By JIM BUTLER

Kendall Leopaul Jr. is charged by APD with attempted 2nd-degree murder.

Leopaul, 20, was booked Tuesday and charged in a shooting on Natchez Street.

No other information was included in a department release.

The alleged shooter is held under $1,000,000 bail He was arrested in October 2023 and October 2022 on theft and contempt charges.

By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports

Two years is a long time in the life of a high school athlete.

Case in point: Six starters for Alexandria Senior High’s football team, including both of its quarterbacks, weren’t even enrolled at the school two years ago. 

Yet the date November 18, 2022, is a significant one for the Trojans, especially for the senior class. 

That’s when the Trojans traveled north to Shreveport for a second-round playoff game against Byrd and came home after a 49-10 defeat that ended their season.

This time around, 10th-seeded Byrd (9-3) travels to Alexandria on Friday for a Division I Select quarterfinal matchup against the No. 2 Trojans (11-0). 

“You never enjoy losing,” ASH coach Thomas Bachman said. “We haven’t spent a whole lot of time talking about it. Obviously, it’s been mentioned, but it’s not something we’ve focused on.”

Several of this season’s stars saw action in that playoff game two years ago. Running back JT Lindsey is one of those players, along with offensive lineman Jakobi Morris and tight end Tanner Townsend. Two other offensive stars, running back Vaughn Darbon and receiver Jimmie Duncan, played defense for the Trojans in that playoff loss. 

Byrd brings a disciplined option running attack to Friday’s game, one that has rushed for more than 300 yards in a game eight times this season along with a school-record 3,946 yards on the year.

The offense is triggered by senior quarterback Harrison Ayres, who has four options who have rushed for between 700 and 900 yards on the year. 

Sophomore wingback Christian Maxie leads the way with 900 rushing yards and eight TDs in nine games, while senior fullback Desmond Simmons, who missed five games earlier in the season, has rushed for 891 yards and eight TDs. Sophomore fullback Collin Deere has gained 743 yards with six touchdowns, while senior wingback Quinton Hilliard has 704 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns. 

“They execute at a high level,” Bachman said, “and that’s what I think good football teams do, regardless of scheme. They execute their schemes well.”

Ayres, who has rushed for 448 yards and seven scores, has passed the ball just 53 times on the season, completing 23 for 501 yards with six TDs and one interception. Senior Alex Schoonover (10-206, 4 TDs) and Hilliard (5-180, TD) are the Yellow Jackets’ leading receivers.  

Defensively, senior linebackers Sam Greer and Ethan Sipes lead the Jackets. Greer’s 129 tackles are the most for any Byrd player over the past two decades, and he also has 15 tackles for loss and five sacks. Sipes has 107 tackles with 13 tackles for loss on the season. 

Byrd’s secondary has intercepted 10 passes on the season, led by senior cornerback James Logan’s four picks, and the Yellow Jackets have forced 20 turnovers this season. 

Junior kicker Asher Murray has made 10 of 12 field goals, including two from 50-plus yards. 

Byrd is coming off perhaps its most complete performance of the season in a road upset of St. Paul’s. The Jackets rushed for 298 yards on 63 carries, getting two 1-yard TDs from Ayres, who also completed 5 of 6 passes for 82 yards. Simmons led the rushing attack with 150 yards and a touchdown. 

But the Jackets run into an ASH team that is absolutely rolling the past few weeks. The Trojans have scored 4o-plus points in every game this season, and in their past three victories have outscored their opponents by 37 points per game. 

Lindsey is just 50 yards shy of surpassing the 2,000-yard mark for rushing, and he has rushed for 27 touchdowns on the season. Even though the Trojans only threw the ball six times in last week’s 49-6 win over Evangel, sophomore quarterbacks Karsen Sellers and Max Gassiott have combined for 2,135 yards and 33 touchdowns. 

This is the second season in a row that the Trojans have played the day after Thanksgiving. Last year, they went on the road and lost to Edna Karr 40-34 in the quarterfinals. 

Bachman said the Trojans have prepared well this week, and he believes they are “ready for whatever storm comes” their way Friday night.

“There is a challenge that we’re gonna have on Friday night for sure,” he said. “We’re just going to continue to try to make the most of each opportunity, possession by possession.” 

Arrests are accusations not convictions.

November 18

Tony Bowman Jr., 34, Boyce — OWI 2nd, refusal to take chemical test, improper lane, 12:35 pm, $2,100 bail.

