Funeral services honoring the life of Darrell Trent Brinkley were held on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Silver Creek Baptist Church with Reverends Terry McDonald and David Woodham officiating, Burial followed at Silver Creek Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers were Billy Gordy, Kyle Seamans, Blake Gordy, Brinnen Gordy, Waylon Gordy, and Audie Seamans. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill West, Dean Stanley, Tim Merriman, Choceaux Holton, Austin Trosper, Lane Russell, Landon Basco, and Casey Benton.

 

Darrell Trent Brinkley was born on January 15, 1965, in Leesville to Lee and Louise Chandler Brinkley. He passed away on March 21, 2024, in Alexandria, Louisiana, at the age of 59. He is a 1983 graduate of Hicks High School. Darrell was part of the first kindergarten class at Hicks High School with Ms. Henry. Darrell was a hard worker and held many jobs in the community. He worked as a delivery driver for Pepsi, a plumber for Pete’s Plumbing, hauled pulp wood, and was the owner/operator of Darrell’s Backhoe Service. Darrell loved to hunt, fish, and play cards. He was a collector of many things, odds and ends.

 

Darrell was preceded in death by grandparents, Amos and Thelma Chandler; Doc “Bannon” and Retha Brinkley; cousin, Austin Chandler; aunt, Jane Chandler; and best sidekick, Randall Chandler.

 

He is survived by his parents, Lee and Louise Brinkley of Pitkin; children, Kristin Brinkley and Steven Jett, both of Leesville; sister, Belinda Sterne and husband Larry, of Leesville; grandkids, Braydon, Kellie, Jase, Trebor, and Koltin; his most favorite nieces, Vanessa Gordy and husband Billy, Vicki Seamans and husband Kyle, and Charity McDaniel and husband Jody; great nieces, Payton (Austin) Chasity (Lane), Carly (Landon), Tavia (Casy), London, Bella, Anna, and Harper; great nephews, Blake (Emalee), Brinnen (Cameron), Waylon (Katie), Blayd, Audie, and Kai; great great nieces, Hayden, Brinley, and Rylie; great great nephews, Tucker, Karsyn, Cody, Tripp, Jensen, Cooper, and Tatum.

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The Vernon Parish School Board found it necessary due to weather concerns to move the Vernon Parish Special Olympics to tomorrow, Thursday, March 28, at the Rosepine High School track and football facility.

The morning begins at approximately 9:15 with the Law Enforcement Torch Run making its way to the stadium. The Parade of Athletes will follow around 9:30. All 18 schools in Vernon Parish will be represented by the nearly 500 Special Olympians who will compete in various events. Over 70 student workers and 120 parents and volunteers will lend their support in managing the day.

This event has been held for nearly 40 years in Vernon Parish and is a highlight for many of the competitors. The public is invited to sit on the home-side bleachers and cheer the Olympians on. There will be food, refreshments, and other activities to support the Special Olympics Program.

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The JRTC/Ft. Johnson and MWR present Forge Fest tomorrow, Thursday, March 28, beginning at 4 p.m. on Headquarters Field.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Bring the entire family for live music by Sean Kingston, Brandon Davis, and Kaylee Rose.  DJ Black Rhino will provide the music between acts.  There will be vendors galore, including home-based businesses, food, beverages, kids games, carnival rides, activities, static military displays, and more.  The evening will end with a giant fireworks show!

This event is new and replaces the old Freedom Fest.  There will still be a series of MWR functions in July of this year.

Shuttle buses will run from parking areas to the event and back again.

The following items WILL NOT BE ALLOWED: backpacks, tents, canopies, outside food and drink, weapons, drugs, and pets (except service animals).  MP’s will enforce these rules!

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Belle LaJune Carr Wilson, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 22, at the age of 84.  She was a devoted wife to her husband of 63 years and has now joined him in glory.

