By Bonnie Culverhouse

A Sarepta man, convicted on two charges of rape, may never see freedom again.

Michael Craig, 26th Judicial Court Judge, today (Monday, August 9), sentenced Michael Duck, 54, to life in prison without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence for the first degree rape of a child under 13. He also gave Duck a consecutive sentence of 38 years hard labor for one count of second degree rape.

Webster Parish Assistant District Attorney Hugo Holland pointed out that Duck must be convicted to life for the first degree rape, however, he added it would be up to the judge to determine sentencing for the other rape conviction.

Defense attorney Eric Johnson asked the judge to consider making the sentences concurrent.

“The court required a pre-sentence investigation, and saw in 2010 you were found guilty of possession of Sch. II, making you a second and third felony offender,” Judge Craig told Duck. “You didn’t testify, and you were given the opportunity to respond in pre-sentencing and declined.”

Judge Craig went on to point out that by the sworn testimonies, the offenses were separate and subsequent, multiple times over a period of time with both victims.

“Based on your actions, the damage you did to these two girls for the rest of their lives, and the damage you did to other girls that you are not going to be held accountable, that is going to impact them,” the judge continued. “You impacted five or six young girls – and those are the ones we know about– for the rest of their lives.

“Not to mention their families,” he continued. “Because they are all related to you in some form or fashion. It will have a ripple effect in your family.”

Duck was arrested in 2016, following an extensive investigation by the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office when one of the minor victims contacted the WPSO and reported that her stepfather had been sexually assaulting her.

During the course of the investigation, multiple other family members revealed they were also sexually assaulted by Duck.

The jury heard testimony from Detective Teresa Rogers and Detective Heather Boucher, both experts in the fields of clinical psychology, DNA analysis and sexual assault examinations as well as from multiple other victims who came forward during the investigation.

Duck has 30 days to appeal his sentence.

Duck’s son, Michael Dragland, 35, was also sentenced today on two counts of second degree rape to which he pled guilty.

“I believe if you had gone to trial and been convicted, your sentence would’ve been much greater than it’s about to be,” Judge Craig told Dragland in court. “This sentence is being handed down pursuant to a plea agreement, and I’m going to honor that plea agreement.”

Dragland will serve 20 years at hard labor, two of those years to be served without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

On the fourth floor of the Webster Parish Courthouse, 57 women are crammed into tiny cells amid conditions that are irreparable. The paint is peeling off the walls. Some of the plumbing no longer works. The odor is dank and moldy. The air-conditioning is intermittent. It almost defies the imagination. There are 61 beds, some inmates are eight to a cell.

“There has been a jail up there for more than 25 years, since I began policing here,” Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said. “A lot of money has been put into it over the years. There have been flooding issues with the plumbing, and after a while, these things can’t be fixed any more.

“And with the Covid issue we have right now, we do not have a location to really quarantine incoming females,” he continued. “It makes it very difficult to isolate them for 14 days from the general population.”

Parker said they have that option at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center (BDCC), which is the men’s prison, but not at the women’s jail. And the sheriff’s department houses female prisoners from surrounding parishes that don’t have a facility for women.

“It’s nobody’s fault at this point,” Parker said, referring to the Webster Parish Police Jury which owns and maintains the courthouse. “There are no longer parts available to fix a lot of these issues with plumbing and air conditioning.”

In fact, he knows the jury wants to help him with a plan that would solve everything.

“The sheriff wants to move the women’s prison to the Camp Minden grounds, near BDCC,” police jury President Jim Bonsall said. “We are going to do everything we can to find the money to help them do just that.”

Parker said he has located a building at Camp Minden, about a mile from BDCC, that is owned by the National Guard.

“The structure, infrastructure and foundation are already there,” the sheriff said. “With a little renovation, we can make it into an approximately 100-bed facility. That’s what we are shooting for.”

WPSO investigator Dustin Reynolds said it will also give them the capability to isolate incoming prisoners.

“We will be able to segregate work release from other prisoners, too,” Reynolds said. “That helps in a lot of ways because they are a different status prisoner.”

Parker said the new women’s prison would be a dormitory-style facility, except for the areas needed for isolation. It will be leased from the National Guard and renovated with the cost shared by his office and the police jury.

