Story by Billy Crawford

As you may remember from reading earlier sports stories, beginning around 1996 my good buddy Steve Carter and I began taking sporting trips.

One such trip was in 2005, when we spent two days attending practice rounds at the Masters in Augusta. These days are not expensive and I believe more enjoyable to watch. The crowds are much smaller (except for the nine holes I followed Tiger Woods.) The atmosphere is more relaxed for both the players and caddies. The weather was perfect with the Azaleas in full bloom. Plus, there is no long line to purchase a famous $1.50 Pimento Cheese Sandwich and $2.00 beer.

This trip was even more memorable having read Mark Frost’s 2004 book The Grand Slam–the Life of Bobby Jones. It is one of my favorite books. The book is much more than “just a sports book.” Its theme is about the importance of relationships, which includes the Masters.

After retiring from competitive golf in 1930, Bobby Jones’ love for golf continued.” He remembered that languishing old exotic nursery next to the Augusta Country Club, and with the partnership and guidance of New York Investor counselor Clifford Roberts purchased the property for $15,000 and a $60,000 mortgage. Bobby hired Dr. Alister MacKenzie to oversee the building of the course.”

In March 1934, sixty-nine amateurs and professional played the First Annual Invitation Tournament at Augusta National. (Now known as the Masters).

“After the bombing attack on Pearl Harbor and the outbreak of World War II, at the age of 41, Bob lobbied and received a commission as a Captain in the United States Air Force. In 1943 he was promoted to Major and assigned to the Ninth Air Force and served under who would become one of his greatest friends, General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Bobby landed with his division on Normandy Beach on June 7, the day after D-day. He spent the next two months working near the front lines under constant threat of artillery fire.”

In 1948 Bobby successfully included the General into the Augusta National Club. After Eisenhower was elected President of the United States in 1952, Jones arranged for a special cabin to be built at Augusta National for the president, which became his favorite retreat.

If you are watching the tournament this week, the cameras will most likely focus on this historic cabin.

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Anthony Wilds, a former Leesville High School student, caddied at the Masters on two occasions, remembers, “LHS started a golf team when I was in the ninth grade. There I met and made friends with Bill and Mike Broyles, Buster Lambert, Bruce Schewe, Steve Eubanks, and Billy Wood. We were just kind of like a little band of bandits, just having fun and winning golf tournaments. Darn we were really good; went to the State Tournament two years. Coach Keith Thibodeaux was our coach the first year and Coach Richard Schwartz was our golf coach in 1972.”

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The Vernon Parish 4-H Program held its annual Miss Vernon 4-H Pageant Saturday, April 13, at the Fairgrounds Auditorium in Leesville.   Nearly 40 young ladies from all over the parish competed in elementary, junior, and senior divisions.  The ladies were interviewed and judged by out-of-the-area friends of the 4-H program.  The winners will represent the Vernon Parish 4-H program at numerous community and club activities for the next year.  They are Ambassadors of the Vernon Parish 4-H Program.

The People’s Choice Awards voting resulted in nearly $3,000 worth of donations from families and friends. That money will be used primarily in the 4-H Backpack Project, which feeds at-risk students in the area.

MISS VERNON 4-H ELEMENTARY

Queen      Alonna Littleton       Anacoco

1^st Runner-up   Brityn Dowden/Anacoco    2^nd Runner-up     Haley West/Anacoco    3^rd Runner-up   Madison Johnson/Evans.    People’ Choice Winner-Quinn Robertson/Rosepine

MISS VERNON 4-H JUNIOR

Queen         Autumn Jeane     Evans

1^st Runner-up    Oakley Farris/Leesville    2^nd Runner-up    Emma Ramsey/Evans    3^rd Runner-up   Stevie Self/Evans.    People’s Choice Winner-Rylin Bush/Hornbeck

MISS VERNON 4-H SENIOR

Queen    Daisy Jeane     Evans

1^st Runner-up   Stormy Jeane/Evans      2^nd Runner-up     Sophie Kay/Home Schooled Club

