‘Louisiana’s teachers deserve certainty. They deserve stability. They deserve respect in the form of a permanent raise.’

Baton Rouge, La. — Governor Jeff Landry, along with Senate President Cameron Henry and House Speaker Philip Devillier, have announced the creation of a bipartisan MFP Pay Raise Task Force focused on delivering permanent pay raises for Louisiana teachers and support staff without raising taxes. The task force will conduct a top-to-bottom review of the State’s Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) to develop a long-term, sustainable funding structure for teacher pay raises. The task force will include legislative leaders, BESE representatives, educators, school systems, and business leaders.

“For too many years, teachers have been promised ‘next year.’ That ends now.” Landry said.  “Temporary stipends are not a strategy. Permanent raises must be built into the formula. And we are committed to delivering a permanent raise and fixing the system the right way for our teachers-all while not raising taxes.”

---

Friday is election day … for City of Minden Pet Mayor.

It’s the deadline to vote for someone’s pet to serve as the next Mayor and City Council of Minden.

The 2026 Pet Mayor Election is LIVE. Voting is open from today through May 29 and will be done through the following link: https://app.seemylegacy.com/community/2484/campaign/9089

Each vote costs $5 with proceeds going to Minden Animal Control’s new center. May the best pet win!

---

U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Hepcludex (bulevirtide-gmod) injection to treat chronic hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection in adults without cirrhosis (advanced liver scarring) or with compensated cirrhosis. Bulevirtide is the first FDA-approved treatment for chronic HDV infection, a serious and life-threatening condition that can cause rapid development of liver fibrosis (scarring), liver cancer, liver failure, and even death.

“Today’s approval fills a critical gap in care for patients with chronic HDV infection, who until now have had no FDA-approved therapies available,” said Wendy Carter, D.O., Acting Director of the Office of Infectious Diseases in FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “For individuals living with this chronic viral infection, this new treatment option offers hope in managing a disease that can rapidly progress to serious liver complications.”

HDV infection only occurs in individuals who have hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Some risk factors for contracting HDV include unprotected sex, injecting drugs, and occupational exposure to blood. HBV vaccination protects against HBV and HDV as well.

The efficacy of Hepcludex was demonstrated in a multi-center, randomized, open-label, parallel-arm phase 3 trial. In Trial MYR301, participants were randomly assigned to immediate treatment with Hepcludex 8.5 mg once daily for 144 weeks or to delayed treatment with an observational period of 48 weeks followed by Hepcludex 8.5 mg once daily for 96 weeks.

The primary efficacy endpoint was combined response, defined as undetectable HDV RNA (defined as less than the lower limit of quantification [LLOQ] [50 IU/mL] with target not detected) or ≥ 2 log10 IU/mL decline from baseline and aminotransferase (ALT) normalization, at week 48. At this time, the combined response was 48% in the Hepcludex group compared with 2% in the delayed treatment group.

At week 48, the rate of undetectable HDV RNA was 20% in the Hepcludex group compared with 0% in the delayed treatment group. At weeks 96 and 144, the rate of undetectable HDV RNA increased to 36% and 50%, respectively, in the Hepcludex group.

Possible side effects associated with Hepcludex include hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions), injection site reactions, headache, abdominal pain, fatigue, and pruritus (itching). The labeling includes a boxed warning that discontinuation of Hepcludex may result in severe acute exacerbations of HDV and HBV infection.

The FDA granted Hepcludex Breakthrough Therapy Designation and Orphan-Drug Designation. Hepcludex received priority review and was approved under the Accelerated Approval pathway. This approval underscores the FDA’s ongoing efforts to expedite access to innovative therapies for patients with diseases that have limited or no treatment options.

Today’s approval addresses a critical need for people with chronic HDV infection and builds on the FDA’s commitment to advancing the health of all Americans.

The FDA granted the approval to Gilead Sciences, Inc.

---

No matter what season we are currently experiencing, we must trust God during the process.  

You might be in a waiting season, a testing and trial season, a spiritual warfare season, or a happy season. No matter what season you are in, just know seasons do change. 

Keep the faith no matter what it looks like! 

2 Corinthians 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight. 

No matter what it looks like, no matter what you’re going through, no matter how you feel! Push..Press..Pray Your Way…..Trust God during the process, even when it doesn’t make sense!  There are many seasons in our lives.  

I have discovered that on this journey called life. God does His best work in our lives when it doesn’t make sense to our natural understanding. 

Proverbs 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We must trust God and keep believing that all things will work together for our good, and God will get the glory!!!! 

No rain, no sunshine. No pain, no power! No test, no testimony! No mess, no message! 

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

In this season, you have to disconnect yourself from negative people! Your connection determines your deliverance. Make sure you’re connected to the power source (Jesus) and some people who’s going to pray with you and for you.  Some people who will help you without gossiping about your circumstances.  Some people who’s going to tell the truth.  

Choose your circle wisely! Bad company corrupts good character!

1 Corinthians 15:33

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, forgive us for all our sins known and unknown.  

Help us to trust you, no matter what we are going through. In Jesus’ Name Amen.

Be Encouraged! 

All Glory Goes To God.  

(LaTina DeLoach, is a devoted wife and mother who shares these words in hopes of uplifting those who read what God writes through her.)

