A travel alert was issued for Wednesday, July 29 as a moving company will be transporting a large manufactured home in the area of Driftwood Drive and Surfside Drive.
The move is scheduled to occur between 2-5 p.m. Motorists should expect road blockages and traffic delays in the area.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division has cited three individuals for numerous alleged hunting violations that occurred in Vernon and Lafayette parishes during the 2025-26 hunting season.
On June 30, agents cited Blake Sims, 30, of Carencro; Alex Bourque, 35, of Lafayette; and Steven Sims, 55, of Carencro, for alleged violations including allowing or using another person’s deer tags and taking over the daily limit of antlerless deer.
Additional alleged violations included taking over antlered deer limits, failing to tag deer, using illegal firearms, hunting doves during a closed season and harvesting a deer with an infrared sight.
The investigation began after agents received information about possible illegal deer harvests in Vernon and Lafayette parishes during the 2025-26 season.
According to LDWF, agents determined that Bourque harvested three antlerless deer during a single hunt, with the other two deer being tagged by Blake Sims and Steven Sims. Bourque also allegedly harvested four bucks during the 2024-25 season.
Agents determined Blake Sims allegedly harvested two bucks on the same day during the 2025-26 season, exceeded the daily limit of does during the 2024-25 season and harvested a dove out of season using a .17-caliber rifle.
Steven Sims was found to have allegedly harvested four bucks during the 2025-26 season, failed to tag one deer, used a night vision scope on another and took two does on the same day during the 2024-25 season.
Penalties for the alleged violations range from $250 to $950 in fines and up to 120 days in jail depending on the offense. Civil restitution assessments total up to $4,064 for Blake Sims, $4,874 for Bourque and $4,874 for Steven Sims.
The case was investigated by Corporal Michael Thacker, Corporal Michael Blanchard and Senior Agent Nicholas Ortego.
The City of Leesville has announced a job opening for a carpenter.
Those interested can call 337-239-2995 for more information. Applications may be submitted by email at city.admin@leesvillela.gov or online through the City of Leesville website.
The City of Leesville also offers free text or email notifications of new job postings for those who sign up through its website.
The City of Leesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A pre-employment drug screen is required as a condition of employment.
Rosepine High School has welcomed Clint Dean as its new assistant principal.
Dean holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and brings 14 years of experience in education, including 13 years as a football coach, one year as an athletic director and the past two years serving as discipline coordinator at Lakeview High School.
According to Rosepine High School, Dean is passionate about building positive relationships with students and helping them grow academically, socially and personally.
Dean and his wife, Tammy, are excited to become part of the Rosepine community and look forward to partnering with students, families and staff to help every student succeed.
Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office DARE Officers Malissa Sweeney and Jacob Durrett attended the 35th Annual DARE Conference.
Sweeney and Durrett were pictured with Lia Parker, a Simpson High School student and State DARE Essay Winner, along with Lia’s mother, Tracee Parker, and Becca Durrett.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office congratulated Lia Parker on her accomplishment.
Photo credit: Becca Durrett.
The City of Leesville will host its Youth Business Fair on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Leesville Event Center.
The event will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. at 608 Nolan Trace in Leesville.
The Youth Business Fair will provide an opportunity to support young entrepreneurs and their creativity, hard work and ideas.
Community members are invited to attend, shop with youth vendors and support local youth.
August Adventures in Vernon Parish
August is full of ways to explore Vernon Parish, from community events and creative gatherings to fishing and antique shopping. Make plans to enjoy everything Louisiana’s Legend Country has to offer this month.
Change for Main Banquet & Auction
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce and Leesville Main Street invite you to the Change for Main Banquet & Auction on Saturday, August 29th, at the Leesville Event Center. Enjoy an evening of entertainment, community, and opportunities to support initiatives that strengthen and enhance Leesville. The event will include a banquet and auction benefiting the community’s future.
Get Out and Fish
Summer is the perfect time to get on the water and explore the natural beauty of Vernon Parish. Spend the day boating, tubing, kayaking or fishing at Anacoco Lake, Toledo Bend, Vernon Lake, the Sabine River or Toro Bayou. Don’t have fishing equipment? Stop by the Vernon Parish Library (Leesville branch) to borrow a fishing pole, reel and weights. Just bring a hook and bait, and you’ll be ready to fish!
