Webster Parish schools will remain closed Wednesday, Jan. 28, according to an announcement by Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland.
A decision on whether or not schools will remain closed Thursday will be made Wednesday afternoon.
Glenbrook School will also remain closed Wednesday.
By Tiffany Flournoy
HOMER, La. (DWCC) — At David Wade Correctional Center, inmates aren’t just serving time—they’re building hope and transformation. Behind barbed wire, cyclone fences, and cinderblock walls, they are turning their skills into service, crafting a life-sized play fort and furniture that benefits children while helping them discover purpose and redemption.
The woodlands-themed fort, labeled “Fort Warrior,” includes shelves a sitting area with chairs and a sportsman-themed table, bunk beds with wood-burned designs, a full-size bookshelf with a hidden compartment, and a short stairwell — all handcrafted by inmates. A hand-painted backdrop completes the interior, while the exterior displays the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital logo.
It will be donated to the Minden St. Jude fundraiser and auctioned during its annual event Feb. 5–8 at the Minden Civic Center, which is open to the public.
“When an inmate gives specifically to St. Jude, they see that their work is for the greater good,” Warden Michele Dauzat said. “It gives them a sense of purpose and helps develop empathy—for their victims and for people going through difficult times—showing how actions, positive or negative, can affect the community.”
Assistant Warden Ryan Kimball said inmates with skills in carpentry, leatherwork, and art were assigned projects for the auction, including Fort Warrior. He noted that the offender population is contributing in a variety of ways—from rocking chairs to portraits and leatherwork. Kimball said the fort honors young cancer patients as real warriors and that this is the first year the program has fully taken shape.
“We don’t minimize the severity of the crimes these individuals have committed,” Kimball said. “But we do try to create opportunities for them to give back. Doing something positive—even something small—brings a sense of purpose. This program allows them to contribute to their community, even from inside a prison.”
Inmates described the project as a rare chance to give back, reclaim purpose, and support one another through collaborative work.
Dauzat said she has seen inmates grow more aware of how they can contribute to society.
“They don’t have many ways to give back and kind of make up for the wrongdoings that they did to their victims,” she said.
Projects like the St. Jude fundraiser give inmates a way to serve the community while incarcerated, preparing them for productive roles and benefiting both themselves and the community when they return home.
Built entirely by inmates, Fort Warrior rises as a bridge from confinement to compassion, with auction proceeds delivering hope and care to sick children.
Failure to scan numerous items at the self checkout section at a local discount store has checked a Homer woman into the parish jail on a theft charge.
Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said 45-year-old Tomun Burns was arrested just after 9:30 p.m. Friday at Walmart. She is charged with misdemeanor theft and also on a pair of bench warrants through the Minden police department.
She is currently being held in the parish jail under a $650 cash bond.
Police reportedly were called to the store by loss prevention officers after security footage showed Burns allegedly failing to scan items while using the self checkout. After reviewing the footage, Burns reportedly admitted she failed to scan between 30 and 40 items.
A further check showed Burns allegedly failed to scan 73 items which included various miscellaneous food items and children’s toys, totaling $533.58.
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.
A three-day accumulation of ice combined with sub-freezing temperatures has resulted in the temporary closure of problem areas on city streets.
Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said East Union at Ewell St. to Sheppard St., and Sheppard St. at the intersection with Fincher Rd. are closed to traffic until further notice.
“We’re seeing a lot of stalled vehicles and those areas are being closed,” McIver said.
McIver said other city streets are also hazardous and he’s advising the public to remain off the roads unless travel is absolutely necessary.
The following roads closed over the weekend:
1. Bayou Avenue (High Street to Miller Street)
2.Fort Street (Hardy to Britt Street )
3. Miller Street ( Main Street to 290 Miller Street))
4. Goodwill ( Pine Street to Bayou Average)
5. Recreation Drive
Tuesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 41. Wind chill values as low as 10. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Calm wind.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Calm wind.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Thursday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45.
Thursday Night
A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27.
*Information provided by National Weather Service.
Minden put three players in doubles figures but it wasn’t enough as the Tide fell 73-62 to the Woodlawn Knights in a District 1-4A contest Thursday in Shreveport.
