The Village of Simpson invites the public to attend their Second Annual Red, White and Blue Festival on Saturday, June 28.  The festival is free to attend and super kid friendly.  You will enjoy live music, vendors, a classic parade, food trucks and an entire area dedicated to the Kids Zone.

Vendors will set up at 9am on the grounds of Simpson High School.  Potential vendors can contact Tracy Parker for information at 337-208-7752.  Live DJ, “Big Daddy”, will hit the music from 1030-130 before live bands will take the stage to entertain.

Parade entries will gather at Simpson Baptist Church at 11am.  The parade rolls through town at noon.  Grab your lawn chairs and dress for comfort.

The Kids Zone features a 46’ obstacle course(WET) and a (WET) bounce house/slide combo.  $10 armbands are good all day for these events. You may pay by cash, cash ap or Venmo. The Kids Zone will also feature a big arts/crafts station and games galore.

Live music begins at 2pm with the Old Man Band.  Southern Country takes the stage at 4pm.

 Food and drink needs will be handled by food trucks, including the 626 Lunchbox, Two Seven Five Smokehouse and Shellshocked.

Find information on Facebook on the Simpson Community Events Committee site.

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The Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration’s Round Table Luncheon is the most exclusive, yet casual, opportunity for the public to enjoy hearing from the Class of 2025 inductees.

It’s next Saturday, June 28, at noon at Riverside Reserve, 104 Mill Street, in Natchitoches. There are still a few seats available among the 300 guests for the seventh annual Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation.

Registration is available for the luncheon and can be made by visiting LaSportsHall.com, or by calling 318-238-4255. It is a ticketed event and only a few dozen seats are still open to see and hear from 2025 inductees including Nick Saban, Andrew Whitworth, Vickie Johnson, Danny Granger, Danny Broussard and Joe Scheuermann.

Festivities begin next Thursday evening, June 26, at 5 with the free of charge Welcome Reception open to all, no registration necessary, at the Hall of Fame museum facing the traffic circle at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches.

The Friday, June 27, slate begins with the BOM Celebrity Bowling Bash at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. Friday evening is the free Rockin’ River Fest concert on Cane River Lake in downtown Natchitoches, from 6-10:30, with the Class of 2025 introduced at 9:15 right before a sports-themed fireworks show over the water.

Events Saturday include the free for kids Saints and Pelicans Junior Training Camp, the Round Table Luncheon, and the Induction Reception and Ceremony, which is sold out. A waiting list is being compiled.

The Round Table Luncheon starts with tremendous Louisiana cuisine and quickly kicks into gear with Fox Sports announcer (and 2020 LSHOF inductee) Tim Brando interviewing small groups of inductees on stage in a very informal and fast-moving setting.

A poignant scene at the 2019 luncheon unfolded before the program when Peyton Manning, being inducted later that day, stopped by to greet LSU legend Johnny Robinson, who was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame two months later.

Scenes like that, up-close access and the fun-filled dialog between Brando and the Hall of Fame inductees combine to provide a memorable 90-minute event.

The Hall of Fame Round Table Luncheon shapes up as a highly entertaining opportunity for guests to have a up-close-and-personal experience and be entertained and well fed in a casual setting, with a touch of elegance at Riverside Reserve on the banks of Cane River Lake just a mile from downtown Natchitoches.

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The 45th Annual Natchitoches-NSU Folk Festival will be held on Saturday, July 19, in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum located at 220 South Jefferson Street on the campus of Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. The festival’s curated showcase of Louisiana folk musicians, food vendors and traditional crafts persons will open at 9 a.m., with live entertainment scheduled from 9:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. The family-oriented festival is fully wheelchair accessible. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Tickets are $10 at the door for all events, or $6 for an evening pass to all events after 5 p.m. 

The festival features three stages of music. Music headliners include Cajun band Amis du Teche, zydeco band Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band, blues artist D.K. Harrell, western swing artist the Kristyn Harris Band, roots band Smithfield Fair, gospel group the Amazing! Rhythm Disciples and swamp pop dance band the Has Beans. The festival also includes numerous food vendors offering traditional Louisiana cuisine. Outdoor activities feature demonstrations of traditional blacksmithing, Dutch oven cooking and a child-friendly hands-on demonstration of a 19th century wash day. 

