There are many differences between the French and Americans. Over here, it’s common for conservatives to look down on European nations, reserving greater amounts of agitation for Parisians and their fellow countrymen and women. 

You know the jokes. The ones about the white flags. The ones about World War II. The ones about Freedom Fries. Etc. Tensions reached an all-time high about 20 years ago when they wouldn’t join in a war that turned out to be as false as they said it was. No WMDs. And Iraq, as well as the entire Middle East, is more unstable now than at any point in modern history. A lot of good men and women died. 

We have differences. And they extend beyond drinking hot brown water and eating snails. 

But there’s one area in which we could learn a lot from the nation across the Pond. 

They know how to stand up for themselves, and they know their government works for them and not the other way around. The French have always held their politicians accountable. These are the people that invented the guillotine and went on a bloody rampage against king and queen and nobility a few hundred years ago because of the greed and apathy of the ruling class. 

Currently, the French are having nationwide protests because of workers rights and governmental lunacy. This is standard operating procedure for French citizens when they don’t like what their government is doing. And as a result, the French enjoy a much better standard of living than us and have happier lives because they will take nothing less. I saw a video of a garbage truck full of trash being dumped on a politician’s yard because of the politician’ policy stances. The nation is at a standstill because its people will not budge. 

Meanwhile, over here in little Louisiana, a state with deep French roots, we’ve got a politician pushing a bill that would triple legislator pay. Being a politician shouldn’t be a career. Politicians shouldn’t be deified and made celebrities and asked for autographs and have rallies celebrating them. 

In society long ago, politicians and actors were treated relatively poorly because they didn’t add much value to society. Somewhere along the way, Americans changed and actors and politicians went from being our servants to our overlords. 

We need to be more like the French in our view of elected officials. They shouldn’t talk down to us. They shouldn’t look down on us. They work for us. 

The old joke goes politicians are like diapers. They should both be changed often and for the same reasons. 

(Josh Beavers is a teacher and a writer. He has been recognized five times for excellence in opinion writing by the Louisiana Press Association.)

SATURDAY

Glenbrook ladies 3, Cedar Creek Cougars 18.

No recap available at publication time.

North Webster stays scrappy in loss to Simsboro

North Webster Lady Knights  fought back after falling down by six runs in the seventh inning. The comeback fell just short though, in a 10-8 defeat to Simsboro Saturday.  North Webster scored four runs in the failed comeback on a single by Paige Timmons.

Despite the loss, the Lady Knights did collect five hits in the high-scoring affair. Unfortunately, Simsboro had six hits on the way to victory.

North Webster Lady Knights fired up the offense in the first inning, when an error scored one run.

Simsboro took the lead for good with three runs in the fourth inning.  In the fourth Kayla Mitchell tripled on the first pitch of the at-bat, scoring three runs.

North Webster Lady Knights put up four runs in the seventh inning.  The offensive onslaught was led by Kerianne Allen and Timmons, who each had RBIs in the inning.

Simsboro scored three runs in the seventh inning.  Simsboro big bats were led by Kennedy King, Vashanti Sproulls and Mitchell, all sending runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.

Carlei Wheeler took the win for Simsboro. Wheeler allowed five hits and eight runs over seven innings, striking out 15.

Carlie Campbell took the loss for North Webster. The pitcher went four innings, allowing seven runs on six hits, striking out seven and walking one.

Timmons went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead North Webster Lady Knights   in hits.

Wheeler led Simsboro with two hits in three at-bats.

Early lead for St. Fred seals fate for Lady Warriors

Lady Warriors fell behind early and couldn’t come back in an 11-1 loss to St. Fred on Saturday.  St. Fred scored on a wild pitch during P Yarbough’s at-bat and a double by H Gammage in the first inning.

The Lady Warriors struggled to contain the high-powered offense of St. Fred, giving up 11 runs.

St. Fred fired up the offense in the first inning, when McKenna Chreene’s wild pitch allowed one run to score for St. Fred.

St. Fred scored four runs in the fourth inning.  St. Fred batters contributing to the big inning included Yarbough, V Gray, and Gammage, all sending runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.

Chreene started the game for Lady Warriors. The hurler surrendered eight runs on eight hits over four innings, striking out two.  Maggie Mandino threw two-thirds of an inning in relief out of the bullpen.

Meredith Robinson and Paiton Levesque each managed one hit to lead Lady Warriors.

St. Fred totaled 11 hits in the game.  Gammage, Yarbough, B Pohlman and E Pankey all managed multiple hits for St. Fred.  Gammage went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead St. Fred in hits.  St. Fred was sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Yarbough had the most chances in the field with seven.

Glenbrook ladies set stage for victory with early lead over Summerfield

An early lead helped Glenbrook Lady Apaches defeat Summerfield 16-6 Saturday.  The Lady Apaches scored on a single by Hallie Harmon and a single by Ellie Earnhardt in the first inning.

Both offenses were strong at the plate as Glenbrook collected 11 hits and Summerfield three in the high-scoring affair

Glenbrook tallied six runs in the third inning.  Batters contributing to the big inning included Anna Grace Vining, Vivian Still, Gabi Brown and Colby Hollis, all sending runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.

Summerfield scored three runs in the fifth inning.  #1 and #20 each had RBIs in the frame.

Rebecca Mosley earned the victory in the pitcher’s circle for Glenbrook. The righthander went five innings, allowing six runs on three hits and striking out four.

#3 took the loss for Summerfield. She surrendered 16 runs on 11 hits over four innings, striking out two.

Glenbrook Lady Apaches totaled 11 hits in the game.  Vining, Hollis, and Harmon each collected multiple hits.  Harmon, Hollis and Vining each collected two hits to lead the Lady Apaches.

North Webster struggles to find groove against Calvin

North Webster Lady Knights  had a tough time generating runs Saturday, dropping their game with Calvin 19-1.

Calvin scored nine runs in the second inning. K Abels, P Smith, M Barnes, K Blundell, L Barnes and H Martin all contributed in the big inning with RBIs.

Martin earned the victory on the rubber for Calvin. The pitcher surrendered one run on five hits over three innings, striking out six and walking zero.

Carlie Campbell took the loss for North Webster Lady Knights. The pitcher lasted two innings, allowing six hits and eight runs while striking out one.

Emma Newsom started the game for North Webster. The righthander went one inning, allowing 11 runs on four hits and striking out two

Paige Timmons led the Lady Knights with two hits in two at-bats.

Calvin racked up ten hits on the day. C Johnson, A Powell and Smith all managed multiple hits for Calvin. Calvin didn’t commit a single error in the field. Johnson had the most chances in the field with six. Blundell led Calvin with two stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with eight stolen bases.

Sutton strong at the plate as Lakeside beats Calvin

Hallie Sutton was in the zone Saturday, tallying four hits and leading Lady Warriors to a 13-3 win over Calvin. Sutton doubled in the third, doubled in the fifth, singled in the sixth and doubled in the seventh.

Lady Warriors fired up the offense in the second inning, when Laiklyn Squyres doubled on a 0-2 count, scoring one run.

They tallied four runs in the fifth inning with Lady Warriors batters contributing to the big inning including Emily Jones, Rainie Hughes and Lexi Wood, who each had RBIs in the inning.

McKenna Chreene led things off in the circle for Lady Warriors. The bulldog went seven innings, allowing three runs on five hits and striking out eight.

H Martin led things off in the pitcher’s circle for Calvin. The bulldog allowed 16 hits and 12 runs over seven innings, striking out ten.

