Arrests are accusations not convictions.
October 28
Jyrus Butler, 28, Pineville — possession, theft, criminal trespass, contempt, $13,500 bail;
Mitchell Godwin, 49, Pineville — possession 2 counts, paraphernalia, suspension/revocation, $26,100 bail.
ALEXANDRIA, LA – Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital and The Rapides Foundation are excited to announce the expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library into Rapides Parish through the Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center Foundation.
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library mission is to inspire a love of reading by providing universal access to free, high-quality and age-appropriate books each month for children ages 0 to 5 years old.
The program is free, and since registration opened in September, more than 1,100 families in Rapides Parish have signed up. For children whose families register them upon birth, they will receive by mail a new book each month. By the time they reach their fifth birthday and age out of the program, they will have received 60 free books.
“We are honored to partner with The Rapides Foundation to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Rapides Parish,” said Charla H. Ducote, Vice President of Marking, Public Relations and Business Development at Rapides Regional Medical Center. “Reading to your child is one of the most important things you can do to aid in their development and to create a lifelong love affair with reading.”
Parents of babies born at Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital will be able to register their newborns before they are discharged home following birth.
A launch party is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m.-noon at the Country Inn and Suites’ Pineville Convention Center. The event will include activities, art projects and vendors. There will also be opportunities to register for the program. Registration also may be done online at the Dolly Parton Imagination Library website. Parents who reside outside Rapides Parish may also use the website to check eligibility status through their parish of residence.
“Our board welcomed the opportunity to fund a portion of the costs to bring the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Central Louisiana parishes,” said Joe Rosier, President and CEO of The Rapides Foundation. “The project aligns with our Education Initiative, which has a focus on School Readiness. Research shows children who enter kindergarten ready to learn are more likely to complete high school and go through their school careers without repeating a grade.”
The Foundation’s Board of Trustees in late 2024 awarded a $120,000 grant to The Dollywood Foundation to expand the Imagination Library into Rapides, Allen, Catahoula, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Vernon and Winn parishes.
Inspired by her father’s inability to read or write, Dolly Parton started her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, her program spans five countries and gifts more than 2.5 million free books each month to children, regardless of the family’s income. Since its beginning, more than 247 million free books have been distributed.
“Before he passed away, my daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done,” said Dolly Parton. “I can’t tell you how much that means to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my daddy. Inspiring kids to read became my passion and my mission. If you can read, you can teach yourself anything.”
ABOUT DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY
Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 250 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Community Partners. The Imagination Library mails over 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age five – at no cost to families. Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More, Be More™. The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.
Pineville Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for Shane Johnson for simple burglary and criminal damage to property. He is known to drive the pictured Honda Accord, Louisiana tag 478 HIN. Johnson should be considered armed and dangerous.
If anyone has any knowledge of Johnson’s whereabouts contact the Pineville Police Department at 318-442-6603 opt 1, 318-449-5652. All tips will remain anonymous.
It’s encouraging to see there is increasing pushback to men competing as women in women’s sports.
We saw the dominance in women’s boxing at the Summer Olympics by a man competing as a woman. A 7-year-old can see this is not fair.
As a retired sportswriter who spent more than four decades covering sports for both males and females, there’s no question women cannot, over any sustained period, be competitive with men. Don’t take my word for it. Go to the UN, of all places.
Earlier this month, the United Nations released a report that found women athletes across the globe lost at least 890 medals to male opponents who claim to be women. This report covered data through March of this year for some 600 female athletes in more than 400 competitions in 29 different sports.
Surprise, surprise, the report concluded this is unfair, citing the advantages males have in “higher strength and testosterone levels.”
The latest trend of women’s teams forfeiting rather than playing a team with a trans athlete comes from the University of Nevada women’s volleyball team. The school, initially at odds with its volleyball players on the matter of playing San Jose State and transgender player Blaire Fleming, decided the team would not play the game that was scheduled on Saturday, October 26.
This is the fifth team that has refused – for the same reason — to compete against San Jose State this season, the others being Boise State, Wyoming, Utah State and Southern Utah University.
Nevada initially released a statement that its game against San Jose State would be held, but when Nevada’s team captain, Sia Liilii found out about that statement, she said, “Hold my beer.” Not really, but she said the statement was made without consulting the team, and they were “pretty upset.”
The school agreed to forfeit, announcing the team would not have enough players to compete.
Back to the UN report, retired college swimmer Riley Gaines, probably the most passionate women’s sports advocate out there, reacted to the report, saying the “alarming, shockingly high number” of lost awards isn’t the main reason she wants to push back. “One girl losing out on opportunities, one girl being exploited in locker rooms, one girl being injured in their sport is one girl too many,” she said.
