Matthew Waggoner, a 21-year-old fireman for the Bossier City Fire Department, lives in Haughton but his eyes are on a particular plot of ground in neighboring Claiborne Parish. Waggoner and his family lease a tract of land south of Homer and one particular buck captured his attention.

“Last year,” Waggoner said, “we had this big buck on camera and everybody in our group had him in our sights. He was a big 8-point last year but although we had numerous photos of him, they were always at night.

“This season, things changed a bit when he started showing up during daylight hours. I believe it was because he was zeroing in on his home range which was smaller. Maybe as he got older, he had found a spot where he preferred hanging out and I started seriously concentrating on and patterning him with the hope that I might be the fortunate one to actually down this big buck which had improved significantly since last year.

“Several times,” he added, “I would be at work and would be frustrated when he showed up on my camera standing in front of my stand and there wasn’t a thing I could do but wish I was on my stand instead of being at work.”

Waggoner hunts out of a box stand that overlooks a shooting lane in front with an area that had been clear cut next to the lane, an area that had grown up into this brush and briars. Waggoner believed that this is where the buck would lay up during the day and only come out for food and water late in the day.

“I hunted this buck from my stand for 26 days and never laid eyes on him until Day 27. I would see plenty of bucks I could have taken but I didn’t want to waste a buck tag on one, only to have the big one step out the day I had killed a smaller buck and you can’t take but one buck per day, so I just waited for a chance at him,” he said.

There was something Waggoner had noted as he sat on his stand and that just about every day he hunted, a doe and yearling would come out and that night after he had left the stand, the big one would show up on camera.

“I got on my stand Friday, January 3 around 4 o’clock on the 27^th day I had hunted the buck. This day, however, the doe and yearling didn’t show up like they always had and I had this hopeful feeling that since they didn’t come out, maybe he would,” Waggoner said.

Sure enough, about 10 minutes before end of shooting time, Waggoner’s heart began pounding when he looked up and saw his target buck come out of the clear cut and step on the lane at 60 yards.

“I already had my gun on the window – I shoot at Remington 700 30.06 – I got on him and hit the trigger and he dropped but then got up and ran about 30 yards where I heard him crash. I immediately started calling my dad and several others that were hunting, walked out to the road to meet them and we piled into two pick-ups and drove to where the buck was last heard, finding him piled up,” Waggoner said.

The buck was indeed impressive sporting a symmetrical rack of 10 points with an inside spread of 18 ¼ inches with the G3 measuring over 13 inches. The buck weighed in at 225 pounds and was aged at 5 ½ years old. Putting the tape on the rack, it came to 167 5/8 inches of antler mass.

One has to admire the patience of Waggoner, who hunted the buck 27 times before finally laying claim to his trophy.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@aol.com

All arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Jan. 7

Arcenio Ramon Bowie, 35, Lecompte – second degree murder, attempted second degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, $1.6 million bail;

Hanner H. Jeansonne, 51, Alexandria — theft of a motor vehicle, $1,000 bail.

Jan. 6

Jawaun Oshay Ellis, 23, Alexandria – produced/manufactured/distributed less than 2.5 pounds of marijuana or chemical derivative, illegal carry of firearm with drugs, contempt of court, $75,000 bail;

Dan Henry Gray Jr., 49, Alexandria – aggravated battery of a police officer, contempt of court, $7,500 bail;

Ti’Jeanae Bricole Harris, 29, Pineville – five counts of theft, $2,000 bail;

Zachary Hart, 23, Alexandria — produced/manufactured/distributed less than 2.5 pounds of marijuana or chemical derivative, $25,000 bail;

Jorion Dwann Henderson, 27, Alexandria — produced/manufactured/distributed less than 2.5 pounds of marijuana or chemical derivative, possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, $8,100 bail;

Brian M. Johnson Sr., 43, Alexandria – cruelty to juveniles eight years and under, two counts contempt of court, $9,000 bail;

Jordan Nathanial Johnson, 24, Pineville — produced/manufactured/distributed less than 2.5 pounds of marijuana or chemical derivative, illegal carrying of firearm with drugs, probation violation, $75,000 bail;

Michael J. Lacoste, 70, Boyce – unauthorized entry of dwelling, theft of more than $1,000, five counts of contempt of court, $11,500 bail;

Jerry Lawis Taylor, 45, Alexandria – OWI third offense, resisting an officer, flight from an officer, illegal carry of weapons in use of violent crime first offense, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of controlled dangerous substance schedule one, possession of controlled dangerous substance schedule two, three counts of speeding, reckless operation of a vehicle, driving under suspension/revocation, running a yellow light, improper driving on left, wrong way on one street, $135,700 bail.

