Lindsay Ryan collected two doubles and a triple in three at bats to help lead the Minden Lady Tiders past North Webster’s Lady Knights 15-0 Tuesday.

Minden scored nine runs in the third inning on the strength of  a Gracie Sparks two-RBI single and Ryan’s triple. A pair of Lady Knights errors, a sacrifice fly and a fielder’s choice padded the Lady Tiders lead.

Sparks earned the win for Minden, giving up one hit over three innings, striking out two and walking none. Sparks also had two hits in the game. Newsom took the loss for North Webster.

Layla Demoss went 1-for-2 at the plate to lead North Webster.

Airline will be the next Lady Tiger opponent, coming to the Lady Tiders’ home field Thursday.

(“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.” Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution.)

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WHAT IS TURMERIC?

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a member of the Zingiberaceae family which also includes ginger and cardamom. Turmeric is a plant that is native to Southeast Asia and is grown commercially primarily in India. Its rhizome (underground stem) provides culinary flavor and traditional medicinal value. Historically, turmeric has been used in Ayurveda and other traditional Indian medical systems, as well as in East Asian practices such as traditional Chinese medicine. Turmeric is a common spice and a major ingredient in curry powder. Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin is known worldwide for its multiple health benefits, which act primarily as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

HOW CAN YOU USE TURMERIC?

Use turmeric in dressings, sauces, soups, and even breakfast items like eggs, oatmeal, and milk. Turmeric tastes best when coupled with strong, warming spices, like pumpkin pie spice, which is made with ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and allspice. Also, it complements grains such as rice, quinoa, bulgur, and couscous.

HOW TO GROW TURMERIC?

Grow turmeric in a large pot, at least 10-14 inches deep and 12-18 inches wide. Turmeric can grow to a height of 3-4 feet or more, so it needs space. Plant 1 or 2 rhizomes in a pot. The best season to plant turmeric is spring or summer, when the temperature starts to stay above 54 degrees Fahrenheit.

RECIPE

Golden Turmeric Milk

Makes 1 serving

140 calories per serving

8 grams protein per serving

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup 1% milk
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric or 2 tsp. fresh
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of black pepper (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Set a small saucepan over low heat. Add milk, honey, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and if desired, black pepper. Stir with a whisk until well combined.

2. Bring to steaming, just below a simmer. Do not let it come to a boil. Keep just below a simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes. Do not let milk scald.

3. Remove from heat. Stir in the vanilla. Taste and add additional honey for sweetness. Add frothed milk if desired.

Your feedback matters! Please take a moment to answer the survey using the link below.

A Taste of Herbs and Spices – Fill out form

Program adapted by: Shakera Williams, DrHSc, MPH, Associate

Nutrition & Community Health Agent, LSU AgCenter Northwest Region

Document created by: Jennifer Duhon, MS, RDN, LDN, NCH Regional Coordinator, Nutrition & Community Health Agent, LSU AgCenter Central Region.

(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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A pair of big innings Tuesday helped Zwolle’s Hawks soar past the Doyline Panthers, 16-2.

Zwolle pushed across six runs on three hits in the top of the fourth, then followed with five runs on just one hit in the top of the seventh to seal the win.

Agden earned the win for the Hawks, giving up two hits and no earned runs over five innings. He struck out seven and walked four.

Dario Galvez took the loss for Doyline, allowing seven runs (four earned) on three hits, striking out six and walking five.

Galvez and Kayson Wilk each collected one hit and one RBI for the Panthers.

Doyline takes on Huntington in a Friday contest.

(“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.” Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution.)

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By Shannon Wright

I’ll be honest, this article has not been easy to write. It’s actually been a little stressful. I’ve worried about how it will land, who will understand it, and who won’t.

But here goes.

One of the first things I learned early in trauma therapy is that the REAL problem isn’t the behavior (the coping mechanism).

Sure, the behavior is what you want to change right now. That’s what’s causing problems in your relationships, your marriage, your friendships, your parenting, your work. That’s what people SEE.

But it’s MUCH deeper than that! 

The behavior APPEARS to be the problem, but that behavior likely saved your life when it was first developed.

Let that sink in.

But the REAL issue is what that behavior is hiding! 

If you only address the behaviors (the anger, the people-pleasing, the avoidance, the control, the drugs, the drinking, the numbing) you may see temporary change, but until you get to the REAL ISSUE that CREATED that behavior, it will keep showing up in different ways because the REAL ISSUE isn’t healed. 

You’re going to have to dig down and get to the root!

For me, my trauma goes back to a very young age. For you, it may be childhood trauma too. Or maybe it was high school. College. The military. A first relationship. A marriage that broke you. It’s different for everyone.

If it was early childhood like mine, you may find yourself working to heal your “inner child.” I know that sounds woo-woo. I thought so too! 

But I was desperate enough to try anything at that point and four years later, I have zero regrets.

I had to face the little girl who had been scared and alone. I thanked her for being so strong and for saving me. I told her I love her. That I was proud of her. I imagined hugging little Shannon so tight… then pulling back, looking into her big blue eyes, holding her little hands, and telling her she is safe now, and that it’s my turn to save HER.

Again, I understand that sounds woo-woo. But it helped me!

Some people say, “It is what it is,” or “You can’t change the past, so what’s the point?”

But there is a point. The point is healing. 

It’s true, you can’t change what happened. But you CAN change how it lives inside you and THAT changes your behavior. Which changes your life. Which changes lives around you! 

Finding out what happened and when it happened, or at least the time in your life where it first happened, helps you understand why you developed the coping mechanisms you did. 