Lady Warriors had 16 hits in the game. Sutton, Chreene, Raleah Harris, Mackenzie McCoy, Hughes and Jones each managed multiple hits. Sutton led Lady Warriors with four hits in five at-bats.

FRIDAY

Glenbrook Lady Apaches can’t hold out against Oak Grove

Glenbrook Lady Apaches couldn’t keep up with Oak Grove Lady Tigers  and fell 10-3 Friday.

In the first inning, Oak Grove Lady Tigers got their offense started and scored one run when Gracie Claire Brister singled.

The Lady Apaches knotted the game up at three in the bottom of the first inning, when Colby Hollis homered on a 2-2 count, scoring two runs.

The Lady Tigers pulled away for good with two runs in the third inning.  In the third Lexi Cox singled on a 1-0 count, scoring two runs.

Oak Grove scored three runs in the seventh inning. Their big bats were led by Karlie Glascock and Brister, who each had RBIs in the inning.

Avery Hankins earned the victory in the circle for Oak Grove Lady Tigers. The pitcher lasted seven innings, allowing five hits and three runs while striking out three.

Rebecca Mosley took the loss for Glenbrook Lady Apaches. The righty went seven innings, allowing ten runs on 11 hits and striking out five.

Glenbrook socked one home run on the day. Hollis had a homer in the first inning.

Hallie Harmon, Ellie Earnhardt, Hollis, Anna Grace Vining and Vivian Still each collected one hit to lead Glenbrook  Lady Apaches.

Oak Grove Lady Tigers  collected 11 hits on the day.  Brister, Glascock, Ellie Kate Ray and Ava Burrell each collected multiple hits for Oak Grove Lady Tigers .  Brister went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Oak Grove Lady Tigers  in hits.

THURSDAY

St. Mary’s runs away with early lead for victory over Glenbrook girls

Glenbrook Lady Apaches watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in a 4-2 loss to St. Mary’s Lady Tigers Thursday.  St. Mary’s Lady Tigers took the lead on a single in the second inning.

The Lady Tigers fired up the offense in the second inning, when Anna Grace Mabile singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run.

St. Mary’s then scored three runs in the third inning.

Grace Wren got the win for St. Mary’s. The righthander allowed five hits and two runs over six and two-thirds innings, striking out nine.

Rebecca Mosley took the loss for the Lady Apaches. The pitcher surrendered four runs on five hits over six innings, striking out one.

Hallie Harmon, Ellie Earnhardt, Gabi Brown, Kynzie Smith and Colby Hollis all had one hit to lead Glenbrook.

Mabile led St. Mary’s Lady Tigers with two hits in two at-bats.  St. Mary’s Lady Tigers didn’t commit a single error in the field. Kennedy Griffin had the most chances in the field with eight.

Minden Crimson Tide takes the game over Calvin in a blow-out victory, 13-3

Minden Lady Tiders had everything working Thursday, winning big over Calvin 13-3.

Calvin fired up the offense in the first inning, when #5 grounded out, scoring one run.

In the bottom of the first inning, Minden tied things up at two. Charli Flournoy doubled on a 2-1 count, scoring two runs.

Minden pulled away for good with two runs in the third inning. In the third Jacey Adams singled on the first pitch of the at-bat, scoring two runs.

The Lady Tiders tallied five runs in the fourth inning.Batters contributing to the big inning included Kylie Ryan, Flournoy, Adams and Kaylin Williams, all knocking in runs in the inning.

Ryan was the winning pitcher for Minden. The fireballer allowed six hits and three runs over six innings, striking out five.

#3 took the loss for Calvin. The hurler went five and two-thirds innings, allowing 13 runs on 13 hits and striking out five.

Minden collected 13 hits on the day. Ryan, Adams, Flournoy, and Leigha K-Gilbert each racked up multiples. Ryan led with three hits in four at-bats.

Calvin racked up six hits on the day. #22 and #10 all managed multiple hits for Calvin.

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.” Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution.

I am not a fan of chocolate cake, but this right here is absolutely divine! If you are a milk chocolate lover, this is 100% for you!  Peep these Mini Easter Bundts!  I made these in the Pampered Chef Mini Bundt Pan, let them cool, and frosted them halfway.  I used mini chocolate chips to sprinkle on before adding the Peep bunny. You can definitely make this in any cake pan. 

This cake recipe is also found in The Copper Whisk Cookbook, and I make it all the time.  It keeps well for a few days (if leftovers last that long)!  These little cakes are perfect for any Easter get together.  Little hands will be reaching for them until they are gone.

Ridiculous Chocolate Cake

Cake Ingredients
• 1 box chocolate fudge cake mix
• 1 (3.9 ounce) box instant chocolate pudding
• 1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
• 3 eggs
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Frosting Ingredients
• 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 – 1/3 cup heavy cream (depending on consistency add more if desired)
• Chocolate chips 

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease Bundt pan. In stand mixer combine all ingredients except chocolate chips. Mix on low for 30 seconds then medium for 1 minute. Stir in chocolate chips by hand. Pour batter into Bundt pan and bake for 60 minutes or until cake is set. Cool completely before frosting.

To make frosting, beat butter, cocoa and powdered sugar in a stand mixer until combined. Add in vanilla and cream. Beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until creamy. Frost the cake and sprinkle more chocolate chips over the top.

(Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.)

By Kay Pruitt

The Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Legion Wiley Pevy Post #74, Hunter Rickerson VFW Post #2885 and Auxiliary are sponsoring an Armed Forces Day of Recognition with special guests being those who served in the Vietnam War.

On May 20, 2023, a ceremony will be held at 10:00 that morning with the dedication of the Vietnam Veteran’s Highway sign which will be placed at mile marker 40 on I-20 two miles east of Goodwill Road Exit.

The celebration will continue at the American Legion Hall in Minden.  A free lunch will be served provided by Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser and former Senator Ryan Gatti. The program to honor our Armed Forces will begin at noon with a special recognition of Vietnam veterans honoring the 50 year anniversary of the Presidential Proclamation for the departure of American troops from Vietnam.

America’s involvement in the conflict in Vietnam began twenty years prior to President John F. Kennedy sending the first large force of U. S. military personal to support the ineffectual regime of South Vietnam in 1961. Those in the U. S. government feared a tipping of power if the communist incursion by North Vietnam was not stopped. By 1964 the South Vietnamese government was crumbling, and President Lyndon B. Johnson ordered limited bombing raids on North Vietnam. A year later the North Vietnamese offensives forced President Johnson into a choice: either escalate the U. S. military involvement or withdraw.  Johnson chose to involve our military even deeper than previously, and soon troop levels jumped to 300,000 with the U.S. Air Force beginning the largest bombing campaign in history. 

The war dragged on and the dissatisfaction in America with the U. S. involvement, the high number of casualties, and the revealing of U.S. involvement with war crimes caused much opposition to the war.  By 1969, the protests against the war escalated while the number of U.S. troops reached nearly 550,000 in Vietnam. When President Richard Nixon took office he began troop withdrawal but intensified bombing. President Nixon expanded air and ground operations into Cambodia and Laos hoping to block enemy supply routes.  There were few positive results of this campaign, and protests escalated in  America. Vietnam became the war we could not win, and U. S. citizens wanted our troops out of the country. In an effort to end America’s eight year involvement in Vietnam, representatives of the U. S., North and South Vietnam and the Vietcong met in Paris in early January 1973 to enter into peace talks. Known as the Paris Peace Accords the formal title was the “Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam” which was signed on January 27.  On March 29, 1973, the last American military unit left Vietnam.

