 74. Calm wind.
Wednesday
A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Wednesday Night
A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 73.
Thursday
A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.
High school football begins soon, and Webster Parish Journal is proud to announce that we will once again be holding our weekly football contest, beginning the first week of September and equally proud to welcome back Under Dawgs as our contest’s title sponsor.
This always-popular contest is held weekly and lists all parish high schools, some college and a few pro games. Winners receive $100 in cash and have their photo taken with at Under Dawgs’ with owner Claudine Thomas.
In order to make this contest a success, we need help from advertisers. We are offering ads with spaces between the listed games, so your ad will always be seen from contest players. If you are interested in advertising, please contact Cynthia Sandidge at 318-510-2611, Paige Gurgainers at 318-382-2118 or in the Springhill area, Zoe Pickett at 318-455-1972.
5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Bites and Beats, Miller Quarters Park, Minden, food trucks and live music. mindenmainstreet.com .
August 22 – 24
6:30 p.m. nightly, Revival with special music, powerful sermon and healing following services. Pine Grove Methodist Church.
August 23
5 p.m. Doors open at Springhill Civic Center for W.H.O. Matters, celebrating 10 years of Women Helping Others.Ladies-only event featuring BINGO, raffles dinner, door prizes, shopping and a silent auction, beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets: Kylee Ayers at 318-268-0027,
Info: Amber Cobb at 318-423-3710 or Kalee Adams at 318-578-1574,
Vendors: Elizabeth Simmons at 318-517-5207, Donations: Pam Jenkins at 310-453-3740.
6 until 10 p.m. Girls Night Out: Havana Nights, Minden Civic Center. Drinks, food, shopping. Tickets: $40.
Sept. 4
10 a.m. Minden Planning Commission meeting, Pelican Room, Minden City Hall. Zoning change request at 406 Fincher Road to use existing building as primary residence.
Sept. 8
6 p.m., 2025 Gala for Dorcheat Museum, 116 Pearl St., Minden. Raffle, cake auction, fundraiser for operation and expansion.
Sept. 10
11 a.m. until 1 p.m., Webster Parish Veterans and Community Mental Health Resource Fair will take place at the Minden Recreation Center, located at 1001 Recreation Drive, Minden. This free event is open to the public and aims to raise awareness of mental health resources available in Webster Parish, while honoring Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Attendees will hear from inspiring guest speakers, explore a wide range of community vendors, and receive free educational materials related to mental health and wellness. A complimentary lunch for adults will be provided courtesy of Humana Healthy Horizons and the Webster Parish Veterans’ Safety Net Coalition.
Sept. 13
Legends on Wheels, Vintage Car Club’s 17th annual car and bike show, downtown Minden.
6 p.m. Elvis Game Night for LaMa Animal Rescue. Elvis impersonation and costume contests, concessions, prizes, games, BINGO. Springhill Civic Center.
Sept. 27
Webster Parish Fair Pageant.
Oct. 17
5 until 8 p.m. BIG YEET, in concert, North Webster Junior High, 6041 Hwy. 2, Sarepta. Free admission to event.
Christian L. Masingill, 25, 300 block Cox Rd., Sarepta: arrested Aug. 14 by WPSO for parole violation. Bond set $1,002.
Jenaya L. Arceneaux, 35, no address listed, Springhill: arrested Aug. 14 by Springhill PD for simple burglary. No bond set.
Garbielle R. Murray, 37, 3700 block Murvon St., Shreveport: arrested Aug. 14 by Dixie Inn PD on fugitive warrant from Bossier City PD.No bond set.
Tony Walker, 42, 700 block Plum St., Minden: arrested Aug. 14 by Minden PD on warrants. Bond set $20,000 surety or $1,800 cash.
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.
Visitation: 10 a.m. Tuesday, August 19, 2025, preceding Celebration of Life.
Celebration of Life: 11 a.m., Eastside Missionary Baptist Church, 1201 Park Hwy., Minden.
Burial: Gardens of Memory Cemetery.
Tommy Ray Wren
September 29, 1952 — August 10, 2025
Minden, La.
