Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

May 2

Jeffrey Clark Jr., 41, Boyce — possession, $2,500 bail;

Daequan Holmes, 38, Alexandria — possession 2 counts, theft, $2,000 bail;

Darrien Ore, 29, Alexandria — possession 2 counts, paraphernalia, misrepresentation at booking, no driver’s license, no MVI, modified exhaust, extradition proceedings, resisting, $4,800 bail;

Obrien Ore, 27, Pineville — possession 2 counts, paraphernalia, modified exhaust, expired MVI, probation violation, $4,200 bail.

May 3

Austin DeSoto, 23, Alexandria — possession with intent, contempt 2 counts, $62,000 bail;

Marchale Eaglin, 26, Alexandria — possession, criminal trespassing, fugitive, $3,000 bail;

Ryan Kirk, 50, Pineville — possession with intent, contempt, $220 bail;

Kyle Lawrence, 36, Forest Hill — possession with intent, possession 2 counts, contraband penal facility, criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass 3 counts, burglary 3 counts, theft of motor vehicle, $10,500 bail;

Nancy Rachal, 34, Alexandria — possession, criminal trespass, probation violation, contempt, $5,500 bail;

Fallon Stokes, 38, Hineston — possession, probation violation, $2,500 bail;

Dustin Sweat, 43, Sulphur — possession, paraphernalia, fugitive, parole violations, contempt, $2,000 bail.

May 4

Gary Gorman Jr., 41, Ball — possession 2 counts, resisting 3 counts, extradition proceedings, $4,100 bail;

Gary Mathews, 43, Alexandria — possession, tint violation, $600 bail;

Jessica Phillips, 40, Pineville — possession, paraphernalia, resisting, trespassing/remaining after forbidden, contempt 3 counts, $19,000 bail;

Lakeshia Smith, 36, Alexandria — possession, identity theft, remaining after forbidden, contempt 5 counts, $29,250 bail;

Terry Taylor, 64, Simmesport — possession, OWI 2nd, careless operation, $1,600 bail;

Yolanda Watson, 43, Simmesport — possession with intent, no bail set. 

By Jeanni Ritchie

The Alexandria Museum of Art, in conjunction with the Rapides Parish School Board, presents the 2024 Talented Visual Arts Show from now until May 18th at the museum’s location at 933 2nd Street, Alexandria.

The juried exhibition was selected by AMoA after teachers submitted pieces from Visual Arts students’ portfolios. An opening reception was held for the artists on April 26.

Each artist’s work is accompanied by its title, year created, medium used, artist’s school, and artist statement.

Madilyn Anderson, Collection Manager and Preparator, says, “It’s important for young artists to begin to learn early how to write about their art and to explain the thought process behind it.”

There was no shortage of talent as artists described their pieces on mediums such as ink on paper, pastels on paper, mixed media, acrylic on canvas, graphite on paper, charcoal, acrylic and clay, and more.

A “submission grouping” created a beautiful cohesive submission from four Hayden R. Lawrence student’s individual mixed media works.

There’s also a bright red box to leave a note of support or appreciation for an artist.

Anderson believes the encouragement is vital. “My goal is to empower young artists and give them a space to exhibit their work, sometimes for the first time. This year their work is housed right next to the Picasso exhibit.”

What an incredible honor!

Students featured just one room away from the famed Pablo Picasso are Brooke Adams, Max Abrams, Amelia Beebe, Pearce Beebe, Cameron Blanchard, Kirah Bond, Abbie Cooper, Bailey Craven, Viviana Dauzat, Kylie Dyer, Emily Foy, Madeline Gaspard, Stella Grassi, Charlie Hernandez, Alli Howard, Ava Howard, Katey Jackson, Larson Lea, Kenzie Lewis, Ashton Lindley, Allie McCoy, Meleya McGothlin, Maci Melder, Madelyn Milstead, Chloe Moran, Parker Newcomb, J.L. Nichols, Eden O’Neal, Madeline Ortego, Livia Owens, Gisele Prejean, Mehki Polk, De’Jay Reed, Isabella Rivera, Emily Schrock, Hannah Smith, Aniston Stalsby, Jessa Starlett, Jasper Strother, Alyssa Talley, Ryleigh Temple, Ada West, Shiloh Willson, Emma Windsor, Nevaeh White, and Dani Yancey.