By Bonnie Culverhouse

Cullen Police have arrested a North Webster Parish man on multiple drug charges.

Jason Todd Bethany, 48, of Sanders Rd. Springhill, is charged with possession of methamphetamine, driving under suspension, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, no safety belt and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the police report, the officer was in his vehicle in front of the Cullen Police Department when Bethany passed in a white pick-up truck.

The officer said he noticed Bethany was not wearing a seat belt. He reportedly stopped Bethany and learned the driver’s license was suspended.

After arresting Bethany, the officer inventoried his vehicle and located a glass pipe with methamphetamine resin and 2.38 grams of uncut crystal methamphetamine. The officer reports that Bethany told him of a 22 long barrel loaded pistol inside the truck. He allegedly had seven more 22 bullets in his pocked when taken into custody.

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.

United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:

Food: Cereal, crackers, powdered milk, biscuit mix, cornbread mix, Ramen noodles

Clothing: Men’s shoes(sizes 10 and up)

Household goods: twin sheets

Toiletries: toothpaste, deodorant

Thank you 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.

Daniel W. Newell, District Attorney for the Second Judicial District in and for the Parish of Bienville, makes the following announcement relative to disposition of cases in Bienville Parish. These two are from Webster Parish

March 6, 2023

Demonte T. Brantley of Springhill, LA—Pled guilty to Possession With Intent to Distribute Schedule I CDS-Marijuana. He was sentenced to 2 years hard labor. 

Tyler Goyanes Stomberg of Minden, LA—Pled guilty to Possession of Schedule IV CDS-Alprazolam. He was sentenced to 3 years hard labor, which was suspended. He pled guilty to DWI-First Offense. He was sentenced to 6 months, which was suspended. He was placed on 2 years supervised probation. He was ordered to pay $978 in fines and costs to the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office. 

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

Current

4-H SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION IS OPEN. All 4th-6th grade 4-H’ers in Webster Parish are eligible to attend. For more information, please contact your 4-H Agent at larceneaux@agcenter.lsu.edu. To register, please bring your completed registration form and camp deposit to our temporary office space on the first floor of the police jury building in downtown Minden. Extra registration forms are available at the office. Mailed registration forms can still be sent to 1202 Homer Rd. Please call or email us to let us know that you are sending a registration by mail so that we can be on the look out. Camp will be held July 24-27.

March 28

6:30 p.m. Doors open at Minden Civic Center for Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala. Program begins at 7 p.m. Call 377-4240 for more information.

March 31

8 a.m. Registration for Webster Parish Sheriff Scramble at Pine Hills Country Club.

9 a.m. Tee off

11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. Pickle ball Clinic at Pine Hills Country Club

3:30 p.m. Round Robin play after 1-2 clinic, Email phpb688@gmail.com for sign up information.

April 2

10:30 a.m. Palm Sunday service, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway, Minden.

April 5

10 .m. until l2 p.m. Minden Civic Center. Greater Minden Chamber Job Fair and Resource Expo 2023.

April 6

6:30 p.m. Maundy Thursday service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway, Minden.

April 7

Noon service at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway, Minden.

April 8

10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wings and Wheels Fly-In and Car Show. Aircraft, cars on display, food, live music, pilot competitions, pilot meet and greets, car show as well as vendor booths from local businesses. Minden Airport, 100 Aviation, Drive, Minden, La.

April 9

9:30 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt, St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway, Minden.

9:45 a.m. Flowing of the Cross, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway, Minden.

10:30 a.m. Easter Service, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway, Minden.

April 10

6 p.m. Night At The Museum, Dorcheat Museum, 116 Pearl St. Speaker: Randy Grigsby. Subject: his books “A Train to Palestine” and “This Labyrinth of Darkness and Light.”

April 11

6 p.m. 69th Annual Awards Banquet, Springhill North Webster Chamber of Commerce, presented by Citizens National Bank. Community Activity Center, 301 West Church St., Springhill.

April 22

10 a.m. until 6 p.m., Scottish Tartan Festival, Miller Quarters, 198 Gleason St., Minden, La.

• Scottish Highland dancing

• Storytelling, living history exhibitions 

• Food and merchant vendors, including Great Raft beer 

• Traditional music and Celtic Rock 

• Scottish Highland cattle petting area 

• Broadsword demonstrations and Highland Games exhibitions 

• Clan tent exhibits and the March of the Clans 

The following arrests were made by local law enforcement agencies. Minden Police Department (MPD), Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office (WPSO), Louisiana State Police (LSP) and others which are named.

March 21

Lonnie Minnifield, 63, of the 1300 block of Hwy. 615, Shongaloo, La., was arrested by MPD for simple burglary.

March 22

Robert William Beil Jr., 36, of the 10,000 block of Lakewood, Sugar Land, Texas, was arrested by WPSO on Boothville Road for driving while intoxicated, second offense; open container; possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia; and resisting an officer.

Tymeshia Michelle Nminniefield, 33, of the 3000 block of Lula Ave., Baton Rouge, was arrested by Cotton Valley Police as a fugitive from Baton Rouge.

Jacob Heckendorn, 26, of Sarepta, La., was arrested by WPSO on a warrant for failure to appear in court for possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Benjamin D. Woods Jr.,  28, of the 500 block of Patricia St., Minden, was arrested by WPSO on a warrant for armed robbery.

Roderick L. Chatman, 47, of the 600 block of Cherry St., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for violation of probation.

March 23

Justin Lynn Rowell, 36, of the 100 block of Avalon Shores, Doyline, was arrested by WPSO for disturbing the peace and resisting by force.

Vernon Brayboy, 79, of the 700 block of W. Main St., Wolfe City, Texas, was arrested by MPD for simple assault.

March 24

Maurico Murphy, 33, of the 100 block of Katie Ln., Minden, was arrested by MPD on five active warrants.

DMarques Gill, 21, of the 900 block of McCausland St., Minden, was arrested by MPD for domestic abuse battery with child endangerment.

Edwards Charles Judgeware, 58, of the 500 block of MLK, Minden, was arrested by MPD for felony theft of a Tracfone® from a local dollar store.

Kristy M. Sullivan, 42, of Plain Dealing, was arrested by Cotton Valley Police for theft. She is being held on $20,000 bond.

March 25

Dillon Trigleth, 23, of the 100 block of Willow St., Springhill, was arrested by WPSO for driving while intoxicated (first offense) and careless operation of a motor vehicle.

Assiduous Devout Harris, 33, of the 400 block of South St., Minden, was arrested by MPD on two counts of resisting by false name, resisting by flight and fugitive from WPSO.

Davaris James Taran Moore, 29, of the 1600 block of Hwy. 80, Minden, was arrested by MPD for remaining after being forbidden and simple criminal damage to property.

Kendereck Terrell Charles, 23, of the 1500 block of Fuller Rd., Minden, was arrested by MPD for possession of marijuana. Charles had two bags the substance, each bag weighing approximately 29 grams.

March 26

Jalen James Bell, 24, of the 700 block of Dawson St., Minden, was arrested by LSP-Troop G for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and no seat belt.

March 28

Sandra Jo Mosley, 58, of the 2700 block of Goodwill Rd., Minden, was arrested by WPSO for simple battery.

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.

