Funeral services for David Alan Armbruster will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 21, 2024, at First United Pentecostal Church of Leesville with Reverends Mark Christian, Dale Mortensen, and Jon Welch officiating and Jamie Armbruster speaking. The burial will follow in Prewitts Chapel Cemetery under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service. Serving as pallbearers will be Wes Linaweaver, Kaleb Leon, Tony Doyle, Aaron Evans, Tanner Nance, and Eric Frost. Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Leon, Tommy Bolton, Micheal Dowden, Dannie Frost, John Stocum, and Dennis Day.

A visitation will be held at First United Pentecostal Church of Leesville on Friday, December 20th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

On Thursday, December 12th at 11:50 p.m. David set down his earthly Airman wings and picked up his Heavenly wings. His fight against cancer is finished, and his eternal rest has begun.

He was born and raised in upstate New York. After basic training he came to England Air Force Base in Alexandria. While there he met Elizabeth Anne Chance on a blind date that was quite eventful! Ask about the cow on the bridge! They married and had Jaime, and he began working at Fort Polk in medical logistics. Ten years later they had Chance. After more than 30 years he retired from one job and started another. He worked for 14 years as a role player, training soldiers headed overseas – a job that he took very seriously.

David was known for being quick to make a joke and keep you laughing. He liked to show off all of the random trivia he knew. You did not want to play Trivial Pursuit or Jeopardy with him — you would lose. He loved to read, to travel, and to experience the world around him. His family will continue to travel and finish those bucket list locations with him in their hearts, knowing that he will always be with them.
David was preceded in death by his father, Martin Armbruster; mother, Betty Armbruster; and infant brother.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Anne Armbruster of Anacoco; son, Chance Armbruster (Autumn) of St. Louis, Missouri; daughter, Jamie Armbruster of Anacoco; sisters, Susan Catrombone of Limestone, Tennessee, and Debbie Armbruster of Utica, New York; uncle, Carl O’Shea of Oneonta, New York; niece, Sara Catrombone; nephew, Micheal Armbruster; numerous extended family members and friends; and his favorite armchair buddy, Roux.

A graveside service for Sandra Marie Spurgeon was held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at Castor Cemetery with Reverend Walter Collins officiating under the direction of Jeane’s Funeral Service.

Sandra was born October 6, 1953, in Leesville and passed away December 15, 2024, in Leesville at the age of 71. She was an educator for many years, which included being the school librarian at North Polk Elementary but was also a proud volunteer at Helping Hands. Being an avid reader helped her acquire knowledge of many subjects, and she used this to play Trivial Pursuit with her family. Tab, Kash, and Max will have special memories of the games they played with her. Sandra enjoyed watching Jeopardy and knew most of the answers. With her family she traveled to all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, and Europe and always had a great time sharing her love of history during their travels. Above all, Sandra loved the Lord and next she loved and cherished her family.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Edward L. Spurgeon and Lois Wise Spurgeon and brother, Leonard Spurgeon.

Those left to cherish her memories are her sisters, Jane Delaney and husband Jerry of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Rebecca Spurgeon of Leesville; nieces/daughters, Lois L. Spurgeon and Leah Power and husband Tab, all of Leesville; nephews/grandsons, Tab Power II, Kash Williams, and Max Power; numerous loving cousins; and special friends at Helping Hands.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Sandra’s memory to either the Helping Hands Ministry in Leesville or Castor Baptist Church.

DAVID ALAN ARMBRUSTER
November 17, 1952 – December 12, 2024
Service: December 21, 2024, at First United Pentecostal Church in Leesville at 11:00 a.m.

SANDRA MARIE SPURGEON
October 6, 1953 – December 15, 2024
Service: December 17, 2024, at Castor Cemetery in Leesville at 1:00 p.m.

JAMES LARRY CORLEY, JR.
December 5, 1971 – December 12, 2024
Service: December 21, 2024, at The Dog House Bar & Grill in Leesville at 11:00 a.m.

