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Peter Louis, 40, no address (homeless): arrested Feb. 16 by Minden PD for criminal trespass, criminal mischief. No bond set.

Michelle R. Colston, 36, 400 block W. Todd St., Minden: arrested Feb. 17 by WPSO on warrants. No bond set.

Cantice Carter, 39, 100 block Hillside Lane, Minden: arrested Feb. 13 by WPSO on warrant for theft. Bond set $20,000.

Mariquis M. Harrell, 32, 100 block Duckett Dr., Columbia: arrested Feb. 17 by WPSO on warrant for possession of CDS Sch. II with intent to distribute. Bond set $20,000.

Gregory Scott Lemons, 67, 300 block Crow St., Cotton Valley: arrested Feb. 17 by WPSO on warrant for two counts simple burglary. Bond set $40,000.

Kelvontae Harper, 18, 700 block Crichton St., Minden: arrested Feb. 17 by Minden PD on warrant for simple robbery. Bond set $35,000.

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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Lou Ella Gwin
December 5, 1926 — February 18, 2026
Minden/Homer
Visitation: 9 a.m. until time of service Friday, February 20, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
Funeral service: immediately following visitation.
Burial: Forest Park Cemetery, Shreveport.

Carolyn Barnette
March 31, 1938 — February 15, 2026
Celebration of life: 2 p.m. Thursday, February 19, 2026, Rose-Neath Chapel.

Adolfo “Al” Ramirez, Jr.
October 2, 1933  –  February 15, 2026
Springhill/Mandeville
Visitation: 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026, Our Lady of Lake Catholic Church, Mandeville.
Mass: 1:30 p.m. immediately following visitation.
Graveside service: 11 a.m. Monday, February 23, 2026, Slack Memorial Family Cemetery, Springhill, under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home.

Billie Marie Holcomb Knight
July 14, 1939 — February 4, 2026
Sibley
Graveside service: 10 a.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026, Lane memorial Cemetery, Sibley, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Patricia Elaine Lewis
July 25, 1973  –  February 16, 2026
Sarepta
Funeral service: pending through Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

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

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By Pat Culverhouse

An Interstate 20 traffic stop Monday evening turned into a roadside scuffle and a haul of illegal narcotics, and a Bossier City man is in custody on multiple charges as a result.

Minden police officers Dederick Anderson Jr. and Fabian Randle Carter reportedly pulled over a Mercedes-Benz driven by 20-year-old Qylan Q. Miles for a pair of traffic violations just before 8:30 p.m. When the officers approached the vehicle, they reportedly noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside.

When asked, Miles reportedly admitted marijuana was inside the vehicle. He reportedly handed the officers a plastic bag containing 24.6 grams of the drug, and was asked to step from his vehicle.

When officers attempted to place Miles in custody, he reportedly forcibly pulled away in an apparent attempt to escape. During the ensuing struggle which reportedly was dangerously close to passing traffic, Miles and the officers reportedly twice fell to the ground causing minor abrasions to all three.

Officers managed to secure a package which Miles allegedly tried to conceal from officers during his arrest, and inside found 2.9 grams of crack cocaine, two loose Hydrocodone pills and 4.7 grams of natural marijuana.

A probable cause search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered a variety of pills including Furosemide, Hydromorphone, 200 mg and 800 mg Ibuprofen pills, a small black scale and latex gloves.

A total of 11 charges have been filed against Miles. Among those are speeding, lane violation, two counts of resisting an officer with force or violence, possession CDS Sch. II (Hydromorphone), possession CDS Sch. II (crack cocaine), possession CDS Sch. II (Oxycodone), simple possession CDS Sch. I (marijuana), two counts of sale/distribution/possession of Legend drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. No bond has been 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.

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Minden Planning Commission will address property and setback variances by Minden businesses at their March 5 meeting, which will be held at 10 a.m. in the Pelican Room, Minden City Hall. One variance would allow construction of a new hotel.

Jitendrakumar Patel is requesting a setback variance on property owned by him located at 1332 Sibley Road. The property is zoned B-4 (Highway Commercial).

The purpose of this setback variance request is for the proposed construction of a 4-story hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton, with approximately 80+ guest rooms and an outdoor pool.

Also on the agenda is a request from Jonathan Conway for a variance on property owned by Ad Sign Services located on Lee Street. The property is zoned B-4 (Highway Commercial).

Purpose of this variance request is for the proposed placement of a billboard to advertise their business.

A third agenda item is a request from Daniel & Abby Monday for preliminary approval of a lot split on property owned by them located at 612 Germantown Road.

Interested parties will be given a chance to be heard on all issues.

The public is invited to attend, and all interested parties will be given a chance to be heard on the issues.

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WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump signed Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, which will save hard-earned taxpayer money by curbing erroneous payments to individuals who have passed away, into law.

