Kellyann Maple, age 46, of Leesville was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond was set at $9000.  Maple remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Dwight Anthony Suire, age 49, of Anacoco was arrested on two outstanding Bench Warrants for probation violations.  Suire must serve thirty days in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Nicholas Ryan Langley, age 27, of Rosepine was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic.  Bond has not been set.  Langley remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Clifford Brannon Jeane, age 47, of Burr Ferry was arrested by Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force.  Jeane was charged with one count Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic (28 grams or more), one count Possession of Schedule I Narcotic with Intent to Distribute and one count of Turning Movements and Required Signals.  Bond has not been set.  Jeane remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Steven Randy Davis Jr., age 40, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery.  Bond has not been set.  Davis remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

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

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The Leesville Police Department issued the following press release on June 26, 2024:

On May 22, 2024, at approximately 11:24 p.m., Officers with the Leesville Police Department responded to a traffic accident involving one vehicle and an individual on a scooter in the area of Highway 171 between University Parkway and Fertitta Boulevard.

The initial investigation at the scene revealed that 19-year-old Conner Saucier was traveling northbound in the left inside lane of Highway 171 near the intersection of University Parkway at which time he struck 21-year-old Roderick Thomas, Jr., who was reported to be in the lane of travel on his scooter. Officers observed on scene that Thomas was in a dark colored sweatshirt with no reflective gear at the time. A Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST) was administered to Saucier, which resulted in no signs of impairment. As a result of the injuries Thomas sustained from being struck, he was transported to a medical facility for treatment. At the time of the accident, there was no evidence of any criminal behavior on the behalf of Saucier; therefore, no arrest or citation was warranted on scene.

During the follow-up investigation into the incident, security video was requested from a local business, and a search warrant was obtained to retrieve data from Saucier’s vehicle. Additionally, follow-up interviews were conducted. Once the evidence related to the case was received and reviewed, it was concluded that Saucier had been travelling at approximately 63 mph in the left inside lane of travel on Highway 171 right before impact was made with Thomas. Thomas was also travelling northbound on his scooter and appeared to be in the left inside lane of travel on Highway 171 at the time that he was struck by Saucier’s vehicle. Thomas’s scooter did appear to have some type of white light illuminating from the front of his scooter, but no other light or reflectors were observed.

As a result of the information obtained through the investigation, an arrest warrant was obtained by Leesville Police Department for Conner Saucier for the charges of Reckless Operation and Negligent Injuring. Saucier was arrested by Leesville Police Department on June 26, 2024, and booked into the Vernon Parish Jail.

Chief Beth Westlake would like to thank the Louisiana State Police with their assistance in this investigation.

In an effort to reduce these types of tragic incidents, Chief Westlake would like to remind drivers to obey the set speed limits and for those on scooters or bicycles to wear reflective clothing at night and ensure that they follow all related traffic laws.

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The Vernon Parish Police Jury held a special called meeting Tuesday, June 25, at 5 p.m. to review, discuss and finalize the 2024 Road Overlay List for Vernon Parish.

Jurors had submitted a “wish list” for road work in each district.  Parish Administrator Rhonda Plummer worked the budget numbers and gave a draft of the overlay plan to jurors during Tuesday’s meeting.  No district got all they were asking for, and several jurors will combine funds to do work on roads that run into each other’s districts.  Jurors voted to accept the overlay list which may still be amended.

2024 Overlay List of Projects

District One     Wyatt Drive, Blackmon Road(split with district three)

District Two     Cold Springs Loop, North Loop

District Three   Bonner Road, Blackmon Road(split with district one)

District Four     Veteran’s Lane, Jeane Chapel Road

District Five      Webster-Maricle Road, Occupy Church #2

District Six        Cold Springs Loop, Forest Drive, Glass Window Cemetery Road

District Seven   Henry Bass Road

District Eight     Jeane Chapel Extension, Section Line Road, Wyatt Drive

District Nine     Brookins Road, Mid Lake Lane, Camp Baker Road

District Ten       Shapkoff Industrial Parkway

District Eleven   Stanley Road, Roy Bridges Road

District Twelve   Camp Baker Road, Noah Haymon Road

The 2024 Overlay project will be on stretches of the above roads.  Projects total $2.17 million.  Districts contributed $71,500 with overlay funds totaling $2.1 million.  Some of the projects will begin this year as the parish waits on the overlay funds through state sources.

