The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Friday, November 13:

BELL, KHALIL DAVON
99824 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Twenty-Eight Grams Or More)

BELL, SHATORA CHAMPAYNE
99979 Simple Battery

BRADFORD, MEYAUNNA SHONTAVIA
100665-CT.1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
100665-CT.2 Possession of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoids
100665-CT.3 Speeding 11-15 MPH

BRYANT, MICHAEL
100720 Parish Ordinance Burn ban

BUCKNER, BROCK JOHN
100591 Possession of a Schedule II CDS Fentanyl (Less than Two Grams)

COKER, ELIZABETH DIANNE
100566 Theft Under $1,000

CURRY, CHARNEIDRA L
100386 Aggravated Battery

DICK, JULIA SUE
100719 Disturbing The Peace

DURR, ETHAN M.
100712 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or
Controlled Dangerous Substance

FONTENOT, JR., DAVID WAYNE
99865 Misdemeanor Access Device Fraud
Restitution owed per the report- $700 plus $105 fee = $805 total

FREDERICK, CLINT JAMES
100692-CT.1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
100692-CT.2 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

FRY, MATTHEW D.
100286 Violation Of Leash Law
Restitution – $749.98 plus $112.50 fee = $862.48 total

FUMICELLO, DEBORAH DEE ANN
100241 Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000

GARDNER, TODD ANTHONY
INCOMING Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – First Offense

GARRETT, MARTY RANDALL
100721 Illegal Burning

HALL, JENNIFER
100718-CT.1 Violation Of Leash Law
100718-CT.2 Violation Of Leash Law

HARRIS, KENTRELL VASHAUN
100165A-CT.1 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
100165A-CT.2 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS

HARRIS, VONTAVIOUS DEWAYNE
100538-CT.1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
100538-CT.2 Failure to Yield Right of Way

HICKINGBOTTOM, JR., WILLIE JOE
100447-CT.1 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Twenty-Eight Grams Or More)
100447-CT.2 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or Controlled Dangerous Substance

HICKINGBOTTOM, JR., WILLIE JOE
98575 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

HODGES, CASEY A.
100717 Simple Cruelty to Animals

IVERSON, MAURCIONIO LAFANE
100722-CT.1 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
100722-CT.2 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
100722-CT.3 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

JACKSON, TADAZION DAISHUN
100397-CT.1 Simple Battery
100397-CT.2 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Under $1,000

JEFFERSON, MEOSHA SANTRICE
100639 Attempted Attempted Cruelty To Juveniles

JOHNSON, ALEX JAKAR
100082-CT.1 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
100082-CT.2 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
100082-CT.3 Distribution of a Schedule II CDS
100082A-CT.1 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
100082A-CT.2 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or Controlled Dangerous Substance

MANNING, JAMAREA JAYVEON
100117 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

MASON, KEYSHAWN
100203-CT.1 Manufacture/Transfer/Possess Machine Guns
100203-CT.2 Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault

MCDANIEL, KEVIN BERNARD
100635 CT 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
100635 CT 2 Resisting An Officer
100635 CT 3 Modification of Exhaust Systems
100635 CT 4 Failure to Use Safety Belt
100635 CT 5 Prohibited Vehicle Modifications; Wheel Well

MCEACHERN, LILLIE E. HURT
100707 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

MCLAIN, ASHLEY S
100616 Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian

MCLAIN, ASHLEY S
100332 Accessory After The Fact

MILLER, VINCENT J.
100693-CT.1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – Second Offense
100693-CT.2 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
100693-CT.3 No Insurance
100693-CT.4 Failure to Use Safety Belt

MITCHELL, JEROME RODRIKUS
100405 Obstruction Of Justice

MOTLEY, BRITTANY LYNNE
100712A Sale/Distribution/Possession of Legend Drug Without Prescription

PETERS, JOSHUA CADE
INCOMING Flight From An Officer
INCOMING Unlawful Operation Of An Off-Road Vehicle

PETTY, TYLER GENE ROWE
INCOMING Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

POOL, TRACE TUGGER
99241 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
99241 CT. 2 Refusal to Submit to Chemical Test
Restitution owed to the victim- $2,081.73, plus $312.26 fee = $2,393.99 total

RICE, DEREK RODRIQUEZ
99453-CT.1 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
99453-CT.2 Attempted Attempted Armed Robbery
99453-CT.3 Aggravated Battery
99453-CT.4 Aggravated Battery

RICHARDSON, JAREL K
100358 Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered

RODRIGUEZ, SANDRA LUNA
100652-CT.1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
100652-CT.2 Flight From An Officer

SOLOMON, STEVEN M.
100716 Illegal Burning

STEPHENS, JALIK
100355 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or
Controlled Dangerous Substance

TAYLOR, CEDRIC DEWAYNE
99740-CT.1 Forgery
99740-CT.2 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Valued At $1,000 Or More But Under $50,000

THORNTON, LASHONDA
98913 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence

WALKER, GLEN WAYNE
100706 Aggravated Battery

WARE, BRANDON A
100687 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

WARE, BRANDON A
98666 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

WRIGHT, NICHOLAS JAMES
100479 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

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By Paige Gurgainers

Somewhere in a family photo album, a desk drawer or a box passed down through generations, there may be a piece of Sibley’s history waiting to be shared.

It could be a photograph of a school class, a familiar storefront or a church gathering. Perhaps it is a document bearing the names of longtime residents, or a picture of an ordinary afternoon that captured what life once looked like.

The Town of Sibley is hoping those pieces of the past will help tell a larger story.

Town officials are seeking old photographs, documents and artifacts from Sibley, Lanesville and the Saltworks and Yellow Pine areas. The goal is to build a collection that could eventually become a local history museum in a room at Town Hall.

