Minden Press-Herald E-Edition 11-21-2019

News RECENT ARRESTS IN WEBSTER PARISH | PAGE 2

Minden

Press-Herald

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

Minden woman arrested for theft from Greater Minden Chamber STAFF REPORT Minden Press-Herald

light shined on the powder it would show fingerprints as fluorescent.

“Edwards was later stopped by Officer Jason Smith and in plain view of Edwards’ purse was the envelope which reacted to the black light,” the report read. “[Edwards] actually admitted going into the desk on three different occasions,” Minden Chief of Police Steve Cropper said.

“After the interview, Edwards signed a consent to search waiver for her vehicle,” the report read.

During the search of the vehicle, police located a purple container which contained one 600mg ibuprofen, one xanax bar which has four parts, and 1/4 of a xanax bar, for which Edwards said she did not have a prescription.

“She [Edwards] indicated she was going through some hard times,” Cropper said.

Edwards was charged with felony theft ($1575), and possession of a schedule IV controlled dangerous substance. She was later transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center for booking.

A Minden woman was arrested Wednesday for theft of cash from the Greater Minden Chamber of Commerce. The arrest comes as the result of a weeks-long investigation into missing money.

According to a booking report at the time of her arrest, Karessa Lewis Edwards, 39, of Carey Lane, was seen at 2:50 a.m.

Wednesday morning on a covert camera in the office of the Chamber of Commerce.

Edwards leased space above the Chamber of Commerce offices and had access to the building.

“Edwards returned to the office at 0553 (5:53 a.m.) hrs and is seen going into the drawers of the desk in that office,” the report read.

The Minden Police Department had placed money in an envelope in the desk drawer which contained $200 cash. The money was sprayed with a luminescent powder that if a black

PRESS-HERALD.COM

MINDEN, LOUISIANA

75 CENTS

Minden High School performs Shrek the Musical

COURTESY PHOTO

The cast of the Minden High Crimson Stars production of Shrek the Musical Jr. There will be two more showings on Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. It is open for the public to attend. Tickets will be $7 for adults and $5 for students.

Ivy Vale Plantation offering Christmas tours with proceeds benefiting St. Jude WILL PHILLIPS Minden Press-Herald

Enchanting Candlelight Christmas Tours of Ivy Vale Plantation are available this coming holiday season. The tours will detail the evolution of frontier and plantation life in North Louisiana.

“You will get from the time the house was built in 1816 until it was finished prior to the Civil War in 1855. You will see how the house developed over time, pictures of the people who built that house, and pictures of how the house was constructed. We’re touring 15 out of the 18 rooms in the house,” said Denton Culpepper, Owner of Ivy Vale Plantation.

This isn’t just a regular tour

of the plantation either. “Every room in the house is decked out for Christmas. We have eight Christmas trees. The outside will be lit up with candlelight, it won’t be lit up with any Christmas lights or anything like that.

There will be over 100 candles burning inside the house as well,” said Culpepper.

Tour dates include November 30th, December 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Culpepper is also offering private tours Sunday through Friday from noon to 6 p.m. for any group of ten people or more.

The length of the tour will be from 45 minutes to 1 hour. Admission is $10 for adults, children under 12 years of age get in free. A portion of the proceeds will go to St. Jude Children’s Re-

Volume 51 Number 104

©2019 Specht Newspapers, Inc.

COURTESY PHOTO

The Ivy Vale Plantation decked out in Christmas decorations for their Candlelight Christmas Tours which will Start on Nov. 30.

searxh Hospital.

531 Minden, LA

For booking please reach out

dentonculpepper@gmail.

to Ivy Vale Plantation 2529 Hwy

com or (225) 287-8085. Peo-

Tomorrow’s

High Temp

69°

Tomorrow’s

Low Temp

44°

Sign up for daily news updates at

ple can also pre-order tickets

online by visiting the Ivy Vale Plantation’s Facebook page.

www.press-herald.com

INDEX Obituaries Editorials Sports

3 Classifieds 13 4 Crossword 10 8 Comics 11

2 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

Second Front GOVERNMENT

CYBER ATTACK

‘Public defenders are paid to lose’: Louisiana looking at reforms to legal defense system DAVID JACOBS The Center Square

Public defenders in Louisiana get extra funding when their clients are convicted, creating perverse incentives that make it harder to establish trust between poor defendants and their attorneys, advocates said Thursday.

“Public defenders are paid to lose,” said Derwyn Bunton with the Orleans Parish public defenders office.

Lindsay Blouin, a public defender in East Baton Rouge Parish and a board member of the Public Defender Association of Louisiana, said an accused offender who gets a court-appointed attorney can be charged $45 for “special costs,” but the public defender’s office only gets the money if the client is convicted.

“This is where the breach in the public trust between the public defender system and the citizens that we represent becomes so critical,” she said.

Louisiana lawmakers as part of the 2017 criminal justice overhaul passed Act

260, which was meant to ensure fines and fees do not become a barrier to successful re-entry into society.

But enforcement has been pushed back amid concerns about the impact on court funding, which heavily depends on self-generated revenue.

The Louisiana Commission on Justice System Funding, which met Thursday, is looking for ways to pay for the court system while allowing Act 260 to be implemented. The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals added urgency to the commission’s work recently when it ruled that criminal court judges in Orleans Parish have a conflict of interest when deciding whether defendants are too poor to pay the fines and fees that help fund the court’s expenses, possibly setting a precedent that will be relevant statewide.

Will Harrell, an attorney and prominent criminal justice activist who is on the commission, expressed shock at Blouin’s revelation, later confirmed by Bunton, who said it had been standard practice in the state since the 1970s.

“You’re kind of freaking me out right now,” he told Blouin. “The worse a criminal defendant fares in this process, the better the public defender fares in terms of the bottom line. … There is a conflict of interest.”

Julia Spear, an administrator with the Louisiana Supreme Court, said the justices are “leaning toward” favoring a new system that replaces fines and fees with general state appropriations. But state officials currently don’t know how much money is needed because the entities that collect, distribute and spend the money don’t always keep detailed, easily searchable records.

A Louisiana Supreme Court staff review of court audits from 2018 indicates district courts used $28.2 million in self-generated revenue to pay 50.9 percent of their expenses, while the numbers for city and parish courts are $17 million and 70.8 percent respectively.

However, the report captures only a portion of the total cost of the justice system and should be treated as a starting point for more work, officials said.

possession of drug para-

er Road in Doyline, was

BLOTTER Recent arrests in Webster Parish

phernalia.

arrested for possession of a schedule I substance, possession of drug para-

Amanda Wheeler, 42, of

Jason Thompson, of the

the 200 block of Hickory

700 block of Kind Ordard

Street in Springhill, was

Road in Serepta, was ar-

arrested for access device

rested for flight from an

fraud and conspiracy to

officer,

headlamp,

Daisy Woodard, 18, of

commit

no driver’s license, and

the 900 block of Cline

swapped tags.

Street, was arrested for

access

device

fraud.

no

phernalia, and failure to comply with the W/PFD.

cruelty to a juvenile and cruelty to animals.

John Wheeler, 42, of

Seth Humphreys, 30,

the 200 block of Hickory

of the 000 block of Rain-

Street in Springhill, was

ey Circle in Springhill,

Tobias Odoms, 44, of

arrested for Access Device

was arrested for general

the 1100 block of Franklin

Fraud and Conspiracy to

speeding, flight from an

Road in Heflin, was ar-

Commit Access Device

officer, improper lane us-

rested for failure to appear

Fraud.

age, limitations on pass-

in court.

ing, stop signs & yield, Marlon Coleman, 43, of the 1100 block of Fourth

and criminal negligence of family.

