By JIM BUTLER 

A Simmesport woman was in custody Thursday night after allegedly creating mayhem from the Garden District to MacArthur Drive. 

Anais Brown, 26, is held under bail of $900,000, facing charges of aggravated kidnapping, home invasion, illegal use of a weapon and possession of a firearm by convicted felon. 

Her ill-fated half-hour odyssey began when she allegedly invaded a residence on Polk Street and fired a gun. 

She bolted a block to White Street where she allegedly carjacked a vehicle, forcing its driver to go to an ATM on Jackson Street, walking from there to the vicinity of Jackson & MacArthur where she pirated another vehicle, forcing the driver to leave the area. 

Meanwhile, law enforcement was in pursuit, assisted by information provided by citizens, and eventually stopped the vehicle, apprehending the suspect. 

Investigation continues into the underlying provocation for the illegal activity.

Heavy rain in Lake Charles postponed Thursday night’s Peabody at LaGrange season-opening high school football game, pushing it to Saturday evening at 6.

Six Rapides Parish teams open their seasons tonight.

THURSDAY’S SCORE

Mamou 58, Bolton 0

TONIGHT’S GAMES

ASH at West Feliciana

Block at Buckeye

Northwood-Lena at Holy Savior Menard

New Iberia at Pineville

Tioga at Sterlington

SATURDAY’S GAME

Peabody at LaGrange

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Coming off an NAIA playoff season and opening with a No. 22 national ranking, the Louisiana Christian University football program is on a 1,035-mile bus ride from Pineville to St. Thomas University, hoping to make a massive statement in coach Ben McLaughlin’s debut against the 12th-ranked Bobcats Saturday morning.

The game, with an 11 a.m. CST kickoff at AutoNation Field, can be seen at the https://thesundigitalnetwork.com/stthomasuniversity/ (Sun Digital Network) link.

Louisiana Christian went 9-2 last fall and was 7-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference. St. Thomas had a quarterfinal playoff run and finished 9-4 overall, and 6-1 in its conference.

McLaughlin, 37, one of the greatest players in program history as a record-setting quarterback 15 years ago, returned to the program in March.

While there were some graduation losses, the Wildcats have talent returning.

Top defenders include senior defensive end Logan Brimmer, who had 16.5 tackles for loss including nine sacks in 2023. He is a College Football Network Preseason second-team All-American after winning conference defensive player of the year honors.

Another Wildcat star on defense is senior cornerback Pop McGhee, who broke up 16 passes and intercepted a pair while earning several All-America honors last fall.

Cornerbacks David Voorhies III and Jahiem Mitchell are also standouts in the LCU secondary.

Offensively, junior receiver Ethan Christman from Tioga is dangerous running routes and running back punts.  Senior Sammy Feaster, an ASH product, had 670 receiving yards and another 133 rushing from a receiver’s slot last fall.

Sophomore running back Taevion Cunningham accounted for 12 touchdowns, nine rushing, and 500 yards on the ground. He’s part of a three-headed monster in the backfield.

Senior Daylon Charles ran for 778 yards and five scores in 2023 while Devin Briscoe led the way with 989 yards rushing and nine TDs.

Stepping in at quarterback will be junior River Thompson.

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – LSU holds the dubious distinction of being the only SEC school to open all of its last five football seasons against Power 4 conference opponents.

The Tigers are also currently the only Power 4 conference member to lose five straight openers after last Sunday’s disappointing 27-20 loss to USC in Las Vegas.

That happened this past weekend when 13 of 16 SEC schools that won averaged 52.5 points against two Power 4, five mid-major and six FCS (Division 1-AA) opponents.

With the now-No. 18 Tigers (0-1) set to open their home schedule Saturday at 6:30 p.m. against in-state FCS opponent Nicholls State (0-1), the argument can be made that LSU should stop scheduling Power 4 foes for season-openers.

“I don’t think so,” said LSU head coach Brian Kelly, who faces future season-openers against Clemson of the ACC in 2025 and 2026 and Houston in 2027. “I don’t necessarily think winning the opener 73-0 gives you much benefit. You go into Week 2 with a lot of questions about who you are.

“All of us wanted to win the (USC) game. But we’re going to be a better football team because of what happened. We know a lot more about our football team. We know what we need to do better as coaches and as a development of a football team.”