---

The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Traffic Court Friday, May 29:

ACEVEDO, OSCAR ROLANDO
T060126 Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License
Arraignment

ADAMS, SAMANTHA
T060226 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

ALBRITTON, LINDSAY L.
T066626 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
Arraignment Summons

BAILEY, DAMAL JARONTAE
T060326 Failure to Use Safety Belt

BAILEY, JOHN COLE
T060426 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*59/45

BASS, CHRISTOPHER DALE
T015824 Window Tint

BAYLIS, JASON ROY
T060526 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment
FTA Summons

BOYER, LORI J
T060626 Operating A Vehicle Without Proper Required Equipment
Arraignment

BRAZELTON, RHASHAN
T060726 General Speed Law
*62/45

BROWN, JASON MICHAEL
T047124 Improper Lane Usage

CLARK, TREVOR C
T060826 Failure to Use Safety Belt

COLEMAN, TERREL ANTOINE
T057326 Speeding 16-24 MPH

COMPTON, SHAYNE HUNTER
T055426 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*76/55

COOKSEY, DEBORAH HADNOT
T060926 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

COURTNEY, AMBER CRISTINA
T055526 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

DANCE, SAMUEL RAY
T061026 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

DANIELS, LULA S
T023825 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

DEHLER, JOSHUA
T055626 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*78/55

DICKERSON, JR, JOHN
T057726 Speeding 11-15 MPH
T057726A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

DICKERSON, SHELBY
T061126 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

DONAVAN, PRESTON GAGE
T057626 Speeding 11-15 MPH

DOTIE, EDWARD LAMONT
T061226 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

DUNCAN, MARKEITH
T057526 Speeding 11-15 MPH

DUTTON, NICHOLAS GAGE
T061326 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

FERNANDEZ, CARLOS
T057426 Speeding 11-15 MPH
Arraignment

FERRELL, KITOYA N
T055726 Speeding 1-10 MPH
T055726A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
*40/25

FITZGERALD, DAVID
T040326 Operating a Vehicle with an Unlit License Plate
T040326A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

FOSTER, MYA MARIE
T057826 Speeding 11-15 MPH
T057826A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

FOSTER, OMAR
T057926 Speeding 16-24 MPH

FOWLER, DAVID ALLEN
T055826 Operating a Vehicle with an Unlit License Plate
T055826A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

FRANKLIN, DEQURICUS D
T061426 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s

FRAZIER, WILLIAM MATTHEW
T061526 Failure to Use Safety Belt
T061526A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License
Arraignment

GAYNOR, JASON TRAVIS
T096725 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T096725A Operating a Vehicle with an Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection
Arraignment

GAYNOR, JASON TRAVIS
T051326 Improper Turn And/Or Failure To Give Required Signal
Arraignment
T051326A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

GILCREASE, JULES STEVEN
T066226 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
Arraignment

GILES, KEVIN LEE
T055926 Operating A Vehicle Without Proper Required Equipment
T055926A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
*Has 2 opened DUS in Webster Parish

GILL, DEAUDRICK
T056026 Speeding 25 & OVER
T056026A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

GLOVER, RICKIE DEMOND
T056126 Operating a Vehicle with an Unlit License Plate
T056126A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
Arraignment

GREER, TODD CLIFTON
T056226 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
Arraignment

HAMILTON, DONALD
T061626 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

HANSON, GINA K
T056326 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T056326A Speeding 16-24 MPH
*76/55

HANSON, GINA K
T014026 Speeding 16-24 MPH
T014026A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
*76/55
Arraignment

HARDIMAN, ASHLEY
T056426 Operating a Vehicle with an Unlit License Plate
Arraignment
T056426A Switched License Plates
T056426B Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

HARRIS, JAMIE G
T061726 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

HAWTHORNE, KAYLA
T056526 Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License
Arraignment

HENDERSON, ELISA SHANTAE
T061826 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*90/70

HERNANDEZ, MICHAEL LUIS
T081922 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

HILL, RONALD CARYLE
T058026 Speeding 16-24 MPH

HINES, JR., HENRY LEE
T061926 General Speed Law
*49/35

HOEBEN, SAVANNAH ROSE
T056626 Operating A Vehicle With Improper Headlamps
T056626A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

HOLDER, REBECCA PRUITT
T062026 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

HONEYCUTT, TYLER
T062126 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

JAMES, ELIJAWON DONTRAL
T056726 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*75/55
Arraignment

JAMES, JUSTIN WILBUR
T058126 Speeding 16-24 MPH

JOHNSON, JAVIN
T058226 Speeding 16-24 MPH

JONES, MARTY ALLEN
T120625 Failure to Use Safety Belt
T120625A Operating a Vehicle with an Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection
T120625B Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
Open DUS case T109025

JONES, MARTY ALLEN
T109025 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T109025A No Motorcycle Endorsement
T109025B Improper Equipment (License Plate)
Arraignment

KNAPP, NIKKI
T062226 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

LATSON, HALEY LYNETTE
T058326 Speeding 16-24 MPH

LEE, RESHAWNDA
T058426 Speeding 16-24 MPH

LESLIE, BRETT ALLEN
T062326 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

LOFTIN, RENEE ANN
T062426 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

LOFTON, CAILYN SHERE
T062526 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

LOGAN, ASHLEY NICOLE
T062626 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

LOPEZ, LORELI DAMARIS
T062726 General Speed Law (School Zone)
*59/45
Arraignment

LOUD, MALIK
T062826 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

LOVE, JAMES
T058526 Speeding 11-15 MPH

MARKRAY, INDIA
T062926 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*71/55

MARTINEZ, HOLLIE LORRAINE
T063026 Window Tint
Arraignment

MATHEWSON, JACOB PHILLIP
T063126 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*90/70

MILLER, KIMBERLY A
T063226 Failure to Use Safety Belt
T063226A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

MURPHY, MAURICO DESEAN
T063326 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

MURRAY, TAKIRIA CHEYANN
T063426 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T063426A Failure To Secure Registration
T063426B Operating a Vehicle with an Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection
Arraignment

NOLAN, CAITLAN JEANENE
T063526 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

NORMAN, ALICE
T063626 Failure to Use Safety Belt
T063626A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

