By Pat Culverhouse

In what could be called a watershed moment for the Webster Parish School Board, more than half of the board scheduled to be elected this Fall will be first-timers.

Term limits will claim five sitting members, including board President Johnnye Kennon (Dist. 10). Other term limited members are Charles Strong (Dist. 3), Ronald Rhymes (Dist. 5) Linda Kinsey (Dist. 7) and Jerry Lott (Dist. 11).

While state law claims five Webster Parish members, at least two others have reportedly decided against seeking another term. 

District 4’s Robyn Guthrie, who was selected to fill the unexpired term of her late husband, Jonathan, reportedly will not seek election. And District 9 representative Jerri Lee has reportedly decided to not seek another term.

And at least one other board member reportedly will wait until qualifying period to make a decision. Qualifying is set to begin Tuesday, August. 4 and continue until Friday, Aug. 8.

In November, 2012, voters across the state in all 67 school districts overwhelmingly approved a limit of three consecutive four-year terms for school board members. Limits began with the election cycle following voter approval.

“This year, our school board will experience a significant transition, with seven seats becoming vacant. Two current members have chosen not to seek reelection, and five others have reached their term limits. This represents the largest turnover I can remember during my time on the board,” Kennon said in a statement issued Monday. 

“We are losing dedicated individuals who have devoted countless hours of service to our students, staff, and community. Their commitment has helped strengthen our school system, and our community is grateful for their service. I am hopeful that, following the November election, we will welcome board members who are equally committed to strengthening public education and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed,” she said.

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By Pat Culverhouse

Victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault will be receiving immediate assistance during their most difficult times thanks to a unique partnership between law enforcement and the Minden community.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said the need for special consideration and accommodations for the victims and family members, which often include small children, has resulted in an outpouring of assistance.

“We had a situation where a mother and her four children were getting away from an abusive circumstance and they arrived here with nothing,” he said. “We realized something more was needed and we began asking for help from local people and organizations. The results have been truly amazing.”

McIver said the response has been overwhelming. Donations poured from individuals and organizations, and now a room at police headquarters is filled with supplies, toys and other items.

A major boost came from Ward Marshal Danny Weaver in the form of a $10,000 check which was delivered Monday.

“We’re always willing to help when we can and this is something that we certainly want to be a part of,” Weaver said.

McIver said the money will be used for a fund dedicated to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes affecting families.

Another major benefactor has been Minden Medical Center. McIver said MMC has stepped up with donations that include furniture, toys and a television set for what will become a comfort room for victims and children.

MMC will also be providing materials to assist in the renovation of the new room.

“We’re going to remodel a room here at the headquarters that will be specifically for them,” he said. “It will allow us to get the children into a safe atmosphere where they can take their minds off what’s happening. They could be here for hours and we need them to be comfortably separated from the investigation.”

McIver said another Minden business contributed much needed items for the victims and children.

“We talked to Mercy’s Closet and they told us to come and get anything we needed,” he said. “They were very generous.”

Much of the impetus for the focus on victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence is new Detective Heather Boucher. Boucher has a lengthy resume of success dealing with sex crimes, crimes involving juveniles and domestic abuse.

“This new room will be directly across from my office, so I’ll not only be able to interview victims in a more controlled atmosphere, I’ll also be able to check on the children and be sure they’re doing as well as they can,” she said.

Work on the new room is scheduled to begin quickly, McIver said, and thanks goes to the many outside sources that have provided funds and supplies.

“We could not have done this, and done it so quickly, without the help of so many people,” he said. “The community responded and it just got bigger and bigger. They helped kickstart an idea into a reality.” 

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By Pat Culverhouse

A Cotton Valley woman is facing a litany of charges after allegedly forcing her way into an apartment Saturday afternoon and attacking an individual inside.

Cotton Valley police reportedly responded to a report of a disturbance in the 21000 block of Hwy. 371 just after 4 p.m. and found witnesses who identified Lakeisha Renee Washington, 46,  as the aggressor in the attack.

Police reportedly learned Washington entered the apartment, struck the male occupant with a metal broom handle and kicked him. A child reportedly was present during the incident.

Washington reportedly resisted the Cotton Valley officer until a Webster Parish deputy arrived to support the arrest. She reportedly was taken into custody and transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.

Charges against Washington include aggravated assault, battery of a dating partner with child endangerment, resisting an officer, home invasion, disturbing the peace and aggravated criminal damage to property. Her bond has been set at $55,001.

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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We are in the peak weather pattern for tropical depressions,  tropical storms and of course, hurricanes. 
I continue to monitor the tropics every day. 

Extended forecast for the upcoming week calls for sunny skies with lows in the upper 70s and highs in the upper 90s to 100

Possible rain on July 29 and July 30. See attached graphic below.