LSU’s offense, with new starting quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, produced the second-lowest scoring output in Kelly’s 28 games as the Tigers coach.

While Nussmeier completed 29 of 38 passes to 10 teammates for 304 yards, 2 TDs and a game-closing interception, he rarely threw the ball deep downfield. Also, he didn’t have a single rushing attempt.

“We had our opportunities to step on their (USC) throat,” Nussmeier said. “We’ve got to play cleaner.”

The only bright spot in LSU’s rushing attack – graduate student running back John Emery Jr. who had 61 yards on 10 carries including a 39-yard burst – sustained a season-ending knee injury in practice on Tuesday.

It means true freshman Caden Durham, rated as the eighth-best high school running back in the nation last season, steps into RB rotation behind sixth-year senior Josh Williams and sophomore Kaleb Jackson.

Meanwhile, the Tigers are already down two receivers after Kyle Parker sustained an ulnar nerve arm injury vs. USC and Chris Hilton is still trying to recover from a preseason ankle sprain.

Though Aaron Anderson (5 catches for 64 yards, 1 TD) and Zavion Thomas (2 for 23 yards) had nice performances off the bench vs. USC, Kelly said he needs freshman redshirt Sheldon Sampson in the receivers’ rotation.

“The guy that we’ve got to get ready is Sheldon Sampson,” Kelly said. “He’s got to be able to play for us, and we got to get him on the field. When we have him in our rotation, it allows us to slide some people around.”

Defensively, LSU held USC to 14 points and 271 total offense yards through three quarters before collapsing in the fourth period when the Tigers allowed 14 points and 176 yards on 21 plays.

The Tigers’ defense never put USC’s offense in a third-down conversion situation on their last two possessions.

Yet defenders like junior defensive end Sai’vion Jones, who had 5 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 pass breakup and 1 forced fumble vs. the Trojans, said improvement over last year’s defense was already evident.

“I feel like one of the main ways we’ve improved is the trust we have in each other,” Jones said. “I trust the backfield is going to be able to do their job, and they trust that we’re going to be able to do our job.”

Kelly hasn’t wavered in his confidence about his team.

“I got a good feeling this football team is going to be good,” he said. “We got some work to do, but we’re going to get this team to the point where we’re balanced. When we complement each other offensively, defensively (and special teams), it’s going to be a good football team.” 

GO FIGURE 

5: Nicholls takeaways (3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries) in a season-opening loss to Louisiana Tech 

9: True freshmen played for LSU in the season-opener vs. USC 

10: Straight Nicholls losses to FBS (Division 1-A) teams 

18: Wins vs. 0 losses for LSU vs. Southland Conference opponents 

36: Consecutive LSU wins over in-state opponents 

80: Receiving yards needed by Kyren Lacy Jr. to become the 43rd receiver in LSU history to reach the 1,000-yard mark.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

The river run starts at noon on Saturday, September 14th 

Arrests are accusations not convictions.

August 29

Lawrence Lucas, 53, Boyce — OWI 2nd, careless operation, 2:21 am, $1,600 bail.  

August 31

Pedro Garcia, 33, Alexandria — OWI 1st, no driver’s license, 8:26 pm, $1,100 bail;

Alison Machado, 35, Alexandria — DWI 1st, open container, driving left of center, no driver’s license never had one, 12:10 am, $1,115 bail;

Lucas Mateo, 24, Glenmora — OWI 1st, open container, improper lane usage, speeding, 11:11 pm, $1,300 bail;

Ashlynn Parker, 21, Bridge City, TX — OWI 1st, open container, speeding, 2:29 am, $1,200 bail. 

September 1

Sean Brogan, 26, Hineston — DWI 1st, no insurance, hit & run, reckless operation, contempt 4 counts, 7:58 pm, $4,800;

Kolton Lovelady, 18, OWI 1st, improper plate display, modified exhaust, 1:51 am, $1,200 bail. 

September 3

Doyle Foster, 63, Boyce — DWI 1st, hit & run, misdemeanor possession, paraphernalia, 2:05 pm, $3,140 bail.

Arrests are accusations not convictions. 

