Leesville Daily Leader

06/03/2026

By Pamela Sleezer The city of Leesville announced Wednesday that it had accepted the sudden resignation of Police Chief Amanda Westmoreland. Outgoing Mayor Rick Allen released a statement with the […]

05/21/2026

In the state of Louisiana, the only possible sentence for first-degree murder is mandatory life in prison without the benefit of probation or parole.

By Pamela Sleezer After deliberating for only five minutes, a 12-person jury found 49-year-old Terrie Gray guilty of first-degree murder in the death of 4-year-old Athena Rose Denise Miller, and […]

05/21/2026

The doors opened Monday to the renovated Leesville Recreation Complex, which now includes turf fields, pickleball courts, renovated concession stands, a new splash pad, four new sets of bleachers and more.

The doors opened Monday to the renovated Leesville Recreation Complex, which now includes turf fields, pickleball courts, renovated concession stands, a new splash pad, four new sets of bleachers and […]

05/21/2026

The daughter of a Leesville woman accused of abusing and murdering her boyfriend’s preschool-aged daughter took the stand on Wednesday as the trial entered its second day of witness testimony.

By Pamela Sleezer The daughter of a Leesville woman accused of abusing and murdering her boyfriend’s preschool-aged daughter took the stand on Wednesday as the trial entered its second day […]

05/19/2026

“Sen. Reese has spent his career working at the intersection of public service, business, workforce and economic development,” said Mark Romero, chair of the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. “That perspective will be valuable for McNeese as the University continues to align its academic mission with the needs and opportunities of Southwest Louisiana."

The University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors has named Senator Mike Reese as the ninth president of McNeese State University, selecting a longtime public servant, business executive and regional […]

05/18/2026

By Pamela Sleezer A Leesville man is facing child p**nography charges after Vernon Parish authorities received a tip from the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. Lance Joseph Meyer, 35, was charged […]

05/18/2026

After 30 years of distinguished service as councilwoman-at-large, Alice Guess has officially retired from the Leesville City Council, leaving behind a lasting legacy of community improvement.

By Ashlyn Little After 30 years of distinguished service as councilwoman-at-large, Alice Guess has officially retired from the Leesville City Council, leaving behind a lasting legacy of community improvement. A […]

05/14/2026

The search committee has narrowed its choices to two for recommendation for the next president of McNeese State University — Dr. Dee Dee Anderson and state Sen. Mike Reese. The ultimate decision now rests with the full University of Louisiana System Board during a special meeting set for Tuesday, May 19. https://theleesvilleleader.com/2026/05/13/sen-reese-a-finalist-for-mcneese-president/

05/11/2026

Among the finalists is Leesville’s own state Sen. Mike Reese.

By Pamela Sleezer The committee tasked with selecting McNeese’s next university president announced it has narrowed the field to three semifinalists. The McNeese State University Presidential Search Committee decided on […]

04/16/2026

During the board’s agenda-setting meeting last week, officials said the district had received only one candidate application so far and expressed a desire to have at least two candidates to consider.

By Pamela Sleezer The Vernon Parish School Board voted on Tuesday to continue its search for the district’s next superintendent for another 30 days. Board members approved the motion during […]