Word of the day: Prognosticate

Phonetic: /prog· nos· ti· cate/
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition
to foretell from signs or symptoms : predict
to give an indication of in advance : foreshadow

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Shondreka McGlothern, 32, 700 block Buck St., Minden: arrested May 28 by Minden PD on warrants for theft, access device fraud. Bond set $900.

Alexis Gail Procell, 30, 1800 block Hwy. 507, Coushatta: arrested May 29 by Minden PD on fugitive warrant from Louisiana State Police Troop E. No bond set.

Steven Wesley Slaughter, 41, 100 block Union 776, El Dorado, Arkansas: arrested May 29 by Minden PD for misdemeanor theft. No bond set.

Teadrien Ramone Burris, 28, no address (homeless): arrested May 29 by Minden PD for unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling. Bond set $25,000.

Carey TyJuan Eason, 29, 700 block Caney St., Minden: arrested May 31 by Minden PD on multiple bench warrants. Bond set $40,000 surety or $1,350 cash.

Jasmine Lenore Thomas, 37, 100 block Emerald Dr., Minden: arrested May 30 by Minden PD on warrant for theft. Bond set $5,000. 

Billy Scott Fowler, 40, 100 block Emerald Dr., Minden: arrested May 30 by Minden PD for violation of protective order (two counts). Bond set $1,500. 

Brandon Michael Charles, 24, Reiny Circle, Springhill: served warrant while incarcerated at BDCC by Springhill PD. Currently held on multiple charges with total bond of $195,000.

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

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John David Watson
April 19, 1955 — June 2, 2026
Homer
Visitation: 9 a.m. until service time, Friday, June 5, 2026, First Baptist Church, 406 West Main Street, Homer.
Funeral service: 10 a.m. immediately after visitation.
Burial: Forest Grove Cemetery, Arizona Community.

Richard K. Sanders
April 17, 1952 — May 28, 2026
Minden
Memorial service: 1 until 5 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026, Hock Activity Building, 1383 Hwy. 531, Minden.

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

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By Pat Culverhouse

A resolution requesting “…review and appropriate oversight by the Louisiana Dept. of Health regarding Minden Medical Center” received unanimous approval Tuesday from the Webster Parish Police Jury.

During its governmental affairs committee meeting, chairman and jury president Jim Bonsall said he was requesting support of the resolution since concerns have been raised regarding several factors affecting the hospital.

“We’ve heard of situations at our hospital for some time and I believe it’s time we took the appropriate steps to address those problems,” Bonsall said. “Our hospital, the employees and the healthcare for our people all are important to us.”

Bonsall said the resolution’s language is similar to one passed by the Lincoln Parish Police Jury concerning Northern Louisiana Medical Center in Ruston.

“Since our problems are similar, we thought the language of their resolution would be appropriate,” he told committee members.

Both NLMC and MMC are operated by Allegiance Health Management of Bossier City. Both reportedly have seen difficult financial situations recently, including vendor liens and federal tax liens. MMC reportedly remains under an Internal Revenue Service lien for more than $2.4 million in unpaid payroll taxes.

In the resolution, concerns are raised concerning vendor obligations, supply-chain interruptions, employee confidence and the hospital’s ability to maintain the staffing, supplies, equipment and services necessary for safe patient care.

Also, the resolution notes the Police Jury is aware of reports concerning emergency department readiness, patient monitoring equipment, sanitation, medical waste handling, security, building conditions and other operational support issues.

Specifically, the resolution requests that the state health department conduct a timely review of Minden Medical Center and its current operations including:

Clinical Safety: evaluation of staffing levels, equipment reliability and the availability of essential medications and supplies.
Facility Standards: assessment of sanitation, medical waste protocols and general building conditions.
Operational Viability: investigation into financial or vendor issues that may impede safe patient care or service continuity.
Emergency Readiness: review of diversion protocols, EMS coordination and transfer agreements.

Resolution language also requests the state department of health coordinate with relevant state or federal agencies for any matters outside its jurisdiction. It further asks that a written status update be provided to the jury within 30 days, followed by monthly progress reports until the review is concluded.

In addition to the state health department, the resolution is also being forward to the Webster Parish legislative delegation.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, jury members:

Approved a 10 percent increase in the employee insurance premiums, and agreed to pay the employee portion of the increase. Currently, the police jury pays 87 percent of the premium for its employees and 80 percent of the premium for library employees.
Approved the Minden Press-Herald as jury’s official journal. With the closure of the Springhill Press, the police jury’s website will be listed as the publication journal for the parish.
Adopted millage rates for 2026.
Approved a pair of ordinances authorizing sale of adjudicated properties.
Adopted a resolution approving a tax renewal election in Fire Protection District 3 (Doyline) set Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Below, Homeland Security Director Brian Williams gives a report to the police jury.

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By Pat Culverhouse

Ignoring traffic signs posted on a construction site at the intersection of La. Hwy. 531 and Industrial Dr. has a local couple facing numerous charges, including a bevy of bench warrants.

A Minden reserve police officer reportedly stopped a vehicle driven by 61-year-old Glenn David Moss after he pulled from the Love’s parking lot and proceeded east despite signs warning “One Way,” “No Right Turn,” “Road Closed” and “Detour.”

During the early Sunday morning traffic stop, the officer learned Moss had no driver’s license and the vehicle was not insured. A records check revealed Moss was also the subject of multiple warrants from jurisdictions including Minden City Court, DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office and the State of Louisiana.

A passenger in the vehicle, 50-year-old Amanda Machell Martin,  was also in the system on a fugitive warrant from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office. 