Her life was measured by her love for her family. She is survived by her three children: Marlin Wilson and Cheryl Mango, both of Leesville, and Bryan (Sherry) Wilson of Greenville, South Carolina; and her sister, Georgia McRae, of Leesville. She also leaves behind seven grandchildren: Michael Wilson, Karen (Bobby) Ralston, Tiffany Mango, Jessica (John) Pilgrim, Roy (Danielle) Wilson, Cole Wilson, and Brandy Piddock; and seven much-loved great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, John F. Wilson; her parents, Dave Carr and MaeDell Carr Pappas; six sisters, two brothers, and her son-in-law, Michael A. Mango.

Funeral services were at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, at Old Anacoco Baptist Church in Anacoco, Louisiana, officiated by Rev. John Northway.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Elara Caring Home Health
for the care and love they showed their mom, especially Chantelle, Pansy, and Tadez.

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DARRELL TRENT BRINKLEY
January 15, 1965 – March 21, 2024
Service: March 23, 2024, at Silver Creek Baptist Church in Leesville at 11:00 a.m.

BELLE LAJUNE CARR WILSON
October 23, 1939 – March 22, 2024
Service: March 26, 2024, at Old Anacoco Baptist Church in Anacoco at 2:00 p.m.

KEVIN BRUCE BELL
July 1, 1955 – March 26, 2024
Service: none announced

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The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is investigating a series of reports on car burglaries in the area of Jeane Chapel Road, Genesis Trailer Park, Sycamore Point Housing Area, and Cooper Church Road.

There are several videos of the criminals being reviewed by detectives of the VPSO.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office reminds you to lock your vehicles and never leave your keys in a parked vehicle.  Personal belongings such as wallets, purses and firearms should never be left in an unlocked vehicle.

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By VPJ Staff

When I grew up, Easter candy meant chocolate with an occasional marshmallow Peep; maybe a new basket every other year.  It’s a much different landscape today! 

Some folks that decry the commercialization of Christmas just go ballistic knowing that the second holiest day in Christianity is positively blowing up with eggs, candy, peep, baskets, etc.  It is what it is, and most families with kids will give in to a point!  You can easily blow your Easter shopping budget!  2024 is poised to set a shopping record of $24 billion!!!  The previous record of $21.7 billion was set in the COVID year of 2020. 

Easter candy is bright and inviting, like the spring season.  Halloween candy is dark and scary, like the coming winter!

My mom helped me and my brothers dye eggs when we were young. That seemed pretty tame at the time.  Years later, while at radio station KVVP, we boiled and dyed hundreds of dozens of donated real eggs for one of the first egg hunts ever sponsored by the station. Year two, we took a chance on chocolate and hard candy.  Chocolate melts! It evolved to plastic eggs and gift certificates.  Less mess; more ease! Those egg stuffing parties with the Leesville Civitan Club got rowdy, but they were fun!

When you shop this year, choices are more plentiful than ever.  Marshmallow Peeps come in all colors and flavors.  I have never seen a palette of colors like this year’s crop of jelly beans, now including sour jelly beans, like the ones in the candy dish at our house!  Reese’s has more kinds of eggs than there are real kinds of eggs — even Twizzlers is in on the Easter act.  Leaves me longing for a venerable Cadbury Crème Egg, and I don’t really like them that much!  Tell me how Bunny Farts/cotton candy bites are ‘cause I’m never buying them!  Refined palates might be more interested in Dove White Chocolate and Lemon Meringue chocolate.  Personally, I think Hershey’s Cookies and Cream Polka Dot Eggs look lovely.  Oh yeah! Let me know if you find any Jelly Belly tangerine flavored Baby Carrots.  Well, you get the point. Choices are endless and you must know the taste buds of the ones you are buying for.  Trust me, guys; don’t get too out there!

When you were younger and got a chocolate bunny for Easter, did you eat the ears first?   

Don’t look now, but the Easter Bunny is on the trail, surveying your yard and front porch for likely hiding spots.  Parents go and get the “good stuff” while it’s still available.  Dentists are already licking their chops!!