In honor of this year’s theme, “Crafting Louisiana,” more than 80 crafts vendors have been invited to display and discuss their traditional work with those attending the festival. Craftspeople are expected to display beadwork, baskets, cowhide chair covers, alligator jewelry, Pysanky eggs, Native American crafts and pottery. Other expected craftspeople will display needlework, wood carvings, handmade toys and dolls, paintings, sculpture, homemade soap, spinning & weaving, handcrafted knives, handmade brooms, walking sticks, folk art quilts and more. 

The Festival will include a Red Beans and Rice Cookoff, in which professionals and hobbyists alike can compete in one of multiple categories and demonstrate their cooking skills. Registration and the cooks’ meeting will take place at 8 a.m. Tasting and judging will begin at 12:30 p.m. with winners to be announced at 3:30 p.m. There is no fee to compete in the Cookoff. Red beans & rice must be cooked on-site outside of Prather Coliseum, but beans may be pre-soaked. 

The Annual Louisiana State Fiddle Championship will be held at 1 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. There will be a non-championship class and a championship class. A twin fiddle category will also be held. Registration is at noon in the first-floor foyer outside Magale Recital Hall. The Fiddle Championship winner will perform on the main stage in Prather Coliseum at 5 p.m. 

The festival includes several opportunities for patrons to engage directly with Louisiana folk culture. Free dance lessons include line dancing taught by the Classy Steppers, Celtic dance taught by the Thistle Dancers and Pipers and Cajun and zydeco dancing taught by the Cajun French Music Association Dance Troupe. Interactive activities include a yodeling demonstration by Kristyn Harris, dancing with the Louisiana Czech Heritage Dancers, a son jarocho fandango dance by the Armadillos Tejano and a musical spoons workshop taught by folk musician Clancey Stewart, with 50 free musical spoons given to workshop attendees. 

“The festival bridges the distance between artists and the festival patrons, thus breaking the artificial barriers between artists and audience,” said Dr. Shane Rasmussen, director of the festival and NSU’s Louisiana Folklife Center. “Rather than watching from the sidelines, everyone who takes part in these activities will share and engage in Louisiana’s rich culture.” 

KidFest will be available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kidfest is an area dedicated to child-friendly activities and is a fun way for children to examine their own cultural and family traditions as well as those from around the state. 

Narrative sessions will be held in the festival N-Club Room from 10 a.m. to 6 p,m. and feature presentations on traditional dolls and dollmaking, Creole architecture, Mexican fiddle styles and folk artist Clementine Hunter, with music informances on the blues with D.K. Harrell and roots music with Smithfield Fair. ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices and audio description for these cultural discussions will be made available upon prior request.  

This year also features several pre-Festival events which are free and open to the general public. Fiddlin’ with the Finest will be held at the Many Depot Museum on June 14 and will include several Louisiana State Fiddle Champions discussing and performing traditional fiddling. Attendees are invited to bring their own acoustic instruments for a folk music jam session. A second free pre-festival event, A Life of Zydeco, a Musical Informance with Chubby Carrier, will be held on June 21 at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum in Natchitoches with Grammy winner Carrier discussing the cultural significance of zydeco to Louisiana with Rasmussen. A third pre-festival event will be an interactive crafts workshop, with Creole and Native American tradition bearers sharing their cultural knowledge. It will be held at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum on July 12. Free crafting materials will be provided for attendees. 

For a full schedule of events, as well as registration forms to participate in the Louisiana State Fiddle Championship and the Red Beans & Rice Cookoff contact the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332 or email folklife@nsula.edu or go to louisianafolklife.nsula.edu. 

Support for the festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, and the State of Louisiana. The festival is sponsored by C&H Precision Machining, City Bank, Cleco, Evans Family, LLC, Exchange Bank, the Family Doctors of Natchitoches, the Harrington Law Firm, Natchitoches Wood Preserving Company and Young Estate, LLC. 

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Northwestern State University recently announced the Honor, Dean and President List candidates for the spring of 2025 from Vernon Parish. Congratulations from the Vernon Parish Journal.

HONORS LIST    GPA between 3.0-3.49

Anacoco   Cash Day, Haleigh Fox, Loryn Gross, Chelsea Kay.

Ft Polk      Morgan Bain, Kaylee Hoff, Sara Letzgus, Isabella Massanet-Martinez,Amanda Sanchez.

Leesville   Jamie Boswell, Jacqueline Cook, Ellen Daily, Alessia Gomez, Amanda Gordy, Matthew Horn, Jayden Huson, Marvin Mackey, Nashaly Molina, Kendall Noff, Amara Rodriguez, Noah-Rodriguez Gomez, Faith Sims, Lyndsie Snider, Johnathan Stewart, Jessica Underwood, Jaden Watson.