Visitation: 9 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel, Minden.
Funeral service: 10 a.m. immediately following visitation.
Carolyn Moncrief Lyons
December 3, 1942 — August 5, 2025
Minden, La.
Graveside service: 11 a.m. Saturday, August 30, 2025, Gardens of memory Cemetery under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
Loy “Barney” Ware
August 14, 1938 – March 16, 2025
Minden, La.
Visitation: 10 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025, First Methodist Minden Sanctuary, 903 Broadway.
Funeral service: immediately following visitation.
Small gathering and fellowship will follow in the church hall.
Webster Parish Journal publishes paid complete obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $80. Contact your funeral provider or wpjnewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Above death notices are no charge.)
The City of Minden has issued a Boil Advisory on 8/18/25 for customers on Whispering Pines Drive, Dogwood Drive, Holley Street, Hickory Drive, Forest Drive, Evergreen Drive, and the 1400-1600 blocks of Eames Street. You can visit the City of Minden website at mindenusa.com for further information.
Ward 1 Marshal Danny Weaver does a little paperwork while 100 years worth of Ward 1 Marshals look over his shoulder.
By Pat Culverhouse
Ward 1 Marshal Danny Weaver’s decision to display the photos of past Marshals in a new, specially designed frame led to a rather surprising revelation.
“While I was looking at the photos of the past Ward 1 Marshals I had, I found out that our office is 100 years old this year,” he said. “I had no idea until I saw the picture of Marshal Larkin Turner showing he began serving in 1925. I thought, ‘Hey, this is 2025. That’s a hundred years.’”
During its 100 years, only nine individuals have served as Marshal of Ward 1, an area that extends from near the Couchwood area to the southern boundary of Webster Parish. Retired Marshal Randy Shelley, with 24 years in office, had the longest term of service.
Marshals are elected to six year terms, and their primary duty is to serve as officer of the Minden City Court.
“We serve all civil papers associated with Ward 1 in the parish,” Weaver, who is in his first term, said.
When it’s necessary to serve those papers, Weaver takes a different approach which he says keeps individuals from “throwing good money after bad.”
“The law says you try two times to serve papers and are unsuccessful, you turn them over,” he said. “We don’t do that. We continue until the papers are served.”
Some sources of income for the Marshal’s office include citations, garnishments, and the MPD’s Safety Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP). Weaver’s office also receives money from the City of Minden and the Webster Parish Police Jury.
As his revenue stream improved, Weaver began upgrading his staff and equipment. Currently, two full-time and three part-time deputy Marshals plus one reserve officer are on the rolls. Weaver also purchased three new, fully-equipped vehicles.
“Some Marshals like to keep a very low profile, but I want the people of Ward 1, the people I work for, to know who we are and where we are,” he said. “
Weaver has also used some of the funds from his office to assist other law enforcement agencies. He most recently presented a $36,000 check to the Minden Police Dept. for license plate readers and purchased spike strips for the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.
“We have a very good relationship with other law enforcement agencies and we want that to continue,” he said. “We have been there with them when a call for assistance went out.”
Photos of the nine Ward 1 Marshals who have served over the past 100 years.
This week’s Most Wanted is Shelvin Garner, a resident of Plum Street in Minden.
Garner is wanted on four active warrants through the Minden Police Department for failing to appear in court on July 24. His bond has been set at $1,500.
Anyone with information on Shelvin Garner is urged to contact Lt. Kenneth James at (318) 371-4226 (office) or (318) 532-9083 (cell). All information will be confidential.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Charlie Chandler on the bike during the Half Iron Man in Waco.
By Marilyn Miller
If you gain nothing else from this story, (which is highly unlikely), remember this – people are running and cycling the streets and roads around Webster Parish. Please drive attentively. Runners and cyclists are dependent on you!
Charlie Chandler is one of them.
Three years ago, when Charlie visited his doctor, he weighed 300 pounds.
“I was on two blood pressure medicines, and I was unhealthy as I could be,” he admitted. Until a friend talked him into entering a half marathon, which is 13 miles running.
