Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) proudly acknowledges the unwavering dedication and service of Haywood Joiner, Ph.D., as he transitions from his role as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services to Chair of the Department of Allied Health and visionary for a major health education development in downtown Alexandria.

With a tenure spanning nearly two decades at LSUA, Joiner’s latest mission is to collaborate with community and governmental partners, focusing on the funding, design, and construction of a new LSUA Downtown Health Education Center in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Joiner will help drive LSUA’s vision for the Downtown Health Education Center, a testament to the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals in Central Louisiana. This state-of-the-art facility, strategically located near regional hospitals, aims to double LSUA’s annual nursing and allied health graduates to over 300. The center will be equipped with the latest technology, fostering interdisciplinary learning and addressing the region’s healthcare needs.

“There is no one that has earned more respect across the health education profession and across the entire Central Louisiana community than Dr. Haywood Joiner,” said LSUA Chancellor Paul Coreil. “Leveraging his profound respect and extensive healthcare administrative experience, we have entrusted Dr. Joiner to spearhead the establishment of our LSUA Health Education Campus in downtown Alexandria. Taking on this pivotal responsibility for LSUA, Dr. Joiner will transition from his role as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services to assume his former position as Chair of the Department of Allied Health, a crucial program within the College, while concurrently leading the Health Education Campus initiative. We are eternally grateful to Haywood for his many years of outstanding leadership, and I personally look forward to working directly with him to make the LSUA Health Education Campus a reality.”

Joiner is collaborating closely with Jeff Langston, the newly appointed Dean of the College of Health and Human Services, to guarantee a seamless transition. Langston is a seasoned healthcare administrator with nearly twenty years of industry experience. Their combined efforts are centered on addressing the educational requirements of LSUA students in healthcare disciplines and meeting the staffing demands of regional hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices. Joiner’s extensive educational and community involvement, paired with Langston’s seasoned experience in hospital administration, forms a formidable alliance as LSUA endeavors to address the healthcare worker deficit in Central Louisiana.

On behalf of the students, faculty, and staff of LSUA, we extend our deepest gratitude to Haywood Joiner for his unwavering commitment and nearly 20 years of service. His tireless efforts in championing the new health campus will stand as a lasting legacy of his dedication to healthcare and education in Central Louisiana.

For more information about the LSUA Downtown Health Education Center, please visit http://www.lsua.edu/healthcampus.

Written by Adam Lord

Photo credit – Nathan Parish | LSUA Division of Strategic Communications

By JIM BUTLER

Richard Morris, 28, of Deville was last in the news in 2019, but the absence is not for lack of opportunity.

Morris, readers might recall, was on a prisoner work detail at an Alexandria church in 2019 when he saw the light, so to speak.

Regrettably, the light was through an open, unattended door. Freedom was brief, though a bit longer than Morris’ 15 minutes of fame.

Morris, however, has been in and out of the legal system since, most recently arrested for alleged probation and parole violations.

His parish record since the escape:

December 2019 —  Contempt of court, two counts;

February 2020 — Contempt of court, two counts;

June 2020 — Theft of motor vehicle, theft of firearm, contempt of court;

March 2021 — Firearm possession by convicted felon, possession CDS II < 2 grams;

April 2021 — Resisting officer, domestic abuse battery, contempt of court;

January 2022 — Criminal damage, unauthorized use of moveable, contempt of court;

January 2023 — Parole violation, unauthorized use, theft motor vehicle, obstruction of justice evidence tampering, theft, criminal damage, possession/introduction of contraband into penal institution, self-mutilation, resisting officer, possession CDS II < 2 grams.

Prior to the 2019 escape the record shows conviction for theft, and simple arson.

Under Louisiana law simple arson may involve the intentional damaging by any explosive substance or the setting fire to any property of another without the owner’s consent or the starting of a fire or causing an explosion while the offender is engaged in another felony offense.

Photo: courtesy RPSO

August mornings are deceptive.

Even in this dreadful heat wave, as the sun rises a surprising coolness hangs in the air, quickly giving way to the scorching heat.

That heat brings the remaining, stubborn hummingbirds, ready to renew their daily territorial fight around the feeder.

A black-and-yellow butterfly the size of a small man’s fist wrestles the sustaining nectar out of a zinnia that in turn is gulping the last of a morning watering.