A look back. 

Springhill
July 20 low was 77F high was 100
July 21 low was 77F high was 102F 
July 22 low was 83F high was 101F
July 23 low was 75F high was 91F 
July 24 low was 75F high was 91F 
July 25 low was 77F high was 96F 
July 26 low was 75F high was 100F

Minden 
July 20 low was 72F high was 96F 
July 21 low was 77F high was 99F
July 22 low was 81F high was 99F
July 23 low was 76F high was 94F 
July 24 low was 75F high was 95F 
July 25 low was 77F high was 97F 
July 26 low was 76F high was 98F

On July 26 Springhill and Minden each received a trace of rain.

(Jerry Strahan was a first responder in fire and emergency services for almost 45 years. He lives in north Webster Parish and has written weather articles for other publications.)

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By Jerry Strahan

Mission statement  was LOVE for the weekend’s Summer Beach Bash Extravaganza.

The skies were blue and the temperature was 90F – perfect for Saturday’s event. People were dressed up for the occasion. 

They were dressed up like a watermelon, bright clothes and dresses along with sunglasses and warm colors and smiles. 

The parade started at Piggly Wiggly parking lot, crossed Highway 371 and into the surrounding neighborhood. 

Organizers were Shanna Curry, Franchester Gibson, Latonya Frazier, Robinette,Thomas, D Nicole Frazier, and Rev. Dr Versie Hudson, Motorcycle Club, The Buffalo Soldiers.

Everyone participating was safe, thanks to Springhill Police Department and Webster Parish Sheriff’s Department deputies who kept the parade safe by blocking Highway 371 and local streets. 

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By Paige Gurgainers

As preparations begin for another season of sharing hope with children around the world, Operation Christmas Child volunteers from across North Central Louisiana will gather in Minden later this summer for a workshop designed to inspire, educate and expand the ministry’s local impact.

The North Central Louisiana Shoebox Kickoff Workshop will be held Saturday, Aug. 29, from 9:30 a.m. until noon at First Baptist Church in Minden. The free event welcomes churches, schools, community organizations and individuals interested in learning more about Operation Christmas Child and how they can help deliver shoebox gifts to children in need around the world.

“The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world,” said Brenda Teal, North Central Louisiana Area Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child. “Through this workshop, Operation Christmas Child partners with the local church and the local church worldwide to explore ways to pack more shoeboxes that share the Good News of Jesus Christ and help disciple those children and families.”

The workshop will give attendees an inside look at the ministry’s global impact, from packing and collecting shoeboxes to distributing them around the world. Participants will also learn about “The Greatest Journey,” a discipleship program that allows children who receive a shoebox to continue learning about the Gospel. Interactive exhibits and volunteer resources will showcase the many ways individuals and organizations can become involved.

The ministry continues to experience steady growth throughout North Central Louisiana. According to Teal, attendance at the annual workshop has increased from 19 participants to 27 participants, while the region’s shoebox ministry has expanded from reaching 5,586 children to 6,523 children who received both a shoebox gift and the Gospel message in 2025.

“Our Area Team serves six parishes, and we have Church and Community/School Relations volunteers who reach out and support any organization or individual who wants to participate in packing shoeboxes throughout those parishes,” Teal said. “There are also many varied opportunities to contribute through area team volunteer roles. Operation Christmas Child is not tied to any one denomination, but is an outreach of the Samaritan’s Purse ministry.”

Whether someone has packed shoeboxes for years or is simply curious about getting involved, organizers say the workshop is designed to provide practical information, encouragement and new ideas for sharing the ministry with others.

“Our workshop will provide information on how to get connected and highlight exciting, varied avenues to contribute and pack shoeboxes,” Teal said.

Registration is now open for the workshop, and organizers encourage anyone with a heart for serving children around the world to attend and learn how they can help make an eternal impact… one shoebox at a time.

For more information, contact: Brenda D. Teal, North Central Louisiana Area Coordinator, Operation Christmas Child, (318) 663-7508.

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BATON ROUGE – You could hear him long before he walked in the Crowne Plaza Hotel ballroom just after lunchtime on Tuesday.

And then, there he was.

“How ya’ doin? Been lifting weights? You’re looking good.”

That sandpaper voice.

“Hey podnah, guess we’ll see you in the playoffs this season.”

The thick Cajun accent.

“Great to see you, man.”

Ed Orgeron, surrounded at the Louisiana High School Coaches’ Association’s annual clinic as he entered the room to lecture about LSU’s pass rush techniques, was back among his people doing what he does best.