3^rd Runner-up   Lexi Wolff/Hicks     People’s Choice Winner   Cheyenne Lopez/Hornbeck

 

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The 27^th annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival will be held in historic downtown Natchitoches on the riverbank of Cane River Lake, the festival will kick off Friday evening, May 10th with “Tribute to Legends Night”. Appearing first at 7:00 p.m. will be “Lone Star Skynrd”, the award nominated Lynyrd Skynrd tribute act from Texas which faithfully recreates the atmosphere and energy of Lynyrd Skynrd concerts. Closing out Friday at 9:00 p.m. will be “Rumours-ATL”, the award-winning Fleetwood Mac tribute band out of Atlanta, Georgia which is widely recognized as the ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute with its note for note recreation of the Mac’s hit songs. 

Craig Morgan and Chapel Hart are set to headline the Main Stage on Saturday, May 11^th.

Craig Morgan has been a country hit maker for over a quarter century and during his award-winning career has had seventeen charting country hits including the number ones “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and “Redneck Yacht Club”. Morgan is known for his high energy performances and is also a huge supporter of the military and veterans causes. He currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserve. 

Opening for Morgan is the super-hot Nashville group “Chapel Hart” who were finalists on the hit television show “America’s Got Talent” a few years ago and then emerged again on the show’s special “Fantasy League” series which aired just a few weeks ago. 

Millions have seen them on TV, they are selling out venues nationwide performing their number one hit “You Can Have him, Jolene” and many others. 

Preceding “Chapel Hart” will be regional favorites “Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs” who have been hailed as “Louisiana’s top show band” and are the only band to have appeared in all twenty-six previous festivals. They are making this a stop on their 30th anniversary “Over the Moon Tour” and promise some “special surprises” during their performance. The Moondogs performance is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. As always, they’ll deliver a high quality and high energy mix of rock and roll and R&B horn-driven favorites. 

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to http://www.natchjazzfest.com. 

There will be 20 bands in all performing on three stages, which will feature a wide variety of music, including country, rock ‘n’ roll, funk, soul, Gospel, Latin, Celtic, and yes, plenty of jazz and R&B.  This is a family event, and as always, there will be plenty of great food and fun activities for the kids.

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Collin Shane Martin, 39, died April 13, 2024, in Lake Charles, Louisiana after losing a hard-fought battle with addiction. Collin was a very talented guitar player and painter. Aside from his daughter, music was his passion. He was handsome, intelligent, kind and soft spoken. His smile could light up a room and he had beautiful blue eyes compliments of his Great Grandmother Lewis.

Kathie Trahan Martin and Don W. Martin welcomed their only son Collin Shane into this world on August 23, 1984 in Leesville, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his mother, Kathie Trahan Martin, his maternal grandparents, Oris T. and Pauline Trahan of DeRidder, paternal grandparents, Bill and Sis Martin, and his aunt, Sue O’Banion Martin, all of Leesville.

Collin is survived and deeply missed by his loving father Don W. Martin (Donny) and step- mom, Phyllis, his longtime partner, Chandra Dalpe, their beautiful daughter Luna Fae, his sister Vanessa Allridge and her children Levi and Noah Allridge all of Houston. He also leaves behind his uncle Randy Martin, his aunt Kalen Martin, and his cousins, Tracie Evans (Tom), Dana Manning (Tracy), Kaycee LaCaze (Joe), and Brittany Funderburk Mattox (Sheri).

Randy Martin, Pat Williams, Michael Funderburk, Gary Patton, Ricky Paul Brumfield, Chad Brumfield, Michael Funderburk and Daren Brown will serve as Pallbearers.

Collin’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Jeane’s Funeral Home at 2:00 p.m. A private burial will follow.

A visitation will be held at Jeane’s on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. until time of service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Adult & Teen Challenge in memory of Collin Shane Martin.

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction of any kind, please reach out to Leesville Crossties at (337) 426-2724.

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The Vernon Parish School Board has released the dates and times for high school awards days and graduation ceremonies.   Congratulations to all graduating seniors.