Museum hours are Tuesday-Friday 10a-5p and Saturday 10a-4p. For more information call 318.443.3458 or visit themuseum.org.

Jeanni Ritchie is a Louisiana journalist and former educator. She can be found at www.jeanniritchie.com.

The Rapides Parish School Board has joined numerous educational governing bodies, Gov. Jeff Landry and others mounting legal challenges in federal court to new Title IX regulations designed to protect rights of transgender students.

The regulations erase restrictions on which bathrooms transgenders can use, and how they are allowed to compete in athletics, among other issues. Lawsuits have been filed in Louisiana as well as in federal courts in Texas, Alabama and Kentucky challenging the new rules. Leaders in Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma have told their school systems not to follow the new guidelines.

Many school boards around Louisiana have passed similar resolutions and joined the legal filings this week.

The Rapides School Board released the following statement:

“As many of you have become aware, new Title IX regulations have been adopted by the federal government. These regulations have the potential to have far-reaching impacts in our schools.

“Having been made aware of the proposed changes last fall, our Board directed the superintendent and legal counsel to begin the process of pre-empting the enforcement of these regulations in Rapides Parish Public Schools by filing litigation in the federal court system.

“Our Rapides Parish School Board voted unanimously to support our Board Counsel, Mike Johnson, in this endeavor.

“For the last several months Mr. Johnson and Superintendent Powell have been working with attorneys from the Alliance Defending Freedom organization and are prepared to submit our declaration at the very first legally proper moment, Monday, April 29. We are also coordinating with the State Attorney General’s Office in these efforts.”

By JIM BUTLER

Whatever the verdict ends up being for former state trooper Michael Satcher II he’s undeniably guilty of poor judgment at best.

Satcher’s next court date, a pre-trial conference, is scheduled May 8. His most recent was April 25, when he asked for bail reduction and the state petitioned for probation revocation.

He remains in jail though an apparent rebooking has occurred.

The booking record shows bail as $275,000. Four charges filed anew last week total $50,000 of that.

Satcher was arrested in December, charged with an assortment of violent domestic actions involved his estranged wife and children.

At the time he was three months into probation on an abuse case involving his then-dating partner from December 2020.

Listed charges from the 2023 case:

Aggravated domestic abuse child present 3 counts, domestic abuse battery serious injury 2 counts, domestic abuse battery 2nd degree 2 counts, possession firearm/concealed weapon by person convicted of domestic abuse battery, kidnapping 2nd degree, aggravated domestic abuse battery strangulation, aggravated assault home invasion.

Allegations in protective order depositions filed by the women involved as well as Satcher’s first wife paint a familiar yet shocking picture – alcohol, short-fused temper, violence.

Satcher, a trooper first commissioned in 2009 and subsequently assigned in early 2019 as an Area Support Unit pilot, was sometimes referred to by peers in his motorcycle patrol days as “Playboy.”

He resigned from LSP a year after the December 2020 incident, a misdemeanors and felony case ultimately resolved with a plea deal, no jail time,  almost four years later, in September 2023.

The Attorney General’s Office handled the matter. DA Phillip Terrell asked for the intervention, citing friendship with Satcher.

From Thursday to Saturday, May 2-4, Downtown Alexandria will turn into a vibrant festival playground with Alex River Fête. Enjoy three days of music, featuring an eclectic mix of big-name and emerging artists across multiple stages.

Dinner on the Bricks: Start the festivities from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on May 2 with a feast of local flavors on Third Street, where dining meets community spirit.

Que’in on the Red: Experience fierce competition in our barbecue battle, sanctioned by the Barbecue Competitors Alliance, featuring categories like chicken, pork spare ribs, and beef brisket.

Art Fête: Explore a world of creativity with stunning artworks in various mediums, perfect for art enthusiasts looking to add to their collections or just to browse and enjoy.

IndieFête: Celebrate the spirit of local, independent creativity at IndieFête, offering a unique blend of crafts, art and performances.