November 23

Francisco Gonzalez, 27, Fort Morgen, CO — OWI 1st, suspension/revocation, 3:24 am, $1,100 bail;

Erik Martinez-Torres, 24, Bossier City — OWI 1st, careless operation, no driver’s license, 9:11 pm, $1,200 bail. 

November 24

Amelia Delrie, 21, Pineville — OWI 2nd, reckless operation, 1:05 am, $2,000 bail;

Alphonse Ortiz, 34, Pineville — OWI 1st, no driver’s license, improper driving on left, 1:24 am, $1,200 bail;

Emily Woods, 27, Alexandria — OWI 1st, felony flight, reckless operation, resisting, suspension/revocation, 12:35 am, $12,000 bail. 

November 27

Lisa Ducote, 45, Alexandria — OWI child endangerment, 2:48 am, $1,000 bail. 

Arrests are accusations not convictions. 

November 26

Weapons

Kendall Leopaul, 20, Alexandria — attempted murder 2nd degree, $1,000,000 bail;

Jordan Melbert, 20, Alexandria — armed robbery, resisting, possession, $51,000 bail;

Henry Nelson III, 24, Alexandria — handgun concealed negligent carry, obstruction evidence tampering, resisting, misdemeanor possession, $6,500 bail;

Other

Trimia Brevelle, 27, Alexandria — domestic abuse battery strangulation, domestic abuse battery, resisting, $3,500 bail;

Roy Dixon Jr., 52, Pineville — sex offender failure to register, $1,500 bail;

Kenneth Johnson, 44, Alexandria — sex offender failure to register, $1,500 bail;

Terrance Phillips III, 25, Alexandria — felony flight, drag racing, speeding, aggravated obstruction of highway, $15,800 bail;

Joseph Turner, 40, Pineville — theft, $5,000 bail. 

This date: 20 arrests, 3 including one or more contempt counts and 11 with at least one prior. 

November 27

Weapons

Kolby Vanderwaters, 23, Pineville — illegal use dangerous weapon, no bond set. 

Other

Melissa Butler, 49, Pineville — felony flight, open container, criminal trespass, criminal damage, $1,100 bail. 

This date: 16 arrests, 7 including one or more contempt counts and 11 with at least one prior. 

Arrests are accusations not convictions.

November 25

Dequincy Jordan, 39, Alexandria — possession, contempt 3 counts, $5,000 bail. 

November 26

Zachary Warren, 27, Grand Rivers, KY — possession, firearm with drugs, careless operation, $2,600 bail;

Jernishia Watson, 29, Alexandria — possession, illegal possession stolen things, paraphernalia, use of CDS in presence of person under 17, contempt 4 counts, $105,500 bail. 

November 27

Ashley Daniels, 40, Alexandria — possession 2 counts, $2,000 bail. 

Every year on November 29, dessert lovers indulge in the tangy, creamy goodness of lemon cream pie as they celebrate National Lemon Cream Pie Day. This beloved dessert, with its perfect balance of sweet and tart, has been a favorite for generations, representing a timeless love for lemon-flavored treats.

The origins of lemon cream pie are tied to the broader tradition of citrus-based desserts, which gained popularity in the 19th century when lemons became more widely available. The pie typically features a rich, velvety filling made from lemon juice, sugar, eggs, and cream, nestled in a flaky or graham cracker crust and often topped with whipped cream or a delicate meringue. Its bright flavor and smooth texture make it a refreshing yet indulgent dessert.

Lemon cream pie is part of a larger category of lemon desserts that have captured the hearts of people worldwide. Lemon bars, lemon cakes, and even lemon sorbets share a similar appeal, offering a unique blend of zesty freshness and sweetness. Psychologists suggest that the tangy flavor of lemon may evoke feelings of energy and joy, which explains why these desserts are often associated with lightness and celebration.

This dessert also carries a nostalgic charm. Many people recall family gatherings or holidays where lemon cream pie was the centerpiece of the dessert table, symbolizing warmth and togetherness. Its versatility—whether as a casual treat or an elegant dinner party dessert—adds to its enduring popularity.

On National Lemon Cream Pie Day, bakers and dessert enthusiasts alike are encouraged to whip up their version of this citrusy delight. Whether it’s a traditional recipe or a modern twist, lemon cream pie remains a sweet reminder of why we love lemon-flavored desserts.

The Rapides Parish Journal staff is taking a quick Thanksgiving break so there will not be a Thursday edition of the Journal.

But Friday morning, the RPJ will be back in your e-mail at 6:55 a.m. as usual.