Sometimes you won’t remember clearly or at all. That’s okay. A good therapist can help you navigate that.

This work isn’t about blaming your parents, your ex, your past, or excusing the damage YOU have caused others at this point. It’s about making sense of it so you can begin to heal. 

This isn’t a one-time fix. It’s a journey.

And here’s the hardest part.

When you start healing, people will talk. Some will speak well of you. Many won’t. Old friends may say, “You think you’re too good for us now.” Family members may feel uncomfortable. The very people who hurt you may get angry when you set boundaries. Why? Because your growth forces them to look at themselves and they probably aren’t ready.

New people might say you’re “too intense” or that you’re “taking this healing thing too seriously.” I’ve even been told I need to “learn to relax.”

I was very offended by that one because I had “relaxed” through things for decades! I knew it was time to stop relaxing and put it in high gear to start changing.

Sometimes the hardest lesson is realizing that people will cheer you on to your face and criticize you behind your back. 

Before healing, you may not have recognized the gossip or subtle disrespect. After you begin healing, you feel it. That’s when it’s time to step back.

You don’t have to be unkind. You don’t have to be hateful. You just have to create distance and set boundaries.

For those of us who never really had boundaries before, that can feel VERY uncomfortable! But you must do it. 

Remember, two people can go through similar trauma and walk away with completely different behaviors. One may become a people-pleaser. Another may become guarded and detached. One may crave love and affection. Another may push it away.

Your behaviors may not look like mine. That’s okay. That’s not the important part.

What’s important is that you decide what you want YOUR life to look like a year from now.

Then start making decisions that move you closer and closer to that life. 

Start doing the uncomfortable work that pushes you toward that life. Next thing you know, that will BE your life! 

Keep in mind that you may go backwards. I have. More than once. When you do, forgive yourself and turn back around.

It’s a process. You are not broken. You are healing. And you can do this.

(Shannon Wright is a real estate agent who is also a digital journalist for Webster Parish Journal. She lives in Sibley.)

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Thursday

A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 79. South wind around 5 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 a.m., then a slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 75. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Friday Night

Clear, with a low around 48.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 80.

Saturday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 53.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 80.

Sunday Night

A 20 percent chance of showers after midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 56.

*Information provided by National Weather Service.

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

Feb. 26

10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Senior Box Distribution, First Baptist Church, 208 N. Arkansas St., Springhill.

5 until 6:30 p.m. Join Writing Club, Springhill Library Branch Meeting Room. 318-539-4117 for more details.

Feb. 28

8:30 a.m. Buds & Blooms, First Methodist Church, Minden, sponsored by Piney Hills La Master Gardeners.

10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Shop the Block in downtown Minden.

11:30 a.m. North Louisiana Historical Association will meet at Noel Memorial Library, LSU-Shreveport.

Softball tryouts at Minden Recreation Center. 6U: 9 a.m., 7-8: 10 a.m., 9-10: 11 a.m., 11-12 girls, 12 p.m.

3 p.m. turn in time for Gumbo Cook-Off, hosted by Post 388. Must cook on site at American Legion Post 388, 5401 Highway 527, Haughton. First, second and People’s Choice. Entry fee: $15; tasting bowls: $5.

March 1

Baseball tryouts at Minden Recreation Center. 6U: 1:30 p.m., 7-8: 2:30 p.m., 9-10: 3:30 p.m., 11-12 boys: 4:30 p.m.

March 9

6 .m. Night at the Museum, 116 Pearl St., Minden. Brian Davis, Executive Director of the Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation will be guest speaker. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; seating is limited.

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 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 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.

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Word of the Day: Quixotic

Phonetic: /quix·ot·ic/
Part of Speech: Adjective
Definition
exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.
“a vast and perhaps quixotic project”
“Those who valiantly try to change the system alone are on a quixotic mission”
Similar: idealistic, unbusinesslike, romantic

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Loading crossword puzzle. One moment please.

Play Sudoku online!

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Tiffany Potts, 50, 100 block Jones Rd., Sarepta: arrested Feb. 23 by WPSO on warrants. Bond set $750.

Joshua Adam Porter, 38, 100 block Strickland Trail, Minden: arrested Feb. 21 by Minden PD for aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated obstruction of a highway, careless operation, three counts of failure to observe traffic control signals. No bond set.

Elizabeth Danielle Robinson, 33, 2800 block Old Athens Rd., Homer: arrested Feb. 23 by WPSO on fugitive warrant from Claiborne Parish SO for simple burglary. No bond set.

Derrick D. Franklin, 47, 900 block Carolina St., Minden: arrested Feb. 25 for possession of CDS Sch. I (synthetic marijuana), possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, pedestrians on highway, multiple bench warrants. Bond set $502.

Tyries LeeAnthony Bryant, 28, 100 block Parish Line Park, Princeton: arrested Feb. 24 by WPSO and Doyline PD on warrants for violation of protective orders, aggravated battery of a dating partner, unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, simple criminal damage to property, fugitive from Caddo Parish SO, fugitive from Bossier Parish SO. Bond set $36,000.

Deborah Fumicello, 34, 60 block Pine Hill Circle, Haughton: arrested Feb. 24 by WPSO on warrant for felony theft. Bond set $15,000.

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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Patricia Ann McKinney Pendergrass
June 11, 1954 — February 23, 2026
Minden
Visitation: 9 until 11 a.m. Friday, February 27, 2026, First Baptist Church, Minden.
Celebration of Life immediately following visitation.
Private graveside: Minden Cemetery.