“Using dead Americans to rip off taxpayers is as low as it gets. Many Americans have seen these scams play out across the country and are tired of watching these fraudsters game the system—so am I. That’s why I wrote this common-sense bill to end this outrageous abuse permanently, and I’m grateful President Trump signed it into law so we can ensure taxpayer dollars go to living Americans who actually need our help,” said Kennedy.

In 2020, Kennedy passed a bipartisan law, the Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, that put in place key provisions to prevent erroneous government payments to deceased individuals for 3 years. Kennedy’s reform is expected to save at least $330 million from 2024 to 2026.

Kennedy introduced another bill, the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, to make this temporary fix permanent. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the new Kennedy bill in September 2025, and the U.S. House of Representatives followed suit in January 2026. It is expected to prevent billions of taxpayer dollars from being erroneously paid to deceased people.

Jonathan McKernan, Under Secretary for Domestic Finance at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, strongly supports Kennedy’s common-sense legislation.

“Treasury is firmly committed to advancing data-driven strategies that strengthen payment integrity and safeguard taxpayer dollars. Senator Kennedy’s legislation is a major step forward in achieving that goal. We greatly appreciate his leadership in our shared goal to prevent improper payments,” said McKernan.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) also support the bill.

“Nothing is more wasteful than the federal government sending money to deceased people, and the American taxpayer will no longer foot the bill for the federal government’s mistakes. Republicans have prioritized eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, and this legislation builds upon the important reforms we delivered through the Working Families Tax Cuts,” said Johnson. 

“It’s pretty simple: the government shouldn’t be sending taxpayer dollars to people who have passed away. Thanks to Sen. Kennedy’s Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, the Treasury will put an end to this egregious use of federal dollars. This is another way Republicans are delivering on our promise to cut waste, fraud, and abuse in Washington. I’m thankful to my good friend from Louisiana for his leadership on this issue and am happy to see this critical legislation signed into law by President Trump,” said Scalise.

Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) co-led the Senate bill with Kennedy.

“This vital bill will help save millions of taxpayer dollars by ensuring the Social Security Administration will be able to permanently share important data with the Treasury Department’s Do Not Pay system, preventing wrongful payments to deceased individuals. I’m proud to support this bipartisan legislation to help safeguard taxpayer dollars,” said Peters.

“Today is the final lap of getting this bill across the finish line so that the personal data and Social Security benefits of millions of Americans are protected. I am pleased to see the signing of our bipartisan bill into law, fixing our federal government’s payment systems to ensure that millions of taxpayer dollars are saved every year. As Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, I am committed to safeguarding the hard-earned benefits of Americans,” said Wyden.

Sens. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) all cosponsored the Senate bill.

“As stewards of our fellow taxpayers’ dollars, we owe it to them to be sure their hard-earned money is well spent and NOT WASTED. The Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, which permanently codifies coordination between the Department of Treasury and Social Security Administration to eliminate payments to dead people, has now been signed into law by President Trump! This is a step in the right direction for ending waste, fraud, and abuse running rampant in Washington,” said Moody.

“Fraudsters gave eternal life to thousands of Americans who died long ago. With President Trump signing the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act into law today, we’re finally stopping fraud dead in its tracks that RIPs off the taxpayers. I’m proud to support this commonsense bill to protect our hard-earned tax dollars, enact stronger safeguards, and restore accountability,” said Ernst.   

“Our government has a responsibility to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. I am glad that this bipartisan bill to update existing safeguards and better prevent unintentional payments to deceased people has been signed into law,” said Hassan.

“I’m thrilled to see this bipartisan, commonsense bill become law. As working families struggle to afford the cost of living, those of us elected to represent them should be doing everything in our power to save taxpayer dollars and protect government resources from fraud and abuse. I will continue working to improve efficiency and ensure that our government is working for all Americans,” said Warner.

Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) led the U.S. House companion bill to the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, with Reps. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) as cosponsors.

“With President Trump signing the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act into law, this administration and Republicans in Congress are taking concrete steps to stop more than $300 million from being lost to waste, abuse, and fraud through improper payments to deceased Americans. This bipartisan reform strengthens accountability across the federal government and makes Washington a more responsible steward of taxpayer dollars by giving the U.S. Treasury real tools to stop fraudulent payments before they happen. I was pleased to cosponsor this legislation in the House, and I applaud Senator Kennedy and Congressman Higgins for their leadership, and thank President Trump for making this commonsense reform permanent,” said Meuser.

“It is unacceptable that hard-earned tax dollars are being sent to dead people and fraudsters. These improper payments are a gross waste of our tax dollars and must be reined in. This legislation will ensure the integrity of our tax dollars and will prevent wrongful payments to those who are deceased, saving Americans billions of dollars. I appreciate Senator Kennedy’s leadership on this bill and thank President Trump for signing it into law,” said Miller-Meeks.

Kennedy’s original 2020 law saved taxpayer money by directing the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to temporarily share its Death Master File—a record of deceased individuals—with the Treasury Department to avoid erroneous payments.

Kennedy’s new Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act would permanently allow the SSA to share the Death Master File with the Treasury Department’s Do Not Pay system. This critical change would rein in the government’s ability to make improper payments to deceased people in the future.