Jan. 5

Alexis Bueno Cortes, 31, Opelika, Ala. – criminal damage to property between $1,000 and $50,000, $500 bail;

Jessica Lynn Phillips, 41, Pineville – possession of controlled dangerous substance schedule two, obstruction of justice evidence tampering, contraband taking to and from penal institutions, four counts of contempt of court, $16,000 bail;

Jamie Dewayne Troquille, 39, Marksville – battery on a police officer, two counts of contempt of court, $81,000 bail;

Donald Alzea Williams Jr., 35, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, domestic abuse battery with child present, flight from an officer, seven counts of contempt of court, $132,000 bail;

Kenneth Lee Williams Jr., 45, Duson – legend drug possession sale or distribution without a prescription, two counts of contempt of court, $20,500 bail.

At the Rapides Parish School Board meeting Tuesday, Jan. 7, outstanding students were recognized for their recent accomplishments. 

At yesterday’s Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) meeting, five Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) employees were recognized for their commitment to managing, protecting, and conserving Louisiana’s abundant natural resources.

“It is my pleasure to highlight the work that these employees have done and their commitment to move the department forward as a modern and professional service organization,” said Madison Sheahan, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. “These employees have exceeded my expectations of moving our agency forward on behalf of the sportsmen of our state.”

The 2024 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries employees of the year and their accomplishments are listed below.

John Hanks: Wildlife Biologist of the Year
Large Carnivore Program Manager, Office of Wildlife
John has been employed with LDWF for 23 years and got his start as an entry level Biologist working on Wildlife Management Areas and in the Private Lands Program. Throughout his career, John gained considerable field experience with black bears, Chronic Wasting Disease sampling in cervids, waterfowl management, and assisting private landowners to maximize wildlife. John has worked his whole career out of the Monroe office, the area with the densest population of Louisiana Black Bears in the state. As a result, John gained considerable experience in black bears and was promoted to Large Carnivore Program Manager to oversee LDWF’s Black Bear Program. His great work in promoting living with the Louisiana Black Bear, handling nuisance bears, capturing and marking bears, and other important research needed to manage black bear populations effectively has been crucial to the success of our Black Bear Program and is a testament to the overwhelming success of the historic 2024 Louisiana Black Bear hunting season. John’s passion for wildlife and the outdoors is evident in all he does, and his continued work in wildlife conservation has served to strengthen our Sportsman’s Paradise.

David Hayden: Administrative Employee of the Year
Biologist Program Manager, Office of Wildlife
In January 2003, David joined LDWF as a Region Biologist in Pineville, assisting in wildlife and habitat management on private lands, WMAs, and Catahoula Lake. Since then, he has been promoted to biologist supervisor in the private land section and is now the Biologist Program Manager for Habitat Stewardship Operations in West Louisiana. In this role, David administers the Private Lands and WMA Programs in the Minden, Pineville, and Lake Charles Field Offices, which encompass 23 parishes and 18 wildlife management areas. David serves as the point of contact for the Pineville field office construction which successfully opened its new office this year, and ran the first successful lottery hunt draw for the 2024 black bear season. He also serves as the LDWF Wildlife Division Strategic Priority Lead for Digital Platforms, External R3, and Modern Data Management, as well as the point of contact for state and federal counterparts such as Kisatchie National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management, Red River Waterway Commission, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife.

Lakeesha Miles: Operations Employee of the Year
Account Manager, Office of Management and Finance
Lakeesha Miles has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and expertise in her role as Accountant Manager, overseeing Accounts Payable, Revenue, and Budget. Over the past year, she has successfully led several high-profile projects, including the preparation of indirect cost presentations, fiscal cliff data collection, and an extensive review of Office of Technology Services billing. In addition to managing financial operations and guiding her team, Lakeesha has collaborated closely with program staff and other state agencies to prepare accurate projections, financial statements, and the annual budget. Her efforts have enhanced the efficiency of the Office of Management and Finance and fostered a culture of teamwork and continuous improvement. Lakeesha’s dedication, vision, and passion for developing her team make her an invaluable asset to the organization.

