Unsettled weather will continue today in Vernon Parish before giving way to cooler, drier conditions midweek and a gradual warm-up heading into the weekend.

Today will be mostly cloudy, with a chance of showers this morning and showers becoming more likely this afternoon. A slight chance of thunderstorms is also possible. Highs are expected in the upper 60s. South winds will range from 5 to 10 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. Rain chances stand at 70 percent.

Showers are likely to continue into tonight, with a chance of thunderstorms during the evening hours. Skies will turn partly cloudy after midnight as cooler air moves in. Overnight lows will fall into the lower 40s. Winds will shift from west around 5 mph to north after midnight, with gusts reaching up to 20 mph.

Sunny conditions return Wednesday, though temperatures will be cooler, with highs in the upper 50s. North winds of 5 to 10 mph and gusts up to 20 mph will persist throughout the day. Wednesday night will bring partly cloudy skies and colder temperatures, with lows in the mid-30s and areas of frost possible after midnight.

Thursday morning may begin with areas of frost before sunshine takes over for the remainder of the day. Highs will again reach the upper 50s, with light northwest winds around 5 mph. Clear skies will continue Thursday night through Friday night, with overnight lows in the lower 40s and daytime highs climbing to around 70 degrees.

The warming trend continues Saturday under sunny skies, with highs in the lower 70s and mostly clear conditions Saturday night. Sunday will be mostly sunny and mild, with highs in the mid-70s. Clouds increase Sunday night and into Monday, with lows around 50 and daytime highs near 70.

Overall, residents can expect a brief period of cooler, near-freezing conditions midweek before more spring-like weather returns to the parish.

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A family’s guide to navigating the biggest decision of a young adult’s life, and why a single Saturday in Natchitoches might hold the answer.

By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University

The kitchen table is often where the panic sets in. It starts with a stack of glossy mailers, each promising the best four years of a student’s life. Then come the spreadsheets, the deadlines, and the quiet, gnawing questions that keep parents awake at 3 a.m. Can we afford this? Will they be safe? Is this the place where my child becomes the person they are meant to be?

For high school seniors, the pressure is immediate. They are standing on the cliff of adulthood, trying to discern their future from a website or a brochure. For families, the challenge is different. You bring the weight of experience. You understand the long-term implications of student loans and the reality of living away from home. You want to protect them, yet you know you must let them lead.

This tension between parental wisdom and student autonomy is natural, but it does not have to be stunned by anxiety. The remedy is not found in more paperwork. It is found in experience. It is found in stepping onto a campus, walking the grounds, and feeling the texture of the community.

That is the philosophy behind Northwestern State University’s N-Side View Day.

On Saturday, February 28, 2026, NSU opens its doors for an event designed to cut through the noise of the college search. It is an invitation to move beyond the statistics and step into the reality of life in Natchitoches.

“Your future is calling and it begins here,” says Emily Miller, Director of Recruiting. “We want students and families to see not just what Northwestern offers, but how it feels to be part of our community.”

Finding the right college is about finding a value match. It is about aligning a student’s ambition with an institution’s culture. This is difficult to do from a distance. You need to see the residence halls. You need to sit in the classrooms. You need to look a professor in the eye and ask them how they will mentor your student.

N-Side View Day provides that access. It transforms the abstract idea of “going to college” into a tangible plan.

The day is structured to address the specific anxieties that families face. Financial stability is often the largest hurdle. Many students, and honestly, many parents, are inexperienced in managing large-scale finances. During the event, financial aid experts break down the process, comparing packages and explaining scholarships in simple terms. It turns a conversation about debt into a strategy for investment.

Academically, the event allows students to explore over 100 degree programs. This is where the student takes the lead. While parents look for security, students look for inspiration. They can connect directly with faculty, asking the questions that matter to them.

“We have designed N-Side View Day to go beyond information. It’s an experience that inspires,” Miller explains. “Families leave with clarity, confidence, and excitement about the future.”

