Tommy Malone, 77, of Pollock, peacefully passed away after a lengthy illness on May 15, 2023.

Tommy was born in Plain Dealing, Louisiana, on August 6, 1945 to Jewel and Oleta Malone. Tommy graduated from Plain Dealing High School in 1963 and soon after joined the LA National Guard. Tommy married Debbie Alexander on December 1966. Together, they built their family in Bossier City, LA until moving to central Louisiana.

Tommy faithfully served our country for 42 years with the LA Army National Guard as a heavy equipment mechanic and excelled in the National Guard’s Marksmanship Team. He participated in an abundant number of local and national Rifle and Pistol Championships earning a collection of Commendation Letters and medals.

An avid hunter, fisherman, and archer Tommy found a calling along with his “partner in crime”, Pat Craig, making recurve bows and arrows. He and Pat were members of Archery in Louisiana Schools (ALAS) and CENLA Bowbenders where they enjoyed coaching, mentoring, hosting events, and donating their bows and arrows to participants in need of equipment and a desire to learn this sport.

Tommy was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Debbie; parents; brothers, Charles Malone and Ricky David Malone; and sisters Sherry Rodgers and Janell May. Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Darin Malone and wife, Ann; daughter, Kristi Malone and fiancé, Michael Niette; sisters, Irene Giles and Mary Jewel Brown; grandchildren, Colton Ray, Nathan (Blakley), and Tanner; step-grandchildren, Nicholas, Kinny and Dalton; great grandchild, Rosalie; step-great grandchildren, Emily, Olivia, Justin and Winter; and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 19, 2023 at Hixson Brothers, Pineville from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and resume at the funeral home on Saturday, May 20th, from 9:00 a.m. until service time, 10 a.m. Following this service, a visitation will later be held at Chalybeate Springs Baptist Church, Plain Dealing, LA from 3:00 p.m. until the graveside service at the church’s cemetery at 4:00 p.m.

Pallbearers honored to serve are Jordan Chreene, Chad Gauthier, Sean Craig and Nick Lemoine. Honorary pallbearers will be Pat Craig and Carl Lloid.

I have seen several whipped cheeses (yes, more to come your way!) as of late, but this pretty little Whipped Brie with Honeycomb caught my eye. I become giddy over honey with cheese. Not only was this so easy, but looks just as nice on a serving platter too drizzled with extra honey and topped with rosemary. Definitely make this for your next spring to summer celebration.

Ingredients:

(2) 8 ounce wheels of Brie, cold
Honey
Honey comb
Flake sea salt
Rosemary
Salty crackers and strawberries for serving

Directions:

Using a cheese slicer or sharp knife remove the waxy outer layer from the wheels of Brie.  Slice into 1/2” slices and place in bowl of stand mixer.  Whip for 8-10 minutes. Spread Brie into the serving dish or bowl of your choice.  Place honeycomb in the middle of
the Brie.  Drizzle honey over to your preference.  Top with flaked sea salt and rosemary sprigs.

Ashley Madden is a wife, mother and published cookbook author from Minden, La.

By Jim Smilie

Complaints from residents of Acadian Village about brown water dominated discussions during the Alexandria City Council meeting Tuesday evening.

Willard McCall represented the residents at the Utility Committee meeting prior to the start of the main City Council meeting. McCall said residents have been dealing with discolored water for some time, with some residents having to seek medical attention and reporting skin rashes.

Four residents shared stories of issues with the discolored water. One resident said she was treated for chlorine burns on her neck. Another resident said that she regularly finds dark flakes and other materials floating in her tap water. Some residents brought bottles of discolored water as examples.

Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy acknowledged the city has been dealing with issues of discolored “brown” water throughout the city, including his own residence. Roy said he has replaced the water lines from his home to the city water line with PVC pipe, so he believes the source of the brown water at his home comes from the city water system.

Roy said iron in the water, which occurs naturally in the water drawn from the Kisatchie water well field for the city water supply, can cause the discoloration. Also, the city has a number of older water lines that have sediment that has built up over time, which can also cause discoloration. He said the city recently did an iron test on a water  sample and “it came back a 1.8 where it should be at .3.” However, he said it is not at a dangerous level that would require action. “I believe at this point it is an aesthetics issue,” he said.