John Calhoun
December 19, 1968 — February 20, 2026
Arcadia
Visitation: 10 until 11 a.m., Thursday, February 26, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Arcadia.
Memorial service: immediately following visitation.

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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Two grass/woods fires over two days’ time in the northern part of the parish have likely played into a decision by the Webster Parish Fire Chiefs Association to declare a burn ban. The ban prohibits any and all types of outdoor burning. (See below.) High, dry winds have also played a part in Webster, Bossier and Caddo parishes’ burn ban decisions.

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Waiver strengthens access to nutritious foods and supports healthier futures for Louisiana families

BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is empowering families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to make healthier food choices with today’s implementation of Louisiana’s SNAP Food Restriction Waiver. Approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on August 4, 2025, the waiver removes soft drinks, energy drinks, and candy from the list of items eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits.

Making nutritious choices is essential to building healthier, more resilient communities. As rates of chronic disease continue to rise, the need for accessible, wholesome food options has never been more urgent, yet promising. This project aims to direct SNAP benefits toward nutritious foods to reduce obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and other diet-related health issues among Louisianans while enabling families to make healthier choices.

“This is a pivotal step toward a healthier Louisiana,” said LDH Secretary Bruce D. Greenstein. “By focusing SNAP dollars on proteins, whole-grains, fruits, and vegetables, we’re investing in the long-term health of Louisiana’s children and families, while reducing future health care costs. This decision ensures that nutritious choices are not only available — they’re the foundation of everyday life.”

“This waiver encourages Louisianans to put real food on the table — fresh produce, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, breads, and cereals — as well as to learn to make healthier choices when reaching for a pre-prepared snack or meal,” said Louisiana Surgeon General Dr. Evelyn Griffin. “Instead of picking up a soda and a candy bar on your way to work, you might opt for a bottle of water and a banana. Small changes can have a big impact on your health when you’re making them consistently. Moving the health outcomes needle for the better is what this waiver is all about.”

Restricted items

• Soft drinks: Carbonated, nonalcoholic beverages that contain high-fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.
  • Does not include flavored carbonated water, milk, or milk substitutes, or drinks with cane sugar, monk fruit sweeteners, other natural sweeteners, or greater than 50 percent fruit or vegetable juice by volume.
• Energy drinks: Beverages with added stimulants (e.g., caffeine, guarana, taurine).
  • Often labeled as enhancing energy, alertness, or performance.
• Candy: Sugary preparations with chocolate, fruit, or nuts (bars, drops, or pieces), including candy that contains flour.
  • Does not include protein bars, granola bars, or baking ingredients like chocolate chips or sprinkles.

SNAP supports approximately 750,000 Louisianans monthly, providing a vital lifeline for food security. By pairing the SNAP healthy food waiver with the recently expanded Louisiana Carrot Initiative, LDH is making it easier for families to choose nutritious options. These updates strengthen the program’s impact, ensuring SNAP families can afford the fresh, healthy foods that fuel lifelong well-being.

For more information regarding Louisiana’s SNAP Healthy Food Waiver, visit ldh.la.gov/SNAPWaiver. For additional information on SNAP waivers, visit fns.usda.gov/snap/waivers.

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 A two-vehicle crash in north Webster Parish Monday morning has claimed the life of a 20-year-old Haynesville man.

Louisiana State Police said Tristan Young died when his vehicle apparently entered the intersection of LA Hwy. 160 and Fire Tower Rd. and collided with a log truck.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 1995 Toyota Tercel, driven by Young, was traveling south on Fire Tower Rd. around 10:15 a.m. approaching the intersection of LA Hwy. 160. A 2019 Mack Pinnacle was traveling west on Hwy. 160 when, for reasons still under investigation, the Toyota traveled into the intersection and collided with the truck.

According to state police,Young reportedly was unrestrained and  pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger in the front seat, who also was unrestrained, was ejected, sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The third passenger in the rear seat of the vehicle was unrestrained and reportedly received moderate injuries.

Investigators said the driver of the truck was properly restrained and suffered moderate injuries.

Investigators indicated impairment on the part of Young is not suspected, but routine toxicology samples were collected and submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

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The project is expected to create 540 on-site new jobs and support an additional 1,700 in the community overall.

The investment establishes Amazon’s first data center campuses in North Louisiana, supporting cloud computing technologies to serve customers and continues Amazon’s commitment to Louisiana.

Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

SHREVEPORT, La. – Amazon announced plans to invest $12 billion to construct new, state-of-the-art data center campuses that will support cloud computing technologies. The development represents a coordinated, multi-site investment across Caddo and Bossier Parishes, designed to support regional economic activity and serve customers. As demand for AI and digital infrastructure accelerates nationwide, Louisiana continues to stand out as a place that delivers—combining reliable power, a world-class workforce and a strong record of executing complex projects at scale.

The project is expected to create 540 direct new jobs with wages at or above 150% of the statewide annual average wage. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project will result in 1,700 additional indirect new job opportunities in the Northwest Region.

“Amazon is making a long-term commitment to Louisiana because our state delivers — prime sites, strong infrastructure and a skilled, hard-working workforce ready to support the next generation of technological innovation,” Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said. “Investments of this magnitude put Louisiana at the center of operations relied on across the country and connect our communities to jobs that power how Americans live, work and do business.”

The project will span interconnected campuses in Caddo and Bossier Parishes. This multi-campus design supports continuous service and reliable operations while bringing new investment to both parishes. The project is expected to generate significant new tax revenue for the region, supporting funding for essential public services, local schools and infrastructure improvements in surrounding communities.

