Rapides Parish Patrol Deputies responded to 500 Block of Ates Road in reference to a runaway juvenile complaint on Dec. 26. According to the complainant, Remington Blanchard, 17, left their residence on Dec. 16 to stay the night with some friends. After several days had passed, Remington refused to come home.
Remington is a white male, 5’9, 145 pounds, blonde hair, brown eyes.
RPSO Juvenile Detectives are requesting the public’s assistance in locating Remington. If anyone has any information on Remington’s whereabouts, they are asked to contact the Tioga Sub-station, Juvenile Detectives at 318-641-6000 or Main Office at 318-473-6700, attention Detective Bolton Stanley
Ladarrian Young is again jailed on suspicion of drug dealing.
His bail for a December 27 arrest is set at $650,000.
Young, 25, of Alexandria is charged with two counts of possession with intent, illegal carrying weapons, carrying firearm with drugs and possessing firearm by a convicted felon.
The drug charges and stuff bail settings are nothing new to him.
Young first appeared in adult police records in August 2016, charged in a rash of burglaries in the city.
Six years later he was arrested on possession with intent charges, possession of firearm by convicted felon, tampering with evidence, felony flight and several traffic charges. He was jailed June 18 and posted $31,200 bond the same day.
On Sept. 28 that year he was again charged with PWI as well as possessing a firearm. He posted $59,500 bond the same day.
Four months later, Jan. 10 this year, Young was charged with PWI and several traffic violations. He posted $201,000 bond two days later.
Non-refundable bond fees in Louisiana ordinarily run 10-12 percent of bail.
A cold wind blows this week but Journal readers have not forgotten the travails of extended heat and drought this year.
That weather extreme is the top Rapides story of the year, according to those ranking a list of 10 selections.
Forty percent favored the weather calamity as Number 1. Finishing second was surging enrollment at LSU at Alexandria (30 percent).
Alexandria’s utility billing recovery, book policy at the parish library and crime/punishment were each favored by 10 percent of the vote.
Four other possibilities received no top story nods. They were legislative election results, development in Pineville and at England Airpark, the Renaissance tax rejection and creation of the Bolton High Academy.
After a wetter, cooler Spring, leaving corn fields and vegetable gardens in a moldy mess, a drying out began.
And by mid-May the weather gurus were warning of ominous patterns over the horizon. For the most part they were right.
The parish started June with a 92-degree day and closed it with 98. It rained twice – on June 4 and 21, NOAA reports.
By then farmers were thinking replanting, again, or let it go. Irrigation pumps were primed, divining rods dusted off.
About four inches of rain over July’s first two weeks offered false hope. No more fell that month.
On July 21, the mercury hit 101, passing the century mark for the first time of the summer. It wasn’t the last.
Temps topped 100 the last six days of July.
Then came August – 100 degrees or more the first through the 15th, including 107 on the 14th; then the same story the 17th-27th, with a peak of 109 on the 24th.
The average temperature for the month (the reading at any given moment day or night) was a sweltering 89.66 degrees.
Meanwhile August official rainfall was .03 of an inch.
September-November continued the pattern. Less than five inches of rain fell in that period.
The economic impact of the weather is still being calculated.
The LSUA enrollment this fall was 5,104, a 700-student increase from 2022.
The school, opened in 1960, partnered this year with LSU Health Services Center in expanding course offerings.
LSU football coach Brian Kelly (foreground) will try to lead the Tigers to their 10th win of this season on New Year’s Day, setting a tone for a successful 2024 season. (Photo by GUS STARK, LSU)
Happy New Year! We’ll ring in 2024 happily with high hopes, wishing all the best for our Rapides Parish Journal readers and our local community.
The Journal will be here in your e-mail box, on our website and on our Facebook page covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, with entertaining features while providing advice, insight, opinions and much more.
It’s all free of charge to you without annoying pop-up ads or stories that have no local relevance.