NUNAMAKER, JENNIFER
T063726 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*85/70

OLVIN-MELGAR, JAVIER
T063826 Failure to Use Safety Belt
T063826A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

PARKER, JADEN DENISE
T056826 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*68/50

PAYTON, AMERICA
T056926 No Insurance
T056926A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

PENATE, CESAR JOEL SOLIS
T063926 Failure to Use Safety Belt
T063926A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

PERDUE, LISA WYNNE
T058626 Speeding 11-15 MPH

PRESTON, BOBBY
T057026 Improper Equipment (License Plate)
T057026A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

PYBURN, TITERRIA ALEXIS
T058726 Speeding 16-24 MPH

RASBERRY, LARRY
T094625 Improper Passing On Left

REESE, TAVISH DEON
T058826 Speeding 11-15 MPH
Arraignment

REYNOLDS, AZAVION
T057126 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*74/55
Arraignment

ROBBINS, JR, RANDY LEE
T064026 Speeding 25 & OVER
*83/55
Arraignment

SANCHEZ, VANESSA CHANTLE
T064126 Operating A Vehicle with an Expired License Plate
Arraignment
T064126A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

SCHULKE, JADE MICHAEL JULIAN
T064226 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*70/55
T064226A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License
Arraignment

SIMMONS, DAMIAN LAMON
T079524 Operating A Vehicle Without Proper Required Equipment
T079524A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

SMITH, GRACEN MARIE
T064326 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*89/70

SMITH, MASON COLE
T064426 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*71/55

SMITH, TIMOTHY JACOB
T064526 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*74/55
Arraignment

SMOTHERMAN, GREGORY GEORGE
T064626 Failure To Yield To Emergency Vehicle
Arraignment

SPENCE, JOSEPH AARON
T064726 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

STANFORD, BAILLIE NICOLE
T047026 Speeding 11-15 MPH

STEPHENS, DYLAN E
T064826 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

THORNTON, TANQUENECIA
T064926 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

TREECE, CHRISTOPHER ADAM
T065026 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*64/45

TURNER, JR, RICHARD W
T065126 Failure to Stop at a Stop Sign

WALKER, KEYOUN
T058926 Speeding 16-24 MPH

WASHINGTON, BRANDON DETRELL
T059026 Speeding 16-24 MPH

WATTS, KYEUNA RENA
T065226 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*90/70

WELLS, SONYA L
T057226 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*75/55

WEST, KATHERINE ROSE
T065326 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

WILLIAMS, ANTEYUNA JANEIL
T065426 Speeding 16-24 MPH
T065426A Window Tint
Arraignment

WILLIAMS, LAWSON
T059126 Speeding 16-24 MPH
Arraignment

WILLIAMS, NICHOLAS JAMAR
T065526 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

WILTCHER, HEATHER MICHELLE
T065626 Prohibited Cellular Telephone Use
T065626A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License
Arraignment

WINTERS, MATTHEW
T065726 Failure to Use Safety Belt
Arraignment

YOUNG, JR., CURTIS DALE
T112524 Operating An Unregistered Vehicle And/Or Vehicle Without Proper Number Plates
T112524A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
Arraignment

---

The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Friday, May 29:

ALEXANDER, RAKIYAH D.
100114 Home Invasion
Status Hearing

ALLEY, JESSICA MYERS
INCOMING Domestic Abuse Battery with Dangerous Weapon
Arraignment

BURNS, AZENDE JEREZZ
99435 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
Status Hearing

BURT, TERRY D.
99877 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
Status Hearing

BUSSEY, BENJAMIN
99429 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling
Probation Violation Hearing

CARTER, TIFFANY LEEANNE
100289 Violation Of Leash Law
Arraignment Summons

CHAMP, DAVION
99591 Theft Under $1,000
Restitution owed- $600, plus $90, = $690
Minute Entry / Clerk of Court MPD

FISHER, CHRISTOPHER JOSE
99246 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
99246 CT. 3 Possession Of Alcoholic Beverages In Motor Vehicles
Probation Violation Hearing

GAMBLE, BROCK ARON
100387 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – Second Offense
100387 CT. 2 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
100387 CT. 3 Operating A Vehicle With An Expired Driver’s License
Arraignment Bond Return Date

HARDY, JR, MARQUIS DANDRE
100294 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
100294 CT. 2 Possession Of Alcoholic Beverages In Motor Vehicles
100294 CT. 3 Possession of Marijuana or Synthetic Cannabinoids
100294 CT. 4 Improper Turn And/Or Failure To Give Required Signal
100294 CT. 5 Improper Lane Usage
For Further Disposition

HARPER, ASHLEY NICOLE
100380 CT 1 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense
100380 CT 2 Simple Battery
100380 CT 3 Aggravated Assault
Arraignment

HENLEY, AMARU DAKWAN
99850 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or
Controlled Dangerous Substance
Please make forfeiture of firearm part of any sentencing/plea agreement
Bond Forfeiture Hearing

HOSS, JAMES WADE
99392 Cruelty To The Infirmed
Status Hearing

JOHNSON, KAYLEIGH
INCOMING Possession of Schedule II CDS
INCOMING Possession of Schedule II CDS
INCOMING Possession of Schedule II CDS
INCOMING Possession of Schedule II CDS
INCOMING Possessi n of a Schedule I CDS
INCOMING Possession of a Schedule IV CDS
INCOMING Illegal Use, Consumption, Possession, Or Distribution Of Cds In Presence Of Persons Under 17
Bond Return

JOHNSON, SARAH RUBY
99592 CT 1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
99592 CT 2 First Degree Vehicular Negligent Injuring
99592 CT 3 First Degree Vehicular Negligent Injuring
Status Hearing