After taking a 20-14 lead in the first quarter, the Tide saw Woodlawn come roaring back in the second stanza to claim a 39-34 halftime lead. Minden pulled to within four after three quarters, but Woodlawn outscored the Tide by seven in the final quarter to ice the game.
Cameron Parker led Tide scorers with 22 points followed by Gerald Richardson with 12 and Markavius Johnson’s 10.
Woodlawn was led by Cotton’s 24 points, White had 20 and Burks added 12.
Minden saw its season record drop to 9-7 (1-1 in district) while Woodlawn improved to 12-7 (2-0 1-4A).
Next action for the Tide comes Tuesday (weather permitting) with a pair of district contests at Loyola. Girls’ play begins at 6 p.m. followed by a 7:30 boys’ match.
North DeSoto will come calling at Tide gym Friday, Jan.30 with a 6 p.m. girls’ contest and boys’ action at 7:30.
A busy week for the Tide boys continues Saturday, Jan. 31 against Evangel at Homer as part of the Jordan Shelton Classic.
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is confirming two winter storm-related deaths in Caddo Parish and one in DeSoto. Two Caddo men died due to hypothermia, and their ages are unknown. Both deaths were confirmed by the parish coroner as storm-related. No further information about these deaths will be released.
Nothing more is known about the person in DeSoto Parish.
During extreme winter weather, LDH urges residents to stay safe:
Warming Centers
For a list of warming centers in your area, or to contact your local Office of Emergency Preparedness (OEP), visit getagameplan.org.
Heating safety
Ensure that you have a working smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector.
Have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it.
Ensure your heating system has been properly serviced and is clean, functioning correctly, and properly ventilated to the exterior. If you use a fireplace or chimney, have them inspected and cleaned as well.
Do not use gas or electric ovens or stoves for heating. Gas ovens may go out or burn inefficiently, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning. Electric ovens are not designed for space heating.
Do not burn outdoor barbecue materials indoors, even in a fireplace.
Plug space heaters directly into the wall socket, not into extension cords. Do not use the heater if the cords are frayed or splitting.
Place space heaters 3 to 5 feet away from bedding or other flammable materials.
Never allow children to play with or around the heater.
Unplug the heater when not in use.
Never leave the heater unattended.
Generator safety
Never use portable generators indoors. This includes a garage, carport, basement, crawl space, or other enclosed or partially enclosed area, even those with ventilation.
Gas-powered generators produce carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colorless. Inhaling carbon monoxide can very quickly lead to full incapacitation or death.
Opening windows or doors or using fans will not prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide.
If you start to feel sick, dizzy or weak while using a generator, get to fresh air immediately.
Place generators outside, more than 20 feet away from the home, doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors. Do not refuel when hot.
Keep the generator dry and do not use it in wet conditions.
BBQ grill safety
Never use charcoal grills, propane grills, or portable gas camp stoves indoors, in a garage, or on a screened-in porch.
Grills produce high levels of carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless, and deadly gas.
If using a grill outdoors, position the grill in a well-ventilated, outdoor, sheltered area away from snow, ice, and most importantly, away from siding or flammable materials.
Alcohol and hypothermia
Alcohol consumption can increase the risk of hypothermia both physiologically and through impaired decision-making. It causes blood vessels to dilate (vasodilation), making the skin feel warm while increasing heat loss.
Alcohol also:
Reduces the shivering response, which is the body’s natural way of producing heat, keeping the body warm.
Causes our brainstem to lower our core body temperature.
Impairs judgment, which can lead to risky behaviors such as not dressing appropriately in very cold weather and not responding appropriately to signs of hypothermia such as shivering, slurred speech, or mumbling.
Drink responsibly and limit the amount of time you spend outside when the temperature is near or below freezing.
Additional tips
Wear warm clothes and go to a public place like a library, recreation center, or mall for temporary relief.
Protect outdoor pipes, bring in plants or pets, and take other necessary precautions.
Glenbrook School will crown its newest Apache Princes at 7 p.m. Saturday, January 31, at the Minden Civic Center. Tickets are not sold in advance; they are $10 at the door.