The request reaches beyond major events and official records. Photographs of people, businesses, churches, houses and schools are welcome, along with items that reflect everyday life in the area.

Several contributions have already offered intriguing glimpses into that history.

Among them is a ballot box from 1969, accompanied by paper ballots and a voter sign-in sheet from the election in which a bond passed to construct the building that now houses Town Hall. Together, the items preserve both a decision that shaped the town and the names of residents who took part in it.

The collection also includes Sibley’s 1937 tax roll, school yearbooks from the 1940s and 1950s, and old photographs. Each offers a different way to look back through property records, school memories and faces preserved on film.

For someone browsing a yearbook, a familiar surname or handwritten note might bring back a memory. A photograph of a building could help a younger resident understand what stood there before. Viewed together, these items can connect generations through the places and people they share.

The proposed museum remains a possibility, and the town is working to build interest and gather enough material to move the effort forward. Community participation will help shape what that collection can become.

Residents, former residents and families with ties to the area are encouraged to look through their own collections and consider what they might have to contribute. Details accompanying photographs…names, locations, approximate dates and the memories behind them, can help preserve their meaning.

Anyone with photographs, documents or artifacts to share is encouraged to contact Sibley Town Hall to discuss the collection effort.

The next piece of the town’s story may already be in someone’s keeping.

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North Webster Knights are playoff-bound and preparing to travel to Loreauville, Louisiana, for the first round of postseason football.

The Springhill North Webster Chamber of Commerce invites the community, local businesses, schools, organizations, and supporters to join for a special team send-off at 8:45 a.m. Friday, November 13. They depart the high school at 9:15 a.m.

Let’s make some noise! Hoist your banners (let them see you from Springhill to Cotton Valley), fly your purple and silver, wave your flags, and line the streets to send our Knights off with the encouragement and hometown pride they deserve.

Whether you’re a lifelong football fan or simply someone who loves seeing our community come together, this is your opportunity to show these young men that they don’t travel to battle alone. They carry the pride of North Webster with them.

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Bienville Parish burn ban lifted

Due to the recent rainfall, the current burn ban has been lifted. However, parish authorities will continue to monitor conditions and if necessary reimplement the burn ban at a later date. Be responsible with burning. Clear around the location to be burned, keep a water source available, and stay with the fire at all times. Also, any large fires or acreage, provide proper notification to the Sheriff’s Office.

Inmate escapes from APSO DC-1 in Marksville

A male Louisiana Department of Corrections offender escaped from custody at the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office DC-1 facility in Marksville on Saturday, Nov. 7, at approximately 8:30 p.m.
The inmate in question is Artavien Lowayne Darnelle Green. Information on Green is as follows.
-Age: 20 years of age (Date of Birth: November 18, 2005)
-Race: Black
-Sex: Male
-Height: 5 feet 8 inches
-Weight: 130 pounds
-Eye Color: Brown
-Last Known Address: 5403 Weaver Road, Lake Charles, Louisiana

The individual is an active Louisiana Department of Corrections inmate serving time for Aggravated Second Degree Battery. Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, tracking teams, and investigators are currently on scene and actively searching the surrounding vicinity.

Anyone who observes suspicious activity or has information regarding the whereabouts of this individual is urged to immediately contact APSO. For emergencies, always dial 911. For non-emergencies, you may contact our main office at (318) 253-4000.

Boil Water Advisory Issued for Part of Princeton in Bossier Parish

Bossier Parish Consolidated Waterworks/Sewerage District No. 1 issued a boil water advisory Tuesday, Nov. 10, for a portion of the Village Water System in Princeton. The advisory affects customers along Highway 614, from the 1500 block to Frank Staton Boulevard and east to Hunter’s Crossing Subdivision. Parish officials said the advisory was issued after high-service pump breakers tripped, causing a brief loss of water pressure before the pumps were restored. Residents should boil water for at least one minute before drinking, cooking, brushing teeth or preparing food. Water samples will be tested by the Louisiana Department of Health. The advisory will remain in effect until testing confirms the water is safe and officials announce it has been lifted.

LA Tech, BPCC team to give students clear pathways to bachelor’s degrees

Louisiana Tech and Bossier Parish Community College have established an Education Pathway Partnership Agreement that streamlines the transfer process and provides students with advising and transfer information to help them reach their academic goals.
The recent agreement creates pathways to several bachelor’s degrees in Tech’s College of Education and Human Sciences, including psychology, human development and family science, kinesiology and health science, elementary education, secondary education in biology, and secondary education in social studies.
Students can transfer credits from BPCC associate degrees in arts, general studies, or science, including concentrations in social science, general science, natural science, and teaching grades 1-5.

Claiborne Memorial former employee arrested

A former employee of Claiborne Memorial Medical Center (CMMC) has been arrested on a felony theft charge following an investigation into allegations of falsified work hours, according to the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Former Claiborne Memorial Medical Center employee arrested on felony theft charge.

The investigation began October 12, 2026, when an employee of Claiborne Memorial Medical Center contacted the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office to report a suspected theft.
Investigators subsequently launched an inquiry into the allegations and determined that a former hospital employee had allegedly reported hours that were not actually worked, resulting in compensation for time investigators believe had not been earned.
On October 29, a Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office detective obtained an arrest warrant through the Second Judicial District Court. Judge Glen Fallin authorized the warrant for Dakota Faulk of Claiborne Parish on a charge of felony theft under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:67.
According to the sheriff’s office, Faulk voluntarily surrendered to authorities on November 3, 2026, at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center, where Faulk was booked and incarcerated.