This legislation would also allow the Treasury’s Do Not Pay system to compare death information from the SSA with personal information from other federal entities and to share this information with any paying or administering agency authorized to use the Do Not Pay system.

Background:

Kennedy has long championed the cause of saving billions of dollars in taxpayer money by ending improper payments to deceased Americans:

In December 2024, Kennedy urged his colleagues from the U.S. Senate floor to save taxpayer dollars by supporting the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased Americans Act.

In 2021, Kennedy wrote an op-ed sounding the alarm on the government’s sending more than $1 billion to deceased Americans.

Kennedy’s Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act became law in December 2020, with its three-year exchange period running from December 27, 2023, to December 27, 2025.

In 2019, Kennedy questioned U.S. Government Accountability Office Comptroller General Gene L. Dodaro about improper payments sent to deceased Americans.

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By Shannon Wright

The Village of Doyline Town Council addressed a serious public safety concern during its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, February 11, following reports of loose dogs in the area that may pose a threat to residents.

“The village has a vicious animal ordinance in place,” said Mayor Christie Carter Gates.

Town officials reminded residents that they are responsible for properly restraining and controlling their animals. Failure to do so, they said, will result in enforcement under the ordinance.

In other business, the council voted to hire Andre Stevens of Stevens Mechanical to install a new air conditioning system in the old library building in uptown Doyline.

Stevens submitted a quote of $3,500, which includes the removal and disposal of the existing HVAC system. The new unit will be a mini-split system, which is a more cost-effective option compared to previous quotes of approximately $15,000 for a traditional HVAC system. Officials are working to make the building suitable for rental use in the future.

The council also accepted a $16,000 bid from Martin & Martin Construction for dirt work at the site of the new maintenance building at the end of College Street. The only other bid received, from Lucky Services, was $34,000. Council members noted that Martin & Martin plans to complete the same scope of work using a different approach that is more budget-friendly for small towns. The company came highly recommended and brings 40 years of construction experience.

Sewer system maintenance was also discussed. Repairs will be needed at the apartment complex where one pump is currently down. Additional work is planned for the float system located past the school. While everything is currently functioning, officials emphasized that these repairs will be made promptly to prevent a complete system failure. Funds are available in the sewer account to cover the costs.

Council members also addressed ongoing issues with grease buildup in certain areas of the sewer system and reminded residents never to pour grease down household drains.

Due to issues pertaining to the recent ice storm, the meeting was delayed from the usual schedule. However, the Doyline Town Council will resume meeting on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Town Hall. Residents are encouraged to attend and stay informed on issues affecting the community.

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By Pat Culverhouse

“This is the greatest job in the world and I love it. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else and I hope to be doing it for a while,” Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker told members of the Minden Lions Club.

Parker is heading into his sixth year as the parish’s top law enforcement officer.

One of his priorities during his term in office has been establishing lines of communication and cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, the Sheriff said. One such cooperative agreement is with Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrell’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force which targets sexual predators.

“Sexual predators on the Internet and other social media are targeting youth, and sometimes successfully,” Parker said. “Children are our most precious resource. My commitment goes beyond paperwork (with the Attorney General’s task force) and I’ve assigned a deputy full time to the task force.”

In a roundup last year, 67 sex offenders were arrested by the task force, Parker said.

“Working with all agencies, in municipalities, state-wide or federal, we work better together than alone,” he said.

Parker said his office came through what he called “a winter apocalypse” in good shape, thanks to the vigilance of deputies and cooperation from the public.

“We came out of this weather without any injuries to our deputies and no major accidents,” he said. “Our residents used good judgement during bad conditions and it kept our deputies free to answer calls for service.”

Parker said the Sheriff’s Office is building a state-wide reputation for excellence, and part of that comes from the performance of two deputies.

“Capt. Joel Thomas and Sgt. Jeremy Haas travel across the state, at the request of various agencies, to train instructors who will be training others for POST certifications and such,” he said. “There are only a handful of people who are certified to do this, and we have two of them.”

Thomas and Haas are also certified firearms instructors and that comes in handy in another area Parker said is important to his office and to other law enforcement agencies.

“Our firearms range and training facility at the old penal farm is important for a lot of reasons,” he said. “Now, we can train without having to travel to other parishes, and we can share that opportunity. We’re drawing other law enforcement agencies to Webster Parish to get great training.”

Firearm safety programs will also be offered to citizens of the parish, and especially to young persons, the Sheriff told Lions Club members.

Parker said one important project is nearing completion, and he is proud to be a part of helping that come true.

“The female prison facility at the old penal farm is coming together and could be completed by the end of summer,” he said. “We’ve been talking about this this for years. It’s a police jury operation, but I pledged to help financially. It’s time get those ladies off the fourth floor of the courthouse.”

When the police jury first began exploring the possibility of a female prison, Parker agreed to help with between $2 million and $2.4 million dollars for construction of the proposed $5.1 million project.

