By Pat Culverhouse

North DeSoto’s Luke Delafield threw for 224 yards and five touchdowns to lead the state’s number one ranked Class 4A team to a 63-13 romp past Minden’s Crimson Tide Friday.

After the Tide and Griffins traded turnovers on early possessions in the first quarter, North DeSoto finally turned a Brayden Thomas interception at the Tide 17-yard line into a 7-0 lead with just over three minutes remaining. Braelyn Latin ended the brief drive with an eight-yard scoring run.

Another Griffins interception at midfield led to an eight-play drive that ended when Latin hauled in Delafield’s first TD toss with 41 seconds left in the quarter. Dakota Denney kicked North DeSoto into a 14-0 lead.

Minden had started the game on a good note, falling on a Griffins fumble at the Tide 45 on the game’s second play. Nine plays later, however, Ethan Ivy picked off a Hudson Brown pass at the Griffins’ 10 and returned to midfield to end the threat.

After Latin scored on a 33-yard run with 7:49 to go in the second quarter to make it 21-0, Kaiden Shine gave the Tide life when he broke off tackle and sped 75 yards to pay dirt. Braxton Glover’s kick cut the Griffins lead to 21-7.

On first play following the ensuing kickoff, Delafield connected with Khy Johnson for a 44-yard score and a 28-7 lead. That score was followed on the Griffins’ next possession when Delafield found Colton Lacour open for a 22-yard score and a 35-7 lead at the half.

Delafield hooked up with Miller Warren in the third quarter for a pair of TD passes (30 and 20 yards) to push North DeSoto ahead 49-7.

Minden got on the scoreboard with just 23 seconds left in the quarter when sophomore quarterback Jaden Johnson found Caylien Aubrey open across the middle for a 69-yard scoring pass. A two-point try failed and the Tide trailed 49-13.

North DeSoto came back to ground in the fourth quarter with two scores. Derik White ran it in from 23 yards out and Kerry Hunter closed out the scoring with a 22-yard burst off tackle.

Delafield finished the night completing 14 of 24 pass attempts, connecting four times with Warren who finished with 93 receiving yards. Latin was the game’s leading rusher, picking up 129 yards on 23 attempts.

For the Tide, Brown completed 11 of 20 attempts for 131 yards. He also picked up 26 yards rushing on six tries. Johnson was one-for-seven passing for 69 yards and two interceptions.

Shine led the Tide rushers with 90 yards on six tries, Caylien Aubrey had 22 yards on three attempts, Lucas Owens Jr. picked up 21 yards on 12 carries and Johnson had 14 yards on four rushes.

Johnson also had 38 receiving yards on five catches. Aubrey led the team in receiving yards with 99 on four catches. Shine caught two for 47 yards and Kameron Harris had one catch for 16 yards.

North DeSoto now stands at 6-0 on the season and 3-0 in District 1-4A. The Tide falls to 2-4 on the year and 1-2 in conference play.

BTW will come calling to W.W. Williams Stadium Friday for another 1-4A contest. The Lions are currently 4-2 for the season and 1-2 in the league.

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By Gray Haynes

Friday night, the North Webster Knights made the trek over to Monroe to begin district 1-3A competition against the Carroll Bulldogs.  Carroll won the opening coin toss and deferred their option to the second half.  The Knights elected to receive the opening kickoff and Braylon Washington returned that kickoff out to the 47 yard line.  After the nice kickoff return, the Knights could get nothing going after three straight running plays and a net loss of four yards.  North Webster elected to punt and downed the punt at the Carroll 25 yard line.  From there, the Bulldogs took over.  The home team took the ball out to midfield on seven consecutive running plays.  There, the Knights’ defense held on a 4th down and 4.  The North Webster offense took the field with great starting field position.  The Knights started the drive with a tough six yard run by Washington, but then lost yards on a misplay in the backfield.  A third down pass fell incomplete, and the visitors were forced to punt again.