“It’s a block and brick building in surprisingly good shape,” Parker said. “It was the old Y Line cafeteria.”

Parker said the process will take time. Possibly 18 months to two years. They hope to use BDCC inmate workers to help with the demolition.

“That will save a lot of money,” he said.

Photos:  by Bonnie Culverhouse

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By Josh Beavers

Teachers are returning to school houses all across the parish today, but new educators had an early welcome during an orientation held last week in Minden.

The new Webster educators were addressed by Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland before spending the day going over some of the ins and outs of the system, classroom management techniques, and getting a little more comfortable for Day 1 of the school year.

Rowland, a former teacher, coach, and principal, told The Journal that he wasn’t giving a speech. Instead he was just telling the truth and speaking from his heart.

He spoke for about 15 minutes on the importance of teachers in the lives of our young people. He outlined personal stories about students he taught and how a teacher should never underestimate or give up on their pupils.

“Students will never be able to define a great teacher until they have one,” he told the crowd of about 40. He waited a moment before continuing, letting his words sink in. “Be that great teacher. Be that positive influence in these young people’s lives.”

The superintendent discussed the importance and nobility of education, pointing out teachers work with the most important resource in the world – our children, our young people.

“You have a tremendous responsibility and also a tremendous power to do good,” he told the new educators. “More than any other job, a teacher has the power to make the world a better place.”

Relating his own personal stories from the classroom, he emphasized how much of a positive impact a teacher can have, how much of a mark a teacher can make on the life of a young person.

“When you teach more and more students you may not remember them all, but they will remember you,” he said. “Think about your own experiences. You may not remember all your college professors but you remember your elementary, junior high and high school teachers. Realize the opportunity you have to be that remarkable person for your students.”

School begins Thursday in Webster Parish. That’s in two days, and all those new teachers will be in front of a group of students, leading the way, for the first time. The time has come to dive in.

“You became a teacher because you love children and want to make a real, positive difference in this world,” Rowland said. “Your chance begins Thursday.”

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Stuffing tools in his pants turned out to be a bad idea for one local man.

Eugene Elias Henderson, 48, of Watterman St., Minden, was arrested recently by Minden Police for felony shoplifting from a local discount store.

Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said his officers were dispatched to the store around 9 p.m. and talked with several employees that directed him to the tool section.

“They told officers that the suspect was there and had items in his pants,” Cropper said. “When confronted about stealing, Henderson admitted to it.”

Officers reportedly secured the suspect in handcuffs and advised him of his rights.

“Henderson told the officers the items were in his pockets,” said the chief. “One of the officers felt inside his pockets and found multiple small items. So, the officer walked Henderso to the customer service section where they emptied his pockets.”

The discount store reportedly scanned the stolen items.

“Henderson had a glass meth pipe inside a paper towel, which was inside a pack of cigarettes,” Cropper said. “Henderson admitted to officers that he was stealing the items so he ‘could eat.’ We don’t know if he was going to sell the items in order to get money for food.

“Henderson has multiple convictions for theft, so the charge was upgraded to felony theft,” the chief continued. “There was a small amount of Methamphetamine inside the glass pipe.”

Cropper said Henderson has been banned from the store.

 

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

Springhill Police have arrested a Sarepta woman on multiple charges.

Alison B, Berry, 29, of the1400 block of Hearron Rd., has been charged with possession of Sch. II Methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance and no seatbelt.

Berry was reportedly arrested by Det. Ronald Wedgeworth and Det. David Silivers at the Harrison County jail in Marshall, Texas. She had been arrested there on local charges and was found to have outstanding felony warrants through Springhill Police Department with full extradition.

She was transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center and booked on these charges. Her bonds totals $5,500.

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Joe Frank Palmer, 57, of Springhill, was arrested by Probation and Parole for probation violation. His original charge was attempted possession of pornography involving juveniles.

Samantha Anderson, 34, of Bossier City, was arrested for contempt of court. Original charge was possession of Sch. IV.

David Wayne Baker, 64, of the 600 block of Gladney St., Minden, was transported from the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on two active warrants – aggravated assault upon a police officer and aggravated assault with a firearm.

