By Pat Culverhouse

An alleged argument over Vapes (battery operated e-cigarettes) has resulted in the arrest of a 45-year-old Minden man on a domestic abuse charge.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said Jason Darryl Lamont Jenkins is being held for domestic abuse with strangulation following his arrest at a residence in the 1400 block of Middle Rd.

Jenkins reportedly was booked at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center where his bond has been set at $350,000.

Parish deputies responding to a call of a woman screaming for help around 10 p.m. Sunday reportedly found the woman crying  in the yard of the residence. Deputies reportedly observed red marks around her neck and across her shoulders, and scratches on her lower ribs.

According to the victim, during the argument Jenkins followed her outside the residence where he pushed her to the ground, ripped off her shirt and began strangling her. She told deputies the attack ended when she managed to grab him by the genitals.

After deputies read Jenkins his Miranda rights, he reportedly denied the argument became physical.

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.

Springhill Medical Center, which was recently recognized as a 2026 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, is seeking a nursing staff.

Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants can apply for full-time and PRN positions.

SMC is the only rural hospital in Louisiana to earn the Top 100 distinction. The program honors outstanding performance among rural hospitals nationwide, based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®—the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital excellence.

Apply at www.smccare.com .

*PRN is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase pro re nata, meaning “as needed” or “as the situation arises.”

There are a lot of titles a woman can collect over the course of her life.

Some are given at work. Some come from education. Some come from marriage. Some are the polite ones people tack on before your name when they’re trying to be respectful.

But if you ask me what title means the most… it’s the one I hear yelled across the house twenty times a day…“Mom!”

Now don’t get me wrong, being called Mom is my finest title. It’s also the hardest earned. There are no performance reviews for motherhood, but if there were, mine would include things like surviving sleepless nights, mastering the art of cooking dinner while helping with homework, and developing the ability to locate missing shoes, chargers and stuffed animals with the skill level of a trained detective. (But seriously they are always in plain sight…)

Motherhood is equal parts chaos and holy responsibility. It’s raising tiny humans who eventually grow into people who make their own decisions, form their own opinions and occasionally remind you that they now know (or think they know) more than you.

But somewhere along the way, I discovered something surprising. There’s another title that ranks very high on my personal list. And that title… is Aunt.

Now listen, being an aunt is a special kind of privilege…

As a mom, I’m responsible for the rules, the discipline, the bedtimes, the vegetables and the life lessons. As an aunt? I get to show up with snacks, hugs, encouragement and just enough mischief to keep things interesting.

Being an aunt means loving someone fiercely without carrying the daily weight of raising them. It means cheering them on from the sidelines, bragging about them like they’re your own and watching their personalities unfold in the most beautiful ways.

You get the honor of being part of their story without being the one who has to enforce bedtime. And if we’re being honest… that’s a pretty sweet deal.

But what I love most about being an aunt is the relationship itself. It’s different from motherhood. It’s a little more relaxed, a little more playful, but the love runs just as deep.

An aunt gets to be a safe place. A cheerleader. Sometimes even a secret keeper. You’re someone they can run to for advice, encouragement, or just someone who will laugh with them when life gets messy.

And the best part? You get to watch them grow.

You see pieces of the family in them… little expressions, little habits, little moments that remind you where they came from. You get to stand back and think, Wow… this family keeps growing!!!! 

Motherhood may be my greatest responsibility, but being an aunt feels like a gift layered on top of it.

It’s the title that reminds me that family doesn’t just expand through our own children, it grows through nieces and nephews who steal your heart and somehow convince you that you absolutely need to buy them ice cream before dinner.

And while “Mom” will always be the title that defines my life… “Aunt” is the one that reminds me just how lucky I am. 

I will love you to the end of this world and beyond Dawson, Kason, Rylee, Ty, Mila and Olivia!

(Paige Gurgainers is a mom of three girls, digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal.)

Nine top North Louisiana scholar-athletes, others honored at annual NFF chapter dinner

North Webster High School offensive lineman Hudson Smith and Northwood athlete Justin “Champ” Thomas were the surprised winners of special honors at the 45^th Annual National Football Foundation, S.M. McNaughton Chapter Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner in Shreveport Wednesday night.