No, Charlie didn’t just grab new running shoes and go run 13 miles. He ran. He trained. And he ran and trained some more. And when he got down on himself, wife Kayla, a nutritionist and personal trainer, encouraged him to run some more. As long as he didn’t hurt himself, added Kayla.
“I finished that in October, and it got me to thinking I could do more stuff, so I trained for another one and got 40 minutes faster.” Charlie recalled. When I finished that, it’s when I signed up for the first Half Iron Man, which is only 70 miles.” Only 70 miles. And he signed up for it with only 13 weeks to train. By then, he had gotten down to about 200 pounds.
“So, we bought a bike and found out I was terrible at swimming.” What to do? “I found a Sprint Triathlon a week later in Bossier City. It was a half-mile swim, an 18-mile bike ride, and a three-mile run. So, I showed up for it with basically no training and finished it in about 2½ hours.”
The Half Iron Man in Waco, Texas was next. The 75-mile challenge included a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run.
“After I finished that, I decided maybe I could do a full one,” Charlie said. “So, I signed up for the whole enchilada (taking place) in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Sept. 28.”The only requirement for entrance (besides the fee) is to be crazy enough, according to Kayla.
Training in Webster Parish has all of the “H” requirements of a race – heat, humidity, and hills. Chattanooga also has a lot of hills. At least Charlie loves to run, and is least skilled in the water, which is “only” 1.2 miles. He says he “swims like a cinder block.” There are no breaks in the triathlon, swapping from one sport to the next is the “closest thing to a break you get.” And learning to ride a bike was “just like riding a bike,” Charlie laughed.
“I think I will finish it in about 14 hours,” Charlie says of the Iron Man branded triathlon. Iron Man is really just a brand in the triathlon. “I think the 140-mile distance is unique to it.”
Kayla also loves to run, which is why she just organized the Minden Running Club. She is also a junior in nursing school at the Northwest Louisiana Technical College in Minden. She is “kinda” Charlie’s trainer. “Whenever he listens,” she said. She ran and finished the Louisiana Marathon (26 miles) earlier this year.
Typically, Charlie trains in each skill set twice a week…twice running, twice swimming, and twice riding the bike.
Charlie tore his calf in March and had to take 10 weeks off from training. “It took a little bit of rehab. We have a hot tub, and ice baths, a lot of stretching, yoga, leg workouts…had to wear one of those big boots for a month or six weeks. But it was necessary to come back healthy.”
Charlie is looking forward to running and finishing the Iron Man race in Chattanooga. “You know, only .01 percent of humans have ever finished the Iron Man. It puts you in a pretty elite crowd to finish it.” It’s just something he can prove to himself, he says.
“This has proven to me that anything is possible. We have five kids. And we want them to know that they can do anything.” The Chandlers’ five children are Ava, a Freshman at Glenbrook; Jacob, a Senior at Parkway; Josh, Leslie, and Bradley, who work. Charlie is a field superintendent for Expand Energy; a fairly new company formed from the merger of Chesapeake and Southwestern. Expand is the largest producer of natural gas in the United States. Besides working, he gets up at 4 a.m. to get his workouts done, or he trains in the evenings.
Kayla works in her professional fields for now and will add nursing in December of 2026. And she gives a lot of time to the Minden Running Club, which has its runs at 7 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday and 6 a.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. “We meet at different places, just look on Facebook.”
Kayla and Charlie have a dream for changing the “Friendliest City in the South” slogan to the “Friendliest and Healthiest City in the South.” When they aren’t working toward that goal, training for races, and working, they attend The Simple Church in Shreveport with their kids.
Kayla and Devin Martin are collaborating on the Kisatchie Crusher Gravel & Run, which combines running with bicycling at nearby Caney Lakes on Saturday, Sept. 6. The Crusher is a “Gravel Bike race for 15, 30 or 60 miles, or 5k/10k run.Pick 1, not both.”
Now you know why to pay attention while driving Webster Parish…everybody is running and biking on those same streets and roads!! And Charlie Chandler is swimming as well!
Charlie Chandler finishes the Half Iron Man race in Waco.
