The following civil suits were filed with the Webster Parish Clerk of Court the week of September 11 through 17. Civil suits are public record.

September 11
Velocity Investments LLC vs. Julie Beal, monies due.
Misty Michelle Byrd, succession over $125K.
Standard Mortgage Corporation vs. Bobby Earl Thomas II, executory process.

September 14
Emma Frances Barnes Storey, succession over $125K.
Delvon Morris vs. Ayanna Shelton, protective order.
Alyssa Christine Larson vs. Carles Blaine Williams, other.
Jerrick Robinson individually and on behalf of minor child, Ronnessia Robinson individually and on behalf of minor child vs. Webster Parish School Board, Sheila Keener individually and in her capacity as an employee of Webster Parish School Board, damages.

September 15
Republic Finance LLC vs. Tammy Calais, judgment executory & garnishment.
Della Bailey Coleman, Howard Davis, Jonas Coleman, succession under $125K.
Randall Gleason Herbert, succession over 125K.
Brittany Christen, Joshua Christen vs. Marty Jones, Kayla McLemore, custody.
Velocity Investments LLC vs. Teresa Kinsey petition.
Velocity Investments LLC vs. Demiko Duty, monies due.
Been Morris Irwin vs. Arpent Energy Inc., petition.
Ryan Joseph Guillot vs. Carmen Danielle Guillot, divorce w/children.

September 16
Pamela McClendon vs. Jennifer Culpepper Lee MD, medical review panel.
Jerry L. Rhodes III vs. Alison R. Rhodes, divorce.

September 17
Jerry Harris vs. Michael Chanler, Paul Wheeler, medical review panel.
Jeffery Sumlin vs. John Robert Thompson, petition.
Global Lending Services LLC vs. Dianne Grigsby, contract.

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

First Saturday of every month

4:30 p.m. (dinner at 6 p.m.) Pine Grove Methodist Church – on Lewisville Road (Hwy 159) in Minden – hosts a Music Circle.  Please bring your instrument and sit in for a good ol’ spirit-filled gospel time. Contact Randy Rogers at 318-268-0132 for more information.”

September 18

Deadline to register for a National Night Out party in Minden. https://app.seemylegacy.com/community/2484/campaign/10613 .

September 23

10 a.m. The Columns of Germantown will host a free Elder Fraud Prevention Presentation. The event is open to residents, families and members of the public.

September 24

2 until 3 p.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group, MMC cafeteria. Minden.

October 3

9 a.m. until … Sarepta High School “Celebration of Friends,” 210 Vines Street, Sarepta. Contact Information: Betty Coile Shows, 318-678-3900 or bcoile66.shsfriends@yahoo.com or Janet Gray Reeves, 318-847-4270 or text to 318-578-3053.

9:30 a.m. The Webster Parish Veterans Safety Net invites all veterans to join us for coffee and fellowship at Huffman Manor, 1114 Broadway in Minden. These gatherings are held on the first Saturday of every month. Every veteran is encouraged to attend when possible, as you may be the listening ear, source of encouragement, or friendly conversation that a fellow veteran needs.

October 10

8:30 until 10 a.m. 2nd Annual Angel Baby Fun Run

Halo Fest: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (free to the public) Halo Fest,Miller Quarters Park 198 Gleason Street Minden, hosted by Hearts & Halos: Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness. Fun Run Registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/LA/Minden/AngelBaby2KRunWalkAndFundraisingEvent

November 7

10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Mission Adoption Bazaar, Craft, Makers Fair, Bake and Casserole Sale, Silent Auction and Lunch 

First Baptist Church, Family and Community Life Center, Minden. 

All proceeds go to participating families adopting and/or fostering.

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Keneciya T. Miles, 21, 1600 block Hill St., Homer: arrested Sept. 16 by WPSO on warrant for contributing to the delinquency of juveniles. No bond set. 

Kane Madison Neal, 38, 200 block Pecan View Dr., Minden: arrested Sept. 16 by WPSO on warrant for simple criminal damage to property. Bond set $1,500.

Brittania B. Bailey, 33, 800 block Fincher Rd., Minden: arrested Sept. 17 by Minden PD for possession of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines), possession of drug paraphernalia, improper lane usage, no drivers license. No bond set. 

Johnathan Tyler Neason, 25, 2200 block Col. Rd. 15, Magnolia, Arkansas: arrested Sept. 16 by Springhill on warrant for possession of of CDS Sch. II (methamphetamines) with intent to distribute. Bond set $20,000. 

Tony Walker, 43, no address (homeless), Minden: arrested Sept. 15 by Minden PD on bench warrants. Bond set $22,000 surety or $3,900 cash. 

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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Shannon Lee Beatty Thornton
September 19, 1968 — September 12, 2026
Minden/Haughton
No services or memorials planned.

Bobbie Jean Brady Easley
March 25, 1942  –  September 16, 2026
Springhill
Visitation: 1 until 3 p.m. Saturday, September 19, Oak Hill Baptist Church, Plain Dealing.
Funeral service: 3 p.m., immediately following visitation.
Burial: Hamiter Cemetery, Plain Dealing, under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Robert L. Montgomery
January 11, 1940 — September 10, 2026
Minden
Private family memorial at a later date.

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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Written by Pat Culverhouse

Sheriff’s Office investigators turned the arrest of a Cotton Valley resident on an Arkansas warrant into an arrest for illegal sexual activity in Webster Parish involving a juvenile.

Sheriff Jason Parker said 21-year-old Lucas Coby Higginbotham was booked on a charge of two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile in Webster Parish. He reportedly is also the subject of an arrest warrant in Columbia County, Arkansas, for one count of Class “Y” rape (Arkansas Code § 5-14-103) .

Parker said Higginbotham was picked up Monday afternoon at his residence in the 100 block of Sikes Ferry Rd. in Cotton Valley.  He is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a $200,000 bond.

Maj. Bobby Igo III said investigators in Webster and Columbia County, Arkansas, were simultaneously working separate cases involving Higginbotham. A coordinated effort reportedly led to an arrest warrant being issued by Columbia County.