Smith and Thomas were among nine Class of 2026 high school standouts from north and central Louisiana recognized during the event for their selection to receive $1,000 college scholarships from the McNaughton Chapter. Six were All-State selections and two carried perfect 4.0 grade point averages – all were all-district players with cumulative GPA’s of at least 3.2 who are involved in other extracurricular activities.

After all were introduced and individually interviewed on stage, and other recognitions were done, Thomas was named as the second annual winner of the Leo Sanford Captain’s Award. It honors the late Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame football player and lifelong McNaughton Chapter board member whose understated leadership was pivotal in a range of endeavors he took on for the benefit of local and regional organizations, including the Independence Bowl and his beloved college alma mater, Louisiana Tech.

Thomas, who lost his left hand in an accident at age 7 and overcame heart issues that interrupted his sophomore season, overcame those challenges and more to emerge as a remarkable leader for coach Austin Brown’s Falcons, and was part of a state champion relay team in track. Thomas played safety, outside linebacker, running back and wide receiver for Northwood.

Culminating the evening, Smith was cited as the McNaughton Chapter’s National Scholar-Athlete. He will be recognized in the NFF’s College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, and is in a pool of chapter winners considered for national honors among America’s Class of 2026.

Smith has a 4.0 GPA and is the 2025-26 North Webster Student of the Year. He was elected Governor at the statewide 2025 Boys State congress last summer, and is Springhill’s Mr. Main Street for 2026. He is National Honor Society president and vice president of the student council at North Webster, and a state tournament qualifier in tennis along with being a two-time all-district center for football coach Christopher Wilson.

The chapter’s scholarship recipients include four standouts from Caddo and Bossier parishes: Jeremiah Epps of Airline, Loyola’s Hayden Horton, Luke Miller of Calvary Baptist, and Northwood’s Thomas.

The other NFF scholarship winners are Ty Curtis of Buckeye, Luke Delafield of North DeSoto, West Monroe’s Hunter Fox, Micah Moser of Ouachita Christian School and North Webster’s Smith.

They were selected from a pool of 17 finalists after over 60 seniors were identified last fall on the chapter’s Preseason Scholar-Athlete Watch List. Head coaches nominated the candidates for the scholarships after last August recommending players to appear on the Watch List.

Epps received the KTBS Channel 3 Griffin’s Scholar-Athlete Award honoring the memory and legacy of the late Bob Griffin, a former NFF Board member who was an iconic sportscaster at KSLA and then KTBS for over 50 years. The scholarship is presented by KTBS and Southern Classic Chicken and selected from 14 area scholar-athletes on the Watch List who were recognized in weekly features that aired on the station.

Shreveporters Ken Antee and Rick Holland, who have played major roles in football locally and regionally, were given prestigious annual awards the chapter has presented since 1981. Antee is the 2026 winner of the Contributions to Amateur Football Award and Holland is the recipient of the chapter’s Distinguished American Award.

Coaches David Franklin of Haynesville and Scott Surratt from Carthage (Texas) received the chapter’s Coach of the Year accolades after leading their undefeated teams to the latest in a series of state championships.

The McNaughton Chapter has awarded scholarships to senior scholar-athletes since 1981. Coach of the Year awards have been presented occasionally in the past two decades.

PHOTO:
The nine National Football Foundation McNaughton Chapter 2026 scholarship winners (back row) were joined by East Texas coach of the Year Scott Surratt of Carthage, north Louisiana coach of the year David Franklin of Haynesville, Distinguished American Award recipient Rick Holland and Contributions to Amateur Football Award winner Ken Antee after the 45^th Annual Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport.

The scholar-athletes (left to right) are Ty Curtis, Buckeye; Micah Moser, Ouachita Christian; Hunter Fox, West Monroe; Justin Thomas, Northwood; Luke Delafield, North DeSoto; Hayden Horton, Loyola College Prep; Hudson Smith, North Webster; Luke Miller, Calvary Baptist; and Jeremiah Epps, Airline.

United Christian Assistance Program has the following needs:

Food: cereal, rice, biscuit mix, powdered milk, green beans, corn, other veggies (except beans)

Clothing: men’s shoes and boots

Household Goods: twin & queen sheets, towels

Save the Date:  Hungerfest Fundraiser April 9

Thanks to all for supporting UCAP!!

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

“These trends pose a significant challenge to the future of waterfowl populations, with profound implications down the Mississippi Flyway.”

WASHINGTON – Following the end of the 2025-26 duck hunting season, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and five Republican colleagues in encouraging Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to continue working to combat declines in North America’s waterfowl population.