New Llano   Alexis Blalock, Angel Sanchez, Cameron Smith, Dyamond Smith.

Pitkin     Logan Cheever, Charlene Graham, Donald Nolen, Isaac Reed, Abby Robinson, Annamarie Wolfe.

Rosepine    Samantha Bailey.

DEANS LIST  GPA between 3.5-3.99

Anacoco    Darrian Chaney, Cheyanne Lopez, Shelby Milton, Abby Nicholas, Lucas Scerbo.

Ft. Polk    Autumn Clear, Angelissa Dobbins-Taylor, Samantha Kraemer, Jamie Prewitt, Stephanie Slaughter, Kathryn Whiteside.

Hornbeck    Joshua Corley, Cody Jarrell, Logan Lawrence

Leesville    James Bell, Tarina Berry-Hunter, Brianna Billiot, Dylan Carver, Carter Causey, Claire Chaney, Jace Donaldson, Cody Greenhaigh, Kaycie Helton, Camryn Huff, Elizabeth Jackson, Dacota Lee, Eric Lopez, Monique Lord, Jada Mackey, Brooklyn McGhee, Jessie Miller, Jacob Mount, Lala Mouton, Sueann Nena, Joshua Peek, Donald Sneed, Ashlan Stephens, Dana Tatum, Morgan Wilson.

New Llano   Iris McNeely.

Pitkin     Josie Halvorson, Gracelyn Lacaze, Tristan Millsaps, Alexis Thetford, Caitlin  Thetford.

PRESIDENTS LIST     GPA OF 4.0

Anacoco      Sarah Carpenter, Mallory Cooley, Eric Flaherty, McKenzie Guy, Landen Jett, Jarlea Welch.

Ft. Polk    Danielle Adams, Gennie Briggs-Johnson, Joao Vitor Dos Santos, Mary Mahaffey, Spencer Meyer, Alaina Olsen, Amanda Sinder-Lewis, Candace Sizemore, Emily Turley.

Hornbeck    Adam Rhodes.

Leesville    Chelsea Bornowski, Alexis Branch, Caleb-Mitchell Branch, Avari Cain, Raegan Ducote, Tanya Edds, Sophia Huson, Nathaniel Means, Ethan Nash, Allyce Richards, Madison Vinson, Samantha White.

Pitkin    Brenlea Carroll, Shae Wetzel

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DOTD announces that, weather permitting, work will begin on the LA 111 Rehabilitation Project on Monday, June 16, and will continue for approximately six months.

This project is located between US 171 and LA 117.

The 8-mile project will receive borrow, drainage structures, milling asphalt concrete, pavement patching, lime treatment, in-place cement treated base course, asphalt concrete overlay, and related work.

The contractor will begin milling asphalt pavement on Monday and the roadway will remain open to all local and through traffic with no restrictions for passenger vehicles. The roadway will be reduced to one lane during construction operations.

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Funeral services for Velora Ann Guess were held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Hornbeck, Louisiana, at 10:00 AM with Reverends Jack Bell, Jason Nolde, and Wayne Chance officiating. 

Velora “Vee” Ann Guess was born to E.C. and Lois Mitchell on August 17th, 1944, in Many, LA. She went to be with her personal Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 11th, 2025, peacefully surrounded by her family. After graduating from Many High School, she then went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing from NSU. She would then move to Florida for clinicals where she would meet the love of her life, Ronald Guess, at a gas station. She and “Ronnie” were married for 48 years before he was called home to Heaven. Vee loved to spend time with her family, often playing games with her grandchildren for hours at a time. She also loved to birdwatch while enjoying nature. But most of all, she had a deep love for her church, where she sang in the choir every Sunday. She was devoted to putting God first above everything else in her life. She loved reading her Bible every day, strengthening her personal relationship with God, and even more, she loved telling others about Jesus Christ. Vee will be deeply missed by all of her family and friends, but they take comfort and peace in knowing that she is with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in her beautiful mansion in Heaven.

Preceding Velora in death were her parents, E.C. and Lois Mitchell; husband of 48 years, Ronnie Guess; brothers, Jerome, Elton, and William Mitchell; sister, Carolyn Langton; and grandson, Andrew Snell.