ANACOCO     Awards Day is Wednesday, May 1 at 9 a.m.  Graduation is Sunday, May 5 at 2 p.m.

EVANS           Awards Day is Friday, May 3 at 8:15 a.m.  Graduation is Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m.

HICKS            Awards Day is Monday, May 6 at 7 p.m. Graduation is Monday, May 6 at  7 p.m.

HORNBECK   Awards Day is Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m.  Graduation is Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m.

LEESVILLE     Awards Day is Tuesday, April 30 at 8:30 a.m.  Graduation is Thursday, May 9 at 7 p.m.

PICKERING   Awards Day is Friday, May 10 at 10 a.m.  Graduation is Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m.

PITKIN         Awards Day is Tuesday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m.  Graduation is Saturday, May 11 at 2 p.m.

ROSEPINE    Awards Day is Friday, May 3 at 9 a.m.  Graduation is Monday, May 6 at 7:30 p.m.

SIMPSON    Awards Day is Friday, May 3 at 9 a.m.  Graduation is Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m.

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Leon H. “Buddy” Gabro, Jr., having been blessed with 95 years of life, has now “graduated with honors” to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Thursday, April 11, 2024. Born February 15, 1929, in Leesville, “Buddy” (nicknamed by his Dad), excelled in school, athletics, and boyhood. He earned his Eagle Scout rank at 17, and was elected Leesville High School Class President his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He began college at Northwestern State, but after his first semester, he transferred to LSU and lived underneath Tiger Stadium in overflow rooms they used for freshman. Buddy graduated with a B.S. degree in Physics, married his high school sweetheart, Nita Porter, and went to work as a geophysicist for Humble Oil (now Exxon) deep in the swamps of South Louisiana. His job was doing seismograph work while being housed on “quarter boats”. It took all his Eagle Scout training, along with the help of his Cajun crew, that taught that city boy the rules of the swamp to survive. Quickly making his way up the corporate ladder, and when the first computers were installed, they moved him to New Orleans to start up the new technology for processing the data from the seismograph teams. He spent 40 years in South Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, and Texas, with his last 5 years being the Exxon Geophysical Team representative to Aramco in Saudi Arabia. He retired in Houston and lived there until his death. Buddy was a charter member and deacon at Westbury Baptist Church, and enjoyed going to his church and playing golf at Riverbend Country Club until he was 92. He was preceded in death by Nita, the love of his life of 60 years, along with his sister, Beulah, brother, Al, and grandson Bo Higgs.

Survivors include his four children: Gayla (Ray) Miller, Lisa (Steve) Higgs, Gary (DeeAnn) Gabro, and Mark (Cathy) Gabro; Grandchildren: Steve (Tammy), Jared (Haylie), Mallory (Justin), Katie (Kyle), Brandon (Andrea), Jed, 8 great-grandchildren and #9 due soon.

Many heartfelt thanks to his favorite doctor and friend, Dr. Lisa Ehrlich, and all the many precious friends “that became family” helping us through Dad’s life! In lieu of flowers, please give to the charity of your choice or spend time with your loved ones!

A private family service will be held as we take Dad back to his beloved Vernon Parish, Louisiana.

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LEON H. “BUDDY” GABRO, JR.
February 15, 1929 – April 11, 2024
Service: At a Later Date

COLLIN SHANE MARTIN
August 23, 1984 – April 13, 2024
Service: April 17, 2024, at Jeane’s Funeral Home in Leesville at 2:00 p.m.

 

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The heavy rains and light show in the sky that dominated the local weather all day and night Tuesday finally ended around sunrise Wednesday.  Heavy winds buffeted the area Thursday, making cleanup a little harder for some.  Reports of 4.5-7.5 inches of rain were reported throughout Vernon Parish.  Portions of Highway 171 between Leesville and DeRidder had multiple safety concerns from heavy runoff.  Nearly thirty roads and streets in Vernon Parish were reported closed by the Vernon Police Jury.  Law enforcement personnel and first responders had to rescue multiple individuals trapped by rising waters.  Water did begin to recede by mid-morning Wednesday, leaving property and roads a soaked mess.  Debris was being cleared and schools were out for the day.

