By JIM BUTLER

The Rapides Police Jury anticipates 2024 General Fund income of $12.1 million in 2024 and expenses of $11.5 million.

Those estimates are part of the annual budget adopted this month.

The jury’s Administrative Fund income and expenses are forecast at $2.2 million Public Works revenue is projected at $8.5 million and expenses are set at $7.3 million.

Those accounts are under the jury’s direct administration.

They pale in comparison to the dedicated funding and spending totals falling under the parish’s umbrella.

Total revenue under that umbrella is forecast at $316 million, with $297 million earmarked for specific spending.

These totals are from a summary presented at the jury’s December session.

The line item budget can be reviewed at the jury offices in the courthouse. The same is true of the budgets of other parish branches.

None are required to post such documents on their websites.

Sales taxes account for $182.6 million of the expected parish revenue. A hotel-motel tax contributes $1.9 million.

Property taxes and assorted charges, fees and grants account for the balance.

Several agencies anticipate significant contingency balances next year, sometimes attributable to long-range savings for specific capital improvements.

By JIM BUTLER

It’s decision time. What is the top Rapides story of the year that is
rapidly coming to a close?

Here are 10 contenders, but what is number one? Let us know your vote, by
tonight, for one of these or another suggestion:

LSU at Alexandria tops 5,000 enrollment

State Senate, House elections

Pineville development

England Air Park development

Heat/drought

Alexandria utility issues

Bolton High Academy

Library books policy

Renaissance tax rejected

Crime and punishment

Thanks to those who have already voted.

Email your pick to us at sports@journalservicesllc.com — the sports staff is used to tracking a scoreboard!

We want to hear from you today or tonight. Look for the result in Friday’s edition.

Tioga’s playmaking defensive back, Ja’Corian Norris, was named first-team Class 4A All-State by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, with five other parish prep football standouts earning honorable mention recognition.

Norris, a senior safety, collected nine interceptions and returned five for touchdowns. He added six more TDs, two as a receiver and four on kickoff returns.

His teammate, Max Kadrmas, was an honorable mention selection. He had a pair of pick-sixes among his three interceptions and made 38 tackles from his cornerback spot.

Four Peabody players drew honorable mention status: Dartavin Depass, T.J. Hullaby, Zyrian Taylor, and Eric Vorhies.

Depass starred at running back and receiver while earning Offensive MVP honors in District 2-4A. He had 1,609 all-purpose yards and scored 30 TDs, 22 on the ground.

 An explosive junior receiver, Hullaby led Rapides Parish with 58 catches, 989 yards and 15 receiving TDs. He added five more scores with a pair of pick-sixes on defense and three kick return touchdowns.

 Taylor had an amazing 30 tackles for lost yards among his 68 stops from his defensive line position. Vohries was an outstanding defensive back.

A pair of future LSU teammates and the coach of a historic, championship-winning team headlined the Class 4A all-state football team. 

Evangel Christian defensive end Gabriel Reliford, an LSU signee, garnered Outstanding Defensive Player for his dominant senior showing on the team selected by a panel of sportswriters from across the state. 

The edge rusher racked up 122 tackles, including 71 solo, 29 for loss with nine sacks, and forced three fumbles. 

Lafayette Christian quarterback Ju’Juan Johnson capped a decorated and record-setting high school career as the Outstanding Offensive Player in 4A. 

The LSU signee threw for 3,597 yards and 41 touchdowns and rushed for another 1,497 yards and 25 scores as a senior to help topple Louisiana’s long-standing career marks for total yardage and total touchdowns. 

Johnson was among the state’s most dynamic playmakers at any level all season to help lead his Knights to a seventh straight state championship game. He will move to defense at LSU and play cornerback.

Opelousas alumnus Jimmy Zachery earned Coach of the Year honors after leading his alma mater to the Non-Select Division II title, the first football state championship in program history. 

Class 4A All-State chart 

OFFENSE 

Pos Player, School                                      Ht., Wt., Cl. 

