The City of Leesville invites area residents to visit their annual Jingle & Mingle event on Saturday, December 16, from 4-8 p.m.  All the action takes place on the grounds of the Leesville City Hall complex on 5^th Street.

Come and enter your favorite recipe for chili in the cookoff, hear live music, shop vendors for gift ideas, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays.  Kids will enjoy the inflatables, the snow garden, and photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Live music will feature the Abigail Holt Band and local gospel choirs.

Buy a tasting cup and sample all the chili entries.  Cooks set up at 3 p.m.; tastings begin at 6 p.m.; and awards presented at 7:30 p.m.

Come and celebrate the holiday season with your family and friends at the City of Leesville’s Jingle & Mingle, Saturday, December 16, 4-8 p.m. at the Leesville City Hall complex.

For more information on the chili cookoff or being a vendor, call City Planner Grant Bush at 337-404-4078.

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Funeral services for Michael Dale Mitchell, 64, of Hornbeck, were held Saturday, December 2, 2023, in the Pleasant View Baptist Church of Hornbeck. Burial followed in the Prewitts Chapel Cemetery in Hornbeck.
Michael Dale Mitchell was born on March 15, 1959, to Harvey and Martha Elizabeth Glaspie Mitchell in Many, LA. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Doris Mitchell, and one brother Rev. Kenneth Muriel Mitchell.

Mike passed away on November 25, 2023. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Janita Sue Browning Mitchell; sons, Jody Dale Mitchell and wife Denise, of Hornbeck, and Andrew Mac Mitchell and wife Elyse, of Toro, LA.; daughter, Robbie Elizabeth and husband Stephen Chatman, of Chamberlain, SD; and brother, Harvey Earl Mitchell of Otis, LA.

Papaw Mike had five granddaughters, or as he called them “his Princesses”: Hannah, Grace, Bailee, Abby, and Mackey; and grandson Acen Mitchell, or Dude, as Papaw always called him, and one on the way that Papaw nicknamed Little Dude.

Mike graduated from Hornbeck High School. After high school Mike attended and graduated from Common Wealth College of Sciences with honors.

In 1992, Mike attended the Louisiana State University Law Enforcement Training Academy and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division Training Academy. He served as Class #6 President and received the class High Academic Award and honors.

Mike proudly and honorably served as a Law Enforcement Agent for the State of Louisiana for 28 years.
Over the years, Mike was afforded the opportunity to fill many different, unique and challenging roles as he progressed through his law enforcement career. He served as a Senior Wildlife Enforcement Agent, Chief of Law Enforcement for the Sabine River Authority – State of Louisiana and finished the last 15 years of his career as an Administrative Manager and Chief Park Warden at South Toledo Bend State Park.
After retirement, he enjoyed being with family, visiting with old friends, and deer hunting with wife Susie.

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Anacoco “Super Fan” Gary Pritchard shared an old post from 2020 that was on the Max Preps website about the Top 100 scorers in girls high school basketball.  It bears a look by all Vernon Parish basketball fans.  In the Vernon Parish Journal’s first basketball story of the year, we mentioned it would take pages to recount the rich history of girls roundball here.

Max Preps compiled a list in 2020 of the Top 100 girls high school scoring list.  Some things have changed since then but the Antony sisters of Anacoco were ranked #1 and #15 on the overall list of the Top 100.  They are joined by the Strain sisters of Alabama as the only sister duos on that list.  Louisiana and Alabama have a combined 29 of the top 100 players; Louisiana has seventeen; Alabama twelve.

Katie Antony of Anacoco is #1 on that scoring list with 6,190 points from 1998-2003.  She was a five-time Louisiana All State player who played varsity ball for the Lady Indians for six years. The former McDonalds All American and Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year attended Vanderbilt before transferring to LSU.  She concentrated on medicine toward the end of her LSU career.  Her sister Ashley is #15 on that Top 100 list.  She started at Pitkin playing for her mom, Quita Sue Antony, herself a Hall of Fame coach.  Her 4,706 points at Anacoco from 1995-1999 do not include the points she scored in 6^th and 7^th grades while playing with the varsity. Ashley played at Louisiana Tech. 

On that Top 100 list, local fans might also recognize these names: #3 Andrea Cournoyer of Merryville/#21 Courtnee Hollins of Fairview/#22 Judy Clark of Singer/#36 Tarkesiha Wysinger of Many/#54 Kelsey Thaxton of Negreet.  We are indeed fortunate to get a good look at some of the very best in Louisiana on the hardwood floors of Vernon Parish.