SWEPCO had over 18,000 customers without power Wednesday.  CLECO had over 44,000 customers out statewide but only 36 outages reported in Vernon Parish.  Beauregard Electric had over 6,000 customers without power.  Due to the mainly rural areas being served, crews are having to wait for it to become safe to enter due to high water.

The storm’s duration over Louisiana resulted in the same scenario in Vernon Parish as in dozens of rural parishes across the state. 

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office reminds you that water may rise more in certain low-lying areas.  Remember, if there is high water on the road, turn around; don’t drown.  The weather forecast calls for no rain for the next week.

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The Vernon Parish School Board met Thursday, April 11, at 10 a.m. in regular session at the School Board office on Belview Road.  Finance Director Tim Ward reported on the bids that were received on the Vernon Parish School District’s paper products.  Board members accepted the lowest of six bids taken, $28.77 per case from Contract Paper Group of Ohio.  Ward reported the system only had to buy 810 cases due to increased efficiency across the district and technology updates.  Board members also voted to advertise for bids on bread,  milk, and juice, as well as janitorial/cafeteria products for the 2024-2025 school year.

The Board unanimously approved a resolution to the Vernon Parish legislative delegation of Rep. Charles Owen, Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn, Sen. Mike Reese opposing the establishment of Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs).  This includes House Bill 745, which creates the LA GATOR Scholarship Program, providing public dollars for private school tuition and educational expenses.  Vernon Parish Superintendent James Williams expressed grave concern over the future of public education in Louisiana.  He noted the MFP funding for state schools has not been updated since 1995.  There have been no permanent teacher pay raises, just stipends.  There has been no incentive offered to retain qualified personnel.  Williams noted that comparing the success of rural school systems and the failures of metro school districts in Louisiana was not a fair comparison.   HB 745 was advanced by the full House and now heads to the Senate.  Some education experts think there will be more opposition to the bill in the Senate.

The Vernon Parish Head Start program was visited recently by federal monitors and received outstanding reports.  They did find some need in the dental/medical screening process.  That is being addressed.

The 2024-2025 School Calendar will be approved at next week’s meeting.  Personnel were sent two suggested calendars and asked to pick one.  The response was overwhelming, 1000-28.  The Board will vote at the next meeting on the dates.

Colonel C.J. Lopez, Ft. Johnson Garrison Commander/School Board Liaison, reported to the Board on recent troop deployments to Europe in support of NATO.  The 3^rd of the 10^th Mountain will have almost 60% of its force committed to this deployment.  He also told Board members that rotations at the JRTC would stay ongoing and, in fact, would grow in size.  Ft Johnson is in line to lose 300-500 soldiers over the next two years due to force restructuring.   Lopez reminded Board members of the annual Quality of Life Conference at Ft. Johnson May 20.  He could not give a specific date for a Change of Command Ceremony but did report that MG Daniel Gardner will relinquish his command to BG Jason Curl in the near future.  Curl is no stranger to the area.  He was formerly posted to (Ft.Polk)/Johnson and has children who went through the Vernon Parish School System.

The Vernon Parish School Board will hold their next meeting Tuesday, April 16, at 10 a.m. in the Central Office on Belview Road.

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The long and winding road to the state softball playoffs began for some Vernon Parish Teams last night.  In Division V non-select schools, #7 Anacoco hosted #26 Simpson last night coming away with an 18-3 victory.  The Lady Indians jumped out 2-0 but Simpson came back to take a 3-2 lead.  Anacoco ended the contest by bashing balls off the wall and getting an inside the park homer enroute to 14 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.  The Lady Indians are now 19-9 on the season and await the winner of the game Saturday between #10 Hicks and #23 Saline.  Simpson broke a four-game losing streak, beating Oak Hill in their season finale 15-8.  The other game last night was #12 Pitkin beating #21 Gibsland-Coleman 10-0 via the ten run rule.  The Lady Tigers scored six runs early and put the game away with four runs in the fourth in a Division V first-round matchup.  Pitkin is now 13-10 on the season.  They won their regular season finale 14-1 over Plainview.  Next up for the Lady Tigers is #5 Converse, who had a bye in the first round.