WR Cole Cory, North DeSoto                      5-9, 175, Jr. 
WR Parker Fulghum, Evangel                     6-2, 180, Sr. 
WR Kylin Wheeler, Rayne                         5-11, 175, Jr. 
OL Gage Caskey, North DeSoto                  6-0, 255, Sr. 
OL Ashton Helaire, St. Thomas More         6-3, 325, Sr. 
OL Raymond Howard, Shaw                       6-2, 280, Sr. 
OL Joseph Milton, Opelousas                     6-2, 282, Sr. 
OL Jace Williams, Assumption                    6-1, 280, Jr. 
QB Ju’Juan Johnson, Lafayette Christian 5-11, 195, Sr. 
RB Jaylon Coleman, Vandebilt Catholic      5-9, 160, Jr. 
RB D’Shaun Ford, Opelousas                      6-1, 210, Jr. 
RB Xavier Ford, Leesville                           5-11, 190, Jr. 
PK Trey Furey, Belle Chasse                       6-0, 175, Sr. 
ATH Sam Altmann, St. Thomas More         6-3, 195, Sr.  

DEFENSE 

DL Melvin HIlls III, Lafayette Christian       6-3, 270, Sr. 
DL Ted Jackson, West Feliciana                5-11, 240, Sr. 
DL Gabriel Reliford, Evangel                       6-2, 255, Sr.
DL Brody Whatley, Neville                          6-5, 255, Jr. 
LB Hayden Hernandez, St. Thomas More 6-0, 215, Sr. 
LB Jamal Jordan, Evangel                           6-3, 215, Sr. 
LB Brody Latiolais, St. Thomas More        5-11, 195, Sr. 
LB Brody Robichaux, Assumption            5-10, 200, Sr. 
DB Lake Bates, North DeSoto                   5-10, 180, Sr. 
DB Brent Gordon, Cecilia                          5-11, 180, Jr. 
DB Ty Lee, Lafayette Christian                   6-0, 180, Sr. 
DB Ja’Corian Norris. Tioga                          6-2, 185, Sr. 
P Cameron Ott, Assumption                       6-1, 170, Jr. 
KR Ky’ree Paul, Istrouma                          5-10, 175, Jr. 
ATH Diesel Solari, Cecilia                            5-8, 170, Jr.  

Outstanding Offensive Player: Ju’Juan Johnson, Lafayette Christian  

Outstanding Defensive Player: Gabe Reliford, Evangel 

Coach of the Year: Jimmy Zachery, Opelousas  

Honorable mention: Dartavin Depass, Peabody; T.J. Hullaby, Peabody;  Zyrian Taylor, Peabody; Eric Vories, Peabody; Maximus Kadrmas, Tioga; Quantravious Bradford, Huntington; Tyler Welch, Huntington; Brandon Henderson, Woodlawn-Shreveport; Andrew Houston, Booker T. Washington; Kenny Thomas, North DeSoto; Chris Addison, Franklin Parish; Jakai Anderson, McDonogh 35; Kaleb Andrus, Tioga; Jason Banks, De La Salle; Paul Boudreaux, Vandebilt Catholic; Kamden Bourg, South Lafourche; Corey Broussard, Cecilia; Bradford Cain, Teurlings Catholic; Wade Cannon, St. Thomas More; Jalan Chapman, Warren Easton; Jackson Cordill, Franklin Parish; Luke Delafield, North DeSoto; Greg Donaldson, Warren Easton; Travis Esprit, Opelousas; Jacob Fairchild, Vandebilt Catholic; Izaiah Farley, Leesville; Korey Fontenot, Opelousas; Collin Fontenot, Opelousas; Jonathan Ford, Opelousas; Wallace Foster IV, Warren Easton; Kilas Francis, Shaw; Tavias Gordon, Westgate; Robert Graves, Neville; Jayden Hagger, Cecilia; Jackson Hedrick, Grant; Chase Jacobs, Assumption; K.J. James, Teurlings Catholic; Jacobi Jefferson, Salmen; De’Myrion Johnson, Westgate;; Alfred Kennedy, Assumption; Cleveland Latulas, Westgate; Dy’traevous Lively, Westgate; Charlie Mader, Teurlings Catholic; Tim Maxson, De La Salle; Dameon McCloud, McDonogh 35; Peyton McFarland, McDonogh 35; Brian McMillian, North DeSoto; Damon Narcisse, Salmen; Carson Orgeron, South Lafourche; Jasper Parker, Shaw; Bronson Patt, Cecilia; Santana Price, McDonogh 35; Taylor Quinn, Neville; Ben Ragas, Vandebilt Catholic; Kaileb Rayford, Salmen; Keidrick Richardson, De La Salle; Fred Robertson, Warren Easton; Joel Rogers, West Feliciana; Justin Ross, McDonogh 35; Markel Senegal, Washington-Marion; Kenias St. Romain, DeRidder; Tyrese Mosby, Plaquemine; Landon Strother, St. Thomas More; Hutch Swilley, St. Thomas More; John Martinez, St. Michael;; Reece Turner, Assumption; Landon Vallee, Grant; Damyren Washington, Booker T. Washington; Jayden Webb, Neville; Javion White, Franklin Parish; Mason Wilson, Shaw; Cody Beall, St. Michael; Landry Wyatt, North DeSoto. 