This year, there area 20 Apache Princess Pageant contestants.Front row, Left to right: Amelia Lott, Chloe Gregg, Mollie Thurman, Kynzie Smith, Layla Campbell, Addison Chanler, Ellie Earnhardt
Back row, left to right: Myla Hubbard, Aynslea Maus, Ella Durden, Kyla Whitt, Gracie Heard, Yasmin Carvalho, Landry Edwards, Lela Margaret Miller, Emma Horton, Piper Mandino, Anna Garner, Grace Dennin, Agostina Renzi . Photo by Emily Glasscock.
Piney Hills Louisiana Master Gardeners presents the 2026 annual Buds & Blooms from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, February 28 at First Methodist Church, 903 Broadway, Minden.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; admission is $15 and proceeds are used for 4-H Youth Gardening Projects and Scholarships.
There will be three speakers: John Michael Kelly – Wild Flowers, Dalorie Moller – Lasagna Gardening and Mitzi Thomas – Fertilizers and Pesticides.
Potted bulbs for sale, great food, door prizes and a raffle.
For information call 318-371-1371 or 318-245-0329 or visit www.phlmg.com .
Because there has been so much discussion lately regarding the importance of Greenland to U.S. national security, I wanted to address the topic.
Greenland is critical to U.S. national security because of its strategic Arctic location wherein it basically acts as a northern shield for North America. This includes housing crucial early-warning missile detection systems and, more broadly, offering a buffer to Chinese and Russian influence.
Greenland also provides for monitoring of the GIUK Gap, protects key shipping routes, and provides access to rare earth minerals, which are critical for technological and defense applications that are currently dominated by Chinese production. The GIUK Gap (Greenland-Iceland-United Kingdom) is a maritime bottleneck in the North Atlantic, with Greenland as its Western anchor. It serves as a strategic corridor to monitor and restrict Russian Northern Fleet submarines and ships moving from the Arctic to the Atlantic.
Specifically, the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) in northwest Greenland hosts complex radar systems for missile defense, surveillance, and space control, providing early warning for North America against potential missile attacks. Further, because Greenland is located at the intersection of North America, Europe, and the Arctic, Greenland is crucially important for projecting power and controlling key air and sea routes, including Arctic shipping lanes.
The Monroe Doctrine again plays a role here: with growing Arctic competition, the U.S. should seek to prevent China and Russia from establishing a beachhead, which could threaten the security of North America.
Greenland has a population of approximately 56,000–57,000 people. The population is primarily Inuit (roughly 89% Greenlandic Inuit/Kalaallit), with about 7–11% of residents being of Danish or other European descent. The population is stable with low growth and urban. The capital, Nuuk, has over 19,000 residents, representing about 35% of the total population. Greenlandic is the official language, with Danish and English also widely used. Evangelical Lutheran, with traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs, are a prominent part of the religious tradition.
The country, heavily influenced by the Arctic environment, is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, featuring a socially liberal if heavily taxed (personal income tax rates up to 44%) society with free education and healthcare.
I note that “after the German invasion of Denmark in 1940, the U.S. quickly deployed forces to protect Greenland from Nazi Germany. Since then, the U.S. has maintained a military presence on the island. In 1946, the U.S. tried, unsuccessfully, to buy the entire island from Denmark for $100 million. The U.S. was, however, granted long-term access to important military sites. (L. Coffey, The Heritage Foundation, May 3, 2019). The Heritage Foundation further observes that, “Greenland is in America’s backyard and a critical part of America’s security architecture. A U.S. consulate would demonstrate that the U.S. takes Greenland at a level of seriousness proportionate to its role in America’s security.”
In addition, “the Arctic region is becoming increasingly important for the U.S. It is only a matter of time before China opens a consulate in Greenland. Other Nordic countries already have expressed an interest in doing so. The U.S. should not be left behind.” In fact, “it’s also only a matter of time before Greenland becomes independent, so the U.S. should establish a diplomatic presence now. It would give the U.S. government a depth of situational awareness not possible without a consulate.” (The Heritage Foundation.)
However, to state the military and strategic importance of Greenland is to overlook its economic importance. Control over Arctic access will likely dictate global trade for decades. Allowing Russia or China to set the terms of Arctic commerce would be a grave error with harsh consequences.
Further, according to the New York Times, the Trump Framework for Greenland includes a ‘sovereignty’ agreement to enhance US and NATO security that would give the United States greater control over the land than it currently exerts over U.S. embassy sites, and other critical pockets of new territory. ‘Mr. Trump … has said that territory in Greenland could prove important for his plans to build a Golden Dome missile defense system for the United States, which could include components stationed in Greenland.”