Roy and Utility Director Michael Marcotte noted complaints increased after a water main break on Applewhite Street on April 26. Marcotte said that the rupture flooded the street and basically drained the water storage tank near Peabody High School. As a result of the break, Marcotte said the city increased water production to avoid a drop in water pressure that could lead to a city-wide boil advisory. “It’s like when you drain a gas tank, when you get down to the bottom you stir up stuff,” Marcotte explained.

Marcotte urged residents to report instances of discolored water so officials can flush the lines. “We can’t fix what we don’t know about,” he said. “This is the first I’ve heard about it at this level.” Marcotte said residents wishing to report discolored water should call the city water department at 318-473-1264 or report the issue in the Alex Connects smartphone app. “We can clear it up if we know where to flush,” he said.

In addition to the broken water main, Roy said the city has been flushing fire hydrants throughout the city as part of a required inspection of the system for fire protection ratings. That process can also stir up sediment in the bottom of water lines.

“I want to stress this is not a Flint situation,” Roy said referring to the water crisis that affected Flint, Michigan. He said the city conducts water tests monthly to ensure the water supply is safe, and the water system recently received an A rating for water quality.

“I believe water is a fundamental right,” Roy said. “This is fully on our radar. My wife lives in my home. My children live in my home. I don’t want dirty water.”

In other committee action prior to the main council meeting, Roy clarified the way the city distributes information to the public during the Public Safety, Works and Transportation Committee meeting.

Roy said that effective May 15, 2023, the city will have one official source for the distribution of information. That source will be the “city’s ‘owned’ media: principally, its website, general Facebook page, Government Facebook page and Alexandria Police Department and Alexandria Fire Department Facebook pages.”

Roy explained the city is returning essentially to the policy that was in effect in 2018 at the end of Roy’s previous term as Mayor and that policies adopted from 2019-2022 in conflict with the current policy have been revoked.

During the Hall administration, press releases were typically emailed to a list of media outlets in addition to being posted on the city website and social media sites. Regarding the end of emailing releases, the administration told the council in a written update, “the city is discontinuing chain email transmissions for security and practical reasons, effective May 15, 2023. These methods create security risks and require constant increased monitoring by personnel to ensure inclusion of ‘new’ sources, which as explained is no longer technologically required or practical. Democratization is easier than ever.”

The main council meeting, scheduled for a 5 p.m. start, didn’t start until 5:45 p.m. as the committee discussions ran longer than scheduled. The meeting moved quickly as the council approved a number of routine measures to acquire supplies. The council also approved an ordinance allowing the city to be a co-sponsor of the Central Louisiana 2023 Juneteenth Celebration.

The council also formally ratified the results of the special tax election held on April 29. The tax renewal on the ballot failed with a vote of 792 yes and 809 no votes. The existing tax millage provides funding for city capital projects.

City Council President Lee Rubin said the current tax doesn’t expire until 2028, so there is no immediate impact to the city’s Capital Budget. He also noted the city has time to put the matter on the ballot again for voter approval.

Roy O. Martin III, Chairman, CEO, and CFO of RoyOMartin, a 100-year-old land and timber management and wood-product manufacturing company based in Alexandria, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) as he received the prestigious Distinguished Service Award during the Spring 2023 Commencement ceremony. This esteemed accolade, the highest honor bestowed by the university, celebrates individuals whose dedication has greatly influenced LSUA’s growth and progress.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Roy O. Martin, Jr., a founding member of the LSUA Foundation and the inaugural recipient of this award 29 years ago, Martin continues the family legacy of commitment to higher education and philanthropy. The Martin family’s impact on LSUA is extensive, spanning endowed professorships, scholarships, and philanthropic initiatives that have enriched the faculty and student body for many years.

Roy and his wife, Kathy, recently established an exclusive scholarship for LSUA graduates in the LSU Flores MBA Program, showcasing their continued leadership and devotion to students and the local community. Martin’s visionary efforts have led to the implementation of vital workforce initiatives, including the LSUA Nurses for the Future and LSUA Accountants for the Future programs. These initiatives brought together companies to fund teaching positions and provide scholarships, thereby addressing critical shortages of nurses and accountants in central Louisiana.

In December 2021, the Martins made a monumental $2 million contribution to the Fierce for LSUA campaign. This transformative gift paved the way for the university to secure state funding and commence the construction of the Martin Family Student Success Center, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to fostering student success, with a total investment of $12 million.