Notably, Dana Patrick, the retired trailblazing female racecar driver – as a woman in a male-dominated sport — said it’s “completely wrong” for men claiming to be women to compete in women’s sports. “A man is just different, their hormones are different, their body is different.”
What’s more, the latest Rasmussen survey on the subject finds 65 percent are opposed to the idea, including 50 percent who strongly oppose transgender athletes in women’s sports.
It’s shameful that after all the victories and interest women’s sports have engendered since Title IX was passed a little more than five decades ago, some want to deny medals and victories to women athletes to accommodate a small percentage of trans athletes traversing into a nest where they don’t belong.
It’s in our best interests to do what’s best for the “greater good.” The transgender agenda, including the intrusion into women’s sports, is not for the greater good.
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From the “Where Are They Now?” Department: David Prewitt, 1962 Tioga High School graduate and all-state shortstop that season for the Indians, is 79 and he has, since 1985, been president of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) business servicing residential apartment buildings through nearly all of New Jersey and stretching, at times, into Philadelphia.
He and Ann Hutchison, whom he met at LSU, have been married since 1968. They have three children and six grandchildren. He has homes in Monmouth County, N.J., and Bradenton, Fla., where he lives beside a golf club that has three 9-hole courses. A 12-14 handicap golfer, Prewitt has no relatives in this area but he returns to Cenla about twice a year to visit a lifelong friend, Billy DeFee, of Alexandria.
By JIM BUTLER
A proposed cooperative endeavor agreement with GAEDA will be introduced at today’s Alexandria City Council meeting.
The joint effort to promote economic development appears to mark a turning point in the city-Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority relationship.
It comes near the end of a year marked by turmoil and upheaval at GAEDA and the Roy administration’s efforts to smother the flames and rebuild.
Remarks by GAEDA commissioner John Callis indicate the Weiss & Goldring building will be the first example of new ties between the agencies.
“The revitalization of the Weiss and Goldring building is a perfect example of GAEDA’s renewed focus, aligning with Mayor Jacques Roy’s vision for the city.
“Our mission and the city’s goals are finally converging in ways they haven’t before, and it couldn’t come at a better time. At our last meeting in October, GAEDA committed $1 million to help fund the city’s efforts and prepare the Weiss and Goldring building for private development.
“We’re stepping into our role with substantial financial support for downtown revitalization and economic growth. The Weiss and Goldring project is not only a major step in Alexandria’s downtown revitalization but also a symbol of GAEDA’s renewed mission.
“We are now better equipped to serve the city and help create an environment that attracts new businesses, provides housing, and revitalizes Alexandria’s core.”
The proposed agreement addresses renovations, restoration, development and capital improvements.
It also includes funding of programs, festivals, conventions and other public events which contribute to economic development.
This is the area GAEDA spending has most focused on to this point.
“Looking ahead, GAEDA isn’t stopping at this project. With $400,000 to $500,000 earmarked annually beginning in 2025 for downtown development, along with potential bonding authority on the horizon, we’re prepared to assist the city on larger-scale projects that will transform Alexandria,” Callis noted.
Callis proposes that GAEDA consider leveraging its unique bonding authority.
“After the upcoming election, we should convene with other commissioners to discuss bonding $8 to $12 million for immediate downtown projects and other shovel-ready projects that the city has in the pipeline, including Bringhurst and the Masonic Corridor.
“Together, GAEDA and the City of Alexandria are entering a new chapter of partnership and shared commitment to meaningful progress. Let’s see what we can get done,” he said on social media.
Three City Council seats are contested in the upcoming election. GAEDA commissioners serve at the pleasure of the Council, each member having one appointment.
The Alzheimer’s Association will host a Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 9 am at Fort Randolph in Pineville. The Association invites the public to walk and fundraise as well as helping spread the word of the event. The public can help by registering, raising funds, and recruiting other walkers.
Walkers are welcome on site at 8 am. There will be a ceremony at 9 am, and the walk will begin at 9:30 am. Scan the QR code above to register teams.
For more information call Renee’ Calloway at 318-209-7832 or via email at rrmathews@alz.org.
The stakes were high and the Alexandria Senior High Trojans delivered.
As a result of their 40-36 victory last Friday over defending Non-Select Division I state champion Ruston, the reigning District 2-5A titleholder, the Trojans got on their horse and rode up two places to No. 4 in this week’s Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A Top 10 rankings.
A dozen LSWA members from around the state vote weekly to rank the top 10 teams in each of the five LHSAA classifications.