“Amazon’s $12 billion investment in northwest Louisiana will build next-generation data center campuses to support AI and cloud computing, ensuring opportunities for local communities,” Amazon’s Chief Global Affairs and Legal Officer David Zapolsky said. “We’re creating hundreds of high-paying jobs and making substantial investments in local infrastructure. We’re grateful for our strong partnerships with local leaders and proud to deepen our commitment to Louisiana.”

Amazon is partnering with STACK Infrastructure, the developer and owner of the campuses, to lead the construction and development of the data center facilities. STACK anticipates this project will support up to 1,500 construction jobs, creating significant opportunities for local contractors, skilled trades and suppliers throughout the region.

“This project demonstrates STACK’s ability to execute multi-site data center developments in close coordination with utilities, clients and local partners,” STACK Americas CEO Matt VanderZanden said. “We are excited to make this significant investment in northwest Louisiana and are looking forward to being an excellent community partner while creating long-term, positive impacts in our new home in The Pelican State.”

The Louisiana Momentum Continues

Amazon’s data center investment builds on a growing presence in Louisiana over the last 16 years. From 2010 to 2024, Amazon has invested more than $4.7 billion across the state, employing thousands of Louisiana residents and supporting additional indirect jobs. Amazon’s Louisiana footprint includes fulfillment and sortation centers, delivery stations, Whole Foods Market locations and investments in solar energy that contribute to the state’s power grid.

This announcement adds to Louisiana’s record-breaking economic momentum. Since Governor Landry took office, the state has now secured $90 billion in capital investment and nearly 80,000 new job opportunities statewide. In 2025, Louisiana delivered the largest capital investment year in its history, with more than $61 billion in new investment and 9,500 direct jobs announced.

“As global leaders like Amazon continue to choose Louisiana, it sends a powerful signal to the world that we are competing, and winning, at the highest level,” said LED Secretary Susan B. Bourgeois. “These investments are not isolated wins; they activate local supply chains, create new opportunities for Louisiana vendors, and open doors for our people to access high-wage careers. With each project, our foundation grows stronger, delivering lasting opportunity for businesses and families across Louisiana.”

Partnering for Long-Term Regional Growth and Prosperity

Alongside its $12 billion investment, Amazon is launching a series of community and infrastructure initiatives in northwest Louisiana, reinforcing its commitment to responsible development and long-term partnership. Learn more in the company’s latest post, “Building Louisiana’s Future, Together: Amazon’s first data center campuses reinforce a long-term commitment to Louisiana.”

“Amazon’s continued investment in northwest Louisiana, alongside STACK Infrastructure, is transformational, building upon our region’s strength as a destination for innovation and technology,” North Louisiana Economic Partnership President and CEO Justyn Dixon said. “It represents more than a significant economic win. It is a moment that brings our entire region together. We are proud of the hard work and collaboration between Bossier Parish, Caddo Parish, and the City of Shreveport that made this possible. By spanning both sides of the Red River, this project quite literally bridges our communities and ensures opportunity flows across the entire region. Now we are bringing hundreds of high-paying jobs, millions in tax revenue for our schools, and proof that northwest Louisiana competes on the global stage. When we compete and win as one region, we create jobs, strengthen families, and build long-term prosperity.”

Amazon has worked with the local utility, Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), to ensure the company pays 100% of the costs associated with the new data center campus in Louisiana. This includes covering all expenses for new energy infrastructure and upgrades required to serve the data centers, which also strengthens overall grid reliability for all SWEPCO customers.

“We’re proud to welcome this major investment to our region,” SWEPCO President and Chief Operating Officer Brett Mattison said. “Louisiana offers an exceptional environment for economic development, supported by its stable regulatory framework, competitive utility rates and strong business‑friendly climate. SWEPCO plays a vital role in driving business forward in the state, and we are ready to serve this significant customer while remaining fully committed to each customer in every community we serve.”

“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in our efforts to build a better Caddo Parish community,” says Greg Young, Caddo Parish Commission President. Our passion filled vision to make amazing steps to provide for our public safety, our economic development, and enhancements to our quality of life are well underway to become realized in my lifetime! Thanks to my fellow Commissioners and other state-wide leaders and organizations who are working tirelessly in making this possible.”

“This project means more than square footage and servers — it means new opportunities for our people and stronger support for local businesses. This data center is an investment in our present and a stake in our future,” says Tom Arceneaux, Mayor of Shreveport.

“This is the kind of economic progress that strengthens our entire parish and region. Bossier City is focused on being ready—through strong infrastructure and responsive local government—so that when opportunities come, we can help them move quickly and successfully,” says Thomas H. Chandler, Mayor of Bossier City.

“This project represents a major opportunity for job creation, private investment, and long-term economic growth,” says Jim Galambos, Mayor of Blanchard. “It reinforces confidence in our workforce, infrastructure, and the future of our community.”

“This data center represents more than a capital investment in our city. It is an investment in our future. As technology continues to drive the global economy, projects like this position our community to compete, innovate, and create high quality jobs for our residents. District G stands for Growth, and this project reflects our commitment to smart, forward thinking economic development that supports our tax base and strengthens our infrastructure while expanding opportunity for our community,” says Shreveport City Councilwoman, Ursula Bowman.

“On behalf of the Bossier Parish Police Jury, I am proud to welcome Amazon and STACK Infrastructure to our community as they launch this transformative data center investment in Bossier Parish,” says Tom Salzer, Bossier Parish Police Jury President. “This project represents more than new infrastructure—it signals continued confidence in our region’s workforce, our leadership in cyber innovation, and our long-term economic vision. The economic impact of this development will help strengthen our commitment to the National Cyber Research Park and the growing cyber corridor that has positioned Bossier Parish as a national leader in this space. By diversifying our economy and expanding access to high-quality, high-paying careers, we are creating opportunities that allow our children to build their futures here at home—and helping bring talented Louisianans back to Louisiana.”