We will have a preview from Bret McCormick setting the stage for the huge Friday night high school football playoff game with unbeaten Alexandria Senior High playing at home.

Expect that content and more in your e-mail Friday morning.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Current Alexandria City Councilman Reddex Washington face a runoff election in December for re-election to his District 1 seat. Washington defeated then-incumbent Malcolm Larvadain in 2020 after a runoff.

In the November 2024 election, neither candidate won a majority. Larvadain received 42% of the vote with 798 votes. Washington received 37% with 693 votes. Without a majority or 50% of votes, a runoff election will take place in December.

Washington has stated that he is focused on connecting people in District 1 with resources and programs that could help them. He believes this approach will promote growth in District 1 will grow which in turn will benefit the wider Alexandria area.

Larvadain has stated if he is elected, his focus will be on improving the district, which he will do by listening to residents. He wants to address concerns like affordable housing, blight, brown water, and crime, emphasizing that his goal is to do things better for the community.

Early voting for the runoff election has already open and will continue through Nov. 30, though polls will be closed Nov. 28 and 29. The official election date for the runoff is Dec. 7.

November 25, 2024 — Acadian Air Med has announced that Maranda Granger is the company’s new Chief Flight Nurse. 

Granger holds 16 years of ICU and ER nursing experience and a background in education, along with strong Air Med operational knowledge. She joined Acadian Air Med as a registered nurse in October 2019. Since then, she has worked at multiple Air Med bases throughout the program, and has been a Flight Line Supervisor for the past two years.

During her tenure at Air Med, Granger has worked in various roles, including ground operations, hurricane deployments, and various COVID projects through Air Med’s sister company, Safety Management Systems.

A native of Pineville, Granger was an elementary and middle school teacher for eight years, holding special education certifications. She pursued her aspirations of becoming a registered nurse in 2008 and worked in multiple ER and ICU settings before taking to the skies with Air Med in 2019.

Granger holds her prehospital trauma life support (PHTLS) instructor certification and recently achieved her advanced certified transport registered nurse (CTRN) certification.

“With years of education and clinical experience, Maranda will bring great knowledge to the Chief Flight Nurse position and is going to bring the Air Med program to new heights,” said Acadian Air Med Vice President Michael Sonnier.

Granger was recently recognized at the 13th annual ‘An Evening for Healers’ fundraiser, hosted by the LSU Health Sciences Foundation Shreveport. The event shared the incredible stories of two patients, including Clay Moock, who was severely burned in a pipeline explosion incident in April 2021. Granger was part of the Life Air Rescue flight crew who responded, treated, and transported Moock to Ochsner LSU Health. 

Acadian Air Med was founded in 1981 and currently operates a fleet of 12 medically configured helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft from bases strategically located throughout Louisiana. It is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems, the gold standard for air ambulance services in the United States.

Operation Kindness partnered with the Fostering Community in Alexandria by providing tote bags filled with food for the Fostering Community’s food drive on Nov. 25. 

Operation Kindness is a community initiative started in 2022 by the Nell Shehee Foundation in Shreveport. Its mission is simple: to spread the word in communities about the impact and importance of acts of kindness, believing that diversity and working together make society stronger.

“The Nell Shehee Foundation and Operation Kindness are very honored and happy to be partnering with Foster Community with this project,” said Nell Shehee, Owner of the Nell Shehee Foundation. “We are sharing our tote bags with the Foster Community, giving them a place to put these wonderful items that these kids need.”

Red River Bank has been named one of the 2024 Best Banks to Work For. American Banker has partnered with Best Companies Group to identify banks that excel at creating positive and supportive workplaces for employees.

This year 90 banks earned a spot in the ranking of Best Banks to Work For, based on an anonymous employee survey and a thorough review of the benefits and perks offered.

“The Best Banks to Work For represent institutions helping employees achieve their goals,” said Chana Schoenberger, editor-in-chief of American Banker. “These banks recognize how important it is for their staffers to be happy about the work they do and the environment in which they spend their days.”

On the 2024 list, Red River Bank was ranked No. 24. Red River Bank was also ranked No. 4 on the Best Banks to Work For list in the $3 billion to $10 billion of assets category. The survey and awards program are designed to identify and honor banks with the best cultures for helping employees thrive.

“When we say ‘We’re Your People,’ we don’t just mean our customers; we extend that belief to our employees as well,” said Red River Bank President and Chief Executive Officer Blake Chatelain. “At Red River Bank, we take pride in caring for our employees and helping them grow to reach their full potential. We frequently receive compliments on our company culture, and awards like this truly validate our efforts.”