However it plays out, the U.S. cannot afford indecision or inaction. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has stated several times that the United States seeks to purchase Greenland through negotiation, not force. Rubio envisions a peaceful territorial transfer, conducted in an open and transparent manner and in a way that benefits both countries. That is simply great diplomacy. The U.S. should take action now.
(Shreveport attorney, Royal Alexander, worked in D.C. in the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 8 years for two different Members of Congress from Louisiana. He has witnessed up close several Speaker races. He can be reached at RoyalAlexanderlawfirm@gmail.com .)
Send non-profit calendar events to wpjnewsla@gmail.com .
Jan. 31
UPDATE: 8 a.m. until noon, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Scholarship Program Tree Sale, 216 B Broadway St., Minden. Call 318-377-3950 ex. 3.
2 p.m., 28th Annual Minden Mardi Gras Fasching Parade.
RESCHEDULE: 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. LaMa Animal Rescue’s Mardi Paws Game Night. Springhill Civic Center, 101 Machen Dr., Springhill. Special Pre-game performance by Mike Spillers as Elvis, BINGO, games, Mardi Gras, Costume Contest, door prizes and raffles
Feb. 5 through 8
Champions for a Cure, Minden St. Jude.
Feb. 7
4 p.m. Bring your instrument and join us at Pine Grove’s Music Circle. Food served at 6 p.m.
Feb. 8
8 a.m. Pine Grove M.. Community Prayer Breakfast, 4549 Lewisville Rd., Minden.
Feb. 28
8:30 a.m. Buds & Blooms, First Methodist Church, Minden, sponsored by Piney Hills La Master Gardeners.
March 10
Deadline to sponsor 2026 Springhill, North Webster Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Email chamber@springhillla.com . Tickets go on sale April 1.
March 20
7 p.m., Malpass Brothers Show, CAC building, Springhill. Tickets are $ 25.00 for general admission and $ 30.00 for reserved seats. You can purchase tickets at Express Tax Title & License at 101 N Main Street or call (318) 539-2750.
March 24
7 p.m. 84th Annual Greater Minden Chamber Awards Gala. Minden Civic Center, Minden, La. Tickets: greatermindenchamber.com/awardsgala.
April 1-April 9
2026 Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Springhill, North Webster. Tickets: chamber@springhillla.com .
Ronald Lee Graham
February 9, 1945 – January 21, 2026
Springhill
Private memorial service to be held at a later date.
Melba Louise Scarborough
February 16, 1939 – January 21, 2026
Springhill
No services at this time. Contact Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.
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.)
By Bonnie Culverhouse
As of mid-morning, the world was white in Webster Parish but still lit up by power.
Minden Mayor Nick Cox said that “considering everything,” things were going quite well.
“Our power has held; we had one little isolated outage because a tree trimmer clipped it with his truck,” Cox said. “The lines have a little accumulation, but they have no strain.The trees look fine. We’re in really good shape for the moment.”
Cox and Public Service Director Tyler Wallace were riding Minden’s streets around 10:30 a.m.
“We’re checking for problems, obviously, but the police are about the only people you’ll see out,” he added.
Cox said he doesn’t believe the storm was “underrated” in any way and “we’ve been blessed so far.”
City trucks have been out every day with sand and salt; however, the mayor believes it’s still best for people to stay home.
In Minden, the following streets are closed due to dangerous driving conditions:
1. Bayou Avenue (High Street to Miller Street)
2.Fort Street (Hardy to Britt Street )
3. Miller Street ( Main Street to 290 Miller Street))
4. Goodwill ( Pine Street to Bayou Average)
5. Recreation Drive
Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday, as will many businesses, including Minden City Hall.
Minden has opened a warming center at the Forestry Building by the Webster Parish Fairgrounds, 800 Goodwill Street.
This is a warming center only (no food will be provided). The Minden Police Department will provide 24/7 security.
“If we need it, we will open another one,” said the mayor, “but right now I believe there are only three persons there.”
Details and forecast for weather
By Jerry Strahan
Let’s start out with January 24. Springhill had a low temperature of 23 degrees F. Minden had a low of 26 F. Springhill had a high of 25 F and Minden was at 30 F.