Advancing the Investment

Construction on the data center campuses is expected to begin imminently, with operations launching in phases over the next several years.

To win the project in northwest Louisiana, the state of Louisiana offered Amazon a competitive incentives package that includes the comprehensive workforce development solutions of LED FastStart. The company is also expected to participate in the state’s High Impact Jobs and Data Center Sales Tax Exemption programs.

“This project reflects what is possible when public leadership and economic development partners align with a shared vision. The Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority is committed to supporting initiatives that strengthen our regional economy, attract investment, and create meaningful opportunities for families across Northwest Louisiana. We are excited about the momentum this project brings to our community,” says Marian Claville Burks, President of the Northwest Louisiana Finance Authority.

For more information please visit www.nlep.org/aws.

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Spring sports are just around the corner at the Minden Recreation Center, and organizers are calling for volunteer coaches as youth athletics prepare to kick off another season of baseball, softball and tee-ball for local children.

Registration for the 2026 Spring Baseball & Softball season opened earlier this year with an extended registration deadline of February 25. The season typically runs from March through May, giving young athletes ages 3 through 12 an opportunity to get outside, learn fundamental skills and build team camaraderie.

Organizers said having volunteer coaches is a vital part of the Rec’s success, as these roles help ensure young athletes receive positive instruction, encouragement and support throughout the season. Background checks are part of the Rec’s efforts to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all participants.

Parents, grandparents, community members and teens are all invited to consider stepping up and helping lead a team this spring. Those interested or seeking more information about coaching, team organization, or available age divisions are encouraged to call 318-371-4235.

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Monday was a good day for Glenbrook diamond squads as both the Lady Apaches and Apaches took lopsided wins over opponents.

Lady Apaches 11, Northwood Lady Falcons 1

Ellie Earnhardt collected three hits in four at bats and drove in a pair of runs to help lead the Lady Apaches past Northwood.

Glenbrook was the first to get on the board in the first when Gracie Heard singled, scoring one run. Two more runs crossed in the bottom of the second on Earnhardt’s double and an Anna Grace Vining single.

Savannah Mangrum earned the win for Glenbrook, allowing just one hit and one unearned run over five innings. Mangrum struck out six and walked two. Devan Ashby took the loss for Northwood.

Apaches 15, Providence Classical Academy 0

Kleaton Davis drove in four runs on two hits, including a solo home run,  as Glenbrook romped past Providence Classical Academy Knights 15-0 at Glenbrook.

Glenbrook put the game on ice in the second inning with a nine-run outburst, ignited by Davis’ homer.  Darron Hollingsworth and Brayden Williams drew RBI walks, Ryan Reagan doubled in two runs and Davis drove in three more with a base hit to cap the big inning.

Davis Powell picked up the win, allowing just one hit over three innings, striking out three and walking one. Ryder Malone tossed one inning of shutout ball for Glenbrook in relief. Benton Axton took the loss for the Knights.

(“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.” Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution.)

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In the last “Common Cents” I talked about credit and the consumer credit report. I stressed the importance of your credit report – and score – and how credit influences whether you can qualify for a mortgage, auto loan, credit card, apartment lease, insurance policy, or even certain jobs. Most people don’t understand the details of a credit report, how scoring works, and how you can receive a free, no-strings-attached copy of your credit report every year. I’m going to dig into that today.

Your credit report is a detailed record of your credit history compiled by credit reporting agencies. In the U.S., the three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. These agencies collect information from lenders, creditors, collection agencies, and public records to create a profile of your borrowing and repayment behavior. Your credit report does not contain a single score. Instead, it holds the raw data used to calculate your credit scores by scoring models such as FICO® and VantageScore®.

Understanding each section of the credit report helps you identify what affects your score and what lenders see.

The first section of the credit report is your Personal Information, which includes identifying details such as full name and variations, Social Security Number (partially masked), date of birth, current and previous addresses, and certain employment history. While this information doesn’t affect your score directly, inaccuracies may signal mixed files that require correction – or even identity theft. I recommend reviewing this section to make sure all information is correct.

Next are your Credit Accounts, which is the core of the report. You should see each account you’ve opened in this section, including credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, student loans, personal loans, and retail accounts. The details of each account – creditor name, date opened, loan amount or credit limit, current balance, payment status, and date closed (if applicable) – will also be provided. 

The Payment History section is especially important, as late payments, defaults, or accounts sent to collections can significantly lower your score. Most reports show a month-by-month record of whether payments were made on time. Delinquencies are categorized by severity: 30 days late; 60 days late; 90+ days late; charge-off; and collection. Negative marks can remain on your report for up to seven years, while bankruptcies may stay for up to 10 years.

The Credit Inquiries section lists companies that have accessed your credit report. Hard inquiries occur when you apply for credit and can slightly lower your score temporarily. Soft inquiries occur when you check your own credit or when companies pre-screen you for offers; these do not affect your score. I always like to know who is doing an inquiry on my credit file. 

In the Public Records section, serious financial events reported through courts may appear here. This includes bankruptcies, tax liens (if reported), and civil judgments (less common today). Anything listed here can significantly impact creditworthiness.

And finally, the Collection Accounts section. If a debt goes unpaid and is sold to a collection agency, the collection account may appear as a separate negative item. Even small medical collections can affect your score, although newer scoring models treat them less harshly once paid.