Food and Refreshment: Indulge in a variety of delicious offerings at Food Truck Alley and unwind in the Beer Garden for those over 21.

Luminary Procession (May 3, 8 p.m.): The Alexandria Museum of Art’s Luminary Procession is a dazzling parade of hand crafted, life sized art pieces made by local artists and community members!

Join us for a weekend of joy, culture, and community spirit. Alex River Fête is more than just a festival — it’s a vibrant showcase of what makes Alexandria unique. For more details, visit alexriverfete.com. Come hungry, leave inspired, and make lasting memories!

May 4, 1955 – April 21, 2024

Mike Mule, II (68) born May 4, 1955 of Alexandria, Louisiana transcended this life on April 21, 2024, at St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, where he fought long and hard.

Mike was named for his Uncle Mike Mule of Mike Mule’s Arena. Mike graduated from Bolton High School, where he was the beloved “Bolton Bear” mascot.

He became the Production Manager for KALB-TV for 25 years, where he made life long friends. He left to work for the newly formed KLAX-TV, for six years.

From there, he started his own advertising company Vital Power Production, with Frankie Canova. It was a successful business that achieved multi-awards and accolades, which included helping Premier Urgent Care become #1 urgent care for 8 years in a row. VPP also won an award for Cenla’s best production company.

He was raised that you only have your good name and endeavored to continue this tradition. He was a generous and giving father and a family man who adored his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Cathy Mule; a son, Richard Mule (Kellie) of Baton Rouge; daughter, Mary-Michael Mule-Baker (Patrick); grandchildren, William and Caroline Mule and one sister.

He is preceded in by his parents, Jackson (Jack) Mule and Bertha (Jeansonne) Mule and his brother, Jack Mule, Jr.

His last wish was to be cremated and hold a celebration of life at his home, 211 Heyman Lane, Alexandria, LA, on his birthday, Saturday, May 4, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., for family and friends.

By BOB TOMPKINS

Louis Victor “Butch” Crenshaw knew how to weave a story with a smile and a drawl. He knew how to teach and coach in a way that made him beloved by former students and players. And he knew how to win friends and influence people as an insurance agent, school board member and city councilman.

That’s why tributes are flowing for Crenshaw, who died Wednesday morning after a long illness, surrounded by family at his home. He was 83.

“Butch was a longtime friend, spanning 60 years,” said 87-year-old Aubrey Sanders, who was the head football coach at Bolton when Crenshaw became the first head football coach at Alexandria Senior High in March of 1969. “It was a unique relationship because we were best of friends ’til Friday night, once a year, when we were fierce crosstown rivals. But we were always friends for life after the game was over.

“After he got out of coaching (in 1973) to become an insurance agent, and I was still coaching at Bolton, he still scouted for me,” Sanders went on. “He and Johnny Hunter would go to games on Friday nights to scout future opponents of ours. Those were some of the best years of my life. Butch will be greatly missed.”

A first-team all-state guard for Bolton in 1957 and one of two Alexandria guards (along with Dave Michiels) who blocked for legendary running back Tommy Mason at Tulane in 1960 and ’61, Crenshaw became the first head football coach at ASH at age 28. He had enjoyed success as an assistant football coach prior to that at both Menard and Pineville.  He helped both teams win district titles – Menard in 1964 and Pineville in 1967.

“Next to my father, he was the most important role model in my life,” said Haughton mayor Kim Gaspard, who first met Crenshaw at age 15 as a 5-9, 215-pound “butterball” in Crenshaw’s first year as the ASH coach.

“By the end of the football season, I was 5-10 ½, 175 pounds,” continued Gaspard, who, with help from Crenshaw, advanced to play center and guard at Northwestern State from 1973-76. “He was a molder of men. He taught us love and respect, gave us discipline. He taught us what loyalty was. His discipline probably saved many of us. I always wanted to do whatever would make him proud of me.”

In 2015, Bob Riley of Tallahassee, Fla., wrote a letter to the editor of the Town Talk, in response to a column about Crenshaw, as a thank you note to him as  his coach and history teacher at Menard. He praised him and other leaders at Menard “as they salvaged a young, parentless, at-risk boy, from the depths of poverty, despair and insecurity.”