Menard’s success this fall was rewarded on the Class 2A All-State team announced over the weekend by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

Linebacker Cooper Scott and punter Ryan Hicks, both seniors, represented the Eagles on the All-State first team.

Hicks averaged 43 yards per punt, and sent 60 percent of his kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks. He booted seven field goals, missing only twice.

Three more Menard standouts received honorable mention recognition:  Drake Aldredge, Braylon Dusang and Gavin Hilton.

Aldredge was a first-team Rapides Parish Journal All-Parish pick last week on the defensive line. The 6-3, 220-pounder made 72 tackles and four sacks, and broke up 11 passes.

Dusang was a first-team all-district offensive lineman, and the 6-3, 310-pound senior was also a first-team all-district pick on the defensive line. Hilton, another two-way star, was included on the “Best of the Rest” honorable mention list as an athlete  on last week’s All-Rapides Parish Team.

Calvary Baptist junior quarterback Abram Wardell, who threw two touchdown passes in the final three minutes of the Division III select title game to lead a winning comeback, earned Outstanding Offensive Player honors on the 2A team.

That’s as many interceptions as he threw all season long as the Cavaliers finished unbeaten in 14 games. He was picked off in the season opener, and on a deflected pass in the Superdome in the state final.

Wardell, a junior, was the state’s second-leading passer (behind only Airline junior Ben Taylor) in all classifications with 3,883 yards in the air on an amazing 78 percent completion rate. He threw for 45 touchdowns on 266 completions in 340 attempts.

St. Charles Catholic linebacker Kyle Cannon, who recorded 133 tackles (including 15 ½ for loss), five interceptions and two pick-6s, was the 2A Outstanding Defensive Player.

Calvary head coach Rodney Guin was named the Coach of the Year after leading a 14-0 season, including a 34-28 triumph over SCC, the previously unbeaten and defending state champ, in the 2A title game.  

In his 23rd season as a head coach and 41^st overall, Guin earned his first state Coach of the Year honor. He led the Cavaliers to the program’s first perfect record capped by the thrilling state finals triumph in the Superdome.

2023 LSWA CLASS 2A ALL-STATE CHART 

OFFENSE 

Pos Player, School                                Ht., Wt., Cl.

WR Jac Comeaux, Dunham                 5-10, 160, Sr. 
WR Aubrey Hermes, Calvary               6-3, 180, Sr. 
WR Jaiden Mitchell, Catholic-N.I.          5-8, 140, Jr. 
OL Will York, Episcopal                        5-10, 185, Sr. 
OL Jimmy Wright, Calvary                    6-2, 246, Sr. 
OL Truitt Tietz, Oak Grove                     6-2, 240, Sr.
OL Luke Schultz, Notre Dame               6-4, 270, Sr. 
OL Brett Bordelon, Newman                 6-5, 285, Jr. 
QB Abram Wardell, Calvary                  6-0, 190, Jr. 
RB Braeden George, Episcopal           5-11, 185, Sr. 
RB James Simon, Calvary                      6-0, 200, Jr. 
RB Jeremiah James, Many                  5-11, 196, Sr. 
PK Joseph Whitehouse, Pope John Paul II 6-1, 170, Sr. 
ATH Jackson Bradley, Oak Grove           6-3, 200, Jr. 