This was due to the powerful arctic blast coming through Webster Parish. At around 7 a.m., the first hint of winter precipitation was a couple of snow flurries and some sleet.
All of the information was pointing to a serious ice storm. I am so glad we didn’t get that amount of freezing rain.
Speaking of freezing rain, rain doesn’t fall as freezing rain, it’s freezing rain when sticks to items, high lines, trees etc.
I check my rain gauge every 24 hours ending at 7 a.m.
I use the old fashioned way to get a measurable precipitation.
In Springhill, I recorded 1.18 inches of rain. Calculate that, it comes to roughly 2.55 inches on the ground.
Did get out your cold weather gear? This coming week is going to feel like Siberia.
The lows will be from 10 F to 14 F. The highs will struggle to reach the upper 20s and 30s.
I will keep an eye on the upcoming week and I’ll let y’all know what to expect.
Webster Parish Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland has issued the following statement concerning closure of parish schools and facilities:
“All Webster Parish campuses and office buildings will be closed on Monday, Jan. 26 due to expected dangerous roads and power outages that are forecast for our area.
“We will evaluate the status for Tuesday, Jan. 27, on Monday afternoon. This message will be sent out district wide at 4 p.m. today (Friday, Jan. 23).
“All Region 7 school systems are following this same protocol. As always, we will be in constant communication with the office of Homeland Security.
“Thank you, and please stay safe and warm.”
Johnny Rowland, Jr., Superintendent
Glenbrook officials also released a similar statement, saying the school will be closed Monday, and they will continue to closely monitor wether forecasts and road conditions. Watch Webster Parish Journal for updates.
A major update to our weather report is we are now under an ice storm warning … looking at ice accumulation of .50 to 1 inch.
The following is Information on the expected severe winter weather event received by the Webster Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Continue to see moderate to major threats to roadways and infrastructure around and north of I-20. There are a few changes and they are not for the better. The main takeaways are:
• Moderate chance of impacts to roadways and infrastructure have increased (50-80 percent chance) and major impacts (40-60 percent chance).
• The Winter Storm Watch was upgraded Thursday to a Winter Storm Warning from Friday evening through Sunday morning for I-20 and north.
• Upgraded to Major Risk for snow/ice/sleet for Sunday and Monday and added an Elevated Risk for Sunday due to impacts from prior accumulation continuing.
• Monday will have temperatures and wind chills at zero or below.
Timing for transition to wintry precipitation has been moved to a little later Friday night into early • Saturday morning. Impacts to roadways and infrastructure should begin by mid-day Saturday into the afternoon.
The probability of our area seeing greater than 1inch of freezing rain is between 30-45 percent.
The expected accumulations have increased to between .87 inch and .97 inch of ice and snow has decreased to 1 inch expected accumulation through Sunday.
The accumulation for power lines has increased to between .33 inch and .4 inch near I-20.
Still expecting up to 80 hours of below freezing temperatures.
Impacts from the expected winter weather will be significant with roadways likely impassible, widespread power outages and extensive tree damages. Expected winds can exacerbate these impacts.
By Pat Culverhouse
A Texas man is currently in custody after he allegedly stabbed his employer late Wednesday during a confrontation at a local motel.
Minden Chief of Police Jared McIver said 23-year-old Trent Duane Vessels of Lindale is charged with aggravated second degree battery for the alleged attack at the Best Western on Sibley Rd.
Vessels reportedly is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a $50,000 bond.
Minden officers reportedly responded to the motel just after 11 p.m. where they found the victim had suffered a laceration to his neck. Vessels reportedly had fled the scene prior to the arrival of officers, but he was located and detained.
Detective Brandon Curry learned the stabbing occurred during a physical confrontation between Vessels and his employer in the breezeway on the second floor of the motel. During the investigation, a blood trail leading from the stairway to a nearby room was observed.
While collecting evidence, a nine-inch fixed-blade knife with a four and one-half-inch blade reportedly was found, covered in blood. Information from witnesses reportedly revealed Vessels had been involved in an altercation earlier in the night with another individual and allegedly retreated to his room where he armed himself with the knife.