Maranda Richardson, 51, of the 1200 block of Shreveport Rd., was arrested by Minden Police with active warrants through the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Austin Coats, 19, of Benton, was arrested by Cullen Police for possession of Sch. II.

Cameron Tyler Young, 22, was arrested by Louisiana State Police Troop G for driving while intoxicated first offense, DWI refusal, careless operation and driving under suspension.

Darrell Keith Clark, 36, of Lewisville, Ark., was arrested by Springhill Police for possession of Sch. II Methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Navaline Danielle Juarez, 38, of Buckner, Ark., was arrested by Springhill Police for possession of Sch. II Methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, possession of Sch. IV and possession of a Legend drug without a prescription.

Jaylon J. Wortham, 25, of Shongaloo, was arrested by Cotton Valley Police as a fugitive from Webster Parish.

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UCAP Needs for Week of August 9 and July Assistance Report:

• Food: rice, biscuit mix, cornbread mix

• Clothing: men’s large short sleeve shirts, men’s large socks

• Household Goods: king and queen sheets, towels

In July, UCAP assisted with $2,191 in utilities and $500 on rent. We filled 29 requests for food (59 individuals) and 69 requests for clothing. Overhead costs were $531.

We could not provide this assistance without this community’s help. Thank you.

UCAP is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. for food, utility and rent assistance. We give out clothing on Wednesdays only.

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An acute lack of depth was tremendously detrimental to Grambling’s football team in the abbreviated spring 2021 season.

As the Tigers kicked off preseason practice Saturday morning, depth is not a problem any longer. In fact, says veteran coach Broderick Fobbs, it’s a strength.

Fobbs was confident at the outset of the spring season that his roster entering fall would be much stronger than it was in the spring, and nothing happened during the frustration-filled first four months of 2021 to change that.

Not even an 0-4 record, a complete makeover of the offensive staff during and after the season, and some player departures.

Even having depth problems tthen now becomes a positive, he said last week on The Patrick Netherton Show on 1130 The Tiger KWKH radio in Shreveport.

“There are some good things that came out of the spring. We got some game experience for guys who wouldn’t ordinarily have gotten the opportunity to play, and that created some confidence for them,” said Fobbs.

A unique combination of issues created by the pandemic put the G-Men in a pinch with roster management.

“A lot has happened in the last couple of years. In March 2020, we felt going into spring practice we were going to have been one of the more talented teams since we’ve been here, but then things shut down, kids went home, and we didn’t have constant contact and oversight,” said Fobbs. “We wound up with 8-9 guys on the offensive line who entered the transfer portal.

“At the same time, because of NCAA restrictions related to the pandemic, we were unable to go off campus and recruit. Our program is built on relationships and looking eye to eye and being sure it’s the right fit, and that wasn’t possible. We wound up with a team that was very, very young and very vulnerable, and then you add the complications of COVID issues, you become a really thin team,” he said.

That caught up with the Tigers in the spring after two one-score losses, and a third game that got out of hand after halftime against UAPB.

“We had a chance in two-and-a-half games to win, and that says a lot (considering the personnel issues),” said Fobbs. “Since that time, we’ve been able to replenish, get our players in here, and get offensive linemen. Truth be told, every student-athlete we’ve been able to bring in is a lot better than the one he replaced. That gives us the opportunity to be an exceptional football program and an exceptional coaching staff.”

A local Tiger could shine to ramp up a struggling offense: Arcadia running back C.J. Russell, who Fobbs said “will light up the league.” Elijah Walker finished the spring as the starter and will be the trigger to the Grambling offense this fall, but it may be impossible to deny playing time to four-star recruit Noah Bolden, a signee from New York City.

“Our job now is to get them playing hard and fast, but also get them to Saturdays healthy. If we can do that and play the game the right way and execute the plan, we feel really good about our team,” said Fobbs.”

The Tigers will take off Sunday during fall camp and will have evening practices Monday through Wednesday and morning practices Thursday through Saturday.

The fall camp is closed to the public.

Grambling opens the 2021 season on Sunday, Sept. 5 against Tennessee State in the Black College Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

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By Josh Beavers

This is the final in a set of brief looks at Webster Parish’s four high school football teams. The Lakeside Warriors are looking to restart momentum halted by a fragmented 2020 schedule.