JERRY LEE THIGPEN
August 15, 1941 – December 12, 2024
Service: December 18, 2024, at Labby Memorial Funeral Home in Leesville at 10:00 a.m.

Jeremy Goodwin, age 33, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Violation of a Protective Order.  Bond has not been set.  Goodwin remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Jennifer Monieque Sigler, age 51, of Hornbeck, was arrested on an out-of-jurisdiction Bench Warrant for Sabine Parish.  Sigler was transferred to Sabine Parish.

Shelby Johnson, age 33, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Theft.  Bond has not been set.  Johnson remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Jarius Slate, age 33, of New Llano, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Slate remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Lee Everett Dougharty, age 38, of Pitkin, was arrested on a Fugitive Warrant from Beauregard Parish.  Dougharty remains in the Vernon Parish jail awaiting transfer to Beauregard Parish.

Jason Runge, age 47, of DeRidder, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Runge remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Harold Ronald West, age 39, of DeRidder, was arrested and charged with one count of No Tail Light and one count of Operating a Vehicle while License is Suspended,  Bond was set at $2670.  West remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Steven Ray Jett, age 41, of Anacoco, was arrested and charged with one count of Battery of a Dating Partner.  Bond has not been set.  Jett remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Katrina Leann Smith, age 44, of Anacoco, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic.  Bond has not been set.  Smith remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

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

Vernon Council of Aging- The VCOA at 200 North Third Street in downtown Leesville will be selling gumbo at the Leesville Christmas Parade Saturday, December 14.  Doors will open at 3pm.  You may eat in or get it to go.

Pitkin Christmas Parade- The town of Pitkin will hold their annual Christmas parade on Saturday, December 14 at 1 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to enjoy the parade, food and vendors.  Vendors can call Jessica for info at 318-491-0959.  To enter a float call Jody at 337-789-1173 or Larry at 337-322-6100.

The Village of Anacoco- The Anacoco Community Center will host Santa and Mrs Claus at 530pm Saturday, December 14.  Kids can give their letters to Santa and visit.  Free to all.  Enjoy free hot chocolate and coffee, free hot dogs, chili, cookies and kids activities.  Everyone who comes gets one free photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  There is also a chili cookoff with $1000 worth of prize money up for grabs. Chili judging starts at 530pm.  Pre-register for the chili cookoff by calling 337-239-0215.

Vernon Council on Aging- The VCOA will be selling gumbo at the Leesville Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 14…VCOA is located at 200 North Third Street in downtown Leesville.  Doors will open at 3pm. Come by and eat in or take it to go.

Vernon Parish Chamber Orchestra- The Vernon Parish Chamber Orchestra will hold a free Christmas Concert on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.  The concert will be in the Wooten Theatre in downtown DeRidder.  The public is invited to hear live music, the sounds of the season.  Free and open to the public.

The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce will host the annual Christmas Parade Saturday, December 14, at 5:30 p.m.  Line-up will begin at 3 p.m. The parade rolls through downtown Leesville at 5:30 p.m.

This year’s theme is “Angels Among Us”.  Register online at greatervernon.org.

Christmas shopping at Third St Market

The second Saturday at the Third Street Market will begin Saturday, December 14, at 9 a.m. and continue ’til 3 p.m.  You’ll find loads of vendors, food, family activities, and Christmas shopping galore.   The market is at the corner of Third and Harriet Streets in downtown Leesville.

By VPJ Staff

Many Americans see snow at Christmas time.  Here in the south, not so much.  We’re better at visualizing it.  Now, when snow rears its ugly head in the south, we generally take notice.  It gets really weird down here in Louisiana with people driving and not knowing how to act.  Kids seeing snow for the first time in the south is quite a sight.

The first 12-13 years of my life were spent in snow.  Dad was in the US Air Force (SAC).  We were stationed at out of the way places, mostly in the north.

It snowed a lot at the top of Maine! A lot, like 8 months out of the year, or more, so it seemed.  It’s not a whole lot better in Newfoundland, the rock off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. It may have been worse, now that I think about it. In fact, one of my first snow memories was in Newfoundland.