Crenshaw told the Town Talk in 2008 that his coach at Bolton, Maxie Lambright, who went on to a glorious stint as the head coach at Louisiana Tech that led to his induction into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, was the most influential person in his life, outside of his wife, Sandy. He said Lambright was a “father figure” for him while his father, Col. Ollie Crenshaw, was doing his second tour in Korea.

Grace High School athletic director Joe Moreau, a Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Famer for his successes as a track and field and cross country coach at Pineville and Bolton, said Crenshaw “was like a father figure to all of us” on Crenshaw’s first teams at ASH. One vivid memory he recalled involved a 21-14 upset over top-ranked, defending state champion Natchitoches High. That came almost a week after a brutal 7 a.m. Saturday practice, which was the price to pay after a humiliating upset loss the previous night at Bunkie. “That was the first really big win in the history of the school.”

“He was easy to love,” said Alexandria city councilman Chuck Fowler, a duck-hunting friend who served with him during Crenshaw’s 12 years on the city council. “He loved to deal with the financial part of the city and was chairman of the finance council. I always sought his thoughts on things, even after he was off the council. He stayed interested and kept up with everything, and he had crystal-clear memories of things we did when he was on the council.”

Visitation at Kramer Funeral Home in Alexandria will be Sunday, May 5, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a Rosary will be said at 5 p.m. The funeral service will be held at St. Frances Cabrini Church on Monday, May 6, at 10 a.m.

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – Lose your first five SEC series in the first half of league play and then spend the second half trying to escape the self-made abyss.

Win a couple of series vs. SEC bottom feeders to resuscitate hopes for an NCAA Tournament berth.

Research the records over the years for the minimum number of wins in SEC play it takes for a team to get into the NCAA tourney field. Check out the NCAA RPI. Figure ways to avoid sitting out the postseason.

Defending national champion LSU (29-17, 7-14) has done all of the above but hasn’t won a series against a ranked team. The Tigers are 4-9 vs. ranked teams and get their last chance to win a series in the regular season over a ranked team when they open a three-game SEC series vs. No. 1 Texas A&M (39-6, 15-6) at 7 p.m. tonight in Alex Box Stadium.

“When you are where we are, it’s a benefit to have a team with as good as a record still left on your schedule,” LSU head coach Jay Johnson said. “I look at it as a great opportunity. It’s great this series is at home. The team has been in a good frame of mind the last two weeks.”

The Tigers’ competition lightened substantially in the last two SEC weekends in winning series 2 games to 1 each at Missouri and home vs. Auburn.

Both teams don’t have anywhere near the talent of the four top-ranked teams (Arkansas, Florida, Vanderbilt and Tennessee) that LSU lost to in the first half of conference play. And now comes Texas A&M, the second No. 1 ranked team (Arkansas was the first) LSU has faced this year.

“We are better, but we still haven’t played our best,” said grad student designated hitter/catcher Hayden Travinski, the former Bossier City Airline star who’s hitting .301 with 14 homers and 43 RBI. “And that’s funny to say coming down the stretch. But I think that with the talent we have when those goals line up and we execute, I think really special things are going to happen.”

It needs to take place this weekend. Time is running out on the Tigers as they attempt to rally for an NCAA Tournament at-large invitation. They have nine remaining SEC games, three each vs. A&M, then at Alabama and finally home against Ole Miss to close the regular season.

The Aggies have won six straight SEC series. They are off their best start overall since 1993 and their best-ever start in league play.

“They are a very complete team, they don’t have a lot of holes,” Johnson said of A&M. “Offensively, they have power. They get free bases and they run the base as well. From the mound, they are very left-handed with some good right-handed relievers sprinkled in.”

Gage Jump and Luke Holman, LSU’s Game 1 and Game 2 starting pitchers, vastly improved the last two weeks. But they’ll have a huge challenge vs. the Aggies, who’ve averaged 10.7 runs in the last 13 games.

