By JIM BUTLER

The latest trial date for David Westmoreland, accused of hitting and killing a bicyclist almost four years ago is the week of March 17.  

The state claims the retired state trooper, a parish probation officer at the time, was intoxicated when striking and killing Donnie Cayer on Horseshoe Drive on May 1, 2021.

Westmoreland, 60 when arrested, is charged with vehicular homicide and hit and run. He was indicted in May 2022.

Because of his district court employment all judges of the Ninth District recused themselves from Westmoreland’s case, adding to the normal delays in the judicial process.

According to the record, Westmoreland returned to the scene a short while after the collision. 

There are eight other jury trials on the same week’s docket, among 80 cases up for trial, pre-trial matters, sentencing or arraignment. 

Editorial comment

In the United States, the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” remains a cornerstone of the justice system. Whether a person receives a court summons or is placed in handcuffs, the legal process follows the same fundamental requirement — evidence must be presented before any conviction can occur.

No one can be indicted based on hearsay alone. The law demands verifiable proof before formal charges can be filed. Testimony, documentation, or tangible evidence must substantiate any claims before they hold weight in a court of law. Without such proof, allegations remain unproven assertions.

There is no such burden of proof in social media. Anyone can make any claim or provide their own personal interpretation of an event, and it is the consumer’s responsibility to digest it, consider the perspective and motivation of the messenger, and determine how credible it may be.

When assessing any statement, on social media or elsewhere including interpersonal or third-party access to conversations, it is essential to consider context. For anyone not directly involved in a conversation, many variables can tend to result in misunderstanding the intended message.

A valuable reference point is made by Clare Hocking of startlocalthinkglobal.com:

“Truth, in its purest sense, is often seen as objective—independent of individual opinion or bias. However, perspective can influence the way truth is understood or communicated. A courtroom is a prime example of this dynamic. Witnesses may describe the same event differently because their perspectives—shaped by where they stood, what they value, or their emotional state—affect their understanding of the truth.”

The Natchitoches Parish Journal was among news outlets that last week received an assertion from a third party regarding what was described as a brief conversation between NSU President Jimmy Genovese and Natchitoches Mayor Ronnie Williams Jr. at the Feb. 17 swearing-in ceremony in Baton Rouge for new 6^th District Congressman Cleo Fields. The assertion of the third party, stated in her social media post, was that Genovese made a comment to Mayor Williams at the event that was unsettling to the poster. Neither the president or mayor, those directly involved in this conversation, had any apparent unpleasant reaction noted by the third party. Neither of them subsequently responded last week to media inquiries for comment, which eroded the credibility of the allegation. The lack of on-the-record statements reinforced the principle that due process requires more than speculation – a concept that certainly applies to social media posts and this particular more broad situation.

Evidence still matters in the American justice system, and the same philosophy should apply to our daily lives. Unless the person directly involved in an alleged exchange publicly confirms the details, the accusation remains unverifiable. The burden of proof lies not with the accused, but with the party making the claim.

The NSU president finally addressed the exchange in question in a student media interview published Thursday evening, describing the context and the innocuous nature of what he said to the mayor in Baton Rouge, and affirming their collaborative young friendship benefitting the community and university. He also offered an apology to the third party for any offense she felt from her takeaway of the brief conversation.

At a time when public opinion more than ever is influenced by unverified reports, this situation serves as a reminder that due process is not just a legal technicality—it is a fundamental right. It reinforces the need for all of us to consider many factors when assessing situations that did not directly involve us, especially those events and opinions expressed in the far-reaching social media landscape.

When the Natchitoches Parish Journal was asked to report on this situation as a news story, we reached the same conclusion that other news outlets did. There was nothing to confirm the third party’s social media account. Accuracy and integrity in journalism still requires verifiable sources and concrete evidence before reporting any news, and especially unsupported claims that could impact reputations and community trust.