One fine winter morning we awoke in base housing and prepared for school and work.  There was a lot of snow on base housing on Old River Road.  When we tried to leave the house…we couldn’t!  SNOWED IN.  The front door wouldn’t open, the back door led to a small patio, and the garage door was snowed shut.  Wind had drifted the snow, and our house was literally covered in snow.  There was a window we could open in the basement, and we huddled around the central heating unit for warmth. Giant snowplows dug us out in 24-30 hours and life returned to normal.  The sled and toboggan rides were the best part of Newfoundland.

The family was transferred to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, about 25 miles from the Canadian border.  Talk about dense pine forests and SNOW!!  It was, at this time, as an ambitious teenager, I wanted a paper route, so I could get rich.  The Detroit Free Press was a massive paper, super big on the weekend.  Two houses down from ours I picked up papers, put them in my bag, and dragged my sled around the neighborhood, in the snow.  Snowplows on the base would dig out the fire hydrants and pile up the snow around the hydrants.  I learned the serenity of the snow by ducking into those snow shrines to escape the bitter winds. The paper route may have lasted 40 days.

The family moved to Louisiana in 1967, and it was a while before we saw snow again.

1975 found me doing children’s theatre on the east coast with the Robin Hood Players. We were in Williamsport, Pennsylvania in February.  My recent promotion to stage manager put me in charge of getting us around in the Dodge van.  We left, headed to southern New York, through a stretch of the Allegheny mountains IN THE MIDDLE OF A HORRIFIC SNOWSTORM!  I “white knuckled” it all the way to our little ski resort.  I do not believe I have ever been that scared driving!

In 2004, I married my current wife and the editor of the VPJ, Mary Lou.  We honeymooned in Houston and went to Galveston for two nights at a beach property.  We got caught in the worst snowstorm Texas had seen in 110 years.  There were four inches of snow on the beach Christmas morning, and the island’s first-ever white Christmas!  It was an exceedingly rare event.  My rowdy friends teased me about getting married again — something about hell freezing over.

We took a Valentine’s Day weekend trip to Long Beach, Mississippi, in 2021.  We traveled home during the North American winter storm, which could possibly have been the worst ice storm ever in Louisiana.  We drove in the dark from Alexandria on Highway 28 doing 30 mph and trying to stay in the grooves made by the vehicles that went before us.  People were passing us at 50 mph!  That just reinforced the notion that people down south have strange notions on how to drive in snow and ice.

My relationship with snow has been forged in some hard times.  I do love the calm, peaceful, serene quality of a snow that gently blankets the ground, but I shudder at the blizzard conditions that often come with it.  To this day, I do not ice skate or ski and have little interest in hockey.  Snow…I’m so over it!

Welcome to the Vernon Parish Job Opportunities page. Every month you will find current job listings from The City of Leesville, Vernon Parish Police Jury, Vernon Parish School Board, the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Leesville City Police. 

Vernon Parish E-911 Communications Division- Currently accepting applications for Public Safety E-911 Dispatchers.  Full-time and part-time positions available.  Pick up application Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm @ 190 Ned Woodham Road, Leesville.  Must be 18 years of age to apply.  Must have high school degree or equivelant.

CITY OF LEESVILLE (Public Works)
Contact Chris Fox at 337-239-2995 or apply on-line at http://www.leesvillela.gov/jobs.aspx
These jobs feature great benefits: Excavator Operator, Sweeper Truck Operator.

The Leesville Fire Department is now hiring fire-fighters.  Contact Chief Bobby Hooks at 337-239-7950 or stop by the Leesville Fire Station.

VERNON PARISH POLICE JURY
There are no listings this week for the VPPJ

LEESVILLE CITY POLICE
City is always interested in hiring Patrol Officers. Contact Lt. Matt Warren at 337-238-0331

VERNON PARISH SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The VPSO has two job listings this week: 1) Corrections Deputy – must be 18 years of age. Have high school diploma.  No experience needed;  2) Louisiana POST Certified Patrol Deputy.  Must have a minimum of two years’ experience.  Must be POST Certified through Louisiana.  For information, contact Chief Deputy Calvin Turner at 337-238-1311.

