Natural Gas Service for Existing Customers will Continue with No Action Required 

Delta Utilities, a natural gas utility backed by Bernhard Capital Partners and locally headquartered in Louisiana, announced today that it has acquired CenterPoint Energy’s three regulated natural gas local distribution companies serving communities throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. This acquisition is expected to generate significant new and retained economic benefits and operational improvements across our territory, including the creation of high-quality jobs and enhanced infrastructure investment that will strengthen the local economy.

“Today is nothing short of historic for the energy landscape in the Gulf South region, the communities we are proud to serve and the legacy we hope to build at Delta Utilities,” said Pete Tumminello, Executive Chairman of Delta Utilities Board of Directors. “While Delta Utilities is officially serving its first customers today, the organization is driven by a team with decades of experience in natural gas utility operations and leadership. This includes the 500 employees we welcome to our team today from CenterPoint who will continue delivering exceptional service to our customers. As a former energy executive and proud Louisiana native, I am confident Delta Utilities will be at the forefront of the natural gas industry, a catalyst for economic growth and a steward in driving community impact.”

“Today, Delta Utilities enthusiastically welcomes more than 380,000 customers with the same employees that have served them for decades. Team members at every level of our organization are focused on maintaining safe operations and delivering a seamless transition experience to our customers,” said Tim Poché, CEO of Delta Utilities. “Completing this acquisition furthers our vision to establish modern, multi-state natural gas utilities that build stronger, more resilient communities. We are grateful to the Louisiana Public Service Commission and the Mississippi Public Service Commission for their thorough review and regulatory approvals, which enabled this acquisition to move forward and safeguard reliable and affordable energy in our communities.”

Customers previously served by CenterPoint Energy in Louisiana and Mississippi will retain their existing billing cycles, payment preferences, and online portal access in the immediate future and there is no action required to maintain their natural gas service. All accounts have been automatically transferred to Delta Utilities with no interruption in service. Both CenterPoint Energy and Delta Utilities have communicated directly with customers about the transition and will continue working together in the coming months to ensure a smooth service handover. The transition does not impact the rate structures currently in place.

Delta Utilities is also in the final stages of acquiring Entergy’s two regulated natural gas local distribution companies in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. That sale is expected to close in summer 2025.

Additional information related to these transitions and on Delta Utilities is available at www.deltautilities.com

From April 5–12, 2025, Leesville is turning up the green vibes for Love the Boot Week, an exciting celebration of environmental stewardship and community spirit! With Keep Louisiana Beautiful sponsoring the fun, and the Leesville Junior League, City of Leesville, and Mayor’s Women’s Commission leading the charge, this week-long extravaganza invites everyone to roll up their sleeves and beautify our hometown.

🌟 Event Highlights:

1. Saturday, April 5th – Trash Bash: Start the week strong with a trash-picking party at Leesville Art Park! Kick-off at 8 AM—come ready to clean and cheer!
2. Sunday, April 6th – Help Your Neighbor Day: Sprinkle kindness around town—assist a neighbor with yard work or make their day bloom by helping them planting flowers.
3. Monday, April 7th – Evening Trash Bash & Poster/Essay Awards: Join the evening cleanup at Leesville Event Center at 4:30 PM. Stick around to celebrate creativity with awards for environmental-themed projects!
4. Tuesday, April 8th – Recycle Something: Swing by Vernon Parish Recycle Center to drop off recyclables or go green at home by starting a compost pile.
5. Wednesday, April 9th – Kid’s Cleanup Day: Rally the kiddos for a neighborhood-wide cleanup! It’s fun, simple, and teaches them to keep it clean.
6. Thursday, April 10th – Love Main Street & Historic District: Brainstorm and explore ways to jazz up Leesville’s historic heart—every idea counts!
7. Friday–Saturday, April 11th–12th – Paint a Fire Hydrant: Let your inner artist loose! Add creative flair to town by painting fire hydrants. For details, contact Brittney Merritte or Wendy Kreps.
8. Saturday, April 12th – Spring Fling in the Park: Wrap it all up with music, fun, and fellowship at Dogwood Park, starting at 8 AM. Hosted by the Pilot Club, it’s the perfect grand finale!

🎉 Let’s Make Leesville Shine!

Love the Boot Week is all about teamwork, creativity, and environmental awareness. Thanks to Keep Louisiana Beautiful and the amazing efforts of local organizations, this event promises to leave Leesville cleaner, brighter, and bursting with pride.