The current downturn, caused in large part by droughts in the Prairie Pothole Region of the Great Plains, has disrupted the hunting seasons and economies of Mississippi Flyway states like Louisiana.

“We are . . . increasingly concerned about continued declines in duck populations and strongly urge continued stewardship of the National Wildlife Refuge System—particularly USFWS conservation easements in the Prairie Pothole Region—as the foundation for long-term population recovery,” the senators explained in their letter to Burgum.

“The USFWS 2025 Waterfowl Population Status Report estimates 34 million breeding ducks, a figure below the long-term average and well below highs,” the Republicans wrote.

“This decline can be attributed to drought conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region, where pond counts have fallen below average in three of the last four years,” they continued.

“If these conditions persist, hunters could face shorter seasons and reduced limits. These outcomes would diminish hunting opportunities and harm rural economies, especially in Mississippi Flyway states such as Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Mississippi,” the lawmakers added.

“For generations, hunters and conservationists have invested in the National Wildlife Refuge System to sustain waterfowl populations and preserve America’s hunting heritage. As Secretary of the Interior and Chair of the MBCC, we encourage you to continue stewarding these investments—particularly Prairie Pothole Region easements—to support waterfowl, rural economies, and the future of duck hunting,” the senators concluded.

Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) also signed the letter.

Kennedy has been a consistent advocate for Louisiana’s hunters and wildlife enthusiasts as the state faces a declining duck population. In January 2026, Kennedy called on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study the impact of unfair “legal baiting” practices that come at the expense of states including Louisiana.

As I observe the national and world response to the American and Israeli bombing of Iran, I am amazed at both the remarkable pessimism of the media and commentators, as well as the willful ignorance of many regarding the actual history of the murderous Iranian regime. 

Conversely, President Trump has stated “Iran can have a much brighter future—but we’ll never allow America and its allies to be threatened with terrorism or a nuclear attack. The choice is theirs to make.”

Let’s review some of the “high” points.  For 47 years, the Iranian government has been the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.  While chanting “death to America” the regime has done nothing but actively and purposefully harm, maim and kill Americans, and many others all over the world, during its terror-filled reign.  This it has done either directly or through its poisonous proxies, Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.  

Let’s also recall the 66 Americans taken hostage at the American Embassy in Tehran in 1979; The killing of 241 American military personnel at the Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon.  Further, at Iran’s direction, Hamas and Hezbollah (one of their specialties is the IED roadside bomb) killed and maimed hundreds of American military members in Iraq.

Trump has labored mightily to achieve the same result diplomatically, with exhaustive rounds of good faith talks and negotiations.  He even indicated he would lift the heavy sanctions he placed on Iran as well as providing, free of charge, nuclear energy to the country for civilian uses.  To no avail.  Trump finally realized that they were stalling him as the regime attempted to reconstitute its nuclear program from the destruction imposed by operation Midnight Hammer last June that obliterated Iran’s three nuclear facilities.

In fairness, both Republican and Democrat presidents have failed to directly address this threat.  Usually, a policy of appeasement and some form of containment is undertaken (as if a nuclear bomb can be contained) but never with success.  President Barack Obama infamously sent $1.5 billion dollars of cash on pallets to the Iranian regime at the same time he was signing a very weak nuclear agreement with that government that would ultimately allow Iran to continue developing a nuclear weapon.   

Appeasement.  Winston Churchill once described the futility of negotiating with an aggressor as an appeaser “who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.”  Appeasement never works, particularly not with a regime that is founded on the diabolical ideology the Iranian government is.

So, Trump acted.  

He laid out four clear military objectives for Operation Epic Fury.  1). Completely destroy the regime’s deadly ballistic missiles. 2) Completely eliminate the Iranian navy. 3).  Completely destabilize Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. 4). Prohibit Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon.  These objectives have largely been accomplished in about 4 days’ time.

Every Iranian ship that can be found has been destroyed. The U.S. has complete control of Iranian airspace and has decimated every known ballistic missile, launcher, and drone.   And the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah, are difficult to find because they have gone so far underground.   In addition, the Supreme Leader of Iran and the very top leadership, and the next level of leadership below them, have all been eliminated.

So, where does this leave us?

While our goal should not be “regime change,” our plan should be to so thoroughly erase every vestige of the current terrorist regime that the political vacuum may be filled by moderate Iranians who seek peace with Israel and a positive relationship with the U.S.  Such an outcome will have a profoundly positive impact on the Middle East and the world.