Books, Crafts and Creative Fun
Arctos Bookish Den and Roxy’s Crafty Corner have a full month of activities planned for readers and makers. At Crawler Unite Paint Night on August 8th, you can paint your favorite Crawler while enjoying dinner, dessert, and drinks. Supplies and premade designs are provided, or participants can create their own design. Admission is $40.
Book Fairy Garden Night invites guests to transform a favorite book into a whimsical fairy garden on August 27th. Supplies and dinner are included in the $40 cost; participants only need to bring a book.
Visitors can also stop by every Tuesday for Crafty Day or attend Book Club Night every Thursday. Book club selections feature a variety of genres, including thrillers, dark romance and fantasy, with light refreshments provided.
Find Something Special at The Vintage Mall
Spend an afternoon browsing The Vintage Mall, one of downtown Leesville’s local gems. Located on South 3rd Street, the shop features more than 30 vendors with booths filled with antique furniture, retro home décor, and one-of-a-kind gifts. The Vintage Mall is open Fridays from 11am-5pm and Saturdays from 11am-4pm.
Whether you’re supporting the community, spending time on the water, getting creative, or searching for vintage finds, there’s plenty to enjoy in Vernon Parish this August. Start planning your next adventure in Louisiana’s Legend Country!
Jessie C. Tilghman
Service: Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 11:00 A.M. at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville
Gabriel “Gab” Hernandez
Service: Friday July 24, 2026 at 10 am at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville
Mildred Ruth Harvey
Service: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 1 pm at Evans Congregational Methodist Church
Vernon Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.
Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft issued a statement regarding the use of License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras within Vernon Parish to educate the public and address misinformation about the technology as an investigative tool.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office said it is committed to using technology responsibly to enhance public safety while respecting the privacy and constitutional rights of citizens.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, LPR technology is used to support criminal investigations by providing investigators with leads in cases involving stolen vehicles, violent crimes, burglaries, missing persons and other reported offenses. LPR cameras may also be referred to as FLOCK cameras, which is the manufacturer of a particular brand of LPR camera.
The Sheriff’s Office said LPR cameras have been installed on public rights-of-way with approval from the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and Louisiana State Police. Camera placement complies with applicable state law and court decisions governing the use of technology in public spaces.
The department said LPR systems capture images of license plates and vehicle characteristics visible from public roadways. The technology does not identify drivers or passengers, use facial recognition or monitor or report cellular devices located within a vehicle.
Instead, the Sheriff’s Office said LPR technology records information already exposed to public view, including direction of travel and license plate information, which can assist investigators in establishing timelines, identifying investigative leads and corroborating evidence during criminal investigations.
The department said access to LPR data is limited to authorized personnel for legitimate law enforcement purposes. The system operates under departmental policies governing data access, retention, auditing and appropriate use.
Since implementation, the Sheriff’s Office said LPR technology has assisted deputies in numerous criminal investigations and public safety incidents, including identifying and apprehending suspects involved in thefts and burglaries, recovering stolen vehicles and property, and locating suspects who have fled into neighboring jurisdictions.
The Sheriff’s Office said LPR technology assisted in the recovery of a stolen Vernon Parish school bus connected to a multi-jurisdictional theft investigation, locating a vehicle stolen during the commission of a violent crime and tracking a stolen motorcycle across multiple parishes until it was recovered.
The department also said LPR data has helped law enforcement determine the direction of travel of suspect vehicles, allowing neighboring agencies to coordinate responses during critical investigations.
Beyond criminal investigations, the Sheriff’s Office said LPR technology has helped locate individuals who became disoriented while driving due to neurological impairment. By identifying vehicle locations, deputies were able to coordinate with partner agencies to safely locate and reunite those individuals with their families.
The department said the technology has also helped protect individuals during investigations. In one case, LPR imagery confirmed that property being transported by a suspect vehicle did not match items reported as stolen, allowing investigators to eliminate a person of interest.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office said LPR technology assists investigators in developing leads, recovering stolen property, locating missing and vulnerable individuals, supporting regional law enforcement partnerships and helping ensure investigations are effective and fair.
The department said it remains committed to transparency, accountability and open communication with the public regarding the use of the technology.
Community members with questions about the Sheriff’s Office License Plate Reader program are encouraged to contact the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office for additional information about policies, safeguards and the role of the technology in protecting the community.