A mallard hen, her wings clipped, quacks on the pond, hoping against hope to see a drake on the horizon, much like a captain’s wife on one of those New England widow’s walks.

Bluegill thrash about as food is tossed their way in the daily competition to get it before the catfish do, and before one of the larger bass had bream for breakfast. 

By 8 a.m., the awakening is over, we feel like we’re shrouded in Saranwrap, and all but the flowers find a shady place to wait out another broiler.

Perhaps moisture that will bring a heat-breaking afternoon thunderstorm is already building into a dark cloud in the Gulf of Mexico not that far away.

If good fortune holds, that’s all that will build over the water despite pessimistic messages from the weather gurus.

It’s August, and in this part of the world we know what that can bring.

As noted at the outset, August can be deceptive.

Jim Butler, a Bolton High School alumnus, was an acclaimed writer and editor at the Alexandria Town Talk for 36 years, the last 23 (1977-2003) as editor-in-chief. He led Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of Hurricane Katrina for the Gulfport (Miss.) Sun-Herald in 2005. Butler returned home to Cenla a few years ago, and shares his talents and insight with Rapides Parish Journal readers.

The Alexandria Police Department was called to the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Jones Street on Aug. 14 around 7:35 pm in reference to several gunshots being exchanged between two vehicles at that intersection.  When officers arrived at the scene, it was learned that both involved vehicles had fled the area.

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.  You may also email information to detectives at:  APD-Detectives@cityofalex.com.

Recent felony drug bookings in the Rapides Parish jail. Arrests are charges, not convictions.

August 8

Nickie Austin, 40, Alexandria — Possession, manufacture, distribution, dispense CDS I < 28 grams analogues or counterfeit thereof; Possession CDS I 1st 14 marijuana, tetracycline or analogues thereof; Illegal carrying firearm with drugs; Contempt of court, six counts;

James Clinton Jr., 51, Pineville —  Possession CDS II <2 grams, Legend possession, sales, distribution without prescription;  Possession paraphernalia, Illegal possession stolen things;

Christina Harvey, 34, Pineville — Possession CDS I 1st 14 marijuana, tetracycline or derivatives; Possession CDS II < 2 grams, Possession CDS II 2-28 grams, Possession paraphernalia Resisting officer;

Damien Landry, 30, Alexandria — Possession, manufacture, distribution, dispense or possession with intent fentanyl, carfentanil; Possession or introduction of contraband into penal facility, Obstruction of justice evidence tampering, Failure to seek help;

Paul Walker, 37, Pineville — Possession CDS II < 2 grams.

August 9

Randell Antwine, 30, Alexandria — Possession CDS II < 2 grams, Possession CDS I < 28 grams, Possession or introduction of contraband into penal institution, Improper display license plate. Contempt of court;

Victor Dauphiney, 27, Alexandria — Possession CDS I 4th or substitute. Illegal possession stolen firearm. Illegal carrying firearm with drugs, Possession firearm by convicted felon. Driving under suspension/revocation, Operating unsafe vehicle, Safety belt violation, Contempt of court;

Donquerious Johnson, 23, Alexandria — Possession, manufacture, distribution, dispense CDS I > 28 grams analogues or counterfeit; Illegal carrying firearm with drugs, Resisting officer, two counts, Burglary inhabited dwelling, Assault, Criminal damage, Contempt of court, four counts;

Robert Lacroix, 38, Zwolle — Possession CDS II < 2 grams, Possession CDS I 1st 14.

August 10

Craig Brown, 27, Alexandria  — Possession, manufacture, distribution 2.5 pounds or more marijuana, tetracycline or derivatives thereof; Possession, manufacture, distribution, dispense or possession with intent CDS II 28 grams or more, two counts; Criminal conspiracy;

Anouluck Kattaviravong, 34, Hineston — Possession, manufacture, distribution, dispense or possession with intent CDS II 28 grams or more; Possession paraphernalia, General speed law violation, Obstruction of justice evidence tampering, Probation violation;

Melissa Kattaviravong, 47, Calcasieu — Possession, manufacture, distribution, dispense or possession with intent CDS II 28 grams or more; Possession paraphernalia, Obstruction of justice evidence tampering;

Antonio Latchie, 33, Pineville — Possession CDS IV except flunitrazepam; Possession, manufacture, distribution, dispense or possession with intent CDS II with child 12 or younger present; Possession firearm by convicted felon, five counts; Illegal carrying firearm with drugs, five counts; Illegal possession body armor, two counts;