Working the room with his infectious personality. Making everyone feel like they were his long-lost friend. Nobody was a stranger, as noted by Orgeron’s post-speech receiving line of at least 50 coaches who wanted a word with him or a selfie.

It took the former LSU head football coach – hired in December 2016, feted in 2019 as the national Coach of the Year after the 16-0 Tigers won the national championship and fired in 2021 – 10 minutes to navigate 140 feet from the ballroom door to the front of the room so he could start his animated demonstration.

Every few feet, there was a handshake. A hand on a shoulder. Always ending with a smile and a laugh.

Anybody with a shred of sanity or pride wonders why a man who was paid almost a $17 million buyout two years after arguably coaching the greatest team in college football history would want to return to  the place that dumped him?

Because you can take the boy out of the bayou, but you can’t take the bayou out of the boy. Ed Orgeron loves football, LSU, his home state and its people.

And he respects new Tigers’ head coach Lane Kiffin enough to work for him a third time.

It was no surprise that former Ole Miss head coach Kiffin, who coached as an assistant with Orgeron on Southern Cal’s staff from 2001 to 2004, and then as head coach hired him at Tennessee in 2009 and again at Southern Cal from 2010 to 2013, created a position for him.

“It just took awhile to find the right role,” said Orgeron, who’s starting his third month as the Tigers’ special assistant to recruiting and defense.

The job is tailor-made for Orgeron, who turns 65 on Monday. Few human beings ever have been a better college football recruiter than him. And as a pupil of Pete Jenkins, the Obi Wan Kenobi of defensive line coaches for 6½ decades, Orgeron remains one of the finest defensive line technicians nationally.

His salary of $100,000 on an eight-month contract is tip money compared to his past LSU head coaching haul of $9 million annually. Surely, his new office is basically a broom closet compared to the expansive head coaching digs he enjoyed.

Unpretentious Coach O doesn’t care about the perception. He’s returned to his roots – recruiting teenagers, going to the practice field and getting in the trenches with them and developing them into young adults with viable futures.

One of them – former LSU linebacker Andre Anthony — was in the clinic audience. Signed by Orgeron in 2017, he fought through injuries in a five-year career good enough to get chosen by Tampa Bay in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Though he never played in a regular season game that season – the Bucs quickly waived him, and he spent the year on the Chicago Bears practice squad — Anthony turned to coaching.

Last season in his first year as a high school head coach for Kenner-based Bonnabel, his squad overcame a 1-3 start to capture the program’s first winning season since 2012, first district championship since 1998, and first playoff win since 1997.

Anthony was clearly thrilled to see Orgeron again in LSU coaching paraphernalia.

“You can see his passion,” said Anthony after Orgeron’s enthusiastic 50-minute clinic. “It’s why I went to LSU. After he left, I thought he’d be back in coaching after five months. He loves it.”

Orgeron and his new wife Brandy spent most of his four seasons away from the game living on Miami Beach in a 37th-floor condo overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

It seemed like paradise.

Collecting buyout checks. Working out all day. Tanning at the beach. Drinks at beach bars. Visits to two of his sons who were analysts for Miami’s program, and to another son who’s a Tulane analyst.

Yes, maybe a June 2025 Louisiana Supreme Court ruling awarding Orgeron’s previous wife Kelly $8.13 million of his LSU buyout pushed his return to coaching.

But more than anything, he was bored. And in a predominantly Cuban population, he felt like he had docked his pirogue in Havana.

“My name could have been Raoul Ortega down there. . .they didn’t give a sh–,” he told the clinic crowd, which roared with laughter. “I’m not complaining. But after a while, the beach is the beach, right?

“And I really missed Louisiana.”

So, he and the new missus moved back into his University Club digs at the start of this year. It wasn’t long after social media pictures of Orgeron tutoring five-star LSU freshman defensive line signee Richard Anderson that Kiffin called with a job offer.

“I’ll be there in five minutes,” Orgeron said.

Orgeron will tell you he wasn’t a great head coach. But he knew how to recruit. He understood how to motivate.

And when he pushed the right buttons – persuading future 2018 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow to transfer to LSU from Ohio State in the summer of 2018 and adding playcalling whiz Joe Brady the next season – he understood his role on the Tigers’ ride to the national title.

“My job in 2019 was if the (team) bus left at 2:30, I got on the bus, and I looked for Joe (Burrow),” he said. “If Joe was on the bus, the bus would leave. If Joe wasn’t on the bus, the bus wasn’t leaving.

“When I got to the stadium, I said, `Hey Joe, throw the ball to Ja’Marr (Chase). If you ain’t, throw it to Justin (Jefferson). That’d be great, baby.’ ”

When Orgeron was Ole Miss’ head coach from 2005 to 2007, his biggest downfall was micromanaging. At LSU, the magic disappeared in 2020 and 2021 (when the Tigers were a combined 11-11 overall, 8-10) because he made a string of bad coordinator hires and trusted them too much.