During questioning, both Moss and Martin admitted to smoking methamphetamines in the past. 

After both were placed in custody, a search of the vehicle reportedly revealed a small bottle containing a crystal substance (suspected methamphetamines) in a  small, black zipper bag inside Martin’s purse. A glass pipe with residue was also found.

When the officer removed both suspects from the police unit at Minden PD headquarters, he reportedly inspected the vehicle for potential contraband. Behind the rear seat, where Moss was held, the officer reportedly found a small plastic bag with additional suspected methamphetamines.  

Police suspect the package was placed by one of the two since units are routinely inspected after each shift. 

Martin is facing charges for possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice and on a fugitive warrant from Claiborne Parish SO. She is being held at the parish jail. No bond has been set.

Moss was also booked for possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines) and possession of drug paraphernalia, plus charges of failure to obey traffic signs and driving under suspension.

He is also charged on the outstanding warrants that include parole violation, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft and numerous traffic offenses. Moss is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center awaiting bond.

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

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By Pat Culverhouse

Heating and cooling system maintenance and repairs will be handled by a single company after Webster Parish School Board members agreed Monday to terms of a proposed year-to-year contract beginning with the 2026-27 school year.

Board members voted unanimously to accept recommendations that would pay Mechanical Cooling Services, LLC an approximately $228,000 annual fee for daily upkeep, repair and maintenance of the H-Vac systems at all parish school board facilities.

Included in the contract is a provision for an onsite company technician who would be housed at the central office maintenance area. 

Funding for the contract will be provided by school maintenance funds and parish-wide maintenance funds.

Board members also approved just over a half million dollars worth of change orders on school projects in north Webster Parish.

At Brown Upper Elementary, change orders of $457,031 were given the thumbs up. Included in the orders were replacement of windows, installation of metal fascia and soffit, plus replacement of cafeteria windows and doors.

Also, drainage improvements will be added to direct water away from the building in areas where water had been entering.

Project architect Perry Watson told the board the additional outlay could easily be absorbed since the project came in roughly one million dollars under the proposed budget.

Change orders on projects at North Webster High School totaling $56,126 were approved, covering items including a counter shutter for in the boys’ locker room, data drop modifications, fencing to enclose McMahen Park, drainage improvements at the tennis courts and additional contract days due to weather delays.

During Monday’s meeting, members also:

• Named Ivion Harris of North Webster High School winner of the Kevin J. Washington Memorial Scholarship, presented by Kevin Thompson of Taylor and Sons.
• Recognized Melanie Lewing on her retirement as Special Education Supervisor in a presentation by Thompson. 
• Recognized students Layla Garrett and Taylor Roberson for earning associate’s degrees from Bossier Parish Community College while enrolled in high school, and Bryce Parker for earning a technical degree from Northwest Louisiana Technical Community College while completing high school studies.
• Saw Logan Cleveland of North Webster High School receive a $2,000 STEM Scholarship from Lyndon Johnson, Calumet’s Community and Government Relations Specialist.
• Approved 2025-26 budget revisions.
• Approved updated job descriptions for both certified and un-certified parish positions, and approved a new job description for Special Education Facilitator,Speech/Language Specialist.
• Approved the 2027-28 academic calendar, which was approved by 62 percent of staff surveyed.

Members also approved, in globo, $100,747.04 worth of  invoices to be paid from the various school district maintenance and sales tax funds. Payments included: 

• Consolidated District 3 Maintenance Fund: $12,718.58. Major payment of $8,950 to replace three-ton split system with new unit at Central Elementary.
• District 6 One-half cent sales tax fund: $71,430.60. Payments include $21,950 to change breaker in main distribution panel at Minden High; $14,340 to install new fittings on sewer line beneath J.L. Jones Elementary; $9,614 to cut out concrete section and repair broken sewer pipe on lower side at J.A. Phillips Elementary; $8,639 to cut out concrete section and repair broken sewer line on upper side of J.A. Phillips Elementary.
• Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund: $347 to spray 4.62 acres of Bahia grass at North Webster Upper Elementary.
• Doyline Maintenance Fund: $2,126 includes $1,418 to renew contract with Arbiter Pay to pay game officials at Doyline High.

• Sarepta Maintenance Fund: $441 to spray 5.88 acres of Bahia grass at North Webster Jr. High.
• Shongaloo Building Fund: $616 to spray 8.21 acres of Bahia grass at North Webster Lowe Elementary.
• Springhill Maintenance Fund: $13,067.86. Major payments of $8,943 to install new four-ton split system AC unit in office at Brown Upper Elementary; $2,098.86 to purchase one desktop computer and one monitor for clerical work and camera footage viewing at Browning Elementary. 

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A special public meeting of the Board of Aldermen for the Village of Dixie Inn took place Thursday, May 28 to consider Ordinance 134A, 2026-27 Budget for the General Fund and the 2026-27 Budget for the Utility Fund.

After the ordinance was introduced and discussed, a second motion was made to amend the 2025-26 General Fund Budget.

Also added to the agenda was the hiring of a new assistant clerk. Claire Brister.

In other business, the Board approved a request for DI Police Chief Jeffrey McNeill to take a Grant Writing Course at a cost of $525.

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Notice is hereby given that the City of Minden will receive sealed bids as follows:
2 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, 2026 for perimeter fencing for the Minden Airport.
Bids will be accepted until the dates and times specified and will be publicly opened and read aloud at City of Minden City Hall Conference Room, 520 Broadway, Minden, Louisiana 71055. Please find bid-related documents and place electronic bids at http://www.BidExpress.com.
Bids received after the date and times of opening will not be considered. The City of Minden reserves the right to reject any or all bids.
Please See Attached/Download below.
/s/ Melaney Slack
City Clerk
/s/ Nick Cox
Mayor of Minden
05/20/26
05/27/26
06/03/26

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Three graduating seniors from Webster Parish public schools have been awarded scholarships through the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association scholarship program.