Carroll’s second possession was much like their first.  They took eight plays to move the ball out to near midfield where they failed to convert a 4th down and four.  The Knights’ offense, again, took over.  North Webster managed a couple of first downs against a tough Carroll defense.  On the second play of the second quarter, the Knights lined up to attempt a 39 yard field goal from the left hash.  The kick had the distance but missed slightly to the left.  Carroll took over at the 20 yard line.  Six plays later, the Knights’ defense held firm and forced a punt.  North Webster took over at their own 42 yard line.  The drive ended quickly with a pass intercepted by Carroll at their own 28 yard line.  After another seven play drive, the Knights’ defense forced a Carroll punt.  The Knights took over at their own 22 yard line.  They took the ball to near midfield before the buzzer indicating halftime cut the drive short.  At the half, the score was 0-0.

Carroll received the opening kickoff of the second half, and their offense took over at their own 40 yard line.  Carroll was able to mount another multi play drive and crossed the goal line on a 16 yard pass for the score.  The extra point made the score 7-0 early in the third period.  The Knights fell on the short kickoff and took over at the 35 looking to match the Bulldogs’ score.  After picking up a couple of first downs, the Knights took the field facing 4th and 3.  The offense looked out of sync on the fourth down play, and they were unable to convert.  Carroll took over at their own 48.  The Bulldogs offense came out against a tired North Webster defense.  Seven plays later, the Bulldogs found paydirt.  The extra point made the score 14-0.  After the kickoff, the Knights took over at the 25 yard line.  After some questionable penalties, the Knights were forced to punt from the 25.  Carroll took over at their 35.

After a couple of first downs, the Knights’ defense made one more big stop forcing a punt.  The Knights took over at their own 20.  After a short run and two incomplete passes, the Knights were forced to punt and send an already tired defense back onto the field.  Carroll took over at the Knights’ 49 yard line up by two touchdowns.  Seven plays later, the Knights defense was just too worn out to make another big stop.  Carroll scored their third touchdown of the night.  The extra point made the score 21-0.  At this point, the Knights’ offense was forced to throw the ball to get back into the game.  That led to giving Carroll great field position and short drives which put the North Webster defense back on the field quickly.  Carroll was able to score two more touchdowns late in the fourth quarter.  The final score was Carroll 33 and North Webster 0.  The Knights will host district rival, Sterlington, on Thursday night at Baucum-Farrar Stadium.

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Staff Report

MANY – The Lakeside Warriors took one on the chin Friday in Many, falling to the Tigers by a score of 54-13.

The Warriors, playing without several starters due to injury, fought hard early on trailing just 14-7 after the end of the first quarter. The score for Lakeside came on an impressive 60 yard run from QB Brock Case.

In the second quarter things started getting away from the shorthanded Warriors, with many tacking on a pair of scores to extend their lead. The second half featured more of the same, as Many extended their lead to 34-7.

Lakeside cut the lead to 34-13 thanks to a beautiful touchdown pass from Case to freshman Jayden Maxie, but couldn’t come up with much more on the evening.

The Warriors (3-3, 0-1) will kickoff a three-game home stand Friday against Red River.

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Glenbrook Apaches had a rough game Thursday, when they lost to Arcadia 35-8. Due to personnel issues, there is no recap for the Apaches’ game but, thanks to Erin Ramsey, here are a few photos. 

This Friday, Apaches take on district rival Lincoln Prep in Minden.

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It’s Monday morning and the beginning of Week 7 of Webster Parish Journal’s Pick’em Contest. Our link will go live tomorrow through Thursday at 5 p.m.,  – the night North Webster plays Sterlington.

Remember, just like the journal, our contest is free, but you must be 18 or older to play.

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Columbus Day

Sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind.

Monday Night

Clear, with a low around 60. Calm wind.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 87. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night

Clear, with a low around 61.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 86.

Wednesday Night

Clear, with a low around 60.

*Information provided by National Weather Service.

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

Oct. 13

6 p.m., Night at the Museum with Brad Dison. The untold story of Sheriff Henderson Jordan and the final pursuit of Bonnie and Clyde. Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, 116 Pearl Street, Minden. Potluck snacks and desserts. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; seating is limited.