For additional information, contact:
Sheriff Sam Craft
Chief Deputy Calvin Turner
Detective Ben Burwell
Two college-bound students from Fort Polk have received Purple Tassel College Scholarships from the Corvias Foundation for military-connected students.
Madelynn Flint, a graduate of Leesville High School, will attend West Virginia University, where she plans to pursue a career as a forensic biologist.
According to Julie Allen, executive director of the Corvias Foundation, “Standout writing, academic excellence, deep preparation for collegiate success, and a commitment to achieving more than expected made Madelynn a great fit for the Purple Tassel Scholarship.”
Gabrielle Lopez, also a graduate of Leesville High School, will attend the University of Louisiana at Lafayette to study nursing.
Allen said, “A stellar academic record, distinguished participation in JROTC, and a wide range of volunteer and community investment activities placed Gabrielle in the top tier of 2026 Purple Tassel Recipients.”
The scholarships were announced July 16 as the Corvias Foundation awarded Purple Tassel College Scholarships to 14 military-connected students heading to college this fall, marking the largest class of scholarship recipients in the foundation’s 20-year history.
Since 2006, the Corvias Foundation has invested more than $20 million in helping military families pursue educational and career success. In addition to scholarships, the foundation is expanding its support through Opportunity Hubs, which connect military families with educational resources, career opportunities and community partnerships.
The Castor Cemetery will celebrate its 160th Anniversary on Aug. 1, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. at 2057 Slagle Road in Leesville.
There is a new view on Cemetery Hill this year with a newly installed fence around the burials. The project was planned and approved by the Cemetery Committee, which serves as the decision-making body.
The guest presenter will be Stanley Fletcher, a Vernon Parish historian who has spent many years researching cemeteries and the history of families buried there. He shares his knowledge to help others better understand their personal family background.
Guests are invited to attend and learn facts about their family history they may not know.
Guest musician Jared Prewitt, Music Director of First Baptist Church Hornbeck, will lead old-fashioned congregational singing and perform a special solo.
The event will include a Memorial Service followed by the Annual Castor Homecoming Program. Past Pastor Morris Goins, who served from 1982-96, will offer remarks and prayer, as will newly appointed Pastor Buddy Freeman, who began his tenure in February of this year. A comedy skit about yesteryear will be presented by local sisters Clarice Hovdet and Regina Smith, who grew up as members of Castor Church.
The Castor Cemetery is one of the largest and oldest graveyards in Vernon Parish. It is located on the Old Slagle Highway at the traffic circle. The oldest marked grave is that of Knowwood Turner, a 3-year-old child who died Jan. 23, 1872.
The oldest grave is that of Archibald Cooper, a Civil War veteran. Verbal verification of this was provided by Adeline Moore, who attended the funeral and shared the information with her daughter, Mary Illes Gill. Ms. Gill later gave the information to Mrs. Louise Gill Cavanaugh.
Everyone with loved ones buried in the cemetery, past or present members of Castor Baptist Church, friends with fond memories, or anyone interested in this well-known Vernon Parish landmark is welcome to attend.
Further information is available on the Castor Cemetery Association Facebook page.
A prolonged stretch of dangerous heat will continue across Vernon Parish through early next week, with afternoon temperatures climbing into the mid to upper 90s and around 100 degrees on Wednesday. Heat index values are expected to reach as high as 115 degrees.
Wednesday will be sunny and hot with highs around 100 degrees. North winds will be around 5 mph, and the heat index could reach 115 degrees. Wednesday night will be mostly clear with lows in the upper 70s. Northeast winds will be around 5 mph, and heat index values could remain as high as 108 degrees early in the evening.
Thursday will be mostly sunny with highs in the mid 90s and northeast winds around 5 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with lows in the mid 70s.
Friday is expected to be mostly sunny with highs in the mid 90s. Friday night will be partly cloudy with lows in the mid 70s.
Saturday will remain mostly sunny with highs in the mid 90s. Heat index values could reach 105 degrees. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with lows in the upper 70s.
Sunday will be sunny with highs in the mid 90s. Sunday night will be mostly clear with lows in the upper 70s.
The hot weather will continue into Monday with sunny skies and highs in the upper 90s. Heat index values could once again reach 105 degrees.
Residents are encouraged to stay hydrated, limit prolonged outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and take precautions to avoid heat-related illnesses as dangerous heat persists across the parish.