Steve Randall Lee

July 9, 1954 – March 24, 2023

Springhill, La.

Funeral service: 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2023, First Baptist Church, Springhill.

Burial: Welcome Cemetery, Taylor, Ark., under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

John Wimberly

Dec. 10, 1934 – March 23, 2023

Sarepta/Ringgold, La.

Graveside service: 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2023, Wimberly Cemetery, Ringgold, La., under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Steve Adams

Nov. 8, 1957 – March 25, 2023

Coushatta, La.

Visitation: 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2023, Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home.

Funeral service: 2 p.m. Thursday, March 30, 2023 at the funeral home.

Burial: Bethany Cemetery.

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 free of charge.)

By Bonnie Culverhouse

Former Webster Parish Police Jury representative Jerri Lee, can now add a new title: Webster Parish School Board member for District 9. It is the post that was vacated by long-time member Frankie Mitchell. Lee won handily Saturday night with 193 votes to 14 over Jo Ann McWoodson, a former administrator to WPSB superintendents.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to this opportunity,” said the 36-year educator. “I plan to get started right away, studying and learning the role I’ll be playing.”

With all 49 precincts reporting, the parish wide proposition for a 12.39 mills tax continuation for Webster Parish Libraries was renewed by a large margin. With an unofficial turnout of 7.8 percent, 1,433 voted in favor of the renewal.

“Knowing that our communities support their libraries is touching beyond words,” said Kim Sentell, Director of Marketing for Webster Parish Libraries. “With the passing of the funding renewal, we can begin writing the next chapter for your libraries.”

For more from Jerri Lee and library director Savannah Jones, please see Tuesday’s Webster Parish Journal.

By Bonnie Culverhouse

It took Minden Firefighters less than 30 minutes to extinguish a fire in one of Minden’s oldest residences Friday.

Fire Chief Brian Williams said a call concerning the fire in Minden’s Historic District came in around 4:33 p.m.

“There was a small fire in the crawl space between the second floor and the attic,” Williams said, of the house located at the corner of Homer Road and Elm Street. “We were a little bit delayed finding the fire and accessing it. We set up the ladder truck, entered into the attic space and knocked it down quickly.”

Williams said the fire was possibly caused by a lightning strike to a tree on the east side of the house.

“There was damage to a tree close to the house. We just can’t say for sure where it came into the house,” he said. “The cause is still under investigation. It appears it could’ve been weather-related.”

The fire was out in less than 30 minutes, he said, causing “moderate” damage.

Known as the Stewart House, the residence is located at 101 Homer Road. According to the Minden Historic Residential District website, the house was built in 1903 by attorney Daniel Webster Stewart and his artist wife Alice. Their daughter, Mary Stewart, was the last Stewart to live in the house. The family sold it in 1995. Craig and Mona Farley lived there for a number of years.

Williams said he does not know who currently owns the house.  He said there were 2 persons at home at the time. They were checked by Emergency Medical Services and released.

(Special thanks to the person who sent the drone shot to Minden Fire Department and Brian Williams for sharing it with Webster Parish Journal.)

By Bonnie Culverhouse

A Mooringsport man was arrested last night after a high-speed chase that ended in a crash.

Lucian Buck Hughes, 43, is charged with driving while intoxicated, first offense. refusing a chemical test, aggravated flight from officers, following too close and passing in a no-passing zone.

Sheriff Jason Parker said Deputy Buster Flowers tried to initiate a traffic stop on Hughes’  2022 Chevrolet TRX for following too close and passing in a no-passing zone.

“The vehicle failed to yield and proceeded to travel on I-20 west from Hwy. 371,” Parker said. “The vehicle took exit 44, then turned right on Hwy. 80 heading back toward Minden.”

According to the report, deputies pursuing the vehicle had lights and sirens activated.

“The vehicle led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit for about 20 minutes, exceeding 100 miles per hour,” said the sheriff. “Hughes also made multiple U-turns attempting to evade law enforcement. He went into oncoming lanes of traffic multiple times, putting other drivers at risk.”

Hughes was arrested after his vehicle left the roadway, colliding with a fence.

ORIGINAL STORY

Local law enforcement was led on a high-speed pursuit following an attempted traffic stop around 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said his deputies, along with Minden Police and Louisiana State Police chased the driver from Interstate 20 to Hwy. 531 into Dubberly where a crash took place near Dubberly Town Hall.

“Speeds reached in excess of 100 miles per hour,” Parker said. “We believe the suspect is from the Shreveport area, but we will know more after talking with him. I believe state police will probably take over the investigation.”

Parker also said he believes the driver was impaired.

“The main thing is that no one was hurt,” said the sheriff. “We want to make sure the citizens are safe, but law enforcement, too.”

Watch your Webster Parish Journal for more on this story. Special thanks to Erin Burrell for the video.

By Marilyn Miller

Coach Jackie Lockett gathers her team together on the sidelines of the basketball court at Doyline High School. The band of Junior High girls hasn’t played together in a while, so when someone slips a Christmas card into Jackie’s hands it isn’t such a surprise. Inside she finds a gift certificate. But it’s the note on the outside of the envelope that touches her the most — “Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I love you.” 

That sentiment pretty much describes what most people think of Coach Lockett. She loves them…and they love her back. But on her part, it wasn’t always that way. Being a part of a community was something foreign to her.

“My parents always supported me,” she said. And God is a large part of her life. So, what was missing? How about basketball and community??

“My daughter was in the second grade, and we were living in Kinder, La. at the time. They needed a basketball coach, and they asked me if I would do it.” Since Jackie had played basketball in high school, she knew the sport. “I said ‘I can do that,’” Jackie recalled. “I’d always had a heart for it.”

By 2009, the Lockett family had moved to Doyline to reside in her grandparents’ house after both of their deaths. The opportunity to coach basketball came up again, this time with her daughter in the sixth grade. “I knew I’d be here (in the gym), on the sidelines, anyway, since I knew the kids,” she said, agreeing to wear another job hat.

“I wasn’t too involved in the community, but I started to meet people. And I got to know the kids. She quickly realized that a hug from her was “sometimes the only hug they would get.”

“It was at that point that I said there’s more to it than basketball, it’s about the kids. I could not wait until the next year. Then I got my first third grader, and I saw her graduate from high school. Yeah, that broke me. I knew it was about more than basketball.”

Coach Lockett began playing basketball at Rancho Verde High School in southern California, where she said she learned to be a team player. Playing a sport also taught her confidence, organization, and most importantly, kept her out of trouble.

“I focused on basketball, instead of the wrong things,” she said. “Now, when I’m coaching, I try to instill life lessons. And I treat every girl the same.”

Or boy, since she is a member of the Doyline High School coaching staff. She is head coach of the Junior High girls’ basketball team, assistant coach of the Junior High boys’ team, and assistant coach of the Varsity girls’ and boys’ teams.

One of those life lessons Jackie talks about is “looking up” to the wrong people as heroes.

“Relating that to myself, I can remember looking up to famous people when I was young. Then when I got older, I realized that my heroes were those people around me who made an impact on me in good ways.”

Her heroes include her parents, Greg and Kathy Brace of Haughton. Her daughter, Daijohni Lockett, 24, lives in the Doyline area with her two children, one-year-old Ke’eric Washington and two-month-old, Kareem Washington. Coach Lockett’s 22-year-old son, David Lockett, lives in Arizona. And she has another grandmother, Climmie Bradford.

Coach Lockett has an Associate Degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix, and is certified in Coaching and Communications.