Velora’s children left to cherish her memory are Rhonda Ellzey and husband Pat of Hornbeck, LA; son Chad Guess and wife Chelsea of Hornbeck, LA; daughter Liz Bonnett and husband Lane of Myakka City, FL; sisters, Lavonne Davis of Shreveport, LA, and Linda Montrose of Alexandria, LA; grandchildren, Alainah Williams, Caleb Snell, Zackery Ellzey, Alivia Perkins, Miranda Ellzey, Abram, Court, Lillie, and Emmy Guess; Shaun Maus, Jamie Niepert, Josh Niepert, Alex Bonnett, and Lindsay Castiglione; and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Pallbearers honoring Mrs. Guess were Caleb Snell, Jason McDaniel, Donnie Dowden, Jody Browning, Scott Vines, and Roger Whatley. Honorary Pallbearers were Abram Guess, Court Guess, Zack Ellzey, & Wayne Jones.

The family would like to say thank you to everyone who has shown so much love and support through your prayers, calls, visits, or by providing food during this difficult time.

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Daniel Lee Barrington, beloved son, brother, uncle, husband, father and grandfather, passed away on June 10, 2025, at the age of 62, after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. Danny fought this battle with dignity and grace, and was an inspiration for all who knew him. He was born on November 24, 1962, in Leesville, Louisiana. Danny went to school in Leesville, was a 1981 graduate of LHS, and a lifelong resident of Vernon Parish. He was a member of East Leesville Baptist Church. Danny never met a stranger; to know him was to love him. So many of his childhood friends remain close friends to this day. It was a close friend that introduced Danny to the love of his life in 1982, Michelle Harville Barrington. They were married on December 1, 1984.

In 1983, Danny began a career in the railroad industry that would span over 42 years, with the last 40 of those years spent with Watco where he was employed at the time of his passing. Danny forged many long lasting friendships during his career, and the people he worked with became his beloved work family. Danny loved anything and everything to do with being outdoors. He particularly loved planting and working in his garden and tending his chickens. He was a devoted family man who enjoyed spending time with his family. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. He especially took great pleasure in spoiling his grandkids.

Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Lonnie F. Barrington and Barbara A. Box Barrington, maternal grandparents, Ellis O’Lee Box and Cherry Guin Box, paternal grandparents, H. Lonnie Barrington and Tera Addision Barrington. Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 40 years, Michelle Harville Barrington their children, Carly (Art) Barlow of Clarksville, Tennessee and Lauren Barrington (Arron Davis) of Pensacola, Florida. Siblings Mike (Mary) Barrington, Sandy (Dale) Richmond and Trish (Randy) Bennett, all of Leesville. Grandchildren Noah Davis of Pensacola, Florida, Isabella Barlow and Emilia Barlow of Clarksville, Tennessee. Nieces and nephews Chris Richmond, Chasity (Paul) Cryer and Trey (Rachel) Bennett all of Leesville. Great nieces and nephews Cole Cryer, Addie Cryer, Waylon Richmond and Josephine Richmond, all of Leesville.

Service was held Friday, June 13, at East Leesville Baptist Church at 11 a.m.  under direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service.  Serving as pallbearers were Keith LaCaze, Tony Clark, Ronnie Perkins, Mike Perkins, Douglas Marshall and Jason Jeane

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VELORA ANN GUESS
August 17, 1944 – June 11, 2025
Service: June 14, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Hornbeck at 10:00 a.m.

HERMAN JOSEPH BREVELLE
November 4, 1940 – June 8, 2025
Service: June 16, 2025, at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville at 10:00 a.m.

 

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Kenneth Ralph Fetters, age 47, of Reeves, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Bond was set at $6500.  Fetters remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Preston Knapp, age 24, of Ft. Johnson, was arrested and charged with one count of Identity Theft.  Bond was set at $2500 Knapp posted bond and was remanded to the custody of Ft. Johnson authorities.

Latisha Kidd, age 36, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Issuing Worthless Checks.  Bond was set at $7500.  Kidd posted bond and was released.

Jose Manuel Cosme, age 44, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with two counts of Identity Theft.  Cosme remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Ben Weaver, age 43, of Robeline, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Weaver remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Sareel Cain Spencer, age 24, of Pitkin, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery.  Bond has not been set.  Spencer remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Kylie Ortiz, age 19, of Rosepine, was arrested and charged with one count of Simple Assault and one count of Simple Battery.  Bond has been set at $2562.  Ortiz remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Rusty Lee Kay, age 33, of Anacoco, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery.  Bond has not been set.  Kay remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Manuel Ybarra III, age 57, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery.  Bond has not been set.  Ybarra remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Gary Lee Grosenbacher Jr. age 46, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Mischief, one count of Criminal Trespass and one count of Resisting an Officer.  Bond was set at $3857.  Grosenbacher remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Cory John Simmons, age 312, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Trespass and one count of Criminal Mischief.  Bond was set at $2576.  Simmons remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Krystle Leann Roberts, age 40, of DeRidder, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Trespass and one count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.  Bond has not been set.  Roberts remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

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

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Sunday, June 8, at 1:30 p.m., the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a residence in the neighborhood of Joelee Lane in Leesville, concerning a shooting of a three-year-old child.  The child had been transported by private vehicle to a local medical facility.