Unbeaten ASH (8-0) is the only local school receiving votes. Nearby Bunkie in Avoyelles Parish is No. 2 in Class 3A.
ASH was one point shy of a third-place tie.
The Trojans visit district foe Ouachita Parish Friday night. The Lions (5-3) missed an extra point late in a 22-21 homefield loss Oct. 11 to Ruston, and were whipped 41-14 last Friday at second-ranked Neville, the other 2-5A unbeaten.
ASH and Neville tangle in the final week of the regular season, in Alexandria, in a potential district championship game.
The LSWA’s Top 10 rankings for Week 9:
CLASS 5A
School (1st place votes), record, total voting points, previous ranking
1. Karr (9) 7-0, 141, 1
2. Neville (3) 8-0, 132, 2
3. Acadiana 7-1, 111, 4
4. Alexandria
5. Catholic-Baton Rouge 6-1, 96, 5
6. Ruston 6-2, 79, 3
7. Zachary 6-1, 77, 7
8. Archbishop Rummel 7-1, 59, 8
9. Airline
10. Mandeville 8-0, 32, T10
Others receiving votes: Central 17, Jesuit 14, Hahnville 8, John Curtis 5, St. Paul’s 4, West Monroe 4, Byrd 2, Covington 1, Parkway 1.
CLASS 4A
School (1st place votes), record, total voting points, previous ranking
1. Teurlings Catholic (12) 8-0, 144, 1
2. North DeSoto 6-2, 123, T2
3. Lutcher
4. St. Thomas More 5-3, 104, 4
5. E.D. White 6-2, 94, 5
6. Archbishop Shaw 6-2, 91, 6
7. Opelousas 4-3, 77, 8
8. Franklin Parish 7-1, 50, 9
9. Cecilia
10. Franklinton 7-1, 31, 10
Others receiving votes: Westgate 25, Plaquemine 13, Iowa 8, Vanderbilt Catholic 5, West Ouachita 4, Minden 3, Istrouma 1, Lakeshore 1, Leesville 1, Northwood-Shreveport 1.
CLASS 3A
School (1st place votes), record, total voting points, previous ranking
1. University (12) 7-1, 144, 1
2. Bunkie
3. Jennings 7-1, 114, 3
4. St. James 5-2, 107, 4
5. Northwest 6-2, 89, 5
6. John F. Kennedy 4-4, 79, 6
7. Amite 6-2, 62, 7
8. Jewel Sumner 7-1, 57, 8
9. Sterlington 5-3, 49, 9
10. Madison Prep 5-3, 43, 10
Others receiving votes: De La Salle 23, Erath 12, Bastrop 5, Iota 5, Kaplan 5, Lake Charles Prep 4, Carroll 3, Haynes Academy 3, Jena 1.
CLASS 2A
School (1st place votes), record, total voting points, previous ranking
1. Newman (7) 6-0, 132, 1
2. Calvary Baptist (1) 6-2, 129, 2
3. Dunham (3) 8-0, 126, 3
4. Oak Grove (1) 6-1, 108, 4
5. Ouachita Christian 8-0, 96, 5
6. Catholic-New Iberia 7-1, 86, 6
7. Episcopal-Baton Rouge 7-1, 63, 7
8. Union Parish 4-4, 49, NR
9. Notre Dame 4-4, 46, 8
10. Lafayette Chrisitan 3-5, 42, 10
Others receiving votes: Mangham 19, Pope John Paul 13, DeQuincy 6, Lafayette Renaissance 4, Northlake Christian 4, Ferriday 3, Kinder 1, Lakeside 1, South Plaquemines 1.
CLASS 1A
School (1st place votes), record, total voting points, previous ranking
1. Vermilion Catholic (12) 8-0, 144, 1
2. Haynesville 8-0, 128, 2
3. Ascension Catholic 6-1, 114, 3
4. Riverside 5-2, 108, 4
5. Catholic-Pointe Coupee 8-0, 92, 5
6. Covenant Christian 8-0, 89, 6
7. Southern Lab 4-3, 79, 7
8. St. Martin’s 5-2, 44, 9
9. Kentwood 5-3, 40, 8
10. Ascension Episcopal 6-1, 38, NR
Others receiving votes: St. Edmund 19, Logansport 9, Jeanerette 8, St. Frederick 7, Central Catholic 4, Westminster-Opelousas 4, General Trass 3, Hamilton Christian 3, Delhi Charter 1, Glenbrook Academy 1, Elton 1.