But we won’t get started in 2024 until Tuesday morning. We’re giving our staff a holiday and will not publish on Monday, Jan. 1.
Tuesday’s edition will have plenty to read, including Ron Higgins’ insightful coverage of LSU’s bowl game against Wisconsin, and much more local news and sports content that we will bring on weekdays all year long.
Enjoy your New Year’s Eve celebrations, and New Year’s Day holiday traditions.
LSU’s Malik Nabers needs 22 yards in Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl against Wisconsin to become the Tigers’ career receiving yardage king. (Photo by GUS STARK, LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE — Every game matters when you’re building a national championship-caliber football program.
The focus, the preparation, and the attention to detail have to stay consistent no matter the opponent or the circumstances.
The fact No. 13 LSU (9-3) has had just two opt-outs – Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock heading to Notre Dame – entering Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Wisconsin (7-5) at 11 a.m. CT in Tampa reflects what Tigers’ second-year head coach Brian Kelly is building.
Except for Daniels, LSU’s entire starting lineup on both sides of the ball, including projected NFL first-round choices receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas, will be in uniform seeking to win 10 games for a second straight season.
“The standard of an LSU football player is to finish what you started,” Kelly said. “To have Malik here and B.T. and all of our defensive players, they want to finish what they started, complete the season, win 10 games and keep building this program. They love playing for LSU and I think it says a lot about the culture we’re building.”
Starting junior defensive tackle Mehki Wingo, who missed the last six games after undergoing surgery to repair a torn abductor, is a prime product of the Kelly culture.
He could have bypassed the bowl and decided whether to enter the NFL draft. But he wanted at least one more game with his teammates, who have bought into Kelly’s goal of two consecutive 10-win seasons.
“What I’ve noticed is this team has been very intentional with our work, taking the individual periods very seriously and trying to get better focus on getting better,” Wingo said.
With redshirt sophomore quarterback Garrett Nussmeier getting his first start since his last game as a high school senior in November 2020, this bowl game truly is a jumpstart to LSU’s 2024 season.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for this,” said Nussmeier, who has thrown for 1,325 yards, 8 TDs and 6 interceptions in 326 snaps spread over 17 career games with the Tigers. “But like I said last week, I’m not going to get caught up in the moment. I’m focused on winning the football game and playing well. Our team is, too.
“I’ve had great relationships with all my teammates and coaches, so it doesn’t feel new. It’s great to get all the practice reps now with these guys and build chemistry.”
Quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and receivers coach Cortez Hankton, serving as co-offensive coordinators in replacing Denbrock, will have to tweak the offense slightly for pocket-passer Nussmeier.
“He believes he can make any throw,” said LSU starting linebacker Greg Penn III, who was in the Tigers’ 2021 signing class along with Nussmeier. “He really does. He’s a guy who’s not scared.”
Nussmeier has seen minimal game action with the first team. So his first start is one of the few times he can enjoy superb protection from a veteran offensive line to get the ball to 1,000-yard receivers Nabers (86 catches for a nation-leading 1,546 yards, 14 TDs) and Thomas (60 catches for 1,079 yards, a nation-leading 15 TDs) and a plethora of other targets.
Consensus All-American Nabers enters the bowl game needing only 22 yards to set the LSU all-time mark for receiving yards which is currently held by Josh Reed (3,001 yards).
Even though LSU doesn’t have Daniels to operate the Tigers’ offense that ranks No. 1 nationally in total offense (547.8 ypg) and scoring offense (46.4 ppg), the reason Las Vegas oddsmakers have installed LSU has a solid 10½-point favorite is simple.
Wisconsin has had 16 players (including six starters) opt to skip the bowl, whether turning pro or entering the transfer portal.
The Badgers’ top running back Braelon Allen (984 rushing yards, 12 TDs), declared for the NFL Draft after the final regular season. Also missing are two top receivers and starters at center, defensive end, linebacker and nickel back.
