The Quiz Bowl team from Hicks High School was victorious at the 2025 version of the academic competition sponsored by the Vernon Parish School Board on February 20.
All nine Vernon Parish high schools participated in the annual event, which was shown live on the VPSB website. Matches began at 8 a.m. in the Leesville High School auditorium and ended by 6 p.m., with the trophy going to Hicks.
The Hicks squad lost their first match of the day to Evans and had to come back through the consolation bracket. They defeated Anacoco, Pitkin, and Rosepine in the double-elimination tournament, before running into the undefeated team from Leesville in the semi-finals.
Hicks defeated Leesville in back-to-back close games to claim the trophy. Leesville had taken wins over Hornbeck, Pitkin and Rosepine to reach the finals. The Leesville team consisted of Dr. Lela Magee (sponsor) and her team of Cadence Emery, Ninoshka Leon-Silva, Katherine Clay, Evren McWilliams, Carter Day, Katherine Boyle, and Hope Sims.
Misty Iles was the sponsor of the Hicks squad, which was made up of Hailey Wolff, Eli Lee, Scott Davis, Jayde Wilbanks, Aiden Lewis, Kennedy Thacker, and Kane Hagan.
Special thanks to the VPSB Information and Technology department, the judges who helped with answers and the student workers who facilitated the event. Karen Robertson of the Curriculum Department was the ramrod for the 2025 Quiz Bowl.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Department presents the annual Mike Hodnett Memorial Bass Tournament on Vernon Lake, Saturday, March 22. Entry fee is $120 per boat (two anglers per boat). $20 from each entry goes into the Big Bass pot. Payout is 50%. The tournament begins thirty minutes prior to sunrise that morning. Pre-paid entries may launch from anywhere on the lake. All others must use the Spillway on Vernon Lake.
Weigh-in will be at the Vernon Lake Spillway. You must weigh from your boat (NO TRAILERING). You must be in line at 3 p.m. Early weigh-in begins at 2:30 p.m. There is a five-fish limit, and all fish must be alive.
Monetary proceeds will benefit the Kingdom Center in Leesville for all Vernon Parish youth.
Grab an entry form at the main dispatch desk at the Vernon Sheriff’s Office. Call David Vance with questions at 337-208-4366.
Gov. Jeff Landry visited Northwestern State University on Feb. 25 to meet with community officials, legislators and leaders in business, industry, education and economic development to address the pending closure of the International Paper mill in Campti and its projected negative impact for Natchitoches Parish.
“There is no one who understands the economic impact of the loss of these jobs more than me,” Landry said, referencing the closure of multiple Fruit of the Loom facilities in south Louisiana in the 1990s and early 2000s. “It’s not only the jobs that are leaving the Campti facility, but the downstream effect of what it does to the small businesses that are attached. While I don’t have all the answers today, I can tell you that we will continue to work towards building economic opportunities throughout central and north Louisiana.”
“I think that the greatest opportunity that we have for economic development is actually central and northern Louisiana,” he said, referencing the selection of Richland Parish as the site of Meta’s $10 billion artificial intelligence data center.
The governor said a proposed constitutional amendment on the March 29 ballot to reform the state’s tax code could open new opportunities to bring jobs to north and central Louisiana. He has also tasked higher education administrators with shaping Louisiana’s universities and community college systems to support jobs and industry.
“I think it’s evident from the governor’s remarks that his intention is clearly to bring the full force of the government to do whatever we can do to mitigate the reality of this decision by IP,” said Susan Bourgeois, secretary of the Department of Louisiana Economic Development. “One of the things I started out talking about in my role was that we really had to take the whole of government approach to economic development. It’s not just a government solution to the challenges or the opportunities that we face. It really does have to be the private sector, the education sector, the public sector, all of us pulling on the same rope.”
Bourgeois said her office is currently working with five active wood-related projects in north Louisiana.
“We’ve announced 21 wood-related projects in the last seven years that our team is now going to focus on seeing about placement of employees, placement of product and how we can redeploy some of the Louisiana resources that were used at the Campti facility in those projects,” Bourgeois said.
Susie Schowen, secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, said she has engaged a rapid response team, the team that responds to layoffs, who can offer services specifically for IP workers.