And only one nation can bring it about.

America is both an exceptional nation and the only truly indispensable nation.  Whatever mistakes or shortcomings we may make or have, the world would be a much darker place without America in it. Back to the time of President Reagan and his simple but powerful message “peace through strength,” to Trump today, what an American president says and, more importantly, does has a dramatic impact on the world.  That is why, when a redline is laid down by a president, the trespass of it must result in decisive and lethal action.  We have such a leader now and the world is calmer and more orderly as a result of it. Trump didn’t start this war with Iran but is in the process of finishing it.

(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 .

March 10

Deadline to sponsor 2026 Springhill, North Webster Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Email chamber@springhillla.com . Tickets go on sale April 1.

March 12

5 until 7 p.m., Bites & Beats, Miller Quarters Park, Minden, live music, food trucks, family friendly fun.

March 13

10:45 a.m. until noon, Veteran’s Meet and Greet with meal at Webster Parish Council on Aging, 1482 Sheppard St., Minden.

March 14

7 p.m., Piney Woods Jamboree, CAC building, Springhill. Special guests will be Rhonda and Byron Delaware.

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 .

April 4

Minden Farmers Market, downtown Minden. Vendors needed.  https://app.seemylegacy.com/community/2484/campaign/8448 .

April 9

5 until 7 p.m., Bites & Beats, Miller Quarters Park, Minden, live music with Cynthia Sandidge, food trucks, family friendly fun.

6 p.m. Springhill North Webster Chamber of Commerce annual banquet, Springhill Civic Center.

April 18

9 a.m. until noon, Arms Around Autism, Autism Acceptance Walk, Miller Quarters Park, Minden. Vendors, bounce house, resources, sensory-friendly kid zone.

Word of the Day: Innocuous

Phonetic: /in·noc·u·ous/
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition: not harmful or offensive.
“it was an innocuous question”

Similar: harmless, safe

Jamall Manual Hatfield, 34, 1300 block Norris St., Bossier City: arrested March 5 by Louisiana State Police for DWI first offense, violation of open container law. Bond set $1,000.

Dejuan Shamel White, 30, 1300 block Sheppard St., Minden” arrested March 2 on warrant for three counts child desertion. Bond set $15,000.

Ravi Andrelavere Flournoy, 51, 800 block McCausland St., Minden: arrested March 6 by Minden PD for flight from an officer, no turn signal, improper turn, on bench warrants, fugitive from WPSO. Bond set $2,200.

Kelly Ann Woodard, 38, 2500 block Delmar, Ringgold: arrested March 8 by WPSO for speeding (91/55), no insurance, on warrant. No bond set.

Candice Jones Harrison, 33, 300 block S. Gum St., Minden: arrested March 7 by Sibley PD on warrant. No bond set.

Mariah Price, 22, 170 Graywood Dr., Minden: arrested March 8 by Minden PD on warrants for two counts simple battery, filing or maintaining false public records. Bond set $16,000.

Kevin Earl Haley, 40, 700 block Sandhill Township, Ellisville, MS: arrested March 8 by Minden PD for speeding, impersonating a peace officer. 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.

Clyde Harber, Jr.
January 20, 1940 — March 7, 2026
Minden
Visitation: 9 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
Funeral service: 10 a.m., immediately following visitation.
Burial: Fuller Cemetery, Minden.

Patsy Ann Thomas Gryder
May 7, 1937 — March 7, 2026
Shongaloo/Homer
Visitation: 10 a.m. until noon Monday, March 16, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Homer.
Graveside service: 1 p.m. Union Springs Cemetery, Shongaloo.

Dorothy Faye Hartman
June 23, 1944 — March 2, 2026
Bossier City
Visitation (only): 5 until 7 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Airline Dr., Bossier City.

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 Jerry Strahan

We have a great possibility of getting some flash flooding today (March 7) through Sunday morning.

Howard Roberts is wanted for an offense that occurred on Nov. 21, 2024. The Patrol Division was able to secure an arrest for Howard Roberts as a result of the incident.

Following is the charge and bond amount associated with Howard Roberts:

One count of home invasion with a surety bond amount of $50,000.

Anyone with information on Howard Roberts is asked to contact Detective Matthew Hicks (318-639-7776) or Detective Brandon Curry (318-268-7044) of the Minden Police Department.