The last man standing seems to be Wisconsin senior starting QB Tanner Mordecai, who transferred to UW this season from SMU where he threw for 3,628 yards and 41 TDs.
“This (bowl) game is a chance for some of younger guys to show the coaches they are legit,” said Mordecai, who has started nine games, passed for 1,668 yards with 6 TDs and 4 interceptions, and rushed for 305 yards and 4 TDs.
Wisconsin first-year head coach Luke Fickell is happy his team has a ranked opponent for a postseason challenge.
“We’re attacking this game,” Fickell said, “because champions prepare like champions even before they are champions.”
GO FIGURE 8: Wins in Wisconsin’s last 9 bowl games dating back to 2014 9: Games this season for LSU with 500 or more total offense yards 21: Third-down conversion receptions by Wisconsin wide receiver Will Pauling, the most by any Power 5 Conference receiver 30: Consecutive games with at least one pass reception by LSU’s Malik Nabers 102: Plays of 20 yards or more by LSU, which leads the nation in that category
Students in Mrs. Wheeler’s third grade ELA class at Lessie Moore Elementary worked on how a protagonist began his journey then grew and transformed by reading the narrative: “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.”
To start, students huddled together for a Placemat Consensus. After each student wrote their answer independently and silently, each group came to a consensus on which answer they would like to share with the rest of the class.
Then, students drafted a paragraph response to explain the evolution and the reason Edward’s character changed over time.
To end the class, students worked in pairs to discuss some of the novel’s themes like love and endurance. The answers that were shared helped to build the next lesson.
Marcellous Sion, 42, Opelousas — OWI 1st, lend or permit use of plate to unauthorized person, no driver’s license, careless operation, 9:38 pm, $1,300 bail.
December 27 Albert Hays, 75, Glenmora — attempted murder 2nd degree, aggravated assault with firearm, illegal use of weapons, cruelty to juvenile 2 counts, $50,000 bail.
Muse Teens will spend a few days during the holiday break in their own worlds at the Alexandria Museum of Art. They will create their own imaginary worlds complete with a history, geography and ecology, just like fantasy and sci-fi writers do! They’ll draw maps and character studies and create a backstory for these brand new worlds!
This workshop is FREE and open to all teens between the ages of 13 and 19. Registration is required and space is limited.
Jerry Ashley Bozeman July 23, 1973 – December 23, 2023 Service: Friday, December 29, 2023, 2pm at Summerville Cemetery, Trout.
Janet Denise Harris June 25, 1956 – December 21, 2023 Service: Friday, December 29, 2023, 10am at New Scott Olly Baptist Church, Alexandria.
Craig Joseph Guillot November 20, 1980 – December 10, 2023 Service: Saturday, December 30, 2023, 10am at Hixson Brothers, Marksville.
Charlene Wilson McKneely October 9, 1933 – December 28, 2023 Service: Saturday, December 30, 2023; 2pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville.
Nova Lee Spurlin May 1, 1936 – December 28, 2023 Service: Tuesday, January 2, 2024; 1pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Alexandria.
Dean Luneau October 8, 1944 – December 23, 2023 Service: Thursday, January 4, 2024; 10am at Hixson Brothers, Marksville.
Tommy Joe Burnaman June 25, 1935 – December 8, 2023 Service: Saturday, January 6, 2024, 11am at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Alexandria.
The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)
Volunteers of America of North Louisiana and Affiliates (Shreveport, Bossier City, Alexandria, Pineville and Ruston) had an operating margin of $1.1 million in the year ending June 30.
The annual audit of the non-profit organization, released last week, reports $20.4 million operating revenue program- wide.
Cash and cash equivalents at the fiscal year end totaled $4.6 million, the audit shows, compared to $3.8 million a year earlier.
VOA provides housing, health and other social services for adults and children, disabled, homeless and others.
The triad of its programs, according to the audit, is Encouraging Positive Development, Promoting Self Sufficiency and Fostering Independence.