Games tonight include #14 Rosepine hosting #19 North Webster in a Division III non-select first round game.  First pitch is 5:30 p.m. at Rosepine.  The Lady Eagles dropped their regular season finale to Oakdale 7-3 and finished 6-4 in District 4-AA.  Evans, seeded #18 in Division V, will travel to #15 Simsboro tonight.  The Lady Eagles have lost the last three games.

Hicks and Pickering hit the fields on Saturday.  #10 Hicks will host #23 Saline at 5 p.m.  The Lady Pirates tune-up game Monday with South Beauregard was cancelled.  Pickering made the Division IV playoff field as the #18 seed.  They visit #15 Plain Dealing Saturday at 4 p.m.  Pickering’s game Monday with Hackberry was cancelled.

The state semifinals are scheduled for April 26 and the finals April 27 at Frasch Park in Sulphur.

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State Baseball playoffs are fast approaching.  The state tournament is May 7-11 at McMurray Park in Sulphur.  Playoff pairings will be announced by the LHSAA Tuesday, April 16. 

Anacoco ranked #10 in Division V with an 8-10 overall record.  They played at Elizabeth last night (score unavailable).  Their game with Singer today was cancelled.  The Indians finished the regular season Monday at Rosepine.

Evans – It was a tough year for the Eagles on the baseball diamond as they finished with a 1-13 record.

Hicks ranked #3 in Division V.  The Pirates are 12-8 overall.  They played at Oak Hill last night (score unavailable).  The Pirates host 3A Buckeye Saturday at noon and close the regular season Monday at 2A Welch. 

Hornbeck is ranked #12 in Division V with a 14-4 record.  They cancelled games this week with Anacoco and Stanley due to the weather.  They play Converse tonight at 5:30 p.m.  Hornbeck ends the season Monday at Fairview.

Leesville is ranked #26 in Division II with a 10-14 overall record.  The Wampus Cats lost to Eunice Tuesday 12-2.  Leesville hosted Rayne last night (score unavailable).  They play at Rayne today and finish the regular season Monday by hosting Pickering.

Pickering ranked #20 in Division III with an 8-12 overall mark.  The Red Devils won at Avoyelles Tuesday 14-11 and played at Avoyelles last night (score unavailable).  Their game with Oak Hill tonight was cancelled.  Pickering will finish the regular season Monday at Leesville at 5 p.m.

Pitkin is ranked at the top of Division V.  The #1 Tigers sport an 18-3 record.  They host 4A DeRidder tonight at 6 p.m. and are home to Elizabeth Saturday at 2 p.m.  The Tigers end the regular season Monday, hosting Bunkie.

Rosepine is currently ranked #10 in Division III with an 11-11 record.  The Eagles lost at Oakdale Tuesday 3-1 and hosted Oakdale last night (score unavailable).  Rosepine will finish the season Monday, hosting Anacoco in a 6 p.m. game.

Simpson Broncos are 2-12 overall.  The weather cancelled their Monday game with Grace Christian. They host Negreet tonight at 5 p.m. and have a home game Saturday against Mamou before finishing with a doubleheader Monday at Florien.

Complete baseball pairings can be viewed in the Vernon Parish Journal in Wednesday’s edition, April 17.

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By VPJ Staff

Music really does make the world go ‘round. It’s universal in appeal and played by millions. I love music, but my musical ability is suspect. I cannot play a lick with a stick!

The VPJ staff was listening to some songs of our youth the other day and talking about our parents and what they liked. I’ll bet your parents or grandparents had a favorite song or two from their courtship.

A vinyl LP with no scratches is warm and toasty compared to a CD. However, nothing tops live music, so mark your calendars for two days of free live music at the MayFest in downtown Leesville May 3-4.

Music is generational. This becomes very clear if you have children. To illustrate how generational music is, if you are a Baby Boomer, see how many songs are referred to in the following, entitled Reflections of a Boomer:

I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain.
I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name.