Oct. 17

CHANGE OF VENUE 5 until 8 p.m. BIG YEET, in concert, Springhill RV Park on Church Street, Springhill. Free admission to event.

Oct. 18

8 a.m. Registration for Baby Fun Run, Miller Quarters Park, Minden. 9 a.m. run begins.

6:30 p.m. Southern Plainsmen Gospel Group, Pine Grove Methodist Church, 4549 Hwy. 159, Minden.

Oct. 23

5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat, Minden Library Branch, Webster Parish Libraries. East & West Street. (Rain date: October 27.)

Oct. 25

3:30 until 10:30 p.m., Witches Ride of Minden parade, followed by party in Civic Center parking lot., downtown Minden.

6 p.m. Haunted Hotel Homicide murder mystery, The Oak Cottage, 406 3rd St. WN, Springhill. Registration Required, text 318-272-6093.

Oct. 30

5 until 7 p.m. Trunk or Treat Springhill Library Branch. (Rain date: Oct. 31.)

Oct. 31

4 until 6 p.m., Trunk-or-Treat Fall Fest, Beech Springs Baptist Church, 15910 Hwy. 80, Minden. Games and food provided.

5:30 until 7:30 p.m., Fire District 3 Fire Trucks and Treats, 349 Main St., Doyline.

Nov. 1

2 p.m. 22 Hands Up High School Day. Grambling vs. Alabama A&M. To register, call 318-268-2223.

Nov. 3

SKELETOUR winners announced.

Nov. 7-9

Main to Main Trade Days, 50 miles of shopping, Webster Parish.

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Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

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Play Sudoku online!

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Wilhelmina Clarice Breitweiser Pickett
January 14, 1940 – October 9, 2025
Visitation: 11 a.m. Saturday, October 18, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
Celebration of Life: 1 p.m., immediately following visitation.
Burial: Doyline Cemetery.

Kathryn “Kathy” Ware Hightower Hightower
March 8, 1954 — October 6, 2025
Homer, LA
No funeral service
Visitation: 5 until 8 p.m. Saturday, October 25, 2025, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 405 East 5th Street, Homer.

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

Civil Service board members voted unanimously Thursday to uphold the termination of Minden police Lt. Chris Hammontree for violation of policy governing the dispatch of tow trucks.

Board members reached the decision after a hearing lasting six and a half hours plus an hour and 15 minute executive session to weigh testimony from multiple witnesses.

Minden’s attorney in the appeal, Aaron Green, urged the board to consider that city council members had acted in good faith when agreeing to terminate Hammontree during a special meeting in August. He also argued that violation of the policy, along with his actions during a May 23 traffic accident, were sufficient grounds for termination.

Pamela Breedlove, attorney for Hammontree, countered that her client had, despite complaints filed by the family of the young person involved in the accident, acted in a professional manner during the accident investigation.

She also said Hammontree had followed dictates in a 2018 memo from previous Chief of Police Steve Cropper concerning the dispatch of wreckers to an accident scene. That memo, a point of contention during testimony, prevented officers from turning away a wrecker once it had been dispatched to an accident scene.

“My client has not done anything that rises to the level of a terminable offense,” Breedlove said during her closing arguments. She suggested a letter of reprimand would be a more appropriate measure.

In his closing statement, Green asked the board members to consider that the decision to terminate Hammontree had been made in good faith by the Minden City Council after careful consideration of all the facts presented and after hearing from the officer at his termination hearing.

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This week’s Most Wanted is Jimmy Video Charcun Fisher. Fisher, whose address reportedly is in the 1000 block of Fort St. in Minden, is wanted for three active bench warrants through the Minden Police Department.

The three bench warrants have a total bond amount of $1,000 cash or $20,000 surety.

Anyone with information on Jimmy Fisher is asked to please contact Det. Matthew Hicks at 318-639-7776. All information will be strictly confidential.

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

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By Zoë Pickett

New documents reveal that the Town of Cullen’s liability insurance coverage was officially canceled earlier this year due to nonpayment.