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By VPJ Staff

We live in an age of specialists.  Specialists in medicine, sports, entertainment, even life!  The Editor of the Vernon Parish Journal sums it up nicely by saying, “There’s a job for everybody” — providing you really want a job!  Many come to their life’s calling after slogging through a myriad of experiences when they are younger.  Others get on a career track and never get off the rails ‘til retirement.  Most of us fall somewhere in the middle of that scenario.  Just find your happy spot and BE HAPPY.

Now, back to this specialist thing.  Searching through the National Calendar is eye-opening.  There is a holiday for everything, just like there’s a job for everyone! 

Saturday, June 29, is National Camera Day.  I do not have mad camera skills, but I know a lot of folks who do.  Pictures were what once made Life Magazine the most popular magazine in America.  Early cameras took pictures of the American Civil War and they were gruesome. Cameras let us see the beauty and glory of life on earth.  They can also show the ills of society and the fragility of our planet.

Saturday, June 29, is a Hug Holiday.  Some people aren’t good huggers; they can give “creepy” hugs. Little kids are generally amenable to hugs; some adults are not!  HERE’S  A TIP!!  Hugs get better with age!

Members of the Catholic Church celebrate The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on Saturday, a chance to celebrate two pillars of the theology and what they mean to the church.

Saturday is the birthday of San Francisco, the original “Gold Rush” town.  It’s a lovely city by the bay!  Great place to visit but I would not want to live there.

The next two national days go hand in hand.  International Mud Day and International Fisherman’s Day.  Well, you got to have water for both.  Mudding is now an art form with festivals, featuring pro monster trucks and local good ole boys.  Fishermen, like you need an excuse!   Just go for it!  The big one’s out there waiting.

Saturday is National Waffle Iron Day.  These days if you can put it on bread, you can put it on a waffle. Only your imagination can limit you here.

Saturday is Almond-Buttercrunch Day.  How bad can that be? Candy, made mostly from butter, healthy almonds, and, oh yeah, sugar.  Blame those northern Europeans.

Lastly, Saturday is International Day of the Tropics.  If you are on vacation in the tropics now, we are officially jealous.  If you can’t make it to the tropics, FAKE IT!  We do it all the time on the deck with some sun, a sprinkler shaped like a watermelon, and a lot of  imagination!

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The First Baptist Church of Anacoco will hold the largest freedom music fest in West Central Louisiana Sunday, June 30, beginning at 5 p.m. on the church grounds.

This will mark the third year for the Faith & Family Freedom Music Fest.  Last year it attracted almost three thousand attendees.  Organizers are hoping for five thousand this year.

The festival will feature some outstanding family and Christian artists.  Chosen Road was recently named Newcomer of the Year at the Dove Awards.  Point of Grace is a well-known female trio. The Jason Lovins Band will get the crowd moving with their high energy show. The evening headliner is Mac Powell, lead singer for long-time group, Third Day.  Music will begin at 5 p.m., and this event is free to attend and family friendly.

The grounds for the festival are behind the First Baptist Church but parking will be at the elementary and high schools, with golf carts shuttling festivalgoers to the event site.  You are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.  Ice chests are allowed, but alcohol is strictly prohibited.

The event will feature food trucks, snow cones, and more.  Food and beverage vendors include: Chris Jennings/Italian ice and lemonade, Gringo Biscuit, Kai’s Island Grill, Smackers, The Lunch Box, Big Meaux’s BBQ, D’alish, Kona Ice, Get 2 Crackin, The Hot Dog Man, Savage Spork, and Tasty Treats on the Bend.

Following the music, organizers are planning a massive fireworks display.  They expect it will be the biggest in the area.

Make it a different kind of Sunday with your family at the Faith & Family Freedom Music Fest, June 30, 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Anacoco.

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The Village of Simpson will host its first ever Red, White, and Blue Festival Saturday, June 29, from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.  Free parking is available at the Simpson High School parking lot.

The festival is free and open to the public.  There will be craft vendors, food trucks, music, slides, bounce houses, a dunking booth, games, and arts and crafts for kids.  Don’t miss the foam party!  Adults are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.

The festival committee is inviting all owners of classic cars and hot rods to enter the parade at noon. Line-up is 11 a.m. for the parade at Simpson Baptist Church.  There is no cost to enter and ride.

Music in the pavilion area at Simpson High School will begin in the afternoon with James Bonner, and The Old Man Band.  Big Daddy’s Entertainment will provide a DJ and music.