LSUA expresses immense gratitude to Roy, Kathy, and the entire Martin family for their unwavering and generous support. Their legacy of service and philanthropy has made a profound impact on the lives of countless students, faculty, and staff at LSUA, solidifying their place as champions of education and community advancement.

Written by LSUA Strategic Communications

Photo credit – Nathan Parish | LSUA

By JIM BUTLER

Members of an advisory council studying the proposed conversion of Bolton High into a Pre K-12 magnet school for academics and the performing arts are visiting magnet schools across the state as part of their deliberations.

Assistant Rapides Supt. of Curriculum & Instruction Shannon Alford outlined the process to the Bolton High Alumni Assn. at its May meeting.

The council is scheduled to submit its findings at an Aug. 15 committee meeting.

The advisory group meets next on May 23, with two sessions scheduled in both June and July and a final one on Aug. 8.

ts charge is to enumerate the pros and cons of such a change, identify the criteria necessary and recommend a timeline.

Supt. Jeff Powell debuted his Better Facilities Strategy Plan in March. It didn’t pass muster with the board after a number of complaints were voiced by the public.

One school — Alma Redwine — escaped potential closure,  leaving Phoenix Magnet, Rapides Academy and Horseshoe Elementary on the block and Bolton’s conversion a live issue.

The board created the advisory council as an alternative to an up or down vote on the Better Facilities Plan.

Alford reiterated to the alumni group that academic achievement remains a foremost goal, along with providing expanded opportunities for students interested in the arts.

Additionally, she noted, the proposal allows more effective use of facilities. The four schools now involved are operating at less than 50 percent student population capability.

In other matters, members elected three new board members – Frances Clark, Stephen Tumminello and Spring Wester. Their terms are three years.

President Jennifer Wright reviewed bylaws amendments/revisions, all of which were adopted.

Vice President Allie Paige Nowlin introduced the organization’s plans to develop, perhaps by next spring, a Bolton Hall of Fame, showcasing the school’s history and legacy through achievements “local, national and worldwide” of its graduates.

For more information about the organization’s activities or to join, go to boltonalumni.org.

By Teddy Allen

Bowled over by cereal

One man’s Sugar Pops are another woman’s Apple Jacks are another man’s Crispy Critters.
In the Cereal Game, we know that going in. No one is going to agree, straight down the line, on everything.

With that in mind, it was refreshing this week to enjoy so much mail about last week’s “Cereal Killer” effort. We have some serious cereal eaters out there.
And … we are EVERYwhere. My friend The Horse Whisperer sent me a photograph this week of an actual store in the Magnificent Mile mall in Las Vegas that combines many cereal options — dare we say ‘a vast array’? — with ice cream. Cereal Killerz, it’s cleverly called.

Think about that. You leave Banana Republic, so hungry you could eat mule meat, and you see this store where you can get two of the finest food offerings known to Hungry Man, ice cream and cereal.

Next thing you know, BOOM!, you’ve had a refreshing bowl of Fruity Pebbles and you’re on your way to Nordstrom for some new threads.
Ain’t life grand when it works right? Cereal and ice cream. The Dynamic Duo. Never had I thought …

But in many places, cereal has gotten a bad rap. I read recently that because of cereal being marketed toward children since the invention of TV sets, we grownups got to thinking of it as a sugary mess and not a healthy breakfast. That “it’s something to grow out of, not aspire to.”

To which I say, Neg. Cereal eating IS something to aspire to. And unlike the cereal aisle of our youth, when we had four cereals to choose from, you now have a mountain of options, (which is both a blessing and a curse, but still …)

To get you to thinking, I’ll offer my Top 10 Cereals According to Me. Granted, I have not tried many novelty cereals, like Franken Berry or Baron Von Redberry or Smurf Magic Berries or Count Chocula or Cookie Crisp, so going in I ask forgiveness from all my 5-year-old readers who enjoy such things.

