As we fully embrace 2025, the Minden Press-Herald shares some of the top stories of the past year. While far from a comprehensive list, these are some of the best, as chosen by our news team.
This edition will feature stories for May and June, and tomorrow’s edition will continue from there.
Filming showcases Minden for promotional videos
A KTAL film crew was in downtown Minden on Thursday afternoon capturing footage for a series of promotional videos designed to highlight the city’s culture, businesses and community spirit.
The project, initiated by the City of Minden, aims to feature local residents in commercials and videos that will promote the area to a broader audience. Filming on May 8 ran from 12 PM to 4 PM at multiple locations throughout the downtown area.
Crews began filming at several local eateries, including El Santito on the patio, Orleans Bistreaux, Underdawgs and Woo’s Bar. The production then moved to the Dorcheat Museum on Pearl Street and nearby retail shops, capturing scenes of shoppers and historic exhibits.
Later that afternoon, filming shifted to Bayou Dorcheat to capture footage of paddling on the scenic waterway. The day concluded with scenes at Shug’s Ice Cream Parlor, featuring the theme “Where life’s a lil sweeter.”
The city had invited residents from Minden and surrounding areas to participate in the project, encouraging community representation across all ages and backgrounds. According to city officials, the videos will spotlight local landmarks, events and the overall character of the community.
It was a clear spring afternoon for filming, adding to the backdrop for the first day of production. Additional sessions are planned at various locations around town to accommodate interested participants.
The final videos will be used in commercial and promotional campaigns to present Minden as a welcoming and vibrant place to live, work and visit.
Poladian named new Webster Parish tourism executive director
Amie Poladian, the current executive director of Springhill Main Street, has been selected as the new executive director of the Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Commission. She will assume her new role on July 1, 2025.
The decision was made during the commission’s regular meeting, held Tuesday, May 21. All board members were present except Rachel Miller. All agenda items, including the hiring of Poladian, were approved unanimously following an executive session.
Poladian has served as Executive Director for the City of Springhill since 2023, where she has led downtown business development initiatives and secured partnerships with local businesses, government agencies, and nonprofits. Her efforts in historic preservation and community engagement have contributed to the city’s economic growth. Under her leadership, Springhill Main Street was named Business of the Year in 2023 by the Springhill-North Webster Chamber of Commerce.
During her tenure, Poladian managed grant proposals, mentored teams, and developed strategic plans to attract and retain businesses in line with Springhill’s goals.
Minden celebrates power contract switch with midnight ceremony
A crowd gathered just before midnight May 31 at the Minden Historic Steam Plant to witness a power switch ceremony marking the City of Minden’s transition to a new electric power provider. The event, held at 119 Horton Street, commemorated the start of a new full requirements power contract with the Louisiana Energy and Power Authority (LEPA), which officially took effect Sunday, June 1, 2025.
Mayor Nick Cox, joined by Councilmen Buddy Myles, Michael Roy, and Andy Pendergrass, as well as LEPA General Manager Kevin Bihm, participated in the event, which included remarks, expressions of gratitude, and the ceremonial “big switch” thrown by the mayor to mark the official transfer.
“It’s a little unorthodox to have a celebration at midnight, but I just can’t stand to sleep through one of the biggest things to happen to this city in a while,” Cox said. “To be honest, I thought it would just be the five of us; I never thought it would be this many people, but it’s a testament to how important this is. It’s a big deal for the city.”
The new power agreement is expected to bring substantial savings to Minden residents, with projections ranging from 25 to 35 percent. Due to the billing schedule, residents will begin to see partial savings reflected on their July bills, with full savings visible by August.
Councilman Myles noted the significance of the event for Minden’s future.
“I’m hoping this brings huge amounts of growth to Minden,” Myles said. “This has plagued us for far too long. I’m just happy that we were able to all come together to work on this and be successful.”
Councilman Roy echoed the excitement, calling the moment “extraordinary” and looking forward to reduced utility costs for citizens.
“This is an extraordinary event for the citizens of Minden,” Roy said. “I really think this is going to be an awesome thing for the citizens of Minden and for the city as a whole. We look forward to some lower utility bills here in the near future.”
Pendergrass also acknowledged the group effort that led to the agreement.
“We believed this could happen, and it did. Thank you to everyone who believed, because it matters,” Pendergrass said. “The City of Minden is open for business, the City of Minden is open for you, the City of Minden is hoping for you. We believe our best days are ahead.”
Bihm spoke on the longstanding relationship between Minden and LEPA, which dates back to 1984.