Winn Parish Fire District 3 reimplements burn ban effective November 10 due to increased fire danger

Winn Parish Fire District No. 3 has announced the reinstatement of a burn ban effective Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 4 p.m., citing increased wildfire concerns associated with an approaching cold front.
According to the fire district’s announcement, the burn ban includes all outside burning and will remain in effect until further notice.
The decision comes as weather conditions are expected to become more favorable for the rapid spread of outdoor fires, particularly with gusty winds and low humidity accompanying a cold front forecast to move into the region Thursday.

Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office responds to reported school shooter threat

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported school shooter threat after receiving notification from Vernon E911 on Nov. 9 at approximately 2:20 p.m. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a local resident reported receiving a text message indicating a possible threat involving a shooter at a school.
Authorities determined that the message originated from a phone number traced to a burner cell phone in the New Orleans area. The phone was serviced by a third-party provider.
The Vernon Parish School Board issued appropriate notifications throughout the school district, and all School Resource Officers were notified of the reported threat. Additional law enforcement personnel were immediately dispatched to area schools.

Volunteer firefighter charged with aggravated and simple arson

RICHLAND PARISH – Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal (SFM) investigators arrested 41-year-old Bradley Antley of Mangham on November 9, 2026, in connection with a series of 22 intentionally set fires
throughout Richland Parish dating back to August. Antley faces one count of Aggravated Arson and 21 counts of Simple Arson.
SFM investigators responded to the most recent incident, a November 4, 2026, tractor shed fire, and determined it was intentionally set. Through investigative work, the SFM identified Antley, a volunteer firefighter with the Archibald-Alto Fire Protection District, as a suspect. Further Investigation revealed Antley set the fires and then responded to them with his department.

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This Veterans Day, the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) recognized the thousands of residents who contributed to the Military Family Assistance Fund (MFA) by donating $1 when obtaining their driver’s license at OMV customer service centers or public tag agent locations.

Between September 1, 2025, and October 31, 2026, $16,832 was raised for the men and women who serve our country and state.

Through the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, the MFA Fund pays up to $10,000 for housing, utilities, some medical services and other essential expenses creating a financial hardship for veterans and members of the Louisiana National Guard or Reserves.

“Each donation shows a small token of appreciation for the men and women who served,” said Louisiana OMV Commissioner Keith Neal. “Every dollar raised can create a life-changing impact for our military families when they need support the most.”

Residents can also support the fund by purchasing Support Our Veterans and Support Our Troops license plates. You can purchase a plate by visiting http://www.expresslane.la.gov/OMV/SpecialPlates.

Since 2020, residents have donated more than $151,000 to the Military Family Assistance Fund through the OMV.

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Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 74. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night

Clear, with a low around 45. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 66. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 41.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 63.

Saturday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Sunday

A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 61.

*Information provided by National Weather Service.

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

November 14

8 until 10 a.m., American Legion Hall in Minden, Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast, hosted by Minden Evening Lions Club, with support from Webster Parish Veterans Safety Net and American Legion. Veterans and their families are invited to come out, share a meal, and spend the morning together.

8 a.m. until noon and 1 p.m. Sunday, November 15, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Buddy Poppy Drive, Minden Walmart. Purchase $5 ticket for VFW Post 2885 Auxiliary raffle for a queen size Christmas quilt handmade by member Nancy Unsworth. Drawing on December 12. To purchase tickets, please call (318) 268-2688 (Mary) or (318) 423-9265 (Sue).

3:30 until 5:30 p.m., Girl Scout Hut, Victory Park, Girl Scout Troop 203 is serving those who served by collecting donations for Woody’s Home for Veterans! Help us give back to those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. Or Donation Box: Minden Blend, 725 Main Street, Minden, LA 71055. We’re accepting snacks, men’s clothing, house shoes, and hygiene items. Every donation counts! Questions or drop-offs? Contact gstroop203.lati@gmail.com.

November 16-28

Community voting for Joe LeBlanc Food Pantry’s “We CAN make a difference: canned food competition. Vote on the organization’s Facebook page. Each vote is $1. The participants that are open to the public will also have in person ballot boxes. There will also be a passport  for voters to get stamped at each location. Voters can turn their completed passports in to be entered into a drawing for a prize. Winners announced Nov. 30.

November 17

9:30 a.m. Veterans coffee, Webster Parish Council on Aging, 1482 Sheppard St., Minden.

November 21

3:30 p.m., doors open for LaMa Animal Rescue Game Night, with games beginning at 4:30 p.m. Bingo, Raffles, door prizes, gameshow games like Let’s Make a Deal. CAC building, 303 W. Church St., Springhill.

December 12

Drawing for a queen size Christmas quilt handmade by VFW Auxiliary member Nancy Unsworth. To purchase $5 tickets, please call (318) 268-2688 (Mary) or (318) 423-9265 (Sue).

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Play Sudoku online!

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William B. (Bill) Stocking
March 11, 1937 – October 18, 2026
Memorial service: 11 a.m., Saturday, November 14, 2026, Heflin Methodist Church.

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

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By Pat Culverhouse |

A Georgia man is currently a guest of the parish penal system following a failed high-speed attempt to evade a pair of Webster Parish deputies Monday evening.

Sheriff Jason Parker said Albany, Georgia resident Victor Devalt Austin, Jr., 29, was booked for speeding, aggravated flight from an officer and simple criminal damage to property.

Parker said Webster Parish Deputy Michael Dickey caught Austin’s vehicle on radar traveling 91 m.p.h. on Interstate 20 and began pursuit just after 6:30 p.m. The vehicle reportedly exited at the LA Hwy. 532 ramp and pulled over, but sped away as the deputy radioed the traffic stop.

