As 2024 comes to a close, we’re taking another holiday break, and there will be no Rapides Parish Journal on New Year’s Day.

We’ll start our round of 2025 editions Thursday morning, bringing you locally-based content free of charge, without annoying pop-ups or log-ins, in a 6:55 a.m. e-mail on weekdays to subscribers (no charge!).

You can also find our content on our webpage (RapidesParishJournal.com) or the Rapides Parish Journal Facebook page – easy to access, free to all.

We hope you have a great New Year’s Eve and a wonderful start to 2025.

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Crystal balls are in short supply and Carnack is long since gone, yet we can foresee some events to be alert for in near future:

School Board, Alexandria City Council and Police Jury elect officers in January; Possible GAEDA commissioners appointments with City.

Council membership change, possible resolution to executive director question; Further shakeup in Crimestoppers of Cenla hierarchy in wake of civil action by Kenneth Paul; Status report by CLECO on Diamond Vault, its proposed carbon recovery project. Fish or cut bait?

Wrap up of Police Jury-Jay Scott civil action; Same regarding several-years-old civil action over City Council budget authority; Decision on who will manage Head Start – School Board or another entity?; Another try for Huffman Creek pumping station upgrade in Pineville – city will put up more and seek more from state.

In this Christmas season of snacks – and, yes Christmas isn’t over (this is the seventh of the 12 days of Christmas) – here are some snacks to munch on:

The night of Dec. 26 was a scary one, with at least two tornado warning alarms blaring from our phones. We retreated to the hall as recommended, and I sat watching the tornado coverage by meteorologist Jake Lambright on KALB-TV’s Facebook page.

Jake, a recent graduate of UL-Monroe, is in his rookie season, having just joined KALB in May, but he did a credible job keeping everyone informed with minute-by-minute coverage. He was on top of the facts and kept his cool in trying circumstances. Although he had some rough efforts in his early months on the job, he showed that night he ranks among the better meteorologists KALB has had. Longtime veteran Tom Konvicka, who left the station in 2021, is the dean of that list, and Nick Mikulas, another veteran who owns Cenla Weather, is another go-to guy for many local weather watchers. Some other notables in that position were Adeleigh Rowe, who for three years has been a meteorologist at Fox 7 in Austin, Texas; and Rachel Penton Gauthier, who left in March and is now a meteorologist and “science content creator” at Anchorage, Alaska.

Providentially, the storm wasn’t as bad as some in the past in Cenla. Curiously, we have a bit of history of tornados in December. There was a Christmas Day tornado in 2012 and a major one on Dec. 16, 2019.

Something that struck me (no pun intended) during the stormy time Thursday night were the Facebook comments during Lambright’s broadcast. I saw the scrolling list of names of several people I know who were watching, listening and probably worrying or praying at the same time. There was a sense of community in the crisis.

Some provided their own updates, the best of which might’ve been that a horse had broken free from its stable in the storm and was running on MacArthur Drive. I’d love to hear the story of the cop who pulled over the horse to issue a citation, if for nothing else than for not wearing a seatbelt. …

***

The Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) and their sketchy defense and offensive line may have a 0.6 percent chance of winning the Super Bowl, but they still have a slim chance of making the playoffs after their heart-stopping 30-24 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos Saturday night. There was a magnificent performance by LSU’s 2019 Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow.

“I don’t know that anybody can stand on the field and watch Joe Burrow and say he’s not the best player in the world,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said after Saturday’s victory, when Burrow passed for 412 yards and three touchdowns.

“The clearest thing I can say is, I would not trade Joe Burrow for any player in the universe.” …

***

The Saints (5-11) are reminiscent of the pre-Jim Mora/Jim Finks Saints who never had a winning season, causing my grandfather to often say, “Don’t root for the Saints; they’ll break your heart every time.” Granted, nearly every key starter has been injured, and they were already eliminated from the playoffs going into Sunday’s game, but only three other NFC teams have worse records. Even the Cowboys (7-9) have a better record.