Gary Shelton, 40, of the 700 block of Columbia Street, was arrested for

Street, was arrested on two counts of possession

Kadarryl Odgen, 22, of

of a schedule I substance.

the 2100 block of Barrett

unauthorized use of a vehicle.

Street in Cullen, was arDelandro Washington, 57, of the 5100 block of

rested for unauthorized use of a movable.

in court.

of the 800 block of Park Highway, was arrested for

Dorcheat Road, was arrested for failure to appear

James Hammond, 57,

Danny Dinkins, 42, of the 200 block of Provi-

a violation of protection order.

dence Road in Serepta, Samantha Toland, 34, of the 2600 block of Franklin

was arrested for domestic abuse battery.

Jeffery Shaver, 40, of the 1000 block of Country Club Circle, was arrested

Road in Heflin, was arrested for possession of a

Hayden Hathorn, 20,

schedule Ii substance and

of the 300 block of Fowl-

for failure to appear in court.

OMV locations to remain closed Thursday morning STAFF REPORT Minden Press-Herald

Due to continued efforts to restore network and online services, statewide OMV locations will remain closed Thurs-

day morning, November 21, 2019. Officials with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles and the Office of Technology Services have worked continuously since the beginning of the incident making progress

to ensure all public systems are operational and ready for full service.

Individual office openings will be evaluated as electronic services are restored throughout the morning.

CRIME

Bossier deputies arrest man for exposing himself STAFF REPORT Minden Press-Herald

Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington says detectives with the Bossier Sheriff’s Office arrested a Haughton man Wednesday afternoon for exposing himself to other people in broad daylight in the Haughton area, particularly in the Dogwood subdivision.

Louis A. Schommer, 59, of the 700 block of Fir Wood Lane in Haughton, was charged with three counts of Obscenity and two counts of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile.

He was arrested on warrant charges stemming from three occasions in March and November of this year in which he exposed himself to motorists while he was jogging

during daylight hours in the neighborhood. On one occasion, juveniles were inside one of the vehicles passing by.

Schommer was transported to the Bossier Maximum Security Facility Wednesday afternoon for booking; bond is pending.

Bossier detectives are continuing their investigation.

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 | 3

Webster & More

POLITICS

Louisiana coastal officials defend contracting process that was attacked during campaign DAVID JACOBS The Center Square

State officials on Tuesday defended the coastal restoration contracting process that was at the center of attack ads created for the Louisiana governor’s race.

Political action committees working to defeat Gov. John Bel Edwards in last Saturday’s election accused the governor of rigging the process to favor his former West Point roommate.

“Gov. Edwards has never, not once, not a single time, asked me to consider someone for a contract or directed me to issue a contract of any kind to anyone,” said Chip Kline, chairman of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. “No one received a contract under this delivery mechanism or is currently in line or well-positioned to get this work.”

As the state House Natural Resources and Environment committee met, federal lawmakers were advancing legislation that would increase Louisiana’s share of revenue from offshore energy production in federal waters.

Louisiana dedicates those dollars to coastal restoration.

Kline said questioning the state’s contracting process for coastal projects could jeopardize Louisiana’s ability to get federal money for its coastal protection and restoration program.

At issue is an “outcome-based performance contract alternative project delivery method” lawmakers unanimously approved in 2017.

Though Louisiana has not yet used the alternative method, Kline said a similar process has been used

by North Carolina, Florida and Washington.

CPRA Executive Director Bren Haas said the contracting method is meant to leverage the expertise and financing capacity of the private sector. The private firms agree to take on risk up front, allowing CPRA to get started on projects right away while paying for them with future revenue, he said.

CPRA issued a “request for statements of interest and qualifications,’ or RSIQ, for a project. It was a public call open to any interested parties, Haas

said.

Six teams submitted their qualifications, and all six were deemed qualified to move on to the next stage. One of the six teams included a firm that employs Murray Starkel, a friend of the governor who supported Edwards’ campaign.

Four of those teams, including Starkel’s, submitted proposals. CPRA decided not to move forward because the proposed costs were higher than expected. Even if it had, the team including Starkel would not have received the contract because their proposal only ranked third out of four, officials said at Tuesday’s hearing.

An ad by Truth in Politics, which is funded by Baton Rouge businessman Lane Grigsby and supported Edwards’ Republican challenger Eddie Rispone, initially claimed Starkel had landed the contract, even though it was never awarded. After that ad was pulled, a new version saying Starkel was “poised to cash in” also was taken down, this time by a court order.

“Just highlighting one project that didn’t move

forward is misleading and covers up the real stink here,” Truth in Politics said in defense of the second ad. “Because of the ‘Outcome Based Contract’ that Starkel was selected for, he is now in a prime position to become a very rich man.”

Truth in Politics said Starkel was given private access to key administrators, his company has only three employees and no offices, and it was ill-equipped to work on a multi-million dollar state contract.

Kline said both ads were false. Haas said the solicitation will start over, and the bidders will not be limited to the six teams that initially responded to the RSIQ. Matthew Block, Edwards’ executive counsel, had asked for Tuesday’s hearing to be held before the election. Rep. Stuart Bishop, the Lafayette Republican who chairs the Natural Resources and Environment Committee, said he scheduled the hearing as soon as the rules would allow after receiving the request, though Block said those rules have been waived in the past.

4 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

Opinion

JOSHUA SPECHT, EDITOR AND PUBLISHER dspecht@press-herald.c.om

OPINION

What’s Behind Our World on Fire?

When the wildfires of California While that proposal was withbroke out across the Golden State, drawn, the rioting has continued for many were the causes given. half a year and now involves Molotov Negligence by campers. Falling cocktails, slingshots, bows and arpower lines. Arson. A dried-out land. rows, and catapults to hurl bricks at Climate change. Failure to manage police. forests, prune trees and clear debris, The latest demands include invesleaving fuel for blazes ignited. Abnor- tigating and punishing police for exmally high winds spreadcessive force, restoration ing the flames. Too many of all liberties and freefires for first responders to doms Hong Kong enjoyed handle. in the last years of British So, too, there appears to rule, and the right to elect be a multiplicity of causes their own leaders. igniting and fueling the If Hong Kong can resist protests and riots sweepmighty China for half a ing capital cities across our year, imagine what Taiworld. wan, with three times The year-long yellow Hong Kong’s population, vest protests in Paris, set significant military forcoff by fuel price hikes that es, and 100 miles of water were swiftly rescinded, PATRICK between the island and seemed to grind down this BUCHANAN mainland, could do to reweekend to several thousist the rule of the Party of sand anarchic and violent Xi Jinping. die-hards.

In Baghdad, the protests went viThe riots in Chile were started olent early, and hundreds are now to oppose a small hike in train and dead. subway fares in a country with the A primary cause of the rioters’ rage highest per capita income and least — Iranian influence in Iraqi politics inequality in all of Latin America. that arose among the Shiite majority Yet the protesters have succeeded in after George W. Bush overthrew the forcing the elected government to ca- Sunni regime of Saddam Hussein. pitulate and write a new constitution.