There is also the undeniable influence of place. Natchitoches is Louisiana’s oldest city, a place where history and progress coexist. The campus reflects that balance. It feels grounded. It feels like home. When families visit, they often find that their preconceived notions shift. A parent might have envisioned a different path but seeing their student light up while walking through Alost Hall changes the conversation. It validates that the student knows themselves better than anyone else.

NSU President James T. Genovese views this day as a critical first step in a lifelong relationship. “We are committed to preparing students not just for jobs, but for meaningful lives of impact,” Genovese says. “N-Side View Day is a chance to experience that mission firsthand.”

The event acknowledges that this transition is emotional. Having family support provides a safety net that fosters confidence. By visiting together, you are not making the decision for them; you are standing beside them as they make it.

The day concludes with a classic collegiate experience: a Demon Baseball game. Every attendee receives a free ticket. It is a chance to sit in the stands, eat a hot dog, and watch the B-Stro Boys compete on the diamond. It is a moment to stop worrying about the application process and start enjoying the atmosphere.

“NSU is Louisiana’s best-kept secret,” Miller says. “Once students step on campus, they feel it. They know this is where they belong.”

The labyrinth of college admissions is navigable. It requires patience, honest conversation, and a willingness to explore. It requires a trip to Natchitoches.

Register today for N-Side View Day at www.nsu.la/nsideviewday. 

What: N-Side View Day

Where: Northwestern State University, Natchitoches, LA

When: Saturday, February 28, 2026

Includes: Campus tours, academic sessions, financial aid guidance, and Demon Baseball.

Register: www.nsu.la/nsideviewday

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Louisiana weather has never been great at picking a lane — and that’s the joke. One minute you’re digging out a winter coat, the next you’re debating flip-flops, all while keeping an umbrella close just in case. This week’s cartoon leans into that familiar mood swing, featuring a character dressed for every season at once, staring suspiciously at the forecast like it personally betrayed them.

It’s a lighthearted nod to a shared Southern experience: the daily ritual of checking the weather and still being wildly unprepared.

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Over the years of playing both baseball and football, along with fishing tournaments, so many of my life’s lessons have come from playing or participating in sports. Some lessons we learn the hard way and some we learn through experience. Today, we’ll look at a couple of lessons I learned even when things didn’t always go the way I wanted. 

This first lesson I learned came very early in my baseball career. In my hometown of Mt. Pleasant, Texas, my baseball playing days started at the age of 7 in what was called Pee Wee League. 

Spending my first summer in MP with my aunt and uncle, we lived on the west side of the town. 

It was an awesome neighborhood where everyone knew each other. Every day we played baseball on a sandlot or on one of the neighbor’s side yards. Several windows were broken during these summer battles and like most kids our age, trouble wasn’t far behind. 

Then the day came for Pee Wee League tryouts. There were six teams in the league with a lot of very good players. This is where a man by the name of Coach James Stansell shaped and instilled confidence in me to be the best baseball player I could be. 

The day before tryouts, he asked me to pull back during the evaluation. He wanted me to “look bad” so that other coaches would not draft me onto their team. Being the new kid on the block, he did not want the other coaches knowing the ability I had.   

This was hard for me to go out and miss ground balls and look silly on fly balls as if I had never played before. But I played along and pretended I could not even throw a baseball much less catch one. 

Lo and behold, Coach Stansell called later that night and told me that I was going to play for him and the Yankees! 

The best part of all this was that our entire neighborhood, including my best friend Kevin, was going to be playing for the Yankees. And oh, how good we were! Over the course of two seasons, the Yankees went 24-0 for two straight years and won back-to-back city championships! 

Then at the age of 9 it was time to move up to the next level called Minor League. But then there was a draft, and this time there was no fooling the coaches into thinking I could not play. 

When it came to the draft, the team that finished last in the league the year before got the first pick of the draft, which meant it would be the Tigers.

Tigers head coach Ted Leach took advantage of this opportunity and picked me first in the draft. This was the last team I wanted to get picked by, because they were horrible and for the previous two years hardly ever won a game. 