SUMMER WORKOUTS – The Warriors competed in several 7 on 7 tournaments this summer and worked on strength and conditioning.

PRESEASON PRACTICES – Began Monday at 5 p.m.

SCRIMMAGE – at Lakeview on August 20. 6 pm.

JAMBOREE — The Warriors will be one of five teams participating in the annual jamboree. The other teams are Minden, North Webster, Homer, and the host – Haynesville. The event will be held in Haynesville on August 27. Games begin at 7 p.m.

FIRST GAME – At home against Magnolia School of Excellence, September 3 at 7 p.m.

NOTES: Lakeside is looking to build upon the momentum it had to end the 2019 season. The Warriors had a rough go last year due in part to a loss of seniors from the 2019 squad that won the school’s first playoff game. There also was a great deal of uncertainty, starting and stopping, cancellations, quarantine, and general disorganization in the 2020 campaign due to the Covid pandemic. Lakeside Head Coach Mike Santelices said offseason work was encouraging and beneficial to the athletes, and the Warriors are ready for a full campaign.

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Catherine O’Neal MD is chief medical officer at Our Lady of the Lake hospital in Baton Rouge and associate professor of clinical medicine, LSU Health Sciences Center and an infectious disease expert. Dr. O’Neal discusses the development of the available vaccines and answers questions related to getting vaccinated.

Provided by the The Lemoine Company

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William “Doc” Sepulvado
January 19, 1948 – August 7, 2021
Mass:  Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 10:00 am at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Many, LA.
Burial: St. Joseph Catholic Church in Zwolle, LA.

Carter J Moreau
October 27, 1931 – July 30, 2021
Visitation: 9:00 am until time of service.
Services: September 18, 2021 at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church in Plaucheville, Louisiana
Rosary and Mass:  11:00 am

Russell Wayne Higginbotham
November 2, 1958 – July 3, 2021
Services:  Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 11:00 AM at the Greenwood Town Cemetery in Greenwood, Louisiana.

John Phillip Green
July 22, 1949 – August 3, 2021
Visitation:  Tuesday, August 10, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Services:  Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2500 Southside Dr., Shreveport, Louisiana.
Burial:  Memorial Gardens North Cemetery in Blanchard, Louisiana. 

Thomas Henry Tanner, Jr.
April 14, 1938 – August 8, 2021
Services: Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Minden, Louisiana
Interment:  Driskill Mountain Cemetery in Bienville, Louisiana. 

Charles Lamar Maranto
January 5, 1944 – August 5, 2021
Arrangements: Pending

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

The Minden Police Association has reported that gunfire sent one person to the hospital with a leg wound during a celebration of life for the three-year-old that was killed in a drive-by shooting last week.

According to the report, a large crowd had gathered in the 900 block of Woods St. when gunfire that was described as a “war zone” erupted, scattering the crowd of more than 100 persons.

“One female was hit in the leg,” said MPA President Jason Smith. “Several vehicles and a house were peppered with bullet holes.”

Smith said officers arrived quickly and secured the scene.

“Although there were more than 100 witnesses, Det. Shane Griffith and other officers could not get anyone to provide any relevant or identifying information on the alleged shooter,” Smith reported.

Approximately 50 bullet casings were recovered from the scene.

19-year-old JaCorein Richardson was arrested Friday for the shooting of three-year-old Aldravion Taylor in an act of retaliation for the death of his cousin in Arcadia.

Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said Richardson was arrested at his residence and a weapon recovered is the same caliber as the casings located at the scene of the Minden shooting.

“We feel very strongly that he is the shooter in the death of our three-year-old,” said the chief.

Cropper said Richardson’s mother lives in Bossier where he was arrested, however, Richardson “travels a lot between Arcadia and Bossier.”

Please see Minden Police Association’s Facebook page. Special thanks to Smith for the information and photo.

More information will be posted when available.

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Jacorein Richardson, 19, is escorted to a patrol car by Minden Police detectives Shane Griffith and Keith King. Richardson will be booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on first degree murder charges for the shooting death of three-year-old Aldravion Taylor.