JONES, DEVON
99554 Terrorizing
Status Hearing

JONES, DEVON
98093 Simple Arson
Probation Violation Hearing
Restitution owed to the victim for damages- $1,000, plus $150, = $1,150 total

JORDAN, JAKARI
100275-CT.1 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Under $1,000
100275-CT.2 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Under $1,000
100275-CT.3 Intentional Littering
100275-CT.4 Operating A Vehicle With An Improperly Secured Load
For Further Disposition

KING, GARY R
100288 Simple Cruelty to Animals
Arraignment Summons

MANESS, MIKELLE
96905 Theft Under $1,000
Bond Return
Per the report restitution in this matter is owed to Sams Southern Eatery in the amount of $903, plus $135.45 fee = $1,038.45 total

MANESS, MIKELLE
100184 Criminal Trespassing
Bond Return

MANESS, MIKELLE
100184 Criminal Trespassing
For Further Disposition

MILES, KENECIYA TASIA
99366 Contributing To The Delinquency Of Juveniles
Probation Violation Hearing

MITCHELL, CAMERON CORTEZ
100384 CT 1 Possession of CDS I Marijuana (More Than Fourteen Grams)
100384 CT 2 Possession of CDS I Marijuana (More Than Fourteen Grams)
100384 CT 3 Operating A Vehicle with an Expired License Plate
100384 CT 4 Operating a Vehicle with an Expired Motor Vehicle Inspection
Arraignment Bond Return Date

MITCHELL, CAMERON CORTEZ
T129825 Speeding 16-24 MPH

• 78/55
  Arraignment

MONTGOMERY, TINA
100006 Illegal Use Of Weapons Or Dangerous Instrumentalities
Status Hearing

NEAL, SABRA SAMANTHA
100320A Improper Supervision of a Minor by Parent or Legal Custodian
Arraignment

PEARSON, RONALD RAY
99428A Simple Burglary
Total Restitution owed per the report- $7,800 plus $1,170 fee = $8,970 total
Status Hearing

RAY, ANDOLINI PETER-DELMAR
99844 Attempted Simple Burglary of a Vehicle
Bond Forfeiture Hearing

REYNOLDS, II, DANIEL WADE
100032 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
Status Hearing

ROBINETTE, SHANE MICHAEL
96574 CT.1 Cruelty To Juveniles
96574 CT.2 Cruelty To Juveniles
Probation Violation Hearing

SANBORN, BRENDA LYNN
100279 Criminal Trespassing
Arraignment Bond Return Date

SCHINDLER, SHERIANNE
100012-CT.1 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – First Offense
100012-CT.2 Operating A Vehicle While Under Suspension For Certain Prior
100012-CT.3 Window Tint
100012- Operating A Vehicle Without Proper Required Equipment
100012 Emanation of Excessive Sound or Noise – First Offense
100012 Improper Display Of Temporary Plate
Bond Forfeiture Hearing

LTON, LAQUESHA
100388 Simple Escape
Arraignment

SHINE, JAYLEN
100049 Theft Of A Firearm – 1St Offense
Status Hearing

SHINE, JAYLEN
100049 Theft Of A Firearm – 1St Offense
Bond Reduction Hearing
Defendants pro se Motion for Bond Reduction Hearing Total Bond: $100,000

SHINE, JIMMY R.
100368 Theft Under $1,000
Arraignment

SHOCKLEY, SHILOH J
100216-CT.1 Possession of a CDS I Marijuana (Fourteen Grams or Less)
100216-CT.2 Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License
For Further Disposition

SNEED, TYWON
100390 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
Arraignment Bond Return Date

STEPHENS, CEDRIC BERNARD
98255 Second Degree Murder
Status Hearing

THOMPSON, JR., ARTHUR
100149 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – Third Offense
Status Hearing

THORNTON, RODNEY W.
99319 CT 1 Aggravated Battery
99319 CT 2 Illegal Use Of Weapons Or Dangerous Instrumentalities
Status Hearing

---

By John Monzingo, Assistant County Agent

Louisiana is proudly known as the “Sportsman’s Paradise,” a nickname earned through its rich tradition of outdoor recreation. With more than 15 million acres of swamps, forests, and waterways, the state offers abundant opportunities for boating, hunting, fishing, and other activities. Louisiana is home to over 600 species of fish and wildlife, including duck, deer, freshwater fish, and alligator—according to Louisiana Living and Business. For many residents, the arrival of fall signals the beginning of hunting season. However, preparation should begin well in advance.

Too often, hunters wait until just a few months before the season to begin thinking about the land they hunt. Typical preparations may include scouting, clearing shooting lanes, or planting food plots to attract wildlife. While these practices are important, I encourage a broader approach; one that focuses on improving habitat rather than simply attracting animals for harvest.

Habitat management should be the primary objective when establishing food plots. Wildlife requires adequate nutrition year-round, not just during hunting season. By adopting a comprehensive, year-long management strategy, landowners can provide consistent forage and support healthier wildlife populations. Additionally, it is important to follow all guidelines and regulations established by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, particularly regarding hunting over or near planted areas.

Before planting any crop, the first step should always be collecting a soil sample. Soil testing provides critical information on nutrient levels, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as soil pH. This allows land managers to apply the appropriate fertilizers and soil amendments, such as lime or sulfur, to optimize plant growth. Adjusting soil pH to the proper range ensures efficient nutrient uptake and promotes strong, productive vegetation.