When Coach Leach came to my house and told me I was his first pick, I wanted to cry but didn’t. They were absolutely the worst team every year! But he assured me that these Tigers were not going to be losers.

Then later that same night, Coach Stansell came by the house and explained how he was not able to draft me. But adding salt to the wound was the fact that Coach Stansell was able to get every Yankee player that went 24-0 over those two years, including my best friend (Kevin), to play for him and the Cardinals. 

When he told me this, the tears began to flow, and I thought my world was coming to an end. How in the world was I going play without all my buddies? How was I going to face them daily on the sandlot while being the only one not on the Cardinals? 

I was going to play for those losing Tigers while the Cardinals and all my friends would probably dominate the league and win the championship. I was crushed and did not know how to handle this. I was now the neighborhood outsider as a Tiger and not a Cardinal! 

But this is where one of life’s lessons began to take shape. After my first practice with the Tigers, I realized that maybe we weren’t going to be that bad. In fact, we might actually be pretty darn good. This is when I took ownership and decided I would do whatever I could to help my team win. 

Lo and behold, at the end of the season we played the Cardinals for the City Championship. We had one loss in that season before those games, and even won a game in the best of three championship series as I pitched and beat the Cardinals. But the Cardinals prevailed, and we finished league runner-up both years.  

So, what was the lesson I learned? Things are never as bad or as good as you think they are. You must believe in yourself and always think you’re just as good as any player on the field. Believe that “you” can make a difference on whatever team you’re playing on. Go out, compete, and prove to yourself that you are and can be a winner no matter what team you’re on. 

Over the years I’ve heard how kids quit playing a particular sport because they did not like the coach. One thing I’ve always told these kids and their parents is, “it doesn’t matter who the coach is because you don’t play for the coach; you play for yourself and your teammates.” Adolf Hitler could have been my coach, and it would not have changed how much I love the game or how hard I played. 

The next lesson learned was to be positive and have a good attitude, no matter what. Some things in life you cannot control, but the one thing you have total control over is your attitude. 

Playing sports has taught me that life doesn’t always go the way we want, but going through trials and tribulations help shape us into the kind of person we want to be. 

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Here’s my latest Q & A

About Ida

Beginnings are tricky, but here we are—fresh page, blinking cursor, and a head full of questions. I’m Ida B. Torn, a lifelong Southerner from Kenner, Louisiana, who’s spent years working in newsrooms, design studios, and public service. I’ve seen my share of life’s chaos and comedy—and learned that sometimes, folks just need straight answers and a little laughter along the way.

Paid Content

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On February 4, 2004, a website originally designed for Harvard University students quietly launched under the name TheFacebook. Created by Mark Zuckerberg and a small group of collaborators, the platform would soon evolve into Facebook, fundamentally transforming communication and social interaction worldwide.

Initially limited to college campuses, Facebook allowed users to create personal profiles, connect with friends, and share updates online. Its real-name policy and clean design distinguished it from earlier social networking sites, fostering a sense of authenticity and trust among users.

As access expanded beyond universities, Facebook’s user base grew exponentially. The platform became a central hub for social interaction, news sharing, event organization, and digital advertising. Businesses, political campaigns, and media outlets quickly recognized its influence, using it to reach targeted audiences on an unprecedented scale.

Facebook’s growth also sparked complex debates about privacy, data usage, and the role of social media in shaping public opinion. The platform has been linked to both positive movements, such as grassroots activism, and negative consequences, including misinformation and online polarization.

Despite ongoing scrutiny and competition from newer platforms, Facebook remains one of the most influential digital entities in history. Its launch on February 4 represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of the internet, signaling the beginning of the social media era.

More than two decades later, the impact of that single website continues to shape how people connect, communicate, and engage with the world around them.