Austin reportedly drove toward Dubberly at speeds up to 100 m.p.h. on Hwy. 532 with the deputy in pursuit. Lt. Colby Barton was nearby and reportedly encountered Austin’s vehicle at the intersection of Hwy. 532 and Hwy. 531.

After turning onto Airport Rd., Austin’s vehicle reportedly stuck a gate that crossed the road, then proceeded to a location toward a wooded area. Austin reportedly fled into the woods, but later emerged and surrendered to deputies around 6:45 p.m.

He reportedly was booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. No bond has been 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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By Pat Culverhouse |

A minor traffic violation has resulted in a major problem for a Springhill man who now faces multiple drug and firearm charges.

Chief of Police Will Lynd said James Caswell, 54, was arrested just after 10:30 p.m. Monday when the vehicle in which he was a passenger was stopped by Springhill police for failure to dim headlights.

During questioning following the stop, officers reportedly learned from the driver that a firearm was in the vehicle and that weapon was secured. One passenger, 39-year-old Adamson Dewayne Christopher, was detained after officers learned he was the subject of a fugitive warrant from Arkansas.

Caswell, a passenger in the front seat, reportedly was recognized by officers from a previous arrest involving a firearm. The officers reportedly observed a firearm on the front passenger seat, directly beside Caswell, and he was placed in custody.

During a probable cause search, officers reportedly recovered two small bags containing a clear, crystal-like substance in the passenger side glove compartment and one baggie containing suspected marijuana.

Lynd said Caswell was booked into Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on charges of  possession of CDS Sch. II with intent to distribute, possession of CDS Sch. I (marijuana), possession of a firearm in presence of CDS and felon in possession of a firearm. Bond has not been 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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Veterans are recognized today for their service. We encourage you to thank a Veteran for their sacrifices for our freedom.

According to department.va.gov ,World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of Versailles outside the town of Versailles, France. However, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”

Veterans Day continues to be observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. The restoration of the observance of Veterans Day to November 11 not only preserves the historical significance of the date, but helps focus attention on the important purpose of Veterans Day: A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.

Here are some Veterans Day 2026 events in Webster Parish:

November 11

7 a.m. Veterans Day Breakfast, Pine Plaza Shopping Center, Springhill. Free for veterans. Served by Mudbugs Men’s Ministries.

9 a.m. Doyline High School’s Veterans Day Program. Veterans are asked to arrive between 8:20 and 8:50 a.m., https://forms.gle/4dcPrMHnQnFrQGr18 .

11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Veterans Day Lunch, Springhill Medical Center. All veterans and their spouses are invited to stop by for lunch and learn how you can receive your VA primary care at SMC.

6 p.m. Honoring Our Heroes: 7th Annual Parish-Wide Veterans Day Gumbo. Citizens About Progress (CAP) is proud to honor the life, service, and legacy of Adrian L. Mendenhall, United States Army Veteran. Jacob Hall, Fellowship Hall-SUPC, 1211 3rd St. SE, Springhill, LA 71075. For more information, contact: (318) 639-7008 .

November 14

8 until 10 a.m., American Legion Hall in Minden, Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast, hosted by Minden Evening Lions Club, with support from Webster Parish Veterans Safety Net and American Legion. Veterans and their families are invited to come out, share a meal, and spend the morning together.

3:30 until 5:30 p.m., Girl Scout Hut, Victory Park, Girl Scout Troop 203 is serving those who served by collecting donations for Woody’s Home for Veterans! Help us give back to those who sacrificed so much for our freedom. Or Donation Box: Minden Blend, 725 Main Street, Minden, LA 71055. We’re accepting snacks, men’s clothing, house shoes, and hygiene items. Every donation counts! Questions or drop-offs? Contact gstroop203.lati@gmail.com.

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Springhill Mayor Ray Huddleston has signed a proclamation to change the name of the city’s park to Veterans Park. A large crowd of dignitaries, media, citizens and the town council gathered Monday for the dedication. Right after the ceremony, at the regular town council meeting, the council approved the proclamation of the Veterans Park.

WHEREAS, the freedoms and liberties enjoyed by our citizens have been secured through the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of the men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces; and

WHEREAS, the City of Springhill recognizes the immeasurable contributions of our veterans, whose patriotism, bravery, and commitment to our nation have helped preserve the freedoms we cherish; and

WHEREAS, veterans from Springhill and the surrounding communities have answered the call to serve, leaving their families, homes, and loved ones to defend our country and protect the principles upon which it was founded; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that our community establish a lasting tribute to those who have worn the uniform of our nation’s military, honoring not only those who served but also those who made the ultimate sacrifice; and

WHEREAS, the City of Springhill desires to recognize the park as a place of remembrance, reflection, gratitude, and community pride, where present and future generations may remember the service and sacrifices of our veterans; and

WHEREAS, the proposed designation of City of Springhill Veterans Park serves as a lasting expression of our community’s appreciation and commitment to honoring those who have defended our nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ray Huddleston, Mayor of the City of Springhill, Louisiana, do hereby proclaim our community’s sincere gratitude to all veterans and recognize the significance of designating City of Springhill Veterans Park as a tribute to their service and sacrifice, subject to any required municipal approval.

“May this park forever serve as a reminder that freedom is never free, that courage deserves recognition, and that the service of our veterans will never be forgotten,” he said.

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Renamed the Jimmy Stewart Tournament for a beloved coach and principal, the annual Doyline High School basketball tournament runs from Thursday, November 12 through Friday, November 13.

Teams from Summerfield, Castor, Word of God and Doyline will participate beginning at 4 p.m. each day.