C.J.Cheatham (left) and MPD Officer Johnna Traylor sort through a few of the door prizes and raffle items in preparation for the inaugural Minden Police Association banquet.
By Pat Culverhouse
Plans are proceeding full speed ahead for the inaugural Minden Police Association (MPA) banquet scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 30 at the Minden Civic Center. Activities are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
Sponsorships are still available, according to MPD Administrative Assistant C.J. Cheatham, and donations of items for the evening’s raffle and door prizes may still be made.
“We’re hoping to make this banquet an event that will continue annually,” Cheatham said. “This is an opportunity to honor the dedicated officers who serve our community, and to celebrate partnerships between law enforcement and the citizens we protect.”
Cheatham said the banquet is “informal.”
“We want everyone who attends to be comfortable,” she said. “To relax and just have a good time.”
Tickets for the event are $50 per person and the price includes a meal catered by Hugh Wood and drinks for the evening. Tickets may be purchased by calling Cheatham at 318-371-4226 or at the door the night of the event.
Available sponsorships include:
•Table sponsor—$1,000. Sponsorship includes recognition on table, event slide, social media recognition and acknowledgement during the banquet. Also, dinner for eight gusts, swag bag including 50 raffle tickets and two drink armbands.
• Gold sponsor—$750. Recognition in event program and slide, four meal tickets and 10 raffle tickets.
• Silver sponsor—$500. Recognition in event program and slide, two meal tickets and five raffle tickets.
A few items featured at the banquet will be a deer stand to be auctioned to the highest bidder, and raffle items including 10 firearms, a gun safe, LSU and LA Tech football tickets and many others.
In addition to many door prizes, a Split-the-Pot will be offered which will give attendees the chance to win $500 or more with just a $5 donation.
“As a non-profit organization committed to supporting the Minden Police Department, the MPA relies on the generosity of businesses and the public to make this event a success,” Cheatham said. “Sponsors and those who attend demonstrate a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being in our community.”
Cheatham said the mission of the MPA is to continue community outreach programs, training opportunities and officer support not only for Minden police officers but other first responders who may be facing hardships.
MPA funds also go to Minden officers to provide supplies such as water, food and other necessities when they find themselves working long hours during special assignments.
MPA funds also help support special events including Trunk or Treat, staged at Halloween for local children, and the annual Shop With A Cop Christmas event that serves children and families in the area.
Cheatham said one future plan of the MPA is to provide scholarships for area graduating seniors.
“We’re in the discussion stage on the scholarship program, but we hope that’s something we will be able to do,” she said.
A major focus of the MPA is to give the public, and especially young persons, a more positive view of police officers.
“Our officers often see the public on their worst possible day,” Cheatham said. “Our goal is to find a way to make something positive from that contact.”
Loy Barney Ware, known to most simply as “Barney,” was born on August 14, 1938, in Haynesville, Louisiana, to Seldon Loy Ware and Annie Laura Bond Ware. He passed away on March 16, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of music, service, friendship, and deep devotion to those he loved.
Barney was a gifted and accomplished saxophone player, performing jazz and other styles in bands across the world. He was especially known in Dallas, Texas, and throughout the state of Louisiana for his talent and passion for music. Beyond his musical gifts, Barney was most proud of his service in the United States Marine Corps. He served with honor as a guard at the American Embassy in Oslo, Norway, achieving the rank of Sergeant and traveling extensively. He spoke often of his time in the Marines, carrying those memories and values throughout his life.
After returning from service, Barney found work traveling Northern Texas and Louisiana as a shoe salesman for B.F. Goodrich Footwear. He also delivered newspapers for the Dallas Times Herald, building connections wherever he went with his warm personality and easy conversation.
It was during this chapter of life that he met and married the love of his life, Natalie Bayer. They shared nearly 50 years of marriage filled with love, laughter, and mutual respect. Though they had no children of their own, Barney and Natalie were beloved by their extended family—especially their nephews Mark McKay, Walt McKay III, Dan Ware, David Ware, and their niece Anne Vining.