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J.D. was born in 1924 near Annona, Texas.  He was the eldest of seven children.  His father, Edgar, named him J.D. after the character in a book.  The initials stood for nothing.  According to his family, J.D. was “a prankster, and a cutup, and a ham.  He always loved being with folks who he could cutup with; people who understood his humor, and all his inside jokes.”  When he was about 15 years old, J.D. quit school to help his father run the family farm.  When the United States entered World War II, J.D. wanted to do his part, but he felt his duty was to help his father provide for the family.  From 1941 until July 1944, J.D.’s family could tell that his decision was bothering him.  J.D.’s sister Joyce remembered that J.D. had “been acting like he had something on his mind and he was real edgy, which wasn’t like him because he was a pretty carefree, happy-go-lucky kind of guy.”  Later that day, July 21, 1944, J.D. enlisted in the Army where he became a paratrooper.  J.D. spent months in heavy combat.  In January 1945, he was injured while fighting in the Rhine Valley, the final major barrier between the Allies and Germany.  When he learned he was to be awarded the Purple Heart, he refused it.  The Army ultimately awarded him the Bronze Star for his combat duty. 

Following the war, J.D. returned to farming alongside his father.  In December 1946, J.D. married his high school sweetheart and moved to Dallas for better employment opportunities, along with other creature comforts such as electricity and indoor plumbing.  J.D. worked at the Dearborn Stove Company followed by Sears, Roebuck & Company.  After getting laid off from Sears and a failed stint at farming, J.D. decided to become a police officer.  In June 1952, he joined the Dallas Police Department where he was assigned to the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. 

J.D. had several notable incidents while a police officer.  On April 28, 1956, J.D. and his partner Daniel Smith responded to a call in which a man was threatening to kill his wife with an ice pick.  J.D. and Daniel arrived and confronted the man.  While trying to subdue the man, Daniel was stabbed in the shoulder and J.D. in the stomach and right kneecap.  Despite their injuries, they arrested the man and received treatment at a nearby hospital.  Five months later, on September 2, 1956, J.D. and officer Dale Hankins stopped at a bar called Club 80 for a routine check.  While there, J.D. recognized a man from a wanted poster and asked him to step outside.  The man stood, pulled a pistol, pointed it at J.D.’s face, and pulled the trigger.  Snap!  J.D. and Dale pulled their pistols, fired multiple shots, and killed the man.  Luckily for J.D., the man had failed to take his pistol off safety.  J.D. received the Meritorious Award and a commendation for his “outstanding judgment and quick thinking.”

Seven years later, J.D. was on patrol in the Oak Cliff area when a police dispatcher provided the details of a shooting suspect.  At about 1:15 p.m., J.D. saw someone who fit the provided description near East 10^th and North Patton streets.  Based on eyewitness accounts, J.D. spoke to the suspect through his passenger side window briefly and exited his car.  The suspect pulled a pistol, shot J.D. four times, and fled the scene.  A passerby used J.D.’s own police radio to call for help, but there was nothing anyone could do.  After 11 years as a police officer, J.D. Tippit’s final shift ended at that intersection where a memorial plaque now stands, but it led to the arrest of the man who killed him, the same man who, just 45 minutes earlier, had killed President John F. Kennedy.

Source: “J.D. Tippit, Brother, Husband, Father, Friend,” JDTippit.com, accessed January 18, 2026, https://www.jdtippit.com/happen_nov.htm.              

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JoAnn Moore Coon
Service: Saturday, February 7 at 10 a.m. at First United Pentecostal Church of 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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A parish-wide burn ban has been issued for Vernon Parish due to extremely dry conditions and elevated winds that pose a threat to life and property.

James B. Tuck, acting under authority vested by the Vernon Parish Police Jury and the State of Louisiana, ordered the burn ban to take effect immediately on January 2, 2026. The order was issued in concurrence with Vernon Parish Fire District No. 1 and will remain in effect until it is officially lifted by the president of the Vernon Parish Police Jury.

The ban requires all private and open burning to cease until further notice. Prohibited activities include open flames in fire pits, campfires, burn barrels, bonfires, burn piles, and similar outdoor burning.