Hudson Smith, a 2026 graduate of North Webster High School, won the top scholarship, presented by Sheriff Jason Parker, for his achievements during his high school career.

Smith, a 4.0 student at North Webster, plans to attend Louisiana Tech University where he will major in business. His future plans are to return to Springhill and work in his family’s business.

Other students receiving scholarships were Teal Austin, a Lakeside High School graduate, and Garrett Simpson, who graduated from Minden High School.

Austin graduated from Lakeside with a 4.0 GPA and plans to attend Northwestern State University (Shreveport campus) to major in radiologic sciences. After graduation, Austin plans to work in magnetic resonance imaging.

Simpson, who graduated with a 3.95 GPA, will attend Northwest Technical Community College to study instrumentation and electrician technician.

Each year, Parker awards the Sheriff’s Association scholarships to outstanding graduating seniors from a parish school. Recipients receive the scholarships following a review by the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association. 

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By Paige Gurgainers

What began as a vision five years ago has grown into a ministry that organizer, Chris Plants, says is focused on meeting people where they are… and this weekend, that mission will once again take them to the waters of Bayou Dorcheat.

Webster Parish Men of Courage will host its latest public baptism event at 6 p.m., Saturday, June 6, at the Dixie Inn boat ramp and park. Organizers say the event is open to anyone, regardless of church affiliation, background or life circumstances.

The baptism service, dubbed “Old School Dorcheat Baptisms,” is free to attend and free to participate in. No paperwork is required, no membership is needed, and organizers say everyone is welcome.

For Plants, the event represents the continuation of a calling he says God placed on his heart in 2021 when he founded Webster Parish Men of Courage.

Plants said the ministry was created to be an outward-facing effort focused on bringing faith beyond the walls of a church building and into the community.

“Jesus put it in my heart for it to be a true public ministry for all people,” Plants said. “No matter your race, your financial status, your past, your church background, or whether you’ve ever stepped foot inside a church before.”

The ministry has spent the past several years organizing public gatherings, prayer events and outreach opportunities throughout Webster Parish. Along the way, Plants says he began meeting people who expressed a desire to be baptized but did not have a church home or felt uncomfortable navigating a traditional church setting.

Inspired by the biblical account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in the Book of Acts, Plants said the ministry decided to offer public baptisms to those who had already professed faith in Jesus Christ and wished to take the next step.

Before participating, individuals are encouraged to understand the ministry’s beliefs regarding salvation and baptism. Plants said conversations with participants focus on their personal faith journey and understanding of Christianity.

“We want people to know that salvation comes through Jesus Christ,” Plants said. “Baptism is a public profession of that faith.”

One unique aspect of the event is its simplicity. Participants are not asked to complete membership forms, join an organization or commit to attending future events.

“We don’t vote on anyone. We don’t pass a plate. We don’t require membership,” Plants said. “If you’re part of God’s Kingdom, that’s what matters.”

Participants will also receive a free personalized leather-bound Bible engraved with their name, something organizers hope will help them continue growing in their faith after the event.

For many, the setting itself has become part of the experience. Instead of a sanctuary, baptisms take place in the waters of Dorcheat Bayou, in full view of the community.

“It takes courage to publicly declare your faith,” Plants said. “And there’s something special about being baptized in a place that people pass every day. Every time they cross Dorcheat, they’ll remember that moment.”

Organizers invite the public to attend, pray, celebrate with participants or learn more about the ministry’s mission.

The event begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the Dixie Inn boat ramp and park.

As Plants puts it: “Let’s go down to the river and pray.”

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The world’s worst eating disorder occurs between two people of the opposite sex.

“Where do you want to eat?”

“Doesn’t matter to me.”

Silence.

A tinge of friction, undefinable at the time. But something besides hunger is there that wasn’t there before.

You speak again. The car is almost out of the driveway.

“You in the mood for anything in particular?

“Well, not really. I just want to spend time with you. I could eat just about anything.”

“Well, Mexican, Italian … Want a burger or something?”

“Anything’s fine. You decide.”

You are driving now or being driven in a direction. Just a direction. Not to anything, not away from anything. Just driving, hungry and decisionless. Sans decision. No Man’s Land.

“Seafood?”

“Well, not seafood. But anything else.”

Discreetly, eyes roll.

“Enchiladas?”

“If you want. Really, it doesn’t matter to me.”

The car is going slower because you don’t want to drive too far in case you’re heading away from whatever restaurant you decide — sometime before the turn of the century — to eat at.

“You don’t care?”

“Not really.”

That’s it.

“Fine. Let’s go to the 7-Eleven and get a Big Gulp and a hotdog and eat it on the curb by the dumpster and the old pay phone.”

“Well, not that.”

“OK then. It does matter. You do care. Now, where do you want to eat?”

“Where do you want to eat?”

At this point, ugly names like “Mister Smarty Pants Question-Asking Hangry Person!” are not spoken at the ends of the sentences. They are, however, understood.

“Well, where do you want to eat, (insert ugly name here)?”

“That’s what I’m asking you, (worse ugly name goes here)!”

And you continue trying to make the other person decide, secretly hoping they will save you from culinary hell.

We all eat several times a day. Every day. You’d think that after all the practice, we’d get it right. But time and time again, men and women have food fights. 

Why is this?