VERNON PARISH SCHOOL BOARD
The school board has the following openings.

Certified Speech Language Pathologist (VPSB)

Special Education Teacher at Leesville Junior High

Head football coach at Rosepine High (teaching responsibilities may vary)

Fifth grade teacher at Hicks Elementary

ELA teacher at Parkway Elementary

Apply online at  http://www.vpsb.us

The hardwood season is young, but Vernon Parish teams look strong against area competition. The Simpson girls continue to hold the best record among area girls at 16-1 followed by the rising Lady Red Devils of Pickering at 7-1. The 2024 Division III non-select State Champions, the Rosepine Lady Eagles have won four of their last five, to even the record at 5-5. The 13-3 Hicks boys have won five in a row, while Pitkin is 12-4 and winners of nine of their last ten games. The Parish Basketball tournament is coming up December 19-20, at both the old and new gyms of Simpson. The public is invited to attend…a tournament schedule follows this team by team breakdown below.

ANACOCO(G)- 7-5, hosting Glenmora tonight, at Rosepine 12/17
ANACOCO(B)- 7-9, hosting Glenmora tonight, at Rosepine 12/17
EVANS(G)- 7-4, lost at Hackberry, Tuesday night 43-36
EVANS(B)- 1-11, lost at Hackberry, Tuesday night 45-26
HICKS(G)- 6-9, Have lost four in a row. Play at Glenmora Mon.12/16
HICKS(B)-13-3, Have won five in a row. Beat Oak Hill Tuesday, 72-54. At Glenmora 12/16
HORNBECK(G)- 3-5, Lost to Florien Tuesday 49-48. At Zwolle 12/17
HORNBECK(B)- 6-4, Beat Florien Tuesday, 68-64. Play at Zwolle 12/17
LEESVILLE(G)- 2-4, Host Grant Monday 12/16
LEESVILLE(B)- Lost at LCCP Monday, 72-44. Hosting Grant 12/16
PICKERING(G)- 7-1, have won five in a row. Play next in Parish tourney(SEE BELOW)
PICKERING(B)- 4-4, won at Singer Monday, 51-49. Played Barbe last night/score not avail.
PITKIN(G)- 8-8, Have won four of last five. Host Buckeye 12/17
PITKIN(B)-12-4,Have won nine of last ten. Beat Reeves this week, 74-66. Buckeye 12/17
ROSEPINE(G)- 5-5. Defending state champs have won four of last five. Host Anacoco 12/17
ROSEPINE(B) 6-3, Have won four of last five. Hosting Anacoco 12/17
SIMPSON(G)- 16-1, hosted Many Thursday, score unavailable at press time.
SIMPSON(B)-5-8, hosted Many Thursday, score unavailable at presstime.
FAITH TRAINING(G)4-1,at John Paul the Great tonight
FAITH TRAINING(B)- 1-5, play at John Paul the Great tonight

PARISH TOURNEY SCHEDULE
Thursday, Dec. 19 at Simpson(old gym) NOON Evans vs Hornbeck-G, 120pm Pitkin vd Pickering-G, 240pm Hicks vs Pickering-B 4pm Hicks vs Rosepine-G
Thursday, Dec. 19 at Simpson(new gym) NOON Simpson vs Evans-B, 120pm Pitkin vs Anacoco-B, 240pm Anacoco vs Leesville-G 4pm Hornbeck vs Leesville-B
Friday, Dec. 20 at Simpson(new gym) 10am & 1130am Girls semifinals Finals at 4pm
Friday, Dec. 20 at Simpson(new gym) 1pm & 2pm boys semifinals. Finals at 530pm

The Joan Kathey Dance Center’s West Louisiana Dance Theatre Company presents two classic holiday shows.