DEFENSE 

DL Ethan Sands, Calvary                      6-2, 260, Sr. 
DL Swazy Carheel, Many                       6-3, 235, Sr. 
DL Isaiah Joles, Oak Grove                    6-0, 245, Jr. 
DL Jaden Breaux, St. Charles                6-2, 190, Sr. 
LB Hutch Grace, Calvary,                      6-1, 220, Sr.
LB Cooper Scott, Menard                     6-2, 210, Sr. 
LB James Harris, Oak Grove                  6-2, 225, Sr. 
LB Kyle Cannon, St. Charles                  6-1, 220, Sr. 
DB Drew Bourgeois, Dunham               5-8, 160, Sr. 
DB Landon Sylvie, Calvary                 5-11, 170, Sr. 
DB Tylen Singleton, Many                     6-2, 210, Sr. 
DB Landon Ferrell, Oak Grove              6-2, 195, Sr. 
P Ryan Hicks, Menard                           6-0, 165, Sr. 
KR Kaden Foster, St. Charles               5-10, 160, Sr. 
ATH Kameron Williams, General Trass  6-2, 215, Sr.

Outstanding Offensive Player: Abram Wardell, Calvary

Outstanding Defensive Player: Kyle Cannon, St. Charles 

Coach of the Year: Rodney Guin, Calvary 

Honorable Mention: Braylon Dusang, Menard; Drake Aldredge, Menard; Gavin Hilton, Menard; Heath Gross, Calvary; John Simon IV, Calvary; Braylun Huglon, Calvary; Rowen Guthikonda, Loyola; Peyton Peebles, Ascension Episcopal; Decareyn Sampson, Avoyelles; Preston Barnes, Avoyelles; Drew Desormeaux, Catholic-New Iberia; Shawn Basey, D’Arbonne Woods; Elijah Haven, Dunham; Logan Sorrel, Dunham; Malachi Jackson, Dunham; Chase Cresson, Episcopal; Chris Reed, Ferriday; Desmen Jefferson, Ferriday; Jay’shaun Johnson, Franklin; Joseph Landry, Houma Christian School; Micah Callais, Houma Christian School; Ray Levi, Lake Arthur; Ryan Hubbard, Lakeview; Kaine Olivier, Loreauville; Trace McHugh, Loreauville; Jalen McGraw Boley, Mangham; Robert Natt, Mangham; Eli Friend, Newman; Peter Loop, Newman; Robert Kerrigan, Newman; Will Loerzel, Newman; Kameron Casnave, Northlake Christian; Jackson Casanova, Notre Dame; Sam Kirsch, Notre Dame; Jay Freeman, Oak Grove; JT Layton, Oak Grove; Seth Ray, Oak Grove; Tamarques Pritchard, Oak Grove; Deekota Johnson, Oakdale; Derrick Green, Oakdale; Ruffin George, Oakdale; DeSean Deville, Oberlin; Kenneth Boston, Rayville; Latavious Murphy, Rayville; Alex Phillips, South Plaquemines; Jy’heim Williams, South Plaquemines; Brady St. Pierre, St. Charles; Daniel Joseph, St. Charles; Jeremiah Wills, St. Charles; Tyler Milioto, St. Charles; Kohen Rowbatham, St. Thomas Aquinas; Kabari Davis, Vidalia; Ayden Miller, Welsh; Hayden VanNess, Welsh; Jonovan Begnaud, Welsh; Troy Pattum, Welsh; Jake Jones, Winnfield. 