Parker also told Lions Club members of the Sheriff’s Office participation in D.A.R.E. programs designed to teach parish fifth-graders about the dangers of substance abuse. Deputies now serve as School Resource Officers in 12 schools and many are also D.A.R.E. instructors.

He pointed to programs within the parish’s penal system (Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center and the parish jail) designed to help inmates, including work release programs to help small communities and to create job opportunities for inmates post-release.

“Last year, we had 11 females volunteer for a heavy equipment operators instruction program at the technical college here,” he said. “They now have the certification to find a job, and there are opportunities out there.”

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Hall Summit is preparing for a big day of action, community spirit, and charitable giving as the Hall Summit Community Center & Park hosts a full slate of events on Saturday, February 28, 2026, all benefiting Pilots for Patients.

The all-day event will bring together motorcycle riders, barbecue teams, outdoor sportsmen, vendors, and families for a cause that provides critical air transportation for patients in medical need.

One of the highlights of the day will be the Don Bernard Memorial Poker Run, which will begin at 3 State Harley-Davidson in Bossier City before riders make their way to Hall Summit. Motorcycles, cars, Jeeps, and clubs are all welcome to participate, honoring Bernard’s legacy while supporting the life-saving mission of Pilots for Patients.

Also on the schedule is a BBQ Cook-Off, featuring a non-traditional two-meat competition with half chicken and ribs. Teams will compete for bragging rights and prizes, with an entry fee of $150. Smoke will be in the air as pits fire up for what organizers expect to be a competitive and crowd-pleasing cook-off.

Outdoor excitement continues with a Wild Hog Live Catch Tournament, offering 40 award buckles and action throughout the day. The tournament is expected to draw participants from across the region.

In addition to the main events, attendees can enjoy a silent auction, raffles, vendors, concessions, and a variety of family-friendly activities, making the day accessible for all ages.

The event will take place at Hall Summit Community Center & Park, located at 1170 First Street in Hall Summit.

All proceeds from the day will go directly to Pilots for Patients, a nonprofit organization that coordinates free air transportation for patients facing serious medical challenges.

Organizers say the event is about more than competition and entertainment — it’s about honoring a legacy, supporting a life-saving cause, and showcasing the strength of a small community coming together for something bigger.

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Credit touches nearly every corner of our modern financial lives. Whether you’re applying for a mortgage, renting an apartment, buying a car, starting a business, or even setting up utility service, your credit history and credit score can determine what opportunities are available to you – and at what cost.

I believe that credit remains widely misunderstood. Most people think of credit as something that only matters when borrowing money, or they assume it’s only important during major life events. But in reality, good credit is a long-term financial asset that can save you thousands of dollars, reduce stress, and open doors that you may not even realize are closed.

What is credit? Well, it’s simply a measure of trust. When lenders, landlords, insurers, or service providers look at your credit history, they’re asking a simple question: “How likely is this person to meet their financial obligations on time?” Your past behavior – paying bills, managing debt, and handling financial commitments – helps answer that question.

Your credit profile consists of two main components: Your credit report, which is a detailed record of your borrowing and payment history; and your credit score, which is a numerical summary of the information in your credit report. Together, these tools help others evaluate financial risk. When your credit is strong, you’re viewed as a lower risk. When it is weak, opportunities often become more expensive – or possibly unavailable altogether.

One of the most direct and measurable benefits of good credit is access to lower interest rates. Lenders reward borrowers with strong credit histories because they’re statistically more likely to repay their debts on time. A person with excellent credit might qualify for a mortgage rate that is one or two percentage points lower than someone with poor credit (Bank of America’s Better Money Habits, How credit scores affect your mortgage rate). On a 30-year mortgage, that difference can add up to tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan. And car loans, personal loans, and credit cards all follow the same pattern – better credit equals lower borrowing costs. Money stays in your pocket.

Approval isn’t guaranteed simply because you want to borrow money. Lenders use credit history as one of their primary decision-making tools. A strong credit profile increases the likelihood that your application will be approved, while poor credit can lead to denials or less attractive terms.

Credit matters to more people than lenders. Landlords frequently review credit reports when deciding whether to rent to a prospective tenant. Good credit usually signals reliability and responsibility, while poor credit can raise concerns about late rent payments or unpaid utilities. With good credit you may benefit from faster rental approvals, lower security deposits, greater access to competitive or high-demand housing, and more negotiating power when lease terms are discussed.

In many states such as Louisiana, insurance companies may use credit-based insurance scores when determining premiums for auto and homeowners insurance. While this practice is controversial, it remains common. Statistically, insurers have found correlations between credit behavior and claim risk.

When setting up utilities such as electricity, water, gas, internet, or cell phone service, providers may check your credit. Poor credit can result in higher deposits or limited service options. Good credit may result in: no security deposit required, faster service activation, and access to better service plans or equipment options. While these benefits may seem small individually, the big picture is that they contribute to a smoother and less stressful financial life.