The Nutcracker and The Grinch are sure to entertain families and all ages.

The traditional Christmas Nutcracker production has been re-imagined this year with new choreography and will feature a guest dancer, Tian Tan.  Tan, who has performed as a guest artist with Los Angeles Ballet, Atlantic City Ballet, and other noted companies, including the West Louisiana Dance Theatre Company.  Tan will perform in the role of the Cavalier on Friday, December 13, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Leesville High School Auditorium.  Tickets are available at the door or through http://dancestudio-pro.com/tickets/jkdc.

This year’s Grinch production features a family-friendly show with bright, glittery sets, exciting special effects and new choreography.  The community is invited to a matinee show Sunday, December 15, at 2 p.m. in the Leesville High School Auditorium.  The cast of The Grinch will also perform school shows in the Vernon Parish area December 16 -18.

The West Louisiana Dance Theatre Company features dancers from all over Vernon Parish and the local area.

Northwestern State University will award diplomas during three Commencement ceremonies Wednesday, December 18 and Thursday, December 19 in Prather Coliseum.  The ceremonies are for both summer and fall graduates.

The ceremony for graduates from the College of Business and Technology and the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 18. 

The ceremony for graduates from the College of Nursing and School of Allied Health will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 18. 

The ceremony for graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences and the Louisiana Scholars’ College will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 19. 

All ceremonies will be live streamed via www.nsula.edu.   

For a detailed schedule, a list of Frequently Asked Questions and candidate information, visit www.nsula.edu/graduation. 

By Rickey Robertson

Most people living in Louisiana don’t know that our state was the last state to finally come out of the Great Depression. But what helped the state out of this terrible situation? It began early in 1940 when Governor Sam Jones was contacted by the US Army concerning military maneuvers in the state.

These maneuvers began in the spring/summer of 1940, and with the monies being spent by the Army, the state slowly began to overcome the hard times of the Depression.

Another thing the US Army did to assist the state was to send engineer units throughout the areas to help improve roads and bridges. There were very few paved roads in the maneuver areas of Central and West Central Louisiana. Most roads were only dirt roads, and they were considered improved if they had gravel on them. With the hundreds of military trucks, tanks, and other motorized vehicles, the roads, and especially the bridges, would need to be reinforced for heavy use.

Beginning in 1936, the Louisiana Department of Highways was formed and began to set the first highway markers throughout the state. These were concrete markers with LDH imprinted on them and were placed along the right of ways of all roads declared a highway. These markers were to be: 30 feet from the center line of the roadway; 6 inches square and made of concrete; placed 3 feet into the ground; and have 2 feet out of the ground, showing right-of-way ownership by the Louisiana Department of Highways.

Right along my property located in the Peason Community and 30 feet from the center line of LA Hwy. 118 (the Louisiana Maneuvers Hwy.) is one of these original highway right-of-way markers. As you travel many of the country highways throughout the area, you will notice these old markers. On all the roadways that have been turned into four-laned highways or interstates, these markers have been destroyed or removed. So, this marker and others along Highway 118 were placed during the 1930’s.

When the Army Engineers did arrive in 1940 and 1941, these right-of-way boundary markers were used as they graded and updated these rural roadways.  Today our roadways maintained by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (formed in 1976) are paved. It was a great day for us when Hwy. 118, going from Florien to Mt. Carmel to Peason and on to Kisatchie, was paved. No more gravel road! I will never forget riding with my Granddaddy to Many, Louisiana from Peason, listening to the gravel hitting and popping under the fenders of his old big Mercury car!

So, if you are traveling along a rural road and see one of these right-of-way boundary markers, you are seeing a piece of Louisiana highway history dating back to the days of dirt and gravel roadways!