“The IP workers are getting services in career counseling, envisioning where their career could go and how to connect with training. We can help offset the cost of that training with the focus of getting people jobs right here in this area.”
“We want to do as much as we can to backfill, to give back, what the closure is going to cause,” Landry said. “We will work as hard as we can and the good news is you’ve got other areas of the state that are performing, and a high tide has a tendency to lift all boats. We are focused on this area, not only Natchitoches but the central and north Louisiana area. We are hyper focused on opportunity because I think that there are opportunities out there.”
Landry said there are companies around the country and around the world are looking for investments in the U.S., which aligns with President Donald Trump’s agenda to boost American manufacturing.
“Right now, that is being driven primarily by the president’s agenda and we want to be able to capture as much of that as we can. You see this great team and we have worked hard and I don’t know anyone who isn’t trying to soften the impact,” he said.
The Louisiana Workforce Commission has resources available at laworks.net/. Information on the Louisiana office of Economic Development is available at opportunitylouisiana.gov/.
Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of West Central will host their annual 5K Color Run/Walk on Saturday, March 22. Registration is $30 per participant.
The event begins at 8:30 a.m. from 401 West First Street in DeRidder at the historic First Street School. CASA has offices in DeRidder and Leesville locally. Late registration will be available starting at 7:30 a.m.
You are allowed to run, walk or stroll at this family-friendly event. Contact CASA offices in Leesville or DeRidder for more information.
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced new voter list maintenance data sharing agreements with Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas. These agreements will help ensure the further accuracy of Louisiana’s voter rolls by detecting duplicate registrations within neighboring states.
“I am thankful to Secretary Nelson of Texas, Secretary Watson of Mississippi, former Secretary Thurston and current Secretary Jester of Arkansas for working with our office to help keep our voter list accurate and up-to-date,” Secretary Landry said. “Election integrity is my highest priority as Louisiana’s Secretary of State. These agreements underscore how focused my office is on maintaining safe and secure elections, while also safeguarding voters’ sensitive data.”
Secretary Landry previously announced a similar agreement with Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen in July 2024.
Billie Jean Yancey Whitehurst, AKA, BJ, Mama, Granny, Sis Whitehurst, was born in West Pangburn, Arkansas on September 8, 1933, to William “Bill” and Hattie Louise Yancey.
On July 7, 1951, she married the love of her life – Harvey Alton Whitehurst. Together they had five children, thirteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren.
According to Granny, the greatest event of her life was around 1960, at Rosepine United Pentecostal Church, under the ministry of Reverend T.F. Tenney, when she repented of her sins, was immersed by baptism in the only saving name of Jesus and received the gift of His Spirit evidenced by speaking in tongues.
Granny was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Virginia Louise; brother Bobby Yancey; great-grandson, Thomas Ray Scott; very special daughter, Leah Owens, who is survived by the love of her life, Dale Owens, and very special friend, Bub Hilton.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 73 years, Harvey Alton Whitehurst; son, Billy Alton Whitehurst and wife Peggie; daughters, Marian (Murney) Whitehurst and Renita (Shelly) Toney and husband Robert; son, Nathan Glen Whitehurst and wife Roxanna; brother, Jim Yancey and wife Novella; thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; very special friends, Connie Hilton and children; her precious church family; and the Mt. Zion Bunch – you know who you are!
Until we meet again – To God Be the Glory!
Funeral services for Granny were held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at First United Pentecostal Church of Leesville with Reverends Mark Christian, Louis Magee, Robert Toney, and Luis Guareado officiating and Robert Harrah reading the obituary. Burial followed in the Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery officiated by Jimmy Toney under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers were Wayne Owens, Darrell Owens, Audie Hilton, Ryan Whitehurst, Bobby Harrah, and Kendall Harrah.
Funeral services for Robert Lee Baker were held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Crystal Springs Church in Anacoco, Louisiana, with Reverend Roderick Jackson, pastor at New Life Outreach Center, officiating. Burial followed in Mitchell Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Robert, born August 22, 1943, in Junction, Texas, was called home to be with the Lord February 18, 2025, at the age of 81. He is now reunited in Heaven with his beloved wife, Gwendolyn Baker.
