VELORA ANN GUESS
August 17, 1944 – June 11, 2025
Service: June 14, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Hornbeck at 10:00 a.m.
HERMAN JOSEPH BREVELLE
November 4, 1940 – June 8, 2025
Service: June 16, 2025, at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville at 10:00 a.m.
Kenneth Ralph Fetters, age 47, of Reeves, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic and one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Bond was set at $6500. Fetters remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Preston Knapp, age 24, of Ft. Johnson, was arrested and charged with one count of Identity Theft. Bond was set at $2500 Knapp posted bond and was remanded to the custody of Ft. Johnson authorities.
Latisha Kidd, age 36, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Issuing Worthless Checks. Bond was set at $7500. Kidd posted bond and was released.
Jose Manuel Cosme, age 44, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with two counts of Identity Theft. Cosme remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Ben Weaver, age 43, of Robeline, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond has not been set. Weaver remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Sareel Cain Spencer, age 24, of Pitkin, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery. Bond has not been set. Spencer remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Kylie Ortiz, age 19, of Rosepine, was arrested and charged with one count of Simple Assault and one count of Simple Battery. Bond has been set at $2562. Ortiz remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Rusty Lee Kay, age 33, of Anacoco, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery. Bond has not been set. Kay remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Manuel Ybarra III, age 57, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery. Bond has not been set. Ybarra remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Gary Lee Grosenbacher Jr. age 46, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Mischief, one count of Criminal Trespass and one count of Resisting an Officer. Bond was set at $3857. Grosenbacher remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Cory John Simmons, age 312, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Trespass and one count of Criminal Mischief. Bond was set at $2576. Simmons remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Krystle Leann Roberts, age 40, of DeRidder, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Trespass and one count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle. Bond has not been set. Roberts remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
Sunday, June 8, at 1:30 p.m., the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a residence in the neighborhood of Joelee Lane in Leesville, concerning a shooting of a three-year-old child. The child had been transported by private vehicle to a local medical facility.
Detectives learned that two three-year-old children found a loaded handgun beneath a pillow on a bed. One child discharged the firearm, striking the other child in the shoulder/chest area. The child, who was ultimately transported to a Baton Rouge medical facility by ambulance, was listed in serious condition.
Detectives arrested Fernando Mejia, age 35, of Leesville, in relation to the shooting. Mejia was charged with one count of Second-Degree Cruelty to a Juvenile, for failure to properly secure the .40 caliber handgun used in the shooting.
A detainer for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was placed on Mejia. Mejia remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
The first school board meeting of the summer was held Thursday, June 5.
Food Service Director, Roland Jones briefed board members on the Sun Bucks program which adds a one-time $120 credit to qualified SNAP and Medicaid accounts. The Vernon system is looking into a summer feeding program for 2026. The board is in the preliminary stages of looking into the idea.
A check for $5000 was donated to Hornbeck High from Energy Transfer. Energy Transfer operates the Gulf Run Pipeline, which has transported natural gas since 2022. The 135-mile pipeline passes through the Hornbeck community. Energy Transfer has donated over $165,000 to communities the pipeline impacts. Cassidy Lamb and Kade Jantz, with Energy Transfer, made the presentation to Hornbeck principal Charlotte Hooks. Hooks said the money would be earmarked for STEM programs at Hornbeck.
Personnel Director, Joey Bartz, told board members there are no changes to the employee handbook as it is, but cautioned, the state legislature has some policy items in front of them this summer session.
Kelly Goodwin, with the Salary and Personnel Committee reminded board members that June 16 is the deadline for transfer requests. The committee has assistant principal positions open at Leesville, Simpson and Pitkin. New principals are needed at Evans and Simpson.
Anne Smith with the Curriculum Department gave an overview of grants from the Rapides Foundation and how they impacted the Vernon system’s “A” rating. She also touched on plans to use teacher leaders to give their input on curriculum decisions in 2026.
Summer operating hours for schools are 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday-Thursday. The Board office will be open from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Regular hours will resume on August 4, 2025.
