Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO.

May 31, 2026

Karhaunie Nekole Thompson, age 20, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Disturbing the Peace / Drunkenness. Bond was set at $ 881.00. Thompson posted bond and was released.

Henry Reeves, age 62, of Pitkin, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Trespass. Bond was set at $1295.00. Reeves remains in the VPSO jail.

Kristopher Glaze, age 33, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery with Child Endangerment. Bond was set at $100,000.00. Glaze remains in the VPSO jail.

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

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Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft announced the May 29 arrest of Tyrone Marshall Jr., 36 of Leesville, following a long-term joint task force investigation into illegal narcotics activity.

According to the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, task force agents executed a search warrant at a residence on Sunny Lee Lane. During the search, investigators reportedly discovered large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana. Numerous firearms were also recovered from the residence.

Marshall was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine in excess of 400 grams; two counts of possession of a Schedule II narcotic with intent to distribute; possession of cocaine in excess of 28 grams; possession of Schedule I (MDMA); possession of a Schedule I narcotic with intent to distribute; possession of a Schedule I narcotic weighing 28 grams or more; possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor under Louisiana’s child endangerment law; possession or carrying of a concealed weapon by a felon; and illegal possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Bond was set at $752,500. Marshall remains in the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office jail.

The investigation remains ongoing.

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Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft was recognized with the Spirit of Louisiana Award during a ceremony held May 28 in Bossier City.

The award was presented by Mike Johnson and recognizes Sheriff Craft’s dedication, leadership and service to the citizens of Vernon Parish and the state of Louisiana.

During the ceremony, Johnson highlighted the positive impact of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, praising the agency’s relationship with the community, proactive approach to law enforcement and ongoing commitment to training and preparedness.

The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office congratulated Craft on the recognition, describing the honor as a reflection of his continued commitment to serving the community.

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The Vernon Parish School Board will meet on Thursday, June 4 at 8 a.m. in the Board office, located at 201 Belview Road.

AGENDA:
CALL TO ORDER
PRAYER BY: Rhonda Morrison
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY: Rhonda Morrison
ROLL CALL

1. Motion to approve minutes of May 12, 2026 regular meeting and dispense with the reading of the minutes
2. Student Recognition
3. Head Start
4. Motion to introduce applicants for Superintendent position
5. Motion to enter Executive Session Pursuant to LA R.S. 42:17 for discussion of personnel matters (we will conduct interviews for Superintendent applicants)
6. Motion to recommend a name for new Superintendent
7. Adjournment

NOTICE: Anyone desiring to comment in connection with items listed on the agenda before a vote is taken on said item by the Board, should complete a Public Comment Card thirty minutes before the School Board meeting begins. The Public Comment Cards are located at the receptionist’s desk.

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Warm temperatures and daily opportunities for showers and thunderstorms are expected across Vernon Parish through early next week, with the highest rain chances arriving over the weekend.

Wednesday will feature partly sunny skies with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon hours. High temperatures are expected to reach the mid-80s, with northeast winds of 5 to 10 mph. Rain chances are forecast at 50 percent.

Wednesday night will remain mostly cloudy with lows falling into the upper 60s. East winds around 5 mph will continue overnight.

Thursday will bring another mix of sunshine and clouds, along with a 50 percent chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will remain in the mid-80s with east winds between 5 and 10 mph. Thursday night will stay mostly cloudy with lows in the upper 60s.

The pattern continues Friday with partly sunny skies and scattered afternoon thunderstorms possible. High temperatures will once again reach the mid-80s, while rain chances remain at 50 percent. Overnight lows Friday night will settle into the lower 70s under mostly cloudy skies.

Rain coverage is expected to increase Saturday. The day will begin with a chance of showers before becoming mostly cloudy with showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms during the afternoon. Highs will remain in the mid-80s, and rain chances climb to 70 percent. A few showers may linger into Saturday evening before skies gradually become partly cloudy overnight.

Sunday is expected to be one of the wetter days of the forecast period. Partly sunny skies during the morning will give way to increasing shower and thunderstorm activity during the afternoon. High temperatures will climb into the upper 80s, with rain chances holding at 70 percent. Sunday night will remain mostly cloudy with lows in the mid-70s.