Detectives learned that two three-year-old children found a loaded handgun beneath a pillow on a bed.  One child discharged the firearm, striking the other child in the shoulder/chest area.  The child, who was ultimately transported to a Baton Rouge medical facility by ambulance, was listed in serious condition.

Detectives arrested Fernando Mejia, age 35, of Leesville, in relation to the shooting. Mejia was charged with one count of Second-Degree Cruelty to a Juvenile, for failure to properly secure the .40 caliber handgun used in the shooting.

A detainer for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was placed on Mejia.  Mejia remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

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The first school board meeting of the summer was held Thursday, June 5.

Food Service Director, Roland Jones briefed board members on the Sun Bucks program which adds a one-time $120 credit to qualified SNAP and Medicaid accounts.  The Vernon system is looking into a summer feeding program for 2026.  The board is in the preliminary stages of looking into the idea.

A check for $5000 was donated to Hornbeck High from Energy Transfer.  Energy Transfer operates the Gulf Run Pipeline, which has transported natural gas since 2022.  The 135-mile pipeline passes through the Hornbeck community.  Energy Transfer has donated over $165,000 to communities the pipeline impacts.  Cassidy Lamb and Kade Jantz, with Energy Transfer, made the presentation to Hornbeck principal Charlotte Hooks.  Hooks said the money would be earmarked for STEM programs at Hornbeck.

Personnel Director, Joey Bartz, told board members there are no changes to the employee handbook as it is, but cautioned, the state legislature has some policy items in front of them this summer session.

Kelly Goodwin, with the Salary and Personnel Committee reminded board members that June 16 is the deadline for transfer requests.  The committee has assistant principal positions open at Leesville, Simpson and Pitkin.  New principals are needed at Evans and Simpson.

Anne Smith with the Curriculum Department gave an overview of grants from the Rapides Foundation and how they impacted the Vernon system’s “A” rating. She also touched on plans to use teacher leaders to give their input on curriculum decisions in 2026.

Summer operating hours for schools are 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday-Thursday.  The Board office will be open from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday-Thursday.  Regular hours will resume on August 4, 2025.

June 10 Board Meeting is Historic

The Tuesday, June 10 meeting of the school board began with usual business.  Employee retirements were approved, claims paid, and budget amendments related to personnel changes were approved.

Promotional Assistant Principal positions were named at Leesville High/Logan Maddox, Simpson High/Elliot West and Pitkin High/ Phillip George. The Board will also seek a promotional principal position at Anacoco Elementary, a non-promotional principal position at Evans, and a non-promotional principal position at Simpson.

Nearly 100 students from Anacoco, Leesville, Leesville Middle School, Leesville Jr. High, Rosepine, Simpson, Evans, Hicks, Pitkin, Parkway Elementary, and Rosepine Elementary were recognized for their achievements at the state level in various competitions.

District One Board member, Robert Pynes Jr., chairman of the Redesign/Realignment Committee, offered a motion to seek assistance from a professional consulting firm.  This firm would offer input on the restructuring of the Vernon system.  Board Member, Rhonda Morrison questioned the need for a new assessment pointing to one done in the last 2-3 years.  Superintendent James Williams remarked that assessment was a broader look at the system.  A new assessment would be more in depth in addressing issues before the board. A decision will be announced in July.

Finance Director, Tim Ward, shared exciting news with the board concerning an upturn in sales tax collections of 6% in May.  This level amounted to over one million in revenue for the board.  Ward reported that bonus checks would be mailed out June 20.  Teachers can expect $12,155, support staff/aides will receive $8,785, secretaries can expect $9,324, janitorial staff will receive $8,785, bus drivers get an additional $9,904, cooks will earn $8,785, while all school board retirees will get a check for $488.  Vernon is one of two school systems in the state to offer these bonuses to educators and system staff.

Curtis Clay, Director of Birth through 5 programs in the Vernon System announced his retirement from education, after 50 years of service. Clay received a standing ovation from the Board and those in attendance.  Congratulatory remarks came from Board members who had worked with Clay since his days as a teacher.  Clay commented that the Vernon School System had been very good to him and his family.