Thanks to NIL and the transfer portal, the role of college football head coach has changed drastically while Orgeron was away from the game.

When LSU opens preseason camp in about two weeks, the Tigers will have 59 new players (43 transfer portal buys and 16 high school signees).

“It’s a new day and age,” Orgeron said. “How are we going to get all these (portal) guys together?

“Believe me, Coach Kiffin is an expert on it. He’s got this thing figured out. He’s built a phenomenal culture within six months he’s been here.

“Everything is ‘Yessir.’ Every day is `I’m gonna practice like a Tiger.’ Nobody misses a workout. Nobody’s late. Everybody works extra.”

Orgeron isn’t exactly clear on what his on-field duties will entail this fall. But he knows where he’ll be on Sept. 19 when Tigers play at Ole Miss following nine months of sniping between the schools and the fan bases after LSU’s money-whipped heist of Kiffin and his entire offensive staff.

“Getting off that bus at Ole Miss. . .wooo, that’s gonna be funnn bay-bee,” he said with a huge laugh.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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By John Monzingo, Assistant County Agent

The dog days of summer are upon us. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, the dog days of summer occur from July 3 through August 11. These weeks are often characterized by long hours of daylight, high temperatures, and elevated humidity levels. While many spring vegetable gardens begin slowing down or stop producing altogether during this period, Louisiana gardeners still have opportunities to grow a productive late-summer garden.

Many vegetables thrive when planted during the hottest part of the year and can provide fresh produce well into the fall. By selecting heat-tolerant crops and following recommended planting dates, gardeners can extend their harvest season and make the most of Louisiana’s long growing season.

Vegetables for Late-Summer Planting

Vegetable	Planting Dates	Planting Method	Spacing	Days to Harvest
Cantaloupe	July 1 – July 31	Plant seeds ¼ inch deep	18–36 inches	80–85 days
Peas	July 1 – July 31	Plant seeds ½ inch deep	4–6 inches	70–80 days
Bell Peppers	June 15 – July 31	Transplants 1 inch deep	12–18 inches	70–80 days
Okra	July 1 – August 15	Plant seeds ½ inch deep	8–12 inches	60 days
Tomatoes	July 1 – August 10	Transplants 1 inch deep	18–24 inches	60–75 days
Pumpkin	June 15 – July 10	Plant seeds ½ inch deep	36–60 inches	60–120 days
Squash	July 1 – August 31	Transplants 1 inch deep	12–36 inches	50–90 days
Eggplant	July 1 – August 15	Transplants 1 inch deep	18–36 inches	80–85 days
Irish Potatoes	July 15 – September 1	Plant seed pieces 4 inches deep	9–12 inches	90–120 days

Growing vegetables during the dog days of summer does present some challenges. In addition to high temperatures and humidity, Louisiana often experiences periods of drought during late summer. Newly planted seeds and transplants require consistent moisture to become established and produce high-quality yields. Gardeners should develop a regular watering schedule and monitor soil moisture closely, especially during extended periods of hot, dry weather. Applying mulch around plants can also help conserve moisture, reduce weed pressure, and moderate soil temperatures.

Although summer heat can be demanding, it does not have to signal the end of the gardening season. With proper crop selection, timely planting, and adequate irrigation, gardeners can continue harvesting fresh vegetables well into the fall months.

For additional information on vegetables and recommended varieties for your area, contact John Monzingo, LSU AgCenter Assistant Extension Agent, at 318-927-3110 or 318-371-1371.

It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service that no person shall be subject to discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability.

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Louisiana’s whooping crane nesting season was bountiful as a total of 10 chicks fledged this year. It was a record-setting spring with the 10 fledged chicks, the most ever in the state’s experimental whooping crane reintroduction project, which was initiated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) in 2011.

The 10 fledged chicks surpasses the record of eight recorded in 2022. It is also the most ever for any whooping crane reintroduction project. A total of 18 nesting pairs were successful in hatching eggs this season.

It brings the Louisiana whooping crane population to 84, 32 of which were wild-hatched in the state. The first wild-hatched Louisiana chick in the project came in April of 2016, the first hatch in the state in more than 75 years.

Louisiana’s whooping crane reintroduction project began in 2011 when 10 juvenile whooping cranes were released at the White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area in Vermilion Parish to initiate the non-migratory flock. This marked a significant conservation milestone with the first wild whooping cranes in Louisiana since 1950.