Vernon Girls

Getting ready for district play is next on the calendar as girls’ teams are finishing up their non-district scheduling.  Hicks (Dist. 4-B) is the only undefeated team at 13-0 with a big game coming up Thursday at Rosepine (Dist.4-AA) where the Lady Eagles are 7-2 and on a roll.  They played at the Hamilton Christian tourney in Lake Charles recently and defeated 5A Ruston by 12 points while losing to 3A Wossman.  Anacoco (Dist.4-B) is off to a 10-2 start and has won seven in a row. Pitkin (Dist.4B) has also won seven in a row, including tournaments in Baton Rouge and South Beauregard.  In District 3-C, Simpson is 8-2 and has won four of their last five.  Hornbeck (Dist.3-C) is out to a quick 8-3 start with big games coming up against Zwolle and Pickering.  Also in District 3-C, Evans has won three of their last four to pull even at 6-6 on the young season.  Leesville (Dist.4-AAA) won their first four games before losing a pair at the South Beauregard tourney to fall to 4-2.  Pickering (Dist.4-AA) beat Pleasant Hill in their last game to go 4-3.  The Lady Patriots of Faith Training Christian Academy play in the ACEL league and have forged a 3-1 early record for second place in their division.

Vernon Boys

Boys’ teams in Vernon Parish are also off to quick starts in the early season. Anacoco (Dist.4-B) is 10-4, recently losing to 5A Southwood at the South Beau tourney.  They have a date with another 5A school, Natchitoches, upcoming.  Hicks (Dist.4B) is 8-3 with games upcoming versus Rosepine and Fairview.  Also in District 4B, Pitkin is off to a 9-4 start with a big game looming against 3A Buckeye.  In District 3-C,  Hornbeck boasts a 7-4 record with a recent one-point loss to Jonesboro and an eight-point win at Quitman. Evans is 7-2 and recently won two of three at the Florien tournament.  Simpson is 4-6, having just lost to Hornbeck and Evans at the Florien tourney.  Rosepine stands at 3-2 with games coming up against Leesville, Anacoco, Hicks and DeRidder.  Leesville (Dist,3-AAAA) picked up wins at the South Beauregard tourney over East Beauregard and Midland.  They are 3-2.  Pickering wasted no time after a horrible football season, racing out to a 6-2 start, winning six in a row.  The Red Devils have upcoming games against 3A St. Louis and 5A Natchitoches Central.  The Patriots at Faith Training are 6-0, 4-0 in their division.  They are tied for second in the SW LA division of ACEL with Southwest Louisiana Home School Athletics.

The best in Vernon will meet December 21 and 22 at Rosepine for the Annual Vernon Parish Basketball Tournament.  Come out and see some great roundball action.

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The Leesville Main Street District in downtown Leesville presents their annual Christmas Market on Saturday, December 9.  The day will be full of family fun, beginning with the Pilot Club’s Annual Reindeer Run at 8 a.m.  Participants are encouraged to dress in costumes. For more information on the run, go to the Pilot Club Facebook page.  Vendors with a super selection of gift items will be set up at the Third Street Market from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  The market will also have kid activities and food trucks to feed your hungry family.

The Vernon Parish Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade will roll through the downtown area at 5:30 p.m.  The theme for this year’s event is “Angels Among Us” and will honor first responders and emergency personnel for their efforts, not only during the recent wildfires but for their everyday service to the Vernon Parish community.  Don’t miss this colorful, light-filled parade, which ends with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Be sure to bring your lawn chairs and loot bags for goodies received from all the units.

CPKC HOLIDAY EXPRESS TRAIN

Leesville is once again fortunate to be on the schedule for a stop by the CPKC Holiday Express Train.  This elaborately decorated set of rail cars carries characters and goodies for all area children and will arrive in Leesville at the train depot at 4 p.m. on Sunday December 10.  It should take them about an hour to be ready to see children.  They will not leave until all kids have gone through the train.  This can take time, so parents be prepared to wait a while.  Your kids will enjoy going through the cars and meeting the characters on board.

This event is free and open to the public.  The West Cenla Shrine Club is scheduled to sell hot chocolate and drinks during the train’s stay.

VERNON PARISH CHAMBER ORCHESTRA FREE CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The Vernon Parish Chamber Orchestra will hold a free Christmas concert Tuesday, December 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Wooten Theatre in DeRidder, Louisiana.  The Wooten is located at 102 E. 1st Street, right across the railroad tracks heading south from downtown DeRidder.