The next meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board is Thursday, July 10, due to the July 4^th holiday.

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The Leesville City Council held a public hearing before the regular meeting to announce the introduction of two ordinances.  Ordinance 9 of 2025 will amend the Leesville Code of Ordinances Section 46-32/Garage Sales permit.  Ordinance 10 of 2025 revokes the road right-of-way named Herrington Street in the city limits of Leesville.  This was requested by the City Planning Commission.

During the regular meeting, monthly bills of $108,029.49 were presented to the Council.  City Engineer Mark McCarty reported on the ballpark lift station project receiving an increase in grant funding.  The 2025 street rehab project bids will be announced at the next meeting.  Apeck Construction was the apparent low bidder.

Fort Johnson Garrison Commander, Col. C.J. Lopez, addressed the Council his last time as Garrison Commander.  He will transition to Chief of Staff but is staying in the area.  Lopez said the entire Iowa National Guard is in rotation at JRTC through the middle of July.  This represents 5900 troops and 200 support personnel.  Traffic will be heavy on the installation.  Lopez also relayed a change of command at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital.  July 30 will be the date of a rotation support update for local leaders.  October 22 will be the date for the Cenla Economic Engagement, which will include regional and state leaders gathering on post.

Attorney Karen White, a grant facilitator, spoke on a recent grant from the U.S. Forestry Service and USDA, the first of its kind in the state of Louisiana.  The grant is for the development of plans to advance a plan to combat wildfires and form a better municipal firefighting strategy.

Resolutions were introduced the rest of the meeting.  The City will advertise for bids to fence two baseball fields at the recreation complex.  A resolution was offered to engage with local digital creator/social influencer, Jessica Herring, to provide public relations service.

A resolution was offered to authorize the initial payment of $31,244.21 to begin with construction of the new splash pad at the recreation complex.  A pair of resolutions will award Apeck Construction, LLC the work on the new walking path and new cart path at the Leesville Municipal Golf Course.

A resolution was offered to award Charles Welch Trucking & Dirt Work with the retention pond construction project. 

Much discussion was given to a resolution to approve an event permit application submitted by Jason Smith of CW Stables to host a Juneteenth Trail Ride on Sunday, June 15.  The discussion centered on horses, safety and clean up.  Council members approved the event.

A resolution to award GEO Surfacing the infield turf project at the recreation complex was given the green light.

Apeck Construction was the lowest responsible bidder for the replacement of the ballpark lift station.  A resolution was approved to award the bid.

The final resolution of the meeting was to advertise for bids to clear 15 acres of debris at the recreation complex.

Leesville Police Chief, Beth Westlake, introduced three of the four new city police officers who recently completed Academy training.  Chief Westlake commented that the officers had prior military experience and had settled their families in Leesville.

The next meeting of the Leesville City Council is set for Monday, June 23, at 10 a.m.

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The Vernon Parish Police Jury held a committee meeting Monday, June 9, at 5 p.m.

Juror Marvin Hilton took great pride introducing the Anacoco Lady Indians track and field team that won the 2025 LHSAA Class B state title.

Several Committee reports were offered.  Hilton, Chairman of the Personnel Committee, relayed a request from the parish Road Manager to hire Michael Wilson as a District 5, part-time equipment operator with a six-month probation period. It was the committee’s only order of business.

The Capital Properties Committee received annual maintenance agreements from Star Services.  One, for $4800, is for the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office (new jail) for annual preventative maintenance on the HVAC system.  The other agreement for $1,850 covers the Judicial building (new courthouse) for preventative maintenance on the Air-Cooled Chiller.

The Equipment Committee asked Jurors to consider a resolution approving and accepting an Equipment Lease/Purchase agreement between Cadence Bank and the police jury to finance a new John Deere 5060E Cab Utility Tractor ($55,294.72/state contract) and new Grapple ($3998) for District 6.  The president or administrator/treasurer will execute the contract.

David Brister, chairman of the Road Maintenance and Construction Committee, reported a Dirt Pit Agreement from Pamela and Johnny Merriman III for Brushy Creek Road dirt pit.  The dirt will cost $3.25 per yard. Brister asked Jurors to consider holding a public hearing on Monday, July 21, at 10 a.m. during the regular monthly Jury meeting.  The hearing will consider abandoning a portion of Lone Oak Road in District 11/Ward 1.  The portion of the road to be closed is 238 feet, leaving over 1100 feet beginning at Castor Creek Road in the parish road inventory.  Quotes were received to replace the gas line on Holton-Harris bridge before bridge replacement begins. Sinclair Utility Solutions LLC quoted $18,750 for work.  Apeck Construction quoted $37,563.98 for work.  The Town of Rosepine and the Village of Simpson asked for routine maintenance on streets, including boom mowing, ditch cleaning and other work within town and village limits.