For more information on the festival, go to the Facebook page for the Simpson Community Events Center.

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Author Scott DuBose will introduce his second book, “Louisiana’s No Man’s Land; a History of Outlaws and Opportunity”, Saturday, June 29, from noon-1pm at the Vernon Parish library on Nolan Trace in Leesville.  DuBose will give a presentation and sign copies of his work.

DuBose said that West Louisiana was left out of the original Louisiana Purchase.  No Man’s Land was a 40 mile wide and 500 mile long strip of the state where there was no law enforcement and no federal troops to keep the peace.  Outlaws, smugglers and pirates flocked to West Louisiana.  These tales of legends are brought to life in DuBose’s latest work.

DuBose worked at the Ft. Jesup Historic Site while attending Northwestern State University.  He is President of the Friends of Ft. Jesup and was involved in the 2019 Bicentennial No Man’s Land celebration.  This is the second book for DuBose.  His first book, “Ft. Jesup, a History”, was published in 2022.

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I would imagine for almost all of us there would be a school year that is especially memorable. For me it was the 7th grade. Like many of you in this area, we were army brats, and school could be confusing if not downright difficult, but the 7th grade at the brand new high school in Edgewood, Maryland, was a winner.

My home room teacher was Mr. John Bator, a veteran of the Korean War. Bator was a tall, blond, crewcut, bespeckled, 26-year-old mild mannered hero. We loved him. He was my first male schoolteacher. Till then, guys didn’t realize that such existed.

Girls swooned. Of course, we boys also spent a good bit of time swooning about one girl or another. The 7th grade was, after all, where we learned the box step. I remember Dottie Diem who wrote in my autograph book: “Dear James, I like you, I think you’re fine. I’d like your pajamas next to mine. Now don’t blush and don’t get red. I mean on the clothesline and not in the bed.” Sincerely, D.

Mr. Bator, well over six foot tall, was the men’s basketball coach too, can you believe this guy? His talents were truly awesome. He played piano. We stared in open-mouthed wonder as he banged out Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumble Bee. I’m sure that my lifelong love of music was born of Mr. Bator’s influence. Oh, my goodness, and he loved poetry. In the cherished autograph book, he wrote to me, quoting from John Masefield’s “On Growing Old”: “Dear James…Only stay quiet while the mind remembers, the beauty of fire from the beauty of embers. Sincerely, John.”

Anyway, the big to do at the new school was to pick the school colors and name the mascot. Mr. Bator encouraged us to get involved. We did, and I became a sort of overly proud leader. I campaigned with heartfelt enthusiasm. Everyone got behind my choices: turquoise blue and rose red, plus THE BLUE DEVILS as our mascot. Yeah, two four six eight, etc. Well, the new football coach, Mr. Carl Clidesdale wasn’t impressed. He promptly announced, over the fancy public address system: “We ain’t havin no turquoise and roses stuff. The colors are gonna be red and white and the team’s gonna be called THE RAMS.” Mr. Bator laughed and smiled, “I expect there’s a lesson or two there for all of you to consider?”

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Koppers Holding Inc., an integrated global provider of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals and carbon compounds is pleased to announce that Koppers Utility and Industrial Products Inc. recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the utility pole peeling and drying facility that opened near Rosepine.  The plant has been operational since March of this year.

The plant manufactures timber into utility poles to be treated at the company’s facility in Somerville, Texas.  These poles will be sent to underserved markets in Texas and across the Midwest.  This plant represents a $17 million investment by Koppers in Vernon Parish.  The facility is 105 acres and generated 35 construction jobs during building.  The plant has  provided  new full-time positions for the Vernon Parish workforce.

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They say that life is the small dash between your beginning date and your ending date. On Sunday, June 23, 2024, the family of Brittany Leigh Hughes got news that no family wants to hear. Her life was over. Her family, unexpectedly, had her ending date. At approximately 7 p.m., Brittany, by grace through faith in Jesus, was absent from her body and present with her Lord. But, oh, what a dash she lived!

Brittany was born October 22, 1987, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Eddie and Stacy Hughes. She graduated from Hornbeck High School in 2006, and later earned a nursing degree from Lamar Salter. For the past 13 years, she worked in a variety of healthcare facilities.