The Saints have not made the playoffs since quarterback Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season, and their record since is 30-36. On Sunday, they were whipped, 25-10, at home by an AFC Las Vegas Raiders team that entered the game with just three victories. This hugely disappointing Saints season oddly enough started with consecutive victories during which they were the hottest team in the NFL.

Saints owner Gayle Benson, I believe, is going to … if not “clean house,” arrange for a scrubbing like the team hasn’t seen since 2006. 

Interim coach Darren Rizzi may have given a hint of potential change when he said after Sunday’s game that after the season, “The powers to be (not the powers that be) will evaluate the whole thing, and we will go from there.”  

The National Weather Service offices in both Shreveport and Lake Charles confirmed a total of three tornado touchdowns in central Louisiana from the Dec. 26 storms. One touched down in Vernon Parish, one in Sabine Parish, and one in Rapides Parish

NWS in Lake Charles concluded their storm survey in Rapides Parish with confirmation that an EF-1 tornado touched down during the storms on the night of Dec. 26. During its 4-minute time on the ground, the tornado traveled approximately 1.93 miles. The tornado achieved a width of 150 yards and produced at its peak wind speeds of 100 mph. No injuries or fatalities were reported in connection to this tornado.

Additional details from NWS Lake Charles’ Report noted tree and power line damage across Highway 465. Several trees were damaged as was a frame home. One outbuilding/shed was completely destroyed. The tornado strengthened once in entered this area. The tornado’s debris signature was associated with this path. The tornado crossed Cutts Road and damaged many more trees. 

The Rapides Parish Police Jury announced Monday that all roads previously closed due to inclement weather and high water have reopened. The only road remaining closed, due to high water, at this time is Old Beaubouef. No indication was given of when RPPJ thought Old Beaubouef might reopen. 

The Alexandria Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing person, 25-year-old Shane Johnson.  Johnson is described as a white male 5’10”, 180 lbs.  Johnson was last seen in the 1000 block of MacArthur Drive on Oct. 26.

The Pineville Police Department is searching for Johnson as well, but for different reasons. Pineville PD has an arrest warrant for Johnson related to damage Johnson is alleged to have committed at Pineville High School on Oct. 26. 

Pineville police said Johnson should be considered armed and dangerous.

This is currently an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area should contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559. Contact may also be made via email at APDDetectives@cityofalex.com.

My material grandparents were both born in the 19th century. They lived long enough that I knew them. I was particularly fond of my grandmother. Their house had a huge front porch with a swing and rocking chairs. After lunch we would all go out to the front porch. I asked my grandmother once, “What are we doing?”

She said, “We are watching the world go by.”

After we watched the passing world we were required to go inside and “be still.” Looking back, I understand that was grandparent for “we are napping, you kids don’t bother us.” Forced stillness is tough on a six-year-old. But even at that I have memories. When I was still, I would imagine what the people in that painting were doing.

That painting depicted a bearded man sitting with his wife and two children. My mother inherited the painting from her mother. When my mother died, I took the painting of the bearded man and his family. As a child, I had a vague notion that those people were family. When we cleaned out mom’s house, seeing that painting again after so many years brought back strangely comforting feelings. My siblings had no such affinity for the painting. I took it home.

We live in a world of reciprocal relationships. We say it like this, “what goes around comes around.” Don’t admit this to anyone, but you know that in your heart what you have received in life is what you have planted. This can be a hard truth to swallow in places. And it will break down at times because of evil and human sinfulness. With those caveats, it seems to be true. If you want to change your luck, then change your behavior. If you want to have more friends, be friendlier. If you want financial peace become generous. You get the idea; you have heard it enough in sermons!

Now back to my grandmother’s painting. Since I have inherited it, I have wondered about the identity of those people. Why did this painting pull at my heart?

The other day I was trolling the family tree on ancestry. I was working through the material side of the family. I was tracing my great grandmother who died soon after giving birth to my grandmother’s twin brothers. Her father, my second great grandfather, was Rev. Daniel Shephard Campbell from Kentucky. Attached to his information was a painting showing Rev. Campbell, his wife, and at least two of his ten children. One of the girls he named Katie Marvin Campbell. She was my great grandmother. My mother was named Katie Marvin. One of the girls in the painting was my great grandmother, Katie Marvin.