All information will be strictly confidential.

By Bonnie Culverhouse

Minden City Council has adopted an ordinance that will amend one for amplified and nuisance noises.Section 38-2. – Amplified Noises, Nuisance Noises.

Mayor Nick Cox said the current ordinance under which police work is out of date.

“It addresses boom boxes, which are not really a problem any more,” Cox said. “It also says ‘phonographs, record players’ … things that are obsolete.”

The ordinance, he added, should give the police a way to scientifically test sound levels and more “teeth” to control the problem.

Ordinance:

(a) Definition. Sound-Amplifying Equipment means any machine or device for the amplification of the human voice, music, or any other sound. It includes, but is not limited to, interior or exterior speakers, loudspeakers, public address systems, amplification equipment, radios, stereos, electronic devices, microphones, audio or visual equipment, sound equipment, television sets, bullhorns, or other sound producing devices.

(b) Prohibited amplified noises. No person or entity shall cause, allow, assist in making, permit, or continue the operation of any source of sound emanating from sound-amplifying equipment which exceeds the sound levels listed in section (c).

(c) Maximum sound levels. The following maximum sound levels shall be measured at the property line of the sound-receiving property (or nearest practicable receiving-side location) at the point closest to the source.

Residential and commercial property: 80 dBA 7 a.m. – 10 p.m., 60 dBA 10:01 p.m. – 6:59 a.m.

Industrial property: Excluded as source or receiver.

(d) Prohibited amplified noises from vehicles. La R.S. 14:103.1, “Emanation of excessive sound or noise; exceptions; penalties”, making it illegal to operate a sound amplification system in or on a motor vehicle on a public street, highway, or public park if the sound or noise emanating from the sound amplification system is audible at a distance of greater than 25 feet which exceeds 85 dBA, as the statute may be amended from time to time, is adopted by reference, as it may be amended, as a municipal ordinance of the City. This section shall not apply to public vehicles owned and operated for public safety, including police vehicles, fire vehicles,

ambulances, or vehicles owned and operated for other similar public uses.

(e) Nuisance noises. No person or entity shall cause, allow, assist in making, permit, or continue the operation of any source of sound or noise that is loud, unnecessary, or unusual, which disturbs or endangers the comfort, repose, health, peace, or safety of others. In determining whether a sound or noise is loud, unnecessary, or unusual, and therefore a public nuisance, the following factors shall be considered:

(1) The time of day;

(2) The proximity of the source of the sound or noise to hospitals, places of

worship, or hotels or other places of lodging, with such volume as to

unreasonably disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in such

locations;

(3) Whether the sound is intermittent, recurrent, or constant;

(4) The volume and intensity of the sound or noise.

(f) Exemptions. This section shall not apply to authorized activities on public or private school grounds (including but not limited to, athletic, musical, or entertainment events), or regularly scheduled events at places of public assembly such as stadiums, parks, and other public event facilities.

(g) Enforcement.

(1) Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each offense and/or 30 days in

jail or both, unless otherwise provided by applicable state statute (i.e., La.

such recalibration, in a form approved by the City, shall be kept with the

equipment to which it refers.

Daylight Saving Time gives us the opportunity to enjoy sunny summer evenings by moving our clocks an hour forward in the spring.

Yet, the implementation of Daylight Saving Time has been fraught with controversy since Benjamin Franklin conceived of the idea. Even today, regions and countries routinely change their approaches to Daylight Saving Time.

Not all places in the U.S. observe Daylight Saving Time. Hawaii and most of Arizona observe standard time only.

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) will continue strengthening its systems for special education following a 2024 review conducted by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) through its Differentiated Monitoring and Support (DMS) process.

The review, which concluded in 2024, identified areas to further align state policies with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) while also recognizing Louisiana’s progress in strengthening its monitoring system in recent years.

“OSEP would like to acknowledge the efforts the LDOE has made to improve the State’s monitoring system over the last several years,” the report states, “including increasing staffing and in person monitoring activities, as well as careful attention to programmatic and fiscal management processes to ensure efficiency, compliance, and responsible stewardship of Federal funds.”

Differentiated Monitoring and Support Process

As part of this regular federal oversight process, OSEP reviews state policies, procedures, and implementation across four core components of general supervision: monitoring and improvement, data, fiscal management, and dispute resolution.