When you have idle time during the Christmas holidays, your imagination can run wild.

So, here’s a look ahead of what will happen in LSU sports in 2024.

JANUARY

LSU beats Wisconsin 38-17 in the ReliaQuest Bowl. New starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is named the game’s MVP after throwing for 345 yards and 5 TDs, including one to offensive tackle Will Campbell on a tackle-eligible play. Campbell tries to celebrate in the end zone but is penalized for illegal use of dance moves. . .Tigers’ head coach Brian Kelly announces after the game he’s naming Nussmeier and quarterback coach Joe Sloan as permanent co-offensive coordinators to replace the departed Mike Denbrock. “We’re constantly exploring ways to connect our players with lucrative paydays,” Kelly said. . .With paramedics standing by as well as LSU gymnastic coach Jay Clark holding a fire extinguisher, Tigers’ senior gymnast and 2021 NCAA vault champion Haleigh Bryant becomes the first gymnast – man or woman – to score a 10 in the vault executing a Yurchenko Double Pike while flipping through a flaming ring of fire. Not to be outdone, teammate Alyona Shchennikova scores her first-ever 10 with a bars routine in which sticks a perfect landing after flying over a pit of vipers and rattlesnakes.

FEBRUARY

In a unique first-pitch ceremony for the season-opener vs. VMI for the defending national champion Tigers, LSU honors its two top NIL sugar daddies Baton Rouge injury attorney Gordon McKernan and Cane’s Chicken Fingers founder Todd Graves. With McKernan batting and Graves throwing on the first pitch, McKernan launches a solo homer into the left-field bleachers. As he rounds the bases, the Alex Box P.A. system blares McKernan’s rap commercial “Get Gordon and get it done!”  LSU head coach Jay Johnson, caught up in the moment, pulls a groin muscle while attempting to dance. He is immediately listed as day-to-day.

MARCH

Former and current LSU point guard and former Tulane point guard Jalen Cook takes the spotlight when the Tigers and Green Wave play in a first-round NIT game. To drum up ticket sales, head coaches Matt McMahon of LSU and Ron Hunter of Tulane agree the winner of the game will have Cook on their team for his senior season in 2024-25. Cook’s game-winning free throws give the Tigers a 2-point win. Four days later, Cook announces he’s entering the NBA Draft after LSU loses a second-round NIT game to McNeese and former Tigers’ head coach Will Wade. In an angry postgame press conference, Wade wonders out loud why his team didn’t host the game and had to play in LSU’s “gym.”

APRIL

LSU’s women’s basketball team defends its national championship with an 85-60 win over completely disoriented South Carolina. Tigers freshman guard Mikaylah Williams, from Bossier City and Parkway High School, wins most Most Valuable Player honors. But LSU head coach Kim Mulkey credits point guard Hailey Van Lith for playing a major role in the victory. Van Lith combines her love of basketball and baking by scoring 15 points and making two batches of marijuana-laced brownies she places in the South Carolina dressing room three hours before tipoff. In the second half, the Gamecocks make just 2 of 28 shots and commit 26 turnovers, including 15 three-second in-the-lane violations when Carolina post players simply fall to the court and roll around in the paint giggling.  

MAY

With LSU baseball’s team mired in a batting slump, former Tigers’ designated hitter Cade Beloso makes a surprise appearance during a home series opener vs. Texas A&M dressed as Jobu, the Voodoo doll from the movie “Major League” who supposedly blesses bats. Umpires tell Tigers’  head coach Jay Johnson that “Beloso-Bu” is forbidden from dancing in front of the dugout during the LSU hitters’ walk-up songs. Instead, Beloso-Bu stands on the top steps of the dugout, pounds a conga drum while shouting non-sensical voodoo hexes at opposing pitchers and lights several gloves on fire. Completely unnerved, Vandy uses seven pitchers who give up seven home runs and hit 10 LSU batters in a 23-3 Tigers’ rout.