The Iranian-backed Shiite militia Bolivia’s uprising was over an elec- who helped stop the Islamic State tion stolen by longtime president Evo group’s drive to Baghdad in the days Morales, who fled to Mexico to be of the caliphate are now less welwelcomed by the foreign minister. come. “Iranians, go home!” is a popAmong the issues dividing Boliv- ular demand. ians are economic inequality and The recent violent protests inside tribalism — indigenous peoples liv- Iran are rooted in both politics and ing alongside a European-descend- economics. U.S. sanctions keep miled elite. lions of barrels of Iran’s oil off world In Hong Kong, where protesters markets every day, causing surging appear to be making a last stand in deficits, exacerbating the plunging the city’s universities, the cause that value of Iran’s currency and contribfirst united them was a proposal to uting to rising inflation. allow the city’s citizens to be extraditThe triggering event for the riots ed to China for trial. in Iran was a rise in the price of gas,

which is still only a fraction of what Americans pay per gallon, but is deeply painful for working- and middle-class Iranians who are stretched to the limit.

The issues pulling continents, countries and capitals apart thus appear to be growing, enduring, and, indeed, perhaps insoluble.

Consider. The economic issues propelling workers into the streets to protest inequalities of wealth and income are occurring at a time when our world has never been more prosperous.

The ethnic and racial clashes within and between nations seem increasingly beyond the capacity of democratic regimes to resolve peacefully.

As for matters of fundamental belief — political, ideological, religious — the divides here, too, seem to be deepening and widening.

India’s Hindu majority of 1 billion seeks suppression of its Muslim mi-

nority. Secular Chinese put Muslim Uighurs and Kazakhs in concentration camps by the thousands to root out their birth loyalties and convert them into Marxist nationalists. Han Chinese are moved into Tibet and Xinjiang to swamp indigenous populations.

In Hong Kong, the struggle is ideological and political, between believers in democracy and advocates of authoritarianism.

President Trump’s America wants to secure the Southern border against an ongoing invasion of Latin American and Third World people, who could soon create here a new majority that votes reliably Democratic.

Europe resists with growing alarm a decades-long invasion of the Old Continent by desperate people fleeing the failed states of Africa and the Mideast.

In Spain, a nationalist party, Vox, vaults to third place to resist a leftist

regime in Madrid that is seen as too accommodating to Catalan secessionists and refugees from across the Mediterranean.

Americans are not at actual war with one another, but our divisions are as wide and deep as they have been since the 1960s, if not since the Civil War. We have Republicans standing united against the impeachment and removal of a president they overwhelmingly elected — by a united Democratic Party dominated by implacable ideological adversaries.

Neither authoritarians nor the world’s democracies seem to have found a cure for the maladies that afflict our world’s unhappy citizens.

Patrick J. Buchanan is the author of “Nixon’s White House Wars: The Battles That Made and Broke a President and Divided America Forever.”

POLITICS

Democrats’ Southern victories could affect redistricting The re-election victory by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards over the weekend has assured Democrats of an all-important place at the table when political maps are redrawn after the 2020 census for future elections to Congress and the state Legislature.

Edwards’ narrow triumph on Saturday marked the third significant win in a Southern state in two weeks for Democrats, following their takeover of both legislative houses in Virginia and the defeat in Kentucky of Republican Gov. Matt Bevin by Democratic Attorney General Andy Beshear.

The recent Southern state elections provided a preview of the battle over redistricting power that is to come next year in many states. Although about one-quarter of the states use independent commissions or nonpartisan staff in their redistricting procedures, state lawmakers, governors and other elected officials have key roles in redistricting in most other states.

If one party controls all pivotal state offices, that party can draw districts to the advantage of its candidates — a practice known as gerrymandering that can help lock in a party’s political power for the next decade to come.

In Louisiana, Republicans who already controlled the state House and Senate had hoped to consolidate power by defeating Edwards, or else obtain a twothirds majority in both legislative chambers that would allow them to override his vetoes. Neither occurred.

The “election was a huge victo-

ry for Louisiana Democrats,” Jessica Post, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said in a statement.

“By protecting Governor John Bel Edwards’s veto power, Democrats can keep moving Louisiana forward, block extreme Republican policies, and fight for fair maps after the 2020 census.”

In Kentucky, Beshear’s election also will give the veto pen to a Democrat when the state Legislature draws new districts.

The Kentucky House and Senate currently are controlled by Republicans, who are expected to maintain their majorities in next year’s state legislative elections.

Beshear’s veto power is not as strong as Edwards’ is in Louisiana, because the Kentucky Constitution requires only a basic majority vote by each legislative chamber to override a veto.

Any redistricting plan passed

by Kentucky lawmakers would be defended in court by newly elected Attorney General Daniel Cameron, the first Republican to hold the office in 70 years.

As a result of those circumstances, “we still view Kentucky as full Republican control for redistricting purposes,” said Adam Kincaid, executive director of the National Republican Redistricting Trust, which coordinates the party’s data and legal efforts for redistricting.

Yet Beshear still will have the gubernatorial bully pulpit during redistricting, just as Maryland’s Republican Gov. Larry Hogan will against a legislative body with Democratic supermajorities.

“If Governor-elect Beshear

makes an issue of it, it could potentially force them to draw a fairer map than otherwise, they might have,” said Patrick Rodenbush, communications director for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee.

Elections this month in another Southern state played out as expected in favor of Republicans when they held on to the governor’s office and both legislative chambers in Mississippi.

Following the 2010 census, Republicans who had swept to power in many statehouses used their newfound majorities to draw districts that increased their odds of winning future elections. Democrats had done the same thing historically when they had power.

But a backlash has grown against such gerrymandering over the past decade. In 2018, voters in Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah approved ballot measures designed to diminish legislative partisanship in redistricting — in some cases, by giving power to independent commissions.

Activists are backing a new batch of potential redistricting initiatives for the 2020 ballot in Arkansas, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Oregon.

In Virginia, congressional and state legislative districts have been drawn by lawmakers, subject to a gubernatorial veto.

But earlier this year, Virginia lawmakers overwhelmingly gave initial approval to a proposed constitutional amendment to create a redistricting commission with 16 members split equally between lawmakers and

citizens, with no role for the governor. At the time that vote was taken, Republicans held a slim majority over Democrats in both legislative chambers.

A second vote on the amendment will be required in early 2020 to place it on the November 2020 ballot. This time, Democrats control both chambers.

Democrats could renege on the plan and try to keep the redistricting powers for themselves, but that would risk alienating voters and could backfire in the

long run, said John McGlennon, a professor of government and public policy at the College of William & Mary in Virginia.

“The Democrats need to keep one thing in mind, which is that the political alignment of the state changed very quickly, and it can reverse quickly,” McGlennon said.

Follow David A. Lieb at: http://twitter.com/DavidALieb

Minden

Press-Herald 203 GLEA SON STREET MI ND EN, LOUI SI A NA 71055 318-377-1866 w w w. press-heral d. co m USP S NUM BE R 593- 340

JOSHUA SPECHT

WILL PHILLIPS

Editor & Publisher

Lead Reporter

KELLY MAY

LAZONDREA JONES

Chief Financial Officer

Circulation Manager

JJ MARSHALL

DENNIS PHILEBAR

Sports Editor

Production Director

The Minden Press-Herald is published Monday through Friday afternoon by Specht Newspapers, Inc. at 203 Gleason Street, Minden, Louisiana 71055. Telephone 377-1866. Entered as Periodicals at the Post Office as Minden PressHerald, P.O. Box 1339, Minden LA 71058-1339. Subscription rate: In-parish home delivery $11 per month; $33 per three months; $66 per six months; $99 per nine months and $132 per year. Out-of-parish mail delivery is $14.50 per month; $43.50 per three months; $87 per six months; $130.50 per nine months and $174 per year.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Minden Press-Herald, P.O. Box 1339, Minden, LA 71058-1339.