He learned the value of hard work early in life, growing up on a ranch in the scenic West Texas Hill Country. There, he honed skills in hunting, fishing, trapping, tanning hides, and cutting cedar for extra income. As a young married man, he became the foreman of a ranch in Junction, Texas, overseeing the care of horses and cattle. In the early 1980s, he moved to Louisiana for work and later joined the carpenters’ union, contributing to the construction of numerous hospitals, school gyms, and churches across South and Central Louisiana until his retirement.
Despite his many moves, he never forgot his roots. He always kept chickens, ducks, rabbits, and dogs, and maintained a garden wherever he lived. He was even known to raise a pig or two and occasionally a calf for beef. A devoted man of faith, he cherished his time on the back porch, sipping coffee while discussing the Lord or solving the world’s problems. A true master of his craft, he possessed a remarkable talent for working with his hands—if something needed fixing, Robert was the man for the job. He attended New Life Outreach Center UPC in Leesville, where his legacy of love, faith, and hard work will be cherished by his family. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren will forever benefit from his wisdom, warmth, and kindness. His love, guidance, and faith-filled spirit will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. While we mourn his passing, we find comfort in knowing he rests in the presence of the Lord. His legacy will continue to thrive through his family and the many lives he touched.
Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Gwendolyn Baker; parents, Sidney Otto Baker & Hazel Lee Baker; brothers, Kenneth Baker and Gwendale Baker; and sister, Joyce Valle.
Those left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Alice Vernon (John) of San Antonio, TX, Sarah Lee Summers (Daniel) of Zavalla, TX, and Nancy Goodeaux (Tim) of Oklahoma; twelve grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, James Ray Baker (Vickie) of Menard, TX; sister, Linda Faye Brian of Menard, TX; and numerous extended family members and friends.
James D. Douglas, age 40 of DeRidder, was arrested and charged with one count of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, one count of Criminal Damage to Property, one count of Criminal Trespass, and one count of Illegal Possession of Stolen Goods. Bond has not been set. Douglas remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Terry Wright, age 52 of Rosepine, was arrested and charged with one count of Violation of a Protective Order. Bond was set at $25,000. Wright posted bond and was released.
Nolan Ryan Wilder, age 33 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Damage to Property. Bond was set at $1281. A detainer for the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole was placed on Wilder. He remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Luke Anthony Dube, age 29 of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Theft of a Motor Vehicle, one count of Criminal Damage to Property, one count of Criminal Trespass, and one count of Illegal Possession of Stolen Goods. Bond has not been set and Dube remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.
Paul Bookman, age 52 of Leesville, was arrested by Agents with the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force. Agents charged Bookman with one count of Turning movements and Required Signals and one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic. Bond was set at $ 10,635.00. Bookman posted bond and was released.
Cody Scott Morris, age 29 of Glenmora, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, one count of Illegal Possession of Stolen Goods, and one out-of-jurisdiction warrant.
ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW.
The Sundown Fire Department responded to a call for assistance from the Savage Forks Fire Department at approximately 11 p.m. on Tuesday, February 18. They dispatched units to the 3100 block of Savage Forks Road and began battling a blaze in a mobile home.
Despite the efforts of all involved, the mobile home was completely destroyed. Fire departments that responded included Sundown, Savage Forks, Sandy Hill, New Llano, Leesville, and Caney. The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, New Llano PD, Acadian Ambulance, and Med-Express Ambulance also were on scene.
There were no injuries or fatalities from this fire. Please have your smoke detectors checked, and if you don’t have one, contact your local fire department.
Every girl’s high school team in the parish made the LHSAA playoffs, which begin this week and culminate in the Marsh Madness State Championships in Hammond the first week in March.
Division II Select schoolsLeesville Lady Wampus Cats got the #10 seed and beat #23 Bunkie by 30 points last night. They will travel in the regional round to New Orleans to face #7 Booker T Washington of N.O. next week.
Division III Select schoolsRosepine, the defending state champion in this division, earned the #3 seed. They will play the winner of #14 Catholic of New Iberia vs #19 Darbonne Woods in the regional round.
Division IV Select schools#8 Pickering got a first-round bye. They will play #9 Louise McGhee Saturday at 2pm at the Pickering gym.