But her second job (really her first time-wise) really requires a degree in counseling. She has been working in the City of Minden’s Light & Water Dept. for 13 years.

What’s the best part of that job?

“I like to educate people,” she said, “Why is your bill so high? Let’s talk,” and she shows them their bill on a screen, pointing out the separate charges for electricity, water, etc. Perhaps their water is so high that a leak is likely. She likes being a problem-solver.”

And sometimes educating an entire community can be a good thing, Coach Lockett believes. She suggests that a Town Hall-type meeting be held every few months to address the electric bill problems.

One of Coach Lockett’s fondest jobs is directing the Praise & Worship Service at the Tillman Church of God in Christ in Heflin. She is also president of the Church District Choir, and holds other offices. Her faith is very important to her.

“Even when you are at your lowest, you can maintain a positive attitude and have faith,” she said, explaining that she had to have plenty of both when she was diagnosed with a Desmoid-type tumor in her shoulder in 2021. She had already had four surgeries between 2018-2021, when she asked her doctor, “What’s going on. I can’t even lift my arm!” He told her she had a mass in her shoulder. In February of 2022, she underwent chemotherapy for six months.

“When I was in chemo, it was bad,” Coach Lockett admitted. “My hands and feet were torn up, I couldn’t walk. I couldn’t do it.”

She was glad that her sessions were during the summer. Now she goes to M.D. Anderson Medical Center in Houston periodically and has “cryoblation” (freezing) therapy to shrink the mass.

“Hopefully it will shrink, and I will get my range of motion back,” she said, quoting David in Psalms 17:18, “I shall live and not die, and declare the works of the Lord.”

Afterall, she wants to get back to doing another love – refereeing basketball for high schools and recreation centers. “I had been doing it for seven years (before the shoulder mass) and I love it.”

Does being a Christian help with coaching and handling angry clients at the Light & Water Dept.?

“You treat people like you want to be treated,” she said, lamenting the regulation that prohibits praying with her kids, who “keep her going.”

In spite of all the jobs she has – she also works from 5:30-10:30 every Sunday night at the local dollar store – she doesn’t mind juggling all of her activities. Because it’s all about the kids. “I can have a bad day, and one hug from one of my kids is all I need. The public has been very supportive of me, and I love what I do.”

“I love my Doyline community,” she said, “I’m from California, and never thought of doing anything in my community.”

Coach Lockett “just wants to see everyone succeed.” She looks forward to coaching every year, and tries to watch as many of her kids play at other venues as possible.

She is a member of the Order of Eastern Star, serves on the board of the Jenkins Water System, and is one of the organizers of the Woman to Woman Fellowship, an organization that “builds others up because we know what it’s like to be torn down.”

“Something as simple as ‘God loves you’ can help you no matter what state you are in,” she said.

Yes, Coach Lockett stays busy. But she admits that she “could not do any of it without God.”

From singing in church to coaching basketball, she lays it all at the feet of Christ. “I honor Him in that,” she said.

God and family. Basketball and community. It’s a formula that works for Coach Jackie Lockett!

This is probably going to come as a great disappointment to some, but we share something in common. At one time or another, we’ve all wished,  “Golly gee, Mr. Destiny, I’d love to be young again.”

Had that thought myownself just the other day while sittin’ in the ol’ chair and rockin’ to the rhythm of the falling rain. After some deliberplation, however, what’s left of the brain sent the “Oh, no you don’t” message loudly and clearly.

Why not? Because generational mores of this era have undergone greater morphosis than the larva/furry critter that fattens itself on leaves before cocooning into dormancy and eventually digesting itself into a butterfly. No, Virginia, that does not mean becoming a vegan makes you beautiful.

Consider all we’d be facing if our old Neanderthalic selves were suddenly transformed to youthhood. For grins, let’s become somewhere around 6 years old. We won’t wish to become teenagers. That would mean our brain is somewhere between nonfunctional and nonexistent. 

By today’s standards, our 6-year-old self couldn’t play what was once a staple of kid-dom, Cowboys and Indians. Inappropriate and possibly a misdemeanor in some cities. We and friends might participate in Oppressive Animal Herder versus Marginalized Indigenous Peoples, but only if we follow new rules.

 First, no toy guns and no pointing fingers with shouts of bang, bang. In lieu of weapons, negotiators are chosen from among the more mature sixes. No imaginary animals (horses) unless accompanied by imaginary methane control devices. Even at age 6, we must learn that animal flatulence is an environmental H-bomb.

We’d also have to be careful when going to the library. If we listen to some of our adult mentors, there’s evil in them there shelves and meeting rooms. Some adults tell us 6-year-olds that we’re wise enough to make decisions on our own, like what’s good reading and what isn’t. It depends mostly on who’s telling what to whom and what the who agenda is for whom. 

While we have no problem with individuals expressing opinions on what they see as unacceptable literature, we do have a serious problem with those who demand we see it their way. The “I’m offended and I demand this book be banned” folks ought not force feed their offendedness.

No insinuation intended, but the Henry Jones Sr. quote from “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” might be heeded. According to HJ, “…goose-stepping morons like yourself should try reading books instead of burning them.” Ditto banning same.

Finally, if we’re 6 years old, we’ve already been subjected to three years of de-genderizing and language annulment to the point that we don’t know whether we should scratch our watch or wind our behind.  Linguistically, we can only utter the word “male” if it’s spelled “mail” and anything pertaining to the opposite sex has to be properly pronouned. Oops. We said opposite sex. Make that the other of many.

Beginning in pre-pre-kindergarten (around age 3), we’re being taught there’s as many as six recognized sexes and (on the extreme end) from 72 to 112 genders. And we thought it would be a chore once we reached middle school to name all the parishes in our state. Unless it’s multiple choice, this kid will fail Genderizing 101.

No, fellow old-timers, we do not want to be young again. There are just too many new facts of present that do not translate to the “good ol’ days.” Rather than wish to be young, we will spend a few moments remembering. That’s something we can do at our own pace.

Things are always better in memory. We’re faster, stronger, more brilliant, more beautiful. George Bernard Shaw said youth is wasted on the young. Agree. And, we would add that youth is unappreciated and taken for granted by the young. 

But a reminder to the young who believe they are the solution to the problems created by their elders comes from David Mamet, a Pulitzer Prize winning author, playwright and filmmaker. “Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance,” he wrote. 

Question for today’s young, so-called “influencers” and “identifiers.” What examples are you setting for 6-year-olds? Time will tell. Hope you don’t devour yourselves, and others, while trying to become more than a caterpillar in a butterfly world.

— Pat Culverhouse

Students or perspective students have approached me many times with tales of instructors and curriculums to which they’ve subjected themselves.  Inevitably, the stories are always the same and they’re never good.  I’m hesitant to use the words never and always in my speech, but in this instance, I can use them both without fear of entering the pool of hyperbole often associated with the use of these particular adverbs.  Initially, I was appalled at the accounts given by people who had “trained” with certain instructors.  However, these accounts have become so commonplace that I tend to simply nod, and say “that’s unfortunate,” in an attempt to quell the conversation.

We find ourselves living in a time where governmental permission slips must be purchased in order for law abiding members of society to remain law abiding when exercising their rights associated with firearms.  “The government giveth and the government taketh away” is not how rights work.  I don’t believe governmental permitting processes should exist.  At the very least, permission to carry your firearm, concealed or otherwise, shouldn’t require a monetary transaction with the state.  Additionally, when government requires citizens to graduate from a class before being allowed to carry and / or conceal their handgun in public, the people flock to the cheapest instructors they can find – instructors that live by the moniker “good enough for government work.”  Not only is that lazy, it’s also dangerous and reckless.