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By Billy Crawford
Source: The Vernon Parish Library Digital Library (Leesville Leader, October 6, 1980)

The Leesville Fire Department honored Fire Chief Allen Williams, celebrating his 30th year with the City Fire Department.

At the celebration gathering the Chief reflected on a few of his experiences over these many years, including one of his closest calls he ever experienced, the Lee Theatre fire in 1952.

The then 20-year-old fireman had stopped at the Leesville Cafe on his way to work for the 6 p.m. shift at the old Lee Street Station.

He was walking out of the cafe when the fire engines were rolling down Third Street on the way to the theatre. He jumped on the fire truck and arrived at the scene, which was already engulfed in flames.
Williams recalled that there was a man standing in the lobby staring at the flames, spellbound and oblivious to the danger. While pulling the man out, the storage closet blew up causing injuries to both men.

The adrenalin was flowing, and Williams noticed a hose line connected from the adjacent building left unattended. He went up the ladder left leaning against the adjacent building. After wrestling with the busted hose connection, he realized someone had moved the ladder and his only way down from the building.

He remained on the building until help came, while trying to contain control of the fire hose, which because of the intense water pressure, was whipping like it had a life on its own. The heat from the fire was so intense that he burned both arms.

His wife Billie remembered this particular event. “Allen was unable to hold our youngest child; a newborn at that time.”
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Mr. Billy Crawford shared his thoughts on the theatre fire with the Vernon Parish Journal:

The Lee Theatre, along with the Dreamland, Vernon, and Polk were regularly attended by the residents of Vernon Parish. It was especially popular for us teenagers for ‘date night’ and the military troops stationed at Fort Polk.

The Lee Theater was filled to its 600-seat-capacity Sunday afternoon watching the feature movie, Flaming Feather, when smoke was seen coming from the north wall of the building.

Theatre employee Miss Mary McElveen bravely helped patrons to safely evacuate the theatre.

The Lee Theatre, with Buddy’s Men’s Shop and the Pelican Bar were destroyed by fire.

It took forty-five minutes before the firemen could bring the flames under control. For a while the entire block was threatened.

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The City of Leesville is presenting a Spring Fling Concert Day, Saturday, April 18, from 3 -7 p.m. on the Leesville Polk Stage on East Texas Street.

The day is free and open to the general public.  Music is a mix of styles, featuring the bands Gypsy La Blue, Landon Blood, and The Parish Line Band.   Activities include inflatables, face painting, cornhole boards, and more.  Vendors will offer food and beverages for sale.

Seating is limited.  Bring lawn chairs and dress comfortably.

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The Vernon Parish School Board found it necessary due to weather concerns to move the Vernon Parish Special Olympics to Thursday, March 28, at the Rosepine High School track and football facility.

The morning begins at approximately 9:15 with the Law Enforcement Torch Run making its way to the stadium. The Parade of Athletes will follow around 9:30. All 18 schools in Vernon Parish will be represented by the nearly 500 Special Olympians who will compete in various events. Over 70 student workers and 120 parents and volunteers will lend their support in managing the day.

This event has been held for nearly 40 years in Vernon Parish and is a highlight for many of the competitors. The public is invited to sit on the home-side bleachers and cheer the Olympians on. There will be food, refreshments, and other activities to support the Special Olympics Program.

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Rainy weather may impact local high school softball, baseball and track events planned for today.  The Red Devil Relays Track and Field Meet is scheduled for the Pickering High track today, weather permitting.   Among area teams scheduled to compete are Pickering, Anacoco, Evans, Hornbeck, Pitkin, Rosepine and Simpson, and several out-of-parish schools.

Here are recent results from softball and baseball teams:

ANACOCO(SB)   Has won 9 of last 11 games.  Beat Hicks Tuesday 7-2.  At Hicks last night.  At Menard Saturday (11am)  At Bunkie Monday (5 pm)

ANACOCO(BB)   Two wins in a row.  Beat Hicks Tuesday 9-8.  At Hicks last night.

EVANS(SB)   Won last 7 games.  Hosted Hornbeck last night.  At Converse Monday (5 pm)

EVANS(BB)   Lost Tuesday to Simpson 25-22.  Hosted Hornbeck last night.