“As the population gets older, we see some of the breeding pairs have more success probably because of experience,’’ said LDWF Biologist Sara Zimorski, who oversees the whooping crane project. “We have some pairs that are rock solid, they’re consistently successful, it’s like they have figured it out. One has fledged four chicks in the past four years.”

“Having 18 of the 20 pairs that nested hatch chicks is the highest percentage we’ve ever had to do that. For that many to successfully incubate and hatch at least one chick was wonderful to see. And of course even for the pairs who didn’t succeed in fledging their chicks it was still good experience for them and a step in the right direction.’’

Zimorski said even a few of the newer breeding pairs were successful this season. One pair nested in 2025 but didn’t hatch a chick. This year, however, they successfully fledged a chick.

The total also included a fledged chick from a pair that were both wild-hatched in Louisiana, a significant accomplishment for the program.

Anyone encountering a whooping crane is advised to observe the bird from a distance and to report the sighting to LDWF at LDWF’s whooping crane reporting webpage. Whooping cranes are large-bodied, white birds with a red head and black facial markings. Birds measure a height of five feet and have a wingspan of seven to eight feet that makes them very distinctive. In flight, whooping cranes display black wing tips and a fully extended neck, and legs, which extend well beyond the tail.

Whooping cranes are federally protected by the Endangered Species Act as well as Louisiana law. Anyone witnessing suspicious activity involving whooping cranes is advised to call the LDWF’s Enforcement Division at 1-800-442-2511 or use the tip411 program, which may offer a cash reward for information leading to arrests or convictions. To use the tip411 program, citizens can text LADWF and their tip to 847411 or download the “LADWF Tips” iPhone app from the Apple iTunes store free of charge. Citizen Observer, the tip411 provider, uses technology that removes all identifying information before LDWF receives the text so that LDWF cannot identify the sender. 

Visit the LDWF whooping crane webpage for more information on the whooping crane project. And to donate to the project, visit the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Foundation (LAWFF) whooping crane reintroduction webpage.

See the whooping crane photo page for more pictures of the chicks.

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United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:

Food: cereal, powdered milk, green beans, rice, crackers

Household Goods: towels & wash cloths

Clothing: men’s pants/jeans and shoes

Many thanks to all for supporting UCAP!

UCAP is open from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at 204 Miller Street, Minden, for food, utility and rent assistance. Clothing is dispersed on Wednesdays only.

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ATTENTION, candidates for this fall’s election in Webster Parish.

If you are interested in having your advertisement for election seen by more than 12-14,000 viewers per day, you can have that by running your political ad in the Webster Parish Journal. You will receive a free announcement story and photo, as well.

It’s never too early to start. Please contact us with questions. Call Cynthia Sandidge, at 318-510-2611, csandidge@icloud.com or Kelly Yates at 318-299-0991, kellywpj@outlook.com . 

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With the heat in Louisiana at a dangerous and debilitating level, I wanted to review what Landlord-Tenant law in Louisiana requires and provides.
At the outset, I note that, in 2023, Louisiana recorded 91 heat-related fatalities, the highest number ever documented in the state. (LA-DOH).
Further, life-threatening Louisiana heat is the cause of an average 2,700 emergency room visits each year for heat-related illnesses, and 260 people are hospitalized annually with an average stay of three days. (LA. Illuminator).  In contrast, in 2023, Louisiana had only 11 cold-related fatalities (Nat. Weather Service).
 
I also discovered something surprising: air conditioning is legally classified as a luxury amenity—a comfort preference—rather than an essential survival requirement under state code.  Only if a rental unit is advertised or leased with air conditioning is the landlord legally obligated to maintain that system in working order.  
 
On the other hand, heating is required to prevent freezing or hypothermia in winter.  Given the brutal heat we face—and those of us who live here know that our hot days in a given year are usually far more numerous than our cold days—I am astounded that state law does not require air conditioning.
 
The landlord-tenant relationship begins with the landlord’s Implied Warranty of Habitability.  This means the landlord has an obligation to provide a habitable living space.  What does “habitable” mean? 
 
It means the landlord must deliver and maintain rental properties in a safe, sanitary condition that is suitable for human occupation. This includes the property being free of major “vices or defects” and complying with essential health and safety standards.   Louisiana Civil Code Article 2682 defines the landlord’s obligations, which include delivering the property in good condition, maintaining it in a suitable, usable state, and ensuring the tenant’s peaceful possession. 
 
Further, Civil Code Art. 2691 states “the lessor is bound to make all repairs that become necessary to maintain the thing in a condition suitable for the purpose for which it was leased, except those for which the lessee is responsible.”  So, a landlord must repair and maintain the structural soundness of roofs and walls, and foundations that are secure and weatherproof.  Essential utilities include functioning plumbing, electricity, and safe heating/ventilation systems.  Safety and sanitation include freedom from severe mold and pest infestations, working smoke/carbon monoxide detectors, and proper sewage disposal.
 