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 | 5

Life

SEND US YOUR NEWS newsroom@press-herald.com

AROUND TOWN

UCAP needs for week of November 18: Food: beef stew, green beans, corn, ramen noodles, crackers, milk (canned or powdered), biscuit mix, cornbread mix Household goods: king & queen sheets, towels, cookware Clothing: Men’s and women’s coats and sweatshirts (2x and larger), men’s pants, boots and tennis shoes

Unlocking the Door to Prosperity Living Creighton Hill Community Development in partnership with Internal Revenue and Greater St. Paul Baptist Church will be presenting a financial literacy conference “Unlocking the Door to Prosperity Living.”

This will take place on Nov. 23 at Greater St. Paul Missionary Baptist Chruch.

Annual Ushers’ Day Galilee Missionary Baptist Church will be holding an Annual Ushers’ Day on Nov. 24 starting at 8 a.m. The guest speaker will be Pastor Calvin Williams of Springfield Baptist Church. The theme is Appointed to Stand Vigilantly Serving at the Entrance of the Lord’s House. The church is located at 595 central School Road in Dubberly, LA.

Shiloh Baptist Church Anniversary The Shiloh Baptist Church of Bienville invites you to attend their Church Anniversary on Nov. 24, at 3 p.m. The guest speaker will be Pastor Rodney Williams and the King Solomon Baptist Church. All are invited to attend.

Christmas Nativity Celebration The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be holding a Christmas Nativity Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 1 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday, December 7th & 8th from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free and special group tours are available during the week. It is located at 200 Carroll St., in Shreveport.

For more information visit SBNativity.org or Facebook @SBNativity.

Send us events Around Town events are published free of charge as a service to our readers. Send yours via email to newsroom@press-herald.com. We reserve the right to edit and/or reject any submission.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

I love to travel and It doesn’t matter where I go I love to travel and It doesn’t matter where I go. I love to see so much. Traveling used to be about the food, and now it is just about who goes with me and what we can find.

It seems lately when traveling, once I get back, I get sick. I am all about keeping GermX in my purse and use it all the time but it doesn’t seem to matter.

I also went into Walmart twice since I have been home, TINA so maybe it is the SPECHT Walmart thing.

If you are sick please stay home. Most of the time, I do pick up, but there are some things I do have to look at first.

Germs are everywhere and I guess I need to wear a mask wherever I go in public.

Before you tell me to take this and that, I do. I take lots of vitamins and drink lots of liquids. I should be good.

I remember, back in the day, we never got sick. I think in all my school years, I can count on one hand the days I missed.

There were kids sick all the time but I never seemed to get sick. As I think back, we played outside all the time and we played in the dirt, and we were barefoot most of the time.

I guess we had strong immune systems because we were all up in it. I don’t see very many kids nowadays playing outside. It’s too hot, it’s too cold or there is nothing to do.

Our mom would send us outside and tell us not to come back until lunch if we were hungry or dark.

We had friends and we would go all over the place. I guess you can call it the simple days back then. Nowadays, you can’t do it.

Back then you had a “mama” all over the place. No matter which house you were at their mama treated you like her own. And you listened or you would get it like her own. But back then you were very respectful.

I miss the good ole days where life was much simpler and you didn’t have to worry when your kids went out to play. Nowadays, you have to be outside with them and watching them like a hawk.

I am so glad we now live in the country. I can’t wait for our grandkids to get old enough to want to play outside. I will be right out there with him/ them and getting dirty and making memories. Slow down and have a little fun. Stop and remember what you use to do back in the day. Try doing some of that today. It might just put a smile on your face.

Chocolate French Silk Pie INGREDIENTS FOR THE CRUST 1 1/4 cups (150 gr) all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp kosher salt 1/3 cup (75 gr) shortening or cold butter cut into small pieces 2-4 TBSP (30 ml-60 ml) ice water FOR THE FILLING 1 cup (220 gr) unsalted butter, room temperature 1 1/2 cups (294 gr) granulated sugar 4 ounces (112 gr) unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled slightly (I used ghirardelli 100% chocolate) 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 TBSP (13 gr) cocoa powder (optional, but intensifies the chocolate flavor and color) 1/4 tsp instant espresso powder (optional, but intensifies the chocolate flavor) 4 large eggs, room temperature (*use pasteurized eggs to eliminate risk of foodborne illness) FOR THE TOPPING 1 cup (237 ml) cold heavy whipping cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/3 cup (40 gr) powdered sugar chocolate shavings, optional INSTRUCTIONS For the Crust Preheat oven to 400º F (200 C).

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the shortening or butter to the bowl and cut it in with a pastry cutter until the consistency of coarse meal.

Add ice water 1 TBSP at a time while stirring gently until the dough starts to form into a ball.

Gently pat the pie dough into a disk and wrap in plastic wrap.

Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Gently roll out the crust out on a lightly floured surface until it is about a 12 inch circle.

Place the dough in the pie plate and pull up on the edges to let it fall into the plate naturally. Do not stretch it to fit. Crimp edges as desired (watch the video to see how I shape it). Dock the dough by piercing with a fork several times around the bottom and sides.

Lay a piece of parchment paper into the crust and fill with it dried beans, rice, or pie

weights.

Bake in the bottom third of the oven for 20 minutes. Remove the pie weights and place back in the oven for 5 more minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.

Allow to cool completely on a wire rack before filling.

For the Filling In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (make sure not to use a whisk attachment), beat together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy- about 3-4 minutes.

With the mixer still running, pour the cooled melted chocolate into the butter/sugar mixture. Add the vanilla, cocoa powder, and espresso powder if using. Scrape down the bowl.

Add eggs one at a time, beating for 5 full minutes in between each addition (20 minutes total) at a high speed. The full mixing time of 20 minutes, 5 minutes for EACH egg, is necessary to get the silky texture and for the pie to set.

Pour the filling into the cooled crust and allow to set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 2 days before serving.

Tina Specht is co-publisher of the Minden Press-Herald. She shares her thoughts and recipes each Thursday.

Editor’s Note: Yesterday we credited a column written by Sarah Hudson-Pierce to another columnist, Fannie Moore. We apologize for this error.

6 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

Good News

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INSPIRATION

How Can I Say Thanks for the Things God Has Done for Me? We all know when we begin to count our blessings, we never can complete the list. It goes on and on. Just to list the ‘commonplace’ blessings is a reminder that we owe everything we have, will ever have to the generosity of our Lord. From Genesis to Revelation, we find scores and scores of reasons why we should be Bill Crider continually in a posture of thanksgiving to God. God created us in His image. (He gave us self-worth from the beginning. God created Adam a helpmate (What an unmeasurable blessing)! He blessed us to be stewards over all of His creation (He gave us purpose in life).

The Psalmist awakens every emotion of man with the explosions of praise, adoration, and thanksgiving – all directed to God the Father.

Psalm 103 is crammed full of blessings God has bestowed

upon us. Let’s just name a few to show the depth and width of God’s great love for each of us: V 3 -5: He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from the pit holes in life; He crowns me with love and compassion; He gives me only good things, renewing my strength. V 6-11: The righteous Lord is working for justice throughout the land for He is a compassionate and gracious Father. He does not meter out to us what we deserve because of our sins for His love is so great – as high as the heavens. V 12-16: He forgives us of our sins and separates them from us as far as the east is from the west.