“Minden is one of 20 member cities that LEPA has,” Bihm said. “We’ve had a long-term relationship and we are, when I say excited to have Minden back, we’re excited … to share in your excitement just like we are tonight.”
Bihm credited Cox as being instrumental in pushing the transition forward. “Mayor Nick Cox was the catalyst for all of this to happen; it couldn’t have been done without him,” Bihm said.
Cox said the council immediately prioritized addressing Minden’s high utility rates following his election, commissioning a study that confirmed the issue as the city’s most significant growth obstacle. The eventual plan, which originated from Minden’s Public Works Department, was adopted after considerable research, negotiation, and assistance from various stakeholders across Louisiana and beyond.
“We had a study done the first year we were in office, and it told us what we already knew. Our number one hurdle was the utility costs,” Cox said. “We were already working on it, we had already enlisted help. A lot of people told us it couldn’t be done.”
Cox quoted a line from the Pearl Harbor film in reference to overcoming challenges: “Don’t tell me it can’t be done.” He also credited the Public Works Department, particularly Gary Moreland, for devising the transition plan.
“God has blessed the City of Minden, and God will continue to bless the City of Minden,” Cox said.
Minden becomes the 13th full requirements member of LEPA. The agreement, which was approved unanimously by the Minden City Council in February, followed the expiration of the city’s previous 15-year utility contract. State law prohibits municipalities from entering utility contracts longer than 15 years, prompting the need for a new provider.
The switch is expected to reduce electricity costs and support economic growth in Minden, officials said.
Scholarship honors legacy of late Assistant Superintendent Kevin Washington
The Webster Parish School Board awarded the inaugural Kevin J. Washington Memorial Scholarship during its regular meeting on June 2, marking a new chapter in honoring the legacy of the late Assistant Superintendent Kevin Washington.
Kevin Thompson of Taylor and Sons presented the $1,000 scholarship, which was awarded to Tatiyana Mason, a graduating senior from North Webster High School. “I’m just so happy and grateful that we’re in a position to do this,” Thompson said.
Washington, who passed away unexpectedly on July 23, 2024, following a brief illness, was widely respected for his dedication to student welfare and educational equity. Superintendent Johnny Rowland described Washington as a “fierce advocate for ALL students,” regardless of their background.
In her remarks, Washington’s daughter, Kaylaan, expressed gratitude for the scholarship. “My dad dedicated his life to the betterment of the Webster Parish school system. We are especially touched and honored by your decision to dedicate a scholarship in his memory,” she said. “Knowing his legacy will continue to uplift students through educational opportunities is a meaningful and lasting tribute. Thank you for turning our sorrow into something hopeful.”
Mason’s winning essay highlighted the support she received throughout her education. “They say it takes a village, and for every Webster Parish school I went to, there was a village waiting,” she wrote. “So here I am, more than ready to conquer the next chapter, not because I know the answers to every problem, but because I’ve been given the tools to dig deep and find those answers.”
Washington, a Springhill native and 1983 graduate of Springhill High School, served in several roles during his tenure with the Webster Parish School Board, including Supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance and hearing officer. His career was marked by a commitment to respectful, dignified service and a deep belief in educational opportunity for all.
Sneed Weekend draws community together with health fair, football camp and fun
Community members of all ages came out to celebrate hometown NFL star L’Jarius Sneed during a three-day weekend of events in Minden, which included a health fair, youth football camp, and car show with a basketball tournament.
The weekend kicked off Thursday with the Game Plan for Health event at David Raines Community Health Center. Nearly 100 people received wellness checks, sports physicals, and free food.
Friday’s youth football camp at Minden High School drew a large crowd. Before the camp began, one of the coaches told attendees that Sneed had been called back to NFL training camp and wouldn’t make it. Moments later, Sneed surprised the kids by appearing on the field, met by cheers from the young athletes. Throughout the camp, he encouraged them with the phrase, “Be great today!”
On Saturday, the Sneed Reach 1 Foundation hosted a car show and 3v3 basketball tournament at the Minden REC Center. While attendance was lighter than earlier events, organizers said those who came enjoyed good food, music from a live DJ, and a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
“I want to start with the youth, that’s my biggest drive. It’s what I love,” Sneed said. “These kids are such a blessing, just to see all these smiles, them calling my name ‘Sneed.’ That’s what I do it for, just to give these kids hope and let them know that they can do it as well. I’m a normal person, just like them.”
Sneed, a Minden High School graduate, former Louisiana Tech Bulldog, and two-time Super Bowl champion, currently plays cornerback for the Tennessee Titans.