To Brittany, the most important part of her “dash” were her children. Despite the challenges she may have faced as a single mother, Brittany always prioritized her children’s happiness, well-being, and dreams, by demonstrating incredible strength and resilience. Her fierce love, unwavering dedication to her children,  and outspokenness defined her life. No one in Brittany’s life ever had to wonder what she was thinking, and she was loved for that! She was extremely loyal, strong-willed and determined. The reason that she lived such an extraordinary life is because she had placed her faith in Jesus Christ at a young age during a GA Lock In at First Baptist Church of Hornbeck. To all of us being emotional over her life being cut short, she would say a line she was famous for: “Suck it up, Buttercup.” She would want us to cheer as loudly for her kids and all those she helped coach as loudly as she did, to love them as hard as she did, and to use our own “dash” to believe in others as much as she did.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Kayden Mitchell Hughes, Lynleigh Grace Stracener, Skylynn Marie Stracener, and Harlynn James Stracener; parents Stacy Austin (Alan) and Eddie Hughes (Jennifer); brothers: Logan Hughes (Alex), Mark Jones, Christopher Austin (Christina), Cody Austin, and sister Taylor Hebert (Brandon); maternal grandmother, Linda Cole; bonus grandmother, Connie Spears; and god grandmother, Betty Brown; along with a host of extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Jason and Eddie Hughes; paternal grandparents, FM and  Melba Chance Hughes; maternal grandfather, Steve Cole; and bonus grandfather, Donald Spears.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Hornbeck First Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. with Bro. Jason Lupo, Bro. Wayne Chance and Bro. Paul Dowden officiating. A burial will follow in Prewitt’s Chapel Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, from 8:00-11:00 a.m. at Hornbeck First Baptist Church.

Serving as pallbearers will be Logan Hughes, Mark Jones, Christopher Austin, Cody Austin, Tryon Williams, Austin Williams, Jason Reeks and Donnie Spears. Honorary Pallbearer: Harley Stracener.

In lieu of flowers, Brittany’s family asks that you consider giving to an account that has been set up in her memory at Merchants and Farmers Bank. This account will be for her children and not for funeral expenses. If you choose to donate, please make checks payable to Brittany Hughes Memorial Fund and notate on the face of the check “account ending 7433.” Those funds may also be mailed to Merchants and Farmers Bank, P.O. Box 1151, Leesville, LA 71496.

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Governor Jeff Landry and the Louisiana Department of Health are announcing key leadership changes with the Governor’s appointment of Secretary Dr. Ralph Abraham to the newly created Office of the Surgeon General, promotion of Undersecretary Michael Harrington to Department Secretary and promotion of Chief of Staff Drew Maranto to Undersecretary.

Surgeon General

Governor Landry made the leadership changes upon signing House Bill 853, which creates the Office of the Surgeon General. The Surgeon General is co-equal with the Secretary within the Department’s organizational chart and is charged with crafting health policy, including healthcare workforce development; advocating for wellness and disease prevention; and coordinating with other state agencies and institutions to improve health outcomes in Louisiana. 

Under the bill, the Surgeon General is appointed by the Governor and must be a licensed and practicing physician in Louisiana. The Surgeon General will absorb the duties of the State Health Officer, making the new position budget-neutral.

Abraham has been a practicing family medicine physician in Richland Parish for more than 30 years and served three terms in Congress, representing Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District. Before earning his Medical Doctor degree from LSU Health Shreveport, he practiced veterinary medicine for 10 years.

Secretary

The Secretary of the Department of Health is responsible for implementing the Surgeon General’s recommendations, overseeing fiscal matters and ensuring the operations of the Department are carried out efficiently and effectively. Both the Secretary and the Surgeon General report directly to the Governor.

Harrington is a former hospital system executive with more than 25 years of service in both for-profit and not-for-profit health systems. He has a long record of developing innovative systems that engage people with a focus on growing patient safety and prioritizing financial viability. Harrington was previously president of Christus Health Louisiana and president and chief operating officer at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami.

Undersecretary

Another key leadership change at LDH is the promotion of Chief of Staff Drew Maranto to Undersecretary. In this role, Maranto will oversee the State Medicaid program, as well as eight administrative divisions with departmental responsibilities for budget preparation, financial planning, purchasing, personnel, accounting, data processing and development of strategic and operational plans. 

‘One team and One Louisiana’

Governor Landry said that making key changes within LDH is part of his administration’s strategy of strengthening state agencies and making them more responsive to Louisiana’s needs, while encouraging innovation and efficiency.