Officials noted that outdoor cooking is not prohibited under the burn ban. However, residents are encouraged to use proper safety measures, including cooking only with contained equipment such as grills or smokers designed specifically for cooking. Outdoor cooking should be conducted on flame-resistant surfaces, with a water source or fire extinguisher readily available.

The order does not apply to prescribed burns conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry or to prescribed burning considered a generally accepted agricultural practice under the Louisiana Right to Farm Law.

Parish officials emphasized that the action was necessary due to current conditions and urged residents to comply with the burn ban to reduce the risk of wildfires and property damage.

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

January 27, 2026

Christopher Lee Scott, age 42, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Proper Equipment Required on Vehicles, one count of Speeding, one count of Turning Movements and Required Signals, three counts of Flight from an Officer, three counts of Resisting an Officer, one count of Possession of a Firearm or Carrying of a Concealed Weapon by a Felon, three counts of Turning Movements and Required Signals, one count of Safety Helmet Required, two counts of No Vehicle Insurance, two counts of Operating a Vehicle while License Suspended, one count of Examination of Applicants required – Classes of License , one count of No Seat belt, one count of Open Container, one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and one outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond has not been set and Scott remains in the VPSO jail.

Brittany Ann Vernell, age 34, of Rosepine, was arrested for an out of jurisdiction Bench Warrant from Beauregard Parish. Vernell will be transferred to Beauregard Parish.

Dennis Joe Nash, age 32, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond has not been set and Nash remains in the VPSO jail.

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

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The department has announced the appointment of Amanda Westmoreland as its new chief of police, bringing more than two decades of law enforcement experience to the position.

Westmoreland has served in a wide range of roles throughout her career, including records, dispatch, administration, patrol, investigations, and as a school resource officer. Her experience across multiple divisions has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of departmental operations and a well-rounded approach to leadership.

In addition to her professional background, Westmoreland is known for her strong commitment to community relationships and her compassionate approach to public service. Officials said her leadership style emphasizes integrity, service, and building trust with both officers and residents.

Department leadership expressed confidence in Westmoreland’s ability to guide the agency forward, citing her dedication to protecting the community and supporting those who serve within the department. Officials said they look forward to the future under her leadership and her continued commitment to public safety and community engagement.

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The Hornbeck Volunteer Fire Department provided mutual aid assistance during an early-morning structure fire response on Jan. 28 supporting the South Sabine Fire Department as crews worked to bring the incident under control.

Firefighters responded to the call in the early hours of the morning, with operations continuing until approximately 2:15 a.m. Hornbeck VFD units and personnel assisted on scene alongside South Sabine Fire Department crews, contributing manpower and resources during the response.

The incident occurred amid ongoing cold weather conditions and power outages in parts of the area, which have increased fire risks. Residents are encouraged to use caution when heating their homes and to check on neighbors, particularly elderly individuals and those without power.

Fire officials emphasized the importance of mutual aid partnerships in ensuring timely and effective emergency response throughout Vernon Parish, especially during periods of extreme weather.

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During the Jan. 27 City Council meeting, Chief of Police Amanda Westmoreland recognized four members of the Leesville Police Department for actions deemed above and beyond the call of duty. The commendations highlighted moments of exceptional professionalism, dedication, and service that strengthened public safety and reflected the department’s highest standards.

Those honored were PFC Devin Buterbaugh, PFC Tyler Hardwick, PO Caleb Phillips, and Records Clerk Judy Horton. Chief Westmoreland praised each individual for their outstanding contributions, noting that their efforts exemplify the integrity and commitment that the community has come to expect from the Leesville Police Department. Their recognition stands as a reminder of the everyday courage and quiet excellence that often goes unseen but never goes unnoticed.

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Hornbeck High School has unveiled new scoreboards at both its baseball and softball fields, marking a significant upgrade for student-athletes, families, and the community.

As part of the project, the school officially named its athletic fields in honor of two longtime supporters of youth sports. The baseball field has been designated Charles Harmon Field, while the softball field will be known as Pat Finn Field, recognizing the lasting contributions both individuals have made to student-athletes and athletic programs in the Hornbeck community.