Corporal Tib Guillory: Enforcement Agent of the Year
Corporal, LDWF Enforcement Division
Corporal Tib Guillory has been employed with the department for eight years. He graduated from Academy 30 and is assigned to Evangeline Parish. On July 30, 2019, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. During his time with the enforcement division, Corporal Guillory successfully conducted high-quality investigations and handled the cases that resulted. Corporal Guillory’s caseload activity covers Region 5 and readily assists with coverage in the region’s coastal districts. He has issued 70 violations for the year (50 Criminal and 20 Warnings) and has been on 24 other cases where he assisted other agents. In a recent incident on the Atchafalaya River, Corporal Guillory and another LDWF enforcement agent were involved in a successful search and rescue operation following a capsized vessel, which left two individuals stranded in the water. A witness on the riverbank reported that two men were clinging to a piece of floating plywood. Despite being off duty and engaged in fishing activity, Corporal Guillory promptly responded upon learning about the distressing situation, arriving at the scene at the same time as the other agent. Corporal Guillory’s swift and decisive actions, which were instrumental in the successful rescue mission, played a pivotal role in the positive outcome of this critical operation. Corporal Guillory was recently nominated as the 2024 LDWF SEAFWA Officer of the Year. With all his contributions, we proudly recognize Corporal Tib Guillory as the 2024 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division Agent of the year.

Jason Adriance: Fisheries Biologist of the Year
Biologist Program Manager, Office of Fisheries
Jason joined LDWF in 2002 as a Biologist in the Coastal Study Area 3 office when it was located on Grand Terre Island at the old Marine Lab. Jason served as the head of that field office prior to his current position as the head of the Finfish Program, a position he has held since 2010. Jason proudly represents the department on a variety of committees, such as the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), NOAA’s Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Committee, and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Menhaden Advisory Committee. This year, he has successfully led the implementation of the new Commission rules on menhaden buffers, reporting requirements, and the very difficult effort to adjust speckled trout, redfish, and flounder regulations beginning in 2019 and culminating in 2024 with the implementation of adjusted redfish regulations. His hard work on these regulatory changes has been extraordinary during the last five years. His actions when dealing with these problematic issues showed his high-level biological understanding of the topics and the professionalism and grace necessary to manage our resources for the public. Jason is a true example of what it means to be a public servant as he worked steadfastly in the best interest of Louisiana and our fishery resources.

On January 9, National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day shines a spotlight on the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to serving and protecting communities. It’s a day to recognize their sacrifices, resilience, and commitment to ensuring public safety.

Law enforcement officers face unique challenges every day. From responding to emergencies to mediating conflicts, they often operate in high-stress environments. Many officers work long hours, sometimes placing themselves in harm’s way, to uphold the rule of law and protect their fellow citizens.

This day is an opportunity to bridge the gap between communities and law enforcement. By fostering mutual understanding and trust, we can strengthen the relationship between officers and the people they serve. Positive engagement, such as community policing initiatives and open dialogues, has proven effective in building safer neighborhoods.

Citizens can show appreciation in simple yet meaningful ways. Writing thank-you notes, sharing supportive messages on social media, or donating to organizations that support law enforcement families are just a few ways to express gratitude. Many cities also hold events like appreciation breakfasts or public ceremonies to honor local officers.

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day reminds us of the critical role these individuals play in our lives. By acknowledging their contributions, we reaffirm our support for their efforts to maintain peace and justice in our communities.

The Louisiana Department of Education announced the 2025 Students of the Year regional honorees, which included Rapides Parish 8th grader Landon Myers Tinsley.

In conjunction with the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), the Department recognizes outstanding fifth, eighth, and twelfth-grade students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, academic performance, achievements, citizenship, and service to the school and community through the Students of the Year program. Regional honorees were selected through public, charter, and nonpublic zone reviews per each BESE region.

From this outstanding group of students, one honoree per BESE region will be named a finalist. Finalists will be announced later in the school year and celebrated at an awards ceremony where the overall honorees, one per grade level, will be named.