“I am confident that Surgeon General Abraham and Secretary Harrington are going to form a dynamic team that puts the health needs of Louisianans first. They will ensure coordination between agencies and institutions as we move our state forward in a coherent unified direction,” Governor Landry said. “It has been a top priority for me to have a doctor oversee health policy and have a talented health executive oversee implementation, which is what we have with Dr. Abraham and Secretary Harrington. I also want to thank Rep. Brach Myers, who carried the bill that made this momentous change possible, and the Legislature for unanimously approving it. We are one team and One Louisiana, focused on ensuring the Louisiana Department of Health is a highly responsive agency that meets the health needs of all Louisianans while safeguarding their safety and welfare.”

“It is an honor to serve as Louisiana’s first Surgeon General, and I am particularly excited about the opportunity it will afford me to help modernize the Department, improve health outcomes, pursue innovative policy and work closely with agencies and institutions throughout Louisiana,” Dr. Abraham said. “This position was created to reverse the prior trend of bureaucrats creating policy and doctors reacting to it, moving us in a unified way forward. This is the culmination of my life’s work dedicated to improving the lives of patients, so I look forward to bringing a doctor’s point of view to health policy and continuing to work toward Governor Landry’s goal of making a stronger, healthier Louisiana.”

“Becoming the Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health means overseeing a budget of more than $20 billion and more than 8,000 employees, and I am looking forward to shepherding those resources responsibly and in a way that delivers results for Louisiana,” Harrington said. “Healthcare accounts for nearly 50% of the state budget and impacts nearly every aspect of our economy. The team Governor Landry and I envision puts a doctor in charge of promoting health policy and the Secretary in charge of implementing that vision. I look forward to helping lead a team that is so dedicated to making Louisiana healthier than we found it.”

Deputy Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan previously served in an interim role as State Health Officer. He will continue to serve as Deputy Secretary with the appointment of Dr. Abraham as Surgeon General. Surgeon General Abraham and Secretary Harrington wish to thank Dr. Croughan for his leadership during his interim appointment.

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Our dear mother, Mildred Minnette Moore Cooley, passed away on June 23, 2024, at the age of 99 years and 5 months. She was a wonderful mother who will be remembered as a gentle and compassionate wife, mother, and friend. She had a quiet and tender personality, and, with the help of her Lord, she had the strength to endure health challenges and to rise above difficult situations.

As a devout and faithful servant, Mildred was a charter member of Slagle Baptist Church. Her devoted and humble life was a testament to her family and friends.

Mildred Minette Moore Cooley was born on January 22, 1925, to Lonnie and Myrtle Moore, in Rushville, Nebraska. Mildred met her future husband, Carl Cooley, in Chadron, Nebraska, while he was stationed in Alliance. After their marriage, Carl was then transferred to Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, to serve in the United States Army. Mildred later moved to Louisiana after Carl was deployed overseas to France with his unit.

Mildred was a hard-working woman tending to her gardens and the cotton fields while raising nine children. She was employed with the Vernon Parish School District and drove a school bus until she retired after ten years.

Mildred enjoyed quilt making, sewing, and canning food. Her most favorite pastime was baking and cooking in the kitchen for her children and grandchildren, and especially when the holidays came around.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonnie and Myrtle Moore; six siblings; her husband, Carl; and sons, Kenneth Neal, Dale Alan, and one daughter, Jean Minnette Cooley.

Mildred is survived by one brother, Dean Moore, of Harrison, Nebraska; and seven children, Glen (Ann) Cooley of Slagle, Louisiana, Shirley (Richard) Kenyon of Grand Prairie, Texas, Marie (Jimmie) Ross of Hornbeck, Louisiana, Patsy (Fred) Seekins of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, David (Eileen) Cooley of Slagle, Louisiana, Leroy (Dynette) Cooley of Anacoco, Louisiana, and Barbara (Rick) Barbour of Ovilla, Texas.
Grandchildren: Tammie (Russell) Thibodeaux, Kimberly (Danny) Barrett, Jeffrey Cooley, Kassie (Brandon) Obelleiro, Ryan (Cass) Dalton, Tessa (Brandon) Mullins, Elaina Cooley, Rebecca (Jared) Craft.

Great grandchildren: Caden Cooley, Madilyn Thibodeaux, Katelyn Thibodeaux, Jack Dalton, Noah Dalton, Liam Craft, and Creed Lackert on the way.