I’m not here to tell you that all instructors are bad, or that any instructor or curriculum is perfect because none of those things are true – nor am I attempting to proselytize the student base of any other trainer.  Ask anyone who has ever trained with me, and they’ll tell you that I vehemently encourage my students to train with other instructors.  Moreover, I encourage people who haven’t trained with me to train somewhere with someone as long as they vet the instructor first.  Producing more good people with guns who know how to use those guns safely and effectively should be the only goal of any firearms instructor, whether or not they are a financial benefactor.

Firearm instructors usually fall into one of three categories – military, law enforcement, or competitive shooters.  Each of these backgrounds can be a great foundation for an instructor to build upon.  Just be aware of what isn’t on their resume.  If you’re looking for a concealed carry class and the only thing on an instructor’s resume is “’NRA’ or ’POST’ certified instructor,” you should absolutely, unequivocally steer clear of that person.  

Ask yourself, “what will I be doing with my gun?”  You’ll be carrying your gun into restaurants, malls, theaters, churches, and kids’ birthday parties.  You won’t be conducting felony traffic stops, executing high-risk search warrants, or kicking doors in Afghanistan hunting terrorists.  Furthermore, if you need to save a life with your gun, it’ll be serious business – not a game.  Sorry, competition shooters but your objective is a high score, and you opponent is a clock.  That’s a game.  I love competitive shooting sports!  I just hate it when competition shooting is counted as synonymous with fighting.  There’s very little martial value in competitive shooting – which brings me to my next point.

If you read on an instructor’s website, or hear them say the word “administrative,” in any way pertaining to the handling of a firearm, i.e., “administrative reload” – train elsewhere, or, if you’re already in their class, ask for a refund.  There’s nothing administrative about a fight for your life.  Administrative gun-handling practices cause training scars that could have deadly consequences for you and / or your loved ones.

Don’t assume that because someone is a cop, a soldier, or a champion shooter that they’re automatically qualified to teach you how to fight with a pistol.  It’s true that many police / military / competition shooting skills transfer to non-professional gun carriers.  However, as previously stated, what they do most often with their guns is not what you’re taking that class to learn.  Has your instructor done any training whatsoever in the private sector, or has every class under his belt been provided by his police agency?  If you think cops have it all figured out, go back and read installment #21 of this article, titled “Cop Talk.”  If your instructor has a military background, does he have any handgun training beyond what he received in the military?  There is handgun training in the military – but a handgun, for obvious reasons, isn’t the primary weapon of our servicemen.  Training time with a sidearm is often an afterthought for military personnel.  

There are a lot of excellent and highly qualified instructors out there.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of charlatans too.  It’s up to you to vet your instructors before giving them your hard-earned money – or before putting your life in their hands.  If your concealed carry instructor didn’t teach you how to draw your gun from a holster, he failed you.  If you left class not fully understanding the laws pertaining to self-defense, your instructor failed you.  If your class was abbreviated or if you were only allowed to fire the mandatory minimum number of rounds, your instructor failed you.  If your instructor didn’t explain the realities of legal battles and post-traumatic stress following a lethal force encounter, he failed you.  If your instructor didn’t explain the importance of avoiding danger, when at all possible, he failed you.  If your instructor didn’t teach you anything about how to fight with your gun when trouble is unavoidable, he failed you.  If your instructor didn’t challenge you in any way, he failed you.  If you’re okay with any of those things applying to you, then you failed yourself.

Don’t be the lowest common denominator gun carrier.  To accomplish that, you have to avoid subpar instructors by vetting them beforehand.  Find out what training they’ve had beyond what’s been required of them through their respective agency, military branch, or shooting club.  If they haven’t taken the initiative to learn their craft without it being mandated by their supervisor, are they who you want teaching you?  

Find an instructor who knows what it means to be a good student.  You’ll recognize them by how willing they are to share their resume upon request.  If they provide a curriculum vitae, read it carefully and research their training.  Talk to former students and get their perspective on the training offered by a particular instructor.  Sure, resumes can be faked or embellished, but doing your own research when selecting an instructor is the only way to make an informed decision.  If something seems wrong, it probably is.

When you find a quality instructor, understand that you need more training than a concealed carry class alone.  Don’t engage in the government’s dog & pony show just to get your gun-toting hall-pass.  Fighting skills are perishable.  If you don’t train, and practice the things you learn in training, you’ll lose your edge.         

Avoid what you can.  Defeat what you can’t.

-Ryan

Please submit your questions to Ryan via email at Ryan@9and1tactical.com

Ryan Barnette is not a licensed attorney or a medical provider, and no information provided in “Slicing the Pie,” or any other publication authored by Ryan Barnette should be construed, in any way, as official legal, or medical advice. 

My family and I go out to eat quite a bit. Sometimes it is just so much easier to sit down at a restaurant, eat a meal, pay and go home. No cleaning up in the kitchen, no leftovers to put away. We can go home, take baths, and get started on our bedtime routine with the girls. Although eating dinner at home is much more relaxing for me.  

Trying to sit down at a restaurant with three kids, one of them being a restless 1-year-old, is not exactly as enjoyable or relaxing as it used to be. She has about 10 good minutes in her before she starts wanting to wander around, throw utensils on the floor or start screaming at the top of her lungs. As a mother this can be extremely stressful. You feel like you are disturbing everyone else in the restaurant who, like you, are also trying to wind down and enjoy a hot meal that they did not have to prepare themselves. I constantly feel like everyone is staring at me, wondering why my kid is acting like a buffoon or praying that I can get her under control.  

She will be two this coming May and I can honestly say that I have not necessarily enjoyed going out to eat in approximately two years. That was until last Sunday. We went to eat at a local restaurant and Emerson and Ashton, who are both old enough to know how to act in a restaurant, were their usual pleasant self. Kameron was surprisingly cool and collected throughout the meal. She sat in her chair the whole time. She ate her food without accumulating a pile of it under the table. We did not have to ask for extra forks or spoons to replace the ones she usually tosses across the table at us. No drinks were spilled, which is uncommon not only for Kameron but for all of us.  

I did not want to say anything aloud about her behavior in fear of jinxing it before we could get out of there. Right as we were about to pay and leave, an elderly gentleman who was seated at the table next to us with his wife, turned and said, “I just wanted to say that your girls are very well-behaved.” 

Cue the tears- tears of gratitude, tears of joy, tears of sorrow and tears of regret. I felt all of this in a matter of seconds. 

I was so thankful and ecstatic that this man acknowledged them and left me with those kind words. As a parent, you sometimes feel like you work so hard to make sure that you are raising your children up the best you can, and a lot of the time all this work goes unnoticed. It is so nice to know that someone just sees you every now and then and that all your efforts are actually making a difference. This man did not know that this was the first meal in almost two years that we have made it through without a meltdown.  

But on the other hand I also felt so terrible. This man was sitting there alone with his wife, enjoying their quiet dinner and a couple of drinks together, probably looking at my husband and I with our three children, longing for those days when their own children were younger. Talk about a gut punch, right?  