It doesn’t work this way when it’s just guys or just girls. The decision is made quickly, the compromise comes easier, or something. I do not know why. All I know is that if Chef Boy-ar-dee and the Jolly Green Giant decide to go eat together, they’re ordering in 10 minutes. But if Chef Boy-ar-dee and Betty Crocker decide to dine together, they’re still hungry and hour later. Hungry, and on a low boil.

Sadly, we seldom make the perfect call. We second guess. We try to read minds, or stomachs. We don’t trust. (“Does she really want pizza for the third straight night, or is she just being nice …?”)

Sometimes, though, you actually make it to the restaurant without having to stop for either gas or stitches. And you look at each other, and apologize, and there is only one thing left to say.

“Here, or to go?”

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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The cooks didn’t show up.

Not one of them. Not the prep cook, not the dishwasher, not the line cook who was supposed to be loading in the food delivery by eight. It was 1989. The restaurant was barely two years old. We had a full lunch on the books at eleven and nobody to cook it.

Except me.

By ten-thirty one other cook had shown up. We looked at each other over a stainless steel table that should’ve had four bodies around it. He shrugged. I shrugged back. Then we started cooking.

That morning humbled me, and I needed it. Up until then the restaurant and I had been getting a lot of positive press. People were starting to talk. Reviews were good. The focus was on me. And like a lot of young guys who get early attention, it all went to my head. I’d started believing the whole thing depended on me.

If you’d asked me then who made that place run, I’d have pointed at myself without blinking. I thought the line was lucky to have me in the building. I barely knew them. That empty kitchen settled the argument before lunch.

My late friend Bill Latham used to say the most important person in a restaurant is the dishwasher. The first time he said it, I half-laughed. He looked at me the way he looked at anybody who half-laughed at him, and said, “Try to run a Friday night without one. Let me know how it goes.”

He was right. What he was really saying is that a restaurant is a team or it isn’t anything at all.

Thirty-seven years later, the lesson has only gotten clearer. New South Restaurant Group employs four hundred and fifty people across eight concepts, and not one of those concepts exists because of me. Jarred Patterson runs the company day to day better than I ever have. Chef Nevil Barr can run circles around me in the kitchen. Chad Carmichael and Maria Keyes keep the numbers honest and the budgets tight. And 447 more people whose names won’t fit in this column show up before the sun does and stay long after the dining rooms go dark.

While I’m sitting here typing this column, six kitchens are prepping lunch without me. Somebody is stocking a walk-in. A manager is sorting out a vendor who showed up with the wrong invoice. None of it depends on me being in the building. All of it depends on the people who are.

The public doesn’t see any of that. They see a plate of food, a server smiling, a clean table. They don’t see the line cook who got there at nine, the prep cook who’s been there since six, or the dish team closing the building at midnight after everybody else has gone home. The whole operation runs on people who show up before anyone notices and stay long after anybody thanks them.
Some of them have been with me twenty years. A few have been with me thirty. One has been there since 1987. They were here before my daughter was born and before my son took his first steps. They were here through the years I don’t talk about much, back when I was still learning I couldn’t carry it all by myself, no matter how badly I wanted to believe I could. They stayed anyway.

My face is the one out front. The real work happens behind me.

A paycheck doesn’t settle that kind of debt. Every column I get to write on a Tuesday morning is one somebody else made possible by opening a building for me. The speeches , the TV, the books, and the trips overseas don’t happen without the people back home holding the restaurants together while I’m off chasing the next thing.

My wife Jill remembers that empty kitchen in 1989. She was there through the lean years that followed, and she’s beside me on most every trip we host because the people who travel with us aren’t customers to her. They’re company. Our daughter Holleman designs the rooms our guests sit in now, and our son Harrison comes home to the kitchen in January. Neither of them is joining something I built alone. They know better. They grew up watching who really built it.

The same lesson found me again on the other side of the Atlantic, and I’m a little embarrassed it took twice.
In 2011 my family and I packed up and spent six months in Europe. Seventeen countries. Seventy-two cities. Four people in one car for an unholy amount of mileage. A book came out of that trip. So did Yonderlust Travel.

It started with a few friends asking us to take them to Italy. After Tuscany they wanted to know where to go next, and before long there was a travel business where a vacation used to be. I never planned it. It just kept happening.

And here’s where I caught my ego doing the very same thing it did in 1989. People kept coming back, and I let myself believe they came back for me. But the demand outgrew me a long time ago. The young man I used to be would’ve kept it small enough to keep his hands on all of it, his face on every trip. The man typing this made a different call. We grew it past me.

The hosting itself hasn’t changed. I still lead five trips in the spring and five in the fall, same as always. What changed is everything around those ten. We brought on a full-time director, added new trips closer to home, and handed the new European trips to people who live there.

All I had to do was find people good enough that the trips never missed me.

Marina has hosted Tuscany beside me for years, and she leads her own trips there now, in the valley she’s called home for decades. Jesse takes guests through Spain and Sicily, and there’s not a more curious or well-traveled person alive. Bill leads Scotland, where he was born and can find a story and a single malt down any road. I trust the three of them with people who trusted me first, the highest thing I know how to say about anybody in this business.

All I had to do over there was find people good enough to run it without me in the room.

The kitchen taught me that in 1989. The day a man starts believing he’s doing it alone is the day the cooks don’t show up.
The word for it is gratitude. The real kind, the kind you sit with at four in the morning when you get honest about who actually got you here. It was never me. It was all of them. It still is.

The cooks didn’t show up that morning. They’ve shown up every morning since. So has everybody else.
Onward.