A letter dated June 25, 2025, from Risk Management, Inc., a subsidiary of the Louisiana Municipal Association, was addressed to Mayor Terry Hoof and confirms that Cullen’s liability insurance was canceled effective midnight of that date. The letter cites nonpayment of premiums totaling $46,364.04 as the reason for cancellation.

The notice also references a separate email sent to Police Chief Rankin regarding the loss of professional liability coverage for the Cullen Police Department.

During the most recent town meeting, Mayor Terry Hoof reportedly told Chief Rankin that the town “needed help to pay the town’s bills from the police department because the water, sewer, and garbage is the only thing carrying the town.” The mayor added that the department “needed to be writing more tickets” to help generate additional revenue. Chief Rankin responded, “we need help too,” referring to the department’s own struggles, including lack of insurance and limited operational resources.

This latest revelation follows prior reports that Cullen’s police patrol units are uninsured and that officers must contact the mayor directly when fuel is needed. Sources have confirmed that the reason the department does not have a gas card is also due to nonpayment to the company that provides the fuel service.

In addition, several Cullen residents have confirmed that they are still being charged the same amount for trash pickup services, even though the town has not been contracted with Knights Services since February of this year. Garbage is being collected by town employees rather than a contracted service, but not on a set schedule, with some saying their trash has gone weeks without pickup.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office confirmed that the town is under active investigation, though no further details have been released at this time.

No comment has been given from Cullen Town Hall. 

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The following persons are scheduled in 26th Judicial Criminal Court Monday, October 13:

ALI, QASEM
99845 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS

ALI, QASEM
99231 CT. 1 Underage Driving Under the Influence

ANDREWS, II, JAMES ROBERT
99948 CT 1 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling
99948 CT 2 Attempted Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling

ATKINS, LATEIDRICK
99879 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
99879A Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

BAGGETT, MARCUS LAMON
98860-CT.1 Vehicular Homicide
98860-CT.2 First Degree Vehicular Negligent – Injuring

BELL, SHATORA CHAMPAYNE
INCOMING Aggravated Battery

BIRDEN, III, JAMES
99414B Obstruction Of Justice
Please make sure forfeiture of 1,877 in US Currency is part of any plea/sentencing agreement.

BROWN, FLOYD JAMES
99923 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

CASEY, DONTAY DEWAYNE
98547 Illegal Possession Of Stolen Firearms

CAULEY, JAMI LYNN
99004A Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

CROW, CHANCELER
99896 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

DAVIS, SHEENA
99008 Exploitation of the Infirmed
Restitution owed to victim $1000 + $150 fee = $1150 Balance as of 10/6/25 $1040

DURKING, DAMARCUS
98094-CT.1 Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered
98094-CT.2 Obstruction Of Justice

EVANS, DAVENGELO LAJUAN
97438-CT.1 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Valued At $1,000 Or More But Under $50,000
97438-CT.2 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Valued At $1,000 Or More But Under $50,000
Restitution owed to the victims- $7,554.23 + $1,133.13 fee= $8,687.36 Balance as of 10/6/25 is $4,673.36

FREEMAN, JOHN DANIEL
99957 Possession of CDS I Marijuana (More Than Fourteen Grams)

GAY, TYTIYANA A
INCOMING Forgery
INCOMING Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

GREEN, QUINCEY T.
INCOMING Domestic Abuse Battery – Strangulation – 1st Offense

GRIM, TIMOTHY MIGUEL
99437 Aggravated Assault Upon a Peace Officer

HARVEY, ANDREW JAMES
INCOMING Possession of Schedule II CDS
INCOMING Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000
INCOMING Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000
INCOMING 6 COUNTS Theft Under $1,000
INCOMING Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – First Offense

HAWKINS, JEREMY DAN
99868 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

HENDERSON, QUINTON MAURICE
99952 Fail to Register and Notify as a Sex Offender 2nd Offense

HOWARD, AMBER MICHELLE
99861 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

JONES, JACOB D
99406 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

KELLY, VICKY LYNN
99924 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

KEMP, TORI MICHELLE
99869-CT.1 Possession of CDS I Marijuana (More Than Fourteen Grams)
99869-CT.2 Entry On Or Remaining In Places Or On Land After Being Forbidden