Looking ahead to Monday, temperatures are expected to approach 90 degrees. Partly sunny skies will prevail, but another round of afternoon showers and thunderstorms remains possible. Rain chances are forecast at 50 percent.

Residents planning outdoor activities should monitor weather conditions closely, particularly during the afternoon and evening hours when thunderstorms are most likely to develop. While widespread severe weather is not currently anticipated, stronger storms could produce brief heavy rainfall, frequent lightning and gusty winds.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) invites you to take part in its annual Free Fishing Weekend on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7. Louisiana’s Free Fishing Weekend allows residents and visitors to fish Louisiana waters without an otherwise required fishing license.

“This weekend there is no need to purchase a fishing license, so please bring your families and friends to enjoy one of our state’s most beloved pastimes,” says LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth. “Please take this opportunity to make memories with your loved ones and introduce them to the great sport of fishing.”

While a fishing license is not required, all fishing regulations, including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions, will remain in effect during Free Fishing Weekend. 

In addition, a free Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (ROLP) is still needed during Free Fishing Weekend when possessing tunas, billfish, swordfish, amberjacks, groupers, snappers, hinds, cobia, wahoo, dolphinfish, and gray triggerfish. When registering online at wlf.louisiana.gov, anglers should choose the “Free Fishing Weekend” option for the license type. Anglers can skip the “LDWF Fishing License Number” field. A Free Fishing Weekend ROLP will be valid only on Saturday, June 6, and Sunday, June 7.  An annual ROLP is still needed if possessing offshore species outside of Free Fishing Weekend.

LDWF reminds the public that, at any time outside of Free Fishing Weekend, anglers 18 and older must possess a Louisiana fishing license to fish in any Louisiana public waters. Anyone who decides to continue fishing for the remainder of the year must purchase a state fishing license.

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Right now, the world of tournament bass fishing has reached a crossroads. If the powers that be (tournament organizations) do not address the key issues that have created this massive drop in tournament participation, the entire bass fishing industry is on the verge of collapse. 

Now this may sound a little harsh, and maybe a little overblown, but the time has come to save an industry that needs saving. Bass tournaments, no matter how you look at them, are a necessary avenue for product invention and promotion.  

This is how the fishing industry gets the word out about a new lure, or any product related to bass fishing. No other group has the power of promotion more than tournament anglers all across the country, and even around the world, simply by word of mouth. 

Look at Japan and how this crisis has impacted the bass fishing community. Nobody has been more creative and responsible for new lures and techniques than the Japanese. They have sent their best anglers to America for the sole purpose of promoting their market and the products they produce. 

How have they done it? By winning tournaments here in America. It seems like every year a new Japanese angler arrives on one of the high-level tours and has an immediate impact either by winning or finishing very high in every tournament. 

But getting back to the problem at hand, why has tournament participation dropped like the stock market crash of 1929? It hasn’t just fallen off a little, it has plummeted! Anglers have literally walked away overnight with zero signs of them coming back. 

So how can we fix the problem? First, we must recognize the problem before we can figure out how to correct it. It’s similar to an alcoholic’s dilemma; they have to realize they have a problem before they can fix it. 

Anglers leaving the sport they’ve loved so much basically started right after the COVID 19 pandemic. But during this time tournament participation was high with most events running full fields of 200 boats or more. Today those same events are drawing less than 100 boats while others have lost over two-thirds of their participation.

Also boat sales during COVID exploded to the point that there were one-year waiting lists for all major bass boat brands. Manufacturers struggled to build bass boats fast enough to satisfy the demand. 

So, what happened after COVID and why did tournament anglers load their high dollar bass boats and go home, never to return? Well, there’s only one thing that’s had a major impact on the bass fishing world – the invention of Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS)! Bingo!

This hit the bass fishing market like nothing else ever has. Just like American politics, it has also divided us as consumers! Not just a little bit either; anglers around the country continue to argue over the negative impact FFS has placed on our bass fisheries. Some issues have been substantiated, and others are now considered myths. 

Most anglers will agree that forward-facing sonar has been a tremendous invention that has totally changed the bass fishing world. But the true anglers who are considered to be purist believe that this new technology has no place in bass tournaments. 