Ready to pitch in and make an impact? Let’s show the world what Leesville can do! For more information, contact Brittney Merritte or Wendy Kreps—we’ll see you out there!

BASEBALL

Local baseball teams begin the road to the state tournament on April 16.  This year’s tournament is May 13-17 at McMurray Park in Sulphur.  NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE GATE!  MUST BE PURCHASED ONLINE IN ADVANCE!

The Rosepine Eagles 16-6 record is tops in Vernon Parish.  The Eagles have won six of their last seven games.  They played at Tioga last night, no score available.

The Hicks Pirates 11-5 mark includes a 6-1 win over Fairview in their last outing.  The Pirates had a showdown with Anacoco last night, score unavailable.  Anacoco had won three of their last four to move to 6-13 on the season.

Pitkin’s Tigers are also 11-5 on the year.  They have won five in a row.  They played at Elizabeth last night, score unavailable.

Hornbeck is hot!  They have won five in a row.  They played at Ebarb last night, score unavailable.  Evans is 3-8 after beating Pleasant Hill, 15-10.  They visited Simpson last night, score unavailable.  The Broncos are 3-8 on the season.  Leesville is 8-11 on the year but have dropped their last five outings.  The Wampus Cats hosted Eunice last night, score unavailable.

Congratulations are in order to the Pickering Red Devils.  They earned their first win of the year beating Negreet, 10-4.

SOFTBALL

The LHSAA state softball tournament is scheduled for May 2-3 at Frasch Park in Sulphur. Girl’s playoffs begin April 19.

Anacoco sports the best record in Vernon Parish at 18-3 as they seek a return to the state semi-finals.  The Lady Indians visited Hicks last night, score unavailable.  Hicks has won 12 of their last 14 games.  That streak ended Saturday with a 17-3 loss to D’Arbonne Woods Charter.

Rosepine may only be 10-10 but they are on a roll with six wins in the last seven games.  They have won their last three district games by scores of 15-0,13-0 and 18-1.  Rosepine hosted DeQuincy last night, score unavailable.

Leesville is 8-8   on the year after losing to Iowa,15-0.  The Lady Cats hosted DeRidder last night, score unavailable.  Evans has won their last three games.  They visited Ebarb last night, score unavailable.  Hornbeck’s Lady Hornets have won three of their last four including 21-1 and 20-1 wins over Peasant Hill.

Pitkin lost to Anacoco last time out, 11-8 to all to 5-13 on the season.  The Lady Tigers played at Elizabeth last night, score unavailable.  Pickering is 4-7 on the year and visited East Beauregard last night, score unavailable.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has announced the All State Basketball teams for Class C & B and Vernon Parish claimed it’s share of honors.

CLASS B    Coach of the Year: Micah Rasberry/Lacassine

                 Outstanding Player: Kane Broussard/Lacassine

FIRST TEAM   Kane Broussard/Lacassine, Armoni Benjamin/Avoyelles Charter, Preston Sanders/Zwolle, Trumarion Smith/Simsboro, Jordan Garcia/Lacassine

Dayne Martin of Pitkin and Addison Coffman of Hicks were named to the second team.  Lane Parker of Hicks and Caleb Taylor of Anacoco were named Honorable Mention.

Class B Girls All-State

Coach of the Year: Tim Parker/Anacoco

Outstanding Player:  Reesie Jinks/Fairview

FIRST TEAM    Reesie Jinks/Fairview, Payton Harper/Bell City, Jodie Jowers/Oak Hill, Raylee Mitchell/Anacoco, A.J.Williams/Fairview

Charley Lentz/Pitkin was named to the second team.  Brooklyn Bryant of Anacoco was named Honorable Mention.

 CLASS C Boys All State

Coach of the Year   Dustin Howard/Plainview

Outstanding Player   Zequan Lewis/Plainview

FIRST TEAM   Zequan Lewis/Plainview, Logan Riggs/Georgetown, Javonte Ford/Pleasant Hill, Rondell Battle/Phoenix, Demarquis Durham/Gibsland-Coleman

Tim Parker of Hornbeck made Second Team

Class C Girls All-State

Coach of the Year   Lynsey Rachal/Simpson

Outstanding Player   Olivia Edwards/Simpson

FIRST TEAM   Olivia Edwards/Simpson, Akeirah Jones/Summerfield, Kelsey Williams/Reeves, Cameron Sutton/Plainview, Kodi Miller/Simpson

Bella Hunnicutt/Simpson made the Second Team and Hannah Mitchell of Hornbeck was named Honorable Mention.