MCDANIEL, CHARLES ADRIAN
99787-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99787-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99787-CT.3 Theft Of A Firearm – 1St Offense

MILLER, SR, TREMINDEUS JASHUN
99872 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

MILLER, ZIGARRI
99794-CT.1 Illegal Use of a Weapon- Crime Of Violence / Uniform CDS Law
99794-CT.2 Obstruction Of Justice

MOORE, ERIC DEXTER
99829 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

MORRIS, CHRISTOPHER DEON
99578 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

MURPHY, MARSHAD FITZGERALD
99558 Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment
99558A Second Degree Rape

MURRAY, KIMBERLY
99949 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty- Eight Grams)

OVIEDO-AGUILAR, LUIS
99628 Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

PERRYMAN, JUSTIN W.
98315 Hit & Run Driving Resulting In Death Or Serious Bodily Injury

POOLE, FRED WAYNE
99569-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99569-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99569-CT.3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99569-CT.4 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99569-CT.5 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS
99569-CT.6 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

POOLE, FRED WAYNE
T090024 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

PORTER, JOSHUA A
INCOMING Cruelty To Juveniles

PRUETT, GEORGE EDWARD
INCOMING Possession of Schedule II CDS
INCOMING Theft Under $1,000
INCOMING Reckless Operation of a Vehicle
INCOMING Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – First Offense
INCOMING Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

RASCO, LADADREN
99633A Illegal Discharge Of A Firearm – Crime Of Violence / Uniform Cds Law

REEDER, RALTERRIAN
99103-CT.1 Simple Burglary of a Vehicle
99103-CT.2 Theft Of A Firearm – 1St Offense
99103-CT.3 Simple Burglary of a Vehicle
99103-CT.4 Theft Of A Firearm – 1St Offense
99103-CT.5 Simple Burglary of a Vehicle
99103-CT.6 Simple Burglary of a Vehicle

RUNYON, FELICIA
99889 Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered

SHINE, SHANNON
99110-CT.1 Attempted Second Degree Murder
99110-CT.2 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

STAPLES, REBECCA MASON
99799A-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99799A-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

STERLING, LAVANCIA
99678 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS

STONE, AUSTIN
99933 Menacing

TINDELL, KATHRYN ELIZABETH
99955 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

TURNER, WENDELL BERNARD
99950 Cruelty To The Infirmed

WALDROP, OLIVIA
99748A-CT.1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
99748A-CT.2 Introducing Contraband Into Or Upon The Grounds Of Any State Correctional Institution

WRAY, BILLY
99799-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99799-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
99799-CT.3 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
99799-CT.4 Obstruction Of Justice

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Snickers is at Minden Animal Control, but has already been tagged for rescue since Pet Project posted Friday morning. He will heading to his forever home October 30. Thank you to all who are helping these babies find a new home.

Intake #25198 “Snickers” approximately 4 month old male Lab Mix.  He weighs 18 lbs.   Snickers is very people friendly and loves treats.  He’s starting to show interest in toys and is learning to walk on a leash.  He’s been started on vaccines, worming, flea and tick prevention, and heart worm prevention.

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There’s something about the word homecoming that instantly transports me back to 2005 – a time of flip phones, Myspace Top 8 drama and when your biggest fashion decision was whether to wear your hair half-up with too much glitter hairspray or just let it do whatever it wanted because humidity was undefeated.

But now? Now, homecoming is a production.

This year marks Emerson’s first homecoming, and y’all.. I am not prepared. I thought I was ready for the dress shopping (see previous column on that one), the excitement, the photos, the corsages. What I wasn’t ready for was the fact that apparently, corsages are “cheugy” (I learned that word last year – it means out of style, for those of us born before the iPhone).

When I was in high school, homecoming meant a semi-formal dress from Dillard’s clearance rack, a white corsage that would wilt halfway through the dance and maybe dinner at Chili’s with the whole friend group. If you were really fancy, you got the triple chocolate molten cake to share.