Donations may be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Friends and community are invited to a visitation service on: Friday, June 28, 2024, from 4:00 pm – 8:00 p.m. at Slagle Baptist Church, 8993 LA 8, Leesville, LA 71446.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

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Funeral services for Tommy Park, 84, of Leesville, Louisiana, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Good Hope Baptist Church in Anacoco, Louisiana, with Bro. Chad King, Bro. Randy Shelly and Bro. Wade Harris officiating. Burial will follow at Good Hope Cemetery, under the direction of Labby Memorial Funeral Home of Leesville.

Visitation will be Monday, July 1, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Good Hope Baptist Church.

Tommy was born on January 29, 1940, in Weldon, Texas, to his parents, Bun and Ima Park. He passed away on June 24, 2024, surrounded by his loving family in Temple, Texas.

Tommy grew up in the hard ways of Central Texas in the 1940’s. Coming from a large rural sawmill family, he was the youngest boy of 8 children. He grew up into mischief as most boys do. His youngest sister, Janie, tried her very best to keep him in line.  Although she wasn’t totally successful, she definitely made a difference on him for the rest of his life. He hated work and was always late for everything except a date with a pretty girl. Having a hatred for work, he found a love for hunting and became a master deer hunter at a very young age. At 15 years of age, his father was a stock boss for the Texas prison system and was also in the cow business with J.H. Rose.  It was there that Tommy found a new love: truck driving and predominantly hauling cows all over the Southern U.S., East Coast to West Coast. He went to school for 12 years in Walker County; Crabb Prairie Elementary and Huntsville High School. He signed into National Guard and went to college at San Jacinto. Into his second semester, he was drafted into the Army. He served 4 years in the 49th Armored Division as a tanker. He was stationed at Ft. hood, Texas, and Ft. Polk, Louisiana, where he ranked to an E5. He had come to know many folks from Vernon Parish while at Ft. Polk and met Sharon Winfree, whom he later married after leaving the Army.  During this time, he revisited his love of trucking. They were married in 1963 and had a daughter, Shann Elizabeth Park. They left Texas and came back to Sharon’s home of Vernon Parish, where they started a plumbing business. They had a son, Bun F. Park II. They dissolved their relationship in 1971. He continued his residence and business in Vernon Parish. In 1974, Tommy met the love of his life, Kayla Barbee Morrison.  It was not long until they had a son, Thomas Park Jr. As time came and went, she became expecting and had a daughter, Crystal Kaye Park. After another testament of five years’ time, she had a third child and second daughter, Tuesdy Lane Park. Our mother, Kayla, continued life with him as a Master Plumber and General Contractor for 18 years before he went to work for Leesville Lumber Co. full time as one of their own. He had previously done work for the Williams family for some years before going to work for them in 1988. He worked up from a Foreman to Mill Superintendent in 1990. He was a stern but generous boss. During this time, he became closely acquainted with Rex Williams, who soon came to be not only his friend but more like a son with whom he developed a lifelong relationship that was eternally everlasting. He retired in 2009, and started back working for himself doing dirt work and baling hay until his passing on June 24, 2024.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents, Bun and Ima Park; siblings: Lonnie B. Park, Eleanor Patterson, and James Park.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Kayla Park of Leesville; children: Shann Kettle (Ralph) of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Bun Park II (Teri) of Pitkin, Louisiana, Tom Park Jr. (Donna) of Anacoco, Louisiana, Crystal Park of Choctaw, Oklahoma, and Tuesdy Dadulo (John Mark) of Springhill, Tennessee; 14 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; siblings: Nathan Park, Jean Cooner, and Samuel Park (Anne), all of Huntsville, Texas, and Janie Dulaney (Rance) of Belton, Texas; close friends: Rex Williams of Bandera, Texas, Glenn Reader of Huntsville, Texas, and Gerald Adams of Huntsville; and a host of other family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family for assistance with medical expenses. Please contact Bun Park II or Tom Park Jr. regarding donations.

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BRITTANY LEIGH HUGHES
October 22, 1987 – June 23, 2024
Service: June 29, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Hornbeck at 11 a.m.

TOMMY PARK
January 29, 1940 – June 24, 2024
Service: July 2, 2024, at Good Hope Baptist Church in Anacoco, Louisiana, at 11 a.m.