I’ve gone to Kansas City, I’ve sung in the sunshine.
I’ve been on the road again, with Georgia on my mind.

Like a rolling stone, I’ve given peace a chance.
I’ve put my camel to bed, and danced the last dance.

Mr. Tambourine man played a song for me,
I’ve whispered words of wisdom, let it be.

I’ve fell into a burning ring of fire, and walked the line,
To all the girls I’ve loved before, you were always on my mind.

I’ve been everywhere, I’ve been so lonesome I could cry,
I’ve driven my Chevy to the levee when the levee was dry.

I’ve been to Itchycoo Park in a yellow submarine.
I’ve made the scene in a time machine.

I’ve done the Hokey Pokey and turned myself around.
I’ve welcomed baby back to the poor side of town.

I’ve followed the tracks of my tears down a long and winding road.
I’ve kept on searching for a heart of gold.

I’ve sought shelter from the storm, I’ve sat on the dock of the bay.
I’ve rocked around the clock, on a sunshiny day.

I’ve knocked on Heaven’s door, blowing in the wind.
Joy to the world, those were the days my friend.

Lay lady lay, in crimson and clover.
It’s been a hard day’s night, the party’s over.

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There is a lingering fever in old Leesville.  Successful towns that survive the trials of longevity have something that identifies them, makes them special.  Sometimes it’s geography, a beach, natural resources, antiques — something recognizable that establishes a reputation.   Old Leesville and neighbor DeRidder share, of course, the impact of a long-running association with the U.S. Army.  Before that distinction, logging and farming dominated a rather modest economy until the railroad (1890s).  The parish and city’s economy was jolted by its miles of timber.  By 1925, that resource was exhausted.   Dying lumber mills, the Great Depression, the New Llano colony, and Franklin Roosevelt’s programs like the CCC filled the gap from the end of the lumber era to the beginning of the WW II maneuvers.  Again, Leesville was jolted in a direction centered on the economy.  The payrolls of the military men and the huge needs of the Army forced change not always at the highest order of attraction.  A new distinction emerged and survives to this day.  It has characteristics common to many “Army Towns” across the country, but Ft. Polk, later Ft. Johnson, also populated a quiet, little town that was otherwise constricting, and learning the hard way, to grow back the pines.  Some diversity followed and remains to serve the little burg.  Retired couples are raising eyebrows. 

So, what is the future?  What fever are we talking about?  I submit that it is grounded in the economy, but more importantly, it invites the town to “Buy In” to Art.  Leesville is turning to tourism, an aesthetic focus, that is putting people to work…while they whistle.  The level of accomplishment in crafts, music, painting, sculpture, shopping, dining, festivals, and parades has dramatically risen in the last two decades.  It has followed the hard work of people like John Crook and his staff, leading the way with tourism; Tony McDonald and his overflowing energy for Gallery 111, and other aesthetic based projects; Isabel Bursh with her watchful eye on the Art Park; and Henry Reggans, the music man and his remarkable talents.  The list goes on.  The fever is building.  I love the sense of purpose that it represents.  Leesville’s staid old bank, for example, The Merchants and Farmers Bank, has filled its lobby with a second art show.  Two classic car museums and now the restoration of the Museum of West Louisiana is imminent.  Main Street and the Farmer’s Market grow under the stewardship of Tammy Anderson and her Board.

I hope you are getting the drift.  Next chance you get, buy in and support the arts.  

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James Turner is a local author, artist, builder, historian, and landscape architect.  His most recent novel, Wolf Rock Cave, takes place in the prehistoric forests in Vernon Parish.

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It’s time for legendary music and festivals in Vernon Parish, Louisiana’s Legend Country. This spring is filled with festive events for the whole family.

Spring Fling!

The Spring Fling Concert Day is coming up on Saturday, April 13, at Polk Outdoor Stage from 3-7 p.m. Come celebrate spring with a family-friendly outdoor concert from 3-7 p.m., featuring Parish Line Band, Landon Blood, and Gypsy La Blue! There will be food, merchandise, vendors, artists, inflatables, face paintings, corn hole, and more! https://vernonparish.org/event/spring-fling-concert/

Get festive and parade on!