And, when this warranty is violated, state law outlines what tenants can do if repairs aren’t made, and how tenants are protected against retaliating landlords.  I note that if a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after being notified and given a reasonable time to make such repairs (perhaps  48-72 hours), a tenant may exercise their right to “repair and deduct,” in which the tenant hires a professional to fix the issue and deducts the reasonable cost of that repair from the rent.  Please note that it is never advised that a renter withhold rent completely for repairs, as that may lead to eviction. 
 
In fairness, I also share the obligations of tenants which include paying their rent fully, on time, every time it comes due. The rental unit should also be left in the same condition it was found—i.e., aside from the normal wear and tear of living, there should be no alterations to the condition of the house.  However, tenants may be allowed to alter the premises if agreed upon by the landlord. 
 
Tenants must also allow their landlords to have access to the property to fix urgent issues.  Tenants are expressly liable for any damage they, family, or visitors, cause. (i.e., Art. 2687).  If appliances are provided by the landlord, they must remain in the unit as well and not, obviously, be taken by the departing tenant (which constitutes unauthorized removal and theft). 
 
In Louisiana tenants possess a fundamental right to a habitable home, the “repair and deduct” remedy, and protection from unlawful eviction.  But, again, what is not automatically required by law is that tenants be provided air conditioning.  How that meets the standard of “habitable” and “suitable for human occupation”—with the triple digit temperatures we are facing—confounds me.  
 
Our laws are a reflection of the social fabric—the common denominator of agreed upon habits, beliefs, and values that codify what a society believes to be right—and wrong.  The issue regarding the routine provision of air conditioning to tenants should be revisited while tenants owe an equally important obligation to respect the rental property.                                       
 
(Shreveport attorney, Royal Alexander, worked in D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 8 years for two different Members of Congress from Louisiana.  He has witnessed up close several Speaker races. He can be reached at RoyalAlexanderlawfirm@gmail.com .)

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

July – Every Tuesday

2 until 4 p.m. K-4th grade, Lakeview Methodist Church, Minden, crafts, games, and snacks.  July 28 we will have a movie and popcorn. Come join us for a month of summer fun – we can’t wait to see you!  Please wear clothing that you can paint or get messy in.

Register at: LakeviewMinden.com .

July 26 – 31

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

August 1

11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Girl Scout Troop 203 lemonade stand and fundraiser, Angel Park, corner of Main and North Monroe streets, Minden.

August 2

1 p.m. Backpack Give Away, Beech Springs Baptist Church, 15910 US-80 Minden, pre-K through 5th grades. First come, first served. A parent must be with the child in order for them to receive a backpack. For more information, email jennyogle83@gmail.com or call 318-344-4919.

August 8

9 a.m., 11th Annual Prayer in the Park, Academy Park, Minden. Prayers for kids going back to school, teachers, first responders, public officials, City of Minden. Clear backpack giveaways. For more information, call Michael Walker at 318-210-1799.

August 11

11:30 a.m., Q4 Growth Blueprint: Marketing & Lead Generation for Local Businesses, Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce, 110 Sibley Rd., Minden. Register at online at https://forms.gle/v9teyC62HpfHLhTy9 .

August 14

Nomination deadline for 15 Under 40 Top Young Professionals. greatermindenchamber.com/15under40.

August 15

9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Rooted Women’s Conference, North Acres Baptist Church, 1852 Lewisville Road, Minden. This is a day for women who strive to be rooted in The Word. Hear from our keynote speaker, Stephanie Smithson, as she focuses on spiritual understanding and biblical literacy along with our multi-generational panel of ladies, who will describe what being rooted in Christ means to them. Come for a day of acoustic worship, fellowship, teaching and food! Your $30 ticket includes the conference and a light lunch provided by Hugh Wood Catering. Childcare is provided. Registration is open through July 31. Register at https://onrealm.org/NorthAcresBapti31149/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=ZTc4OTQ2Y2EtZmM3Ny00MWM2LWE2NmUtYjQzMzAwZmUyZDgx .

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Phonetic: /eye-TIN-uh-runt/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

Itinerant describes someone who travels from place to place or only stays in a place for a short amount of time. It is used especially for people who travel in a circuit for their profession.

Being an itinerant musician gave her the opportunity to see the wonders of the world with her own eyes.

traveling from place to place

especially : covering a circuit

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Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

Play Sudoku online!

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Henrietta Standokes, 51, 21000 block Hwy. 371, Cotton Valley: arrested July 24 by Minden PD on warrant for exploitation of elderly persons. Bond set $45,000. 