Spring is here, and Vernon Parish is buzzing with activities for everyone. From Easter celebrations to community cleanups and music festivals, April is packed with opportunities to get involved and have fun.

Easter celebrations begin on Main Street in Anacoco on April 12th with the Easter Egg Hunt & Butterfly Release, where families can create cherished memories as children search for eggs and watch butterflies take flight. On April 20th, start your Easter Sunday with the Easter Sunrise Service at 6am on Main Street in Anacoco, a peaceful and uplifting gathering to celebrate the holiday.

https://vernonparish.org/event/easter-egg-hunt-butterfly-release/

https://vernonparish.org/event/easter-sunrise-service/

Spring Fling in the Park (April 12th) at Dogwood Park brings a full day of entertainment, food, and family-friendly activities. This is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and connect with the community.

https://vernonparish.org/event/spring-fling-in-the-park/

For those who love giving back, Love the Boot Week (April 5th-13th, 2025) is the perfect opportunity to help beautify our community. Roll up your sleeves and join projects like the Trash Bash on April 5th at 8am, Leesville Beautification on April 7th at 4:30pm, Main Street Cleanup on April 12th at 9am, and Campus Cleanup at Leesville High School on April 12th at 10am. Volunteers can sign up with Leesville Main Street or Keep Louisiana Beautiful to make a difference.

https://vernonparish.org/event/love-the-boot-week/

The Alzheimer’s Walk on April 12th at 9am at Dogwood Park offers a meaningful way to give back while enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Hosted by the Pilot Club, this donation-based fundraiser supports the Alzheimer’s Association and encourages community participation in a great cause.

https://vernonparish.org/event/alzheimers-walk/

Music lovers won’t want to miss the Spring Music Festival on April 19th at 5pm at Polk Outdoor Stage. The free event, sponsored by the City of Leesville, features a performance by the Casey Peveto Band, promising a lively evening of entertainment.

https://vernonparish.org/event/spring-music-festival/

For a unique cultural experience, ART of the EAT (April 26th) offers a feast for the senses, blending art and food at Gallery One Ellleven. Enjoy a Cochon de Lait and fried catfish feast while supporting the arts. Tickets are available in advance, and volunteers are welcome to help make this event a success.

https://vernonparish.org/event/art-of-the-eat/

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for MayFest (May 2nd-3rd) at the Vernon Parish Fairgrounds. This beloved festival is bigger than ever, featuring live music, delicious food, artisan vendors, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Whether you’re a fan of great music, local flavors, or just a fun-filled weekend, MayFest is an event you won’t want to miss.

https://vernonparish.org/event/mayfest-2025/

With so much happening this spring, it’s the perfect time to step outside, join the community, and celebrate the season in Vernon Parish!

The Leesville Mayor’s Women’s Commission will partner with the Leesville Junior League on the annual Trash Bash, April 5, from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. at the Leesville Art Park/Magnolia Park on Abe Allen Drive. 

The park will serve as headquarters for the event.  Trash Bash teams will fan out in different areas of Leesville.  Teams can compete for prizes of $50, $75 or $100.  All participants will be treated to free hot dogs after the event.

If you would like to participate, see the Facebook page/ City of Leesville Municipal Government and scan the QR code.

Come and join the fun and make some cash for your church or civic group Saturday, April 5, at the Leesville Art Park.

The CENLA Food Bank mobile pantry will be making stops in Vernon Parish during the month of April

TUESDAY APRIL 22     First Baptist Church of Hornbeck    8am-10am

                                               Burr Ferry Pentecostal Church       11am-Noon

FRIDAY APRIL 25         Rosepine Church International      9am-11am

                                              Slagle/N.H. Bray Masonic Lodge    Noon-1pm

If you know of seniors having hardships with obtaining food please contact the CENLA Food Bank for assistance.

Len Edwards was presented the Minister Melvin Coleman Gold Award for his musical CD on Tuesday March 25, 2025, at the Vernon Parish Library.