School officials noted that the improvements and field dedications reflect years of dedication, service, and leadership by those honored, whose influence extends well beyond athletics.

The project was made possible through community support, including contributions from school board member Angie Davis and Luke Brandon of Merchants & Farmers Bank, who helped bring the vision for the upgrades to fruition.

The new scoreboards and field dedications represent continued investment in students and school programs and highlight the strong community partnerships that support Hornbeck High School.

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December 2, 1986 – January 27, 2026

A celebration of life for Joshua James Petrillo will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Christian Living Fellowship at 1:00 PM, with Pastors Bobby Ganaway and Caleb Ganaway officiating. A visitation will be held prior to the service starting at 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Those serving as pallbearers will be Scott Cushing, Ryan Boudreau, Ryan Robinson, Troy Boudreau, Sam Fertitta, and Butch Stevens. Serving as an honorary pallbearer will be Tony Gibbs.

Joshua James Petrillo was born in Las Vegas, NV on December 2, 1986 to his loving parents, Lora Fulton and Mike Petrillo.

Joshua was born with Williams Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. At 15 months old Joshua got spinal meningitis which made him lose his hearing and later in life he became a type 2 diabetic.

Despite all these challenges Joshua faced he never saw himself as different or challenged. In fact he thought of himself with so much confidence and love. He could do anything with no fear. He never met a stranger, and everyone became his new best friend. Joshua had a fabulous memory, even as a young child he would never forget a person or name or places he went or the years he did them. Whatever Joshua put in his mind to do he would do it. He had so much joy in him, he always woke up in a good mood eager to start the day and he never wanted to miss out on anything.

Joshua’s favorite thing and passion was karate, he became a black belt under his instructors Ric and Josh Quayhagen, they were his mentors, he called Ric his Sensei and Josh his brother. He received many trophies and medals that he is so proud of but most importantly was the many “new best friends” that he made and honored throughout his karate journey.

Joshua graduated from Leesville High School in 2006, he was a Wampus Cat through and through. He served in JRTC and was so proud of our military, whenever he saw a soldier he would stop and salute them no matter if he was on Ft. Polk base or walking through the airport, he always saluted and honored them. Joshua was so excited that he was going to celebrate his 20-year school reunion this year in October, but the Lord had a bigger homecoming planned for him on the streets of gold and the roar of a Lion.

Joshua started working at Wagon Master in November of 2017. He loved his job and was so proud when he hit his 8-year mark there. He loved all his co-workers and seeing and visiting with people that came through the door always making new best friends.

Joshua loved playing sports, he loved to swim and play incrediball with his church and play pickleball. He attended all Special Olympic events and looked forward to them every year. He attended the Leesville Lions Camp as a child for many years and as an adult he got to meet and greet all the new campers coming in on Sunday’s and work the carnival on Wednesday nights. He always looked forward to every June when he could serve at the camp and see all his friends, especially Mr. Ray Cecil whom he loved very much. Joshua loved all kinds of music and if you asked him to freestyle rap on the spot he could do it, and he didn’t have a shy bone in his body. Josh truly was the life of the party.

Most importantly Joshua loved hard and had so much compassion for others. He loved his mom, they did everything together, they truly were two peas in a pod, and he knew if he wanted something momma would get it even if step daddy Jeff said no. But oh, how he loved his step daddy, and the two together were always a bright light.

Joshua loved his church family, and he loved God and loved to praise and worship with both hands lifted high. There is so much more to Joshua’s life, but if we all could just be a little more like him what a beautiful world it would be!

#LiveLikeJosh

#lovelikeJosh

Preceding Josh in death is his grandpa’s Robert Nelson, Jim Petrillo and Jim Lichtenthaler; grandma Mady Fulton; uncle Steven Petrillo and uncle David Petrillo.