The PGA Tour has faced similar technology issues lately with better golf clubs and golf balls that are flying farther than ever before. These adjustments have caused major concerns for the PGA Tour and even have resulted in some golf courses becoming obsolete, or at least, not suitable for pro tournaments.

So, the PGA Tour decided to implement new restrictions on manufacturers and how far golf balls can fly. They did this for the good of sport and the future of the sport. Maybe B.A.S.S. and Major League Fishing (MLF) need to take a page from the PGA Tour. 

Let’s take away FFS for all bass tournament competitions and get back to using acquired skills anglers need to have in order to compete at the highest level. You don’t have to eliminate it totally; allow anglers to use it for practice only. But it has no place on the professional level and should be banned on tournament day. 

The biggest concern at this time is with the lower entry-level tournaments like the BFL’s, Toyota Series and the Bassmaster Opens. Is it too late to make changes or eliminate FFS for tournaments on the lower levels? 

Not really. Every year tournament organizations make changes to their rules, and this would be no different. I just hope the powers that be (B.A.S.S. and MLF) wake up and do the right thing for 2027 in order to save a dying industry — tournament bass fishing!  

Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com

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I’ve been pondering one of life’s great mysteries: what happened to hats? Real hats. The kind men used to wear when they went to work, went to town, or went anywhere except the shower. Once upon a time, a man wouldn’t leave the house without a fedora, a trilby, or something with a brim wide enough to shade half the county. Now the only folks still wearing real hats are cowboys—and even they take them off indoors, which is more than I can say for the baseballcap crowd at Walmart.

I watch Perry Mason before bed most nights. Not for the suspense—there isn’t any. We all know Perry’s client didn’t do it. I watch to see how much the world has changed. In the 1957 episodes, everybody wears a hat. Even Perry. The only hatless soul is Paul Drake, the detective, who apparently needed full cranial ventilation to solve crimes. And have you noticed? Nobody has a television in their living room. They’re sitting around talking to each other like it’s normal. Wild times.

Do y’all know what happened to hats? Should we start a new fad here in Ruston? On second thought, no. I’d rather someone start a movement to make neckties disappear. That’s the one part of my calling I’ve never understood. Why wrap a decorative noose around my neck and cut off blood flow to my already overworked brain? I’m trying to preach the gospel, not pass out in the pulpit. Someone please start a necktie revolt. I’ll sign the petition.

And while we’re talking about things that vanished—what happened to CB radios? That was the first social media. You could make friends for a solid five miles. Longer if you were driving 55 on the interstate, which we all were back then, unless we weren’t, which is why we needed the CB in the first place. “Breaker onenine, where’s Smokey hiding?” Then radar detectors came along and CBs went the way of the eighttrack.

Some things I’m glad disappeared. Felt boards in church. I never trusted those things. One wrong move and Moses would fall off Mount Sinai. Typewriters? Good riddance. I used more liquid paper than ribbon. I’m surprised they didn’t sell it by the gallon.

But here’s something I hope doesn’t vanish: you.

So go to church on Sunday—before someone starts wondering what happened to you.

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The future has officially arrived — and apparently it wants to discuss your life goals before handing over your morning coffee. A new AI-powered coffee kiosk is leaving customers both caffeinated and confused as it replaces simple drink orders with a barrage of oddly personal questions. From optimizing emotional states to aligning beverages with long-term aspirations, the machine seems determined to do everything except just pour the coffee. Local residents report spending more time answering the kiosk than they would have spent chatting with an actual barista. Experts say this may be the first recorded case of a latte requiring a personality assessment.

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June 3 is National Egg Day, a celebration of one of the most versatile and widely consumed foods in the world.

Whether scrambled, fried, boiled or baked into a favorite dessert, eggs remain a staple in kitchens across America. This year’s observance comes after several years in which eggs became an unlikely headline-maker due to supply challenges, rising grocery costs and changing consumer habits.

For many families, eggs are among the first items checked on a grocery list. They are used in everything from breakfast plates and holiday baking to restaurant recipes and school cafeteria meals. Their affordability and nutritional value have helped make them a longtime favorite among consumers.

Eggs have also become a cultural fixture. Social media is filled with debates over the best way to cook them, while chefs continue to develop new recipes featuring the humble ingredient. In Louisiana, eggs often play a starring role in dishes ranging from breakfast biscuits and gravy to bread pudding and homemade meat pies.