Below is an example of a year-long planting guide for wildlife in our region:

Wildlife Planting Guide

Warm-Season (April–June)
2-Species Combination:

• Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)
  • Seeding Rate: 40 lbs./acre
  • Planting Depth: ½–1 inch
• Alyceclover (Alysicarpus vaginalis)
  • Seeding Rate: 10 lbs./acre
  • Planting Depth: ¼–½ inch

3-Species Combination:

• Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) – 40 lbs./acre, ½–1 inch
• Alyceclover (Alysicarpus vaginalis) – 10 lbs./acre, ¼–½ inch
• American Jointvetch (Aeschynomene spp.) – 5 lbs./acre, ¼–½ inch

Cool-Season (September–Mid October)
4-Species Combination Option 1:

• Rye (Secale cereale) – 75 lbs./acre, ½–1 inch
• Oats (Avena sativa) – 25 lbs./acre, ½–1 inch
• Arrowleaf Clover (Trifolium vesiculosum) – 10 lbs./acre, ¼–½ inch
• Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) – 10 lbs./acre, ¼–½ inch

4-Species Combination Option 2:

• Rye (Secale cereale) – 75 lbs./acre, ½–1 inch
• Oats (Avena sativa) – 25 lbs./acre, ½–1 inch
• Wheat (Triticum aestivum) – 20 lbs./acre, ½–1 inch
• Arrowleaf Clover (Trifolium vesiculosum) – 10 lbs./acre, ¼–½ inch

Note: Seeding rates listed are for broadcast planting. Reduce rates by 20% when drilling. If plots are primarily intended for quail or turkey, reduce rates by 40–60%.

By taking a long-term approach to habitat management, hunters can not only improve their success in the field but also contribute to the sustainability of Louisiana’s wildlife resources for future generations.

For additional information or assistance, please contact the LSU AgCenter Extension Office at 318-927-3110.

---

---

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

May 31 – June 4

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

June 1 – 3

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

June 1 – 5

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

June 8 – 12

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

June 8 – 13

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

June 8 – 11

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

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

June 14 – 18

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

June 22 – 26

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

July 13 – 17

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

July 26 – 31

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

---

Thursday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 82. Calm wind.

Thursday Night

A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday

A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 10 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 40 percent.

Friday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Saturday

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.

Saturday Night

A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70.

Sunday

A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 88.

*Information provided by National Weather Service.

---

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

Current through June 27

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

May 28

9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., Champions of Character, Student Event, CAC Building, Springhill. Sponsors, City of Springhill, Springhill Medical Center, North Webster Athletic Dept. Lunch will be provided.

May 30

Deadline to sponsor events at Celebrate America 250 & Minden 190. Click here: https://app.seemylegacy.com/community/2484/campaign/8625 .

3:30 p.m. doors open; 4:30 p.m. games start, LaMa Animal Rescue Game Night, Springhill Civic Center, $20 for games, BINGO, purse raffle, dessert auction, concessions Split the Pot and door prizes.

4 p.m. until 8 p.m., Victory Park, Minden, Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Minden celebrates 125 years.

June 4

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

June 11-13

Celebrate America 250 & Minden 190

Bites & Beats kicks off weekend celebration.

Kids Patriotic Parade

5K Run on Main

Cornhole Tournament

Grilling on Main

Little Grillers

Kids Play area

Duck Derby

Fireworks Finale

June 15-19

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

June 20

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

June 21

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

June 22 – 26

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

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

June 27

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

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

July 9

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

---

Word of the day: Fraught

Phonetic: /FRAWT/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

Fraught describes something that causes or involves a lot of emotional stress or worry. When fraught is used in the phrase “fraught with,” it means “full of something bad or unwanted.”

The siblings had a fraught relationship.

The paper was poorly researched and fraught with errors.

Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

Play Sudoku online!

---

Jeremiah J. Richardson, 27, 100 block Eason Lane, Dubberly: arrested May 26 by WPSO for no insurance, on warrants from Minden PD and Bossier Parish SO. No bond set. 

Amaru Henley, 23, 2100 block Janna Lane, Fort Worth, Texas: turned himself in to WPSO on warrant for illegal use of a weapon. Bond set $20,000.

Zytwone Robinson, 22, 1200 block Fulton St., Minden: arrested May 26 by Minden Marshal’s Office on bench warrants for failure to appear. Bond set $7,500. 

Floyd L. Starling, 61, 12000 block County Rd., Panola, Texas: arrested May 26 by Minden PD for one-way driving, DWI third offense. Bond set $25,001. 

Rickey D. McGraw, 42, 400 block Lee, Cullen: arrested May 27 by WPSO on warrant for failure to appear on criminal neglect of family. No bond set. 

Shantay Miles, 38, 100 block South 1st St., Sibley: arrested May 27 for simple criminal damage to property. 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.

---

Joshua Kyle Woods
August 25, 1982 — May 25, 2026
Minden, La.
For funeral arrangements, contact Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden, 318-377-3412.

Mary Alice Goode
March 5, 1952 — May 22, 2026
Cotton Valley
For funeral arrangements, contact Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden, 318-377-3412.

James Marshal Moorehead
May 5, 1938 — May 10, 2026
Minden, La.
Visitation: 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
Funeral service: 10 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
Burial: Minden Cemetery.

Elmer Fayette Tompkins
July 14, 1937 — May 6, 2026
Baton Rouge/Homer, La.
Graveside service: 11 a.m. until noon, Saturday, May 30, 2026, Arlington Cemetery, Homer.

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

---

CLAIBORNE/WEBSTER PARISHES – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announces a $679,800 project to provide repairs to sections of two state highways in Claiborne and Webster Parishes.

The project includes LA 540 from LA 534 to LA 2 northwest of Homer in Claiborne Parish (6.4 miles in length), and LA 792 from LA 531 to the Bienville Parish line in Webster Parish (2.5 miles in length).

Preliminary work on the project has already begun, which includes full-depth base repairs to strengthen the roadway, followed by an asphaltic surface treatment (commonly referred to as a chip seal), new roadway striping, signage, and related work.