Armed with the warrant, Webster deputies took the suspect into custody. After he was brought to the Sheriff’s Office, Higginbotham reportedly was questioned in connection with a parish investigation involving sex with a juvenile. 

He reportedly admitted to having intercourse with a 13-year-old Magnolia, Arkansas female multiple times at locations in north Webster Parish.

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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Written by Tiffany Flournoy

Editor’s Note: This article is part of an ongoing independent reporting series that started in late 2025 examining municipal operations, public accountability and transparency in the Town of Cullen. The reporting and original work in this series were independently produced.

MINDEN, La. — A Webster Parish judge has ordered the Town of Cullen to pay Police Chief Fannie Rankin $10,680 in back pay after the parties reached a series of stipulations in a lawsuit over her employment and compensation.

The Sept. 10 hearing before Judge Parker Self also resolved challenges involving a town ordinance regulating business hours and alcohol sales and addressed a contempt issue involving now former Mayor Terry Hoof. The ordinance will be null and void effective Oct. 27, while Rankin’s claim for attorney fees remains pending.

Under the stipulation, Rankin’s annual salary was set at $37,440, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2025, the date she was sworn in. Her salary is to be paid weekly, with retirement contributions and federal and state withholdings calculated accordingly.

The court also awarded Rankin $10,680 in gross back pay for the period from Jan. 1, 2025, through Sept. 10, 2026, subject to proper withholding and taxes. 

Rankin’s petition alleged that Terry Hoof, while serving as mayor, directed the town clerk to underpay Chief Rankin.

The petition filed in 2025, claims Rankin repeatedly sought records showing the pay of the former chief and former officers, as well as the Town of Cullen ordinance governing the chief’s salary. The town clerk reportedly said the relevant ordinance page was missing and that she did not know the former pay rates.

Rankin alleged she later saw a former chief’s paycheck at Town Hall showing $17.20 an hour. The petition said Rankin was being paid $15 an hour and Officer Brian Montgomery $14 an hour. 

Separate from the Sept. 10 judgment regarding Rankin’s  rate of pay and the town ordinance, Rankin faces ongoing payroll issues with the municipality. According to Rankin, as of Wednesday, she has gone 10 weeks without receiving a weekly paycheck. That period does not include the paychecks that prompted Rankin and her lone officer to file separate lawsuits for unpaid wages in early August — matters that remain pending.

Ordinance 362

The lawsuit also challenged Cullen Ordinance No. 362, which amended rules concerning business hours and alcohol sales.

Before Ordinance 362, establishments and alcohol sales closed at midnight, and alcohol sales were not permitted on Sundays. Rankin’s argument against the changes was based in part on police manpower, asserting that the town had not provided the police department with an adequate number of officers to handle the additional hours.

According to Rankin’s petition and a municipal-record exhibit attached to it, Ordinance 362 was introduced and voted on March 24, 2025.

Floydean White abstained, while Bianchi Veal and Barbara Green voted against the ordinance. Denise Epps-Hoof and Alderwoman Yolanda Castleman voted for it.

With the vote tied, then-town attorney Michael Kelly, now the town’s former attorney, instructed Mayor Terry Hoof to cast the tie-breaking vote. Hoof voted in favor.

The ordinance required Cullen businesses to close by 2 a.m. and remain closed until 6 a.m. It also addressed when nonemployees could remain on business premises after closing and allowed the sale of alcohol on Sundays. 

 Portions of the ordinance were allegedly difficult to follow in the format in which the town clerk recorded them, making some of its provisions difficult to interpret.

Rankin argued that the extended business hours and Sunday alcohol sales placed an undue strain on an already shorthanded department, pointing out that the town was unwilling to supply the additional manpower needed to handle the longer hours. Self ultimately granted Rankin’s request for a declaratory judgment and ruled that Ordinance 362, as presently enacted, is null and void.

 The court ordered the town’s business hours and alcohol-sale hours to revert to those that existed before the ordinance, without preventing Cullen from making future changes through the proper procedures under Louisiana law.

The ordinance will become null and void Oct. 27. Josh Chevallier, an attorney representing the town, asked for time to notify business proprietors who were not parties to the lawsuit before the change takes effect, saying he wanted to avoid prejudicing them and potentially exposing them to additional lawsuits. Self agreed to Oct. 27 as the effective date. 

Hoof contempt

The parties also stipulated that Terry Hoof was in constructive contempt of the court’s November 2025 order.

Chevallier said that if Hoof had been called to testify, he would have testified that any nonpayment or failure to make payments required by the November order during his time as mayor were caused by the Town of Cullen’s insolvency and lack of funds.

Attorney F. Pearlette Gipson, representing Rankin, said her witnesses, including former clerk Dominique Parish, Chief Rankin and Alderwomen Barbara Green and Bianchi Veal, would have testified that the Town of Cullen had sufficient means to comply with the Nov. 19, 2025, order and was not insolvent.

A temporary restraining order involving Alderwoman Yolanda Castleman had expired by operation of law, and the associated request for a permanent injunction was dismissed.

A separate request for injunctive relief concerning Hoof’s alleged interference with the police department became moot after he resigned and was no longer mayor.

The court also awarded Rankin $707.13 in Clerk of Court costs and filing fees, including filing fees and costs associated with opening court that day.

Rankin’s request for attorney fees remains unresolved. The court scheduled the attorney-fee hearing for 9 a.m. Oct. 27. 

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Written by Pat Culverhouse

An apparent argument that began when a brother and sister attempted to leave their job became a physical confrontation, and a 47-year-old Minden man is in the parish prison as a result.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said Benjamin Lee Ware is charged with domestic abuse battery with serious bodily injury after he allegedly attacked his son for wanting to quit work at the restaurant.

McIver said officers were dispatched to Minden Medical Center to investigate an incident that occurred at the Shreveport Rd. business around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. At the hospital, officers reportedly learned the victim was being treated for injuries resulting from the incident.

Officers reportedly were told the victim and his sister wanted to quit working at the business and when the sister tried to leave, Ware allegedly attempted to stop her. The victim reportedly intervened and was struck by Ware in the face with a closed fist.