Leesville (Dist. 3-4A) and Rosepine (Dist. 4-2A) had several players chosen for All District honors recently. Pickering kids did not compete for district honors this year.
Leesville – First Team Offense JR Michael Davis WR SR Andrew Lewis OL SR Jaythan Hurd OL SR Xavier Ford RB Offensive MVP-Xavier Ford
Second Team Offense SR Davion Brtek WR SR D’Andre Herron TE SR Kenny Ingram OL SR Christian Delapp K

First Team Defense SR D’Andre Herron DL JR Jacob Pajinag LB SR Jordan Patterson DB
Defensive CO-MVP D’Andre Herron
Second Team Defense SR Vernon Stewart DL Soph. Masyn Escoffery LB SR Deshawn McNeely DB
Rosepine All-District First Team Aiden Shell TE Jayce Hines LB Zane Wellmaker DB
Theodore Wogoman OL Caleb Preece OL
Second Team Honors Gabe Walker QB Rowan Embry WR Brynnum Chaney RB
Patrick Gibson OL Barrett Coody LB Jaedon Sandoval Kick Returner

CONGRATS TO ALL THE PLAYERS NAMED TO FIRST AND SECOND TEAM ALL DISTRICT!

Congratulations to George Koss of Many.  George is a huge football fan and won twice this season in our Pick-Em contest.  I think he likes having Ben around for the holidays.   Thanks to everyone who played our contest this season.  Thanks for helping to grow the Vernon Parish Journal. We’ll be back with another Pick-Em in 2025.

Thanks to our inaugural sponsors: The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office, Mockler Beverage, Bud’s Auto and Towing, Mad Bullies-ATV Repair, Mark Smith Insurance, Cryer’s Sports, and Dairy Queen of Leesville.

Advertise your business with the Vernon Parish Journal and get results.  Call 337-208-9253 and get started.

THANKS FOR PLAYING!!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Looking for a rewarding career in commercial construction?

D’Argent Construction is hiring superintendents to join their team.

Description:

You’ll be responsible for overseeing all aspects of construction, from budgeting and scheduling to quality control and safety.

Must Have:

Five Years of experience in commercial construction.

Compensation:

Starting salary:  $80,000.00
Bonuses: Available
Vehicle: Company Truck

Contact: D’Argent Construction at 318-787-6049

D’ARGENT CONSTRUCTION, THE LEADING COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IN CENLA.

EOE

How are your Christmas preparations progressing?

I have reached the age and station of life, where Christmas decorations should be guided by minimalist philosophy. There should be a small tree on the mantle and maybe one elf on one shelf. At this stage, Christmas should fit into one oversized shoe box. I have been told that I have a Grinch-like view of Christmas decorations.

Speaking of the Grinch, I have been type-cast. I will be in two Christmas parades this year. If you are at the Gibsland parade, I’ll be on the Gibsland Bank float as the Grinch. In Ruston, I’ll be on the Trinity Methodist Church as the Grinch. I will be the happy Grinch with the heart enlarged three times!

Did I tell you that I danced eighteen shows with the Lake Charles Ballet as Santa Claus. I have played that role at least three times. I’m picking up on a theme, people keep putting me in costumes that require extensive make up.

Back to our subject of Christmas decorations.

Do you have items that are always present in your Christmas decorations? Do these items have stories attached to them? In some households Christmas decorating takes a while because the decorator narrates the story of each ornament or decoration. I think I appreciate those stories more now than I once did.

One of the items in our household are the baby gates. For years we have used those gates in the doorway of the room that holds the tree. We have no babies in our family. Our grandchildren are older now. We use the baby gates because we have curious and helpful dogs. The dogs have often seen the Christmas tree and the presents under it as a source of entertainment. The two now living in the house are
proficient at Christmas curiosity and have a history of undecorating and unwrapping presents.

The baby gates minimize the canine caused chaos.

Those gates remind me of an important truth. Christmas is not about order and perfection, it is about mess and chaos. Think about the story.

The orderly life of the engage couple was thrown into chaos. The emperor issued travel mandates. The child was born in a most rustic place. Mom and baby were disturbed by shepherds and their nocturnal visit. Trust me, the sheep were in tow! Herod got involved in the story in a horrible way. Joseph and Mary became immigrants and for a time outcasts.