JUNE

LSU baseball misses a second straight to the CWS in Omaha by losing a home Super Regional to new fellow SEC member Oklahoma. The day following the loss, unemployment rises dramatically in Omaha with massive layoffs by bar and restaurant owners anticipating huge financial losses from LSU’s CWS absence.

JULY

Former LSU head football coaches Les Miles and Ed Orgeron, with money from their lucrative buyouts after being fired by the school, open a bar in Bimini called “Sandbaggers.” The bar’s feature drink is the “Geaux Ti-gah” featuring a splash of gin, a dash of rum, a tuft of grass and a shot of lighter fluid.

AUGUST

Las Vegas is under siege for the final days of August from 20,000 LSU fans who have made the trip to Sin City for the Tigers’ Sept. 1 season opener vs. USC. Police make more than 100 arrests per day for almost a week of drunk Tigers fans conducting swimming races in the Bellagio fountains.

 SEPTEMBER

LSU breezes through September with five straight wins to open the season. Win No. 5 comes over South Alabama which Tigers’ head coach Brian Kelly brazenly refers to as UAM, the University of Alabama-Mobile.

OCTOBER

Fresh off an open date, LSU looks rested and rusty as unbeaten Ole Miss hands the Tigers their first loss of the year in Tiger Stadium. The Tigers are driving for the game-winning score when the Rebels sneak into the game a ball soaked with the pee of Juice Kiffin, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin’s dog. LSU immediately commits a turnover on a QB center gaffe when LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier tries to hold his nose with his left hand while taking the snap with just his right hand.

NOVEMBER

LSU freshman Aeron Burrell of Bossier City’s Parkway High School, the Tigers’ long-distance field goal kicker, launches a school record game-winning 61-yard field goal as time expires to give the No. 12 Tigers an overtime win over No. 1 Alabama in Tiger Stadium. Tide head coach Nick Saban says the kick shouldn’t count, claiming the ball was inflated with helium.

DECEMBER

Despite losing to top-seeded Texas in the SEC championship game, the Tigers are part of the first 12-team College Football Playoff field. The No. 9 seed Tigers advance to quarterfinals in the Peach Bowl vs. No. 1 seed Oregon. Using one pass rusher and dropping the other 10 defenders into pass coverage, LSU loses the game on a Hail Mary TD throw. The pass bounces off the helmet of an LSU defensive back and into the hands of a Ducks’ receiver. LSU defensive coordinator Matt House, disguised as a referee, departs the stadium in a Brinks armored truck.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

Rapides OWI/DWI arrests are accusations, not convictions.

December 22
Auston Carter, 21, Glenmora — OWI 1st, open container, running red light, safety belt violation, 3:34 a.m., $1,300 bail;

Desmon Conner, 25, Alexandria — OWI 1st, running yellow light, 3:10 a.m., $1,100 bail;

Dayton Points, 23, Pineville — OWI 1st, expired rejection sticker, improper lane usage, 3:57 a.m., $1,200 bail.

December 23
Elizabeth Williams, 68, Pineville — OWI, open container, driving too slow impeding flow, 2:26 a.m., $1,100 bail.

December 24
John Gagneaux Sr., 59, Alexandria — OWI, open container, reckless operation, 2:45 p.m., $1,100 bail;

Richard Transier, 26, Lafayette — OWI 1st, improper tint, improper lane usage, 1:14 a.m., $1,200 bail.

By JIM BUTLER   

Pineville police say 33, that is not a typo – 33, shots were fired during in a clash Thursday evening.

Two Alexandria residents are charged with three counts each of attempted 2nd degree murder. A man wounded in the 5:30 p.m. encounter was hospitalized.

Details about the El Toro Apartments incident are still being gathered by investigators.

Charged with the attempted murders and other counts are Cartez Dotson, 36, and Terrance Partee, also 36.

What provoked the shooting and whether the accused did all the shooting has not been released, if yet determined.

Both suspects remain in parish lockup. Bail is set at $310,000 and $320,000 respectively.

Overheard someone last week talking about “a 1957 Chevy convertible,” and it got me to thinking. When 1957 is mentioned, the first thing that comes to my mind is our family’s green 1957 Chevrolet — a fine-looking car with matching pointy fins on the back of each side.