1. Frosted Flakes. They’re G-r-r-r-reat! Tony the Tiger should be in the Cereal Hall of Fame. First ballot. Stud.

2. Kashi Blueberry Clusters.

3. Kashi GO Toasted Berry Crisp. (Harder to eat than the Blueberry Clusters, but when I have the energy, I love them.)

4. Honey Nut Cheerios.

5. Cheerios, an original, beautiful in its simplicity, often imitated, never duplicated.

6. Granola, specifically Vanilla Almond Granola from Trader Joe’s, a new favorite. Where has it been all my life? Eat it in a coffee cup and just drink the final little bit. (Warning!: Like with the Alpha-Bits of my youth, you have to pay attention when you eat granola. Strategic chewing. If you got a capital “I” or the simple “O” when you ate Alpha-Bits, chewing was easy as falling off a porch. But get a crooked consonant like an “M” or “W” or “R,” it’s a bit of a different ballgame. It’s a price the roof of your mouth doesn’t want to pay. I’m told from the Cap’n Crunch crowd that the Cap’n presented a similar danger. Same with granola clusters. Mighty good though; worth the effort. Of course, so were Alpha-Bits, which they quit making in 2021; no one reads or writes anymore, I guess. Who knew hi-tech would be the end of Alpha-Bits? Big Cereal and Big Pharma: peas from the same pod. Don’t get me started …

7. Honey Roasted Honey Bunches of Oats.
And that’s it. My Top 10 is only 7. It’s enough. Never would eat a fruity cereal. Tried shredded wheat but to me it’s shredded cardboard. Would eat Rice Krispies in a pinch — mainly just to hear the snap-krackle-pop — and would eat Chocolate Cheerios for something sweet. But really, I would just be cheating on The Magnificent Seven; not overly interested.

Maybe next week or the next we’ll hear from readers. In the meantime, go have yourself a bowl, and have yourself a ball.
Contact Teddy at teddy@latech.edu

Child abuse and neglect are preventable, and all communities benefit when children and families are well supported. Extreme stress and uncertainty for families may increase the risk of child abuse and neglect raising the need to support families and prevent abuse before it occurs.

Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL) stresses that all community members have a role in ensuring children have positive experiences and families have the resources they need when they need them, well before they are in crisis. By focusing on the importance of creating systems and programs that put children and families first, we can help prevent child abuse.

Working with PCAL, VIA LINK offers a statewide program, Louisiana Parent Line, which provides parents with free, confidential, 24/7 access to a live specialist. Translation services are available, and the Louisiana Parent Line can be reached by phone and text 24 hours a day.  

“The Parent Line provides parents and other family members with a safe space to express their frustrations, ask parenting questions and get support,” explained LaVondra Dobbs, CEO of    VIA LINK. “Parent Line specialists are well trained and experienced in offering emotional support to parents. They focus on de-escalation and crisis intervention. They listen and understand parents’ concerns. Specialists can provide information on different services and referrals. Perhaps most importantly, they can help parents develop plans for coping.”  

Yet, the Parent Line is more than a one-time call. Parents can call in as often as they want or need. The goal is to provide emotional support whenever parents need it. The specialists can also offer follow-up calls and help increase the circle of support for families. Throughout Louisiana, this free service is working to prevent child abuse by getting families the support they need.

The phone number is 833-LA-CHILD (833-522-4453). You can also text us at (225) 424-1533.

For more information about PCAL, VIA LINK, or the Louisiana Parent Line, please contact Sherrard Crespo, LCSW, Director of Outreach and Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana at screspo@vialink.org or visit our website www.vialink.org.

It’s an agonizing point in the season for area college baseball and softball fans. When we should be excited about our teams, too many of us are worried.

With postseason play either looming (for baseball teams at LSU, Northwestern State, UL Lafayette, Grambling and Louisiana Tech) or nearly  underway (at home at Tiger Park for LSU softball, hosting UL Lafayette), there’s drama.

The boys of Alex Box have been No. 1 in the country since preseason projections began last fall. Until recently, when injuries and underwhelming performances have left the Tigers desperately seeking pitching past Friday night ace Paul Skenes. He’s been lights out. Lately, the rest of the LSU staff has been lit up.

Every weekend, Skenes dominates opponents and helps a noble cause. On Feb. 8, he pledged a donation of $10 per strikeout to support Folds of Honor, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to spouses and children of American military heroes. He has 152 Ks heading into the final weekend of the regular season, with the SEC Tournament and NCAA Regional competition assured.

No doubt his NIL and pending MLB Draft signing bonus will cover his tab. The former Air Force Academy All-American will probably spike his donation to Folds of Honor, and no doubt LSU fans will contribute generously as well.