Five contestants competed for a one-year scholarship in Thursday night’s Miss LCU competition, with sophomore Annemarie Campbell, of Patterson, taking home the title.
“Miss LCU must represent the four points of the Miss America crown: scholarship, service, style and success,” said Vice President for Student Life Meredith Rennier. “It is truly a blessing to see the girls work so hard to showcase their talents and develop new friendships along the way all while glorifying Christ through the four points of the crown. Our Miss LCU Pageant is a fan favorite event on our campus.”
Campbell, a biological science major, enjoys athletic activities such as running and tumbling or playing sports such as volleyball and tennis. She enjoys reading fiction or watching movies from either the Harry Potter or Hobbit series or a favorite, Pride and Prejudice. She is a member of LCU Cheerleading and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
She plans to attend graduate school to study Animal Sciences and become a zoologist or farmer.
Julia Weaver placed first runner-up and the winner of a $1000 scholarship sponsored by the Union Board.
Weaver is a freshman elementary education and graphic design major from Liberty, Mississippi. She loves hanging out with friends and playing with her new puppy. She attends Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her plans are to open her own event place in the future.
The three other candidates were:
Other prizes awarded with a plaque included:
Al Quartemont served as master of ceremonies. The judges for Miss LCU included Byron McGee, Tracy Cumming, Christy Roberts, Fred Holt and Madeline Ducote. Brandi Bass and Jodie Bass served as auditors.
Arrests are accusations not convictions.
October 23
Kory Ham, 22, Alexandria — OWI 3rd, operating under prior suspension, open container, speeding, reckless operation, hazard signals required, 2:55 pm, $103,300 bail;
Ellie Snock, 39, Pineville — OWI, 8:41 pm, $500 bail;
Dillon Wooten, 37, Fouke, AR — OWI 1st, open container, careless operation, reckless operation, 9:12 pm, $1,700 bail.
October 24
Regina Kaufman, 43, Pineville — OWI 1st, expired plate/registration, expired MVI, careless operation, littering, 11:12 pm, $2,200 bail;
Toronto Williams, 66, Pineville — OWI 1st, open container, seat belt violation, 6:47 pm, $1,200 bail.
October 25
Michael Joubert, 54, Alexandria — OWI 3rd, operating under suspension, tail lamps required, contempt 2 counts, 9:16 pm, $51,600 bail.
October 27
Ryan Turner Sr., 45, Lecompte — OWI 1st, open container, speeding, expired plate, 11:05 pm, $1,300 bail.
By Brad Dison
Abraham Jr. was a theater critic for the Dublin Evening Mail in Dublin, Ireland during the 1870s. At the time, theater critics were held in low esteem. Stars of the stage avoided reading reviews by other critics, but there was something different about Abraham’s reviews. Even when being critical of a performance, Abraham wrote in such a way that made the performers feel at ease. Abraham’s writing quickly gained him recognition, and he befriended several leading stage performers, one of which was Henry Irving.
Henry Irving was an English classical actor and manager. Unlike most actors of the Victorian era who only acted in performances, Henry took full responsibility for all aspects of the stages on which he performed including the supervision of sets, props, lighting, directing, and casting. Theater managers continued to control the business side of the theaters. In 1874, Henry starred in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” at the Lyceum Theatre in London’s famed West End. The play ran for an unheard of 200 performances and was Henry’s greatest triumph. In 1878, a row between Henry and the manager of the Lyceum grew so heated that the manager quit and began managing another theater. The strain of managing the stage as well as the business affairs of the Lyceum quickly grew to be more than Henry could handle. He needed help.
Abraham had just married a celebrated beauty named Florence Balcombe when he got a job offer from Henry. Henry wanted Abraham to move to London to be the business manager of the Lyceum and, to ease his burden even more, to be Henry’s personal assistant. It was an offer Abraham could not refuse. Abraham and his new bride quickly moved to London where he worked in this capacity until Henry Irving died in 1905. During those 27 years, Abraham traveled the world as Henry’s assistant. In 1894, Abraham, Florence, and their son Irving Noel, named in honor of Henry Irving, took a much-needed break at the Kilmarnock Arms Hotel on the northeastern coast of Scotland. Abraham and his family took the half mile walk to the cliffs overlooking the North Sea to see the remains of Slains Castle. While walking through the ruins of the castle’s many rooms including the octagonal hall, Abraham got the idea for a new play which would naturally feature Henry as the lead character. Back at the hotel, Abraham jotted down some of his ideas before he returned to London. He continued to work on the play during his limited free time.