Barney was a devoted member of the First Methodist Church in Minden, Louisiana, where he served faithfully. He was also active in the Lions Club, always willing to lend a hand at fundraisers and community events. Mondays were reserved for football and fellowship with his close-knit Monday Night Football group, where friends gathered in rotating homes to share food, fun, and friendly rivalry.
A man of many hobbies, Barney was a lifelong model railroading enthusiast. His detailed, hand-built train layout—lovingly constructed in his Man Cave—was a tribute to his family and imagination. Many of the buildings were named for those he loved, a testament to how he wove family into every part of his life.
Barney also had a special place in his heart for animals, especially dogs. He always had at least one furry companion by his side, many of them rescued and deeply cherished.
Ask anyone who knew Barney and they’ll tell you: that man could talk. And through those conversations—filled with humor, stories, and genuine interest in others—he built friendships that lasted a lifetime.
Barney was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Natalie; his parents, Seldon and Annie Ware; and his brother, Ted. He leaves behind a loving extended family and a wide circle of friends who will miss his voice, his warmth, and his generous spirit.
A memorial service will be held on August 23, 2025, at First Methodist Church in Minden, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. A small gathering and fellowship will follow in the church hall.
Shreveport – Veteran Rennie Bailey has been named the head coach of the Centenary women’s basketball program, Director of Athletics and Recreation David Orr announced.
See the complete release here: https://gocentenary.com/sports/wbkb/2025-26/releases/20250813jbso0u
Bailey, a native of Minden, comes to Centenary from Southern University in Baton Rouge, where he served as an assistant on the men’s staff for the last two seasons and helped the Jaguars win the 2025 SWAC Regular Season Championship. The former Louisiana Tech standout has over 30 years of experience at the college and high school level. He replaces former head coach Paul Reed, who guided the Ladies the last three seasons.
Bailey starred at Louisiana Tech from 1979-84 alongside his teammate and NBA Hall of Famer Karl Malone, and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1984 draft by the Detroit Pistons. In Bailey’s senior season (1983-84), he and Malone helped the Bulldogs to a Southland Conference Tournament championship, and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. Bailey received his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Tech in 1987.
See the complete Ladies’ season schedule here: https://www.gocentenary.com/sports/wbkb/2025-26/schedule
Live stats and live video stream are available for all Centenary home contests.
(Editor’s note: “before” photo of Pebbles at bottom of story may be disturbing. Above is an “after” photo.)
Pebbles has been with LaMa for one whole year…
She overcame being totally starved, went through heartworm treatment, and now she’s sitting and waiting for someone to choose her.
Pebbles is a mixed breed spayed female. She is heartworm negative now and up to date on all her shots and preventatives. She is 60 lb and would love a home of her own where she can claim a spot on your couch and in your heart!
We would adopt her out to a local family if they have exceptional vet records and personal references. Reach out to us if she looks like your type of House Hippo™️
It is the middle of August and the deer hunters are on the prowl. We all think it is one of the best times of the year. All of the hunters are in good moods and looking around for the newest and the best deer plot mix and attractants.
This is the first season that we have the deer protein tubs. I guess the manufacturers have decided that if it works for cattle it should do a great job for the deer. We have stocked 3 different tubs, Sweetlix, Kalmback, and the Gamechanger. The Gamechanger is a new take on an older product.
The hunters are looking over the food plot mixes also. We can’t have too many mixes to choose from. I’m also looking for the new and improved. We are going to stock Tecomate this year. The ax-Attract is the Cadillac of fall attraction food plots I’m told. Wea already have Buckbuster in stock. Let’s not forget that fall is the best time to plant all of those pretty clovers for the bees.
Never the less, fall is the most fun in the store. Lot’s of deer corn, plot mix, and smiles from our great customers.
(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal.)
After searching for three days – and even finding a clever decoy placed at the wrong location (not by Women Helping Others members) – Tucker and family found the W.H.O. treasure at the base of a tree near the brand spanking new bridge on Hwy. 160 over Bayou Dorcheat. Congratulations, Tucker, for winning $250 from Women Helping Others.