Well how does the credit score come into play? The credit score is a numerical summary of the information contained in your credit report. The base FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850, and the good credit score range is 670 to 739. (Experian, What is a Good Credit Score?). The higher the number, the better. FICO® scores are based on the following five factors: payment history (35% of the score); amounts owed (30% of the score); length of credit history (15% of the score); new credit (10% of the score); and credit mix (10% of the score). Salary, occupation, employment history, demographics, soft inquiries – none of that is factored into your credit score. 

Now let’s get your free credit report so you can see what it contains. Federal law entitles you to a free copy of your credit report from each bureau once every 12 months through annualcreditreport.com. You will be asked to provide your personal information in order to process the request, and you may choose to enter the information online or by mailing a form. Many financial experts recommend staggering requests throughout the year (for example, one bureau every four months) to monitor your credit continuously. Be advised that you will not receive a score in your reports, although you will be provided with some fee-based options if you want to view your score.

Since I need more space in this publication to talk about improving and rebuilding your credit, I’ll wait and cover that in the third and final credit column in a couple of weeks. A healthy credit report opens doors, and I want to help point you toward the doorway.

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

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Lakeside broke out of a third inning tie, scoring 10 unanswered runs as the Warriors raced past North Webster’s Knights 13-3 Monday.

Warriors’ starter Jake Glass gave up seven hits and three runs (one earned) over three innings, striking out two and walking none. Mason Shipp and Kaleb Rolen each tossed scoreless innings in relief.

Lakeside collected nine hits in the game, led by Drake Chreene with two hits and three RBI. Brock Case and Eric Jones also had two hits apiece for the Warriors. The Warriors picked up 10 walks in the contest.

(“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.” Any reuse or republication of this story must include the preceding attribution.)

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“On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall…Then the king asked, ‘What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you.’ ‘If it pleases the king,’ replied Esther…” Esther 5: 1a, 3-4a (NIV)

The evil prime minister of Persia was Haman, a man bound for impaling because, well, that’s what God decreed ahead of time when Haman, because of hatred sparked by pride, vowed to exterminate every last Jew in the land.

Yeah, uh, that’s going to be a “no” every time on Jew Extermination. Jesus would be born a Jew, and you don’t exterminate Jesus, prime minister of Persia or not.

For no reason other than jealousy and pride, Haman wanted one Jew killed especially, Mordecai. And while he was at it, why not the rest of the Jews too? Haman didn’t know Mordecai was the cousin of Esther, the king’s wife. He’ll find that out soon, on the same day the king has him killed.

To foil Haman’s plot, check out what Esther doesn’t do. She doesn’t panic. She doesn’t plot some sensational plan of revenge with the goal of making herself and Mordecai look good. She doesn’t have Haman assassinated.

Instead, let’s look now at what Esther does do. She decides to let the king handle it. And to do that, she prepares to meet the king.

She asks friends to pray and fast with her. She puts on her royal robes. With wisdom in timing and with humility, she allowed divine sovereignty to make a call that was not hers to make. Instead, she lived her role and let the king — and ultimately God — handle this monumental issue.

And He did. She turned things over to the king.

In God Calling, I read this last week: “Aim at killing the self now — in your daily life, and then, and not until then, you will find there is nothing that even remembers injury, because the only one injured, the self, is dead.”

Do you know how many times I have tried to “get back” at people? I don’t know either, but it’s the same amount of times, exactly, that my plan backfired. The wrong we do to others, we do to ourselves. Haman finds that out too late, a fatal illustration of the old adage: pride goeth before an impaling.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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Minden’s Crimson Tide begins its LHSAA boys’ basketball title quest Friday when the LaGrange Gators come calling at the Tide gym.

Tipoff for the first round contest is set for 6:30 p.m. Minden is ranked 14th in Class 4A Division II (Non-Select) while the Gators come in as the 19th ranked team.

Minden comes into Friday’s playoff standing at 15-8 for the season, 6-4 in District 1-4A. LaGrange finished the season 16-15, placing third in District 3-4A with a 3-3 record.

Admission is $10.

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 My ADHD is so bad that I just forgot what I was going to write in this opening sentence.

That’s not entirely true. But it’s close. The attention deficit thing is real, and it’s been with me since birth. These days everyone and their brother claim to have ADHD. Not bragging here—who brags about the inability to focus on anything for more than nine seconds? —but mine was diagnosed back when the diagnosis didn’t exist.

In the early 1970s, doctors in south Mississippi didn’t have a name for whatever was going on in my head. They just called me “hyperactive.” Which, to be fair, was accurate. At 64, still is. But “hyperactive” only covered the bouncing-off-the-walls part. Nobody talked about the focus problem—the part where my brain would leave the building while my body stayed in a desk at Thames Elementary.

The focus issue made it hard to read. Which made it hard to study. Which made it hard to make good grades. Which made it hard to pay attention in class. Which—you guessed it—made it even harder to make good grades. It was a beautiful, self-reinforcing cycle of academic mediocrity. Like a hamster wheel, except the hamster keeps getting distracted by something shiny on the other side of the cage.

Reading was the real problem. Still is. My mind skips ahead like a rock across water—I’ll start a paragraph and my brain has already jumped three pages forward to see how the chapter ends. An English teacher finally gave me a survival strategy. “Robert, if you can just read the first sentence and the last sentence of every paragraph, you’ll get enough to survive.” It worked. Sort of. Barely.