Stewart’s daughter Jamie Stewart Gressett, who graduated from DHS in 1997, teaches at Ruston High School. Gressett said the basketball tournament has always been and will always be to her a favorite tradition at the school.

“Growing up at Doyline High School, the tournament was always one of our biggest events, and I have so many fond memories of exciting basketball games, good food, school spirit and fellowship during the tournament,” Gressett said. “From Mrs. Wilson’s personalized banners for every player and cheerleader to her signs representing all of the schools participating in the tournament to the cinnamon rolls on Saturday morning, the tournament was always special.”

She said the community in Doyline always revolved around Doyline basketball, and the loyal Panther fanbase is something she has always been proud of.

“I could truly never put a value on what Doyline basketball means to me, but thinking of the people like my dad, Coach Roach, Jerry Walker and so many more who have helped make Doyline basketball what it is brings up so many heartwarming memories,” she added. “Doyline basketball is full of pride and tradition, and I am grateful for all of those who have invested in it whether that was years ago or today. I may not currently live in Doyline, but you can bet that I’m following their basketball program proudly.”

See above graphic for the tournament schedule.

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Pick’em players: Week 11 of Webster Parish Journal’s Pick’em Contest started Monday.

You can click below for this week’s games, pick the winning teams and get in the running to win $100. The game closes out at 6 p.m. Friday, and a new game starts Monday.

Our four parish high school teams will be featured in the contest (unless there is a bye), as well as some college and pro teams and two tie breakers.

Each week, the contest closes at 6 p.m. before Friday’s high school games, unless there is a Thursday game, then it closes at 6 p.m. that day.

Weekly winners will be notified and announced in the Journal. If you win, your photo will be taken with the owner of our Title Sponsor Under Dawgs. Remember, you must 18 or older to play.

Thank you to all our sponsors this year. In addition to Title Sponsor Under Dawgs, Broken Bean will be our anchor sponsor. Others include Holcomb’s Body Shop, A.J. Price Tire, Brown Chrysler, Shelter Insurance, KASO/KBEF, Express Tax and Title and Mike’s Hometown Spirits with Hugh Woods Specialty Meats and Catering. Please patronize these local businesses.

So, fire up your phones, tablets or computers to pick ‘em, click the button below and get started.

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N-Side View Day invites high school juniors, seniors, and their families to explore Northwestern State University on Saturday, Nov. 14.

By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University

Choosing a college is a big decision. You want a degree that prepares you for a career, professors who care about your success, and a campus where you feel at home. But how do you know if a university is right for you?

Sometimes, you need to see it for yourself.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, Northwestern State University will host N-Side View Day, giving high school juniors, seniors, and their parents an opportunity to experience campus life and get answers to their questions about college.

During the event, you’ll have opportunities to explore academic programs, meet faculty and current students, tour campus and learn about scholarships, financial aid, and admissions.

It’s also a chance to ask questions that matter to your future. What careers can I pursue with this degree? Will I get hands-on experience? Who will help me if I’m struggling in class? What is student life like?

For parents, the visit offers an opportunity to learn about college costs, available support, and the resources that help students succeed.

At NSU, our goal is simple: A degree that leads somewhere. We help students build career skills, gain real-world experience, and get support from people who know their names and care about their goals.

You don’t need to have your entire future figured out before visiting. Come explore your options, meet the people who will help you along the way, and see if Northwestern feels right for you.

N-Side View Day takes place Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. Register today at nsu.la/nsideview.

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By Paige Gurgainers

With its November 13 deadline quickly approaching, the Minden Junior Service League is asking the community to help fund 65 more winter coats for children in Webster Parish.

The organization needs an additional $1,300 to reach this year’s goal. A $20 contribution covers the cost of one coat, giving donors a simple way to help a local child stay warm this winter.

The coat drive is an annual service project for the JSL, which partners with the Webster Parish School Board to distribute coats to students. The effort has addressed a substantial need in previous years. In 2025, the League worked toward a goal of collecting 341 coats for children throughout the parish.

The project is part of the organization’s broader commitment to local children and families. In 2023, the League was recognized as Community Partner of the Year, with its coat drive and Angel Tea Christmas assistance among the service efforts highlighted.

Now, organizers are encouraging residents and businesses to help close the remaining gap before this year’s deadline. Contributions of any amount will help purchase the final coats.

Checks may be made payable to Minden Junior Service League. Donations may also be sent through Venmo to @Minden-JSL by November 13.

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By Paige Gurgainers

Whether it’s a pair of house shoes, a warm layer of clothing or a favorite snack… for Girl Scout Troop 203, these everyday items offer a way to thank the men and women who have served their country.

The troop is collecting donations for Woody’s Home for Veterans, inviting the Minden community to join an effort centered on a simple message, “Serve Those Who Served.”

Through the drive, the Scouts are putting service into practice while encouraging neighbors to help meet veterans’ everyday needs. Their appeal connects two groups whose uniforms represent different responsibilities, but whose work shares a commitment to serving others.

“Different uniforms. Same mission. A brighter tomorrow,” the troop’s announcement reads.

Requested donations include snacks, men’s house shoes, long underwear, boxer briefs, crew-neck T-shirts in sizes large and extra-large, and hygiene items. Each contribution gives community members a practical way to express their appreciation.

Residents can leave donations in a collection box at Minden Blend, 725 Main Street in Minden. The troop will also hold an in-person collection on Saturday, November 14, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Girl Scout Hut at Victory Park.

For the Scouts, the collection is an opportunity to turn gratitude into action. They are asking community members to contribute what they can and share the drive with others to help extend its reach.

For questions or to arrange a drop-off, contact La’Tianna Bernestine at gstroop203.lati@gmail.com.