Senator Bill Cassidy announced $23.3 million for Hurricane Laura relief and emergency preparedness efforts on Monday, Jan. 6.

This funding included new money for CenLa, totaling up to $6.5 million in emergency preparedness monies.

An estimated $2.6 million will be allocated to the Rapides Parish Acquisitions and Elevations Project. According to the senator’s office, the grant money will provide federal funding to elevate 13 structures in the parish and acquire one more structure. The purpose of these projects is further prevent damage to flood-prone properties.

Vernon and Grant parishes will receive about $4 million, to purchase and install generators. 

If you were like me on New Year’s Day, you got up to the news that someone drove a truck down Bourbon Street in New Orleans, injuring 35 and killing 15.

I lived and worked in New Orleans for 12 years. This is my town. These are my people! Even if you have never lived in New Orleans, this is our state, a part of what makes Louisiana so unique, and the inspiration behind some of our favorite foods like gumbo and jambalaya. New Orleans has influenced some of my most favorite past times like Saints football, crawfish boils with friends and Mardi Gras. New Orleans is a part of who we are so this act of terrorism hits way too close to home – literally and figuratively!

You may be asking yourself, “who does something like that?” I don’t know, but maybe the bigger question is “how do you make sense of something that makes no sense?” We cannot control what people do, we can only control how we respond. It is in our response to such tragedies that define us, grow us, and make us better people. So here are a few tips to help us make sense in those times that don’t make sense.

First, don’t play the blame game. It is not the fault of the city or first responders, or anyone else for that matter. No barricade or stronger police presence would stop someone from driving up on the sidewalk. When someone wants to commit an act of violence they will find a way.

Second, acknowledge your feelings but don’t dwell on them. If you are feeling sad, then feel your grief. If you are angry, then admit it, but don’t act on it. If you are confused, sit with it or pray about it, but don’t let it consume you. Put down the phone, turn off the TV or at least change the channel. An over consumption of our 24 hour news cycle on tragic events just feeds into whatever emotions we are experiencing. Instead, take a walk, clear your head, change the subject, all quick tips to move forward and not “eat your feelings” or let your feelings eat on you.

Finally, don’t respond with hate. So often violence and hate against others who look like or act like those who have harmed us is our natural human response. However, in times like these we need to rise above. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” We can’t change the entire world, but we can certainly change our sphere of influence – where we work, where we play and where we live – by changing the way we respond to difficult situations, even the ones that don’t make sense.

On the journey,

Ramonalynn Bethley

On December 05, Marilyn and I traveled all over Rapides Parish to schools congratulating principals, assistant principals, guidance counselors, and teachers for excellent work. Some of these schools scored an A on the school performance scores; others were Top Gains for improved scores. Caroline Dorman had already been recognized earlier when they won a national Blue Ribbon award; Rapides High (our alma mater) is always on our radar for so many things done well.

(In full disclosure before I add the following comments, I want you to know that Dr. Jill Summers is our dear friend.)

As we were out congratulating, I could not help thinking: What about Carter C Raymond Jr. High and its esteemed leader, Dr. Summers? Did they receive an A? No, they barely made another C. However, there is more to this story than meets the eye. Carter Raymond, like other schools in this parish, serves a community of low socio-economic status. There is no place on the School Performance Score to rate the way children are loved and cared for by a school staff that provides clothing, food, and other opportunities these students may not have. There is no place in the School Performance Score to account for the fact that the school may not have business or community support for its program. None of that deters Dr. Summers. She has worked hard to assemble a qualified, hard working staff. Along with their education, needs of children are being met, and the children we see are happy, polite, and proud of their school as they grow in character and purpose. We have witnessed this from serving on several committees for the school and through our church’s outreach ministry.

We applaud and congratulate Dr. Summers and Carter C. Raymond. The school is a positive, loving place where the children of our community are being educated by some of the very best teachers under energetic and wise leadership. Who could ask for more? Dr. Summers, you and your staff are appreciated for all you do!

It’s the 25th anniversary of the Spirits 5K and the Beer Mile. Sponsored by Michelob Ultra and proceeds benefiting Manna House Ministries, this special will be held Friday, Jan. 25, at 1200 Texas Ave. in Alexandria.