Interesting things about families, things go around in circles. I sat for several moments and stared at the picture on the Internet of Rev. Campbell and his family. It was the same one that hung on my grandmother’s wall. The same painting I inherited from my mother. It was the painting I looked at for hours while “being still.” It was a painting of my second great grandfather, Rev. Daniel Shephard Campbell a Methodist preacher.

Not only do families have these connections and repeated patterns. They are a part of daily life. You cannot escape connection. We were created to be connected. We were created to be dependent if you want a stronger image. In the New Year, could we all depend on each other a little bit more and be more dependable for others?

One of the truths of a reciprocal life is that we are in danger when we decide to divide our lives into those things we can do ourselves and those things that requires God’s help. When we live depending on God’s presence in our lives, we become dependable people of faith and action. It is all about “what goes around comes around.”

That truth will either cause you to be grateful or to duck!

As the clock winds down on 2024, people across the globe prepare to usher in a new year with joy, reflection, and hope. New Year’s Eve is a night of celebration, marked by centuries-old traditions and contemporary festivities that unite communities and cultures in a shared moment of anticipation.

The history of New Year’s Eve dates back to ancient times when the Babylonians celebrated their new year with an 11-day festival in spring. The Romans later shifted the celebration to January 1, following the introduction of the Julian calendar. Today, the countdown to midnight remains a universal symbol of transition and renewal.

Modern celebrations vary widely. In Times Square, New York City, the famous ball drop attracts millions of viewers, a tradition that began in 1907. In Sydney, Australia, dazzling fireworks light up the harbor, while in Spain, revelers eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight for good luck. Japan rings in the New Year with the ringing of bells at temples, symbolizing purification and a fresh start.

Closer to home, families and friends gather for house parties, dining on festive dishes like black-eyed peas for prosperity and champagne toasts for celebration. Whether you’re attending a glamorous gala or enjoying a quiet evening with loved ones, New Year’s Eve offers a chance to reflect on the past year’s achievements and set intentions for the year ahead.

By JIM BUTLER

Rich Dupree’s labefaction and the shuffling of official Pineville was the top parish story of 2024.

The road to the mayor’s resignation in October began earlier when, he subsequently revealed, he dallied with a then-city employee. His chief of staff at the time also had an involvement with the woman.

When she took a complaint to the EEOC and it was leaked to the media in late August an outcry ensued.

By November Dupree was gone and then- parish president Joe Bishop appointed by the City Council to succeed in the mayor’s post.

Bishop’s sister, Mary Galloway, resigned her Council seat before the mayoral appointment. And her successor was appointed afterward.

The police chief retired, then was hired as Bishop’s chief of staff, and a new police chief named.

The political and personnel developments overshadowed a year of continuing growth in the city. Annexations were made and new businesses opened.

The Journal’s remaining Top 10 list:

2. Young guns— Young adult males using illegal firearms continued to plague the parish, with the urban area drawing the most attention.
   Killings or attempted killings, from drive-bys to drug deals, took place from January 1 through December.

3. GAEDA— The Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority came to general public awareness in February with disputed replacement of two members by the City Council.
   It remained there through early Fall when the administration seems to have weaved a loosely fitting coat of conciliation for the opposing factions. Whether that coat survives Winter is an open question.

4. Darnell Robinson— A majority of the Louisiana Supreme Court reversed an earlier ruling and reestablished the death penalty for Robinson, convicted of killing four Poland community residents in 1996.

DA Phillip Terrell said the parish will move with deliberate steps to effect the execution.

5. Renaissance— An eight-parish organization applied for about $40 million in state funds to expand the juvenile detention facility by more than 50 beds.
   Rapides voters, meanwhile, approved renewal of the facility maintenance and operating tax. In 2023, voters had said no to the renewal and to addition of millage to finance expansion.