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So many years since I last talked with Mr. Peanuts. He was having a hard time remembering Those Days that day, had difficulty remembering what he’d wanted to tell me, exactly.

Now his time has passed, but the role he had in history has not. Never will.

He enlisted in the Marines in the summer of 1942. During the next three years, the Louisiana corporal from B Company, 3^rd Tank Battalion, 3^rd Marine Division, spent time training in San Diego, guarding prisoners in Hawaii, and then drawing what might be called slightly more demanding duty in Bougainville and Guam.

On Iwo Jima, one of the tanks in his division ran over a 500-pound bomb the Japanese had buried as a land mine. The explosion threw one of the tank crew up against the closed tank’s hatch with such force that the soldier was killed. Crushed skull.

It was in this atmosphere that Mr. Peanuts celebrated his 22^nd birthday.

In his twilight, Mr. Peanuts found memories of World War II and memories of each passing week equally fuzzy. But on one of his clearer days toward the end, he had the pleasure of accepting a brick, inscribed in his honor and placed in Chennault Aviation & Military Museum of Louisiana’s Memorial Plaza, a gift from his 6-year-old great grandson. The boy worked a front yard lemonade stand to raise the $100 needed to honor his favorite military hero. 

Veterans Day is for guys like Mr. Peanuts.

When Jimmy Page was a high school senior, he’d buy me milk shakes and fries at the Dairy Maid in our hometown. But when he graduated, he couldn’t do that anymore because his country sent him halfway around the world. We couldn’t get but two channels on our television set, much less get a text or phone call or milk shake from Jimmy Page. Not in Southeast Asia. Not in 1968. He might as well have been in another world. Which, for all practical purposes, he was.

He came home, and in one piece. But his helicopter had crashed and he’d broken both of his hands while flying it and a lot of his friends, he saw die. You don’t just shake something like that off. Your hands might heal in a few months, but that was the easy part.

Veterans Day is for guys like my old hometown hero Jimmy Page.

In the mid-1990s, a little boy in Shreveport’s Broadmoor area would sit underneath the deck in my back yard. He and my son, in plastic Tiny Tyke chairs, would plan what they would break next.

There was a ball to kick or a dog to chase. A tree to climb. But my little neighbor Jake outgrew all that. He graduated to repairing trucks in his driveway, to finishing high school, and to enlisting in the Army.

It’s an odd experience to watch a boy or girl grow from a child to a full-fledged protector or America, and on foreign soil too. You don’t know where they are or what they’re doing. You just know they aren’t in the safety of your backyard anymore. About the only thing I could do to support Jake while he was in the Middle East was mow his parents’ grass, the same grass I’d seen him mow and grow up in.

Veterans Day is for guys like my neighbor Jake. He’s your neighbor too.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” I’m not sure who said it first, and I’m too busy eating breakfast to look it up. Whoever it was, I have never felt it more than I do right now, sitting at table 19 in the Midtowner in my hometown of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

I got back into town last night after two months overseas hosting Yonderlust tours. Two of my friends are meeting me here at 7 o’clock to watch me scarf down a stack of pancakes, several orders of bacon, and maybe a couple of orders of spicy hash browns. They’ve seen me come home from Italy before, so they know what they’re in for.

It was a great fall travel season. We started in Greece, where I bought out an entire hotel in Santorini, loaded seven helicopters for the ride to the monasteries at Meteora, and ate 935 Greek salads (a conservative estimate). There’s no hard evidence, but our group may have kept the Greek feta industry afloat through the third quarter.

In Rome, I bought out the Vatican after hours and had the entire building— including the Sistine Chapel—to ourselves. I’ve walked into a lot of rooms in 65 years, but never one with nobody in it but our people and Michelangelo’s ceiling. When it was over, the guards let me close the massive main door, which is a sentence I never expected to write.

Then came Tuscany, three back-to-back weeks at a villa outside of Florence. My guests made ravioli with Cecilia at La Gramola, ate lunch inside Dario Cecchini’s butcher shop in Panzano, and sat for a tasting inside the late Italian designer, Roberto Cavalli’s private residence.

At the last dinner every week, somebody would lean over around the second course and ask, “Where are you going next?” The ones who have traveled with me before ask early, because they know the tables fill up fast.

Every person who handed me their vacation this fall has my gratitude. I love hosting people, and I love watching a table full of strangers turn into friends by the end of the week. That never gets old.

My wife didn’t make this trip. Our daughter is expecting her first child in mid-December, and the two of them wanted to be close to each other during these last few months. Nothing is wrong, and there are no complications. It’s a mother-and-daughter thing, and I respect it.

Not a day went by that I didn’t miss my family. Though thanks to modern technology, my wife and I Face Timed twice a day, and some of those calls may have run longer than the conversations we would have had when I’m home and bouncing between the restaurants and the office.

Getting here took 20 hours of airports and airplanes, from Florence to Hattiesburg. I don’t love flying, but the trip has never bothered me, because I always know what’s waiting at the other end.

It works in both directions. When I head over there, I know an adventure is waiting. When I head home, I know a Popeyes is waiting.

Every time I land back in America, I find the Popeyes in the first airport before I find baggage claim. This time that airport was Houston, and since I was passing through, I also hit Pappasito’s for steak fajitas, which are among the best anywhere. Fried chicken and fajitas in the same afternoon might sound excessive to some people. I consider it part of the re-entry process, right up there with clearing customs.

This morning, I woke up at 3:30 and went to work. It happens every time I come back. My body still thinks it’s 10:30 in Tuscany, so I’ll be up at 3:30 for a few more mornings until it figures out what time zone it lives in, and then I’ll settle back into my 5 a.m. routine.