A chip seal is a highly effective method of roadway repair, particularly on rural routes, as it involves spraying a layer of liquid asphalt on the existing pavement and covering with crushed rock. This method acts as a shield against water seeping into the roadway and damaging the material over time, extending the service life of the highway.

Motorists should expect intermittent lane closures along both routes, pay attention to advance warning signage, adhere to reduced speed limits, and never drive while distracted or impaired.

The entire project is anticipated to be complete in late Summer 2026, with progress dependent on weather conditions and other factors that can impact construction timelines.

Below map indicates project limits for LA 540 in Claiborne Parish.

Purchases will be limited to retailers in Louisiana and along the state border

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announces that beginning May 26, 2026, Louisiana SNAP recipients will only be able to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards for purchases made within the state and in ZIP codes adjacent to Louisiana’s border in neighboring states. The change protects benefits from fraud and out-of-state use, strengthening program integrity and ensuring SNAP dollars support Louisiana grocers, farmers, businesses, and local communities.

EBT cardholders who shop at Louisiana stores and through approved online retailers will not be affected by this policy change. Louisianans who regularly shop just across the state line in Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas will also experience little to no disruption, as many of those ZIP codes are included under the policy’s in-state designation. Out-of-state purchases occurring outside of the approved areas will be blocked. 

SNAP recipients who are traveling and need temporary access to make purchases outside of Louisiana can request a short-term exemption at lifeincheckebt.com, by calling 888-LAHelp-U (888-524-3578), or by visiting a local LDH SNAP office.

Any temporary out-of-state access will automatically expire at the beginning of the following month, returning the card to the default in-state-only setting.

For more information, including a full list of approved border-area ZIP codes, visit ldh.la.gov/page/electronic-benefits-transfer-ebt or call 888-LAHelp-U (888-524-3578).

---

Remembering Memorial Day

More than 53,000 Americans died on World War I battlefields.  Nearly 300,000 in World War II.  More than 33,000 in Korea.  More than 47,000 in Vietnam.

Always, and especially currently in the Middle East, the chance exists for deaths of Americans defending our country.

The numbers are seldom accurate for battlefield deaths.  That itself speaks to the horror and inhuman quality of what happens when countries collide, when warrior after warrior falls and becomes a number, maybe one uncounted.

No matter the final total, each was one.  And that One counted to friends and family.  It counted more than just about anything else did.  Someone was handed a folded flag.  Teary eyes heard Taps.  Real brothers and fathers and sons and daughters died. 

An empty chair.

“Greater love has no one than this,
that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

In The Message, Eugene Peterson translates that verse in this way:

“It is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.”

In the backwash of Memorial Day, it is helpful and healthful to remember that someone died for us.  Some of those men and women, we will never know.  Heroic strangers —  wartime death, the ultimate sacrifice to freedom — should inspire us all, through love, to help and heal each other with goodness and understanding.

Today and every day is a good day to remember that through one good man’s death, through His blood, an otherwise fatal and eternal debt was paid, one that will lead to the end of war and death.  Every day is a good day to remember we were all bought with a price. Until the human heart can grasp enough to at least hint at the full meaning of and reality of Christ’s death, it can’t grasp the beautiful simplicity of the gospel, which is not about what we can do, but instead is about what has already been done for each of us.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

---

Friday is election day … for City of Minden Pet Mayor.

It’s the deadline to vote for someone’s pet to serve as the next Mayor and City Council of Minden.

The 2026 Pet Mayor Election is LIVE. Voting is open from today through May 29 and will be done through the following link: https://app.seemylegacy.com/community/2484/campaign/9089

Each vote costs $5 with proceeds going to Minden Animal Control’s new center. May the best pet win!

---

Ever dreamed of becoming a Master Gardener?  Now is your chance. The LSU AgCenter is accepting applications for the next Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners class, scheduled for June through September. Membership is open to all adults in Northwest Louisiana. Master Gardeners are the volunteer arm of the LSU AgCenter. They are trained in horticulture in exchange for 40 hours of volunteer service, sharing what they have learned with other gardeners.

Volunteer opportunities include organizing and staffing the annual garden tour, annual seminar, along with the spring Plant Sale, teaching children about gardening, creating, and maintaining demonstration gardens and assisting in local parish extension offices.

So, what will you learn? Topics include insects, plant health, vegetables, fruits, turf, ornamentals and more. Classes, both lecture and hands-on, are taught by Louisiana Cooperative Extension specialists, university professors and other horticulture experts.

Classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Tuesday for 11 weeks, starting June 16, 2026. Attendance at all classes is required for certification. There is a $165 registration fee, which covers the cost of training manuals, publications and supplies for the class. If you enroll before April 20, you will receive a $25 discount. The registration deadline is May 22, 2026. 

Call 318-927-3110 or 318-371-1371, to request an application, or download one at http://www.phlmg.com (Programs and follow the links.) or jmonzingo@agcenter.lsu.edu

---

A few weeks ago, I wrapped up facilitating another session of Financial Peace University at my church. Truth be told, this is one of my favorite things to do. FPU is a nine-week Dave Ramsey program that focuses on helping people beat debt, build wealth, and honor God with their finances. Overall, it’s a very impactful program – but only if the lessons are put into real action. 

For millions of Americans, money is one of the biggest stressors in daily life. Between rising prices, debt payments, and the pressure to keep up financially, many people feel overwhelmed and unsure where to start. That is one reason why Dave created FPU.

One of the biggest benefits of Financial Peace University is its simplicity. Personal finance can oftentimes feel confusing, especially when people hear complicated investing terms or conflicting advice online. FPU breaks financial management down into clear action steps that almost anyone can understand. Instead of focusing on complicated theories, the program emphasizes common-sense habits that encourage discipline, budgeting, and long-term financial stability. I’m a firm believer that simple is better. 