Corn Pudding
 
3 cups Silverqueen corn (four to five ears)
2 cups Heavy cream
1 cup Half and Half
1 1 /2 Tbl   Sugar
2 tsp Salt
3 Eggs + 3 yolks
1 1 /2 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground
1 tsp Hot Sauce
2 tsp Onion, minced
 
Preheat oven to 300 degrees. 

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Place in two-quart baking dish. Place two-quart dish into a larger dish and place in oven. Pour hot water into the larger dish so water comes up halfway on the sides of the corn pudding dish.  Bake 40 minutes. Remove from oven and allow pudding to cool 10-15 minutes before serving.

Yield: 10-12 servings

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

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) invites you to take part in its annual Free Fishing Weekend on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7. Louisiana’s Free Fishing Weekend allows residents and visitors to fish Louisiana waters without an otherwise required fishing license.
“This weekend there is no need to purchase a fishing license, so please bring your families and friends to enjoy one of our state’s most beloved pastimes,” says LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth. “Please take this opportunity to make memories with your loved ones and introduce them to the great sport of fishing.”
While a fishing license is not required, all fishing regulations, including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions, will remain in effect during Free Fishing Weekend. 
For an added bonus, LDWF will hold the following events to teach the skills necessary to give you the best opportunity to catch fish. From lessons on bait choice, tackle setup, casting, and knot tying to fishing techniques, landing, handling, and taking the fish off the hook, we have you covered.
 
Introduction to Fishing – Parent-Child
Waddill Wildlife Refuge
4142 N. Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge, LA, 70814
June 6th 2026: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Register Here
 
Introduction to Fishing – Parent-Child
Waddill Wildlife Refuge
4142 N. Flannery Rd, Baton Rouge, LA, 70814
June 6th 2026: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Register Here
 
In addition, a free Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) is still needed during Free Fishing Weekend when possessing tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, cobia, wahoo, dolphinfish, and gray triggerfish. Anglers should choose the “Free Fishing Weekend” option for the license type. Anglers can skip the “LDWF Fishing License Number” field. A Free Fishing Weekend ROLP will be valid only on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7.  An annual ROLP is still needed if possessing offshore species outside of Free Fishing Weekend.
Register for a ROLP here
LDWF reminds the public that, at any time outside of Free Fishing Weekend, anglers 18 and older must possess a Louisiana fishing license to fish in any Louisiana public waters. Anyone who decides to continue fishing for the remainder of the year must purchase a state fishing license at Louisiana Outdoors
 

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Celebrate the Louisiana Peach Festival’s 76th year with free admission, a wide range of entertainment and activities, and plenty of peachy events to enjoy leading up to the festival. Browse our guide below and start planning your trip to Downtown Ruston for the weekend of Saturday, June 6.

EAT:
From June 1-6, enjoy Peach Culinary Crawl, a weeklong tasting tour featuring over 20 local restaurants. Each participating location will offer special peach-inspired items. From peach BBQ and burgers to peach cocktails and desserts, there’s something to satisfy every craving. The full Culinary Crawl menu is available on the Peach Fest website.

SEE:
Get a preview of all the arts of the festival with the 39th Annual NCLAC Peach Art Exhibit. Check out the display of local artist of all ages in the Lincoln Parish Library Events Center happening all through July.

– Peach fest hack: After visiting the exhibit, take the quick drive to explore downtown Ruston, scope out the festival grounds, and snap a picture at one of the colorful murals!

EXPERIENCE: There’s plenty to enjoy Friday before the festival:

• Take a stroll through Downtown Ruston and browse the Peach Sidewalk Sale. Participating downtown shops will be offering peachy deals and special promotions from June 3-6.
  – Peach Fest Hack: Find your perfect festival outfit during the sidewalk sale!
• The Peach Parade is a long loved and cherished tradition by festival attendees. The parade will roll down W. Alabama Ave. and N. Monroe St. on Friday, June 5 at 6:00 PM.
• After the parade, you can head over to the North Louisiana Expo Center for the 37th Annual Peach Festival Rodeo for family fun entertainment, trick riders, and more.

Saturday June 6: Festival Day!

Festival activities start at 9:00 AM and there’s plenty to eat, see, and experience—all located on the festival grounds.

EAT:

Festival Eats

• This year, enjoy bites from 15 food vendors, offering everything from burgers, sandwiches, and pizza, to classic festival treats, refreshing drinks, and tasty snacks.
• You’ll also want to pay a visit to the Historic Fire Station for a scoop of frosty peach ice cream from the ladies of Beta Sigma Phi
  – Peach Fest Hack: Ask vendors what their special peach item is! All food vendors create and offer a peachy item just for the Peach Festival

Local Eats
Feeling like a sit-down meal? Check out these local restaurants that are walkable from the festival:

• The Local: morning pick-me-up coffee, pastries, and breakfast bites.
• Uptown Downtown or Heard Freighthouse Food Park: perfect for lunch and plenty of options! For sandwiches, wraps, and a sweet treat, go to Uptown Downtown. For BBQ, Burgers, Chinese, or Mexican cuisine, head over to the Food Park.
• Sundown Tavern or Ponchatoulas: both are beloved Ruston staples with that classic dive bar charm. Be sure to try the fried green beans at Sundown or the stuffed catfish at Ponchatoulas.
• Roma or Utility Brewing: For classic Italian-style pizza, pasta, and fresh salads, take a stroll to Roma’s Italian Bistro. Want to try something different? Utility Brewing serves up creative wood fire-baked pizzas paired with craft beer in a cozy setting.