Class B schools#5 Anacoco got a first-round bye. They face #12 Elizabeth in the regional round Monday February 24 at 6pm. #14 Hicks blew out Family Community by 30 last night #6 Pitkin got a first-round bye and will face #11 Holden in the regional round.
Class C schools#1 Simpson has a first-round bye. They will face the winner of #17 Evans at #16 Saline in the regional round. #12 Hornbeck earned a first-round bye. They will face #6 Phoenix in the regional round.
Best of luck, ladies, on your way to the State Championships.
February is the shortest month of the year, and it tends to go by quickly. You look up and BAM! — it’s March and Mardi Gras time! There were some really great days you may have missed this month on the National Day Calendar.
National Soup Day was February 4. Don’t you wish you’d made a big old pot and put it in the freezer for the last 48 hours? Any kind you got would taste great!
Shower with a Friend Day was earlier this month. Not much to say there!
February 8 was Fettuccine Alfredo Day and the 9th was Pizza Day. Alfredo is one answer for non-marinara eaters. Pair it with your favorite protein. Truth be told, everyday can be pizza day for me. Tortellini lovers, did you miss your chance to celebrate earlier this month? Love those little scrunched up ravioli, usually filled with goodness.
February is often rainy, so Umbrella Day was earlier this month. Bumbershoots or brollies come in all sizes and colors. I keep a little one in the car. Seems like we never have one when we need one, right?
Valentine’s Day was on February 14, but National Gumdrop Day was the 15th. Do you suck the sugar off before chewing?
Cabbage Day was earlier this week. Don’t know about you, but I like it anyway you fix it!
Which brings us to this weekend. Today, February 21, is Boiled Peanuts Day and Sticky Bun Day. Boiled peanuts have that same slimy feel on my tongue as okra. Sticky buns, I can eat for days! My waistline will let me know later that was a bad thing!
Saturday is Sweet Potato and Margarita Day! There are lots of ways to prepare both, and all are tasty. Sweet taters are good for you! Margaritas serve a different purpose. In moderation, right?
Sunday you can celebrate Dog Biscuits or Banana Bread. Your pooch will love you if you make some. Lots of recipes on the internet; check them out … or you could look the other way when they knock the box of store-bought treats over. I don’t bake much, so I rely on the neighbors or my bake-happy wife to supply the banana bread. I like lots of nuts in mine.
Looks like February was a month for “Foodies”. Eat hearty!
The Northwestern State University Saxophone Studio will host its annual SaxFest February 23-24.
The featured guest artists will be the Iridium Quartet, who will hold masterclasses and a guest recital on Sunday, February 23 from noon until 5 p.m. and perform with the NSU Wind Symphony on Monday, Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Both events will be in Magale Recital Hall.
The Iridium Quartet has been called a “superb group” by Fanfare Magazine and praised by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael Colgrass as giving “a stunning performance … with elegance and grace.” Composers and audiences have commented “displaying an impressive balance of intense control and abandon with tremendous precision.” The quartet draws upon a rich history of over 15 years of collaboration between saxophonists Paul Nolen, Marcos Colón, Paul Forsyth and Eric Lau.
Iridium has appeared as artists-in-residence upon invitation throughout the United States including the Festival of New American Music (FeNAM) in Sacramento, the John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium in Albuquerque, and Texas A&M University Artist Series. Iridium has given tours and performances throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom.
A staunch supporter of new music, Iridium has commissioned and/or premiered major works by composers David Kirkland Garner, Peter Lieuwen, Roy Magnuson, Marcus Maroney, David Maslanka, Sonia Morales, David Rakowski, Ben Stonaker, and Carl Schimmel.
The quartet released its first CD of new American music in July 2014, entitled “Into Xylonia.” Partnering with Blue Griffin Records, Iridium received a prestigious 2012 Aaron Copland Fund Recording Grant, allowing the quartet to make the recording. Iridium released two CDs in 2018. One recording was released by Albany featuring David Maslanka’s “Concerto for Saxophone Quartet and Wind Ensemble.” The second release was Iridium’s second full length album “Skylines.” All are available by purchase through normal download mediums. Hardcopies of Into Xylonia and Skylines can be purchased at paulforsythmusic.com or by visiting bluegriffin.com.