September 4 

Tasiana George, 25, Alexandria — cruelty to juveniles, contempt 2 counts, $101,500 bail; 

Michael Jackson, 47, Alexandria — aggravated battery, no bail set; 

Shermetrice Jenkins, 41, Alexandria — contraband penal facility, misdemeanor possession, no bail set;   

Brandon Lawrence, 42, Pineville — obscenity, fugitive, no bail set;   

Herbert Pea, 53, Shreveport — aggravated battery, no bail set;   

John Tyler Jr., 43, Alexandria — worthless checks, parole violation, $75,000 bail; 

Neely Williams, 28, Pineville — battery on infirm, battery in officer, resisting with force or violence 2 counts, no bail set.

By Jeanni Ritchie

There are over 5,000 Montessori schools in the United States. Yet there are only 20 with international Montessori certification.

And Alexandria’s Montessori Educational Center is one of them!

Since 1978, MEC has been successfully educating students using the famed child-centered Montessori method. The campus currently houses classes using this whole child approach for students from 18 months through 8th grade.

And they’re here to tell us what they want, what they really really want…

That’s right! They want you to channel your inner Spice Girl or Backstreet Boy and head back to the 90’s for their 7th annual Lip Sync Battle!

Dress in your best 90’s garb for a night of spectacular entertainment, delicious food, and exciting activities at 7 PM on September 14th at the downtown Holiday Inn.

Doors will open at 6:30 as you check out and bid on silent auction items like trips and arts and crafts. There will also be a live auction, a catered meal by Southern Creations, a cash bar, and ten lip sync performances that’ll knock your knee-highs off!

Awards will be presented for best costume, best performance, and, well, top bidders go home with their prizes as well!

Proceeds fund the new student-initiated playground fence, expanded junior high building, and continued educator training.

“The Lip Sync Battle will allow us to train and educate our Montessori teachers, purchase equipment to stay updated in an ever-changing technological world, and pay for the fence our students petitioned for when recent construction left the previously tree-lined playground opened to adjoining lots,” Jonathan Bolen explains.

They want it that way….

Montessori Educational Center’s 2024 Lip Sync Battle will be held Sept. 14 at 7 PM at the Holiday Inn, 701 4th Street Alexandria. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

Purchase tickets or tables at mecalex.org.

Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.

JOBS AVAILABLE NOW – APPLY TODAY!

Event: Recruitment Fair
Date: September 6, 2024
Location: Nazarene Baptist Church Family Life Center
2611 Overton Street
Alexandria, LA 71301
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Contact: kjones@savechildren.org
Website: savethechildren.org/careers

Your Local Head Start Location and Current Openings:

Red River Region Job Openings:
• Head Start Teachers (Natchitoches)
• Early Head Start Teachers (Natchez)
• Head Start Assistant Teachers (Natchitoches)
• Cook (Mansfield)
• Assistant Cook (Natchitoches)

Please bring a copy of your credentials (diplomas, degrees, certifications, license, and transcript).

By JIM BUTLER

After an unsettled Spring, when several members were ready to walk away from Head Start, the program had smooth Summer sailing at Tuesday’s School Board meeting.

The board has been the early childhood education program sponsor since 2020. That award is in its last year and the question has been whether to apply to continue being the grant holder.

Facing financial challenges in the wake of Covid funding and suffering from organizational shortcomings, its future as a board-backed program was clearly in Donny in the Spring.

Supt. Jeff Powell, a supporter of retaining the program, put his team to work on the problems.

Reorganizing the management structure and addressing personnel needs followed. That, and steady lobbying by Sandra Franklin, Linda Burgess and Willard McCall, won conversions among reluctant members.

When Franklin moved Tuesday to approve reapplying for the grant when the application period opens, President Dr. Stephen Chapman, an opponent back in March, said that after seeing changes and learning more he was in favor of retaining sponsorship.

The 8-1 vote showed others once on the fence agreed. Voting no was Wilton Barrios.

The School Board took in the Head Start program when HUD declined to renew the previous grant holder’s contract.

Then came the pandemic, which hit the program with all the issues of the period.

With Covid recovery funding available paying teachers was no problem. It became a major issue as pandemic funding dried up The board’s operating budget for the current fiscal year, adopted Tuesday, shows Head Start funding and expense of $3.6 million. In FY 2023-24 it was $3.2 million.

Teacher salary expense is up 8 percent to $1.45 million.