Any Porche, 39, Pineville — Possession CDS I 1st 14, Possession CDS II < 2 grams, Possession paraphernalia, Illegal carrying firearm with drugs. Modified exhaust, Improper genders/mudguards, Audible/visual signals required, Contempt of court;

Emmanuel Robert, 33, Lecompte — Possession CDS I < 2 grams, Possession CDS II < 2 grams, Unauthorized use of motor vehicle, Contempt of court, two counts;

Devontee Smith, 29, Alexandria — Possession, manufacture, distribution, dispense or possession with intent CDS II 28 grams or more; Improper lane usage; Contempt of court, three counts.

August 11

Dylan Fletcher, 26, Alexandria — Possession CDS II < 2 grams, Possession fentanyl, carfentanil < 2 grams; Illegal possession stolen things, Criminal damage; Burglary, two counts; Contempt of court, two counts;

Jailyn Graham, 29, Alexandria — Possession CDS I 1st 14 marijuana, tetracycline or derivatives; Possession paraphernalia, Illegal possession firearm with drugs, two counts; Possession/sell firearm with obliterated serial number;

J’Son Turner, 21, Pineville — Possession CDS I 1st 14, Possession CDS II 2-28 grams, Possession paraphernalia, Illegal carrying firearm with drugs.

August 12

Jacob Boone, 33, Pineville — Possession CDS I 1st 14, Possession CDS II < 2 grams, Intentional littering, Improper display of license plate;

Raymond Jack Jr., 54, Lecompte — Possession, manufacture, distribution, dispense or possession with intent CDS II < 28 grams or analogues thereof ;  Improper lane usage, Obstruction of highway, Contempt of court.

August 13

Rayshon Jones, 30, Pineville — Possession, manufacture, distribution 2.5 pounds or more marijuana; Possession paraphernalia, Possession firearm by convicted felon Possession firearm with drugs; Contempt of court, five counts.

August 14

Carnell Nelson, 33, Alexandria — Possession 1st 14 marijuana, tetracycline or derivatives, Possession firearm by convicted felon, Illegal possession stolen firearm; Theft, two counts; Contempt of court, three counts.

Operating while intoxicated bookings in the Rapides Parish jail recently; arrests are charges, not convictions.

August 8

Thomas Harlan, 42, Deville — OWI 1st, Improper lane usage;

Adam Tanner, 34, Alexandria — OWI 4th, Open container, Driving under suspension, Illegal possession firearm by convicted felon.

August 12

Crystal Ayala, 35, Pineville — OWI 2nd;

Tristin Fontenot, 23, Pineville — OWI 1st, Improper lane usage;

Roy Oldhsm, 69, Pineville — OWI 1st, Speeding;

Derrick Rachal, 32, Alexandria — OWI 1st, Running stop sign, Cutting or destroying levee, General speed law, Assault simple, Reckless operation 1st;

Elizabeth Ray, 33, Pineville — OWI 1st; Open container, Texting while driving, Improper lane usage.

August 13

Michael Bloodworth, 49, Dry Prong — OWI 1st, Careless operation of motor vehicle;

Jonathan Darby, 59, Pineville — OWI 2nd, Improper lane usage;

Ricky Dauzat II, 28, Lena — OWI 3rd, OWI with child endangerment, two counts; Public bribery;

Darin Sykes, 28, Alexandria — OWI 1st, Speeding, Battery on officer, Interfering with officer, Resisting officer, Intimidation/threaten public official.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty

By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/TV

One of the most talented teams in the state and not just in the Cenla area that I scouted in 2022 will be the Class 5A Alexandria Senior High School Trojans.

There are several kids on the ASH squad who will have a chance to play college football with a good senior year, along with some underclassmen who should continue to get better and will be ones to watch.

Here’s a look of what I have seen, some obvious and other prospects who are emerging, based on my eyes and a recent conversation with Trojans’ head coach Thomas Bachman.

The senior class of 2024 at Alexandria Senior High School has several players who will get a chance to play college ball.

First is senior linebacker Aiden Walker, who stands 6-2 ½, 221 pounds with 4.65 speed and is a guy who loves the game. This kid can go into Division I FBS with a great year.