On hard days, I find myself thinking about the future. One day the girls will all be grown-up. They will be taking their own little families out to eat for dinner and struggling with their own tornado of a toddler in the middle of a restaurant. They will stress and be embarrassed every now and then. Hopefully, they will call me as I am sitting alone with my husband in a too quiet house to complain or ask for advice and I will tell them without missing a beat, “Enjoy it.” 

They will most likely roll their eyes in the same fashion that I did when anyone and everyone would offer up their unsolicited advice and tell me to simply, “Enjoy it.” Now I can see that they were right.

Somehow these years with your kids can be the slowest yet fastest years yet. Sometimes in an effort to get us through the rough patches of parenthood we find ourselves thinking, “I cannot wait until this or that” or “If I can just make it through this day, this week, this month, this year.” But what happens during that time leading up to that moment that you are longing for? They become unimportant to us. You have already written off all these wonderful moments because you are too busy anticipating what is coming on the horizon. It may be extremely difficult to find instances in those really tough days that you think are worth savoring, but they are still your moments with your family and precious time to be appreciated. So, do not wish the days away- even those ones.

One day you too will be sitting at a table in the middle of a restaurant with your significant other. You will take in all the young families sitting around you with toddlers giving their parents absolute hell and you will chuckle and look over at your partner with a blissful, longing glance internally replaying those chaotic moments you spent together parenting your own children and you will wish for them back.

(Paige Nash is a wife, mother, publisher of Bienville Parish Journal and Claiborne Parish Journal and a digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal.)

4-H U will be June 19-23, 2023 in Baton Rouge. 

WHAT IS 4-H UNIVERSITY? Each year 4-H members who are in the 8th-12th grade, are eligible to participate in 4-H University at LSU to demonstrate their skills in more than 40 competitive events. It is a culmination of a 4-H member’s year of hard work and dedication. Events range from Demonstrations and Public Speaking, Automotive Care, Fishing Sports, Photography, Outdoor Skills, Cooking, Fashion Revue, Tractor Driving, Robotics, Visual Arts, and many more! Through competing, youth demonstrate life skills in teamwork, decision making, problem solving, resiliency, and many more. Each competitive event allows youth an opportunity for personal growth, skill mastery, and other life skills vital to functioning members of society. 

For 4-H’ers not interested in competing, members may opt to participate in Clover College. Clover College participants spend the week learning about a topic of their choosing including Drafting, Turfgrass Management, Forensics, Graphic Design, Health Sciences, Robotics, and Veterinary Skills. 

Registration Deadline for 4-H University is May 15, 2023. Please contact the Webster Parish 4-H Agent, Laynie Arceneaux Smith at larceneaux@agcenter.lsu.edu for more details on how to get involved.  

WEDNESDAY

No scores were available at publication time for the game between North Webster High School and Stanley (Logansport).

Lakeside falls to Byrd on walk-off

A walk-off left Lakeside Warriors on the wrong end of a 7-6 defeat to Byrd Jacks Wednesday. The game was tied at six with Byrd  batting in the bottom of the eighth when an error scored one run.

The Warriors fell behind by four runs in the fifth inning, but then tried to fight back. They scored four runs in the failed comeback on a double by Jon Jon Dick, a single by Cade Boley and a sacrifice fly by Matthew Aguilera.

Lakeside took an early lead in the second inning. Hunter Sutton hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring one run.

The Warriors evened things up at six in the top of the sixth inning when Aguilera’s sac fly scored one run.

They then scored four runs in the sixth inning. The offensive onslaught by Lakeside was led by Dick, Boley and Aguilera, all knocking in runs in the inning.

T Wool led things off on the mound for Byrd Jacks. The hurler went four innings, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out one and walking zero.

Bradley Dick started the game for Lakeside. The southpaw went four innings, allowing four runs on three hits and striking out two.  Sutton threw three and two-thirds innings out of the bullpen.

Lakeside totaled ten hits. Peyton Gray, Boley, Dick and Cooper Chase all managed multiple hits.  Chase, Dick, Boley and Gray each collected two hits to lead the Warriors.

K Rob led Byrd Jacks with two hits in four at-bats.

TUESDAY

Lakeside Warriors defeated Minden Crimson Tide 5-2

Lakeside fired up the offense in the second inning, when Matthew Aguilera singled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run.

After Minden Crimson Tide scored one run in the top of the fourth, Lakeside  Warriors answered with one of their own.

The Warriors pulled away for good with two runs in the third inning.  In the third Jon Jon Dick’s sac fly scored one run for Lakeside  Warriors and Cade Boley singled on the first pitch of the at-bat, scoring one run.

Jordan Isbell pitched Lakeside Warriors to victory. The pitcher went four innings, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out two and walking one.  Cooper Chase and CJ Watts entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief.

Brody Bower took the loss for Minden Crimson Tide. The righty surrendered five runs on six hits over six innings, striking out three and walking one.

Bradley Dick, Chase, Dick, Aguilera, Eli Musgraves, and Boley each managed one hit to lead Lakeside  Warriors.

Brandon Winston went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Minden Crimson Tide  in hits.

Doyline Panthers stymied by Weston, lose 13-0

Doyline Panthers couldn’t keep up with Weston and fell 13-0 Tuesday.

Cooper Delaney was the winning pitcher for Weston. The ace lasted five innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out ten.

Noah Spears took the loss for Doyline. The righthander went three and two-thirds innings, allowing nine runs on 11 hits and striking out four.

Weston tallied two home runs on the day. Jacob Gill went deep in the fifth inning. Drew Browning had a four bagger in the third inning.

Weston tallied 15 hits. Gill, Colten Blundell, Browning, Bryce Zehr and Cole Tolar each racked up multiple hits for Weston. Gill led Weston with three hits in four at-bats. Weston didn’t commit a single error in the field. Tolar had the most chances in the field with ten.

Glenbrook Apaches smacks three hits, lose to Ruston Bearcats

Scorekeepers were kept busy today during a high-scoring contest between Ruston Bearcats  and Glenbrook Apaches where Glenbrook lost 16-7.

Glenbrook struggled to put runs on the board and had a tough time defensively containing Ruston Bearcats, giving up 16 runs.

In the first inning, Ruston Bearcats got their offense started when RJ Brown doubled on a 3-1 count, scoring two runs.

The Bearcats pulled away for good with five runs in the third inning.  In the third Wade Crawford drew a walk, scoring one run, Gabe Gaudet drew a walk, scoring one run, Bryant Bennett drew a walk, scoring one run, Jackson Lee’s sac fly scored one run for Ruston Bearcats and JR Tollett drew a walk, scoring one run.

The Apaches put up three runs in the fifth inning.  Easton Sanders and Toby Haulmark each had RBIs in the big inning.

Ruston Bearcats scored eight runs in the sixth inning.  Ruston Bearcats  batters contributing to the big inning included Crawford, Gaudet,  Bennett, Tollett, and Cade Patterson, all sending runners across the plate with RBIs in the inning.

David Griep led things off on the hill for Ruston Bearcats . The southpaw surrendered one run on zero hits over two innings, striking out three.

Turner McLelland led things off on the mound for Glenbrook. The righthander surrendered five runs on two hits over two and a third innings, striking out two.  Cason Clemons, Seth Mangrum and Landry Powell each contributed in relief for Glenbrook  Apaches.

Maddox Mandino, Clemons and Sanders each collected one hit to lead Glenbrook  Apaches.

North Webster High School 19, Plain Dealing 1

There was no game recap available.

(“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.” Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution.)