Surveillance footage of the incident was obtained and the investigator observed the argument between Vessels and the victim. During that confrontation, Vessels reportedly was seen retrieving the fixed-blade knife from his rear pants pocket and making repeated stabbing motions to the victim’s neck area.
After receiving treatment at the scene, the victim reportedly was transported to Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport. His condition has not been released.
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.
Is your church suspending services this Sunday, due to inclement weather? Please send us an email at wpjnewsla@gmail.com and we will post it. Please include the name and address of the church. Thank you and everyone stay safe!
Churches that will not be having services Sunday:
Is your church suspending services this Sunday, due to inclement weather? Please send us an email at wpjnewsla@gmail.com and we will post it later today and tomorrow. Please include the name and address of the church. Thank you and everyone stay safe!
Churches that will not be having services Sunday:
Antioch Baptist Church, Dixie Inn.
Beech Springs Baptist Church.
Bistineau Baptist.
Blue Run Baptist Church.
City On A Hill, Hwy. 531, Minden.
Destiny Church, Springhill
Eastside Missionary Baptist Church, Minden.
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Minden.
First Assembly of God, Minden.
First Baptist Minden, 301 Pennsylvania Ave.
First Baptist Church, Doyline.
First Methodist Church Minden, 903 Broadway.
First Sibley.
Heflin Baptist Church.
House of Peace Ministries, 680 Lee St., Minden.
King Solomon Baptist Church, 372 Saltworks Rd., Sibley.
Lakeview Methodist Church, 301 Lakeshore Dr., Minden.
Living Word Worship Center, Hwy. 531, Minden.
Minden Presbyterian Church, 1001 Broadway, Minden.
Mt. Comfort Baptist Church.
Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church.
New Birth Kingdom Ministries.
North Acres, Minden.
Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.
Pine Grove Methodist Church.
Sportsman’s Fellowship Church, 275 Main St., Doyline.
St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1107 Broadway, Minden.
St. Paul Catholic Church, Fincher Rd., Minden.
Unity Baptist Church, Cotton Valley.
Valley Springs Baptist Church.
Whispering Pines Missionary Baptist Church.
Word of Light Faith Church, Springhill.
Watch for updates.
Jury duty January 26 and 27 has been officially cancelled by Webster Parish Clerk of Court Holli Vining.
Is your church suspending services this Sunday, due to inclement weather? Please send us an email at wpjnewsla@gmail.com and we will post it later today and tomorrow. Please include the name and address of the church. Thank you and everyone stay safe!
By Jerry Strahan
A winter storm warning is in effect for Webster Parish.
As of this writing, at noon on January 22, The models are taking the worst of the storm north of Webster Parish.
We can possibly get anywhere from. 50 to 1.00 inch of ice.
That can bring structural damage, power lines and trees down. Seems now that the storm could start early Saturday morning.
Here’s our other winter problem.
Overnight Sunday will be extremely cold. Anywhere from 0 degrees Fahrenheit to 5 F with wind chills of Minus 15 to Minus 20 .
Sunday highs – 15 to 18 degrees F.
Measuring winter precipitation is a bit tricky. I have to melt it with a measured warm water and take that amount away and get the water equivalent.
Snow and ice on the ground is easy. I may not be able to get the measurements in Minden if the city loses power.
(Jerry Strahan was a first responder in fire and emergency services for almost 45 years. He lives in north Webster Parish and has written weather articles for other publications.)
By Pat Culverhouse
Webster Parish Superintendent of Schools Johnny Rowland is watching reports on this weekend’s expected serious winter event and said decisions will be made based on all available data.
Rowland said the latest information he received from the Webster Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, received at 11 a.m. Thursday, shows moderate to major threats to roadways and infrastructure around and north of Interstate 20.
“The report (Thursday) said the transition to wintry precipitation has been moved to a little later Friday night into early Saturday morning,” he said. “To be on the safe side, we’ve cancelled all after school activities scheduled on Friday.”
Rowland said the next update is planned for Friday after WOHSEP Director Brian Williams concludes his 2 p.m. briefing with the National Weather Service. But, he added, a winter storm watch was expected to be upgraded Thursday afternoon to a winter storm warning from Friday evening through Sunday morning for I-20 and north.
This area has also been upgraded to a major risk for snow, ice and sleet for Sunday and Monday with an added elevated risk for Sunday due to continuing impacts from prior accumulations.