Those left to cherish his memory are his mother Lora Fulton and step-daddy Jeff Fulton of Leesville, and father Mike Petrillo of Las Vegas; brother Brad Fulton (Tracy) of Ocean Springs, MS; papa Sam Fulton of Leesville; granny Marge Lichtenthaler of Leesville; nana Peggy Petrillo of Port St. Lucie of FL; aunts Candy Tovar of Leesville, Dawn Boudreau (Troy) of Waterford, MI, Kathy Petrillo (Noel) of Jupiter, FL, and Carmen Fulton-Froggatt (Jim) of Destin FL; uncles Bob Nelson of Reed City, MI, Sam Fulton (Donna) of Leesville, Paul Petrillo of Las Vegas, NV; nieces Hannah Overstreet (Austin) and Averie Fulton; nephew Hunter Fulton; great-nieces Hallie and Mallory Overstreet; host of cousins Amanda, Melissa, Ryan, Breanna, Leif, Angela, Nick, Danielle, and Robbie; slew of adopted brothers, sisters, grandmas, grandpas, and best friends

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Joseph Victor Goeller
Service: Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 2 pm at Wells and Cruz Family Funeral Home in Mishawaka, IN

Goldie Mae Doyle
Service: Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 2 pm at Occupy #1 Cemetery in Pitkin

Frank Almer Stephens
Service: Sunday, February 1, 2026 at 2 P.M. at First United Pentecostal Church in Leesville

Joshua James Petrillo
Service: Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 1 pm at Christian Living Fellowship

Priscilla Mae Williams
Service: Saturday, January 31, 2026 at 11 am at the Church of The Living God Temple #42 in Pascagoula, MS

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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Vernon Parish residents can expect several cold mornings with widespread frost through the end of the week, followed by a gradual warming trend heading into early next week.

On Wednesday, widespread frost is expected during the morning hours before skies turn sunny by mid-day. Afternoon temperatures will climb into the lower 50s, with light winds becoming northwest around 5 mph during the afternoon.

Wednesday night will remain cold, with partly cloudy skies and another round of widespread frost. Overnight lows are expected to fall into the upper 20s, with light and variable winds.

Thursday will bring another frosty start to the day, followed by mostly sunny conditions. Highs will warm into the upper 50s, with light south winds around 5 mph. Thursday night will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures dropping into the mid-30s. Winds will shift from the southwest to the northwest after midnight.

Cooler air will return on Friday, with mostly cloudy skies during the morning becoming partly sunny by the afternoon. High temperatures will reach the mid-40s. Friday night will be colder, with partly cloudy skies and lows falling into the lower 20s.

The coldest stretch of the forecast arrives over the weekend. Saturday and Saturday night are expected to be mostly clear, with daytime highs only in the mid-30s and overnight lows near 20 degrees. Clear conditions will continue into Sunday, with highs in the mid-40s and overnight lows in the mid-20s.

A warming trend will begin Monday, with sunny skies and highs climbing into the mid-50s. Partly cloudy conditions will continue into Monday night and Tuesday, with lows in the lower 30s and afternoon highs reaching the upper 50s.

Residents are encouraged to protect sensitive plants, pets, and exposed pipes during periods of widespread frost and to use caution during early morning travel when cold conditions may create slick spots on roadways.

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Beauregard Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BECi) has announced a temporary suspension of all service disconnects due to current and forecasted freezing temperatures across the area.

According to BECi, all disconnects will be halted through Monday, February 2, as winter weather conditions continue to pose safety concerns for members.

While the cooperative encourages customers to remain current on their accounts when possible, officials emphasized that member safety remains the top priority during periods of extreme cold.

BECi will resume normal disconnect procedures after February 2, weather permitting. Members are encouraged to monitor official BECi communications for updates and to take necessary precautions to stay safe during the winter weather event.

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By Porsha Auzenne

FORT POLK, La. — The Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk hosted their first Innovation Industrial Conference, Jan. 14–15, bringing together defense industry vendors and Army modernization experts to support efforts to modernize JRTC’s Transformation in Contact initiative.