Now, it’s a full-blown event season. There are professional “HOCO proposal” videos, salon appointments for nails, lashes, tans, hair and dresses that require a full engineering degree to figure out how to zip, lace, or tape into place.

But the thing is, I love it. I love that these girls get to celebrate, express themselves and go all out. I love that they get to take pictures with ring lights instead of the flash on the digital camera photos that made everyone look like a ghost in the night. I love that homecoming has turned into a moment – something they’ll remember forever.

Still, I can’t help but chuckle at how much it’s changed. In 2005, our version of a “proposal” was someone’s friend awkwardly asking if you were “going with anyone yet.” Dresses were strapless (and we prayed they’d stay up), boys wore wrinkled shirts from Belk, and if you were lucky, your mom took a few blurry pictures in the front yard before you ran off.

Now I’m the mom taking the pictures, fixing Emerson’s hair, bribing her to smile just once with her teeth and reminding myself that this is her time, not mine.

Even though the styles have changed and the expectations are higher, the heart of homecoming is still the same. It’s about feeling special, celebrating youth and making memories with your friends before the real world starts calling.

So while I might miss the simplicity of 2005, I can’t help but smile as I watch Emerson get ready for her first big dance because no matter how much changes, some things stay the same: nervous excitement, too much perfume and a mom trying not to cry behind the camera.

Because this time, I’m not the one going to the dance – I’m the one letting go, one homecoming at a time. I only get seven by the way. Well, actually… 21 (seven for each girl), but I will be sure to make every single one special!

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

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By Marilyn Miller

Minden has its own Iron Man!

Charlie Chandler traveled to Chattanooga, Tennessee in late September to compete in the IRONMAN Chattanooga, taking on the city’s iconic course on September 28.

Athletes experienced “a 2.4-mile swim in the fast-flowing Tennessee River, a challenging bike course, and a scenic run through downtown Chattanooga.” Charlie finished the course in 14 hours 46 minutes, which was “really good for a first timer.”

According to Charlie’s wife, Kayla Chandler, a total of 45 percent of the people participating in the sold-out race were first-timers. Not all of them finished, of course, and many of them recorded longer times than Charlie.

The IRONMAN Race, a three-sport triathlon, does not have a qualifier. But how did Charlie go from 300-pounds and blood pressure problems to competing in one of the most strenuous sporting events in the world in less than three years?

A friend invited him to participate in a half-marathon (running). He ran. He trained. And he ran and trained some more. And when he got down on himself, Kayla, a nutritionist and personal trainer, encouraged him to run some more. As long as he didn’t hurt himself, she said.

“I finished that in October, and it got me to thinking I could do more stuff, so I trained for another one and got 40 minutes faster.” Charlie recalled. When I finished that, it’s when I signed up for the first Half Iron Man (triathlon), which is only 70 miles.” Only 70 miles. And he signed up for it with only 13 weeks to train. By then, he had gotten down to about 200 pounds.

“So, we bought a bike, then found out I was terrible at swimming.” What to do? “I found a Sprint Triathlon a week later in Bossier City. It was a half-mile swim, an 18-mile bike ride, and a three-mile run. So, I showed up for it with basically no training and finished it in about 7½ hours.”

Charlie really looked forward to the IRONMAN Man race in Chattanooga. “You know, only .01 percent of humans have ever finished the Iron Man. It puts you in a pretty elite crowd to finish it.”

Not only did he finish, he did it in 14 hours, 46 minutes. Will he participate in another IRONMAN? According to Kayla, her husband looks at it as a “one and done kind of thing.”

He (they) will, however, continue to run in marathons. They will compete in the “Log Jammer” in Shreveport on Nov. 23, 2025 and the Louisiana Marathon in Baton Rouge in January 2026.

“It, the IRONMAN Race, was just something I could prove to myself,” Charlie said.