The first three hitters in A&M’s batting order – third baseman Gavin Grahovac, center fielder Jace LaViolette and right fielder Braden Montgomery – have combined for 186 of the Aggies’ 403 RBI.

No. 1 Texas A&M (39-6, 15-6 SEC) at LSU (29-17, 7-14 SEC)

SCHEDULE/PITCHING MATCHUP

Game 1: Tonight, 7 p.m. CT (ESPN2 and SEC Network) 

LSU –So. LH Gage Jump (4-1, 3.62 ERA, 49.2 IP, 16 BB, 63 SO) 

A&M – So. LH Ryan Prager (8-0, 2.59 ERA, 59.0 IP, 9 BB, 80 SO) 

Game 2: Saturday, 6:30 p.m. CT (ESPN2)

LSU –Jr. RH Luke Holman (6-3, 2.63 ERA, 61.2 IP, 21 BB, 88 SO) 

A&M – So. LH Justin Lamkin (2-1, 4.47 ERA, 46.1 IP, 15 BB, 59 SO)

Game 3: Sunday, 1 p.m. CT (SEC Network+)

LSU – TBA

A&M – TBA

LSU-A&M SERIES

Texas A&M leads the all-time series with LSU 31-28-1. Also, the Aggies lead the series, 16-15, in the 31 games played between the schools since Texas A&M began playing baseball in the SEC in 2013.

A LOOK AT LSU – In his last two starts versus Missouri and Auburn, LSU starting pitcher Gage Jump has allowed only one run on five hits in 14.0 innings with one walk and 20 strikeouts. . .Freshman outfielder Ashton Larson is hitting a team-high .412 (21-for-51) in SEC games this season with six doubles, three homers, nine RBI and 10 runs scored.

A LOOK AT TEXAS A&M – Texas A&M is No. 2 in the SEC with a .315 team batting average, and third in home runs with 102. . .The A&M pitching staff is No. 2 in the SEC with a 3.87 ERA and third in the league in strikeouts pitched with 477 in 391 innings.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

A series-opening 5-2 victory in their Select Division III state quarterfinal best-of-3 baseball series has the Menard Eagles a win away from the state tournament next week in Sulphur.

The Eagles (23-8), seeded fourth, beat No. 5 Dunham (24-12) Thursday in a game that started an hour late due to the heavy rain earlier in the day. They meet again at Menard this evening at 6:30 against No. 5 Dunham of Baton Rouge. A free live stream is available at 446Sports.com/446Sports on YouTube or Facebook.

The if-necessary Game 3 would be played Saturday at noon. The series winner gets a semifinal matchup against either No. 1 St. Charles Catholic or eighth-seeded Pope John Paul II.

In Select Division I, the No. 6-ranked ASH Trojans start their three-game quarterfinal series today against third-seeded Archbishop Rummel in New Orleans at Mike Miley Stadium. First pitch is 4 p.m., with Game 2 set Saturday at noon and if necessary Game 3 to follow. A free live stream will be available at CrescentCitySports.com.

Also today, No. 5 Rapides goes to fourth-seeded Family Christian in a 4 p.m. quarterfinal game. Schools in the smaller divisions play single games in the playoff, not series.

The 27th Annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival lineup.

FRIDAY NIGHT KICKOFF *REQUIRES A SEPARATE TICKET
7:00 – 8:30 Lone Star Skynyrd (Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Band) The crowd is sure to sing along, dance, and sway to a celebration of the original Skynyrd rock ‘n’ roll legacy. Winners of the prestigious 2022 Josie Award for Best Tribute Band in America: Lone Star Skynyrd. More than a tribute! More than a good time party!

9:00 – 10:30 Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute Fans from across the nation claim that Rumours is the band to see if you are looking for an authentic recreation of live Fleetwood Mac shows. In just under 10 years, Rumours has landed itself the reputation of being the best Fleetwood Mac Tribute band and additionally has made fans internationally.

SATURDAY
1:00 – 1:50 Mason Trail and Zydeco Rhythm (High-energy Zydeco) Out of Lake Charles, they’ll have the crowd dancing early with an eclectic repertoire of modern zydeco along with traditional authentic zydeco music with an R&B flavor.