HICKS(SB)   Lost last two games.  Hosted Anacoco last night.  Host Pitkin Tuesday (5 pm)

HICKS(BB)   Won 3 of last 4 games.  Lost to Anacoco Tuesday 9-8.  Hosted Anacoco last night.

HORNBECK(SB)   Lost last 4 games.  Fell to Ebarb Tuesday 17-15. At Evans last night. At Simpson Tuesday (4 pm)

HORNBECK(BB)   Won 6 of last 7 games. Beat Ebarb Tuesday 15-1.  At Evans last night. Host Dequincy Monday at 6 pm.

LEESVILLE(SB)  Lost Tuesday at Rayne 15-1. At Washington-Marion last night. At Pickering Monday (5 pm)

LEESVILLE(BB)   Lost Tuesday at Westlake 16-1. Hosting DeRidder tonight at 6 pm.

PICKERING(SB)   Lost to Glenmora Tuesday 9-3.  Hosted Avoyelles last night. Hosting Leesville Monday (5 pm)

PICKERING(BB)  Lost Tuesday at Rosepine 7-4.  Hosted Rosepine last night.

PITKIN(SB)   Won last 3 games. Beat Oak Hill Tuesday 12-2.  Hosted Oak Hill last night. At Hicks Tuesday (5pm)

PITKIN(BB)   Won 9 of last 11 games. Beat Oak Hill Tuesday 4-2. E.Beau. game tonight postponed. Hosting St. Mary’s Monday (6 pm)

ROSEPINE(SB)   Beat Avoyelles Tuesday 5-4. At Oakdale last night. At Glenmora Tuesday

ROSEPINE(BB)   Won 3 of last 4 games. Beat Pickering Tuesday 7-4. At Pickering last night. At Many Monday (6 pm)

SIMPSON(SB)   Tuesday game with Evans cancelled.  Play at Rapides tonight (5pm) Hosting Rapides Monday (5 pm)

SIMPSON(BB)  Beat Evans Tuesday 25-11. Plays at Hicks tonight (6 pm)

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The JRTC/Ft. Johnson and MWR present Forge Fest on Thursday, March 28, beginning at 4 p.m. on Headquarters Field.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Bring the entire family for live music by Sean Kingston, Brandon Davis, and Kaylee Rose.  DJ Black Rhino will provide the music between acts.  There will be vendors galore, including home-based businesses, food, beverages, kids games, carnival rides, activities, static military displays, and more.  The evening will end with a giant fireworks show!

This event is new and replaces the old Freedom Fest.  There will still be a series of MWR functions in July of this year.

Shuttle buses will run from parking areas to the event and back again.

The following items WILL NOT BE ALLOWED: backpacks, tents, canopies, outside food and drink, weapons, drugs, and pets (except service animals).  MP’s will enforce these rules!

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Last week I journeyed to Illinois. It was one of those nine hour and fifty-eight-minute drives. You would think the navigation system in a car would round the number up and say ten hours. The route of travel was not bad. I was on the interstate for 550 of the 600-mile drive. I knew that the last fifty miles would be on a two laned highway. As I write, I am growing nostalgic about those folding maps families kept in their car. Funny thing about those maps, you never could quite fold them back the way they unfolded. Now the map is digital in our dash. When we make a wrong turn, they tell us, “Recalculating.”

The drive took me across the Mississippi River three times. I traveled through Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois. I did not leave Ruston until about 1 p.m. on Monday. I knew I would arrive late in the evening. I channeled my inner graduate school staying up late at night memory, grabbed a water bottle, chocolate, and set off.

The navigation system recalculated the route and downloaded from the cloud multiple times during the drive. I should have guessed that something was up. About 10:00 p.m. the nice navigation lady told me to exit I-57 at an exit called Benton. My tired brain thought, “this is the beginning of the two-lane road.” My graduate school brain warned me that “this is an unauthorized short cut.” Being tired I decided to trust my car. The navigation system had led me this far, no doubting it now.