At the center of FPU are the “Baby Steps,” which serve as a roadmap for building financial security. These steps help participants focus on one goal at a time rather than trying to solve every financial problem at once.

The first Baby Step is saving a $1,000 starter emergency fund. This initial savings cushion is designed to help people handle small unexpected expenses without relying on credit cards. Whether it is a car repair, medical bill, or broken appliance, having even a modest emergency fund can reduce financial stress and prevent additional debt.

The second Baby Step focuses on paying off all debt except the house using the “debt snowball” method. With this strategy, people list their debts from smallest to largest and aggressively pay them off one at a time. As each debt disappears, the momentum builds. One reason for this approach – rather than paying off the highest interest rate debts first – is that it creates quick wins that help keep motivation high. Instead of feeling trapped by debt forever, participants begin to see measurable progress.

Once debt is eliminated, the third Baby Step is building a fully funded emergency fund containing three to six months of living expenses. This larger savings account provides financial protection against job loss, major medical expenses, or other serious emergencies. Many people say this step gives them tremendous peace of mind because they are no longer living paycheck to paycheck.

The next steps begin focusing on the future. Baby Step Four encourages investing 15 percent of household income into retirement accounts. Financial Peace University emphasizes the importance of consistent long-term investing and preparing for retirement early. Baby Step Five involves saving for children’s college expenses, while Baby Step Six focuses on paying off the home early. Finally, Baby Step Seven is about building wealth and giving generously.

Another major advantage of Financial Peace University is accountability. Many people struggle with finances not because they lack intelligence, but because changing habits is difficult. FPU classes are often taught in group settings through churches, community organizations, or online groups. This creates encouragement and support from others who are working toward similar goals. Participants often feel less alone in their financial struggles and more motivated to stay committed.

The budgeting tools taught in the program are also highly practical. FPU encourages participants to create a monthly budget before the month begins, giving every dollar a purpose. This proactive approach helps families avoid overspending and become more intentional with their money. Over time, budgeting becomes less restrictive and more empowering because people gain confidence knowing where their money is going.

Another reason Financial Peace University has become so popular is its focus on behavior rather than just math. Dave often teaches that personal finance is largely about habits and decision-making. Many people already know they should spend less and save more, but FPU helps provide the structure and motivation needed to actually follow through.

I realize that this column sounds like a paid ad – but it’s not that at all. I’m sharing this with you today because Financial Peace University offers a straightforward plan for people who want to gain control of their finances. And it works. For individuals who feel stuck financially, the program can provide both hope and a clear path forward. 

Visit financialpeace.com to see if there’s an upcoming class in your area, or choose from one of the virtual class options. Trust me – FPU can be a game changer for you and your family.

Tracy L. Campbell is a partner and financial advisor at Meriwether Wealth and Planning, an independent Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) firm headquartered in downtown Minden, La. E-mail Tracy at tracy@meriwether.com. Disclaimer: This content is for general knowledge and education, not a substitute for professional advice.

---

The biggest, most star-studded and fun-filled party of every summer for miles around is coming your way in a month.

Three days of festivities are approaching beginning Thursday, June 25 through Saturday, June 27 for the 2026 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.

The LSHOF’s Class of 2026 will be enshrined Saturday night, June 27 at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 67^th Induction Celebration.

The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday, June 25, with the Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m., free to the public at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street.

The Friday, June 26 schedule begins with the Celebrity Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. The 2026 Rockin’ River Fest, a free concert on the downtown riverbank stage, begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 10:30. In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party, a ticketed indoor-outdoor event.

The slate on Saturday, June 27 kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, along with Northwestern State coaches and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is nearing capacity. Free registration for kids ages 7-16 is required and can be easily accomplished at LaSportsHall.com.

At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando emcees an entertaining program.

Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening.

The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.

The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.

The Class of ‘26 is headlined by a star-studded group:  Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame 2025 inductee Sylvia Fowles, NFL stars Joe Horn, Todd McClure and Pat Williams, Major League Baseball All-Star Jonathan Lucroy and legendary basketball coaches John Brady, Mike McConathy and Dewain Strother.

Alexandria native and LSU baseball hero Warren Morris will receive the Louisiana Sports Ambassador Award, earning enshrinement into the LSHOF. His walk-off home run won the 1996 College World Series for LSU and resulted in the Bolton High School product becoming a lifelong spokesman for college baseball, the CWS and LSU.

LSU graduate and New Orleans native Gil LeBreton and multi-faceted Shreveporter John James Marshall are going into the Hall as the 2026 winners of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. Former Tioga girls basketball coach and nationally-acclaimed high school sports administrator Kathy Holloway is being inducted as the recipient of the Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award.

The Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors. 

For information on sponsorship opportunities and other participation, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com, or Greg Burke, Director of Business Development and Public Relations, at 318-663-5459 or GregBurke@LaSportsHall.com via email.

---

He was sticking needles in his arms at 19 because he couldn’t get the cocaine into his system fast enough through his nasal passages. He’d been fired from every job he ever had. He’d been fired by his own brother. Twice.

This kid grew up in a good home. Loving family. Hometown that knew his name. Had every advantage a boy could ask for. Had the world by the tail at one point. Drank his first beer at 14.

By 21 he was lying, cheating, stealing. He had dreams but no method and no plan and no shot at any of them. He’d been evicted from a ratty trailer park and would have been living under a bridge if not for a loving grandmother who took him in. His car hadn’t had a payment made on it in months. He was hiding it from the creditors. That’s the outlaw life he was living.