Teacher retirement system contributions, less than $1,000 last year, are estimated at $18,555. Incorporating the teachers into the overall teacher program is a major change in the program operation.

By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports

Fall camp is finished. The dress rehearsals are over. The 2024 high-school football season officially kicks off this week. 

Two Rapides Parish teams begin their seasons tonight, while the remaining six play Friday night. 

The Peabody Warhorses and the new-look Bolton Academy Bears both hit the road today to start their seasons. Peabody plays at LaGrange in Lake Charles, while Bolton travels to Mamou. 

Pineville and Buckeye both welcome out-of-town foes Friday night as they open at home, with the Rebels hosting New Iberia and the Panthers welcoming Block to Deville. 

Holy Savior Menard, meanwhile, will open its season at home Friday night against in-parish foe Northwood-Lena. 

Alexandria Senior High, which travels to West Feliciana, and Tioga, which heads north to Sterlington, both start their seasons with tough road tests. 

ASH begins the season with the highest expectations among parish teams as the Trojans are among the top teams receiving votes just outside of the top 10 in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 5A poll. 

The Trojans face a tough non-district schedule that begins with back-to-back road games at West Feliciana, which was seeded fifth in Division II Non-Select last year before losing to eventual state champion Opelousas, and Union, which won the Division III Non-Select title. 

Coach Thomas Bachman said he likes the makeup of his team, which features an experienced offense led by LSU commitment J.T. Lindsey, an all-parish running back last season, and a young but talented defense. 

“We just want to get a week better,” Bachman said. “I know that sounds like such coach-speak, but let’s just improve and take another step forward. We’ve got to get some kids to grow up in some important spots.”

The Trojans feature Lindsey and fellow senior Vaughn Darbon at running back along with seniors Darius Washington, Jimmie Duncan, Kirkland Bates and Tanner Townsend at receiver and tight end. The offensive line is led by seniors Jakobi Morris, a three-year starter, and Caleb Purl. 

Defensively, senior end and all-parish selection Elijah Nelson and junior linebacker Xzavier White lead the way for a young unit featuring just four seniors. Senior cornerback Jaden Lewis provides veteran leadership for a secondary that includes talented underclassmen like junior safety Kerrick Gaines and sophomore safety Jakyrin Griffin. 

The biggest question mark for the Trojans entering the season is at quarterback, where a two-way battle between sophomores Karsen Sellers and Max Gassiott remains ongoing. 

Sellers has been the starter during preseason, leading the Trojans to seven touchdown drives in a scrimmage against Acadiana and jamboree against Sterlington, but Bachman said he’s been pleased with Gassiott’s play as well, particularly in extending plays with feet. 

Bachman said both will continue to play Friday night and into the foreseeable future.

“We’re gonna do what’s in the best interest of the football team over the course of a game and over the course of a series,” Bachman said. 

Tioga will ride a veteran trio of junior quarterback Cace Malone, senior running back Travis Adams and junior receiver Kervin Johnson against Sterlington, which begins the season ranked fourth in Class 3A. However, the Indians have several major holes to fill on defense following the graduation of safety Ja’Corian Norris and transfer of linebacker Kaleb Andrus. 

Senior quarterback Larry Roberts III and dangerous receiver T.J. Hullaby headline a Peabody offense that will look to continue being one of the most explosive in Class 4A, but like District 2-4A rival Tioga, the Warhorses also have some major holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball. 

Buckeye has a new head coach in Aaron York after Ben McLaughlin left to take over the Louisiana Christian program, and the Panthers have to break in a new quarterback after Adam Brodnax hung up his football cleats after one season. However, they feature several talented skill players led by returning all-parish running back Jim Burlew and senior receiver Haidyn Boone. 

Menard must replace a strong senior class that was led by All-Parish Defensive Player of the Year Cooper Scott, but the Eagles look to be more explosive offensively with the return and development of junior quarterback Jake Vaughn. 

Lastly, the Pineville Rebels look to be vastly improved behind a strong senior class that has been with coach Bryant Bell for four years now. 

The defense is led by senior safeties Jacob Miranda and Ty Sanders, who will get help from senior linebacker Lamarcus Thirs and junior defensive end Brady Baden. 