Video:  by Bonnie Culverhouse

Police arrest alleged shooter of toddler

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By Bonnie Culverhouse

A 19-year-old has been arrested in the death of a three-year-old toddler in a drive-by shooting on Plum Street last week.
Jacorein Richardson of the 2000 block of Old Minden Road, Bossier City, was arrested on a first degree murder warrant and has a $750,000 bond.

“We’ve been working on it all day long, (today, Friday, Aug. 6),” Minden Police Chief Steve Cropper said. “We’ve been in meetings with the assistant district attorney and Bossier City detectives. We were able to get enough probable cause, and he’s in custody as of 3:30 this afternoon.”

Cropper said Jacorein Richardson was arrested at his residence and a weapon recovered is the same caliber as the casings located at the scene of the Minden shooting.

“We feel very strongly that he is the shooter in the death of our three-year-old,” said the chief.
Cropper said Richardson’s mother lives in Bossier, however, Richardson “travels a lot between Arcadia and Bossier.”

“The night the baby was killed, he was in Arcadia at that time,” Cropper said. “We feel this was a retaliation to the death in Arcadia. Richardson was a cousin of the victim in that shooting.”

According to KTBS News, three-year-old Aldravion Taylor was killed when a person, now identified as Jacorein Richardson, sprayed the house on Plum Street with gunfire. Aldravion was struck by a bullet inside the home and taken by his mother to the hospital, where he died.

Two hours earlier, a 19-year-old man, identified as Damarion Richardson, was shot and killed in a convenience store parking lot on Second Street in Arcadia. Bienville sheriff’s detectives said Damarion Richardson of Arcadia and the alleged shooter, Shamichael Murphy, 24, also of Arcadia, had been involved in an ongoing feud.

Murphy has been arrested for second-degree murder. Later that night, a second man, Jamarcus Abbott, of Arcadia, was arrested for simple battery and obstruction of justice.

“One of the men in the house on Plum Street was one of the ones arrested in the Bienville shooting,” Cropper said. “He was not charged with the actual homicide, but he was charged with illegal use of a firearm. He was in the house on Plum Street when the drive-by shooting occurred.”

Abbott and his brother David were with Damarion Richardson when he was shot, investigators said.

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By Josh Beavers

The Webster Parish School System has issued Covid guidelines for the upcoming school year.

“We are looking forward to a GREAT 2021-22 school year,” the district said in a Facebook post Friday afternoon. “The State of Louisiana has a mask mandate in effect until September 1. Students ages 5 and up and all adults will be required to wear a face mask indoors.”

The post continues: “Masks are NOT required outdoors. By Presidential Order, masks are required to be worn by everyone on a school bus. Please monitor your student each day for symptoms.”

School begins Thursday.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to, the following:
Fever greater than 100.4 F
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Increasingly nonproductive (dry) cough
Body aches or fatigue
GI symptoms (nausea or diarrhea)
Loss of taste and/or smell
Other flu or cold-like symptoms such as a headache, sore throat, or congestion

The post continues: “The Department of Health guidance indicates that symptomatic individuals need to have a negative PCR COVID test OR an alternative diagnosis OR complete quarantine.”

The district said: “We are continuing to work closely with the Louisiana Department of Education and the Louisiana Department of Health to follow the guidelines and keep our students and staff safe.”

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BATON ROUGE– The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) released new data showing that in-person students significantly outperformed remote learners on the Spring 2021 LEAP Assessments.

“The data is clear that in-person instruction is far more beneficial than virtual learning options for the majority of students,” said State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley. “This information should guide decisions for educators and parents moving into the new school year. It is absolutely critical that we keep our students in the classroom for this upcoming year while mitigating the spread of Covid-19.”

For grades 3-8, the rate of students who scored Mastery or above on ELA and Math assessments was 15% higher for students who were in-person for the entirety of the year versus those who were virtual for the entire year. Also, students who were virtual for the entire year had an 11% greater rate of Unsatisfactory scores than students who were in-person for the entire year.

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By Josh Beavers

Now here’s some good news. Though it’s over in Bienville Parish, the recent announcement of 500 new jobs is an economic boon for the entire area.