June 10 Board Meeting is Historic
The Tuesday, June 10 meeting of the school board began with usual business. Employee retirements were approved, claims paid, and budget amendments related to personnel changes were approved.
Promotional Assistant Principal positions were named at Leesville High/Logan Maddox, Simpson High/Elliot West and Pitkin High/ Phillip George. The Board will also seek a promotional principal position at Anacoco Elementary, a non-promotional principal position at Evans, and a non-promotional principal position at Simpson.
Nearly 100 students from Anacoco, Leesville, Leesville Middle School, Leesville Jr. High, Rosepine, Simpson, Evans, Hicks, Pitkin, Parkway Elementary, and Rosepine Elementary were recognized for their achievements at the state level in various competitions.
District One Board member, Robert Pynes Jr., chairman of the Redesign/Realignment Committee, offered a motion to seek assistance from a professional consulting firm. This firm would offer input on the restructuring of the Vernon system. Board Member, Rhonda Morrison questioned the need for a new assessment pointing to one done in the last 2-3 years. Superintendent James Williams remarked that assessment was a broader look at the system. A new assessment would be more in depth in addressing issues before the board. A decision will be announced in July.
Finance Director, Tim Ward, shared exciting news with the board concerning an upturn in sales tax collections of 6% in May. This level amounted to over one million in revenue for the board. Ward reported that bonus checks would be mailed out June 20. Teachers can expect $12,155, support staff/aides will receive $8,785, secretaries can expect $9,324, janitorial staff will receive $8,785, bus drivers get an additional $9,904, cooks will earn $8,785, while all school board retirees will get a check for $488. Vernon is one of two school systems in the state to offer these bonuses to educators and system staff.
Curtis Clay, Director of Birth through 5 programs in the Vernon System announced his retirement from education, after 50 years of service. Clay received a standing ovation from the Board and those in attendance. Congratulatory remarks came from Board members who had worked with Clay since his days as a teacher. Clay commented that the Vernon School System had been very good to him and his family.
The next meeting of the Vernon Parish School Board is Thursday, July 10, due to the July 4th holiday.
The Leesville City Council held a public hearing before the regular meeting to announce the introduction of two ordinances. Ordinance 9 of 2025 will amend the Leesville Code of Ordinances Section 46-32/Garage Sales permit. Ordinance 10 of 2025 revokes the road right-of-way named Herrington Street in the city limits of Leesville. This was requested by the City Planning Commission.
During the regular meeting, monthly bills of $108,029.49 were presented to the Council. City Engineer Mark McCarty reported on the ballpark lift station project receiving an increase in grant funding. The 2025 street rehab project bids will be announced at the next meeting. Apeck Construction was the apparent low bidder.
Fort Johnson Garrison Commander, Col. C.J. Lopez, addressed the Council his last time as Garrison Commander. He will transition to Chief of Staff but is staying in the area. Lopez said the entire Iowa National Guard is in rotation at JRTC through the middle of July. This represents 5900 troops and 200 support personnel. Traffic will be heavy on the installation. Lopez also relayed a change of command at Bayne-Jones Army Community Hospital. July 30 will be the date of a rotation support update for local leaders. October 22 will be the date for the Cenla Economic Engagement, which will include regional and state leaders gathering on post.
Attorney Karen White, a grant facilitator, spoke on a recent grant from the U.S. Forestry Service and USDA, the first of its kind in the state of Louisiana. The grant is for the development of plans to advance a plan to combat wildfires and form a better municipal firefighting strategy.
Resolutions were introduced the rest of the meeting. The City will advertise for bids to fence two baseball fields at the recreation complex. A resolution was offered to engage with local digital creator/social influencer, Jessica Herring, to provide public relations service.
A resolution was offered to authorize the initial payment of $31,244.21 to begin with construction of the new splash pad at the recreation complex. A pair of resolutions will award Apeck Construction, LLC the work on the new walking path and new cart path at the Leesville Municipal Golf Course.
A resolution was offered to award Charles Welch Trucking & Dirt Work with the retention pond construction project.
Much discussion was given to a resolution to approve an event permit application submitted by Jason Smith of CW Stables to host a Juneteenth Trail Ride on Sunday, June 15. The discussion centered on horses, safety and clean up. Council members approved the event.