Determining the Best Banks to Work For involved a two-step process. The first consisted of evaluating each participating bank’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second consisted of employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees with respect to their workplace. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the final ranking.

About Red River Bank

Red River Bank is a Louisiana state-chartered bank established in Alexandria, Louisiana, in 1999 that provides a fully integrated suite of banking products and services tailored to the needs of its commercial and retail customers. Red River Bank operates from a network of 28 banking centers throughout Louisiana and one combined loan and deposit production office in New Orleans, Louisiana. Banking centers are located in the following Louisiana markets: Central, which includes the Alexandria metropolitan statistical area (“MSA”); Northwest, which includes the Shreveport-Bossier City MSA; Capital, which includes the Baton Rouge MSA; Southwest, which includes the Lake Charles MSA; the Northshore, which includes Covington; Acadiana, which includes the Lafayette MSA; and New Orleans. 

About American Banker

American Banker empowers banking professionals with unique analysis and insight into the ideas transforming their business and industry. Across its journalism, events, research and benchmarking, it helps drive the way forward through the complexity of business innovation, retail and commercial disruption, technology, regulation and reform. With a banking community 850k strong, American Banker’s content connects leaders online, in person and in print every day.

About Best Companies Group

Since 2004, Best Companies Group has specialized in identifying and recognizing great employers to work for. We are an independent research firm that ranks companies based on our established research methodology. Our surveys provide actionable, hard-to-obtain data that companies use to improve employee recruitment and retention.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission wants everyone to have a fine Thanksgiving instead of having to pay a Thanksgiving fine for not wearing a seat belt during the statewide Click It or Ticket campaign.

The campaign, which runs through Saturday, Nov. 30, is a statewide effort by multiple law enforcement partners to encourage people to buckle up. Deputy sheriffs, police officers, and Louisiana State Police will be patrolling roads and highways across Louisiana and giving tickets to drivers and passengers who are not wearing seat belts.

Every person traveling in a motor vehicle –– including those in a back seat –– must be properly restrained by a seat belt or a child safety seat, according to Louisiana law. A first-offense citation costs $50, and subsequent offenses are $75.

“Louisiana is at an all-time high seat belt usage rate of 88.4%,” LHSC Executive Director Lisa Freeman said, referring to the 2024 Louisiana seat belt observational survey results. “That also means that almost 12% of the people in our state still refuse to buckle up, so we have to work harder to reach those people.”

Wearing a seat belt is the best action drivers and passengers can take to protect themselves from serious injury or death in a motor vehicle crash. In 2023, at least 56.5% of drivers and passengers who died in motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana were not properly using a seat belt or child safety seat, according to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU.

“Since 2019, 54 people in Louisiana have died in crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday,” Freeman said. “While we cannot know with certainty if any of them would be with us this Thanksgiving had they worn their seat belts, we do know the odds would have been in their favor.”

In 2023, 454 people were injured on Louisiana roads during the Thanksgiving holiday period, according to CARTS. Some of those people may have escaped with less serious injuries or no injuries if they had worn a seat belt, Freeman said.

“Once you get in the habit of always using your seat belt, it becomes automatic,” Freeman said. “Our hope is that Click It or Ticket is the start of a great habit for the 12% of unbuckled drivers and passengers.”

SHREVEPORT — The Louisiana Christian University men’s basketball team finally found itself on the right side of a one-possession nailbiter and could hardly have chosen a better time to do it.

Drew Tebbe was a perfect 6-for-6 at the free throw line in the final minute, including two with four seconds remaining that made the difference in the Wildcats’ 77-76 victory over 14^th-ranked LSUS.

It was LCU’s first victory over a top-15 ranked opponent since March 14, 2021 (a win over No. 10 Mary Hardin-Baylor) and was the Wildcats’ first win over the perennial NAIA playoff fixture Pilots in 28 years (since Dec. 7, 1996).

Tebbe was constantly receiving praise from the LSUS broadcaster for making “savvy point guard moves” all night long, leading all Wildcats scorers with 16 points. The O’Fallon, Illinois native put together a team-best five assists in addition to three boards and a steal, going 4-for-6 from the field, 2-of-4 from long-range, and a perfect 6-for-6 at the line.

Jon’Quarius McGhee helped the visitors rack up a superb +21 (44-23) rebounding margin by pulling down a career-most eight rebounds.