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce welcomes your family to the annual Leesville Mardi Gras Parade, this Saturday, March 1, at 2 p.m. You still have time to enter a float or unit for just $40 and join the celebration. Visit the Chamber website to register. NO NUMBERS WILL BE ISSUED! Line-up is first come-first served. The parade starting point will be Cryer’s Sports on Third Street. The parade will roll north through historic, downtown Leesville. Come experience a Louisiana tradition!
Get into the spirit of Louisiana and enter a float or unit. Contact the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce for entry information at 337-238-0349.
The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Department presents the annual Mike Hodnett Memorial Bass Tournament on Vernon Lake, Saturday, March 22. Entry fee is $120 per boat (two anglers per boat). $20 from each entry goes into the Big Bass pot. Payout is 50%. The tournament begins thirty minutes prior to sunrise that morning. Pre-paid entries may launch from anywhere on the lake. All others must use the Spillway on Vernon Lake.
Weigh-in will be at the Vernon Lake Spillway. You must weigh from your boat (NO TRAILERING). You must be in line at 3 p.m. Early weigh-in begins at 2:30 p.m. There is a five-fish limit, and all fish must be alive.
Monetary proceeds will benefit the Kingdom Center in Leesville for all Vernon Parish youth.
Grab an entry form at the main dispatch desk at the Vernon Sheriff’s Office. Call David Vance with questions at 337-208-4366.
Northwestern State University’s Office of Electronic Learning and Global Education will offer a Notary Public Exam Prep Course starting Tuesday, March 4. The early bird fee is $430 until February 26 and $450 after that date.
In partnership with Louisiana State University-Shreveport, this 52-hour course is an introduction to notary public fundamentals. The instructor, attorney and notary Jennifer Brown distributes significant course study guides and materials to assist in preparation for the exam. This course will be delivered via online video conferencing. The instructor will provide participants with a conferencing link to join the class once enrolled.
Requirements for the course are that participants must have broadband access, a camera and sound. The test is based on the Louisiana Secretary of State’s newest edition of “The Fundamentals of Louisiana Notarial Law and Practice,” which is available only at www.sos.la.gov or call (225) 922-0507 for further information. Participants must have the book before the end of the course. The instructor will provide detailed notes to study by and help students during the class until the book is available. Please visit the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Website’s Notary and Certifications for qualifications at www.sos.la.gov or call (225) 922-0507. In order to take the Louisiana State Notary Exam, students must be Louisiana residents and registered to vote in Louisiana.
For more information or to register for classes, go to checkout.nsula.edu or call (800) 376-2422 or (318) 357-6355. Stay up to date with course offerings by following NSU Electronic Learning and Global Education on Facebook at facebook.com/NSULA.ece.
Funeral services honoring the life of Charlotte Ann Gay will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Good Hope Baptist Church with Reverend Tinker Hillman officiating. Burial will follow in Good Hope Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service.
Visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 9:00 AM until service time.
Charlotte Ann Gay was born on August 29, 1937, in Anacoco, Louisiana to Toliver and Gladys Hale McConathy. She passed away on February 18, 2025, at the age of 87 in Alexandria, Louisiana. Charlotte was born and raised in Anacoco and was a 1955 graduate of Anacoco High School.
Charlotte found joy in tending to her yard and cherished traveling, both abroad and on cruises, alongside her late husband, Joe. Her greatest happiness came from spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a devoted member of Good Hope Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Toliver and Gladys Hale McConathy and sisters, Adell and Lazel.
Left to cherish her memory are extended family members and numerous friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the charity of your choice.
The latest weather information is calling for a hard freeze for the next several days. Daytime highs will be in the 40’s today and Thursday with evening temperatures in the low 20’s and below tonight and Thursday. Protect your pets, pipes and tender vegetation.
High temperatures on Friday are expected in the mid 40’s with a low of 32 degrees Friday night. A 30-40% chance of rain on Saturday will push warmer air into the area Sunday and Monday with highs reaching near 60 degrees on Sunday and 70 on Monday.
Please do not travel unless necessary. Roads may be hazardous due to leftover frozen precipitation midweek.