Systemwide revenue from contributions, with and without use restrictions, was $3.4 million. Government grants and contracts accounted for $15.9 million.
United Way and Combined Federal Campaign pledges yielded less than $1,000 each.
The three programs enumerated above accounted for $15.6 million expenses, with Fostering Independence taking $9.7 million.
The Alexandria Living Center (Upper Road)had revenue of $193,000 (grants and contracts and service fees and operating expenses of $235,000.
The Pineville Center (Rainbow Drive) had $209,000 revenue and $240,000 expenses.
Systemwide salary and wages totaled $9.9 million.
Program services payroll totaled $8.2 million; supporting services management & general payroll expense was $1.3 million. Professional services cost was $1 million.
The audit notes agency head Carolyn Hammond’s salary was $148,500. Her compensation also includes vehicle cost, $8,275, and housing, $25,500.
The final fireworks sales season of the year have kicked off, so the State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFM) wants to encourage all Louisiana residents to not only be safe when using fireworks, but knowledgeable when buying them.
More than 300 retail fireworks permits have been issued for this end-of-the-year season, as it is state law for wholesale and retail fireworksbusiness operators to be appropriately licensed by the SFM, in the parishes and municipalities where they are legally allowed. The sales season extends through 11:59 p.m. on January 1.
The SFM encourages, first and foremost, that families choose to enjoy public fireworks displays over creating their own. However, if purchasing fireworks is your preference, we advise families to be mindful of whether the stand they are purchasing from has been permitted by this office. You can request to see permitting information from any retail fireworks business you patron. The SFM encourages reporting any suspicious or illegal fireworks sales to 1-800-256-5452 or by visiting our website, lasfm.org.
In addition, we want everyone to enjoy fireworks in the safest way possible. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) showed in a 2022 report that fireworks-related injuries are on the rise across the country.
To avoid becoming part of this statistic, the SFM advises:
Detonating devices at least 200 feet away from structures, vehicles and rubbish
Never allowing children to light fireworks; instead, provide glow sticks and trinkets as alternatives
Never operating fireworks while impaired
Lighting devices one at a time and monitoring embers released with a bucket of water or hose nearby
Discarding detonated items by wetting them down to prevent reignition and not disposing of them in a trash container immediately
Lastly, we encourage everyone to be mindful of the weather conditions in your area when considering whether to pop your own fireworks. Make sure you are aware of any burn bans established and take into account the dryness of your surroundings when choosing a safe location for popping fireworks.
Cody Austell, a wildlife technician from Alexandria won the Regional Forester’s Special Award recognizing his work with the Kisatchie National Forest Bald Eagle Live Cam.
“Cody’s technical expertise and knowledge helped make this dream of having not one, but four, live cams on our Kincaid Lake eagles a reality,” said Jonny Fryar, District Ranger of the Calcasieu Ranger District. “I was pleased to nominate Cody for this special award because of his hard work and dedication.”
The bald eagle live cam was first installed in 2018 and was not without hiccups. Wiring, equipment challenges, and eagles deserting the nest prevented the cam from being successful until 2021 when viewers were able to see the first egg laid by a pair of eagles fondly named Louis and Anna. Louis and Anna’s first eaglet was named “Kisatchie” through a special naming contest held for the public. In the summer of 2022, Cody outfitted another nest with a live cam giving viewers two nests to follow. Cody once again climbed the 100-foot pine trees during the summer of 2023 to place updated cameras and microphones so viewers have four live cams to choose from when watching the eagles. All work was performed by Cody when the eagles had migrated and were not in residence.
“Because of Cody’s efforts with the live cams, over 2 million viewers from around the world have watched our eagles over the past few years lay eggs, hatch those eggs, and raise fledglings,” commented Lisa Lewis, Forest Supervisor of the Kisatchie National Forest. “People from Japan, Spain, and other countries around the world have heard of the Kisatchie National Forest thanks to Cody’s endeavors. We are very pleased Cody is being recognized with this special award.”