And that got me to thinking about a year-association exercise. Mention a year and think of the first thing that pops into your mind. As you might imagine, being a sportswriter for so many years, many years conjure sports memories for me, but not all. Some years bring more than one memory.

There are, without a doubt, tons of other huge events that have happened that aren’t included here. Again, this is just a sampling. It’s an exercise in word association(s) reflecting on timelines in a year-end stretch when we all tend to do – and should do – the same.  

As we approach 2024 and wonder what it will bring, here are 40 “flash card” years with a particular memory or associations that year has for me.

1 AD: Birth of Christ

33 AD: Passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection of Christ

1776: Birth of America

1865: Appomattox, Lincoln assassinated

1927: All-time greatest New York Yankees team, possibly the overall best

1936: Berlin Summer Olympics, Jesse Owens

1941: Pearl Harbor

1944: D-Day

1958: LSU football national champions

1959: LSU’s Billy Cannon wins Heisman Trophy

1961: Roger Maris gets 61 homers in ’61.

1962: John Glenn orbits Earth

1963: JFK assassinated

1968: MLK, RFK assassinated; Chicago Democratic Convention

1969: Apollo moon landing; Jets upset Colts in Super Bowl; ‘Miracle Mets’

1970: Tom Dempsey

1972: Mark Spitz

1973: Secretariat

1974: Hank Aaron

1975: Reds-Red Sox World Series

1976: America’s Bicentennial; Nadia Comaneci

1978: Affirmed and Alydar

1979: Seattle Slew; Pittsburgh Steelers; Pittsburgh Pirates

1981: President Reagan and Pope John Paul II survive assassination attempts

1984: Mary Lou Retton

1986: Space Shuttle Challenger tragedy; LSU basketball makes NCAA Final Four

1989: Berlin Wall comes down

1996: LSU’s Warren Morris hits 2-out homer in bottom of 9^th to win College World Series

2001: 9-11

2003: LSU football national championship; Space Shuttle Columbia disaster

2004: Red Sox break 86-year World Series title drought

2007: LSU football national championship

2008: Michael Phelps

2009: Saints Super Bowl season; LSU baseball wins national championship

2015: American Pharoah

2016: Cubs end 108-year World Series title drought

2017: Trash-can banging Astros win their first World Series

2019: LSU football national champions; Joe Burrow wins Heisman

2020: Covid, one nightmare after another

2023: LSU wins NCAA championships in women’s basketball and baseball, and LSU’s Jayden Daniels wins Heisman Trophy 

Happy 2024!

Bob Tompkins enjoyed a 43-year newspaper career as an award-winning writer and editor, serving the last 39 years at the Town Talk in Alexandria finishing in 2015. He is a member of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame as a winner of the LSWA’s Distinguished Service Award in Sports Journalism. An Alexandria resident, Tompkins is a contributing columnist sharing his talents weekly with Rapides Parish Journal readers.

This is a letter to all customers and residents of the Poland and Echo communities. Be aware of GAS LINES that may run through your property. Call 811 at least 48 hours before you dig! Louisiana811.com also has plenty of resources for your planning needs.

If you suspect a gas leak, call us if you smell gas or see any other possible dangers, do not hesitate to reach out and leave a message.

318-448-9281 BUSINESS
318-201-0775 (Jeff Tarver, EMERGENCY)
318-623-6109 (Josh Holloway, EMERGENCY)

LEAK POSSIBILITIES & HAZARDS
• Dead grass along the gas line
• Bubbles in ditches
• Exposed pipes
• Odor
• Blowing Gas

IF YOU SMELL GAS INSIDE YOUR HOME

DON’T:
• Turn off lights.
• Use the telephone inside, including cell phones.
• Light any appliances.

DO:
• Go outside.
• Call us Immediately from a cell phone or a neighbor’s land line.
• Turn off the gas at the shut off valve on the meter.

Billing questions?