Bring your family and see Christmas in DeRidder and enjoy a free concert.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

The public is invited to performances by the Vernon Middle School Choir, Leesville High School Choir, and the Leesville High School Concert Band at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 14, at Leesville High School Auditorium.

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Vernon Parish is known as Louisiana’s Legend Country! There are legendary things to do year-round, but magic is in the air this Christmas season. Spend your holiday in Vernon Parish and enjoy our many upcoming events! https://www.vernonparish.org/event/christmas-ranch

From now until Christmas Eve, you can visit Christmas on the Ranch! Get your tickets now and bundle the kiddos into the car for this Christmas Lights Drive-Thru. There will be over half a million lights, including a light show set to some of the most popular Christmas classics. Don’t miss out on this great Christmas activity in Leesville! https://www.vernonparish.org/event/reindeer-run

Get active this Holiday season by joining in the Reindeer Run, Leesville’s 9th Annual 5k, on Friday, December 9th at 8:00am. Participants are encouraged to dress up in Holiday Style. Prizes will be awarded for the best individual and the best team costume.

Then, join the fun at the 80th Leesville Christmas Parade at 5:30pm. This parade is titled “Angels Among Us”. The lineup is at 3:00pm and the parade begins at 5:30pm. If you are interested in riding in the parade, sign up online at GreaterVernon.org. https://www.vernonparish.org/event/christmas-parade-0

If you want to celebrate the arts and the magic of Christmas, get tickets to West La Dance Theatre’s production of The Nutcracker December 8th at 7pm and December 9th at 7:30pm at Leesville High School Auditorium.

Afterwards, get your Christmas shopping done at the Leesville Christmas Market! It’s from 9am to 2pm in Downtown Leesville! There will be food trucks, vendors and more.

We hope you enjoy the family holiday adventures Vernon Parish has to offer. Check the events page for other happenings over the holidays! Be sure to follow us on social media and tag us in your holiday photos with #LALegendCountry!

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Funeral services for Nathaniel Bland will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at New Willow Baptist Church with Pastor Ronale Coleman officiating. The burial with full military honors will follow in the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. A visitation will be held at the church on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Nathaniel was born August 23, 1946, in Tunica, Mississippi and passed away November 30, 2023, in DeRidder, Louisiana, at the age of 77. Nate (a.k.a. “Fatso”) was the fifth youngest of 16 children. He left Tunica at the age of 24 to enlist in the U.S. Army. He served in Ft. Benning, GA; Augsburg, Germany; Nürnberg, Germany; Kaiserslautern, Germany; Ft. Sill, OK; Ft. Polk, LA, and Ft. Drum, NY. He retired at Ft. Polk, LA with 24 years of service, and lived in Leesville for the rest of his life.

Nate loved life. He enjoyed fishing, beer, barbecuing, and the blues. The casinos and lottery ticket vendors also knew him all too well.  Always jovial and thoroughly extroverted, he enjoyed spending time with family and old friends while constantly and consistently making new friends. He was a generous man and believed in the best in people. When someone was in need, if he could help, he absolutely would help. Raised with deep Southern Baptist traditions, he later found a new spiritual home and church family at New Willow Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J.C. Bland & Nellie Williams Bland, and siblings, Isom Bland, Joe Nathan Bland, Harriett Bland Ellis, Thomas Bland, Benjamin Bland, Rosetta Bland Harris, Nellie Bland, Cassell Bland, Annie Mae Wilson, John C. Bland Jr., Howard Bland, and Jerlene Hoover.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Louella Bland; children, Joseph Nathan (Shannon) Bland of Falls Church, VA; Brittney Kaye Bland of Ft. Worth, TX; Rhonda Williams of Memphis, TN; and Nathan Lamar Bland of Tunica, MS; grandchildren, Shiloh Kathleen Bland, Jove Nathan August Bland, Alima Lily Cham, Melvin Williams Jr., Andranette Debose, Lachad Jackson, Malcolm Lipson, and Darrius Lipson; siblings, Leon (Jackie) Bland of Jackson, MS and Alice (Henry) Wilson of Chicago, IL;
and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends.

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The office of U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) will host a Constituent Assistance Event in Vernon Parish for constituents needing assistance with federal agencies, ranging from the Social Security Administration to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. A staff member for Senator Cassidy will be on hand to help constituents fill out privacy release forms.