Austell received his award from the Southern Region’s Regional Forester, Ken Arney. “There were so many bright lights of achievement across the Southern Region this year,” said Arney. “It’s an honor to recognize those who worked so hard to help produce outstanding results.”
The 2023 Regional Forester’s Honor Awards Ceremony celebrates groups and individuals who reflect the Forest Service’s agency core values by demonstrating excellence through interdependence, service to others, and commitment to conservation, diversity and safety.
The ceremony was held in Atlanta December 14, 2023. It recognized outstanding work in connection with this year’s theme, “Assess. Transform. Achieve. Showcasing our Best.” You can learn more about these awards here (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/r8/home/?cid=FSEPRD1155196) and you can view the Kisatchie’s live eagle cams on this YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@KNFcams/streams).
LSU junior inebacker Greg Penn III promises the Tigers’ defense ‘will get better’ in the Jan. 1 bowl game against Wisconsin.
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
BATON ROUGE — Two types of college football teams play in bowl games.
Those extremely motivated with something to prove.
And those still disappointed from regular season failures who’d rather put away the equipment until spring practice.
That there’s a smoldering anger among LSU’s defensive players bodes well for the 9-3 13th-ranked Tigers as they began on-site preparations Wednesday in Tampa for next Monday’s ReliaQuest Bowl matchup with unranked 7-5 Wisconsin.
Since the Tigers are ranked first nationally in total offense (547.8 yards per game) and scoring offense (46.4 ppg), it’s been no secret from the opening game of the season that LSU’s porous defense was the reason why the team fell short of being in the discussion for the College Football Playoffs.
Of the 130 FBS (Division 1-A) teams, the Tigers rank No. 101 in total defense (409.2 yards per game allowed), No. 97 in scoring defense (27.8 ppg allowed) and No. 104 in passing yardage allowed (245.4 ypg).
“Everyone knows we didn’t play well,” said LSU junior linebacker Greg Penn III, the Tigers’ season tackles leader with 82. “Everyone in the (LSU football operations) building that knows that defense knows it’s not the standard.
“It will get better. I promise you it will get better. We know what we need to do, and it starts with this game. We’re trying to start 2024 off right.”
Except for starting cornerback Zy Alexander, who has been out since October with an ankle injury, and the five reserves who entered the transfer portal that combined for 25 tackles and no starts, LSU’s defense will be at full strength for the bowl game.
Starting junior defensive tackle Mehki Wingo, who missed the last six games after undergoing surgery to repair a torn abductor, made it a goal to return to action for a bowl game.
“I’m the captain of this team,” said Wingo, who has started 21 of 22 games for the Tigers since he transferred to LSU from Missouri in the spring of 2022. “I feel like I owe those guys to come back and play and help get that team that 10tn win. It’s important to me to finish off the season with these guys.”
Wingo hasn’t decided on whether he will enter the NFL Draft or return for his senior season in 2024. But Penn said he’s coming back for a senior swan song because he can provide the leadership to flip a poor defense to a great one.
“The year we had defensively, I want to come back and get that right,” Penn said. “I wouldn’t want to go out on that type of note. As a defense, we need to play better. We left too many plays out there.
“Everyone needs to play with effort, everyone needs to play fast. It’s helping out your teammate and running to the ball. Somebody misses a tackle and someone else is there to help out. Everyone needs to play relentlessly.”
On the surface, LSU’s defense is getting a break against Wisconsin. Three Badgers’ offensive starters and two backups have either opted out of the bowl to enter the NFL draft or the transfer portal.
That includes junior running back Braelon Allen, who declared for the NFL Draft after the final regular season. He led Wisconsin this past season with 984 rushing yards and 12 TDs and was the team’s third-leading receiver with 28 catches for 132 yards.
Including Allen, three of Wisconsin’s top six pass catchers opted out of the bowl.