It’s also important to note that some prospective employers run credit checks on applicants, especially if the job is in the financial sector, law enforcement, or another area that involves sensitive data. By law, applicant consent would be required before running the report.

One of the most underrated benefits of good credit is peace of mind. When your credit is strong, you’re less likely to feel trapped or anxious about financial decisions. You know that if you need to move, borrow, or adapt, your credit is unlikely to stand in the way. In short, good credit creates options. And options create freedom.

Next time I’ll cover the ins and outs of the actual credit report, tell you how to get yours at no cost, and offer tips on improving your credit situation. 

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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Cameron Parker poured in 21 points and Hudson Brown added 17 as the Minden Crimson Tide raced past North DeSoto 74-51 Monday.

With the win, Minden upped its District 1-4A record to 5-2, 14-8 on the season.

Minden got out front early, jumping to an 11-point first quarter lead and adding to the margin to take a 37-23 advantage at the half.

Javen Calloway tossed in 11 points for the Tide, followed by Markavius Johnson with nine and Gerald Richardson’s eight.

North DeSoto was led by Mosely with 19 and Kennedy with 18.

Next action for the Tide comes Wednesday when Benton visits for a varsity boys’ game only. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

Score by quarters:

North Desoto   6      17      18       10      51

Minden            17     20      26       10     74

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Taylor Cox drove in four runs on two hits and picked up the win on the mound to lead his team as the Doyline Panthers pounded Mansfield 17-0 Monday.

Doyline scored nine runs in the first inning on the way to put the game away. Big blows in the inning came when Cox collected a pair of RBI singles in the inning while James Dodge singled in another and Zack Moseley produced an RBI double.

Another eight runs crossed in the bottom of the second inning. Charles Nicklas singled in one run, a Dodge single produced two and Landon Burrough had an RBI single wrapped around a three-run error by the Wolverines.

Cox surrendered no hits and no runs over two innings of work, striking out three and walking two. Zack Moseley threw one inning of zero-run ball for the Panthers in relief.

Doyline hammered out 10 hits in the game, collected six walks and had nine stolen bases.

Doyline travels to Florien Friday for its next match.

(“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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CHICAGO—Most people know they need to try other restaurants when they’re in a great food city. So do I. And yet every time the tortilla soup arrives at Frontera Grill, that plan is out the window.

Chicago has been part of my life once a year since the late 1980s as I am typically here every May for the National Restaurant Association Show. I’ve always seen this city as a more accessible and friendlier New York — the same world-class dining, the same energy, but without the attitude. You can get a reservation. People look you in the eye. The host remembers your name by the second visit. Now that my son lives up here, the trips are happening several times a year, and the city has become something more than a food destination.

It’s personal now.

Rick Bayless grew up in his family’s barbecue joint in Oklahoma City — fourth generation in the restaurant business. He studied Spanish and Latin American culture at the University of Oklahoma, did graduate work in linguistics at Michigan, then walked away from a PhD to do what he was born to do. He and his wife Deann moved to Mexico for six years, eating and studying and writing, and in 1987 they opened Frontera Grill on North Clark Street. Seven James Beard Awards. A PBS TV show. Top Chef Masters. Nine cookbooks. None of that tells you what you really need to know. What you need to know is that Rick Bayless is the best Mexican chef in America, and I have always believed that you could drop him in Mexico City tomorrow and he’d be the best Mexican chef in Mexico.

Of all the great soups I have enjoyed — and there have been some great ones over the years, the mushroom soup at Paul Bocuse’s restaurant in Lyon, Frank Brigtsen’s butternut squash and shrimp bisque down in New Orleans — Rick’s tortilla soup at Frontera holds its own against any of them. It’s been on the menu since opening day. Thirty-eight years. That alone tells you something.

From my understanding, this is how I am told Rick makes the magic. He toasts pasilla negro chiles and blends them with fire-roasted tomatoes, then cooks that puree down with garlic and onion until it’s thick and dark and concentrated — almost like tomato paste, but nothing like tomato paste. The chicken stock goes in. It simmers. Thirty minutes later you’ve got a broth that doesn’t taste like any tortilla soup you’ve had at any other Mexican restaurant in your life. It’s deeper than that. Darker. More serious. That’s the word — depth. Not heat. Not flash. Depth. The kind of flavor that hits somewhere behind your sternum and just sits there. Then the garnishes show up — crispy fried tortilla strips, crumbled chile, shredded Chihuahua cheese, diced avocado, crema, a squeeze of lime — and every spoonful is a different combination. You don’t want it to end. It never does end, actually, because you order it again next time. And the time after that.

Normally my goal when traveling is to hit as many restaurants as possible. All plans revolve around food — reservations are made weeks in advance, notes are filled with backup options, the whole production. My wife stopped being impressed by this level of planning in the mid 1990s. She’d be thrilled if half that effort went into a home renovation. Though the truth is, that discipline is slipping. In London last year, the plan fell apart at Fallow— after my first visit I ate there three times in a row, canceling two other reservations. Somewhere a reservationist in Mayfair still has my name on a list of people never to trust again. There’s something to be said for knowing what you love and not fighting it.