The deadline for registration is Thursday, Jan. 23. Packets can be picked up on Friday, Jan. 24, 12-5:30pm, at Run Wild on 4611 Jackson St. and Saturday, Jan. 25, 10am-12pm, at the race site. To register, visit this link.

The 5K costs $40; the 1 mile and beer mile cost $25; and the beer mile plus the 5K costs $45.

Age divisions for men and woman cover 10 and under; 11-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-60, and 71 and over. This only applies to the 5K. Awards included one overall winner plus 1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall (male and female) in each age division.

And after the race, the after party will feature free food and beer for participants (plus food and drinks for purchase). 

Avid camera collector Paul Nettles will take participants in this event hosted by the Alexandria Museum of Art through the evolution of the camera, ending in a short “How to” on phone-based digital photography. 

This event will take place on Saturday, Jan. 25, 12-4pm, at the AMoA. It is free and open to the public.

As countless news outlets in Cenla have heralded, colder temperatures are on the way. While many of the prevention and protection tips have focused on pets/livestock, plants, and pipes, it is also important for people to protect themselves as well, to prevent getting hypothermia. This is particular important for people in Cenla who work or spend a lot of time outdoors. 

Dr. Saad Hanan with LSU Health outlined the dangers associated with hypothermia, which occurs when a person’s core temperature drops. The average core temperature of the human body is 96 to 99.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Anything below or at that would be considered hypothermia,” Dr. Hanan said.

There are several signs, Dr. Hanan explained, that can indicate this dangerous condition . People who are experiencing hypothermia will first start to shiver. “It’s a mechanism from their own self, their own body, to try to generate a little bit more heat for themselves,” Dr. Hanan said. Other symptoms include a racing heart, anxiety, and confusion.

It is important to take proper precautions if residents intend to venture out in the winter weather. Failure to bundle up can expose an individual to hypothermia. Bundling up means wearing layers of clothing; should that clothing get wet, it is important to remove the wet clothes immediately and put on dry, warm clothing. If someone appears hypothermic, they should be moved indoors immediately. Seek medical attention.

The purpose of the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living (TFL) is simple: help people, especially young people, reduce tobacco use, prevent smoking, and help people quit.

TFL reports that nearly one in three high-school aged students vape. Even worse, nearly one in five middle school-aged children also vape. These students are motivated by several factors, including peer pressure, wanting to look cool, family vaping, curiosity, flavors, and the buzz, without appreciating the negative impact on brain development.

“Nicotine use in younger people is risky because it affects their brain development. It also harms their lungs,” Mitzi LaSalle, the Regional Manager for TFL, explained. “The biggest problem is that young people often don’t realize the health risks.”

While the use of tobacco at any age carries health risks, “the main difference is that teens’ brains are still developing and using nicotine during these years can have serious effects on brain growth,” LaSalle added.

LaSalle advocates that parents and guardians take an active approach in steering children away from nicotine and tobacco products. “Parents, don’t be afraid to research and learn about the harmful effects of these products,” said LaSalle. “Talk to your kids about it. When you start the conversation, you’ll find they probably already know about it, so you’re not introducing something new.”

A 13-7 run over the final four minutes Tuesday night at The Fort propelled the No. 5 LSUA men’s basketball team to a 77-72 win over visiting Texas A&M-Texarkana.

“We are better than that,” coach Dimario Jackson said after his Generals improved to 15-1 overall, 12-1 in the Red River Athletic Conference. “We are tougher than that, more disciplined than that. I’ll take the win, you’re always happy to win, but that’s not our brand. Missed free throws, missed layups, we didn’t execute like we needed to. We got timely stops. I’ll give our guys credit for being able to finish.”

Trailing 65-64 to the Eagles (10-5, 9-4 RRAC), a three-point play from Kashie Natt opened the run and put LSUA ahead 67-65. Isaiah Howard and TJ James knocked down four free throws. A layup from Howard, followed by two shots at the charity stripe from Natt, made it 75-67 LSUA.

After two Jordan Decuir free throws, the Eagles made a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the game’s final points to close the margin to two.

Natt finished with 26 points. He went 9-for-14 from the field, including a 4-for-8 mark from beyond the arc. He was a perfect 4-for-4 at the line. Jakemin Abney recorded 16 points and EJ McQuillan tallied 10 points.