During a resulting altercation, the victim was reportedly thrown to the ground and received injuries to his shoulder, hands, wrist and elbow. Officers reportedly reviewed surveillance footage which confirmed the altercation and injuries.

Ware reportedly is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a $25,000 bond.

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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SHREVEPORT – “Seize the day.”

The sentiment is one of the most common shared at graduations around the country.

But for LSUS commencement speaker Crystal Gantt, it’s a sentiment she lives more literally than most.

A two-time survivor of brain tumors, Gantt said those tumors are back for a third time, although in a state where monitoring has sufficed with no direct medical intervention required for the past couple of years.

“I do value the ‘seize the day’ attitude more than others because I’ve been faced with the thought and possibility of not having life,” Gantt said. “I do think about this message consciously.

“Sometimes you go through trials and adversity, and it changes your perspective on life, your future, and what you what to experience. It enlightens us, and it makes you evaluate what you want for yourself and what you want to achieve.”

Gantt will share her story with LSU Shreveport graduates Friday to highlight the summer graduation ceremonies at Brookshire Grocery Arena.

Sharing her testimony has always been something Gantt has made time to do, and she said she jumped at the chance to speak to a graduating class from her alma mater.

“My first was reaction was emotional,” Gantt said. “Believe it or not, after recovering from the brain tumors the second time, one thing I told my mom was that I was going to stand in front of hundreds of people to tell my story.

“I knew this was confirmation, a time to share with more people the power of overcoming adversity.”

CHASING HER DREAM

When doctors told Gantt the brain tumors were back for a second time, the Minden High graduate was just about to finish her Master of Business Administration online from LSUS in 2016.

With books and homework in hand at that appointment, Gantt thought it was a joke.

“The first thing I thought was that I can’t do this again, Gantt said. “Why is this happening to me? I’m so young.

“But after those waves of emotion, then came the strength, the resilience and the courage. Ok, I have to go through it again, I have to beat it again. There is a purpose and a reason – there’s a testimony at the end.” 

That scare and subsequent surgery in 2018 pushed Gantt to pursue her dream of becoming an author.

Writing wasn’t the hard part – Gantt had written poetry and other stories since age 6.

A product of a long line of teachers, from mother Carolyn to many of her aunts, reading and writing have been key pillars in Gantt’s foundation. 

Getting published was the trick, so she decided to launch her own publishing company.

Gantt started by attending a beginner’s publishing class through LSUS Continuing Education, which laid the first brick in what would become William Madison Publishing, LLC, in 2021.

“One of the things I learned from that publishing class through (LSUS Continuing Education) – our writing is our business,” said Gantt, who paired that knowledge with other nuggets gleaned from her MBA. “One professor told us that entrepreneurship was the wave of the future, and he encouraged us to invest in ourselves and become business owners. 

“I never forgot that. The MBA program was pivotal for me because it helped me to understand the business side of a company. Understanding workplace culture, diversity in the workplace, business finances and customer service; I’ll use that knowledge in my publishing business for years to come.” 

EVOLVING AUTHOR

Gantt started her writing career in young children’s books like interactive and activity books.

Gantt, who is African-American, wanted characters that looked like her represented in her books.

Those titles gave way to books for children a bit older with titles like “Snowfall: A Snow Day Story” and “Glorious: A Child’s Special Prayer”.

Her most recent title is “Summer Reign” about a young Louisiana girl who has just finished school for the summer.

Gantt has also ventured into guided journals like 30-Day Prayer Journal for men and women and Church Service Notes: Trusting God’s Anointed Word.

“I have evolved as an author since starting out, and I get to tell little pieces of my story in the prayer journals,” Gantt said. “I’ve also began writing country music songs.

“I’m constantly trying to find new ways of expressing my creativity and telling stories. Song writing is poetry and storytelling, and country music especially is a genre that’s geared toward storytelling. I’m loving this new era.”

Gantt wrote the song “She Loves Me” for up and coming artist Brex Knox.

The mother of a three-year-old daughter says that it’s been surreal to watch her child interact with books she’s written.

“Everybody said I literally manifested being a mom because I was writing these books before she was born,” Gantt said. “Now that she’s here, it gives me so many more stories to tell.

“I can’t wait to write more now that I have a toddler to share her experiences and our experiences because there’s so much creativity that comes through a child’s voice and thoughts.”

AN ADDITIONAL PATH

Gantt began to meet with and educate the incarcerated in Caddo Parish.

She works with inmates housed in the Caddo Correctional Center that come from all over the region.

“To be a key figure in helping adults make life-altering decisions has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life,” Gantt said. “They have an opportunity to leave the jail and the system and do something different.

“Being able to share my story has the power to motivate and encourage individuals who thought there was no hope. They say they appreciate when they feel human, when we talk about there being more to life than what’s currently in front of them. I never thought I would or could be doing God’s work in this way.”

Gantt added that graduates should be open to following different paths than the ones clearly marked in front of them.

“Continue to live outside the box,” Gantt said. “There’s no limit to what you can do.”

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PHOTO CUTLINE: Crystal Gantt finished her MBA at LSUS despite a second diagnosis of brain tumors, which inspired her to chase her dream of being an author. Now Gantt is facing a third diagnosis, but she wants to share her experience and testimony to motivate others. She’ll deliver the commencement address at LSUS’s summer graduation Friday.

CREDIT: Graphic by Milan Bolden, photos are submitted

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The food and fun of National Night Out in Minden will take place from 6 until 8 p.m., Tuesday, September 22.

Hosting a block party, cookout, neighborhood gathering or another activity? Register your event with the City of Minden so we know where our community will be celebrating. Watch the Webster Parish Journal for a list of parties.

National Night Out is all about bringing neighbors together, building relationships and creating stronger, safer neighborhoods.

 Register your neighborhood event by September 18 and let’s celebrate together, Minden!

https://app.seemylegacy.com/community/2484/campaign/10613 .

The Town of Sibley will celebrate at the Town Hall Tuesday, October 13 from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Hot dogs and activities for the kids.

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Springhill Medical Center is holding an an Alzheimer’s/Dementia support group that brings together caregivers, family members, or individuals diagnosed with the disease to share personal experiences, exchange practical coping tips, and receive emotional backing in a safe, confidential environment. These groups are led by trained facilitators or healthcare professionals and meet in person or virtually.