A resolution to award GEO Surfacing the infield turf project at the recreation complex was given the green light.
Apeck Construction was the lowest responsible bidder for the replacement of the ballpark lift station. A resolution was approved to award the bid.
The final resolution of the meeting was to advertise for bids to clear 15 acres of debris at the recreation complex.
Leesville Police Chief, Beth Westlake, introduced three of the four new city police officers who recently completed Academy training. Chief Westlake commented that the officers had prior military experience and had settled their families in Leesville.
The next meeting of the Leesville City Council is set for Monday, June 23, at 10 a.m.
The Vernon Parish Police Jury held a committee meeting Monday, June 9, at 5 p.m.
Juror Marvin Hilton took great pride introducing the Anacoco Lady Indians track and field team that won the 2025 LHSAA Class B state title.
Several Committee reports were offered. Hilton, Chairman of the Personnel Committee, relayed a request from the parish Road Manager to hire Michael Wilson as a District 5, part-time equipment operator with a six-month probation period. It was the committee’s only order of business.
The Capital Properties Committee received annual maintenance agreements from Star Services. One, for $4800, is for the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s office (new jail) for annual preventative maintenance on the HVAC system. The other agreement for $1,850 covers the Judicial building (new courthouse) for preventative maintenance on the Air-Cooled Chiller.
The Equipment Committee asked Jurors to consider a resolution approving and accepting an Equipment Lease/Purchase agreement between Cadence Bank and the police jury to finance a new John Deere 5060E Cab Utility Tractor ($55,294.72/state contract) and new Grapple ($3998) for District 6. The president or administrator/treasurer will execute the contract.
David Brister, chairman of the Road Maintenance and Construction Committee, reported a Dirt Pit Agreement from Pamela and Johnny Merriman III for Brushy Creek Road dirt pit. The dirt will cost $3.25 per yard. Brister asked Jurors to consider holding a public hearing on Monday, July 21, at 10 a.m. during the regular monthly Jury meeting. The hearing will consider abandoning a portion of Lone Oak Road in District 11/Ward 1. The portion of the road to be closed is 238 feet, leaving over 1100 feet beginning at Castor Creek Road in the parish road inventory. Quotes were received to replace the gas line on Holton-Harris bridge before bridge replacement begins. Sinclair Utility Solutions LLC quoted $18,750 for work. Apeck Construction quoted $37,563.98 for work. The Town of Rosepine and the Village of Simpson asked for routine maintenance on streets, including boom mowing, ditch cleaning and other work within town and village limits.
The next meeting of the Vernon Parish Police Jury is 10 a.m., Monday, June 16.
Friday, June 6, during the noontime hour, local firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 600 block of Belton Loop in Vernon Parish. A wood frame home was actively burning when responders arrived.
Fire-fighting personnel were able to extinguish the blaze before the home was completely destroyed.
Local responders included Sundown FD, Caney FD, Evans VFD, Leesville FD, New Llano FD, Knight FD, Burr Ferry VFD, VPSO, and Acadian Ambulance.
The Vernon Parish Journal recently visited with Don Haymon, Vernon Parish Fire District spokesperson, and Leesville Fire Chief, Bobby Hooks. They wanted to publicly thank the voters of Vernon Parish for their votes on May 3, on the tax millages dedicated to fire-fighting protection in Vernon Parish.
The support of the voters is already paying dividends to Vernon residents. Vernon’s fire rating has changed from a 7 to a strong 6, with the Property Insurance Association of Louisiana. This indicator is essential to your fire insurance payments. The recent reclassification of the rating will translate to lower insurance rates for home and business owners. EDITORS NOTE: Make sure you get what you deserve on your insurance rates.
Haymon, Hooks and the Fire District Board have been prioritizing the needs of the district. They include replacing trucks, moving forward with training facilities, improving existing stations, and replacing or upgrading equipment.
Hooks just returned from a trip to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he was looking at a replacement truck for the parish. The pumper truck has a rescue body and can hold more equipment. The new parish truck is the first of many upgrades for the Vernon Fire District.