Brandon Scott Day, 42, 200 block Church St., Sarepta: arrested July 23 by WPSO for possession of  CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice. Bond set $2,501.

Edward Charles Judgeware, 61, 500 block Martin Luther King Dr., Minden: arrested July 24 by Minden PD for resisting an officer, pedestrian in roadway, on bench warrant. Bond set $20,000 surety or $650 cash. 

Gerardo Cervantes, 29, 1700 block Emerald St., Grand Prairie, Texas: arrested July 23 by Louisiana State Police for possession of CDS Sch. I (two counts), possession CDS Sch. II, following too close. Bond set $7,500.

Baltazer Enrique Carrillo, Jr., 30, 1700 block Emerald St., Grand Prairie, Texas: arrested July 23 by Louisiana State Police for possession CDS Sch. I (two counts), possession CDS Sch. II. Bond set $7,500.

Treyvion Ahmaud Sheppard, 19, 300 block Willes Rd., Sibley: arrested July 24 by WPSO for false communication to cause response, resisting an officer. No bond set. 

Clint James Frederick, 55, 200 block Maude Ave., Abbeville: arrested July 24 by Louisiana State Police for DWI first offense, careless operation. No bond set.

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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A Minden man missing since Sunday morning was seen by a citizen early Monday. He is now at his brother’s home and is safe. Police thank everyone for their help.

Original story:

Minden police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate a man reported missing since early Sunday morning.

Walter Loud, 42, was last seen around 6 a.m. Sunday leaving the Exacta Inn. Loud is six feet tall and weighs 130 pounds.

When he was last seen, he was wearing a black T-shirt, black and gray shorts and black shoes. He is believed to have left the Exacta Inn on foot.

Anyone with information on Walter Loud is asked to call the Minden Police Department, 318-371-4226.

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Minden police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate a man reported missing since early Sunday morning.

Walter Loud, 42, was last seen around 6 a.m. Sunday leaving the Exacta Inn. Loud is six feet tall and weighs 130 pounds.

When he was last seen, he was wearing a black T-shirt, black and gray shorts and black shoes. He is believed to have left the Exacta Inn on foot.

Anyone with information on Walter Loud is asked to call the Minden Police Department, 318-371-4226.

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Two men wounded in a shooting incident south of Heflin Friday afternoon are listed in critical condition in a Shreveport hospital, and the man accused of firing the shots is being held in the Webster Parish prison on attempted murder charges.

Sheriff Jason Parker identified the victims as 27-year-old Markeese Germany and 30-year-old Tadazion Jackson. Both reportedly were transported to LSU Oschner suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

Parker said 21-year-old Remington Gage Jellum of Dubberly is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center where he is charged with two counts of attempted second degree murder. No bond has been set.

Deputies responded to a shots fired call just after 4 p.m. Friday to a Heflin residence in the 1800 block of Hwy. 792. At the scene, they found the two men suffering from what were described at the time as life-threatening wounds.

Jellum reportedly turned himself in at the Sheriff’s Office a short time after the shooting. The weapon allegedly used in the shooting was also recovered.

Parker said the victims were struck a total of seven times, with all shots entering their backs. Jellum first claimed self defense during interviews with detectives, but later admitted the shooting had evolved from a drug-related altercation.

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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Two men reportedly suffered multiple gunshot wounds in an incident which occurred at a residence near Heflin just after 4 p.m. Friday.

Sheriff Jason Parker said the two men were taken to a Shreveport hospital where they are listed in critical condition.

Parker said deputies responded to the reported shooting at 4:17 p.m. in the 1800 block of Hwy. 792 in Heflin.

“The shooter turned himself in to deputies shortly afterward,” Parker said. “Detectives are still investigating the circumstances.”

Names of the victims and the shooter have not been released pending further investigation. 

Webster Parish Journal will report details as they become available.

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By Tiffany Flournoy

Editor’s Note: This article is part of ongoing coverage of the Town of Cullen. The Webster Journal will continue to monitor and report on further developments.

CULLEN, La. — Routine law enforcement in the Town of Cullen remains functionally paralyzed as police cruisers enter a third consecutive month parked without fuel — leaving parish deputies to absorb a heavy volume of emergency calls while municipal leadership continues to dodge questions surrounding town finances.

The two patrol units, initially sidelined in early May, have now been non-operational for more than  eight weeks. With Cullen’s small force unable to patrol or respond to calls for service, the burden has fallen squarely on the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office to maintain public safety for a town with a population of under 800 residents. 

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said the situation has placed a strain on his agency. Since May, parish deputies have responded to at least 64 calls for service inside Cullen town limits — a staggering volume for a municipality of its size— handling everything from fights and domestic disputes to reports of shots fired at a local apartment complex.