It will soothe their frustration over a dream season faltering at its peak. Plans to storm Omaha are suddenly in doubt. “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over,” said the baseball sage, Yogi Berra, and he’s been proven right countless times. (BTW, Berra DID storm Omaha – Beach. He took part in the D-Day Invasion on June 6, 1944 and initially turned down a Purple Heart after being grazed by a German bullet, because he didn’t want to alarm his mother back home in St. Louis.)

Conference tournaments are next week for LSU, NSU, UL Lafayette, Grambling and Tech. Under the radar, Grambling has won the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division with a week left to play, owning a 20-6 record (25-24 overall). Alabama State (24-3 in the East) is the team to beat in the SWAC Tournament in Atlanta next week.

Northwestern (27-22 overall, 12-9 in the Southland) is third, but not eliminated from the championship race entering the final regular-season series at Southeastern. The Southland has no chance of an at-large NCAA bid this year and the tournament title is wide open next week in Lake Charles.

Tech baseball fans are perplexed to see the Bulldogs (26-27, 14-13) not battling for the Conference USA crown they were picked to win by league coaches in preseason. Losing their best hitter for the season before the first pitch hurt the ‘Diamond Dogs, and so did over-the-top expectations after two straight spectacular seasons and several key graduation departures.

A late surge in Lafayette has the Ragin’ Cajuns (35-18, 17-10) among the Sun Belt’s best, and combined with a stout non-conference schedule, UL Lafayette is in the conversation for an at-large NCAA regional invitation, if they don’t overcome top 10-ranked Coastal Carolina to win the SBC Tournament.

Not to overlook the LSU Tigers softball team in Baton Rouge, where to the consternation of some – most  across the Atchafalaya Basin who are UL Lafayette loyalists – the Tigers host an NCAA regional, including the Ragin’ Cajuns, this weekend.

The teams split games in February, both winning on the road. So why do Cajun fans mind the 50-mile trip east? It will be entertaining, to say the least. And that’s just in the stands, and around Tiger Park. The tailgating fare will be just part of the spicy flavor heating things up.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Cody Ford’s Youth Football Camp & Fun Day will be held on Friday, June 23 at Pineville High School located at 1511 Line St. in Pineville. The camp is for kids age 7-17 and will be from 6-9pm. Free food and shirts will be provided. There will also be bouncy houses for the younger kids, food trucks, and much more!

To reserve a spot go online to https://bit.ly/3Bx4B4V

Life-threatening emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. And knowing how to help in those situations can save a life.

That’s why Rapides Regional Medical Center, in partnership with Acadian Ambulance, will host a Stop the Bleed educational event on Thursday, May 25, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the hospital’s South Tower Lobby.

“Stop the Bleed is a national awareness and education campaign focused on preventing victims from bleeding to death,” said Shawn Moreau, MSN, TCRN-CEN, Rapides Regional’s Trauma Program director. “Bleeding is the number one preventable cause of death after an injury. And bystanders are often the first to offer aid.”

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, a person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes. Individuals closest to someone with life threatening injuries are best positioned to provide critical, life-saving care before first responders can arrive.

“It’s our goal that everyone in Central Louisiana be trained, equipped and empowered to help in a bleeding emergency,” said Troy Guidry, Regional Vice President of Acadian Ambulance Service. “Through awareness and education, we make the communities we serve stronger.”

During the event, participants will learn three quick techniques to help save a life during a bleeding emergency:

– How to use your hands to apply pressure to a wound.

– How to pack a wound to control bleeding.

– How to correctly apply a tourniquet.

“Participants can stop by for 5-10 minutes and learn these three techniques. We hope you never need to use what you learn but know how important it is that we all have the knowledge just in case,” Moreau said.

Businesses who send a representative to the event will be registered in a drawing for a Trauma Kit provided by RRMC and Acadian.

For more information, call 318-769-7440.

If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, please contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559.

The Alexandria Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit made several arrests on May 11 that included the arrest of 28-year-old Dontay Ross of Alexandria LA. Ross was charged with Resisting an Officer, Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with intent, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Firearms with Drugs, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number.

This is currently an ongoing investigation.

If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, please contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559.

For a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers of Cenla at (318) 443-7867. The Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster App can also be downloaded to leave tips and get a claim number for a cash reward at www.p3tips.com/community/mobile/

Crime Stoppers is a private non-profit organization. Crime Stoppers is not a law enforcement agency.