More information is as follows:

WHAT: Constituent Assistance Event in Vernon Parish
WHEN: Wednesday, December 6
             9:30-10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Anacoco Town Hall
              4973 Main St.
             Anacoco, LA 71403

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Larry P. Crain, age 83, passed peacefully from this life on December 1, 2023, with his lovingly devoted wife of 54+ years at his side.

Growing up, “Pooh Bear,” as he was later known by family and close friends, cherished the time he spent shadowing his big brother and fishing with his dad. As a proud graduate of Franklinton High School’s Class of 1958, Larry went on to earn a Master of Science in Education degree from Northwestern State University.

During his 46-year tenure with the Louisiana Department of Health’s Leesville and Pinecrest Supports and Services Centers, “Mr. C.” wore many hats. He poured his heart into his work and into those he supervised, always encouraging them to pursue excellence. Larry’s work provided him with opportunities to create policies and procedures and write grant proposals, which he enjoyed.

As a formidable right tackle in his teenage glory days and a life-long, die-hard Saints fan, watching football was a favorite pastime. As an artist, Larry got a kick out of drawing caricatures and cartoons for friends and family. In years past, he enjoyed hog and predator hunting with his brother-in-law, Charles “Chuck” Simmons, and wood duck and deer hunting with his very patient and accommodating son-in-law.

A devout Christian, Larry humbly served as Chairman of the Deacons at First Baptist Church, Leesville. As a doting husband and father, Larry’s greatest accomplishment was his family. He was undoubtedly the very BEST daddy a girl could have asked for.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, George Prentis and Mary Lonie Duncan Crain; oldest brother, Louis Crain, and a “little brother” who passed away at two days of age. Those left to honor his memory are his beloved wife, Mary Simmons Crain; daughter, Heather Crain McCool, and husband, Nolan; special niece and nephew, Roger and Lisa Simmons Guidry, and a host of extended family and friends.

The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to Rapides Regional Medical Center staff, Drs. Screpetis and McBride, and Compassionate Care Hospice.

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Corey Philyaw, age 43 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count Entry on or Remaining on Land or in a Place where Forbidden. Bond was set at $1,295. Philyaw remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

James E. Sparks, age 69 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count Domestic Aggravated Assault and one count Simple Battery of the Infirm. Bond was set at $50,000. Sparks remains in jail.

Bobby Nolen, age 40 of Soapstone, was arrested and charged with one count Molestation of a Juvenile. Bond had not yet been set and he remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Brittany Nicole Cormier, age 31 of Lake Charles, was arrested and charged with one count Simple Burglary, one count of Trespassing and one count of Theft. Bond was set at $21,295. Cormier posted bond and was released.

ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.

VPSO NEEDS YOUR ASSISTANCE!

Several game cameras were recently stolen from a residence on the south side of Anderson Drive in Leesville.  The owner of the cameras recently received photos of an unknown subject.  JUST GO TO THE VPSO FACEBOOK PAGE and look at the photos.  Please help law enforcement ID the suspect.  Call 337-238-1311 if you can help!

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JAMES “JIM” BOOKTER, JR.
February 3, 1940 – November 30, 2023
Service: December 6 in Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville at 2:00 p.m.

EDITH JEAN GILL SMITH
March 4, 1947 – November 29, 2023
Service: December 2, 2023, at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville, at 3:00 PM

CAROL TIBBITTS
July 21, 1951 – November 29, 2023
Service: December 4, 2023, at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville at 11:00 AM

JAMES “J.F.” WILLIAMSON

October 14, 1931 – November 27, 2023

Service: December 1, 2023, at First Baptist Church in Leesville at 2:00 PM

LARRY PRENTIS CRAIN
July 3, 1940 – December 1, 2023

NATHANIEL BLAND
August 23, 1946 – November 30, 2023
Service: December 6, 2023, at New Willow Baptist Church in Leesville at 11:00 AM

KENNETH CECIL “K.C.” ROBINSON
April 2, 1945 – November 27, 2023
Service: November 27, 2023, at Jeane’s Funeral Home in Leesville at 1:00 PM

TOMMY NEAL WAKEFIELD
December 13, 1941 – November 27, 2023
Service: November 10 at Labby Funeral Home in Leesville at 1 p.m.

MICHAEL DALE MITCHELL
March 15, 1959 – November 25, 2023
Service: December 2 at Pleasant View Baptist Church of Hornbeck at 10:15 a.m.

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