The observance also offers a chance to appreciate the farmers, producers and businesses that help keep grocery shelves stocked. According to agricultural experts, Americans consume billions of eggs each year, making them one of the country’s most popular food products.

National Egg Day has no elaborate traditions, but many people mark the occasion by preparing a favorite egg dish, trying a new recipe or simply enjoying a classic breakfast.

Whether served sunny-side up, folded into an omelet or mixed into a cake batter, eggs continue to prove that some of the simplest foods can have the biggest impact.

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Christie Lanette Hardy 
Service: Saturday, June 6 at 2 pm at Jeane’s Funeral Service in Hornbeck

Samantha Kristine Pierce
Service: Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Jeane’s Funeral Service in Leesville

Vernon Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or vpjnewsla@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to vpjnewsla@gmail.com).

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Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO.

May 23, 2026

Henry Reeves, age 62, of Pitkin, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Trespass. Bond was set at $ 1295.00. Reeves posted bond and was released.

May 27, 2026

Kourtney Rose Lewis, age 31, of Florein, was arrested and charged with one count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Bond has not been set and a detainer has been placed on Lewis for the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole. Lewis remains in the VPSO jail.

Austin Paul Ross, age 28, of Anacoco, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of Methamphetamine over 28 grams, one count of Turning Movements and Required Signals, one count of Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, one count of Aggravated Flight from an Officer, one count of General Speed Law, one count of Possession of a Schedule I Narcotic with the Intent to Distribute, and one count of Obstruction of Justice – Tampering with Evidence. Bond has not been set and Ross remains in the VPSO jail.

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

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AMERISAFE has announced that Rosepine High School Class of 2026 graduate Tyler Wood is the recipient of the 2026 AMERISAFE Community Scholarship.

The scholarship program is administered through the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana and is awarded annually to a graduating senior from Beauregard or Vernon Parish.

According to AMERISAFE, the scholarship provides $1,000 per year for students enrolled in a two-year program, totaling $2,000, or up to $4,000 for students pursuing a four-year degree program.

Applications for the scholarship are due each year in March.

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Celia Margarita Santiago-Robles
Service: Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 10 am at St. Michael’s Church

Samantha Kristine Pierce
Service: Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Jeane’s Funeral Service in Leesville

Johnny Lamar Nash
Service: Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in Plunkaway Cemetery

Armond Phillip James
Service: Friday, May 29, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Pine Hill Baptist Church in Leesville

Carolyn E Harper
Service: Monday, June 1, 2026 at 2 p.m. at LaCamp Church of God Cemetery in Hineston

Vernon Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or vpjnewsla@gmail.com. Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Deaths shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to vpjnewsla@gmail.com).

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Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser and Louisiana Main Street have announced that Leesville Main Street has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for 2026.

The recognition is awarded to communities that meet national performance standards established by the National Main Street Center for economic development, historic preservation, and downtown revitalization efforts through the Main Street Approach.

Leesville Main Street was one of 19 Louisiana communities and among 838 programs nationwide to receive Accredited Main Street America status, the organization’s highest designation tier.

“Our historic downtowns are more than gathering places, they are engines of economic development and community pride,” Nungesser said in the announcement. “When Louisiana Main Street districts succeed, entire communities benefit.”

According to Louisiana Main Street, the statewide program has surpassed more than $1 billion in combined public and private investment. Additional statewide impacts include the creation of 17,587 net new jobs, 4,108 net new businesses, more than $613 million invested in construction and rehabilitation projects, and more than 1.3 million volunteer hours contributed.

Main Street America President and CEO Erin Barnes said the accredited communities demonstrated a strong commitment to investing in their downtown districts and preserving the unique character of their communities.

To qualify for Accredited status, communities must demonstrate success in areas including community revitalization, organizational leadership, sustainable funding, preservation-based economic development, and measurable results.

Main Street America, a nonprofit subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has supported preservation-based revitalization efforts in historic commercial districts for more than 40 years.

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The Vernon Parish School Board Head Start and Birth to Five Early Childhood Programs are now accepting new applications for the 2026–2027 school year.