My son makes the dining decisions when we’re in Chicago now. That’s a switch. But giving up that control doesn’t bother me one bit. It’s his city now.

He’s a classically trained chef working for Boka Restaurant Group — one of the premier independent restaurant groups in the country. My friend Kevin Boehm and his business partner Rob Katz founded Boka in 2002, and they’ve grown it to more than 30 restaurants across Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville. Two thousand employees. Multiple Michelin stars. James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur in 2019. The portfolio includes Girl and the Goat, Swift and Sons, Momotaro, GT Fish and Oyster. My son rotates through different positions in different concepts — in the prep kitchen one month, helping to open a new concept the next — learning every angle of this business from some of the best operators in America.

He’s doing it the right way.

The restaurant business is nothing I ever pushed on him. It’s too brutal for that. The hours are long. The margins are thin. The work is physical and mental, and emotional, sometimes all in the same 15-minute window. A lot like parenting, actually, except the customers tip better than your children ever will. You can’t fake your way through it. You either love it or it eats you alive. He loves it. That’s not something he was taught. That’s something he found on his own, and it means more than words do justice. There’s a phone call that comes every few weeks — late, after service — and he talks about a dish he nailed or a night that went sideways, and he sounds exactly like me 38 years ago. Exactly.

Almost four decades of building restaurants in Mississippi — all the early mornings and late nights and lessons learned the hard way — lead a man to a moment like this. You think about the people who showed up for you when you were young and had no idea what you were doing. You think about what this business has given and what it’s cost and how you wouldn’t trade a minute of it. And then you watch your son walk into a kitchen 800 miles from home with the same fire you had at his age — maybe more — and the gratitude just sits on you.

One day he’ll come back to Mississippi and work alongside his old man. That day can’t come soon enough. But right now, he’s exactly where he needs to be — learning, growing, earning it.

No shortcuts.

Frontera still pulls me in every trip. Some things don’t change. But now when that tortilla soup comes to the table, it’s not just the chile and the broth and the 38 years of a man getting one dish exactly right. My son is across the table. He’s got kitchen burns on his forearms and opinions about stock. We’re sitting in a booth 800 miles from Hattiesburg, and he’s talking about this business the way I talked about it when I was his age — like it’s the only thing in the world worth doing. There’s a depth to this moment that has nothing to do with pasilla chiles. It’s the depth of a son who could have done anything and chose this. He’s building a life in the business his father gave his life to. And he chose it — freely and completely — all on his own.

That’s better than any bowl of soup. Even this one.

Onward.

Shrimp and Butternut Squash Bisque

Makes 1 gallon

Squash wasn’t a part of the original recipe. Though its natural sweetness balances the richness of the shrimp and the cream. 

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds shell-on shrimp, peeled and deveined, shells reserved
6 cups heavy whipping cream
2 bay leaves
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups yellow onion, small dice
1 cup carrot, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1/4 cup shallot, small dice
2 teaspoons fresh garlic, minced
4 cups butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 cups chicken or seafood stock
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup orange juice
6 ounces thick-cut bacon, 1/4-inch dice
1 pound lump crab meat, shells removed
1/4 cup chives, chopped

In a three-quart saucepot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Stir in the shrimp shells and sauté until the shells are bright orange, about five minutes. Pour the cream over the shells, add the bay leaves, and simmer on low for five minutes. Remove from the heat and allow the shells to steep while preparing the rest of the bisque.

In a six-quart stockpot, heat the butter over medium heat. Stir in the onions and carrots and sauté for five minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add the shallots, garlic, and butternut squash. Cook for three more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Pour the stock over the vegetables and cover the pot with a lid. Steam for seven to eight minutes, until the squash begins to soften.

Strain the cream over the squash mixture, pressing on the shrimp shells to extract as much flavor as possible. Discard the shells and bay leaves. Bring the soup to a simmer and continue cooking for seven to eight minutes, until the squash is fully tender.

Add the salt, white pepper, cayenne pepper, and reserved peeled shrimp. Simmer for six more minutes and remove from the heat. Allow the soup to cool for 10 minutes before pureeing.

Puree the soup in a blender or food processor until smooth. Stir in the orange juice and hold warm while preparing the garnish.

In a medium-sized skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until golden brown and crispy. Drain the grease and add the crab meat to the pan. Cook just until the crab is warmed through. Remove from the heat and stir in the chives.

Pour the bisque into serving bowls and top with the bacon and crab mixture. Serve immediately.

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

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“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape.  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14 (NIV)

Legendary boxer Joe Louis told his opponents that they could run, but they could not hide. Mordecai warned his cousin Esther in the same way.

The Old Testament’s Book of Esther reads like a novel: suspense, beauty, greed, death, intrigue, the possibility of tremendous loss, the surprising victory of the underdog, and the gory death of the Bad Guy. But in the fourth chapter, the situation is far from decided. 