He has compassion on us for we are His children created from the dust of the earth. V 17-20: The Lord’s love is with all who fear/love Him. Every living being is to praise Him. And for all of this, we are

thankful and praise His Holy Name.

Paul in his writings gives us many reasons to be thankful and to praise the Lord. We are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us and gave Himself for us. (Rom 8:37). Paul wrote the Corinthians to be thankful “for the God who called them into the sweet fellowship with his Son. Jesus Christ is faithful to keep us strong to the very end. (1: 4-9). 1 Cor 13, Paul teaches about Christian love; how thankful I am for that special description of how we are to love. In Gal 1:4, Paul reminds his friends that God rescued them from their sin (another blessing). 2:20 Paul reminds them how thankful he was that his sins were crucified with Christ, sealing his relationship with Jesus as his Savior. C-5 explains how we have freedom in Christ – Paul was especially thankful for this, and so should we! To the Ephesians, Paul pointed out how Christ had rescued them when they were dead in sin; He raised them to a

UPWARD LOOK

For His Glory “Do not fear, for I am with you; . . . Everyone who is called

by My name, And whom I have created for My glory, Whom I have formed, even whom I have made.”

Isaiah 43:5a-7 Max Hutto NASB The seventeenth century catechisms stated that the chief end, aim,

or purpose of man is to glorify God. In Isaiah it states that God created, formed, and made His children, all those who are called

by His name, for His glory.

We bring God glory by honoring and worshiping Him as the Almighty Lord God. He created us and loved us so much that He provided our redemption from our sins through

Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on Calvary’s cross. We glorify God when we surrender our whole being to His Lordship and obey His Word.

Lord Jesus, I worship You, my Savior and my God. I honor You by seeking to learn and obey Your Word. May all I do glorify You. Max Hutto is a Baptist Minister and a resident of Minden.

More information can be found at www.upwardlook.org.

LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED

Judgement Part 3 I said I believed

that

judgment

He said a lady

that I also had met the

named

Paula

same man. I have friends

him

in Alexandria that saw

was ahead on

stopped

America. I told

in Minden and

him about a trip

told him about

my wife, Paula,

the trip. When I

and I made. He

got home, Pau-

asked, “Is your Mack Ford

la was anxious

that monk walking on his way to New Orleans.

Father, I thank you that Judgement is on America.

Pau-

to tell me about meeting

Mack Ford is a retired busi-

la?” I almost passed out.

him. She was surprised

nessman and lives in Minden.

daughter’s

name

new life, and gave them (us) the status of being ‘jointheirs’ with Christ. We inherit eternal life with our heavenly Father. He promised the Philippians that “my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (4:19).

Let’s pause here and refocus. How long is your list of blessings? During this week before we sit down with the family for a Thanksgiving meal, consider some of the basic blessings bestowed upon you and your family.

Examine your spiritual life and those blessings; now turn to your personal life (examine it closely, listing at least a dozen personal blessings). Then meditate on your immediate family; then the extended family; friends and others who are in your sphere of influence. See, the hymn writer was right when he penned these words: “Count your blessings, name them one by one; Count your blessings and see what God hath done.”

Bill Crider is Chaplain of Minden Medical Center

INSPIRATION

He calls us something special While reading in the

you a prestigious title?

book of Judges, you

Do you believe the title

will read about a man

to be accurate? In the

named Gideon. Gide-

Bible, the Lord places

on was visited by the

many beautiful titles on

lord while hiding from

us. He can see things

his enemies. The Lord

in you and the people

called him a “mighty

around you that you

warrior” and told him to “go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand”.

However, Gideon didn’t believe this was possible and couldn’t see himself as the Lord saw him. Gideon made numerous excuses and

sometimes can’t. Trust

God and what he can do through you if you

let him have control. He made us all with a purpose and a plan and I’m

challenging you today to believe in that plan.

Bernard Harris is a citizen

ques-

of minden and manages a

tion the lord and his

inspiration page on Facebook

choice. Has God given

called Embers of Hope

proceeded

to

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 | 7

Sports

JJ Marshall, Sports Editor jjmarshall@press-herald.com

www.press-herald.com

PREP BASKETBALL

DON STAHL TOURNAMENT BEGINS

PREP BASKETBALL

OUR TURN

CRIMSON TIDE LOOKING TO SET TONE THIS WEEK AT LOCAL TOURNAMENT

CHRISTINE LEE/COURTESY PHOTO

Branthony Brown of Lakeside.

“Coach Stahl is a legend; it’s so cool to host this tournament in his honor” -Coach Marlon McDaiel DOUGLAS BLOW/COURTESY PHOTO

JJ Marshall

jjmarshall@press-herald.com The 26th annual Don Stahl Tournament began on Wednesday night at Lakeside with a number of local teams slated to square off early in this basketball season.

“I’ve heard a lot about Coach Stahl and I just read an article about him from Sports Illustrated in 1980,” Lakeside head coach Marlon McDaniel said. “As the Sibley

Kiernan Combs led Minden in scoring on opening night and will look to continue to be a leader on offense for a Minden team looking for scoringthis season.

High raiders head coach, recording 824 wins, winning a pair of state championships and 100 consecutive games is nothing less than legendary.

“So to be hosting this tournament in his honor is so cool.”

McDaniel sees this tournament as an opportunity for the community to get to see some area teams.

“You just want to have a

See, STAHL, Page 8

JJ Marshall

jjmarshall@press-herald.com Minden is looing to follow up on their excellent opening-night win over Gibsland-Coleman with a strong showing in the Don Stahl Tournament.

“We’re looking for growth from this team, actual game growth,” Minden head coach Rennie Bailey said. “Since we’ve started practicing, I’ve

seen a tremendous amount of growth both offensively and defensively.”

Despite a near 20-point win, Bailey said the Tide have a lot of work to do on both ends.

“It didn’t quite translate to the floor on the first night,” Bailey said. “I realized it was our first game so I could tell our guys were a little anxious.”

Bailey said a lack of poise

led to a number of turnovers for Minden.

“A lack of poise led to at least twenty turnovers,” Bailey said. “We need more composure with that.”

Bailey has a lot more in terms of depth this season and much more leadership potential than in seasons prior.

“We have six seniors this season, so that’s where the leadership and composure

should come from,” Bailey said. “Through experience.

We’re looking to get more experience and that’s why you go play these tournaments.”

Mostly, Bailey is looking for his team to set the tone for this season.

“Transition offense, transition defense, rebounding,” he said. “Those things we have to keep working on all the time.”

8 MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

PREP BASKETBALL

STAHL: Annual local basketball tournament signals official start to season

Continued from Page 7 good competitive tournament,” McDaniel said. “I think we will.”

The Don Stahl Tournament is a fixture of Webster Parish and features Minden, Lakeside, North Webster, Homer, Arcadia and a number of other local favorites.

“We’ve got some good teams here and some great rivalries on the boys and girls side,” McDaniel said. “It’s going to be exciting.”

The boys bracket features Lakeside, Magnolia, Ringgold, Gibsland-Coleman, Doyline, Homer, Arcadia and Minden.

“The surrounding towns are going to be in the building,” McDaniel said. “It’s going to be an exciting time.”

The Warriors are still missing a few football players, namely Trey Sanders, who will be competing in the second round of the playoffs on Friday and thus will miss the tournament.

But this gives an opportunity for other players at Lake-

side to step up and claim a spot for themselves in the Don Stahl Tournament in front of the home crowd.