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Written by Paige Gurgainers

Hearts & Halos: Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness is calling on local businesses, organizations and individuals to help put “Hope in Motion” by sponsoring its second annual Angel Baby Fun Run and Halo Fest.

The community event will be held Saturday, Oct. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Miller Quarters Park in Minden. Created as a day of remembrance, hope and healing, the event will honor babies gone too soon while supporting families affected by pregnancy and infant loss.

Sponsorships will help Hearts & Halos continue providing Healing Bags and Canvases, remembrance events, educational outreach and other forms of support for grieving families. Organizers hope community partners will recognize that their contributions represent more than financial support; they allow families to feel seen, remembered and surrounded by their community during some of life’s most difficult moments.

Local artist and community advocate Chris Broussard has already stepped forward as the event’s first Hope Sponsor.

Additional sponsors are now needed to help make this year’s event possible. Businesses, civic organizations, churches and individuals are encouraged to join Broussard in supporting the mission and helping Hearts & Halos expand its reach to more families.

The family-friendly Angel Baby Fun Run will take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and is open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Adult registration is required, while children ages 17 and younger may participate free of charge.

Following the run, Halo Fest will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will also be free for the public to attend. Activities will include local and food vendors, live music by DJ Derrick, cornhole and yard games, a pumpkin patch healing activity, community resources and a bubble release honoring angel babies.

Those interested in becoming a sponsor may contact Hearts & Halos: Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness through Facebook. Participants can register for the Fun Run at RunSignup through Sept. 18.

Together, the community can help ensure that every baby is remembered and every grieving family knows it does not have to walk alone.

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Fall is the perfect time to enjoy sweet potatoes, one of Louisiana’s most nutritious and versatile vegetables. Harvested from early August through mid-November, sweet potatoes are in season and readily available at their peak flavor and quality. Choosing locally grown sweet potatoes not only supports Louisiana farmers but also provides families with a fresh, affordable, and nutrient-rich food option.

Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients that support overall health. Their vibrant orange color comes from beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, an important nutrient for healthy vision, immune function, and skin health. Sweet potatoes also provide fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and other antioxidants that help support good health. The fiber in sweet potatoes promotes digestive health and helps you feel fuller longer, while their complex carbohydrates provide a steady source of energy throughout the day.

One of the many benefits of sweet potatoes is their versatility. They can be baked, roasted, mashed, added to soups and casseroles, or prepared as a healthier alternative to traditional French fries. Their naturally sweet flavor pairs well with a variety of herbs, spices, and seasonings, making them an easy addition to meals and snacks. Whether purchased from a local farmers market, grocery store, or harvested from your own garden, sweet potatoes are a delicious way to bring seasonal flavor and nutrition to the table. This fall favorite is packed with nutrients, easy to prepare, and a great choice for families looking to enjoy healthy, seasonal foods. Enjoy the simple and delicious sweet potato fries recipe below and make the most of sweet potato season.

Crispy Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries 

Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 10 minutes | Oven Cook Time: 30 minutes | Air Fryer Cook Time: 35 minutes

Sweet potatoes are a Louisiana commodity that can be turned into a low-fat, high fiber alternative to French fries. Use the oven or air fryer to crisp up your fries instead of a traditional deep fat fryer. Pair with our delicious sriracha sour cream dipping sauce for satisfying savory side dish. Follow the recipe below or watch LSU AgCenter nutrition & community health agent Layne Langley demonstrate how to make these mouthwatering sweet potato fries two different ways. For more information about healthy eating and active living, contact your local LSU AgCenter nutrition & community health agent.

Ingredients:

Sweet Potato Fries

• 2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 2 medium-large or 3 medium) 
• 1 tablespoon of cornstarch 
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 
• 1/2 teaspoon no-salt Creole seasoning 
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 

Sriracha Sour Cream Dipping Sauce

• 1 cup low-fat sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon no-salt
• Creole seasoning
• 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce or more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F with racks in the lower and upper third of the oven. (Top rack should be no closer than 6 inches from the heat source.) Line two large, rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper. 
2. Rinse and dry the sweet potatoes. Cut out soft or discolored spots. Leave the peel on and cut them into fry-shaped pieces, about 1/4 inch wide and 1/4 inch thick. 
3. Place cut fries into a large bowl. Sprinkle with cornstarch, garlic powder and no-salt Creole seasoning. Toss until the fries are lightly coated in powder. Drizzle the olive oil over the fries and toss until the fries are evenly coated and no powdery spots remain. 
4. Arrange half of the fries in a single layer on each sheet pan – don’t overcrowd the pan! Bake for 20 minutes then flip the fries and return the pans to the oven, swapping the positions (move pan that was on the top rack to the bottom rack and vice versa). 
5. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the fries are crispy. Sprinkle it with salt after the fries come out of the oven. 

Sriracha sour cream dipping sauce: Mix ingredients together and dip fries. 

Shakera Williams, M.P.H. is Assistant Nutrition Extension Agent- FCS for Webster/Claiborne parishes. Contact her at (318) 371-1371.)

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The 2026 statewide September teal hunting season begins Saturday (Sept. 19) and runs through Sept. 27, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced. Harvest of black-bellied whistling ducks, or species other than teal (blue-winged, green-winged and cinnamon) is not legal during the September teal season. Teal may also be harvested during the regular duck season, which begins in November.

All waterfowl hunters 16 years and older, even those who are not otherwise required to purchase a license, must have a Federal Duck Stamp. Go to the LDWF Federal Duck Stamp webpage for more information.

Those 18 and older hunting teal are required to have (in addition to a federal duck stamp) a basic hunting license, waterfowl license, and must be HIP certified. Youth 17 and under do not need a hunting license. To purchase a hunting license, go to the LDWF licensing webpage.

Many LDWF Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) throughout the state offer teal hunting opportunities. The most popular include: Pass-a-Loutre WMA, Atchafalaya Delta WMA, Pointe-aux-Chenes WMA, Sherburne WMA, Dewey Wills WMA and Russell Sage WMA. For a complete list of WMAs open to teal hunting and more information on WMA teal hunting, go to the LDWF Hunting Seasons and Regulations webpage.