Esther has been tasked with risking her life to save her people, the Jews, the bloodline from which the Savior of the world will come. And Jesus WILL come. “. . . relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but . . ..” Mordecai says.

Just as God placed Esther as the queen of Persia at a special time for a particular reason, so he does with the rest of us. It was God who saved the Jews, not Esther; it was Esther who agreed, at the risk of her life, to be used.

Why are you in Ruston or Natchitoches or Bossier or Los Angeles or Smackover, Arkansas? I don’t know either. But God knows. You are where you are because you are where God needs you to be. If you are not where God wants you to be, He’ll let you know that too. But a Being who can create from nothing a squirrel and a mountain and solar system can surely have the intelligence to use you, whether you are royalty or a serf, for the perfect good of the Kingdom, no matter where you are.

Wherever you are, God is too. Royalty walks with you.

Your location does not determine your limitation. God can do anything through you, if you trust Him . . . right where you are.

Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

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By Brad Dison

In April 1964, Walter and Betty Roberts opened the Actors and Writers Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia, “to provide younger talent in all fields with an opportunity to develop and showcase their talents, and to encourage an interest and participation in theater arts among young people, especially high school students.”  Walter and Betty met nine years earlier during the casting of a play.  Walter and Better were cast as husband and wife who bitterly hated each other, but in real life, it was love at first sight.  Three days after they met, Walter proposed and Betty instantly accepted.  As soon as the tour ended, they eloped.  They worked in theater together until they decided to form their own production company.  The A&W Workshop guided the young actors and writers by hosting various performances based on their talents.  In celebration of William Shakespeare’s 400th birthday, they selected for their first touring production, “Othello.”  Walter directed and played the part of the jealous Moor who killed the tragic Desdemona, who was played by Betty.  Since it was a new venture with little capital, “Othello” was presented in modern dress.  Walter had an orchestra, which included three musicians from the local Briarcliff High School, prerecord the music for the production.  The announcement invited “Artists wishing to associate with the group [to] apply by letter.  No fees are involved.”

In 1965, Coretta King called the A&W Workshop and asked if her nine-year-old daughter Yolanda could join the troupe.  At just eight years old, Yolanda had written her first play, but she had been turned away from other theater groups because they did not accept black students.  Betty, who thought talent was colorblind, told Coretta, “Sure.  Come on over.”  Yolanda was welcomed into the A&W Workshop and was regularly cast as the lead female in productions.  By April 1966, Yolanda was one of two assistant directors of the company.  She was just 10 years old at the time.  Walter and Betty became close friends with Coretta and her husband, Martin. 

In the following year, 1967, Betty was pregnant with her second child.  Although the A&W Workshop had a full tour schedule, it was struggling financially.  In June, the young performers opened the summer season with “Joan of Arc,” followed by “Little Plays for Little People,” “Green Pastures,” and “Once Upon a Mattress.”  In September 1967, the A&W Workshop began its fall season and advertised that although it had already begun, they were still accepting applications for membership.  Walter and Betty were in a financial slump and needed more students.  On October 28, 1967, Walter and Betty welcomed their second child, a daughter, into the world.  It was a happy occasion, mostly.  Walter, Betty, and their son, Eric, were overjoyed with the new addition to their family, but Walter and Betty worried about the looming hospital bill which they were unable to afford.  When Yolanda’s parents learned about their financial difficulty, they remembered when Walter and Betty had accepted their daughter when everyone else turned her away.  Yolanda’s parents, Coretta Scott King and her husband, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., paid the full hospital bill for Walter and Betty.  You know Walter and Betty’s daughter.  Her name is Julia Roberts.   

Sources:

1.     The Atlanta Journal, April 12, 1964, p.10-D.

2.     The Atlanta Journal, April 23, 1964, p.71.

3.     The Atlanta Journal, May 10, 1964, p.104.

4.     The Atlanta Journal, July 31, 1964, p.26.

5.     The Atlanta Journal, April 22, 1966, p.29.

6.     The Atlanta Journal, June 29, 1967, p.79.

7.     The Atlanta Constitution, September 9, 1967, p.37.

8.     Caitlin O’Kane, “Julia Roberts reveals Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King paid for her parents’ hospital bill when she was born,” CBS News.com, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/julia-roberts-martin-luther-king-jr-and-coretta-scott-king-paid-birth-hospital-bill/, accessed February 8, 2026.

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Woman of the Year Nominations

As we step into 2026, the Young Women’s Service Club of Minden, LA invites you to help us recognize one of Minden’s most deserving women.
YWSC is proud to sponsor the 2026 Woman of the Year Award, honoring a woman who has served our community with selflessness, leadership, and heart. This honoree has gone above and beyond to support others and help make Minden a better place to live.