“We just want to compete for all four quarters,” McDaniel said. “We have to get rid of all expectations and just compete. No matter what.”

Whomever wins the tournament will be on the right track to start the season. But McDaniel and the Warriors know that it’s a long season.

“It’s early,” he said. “We’re just working to be competitive all four quarters.”

In the girls bracket, the Lady Warriors will do battle with North DeSoto on Thursday at 5 p.m.

Calvary, Northwood, Haughton, North Webster, Minden, Arcadia, Doyline, Gibsland-Coleman, Homer and Ringgold fill out the expanded bracket.

The championship game for the girls bracket is on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

The boys championship game will follow at 8 p.m.

Athlete of the Week

Congratulations to Jordan Preuett of Lakeside. He is this week’s MPH/ Wilson Orthopaedics Athlete of the Week after leading the Warriors to a massive upset over North Caddo on Friday.

Preuett scored three touchdowns in the win.

CHRISTINE LEE/COURTESY PHOTO

Ondray Miles of Lakeside.

The Press-Herald’s Athlete of the Week feature is brought to you every other Thursday by Wilson Orthopaedics in Minden.

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 | 9

NCAA BASKETBALL

PREP BASKETBALL

Defensive effort by Bulldogs PHOTO GALLERY: leads to victory over Devils BATTLE FOR THE PADDLE

RUSTON – Defense led the way for the Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team on Wednesday night as the Bulldogs recorded a 76-43 victory over the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils inside the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.

LA Tech (3-1) could not get a whole lot going offensively, knocking down just three three-pointers while also struggling from the foul line.

However, they were able to score plenty because the defense held MVSU (0-5) to 24 percent shooting for the game (just two made triples)

and a season low in scoring. The ‘Dogs also locked down the backcourt duo of Michael Green and Caleb Hunter who combined to go 7-of-38 from the field.

“I thought we came out flat,” said head coach Eric Konkol. “There were things in the first half that really made the game tight.

[MVSU] was able to get some looks that they wanted and we did not play clean offensively.

“We improved in the second half as we were able to score more off our defense.

We came out and really used our defense. We’ve got to be

able to get stops and thrust it into some good baskets.

That is what helped us really extend the lead.”

The first half was particularly sluggish for the Bulldogs. After going on an early 11-0 run, the team went almost nine minutes of action with just eight total points scored. Because of that, it was a marginal 19-17 lead with 6:34 to go in the period.

LA Tech extended the lead to double-digits, but only managed a 36-24 advantage at halftime after the Delta Devils’ Richard Rivers, Jr. connected on a three-pointer from the corner right be-

fore the clock struck zero.

The defense clamped down even more in the second half, allowing just five total points through the first nine minutes of action. On the other end, the Bulldogs got scoring from six different people, including a thunderous two-handed slam by Andrew Gordon, to go up 59-29 with 10:44 left.

“Our individual on-ball defense was good,” said Konkol. “[MVSU] makes a lot of individual plays and we were able to contest a good number of their shots.

There are things we want to take moving forward, but also some things we need to get better at.”

Isaiah Crawford took the team home offensively, scoring LA Tech’s final seven points to help post a career-high and game-high 12 points. JaColby Pemberton matched him with 12 while Mubarak Muhammed and Amorie Archibald each tallied 10.

The Bulldogs shot 42 percent from the field (28-67).

They also ended up grabbing 56 rebounds, a team-high nine of those coming from Muhammed, and forced 17 turnovers.

Green for MVSU came into the contest averaging 22 points per game but only tallied 10 with two made field goals. Hunter had a teamhigh 12 points.

Next up for LA Tech is a home matchup against North Alabama on Friday, Nov. 22. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. in the TAC. For all the latest in Bulldog Basketball, follow them on Twitter (@LATechHoops), Instagram (@LATechHoops) CHRISTINE LEE/COURTESY PHOTOS and Facebook (LATechMBB) or visit the official website at Doyline’s girls and boys team took the paddle back west in two road wins over Lakeside this week.

LATechSports.com.

10 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

FUN & GAMES

On This Day In History 1979 - Mob burns down US embassy in Pakistan. The mob was allegedly incensed by a rumor that the United States was involved in an attack on a mosque in the holy city of Mecca.

1964 - Verrazano Narrows Bridge opens in NYC. The suspension bridge connects Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York City and at the time of its opening, it was the world’s longest suspension bridge, until the Humber Bridge in the UK opened in 1981.

1962 - War between China and India ends. The month long war began over a border dispute between the two countries and ended with a unilateral ceasefire by the Chinese.

1941 - Tweety Bird makes its debut. The fictional See, HISTORY, Page 11

CRYPTOQUIP

CROSSWORD

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

SUDOKU

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 | 11

WORD SLEUTH

HISTORY

Continued from Page 10

cartoon canary also just called Tweety made his first appearance in A Tale of Two Kitties, a Warner Bros. Merrie Melodies cartoon.

Tweety was created by animator Bob Clampett who worked on Loony Tunes cartoons.

1920 - Bloody Sunday in Ireland. A key event in the Irish War of Independence, which was a conflict between the British government and Irish revolutionaries in Ireland, Bloody Sunday began with the killings of 14 people by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) under the leadership of Michael Collins. Two other violent incidents against civilian and IRA members during the day added to the death count, which was over 30 by the end of the day.

On this Day in History is brought to you by www.timeanddate.com

COMICS BABY BLUES | RICK KIRKMAN AND JERRY SCOTT

BLONDIE | DEAN YOUNG AND JOHN MARSHALL

BEETLE BAILEY | MORT & GREG WALKER

FUNKY WINKERBEAN | TOM BATIUK

HI AND LOIS | BRIAN WALKER, GREG WALKER AND CHANCE BROWNE

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE | CHRIS BROWNE

SAM AND SILO | JERRY DUMAS

MOTHER GOOSE & GRIMM | MIKE PETERS

12 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019 | 13

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Cash, Checks, Billing Real Estate Notice

“All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation, or discrimination.

We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate, which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Grow Your Business

Call Courtney to place your ad!

PLACE YOUR AD TODAY! 377-1866

PUBLIC NOTICE Minden Planning Commission Meeting December 5, 2019 – 10:00 a.m.

Pelican Room Minden City Hall On the agenda is a request from Carolyn Liles for a zoning variance on property owned by her located at 602 West Street. This property is zoned M-1 (Light Industrial).

The purpose of this zoning variance is to use the property for retail/ restaurant space.

Legal Description: LOT 206 X 239 X 112 X 295 X 6.62 X 464.50 FT. IN SW/4 OF NE/4 & IN SE/4 OF NE/4 SEC. 2819-9, LESS PART SOLD All interested parties will be given a chance to be heard.

November 14, 2019 November 21, 2019 November 27, 2019 Minden Press-Herald

ADVERTISE NOTICE Webster Parish School Board adheres to the equal opportunity provisions of federal civil rights law and regulations that are applicable to this agency.

Therefore, no one will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964); gender (Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972); disability (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) in attaining educational goals and objectives and in administration of personnel policies and procedures. Anyone with questions regarding this policy may contact Johnny Rowland, Jr., Superintendent at (318) 3777052, P.O. Box 520, Minden, LA 71058.