Receiver Jaylon Johnson looks the part at 6-2, 180 pounds with 4.5 speed and has the vertical leaping ability. If Johnson has a dominant season, he could end up in Division I FCS or maybe even FBS at the next level.

Trojans DE/DT Jeremiah Wright has been talked about before and since then, he has bench pressed 335 pounds, squatted 545 and posted a 275-pound clean lift  in the weight room. He is a D-I player at the FBS or FCS level.

Athlete Omarion Ford – profiled last week – should sign as a DB/OLB/RB or WR with 4.5 speed at 5-11, 185 pounds, reaching the FCS or FBS level in college.

Amyrion Mingo might be the best athlete in the area with 4.45 speed at 5-10, 172 pounds. This will mark his sixth year to start on the high school level, going back to his seventh grade year playing varsity at Marksville.

Mingo has the “IT factor” as a recruit. He can fit all the skill spots and is a D-I player all day long.

The sleepers in the ASH senior class are LB Caleb Andrus (6-2 210 pounds, with 4.6 speed);  athlete Ty Feaster (6-2 185), who can play QB/WR/FS and has 4.6 speed as a transfer from Class 1A Glenbrook in Minden; and center Cameron Caldron (5-11, 260) who has good feet and is a leader.

The Trojans also have E.J. Scott and Tylon Johnson, another pair of seniors who could find a place on a small college roster.

Underclassman to watch are FB Tanner Townsend (6-0, 210), a tough guy with good feet; CB/WR Jaden Lewis, who run and has good size; rising RB J.T. Lindsey, wbo will be one of the best in Louisiana in 2025; athlete Darius Washington, who can fly; and Jimmy Duncan, a WR/RB to keep an eye on.

Bachman and the Trojans are established among the state’s best. With lots of kids to watch, ASH looks ready to make another playoff run.

Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com

Lee Brecheen has operated Louisiana Football Magazine for over 30 years and is one of the state’s foremost experts on high school football and especially recruiting. Based in Baton Rouge, Lee travels statewide to watch practices and games and has broken down film and tape since the late 1980s.  He has converted the printed product to an online website (Lafootballmagazine.com) that will preview every high school and college football program in the state before kickoff this fall. Lee also hosts a football-centric TV show on YouTube, The Sports Scouting Report, on weekdays. He is currently in Shreveport-Bossier taping segments with local players and coaches.

There is a one-word question with which I too frequently respond when my wife tells me something. That one-word question?

“Huh?”

It all started for me several years ago when I was attending an outdoor writer’s conference in Tennessee. One of the features of each annual conference is to visit the firing range for some hands-on experience with the newest firearms on the market for that year.

I was standing at a station preparing to try out a new muzzleloading rifle. Standing next to me was a fellow writer with a high caliber rifle; I believe it was a 30.06.

I had a pair of foam ear plugs in my hand and was preparing to insert them but just before I did, the guy next to me fired his rifle. What I experienced next was not only ringing in my ears but a roaring sensation hard to describe. From that day until now, I have limited hearing in my right ear as a result of the absence of protection from that rifle blast.

Dr. Jerrilyn Frasier Vaughan is an audiologist with an office in Ruston, who recently posted a column in the Lincoln Parish Journal that addresses the vital importance of proper hearing protection for hunters.

“When you’re in the wild, you’re focusing on the thrill of the hunt, not on your ears. The truth is that noise from a single gunshot at close range can harm them, even leading to permanent hearing loss.

“Noises of 85 decibels or more are known to harm your hearing. A gunshot measures between 120 and 130 decibels, making it extremely hazardous to your ears,” she wrote.

She explained just how your ears are designed to do what they’re supposed to do and how one event, such as the one I experienced in Tennessee, can seriously damage your hearing.

“You rely on tiny hair cells in your inner ear to help you hear. A one-time exposure to an extremely loud noise or listening to loud sounds over time can damage and even destroy these cells, leaving you with hearing loss,” she continued.

One study she mentioned found that men over the age of 48 who hunt regularly are more likely to experience high-frequency hearing loss, the kind that often results from damage caused by sudden loud noises. The risk of having a marked high-frequency hearing loss increased by seven  percent for every five years a man had hunted.

What suggestions did the doctor offer to prevent hearing loss before it’s too late?

“Hunting ear plugs are usually made of foam and fit tightly in the ear canal. They reduce gunshot noise but not gunshot vibrations,” she said. “Hunting earmuffs minimize the majority of sounds, even at close range. They have a snug fit and enclose the entire ear, making them highly effective at blocking sound.