Edwards has been a lifelong musician, guitarist, and vocalist.  Of special note is that his voice is closely identical to Elvis Presley, and he uses his gift of talent whenever he sings and performs to the delight of many folks.  His CD features the best of several well-known Gospel music songs and hymns.

He performs regularly at area nursing homes, both as a solo act, and with his band, “The Good Old Boys”.  His engagements also include numerous community festivals throughout Vernon Parish.   On Sundays, you’ll find him doing his Musical Ministry in area churches, and special religious services within any given year.   His style of music is a blend of Country and old-time Gospel.

Len’s comments at the presentation were “It’s a great honor to be recognized for my music contributions in the Gospel field of the Musical Ministry of the Church.  I love sharing my talent with everyone, and I hope to continue long into the future performing music.”

Edwards is a retired Senior Fire Captain and EMT from the Leesville Fire Department.   He continues to serve as an active Volunteer Firefighter and Assistant Chief with the Hornbeck Volunteer Fire Department.

Presenting the award was Minister Melvin Coleman and Ms. Pearl Kennedy.

Vernon Council on Aging will hold a fan drive for area seniors on Thursday, April 24, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.  The VCOA is looking for donations of fans or currency to buy fans for seniors to help combat the summer heat.

The VCOA is located at 200 N. Third Street in downtown Leesville.

The VCOA will also host a health fair on Wednesday, May 14, from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.  Area health professionals will assist in the fair to be held at the VCOA offices.  This is open to all seniors in the area and is offered free of charge.

Funeral services for James Russell Goodwin will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at LaCamp Church of God with Reverends Shawn Waggoner and Greg Mortensen officiating. The burial will follow in LaCamp Church of God Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers will be Landon Goodwin, Russell Goodwin, Skylar Phillips, Jason Goodwin, Justin Goodwin, Andy Goodwin, Wayne Goodwin, and Robert Adrian “Peanut” Wilson Jr. Serving as an honorary pallbearer will be Adrian Wilson Sr.

Visitation will be held at LaCamp Church of God on Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Russell was born December 14, 1948, in Alexandria, Louisiana and passed away March 28, 2025, in DeRidder, Louisiana at the age of 76. He worked for 35 years at Fort Polk for civil service in Environmental Compliance. Many people remember him from his many years of coaching little league baseball and basketball where he made an impression on numerous parents and their children. Russell was a member of LaCamp Church of God and enjoyed sharing memories and telling stories about the past. In his free time, he liked to keep bees, hunt turkey and deer, and watch sports – LSU being his favorite. His devotion to his family brought him much joy. And though they will miss his presence, there is rejoicing in Heaven for the reunions Russell is experiencing.

Russell was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Margaret “Margie” Goodwin; parents, Henry Goodwin & Audrey Hicks Poe; stepfather, Lloyd Poe; siblings, Harvey Goodwin, Huey Goodwin, Eloise Jordan, and Jerry Goodwin; and nephews, Henry Goodwin, David Goodwin, and Bobby Jordan.

Those left to cherish his memory are his sons, Jason Sean Goodwin (Danyle) of DeRidder, LA and Justin Ryan Goodwin (Alexis) of Hicks, LA; daughter, Tonya Goodwin Metcalf (Charlie) of Logansport, LA; grandchildren, Montana, Skylar, Landon, Kylie, Russell, Morrison, Myles, and Klover; great-grandchildren, Kane, Toby, Kimberly, and Nathan Jr.; grandchildren of the heart, Krista, Kassidy, and Kayleigh; nieces and nephews, Wayne, Andy, Dakota, Daniel, Shelia, Kathy, Tammie, Diane, Lori, Melissa, and Cindy; and a host of extended family members.

Funeral services for Jerry Lee Kay will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Freedom Rest Baptist Church with Reverend Travis Kay officiating. The burial will follow in Beech Grove Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers will be Mike Kay, Homer Kay, Leroy Blackmon, Donny Lubbers, Brandon Lindsey, and Bubba Von Kay. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Carl Keel, and James Kay. A visitation will be held at Freedom Rest Baptist Church on Friday, April 4th beginning at 5:00 p.m. and will continue until the time of service on Saturday.