But the teacher who truly changed things for me was Mrs. Nell Smith, my fourth-grade teacher. She saw me—really saw me—this herky-jerky, disruptive kid who couldn’t sit still and couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Instead of fighting it, she worked around it. She put me at a desk on the side of the room and let me write. Plays, mostly. Goofy little productions about classic Universal horror monsters that I’d cast my classmates in, and she’d let us perform them right there in the classroom.

Think about that for a second. A teacher in the early 1970s—no special education training, no ADHD playbook, no acronyms to guide her—looked at a kid who didn’t fit the mold and figured out a way to let him create instead of just trying to make him comply. That kind of intuition and grace doesn’t show up in a textbook. 

Miss Smith thought outside the box before anyone was using that tired phrase.

Then there was Miss Bettee Boyd, my high school English teacher, who told me I had a genuine knack for writing if I could ever sit down and focus long enough to prove it. She saw something in there, buried under all the fidgeting and class-clown behavior. Two teachers— a decade apart in my memory but connected by the same gift: they believed in a kid who gave them very little reason to.

College didn’t last long. The flunking out had less to do with focus and more to do with my impressive skill set in the area of one-arm curls—the kind performed in bars, not gyms. So that was that.

But landing in the restaurant business turned out to be the best accident of my life. Kitchens are loud, fast, chaotic, and constantly changing. Dining rooms are high energy and interactively social. Nothing stays the same for more than five minutes. For a guy with ADHD, it was like finding the one sport where being wired all wrong is an advantage. The pace fit my personality. The chaos matched my brain. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t fighting my wiring—I was using it. It wasn’t only what I wanted to do. It’s what I was supposed to do.

The problem was, I knew I needed to learn. There was no restaurant mentor in those early days. I was flying blind—flopping around, making every mistake in the book, writing a few new chapters of mistakes along the way. Business books were the obvious answer, except for one small detail: I couldn’t read them. Not in any meaningful way.

Then, in the late 1980s, cassette tape audiobooks showed up. Game changer doesn’t begin to cover it. For the first time in my life, I could consume a business book from start to finish without my brain wandering off to plan dinner or reorganize a walk-in cooler. Suddenly I had access to the same knowledge that people who could sit still and read had been absorbing for years. It was like someone finally gave me the keys to a building I’d been circling for a decade.

Every other summer, I find myself at a huge executive retreat in the woods of Northern California. No business is conducted. It’s all lectures and socialization—and a lot of very successful CEOs wandering around in khakis and ball caps. The thing that always surprises me is how many of those captains of industry have ADHD. Surgeons, hedge fund managers, tech founders, four-star generals—a staggering percentage of them are wired the same way. Made me feel better about my situation. All those years, I thought I was just bad at multitasking and worse at paying attention. Turns out a lot of the most driven people in the world share the same beautiful curse.

Then came podcasts, and the game changed again.

Business podcasts have been transformative—and I don’t use that word lightly. The ability to learn from executives, founders, and creative thinkers across every industry while driving to work, walking the dog, or prepping a kitchen is something my 25-year-old self would have killed for. My son is getting ready to come back and work in our restaurants, and I keep telling him the same thing: you have more great business information at your fingertips right now than any generation in history. Use it. Listen while you drive. Listen while you work out. Just listen.

My current top-ten podcasts—and this list changes monthly because, well, ADHD—are All-In, Founders, Diary of a CEO, The Shawn Ryan Show, Huberman Lab, This Week in Startups, The Tim Ferriss Show, The Game with Alex Hormozi, David Senra, Lex Fridman Podcast, and Acquired. Each one has taught me something I’ve applied directly to our businesses. There aren’t enough hours in the day to listen to all the episodes I want to hear, which is a problem I never imagined having as a kid who couldn’t get through a single chapter of a textbook.

All of that listening eventually led to a question: What if I started one?

So I did. The podcast is called Ya Gotta Eat, and my co-host and production partner, Drew Wooton and I sit down with interesting people to dive deep into their lives and careers. The concept is simple—everybody has to eat, so we let our guest choose a restaurant, share a meal, and talk. No studio. No sterile setup. Just a table, some good food, and a real conversation.

One of the most compelling episodes so far is a two-parter with Eric Cook, the chef and restaurateur in New Orleans. I dare anyone to start episode two and not finish it. His story of navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina—trying to hold his family, his son, and his business together while an entire city was underwater—is as gripping as anything on any podcast, anywhere. Truly compelling listening.

We’ve also had the honor of sitting down with Frank Brigtsen, who has been one of my culinary heroes for almost four decades. Frank is a chef of all chefs and a gentleman of all gentlemen. A master of south Louisiana cuisine who carries himself with a humility that matches his talent. Those are the conversations that remind me why we started this thing in the first place.

There are great episodes to come. That’s what keeps me excited about the project—new guests, new stories, new restaurants.

So here I am, 45 years into the restaurant business, a guy who still can’t read a book without his brain doing backflips on a trampoline, hosting a podcast about food and life and the people who make both interesting. Miss Smith would probably get a kick out of that. Miss Boyd, too. That hyperactive kid who couldn’t sit still long enough to finish a sentence ended up writing a weekly newspaper column for 26 years (and never missing a week), publishing 15 books, and talking into a microphone for a living.

ADHD, it turns out, was never the problem. It was just the long way around to the answer.

Onward.

Lentils

1 lb.                 Lentils
½ gallon          Chicken stock
1 TB + 1 tsp    Kosher salt
¼ cup              Extra virgin olive oil
1 TB                Fresh garlic, minced
1 cup               Carrot, finely diced

Place dry lentils in a mesh strainer. Rinse under cold water for 2 minutes. 