“Electronic hunting earplugs and earmuffs include technology that suppresses loud noises while still allowing you to hear quieter sounds, such as animal movement. The earplugs are custom molded to your ears for a precise and comfortable fit.”

Although the temperatures have been high and hunting may be the last thing you’re thinking about now, hunting seasons are right around the corner. Follow the advice of this hearing expert to be sure you won’t be having to respond to comments from your wife with that one word that makes her face turn red as she chinches her teeth.

“Huh?”

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

Special thanks to Tracy Campbell for sharing this recipe. Like he says “This recipe is TCW volume 2 worthy!

Ingredients:

• Thin spaghetti
• Olive oil
• Your favorite link sausage (I used Conecuh)
• Dale’s Seasoning
• Tiger Sauce
• Shrimp, peeled
• Cavender’s Greek seasoning
• Minced garlic
• Butter
• Black pepper

Tracy’s directions:

Boil thin spaghetti in a MAGNALITE pot (a Louisiana cook’s best friend).  Add a splash of olive oil to the water.  When done, drain noodles and set aside.

In a CAST IRON SKILLET (nothing else will do!) slice, season and sauté your favorite link sausage (we love Bellevue, Wild Thingz, Down Home or Conecuh).  Add a little Dale’s Seasoning and Tiger Sauce before it’s ready.  Set sausage aside.

Sauté peeled shrimp in butter/olive oil.  I like to season my shrimp with Rick’s Salt or Cavender’s Greek Seasoning.  Add a little minced garlic.  Add a little Dale’s and Tiger Sauce before shrimp is ready.  Stir.  Set shrimp aside.

Keep cast iron skillet hot and add a little more butter and olive oil.  Dump noodles in skillet and stir.  Add more Dale’s and Tiger Sauce and keep stirring.  I’m a pepper fan so I usually add black pepper.  Stir for about 2 minutes until noodles are light brown and look good.

Add sausage and shrimp back to top of noodles, stir and serve straight from the skillet.

Serve with bread of choice.

Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.

Louisiana Christian University has announced two key promotions, as well as new student life personnel for the new 2023-24 academic year.

Evelyn Onishea Dean has been named Vice President for Business Affairs/Chief Financial Officer, and Dr. Joshua Joy Dara has been named Special Assistant to the President for Legal Affairs and Strategic Projects.

Since May 2020, Dean has served as LCU’s executive director of finance and chief financial officer. 

In her role, she is responsible for assuring compliance of the university for accreditation criteria applicable to business affairs by establishing and operating appropriate systems of accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls. She also represents the president as the administrative liaison to the trustee committee on the Business Affairs and Investment Subcommittee, specifically by preparing the university budget, interpreting the budget to the board and executive leadership, regulating the administration of all university funds, having audits made of all accounts and advising the board on the acquisition, maintenance, and improvement of university property; ensuring adequate insurance coverage for all the university property and its operations.

Dean, a certified public accountant, previously worked at the University’s auditing firm, Payne, Moore, and Herrington. At the public accounting firm, she planned and performed the University’s annual financial statement and federal award compliance audits for eleven years. Dean is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Business Administrators of Christian Colleges, and the National and Southern Associations of College and University Business Officers.

“The University continues to be a place led by some of God’s choicest servants,” said LCU President Dr. Rick Brewer. “I am personally grateful for the leaders we are promoting and adding to our team at Louisiana Christian University. Every person we hire strengthens and enhances the Mission and Vision for LCU.”

Dara, who is an assistant professor and the chair of the Criminal Justice Department, is a licensed attorney and senior pastor of Zion Hill Baptist Church. He joined the faculty of LCU full-time in 2017. 

“I personally appreciate the trust and confidence that Dr. Brewer has in me,” Dara said. “I seriously believe in the mission of LCU, and I certainly consider it an honor and a privilege to serve on its leadership team. I am a product of the mission work of the Southern Baptist Convention in Nigeria, West Africa. So, I consider it a sacred duty to be a part of a Baptist-owned University with a mission of preparing graduates and transforming lives.”

In addition to the promotions, the Department of Student Life has hired two new key positions. Zachary Johnson has been hired as the new director of student life, and the new director of international student affairs is Quinton Thibodeaux.