SEE:

• Festival Art Displays: Discover Plein Air artists painting the scenes and capturing the action of the festival in real time. At Kids Alley, there will be interactive displays and activities for the kiddos to participate in the arts themselves!
• Ruston Antique Classic Car Show: Head over to Cadence Bank from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM for the Car Show. Whether you’re a car enthusiast or just love vintage charm, this show is sure to impress with its lineup of beautifully restored classic vehicles.
• Fireworks Show: Stick around till the headliner performance for the Peach Festival’s Firework show at 8:45 PM! This dazzling sky display will take place before the headlining act to kick off the grand finale to the festival.
• Go to www.lapeachfest.com/schedule to see all festival events!

EXPERIENCE:

• Live Music: Enjoy more than 12 consecutive hours of live performances at the Railroad Park stage. With an exciting lineup of artists, the festival’s musical energy will keep you dancing all day long. Don’t miss the headliner, The Chee-Weez, taking the stage at 9:00 PM.
  – Peach Fest Hack: Bring a lawn chair or blanket in case seating runs out!
• Kids Alley: Make fun memories in this family-friendly zone packed with interactive activities and entertainment to keep the little ones smiling.
• Curated Market: Browse the booths of more than 90 vendors, all selling their handmade arts, jewelry, clothing, mugs, decorations, candles, and lots more. Additionally, you can stop by the Peach Fest Sticker Wall in the market—perfect for a fun and unique photo op.
  – Peach Fest Hack: arrive early to the Curated Market before your favorite vendor sells out. Visit www.lapeachfest.com/vendors to get a sneak peek at what vendors are offering.

SUNDAY:

After a busy Saturday, sleep in, take Sunday slow and enjoy Ruston’s cozy charm:

EAT:

• Trios: Enjoy their signature brunch menu in a trendy atmosphere.
• The Local: Order specialty brunch cocktails and bites in the heart of Downtown.
• Beau Vines Steakhouse: Not a brunch fan? Dive into a hearty lunch and bottomless mimosas.

SEE:
While you’re at the festival Saturday, you will likely spot a few of Ruston’s unique bulldog statues scattered throughout downtown. In total, there are 22 bulldogs placed around the city—each with its own charm. Stretch your visit a little longer and turn your Sunday into a scavenger hunt to track down the ones you missed.

EXPERIENCE:
Wind down with a peaceful visit to Lincoln Parish Park. This park offers mountain biking and walking trails, kayaking, fishing, and a playground for the kids. It’s the perfect way to soak in the natural beauty of Ruston and cap off your Peach Festival weekend.

From peachy treats and live music to charming shops and peaceful parks, the 76th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival is the perfect way to kick off your summer. Soak up the fun, explore Ruston, and celebrate 76 years of sweet traditions and unforgettable memories!

To learn the insider tips and tricks all seasoned festival goers know, read up on our How to Peach Fest blog.

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Dorcheat-Bistineau Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution held its annual Spring Luncheon and Awards Ceremony at St. John’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall on May 30th. We were honored to have Norma Lester, the Louisiana DAR Northwest District Director, as our special guest. Hugh Wood Catering provided grilled chicken, twice-baked potato casserole, and green beans

Chapter Regent Donna Sutton and Past Chapter Regent / Chapter Chaplain Kathy Johnson inducted two new members into our chapter, and presented them with gift bags:

Lucy Hines: her patriot is Constantine Wright, who volunteered as a soldier in Maryland in the Regiment Extraordinary. It was created due to the need for additional soldiers to send to the Southern Campaign. They fought in 6 major battles against the British in the South. 

Tina Kingston: her patriot is John Wimberly. He served as a soldier in the Bertie County, North Carolina, Militia, which fought in 5 battles in the area. He received a land grant in Jones County, Georgia, for his service.

Gloria Fryar is celebrating 50 years of membership in DAR this year. She often served as a hostess at our chapter meetings. Our Chapter Regent presented her with a recognition certificate from National, and a beautiful gold-filled 50 Year Member pin from National. Honorary Chapter Regent Cindy Madden is celebrating 10 years of membership in DAR, and she was presented with a recognition certificate from National. 

Our chapter voted Past Chapter Regent Cindy Madden as Honorary Chapter Regent. This is a title of honor, which is given to a Past Chapter Regent who served above and beyond the ordinary duties as Regent. During her term as Chapter Regent, Cindy served as Louisiana DAR State Chair of Service to Veterans. Her state project was a build-a-bear fundraiser that paid for over 50 box fans for a veterans’ homeless shelter. In Spring of 2023, she organized and led a local committee that spent several months planning a luncheon honoring Vietnam veterans at the Minden Civic Center, with free meals and challenge coins provided for the veterans and their families. Cindy and her family built a DAR Big Free Library, which also serves as a drop-off location for flags needing to be retired. The library has collected over 550 flags. Our Chapter Regent presented Cindy with a certificate from our chapter, and a gift certificate to help purchase her Honorary Chapter Regent pin for her official ribbon.

Linda Wood, our Women’s Issues Committee Chair, presented a program to our chapter last year called “Senior Advocacy: Senior Scams.” It won 1st Place at the State level for Outstanding Women’s Issues Program (out of 44 chapters), 1^st Place at South Central Division (which is a 6-state region), and Honorable Mention at National (National has over 3,000 chapters). 

Chapter Regent Donna Sutton received 1^st Place from South Central Division for Outstanding Lineage Research. Honorary Chapter Regent Cindy Madden received 1^st Place from South Central Division for Outstanding Flag of the United States Projects. Tammy Trainor received a Certificate of Achievement from State for her outstanding work in creating and distributing our bi-monthly chapter member newsletter. 