Sarah Ducote: 318-419-8432 or polandqasandwater@vahoo.com
Suggestions and comments? Send me your email address please!!
Jeff Tarver: 318-201-0775 or jtrgud2@yahoo.com

Rapides arrests are accusations, not convictions.

December 21
Adria Smith, 49, Alexandria — obstruction of justice-evidence tampering, illegal carrying firearm, resisting, bicycle front, rear lamps side, rear reflectors required, resisting, contempt, $3,100 bail.

December 22
Cartez Dotson, 36, Alexandria — attempted 2nd degree murder 3 counts, firearm possession by convicted felon, obstruction-evidence tampering, $310,000 bail;

Dustin Duck, 37, Pineville — theft of motor vehicle, driving under suspension/revocation, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, contempt 4 counts, $15,100 bail;

Terrance Partee, 36, Alexandria — attempted 2nd degree murder 3 counts, obstruction – evidence tampering, accessory after the fact, $320,000 bail;

Stacy Travis, 48, Alexandria — criminal conspiracy, obstruction- evidence tampering, filing or maintaining false public records.

December 23
Lavena Jolly, 68, Deville — aggravated resisting with force or violence, disarming of police officer, battery of police officer, livestock at large, $2,000 bail;
Sampson West, 67, Alexandria — aggravated battery, resisting, $500 bail.

December 24
James Collins, 48, Alexandria — resisting, obstruction- intimidation/threats, assault, $1,500 bail;
Steven Ray, 46, Alexandria — domestic abuse battery serious injury, battery, $500 bail. 

Rapides drug charges are accusations, not convictions.

December 21
Alan Augustus, 20, Alexandria — possession, resisting, obstruction of highway, $1,500 bail;

Cassondra Brown, 35, Alexandria — possession 2 counts, $1,500 bail;

Kevin Ceaser Jr., 23, Alexandria — possession, manufacture, distribution, $100,000 bail.

December 22
Matthew Craig, 38, Ball — possession with intent, possession 2 counts, firearm with drugs 2 counts, open container, reckless operation, $8,600 bail;

Dakota Ervin, 27, Alexandria — possession, burglary, parole violations, $4,000 bail;

April Page, 25, Lecompte — possession with intent, possession, introduction contraband into penal facility, forgery 2 counts, accessory after the fact, criminal conspiracy, criminal damage, burglary, $54,500 bail.

December 23
Abbie Finley, 18, Pineville — possession, theft, $1,000 bail;

Quiten McKenzie, 32, Glenmora — possession, trespassing/remaining after forbidden, unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, probation violation, $500 bail;

Dylan Methvin, 19, Alexandria — possession, tobacco unlawful sale/purchase under 18, speeding, $1,500 bail.

December 24
Clarence Jones Jr., 42, Alexandria — possession, violation of protective order, disturbing peace- loud noise, $3,000 bail;

Alicia Williams, 40, Alexandria — possession, paraphernalia, resisting, burglary, $1,000 bail.

The Junior League of Alexandria recently honored some exceptional educators with teacher mini-grants. These dedicated professionals have shown an unwavering commitment to their students and their craft, and their hard work has not gone unnoticed.

Mini grants were presented to the following deserving educators:
Huey Daigle from Pineville Elementary School
Shama Farhat from Alexandria Senior High
Lacey Hoosier from Buckeye High School
Sara Lachney from Mabel Brasher Montessori
Holley Pace from Tioga Jr. High School
Stephanie Robertson from Carter C Raymond, LeCompte
Christy Kelley from Tioga High School
Marissa Maxwell from Grace Christian School
Rick Barr from Pineville High
Abigail Morrow from Caroline Dormon Junior High
Kira Helton from Pineville High School
Emily Murphy from Pineville Elementary School
Johannah Parker from Oak Hill (working with students across 7 schools)
Kristen Franklin, School-Based Speech-Language Pathologist at Tioga Elementary

The Junior League of Alexandria commends these educators for their dedication and hard work, and looks forward to seeing the positive impact the mini-grants will have on their classrooms.