Both Thibodeaux and Johnson are LCU alumni.

Thibodeaux, originally from Breaux Bridge, earned his B.A. in history in 2019 from LCU and completed his master’s in sports administration at Northwestern State University in 2021. 

Johnson is a lifelong resident of Pineville. He and his wife, Molly, have four children, and he said he is excited to join the LCU staff.

“I have claimed Psalm 78:4 as my life verse,” Johnson said. “It says that I will declare the good works of God to the next generation and not hide it from them. I am excited to join a university that declares that goal as its own. I pray that my time at LCU results in men and women who can focus on their schoolwork, extracurriculars, and God’s plan for their lives as my team and I ensure their housing needs are met.”

By JIM BUTLER

Legislative Auditor reports have been recently filed assessing operations of two local governmental law enforcement entities.

Alexandria City Court

Alexandria City Court has the same problem as most small government entities – not enough staff to properly separate accounting functions and checks and balances. 

Auditors noted the lack of segregation of duties in their report for the year ending last Sept. 30. Completed in March 2023, the report was released this month. 

Judge Richard Starling Jr. acknowledges the finding in his response, but says the benefits of adding personnel don’t outweigh the costs. 

The court’s General Fund revenue was $253,900; expenses were $186,000. 

The Fiduciary Fund (held for designated purposes, such as garnishment, etc.) totaled $2.14 million. 

Starling’s salary, paid by state, parish and city, was $164,879. Other compensation, according to auditors, was health insurance, $25,069; seminar registration, $1,075; and seminar travel, $4,370. 

Pineville City Marshal

Marshal Murphy Rachal’s office collected $165,000 in the year ending December 31, 2022 and spent $173,600, according to the review of financial statements completed May 30 and released this month.  

That shortfall dropped the agency’s net position to $239,600, which includes $5,900 in capital asset depreciation. 

Rachal’s compensation totaled $122,412, according to the review – $50,204 in salary and $2,642 in retirement contribution by the city, $14,066 by the parish and $55,600 from service fees. 

Troopers assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop E began investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash on Aug. 11 shortly before 8:30 pm involving a motorcycle on Denny Road just south of Hwy. 1205. This crash claimed the life of 59-year-old Terry Bourgeois of Deville.

The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2004 Harley-Davidson motorcycle, driven by Bourgeois, was traveling north on Denny Road at a high rate of speed. For reasons still under investigation, Bourgeois failed to negotiate a left-hand curve, exited the roadway to the right, and struck a tree.  

As a result of this crash, Bourgeois, who was not wearing a DOT approved helmet, was ejected from the motorcycle and suffered fatal injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Rapides Parish Coroner’s Office. Routine toxicology samples were collected and will be submitted for analysis. This crash remains under investigation.

Whether on a motorcycle or in a vehicle, drivers should make good decisions while traveling on the roadway. Motorcyclists should practice safe and responsible operator behavior such as obeying speed limits, wearing a helmet, and never operating their motorcycle under any form of impairment. If motorists witness hazardous situations or possible impaired drivers, they may dial *LSP (*577) to be connected to the nearest Troop to report that activity.

In 2023, Troop E has investigated 34 fatal crashes, resulting in 39 deaths.

Recent felony bookings in Rapides Parish. Charges are accusations, not convictions.

August 8

Andreas Banks, 22, Alexandria — Murder 2nd degree, Robbery armed;

Trevon Chenier, 30, Houston — Criminal damage, Illegal possession stolen things;

David Cooper, 25, Alexandria — Aggravated assault with firearm;

Decorian Dixon, 19, Lecompte — Aggravated assault, Arson aggravated, Battery, Assault aggravated with firearm, five counts; Illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrument;

Jason Fowler, 36, Pollock — Criminal conspiracy; Theft of motor vehicle, two counts.

August 9

Elijah Dunbar, 32, Alexandria — Flight from officer;

April Griffis, 33, Alexandria — Self-mutilation by prisoner, Battery simple;

Jerry Joseph Jr., 28, Alexandria — Parish probation violation, Possession firearm by convicted, Possession stolen firearm, Contempt of court, two counts;

Kendarious Joseph, 23, Alexandria — Murder 2nd degree, Attempted murder 2nd degree.