MILDRED MINNETTE MOORE COOLEY
January 22, 1925 – June 23, 2024
Service: At a later date

JAMES BERNARD TRUMAN
August 29, 1957 – June 23, 2024
Service: None announced

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Shortly before 7:00 p.m. on June 23, 2024, Troopers with Louisiana State Police Troop A (who provided this information) responded to a two-vehicle crash on LA 1 north of LA 15 in Pointe Coupee Parish. The crash claimed the life of 36-year-old Brittany L. Hughes of Hornbeck.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2009 Ford F-150 was traveling southbound on LA 1. At the same time, a 2021 Nissan Sentra, driven by Hughes, was traveling northbound on LA 1. For reasons still under investigation, the Ford crossed the centerline and impacted the Nissan in a head-on manner.

Hughes, who was unrestrained at the time of the crash, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three unrestrained juvenile passengers in her vehicle sustained moderate injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital. The driver of the Ford was also unrestrained. He was ejected from the vehicle and was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. Impairment on his part is suspected. Standard toxicology samples will be taken and submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.

While not all crashes are survivable, statistics show that properly wearing your seat belt will dramatically reduce your chance of being severely injured or killed in a crash. Louisiana law requires that every person in a vehicle, regardless of seating position, always remain buckled up. Properly wearing your seat belt is one of the most effective ways to save your life and reduce injuries in crashes.

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Anna Marie Sprinkle, age 31, of DeRidder, Louisiana, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond was set at $5000.  Smith remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Cedric Tyree Rushing, age 27, of DeRidder was arrested on one count of Theft of a Motor Vehicle.  Bond was set at $15,000.  Rushing remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Weston Galen Smith, age 28, of Anacoco, Louisiana, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Smith remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Steven Briggs, age 38, of Leesville was arrested by Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force.  Briggs was charged with one count Turning Movement and Required Signals, one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic, and one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic with Intent to Distribute. Bond has not been set. Briggs remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Anthony Cowan, age 24, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count Resisting an Officer with Force or Violence, Simple Assault, one count Self-Mutilation by a Prisoner, and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Bond has not been set. Cowan remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Tiffany Mechell Mills, age 37, of Leesville was arrested by Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force.  Mills was charged with one count Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic with Intent to Distribute.  Bond has not been set.  Mills remains in the Vernon parish Jail.

Scott Patrick Mueschke, age 63, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count of Disturbing the Peace and two counts of Simple Assault.  Bond was set at $12,881.  Mueschke remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Dean Joseph Hargrove, age 50, was arrested and charged with one count of Failure to Register as a Sex Offender.  Bond has not been set.  Hargrove remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

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The Leesville City Council met Monday, June 24, at 3 p.m. in the City Hall meeting room.

Hannah Hillman reported monthly city bills totaled $59,130.  Pay requests were submitted in connection with the Entrance Road sewer project.  The first invoice for blueprint work and copy service totaled $750.20.  The second was from the Vernon Parish Clerk of Court for $305 in recording fees.  The third invoice was to the F&A Officer, USAED, Ft. Worth District for administration fees of $5,776 for permits to increase easement.  Council members gave their okay to pay the invoices.

City Engineer, Mark McCarty, told Council members that the Entrance Road sewer project would begin later this week while Phase 2 of the street repair project is now awaiting approval by the state.

Resolutions heard and passed included accepting the 2021-2022 LGAP state-appropriated funds for facilities rehabilitation and renovation.  They authorized the mayor to sign and execute the contract with the Louisiana Division of Administration.  Another resolution was the announcement that R.C. Paving was the lowest responsible bidder (upon FP&C Concurrence) for the Entrance Road 2024 Rehabilitation and Extension Project, authorizing the mayor to sign and execute the contract. A third resolution allows the mayor to sign and submit an Airport Grant Application to Louisiana D.O.T.D. for the cost of construction and engineering services at the Leesville Municipal Airport.  Another resolution was passed to  seek to appoint an Ethics Liaison for the City, pursuant to state guidelines.  A resolution was added to the agenda to advertise for bids to clear a one-acre tract on Entrance Road for the sewer project.

City employees will also receive Friday, July 5, as holiday time, enabling them to have a long Independence Day weekend.  The next City Council meeting is Monday, July 8, at 3 p.m.

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New Llano – Fireworks in the Park will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, at the New Llano Community Park on Stanton Street.  Bring your own fireworks to shoot from 6-9 p.m.  Main fireworks show is at 9 p.m.  Bring chairs and blankets, enjoy food trucks, snow cones, free watermelon, music and fun.  Free and open to the public.