All visitors to LDWF WMAs 18 years or older must have either a WMA Access Permit, Senior Hunting/Fishing License, Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License or Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License. Go to the LDWF WMA permit webpage for more information.

For more information on teal hunting in Louisiana, see the LDWF waterfowl webpage or contact Jason Olszak at jolszak@wlf.la.gov.

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The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Traffic Court Friday, September 18:

ADKINS, TREVOR JAMES
T144526 Failure to Use Safety Belt

ALEXANDER, TRUNIKA L
T144726 Speeding 25 & OVER
T144726A Improper Child Restraint
T144726B Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

ANDERSON, MARION ELIZABETH
T145226 Operating A Vehicle with an Expired License Plate

ANDERSON, MELISSA
T038023 Speeding 16-24 MPH
T038023A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

ASHLEY, FLOYD
T153026 Failure to Use Safety Belt

AVILA, LUIS JOSUE VASQUEZ
T145526 Improper Lane Usage
T145526A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License

BAKER, ABBI
T145726 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*GOOD ATT

BANKS, KENYON JAMAR
T146126 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

BATES, QUIENTAY MARQUARES
T146326 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

BAXTER, SHATORIA
T146726 Improper Child Restraint

BENDER, SHAQUEEN RENEE
T065125 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
T065125A Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License
Single vehicle crash

BENNETT, JOHN RANDALL
T035425 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

BEVANS- PUTMAN, MARKALIEN CHRISTINE
T146926 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*73/55

BOX, TIMOTHY MARK
T147026 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
T147026A No Insurance

BRIGHT, JAMES CREED
T147126 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*90/70

BURNS, BYRUSS JERREL
T282617 Failure to Use Safety Belt
T282617A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T282617B Operating A Vehicle with an Expired License Plate
*RCBW if present
BUTLER, SPECIAL
T147226 Failure to Use Safety Belt

CARR, BRIANNA MARIE
T147326 Operating A Vehicle With Improper Headlamps
T147326A Operating A Vehicle with an Expired License Plate

CHARLES, AUSTIN A
T147426 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T147426A Improper Turn And/Or Failure To Give Required Signal
T147426B Failure To Secure Registration

COILE, RANDALL SCOTT
T009326 Burnt Tail Light
T009326A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T009626B Making/Issuing/Using A False Certificate Of Inspection

COLE, RACHEL A.
T147526 Failure to Use Safety Belt

COOPER, LOUIS A
T147626 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
*CRASH

CRAWFORD, JAMAUL D
T087126 Improper Equipment (License Plate)

CROSBY, LAKEIA LASHAY
T147726 Improper Driving On A Divided Highway

DURHAM, DANNA JAYE
T147826 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*73/55

EASON, DORCCE COLEMAN
T147926 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*91/70

EVERS, JR, CHARLES WILLIAM
T035826 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

FAULK, ASHLEY NICOLE
T053526 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*68/55
T053526A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

FLORES, SAMANTHA MICHELLE
T087826 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

FLOURNOY, RAVI ANDRELAVERE
T031726 Failure to Use Safety Belt
T031726A Failure To Secure Registration

FORD, MEAGAN S.
T148026 Failure to Use Safety Belt

GANDY, RALPH
T148126 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

GARRISON, JACOB LEE
T148226 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*85/70 GOOD ATT

GARSEE, BRANDON W
T017122A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

GERMAN, ANGELA
T148426 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*GOOD ATT

GIBBS, WILFRED
T181726 Improper Turn And/Or Failure To Give Required Signal

GOLEMBECK, PAYTON ARLIE
T148526 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*92/70

GREEN, DARRIUM A
T148626 Failure to Use Safety Belt

HAMMONS, CHERI L
T148726 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
T148726A Operate Vehicle Without CDL

HARRIS, XIONA REALITY ELIZABETH
T148826 Speeding 25 & OVER
*86/55

HEFNER, MORGAN D.
T148926 Failure to Use Safety Belt

HELMS, JEFFERY
T149026 Operating A Vehicle Without Proper Required Equipment

HENDERSON, DERRICK DEWAYNE
T081826 Improper Driving Left Of Center

HILL, JR, CORNELIUS J
T149126 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*70/55

HILL, MALIK OLAJAJAUAN
T149226 Failure to Use Safety Belt
T149226A Operating A Vehicle Without Proper Required Equipment

HOLLIS, JALA E
T100226 Speeding 16-24 MPH

HOWARD, JR., BENNIE
T149326 Improper Turn

HUCKABEE, DENNY OBRIAN
T144026 Speeding 16-24 MPH
T144026A Improper Child Restraint

HUEY, TYMIKA D.
T149426 Failure to Use Safety Belt

JORDAN, SHAELYNN D
T149526 Speeding 25 & OVER

KELLY, ANDREW CARL
T149626 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*86/70

KELLY, HERBERT ALFRED
T149726 Failure to Use Safety Belt

KENYAN, SUSAN P
T149826 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*71/55

KETCHER, ELI GRANT
T149926 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*86/70

KINGSBY, DELANDRE BERNARD
T150026 Failure to Use Safety Belt

KIRKLAND, WILLIAM PEYTON
T150126 Failure to Use Safety Belt

LARSEN, SEAN KENNETH
T150226 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*70/55

LEYSE, SHAWN
T051926 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

MARKRAY, PAQUIRIA
T150326 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*72/55

MCCURTY, JACKENDRICK
T034424 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T034424A No Insurance

MCKAMIE, LADONNA ASHLEY
T150426 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*70/55

MESHELL, HOLLIE DIANNE
T150526 Speeding 11-15 MPH

MINIX, LATRAVION DEUNTREK
T049726 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

MONTGOMERY, ROY
T150626 Speeding 16-24 MPH

MOORE, CHASITY A
T150726 Operating A Vehicle with an Expired License Plate

MORRIS, TYDRICK
T181626 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*76/55

ONEAL, RENISE
T144326 Operating A Vehicle Without Proper Required Equipment
T144326A Operating A Vehicle Without Current Number Plates