2:20 – 3:25 On Point Band (Rhythm & Blues) The On Point Band out of Natchitoches will be performing an exciting high-energy, brand of soul and R&B, classics, as well as modern hits, with a little jazz thrown in. Don’t miss this young and entertaining upcoming group!

3:40 – 5:00 The Young Ones (Jazz & R&B with a Latin flavor) NSU music students who all hail from South and Central American countries. These super-talented musicians will be performing a unique mixture of rock and roll, jazz, and rhythm and blues, all with a Latin flavor in their tribute to the music of Michael Jackson, The Beatles, and Bruno Mars.

5:20 – 6:45 Johnny Earthquake & The Moondogs (High-energy variety show band) The popular Natchitoches-based nine-piece, rhythm and blues, and rock ‘n’ roll band which critics have called: “quite simply, Louisiana‘s best Showband”, will be making this stop on their 30th anniversary “Over the Moon Tour” a special one as after their performance they’ll be inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

Don’t forget about our headliners; America’s got talent Finalists “Chapel Hart” at 7:15pm and County hitmaker, Craig Morgan at 9:00pm.

For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit https://www.natchjazzfest.com

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

April 25

Jemih Thomas, 37, Ball — OWI 2nd, open container, improper lane use, 1:96 am, $1,700 bail.

April 26

Charles Bond, 59, Dry Prong — OWI 2nd, suspended for prior offense, careless operation, 8:13 pm, $2,100 bail;

Eastin Davis, 19, Deville — OWI, open container, expired MVI, texting while driving, improper lane usage, 1:13 am, $1,400 bail;

Travis Roy, 39, Alexandria — OWI, possession, suspension/revocation, contempt, 3:41 pm, $4,600 bail.

April 27

Cedric Felton, 56, Pineville — OWI 1st, seat belt violation, improper lane use, fugitive, 1:04 am, $1,200 bail;

Jan Lafleur, 23, Woodworth — OWI 1st, open container, improper lane usage, improper left lane use, 2:20 am, $1,300 bail;

Israel Reed, 44, Alexandria — OWI 3rd, prior offense suspension, head lights required, 8:05 pm, $15,600 bail;

Travis Stickles, 48, Calcasieu — OWI 1st, open container, expired MVI, improper lane usage, 4:49 pm, $1,300 bail.

April 28

Terrence Boyd, 33, Alexandria — OWI, unauthorized entry, suspension/revocation, 7:41 am, $3,600 bail;

Alyssa Coco, 26, Marksville — OWI 1st, careless operation, tint violation, 12:57 pm, $1,200 bail;

Jonathan Moreau, 35, Ball — OWI 1st, 10:26 pm, $1,000 bail;

Joseph Schneider, 24, Boyce — OWI 1st, improper lane usage, open container, 12:48 am, $1,200 bail.

May 1

Joseph Riscili, 77, Pineville  — OWI, 1:25 am, $1,000 bail. 

Arrests are accusations, not convictions. 

May 1

Tyasia Carter, 18, Alexandria — attempted criminal conspiracy 4 counts, attempted theft motor vehicle 8 counts, arson 2 counts, burglary 3 counts, $37,000 bail. 

This date: 23 arrests, 11 involving at least one contempt count. 

Arrests are accusations, not convictions. 

May 1

Brandon Andrews, 41, Deville — possession, contempt 4 counts, $11,000 bail;

Tyresa Bush, 23, Pineville — possession, paraphernalia, failure to appear, $3,500 bail;

Michael Grassa, 53, Alexandria — possession, paraphernalia l, contempt, $25,500 bail;

Arthur Joseph,42, Pineville —possession, $2,500 bail;

David Normand, 61, Pineville — possession, failure to appear, $3,500 bail;

Billi Rider, 41, Ville Platte — possession 372 counts, $558,000 bail;

Landon Seals Sr., 32, Pollock — possession 2 counts, suspension/revocation, parole violation, contempt, $4,100 bail;

Taylor Simmons, 32, Jena — possession 2 counts, CDS in presence of person under 27, parole violation, $31,600 bail;

Joseph Yarber, 34, Alexandria — possession, contempt, $5,000 bail. 