Nominations close: February 18, 2026

Winner announced at the Greater Minden Chamber’s Annual Awards Gala on March 24, 2026

Nominate here: https://forms.gle/jncMLe6jMjCFDWBd7

Man of the Year Nominations

Don’t let service and dedication to our community go unrecognized! Nominate an outstanding man for the Minden Man of the Year Award, sponsored by the Minden Lions Club. The winner will be announced during the Greater Minden Chamber Awards Gala on Tuesday, March 24.

DEADLINE: February 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Man of the Year nominations will be judged by a committee consisting of representatives from the Minden Lions Club, Young Women’s Service Club, Greater Minden Chamber, Minden Evening Lions Club, and Minden Civitans.
Click here to submit your nomination and to see the complete list of past recipients:
https://docs.google.com/…/1ebb7DFsd-TIb…/edit…

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Wednesday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday

Partly sunny, with a high near 78. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55.

Friday

A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71.

Friday Night

A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.

Saturday

A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

*Information provided by National Weather Service.

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

Feb. 21

11 a.m. Black History Parade, downtown Minden.

1 p.m., Red And White Ball, Mt. Zion Fellowship Hall, 414 East Union St., Minden. Theme: God’s Unfailing Love,” Children’s and Youth departments.

Feb. 28

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

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 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

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

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Phonetic: /di·as·po·ra/
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: the dispersion or spread of a people from their original homeland.
“his parents were part of the Scots diaspora”
people who have spread or been dispersed from their homeland.
“the Latin American diaspora has spread across the United States”
the dispersion of the Jewish people beyond Israel in biblical times.
“a secular interpretation of Jewish history in antiquity and during the Diaspora.”

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Play Sudoku online!

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Michael Shannon Powell, 44, 2400 block Rodney Martin Rd., Shongaloo: arrested Feb. 13 by WPSO on warrant for felon in possession of firearm. Bond set $45,000.

Brandon T. Smith, 26, 100 block Robertson Dr., Minden: arrested Feb. 12 by Minden PD for possession of CDS Sch. I (synthetic marijuana), access device fraud. Bond set $2,000.

Jazmin Trenelle Bailey, 31, 600 block Harris St., Minden: arrested Feb. 14 by Louisiana State Police for DWI first offense. No bond set.

Chazzsmun L. Lewis, 33, 400 block Whitlock St., Minden: arrested Feb. 13 by Minden PD on bench warrants. Bond set $1,800.

Matthew Deon Fry, 49, 11000 block Hwy. 80, Minden: arrested Feb. 12 by WPSO on multiple warrants. Bond set $1,920.50.

Eldrick D. Ward, 45, 100 block Shreve Dr., Minden: arrested Feb. 11 by Minden PD on fugitive warrants from Bossier Parish SO. Bond set $3,000.

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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Carolyn Barnette
March 31, 1938 — February 15, 2026
Visitation: 4:30 until 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.
Celebration of life: 2 p.m. Thursday, February 20, 2026, Rose-Neath Chapel.

Billie Marie Holcomb Knight
July 14, 1939 — February 4, 2026
Sibley
Graveside service: 10 a.m. Saturday, February 21, 2026, Lane memorial Cemetery, Sibley, under the direction of Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Minden.

Patricia Elaine Lewis
July 25, 1973  –  February 16, 2026
Sarepta
Funeral service: pending through Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.

Mary McDonald Fox
June 15, 1936  –  February 16, 2026
Springhill
Visitation: 9 until 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill.
Graveside service: 10 a.m.Wednesday at Welcome Cemetery, Taylor Ark., under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home.

Tara Joyce
September 3, 1974 — February 14, 2026
Minden
Memorial service: 1 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2026, Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel, Minden.

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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By Pat Culverhouse

A pair of Sunday structure fires, including one which caused extensive internal damage to a church in Doyline, had local firefighters busy.

Firefighters from Webster Parish Fire Dist. 3 in Doyline, along with assistance from the Sibley volunteer fire department, were able to contain an early Sunday morning fire to the sanctuary at Lighthouse Doyline, formerly known as Point Chapel Church on Fuller Rd. near Amos Cutoff.

According to Dist. 3 officials, quick response and teamwork kept the blaze from spreading beyond the main church building. No injuries were reported, and no cause has been determined. State fire marshals reportedly are investigating.

Although damage to the sanctuary was severe, services reportedly will continue in the church’s fellowship hall which was undamaged.

Later Sunday afternoon, Minden firefighters made quick work of a fire which officials believe began in the kitchen area of a residence in the 100 block of Bridwell.

Fire Chief Brian Williams said the residents were not at home when firefighters responded, but three furry occupants were inside and apparently very happy to see someone open the doors.

“We were greeted by three dogs who left in a big hurry as we entered the dwelling,” said Fire Chief Brian Williams. “They nearly knocked over a couple of our guys who were heading inside.”

After a brief chase, firefighters were able to retrieve two of the animals but were unable to convince the third, a medium-sized, tan-colored female hound, that it was safe to return.

Williams said the cause of the fire is unknown at this time, but damage was minimal. Firefighters remained on scene to check for hotspots and to deploy large fans to help evacuate smoke.

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