Two years later, Abraham and Florence took another break and stayed in a guesthouse overlooking the North Sea in Whitby, England. He walked to the shoreline and back up the 199 steps to the graveyard of St. Mary’s Church and visited the ruins of Whitby Abbey. This visit stirred Abraham’s imagination, and he rushed back to the guesthouse and began writing. Before leaving Whitby, Abraham visited the public library and accidentally came across a word in a book which he misinterpreted. It was the perfect name for the lead character in his play, but by this time Abraham had decided to publish it as a play and a novel. Unfortunately, for reasons that remain unclear, Henry never played the lead character that Abraham had created for him. Abraham’s book is still popular today, but no one knows the author as Abraham. Abraham Jr. went by another name to differentiate him from his father. Family, friends, and eventually the whole world knew Abraham Jr. as Bram Stoker. The word he misinterpreted as meaning “Devil” was Dracula.
With Halloween coming soon, and many Halloween events in the community, the Alexandria Police Department offers several tips to keep trick-or-treaters safe.
By following these tips, trick-or-treating should be safe and sweet!
On October 26, 2024, at approximately 9:40am, Alexandria Police Department officers responded to an aggravated kidnapping and assault incident. The victim was forcibly taken to a local motel in Alexandria by a suspect who was identified as Kemo Nelson. During the encounter, the victim was struck and battered with an object but declined medical treatment at the scene.
Following an investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Nelson on charges of aggravated kidnapping, domestic aggravated battery, and aggravated assault with a firearm. The Alexandria Police Department’s Crime Suppression Team acted swiftly, locating and apprehending Nelson without delay.
Chief Chad Gremillion commended the patrol officers and detectives for their immediate response and thorough investigative work, which led to a rapid arrest. “The quick and effective teamwork demonstrated by our officers and detectives reflects their dedication to keeping our community safe,” said Chief Gremillion.
The Alexandria Police Department remains committed to addressing violent crime and maintaining public safety. This case remains under investigation.
If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, please contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559. You may also email information to detectives at: APDDetectives@cityofalex.com.
For a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers of CenLa at (318) 443-7867. The Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster App can also be downloaded to leave tips and get a claim number for a cash reward at www.p3tips.com/community/mobile.
The 31st Annual Kent House Sugar Day Festival is scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 9am to 4pm. Sugar Day is a family friendly festival that celebrates the harvest of sugar cane by making cane syrup in our very own sugar mill. There will be live music, dancing, house tours, and plenty of children’s activities including petting zoo and face painting! There will be a variety of food and craft vendors. Demonstrations of blacksmithing, corn grinding, wood carving, fly fishing and more will be included.
Forty-five teams participated Sunday in the sixth annual Trotter-Brame Memorial golf scramble at Bringhurst Park.
The event celebrates the course, brings in loyal supporters and recent converts, and newcomers, while paying tribute to families who polished an all-but-dormant gem in the 1960s and revived it so that generations could continue to enjoy the sport – at no charge.
The nine-hole, par-3 Bringhurst Park course is an Alexandria treasure and is nationally noteworthy.
“Could flat ground in central Louisiana inside the state’s 10th-largest city be among the most significant seven acres in American participatory golf?,” was the start of a 2022 story on the Golf Course Industry website.
“Established in the late 1920s, Bringhurst Golf Course provided a faster-to-play, easier-to-maintain option before golf innovators and developers realized the appeal of shorter courses. The country supported 659 par 3 courses in 2021, according to the National Golf Foundation. None are believed to be older than Bringhurst, a 9-hole, 793-yard facility owned by the City of Alexandria, overseen by the non-profit Friends of Bringhurst, and maintained by the group responsible for managing the crosstown 18-hole Links on the Bayou….
“Playgrounds, athletic fields, houses, a zoo, a funeral home, and a gas station surround the course. Affectionately referred to as ‘The Brink’ by denizens, Bringhurst’s footprint is just seven urban acres. Numerous sights and sounds are uniquely Bringhurst. The Alexandria Zoological Park is behind the second green and noises from squeaking monkeys reverberate. Kramer Funeral Home sits across the street from the sixth tee and mourners watch tee shots fly as they wait for viewing hours. A fence encloses the course, but Bringhurst meshes with its surroundings,” the article said.
Sunday’s championship flight was won by Jay Bankston of Natchitoches and Grady Brame Jr. from Baton Rouge, a Hammond native with obvious Alexandria roots. Both have played “the Brink” since their childhood many years ago.
First flight winners were Carl and Randy Carstens, members of another cornerstone family in the course’s resurgence.
Martin Ramirez and Jacob Brown took the second flight championship.