6. Alexandria reapportionment— The City Council reapportioned its earlier reapportioned election districts to correct what one member called illogically drawn lines in some districts.

7. School Board— Initially reluctant, the board, after restructuring by the administration, voted to seek renewal of the parish’s sponsorship of Head Start.
   About $70 million into the $100 million program, board members fired the District 62 bond construction management company.

8. Decorum— The School Board and the Alexandria City Council adopted new, in some cases more restrictive, rules for speaking at their meetings and the Police Jury dealt with speech of a different kind. 

The Council’s sessions were turning into behavioral sideshows when matters came to a head after police were called on to clear the meeting room at one session. 

Rules allowing input without insurrection have made meetings of late less contentious. 

School Board members implemented tighter limits on member speaking time, rules aimed at keeping dialogue on subject. 

The Police Jury ended up in court over its effort to impose civility between all members and from all members toward staff.

9. Ambulance service— An advisory committee created by the jury recommended the parish continue having a sole ambulance service provider.
10. LSU Alexandria— An enrollment surge continued at the university as construction of facilities to accommodate the growing institution progressed. 

Reaching the eighth and likely last decennial observation of my birth I, unlike Derrick Dove, have no trouble pinpointing when I got old.

To answer his question, time didn’t speed up, I slowed down.

And the foot came off the accelerator seemingly overnight, suddenly realizing:

Could no longer play catch, much less chase, with the great-greats; Staying in bed was more appealing than waking for a fishing or hunting adventure; Men, and women, were pausing to let me pass; All the lyrics I know are from songs played at 45 rpm; Prefer bound books to digitized ones; Was actually watching some of HGTV; Prefer TV sports to stadium seat; Am only one writing check at supermarket.

When, indeed, did everything change?

By JIM BUTLER

The newest members of the Bolton High Hall of Fame will be inducted at an April 25 function.

The quartet are the second group of inductees selected by the Bolton High School Alumni Association from nominations submitted by the general public.

Inductees are:

Scott O. Brame, longtime Cleco president and philanthropist; W.E. “Ted” Pate, legendary principal active in community affairs; Robert G. “Red” Ryder, captain 1969 LSU football, banking and investments executive; Foster Walker III, automotive company executive, civic and philanthropic contributor; James “Jeems” White III MD, nationally recognized ENT specialist, active in community education and youth programs, Louisiana State Medical Society Hall of Fame member.

The installation banquet will be at the Lagniappe Event Center on Coliseum Boulevard, social at 6 p.m., dinner and program 7:30.

Reserved tables seating eight are available as are individual tickets. They can be purchased at boltonalumni.org.

On Saturday, April 26, guided tours of the school will be conducted beginning at 10 a.m.

Information regarding the HOF  nomination/selection process is available on the website.

RPPJ reported that crews are out removing fallen trees. They are working on dead end roads first. Some have power lines in them, and Cleco has to assist in getting them safely accessible. Please stay off roadways if possible. There is still flooding in low lying areas. Many roads are closed due to flooding. Stay safe!

The best offensive and defensive players from Class 5A high schools faced each other in a state championship game, with Edna Karr defensive lineman Corey Adams celebrating with teammates after defeating an Alexandria Senior High team led by running back JT  Lindsey in the LHSAA’s Division I Select final earlier this month.

Another state final included the state’s top 5A coach, as selected by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association: David Simoneaux of Division I Non-Select champion Central. A panel of sportswriters from across the state selected the team.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Lindsey was picked as the LSWA 5A Outstanding Offensive Player after compiling 2,476 yards and 33 touchdowns on 324 carries. He also had 18 receptions for 248 yards and three TDs. The LSU signee ran for 100 yards in 13 of the 14 games, coming up two yards short in the one other game. He topped 200 yards six times.

Joining him on the All-State first team was his junior ASH teammate, linebacker Xzavier White. They were the offensive and defensive MVPs on the Rapides Parish Journal’s All-Parish Team announced Friday. White, the Trojans’ middle linebacker, piled up an astonishing 188 tackles with 15 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and 13 QB hurries. 