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Registration has closed for Tuesday’s National Night Out in Minden and, for the first time in a long time, there are plenty from which to choose. District D is the only area of Minden that did not schedule a party, but all other districts would likely welcome those residents.
Below is the final list of parties, times and themes:

District A

Darrell Hampton/22 Hands Up – 309 Hardy Street
(318) 268-2223
6 until 8 p.m.
Estimated Attendance: 40
Theme: We’re Better Together!

Carolyn Marwray & Tina Harris – 1398 Sheppard Street
(318) 268-8991
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Estimated Attendance: 40
No Theme

Stephanie Winzer & Mt. Zion Lay Ministries – 701 McMullen Street
(318) 453-0559
5 until 7 p.m.
Estimated Attendance: 40
Theme: Give Crime & Drugs a Going Away Party

Candice and John Miller – 187 Carey Lane
(318) 655-1902
6 until 8 p.m.
Estimated Attendance: 40
No Theme

District B

Harvest Manor Apartments – 1314 Lee Street
(318) 489-6940
6 until 8 p.m.
Estimated Attendance: 96
Theme: Getting to Know Your Neighbors

Delta Sigma Theta Minden Alumnae Chapter – 402 Martin Luther King Drive
(318) 458-9473
6 until 8 p.m.
Estimated Attendance: 25
Theme: From Block Party to Ballot Boxes

District C

Latasha Mitchell & Chequella and Michael Walker
Babb Park – 708 Watterman Street
(318) 210-1799
6 until 8 p.m.
Estimated Attendance: 75
Theme: Let’s Put Our Boots on the Ground and Stomp Out Crime

New Light Missionary Baptist Church – 413 W.R. Reeder Street
(318) 773-3946
6 until 8 p.m.
Estimated Attendance: 50
Theme: Getting God’s Light to Shine in a Dark World

District D

None.

District E

Sarah and Gary Haynes – 1037 Ridgewood Circle
(318) 422-7272
6 until 8 p.m.
Estimated Attendance: 40
No Theme

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October is a great time to start getting ready for the beautiful lawn in the spring. Besides putting out lime you can apply a winterizer fertilizer. Fall feeding is one of the most critical feeding times. A healthy and stable plant can endure the hardship of winter better than a weak plant. Winterizer builds winter hardiness, stem strength and disease resistance in lawns, trees, and shrubs.

Fertilome has a good winterizer. The numbers on it are 10-0-14. This fertilizer helps the root system and promotes earlier green-up. It is also great for trees and shrubs. For a lawn use 20# per 5000 sq feet. Trees use 1 lb per inch of trunk diameter around the drip line. Shrubs use 1 cup per 3 ft of height around drip line.

So let’s get ready to rake the leaves, blow the leaves into a pile to jump on fand get ready to winterize the grass.

Next week we are going to discuss applying preemerge weed killer for stickers and other weeds.

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at  mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)

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By Jessica Gorman

Dr. James Daniel Harper was born 28 May 1829 in Fayette County, Tennessee. By 1850, his parents had moved the family to Arkansas and Dr. Harper was studying medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1852, and the following year was married to Eliza Elliott Lewis. Eliza Lewis was the oldest child of John Langdon and Martha Lewis. The tragedy of the Lewis family was the subject of last week’s column. 

The Harpers made their home in what was then Claiborne Parish. When the Civil War broke out, Dr. Harper served as a surgeon and medical purveyor, providing medical supplies, for the Confederate army. After the war, he not only resumed his service to the local community as a doctor but also as a postmaster, alderman, and member of a board of health.

Dr. Harper died tragically in May 1879, just days short of his fiftieth birthday. He had fallen asleep while reading the newspaper by lamplight. His newspaper, which had fallen across his face, caught fire and he was fatally injured after inhaling the smoke and flames. Local papers mourned his passing.

“Dr. Harper was unambitious of the applause of the world; he preferred to be enthroned in the hearts of friends and trust to their love of remembrance, rather than all the sculptured marble. Few men die leaving more sincere and ardent friends than he did. He was the breathing incarnation of those sublime attributes, love and generosity; and so thoroughly was his nature interpenetrated by these sentiments, that he never did aught in malice or bestowed grudgingly. In a heartfelt obituary, a close friend wrote that Dr. Harper was ‘the breathing incarnation of love and generosity,’ admired for his learning, gentle manner, and unwavering compassion. His funeral was attended by people of all walks of life, a testament to his character and the affection he inspired.”