Jerry was born September 14, 1957, in Shreveport, Louisiana and passed away at his home in Anacoco, Louisiana surrounded by his loving family on March 31, 2025, at the age of 67. He grew up in Burr Ferry and worked in the logging business for many years. Being outdoors hunting and fishing were some of his favorite hobbies, but Jerry also enjoyed just spending time in the woods. He was devoted to his family, and they made many memories with him just hanging out at the river.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Albert James Kay & Thelma Brittain Kay and his brother, Buford Kay.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Cynthia “Cindy” Kay; son, Payton Kay; daughters, Amanda Martin (John), Alicia Hennigan (Javis), Keshia Hennigan (Wayne), and Tiffany Sawyer (Justin); grandchildren, Austin Billeaud, Sean Billeaud, Jace Billeaud, Caden Billeaud, Jaylin Shirley (Jeremiah), Jerra Hennigan (Jayce), Gracie Hennigan, Ashlynn Hennigan, Madalyn Sawyer, Eli Sawyer, Ayla Kay, Nevaeh Kay, Mayson Kay, Odie Kay, and Adlee Kay; great-grandson, Winston Corbett; brother, James Kay (Nancy); sisters, Lavarne Atchison (Ronnie), Lillian Simons (Allen), Sharon Laurent (Billy), Ann Baker (Mark), Martha McNeely (Doug), Pamela McCollough (Edwin), and Wanda Murphy (Jeremiah); and a host of extended family members and friends.

JAMES RUSSELL GOODWIN
December 14, 1948 – March 28, 2025
Service: April 2, 2025, at LaCamp Church of God in Leesville at 4 p.m.

JERRY LEE KAY
September 14, 1957 – March 31, 2025
Service: April 5, 2025, at Freedom Rest Baptist Church in Anacoco, Louisiana, at 11 a.m.

In December 2024, the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO) and the Leesville City Marshal’s Office (LCMO) requested the Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division (LSP CID) to investigate a theft of funds from the LCMO.

As a result of the investigation and information obtained, it was revealed that former Leesville Chief Deputy Marshal Kim Pollock had stolen approximately $82,000 of funds from September 2022 through December 2024.

On March 26, 2025, LSP CID obtained a warrant for Pollock’s arrest for theft (over $25,000) and malfeasance in office. Thursday morning, Pollock was arrested for the outstanding warrants and booked at the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office without incident.

The Louisiana State Police will serve as the lead investigative agency. The investigation remains active and ongoing. There is no further information available at this time.

The Louisiana State Police online reporting system is also available to the public through a convenient and secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. Citizens can access the form by visiting http://www.lsp.org and clicking the Suspicious Activity link, or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8700.

Lana Dobernig, age 37, of Alexandria, was arrested on an out of jurisdiction Bench Warrant from Grant Parish.  Dobernig was transported to Grant Parish.

Terry Wayne Cochran, age 62, of Anacoco, was arrested and charged with one count of Illegal Discharge of a Weapon.  Bond has not been set.  Cochran remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Delvin Jay Bayham, age 50, of Pitkin, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery.  Bond has not been set.  Bayham remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Jared Logan Smart, age 35, of Oakdale was arrested by Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force.  Agents charged Smart with one count of Possession of Methamphetamine in Excess of 28 Grams, one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic with the Intent to Distribute, one count of Possession of a Schedule IV Narcotic, one count of Possession of a Legend Drug, and one count of Littering.  Bond has not been set.  Smart remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

Michael Scott Evans, age 50, of Florence, Mississippi, was arrested and charged with one count of Violation of a Protective Order.  Bond has not been set.  Evans remains in the Vernon Parish jail.

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

By VPJ Staff

Now that the weather is more conducive to outdoor activities, everyone has planned events that the whole family can enjoy together.  The month of April is a great kick start to the coming summer.

The Leesville Mayor’s Women’s Commission and the Leesville Junior League will spearhead the Annual Spring Cean up in the city, Saturday, April 5.  This is a great way to start the statewide Clean Up the Boot campaign during the month.  The Leesville Art Park will serve as HQ for the event, with teams fanning out over the city to grab trash.  There are cash prizes for top trash-gathering teams and free hot dogs for all for lunch.  Show up at 9 a.m. to get the party started.

Nearly every civic group in Vernon Parish will invest time in the Spring Fling, Saturday, April 12, at beautiful Dogwood Park.  The Pilot Club will begin the day with a walk to bring awareness to Alzheimer’s.  The day will be full of fun for all ‘til 2 p.m.  Food trucks will be on hand.  You can enjoy live music, a story walk for kids, an art space, pictures with the Easter Bunny, and much more.  It’s all free and open to the community.