Our entire chapter received many awards, including a State Red Ribbon Level Award for community service projects, 2^nd Place in State for print publicity, 2nd place in State for participation in a district-wide collaboration project that taught Colonial History to 4th Graders at the Louisiana State Museum in Shreveport, 3rd place in State for Historic Restoration,  an Outstanding Service in Historic Preservation certificate for cleaning and restoring cemetery headstones correctly, and a Membership Award for gaining 4 new Junior members.  We received State certificates for outstanding collaboration with Sons of the American Revolution: Most Community Events with SAR, Most Flag Ceremonies by SAR for DAR Events, Most Programs by SAR at DAR Chapter Meetings, Participating in Wreath Ceremonies with SAR, and participating in the SAR/DAR flag ceremony at the Battle of Baton Rouge Commemoration. We also received certificates of appreciation from State for our Constitution Week projects, participation in DAR Day of Service (our chapter packed and delivered goodie bags to veterans in local nursing homes), and for supporting Children of the American Revolution and Kate Duncan Smith DAR School through projects and contributions.

DAR is a volunteer organization dedicated to education, patriotism, and historic preservation. Any woman age 18 years or older who can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) is eligible to join DAR. For more information, contact us at dorcheatbistineau@yahoo.com

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Hundreds of kids who dream of playing in the pros – or, kids who just love to play – can get signed up for the free New Orleans Saints & Pelicans/Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Junior Training Camp on Saturday morning, June 27 on the Northwestern State campus in Natchitoches.

The JTC annually provides two hours of full throttle fun alongside Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame members and NSU coaches, and staff from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans community relations department.

The clinic registration can be done quickly on the LaSportsHall.com website under the “events’ button. Or parents can call the LSHOF Foundation office at 318-238-4255 for registration help. The camp fills to its 300-kid capacity almost every summer.

The LaSportsHall.com website has the full schedule for the Induction Celebration June 25-27. The JTC is one of three free events, beginning with the Thursday evening Welcome Reception from 5-7 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The biggest free ticket is Friday night, June 26 Rockin’ Riverfest concert from 6-10:30 on the downtown riverbank, featuring a fireworks show after the Class of 2026 is introduced at 9:15.

The Junior Training Camp runs from 9-11 a.m., starting with registration between 8-9 a.m. at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center (WRAC) gymnasium on the NSU campus. It’s important for parents to get their campers checked in well before the fun starts at 9 a.m. Then, campers get introduced to the sports stars who will be coaching them for the next two hours, inside focusing on basketball skills, and outside at Turpin Stadium, with football and general sports skills instruction.

Every camper will bring home two free T-shirts, other items, and a coupon for a meal at Raisin’ Canes. Photos from the camp will be posted on the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page, and so will a highlight video.

The goals of the JTC are simple – a fun, and thrilling, experience for the kids, free of charge; skills instruction from some of the best to ever play, or coach, the games; and promotion of health lifestyles and positive life choices.

The campers are separated into two groups. One stays inside for the first hour for basketball instruction, while the other is next door at Turpin Stadium, having football fun. The groups switch locations in the second half of the camp.

Parents can follow their favorite campers and watch all the fun from the stands in the gym and on the east side of Turpin Stadium – where it will be sunny, and hot, watching some really cool memories being made.

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By Brad Dison

Homer was born in Canada in 1919, but his family moved to Portland, Oregon, when he was a child.  After high school, Homer enrolled at Linfield College in McMinnville where he competed on the basketball team and swimming team, though he said he was not the typical jock.  He quickly learned that it was easier for him to get girls by making them laugh than by showing off his abilities in sporting events.  The girl he eventually got was named Margaret Wiggum.  Homer was a talented amateur artist.  He drew pictures of common scenes and gave them comical captions.  Homer began playing around with product advertisements which were comical, but more importantly, memorable.       

In 1941, Homer earned a degree in English, and in the following year, he married Margaret.  Homer may have envisioned settling down into family life and working as an ad man, but war was on the horizon.  When the United States entered World War II, Homer became a B-17 bomber pilot.  He and his B-17 crew dropped bombs on the Germans at Normandy on D-Day and later bombed Berlin.  After the war, Homer began his career in advertising as an entry-level production assistant at the Botsford, Constantine, and Gardner ad agency.  He climbed the ladder of success quicker than most because he had an unusual approach to advertising and clients loved his work.  More importantly, consumers were receptive to his work. 

In 1950, Homer’s piloting skills were needed again, and he flew transport missions during the Korean War.  During the war, he became infatuated with the filmmaking process.  He produced, wrote, shot, recorded the sound, edited, directed, and narrated documentaries.  After the war, Homer became vice-president of the ad agency.  Former Advertising Federation President Mick Scott referred to Homer as “an absolute creative genius.”  Idaho potatoes became famous because of one of Homer’s ad campaigns.  In 1958, Homer created his own highly successful advertising agency, but he still made time for his growing family.  He and his wife Margaret had five children.  To entertain his children, he often brought his work home.  He gave them sketch pads and colored pencils and provided part of a story from which they created their own cartoons.  Homer’s youngest son, Matt, eventually created a cartoon which has become the longest running American scripted primetime television series in history, and he named many of the characters after members of his own family including his father, Homer, his mother, Margaret went by the name Marge, and his little sisters, Lisa, and Maggie.  Rather than using his own name, Matt chose an anagram of brat for the lead character, Bart.  That is how Matt Groening, the son of an ad man, created The Simpsons.  When Matt and his wife, Deborah, had a son of their own they named him not Bart, but Homer.