Families who submit applications by June 1, 2026, will have them processed ahead of the first round of orientation dates currently being scheduled. Program officials note that applications received after the deadline may not be reviewed in time for initial placement, though applications are accepted year-round. Enrollment is limited, and waitlists are common.

Applications are being accepted during summer office hours, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The office is located at 1409 S. 4th Street in Leesville, behind Burger King and next to the bowling alley.

Families with questions can contact the program office at 337-239-6899 for more information.

Officials remind families that submitting an application does not guarantee admission. All applications must be completed with required documentation and reviewed using established selection criteria before placement or waitlist consideration. Parent or guardian attendance at mandatory orientation is required for enrollment.

The first day for VPSB Head Start and Birth to Five Early Childhood Programs is scheduled for August 7, 2026.

Program staff encourage all eligible families to apply and emphasize their ongoing mission of supporting early learning, family engagement and school readiness for young children across Vernon Parish.

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Local league operators Stephan Cavanaugh and Elizabeth Cavanaugh represented the NAPA League of Vernon Parish this past weekend at the NAPA International 8-Ball Doubles Open.

The duo competed against teams from multiple regions, calling the experience both competitive and rewarding as they met fellow players and took on a strong field of opponents. By the end of the tournament, the Cavanaughs secured a 5th place finish, earning $500 and the distinction of competing on an international stage.

Organizers encouraged other local players to take advantage of future NAPA tournament opportunities, noting that participation is as simple as signing up and showing up.

They also extended appreciation to tournament staff and organizers for a well-run event, highlighting the positive atmosphere and execution throughout the competition.

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A wet and unsettled pattern is expected to continue across Vernon Parish this week, beginning with a high chance of rain Wednesday and followed by repeated opportunities for showers and thunderstorms through early next week.

Wednesday will bring showers with a chance of thunderstorms in the morning, increasing to thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs will reach the lower 80s with south winds around 5 mph. Rain chances are very high at 90 percent. Wednesday night will remain mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the evening, followed by additional showers after midnight. Patchy fog is possible, with lows around 70 and a 50 percent chance of rain.

On Thursday, areas of fog are expected in the morning before conditions gradually become partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms will remain in place, with highs again in the lower 80s. Winds will be light and variable, becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. Rain chances sit near 50 percent. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with lows around 70.

Friday brings more typical summer conditions with mostly sunny skies early and a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs will climb into the upper 80s with a 40 percent chance of rain. Friday night will be mostly clear early, then becoming partly cloudy with lows in the lower 70s.

The weekend continues the active pattern. Saturday will be partly sunny with a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms and highs in the upper 80s. Rain chances remain around 40 percent. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with a chance of evening storms and lows in the lower 70s.

Sunday will be mostly cloudy in the morning, becoming partly sunny later in the day with another chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs will again reach the upper 80s with a 50 percent chance of rain. Sunday night remains partly cloudy with continued storm chances and lows in the lower 70s.

Looking ahead to next week, Monday will be partly sunny with a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms and highs in the upper 80s. Rain chances remain around 50 percent. Monday night will be partly cloudy with a chance of evening showers and lows in the upper 60s.

Tuesday continues the unsettled trend with partly sunny skies and another chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs will return to the lower 80s with a 40 percent chance of rain.

Residents across Vernon Parish should remain weather aware throughout the week as repeated rounds of rain, thunderstorms, and brief foggy conditions remain possible.

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The Vernon Parish Library, in partnership with the Vernon Historical and Genealogical Society, will host a hands-on program introducing patrons to the library’s Digital Newspapers and Yearbooks online resources.

The demonstration is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the library’s main branch in Leesville. The program is designed as a step-by-step guide to help attendees learn how to navigate digital archives and begin searching for people, places and historical events with greater confidence.

Library staff will walk participants through the system in an easy-to-follow format, with time for questions and guided practice. Attendees will also receive a take-home handout summarizing key points, along with practice questions and answers to reinforce what they learned.

Organizers say the goal of the session is to build comfort and familiarity with online research tools that preserve and showcase local history, while encouraging continued exploration beyond the program.

For more information, contact the Vernon Parish Library at 337-239-2027 or 800-737-2231, or visit the main branch at 1401 Nolan Trace in Leesville. Additional details are available at www.vernonparishlibrary.org.

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