The others are starting wide receiver Chimere Dike (19 catches for 328 yards, 1 TD) and backup Skyler Bell (38 catches for 297 yards, 1 TD). They both entered the transfer portal with Dike transferring to Florida, and Bell remains undecided.
Wisconsin junior starting center Tanor Bortolini opted out to enter the NFL Draft. He’s been replaced by Cincinnati transfer Jake Renfro, who has not played this season and missed all of 2022 after suffering a knee injury. He last played in a game on Dec. 31, 2021, when Cincinnati tangled with Alabama in a College Football Playoff semifinal.
Northwestern State running back Kolbe Burrell (21) is among 45 Demons who got an extra season of eligibility in an NCAA ruling announced Wednesday. (Photo by CHRIS REICH, Northwestern State)
NATCHITOCHES – The NCAA has approved a pair of waivers extending another season of eligibility for 45 Northwestern State football student-athletes who competed during the Demons’ tragedy-shortened 2023 season.
The ruling was released Wednesday by the university, which received notice last Friday after weeks of dialog and paperwork, including obtaining the signatures of all affected players for their individual waivers.
The NCAA approved nine “extension of eligibility waivers” and 38 “season of competition waivers” for players who competed in more than four games in a truncated six-game season. An Oct. 14 game at Nicholls State and the last four games were cancelled by the university in the aftermath of the shooting death Oct. 12 of junior safety Ronnie Caldwell.
Two of the nine “extension of eligibility” waiver recipients also qualified in the more broad category, said NSU associate athletics director and NCAA compliance director Dustin Eubanks.
“We appreciate the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement staff members working with us through the arduous process,” Eubanks said. “They were with us every step of the way. With the circumstances surrounding this past season, we wanted to help our student-athletes as much as we could. We couldn’t have asked for a better outcome and hope these student-athletes can move forward in a positive manner whether at Northwestern State or at another institution.”
The Demons canceled their Oct. 14 road game at Nicholls before returning to play Oct. 19 against Southeastern at Turpin Stadium. On Oct. 26, two days before NSU was slated to visit McNeese for the Cowboys’ homecoming game, the decision was made to cancel the remainder of the 11-game season based on concern for the mental health and well-being of the student-athletes.
“With a focus on our student-athletes’ well-being, this decision allows those affected by the challenging circumstances of the 2023 season to continue their athletic pursuits,” said NSU President Dr. Marcus Jones, who echoed Eubanks’ appreciation for the NCAA’s decision. “Special thanks to Dustin Eubanks for his tireless advocacy, exemplifying our commitment to prioritizing our athletes and their futures.”
The waivers apply to those Demons who took part in five or six games this fall and sought an extra year. Players who appeared in four or fewer games and still have a redshirt season remaining on their eligibility clock will need to use that redshirt season under current NCAA guidelines with regards to eligibility.
“This is the outcome we were hoping to see,” said NSU Athletics Director Kevin Bostian. “We are grateful for the NCAA allowing our student-athletes the option to continue their careers and to regain their year of eligibility following a 2023 season that was trying on numerous levels.”
Northwestern State’s seven-game Southland Conference schedule is set for 2024, said Wednesday’s announcement, with the full schedule to be released later.
As deer season begins to wind down, squirrel hunters using dogs to locate and tree squirrels are gearing up for their favorite time of year. Late season deer hunters are not too keen on having to contend with barking dogs and squirrel hunters tromping through the woods.
Squirrel hunters using dogs usually patiently wait until deer stands are vacated to have their time in the sun – or in the woods. Most, however, will have already been busy getting their favorite pups ready for the action that will last until the end of February.
For Ruston’s George Seacrist, working with his squirrel dogs is a year-round proposition. He raises his own squirrel dogs and begins some preliminaries with pups as young as a month old while they’re still in the kennel, deciding which ones of the litter will eventually be sniffing out and treeing squirrels.
“Dogs that have the inborn desire to hunt can be detected at a really young age,” said Seacrist. “I’ll fan a squirrel tail in front of them and watch their reactions. Some have no interest while others want to reach through the kennel gate and grab it. I’ll keep my eye on those that do and start working with them right away.