LSUA’s lead hovered around five for the majority of the second half. A three-point play from the Eagles with 7:21 left in regulation cut the Generals’ lead to two, 60-58. A pair of free throws on the Eagles’ next possession brought the game even, 60-60.

LSUA is back in action on Saturday afternoon in Hawkins, Texas for an RRAC doubleheader at Jarvis Christian.

LSUA WOMEN 75, A&M-TEXARKANA 54: Amani Gray’s double-double led the Generals (12-5, 9-4 RRAC), as she scored 10 and snagged 10 rebounds.

She sank 10-for-17 from the field and 4-for-4 at the free throw line. It is the second time Gray has recorded a double-double this season. The first also came against Texas A&M-Texarkana (3-14, 3-10 RRAC) on November 16 when she recorded 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Dannah Martin-Hartwick added 17 points, while Alexis Dyer (13), and Benedetta Peracchi (10) also notched double digits. Jewel Jones finished with six assists, while Peracchi dished out five. Dyer finished with a season-high four steals.

The Generals (12-5, 9-4 RRAC) shot 43.9 percent from the floor and also posted a 38-26 rebounding margin over the Eagles.

LSUA shot over 50 percent in both the second and fourth quarters.

With temperatures dipping near or below freezing in parts of the state this week, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., urges livestock and pet owners to take necessary precautions to protect their animals. This is also the time to protect plants, pipes, and, of course, people.

“When we see temperatures start to dip below freezing, it is important to take precautionary measures and to do so safely and correctly. For example, while antifreeze is commonly used, not many people realize the risk it can pose to our pets. Dogs and cats will drink it if it is left out as it tastes sweet; however, it is highly toxic to them. If you drain any of the fluid from your tractor in preparation for the weather, be sure to dispose of it properly. We know how to do these things, but let’s make sure we are doing them the right way,” said Strain.

Here are some cold weather tips for livestock, pet, and plant owners:

Livestock

• Owners should check their livestock and look for signs of stress, illness, or injury.

• Pay close attention to the young and older animals as they are more susceptible to problems during frigid conditions.

• Provide plenty of hay, feed, energy supplements, and water.

• Be sure to check water troughs as they can ice over.

• If possible, make adequate shelter available. Even a windbreak will minimize exposure to cold winds.

Companion animals

• If possible, keep all companion animals indoors. If this is not an option, make sure a dry shelter is available and have warm blankets for your pet.

• Provide adequate food and water. Monitor water bowls as they can freeze during cold weather.

• Consider a sweater for your short-haired dog.

• Outdoor cats searching for warmth will sometimes crawl underneath the hood of a vehicle. Bang on or open the hood of your car so any animal in there trying to stay warm can get out before you crank up that engine. Cats can be injured or even killed when the car is started.

Plants

• Move all plants in containers and hanging baskets inside. If this is not possible, group them in a protected area and cover them with plastic.

• Larger plants can be covered with fabric or plastic.

• Thoroughly water plants if the soil is dry.

• Plants growing in the ground should be mulched with dry material such as pine straw and leaves.

“Remember, your mulch should be two to four inches thick. Spreading mulch too thick can cause roots to grow shallow and make them more susceptible to death during extended dry periods. You should also avoid mounding the mulch around the base of the plant. The mulch should extend a couple of inches from the base of the plant and be higher on the outside edges to help insulate the plant as well as hold and distribute water,” said Strain.

Learn more at https://youtu.be/gzouI7_c2HU.

The Alexandria Police Department responded to a shooting in the 300 block of Florence Avenue On Thursday, Jan. 2, at approximately 9:40pm.  Responding officers located 35-year-old Andrew Howard of Alexandria deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. 

Early in the investigative process it was determined that the shooting was domestic violence related and the suspect was Howard’s girlfriend.  APD swiftly located the whereabouts of the suspect, 25-year-old Diamond Cyriak of Boyce, who had fled the scene.  RPSO assisted APD with the peaceful surrender of Cyriak in the 1000 block of MacArthur Drive. Cyriak is charged with one count of Second Degree Murder.

The Alexandria Police Department would like to thank the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Department for their assistance.

This is currently an ongoing investigation.

If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559. Information can be emailed 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.