Louisiana’s Review

Federal monitoring routinely identifies corrective actions as part of strengthening IDEA implementation nationwide. Similar reviews conducted in other states and territories since 2024 identified an average of seven findings across approximately three components. Louisiana’s review identified five findings across two components. OSEP did not identify any findings in the core components of data or fiscal management.

The LDOE has already formally addressed and closed the one finding in the core component of monitoring and improvement. Internal corrective actions are underway for the remaining four findings in the core component of dispute resolution. The LDOE will bring proposed policy updates to an upcoming Special Education Advisory Panel (SEAP) and to the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for approval.

“We appreciate the federal review and partnership with OSEP,” said Executive Director of Diverse Learners Dr. Lauren Wells. “We have made progress over the last few years, with only a few updates remaining. Our focus remains on ensuring high-quality services for students with disabilities and their families.”

Findings Overview

Below is a brief summary of each finding contained in the DMS report:

Monitoring and Improvement

Compliance Documentation (Closed): Louisiana’s one finding in monitoring and improvement has been closed. OSEP requested additional documentation demonstrating how the state verifies correction of noncompliance based on updated data. The LDOE provided documentation outlining its verification processes, and OSEP formally closed the finding.

Dispute Resolution

State Complaint Procedures: OSEP found that Louisiana’s complaint regulations and procedures were not fully aligned with certain IDEA requirements, including terminology updates (such as changing references from “local agency” to “public agency”), allowable extensions to the 60-day complaint timeline, and documentation of decisions. The LDOE is updating policies to remove routine school holidays as allowable timeline extensions, formalize tracking and verification of corrective actions, and ensure the Early Resolution Process (designed to give families and school systems an opportunity to resolve concerns collaboratively) is voluntary and does not delay the 60-day investigation timeline.

Mediator Contracting Process: OSEP found that Louisiana did not have documented procedures to ensure state-contracted mediators are knowledgeable in laws and regulations relating to special education and related services. The LDOE is implementing mediator training and formalizing oversight procedures, with legal oversight supported through IDEA funding.

Separate Confidentiality Agreement: OSEP found that Louisiana’s practice of requiring parties to sign a separate confidentiality agreement prior to mediation was inconsistent with IDEA requirements. The LDOE is updating forms and procedures and has directed mediators to discontinue that practice while maintaining IDEA-required confidentiality protections.

Due Process: OSEP found that certain written due process complaint and hearing procedures required updates to fully align with IDEA requirements, including terminology updates (such as changing references from “local agency” to “public agency”) and documentation of how hearing decisions are issued and implemented. The model due process complaint form item has been closed, and the LDOE is revising policy language, strengthening tracking and monitoring procedures, and providing training to support the timely issuance and implementation of hearing decisions.

Webster Parish Council on Aging will be sponsoring a Veteran’s Meet and Greet from 10:45 a.m. until noon Friday, March 13.

All veterans from Council on Aging and Webster Parish are invited to attend at 1482 Sheppard St., Minden. A complimentary lunch will be served at 10:45 followed by dessert and a meet and greet with veterans from Webster Parish Veteran’s Safety Net Coalition.

COA officials said they are grateful for all veterans and want to recognize and show them that appreciation.

“We want to take this opportunity to provide a safe and welcoming environment here for our veterans throughout Webster Parish,” COA executive director Johnny Johnson said. “We want to encourage, support and empower our veterans by providing them knowledge and education. And promote dignity, independence and hope.

Call WPCOA’s office at 318-371-3056 for a meal headcount.

Springhill Medical Center, which was recently recognized as a 2026 Top 100 Rural & Community Hospital by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, is seeking a nursing staff.

Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants can apply for full-time and PRN positions.

SMC is the only rural hospital in Louisiana to earn the Top 100 distinction. The program honors outstanding performance among rural hospitals nationwide, based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®—the industry’s most comprehensive and objective assessment of rural hospital excellence.

Apply at www.smccare.com .

*PRN is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase pro re nata, meaning “as needed” or “as the situation arises.”

I really enjoyed getting to speak at the Buds and Blooms program last Saturday. It was put on by the Piney Hill Louisiana Master Gardeners. They did a great job and I was honored to be a speaker. If you didn’t make it this year, do plan on next year.

It’s the first of March and the weeds are running wild in our yards. If you want to spray them, we have plenty of options to try. 2-4D by its self is a great option at 4 tsp/gallon of water. You need to watch spraying around your shrubs though. A strong 24D could take them out.