The Village of Anacoco will host their 21^st Annual Spring Parade and Festival April 12.  The parade rolls at 11 a.m. with lots of throws.  The fun begins at 9 a.m. with vendors, activities and good food.  Contact Anacoco Town Hall at 337-239-0215 to enter a unit in the parade.

The City of Leesville will host a Spring Music Festival Saturday, April 19, beginning at 5 p.m. Put your lawn chairs up at the Polk Outdoor Theater Stage on East Texas and enjoy the Casey Peveto Band, fresh off their performance at the Iowa Rabbit Festival.  Come for an evening of rocking country music, food trucks and kids’ activities.  It’s all free and open to the public.

Friday, April 25, GALLERY ONElllELEVEN will host the 3^rd Annual Art of the Eat fundraiser in downtown Leesville, which this year features a Couchon de Lait (pig roast) and a catfish fry, plus live music in the street and a chance to raise funds for the Leesville Art Park.  Tickets are currently available from Gallery patrons.

That’s just April in our sleepy little town. Wait until Mayfest hits May 2-3 in its new location at the fairgrounds.  BIG FUN-BIG MUSIC-BIG FOOD!  Hope to see you and the family out and about!

The Vernon Parish Library is delighted to announce its Second Annual Authors’ Autograph Party! It will be held April 12th, 2025, in the Vernon Parish Library’s Meeting Room. The setup for the event will take place between 9 and 10 AM. The event itself will start at 10 AM and conclude at 2 PM.

We invite local authors from Vernon Parish and the surrounding parishes to sell autographed copies of their books in a fun and engaging atmosphere. The event includes light refreshments, book displays, and Mother Goose Story Time for kids.

If you are interested or know of someone who might want to join, please continue reading for rules and requirements.

Needed by February 21^st, 2025, to ensure your spot in our event and for advertisement:

• A brief biography of the author with picture if available
• Cover of books being sold at event.
• Completed Author Contact Sheet.

We will provide: The space, 1 table (1’ 7” X 5’ 11”), 2 chairs per table, and Light refreshments: such as water, sodas, coffee, and cookies

You need to bring all materials necessary to set up your table and for selling your books:

• Tablecloths, flyers, advertisements, display pieces, your books, items for book signing, and anything else required to sell your books.

The Vernon Parish Library is in no way responsible for handling, distributing, or managing money in any capacity for the event. Authors are fully responsible for providing a means to purchase their books and the ability to provide correct change when necessary.

To maintain consistency and fairness, kindly ensure that your display items remain within the confines of your designated space.

In accordance with the Meeting Room Policy:

• The library is not responsible for equipment, supplies, materials or other items owned by a group or individuals and used in the library.
• Smoking, tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are not allowed.
• Materials are not to be taped, tacked, or stapled to walls, windows, doors, or ceiling.
• No writing or drawing on any of the furniture, walls, windows, doors, or ceiling in the meeting room.

If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please contact us:

Vernon Parish Library

1401 Nolan Trace, Leesville, LA, 71446

FAX: (337) 238-0666

Call: (337) 239-2027 or (800) 737-2231

www.vernonparishlibrary.org

Pilot Club, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, The Junior League, The Vernon Parish Tourism Commission, Friends of Main Street, and City of Leesville are hosting the first-ever Spring Fling in the Park on Saturday, April 12.  Your family is invited to Dogwood Park on Belview Road in Leesville from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The day’s events will include an Alzheimer’s Walk in memory of the late Donna Williams at 9 a.m., food trucks, live music, popcorn, cotton candy, and much more.  Kids will enjoy the art space, brain minders, a puppet show, and a story walk.  Craft vendors will be on site and organizers are still adding events to the day.

The Junior League of Leesville will offer pictures of your kids with the Easter Bunny.

There is no admission.  Bring your family and friends.

The first-ever Spring Fling is Saturday, April 12, at Dogwood Park in Leesville.

The Vernon Parish School Board will host the 2025 parish Special Olympics for 2025 on Tuesday, April 1, at the Leesville High School Track and Field complex.

Opening ceremonies are at 9:30 a.m. with the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Torch Run bringing the flame into the event.  The Leesville High JROTC will present the colors.   The parade of athletes will follow, then the pledge, oath and prayer.

Events for the participants will begin at 10 a.m.  They include softball toss, tennis ball toss, standing long jump, and running events(by ages). The public is invited to attend and cheer the athletes on.