Offensively, the Rebels have a two-headed tailback tandem of senior Hy’keem Mix and junior Ayden Tate along with a strong offensive line led by senior left tackle Elias “Maui” Sellers. 

Even though they break in a new quarterback in sophomore Carter Smith, the Rebels have a deep and talented cast on the outside led by seniors Matt Edwards and Landon Grimes along with sophomore Kelmarion Phillips. 

As the parish teams hit the field this week for the start of the regular season, they finally get the chance to turn hopes and expectations into reality. 

Your chance to Win $100.00… CLICK HERE TO PLAY

Starting this week, the Rapides Parish Journal (RPJ) is proud to host the Red River Bank High School Football Pick’em Contest.

It’s easy … follow the link, pick the winners and track the teams scores. Each weekly winner over the life of the contest will be on the receiving end of $100 and will have their photo taken and featured in the Rapides Parish Journal as our weekly winner.

Anyone 18 and older is eligible to participate. All it takes is an email address and a combination of skill and a little luck.  Readers are eligible to participate and each week one lucky winner will go home with a $100 cash prize.  Each week the winner will be the participant with the best record out of the predetermined 10 High School Football games (ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two of our weekly contests). There will be only ONE winner per week.

There is no entry fee, just like there is no cost to SUBSCRIBE to the Rapides Parish Journal where it will come to your inbox every weekday morning at 6:55 a.m. It takes 20-30 seconds to sign up and not much longer than that to make your picks.

All contest decisions by RPJ management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Mondays.

So prepare to fire up your phones, notebooks or computers and let the pick ’em begin.

By RON “MAD DOG” HIGGINS, Journal Sports

The envelope on my desk from Skippy the Wonder Bichon on Monday morning was addressed to “The Guy Who Scratches My Belly.”

Dad Dude,

I am no longer participating in your weekly college football picks column until you secure me a NIL deal. I want $1,000 per week or roughly $100 for each of my 10 whizzes.

Sincerely yours, 

Skipper

I walked outside and found the Skipster sunbathing on the patio.

“NIL deals?” I asked. “Just because you and I were both 7-3 in week 1 of our picks?”

“I have the ideal NIL deal for me – dog obedience schools,” he replied. “Remember when I jumped out of your lap through a half-open car window, stuck the landing and ran down the block? It was awesome. You strained a hamstring chasing me because you hadn’t sprinted since the late 90s.

“Dad Dude, I’m perfect for this deal. I’m disobedient, but I can also act calm and be a perfect companion when the cameras roll.”

“Your endorsement of dog obedience schools is blatantly false advertising, Skipster,” I said.

“True, but my paycheck will be very real,” said Skip with a swaggy wag of his tail.

“I’ll work on it,” I said. “Just make your picks.”

On to Week 2: 

No. 14 LSU (0-1) vs. Nicholls State (0-1) Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network) 

Betting line: LSU favored by 19½ 

The skinny: While Nicholls is admittedly a feisty FCS (Division 1-AA team), there will be more questions about the Tigers if they don’t hang a half a hundy on the Colonels. It’s the proper response to having their killer instinct questioned by their head coach. 

Mad Dog’s pick: What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas 55, Thibodaux National Guard 3 

Skippy’s pick: LSU 

No. 4 Texas (1-0) at No. 9 Michigan (1-0), Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Saturday, 11 a.m. (FOX) 

Betting line: Texas favored by 7½ 

The skinny: In his fourth season as Texas’ head coach, Steve Sarkisian has built a roster designed to compete in the SEC and for the national championship. Few schools have more NIL money to spend than the Longhorns. Seems like they finally have a coach who can assess talent and use it wisely. 

Mad Dog’s pick: Bevo’s Ball Carriers 34, Ann Arbor Boy Scouts 24 

Skippy’s pick: Texas 

No. 12 Tennessee (1-0) vs. North Carolina State (1-0), Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (ABC) 

Betting line: Tennessee favored by 7½ 

The skinny: The beast has been unleashed. Vols’ quarterback Nico Iamaleava (pronounced Iamagonnadestroyyou) threw for 314 yards in the first half (a school record) in UT’s season-opening 69-3 beatdown of Chattanooga. Nuclear Nico is your man if you’re looking for a Heisman darkhorse. 