By Jessica Gorman

1923 was a year of growth and development for Minden. Construction of the L&A Railway shops had already brought new residents to the town with more to follow upon completion of the shops. Even before this, the 1920 United States census records many living in tent cities located in the Dirty Six neighborhood near the depot and at the fairgrounds. These tent cities primarily housed oilfield workers.

The influx of families had created a housing shortage that was sure to increase. Meetings were held and committees were formed to address the issue. The Westgate Addition, on Shreveport Road, had been developed several years before and improvements were being made to this area. Lights were being added in this neighborhood and in the Chandler Addition across town. The capacity of the light plant was being increased to accommodate the growing need for electricity.

Besides a housing shortage, those planning to move with the railroad shops from Stamps, Arkansas to Minden were concerned that there would not be adequate school facilities for their children. L.H. Denman, principal of Minden High School, assured the superintendent of schools in Stamps that construction of the new high school building, expected to be complete by the end of the year, would be sufficient to accommodate the hundreds of new students expected to enroll in the school. 

Other improvements were being made to the town. Sewer, water, and gas lines were being laid simultaneously to provide residents with these services. New brick buildings had been built or were under construction downtown, including the Imperial Hotel. Both the Baptist and the Presbyterian churches were putting plans in place to construct new church buildings and parsonages. 

With so many new additions to the town, 1923 would have certainly been an exciting time in Minden.

(Jessica Gorman is the Assistant Director and Archivist for the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum in Minden and is an avid genealogist.)

The LSU AgCenter nutrition programs are great for all adults to learn how to prevent or manage health-related illnesses. Nutrition lessons can be taught in a face-to-face format or can be presented completely online. A small cost will apply to cover supplies for face-to-face classes. 

1. Dining with Diabetes – A five-part series that assist adults at risk or living with Type 2 diabetes learn how to manage their condition through meal planning, label reading and portion control.
2. Smart Portions – This 8-part lifestyle weight control program teaches healthy eating using the MyPlate food groups and proper portion sizes. Regular physical activity and focus on a healthy weight are keys to success.
3. Let’s Eat for the Health of It Adult Series – An 8-part series developed by the LSU AgCenter teaches the importance of MyPlate food groups, food safety, handwashing, physical activity, and food dollar management. 
4. Small Changes, Healthy Habits – A 4-part educational series on improving your health and nutrition through small changes. This program helps adults make modest, healthy, long-term changes in both diet and physical activity.
5. Break Up with Salt – A 4-part lesson series aimed to help adults at risk for or with hypertension (high blood pressure) manage blood pressure levels through goal setting, diet, nutrition label reading, portion control, and cooking.
6. Flavors of Health – Is there a topic you and your group are interested in learning more about? There are a  variety of one session lessons available, such as

• Small kitchen appliances
• Food for brain health – Mediterranean diet 
• Meal prepping
• Grocery shopping and buying
• Beverages and hydration
• Reading nutrition fact labels
• Adult cooking classes

7. Stay Independent– Stay Independent is a 6-module  nutrition education program for older adults, developed by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The program is available to AgCenter Flavor of Health nutrition agents for community implementation in Louisiana. 

For more information on nutrition classes, please contact Shakera Williams, MPH Assistant FCS Extension Nutrition Agent at sswilliams@agcenter.lsu.edu or 318 371-1371. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the LSU AgCenter will make reasonable accommodations to enable persons with disabilities to engage in programs offered.Should you need an ADA accommodation, please contact Shakera Williams at 318-371-1371  no later than 2 weeks before your accommodation is needed. 

The LSU AgCenter and LSU provide equal opportunities in programs and employment.

WEDNESDAY

Minden High School 16, Woodlawn 0

No other details were available by publication time.

TUESDAY

Lady Warriors take lead in fourth inning to defeat Loyola

Lady Warriors took the lead late and defeated Loyola 12-2 Tuesday.  The game was tied at two with Lady Warriors batting in the bottom of the fourth when Emily Jones singled on the first pitch of the at bat, scoring one run.

Lakeside was boosted by Laiklyn Squyres who went 4-for-4 at the plate.  Squyres singled in the second, tripled in the fourth, singled in the sixth and tripled in the sixth.

Lady Warriors pulled away for good with one run in the fourth inning.

They tallied seven runs in the sixth inning.  Rainie Hughes, Paiton Levesque, McKenna Chreene and Squyres powered the big inning with RBIs.

Chreene was on the rubber for Lady Warriors. The pitcher went six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, striking out 12 and walking zero.

L Krieg was in the circle for Loyola. The hurler surrendered 12 runs on 17 hits over five and two-thirds innings, striking out three and walking zero.

Lady Warriors socked one home run on the day when Raleah Harris went long in the fifth inning.

Lady Warriors had 17 hits in the game.  Squyres, Chreene, Levesque, Jones, Harris and Mackenzie McCoy all managed multiple hits. Squyres went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead Lady Warriors in hits.

Two pitchers work together in no-hitter as North Webster beats Carroll

North Webster Lady Knights’ two pitchers didn’t allow a single hit, as they defeated Carroll 18-0 Tuesday. Carlie Campbell induced a groundout from Gray to get the last out of the game.

The Lady Knights got things moving in the first inning when Aniyah Davis singled on a 2-0 count, scoring one run.

North Webster put up six runs in the fifth inning. The offense in the inning came from a single by Kerianne Allen, a home run by Paige Timmons and an error on a ball put in play by Kensy Brown.

Emma Newsom earned the win for North Webster Lady Knights. The pitcher allowed zero hits and zero runs over four innings, striking out seven. Campbell threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.

Harris took the loss for Carroll. The hurler surrendered 18 runs on 12 hits over five innings, striking out one.

North Webster Lady Knights   tallied one home run on the day when Timmons went deep in the fifth inning.

The Lady Knights tallied 12 hits. Anna Ray, Davis, Timmons and Brown each racked up multiple hits for North Webster Lady Knights. Ray led North Webster with three hits in four at-bats. Anekah Coleman led with four stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with ten stolen bases.

Quitman 5, MHS 1

Minden High School’s girls softball game Tuesday was listed as “unfinished.” No other details were available.

Glenbrook 24, Ringgold 4

Glenbrook girls’ team did not have a game recap.

North Webster Lady Knights jumps out to early lead in victory over North Caddo

North Webster Lady Knights grabbed an early lead on its way to a 17-6 victory over North Caddo Monday when they scored on a walk by Carlie Campbell, an error, and a double by Kensy Brown in the first inning.

The Lady Knights collected nine hits and North Caddo had five in the high-scoring affair.

North Webster tallied five runs in the third inning. Landree Andrews, Anna Ray and Anekah Coleman all drove in runs in the frame.

North Caddo scored three runs in the second inning. Hankings and #19 each had RBIs in the frame.

Emma Newsom pitched North Webster Lady Knights to victory. The righty lasted one-third of an inning, allowing one hit and zero runs while walking zero.

#19 took the loss for North Caddo. undefined lasted four and a third innings, allowing nine hits and 17 runs while striking out six.

Campbell started the game for North Webster. The righthander allowed four hits and six runs over four and two-thirds innings, striking out eight

The Lady Knights racked up nine hits. Andrews and Coleman all managed multiple hits. Andrews went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead the team in hits. They stole 13 bases during the game as three players stole more than one. Campbell led the way with five.

North Caddo scattered five hits in the game. Hankings and #19 all had multiple hits for North Caddo. #17 led North Caddo with two stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with six stolen bases.

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