August 10

Chelsea Bradley, 22, Shreveport — Criminal conspiracy;

Amber Crain, 46, Pineville — Criminal conspiracy, Obstruction of justice evidence tampering, Burglary;

Sunny Thompson, 44, Pineville — Criminal conspiracy, Criminal trespass, Theft of motor vehicle.

August 11

Jonathan Bradley, 23, Shreveport — Criminal conspiracy, Theft  > $25,000;

William Ferrier, 25, Centerpoint — Battery 2nd degree, Contempt of court;

Danica Pascual, 34, Deville — Aggravated assault:domestic abuse, Contempt of court.

August 12

None

August 13

Kala Cole, 43, Pineville — Criminal conspiracy, Theft;

Adrianne Howard, 19, Alexandria — Home invasion, Aggravated assault;

James Turnage, 38, Alexandria — Criminal conspiracy, Theft,  Contempt of court.

August 14

Ronald Rachal, 48, Alexandria — Probation violation, Battery aggravated 2nd degree. 

Children, many with anxious parents by their side, stood on the sidewalk  Monday, awaiting the bus for schools’ opening.

I had a flashback to the first day of the second grade, when Mrs. Poiser (soon-to-be dubbed Poisoner) handed me a piece of paper as the day ended and told me to give it to my mother.

Going out the front door, I crumpled it and tossed it under a bush by the steps. My instincts told me the paper could not possibly contain good news.

So began a lasting adversarial relationship with teachers.

Turns out the Poisoner’s note had something to do with my, allegedly, talking too much in class. She wanted to talk to my parents about what she perceived as a problem.

As I recall, my folks saw it the same way once the tale was told. Turned out she was expecting a call. When it didn’t come, she called. Oh boy.

Many among my childhood chums went into education, and evidently they were quite good at it, considering some of the lofty positions they achieved and the laurels they earned.

If they had any like me and some of my cohorts, it’s a wonder they stayed with it.

I salute them all and their successors as yet another year begins.

Jim Butler, a Bolton High School alumnus, was an acclaimed writer and editor at the Alexandria Town Talk for 36 years, the last 23 (1977-2003) as editor-in-chief. He led Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of Hurricane Katrina for the Gulfport (Miss.) Sun-Herald in 2005. Butler returned home to Cenla a few years ago, and shares his talents and insight with Rapides Parish Journal readers.

You know college football has gone off the rails when Lane Kiffin sounds like the most sensible and smartest guy in the room.

Kiffin, 48, who’s starting his fourth season as Ole Miss head football coach, has been an outlier for most of his 27-year college and pro coaching career.

But he’s on target assessing today’s college football revolution that allows players to transfer from school to school each season while legally selling themselves to rich alums and well-to-do jock sniffers.

“They used to ask me what I liked better, coaching in the NFL or coaching in college,” Kiffin told ESPN’s Marty and McGee during July’s SEC Media Days in Nashville.

“I’d say I really like college because players care so much more about where they’re at in college. A lot of that locker room is where they wanted to play when they grew up.

“In the NFL, it’s business and it makes for a different dynamic. We (college) have now moved towards where it’s a business. I’d say the joy is not the same (as it once was).”

Which is what made LSU third-year sophomore quarterback Garrett Nussmeier said Tuesday a refreshing revelation in this era of the student-athlete transfer cash-grab.

A quick backstory: Despite playing spot duty in 11 games in his first two seasons as an LSU backup behind starters Max Johnson in 2021 and Arizona State transfer Jayden Daniels in 2022, Nussmeier became a hot name as possible transfer candidate in January.

In his final two games last season, he threw for 469 yards and four TDs. He played the entire second half of the SEC championship game vs. Georgia with a beat-up Daniels pulled from the blowout loss. He alternated with Daniels in the Tigers’ Citrus Bowl pounding of Purdue.

Daniels had previously announced via Twitter last Dec. 22 he would be returning to school in 2023. Almost a month later, LSU third-string true freshman Walker Howard announced he was transferring to Ole Miss after just one season.

Nussmeier never entered the transfer portal. Why? Here’s his 143-word explanation in a media interview Tuesday after preseason practice No. 10 that defines loyalty with a capital `L’:

“It matters to me where the state, my jersey and to have LSU as my home means something to me. I think it means something to a lot of guys on our team, but I was born in Lake Charles. My family’s in Lake Charles. That’s my home.