The next meeting of the Vernon Parish Police Jury is 10 a.m., Monday, June 16.

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Friday, June 6, during the noontime hour, local firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 600 block of Belton Loop in Vernon Parish. A wood frame home was actively burning when responders arrived.

Fire-fighting personnel were able to extinguish the blaze before the home was completely destroyed.

Local responders included Sundown FD, Caney FD, Evans VFD, Leesville FD, New Llano FD, Knight FD, Burr Ferry VFD, VPSO, and Acadian Ambulance.

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The Vernon Parish Journal recently visited with Don Haymon, Vernon Parish Fire District spokesperson, and Leesville Fire Chief, Bobby Hooks.  They wanted to publicly thank the voters of Vernon Parish for their votes on May 3, on the tax millages dedicated to fire-fighting protection in Vernon Parish.

The support of the voters is already paying dividends to Vernon residents.  Vernon’s fire rating has changed from a 7 to a strong 6, with the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana.  This indicator is essential to your fire insurance payments.  The recent reclassification of the rating will translate to lower insurance rates for home and business owners. EDITORS NOTE: Make sure you get what you deserve on your insurance rates.

Haymon, Hooks and the Fire District Board have been prioritizing the needs of the district.  They include replacing trucks, moving forward with training facilities, improving existing stations, and replacing or upgrading equipment.

Hooks just returned from a trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he was looking at a replacement truck for the parish.  The pumper truck has a rescue body and can hold more equipment.  The new parish truck is the first of many upgrades for the Vernon Fire District. 

The Board will continue to evaluate and prioritize district needs, keeping decisions in the best interests of the taxpayers.  Hooks and Haymon thanked the voters on behalf of the over 250 paid and volunteer fire-fighters in Vernon Parish.

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Brad Dison, a lifelong resident of Bienville Parish and writer whose history column “Remember This?” runs weekly in the Journal, has released a new book about Sheriff Henderson Jordan’s pursuit and capture of notorious gangsters Bonnie and Clyde.

“The Trap: The Untold Story of Sheriff Henderson Jordan and the Final Pursuit of Bonnie and Clyde” is now available for purchase at www.HendersonJordan.com. 

“There has been more fiction than fact written about their crime spree,” Dison said. “For 91 years, people have assumed that former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer used his superior tracking skills to locate Bonnie and Clyde. This is another bit of fiction. It was Bienville Parish Sheriff Henderson Jordan who located two of their hideouts in Bienville Parish. It was he who set three traps to capture the gang.  It was he who used an ‘undercover man’ and a ‘man on the inside’ to determine where they would be on that fateful morning of May 23, 1934. It was he who led the ambush posse and ended their violent crime spree.”

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The Jubilee Park Committee presents Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration, Saturday, June 14, from 10am-2pm, at the Martin Luther King Center in Leesville.

The event is free and open to the public.  The MLK Center is located at 1003 North Gladys Street in Leesville.  Vendors are welcome to set up for no charge.  Contact Ramona Bonner, 337-509-7519, for more information.

Bring the family for entertainment, food and beverages, music, and kids’ games.

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The Louisiana Sports Writers Association recently released the names of softball and baseball players selected for All-State post season honors in Classes C & B.  Vernon Parish was well represented.

Class C  Boys    First Team   Parker Alexander/Hornbeck    Gunner Blackwell/Simpson

                         Honorable Mention     Trace Fox/Hornbeck

Class C  Girls    Honorable Mention     Daisy Jeane/Evans

Class B  Boys      Coach of the Year    J.C.Holt/Pitkin

                           Outstanding Player   Gavin Holt

                           First Team   Cy Johnson/Pitkin   Lincon Stephens/Pitkin

                                                  Luke Williams/Hicks   Kyle Scott/Anacoco

                           Honorable Mention    Gage James/Pitkin   Dayne Martin/Pitkin

                                                                  Micah Merchant/Hicks   Caleb Taylor/Anacoco

Class B   Girls    First Team    Ava Davis/Anacoco        Courtlyn Dousay/Hicks

                          Honorable Mention    Brooklyn Bryant/Anacoco   Katie Quinn/Hicks 

                                                              Tori Haymon/Anacoco

Classes AA through 5A will be released in the next few days by the LSWA.                