The Board will continue to evaluate and prioritize district needs, keeping decisions in the best interests of the taxpayers. Hooks and Haymon thanked the voters on behalf of the over 250 paid and volunteer fire-fighters in Vernon Parish.
Brad Dison, a lifelong resident of Bienville Parish and writer whose history column “Remember This?” runs weekly in the Journal, has released a new book about Sheriff Henderson Jordan’s pursuit and capture of notorious gangsters Bonnie and Clyde.
“The Trap: The Untold Story of Sheriff Henderson Jordan and the Final Pursuit of Bonnie and Clyde” is now available for purchase at www.HendersonJordan.com.
“There has been more fiction than fact written about their crime spree,” Dison said. “For 91 years, people have assumed that former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer used his superior tracking skills to locate Bonnie and Clyde. This is another bit of fiction. It was Bienville Parish Sheriff Henderson Jordan who located two of their hideouts in Bienville Parish. It was he who set three traps to capture the gang. It was he who used an ‘undercover man’ and a ‘man on the inside’ to determine where they would be on that fateful morning of May 23, 1934. It was he who led the ambush posse and ended their violent crime spree.”
The Jubilee Park Committee presents Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration, Saturday, June 14, from 10am-2pm, at the Martin Luther King Center in Leesville.
The event is free and open to the public. The MLK Center is located at 1003 North Gladys Street in Leesville. Vendors are welcome to set up for no charge. Contact Ramona Bonner, 337-509-7519, for more information.
Bring the family for entertainment, food and beverages, music, and kids’ games.
The Louisiana Sports Writers Association recently released the names of softball and baseball players selected for All-State post season honors in Classes C & B. Vernon Parish was well represented.
Class C Boys First Team Parker Alexander/Hornbeck Gunner Blackwell/Simpson
Honorable Mention Trace Fox/Hornbeck
Class C Girls Honorable Mention Daisy Jeane/Evans
Class B Boys Coach of the Year J.C.Holt/Pitkin
Outstanding Player Gavin Holt
First Team Cy Johnson/Pitkin Lincon Stephens/Pitkin
Luke Williams/Hicks Kyle Scott/Anacoco
Honorable Mention Gage James/Pitkin Dayne Martin/Pitkin
Micah Merchant/Hicks Caleb Taylor/Anacoco
Class B Girls First Team Ava Davis/Anacoco Courtlyn Dousay/Hicks
Honorable Mention Brooklyn Bryant/Anacoco Katie Quinn/Hicks
Tori Haymon/Anacoco
Classes AA through 5A will be released in the next few days by the LSWA.
The biggest, most star-studded and fun-filled party of every summer for miles around is coming your way at the end of the month.
Three days of festivities are approaching beginning Thursday June 26 through Saturday June 28 for the 2025 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Induction Celebration in Natchitoches.
The LSHOF’s Class of 2025 will be enshrined Saturday night June 28 at the Natchitoches Events Center to culminate the 66th Induction Celebration. The final event is already full with a waiting list and standing room only tickets available.
The Induction Celebration will kick off Thursday, June 26, with the Welcome Reception from 5-7 p.m., free to the public at the Hall of Fame museum at 800 Front Street.
The Friday, June 27 schedule begins with the Celebrity Bowling Bash presented by BOM at Four Seasons Bowling Center in Alexandria. The 2025 Rockin’ River Fest, a free concert on the downtown riverbank stage, begins at 6 p.m. and runs until 10:30. In conjunction with the Rockin’ River Fest is the VIP Taste of Tailgating party, a ticketed indoor-outdoor event that is approaching capacity.
The slate on Saturday, June 28 kicks off with the free LSHOF Junior Training Camp led by community relations personnel from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans, along with Northwestern State coaches and this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, on the NSU campus at the Webb Wellness and Recreation Center and Turpin Stadium. This event is presented by Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and is nearing capacity. Free registration for kids ages 7-16 is required and can be easily accomplished at LaSportsHall.com.
At noon Saturday, the Round Table Luncheon presented by the Tiger Athletic Foundation is set for Riverside Reserve on Mill Street. Fox Sports broadcaster Tim Brando emcees an entertaining program.