DeRidder – Thursday, July 4: Big gathering at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds from 7-9 p.m.  Free and open to all.  Food trucks will start serving meals at 5 p.m.  Enjoy music and a kids’ game area.  Big fireworks at 9 p.m.  Bring lawn chairs.

Ft.Johnson/MWR – Saturday, July 6, at Alligator Lake: Independence Day Spectacular.  Gates open at 5 p.m.  Enjoy live music, a magic show, food/drink, and recreational activities.  There will even be a movie night. Big fireworks show will end the evening.

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Vernon Parish’s longest tenured civic club, The Leesville Lions Club, recently elected officers and awarded Lions for work in the last election cycle.  This was the 82^nd Installation of Officers in club history.

Congratulations to President/Lawna Mayo, First Vice President/Robert Haymon, Second Vice President/Carl Simone, Third Vice President/Mandy Charrier, Secretary/Ray Cecil, Treasurer/Logan Morris, Lion Tamer/Ed Wise, Co-Tail Twisters/Luke Brandon and Jesse Brandon, Membership and Service Chair/Cindy Jeane, One Year Directors/Mike Anderson, David Haymon, Jesse Brandon, Two Year Directors/Ben Iles, Devin Averitt, and Bill Pardue.

Outgoing President Trey Dowden was presented a plaque for his outstanding leadership.  Dowden and Malcolm Morris were presented the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award.  Cindy Jeane was presented the award for Lion of the Year.

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Willie Mays, the electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose combination of talent, drive, and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players, died on June 18 at age 93.

“My father passed away peacefully and among loved ones,” his son Michael Mays said. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life’s blood.“

Willie Howard Mays, Jr. was born on May 6, 1931, in Westfield, Alabama. His father was a talented baseball player for the local iron plant, and his mother was a gifted basketball and track star.

His father let him sit on the bench with his Birmingham Industrial League team at age ten. He played quarterback, fullback and punter for the Fairfield Industrial High School while also playing for the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League.

Professional Career Highlights and Awards

1950– Signed with the New York Giants

1951– Rookie of the Year. Giants win first pennant in 14 years

1954– NL Most Valuable Player Award. Giants win World Series (His amazing over-the-shoulder catch in Game 1 of the 1954 World Series off the bat of Vic Wertz in the spacious Polo Grounds helped lead the Giants to a 4-0 sweep over the favored Cleveland Indians.)

A 24-time All-Star; Led NL in home runs four times; five times batting over .300 and 100 RBIs ten times each; led League in stolen bases four times. First NL player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season; Won 12 Gold Glove Awards, hit four home runs in one game;

Life-Time MLB Stats: Batting Average: .301; Hits: 3,293; Home runs: 660; RHI: 1,909; Stolen bases: 339

Roberto Clemente Award 1971

Major League Baseball All-Time Team

Baseball Hall of Fame 1979 on first ballot.

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The First Baptist Church of Anacoco will hold the largest freedom music fest in West Central Louisiana Sunday, June 30, beginning at 5 p.m. on the church grounds.

This will mark the third year for the Faith & Family Freedom Music Fest.  Last year it attracted almost three thousand attendees.  Organizers are hoping for five thousand this year.

The festival will feature some outstanding family and Christian artists.  Chosen Road was recently named Newcomer of the Year at the Dove Awards.  Point of Grace is a well-known female trio. The Jason Lovins Band will get the crowd moving with their high energy show. The evening headliner is Mac Powell, lead singer for long-time group, Third Day.  Music will begin at 5 p.m., and this event is free to attend and family friendly.

The grounds for the festival are behind the First Baptist Church but parking will be at the elementary and high schools, with golf carts shuttling festivalgoers to the event site.  You are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.  Ice chests are allowed, but alcohol is strictly prohibited.

The event will feature food trucks, snow cones, and more.  Food and beverage vendors include: Chris Jennings/Italian ice and lemonade, Gringo Biscuit, Kai’s Island Grill, Smackers, The Lunch Box, Big Meaux’s BBQ, D’alish, Kona Ice, Get 2 Crackin, The Hot Dog Man, Savage Spork, and Tasty Treats on the Bend.

Following the music, organizers are planning a massive fireworks display.  They expect it will be the biggest in the area.

Make it a different kind of Sunday with your family at the Faith & Family Freedom Music Fest, June 30, 5 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Anacoco.

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