Located just 14 miles from downtown Minden, a new sawmill will be built thanks to a partnership between Hunt Forest Products and Tolko. Hunt co-owner James D. Hunt and Tolko President and CEO Brad Thorlakson announced that the companies will develop the sawmill at a cost of $240 million

The joint venture company will create 130 direct new jobs, with an average salary of $57,400, plus benefits. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the new sawmill will result in 387 indirect jobs for a total of more than 500 new jobs in Louisiana’s Northwest Region. Approximately 300 construction jobs will be created.

Sourcing timber locally, the state-of-the-art sawmill will require approximately 1.3 million tons of wood annually to produce an estimated 320 million board feet of lumber. The facility will be located on approximately 225 acres near the community of Taylor.

Construction on the new facility is expected to start in early 2022 with commercial operations starting in early 2023.

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By Josh Beavers

Free back to school supplies, as well as free Covid vaccinations, will be distributed Monday in both Minden and Springhill.

The Webster Parish School Board is hosting the 13th annual Back-to-School Bash at the Harper Center for Excellence at 618 Germantown Road in Minden as well as the Springhill branch of the Webster Parish Library.

The drive-thru event will be held from 9 am to 2 pm.

Supplies will be picked up via drive thru behind Harper in the old car line. Vaccinations will be available via drive thru in the front of the school in the bus line.

The Webster Parish School System is partnering with the LSU Health and Science Center to offer the free Covid vaccines to children ages 12 and up.

LSUHC will be providing free Pfizer vaccines for students (ages 12 and up) from 9 am to 2 pm at the NWHS Library in Springhill and at the front entrance of the J. E. Harper Pathways to Excellence Center in Minden (Germantown Road).

A parent must be present in order for the child to receive the vaccine.

Generous sponsors for this event are:
Premium Premium Sponsors
Gary and Sarah Haynes
Saint Rest Baptist Church – Minden
Walmart Minden
Walmart Springhill

Premium Sponsors
Valley Peace Church Cotton Valley, La
Sneed ’em Chili Dogs
Iota Rho Omgea Chapter of AKA
Regional Hospice
Get Live 40 Foundation
John McKeeCar Giant\
Suddenlink Altice

Platinum
Walmart – Minden
Kevin and Debbie Washington
McDonald’s – Minden
Minden Family Dental
Barksdale Federal Credit Union
B1 Bank
James C. Rhymes Foundation
Johnny and Sherri Rowland

Silver
Kenneth and Sharon Duncan
Denise Edwards
Fleming Group
Carter Federal Credit Union
Sheriff Jason Parker
Living Word Church- Minden
Horseshoe Dental
Dale and Crevonne Odom
Speer Roofing
Fibrebond
Lynda Carmouche Psychotherapy
New Direction Church of Cotton Valley
Premier Family Clinic, LLC
Andre and Teresa Washington
Greater New Bethel AME Church Springhill
Minden Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.
Tonk’s Home Improvement
NSPDK, Inc. Epsilon Rho Chapter
Ursula Hullaby
Minden Athletic

Bronze Sponsors
Jonathan and Latisher Ward
Linda Hudson
Minden Police Association
Mark and Becki Brown
McInnins Insurance
Cory and Melanie Lewing
Mike’s Spirits
Minden Floral
Storage Solutions – Germantown Storage
Rocketfast
Harper Motors
Larry and Terric Ferguson
Deborah Garrison
Saun and Naomi Houston
Robin Tucker
Dusty Rangel
State Farm Laura Horton Agency
Janene Ashley

Patrons
Ricky and Mary Wright
Carolyn Pickett
Yolanda Palmer
Daryl and Oreata Banks
Colonel & Diane Thompson
Ad Signs
Nathan Richardson
Tara Reeves
Jessica Spence
Regina Mixon
Tia Damond
Fayrine Kennon

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By Josh Beavers

This is the third in a set of brief looks at Webster Parish’s four high school football teams. The Minden Crimson Tide are looking to improve on last year’s quarterfinal playoff performance.

SUMMER WORKOUTS – The Tide competed in several 7 on 7 tournaments this summer and worked on strength and conditioning.

PRESEASON PRACTICES – Begin Monday, August 9. at 3:15.

SCRIMMAGE – at Benton on August 20. 6 pm.

JAMBOREE — The Tide will be one of five teams participating in the annual jamboree. The other teams are Lakeside, North Webster, Homer, and the host – Haynesville. The event will be held in Haynesville on August 27. Games begin at 7 p.m.