Festivities culminate Saturday evening with the Induction Reception at the LSHOF museum beginning at 5, followed at 7 by the Induction Ceremony at the Natchitoches Events Center. Northwestern State University and State Farm Agents of Louisiana are presenting sponsors Saturday evening.
The VIP Taste of Tailgating, the Bowling Bash, the Round Table Luncheon and the Induction Reception and Ceremony are ticketed events requiring purchase in advance through LaSportsHall.com or by calling 318-238-4255.
The Thursday reception, the Friday evening River Fest and the Junior Training Camp are free.
The Class of 2025 is headlined by two men pivotal in LSU’s 2003 football national championship – coach Nick Saban and Andrew Whitworth, a champion at West Monroe High School, LSU and in the NFL during a 16-year pro career. More sparkle is provided by pro basketball All-Stars Danny Granger and Vickie Johnson, the state’s winningest all-time college baseball coach Joe Scheuermann and Danny Broussard, one of the nation’s most successful high school basketball coaches, in this year’s induction class.
It also includes LSU gymnastics great and NCAA individual champion April Burkholder, transformational Catholic-Baton Rouge high school football coach Dale Weiner and George “Bobby” Soileau, a four-time high school and 1956 NCAA boxing champion at LSU who also won a state crown as a football coach at his alma mater, Sacred Heart High School in Ville Platte.
LSU graduate Herb Vincent, now a longstanding associate commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, is receiving the Hall’s Dave Dixon Louisiana Sports Leadership Award with his enshrinement.
Also being honored: Ed Daniels, a generational television sports broadcaster in New Orleans, and Glenn Guilbeau, one of the nation’s more decorated sportswriters in a career that has seen him cover LSU, state college, high school and pro sports along with stories across the South and around the SEC. They are being inducted as recipients of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism.
The 2025 Induction Celebration will be hosted by the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, the support organization for the Hall of Fame. The LSHOF Foundation was established as a 501 c 3 non-profit entity in 1975 and is governed by a statewide board of directors.
For information on sponsorship opportunities and other participation, contact Foundation President/CEO Ronnie Rantz at 225-802-6040 or RonnieRantz@LaSportsHall.com, or Greg Burke, Director of Business Development and Public Relations, at 318-663-5459 or GregBurke@LaSportsHall.com via email.
Summer is here, and there’s no better time to explore the legendary landscapes, local flavor, and small-town charm of Vernon Parish—proudly known as Louisiana’s Legend Country. Whether you’re craving outdoor adventures, air-conditioned escapes, or local finds, this summer is packed with things to do for every kind of explorer.
Hit the Water
Cool off and make a splash! With access to Anacoco Lake, Toledo Bend, Vernon Lake, Sabine River, and Toro Bayou, Vernon Parish is a haven for boating, kayaking, tubing, and some of the best fishing in the region.
https://vernonparish.org/outdoors_cat/fishing/
Soak in the Scenery
Get out in nature and experience the beauty of Kisatchie National Forest, where you might spot eagles nesting or catch other birds in flight. Don’t forget to check out the live eagle cam for a peek at this season’s hatchlings!
https://vernonparish.org/outdoors_cat/birding
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiTsPLDwyNU
Stay Cool Indoors
Beat the heat with indoor fun! Knock down some pins at Strike Zone Bowling Center, unwind with a spa day, or catch a local art exhibit or live theater show. Vernon Parish offers plenty of ways to relax and recharge indoors.
https://vernonparish.org/things-do-cat/indoors/
Shop Local Every Saturday
Stop by Leesville’s Third Street Market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for fresh produce, handmade goods, and local crafts. Don’t miss Second Saturday on June 14th—featuring extra fun for the whole family!
https://vernonparish.org/event/second-saturday-at-the-third-street-market/
Treat Yourself
From classic snowballs to frozen yogurt and shaved ice, you’ll find plenty of sweet spots to cool down around town. Pair it with a local meal from one of our beloved eateries to round out your day.
https://vernonparish.org/dining/
The City of Leesville presents a Christmas in July event at the Leesville Event Center on Nolan Trace Friday, July 18, Noon-8pm and Saturday, July 19, 10am-8pm.