Devin Carter reappeared following a three-game hiatus, scoring 15 points plus a steal and three boards.

The Wildcats rose to 3-5 overall, 2-3 in the Red River Athletic Conference. LSUS dipped to 4-4 overall, 1-3 in the league.

Coach Reni Mason’s team prevailed in his hometown. Now, the men from “The Hill” go for back-to-back ranked road victories over LSU-affiliated schools on Monday evening against the sixth-ranked LSU Alexandria Generals at 7:30 p.m. at The Fort north of Lecompte.

In other RRAC action Thursday, the LSUS women rolled 100-60 over LCU, while the Xavier Gold Nuggets swept a conference doubleheader from visiting LSUA.

The LSUA men (6-1, 3-1 RRAC) lost for the first time in seven games, falling 89-72.

The LSUA women (6-2, 3-1 RRAC) were edged 85-80.

I have hunted squirrels for over half a century and over those scores of seasons, I can probably count on one hand the times I’ve brought home a limit. Frankly, I don’t remember the last time I did. I’ve hunted squirrels a long time and have taken my share to the point that bagging a limit would be nice but not necessary. I just enjoy the experience. Period.

I found something I had written 20 or so years ago about one Saturday when squirrel season began under less than ideal conditions. The thermometer read 70 degrees before dawn when I left home for the camp. Crawling in my truck for the drive to the spot I’d chosen to hunt, my windshield wipers slapped away a light but steady rain. Warm weather coupled with rain does not bode well for successful squirrel hunting. Oh, one other thing; when I checked in my hunting vest at the camp, I found I had only 10 shotgun shells. 

Feeling I was working under a handicap, I resolved to just enjoy the hunt but to do something my dad had drilled me on as a young hunter. “Make every shot count,” he had told me time and time again. My goal was to use my ammo supply conservatively; one shot; one squirrel.

The soft rain turned out to be a blessing. It stopped after an hour, just long enough to soften the leaves on the ground, making it easy to stalk. Around 7 o’clock that morning, the first squirrel stopped long enough for me to drop him. One shot; one squirrel; nine shotgun shells left.

Twenty minutes later, the second squirrel was cooling in my hunting vest; two shots; two squirrels; eight shells left. By the time I’d reached the end of the woods I’d planned to hunt, I had bagged two more, each with one shot. That was four-for-four and I was feeling good. Had I not seen another squirrel, this would have been a successful hunt.

On my return trip to the truck, I made a loop so as not to cover the same ground I’d just hunted. I’d moved 50 yards or so when I saw a squirrel move in a beech. As I began stalking the squirrel, I saw another in the beech; then another and incredibly, another. Four squirrels were whacking away at beech mast in the same tree. 

I did a quick bit of ciphering. I had four squirrels in the bag. Up there in that beech was the rest of my limit. Truth to tell, I got a little excited at the prospects. One of the squirrels presented himself and BOOM…he was on the ground. There went another one and…BOOM, he tumbled out. Then the third squirrel ran up a limb and stopped, offering me a clean shot. BOOM, and he’s down.

Now, I’m really excited. I have pulled the trigger seven times and had seven in the bag and there’s number eight up there overhead. My dad would have been proud.

Standing quietly for a few minutes, I watched as my “limit” squirrel resumed feeding. What are my chances of this, I ponder? I’m on the verge of bagging a limit of eight squirrels with eight shots.

It was something like a major league pitcher working on a perfect game. He’s down to the bottom of the ninth; two out. Here’s the wind-up; the pitch…and the batter bloops a single into left field. Game won but perfect game spoiled.

I rushed the shot and the squirrel scampered away. Dang! I sat awhile, pondering what almost was, concluding that it had been a fine hunt anyhow and I would be content to drive into camp with seven squirrels.

I could see my truck 100 yards away, and would you believe it…one more squirrel decided to make a move and I rolled him. That’s my limit of eight squirrels with nine shots. Not a perfect performance but I felt good, sensing that somewhere up there, my old dad was smiling. 

“Way to go son,” I imagined him saying. “Not perfect…but not bad.”

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

 Arrests are accusations not convictions. 

November 25

Sundrea Campbell, 27, Pineville  — domestic abuse battery serious injury, escape, $26,000 bail;

Tiffani Smith, 27, Alexandria — cruelty to juveniles 2nd degree, battery on officer, $50,500 bail. 

This date: 20 arrests, 14 including one or more contempt counts and 15 with at least one prior.