The two-day conference focused on electromagnetic warfare, unmanned aerial systems, unmanned ground vehicles, artificial intelligence, command and control, and intelligence and fires integration.

More than 40 defense industry vendors from across the country participated, showcasing technologies aligned with concepts developed by the JRTC Innovative Modernization Equipping Group. Vendors included Interference Management and Cancellation International, ORKID, Farada Group and EagleNXT.

Representatives from several Department of War organizations also attended, including Army Materiel Command, Army G-3, U.S. Army Reserve Command G-34, First Army Training and the Joint Counter–Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems University.

“This is super important for what we do here at JRTC,” Brig. Gen. Jason A. Curl, commanding general, said about the event. “We’re making sure we continue to move up and close the gap between what we’re seeing in the current operating environment and what we’re able to replicate. We’re focused on making sure that we continue to advance the Army’s Combat Training Center itself.”

Organizers said the conference was designed to connect emerging industry solutions with JRTC’s operational experimentation environment, ensuring future equipment supports realistic training at the Army’s premier CTC.

Sgt. First Class Travis Keiper, USAR Soldier assigned to Task Force 76 from Salt Lake City, Utah, discussed the importance of the conference and gave feedback.

“To build our counter-UAS program, it’s important for us to understand what capabilities and products are coming and how we can integrate them into a top-down program,” he said.

“While I’m here, I can ask questions about what products are coming out, if we can get a better feel for those systems and understand the training timeline so we can continue to develop the program. We also attend several annual training events each year, so it would be beneficial to incorporate those programs as well, along with working with the JRTC here. Ideally, we could bring our unit to Fort Polk to train and gain hands-on experience across the full spectrum of capabilities.”

Maj. Roman Xydias, USARC G34 Training and Exercises officer, shared similar beliefs.

“We are looking at both materiel training solutions and using a bottom-line up-front approach,” Xydias said. “From the USARC G-34 perspective, our goal is to develop a complete concept that moves materiel solutions through the training and testing pipeline within an operational environment, allowing us to clearly determine what capabilities we should be fielding and which we should not.”

Col. Justin Sisak, USARC G-34 program manager, said events like the Innovation Industrial Conference are important because they help build relationships to form partnerships and identify missing links.

“Now that we’re here at the Innovation Industrial Conference, we’ve identified a relationship that we can continue to build and grow,” Sisak said. “The current environment is saturated with individual organizations all trying to solve the same problem at the same time, often in isolation. Those are the walls we need to break down, and this type of event does exactly that for the USAR. It accelerates the maturation of our strategy and campaign plan significantly.”

Lt. Col. Troy Allen Catterton, U.S. Army reservist assigned to the JRTC G-3 Directorate as the senior USAR advisor and the JRTC TIC modernization project officer, was a key organizer of the conference. Upon conclusion of the two-day event, Catterton expressed how the Innovation Industrial Conference enables JRTC to bridge the gap between Department of War initiatives and the modernization of warfighter capabilities.

“There is much more that could be added to the broader environment, but our initial task is to create a venue where technology modernization and its various facets can be identified and where we can leverage vendor capabilities and industry leaders to synchronize our path forward,” he said.

Catteron said he hopes to see the conference evolve into an annual event in the future.

As the Army continues to adapt to rapidly evolving threats, the Innovation Industrial Conference marked a significant step in aligning industry innovation with realistic, operational training. By fostering collaboration across Army organizations and defense partners, JRTC and Fort Polk strengthens its ability to modernize transformation in contact and prepare Soldiers for the complexities of the modern battlefield — setting conditions for continued innovation and readiness in the years ahead.

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Area pilots are advised to review current Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) for Leesville Airport (L39) due to ongoing runway extension construction.

Airport officials have installed a displaced threshold at the end of Runway 18, resulting in a reduced available landing length of 3,000 feet during the construction period.

These temporary conditions are expected to remain in place through July 1, 2026. Pilots are encouraged to plan accordingly and check NOTAMs prior to flight operations for the most up-to-date information.

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