Your family can enjoy an indoor ice-skating rink, food trucks, merchandise vendors, visits with Santa, and much more. The event is free and open to the public.
The City promises a great time indoors in the air conditioning for all who attend. For more information visit http://www.leesvillela.gov.
Funeral services for John Henry Johnson were held at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025, at Fullerton Community Church with Reverend Tommy Powell officiating. Burial followed in Holly Springs Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers were Don Pollard Jr., Dominic Conner, James Hernandez, Randy Chris, James Travis Johnson, and Alfred Ray Johnson.
John Henry Johnson was born to James and Dollie Johnson on October 1, 1964. He passed from this life on June 3, 2025. John spent much of his life in the woods, whether that was being a log cutter for his work, or doing what he loved, which was hunting. John also had a passion for fishing. John had a deep love for his family and friends and especially loved spending time with them. He truly enjoyed his sisters’ cooking and loved to eat. John will be deeply missed by his friends and family.
John was preceded in death by his parents, James Huey Johnson and Dollie Johnson; brother, Donald Ray Johnson; sisters, Shirley Ann Perkins and Linda Sue Stebbins; and his brother-in-law, Paul Morrison.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Shayanna Marie Johnson (Tucker) of Oberlin; sisters, Wanda Marie Morrison, Wanda Jean Reed (Phillip), and Wanda Lou Johnson (James) all of Pitkin; three grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON
October 1, 1964 – June 3, 2025
Service: June 8, 2025, at Fullerton Community Church in Pitkin, Louisiana at 11:00 a.m.
WILLIAM BARTON
February 7, 1952 – June 1, 2025
Service: June 5, 2025, at Laurel Hill Baptist Church in LaCamp, Louisiana at 10:00 a.m.
LTC (R) DANIEL H. “DAN” KINSINGER
July 21, 1948 – June 6, 2025
Service: June 12, 2025, at Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Leesville at 10:00 a.m.
DANIEL LEE BARRINGTON
November 24, 1962 – June 10, 2025
Service: June 13, 2025, at East Leesville Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m.
Joseph Shannon Holton, age 48, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant for Probation Violation. Holton paid $490.50 in delinquent fees and was released.
Billy Ray Welch, age 31, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant for Probation Violation. Welch must pay $1353 in delinquent fees or serve 30 days in the parish jail. Welch remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Trevor Rentschler, age 30, of Richmond, Virginia was arrested on a Commitment to Await Extradition warrant for the state of Virginia. Rentschler remains in the Vernon Parish jail awaiting extradition.
James Pitts, age 43, of Evans, was arrested on two outstanding Bench Warrants. Bond has not been set. Pitts remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Bobby Ray Best, age 45, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Simple Burglary. Bond has not been set. Best remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Samuel Isaiah Rougeau, age 31, of DeRidder, was arrested and charged with one count of Reckless Operation of a Vehicle, one count of Illegal Discharge of a Weapon, and one count of Disturbing the Peace. Bond was set at $29,381. Rougeau remains in the Vernon Parish jail with a detainer for the DeRidder Police Department.
Payton Ray Kay, age 30, of Leesville, was arrested on an outstanding Traffic Warrant. Bond was set at $695. Kay remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Christian Holt, age 22, of Ft. Johnson, was arrested on a Commitment to Await Extradition warrant from the state of Mississippi. Holt remains in the Vernon Parish jail awaiting extradition.
Kara Wells, age 29, of Longview, TX, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant. Bond was denied. Wells remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
Payton Ray Kay, age 30, of Anacoco, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery. Bond was set at $25,000. Kay remains in the Vernon Parish jail.
ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office is seeking information on the theft of a 2019 LAMA 16’ black utility trailer, stolen from a residence on Holly Grove Road in Anacoco. The theft occurred between April 30 and May 31. If you have information contact VPSO at 337-238-1311.
Saturday evening, May 31, at approximately 10:30 p.m., fire departments from around the parish converged on the Southgate Plaza in Leesville in response to a structure fire. When the units arrived at the scene, a large storage building at the rear of the plaza was on fire.