The Anacoco Spring Festival and Parade is Saturday, April 27, at 11 a.m. Join in on the fun at this family-friendly festival and parade in the Village of Anacoco in Louisiana’s Legend Country. The parade begins at 11 a.m. at Anacoco High School. To enter a float ($100 cash prize) or participate as a vendor, contact Anacoco City Hall at 337-239-0215. https://vernonparish.org/event/anacoco-spring-festival-parade/

Plan now for MayFest!

MayFest is coming up Friday, May 3, to Saturday, May 4. Bring your lawn chairs and join us on the Vernon Parish Historic Courthouse lawn in Leesville for two free days of family fun offering live music, vendors, demonstrating artists, children’s activities, and more. Don’t miss ClayFest at Gallery One Ellleven as well. MayFest, winner of the Louey Award for Festival of the Year, is an annual, FREE event with live music, food and fun held in historic downtown Leesville on the first weekend in May. Vendors from all over Louisiana and surrounding states offer homemade items and food made from scratch. Checkout the music lineup and more: https://vernonparish.org/MayFest/

Get festive and tag us on social media with #LALegendCountry!

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ART of the EAT II will be held at GALLERY ONE EIIIEVEN in the Leesville Main Street District on April 20 at 6:00 pm. This event is an annual fundraiser and purchasing a $25.00 ticket will provide samples of food from 13 countries, access to the open bar, and an evening of great food, music, and Art that exposes the diversity of cultures that abound in Vernon Parish.

Countries represented this year are Peru, Panama, Bulgaria, Italy, Poland, Germany, Lebanon, France, Belgium, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma) and South Korea.  Cooks from those countries will provide not only a taste of their culture but are being encouraged to dress their tables with traditional objects and items for everyone to discuss and enjoy. Foods represented will be hearty, savory, and sweet, and this year many of the dishes will include Louisiana Seafood provided by the Louisiana Seafood Promotions Board and beef ingredients will be provided by RUNNING N CATTLE of Leesville.  Food ingredients will be posted on the tables to assist those with food allergies.

Tickets are limited and should be purchased ahead of the event. Unsold tickets will be available at the door the night of the event. Tickets are on sale and can be obtained from any gallery member, at the gallery on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, or by contacting them through Facebook Messenger or email at galleryoneellleven@gmail.com.

This fundraiser is to support the Arts in Vernon Parish and all proceeds will go to improvements in the Leesville Art Park and GALLERY ONE EIIIEVEN.

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CENLA Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry distribution dates for Vernon Parish are set for the remainder of the month, as follows:

Friday, April 19 from 8-10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Hornbeck;

Friday, April 19 from 11:30 a.m.-Noon at Burr Ferry Pentecostal Church;

Friday, April 26 from 9-11 a.m. at Rosepine Church International located at 1436 Church Street;

Friday, April 26 from Noon-1 p.m. at Slagle Mall.

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The Leesville Pilot Club presents Free Movie Night Friday, April 19, at Dogwood Park off Belview Road, in Leesville.

This event is free to all comers.  The gates open at 6:30pm, and the movie starts at 7:45 p.m.

The feature movie is A Bugs Life and is suitable for all ages!

FREE POPCORN will be served.  Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, snacks, and drinks.

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Funeral services honoring the life of Michael Shane Wellman will be held on Friday, April 12, 2024, at Flactor Baptist Church, at 10:00 a.m. with Reverends Jeff Scroggins and David Woodham officiating. Burial will follow in Flactor Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers will be Connor Harper, Zachary Harper, Seth Wellman, Conner Wellman, Trent Gill, Jeremy Goodwin, Brandon Wilbanks, Randy Cedars, Donald Holman, Dustin Wellman, Heath Chandler, Jeremy Omalley, and Joel Busby.