Mad Dog’s pick: Big Orange Air Force 45, North Carolina State Sixpack 21 

Skippy’s pick: North Carolina State 

South Carolina (1-0, 0-0 SEC) at Kentucky (1-0, 0-0 SEC), Kroger Field, Lexington, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (ABC) 

Betting line: Kentucky favored by 9½ 

The skinny: Frankly, the winner of this game gets a leg-up on a Duke’s Mayo Bowl invite. I’d rather watch a Dr. Pimple Popper marathon than this snoozefest. 

Mad Dog’s pick: Kaintuck Moonshiners 28, Dixie Chickens 17 

Skippy’s pick: South Carolina 

Houston (0-1) at No. 13 Oklahoma (1-0), Memorial Stadium, Norman, Saturday, 6:45 p.m. (SEC Network) 

Betting line: Oklahoma favored by 28½ 

The skinny: It’s still too early to get a solid read on the Sooners. They won their season-opener by 48 (51-3) over a barely functioning Temple team. Their toughest non-conference game is next week at home vs. Tulane before playing in their first SEC game ever – also at home – vs. Tennessee on Sept. 21. 

Mad Dog’s pick: The Warlords of Norman 52, Buc-ee’s Brisket Slicers 13 

Skippy’s pick: Oklahoma

In other games: 

Arkansas (1-0) at Oklahoma State (1-0), Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Saturday, 11 a.m. (ABC) 

Betting line: Oklahoma State favored by 7½ 

Mad Dog’s pick: Mullet Man Method 41, Razorpiggies 24 

Skippy’s pick: Oklahoma State 

California (1-0) at Auburn (1-0), Shug Jordan Stadium, Auburn, Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2) 

Betting line: Auburn favored by 13½ 

Mad Dog’s pick: Hughey Freeze and the News 37, One Toke Over the Line Left Coasters 14 

Skippy’s pick: Auburn 

Kansas State (1-0) at Tulane (1-0), Yulman Field, New Orleans, Saturday, 11 a.m. (ESPN) 

Betting line: Kansas State by 9½ 

Mad Dog’s pick: Purple Felines 31, Willow Street Wave 28 

Skippy’s pick: Tulane 

Colorado (1-0) at Nebraska (1-0), Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, Saturday, 6:30 p.m. (NBC) 

Betting line: Nebraska favored by 7½ 

Mad Dog’s pick: The Huskers’ Golden Rhule 35, Coach Prime’s Love Train 31 

Skippy’s pick: Nebraska 

Middle Tennessee (1-0) at No. 6 Ole Miss (1-0), Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Saturday, 3:15 p.m. (SEC Network) 

Betting line: Ole Miss favored by 41 

Mad Dog’s pick: The Jaxson Dart Dodge Dip and Dive All-Stars 54, Paul Revere and the Blue Raiders 10 

Skippy’s pick: Ole Miss

Contact Ron and/or Skippy at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

Six Louisiana college football programs have 59 active players on NFL rosters for this weekend’s season-opening games.

LSU, with six rookies making their debuts, has 40 active players on 21 teams including three teams with three or more former Tigers each.

Tulane has 7 active players, Louisiana Tech and UL-Lafayette 5 each and Grambling 1.

The Tennessee Titans have the most former Louisiana players on their active roster with 7, including 4 from LSU, 2 from Tulane and 1 from Louisiana Tech.

The defending world champion Kansas City Chiefs host the Baltimore Ravens tonight in the NFL’s first game of the regular season. 