I dutifully got off the Benton exit and headed east through the farmland of Illinois. The route of travel took me to a circle around the local courthouse. If you have ever been to Homer, you have done this. I thought, no sweat. I entered the circle and started around. The lady navigator told me to take the first right. I took it. Then I was instructed to take the first left. I took it. Another left at the next block. She instructed me to take two more left turns. You know where I ended up, don’t you? Draw it in the air!

Ok, if you do not air draw, I ended up in front of the same courthouse. I decided to do it again and maybe I had missed a left turn. Same instructions, same destination! I thought, the third time must be the charm. I enlarged the map on the screen in my car. I drove slowly so I could make sure I was taking the right streets when the left turns approached.

This third time she changed her instructions. She gave me the right turn and two left turns. She told me at the end of the road, turn right onto the ramp for I-57. Was she laughing behind my dashboard? Had she fallen asleep and was not paying attention to her map? Had she lost her mind? The nice navigation lady got me off the Interstate so she could drive me around a courthouse in Benton, Illinois. Had she made a date with an Acura and the car stood her up?

I will never know. But I did three laps around that courthouse and then like it never happened the nice navigating lady put me right back on the Interstate.

The lesson is simple, watch who you follow. Jesus said, “I am the WAY and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by me.” You can trust Jesus to lead you to the path of life. All others, I suggest you trust after verifying.

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LILLIAN MINNIE MCBRIDE
September 5, 1931 – March 18, 2024
Service: March 24, 2024, at Heart’s United Christian Fellowship Church in Evans at 3:00 p.m.

JAMES PATTERSON HICKS
January 28, 1937 – March 20, 2024
Service: TBA

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Johnny Lee Harris, age 35, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count Driving on Roadway Laned for Traffic, one count Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated, and one count Unlawful Refusal to Submit to Chemical Testing.  Bond was set at $5165.  Harris posted bond and was released.

Cayleb Dylan Smith, age 18, of Anacoco was arrested and charged with one count Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile, one count Criminal Trespass, one count Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile, and one count Unauthorized Jail.

Clarence Odom, age 45, of Pitkin was arrested and charged with one count Violation of a Protective Order.  Bond was set at $7500.  Odom remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Christopher Allen Henson, age 48, of Leesville was arrested on two outstanding Bench Warrants.  Bond has not been set.   Henson remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Aaron Michael Watson, age 32, of Leesville was arrested on two outstanding Bench Warrants.  Bond has not been set.  Watson remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Randy Allen Taylor, age 36, of Pitkin was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Taylor posted bond and was released.

Courtland Jamar Francois, age 32, of Morgan City, Louisiana, was arrested and charged with one count Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic.  Bond was set at $25,000.  Francois posted bond and was released.

Trevor Rentschler, age 29, of Richmond, Virginia, was arrested on an out of jurisdiction Bench Warrant from Virginia for Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile.  Bond has not been set.  Rentschler remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Christopoher Andrew Dean, age 44, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count Domestic Abuse Battery, one count Resisting an Officer, and one outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Dean remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Jeremiah Orlanzo West, age 31, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count Possession of Stolen Goods.  Bond was set at $7500.  West remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

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

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Police Jurors met Monday at 10 a.m.  During the regular meeting, a public hearing was held on an ordinance to change the name of Trailer Park Road in District 7-Ward7 to Cornwell Road. There were no public comments, and jurors returned to the regular meeting where they adopted the change.

A motion was adopted to accept the Multi-Jurisdictional Agreement between police juries in Vernon, Calcasieu, Jeff Davis, Cameron, Beauregard and Allen Parishes for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.  Vernon Parish Jurors will accept a letter of engagement from the CPA firm of Thomas, Cunningham, Broadway and Todtenbier for the 2023 Statewide Agreed-Upon Procedures Audit.  That same firm also entered  into a Letter of Engagement with the Vernon Parish Jury for the Financial Audit through 2025.