If I have learned nothing else over my many years of tournament bass fishing, it’s the fact that it’s a young man’s sport. Being young has its privileges, especially when it comes to energy levels and mobility. At the age of 65, I no longer hop around the boat like a rat on crack.
Now I’m a little more cautious in making sure I don’t hang a toe getting up on the front deck of my Caymas boat. I’m just trying to maintain my balance and make sure that I don’t fall in the lake!
I’ve also noticed that the older I have gotten, the further it seems to be from the driver’s seat console to the front of my boat. Just putting the trolling motor in the water also requires a little more energy now, even with high-tech lift-assist-systems that trolling motors have today.
Even tying on a new lure can be a challenge as I need my reading glasses just to see what I’m doing. Threading fishing line through the eye of a hook requires skill that used to be automatic; now it’s an adventure and a test of my patience!
One aspect that today’s young anglers seem to do a better job of is covering water and fishing as many places as they can in a day’s time. Older guys tend to stay in one area longer and fish it thoroughly just because we don’t want to take the time or exert the energy to move.
I have also noticed the younger generation of today are not very likely to offer much help for the older guys who might be launching their boats by themselves.
This was something I was always conscious of during my younger days. If I saw an older gentleman trying to launch his boat by himself, I always offered a helping hand. I think it’s just the way my generation was raised, to always be looking out for the elderly.
Even today, and now that I’m the older guy at the ramp, I’ll still offer ANY angler assistance. It’s just good manners.
In today’s tournament world, I find myself trying to stay in better shape just so I can compete with these young guns. To compete on any tournament trail, you must spend time on the water.
A good angler will practice 8-10 hours a day in the boat trying to locate as many schools of bass as he can. It’s not uncommon for the really good anglers to practice from sunup to sundown. Again, nothing will make you a better angler than time on the water!
These are the anglers who will not only cash more checks but will also be holding up the trophy at the end of the tournament. You cannot compete in today’s bass fishing world by taking shortcuts or only fishing for a few hours a day, no matter how good you think you are.
Another issue at my age is that some days, fishing is literally a grind and a test of your patience. The bass don’t always bite all day long and there are only a few small windows of opportunity where the bass will feed. If you’re not on the water, you will miss those opportunities.
There will be some days that you will ask yourself, “Why am I out here?” But these are the days that will separate the good anglers from the average ones. The good anglers will stay on the lake and make every attempt to figure out how to make the fish bite.
This is called persistence and determination, which can go a long way in having tournament success. It’s also called focus, which I find is a lot harder to maintain as I’ve gotten older. Focus ensures that you don’t miss those windows of opportunity when you get that unexpected bite.
One thing that has not changed, even at the age of 65, is my desire to compete. I’m still that same competitive soul who gets so much joy in a high finish and beating the younger generation. We’ve all heard, age is just a number. That’s true until you reach what you think is that age …then reality sets in.
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com
July 22 marks one of the most famous days in American crime history.
On July 22, 1934, notorious bank robber John Dillinger was shot and killed by federal agents outside the Biograph Theater in Chicago after leaving a movie. His death ended one of the nation’s most highly publicized manhunts during the Great Depression.
Dillinger became one of America’s most infamous outlaws after a string of bank robberies, jail escapes and confrontations with law enforcement across the Midwest. Newspapers closely followed his crimes, turning him into a household name at a time when many Americans were struggling through economic hardship.
Federal authorities tracked Dillinger to the theater after receiving information from an informant. As he exited the building, agents attempted to arrest him. When he tried to flee, he was shot and killed.
The event marked a significant moment in the history of federal law enforcement. The pursuit of Dillinger helped elevate the public profile of what would become the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under Director J. Edgar Hoover and led to increased attention on interstate crime-fighting efforts.
More than 90 years later, Dillinger’s story continues to be the subject of books, documentaries and films, making July 22 a notable date in American history.
In the early months of 1915, New York policemen knew unsavory characters had been living rent free in the dilapidated and seemingly abandoned building across the street from their station house in Brooklyn. Finally, in late April, construction workers began demolishing the old building. Only then did the policemen realize the scope of their problem. As each floor was systematically disassembled, the unwelcome tenants just moved closer to street level. The tenants that left the building took up residence in adjoining buildings or lived in the street. They even began occupying the police station itself. When policemen chased one away, it seemed that two or three more would take its place. The New York Times reported, “Policemen who have faced all kinds of danger unflinchingly do not hesitate to say that it makes them feel decidedly uncomfortable.” That was an understatement. The problem with the unwelcome tenants was out of control. It affected all of the policemen in one way or another. Some were unable to eat properly. Others were unable to get a good night’s sleep. Their work performance waned. The whole area was going to pot. The problem was not relegated to a single station house. Other New York police station houses including Morrisania Police Station, Alexander Avenue station, and West 152d Street station were facing similar crises.