Two Trojans were honorable mention All-State, Jakobi Morris and Darius Washington. Morris, the right guard for ASH, was a powerful run blocker for Lindsey and was selected to the All-Parish and District 2-5A all-district first teams. Washington was the Trojans’ leading receiver with 59 receptions for 826 yards and 14 touchdowns, and was also All-Parish.

ASH played at the Caesars Superdome for the first time in an LHSAA title game. The Trojans previously advanced to the Prep Classic and lost on a failed two-point conversion to Acadiana when it was played at Northwestern in Natchitoches in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic.

Adams, voted the Outstanding Defensive Player for the 5A team, completed his senior season with 47 solo tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 20 quarterback hurries, one interception, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Undefeated Karr won the Catholic League for the third year in a row, and District 9-5A coaches selected the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Adams as the district defensive MVP.

His efforts helped Karr win its first state championship since 2019 and its seventh overall, as Karr overwhelmed ASH 53-8 in the LHSAA Division I select final.

Simoneaux coached Central to its first football state championship in 58 years. The Wildcats dominated Ruston 42-0 in the final. The title was Simoneaux’s second. He coached Catholic-Baton Rouge to a Division I select title in 2021. He also previously coached Catholic-Pointe Coupee to a title game in 2019.

 LSWA CLASS 5A ALL-STATE CHART

OFFENSE

Position, player, school, ht., wt., cl.

WR Kenny Darby, Airline, 6-1, 175, Jr.

WR TaRon Francis, Edna Karr, 6-1, 205, Sr.

TE Ahmad Hudson, Ruston, 6-7, 230, So.

OL Ervin Smith, Catholic-BR, 6-2, 285, Sr.

OL Lionel Prudhomme, Captain Shreve, 6-3, 295, Sr.

OL O’Ryan Mosely, Terrebonne, 6-3, 295, Jr.

OL Sam Nations, Ruston, 6-2, 287, Sr.

OL Leon Noil, Edna Karr, 6-4, 275, Jr.

QB Ben Taylor, Airline, 6-1, 185, Sr.

RB JT Lindsey, Alexandria, 5-11, 185, Sr.

RB Nate Sheppard, Mandeville, 5-10, 190, Sr.

RB Jamarcea Plater, Captain Shreve, 5-9, 180, Jr.

PK Asher Murray, C.E. Byrd, 5-11, 160, Jr.

ATH Peyton Houston, Evangel Christian, 5-11, 185, So.

DEFENSE

Position, player, school, ht., wt., cl.

DL Corey Adams, Edna Karr, 6-4, 250, Sr.

DL Richard Anderson, Edna Karr, 6-4, 320, Jr.

DL DK Mays, Central6-5, 255, Sr.

DL Dylan Berymon, Ouachita, 6-3, 305, Jr.

LB KD Mays, Central, 6-0, 195, Sr.

LB Zheric Hill, Ruston, 6-0, 220, Sr.

LB Xzavier White, Alexandria, 6-1, 220, Jr.

LB Damari Drake, Evangel, 6-0, 215, Sr.

DB Jayden Reed, Neville, 5-11, 175, Jr.

DB Aidan Anding, Ruston, 6-0, 170, Jr.

DB Jacob Bradford, Catholic-Baton Rouge, 5-11, 190, Sr.

DB Aiden Hall, Edna Karr, 6-2, 185, Jr.

P Creighton Wilbanks, Mandeville, 5-10, 170, Sr.

ATH Keeman Thibodeaux, Acadiana, 5-9, 175, Sr.

RS Ja’den Williams, Chalmette, 5-9, 160, Sr.

OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: JT Lindsey, Alexandria

OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Corey Adams, Karr

COACH OF THE YEAR: David Simoneaux, Central 

Honorable mention

Eric Anderson, Chalmette; Cole Austin, Benton; Chantz Babineaux, Carencro; Russel Babineaux, Acadiana; Drew Bailey, Sam Houston; Ayden Baker, Airline; Juelz Baptiste, St. Augustine; Payton Bell, Ruston; Taden Bingham, Terrebonne; Brayden Blade, Neville; Arsenio Bolds, Edna Karr; Chris Bourg, Jesuit; Blaine Bradford, Catholic-BR; Jiwaun Brock, Covington; Joshua Brown, Holy Cross; Xavier Brown, John Curtis; Julian Burns, Neville; Thomas Campbell, Neville; Alvin Celestin, Terrebonne; Wydell Clark, Ouachita; Derrick Collins, Southside; Darell Cottonham, C.E. Byrd; Jeffrey Curtis, John Curtis; Malachi Dabney, Destrehan; Jarvis Davis, Airline; Trez Davis, West Monroe; Caden DiBetta, Acadiana; Nick DiGerolamo, Holy Cross; CJ Dudley, Parkway; Kaleb Duncan, Evangel; Luke Dutil, Southside; Jack Elliot, Ruston; Zyron Forstall, Jesuit; Jax Gallier, Parkway; Ty George, West Monroe; Rida Ghazzali, Riverdale; Myd Gilbert, Destrehan; Syre Gilmore, St. Augustine; Jaxson Granier, Thibodaux; Sam Greer, C.E. Byrd; Jordan Hayes, Ruston; Caden Heck, Covington; Royuan Jackson, Huntington; Jacob Jeffrey, Hahnville; Lester Johnson, Rummel; Cayden Jones, Walker; John Johnson, Edna Karr; Jamard Jones, Rummel; Bennan Keim, St. Paul’s; Dan Lane, West Monroe; Luke Leger, Barbe; Jabari Mack, Destrehan; Nate Malek, Brother Martin; Carmaro Mayo, Parkway; Darryus McKinley, Acadiana; Zaccheaus McNabb, Central Lafourche; Noel Mora, Holy Cross; Jakobi Morris, Alexandria; Malik Myles, H.L. Bourgeois; Jaylon Nichols, Neville; Drew Poche, East Jefferson; Dylan Post, St. Paul’s; Steven Ranel, Central; Chase Ravain, St. Paul’s; Tyler Roark, West Monroe; Warren Roberts, St. Augustine; Easton Royal, Brother Martin; Cam Riley, Neville; Davekio Ruffin, Zachary; Braxton Scriber, Acadiana; Ramon Singleton, Southside; Calvin Smith, Hahnville; Daejawn Smith, Edna Karr; Drew Talley, St. Paul’s; Norman Taylor, Rummel; Keeman Thibodeaux, Acadiana; Parker Todd, West Monroe; JQ Turner, West Monroe; Witten Van Hoy, Benton; Thomas Vaughn, Warren Easton; Brennan Villa, St. Paul’s; Darius Washington, Alexandria; Jamarion Washington, Huntington; Jadon Weber, Brother Martin; Tyler Welch, Huntington; Zane Wyss, Captain Shreve.

Eighth Rapides Parish football players received honorable mention recognition on the 2024 Class All-State teams for Classes 4A, 3A and 2A, chosen by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.

Recognized on the 4A honorable mention list were Tioga’s Travis Adams and Jayden Hagger, along with TJ Hullaby and Jordan Veal of Peabody.

Three Buckeye standouts received 3A honorable mention: Haidyn Boone, Jim Burlew and Ryan Desselle.

On the Class 2A honorable mention list was Menard’s Sam Brocato.

No locals were picked for the first team in those classifications. The Class 5A team will be announced over the weekend and is expected to include some Alexandria Senior High stars.

An LSWA committee of 12 high school sports journalists selected the all-state rosters.

Since the end of November and throughout December, the City of Alexandria has reported on several successful Fight the Blight projects. The City asserts that each cleared site marks steady progress toward a safer, improved community. 

Recent sites of Fight the Blight project completions include:

• 1210 Broadway Ave.
• 208 Chester A & B
• 3948 Clark St.
• 3508 Hollywood
• 2737 Houston St.