PARSONS, PAIGE LEE
T050126 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
T050126A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
Single vehicle crash

PEEPLES, RUSTY W
T150826 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

PORTER, STEPHANIE Z
T150926 Speeding 25 & OVER
*98/70 GOOD ATT

QUARLES, SHARNICIA NICOLE
T151026 Failure To Secure Registration
T151026A Displaying/Possessing An Invalid Registration Certificate Or Registration Number Plate
*GOOD ATT

RISINGER, CELIA
T151126 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*86/70

ROBERTS, DESTINIE DAWN
T151226 Failure to Use Safety Belt
T151226A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

RUSSELL, BIANCA LYNN
T151326 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*70/55

SEELY, CHAD E
T151426 Failure to Use Safety Belt

SHANEYFELT, MEGAN ANN
T052426 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

SKIPPER, KEAGEN MABRY
T151526 Speeding 16-24 MPH
*87/70

SMITH, BRINIA
T151626 Failure To Secure Registration
T151626A No Drivers License On Person
*GOOD ATT

SMITH, LISA M
T151726 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*85/70

STERLING, JAKARONE
T151826 Operating a Vehicle Without a Driver’s License
*GOOD ATT

STEWART, JR., JAMES ANTHONY
T151926 Failure to Use Safety Belt

STRANGE, DAVID ANTHONY
T152026 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle
T152026A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

TAYLOR, JAMIE M.
T152126 Failure to Use Safety Belt

TAYLOR, NICHOLAS
T152226 Failure to Use Safety Belt
*GOOD ATT

THOMPSON, JAMES N
T152326 Failure to Use Safety Belt

VEGAQUINTERO, JORGE ENRIQUE
T152426 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*85/70

WALKER, JOSHUA JEROME
T069718 Speeding 11-15 MPH
T069718A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

WALKER, KIMBER K.
T077526 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T077526A Failure to Use Safety Belt

WEBB, ARNOLD JAMES
T152526 Failure To Obey A Signal Indicating Approach To Train

WEBB, SHANIYAH
T079826 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T079826 Speeding 11-15 MPH

WEBB, SHANIYAH
T079726 Speeding 11-15 MPH
T079726 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

WHITLEY, ROBERT L
T152626 Failure to Use Safety Belt
*GOOD ATT

WILLIAMS, LATAVIA FAITH
T152726 Failure to Use Safety Belt

WRIGHT, AARON DEMON
T152826 Failure to Use Safety Belt

ZAPATA, JEANNE TYLER
T152926 Speeding 11-15 MPH
*70/55

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Convicted armed robber escapes Caddo sheriff custody after medical visit

A man convicted of armed robbery and suspected of two murders escaped from Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office custody late Monday after a medical visit in Shreveport. The CPSO immediately launched a search. The escapee is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office immediately or call 911.

Benefit concert planned for Boston Pace

A benefit concert for 7-year-old Boston Pace, who has a mass on his brain, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 3- 9 pm at the Lagniappe Event Center in Alexandria featuring country and Southern music performers from Louisiana, Texas and Nashville. Tickets for the benefit concert are $25 for general admission. Doors open at 2 p.m., with the concert scheduled from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Lagniappe Event Center, 7521 Coliseum Blvd. in Alexandria. Tickets will be available online and at the door. Online tickets are available through Eventbrite at Eventbrite.

Troopers investigating fatal two-vehicle crash in Bossier Parish

Troopers from Louisiana State Police Troop G responded to a two-vehicle crash on Sept. 15 around 4:15 am on Interstate 20 west of Louisiana Highway 157. The crash claimed the life of a 35-year-old man from Bossier City.The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2006 Honda Civic was traveling west on Interstate 20. For reasons still under investigation, the Honda exited the roadway, collided with a guardrail, reentered the roadway, and subsequently collided with a westbound 18-wheeler.The driver, who was restrained at the time of the crash, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the 18-wheeler was properly restrained and sustained no injuries. Impairment is not suspected; however, standard toxicology samples were taken and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

23 defendants receive 293 years in prison in Claiborne Parish drug trafficking case

On September 8, 2026, Jesse Thomas of Haynesville, Louisiana, became the last of 23 RICO defendants to plead guilty as charged to the crime of racketeering for his involvement in a drug trafficking organization that had operated in Claiborne Parish since 2018. Thomas’s guilty plea followed pleas from 22 other co-conspirators, including Demontre Robinson, Dedarian Robinson, Ashley Morgan, Cheryl Bragg, John Michael Jackson, Corey Scott, Jelisha Warren, Demond Maddox, Nicholas Willis, Falante Hill, O’rillian Guidry (of Los Angeles, California), Deonte Frazier, Derrick Bradford, Rontrell Sturdivant, Dexter Washington, Georgerick Coleman, Fernando Grider, Rick Jones, Jr., Yul McGee, Alonzo Jackson, Jamie Rockett, and Donnell Mitchell. The 23 RICO defendants received an aggregate total of 293 years of jail time for their crimes, and a major drug ring has been taken off the streets of Claiborne Parish.

Two men killed in execution-style shooting on Mansfield Road; suspect vehicle sought

The Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office has identified the two men killed in a double homicide in the 6500 block of Mansfield Road in southwest Shreveport early Saturday morning as LaJames Smith, 31, and David Young, 26. Officers responded around 12:09 a.m. Saturday to reports of a shooting and found a vehicle that had crashed into a building with both men suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. They were transported to Ochsner LSU Health, where they were pronounced dead. Video from the Real Time Crime Center showed the victims’ vehicle traveling at high speed before crashing. About 40 seconds after the crash, a suspect vehicle arrived, and an unidentified person got out and fired multiple rounds into the crashed vehicle before fleeing. Smith and Young’s deaths are Shreveport’s 31st and 32nd homicides of 2026. A gray SUV is sought in connection with the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact Shreveport-Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373.