Dr. James Daniel Harper is buried in the Minden Cemetery next to his daughter, Mary Anna, who only lived six months. Their graves are always in danger of being lost. Both have sunk below the surface of the ground, and despite being repeatedly uncovered, the dirt continues to wash and collect on the stones. This is just one example of the work required to care for the cemetery and recurring issues that exist.

His wife, Eliza, returned to her home state of Georgia. In 1881, after the death of her two brothers, her mother, Martha, came to live with her in Atlanta until her death in 1884. In Atlanta, Eliza was known for her philanthropy and her work with prisoners at the county jail and the state penitentiary. Upon her death, the Atlanta Constitution acknowledged the effects of the tragedies she experienced during her life, “Sorrow, which is the common lot of the rich and cultured as well as the lowliest, did not spare her, but came with heavy weight and left a saddened heart so subdued that it found relief only in administering to the alleviation of the pains and lightening the burdens of others.” She died in 1892 and is buried in Columbus, Georgia.

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

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Friday

Sunny, with a high near 81. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Friday Night

Clear, with a low around 57. Calm wind.

Saturday

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

Saturday Night

Clear, with a low around 60.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 85.

Sunday Night

Clear, with a low around 62.

Columbus Day

Sunny, with a high near 87.

*Information provided by National Weather Service.

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

Oct. 9

9 a.m. Special class with LA Trust for Historic Preservation meeting for building owners and landlords in the Main Street District, homeowner in residential historic district, realtor, property developer or manager or small business entrepreneur. RSVP at soverall@mindenusa.com .

5:30 until 9 p.m., Seeds Banquet, Minden Civic Center.

Oct. 10

Community starts voting on SKELETOUR skeleton in downtown Minden businesses.

Oct. 11

9 a.m. Festivities begin for Lumberjack Festival in Springhill.

11 a.m., Lumberjack Festival Parade, downtown Springhill.

7 p.m. Piney Woods Jamboree Gospel Night, CAC Building, Springhill.

Oct. 13

6 p.m., Night at the Museum with Brad Dison. The untold story of Sheriff Henderson Jordan and the final pursuit of Bonnie and Clyde. Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, 116 Pearl Street, Minden. Potluck snacks and desserts. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; seating is limited.

Oct. 17

CHANGE OF VENUE 5 until 8 p.m. BIG YEET, in concert, Springhill RV Park on Church Street, Springhill. Free admission to event.

Oct. 18

8 a.m. Registration for Baby Fun Run, Miller Quarters Park, Minden. 9 a.m. run begins.

6:30 p.m. Southern Plainsmen Gospel Group, Pine Grove Methodist Church, 4549 Hwy. 159, Minden.

Oct. 23

5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Trunk or Treat, Minden Library Branch, Webster Parish Libraries. East & West Street. (Rain date: October 27.)

Oct. 25

3:30 until 10:30 p.m., Witches Ride of Minden parade, followed by party in Civic Center parking lot., downtown Minden.

6 p.m. Haunted Hotel Homicide murder mystery, The Oak Cottage, 406 3rd St. WN, Springhill. Registration Required, text 318-272-6093.

Oct. 30

5 until 7 p.m. Trunk or Treat Springhill Library Branch. (Rain date: Oct. 31.)

Oct. 31

4 until 6 p.m., Trunk-or-Treat Fall Fest, Beech Springs Baptist Church, 15910 Hwy. 80, Minden. Games and food provided.

5:30 until 7:30 p.m., Fire District 3 Fire Trucks and Treats, 349 Main St., Doyline.

Nov. 1

2 p.m. 22 Hands Up High School Day. Grambling vs. Alabama A&M. To register, call 318-268-2223.

Nov. 3

SKELETOUR winners announced.

Nov. 7-9

Main to Main Trade Days, 50 miles of shopping, Webster Parish.

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