By JEANNI RITCHIE

Fresh off the unexpected massive success of the independently produced Karen Kingsbury film Someone Like You comes another hugely successful faith-based film. Unsung Hero climbed to #2 at the box office in its opening weekend. 

America is craving hope and the changing media landscape shows that we are grabbing it with both hands. Faith-based films shoot to the top of charts. Secular magazines like First for Women have increased stories and sections on faith and inspiration. Television shows like The Chosen are must-see tv. It is God’s own Reclaim the Land tour. 

Based on the real life story of the Smallbone family, Unsung Hero tells the origin story of Christian solo artist Rebecca St. James and her brothers Luke and Joel of the Christian band for King & Country. While they are the onstage faces we’ve grown to know and love, the movie introduces us to the rest of the family as well. The behind-the-scenes family members (dad David, brothers Daniel, Ben, Josh, and baby sister Libby) are as much a part of this musical success as Rebecca, Joel, and Luke. 

I’d venture to say the actual hero in the movie though is Helen Smallbone, the embodiment of a Proverbs 31 woman. The Smallbone matriarch exemplifies the power of a praying woman and shows a dedication and commitment to her family far beyond most. I will forever be inspired by this mother’s unwavering love for her family and the Lord. 

One of my favorite parts of the movie was seeing the family’s PLEASE and THANK YOU wall. Rooted in Scripture, the family would write their needs on index cards under the “please” column. We are told to make our requests known to the Lord in Philippians 4:6. 

As the prayers were answered the family members would move the requests to the “thank you” column. Growing up in the South it was instilled in me to acknowledge every gift. Yet so often we tend to forget the One who blesses us the most. The Smallbone family never lost sight of the importance mentioned in many thankfulness verses, including Psalm 100:4. I immediately came home and created my own PLEASE and THANK YOU wall. 

The story of the Smallbone family, their challenges and victories, is no different than most. David Smallbone faced the adversity many of us do as well. Uncertainty, success, fear, faith, depression, humiliation, forgiveness, sorrow, redemption…life is a journey of mountains and valleys for everyone. It is not what happens in life that defines us but how we handle it. Even when you fail, and we all fall short at times, it’s important to remember that there’s always hope in Christ. 

As Joel and Luke sing in for King and Country’s It’s Not Over Yet, hope is rising..

never give in, never give up, it’s not over

yet…

As a nation, we are in our redemption season. Walk in the victory that has been so freely given. 

Check out the inspirational movie Unsung Hero in theaters near you! 

Jeanni Ritchie is a faith and mental health positivity journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com. Follow her on Facebook or TikTik @jeanniritchie. 

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

April 30

Devonte Braggs, 23, Pineville — aggravated assault with firearm, aggravated assault domestic abuse, home invasion, domestic abuse battery, criminal damage, contempt 2 counts, $32,000 bail.

By JIM BUTLER

Ball officials will hold a public hearing on May 21 regarding a proposed amendment to the ordinance setting their pay.

The proposal was introduced at the April board of aldermen meeting.

Advertising of it and the hearing to come does not enumerate details.

The ordinance being amended was adopted in December 2022. It set the mayor’s salary at $2,769.23 per pay period, 26 periods annually; the police chief at $2,307.69; the town clerk at $20 hourly; and aldermen at $1,000 monthly.

An amendment adopted in January of this year set the clerk wage at $21.80 hourly.

Under state law local governments are prohibited from reducing an elected official’s pay unless effective at the expiration of a current term, but are permitted to increase it, or their own, at any point.

For historical perspective — the Ball website town ordinance section has not been updated since August 2019. At that time the mayor’s pay was listed at $2,270 per period, the chief’s at $1,587.37 under a 2015 ordinance.

The fourth-seeded Menard Eagles are scheduled to begin a Select Division III state quarterfinal best-of-3 baseball series at home this evening at 6:30 against No. 5 Dunham of Baton Rouge.