When parish deputies initially stepped in to assist, Parker noted it was intended as a temporary fix to bridge a short-term gap. However, what was supposed to be a brief arrangement has dragged on for months with no local resolution in sight. While Parker noted his office lacks the manpower and budget to post dedicated deputies inside the town full-time, he made it clear that where public safety is concerned, parish law enforcement will not abandon the citizens of the town of Cullen as they await a resolution.

Taking over local law enforcement means far more than answering 911 calls. Parish deputies have taken on the complete back-end operation of Cullen’s police department: conducting full investigations, writing reports, transporting arrestees, issuing citations, collecting and submitting evidence to the state crime lab, and submitting cases to the District Attorney’s office when charges warrant. It places a heavy administrative and legal burden on WPSO deputies, who are executing dual roles for the exact same pay as taxpayers foot the bill for duplicate services.

The law enforcement crisis in Cullen actually began well before the cruisers ran out of gas. The Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office had already been called upon to serve as Cullen’s primary dispatcher after neighboring Springhill terminated its dispatching agreement with the town due to Cullen’s failure to pay its bills.

Despite the ongoing public safety breakdowns, plans are moving forward for a major public gathering in the town. Alderwoman Denise Epps-Hoof recently announced via social media “FROGGY BOTTOM REUNION 2026 Sept. 4th and 5th Save the dates Share.”

 The announcement has raised immediate concerns about crowd management and security, given that the municipal police force remains completely grounded and parish deputies are already stretched thin covering routine town calls.

At the center of the fuel shutdown is a long-standing impasse over municipal accounts. Months back, Cullen Police Chief Fannie Rankin said that the department had been without a dedicated fuel card for nearly a year following unpaid balances owed to vendor Smith’s South Central.

Meanwhile, Mayor Hoof has consistently refused to address the grounded vehicles or clarify the town’s financial standing. Reached directly for comment regarding the fuel shortages and the stranded police units, Hoof responded, “I’m not interested in it, Ms. Tiffany. I’m working right now,” before abruptly hanging up. Four minutes later, Hoof sent a text message that read: : “nocommentever.” Subsequent calls to Cullen Town Hall have gone unanswered or disconnected immediately after ringing.

The current fuel shortage follows a broader pattern of financial disruptions, including a six-day lapse in auto insurance coverage earlier this year due to late payments and a prior incident, where a police cruiser ran out of gas near the department and required a tow while the officer operating it was on duty.

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Henrietta Standokes is wanted in connection with an incident that occurred on June 22. Detectives secured an arrest warrant following the incident. 

The following is the charge and bond amount associated with Henrietta Standokes:

• One count of exploitation of the infirmed with a surety bond amount of $45,000.

Please get in touch with Detective Brandon Curry (318-268-7044) of the Minden Police Department if you have information regarding the whereabouts of Henrietta Standokes.

All information will be confidential.

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

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United Way of Northwest Louisiana is partnering with the Webster Parish School Board for two community-wide, back-to-school initiatives: Pack The Bus, a school supply drive on July 24-25, and the 18th Annual Back-to-School Bash on August 2. 

Pack the Bus is a school supply drive that gives community members an opportunity to help equip local classrooms and students with the tools they need before the first day of school. 

United Way volunteers and Webster Parish School Board staff will collect donations at Walmart locations in Minden and Springhill on Friday, July 24 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Donations will continue at both locations on Saturday, July 25 from 8 a.m. until 11 a.m.

Together, the organizations are collecting school supplies, mobilizing volunteers, and connecting families with resources that help students succeed.

Volunteers, donors, educators, and community organizations will come together under the partnership to ensure Webster Parish students have the supplies and support they need before the first day of school.

On August 2 the partnership continues during the Webster Parish School Board’s 18th Annual Back-to-School Bash. Families can receive school supplies, connect with community organizations, and learn about programs that support student success throughout the year. 

United Way will also host a community resource table featuring local services available to children and families.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to begin the school year with confidence,” said Ursula Hullaby, Safe Schools Coordination and Community Liaison, Webster Parish School Board. “When schools, nonprofits, businesses, and community members come together, we can make a lasting difference for our students and their families. We are grateful for United Way of Northwest Louisiana’s partnership and support in helping make these back-to-school initiatives a success.”

“I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand what these events mean to the students, families, and the entire Webster Parish community,” said Kimberly Williams, Director of Community Impact for United Way of Northwest Louisiana. “That’s why I knew United Way of Northwest Louisiana had to be part of this effort. Our partnership with the Webster Parish School Board reflects our shared commitment to investing in students, supporting families, and creating opportunities for success. When we invest in our children, we invest in the future of Webster Parish and Northwest Louisiana.”

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