One night at 2 a.m., leaving a party, he passed a Hattiesburg Police Department car. He glanced in the rearview mirror and saw the car turning around. Something in him said run. So, he ran. He thought he could outrun one cop car. What he didn’t think about were the radios. Within minutes two more were behind him. He turned his headlights off, thinking that would help. That’s the kind of brainless thinking he was capable of in those days. The chase hit 90 miles an hour through residential streets. Thankfully there weren’t any kids out playing.

The cops won the chase. They always do. 

He ended up in the drunk tank with a DUI charge and called his mother. A year earlier she had changed all the locks on her house and put everything he owned out on the back porch in garbage bags. She had been waiting on one of three phone calls for a long time. The hospital, telling her he was injured. The morgue, telling her he was dead. Or the police station. Three calls. Any mother of an addict knows the list. She had run through the scenario in her head a thousand nights. She was grateful it was the police station. 

They both were.

She gave him two options. Go to rehab or sell your car and pay your fine. He didn’t hesitate. Sell the car. Lucky for him the car wasn’t worth enough to cover the fine. So, rehab it was. His plan was to lay low until the smoke cleared and then start partying again.

That boy was me.

In 1983 nobody knew what rehab was. The Betty Ford Center hadn’t been open a year. I did nine weeks in a six-week treatment center, and they sent me to a halfway house in Omaha, Nebraska. Saint Raphael’s. Run by the Catholic Church. In a former mortuary. 

I arrived on a Friday. I’d been locked down for two months and I asked the guys— all of them in their early 20s like me— if we were going out that night. Yes, they said. We’re going out. I was fired up. Then they told me where. They were going skating. I thought, this is it. This is what sobriety is going to be like. I’m 21 years old, I’ve spent my whole adult life in bars and clubs, and now I’m going to be hanging out with a bunch of dudes at a skating rink in Omaha, Nebraska. I almost stayed home. Though I didn’t want to spend a Friday night alone in a former mortuary, so I went.

Here’s the deal. I had fun.

I haven’t been skating since. But on that rink in Omaha in August of 1983, something happened. Call it an epiphany. Call it a spiritual experience. I don’t care what you call it. I was rolling around that floor with a bunch of guys I barely knew, clear headed for the first time in seven years, and I was laughing. Actually laughing. Not the kind of laugh you fake at 2 a.m. in a bar, the real kind. For the first time in my life, I understood that I could have fun and live a good life without alcohol and drugs. That has held up for 43 years.

I write this on the morning of May 25th, my sobriety anniversary.

Back then I didn’t expect to live to 30. The way I was going, I wouldn’t have made 25. I’d given up on myself. God hadn’t. 

That was the difference.

I don’t have many regrets in life. Seriously. I don’t regret my failures, and there have been many. I’m not kidding. I embrace failure these days because there is growth and learning in failure. All failure, besides death, is psychological. Shame is ego. The only fatal failure is the one that makes you quit. But I do have one small regret— in that halfway house I wish someone had asked me then to write down what I hoped for going forward in a sober life. Just a list where I could dream as big as I could imagine. Lofty dreams and goals about what a life without alcohol and drugs might be going forward. I would love to have that list today, the one a 21-year-old version of me might have written. Because I would have so undershot what life has given me. By a lot.

This clean and sober life has given me more than I ever knew to ask for. Not through merit. Through grace. Not material things. Not money. Not status. The real stuff. Real friends. A clear head. A loving family. A career I love. The relational things. The spiritual things. The strength to show up day after day. That’s what matters. 

None of it would have happened if the Hattiesburg Police Department hadn’t won that chase on May 25th, 1983.

Life still brings problems. That’s life. But I’ve learned how to face them. These days I do my best to live in the solution.

If you’re caught up in alcohol or drugs, there’s a way out. There’s hope. If it worked for me, it can work for you. Call 988. Or call me. 601-270-7129. I mean that (Note: if you’re drunk and it’s 2 a.m. I’m going to tell you to call me back in the morning).

And if you’re early in recovery, sit down and make that list. Write it all out. Everything you want from life. Dream bigger than you think you should. Fold it up and put it away. Stay sober. Then one day, five years out, ten years out, maybe 43 years later, you’ll open that list and see how small it really was. And how big your life became.

God can. God will. If sought.

Onward.

Salt Crusted Fish

Salt-crusted fish is a time-honored recipe. The first time I was exposed to it was at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley. One of the chefs there salt-crusted a salmon. Though the best salt-crusted fish I have ever eaten was a sea bass cooked at Da Romano on the island of Burano. Any restaurant that has hosted Ernest Hemingway and Keith Richards during their run is OK in my book. 

It reminded me of an Italian version of the New Orleans mainstay Galitoire’s. The salt-crusted sea bass, however, reminded me of nothing I have ever eaten before. Perfect.

1 each 4-5 lb. whole fish, cleaned, scaled and gutted (preferably bass or snapper)
8 each Large egg whites
2 cups Rock salt
2 cups Kosher salt
2 each Lemons, cut into wedges
Extra virgin olive oil as needed.

Preheat the oven to 450.

Add the egg whites to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whip attachment and mix on medium-high speed until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and fold in the salts until thoroughly combined.

Spread a thin layer of the salt and egg mixture on a large baking pan, about ½ cup. Place the fish on the pan and cover completely with the remaining egg and salt mixture. Using your hands, make sure the fish is completely covered and packed tightly, as if you were making a sand castle. 

Bake for 25-30 minutes, remove from the oven and let rest for 10-15 minutes. 

Using a wooden spoon or the handle of a chef knife, strike the crust to crack it. At this point you should be able to remove the salt crust in large pieces from the top of the fish. Carefully, fold the top half of the fish towards the spine and place on a serving platter. Divide the meat among 6-8 plates and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a squeeze of lemon.

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

---