Sources:

1.      Ash Horn, “Home Groening: The Vanguard Cartoonist, Filmmaker and Ad Man Who Did It All,” Portland Design History, accessed May 24, 2026, https://www.portlanddesignhistory.com/post/homer-groening.

2.     “Homer Groening,” Lambiek Comiclopedia, Accessed May 24, 2026, https://www.lambiek.net/artists/g/groening_homer.htm.

3.     “Homer Groening, Cartoonist’s Father, ‘Simpsons’ Inspiration,” The Seattle Times, March 19, 1996, Accessed May 24, 2026, https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19960319/2319671/homer-groening-cartoonists-father-simpsons-inspiration.

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As school ends, Vacation Bible Schools all over the parish begin. If your church is hosting one of these events this summer, please email your information to wpjnewsla@gmail.com and we will publish it in a special calendar. Thank you!

May 31 – June 4

6 until 8 p.m., Bistineau Baptist, 195 Bistineau Church Road, Heflin. Register online at https://myvbs.org/vbs-2026-1776109928830 .

June 1 – 3

5:30 – 8 p.m., Emmanuel Baptist Church, 713 Homer Rd., Minden. Pre-K to 6th grade. http://qrto.org/vmq13C .

June 1 – 5

9 a.m. until noon, First Baptist Church, Minden. Call 318-377-4434 or register at https//kideventpro.lifeway.com/myEvent/?id=72903 .

June 8 – 12

6 until 8:30 p.m., Unity Baptist Church, Cotton Valley, K through 5th grade.

June 8 – 13

6 until 8:45 p.m., Calvary Baptist Church, 1919 S. Main Springhill, Kindergarten through 5th grade. For more information, call 870-949-3680.

June 8 – 11

5:30 until 8 p.m., preschool through 5th grade, Lakeview Methodist Church 301 Lakeshore Drive, Minden. A light meal will be served at 5:30.  We invite families to join us Thursday the 11^th at 7:30 for a VBS program followed by an ice cream social.  We welcome all to “Magnified” VBS, discovering the brightness of God in the smallest of things. 

Register online at www.lakeviewminden.com or print and email the completed form to lakeviewunite365@bellsouth.net

June 14 – 18

5:30 until 8 p.m., Central Baptist Church, Springhill, ages three through 6th grade.

June 15 – 19

6 until 8:30 p.m. First Baptist Church, Cotton Valley, Pre-K through 6th grade.

June 22 – 26

6 until 8:30 p.m., North Acres Baptist Church. Register at https://onrealm.org/NorthAcresBapti31149/Registrations/Registrants/e37ca670-d1e0-4d26-8e23-b409010037cd?congregantView=true&connect=true&viewIndividualId=cd5677d8-e681-479f-af07-b3fc012389f5 .

July 13 – 17

5:30 until 8:30 p.m., First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden, ages pre-K through 6th grade. Supper provided. Call 318-377-1483 or visit https://www.facebook.com/100064614286593/posts/1321421020021695/?fs=e&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=wKEx4hN4p2w03lR0# for more information.

July 26 – 31

6 until 8:10 p.m. Calvary Baptist Church, 1400 Homer Road, Minden. For more information: calvaryminden.com/vbs

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Wednesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. East wind around 5 mph.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. East wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 68.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 87.

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 71.

Saturday

A chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent.

*Information provided by National Weather Service.

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

Current through June 27

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

June 4

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

June 6

9:30 a.m. “Coffee with Vets,” Huffman Manor, 1114 Broadway, Minden. Hosted by Webster Parish Veterans Safety Net Coalition. All veterans are invited to this very special social event.

June 7

10 a.m. service with 4th appreciation for Pastor J.T. and Lady Davis immediately following, Mt. Zion CME Church, 414 East Union, Fellowship Hall. Theme: A Labor of Love. All are welcome.

June 11-13

Celebrate America 250 & Minden 190

Bites & Beats kicks off weekend celebration.

Kids Patriotic Parade

5K Run on Main

Cornhole Tournament

Grilling on Main

Little Grillers

Kids Play area

Duck Derby

Fireworks Finale

June 13

7 p.m. Gospel Night at aPiney Woods Jamboree, CAC Building, Springhill. Special guests will be Don Zimmerman, Glenda Whisnant, Cynthia Cater, Jeff Spring.

June 15-19

Building Bridges of Opportunity Summer Day Camp, males entering grades 6-9 in Minden and surrounding areas. Webster Jr. High School, 700 E. Union St., Minden. For more information, call 318-470-2031.

June 20

8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Men’s Wellness Fair, presented by Healing from the Heart LLC. Minden Recreation Center. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at eventbrite or at the door.

June 21

8 a.m. until a p.m., service at 10:45 a.m., Men’s Wellness Fair weekend continues, New Light Baptist Church, Minden.

June 22 – 26

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

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

June 27

Annual Ride for WHO Poker Run. Pre-register to ride at http://bit.ly/3PG71ZH .

9 until 10 a.m. Check in at Cash Magic Springhill for W.H.O. Poker Run. Pre-register at http://bit.ly/3PG71ZH . Benefits Women Helping Others.

2 until 6 p.m., Miller Quarters Park, Minden, Daddies With Angels Cookout. Hearts & Halos event to support grieving fathers.

July 9

5:30 p.m. Gather and Grow – Gardening for Pollinators, Webster Parish Extension Office, 1202 Homer Road, Minden. For more information, call 318-371-1371 or 318-927-3110.

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Word of the day: Soliloquy

Phonetic: /so· lil· o· quy/
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition
the act of talking to oneself
a poem, discourse, or utterance of a character in a drama that has the form of a monologue or gives the illusion of being a series of unspoken reflections

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