November 14, 2019 November 21, 2019 Minden Press-Herald

WEBSTER PARISH SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MINUTES FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2019 The Webster Parish School Board met at 1442 Sheppard Street, Minden, Louisiana on Mon-

day, November 4, 2019 at 6:00 P.M. The meeting was called to order by President Johnnye Kennon with the following members present: Ronnie Rhymes, Jeri O’Neal, Linda Kinsey, Frankie Mitchell, Penny Long, Charles Strong, Johnnye Kennon, Malachi Ridgel, Jerry Lott, Fred Evans, and Margaret Edens.

Absent: Ronnie Broughton.

Prayer was given

by Penny Long.

Pledge of Allegiance was led by Charles Strong.

ITEM #2. Approve Minutes from Regular Board Meeting held October 7, 2019.

Motion to approve was made by Jeri O’Neal; seconded by Ronnie Rhymes. No objections; motion was approved.

ITEM#3.

Approve Minutes from Called Board Meeting held October 17, 2019.

Motion was made

by Malachi Ridgel; seconded by Margaret Edens.

Motion passed.

ITEM #4. Presentation by Dr. Gwile Freeman of Taylor & Sons – Employee of the Month: Mr. Martin Cole, English Teacher at Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School.

Accolades were read

by Dr. Freeman that had been submitted about Mr. Cole and his outstanding teaching with the students.

Superintendent Johnny Rowland informed the board that board member Frankie Mitchell had called to inform him of how well Minden High School student Lieric Robinson played against Huntington High School on Friday night.

He made 5 rushing touchdowns. He was presented a plaque. His parents, Coach Spencer Heard, and Principal Becky Wilson were present to congratulate him.

ITEM #5. Approval for the following policies: EBBB-School and Student Safety EBBC-Emergency/Crisis Management Change From IDDFA to IDDFB – Service Animals I D D FA - S p e c i a l Education Advisory Council (New

Policy) JGCF-Behavioral Health Service For Students JS-Student Fees, Fines and Changes Motion to approve and accept was made by Charles Strong; seconded by Ronnie Rhymes. Frankie Mitchell stated that in all of the handouts they have gotten, she had a question about the last one: JS-Student Fees. She wanted to know what happens when you do not have funds to pay this fee. Kevin Washington, Assistant Superintendent/ Child Welfare, stated that we will have to create a universal policy concerning an economic waiver for hardships.

Linda Kinsey asked about general school fees; are they required to pay $10.00 beside the fees that high schools do not have a general school fee.

This was based on everything that the principals submitted.

Motion passed. Charles Strong requested and made the motion that global voting be done on Item #6 – Item #22; seconded by Fred Evans. Motion passed unanimously.

Requests for Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund ITEM #6. Consider approval to purchase 60 chromebooks at $295.00 each and 2 charging charts at $1,615.00 each from DETEL Computer Solutions for a total amount of $20,930.00 for Lakeside Jr./Sr. High School using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #7. Consider approval to allow Howard Technology Solutions to upgrade Windows on 35 computers at Lakeside Jr./ Sr. High School in the amount of $2,135.00 using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #8. Consider approval to purchase from Arlington Computer Products 4 HALO IOT Smart Sensors for bathrooms at Lakeside Jr./ Sr. High School in the amount of $4,100.00 using Consolidated

3 Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #9.

Ratify approval for payment of the following invoice from Grainger for emergency sewer system repairs at Central Elementary School using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund: Invoice #931871357 in the amount of $1097.39.

ITEM #10. Ratify approval for payment of the following: Invoice S-1394 in the amount of $1518.89 to Mechanical Concepts for emergency air conditioner repairs at Central Elementary School using Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund.

Requests for Springhill Maintenance Fund ITEM #11. Consider approval to allow Howard Technology Solutions to upgrade 35 desktop computers to Windows 10 at Browning Elementary School in the amount of $2,135.00 using Springhill Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #12. Consider approval to allow Howard Technology Solutions to upgrade 51 computers to Windows 10 at North Webster High School in the amount of $3,111.00 using Springhill Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #13. Consider approval for Hanson House Movers to move a 24’x30’ portable classroom building from Browning Elementary to McMahen Park for use as a baseball dressing room and storage area in the amount of $4,800.00 using Springhill Lease Fund.

Requests for Sarepta Maintenance Fund ITEM #14. Consider approval to allow Howard Technology Solutions to upgrade 84 computers to Windows 10 at North Webster Jr. High School in the amount of $5,124.00 using Sarepta Maintenance Fund.

ITEM #15. Consider approval to purchase 120 Chromebooks in the amount of $35,400.00 and 4 Carrier Carts in the amount of

$6,460.00, total of $41,860.00 from DETEL Computer Solutions for North Webster Jr. High School using Sarepta Maintenance Fund.

Request for Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund ITEM #16. Consider approval for ArCom Systems to replace and test the fire alarm panel at North Webster Upper Elementary School in the amount of $5,672.51 using Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund.

Request for Doyline Maintenance Fund ITEM # 17. Consider approval for Homeland Safety Systems to replace 15 cameras and related equipment damaged by lightning at Doyline High School in the amount of $10,575.68 using Doyline Maintenance Fund.

Requests for District 6 ½ Cent Sales Tax Fund ITEM #18. Ratify approval for payment of Invoice #1-89922550020 in the amount of $1,532.48 to Johnson Controls for emergency air conditioner repairs at Minden High School using District 6 ½ Cent Sales Tax Fund.

ITEM #19. Consider approval for Hercules Ag & Outdoor to provide security fencing to Webster Jr. High School in the amount of $45,750.00 using Minden School Building Fund.

ITEM #20. Consider approval for Geotechnical Testing Laboratory to provide geotechnical investigations and testing at the site of the new multi-purpose building at Minden High School in the amount of $6,750.00 using Minden School Building Fund.

ITEM #21. Consider approval to purchase 156 Chromebooks in the amount of $46,020.00 and 2 carts for the amount of $3,230.00, a total of $49,250.00 from DETEL Computer Solutions for J.A. Phillips Elementary School using District 6 ½ Cent Sales Tax Fund.

ITEM #22. Consider approval

to allow Howard Technology Solutions to upgrade 97 computers to Windows 10 at Webster Jr. High School in the amount of $5,917.00 using District 6 ½ Cent Sales Tax Fund.

ITEM #23. FYI – Field Trips E.S. Richardson 4th and 5th grade honors classes to travel to Louisiana Tech Education Day November 7, 2019.

EH students from Richardson and Jones to travel to Germantown Colony Museum, Dorcheat Museum, and lunch at Minden McDonald’s on November 14, 2019.

North Webster Jr. High School 7th grade students to travel to Washington State Park, Washington, Arkansas, November 1, 2019.

ITEM #24. PERSONNEL REPORTThere were no questions. Personnel Supervisor, Robin Tucker informed the board members that she had placed at each ones desk a directory of all employees of Webster Parish and what school they are located at.