My first stop was Loblolly Bakery on Hardy Street for a croissant. This fall I ate my way through bakeries in Greece, London, and all over Italy, and our croissants top every one of them. That makes me proud.

More than that, it makes me grateful for the bakery team that comes in during the dark hours every morning and makes them by hand while the rest of us are asleep.

Now I’m making up for lost time, one breakfast at a time. Pancakes, spicy hash browns, and bacon are headed to table 19 and I have been thinking about this breakfast since Mykonos in September.

I don’t think you’ll find anyone who loves Hattiesburg more than I do, or the entire state of Mississippi, for that matter. Wherever I go, in this country or any other one, I carry it with me. I sing its praises in Athens, in Rome, and in Florence, to anyone who will listen and to a few who won’t.

Some of my European friends have made the trip over here, and they fall in love with Mississippi, too. That might be my favorite part of the whole deal. I spend months showing people Europe, and then Europeans come here and fall for my hometown and home state.

I’m glad to be back with the people I work alongside all year, in the office and in all of our restaurants. There are 425 of them, and they kept everything running while I was answering emails at odd hours from a villa in Tuscany.

I have always said they make me look a lot smarter than I am, and they proved it again this fall.

Most of all, I’m glad to be back with my family. My daughter is carrying our first grandchild, and I get to be here for the last stretch. In a couple of days, I’ll fly to Chicago to help my son pack up his place, and the two of us will drive home together.

He is starting his career with our restaurant group, and he’ll be home in plenty of time to be a doting uncle. I’m guessing we’ll find a place or two to eat between Chicago and Mississippi. Trust me, it will be more than two.

So whoever said absence makes the heart grow fonder knew what they were talking about. I love what I get to do over there. Though two months away reminded me, again, how much I love Mississippi, Hattiesburg, our team, my job, my friends, and especially my family.

It’s almost seven. My friends should be pulling in the parking lot any minute, pancakes are on their way, and I am home. In the words of John Steinbeck, “…once more the world was spinning in greased grooves.”

Onward.

Jill’s Sweet Potatoes

4 cups  Sweet potatoes, cooked, peeled and mashed

1 cup Sugar

4  Eggs, beaten

1 cup Heavy cream

3 sticks Butter, divided

1 tsp  Cinnamon

1 tsp Nutmeg

1 cup Rice Krispies

1 cup Pecans, chopped

1 cup Walnuts, chopped

1 cup Brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 13 x 9 casserole dish. Combine hot sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, cream, half of the butter, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl; mix thoroughly. Add sweet potato mixture to greased casserole dish.

Combine Rice Krispies, pecans, walnuts and remaining butter and brown sugar into a bowl. Mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over sweet potato mixture.

Bake 40-45 minutes or until center is hot. Yield:10-12 servings

From the cookbook: Deep South Staples or How To Survive In A Southern Kitchen Without A Can of Cream of Mushroom Soup by Robert St. John.

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

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By Brad Dison

Thursday, November 2, 1970, was a beautiful day in Florence, Oregon.  One reporter wrote, “The sun was shining and there was a gentle breeze.”  A crowd of onlookers gathered about a mile south of the Siuslaw River to watch the Oregon State Highway Department’s planned demolition.  By the time Walter Umenhofer arrived, the crowd had grown so large that he had to park his year-old car about a quarter of a mile down the highway from the demolition site.  Walter and the other onlookers, along with a host of reporters watched for two hours as the highway department’s six-man crew led by George Thornton prepared for the explosion.

Walter and the spectators took turns taking photographs in front of the object that would soon cease to exist.  Some onlookers tried to convince the workers to wait until the following Monday to set off the dynamite so more people could take one last look, but George refused.  His team had done too much work to turn back.  George was unsure how much dynamite he needed so he overcompensated.  He explained, “I wanted to make sure we did the job the first time because I wouldn’t want to go back in there after it had been partially blown up.”  Rather than placing the dynamite into the object, George and his team dug holes underneath it to place the explosives.  When George’s men brought out the explosives, a green-helmeted sheriff’s deputy moved people back to what he thought was a safe distance.  Then, George and his team carefully placed twenty 50-pound cases of dynamite.  Many of the onlookers watched through binoculars and telescopic camera lenses as George gave the signal to push the plunger.

BOOOM!!!  Within milliseconds of the explosion, everyone present realized that they were in danger.  George and his team had used too much dynamite and the placement of the dynamite under the object sent sand and chunks of debris in every direction.  A column of sand and fragments reached approximately 100 feet into the sky.  Some newspapers reported the column reached “hundreds of feet into the sky.”  The onlookers screamed, ran, and ducked for cover as the large chunks, some of which weighed up to a ton, flew over them.  The blast was so powerful that it left a crater five feet deep and 50 feet across.  Somehow, none of the onlookers were injured though they were all covered with sand and rubble.  After the shock wore off, the onlookers began to make their way back to their vehicles.  As Walter walked the quarter mile back to his year-old car, he saw that a crowd had gathered around it.  Walter’s heart sank when he saw that a three-foot chunk of debris had struck the roof of his car with such force that it had crushed it flat to the top of the seats and had broken all the windows in the car.  He told a reporter, “My insurance company’s never going to believe this.”  With the huge number of photos and videos from the explosion as evidence, the Oregon State Highway Division’s insurance company had no choice and paid Walter for his car.  For the rest of his life, Walter Umenhofer had a whale of tale that I would bet my meager life savings that only he, in the whole history of mankind, can claim.  The object that destroyed Walter’s car in the explosion was part of a dead, beached sperm whale.