The fire was contained and extinguished, but the interior of the building suffered major damage.
The Leesville FD, Sundown FD, New Llano FD, Vernon Sheriff’s Office and Acadian Ambulance were on the scene in response. The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s office will investigate the cause of the fire.
The Anacoco First Baptist Church invites the public to the Faith & Family Freedom Music Festival, Sunday, June 29.
Music begins at 4 p.m. and features the Erwins, Rhett Walker, the Jason Lovins Band, and five-time CMA Award winners, Shenandoah. This event is free and open to everyone. Event parking is available with shuttles to take festival goers to the concert area. The church is located at 4813 Port Arthur Avenue in Anacoco.
A variety of vendors will offer food, beverages and merchandise. The evening will end with one of the largest fireworks shows in Central Louisiana. You are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and wear comfortable clothing. For more information visit www.anacocofbc.org.
RELATED ACTIVITY
A fundraising Incrediball tournament will be held, Saturday, June 14 at the Anacoco Youth Fields on Greenhead Road. The entry fee is $200 per team. Proceeds will benefit the music festival. Enter your 10-person team (co-ed) by calling 337-353-3804.
The Village of Simpson invites the public to attend their Second Annual Red, White and Blue Festival on Saturday June 28. The festival is free to attend and super kid friendly. You will enjoy live music, vendors, a classic parade, food trucks and an entire area dedicated to the Kids Zone.
Vendors will set up at 9am on the grounds of Simpson High School. Potential vendors can contact Tracy Parker for information at 337-208-7752. Live DJ, “Big Daddy”, will hit the music from 1030-130 before live bands will take the stage to entertain.
Parade entries will gather at Simpson Baptist Church at 11am. The parade rolls through town at noon. Grab your lawn chairs and dress for comfort.
The Kids Zone features a 46’ obstacle course(WET) and a (WET) bounce house/slide combo. $10 armbands are good all day for these events. You may pay by cash, cash ap or Venmo. The Kids Zone will also feature a big arts/crafts station and games galore.
Live music begins at 2pm with the Old Man Band. Southern Country takes the stage at 4pm.
Food and drink needs will be handled by food trucks, including the 626 Lunchbox, Two Seven Five Smokehouse and Shellshocked.
Find information on Facebook on the Simpson Community Events Committee site.
The Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern State University will present the program “A Life of Zydeco: A Musical Informance with Chubby Carrier” on June 21 at 1 p.m. at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Natchitoches. The event is free and open to the public.
Dr. Shane Rasmussen, professor of English and director of the Louisiana Folklife Center at Northwestern, will interview Carrier about the cultural significance of zydeco in Louisiana. Their discussion will include songs performed by Carrier on his accordion. Carrier will headline the 45th annual Natchitoches-NSU Louisiana Folklife Festival on July 19 in air-conditioned Prather Coliseum on the NSU campus.
A third-generation zydeco musician, Carrier began his music career in Louisiana dance halls playing accordion and drums in his father’s zydeco band from the age of 12. Carrier played drums with Terrance Simien from 1986 to 1989, and then formed his own band, Chubby Carrier and the Zydeco Swamp Band. The band has released a total of 11 albums since 1989. Carrier has performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Utrecht Blues Festival in Amsterdam, and has played with Santana, B.B. King, Travis Tritt and Buddy Guy. Carrier’s most recent album, “Zydeco Junkie,” was the 2010 Grammy winner for best zydeco or Cajun album.
Carrier was among the musicians recently featured on the CBS News program “60 Minutes” in a segment on Cajun and zydeco music.
The event is sponsored by the Louisiana Folklife Center. Support for the Festival is provided by grants from the Cane River National Heritage Area, Inc., the City of Natchitoches, Cleco, the Louisiana Division of the Arts Decentralized Arts Fund Program, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the Louisiana Office of Tourism, the Natchitoches Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Natchitoches Historic District Development Commission, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation, the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the State of Louisiana.
The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.
For more information, call the Louisiana Folklife Center at (318) 357-4332, email folklife@nsula.edu, or go to nsula.edu/folklife.