Michael Wellman was born December 14, 1981, to Joe and Sylva Wellman in Alexandria, Louisiana. He passed away on Monday, April 8, 2024, at the age of 42. He was a proud alumnus of Hicks High School, where he was a member of a 3-peat baseball program and loved the opportunity to step on the court any chance he could. Michael was an avid hunter and loved passing this hobby down to his kids. Some nights you could find him on the back of a horse in the roping pen or trying to complete the task on his “Berna” list. His cows were well taken care of, but he couldn’t resist just one more feeding. If you wanted to find Michael in his most peaceful place, it would be the opening weekend at the deer camp. Those close to him will miss sitting around the fire, watching him cook, or just sharing a good laugh while Jeremy and Heath critique what he is cooking. While all these things were moments special to Mike, there was nothing more special than the love he had for his kids and wife. He was the best dad and husband anyone could ever ask for. Michael’s memory will live on in the heart and lives of those who he left behind. He was taken way too soon!

Michael was preceded in death by his Pops, Joe Wellman; his maternal grandparents, Bud and Adell Wilbanks; his paternal grandparents, Bertie and Nita Wellman; aunts, Kay Wilbanks and Georgia Sue Wellman; uncle, John O’Malley, and his cousin, Chad Spangler.

He is survived by his loving wife, April Wellman, of Hicks; sons: Jack Wellman, Jace Wellman, Jesse Wellman, and Halo Wellman; daughters: Shay Sigler and Sadie Wellman of Hicks; mother,  Sylva Wellman; brothers: Brett Wellman of Toro, Louisiana; Patrick (Sandra) Wellman of Anacoco, Louisiana; Heath (Kelsey) Chandler; Joel (Ashley) Busby; and Jeremy (Shatanya) Goodwin; sisters in laws, Jennifer (Wade) Harper of Hineston, Louisiana; Sissy (Roger) Carroll of Hineston; Sharon (Jimmy) Allbritton of Hineston; brothers in law, Randy (Becky) Goodwin of Elmer, Louisiana; James (Wanda) Goodwin of Hineston; Keith (Betty) Sigler of Hineston; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

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NONE AVAILABLE FOR THIS EDITION.

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Brittany Nash, age 23, of Anacoco was arrested and charged with one count Cruelty to a Juvenile.  Bond was set at $5000.  Nash posted bond and was released.

Rickey Wagoner, age 54, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count Violation of a Protective Order and one count of Stalking.  Bond has not been set.  Wagoner remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Jacob Schermerhorn, age 36, of Pitkin was arrested and charged with one count Criminal Damage to Property, two counts of Aggravated Assault, one count of Domestic Abuse/Aggravated Battery-Strangulation.  Bond has not been set.  Schermerhorn remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Kerriann Freeman Goucher, age 49, of Leesville was arrested on an out-of-jurisdiction Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Goucher remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Dean Joseph Hargrove, age 50, of Pitkin was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse/Battery.  Bond has not been set.  Hargrove remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

James Rene Gomez, age 48, of New Llano was arrested and charged with one count of Off Road Vehicles, authorization for use on the shoulders of certain public roads and highways, one count of Safety Helmets, one count of No Proof of Insurance, one count of Resisting an Officer, and one count Possession of a Firearm or Carrying of a Concealed Weapon by a Felon.  Bond has not been set.  Gomez remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

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

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On April 8, 2024, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a one-vehicle crash on Louisiana Highway 489 in the LaCamp community.  This crash claimed the life of 42-year-old Michael Wellman of Hicks. 

The initial investigation revealed that a 2016 Nissan Frontier, driven by Wellman, was southbound on Louisiana Highway 489. For reasons still under investigation, Wellman failed to negotiate a right hand curve. As a result, the vehicle left the roadway, traveled down the ditch embankment, struck a culvert and a tree, which subsequently caused the vehicle to overturn.

Wellman, who was unrestrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased on scene. Impairment is not a suspected factor in this crash. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

While not all crashes are survivable, proper use of seat belts can greatly decrease an occupant’s chance of death and may greatly reduce the extent of injury. Always ensuring every occupant is properly restrained can often mean the difference between life and death.

In 2024, Troop E Troopers have investigated 19 fatal crashes resulting in 21 fatalities.  

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