Investigators make second arrest in insurance fraud investigation

CALDWELL PARISH – Louisiana State Fire Marshal (SFM) investigators yesterday arrested 39-year-old Kandi Barnett of Columbia in connection to an insurance fraud scheme involving a residential fire in Columbia in June. She is charged with one count of Insurance Fraud. Barnett is the second person implicated in the crime. Last month, on August 24, 2026, SFM investigators arrested 64-year-old Cynthia Lisenby of Columbia and charged her with one count of Insurance Fraud. Investigators determined Barnett and Lisenby were part of an insurance fraud scheme in connection with the house fire.

Shreveport man convicted of raping juvenile relative; sentenced to life

A Shreveport man has been convicted of raping a juvenile relative and sentenced to life in prison by a Caddo Parish judge. Additional details on the defendant’s identity and specific charges are expected from the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office as the court record becomes publicly available.

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Thursday

Sunny and hot, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 102. Calm wind becoming east around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 72. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Friday

Sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph.

Friday Night

Clear, with a low around 72.

Saturday

Sunny and hot, with a high near 98.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 72.

*Information provided by National Weather Service.

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

First Saturday of every month

4:30 p.m. (dinner at 6 p.m.) Pine Grove Methodist Church – on Lewisville Road (Hwy 159) in Minden – hosts a Music Circle.  Please bring your instrument and sit in for a good ol’ spirit-filled gospel time. Contact Randy Rogers at 318-268-0132 for more information.”

September 17

7:45 a.m. Coffee with the Candidates, Webster Parish Council on Aging, 1482 Sheppard St., Minden.

6 until 8 p.m., Webster Parish Men of Courage, Minden Civic Center, The evening features a free meal, live worship, and an inspirational message from guest speaker Antonio Crow—a former NFL player and Louisiana Tech alumnus.

September 23

10 a.m. The Columns of Germantown will host a free Elder Fraud Prevention Presentation. The event is open to residents, families and members of the public.

September 24

2 until 3 p.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group, MMC cafeteria. Minden.

October 3

9 a.m. until … Sarepta High School “Celebration of Friends,” 210 Vines Street, Sarepta. Contact Information: Betty Coile Shows, 318-678-3900 or bcoile66.shsfriends@yahoo.com or Janet Gray Reeves, 318-847-4270 or text to 318-578-3053.

9:30 a.m. The Webster Parish Veterans Safety Net invites all veterans to join us for coffee and fellowship at Huffman Manor, 1114 Broadway in Minden. These gatherings are held on the first Saturday of every month. Every veteran is encouraged to attend when possible, as you may be the listening ear, source of encouragement, or friendly conversation that a fellow veteran needs.

October 10

8:30 until 10 a.m. 2nd Annual Angel Baby Fun Run

Halo Fest: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (free to the public) Halo Fest,Miller Quarters Park 198 Gleason Street Minden, hosted by Hearts & Halos: Infant and Pregnancy Loss Awareness. Fun Run Registration: https://runsignup.com/Race/LA/Minden/AngelBaby2KRunWalkAndFundraisingEvent

November 7

10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Mission Adoption Bazaar, Craft, Makers Fair, Bake and Casserole Sale, Silent Auction and Lunch 

First Baptist Church, Family and Community Life Center, Minden. 

All proceeds go to participating families adopting and/or fostering.

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Word of the Day: Shofar

Phonetic: /SHOH-far/
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition

the horn of a ruminant animal and usually a ram blown as a trumpet by the ancient Hebrews in battle and during religious observances and used in modern Judaism especially during Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur
The holiday ends when the shofar, a musical instrument made from a ram’s horn or another animal, is blown.

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The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Friday, September 18:

BROWN, JATERRICK DUANE
100549 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)

BROWN, JEWEL
100552 Introducing Contraband Into Or Upon The Grounds Of Any State Correctional Institution

COX, TYKYAI
100600 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

DOSTER, ZACKARY LOGAN KADE
98327 CT 1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
98327 CT 2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

DOSTER, ZACKARY LOGAN KADE
98526 Aggravated Flight From An Officer Where Human Life Is Endangered

DUCK, JEFFERY EARL
100441 Theft Under $1,000

EVANS, SHANA L
100391 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or
Controlled Dangerous Substance

FANTINI, JENNIFER REKO
100536A Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

FISK, NAKITIA ILENE
100330 Resisting An Officer With Force Or Violence
100330A Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

GIDDINGS, BARBARA BASHAM
INCOMING Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
INCOMING Possession of Drug Paraphernalia – First Offense

GIVENS, JR, MARCUS LEVERON
100424 Gross Littering

GORDON, JOHN AUSTIN
99874 Aggravated Assault

GREEN, SHANAYA LYNTRICE
100425 Aggravated Battery

GUILLORY, AMBER M
100321 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

HARRIS, JAMIE G
99820 CT. 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
99820 CT. 2 Failure To Dim Lights – Oncoming

HARRIS, SERDERRICK VIDALE
100431 Simple Burglary

HAYES, GIOVANNI DELICIOUS
100399 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or
Controlled Dangerous Substance

HAYES, GIOVANNI DELICIOUS
100399 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or
Controlled Dangerous Substance

HICKS, GARRY LUKE
100597 CT 1 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense
100597 CT 2 Improper Lane Usage
100597 CT 3 Possession Of Alcoholic Beverages In Motor Vehicles
100597 CT 4 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

JACKSON, ANTHONY B.
100557 Gross Littering

JAMES, JOHN WILLARD
100307 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or
Controlled Dangerous Substance

JETER, BRANDON LAMAR
100430 Operating A Vehicle While Intoxicated – First Offense

JOHNSON, MICHAEL RAY
100385 CT 1 Simple Criminal Damage To Property Under $1,000
Restitution- $100, plus $15 fee = $115 total

JOHNSON, TYREAK ANTONIO
99304 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense – Victim Pregnant
99304A Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

LEWIS, JR., EDGEL DAVID
99713 CT 1 Criminal Mischief
99713 CT 2 Resisting An Officer
99713 CT 3 Disturbing The Peace
99713 CT 4 Resisting An Officer

MCDAY, SR, JOSEPH NATHANIEL
100531 CT 1 Possession of a CDS I Marijuana (Fourteen Grams or Less)
100531 CT 2 Careless Operation of a Motor Vehicle