In May 1915, the New York City Police Department added more than 100 new officers from a certain local tribe whose sole purpose was to rid their areas of the unwanted tenants by any means necessary. A team of new officers at the Morrisania Police Station was led by an officer named Peter whom that station’s Lieutenant Peter Brady had adopted and named after himself years earlier. In some cases, the police department filled the position by using the local homeless population, which solved two problems at the same time. At the Alexander Avenue station, one new officer was not only homeless but nameless as well. At the time of the New Yok Times’s report, the other officers at the Alexander Avenue station were trying to come up with a name for him. One of the new officers at the Brooklyn Station who was described as being large and battle-scarred took the “by any means necessary” portion of his orders to heart. The New York Times reported, “No count was kept of the number of [them] which [he] dispatched, but those he failed to slay he routed completely from the station house, so terrifying them that, according to the police, [none] since has had the temerity to show his nose in the place.” With the help of the new officers, the crisis of the New York Police Department was resolved. Why have you not heard of this murdering cop or his fellow officers who certainly performed similar atrocities against the unwelcome tenants? They were from, as the New York Times reported, the “Feline Tribe.” Those police officers and the unwelcome tenants were respectively… cats and rats.
Source: New York Times, May 7, 1915, p. 23.
Gabriel “Gab” Hernandez
Service: Friday July 24, 2026 at 10 am at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville
Mildred Ruth Harvey
Service: Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 1 pm at Evans Congregational Methodist Church
Vernon Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.
Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO.
July 15
Jason Patrick Kay, age 50, of Anacoco, was arrested and charged with one count of Violation of a Protective Order. Bond has not been set and Kay remains in the VPSO jail.
Amy Young, age 48, of Lake Charles, was arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, two counts of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic, one count of Illegal Possession of a Firearm while in Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, and one count of Possession of a Firearm or Carrying of a Concealed Weapon by a Felon. Bond has not been set and Young remains in the VPSO jail.
Briana Brandley, age 37, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery. Bond has not been set and Brandley remains in the VPSO jail.
ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
The City of Leesville Public Works Department will repair a water line on McRae Street Friday, July 17. During the repair, only one lane of traffic will be open as motorists leave the Walmart parking lot heading north toward Lowe’s.
The right lane will be closed until the repair is completed. The City of Leesville is asking motorists to avoid the area and use an alternate route if possible.
Vernon 4-H is recognizing RaeLynn “Rain” Miller of Simpson High School for her performance at the 2026 Louisiana 4-H & FFA State Horse Show held at the Beauregard Covered Arena in DeRidder.
Miller competed in some of the largest speed events of the week, including Pole Bending and Stake Race. The Pole Bending event included 34 competitors, along with a highly competitive field in Stake Race.
Miller earned the following results:
Vernon 4-H said Miller showed determination, grit, and great horsemanship throughout the week while representing Simpson Junior High, Vernon Parish, and Louisiana 4-H.
Louisiana’s youth employment certificate process has changed and is now managed by Louisiana Works.
Under the updated process, employers are responsible for issuing work permits and verifying a minor’s age. Schools will no longer issue work permits or employment certificates.
Employers must use the new Louisiana Works Employment Certificate.
Louisiana Works also reminded schools that access to the Louisiana Works Employment Certificate System will end July 24, 2026.
The update is intended to provide important information for parents, students, employers and school partners preparing for youth employment.
Questions may be directed to EmploymentCertificate@la.gov or by calling 225-342-2683.
Leesville High School has completed its administrative team for the 2026-27 school year with the addition of Coach Earl Westbrooks to a new role.
Westbrooks brings 10 years of educational experience and a passion for serving students, families, and staff.
He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from East Texas Baptist University and holds EC-12 certifications in Physical Education & Health and Special Education.
Outside of school, Westbrooks enjoys spending time with family, coaching football, and mentoring young people both on and off the field.
Leesville High School welcomed Coach Westbrooks as its new administrative assistant.