2024 NFL OPENING DAY ROSTERS WITH FORMER LOUISIANA COLLEGE PLAYERS

*Denotes rookie

STARTERS IN BOLD FACE

LSU

ACTIVE (40) including 6 rookies

Buffalo: Reid Ferguson, LS

Miami: Blake Ferguson, LS, Duke Riley, LB

New England: Kayshoun Boutte, WR, Davon Godchaux DT

New York Jets: Jarrick Bernard-Converse, S

Cincinnati: Joe Burrow, QB, Ja’Marr Chase, WR

Cleveland: Grant Delpit, S, Ethan Pocic, C

Pittsburgh: Donte Jackson, CB, Patrick Queen, LB

Houston: Danielle Hunter, DE, Derek Stingley Jr., CB

Jacksonville: *Jordan Jefferson, DT, *Maason Smith, DT, *Brian Thomas Jr., WR

Tennessee: Jamal Adams, S, Lloyd Cushenberry III, C, Arden Key, LB, Ali Gaye, DE

Los Angeles Chargers: DJ Chark, WR, Kriston Fulton, CB

Dallas: Damone Clark, LB

New York Giants: Cordale Flott, CB, *Malik Nabers, WR

Philadelphia: Devin White, LB

Washington: *Jayden Daniels, QB, Cade York, PK

Detroit: *Mehki Wingo, DT

Minnesota: Ed Ingram, OG, Justin Jefferson, WR, Jay Ward, S

Carolina: K’Lavon Chaisson, LB, Damien Lewis, OG

New Orleans: Tyrann Mathieu, S, Foster Moreau, TE

Los Angeles Rams: *Omar Speights, LB, Tre’Davious White, CB 

Seattle: Anthony Bradford, OG

PRACTICE SQUAD (8): Will Clapp, C Buffalo, Chasen Hines, OG Miami, Neil Farrell, DE Kansas City, Tyrion Davis-Price, RB Philadelphia, *Andre Sam, S, Philadelphia, Micah Baskerville, LB, Chicago, Austin Deculus, OT New Orleans, Terrace Marshall Jr., WR San Francisco

INJURED RESERVE (2): Badara Traore, OL, Carolina, BJ Ojulari, LB, Arizona (torn ACL out for the year)

NON-FOOTBALL INJURY LIST (1): Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB Kansas City (post-traumatic stress disorder)

PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM (1): Odell Beckham, Jr. WR Miami

GRAMBLING

ACTIVE (1)

Washington: Trent Scott, OT Washington

LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE

ACTIVE (5)

New York Jets: Max Mitchell, OT

Dallas: John Stephens Jr., TE

Washington: Percy Butler, S

Carolina: Robert Hunt, OT 

Los Angeles Rams: Kevin Dotson, OG

PRACTICE SQUAD (2): Andre Jones Jr., DE Washington, Tracy Walker III, DB, San Francisco

INJURED RESERVE (2): *Nathan Thomas, OT Dallas, Elijah Mitchell, RB, San Francisco

LOUISIANA TECH

ACTIVE (5)

Tennessee: L’Jarius Sneed, CB

Philadelphia: Milton Williams, DT

Washington: Jeff Driskel, QB

Detroit: Amik Robertson, CB

Carolina: Xavier Woods, FS

PRACTICE SQUAD (1): Trent Taylor, WR, San Francisco

NORTHWESTERN STATE

ACTIVE (1)

CAROLINA:  *Shemar Bartholomew, CB

SOUTHEASTERN

PRACTICE SQUAD (1): Carlos Washington, RB Atlanta

SOUTHERN

INJURED RESERVE (1): Cameron Peterson, DE, New Orleans

TULANE (including 1 rookie)

ACTIVE (7)

Buffalo: Dorian Williams, LB

Tennessee: *Jha’Quan Jackson, WR, Tyjae Spears, RB

Philadelphia: Patrick Johnson, LB

Chicago: Cairo Santos, PK

Minnesota: Ryan Wright, P

Atlanta: Darnell Mooney, WR

PRACTICE SQUAD (1): *Michael Pratt, QB, Tampa Bay

INJURED RESERVE (2): *Lance Robinson, CB Cincinnati, Cameron Sample, DE Cincinnati

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

I was one blessed little fellow growing up in the country in north Natchitoches Parish. I had a dad who felt it important to teach his two sons all about the outdoors, not only about how to handle a firearm and how to sneak up on a squirrel. Dad was also a Christian, a deacon and active member of our church so his teaching always included the importance of Tom and me recognizing and appreciating nature and the God who created all those things about the outdoors we grew to love.

Not all kids are as fortunate as Tom and I were. There are youngsters today who don’t have a dad at home. Some of those who do have dads at home might find him preoccupied with climbing the corporate ladder to the point it’s the most important thing in his life to the neglect of his parental role of training his offspring. On the other end of the spectrum, there are dads who for whatever reason, shirk their fatherly duties.

Mark Johnson, founder of Mark Johnson and Sons Plumbing in Ruston, is one of the fortunate ones. He and his brothers were a lot like my brother and me who had a dad who saw the importance of getting involved with and teaching them about the outdoors from a Christian perspective.