W E B S T E R P A R I S H P E R S O N NEL REPORT D a t e : November 4, 2019 Personnel DirectorROBIN TUCKER NAME Position L o c a t i o n (From/To) Action New Position Effective Date Funding Source ADKINS, SARA TEACHER BROWN ELEMENTARY REPLACING KATIE WALKER WHO RESIGNED 10/07/19 BAILEY, ASHLEY CUSTODIAN MHS REPLACING BARBARA JORDAN WHO RETIRED 10/02/19 DUCK, NICOLE FOOD SERVICE TECH BROWN UPPER 7 HR FOOD SERVICE TECH REPLACING KESHIA WATSON WHO RESIGNED 10/14/19 DURBIN, ELIZABETH TEACHER RICHARDSON RESIGNATION 09/25/19 FA R R I N G T O N ,

KATIE TEACHER BROWNING REPLACING SHELLIE WILLIAMS WHO RESIGNED 10/07/19 GREEN, BILLY CUSTODIAN NWHS TRANSFERRING FROM 10-MONTH TO 12-MONTH CUSTODIAN REPLACING JOHN COOPER WHO RETIRED 10/07/19 H A U L C Y , TALE’SHAE TEACHER WJH REPLACING ROBIN WENDT WHO RESIGNED 10/07/19 JAMES. MEGAN TEACHER DOYLINE REPLACING MERI GONZALEZ WHO RESIGNED 10/28/19 ROBINSON, JOE LYNN BUS DRIVER CENTRAL RESIGNATION 09/30/19 SABINO, STEPHANIE FOOD SERVICE TECH WJH DUE TO STUDENT ENROLLMENT X 10/07/19 TAYLOR, MARY TEACHER PHILLIPS RESIGNATION 10/8/2019 WA S H I N G TON,PRISCILLA FOOD SERVICE MANAGER/ FOOD SERVICE TECH NWUPPER TRANSFERRING FROM FOOD SERVICE MANAGER TO FOOD SERVICE TECH 10/14/19 ITEM #25.

School Community Liaison Report – Ursula Hullaby informed the board that Red Ribbon Week celebration has been rescheduled for tomorrow evening at Minden High School due to rainy weather last week. She is still doing the Clean School Campaign and that wearing your badge is a required policy for all school personnel. Webster Parish School Board Safe School Campaign was featured on one of the television stations during our fall break.

The winners for the month were: on the north end of the parish: North Webster Upper Elementa-

14 | THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2019

ry School-Neat and Clean Lawn; North Webster Lower Elementary School. The Safest with all doors locked at all times, and on the South end of the parish Doyline High School won 2 awards, The Safest and Cleanest campus.

Lakeside Jr./ Sr. High School won Clean Lawn Award for the second time..

ITEM #26. Sup e r i n t e n d e n t ’s Report – Superintendent Johnny Rowland announced that our Webster Jr. High School Robotics team won 1st, 2nd and 3rd places this year.

He informed the board that they also did well last spring. Ms. Elissa Cupples is the sponsor.

On November 6, 2019 scores will be released to the news for a press release.

On November 18, 2019 we will have a Curriculum Committee Meeting at 5:00 P.M. and a regular school board meeting at 6:00 P.M. There were no questions on this information.

Frankie Mitchell asked the superintendent about out of state field trips and travel.

Johnny Rowland explained that all out of state travel has to be approved by the board; he also stated that he contacted each board member by phone to get their approval. It was a unanimous vote of approval. He said that this would not happen like this again.

ITEM #27. Announcements Next Board Meeting – Monday, November 18, 2019 Sales Tax for the month of September 2019 August 2019 Financial Reports for November – Attached are the Balance Sheet and the Statement of Revenues and Expenditures for the General Fund, Building Maintenance Tax Fund, Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund, Doyline Maintenance Fund, Minden School Building Fund, Sarepta Maintenance Fund, District 6 Sales Tax(1/2) Fund, and 96 Sales Tax Fund.

These funds represent our largest fund balance to date. The Statement of Reve-

nues and Expenditures gives a budget versus actual comparison.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

J O H N N Y K E N N O N , PRESIDENT JOHNNY R. ROWLAND, JR., SECRETARY November 21, 2019 Minden Press-Herald

GORDON J. GAMM, ET AL NUMBER: 78010 VERSUS 261 JUDICIAL D I S T R I C T COURT WEBSTER PARISH, LOUISIANA THE UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF STEPHEN HENDERSON, ET AL THE CLERK OF COURT SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING NOTICE FILED IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO: D.) 0.) P.) A.) Andra Ford B.) Audrey Ford C.) Frederick Ford, Jr. Joc N. Ford Eunice E. Ford Nadine Henderson Brown G.) Endrick F. Lewis II.) Thic unknown heirs and legalues of Stephen Henderson (A/K/A Steven Henderson) 1.)

The unknown licirs and legalces of John Henderson The unknown heirs and legalces of Lonnie Henderson K.) The unknown heirs and legalces of Jim Ilenderson L.) The unknown heirs and lcgatecs of Arthur Henderson M.) The unknown heirs and legatces of Doc Henderson N.) The unknown licirs and legalocs of Pierce Henderson The unknown Icirs and legalces of Trilly Henderson The unknown heirs and legalocs of Eugene Davis Q.) The unknown heirs and legalces of Elnora Curtendolph R.) ‘The unknown leirs and legalces of Inez Henderson S.) Sarah Smith, or her unknown hcirs and legatccs; T.) Minnie Graham Smith, or her unknown heirs and legaices; U.) Bennie Burson, or his/her unknown heirs and legalces; V.1 Daisy Ella Fisher Wilkins, or his/ her unknown

MINDEN PRESS-HERALD | MINDEN, LA

heirs and legalees; W.) Daviet Henderson, or his/her unknown heirs and lcgatces; X.) Docia M. Ford, or his/her unknown hicirs and legalees; Y.) Don Henderson, or his/her unknown heirs and legalees; 2.) Dorothy M. Foote, or his/ her unknown heirs and legalces; AA.) Irma J Henderson, or his/her unknown licirs and legalces; BB.) Estella H. Huwk, or his/ her unknown heirs and legalccs; CC.) Estellu Mae Henderson, or his/her unknown hcirs and legalees; DD.) Irene Henderson Harding, or his/her unknown heirs and legalces; EE.) James Henderson, or his/hier unknown hcirs and legatecs; FF.) Leona Henderson Burson, or his/ her unknown heirs and legalees; GG.) Lola II. Williams, or his/her unknown heirs and lcgalees; HH.) The unknown heirs and lcgatces of Mahaly Smith; II.) Muttie Henderson Adell, or his/her unknown heirs and lcgalces; JJ.) Poul Henderson, or his/her unknown heirs and legalees: KK.) Rosie F. Edwards, or his/her unknown heirs and legalces; LL.) Sylvlene H. Collins, or his/her unknown hcirs and lcgatecs; MM.) Victor Foote, or his/her unknown licirs and legalecs; NN.) Will Brown, or his/her unknown heirs and legalecs; All Defendants, including Absenice Defendunts licrein, that Petitioners hercin. Gordon J. Gamm. The Alan Joseph Balmer Revocable Trust Amended And Restated Fcbruary 3, 2019, Page 7 of 10 Elizabeth Bulmer Rojus, Carolyn l’rancis Balmer, Deborah Leakc Miller, Kathryn Leuke Mullius And Cynthia Leake Kilgore, is seeking to have the property described below partitioned by licitation and that the said absentee Detendants have listeen (15) days from the date of publication of this notice to answer Petitioner’s petition.

The properly shown to he partitioned is

described as follows: The West OncHalf of the Northeast Quarter (W/2 of NE/4) of Section 6, Township 17 North, Range 9 West, Webster Parish, Louisianu, LESS AND EXCEPT: Onc (1) acrc lying in a squarc in the Southwest Corner of the Southwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (SWIC of SW/4 of NE/4) of Section 6, Township 17 North, Range 9 West, decded to the Methodist Episcopal Church in America of the Louisiana Annual Conference, Minden District, Lancsville Circuit, in that deed filcd for record in Webster Parish, Louisiana on January 2, 1900, in Conveyance Book 9, Page 767.

BY ORDER OF COURT: Webster Parish Clerk of Court Page 8 of 10 November 21, 2019 Minden Press-Herald

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