Another thing to watch is that are your fruit trees blooming? Do not spray the trees while they bloom. This will kill the precious bees that are so hard working. After the blooms drop off, spray them with a regular fruit tree spray or neem oil. It looks to be a good season for fruit. I love those small plums so much that I could get sick eating so many. My granddaughter could do the same. It is about time for the strawberry trucks to run. Louisiana Strawberries are the best.

Like I said, there are lots of things to do in the garden and the lawn right now. Get ready, get your garden gloves on, and get some good old sunshine. Spring is on!

(Mitzi Thomas owns Minden Farm & Garden LLC. Watch for her column on Fridays in Webster Parish Journal. Email Mitzi questions at  mitzithomas40@yahoo.com.)

Intake # 26041 “Rusty” is an approximately 2 yr. old male Lab mix. Rusty is heart worm positive, so will need a treatment plan in place for adoption. Rusty was dumped at the new softball field with a box, blanket and a bowl of food. Rusty is was very underweight with most bones showing. Despite all that, he is a super friendly dog. He loves people, other dogs and cats. He is slowly putting on weight and walks well on a leash.

Rusty is at Minden Animal Control.

Available for rescue through 501c3 group or approved adoption (MUST fill out application for adoption)
Adoption fee $50
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By Jessica Gorman

Captain Alfred Goodwill was born 7 November 1830 in London, England. He arrived in New Orleans aboard the ship Anna Tift on 26 November 1849, just after his nineteenth birthday. His father, John Goodwill, accompanied him on the voyage but is said to have died soon after their arrival.

By the time of the 1850 census, Alfred Goodwill had made his way to Shreveport where he was working as a tailor He soon came to Minden where he found great success. He became one of the largest landholders and wealthiest men in North Louisiana and was among the organizers of the Lake Bistineau Navigation Company, Minden Railroad and Compress Company, Bank of Minden, and other ventures. His descendants include former Louisiana governor, Mike Foster.

In September 1880, Captain Goodwill opened what was said to have been the largest store in the state of Louisiana at the time. The massive building was 18,000 square feet. Stretching 135 feet along Main Street, the store extended all the way to Monroe Street in the rear. The building was adorned with six brick pilasters, fifteen iron columns topped with Corinthian capitals and a heavy cornice. The glass doors were protected by iron work and topped by transoms to illuminate the store during the day. At night, gas lights lit “the midnight gloom and transform this magnificent structure into a palace of light.”

A precursor to the department store, “every class of goods that there may be a possible demand for can always be found in this house.” The people of Minden and the surrounding area could find everything from household goods to caskets and other funeral supplies. In 1901, the building was remodeled and partitions were added. Four years later, on 27 November 1905, Captain Alfred Goodwill died and was buried in the Minden Cemetery.

The Goodwill building stood in downtown Minden for nearly 53 years. In its later years, it was split into different businesses. On the night of 26 February 1933, nightwatchman A.W. Biggs reported fire in one of those businesses, the Crystal Café. The Minden Fire Department leapt into action and soon called for help from Shreveport and Gibsland. Despite their efforts, the massive building could not be saved. In total, eight businesses were destroyed including the Minden Bakery, Specialty Shoppe, Crystal Cafe, Flewellyn’s, Whiteway Barber Shop, City Shoe Shop, Minden Hardware & Furniture, and the Scout Theatre. City Drug also sustained heavy damage. Over time, new buildings were constructed and eventually filled the physical void on Main Street left by the destruction of the Goodwill building.

(Jessica Gorman is Executive Director of the Dorcheat Historical Association Museum, Webster Parish Historian, President of the Minden Cemetery Association, and an avid genealogist.)

It was a special night of Red, White and Blue!! The Ambassadeurs’ Krewe celebrated an “Ambassadeurs Military Ball” on Friday, Feb. 6 at LIVE Casino. The ballroom sparkled in red, white and blue when the Royal Court 2026 was introduced. Pictured from the top of the stairs to the bottom, in twos, are King Joe Odom, Queen Thresa Mouser, Duke Pat Procell and Duchess Angie Richards, Duke Rob Harper and Duchess Melanie McCollough, Captain Andy Fish, and Duke Ricky Thomas with Duchess Claudine Adams-Thomas. (Contributed photo)