Because of his convictions, Mark Johnson felt and responded to a “calling” or challenge to become involved in an organization that would have the responsibility of sharing what he grew up loving with youngsters less fortunate who perhaps had an interest in learning to hunt and fish but never had the opportunity.

Cross Trail Outfitters (CTO) has named Johnson as the facilitator of that organization’s venture into north Louisiana. The organization’s mission statement involves guiding the next generation to Christ through the outdoors. Additionally, CTO provides the mentorship, training and assets for kids to go hunting and fishing while insuring a wholesome and fun environment in which participants can grow in their knowledge and reverence of God.

Youngsters from ages 7 to 20 are offered a wide range of year-round outdoor activities. This includes the inclusion of a summer camp experience for kids with activities including fishing, hunting, swimming, archery, paintball, shooting education and much more all the while teaching kids to develop a deeper understanding of their Creator.

“Because of the way I was brought up and the fact that now I have kids and grandkids, I know how important it was for me and I have instilled in them the desire to learn about God’s creation and how to get the most out of it just like I did,” said Johnson.

As this new organization for our area gets up and going, Johnson said he has recruited a group of guys with similar interests who will be valuable in working with these kids.

“There are several ways folks can help. We’re looking for land owners who might make their property available for us to take kids, we’ll need guides to be there with the kids and we also need supporters that can offer financial support. Of course,” he added, “we always need prayer support in what we’re trying to do.             

“We are in the process of getting a website ready for kids interested in what this organization offers. In the meantime, they can call me at 318/278-9482.”

The goal of Cross Trail Outfitters, as stated on a brochure about the organization notes the following; “Building men, preserving our heritage and sharing our faith.”

“Maybe it was only natural that I would be interested in having a part in this group because I can put the two things important to me together,” said Johnson, “loving the Lord and loving the outdoors.”

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

Arrest are accusations not convictions. 

September 3

Zavier Batistex 19, Alexandria — burglary 4 counts, $45,000 bail;

Alise Beauregard, 46, Alexandria — felony fugitive, no bail set;

Brittany Lemoine, 28, Alexandria — felony fugitive, cyberstalking 7 counts, violation protective order first offense 5 counts, $6,000 bail.  

This date: 22 arrests, 9 including one or more contempt counts. 

Arrests are accusations not convictions. 

September 3

Tray Billiot, 37, Slidell — possession, paraphernalia, aggravated resisting with force or violence, $3,000 bail;

Charles Hall, 43, Alexandria — possession, paraphernalia, burglary, contempt 7 counts, $110,000 bail;

Zachary Strother, 33, Oakdale — possession, felony fugitive, $2,500 bail;

Jaymme Wolf, 53, Pineville — possession 2 counts, escape, contempt 3 counts, $6,500 bail. 

March 4, 1947 – September 1, 2024

ervices for Hoang Le will be held at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, September 7, 2024, in the Chapel of Hixson Brothers, Alexandria with Dr. C. Stewart Holloway officiating.

The family requests visitation be held Saturday, September 7, 2024, at Hixson Brothers, Alexandria from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 pm and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.

Mr. Le, 77, of Alexandria, passed from this life, on Sunday, September 1, 2024, at Matthews Memorial Health Care.

Mr. Le was born in Long An, Vietnam and during his working career, he was a stocker at Walmart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Phan Le and Giau Le.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Ha Le, son, Huy Le and his wife, Kieu; three brothers and one sister; grandchildren, Kimberly Le, Richard Le, Jacob Le, Bao-Ngoc Le and Bao-Tran Le; and a host of other family members and friends.

JOBS AVAILABLE NOW – APPLY TODAY!

Event: Recruitment Fair
Date: September 6, 2024
Location: Nazarene Baptist Church Family Life Center
2611 Overton Street
Alexandria, LA 71301
Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm

Contact: kjones@savechildren.org
Website: savethechildren.org/careers

Your Local Head Start Location and Current Openings:

Red River Region Job Openings:
• Head Start Teachers (Natchitoches)
• Early Head Start Teachers (Natchez)
• Head Start Assistant Teachers (Natchitoches)
• Cook (Mansfield)
• Assistant Cook (Natchitoches)

Please bring a copy of your credentials (diplomas, degrees, certifications, license, and transcript).