“Being a kid who moved around so much (because of his father Doug’s career as a college and NFL offensive coordinator), Louisiana is the only constant place in my life. Every time I would cross into the state, it felt like home.

“The reason I came here is because I wanted to play for LSU, for the state of Louisiana. I could have gone elsewhere and done different things, but I think it matters to me more to finish what I started and to be where I want to be.

“These are my teammates, the coaches that I’ve learned to grow relationships with, and that’s why I stayed.”

Again, Nussmeier never put his name in the transfer portal. Yet the way he lit it up in his final two games of 2022, he had plenty of schools trying to gauge his interest.

“I wasn’t talking to people,” Nussmeier said. “I wanted to focus on making things right here at LSU. I felt like this is where I should be. This is where I’ve always wanted to be.”

Maybe you can call Nussmeier the Matt Flynn of the new millennium in honor of LSU’s QB1 of its 2017 national championship team who finally started in his fifth season with the Tigers.

Yes, this will be Nussmeier’s team in 2024 when Daniels graduates and hopefully gets a shot at the NFL. But for right now, Nussmeier knows exactly who he is and how he can help the 2023 Tigers’ national championship aspirations.

“I’ll do what I’m told,” Nussmeier said. “I’ll play my role whatever it is. If they tell me to go in, I’m ready to go in. If they tell me to compete, I’m ready to compete.”

A prime example was when LSU head coach Brian Kelly removed the gimpy Daniels from last December’s SEC championship game with the Tigers trailing eventual national champion Georgia 35-10.

Kelly knew his team was completely outmatched. He had no illusions of a miracle comeback victory, but he knew Nussmeier has the competitive streak of a pit bull no matter the score.

Though Georgia finished a 50-30 winner, the Bulldogs never really pulled their defensive starters because Nussmeier guided LSU to touchdowns on three of the five series he played.

He completed 15 of 27 passes for 294 yards (the most ever by an LSU QB in a single half), two touchdowns and one interception.

“There were a lot of guys that made a lot of plays,” Nussmeier said. “It wasn’t just me. It was our team. You saw the fight that we had. We didn’t give up.

“That was the coolest thing. It was about who we were going to become as a team. It was seeing who our new identity was under Coach Kelly. We kept fighting to the last whistle.”

Because Daniels and Nussmeier have enormous respect for each other and the bond of simply wanting to win, there are no frayed egos or backstabbing in the LSU QB room.

Watching Nussmeier’s progression from a gunslinging passer as a freshman to someone now in full command of the offense gives the Tigers’ coaching staff and team confidence there’s no drop-off if there’s a QB change.

“After having a full year with this offense, I’ve learned the different bits and pieces and how to control and manage it,” Nussmeier said. “That’s where I think I’ve grown the most.

“They’ve built an offense with a lot of different players that can move around like chess pieces. How fun is that to play quarterback in that kind of offense? It’s awesome.”

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

A native of Baton Rouge and a 1979 LSU graduate, Ron Higgins has written for seven newspapers, two online websites and a magazine in four states during a sports writing career that now spans six decades. The man nicknamed “Mad Dog” has won more than 180 state, regional and national writing awards including more than 80 first places. He is the Journal’s LSU beat writer.

Louisiana Christian University will welcome new and returning Wildcats to campus this week, with freshmen move-in beginning Wednesday afternoon.

After moving in, freshmen will spend time getting to know their classmates and learning about campus facilities and traditions. Wildcat Navigators, upperclassmen assigned to orient freshmen to campus, will each be assigned to a group of freshmen to help ease the transition to college life and be available for questions, conversations or concerns.

“We are looking forward to welcoming a new freshmen class this week as they move onto campus and participate in our traditional Wildcat Welcome Week,” said Vice President of Student Life Meredith Rennier. “Our team is excited to meet each student and build relationships with them during their time at LCU.”

Freshmen will participate in service-learning projects in the Cenla community feeding the hungry and cleaning up Versailles Boulevard in Alexandria.

LCU President Dr. Rick Brewer will host a President’s Dinner Wednesday evening for the entering class of 2027.

“This will be my 37^th launch of an academic year as a university administrator,” Brewer said, “and I’m just as excited this year as I was in 1987! The awesome opportunity we have to Prepare Graduates and Transform Lives at Louisiana Christian University inspires us daily.” 

A full schedule of Wildcat Welcome Weekend activities can be found online. 

LCU classes begin Monday, Aug. 21.