FIRST GAME — At home against Parkway. September 3 at 7 p.m.

NOTES: Tide Coach Spencer Heard said the team made progress over the summer. One area of concern was in the secondary, but positive strides were made during the summer competition. He also mentioned the positive progression of senior starting quarterback Andrew Cooper who will be calling signals following a career on the defensive side of the ball at linebacker.

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Macario Lopez
March 10, 1940 – July 30, 2021
Visitation:  9:00 a.m. until time of service
Service:  Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 315 Marshall Street, Shreveport At 10:00 a.m.
Cemetery: following at Forest Park West Cemetery in Shreveport, Louisiana

Elizabeth Ann Moreno
August 9, 1966 – July 30, 2021
Service: Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, Louisiana 

Lee “Buster” Monroe Ezernack
January 7, 1950 – July 31, 2021
Visitation:  3:00 p.m. until time of service
Service:  Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City

Peggy Ruth Pope
March 4, 1933 – July 30, 2021
Service:  Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Minden
Interment:  Mt. Zion Cemetery in Minden, Louisiana

Betty Hargrove
December 11, 1926 – July 31, 2021
Service:   12:00 p.m., Thursday, August 5, 2021 in the chapel at Nashville Funeral Home- Arkansas.
Visitation:  11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Interment:  Mineral Springs Cemetery in Mineral Springs, Arkansas.

Betty Jo Brown
February 7, 1941 – July 3, 2021
Service:   Walnut Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery, 1254 Arcadia Highway, Quitman, Louisiana on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. 

John Taylor Ward
July 15, 1935 – July 13, 2021
Cemetery:  in Jonesboro, AR on August 7, 2021.

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Jennifer Spurlock, owner of Split Sea Marketing and a longtime Minden business leader, has joined the team at the Webster Parish Journal.

The Webster Parish Journal and Split Sea Marketing, LLC have announced an agreement whereby Split Sea Marketing will represent the Webster Parish Journal to advertising clients in the Parish.

For 15 years, Jennifer has been a noteworthy leader in the Marketing space. You may know her work from her time as Director of Marketing at Minden Medical Center or Marketing Officer at Gibsland Bank & Trust.

She recently opened her own local Marketing Agency, Split Sea Marketing, where she offers social media management, digital and traditional marketing, website and logo design and everything in between.

Jennifer currently sits on the Greater Minden Chamber Board of Directors, Minden Medical Center Board of Governors and the Camp Caney Methodist Church Camp Board.

She is a past member and President of the Minden Young Women’s Service Club and past Chairwoman of the Greater Minden Chamber. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing from LSU in Shreveport and currently resides in Athens on Gentle Breeze Farm with her husband, Chip Spurlock, daughter Lindy age 10, son Taylor age 8 and many cows, chickens and horses.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with the Webster Parish Journal,” she said. “This is such an exciting time in the digital marketing space and I am eager to connect local businesses with such a large audience in an affordable way.”

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Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said Tuesday afternoon that DNA has confirmed the body located in north Webster Parish last week was Ty Dakota Tucker of Shongaloo.

“Tucker was a 26 year-old white male,” Parker said. “He was reported missing by his family on Monday, July 26.”

Parker said the investigation is ongoing, and there is still no cause of death at this time.

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Macario Lopez
March 10, 1940 – July 30, 2021
Visitation:  9:00 a.m. until time of service
Service:  Saturday, August 7, 2021 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 315 Marshall Street, Shreveport At 10:00 a.m.
Cemetery: following at Forest Park West Cemetery in Shreveport, Louisiana

Elizabeth Ann Moreno
August 9, 1966 – July 30, 2021
Visitation:  Wednesday, August 4, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p
Service: Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, Louisiana 

Lee “Buster” Monroe Ezernack
January 7, 1950 – July 31, 2021
Visitation:  3:00 p.m. until time of service
Service:  Thursday, August 5, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 2201 Airline Dr., Bossier City

Peggy Ruth Pope
March 4, 1933 – July 30, 2021
Visitation:  5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 4, 2021, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden
Service:  Thursday, August 5, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Minden
Interment:  Mt. Zion Cemetery in Minden, Louisiana

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