“We’re told we can expect 80 hours of below freezing temperatures after Friday, and the impact to roads, power lines, water lines and trees should occur by mid-day Saturday and continue through Tuesday,” he said. “Our decisions on parish schools for next week will be made as quickly as we can.”
Glenbrook School officials say they are continuing to monitor the weather situation and decisions on closure will be made based on conditions.
By Bonnie Culverhouse
Minden City Council is considering an ordinance that will hold contracting companies responsible for digging mistakes.
There is currently a lot of boring work going on in the city limits. Mayor Nick Cox said around 80 percent of water pipe breaks by construction companies are likely responsible for breaks and boil advisories. He would like to place an Underground Utility Ordinance on February’s council agenda.
“This (ordinance) would be for anybody who bores in the city,” he said. “They would have to abide by some new rules we’ve established.”
A large number of boil advisories over the past year, were the result of companies breaching water lines. The ordinance would require a stricter permitting process.
“A few months ago, a contractor on Homer Road bored and missed his mark,” Cox said. “He hit the water line, and it shut down a lot of businesses.”
The mayor said he personally checked the location and asked the contractors for whom they worked.
“They said ‘I don’t know,’” Cox said. “So, I asked ‘who pays you?’ And they didn’t know the name of the company.”
Cox went on to say, the contractor admitted working for the company only two weeks, “And that was the head guy on the job.”
“This has to end,” said Cox, who would like to hire a code enforcement official. “Their job would be to ride around and make sure that everybody doing underground utility work for the city has gone through a permitting process. If not, we want the ability through this ordinance to shut them down.”
Dirty water in the Minden City limits comes from a utility worker hitting a line, he stressed which prompts the increase in boil advisories.
“Now, when it gets cold, we may have water breaks,” he said. “But outside of that, if we can keep contractors from hitting our infrastructure, we would have 80 percent less emergencies.”
The ordinance process will require the boring company to produce paperwork, including a permit.
“They are going to have to pay for that permit,” Cox said. “And they’re going to have to have tags.
“There will also be something in the ordinance called ‘potholing’ or ‘daylighting,’” he continued. “It’s where you open the hole and see it before you can start digging. We want the business to open the ground and look at our water line and see that you aren’t going to hit it.”
(Editor’s note: As of 1:30 p.m. Thursday, the boil advisory for the 200-247 blocks of Pecanview Drive has been lifted.)
The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Court Monday, January 26:
JONES, SR., TERRY WYATT
97270 Illegal Discharge And/Or Disposal Of Non-Hazardous Substance
JONES, SR., TERRY WYATT
99179-CT.1 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Two Grams or More But Less Than Twenty-Eight Grams)
99179-CT.2 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
LEE, JAQUAN LEKEL
99093-CT.1 Illegal Use/Possession/Control of Weapons – Crime of Violence or CDS
99093-CT.2 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
99093-CT.3 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
MILLER, SR, TREMINDEUS JASHUN
99872 Possession of a Schedule II CDS (Less than Two Grams)
MILLER, ZIGARRI
99794-CT.1 Illegal Use of a Weapon- Crime Of Violence / Uniform CDS Law
99794-CT.2 Obstruction Of Justice
MORRIS, CHRISTOPHER DEON
99578 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon
MURPHY, MARSHAD FITZGERALD
99558 Domestic Abuse Child Endangerment
99558A Second Degree Rape
STERLING, LAVANCIA
99678 Possession With Intent to Distribute a Schedule I CDS
BOYD, JR, SHANNON KEITH
97709 CT 1 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
97709 CT 2 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
97709 CT 3 Distribution of a Schedule I CDS
BOYD, JR, SHANNON KEITH
T109924 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T109924A Improper Equipment (License Plate)
JONES, BRUCE BERNARD
99073 Possession Of Firearm Or Carrying Concealed Weapon By Convicted Felon
PARKER, SCOTT DOUGLAS
99630 Theft of $1,000 or More but Less than $5000
QUAID, JUSTIN SHANE
95898 Theft of $5,000 or More but Less than $25,000
Restitution owed to the victim per report $15,000, plus $2,250 fee= $17,250 total
WILLIS, DEMARCUS JERMAINE
98255A Accessory After The Fact