Lunch will be provided and served to the athletes and helpers by the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Drinks are provided by Byrd Hospital. 

Participants will enjoy booths with sno-cones, popcorn, cotton candy, face painting, temporary tattoos, and bubbles.

Local food trucks will be on site with items to purchase for lunch.

The event will conclude at 1 p.m.  There is no cost to attend.  Please come and support our Special Olympians.

Special Olympics organizers thank the following sponsors:  The Leesville Lions Club, GEICO/Leesville, Merchants & Farmers Bank, Jeremy Burge/Allstate, Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, David Haymon/State Farm, Landey Adams/State Farm, Byrd Hospital, Sabine State Bank, Harvest Temple Christian Center, The McCall Family, Barksdale Federal Credit Union, West Cenla Shrine Club, Maxout Injury Lawyers, Trey Coker/State Farm, Cryer’s Sports.

The Pickering Head Start Program located at 116 Lebleu Road presents “Math To Build On”, an eight-session math literacy workshop for kids five and under, and their caregivers.

These sessions will take place on Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. now through May 15.

This free workshop includes books, a book bag, and a Certificate of Participation.  Free refreshments, music, dancing, and crafts are also offered to session-goers.

For more information, call Angela Huckaby at 337-509-5218.

Please give your children a chance to participate.

I’ve always enjoyed remembering how things used to be, and I look forward for what the future
holds with regards to tournament bass fishing. Today we’ll step back in time and look at how
tournament fishing was in the early days. 
 
As I’ve noted in past writings, my tournament days go back to the early 1990ns. To say that
times have changed is truly an understatement. Things are different today in several ways and
the first thing that comes to mind, is how anglers had respect for each other on the water.
Anglers were always conscious of not fishing too close to another angler and never wanted to
invade another their territory, especially if he was leading the tournament. THAT’S NOT THE
CASE TODAY! 
 
To use an old phrase, “back in the day,” anglers showed respect for each other by not fishing
areas on the lake that someone found first. Unfortunately, anglers today tend to hold no regard
or respect for another angler’s area. 
 
Many of our younger anglers think that all water is open for anyone to fish any time during the
tournament.  But I’m not going to throw shade just on our youth for all the issues taking place
in tournaments. It’s not really their fault, as 95 percent of both high school and college anglers
have never been exposed to the unwritten rules of tournament bass fishing. Etiquette has been
forgotten and is not being taught.
 
Another issue today that anglers have is the disregard for the “no information” rule. At no time
has this rule had more attention than it has this season. Several touring pros have been
disqualified for violating this rule in 2025. Most tournament trails have a written rule that does
not allow anglers to receive information about a particular body of water within a specific time
frame. Without a doubt, this is the most abused rule on every level! 
 
Back in the day, anglers were held to a higher standard than they are today. Some tournament
organizations are turning a blind eye to some of the infractions and are not holding anglers

accountable. This is why anglers continue to bend the rules and is one reason tournament
entries are down nationwide.
 
Until organizations decide to preserve the integrity of the sport, and drop the hammer on these
rule breakers, nothing will change. Some anglers will stop at nothing to gather information like
waypoints, best areas to fish, and what baits to throw from guides and other resources. 
 
While there are ways to gather information legally, some anglers ignore the rules and show no
regard for doing things the right way. Once again, back in the day if an angler violated a rule, he
was pulled aside by other anglers and asked to explain himself. The older generation held each
other more accountable. 
 
Oh, how I yearn for the days of old where you did not have to worry about who or how
someone was possibly cheating or bending the rules. Your reputation as an angler was more
important than winning any single event. You would rather sacrifice a win and still have the
respect of your fellow competitors than to cash a check doing something shady.  
 
But the philosophy today is to win at all costs, no matter what the consequences. This is pretty
much true in all sports, especially on the high school and collegiate levels. Today it’s all about
the money being made and if a kid is not happy where they’re at, they transfer to another
school that is willing to pay them even more. They are even paid in advance on potential and
not on their body of work! 
 
I’ll wrap up this gripe session with this — if we as anglers don’t start demanding organizations
enforce ALL the rules, nothing will ever change. We must demand transparency from all
tournament organizations.

‘Til next time, go fishing every chance you get because you never know when it might be your
last. 
 
Contact Steve at sgraf26@yahoo.com.