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The biggest, most star-studded and fun-filled party of every summer for miles around is coming your way at the end of the month.

Three days of festivities are approaching beginning Thursday June 26 through Saturday June 28 for the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.

The LSHOF’s Class of 2025 will be enshrined Saturday night June 28 at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 66^th Induction Celebration. The final event is already full with a waiting list and standing room only tickets available.

The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday, June 26, with the Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m., free to the public at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street.

The Friday, June 27 schedule begins with the Celebrity Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. The 2025 Rockin’ River Fest, a free concert on the downtown riverbank stage, begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 10:30. In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party, a ticketed indoor-outdoor event that is approaching capacity.

The slate on Saturday, June 28 kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, along with Northwestern State coaches and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is nearing capacity. Free registration for kids ages 7-16 is required and can be easily accomplished at LaSportsHall.com.

At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando emcees an entertaining program.

Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening.

The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.

The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.

The Class of 2025 is headlined by two men pivotal in LSU’s 2003 football national championship – coach Nick Saban and Andrew Whitworth, a champion at West Monroe High School, LSU and in the NFL during a 16-year pro career. More sparkle is provided by pro basketball All-Stars Danny Granger and Vickie Johnson, the state’s winningest all-time college baseball coach Joe Scheuermann and Danny Broussard, one of the nation’s most successful high school basketball coaches, in this year’s induction class.

It also includes LSU gymnastics great and NCAA individual champion April Burkholder, transformational Catholic-Baton Rouge high school football coach Dale Weiner and George “Bobby” Soileau, a four-time high school and 1956 NCAA boxing champion at LSU who also won a state crown as a football coach at his alma mater, Sacred Heart High School in Ville Platte.

LSU graduate Herb Vincent, now a longstanding associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, is receiving the Hall’s Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award with his enshrinement.

Also being honored: Ed Daniels, a generational television sports broadcaster in New Orleans, and Glenn Guilbeau, one of the nation’s more decorated sportswriters in a career that has seen him cover LSU, state college, high school and pro sports along with stories across the South and around the SEC. They are being inducted as recipients of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism.

The 2025 Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors. 

For information on sponsorship opportunities and other participation, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com, or Greg Burke, Director of Business Development and Public Relations, at 318-663-5459 or GregBurke@LaSportsHall.com via email.  

 

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Summer is here, and there’s no better time to explore the legendary landscapes, local flavor, and small-town charm of Vernon Parish—proudly known as Louisiana’s Legend Country. Whether you’re craving outdoor adventures, air-conditioned escapes, or local finds, this summer is packed with things to do for every kind of explorer.

Hit the Water
Cool off and make a splash! With access to Anacoco Lake, Toledo Bend, Vernon Lake, Sabine River, and Toro Bayou, Vernon Parish is a haven for boating, kayaking, tubing, and some of the best fishing in the region.

https://vernonparish.org/outdoors_cat/fishing/

Soak in the Scenery
Get out in nature and experience the beauty of Kisatchie National Forest, where you might spot eagles nesting or catch other birds in flight. Don’t forget to check out the live eagle cam for a peek at this season’s hatchlings!

https://vernonparish.org/outdoors_cat/birding

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiTsPLDwyNU

Stay Cool Indoors
Beat the heat with indoor fun! Knock down some pins at Strike Zone Bowling Center, unwind with a spa day, or catch a local art exhibit or live theater show. Vernon Parish offers plenty of ways to relax and recharge indoors.

https://vernonparish.org/things-do-cat/indoors/

Shop Local Every Saturday
Stop by Leesville’s Third Street Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for fresh produce, handmade goods, and local crafts. Don’t miss Second Saturday on June 14th—featuring extra fun for the whole family!

https://vernonparish.org/event/second-saturday-at-the-third-street-market/

Treat Yourself
From classic snowballs to frozen yogurt and shaved ice, you’ll find plenty of sweet spots to cool down around town. Pair it with a local meal from one of our beloved eateries to round out your day.

https://vernonparish.org/dining/

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The City of Leesville presents a Christmas in July event at the Leesville Event Center on Nolan Trace Friday, July 18, Noon-8pm and Saturday, July 19, 10am-8pm.

Your family can enjoy an indoor ice-skating rink, food trucks, merchandise vendors, visits with Santa, and much more.  The event is free and open to the public.

The City promises a great time indoors in the air conditioning for all who attend.  For more information visit http://www.leesvillela.gov.

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