Jurors also authorized accepting a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the VPPJ and the Rapides Area Planning Commission for the purpose of implementing and administering the plan review and inspection process for the Parish.

The Jury was authorized to finance a 2023 International Dump Truck for District 5.  The $134,400 bid was from iTA Truck Sales and Service.  The Jury also financed a 2023 John Deere Cab Tractor with a boom mower for District 2 from John Deere/Goldman Equipment.  The state contract was let at $145,527.  Both pieces of heavy equipment were financed through Cadence Equipment Finance.

Several items came into the Equipment Committee after the March 11 committee meeting: an excavator for Districts 10-11-12, one for District 6 and a pair of attachments for the districts to share.

The Finance Committee had one item come in after the committee meetings March 11.  It was a request to approve an additional $200,000 for the City of Leesville’s Sewer Project on Jeane Chapel Road, to assist with the local match, if needed.

The Committee Meeting scheduled for Monday, April 8 has been cancelled.  The next regular meeting of the Vernon Parish Police Jury will be Monday, April 15, at 10 a.m.  There will be a public hearing at that meeting on a proposed ordinance change to reduce the speed limit on Snell Road in District 6-Ward 2 to 15 mph.  Another public hearing that day will take public input on a proposed ordinance to provide for health insurance benefits.

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The JRTC/Ft. Johnson and MWR present Forge Fest on Thursday, March 28, beginning at 4 p.m. on Headquarters Field.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

Bring the entire family for live music by Sean Kingston, Brandon Davis, and Kaylee Rose.  DJ Black Rhino will provide the music between acts.  There will be vendors galore, including home-based businesses, food, beverages, kids games, carnival rides, activities, static military displays, and more.  The evening will end with a giant fireworks show!

This event is new and replaces the old Freedom Fest.  There will still be a series of MWR functions in July of this year.

Shuttle buses will run from parking areas to the event and back again.

The following items WILL NOT BE ALLOWED: backpacks, tents, canopies, outside food and drink, weapons, drugs, and pets (except service animals).  MP’s will enforce these rules!

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The recent production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Leesville High School was truly a regional production.  The show was produced by the Leesville High School Music and Theatre Department, under the direction of Mr. Jared Prewitt, but it was really an amalgam of talent from area schools.  Leesville, Anacoco, Rosepine, DeRidder and Pickering had students on stage.  High school and junior high students were represented in the large ensemble cast.

Last week, my wife’s son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter, plus one, stayed with us and played in a 12U travel ball softball tournament in Alexandria.  I suggested my wife and the ladies attend the opening night of the play.

The following review was done by Charly (12) and Addy (12).  They are teammates on the Texas Titans and attend school at White Oak and Gilmer, respectively.  They are both musically inclined and play instruments.  Charly is also in the choir.

The play was colorful, bright, and great fun. The lighting was good.  The show moved quickly (good pacing) until toward the end.  Charly’s favorite character was Belle.  Addy liked Lumiere.  Other favorite characters included the napkins and the wolves.  They loved the dance numbers!  Their favorite song was “Be Our Guest”. 

On a scale of one to five stars, they gave it 4.75.  It was very cold in the auditorium, and that was a distraction.  Both girls said they would bring their friends to see the show.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Thanks to all who put this production on the stage.  Thanks for supporting the arts in Vernon Parish.

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The Vernon Parish School Board invites everyone out for the annual Vernon Parish Special Olympics, Friday, March 22, at the Rosepine High School track and football facility.

The morning begins at approximately 9:15 with the Law Enforcement Torch Run making its way to the stadium. The Parade of Athletes will follow around 9:30. All 18 schools in Vernon Parish will be represented by the nearly 500 Special Olympians who will compete in various events. Over 70 student workers and 120 parents and volunteers will lend their support in managing the day.

This event has been held for nearly 40 years in Vernon Parish and is a highlight for many of the competitors. The public is invited to sit on the home-side bleachers and cheer the Olympians on. There will be food, refreshments, and other activities to support the Special Olympics Program.

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