Christmas is for people who are not perfect, who do not have it together, who are stymied in their planning.

Christmas is a time that reminds us that God can bring order out of chaos. He can bring life and love in surprising ways. He can see a path for you when you can’t claim it for yourself. He meets sin and failure with his love and grace.

That love and grace is often his way of throwing a baby gate around your heart.

Enrollment for Spring 2025 programming course is open

Northwestern State University hosted a Lunch and Learn on artificial intelligence December 10 presented by Monty Chicola, who discussed how language models work, agents, assistants and how AI can help individuals do their jobs better, faster and more efficiently.  Chicola is an NSU graduate whose company, Real Vision Software, Inc., has been an IBM Business Partner Company for the past 35 years.  The session was presented at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center. 

Chicola will instruct an AI programming course through NSU’s School of Business in partnership with IBM beginning in January 2025.  The hands-on programming course will equip both students and working professionals with advanced AI skills. “The course is for those who want to advance their career and be the most knowledgeable and valued employee in their company,” he said.  

The course will be from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays beginning January 14 in synchronous format for both in-person and on-line students. No transcripts are required. Information on the Spring 2025 AI course at NSU is available at https://nsu.la/ibm.  A step-by-step enrollment guide can be found by visiting https://nsu.la/IBMApply.

Funeral services for Fannie “Betty” Elizabeth Hull Smith will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Jeane’s Funeral Service in Leesville with Reverends Larry Vaughn and Jeff Taylor officiating. The burial will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Kendall “Bubba” Smith, Seth Carson, Brandon Smith, Jonathan Papin, William Smith, and Danny James.

A visitation will be held at Jeane’s on Friday, December 13th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and again on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service.

Betty was born May 4, 1946, in Washington Depot, Connecticut, and passed away at her home in Provencal, Louisiana on December 11, 2024, at the age of 78. She lived in the Vernon Parish area for over 40 years before moving to Provencal in 2010.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, George “Rattler” William Smith; parents, Harry and Blanche Hull; great-grandson, Keagan McCoy Scott; siblings, Harry Hull, Helen Chappius, Cora Fagan, and Billy Hull; and sisters and brothers-in-law, Chape Chappius, Bob Fagan, Shirley Hull, and Janet Smith.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sons, George Wesley Smith (Jodi Watkins) of Boyce, LA and Matthew Smith of Provencal; daughters, Stephanie Robinson of Lynchburg, Virginia; Helena Smith of Alexandria, Louisiana; and Georgianna (Tracey) Wyble of Provencal; grandchildren, Amy Carson (Seth), Cheyenne Scott (Kyler), Hailey Bailey (Hayden), William Smith, Christine Robinson (Ronnie), Tracey Wyble, Jr., Steven Wyble (Brittany), Micheal Wyble, Randi Jo Watkins, and Elyssa Watkins; eleven great-grandchildren; brother, Floyd “Butchy” Hull of Winstead, Connecticut; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Smith and Danny Joe Smith; special niece, Edie James of Hicks, Louisiana; best friend, Patricia Booty; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Betty’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to G.G. for caring for her for the last 16 years and to Tracey, Amy, Seth, and Maw Pat for their help. They also thank Heart of Hospice and her nurses, Gage and Kiki, for their wonderful care.

FANNIE “BETTY” ELIZABETH HULL SMITH
May 4, 1946 – December 11, 2024
Service: December 14, 2024, at Jeane’s Funeral Service in Leesville at 11:00 a.m.

Chloe Elaine Ellis, age 22, of Simpson, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and one count of Possession of a Schedule II Narcotic.  Ellis was also arrested on a Bench Warrant from Beauregard Parish.  Bond was set at $9,000.  Ellis remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Elijah Harper, age 47, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Abuse Battery/Strangulation.  Bond was set at $50,000.  Harper remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Sheila Angelika Perkins, age 50, of Pitkin, was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.  Bond has not been set.  Perkins remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Mark Thomas Williams, age 56, of Anacoco was arrested and charged with one count of Simple Battery.  Bond was set at $3500.  Williams posted bond and was released.