MILLER, DAIMALIK
100484 Simple Robbery

MILLER, ZACHERY L.
99998 First Degree Rape

MURPHY, STUART LAWSON
100373 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)

PRICE, MARIAH
100394 CT 1 Simple Battery
100394 CT 2 Simple Battery

ROSE, CORA LEE
100374 CT 1 Resisting An Officer
100374 CT 2 Failure to Use Safety Belt

SHINE, SHEDERRICK TYRELL
100520 CT 1 Attempted Carjacking
100520 CT 2 Simple Burglary
100520 CT 3 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon

SIMS, MARLICIA W.
100112 Domestic Abuse Battery – 1st Offense

SNEED, CHARLES CONWAY
100019 Simple Burglary

STRIPLIN, CHARLES BRUCE
100582-CT.1 Theft Under $1,000
100582-CT.2 Violation Of Protective Order

VARNADO, SAMUEL WILLIAM
100382 Unauthorized Entry Of An Inhabited Dwelling

WASHINGTON, ANGELA
97148 CT 1 Second Degree Murder
97148 CT 2 Obstruction of Justice by Tampering with Evidence
*WPJ OC 6/26 Trial 1/11

WASHINGTON, DEMARCUS S.
100595 Introducing Contraband Into Or Upon The Grounds Of Any State Correctional Institution

WHITE, ANDREW JAMES
99689 Obstruction Of Justice

WILLIS, ARTAVIA S.
100486 Cruelty To Juveniles

WILSON, BRADLEY MANNING
100151 Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault

WORTHAM, XZAVIER
100564 Theft Under $1,000

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Shannon Lee Beatty Thornton
September 19, 1968 — September 12, 2026
Minden/Haughton
No services or memorials planned.

Bobbie Jean Brady Easley
March 25, 1942 – September 16, 2026
Springhill
Visitation: 1 until 3 p.m. Saturday, September,ber 19, Oak Hill Baptist Church, Plain Dealing.
Funeral service: 3 p.m., immediately following visitation.
Burial: Hamiter Cemetery, Plain Dealing, under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Robert L. Montgomery
January 11, 1940 — September 10, 2026
Minden
Private family memorial at a later date.

Jimmy Wayne Hudnall
November 13, 1946 – September 12, 2026
Sarepta
Visitation: 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2026, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.
Funeral service: 1 p.m., immediately following visitation.
Burial: Welcome Cemetery, Taylor, Ark.

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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Written by Pat Culverhouse

In a move that appeared to catch members of the parish school board by surprise Monday, Webster Parish Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland announced his retirement effective December 20.

“The greatest thing I’ve ever done in my personal life is serve in this role,” an emotional Rowland told board members. “It has been the most special thing I have done in my professional and personal life.”

Rowland has served more than 30 years in the parish school system as teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal. He  has been Superintendent for the past 10 years.

“It’s time,” he said. “I’ve loved working with this board, but I don’t know just how much is left in the tank. I’ve made mistakes, but my intent has always been to help the students, teachers and employees.”

Following his announcement, board members amended the agenda and voted to officially accept Rowland’s retirement effective Dec. 20 and to advertise and accept applications for Superintendent.

During Monday’s meeting, board members also:

• Recognized Freddie Nolan, Jr., custodian at Phillips Elementary, as September’s Employee of the Month.
• Gave recognition to eight student/resident teachers serving the parish for the 2026-27 school year.
• Approved the 2026-27 pupil progression plan.
• Approved a trip to New York City March 8-12 for Expanding Horizons students in grades 12-9. Funding source is Gifted and Talented allocated state funds, and students will be responsible for a portion of the cost.
• Gave approval for Lakeside Travel Club to visit the Fort Worth Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas, Oct. 9-10. 
• Approved various funds in the fiscal year 2026-27 budgets.
• Approved plan to move pre-K class from J.A. Phillips to J.L. Jones for the 2027-28 school term.

School board members also approved, in globo, $630,789.15 in invoice payments from the various district maintenance and sales tax funds. Those included:

• Consolidated Dist. 3 Maintenance Fund: $53,384.41. Payments include $13,953.04 for installing new security cameras at Central Elementary; $10,720 to purchase iReady Math plus Toolbox for Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $6,075.54 to replace condenser unit on walk-in cooler at Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $5,506.70 to install wireless capabilities at Lakeside Jr/Sr High football field.

• District 6 One-half cent Sales Tax Fund: $436,474.34. Major payments include $78,700 for one-year contract with Johnson Controls for A/C and heat at Minden High; $69,700 to purchase150 Chromebooks for Richardson Elementary; $55,760.40 to purchase120 Chromebooks for Minden High School; $54,000 to replace rotten 24” pipe track field at Minden High; $33,900 to prep and paint entire kitchen area plus epoxy floors in kitchen, bathrooms, storage and handwashing area at J.L. Jones Elementary; $28,120 for extensive repair, maintenance and installation at Richardson Elementary; $23,290 to install exterior lighting at various locations at Richardson Elementary; $17,105.70 to purchase10 laptops for Richardson Elementary; $11,359 to purchase zero turn mower for Minden High.

• Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund: $2,110.90. Payments were $1,315.30 for annual inspections fire alarm system at North Webster Upper Elementary and $795.60 for fire alarm repair at North Webster Upper Elementary. 

• Doyline Maintenance Fund: $79,496.05. Included in payments was $69,525.15 to purchase five laptops and 130 Chromebooks for Doyline High; $4,079.30 to purchase new student ID printing software for Doyline High.

• Sarepta Maintenance Fund: $19,018.50

Payments made were $15,181.92 to replace existing fire alarm system at North Webster Jr. High; $3,211.58 for adding security cameras at North Webster Jr. High; $625 to replace condenser fan motor at North Webster Jr. High.

• Shongaloo Building Fund: $555.30 to repair fire alarm system at North Webster Lower Elementary. 

• Springhill Maintenance Fund: $39,749.65.

Payments include $24,872.99 for replacing sound system at North Webster High gymnasium; $9,242.66 to install new refrigeration for walk-in cooler at Browning Elementary; $2,790 to refinish gymnasium floor at North Webster High.

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