“When pups are out in the yard playing, observe which ones seem to have an interest in birds or squirrels in the yard. Once you decide which of the pups seem to be alert to creatures in your yard, sniffing the ground with tails wagging, start right then working patiently with the puppy. I’ll tie a squirrel tail to a string and drag it around the yard so they become accustomed to the smell; they see it as a game and those that show promise become interested real quick.
“When you get to the actual training, take the pup to the woods with a trained dog and let him observe how it’s done. If he’s going to make a good squirrel dog, the light will eventually come on and he’ll be able to do it on his own,” Seacrist added.
Even though a dog may learn to tree squirrels, two other possible obstacles have to be faced. Some dogs are hesitant to bark on the tree while others may be frightened by gun fire.
“Sometimes when one of my dogs trees close to me, he doesn’t bark. However, if I step back behind a big tree where he can’t see me, he’ll bark. I’ve learned that when a dog barks after treeing, he’s not barking at the squirrel; he’s barking at me and it’s his way of telling me there’s a squirrel up there and I need to come shoot it out.
“I had one dog that was gun-shy so I started out hunting her with a .22 or 20-gauge shotgun. I also purchased a tape that plays music and periodically, the music stops and a gun fires. It took awhile but eventually, the dog became accustomed to the sound of a gun shot and now, she no longer has that problem,” Seacrist continued.
Another consideration in deciding which puppy will learn to tree squirrels is the dog’s heritage and blood line. Several species of dogs, such as the mountain cur, usually make the best squirrel dogs, but Seacrist prefers smaller breed of dogs.
“My dogs are a feist and rat terrier mix and they’ve worked out really good for me. These are smaller dogs and won’t range out as far as the larger dogs. I like a dog that will hunt close so I can stay in contact with the dog and have a better ‘read’ on him and what he’s doing,” he added.
You want good exercise? Hook up with a squirrel hunter and his dogs. I have made several hunts with Seacrist and his dogs and after a day of tromping through the woods, sprinting to the tree when the dog barks, I don’t have to be rocked to sleep that night. It’s wholesome; it’s fun and the squirrel mulligan that usually follows goes down mighty nice and easy.
Take advantage of one of the first day hikes of 2024 as you join representatives from the Forts Randolph and Buhlow State Historic Sites (located at 135 Riverfront St. in Pineville) on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 11 am on a 1-mile hike through trail systems of elevated boardwalks as you enjoy nature’s beauty and learn about the variety of plant and animal life inhabiting the historic site.
Park Manager and Biologist Krystal Briley
Check-in will be held at the museum. Admission for a day pass to the park is $4 per person (free for senior citizens and children under 4 years of age).
Bring your own water, sunscreen, bug spray, and what comfortable shoes and clothing. A Guided Historical Hike will also be offered on this day at 2 pm, led by the Interpretive Ranger of the site. Visitors are also welcome to hike on their own during the park hours of 9 am – 5 pm. All ages welcome!
Confetti Cookie Dough Ball is the best kind of New Year’s Eve ball drop! Keep me home and let me dive on into this while snuggled up on the couch with a good book. Kids love this one, and it is also great to make and take as it transports easily. Use your favorite dippers of choice.
Ingredients
12 ounces cream cheese spread ¼ cup butter, softened ¾ cup brown sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla ¼ teaspoon almond extract 1 cup mini chocolate chips Sprinkles For serving: Nilla wafers, pretzels, strawberries
Directions
Using a mixer, beat cream cheese and butter. Add brown sugar and vanilla. Fold in mini chocolate chips. Lay a piece of plastic wrap on counter and scrap mixture onto it. With your hands form into a ball. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Pour sprinkles into a small bowl. Reshape ball if needed. Transfer to serving platter and press sprinkles to cover it. Serve with Nilla Wafers, pretzels or strawberries.
Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.