David Albert Bailey, age 56, of Leesville was arrested on two outstanding Bench Warrants.  Bond has not been set.  Bailey remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Summer Virginia Stricklen, age 27, of Leesville was arrested on three counts of Theft.  Bond has not been set.  Stricklen remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Kathryn Chloe Spillers, age 44, of Leesville was arrested and charged with two counts Simple Assault, two count of Battery of a Police Officer and one count of Resisting a Police Officer with Force or Violence-Simple Assault.  Bond was set at $8,490.  Spillers remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

Michelle Tinsley, age 24, of Leesville was arrested and charged with one count of Aggravated Second Degree Battery.  Bond has not been set.  Tinsley remains in the Vernon Parish Jail.

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

Leesville City Council met at 3 p.m. on Monday, December 9, in City Hall.  A public hearing was held on the adoption of Ordinances 6 & 7 of 2024.  Both items were introduced November 25, 2024.  Ordinance 6 authorizes the Mayor to establish a franchise fee pursuant to a state-issued Certificate of Franchise Authority and provide for other matters in connection therewith, repealing all ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict.  This ordinance relates to the recent growth of internet service providers available to city residents.  Fastwyre has a non-exclusive franchise with the City, and they are state certified.  The City will charge Fastwyre 5% on gross fees paid by Fastwyre customers in the city limits.  Ordinance 7 authorizes the City of Leesville to accept donated property from Two Magnolias Land Company, located at 1006 North Gladys Street Leesville.  It authorizes the Mayor to sign and execute an act of donation for that property and provide for other matters associated with the donation of that property, repealing all ordinances and parts in conflict.

There were no public comments at the public hearing, and both ordinances went before the Council meeting that followed, as resolutions.  Both were approved.

City bills for the month were quoted at $43,754.24. Council members accepted the report and approved payment. 

City Engineer, Mark McCarty, reported a work slowdown for the holidays on the Entrance Road water/sewerage project.  Contractors will be trenching in January to be able to install pipe.  The City overlay project for 2024 is mostly complete and is almost ready to be signed off on by all parties. Surplus money from this year’s budget will be used on a project on Pearl Street.  City crews will have the work done within two days, once started.

Council members heard a resolution on an application for a Liquor and Beer Permit submitted by Miguel Orta Morin for Royal Express LLC, located at 1402 Entrance Road.  There were no public comments. 

The Council heard a resolution to approve and authorize new in-car and body cameras for the Leesville Police Department. The City will enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs to support local veterans.  The resolution authorized the Mayor to sign and execute the CEA.

Mayor Allen spoke at length on the glowing Fiscal Year 23/24 audit that was received from Kolder, Champagne, Slaven and Company.  The audit praised the City for effective management and for a 348% increase in city surplus over the last five years.  The Mayor and Council were very pleased with the Number of Months of Operations Available, if the city were to stop collecting revenue.  State law mandates a municipality have a 60-day supply of reserve funds in the bank.   In 2020, the City had 3.9 months of revenue available.  In 2024 that number had risen to 16.7 months.  The auditing firm told the city it was one of the best audits in the state.  The Mayor said he would recommend only a one penny increase in sewage/water rates, which is the minimum allowed by the city charter.

Mayor Allen gave big thanks to City Public Works Director, Chris Fox, for getting hold of the water treatment situation in the City.  Allen remarked that one inch of rainfall generates 9000 gallons of water to be treated by the City.

City Planner, Grant Bush introduced two new city employees.  Kacie Rife has been hired as a Planning Assistant and Lakenya Johnson is the new Code Enforcement and Animal Control Officer.

City Administrator, Patty Larney, thanked all city employees and volunteers for their help in the city’s Jingle/Mingle event last weekend.  Larney also said that due to a software issue, city property tax bills will be late in coming to customers.  The deadline to pay them has been extended till January 31.

Happy Holidays from the  City of Leesville.