In a 3 quart stock pot over very low heat, combine rinsed lentils, stock and salt. Continue cooking over very low heat, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender, but not mushy, about 30-45 minutes. Drain and spread out on a baking pan at room temperature. Discard any excess liquid.

In a large skillet, heat the oil over low heat. Add garlic and carrots and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the cooked lentils and stir frequently just until they are hot, about 3-5 minutes. Serve immediately. Finish each portion with extra virgin olive oil as desired.

Yield: 6-8 servings

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

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The following persons are scheduled to appear in 26th Judicial District Traffic Court on Friday, February 27:

ALEXANDER, HILLARY
T124325 Operating A Vehicle Without Proper Required Equipment

DEL TORO, RONALD
T099225 Speeding 25 & OVER – 100/70
T099225A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

DELOACH, REGINALD HAKEEM
T119425 Operating A Vehicle With An Improperly Secured Load

DREW, LISA JACKSON
T066825 Improper Child Restraint
T066825A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

FARMER, JENNIFER
T031223 Speeding 11-15 MPH
T031223A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

FREDERICK, DANNY CARL
T021926 Speeding 11-15 MPH – 70/55

GARCIE, TRICIA MICHELLE
T004224 Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled
T004224A Operating A Vehicle with an Expired License Plate

GILES, ANNIE REECE
T022026 Speeding 11-15 MPH – 68/55

HAMILTON, SHAUN
T022326L Speeding 11-15 MPH – 83/70

HARMON, KRISTY
T022426L Speeding 16-24 MPH – 87/70

HAYDEN, RONALD WAYNE JR
T021826 Speeding 25 & OVER – 97/55
T021826A Improper Passing

LARKIN, ALEXIS
T022526L Speeding 11-15 MPH – 83/70

MCDONALD, ANTHONY D
T022626L Speeding 11-15 MPH – 85/70

MITCHELL, CHRISTIAN
T022726L Speeding 16-24 MPH – 87/70

PARISH, NICHOLAS JACOLBY
T010926 Blocking Of Private Driveways, Highways And/Or Department Rights Of Way

RANGEL, ALBERT
T022826L Speeding 11-15 MPH – 85/70

RHODES, CARTIMOTHY
T022126 Speeding 16-24 MPH – 73/55

RILEY, JOYCE
T022926L Speeding 11-15 MPH – 84/70

SNYDER, ALEXANDER
T023026L Speeding 11-15 MPH – 85/70

WATKINS, LAUREN B
T022226 Speeding 16-24 MPH – 71/55
T022226A Operating a Vehicle While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled

WILLIAMS, NEKITA
T023126L Speeding 16-24 MPH – 90/70

WOOD, KRISTEN
T023226L Speeding 11-15 MPH

YOUNG, AMANDA L
T139725 Switched License Plates

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By Brad Dison

William J. “Bill” Blythe Jr. had recently been honorably discharged from the Army and had just been hired as an equipment salesman by the Mankee Equipment Company of Chicago.  Immediately following World War II, so many soldiers were returning home and looking for work that jobs were scarce.  29-year-old Bill could find no work in his hometown of Hope, Arkansas, and was lucky to find work even if it required him to relocate to the windy city.  It could not have come at a better time.  Bill’s wife, 22-year-old Virginia Dell Cassiday, was six months pregnant.  After calling home with the happy news, Bill began the 750-mile drive back to Hope, Arkansas, to prepare the family for the move.  

Just before midnight on May 17, 1946, Bill had driven about half of the 755 miles to Hope when, about three miles west of Sikeston, Missouri, one of the front tires on Bill’s 1942 Buick sedan blew out.  Bill lost control of the car, and it rolled over twice before coming to a stop on the side of the Brown Spur drainage ditch along Highway 60.  Sikeston was surrounded by drainage ditches to help prevent flooding.  Bill suffered a head injury and crawled out of the wrecked car.  He could hear the sounds of passing cars and could see their headlights as they passed.  He began crawling up the steep embankment toward the highway.  As he was crawling, he slipped and fell into the drainage ditch which contained four feet of water.  There, he drowned.

Virginia was devastated.  Three months after the accident, she had her child and named him William J. Blythe III in honor of her late husband.  Everyone called him Billy.  Virginia, now a single parent, went to nursing school in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Virginia’s parents took care of Billy while she was away.  In 1950, Virginia returned to Hope and went to work as a nurse.  In that same year, she met and married a car dealership owner named Roger.  In 1956, Roger and Virginia had a son whom they named Roger Jr.  At some point, Billy Blythe began using his stepfather’s last name, and, in 1962, Billy legally changed his last name so that he and his half-brother would have the same last name.  In the following year, Billy was selected to be a delegate to Boys Nation, a special youth leadership conference held in Washington D.C.  Billy was among the other boys from Boys Nation who, along with the Girls Nation, were invited to the Rose Garden at the White House to meet President John F. Kennedy.  Billy was one of the first in line to shake JFK’s hand.  Billy said later that meeting JFK had a profound impact on his life. 

Imagine just for a second that Bill Blythe’s car wreck never occurred.  Billy Blythe III would probably have been born in Chicago.  The whole trajectory of his life would have been different.  He probably would not have become President of the United States.  If he had, we would know him as Bill Blythe rather than Bill Clinton.        

Sources:

1.      Daily American Republic (Poplar Bluff, Missouri), May 18, 1946, p.1.

2.     “It All Began in a Place Called Hope: Biography of the President Bill Clinton,” National Archives, accessed February 15, 2026, https://clintonwhitehouse5.archives.gov/WH/EOP/OP/html/Hope.html.

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