Stormy weather may force an adjustment today. After Game 1 slated for 6:30 tonight, Game 2 is planned Friday evening at 6:30 with the if-necessary Game 3 Saturday at noon. A berth in the state tournament next week in Sulphur is at stake, with a semifinal matchup against either No. 1 St. Charles Catholic or eighth-seeded Pope John Paul II.

In Select Division I, the ASH Trojans will travel to New Orleans to start their three-game quarterfinal series Friday against Archbishop Rummel at Mike Miley Stadium.

Wednesday, Oak Hill’s season ended in the Select Division V quarterfinals as No. 1 Avoyelles Public Charter beat the No. 8-ranked visitors 6-1.

Friday, No. 5 Rapides goes to fourth-seeded Family Christian in a 4 p.m. quarterfinal game. Schools in the smaller divisions play single games in the playoff, not series.

In just about every sport, there are participants who set personal goals. For example, a baseball player aspires to hit .400; basketball players hope for a triple-double. For golfers, it’s a hole-in-one.

It is no different in the world of the hunter/angler. Bass fishermen look for a lunker weighing in double-digits while deer hunters long for a buck with a rack impressive enough to “make the book.” For turkey hunters, there’s the Grand Slam.

Although I would love to have a 10-pound bass on my wall and my name in the Boone and Crockett records for trophy bucks, this is not what makes my motor run. What lights my fire is to hear the thunderous gobble of a long-beard wild turkey gobbler on a spring morning.

The thought of completing a Grand Slam in turkey hunting was about as remote as me making a hole-in-one. That was before I had the chance to hunt turkeys in South Dakota.

To pull off a wild turkey Grand Slam, it is necessary to take one of each of the four sub-species of wild turkeys found in the U.S. These include Easterns, which inhabit much of the south, east and northeast; Rio Grande turkeys, residents of arid mesquite and cactus country of the southwest; Osceolas, which are residents only of the southern half of Florida, and Merriams of the mountains and plains of the mid-west.

To accomplish such a task, it would be necessary for a lot of things to fall into place, and there would be an abundance of traveling involved. Frankly, I just didn’t see that happening.

One spring afternoon as the sun slipped behind a hill in the Badlands of South Dakota, I completed my Grand Slam. First, a little history of what brought me to this point I never thought I’d reach.

My first turkey hunt was a half-hearted effort when a writer friend invited me to his home state of Alabama to hunt. On April 13, 1992, my guide, Skinny Hallmark, called in a gobbling longbeard off a hillside to my gun and in that moment, something happened that would forever change the way I look at spring mornings. It was love at first GOBBLE…BOOM, and I’ve chased these wary birds every spring since.

The Alabama gobbler was an Eastern sub-species and I gradually learned what turkey hunting was all about.

In 2000, I jumped at the opportunity to hunt another of the sub-species, the Rio Grande. While hunting with Al Brasuel and sons in south Texas, I downed my first Rio Grande.  The thought of a Grand Slam only teased the margins of my mind; I saw no way that I’d ever travel to south Florida or to the Great Plains to turkey hunt. That was before Keith Brasuell called me one day inviting me to ride with him to Naples, Florida for an Osceola hunt. Good fortune accompanied me when a mature Osceola gobbler strutted in front of my shotgun.

Like a bolt from the blue, it hit me. All of a sudden, I found myself only one bird away from a coveted Grand Slam. Could I do it? Could I figure out a way to head somewhere up north where Merriams live?

Soon after returning from Florida, I found a press release from the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks making a pitch for their great hunting and fishing opportunities. The release talked about the great trout fishing; super walleye angling; wonderful deer and elk hunting…and here is what caught my eye — an abundance of Merriams gobblers.

On a hunch, I called the South Dakota agency, got the go ahead and flew into Rapid City.

In addition to securing a Black Hills gobbler tag, I was one of the fortunate few who also snagged a Prairie tag. This would double my chances for a Merriams, and if things worked out right, I might even get two gobblers which, incidentally I did.

On the last minute of the last hour of the last day of my Prairie hunt, I bagged a big 21-pound Merriams.

There’s no 10-pound bass hanging on my wall nor is my name in the Boone and Crockett book but, by George, there’s a wild turkey Grand Slam hanging on my wall and I couldn’t be more proud.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com