Source:

1.     Eugene Register-Guard, November 13, 1970, p.1.

2.     The Observer (La Grande, Oregon), November 13, 1970, p.9.

3.     Victoria Advocate, November 26, 1970, p.1.

© 2026 Brad Dison. All rights reserved. Remember This? is distributed for licensed publication only.

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Over my many years of fishing bass tournaments, I’ve met and visited with several who left an impression not just on me, but the fishing world as well — several men who were true legends of professional bass fishing.

Men who were innovators in bass fishing products and techniques. Anglers who left their mark through outstanding tv productions. There was one meeting that I’ll never forget; the first time I met Forest L. Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats!

In 1998, in the span of eight hours, I was offered the opportunity to represent two boat companies as one of their pro staff members: Skeeter or Ranger Boats.

At the time, Ranger was still the king of bass boat manufacturing, and I knew that this was going to be a tremendous opportunity to be a part of something special.

The following day I called Ranger and accepted their offer. This was something I took great pride in and wanted to help Ranger Boats any way possible.

Each year during the first week of December, Ranger held what they called a “Product Knowledge Tour” exclusive for Ranger Pro Staff members and participating dealers.

All the big dogs in the professional bass fishing world were there. Names like Hank Parker, Jimmy Houston, Larry Nixon and Dion Hibdon. Anglers who helped lay the foundation for Ranger Boats.

After my very first “Product Knowledge Tour,” I left at the end of Day Two to head back home. However, right next door to the Ranger Boat manufacturing facility is the Ranger Boats Museum.

I just could not pass up the opportunity to see what was inside. I had already heard about how much history was on display in this museum and wanted to take the time to go inside. The minute I walked in the door, I heard this deep voice off in the distance yell out, “Welcome to Ranger Boats!”

Low and behold, it was the man himself, Forest L. Wood, the founder of Ranger Boats! With the distinct sound of cowboy boots, he headed towards me with the same walk as the movie actor John Wayne.

He reached out to shake my hand, and we talked like we had known each other for years. Forest was a very personable man who never met a stranger. There was a quiet charisma about him which was probably developed over his many years as a fishing guide on the White River.

It was as if I was talking with my grandpa … and then things got even better! Moments later, the matriarch of the Wood family appeared in the form of Mrs. Nina Wood, his wife. Now I was even more impressed as she came over and gave me a hug like I was one of her own.

But that’s how Ranger Boats operated back then. If you were on their pro staff, you were family, and they treated you as such. Forest then took me on a personal tour of the museum and left no stone unturned.

An hour later I walked out in awe, got in my truck and headed back to Louisiana. While the museum was awesome and I highly recommend you stop in and see it if you’re ever in Flipping, Arkansas, my biggest take away was meeting Forest and Nina Wood!

They were two people who took the time to introduce themselves to a young man who was just another angler. They could have just sat in their office at the museum and let me tour on my own.

But no, they took the time to say hello and make this young man feel special and for that I will always be grateful. Rest in peace Forest and Nina Wood.

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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Woman killed in Claiborne school bus crash

A 35-year-old Sterlington woman was killed Friday afternoon when the SUV she was driving collided with the rear of a school bus transporting students on La. Highway 2 east of Homer, Louisiana State Police said.
Authorities have not released the woman’s name at this time.
Troopers from State Police Troop G responded to the crash at about 4:00 p.m. Preliminary findings indicate that a 2023 Toyota Highlander was traveling east on Highway 2 near Bella Vista Road. The Toyota was behind a 2018 Blue Bird Conventional school bus, which was also traveling east.
For reasons still under investigation, the Toyota struck the rear of the bus.

SWAC announces player suspensions, fines following Saturday’s GSU-UAPB postgame fight

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has announced the suspensions and institutional fines stemming from a postgame altercation that occurred between the Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Grambling State football teams on Saturday.
The fight occurred on the field at Eddie Robinson Stadium immediately following the conclusion of UAPB’s 35-32 win over GSU.
Twenty-three student-athletes (9 from Arkansas-Pine Bluff and 14 from Grambling State) have been suspended for their respective involvement in the altercation. Of the total number of 23 suspensions, multiple players have been disciplined with two game suspensions due to the severity of their actions.

DOTD to improve drainage with box culvert replacement on LA 2 Alt in Claiborne Parish

CLAIBORNE PARISH, La. – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces a $624,362 project to remove and replace an aging metal pipe with a new concrete box culvert on LA 2 Alt, just west of the Town of Haynesville in Claiborne Parish. This work is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, and includes the removal of the existing cross drain pipe, replace with a new box culvert and roadway material, asphalt overlay, rip rap to prevent erosion, and fresh pavement striping.

In order to allow for construction to proceed, LA 2 Alt – approximately 1.2 miles west of the intersection with US 79, immediately east of Shady Grove Road – will need to be fully closed. All vehicles will need to utilize an alternate route during construction, which is anticipated to wrap up in mid-February 2027, weather and other factors permitting.

These infrastructure improvements ensure adequate and proper drainage through the area, extend the service life through the use of modernized materials, and help reduce the risk of flooding on the roadway and adjacent locations.

Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum to host tamale-making program Nov. 14

The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame & Northwest Louisiana History Museum will present “Wrapped in Tradition: Tamale Making in Sabine Parish” Saturday, Nov. 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 800 Front St. in Natchitoches.
Rhonda Remedies Gauthier, an enrolled member of the Choctaw-Apache Tribe, will explore the Indigenous and Spanish influences on Sabine Parish’s tamale-making traditions through family stories, discussion and food tastings.
The program will also feature footage from her documentary, From Maize to Masa, highlighting traditional preparation methods passed down through generations.
The event is free and open to the public.

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