It is truly unfortunate that the NSU Faculty Senate leadership did not apply the same ethical standards to its decision Tuesday to deliver a critical letter to President Genovese and make a state media outlet aware of that dubious document as if it were a statement of fact, or an indictment. By acting in such a manner, the Faculty Senate leaders have intentionally attracted much greater attention and discredit to our university than any social media post could. Their own agenda is sadly apparent and damaging to the university and our community.

Paradise Elementary, Pineville Jr High, and Glenmora High school teams participated in EcoOlympics Wildlife Habitat Educational Program (WHEP). Through a series of educational stations the groups completed an extensive plan for a selected species to thrive in an environment. Congratulations to Pineville Junior High Group 1 (Savannah M., Breezy L., Lola A., Aysia J.) who won 2nd place.

The 31st annual Taste of Mardi Gras will be held at the Randolph Riverfront Center today starting at 7pm.

Sponsored by the Louisiana Restaurant Association-Cenla Chapter, the event will be filled with food, live music, and the spirit of Mardi Gras.

All funds raised at the event will be directly contributed to local charities and initiatives, including Children’s Mardi Gras Parade, Children’s Miracle Network, the Food Bank of Central Louisiana, LRA Programs (Education Foundation and Louisiana ProStart), and Manna House Ministries.

About 35 different restaurants are participating, providing samples for participants. There will also be two bands playing live music.

“The Bentley Room, The Diamond Grill, Salad Station, Texas Roadhouse, Coca-Cola, Eastside Daiquiris,” said Scott Laliberte, Chapter President for the Restaurant Association. “I mean the list goes on and on and on and then we got the Cenla Brass Band who will do a second line with Crew of Fler De Lis and our headlining band is the Chee-Weez, Everyone just piles to the dance floor and dances the night away.”

Currently, tickets are $50 online, but $60 at the door. Taste of Mardi Gras is a cashless event this year, so bring a mobile device or debit/credit card. Click here for tickets.

Louisiana Christian University will hold its third annual Dr. Maggie Martin Marketplace Leadership Summit on Tuesday, April 1, at 11:30 a.m. in Granberry Conference Center. Spots are limited, so register online today.

This year’s event features Christy Wright, a renowned business coach, speaker and best-selling author. She has empowered thousands of entrepreneurs and leaders through her work at Ramsey Solutions and as the creator of Business Boutique.

Wright will be sharing invaluable insights on leadership, entrepreneurship and how to grow a successful business with a faith-driven perspective.

This is a unique opportunity to learn from one of today’s most inspiring voices in the marketplace. To learn more about Wright and her work, visit www.christywright.com.

Individual tickets to the leadership summit are $25, or a table of six is $150. Register online
at https://lcuniversity.edu/leadershipsummit/

Mayor Bishop and the Pineville City Council have proclaimed March to be National Social Work Month. They have invited the community to join them in recognizing the invaluable contributions made by social workers in this community and nation-wide.

The championship dreams of two small Rapides Parish girls basketball teams are within reach, as Oak Hill and Plainview won state quarterfinal playoff games Thursday night and advanced to next week’s Marsh Madness semifinals in Hammond, two wins from state titles.

Alexandria Senior High, Buckeye and Menard all had their seasons end on the road.

Semifinals will be played Monday-Thursday next week at the University Center in Hammond. Championship games are next Friday and Saturday. The LHSAA will announce the game schedules perhaps as early as today. Small classification teams typically play their semifinal games on Monday or Tuesday, and the championship games are usually on Friday, based on previous years’ schedules.

Scores of Rapides Parish teams in action Thursday night (all parish teams play in the Select Division):

Division I

John Curtis 69, ASH 41

Division II

University-BR 60, Buckeye 20

Division III

Academy of the Sacred Heart-NO 44, Menard 32

Class B

Oak Hill 66, Pitkin 44

Fairview 71, Glenmora 26

Marsh Madness matchups (dates, times in Hammond TBA)

Oak Hill (3^rd seed, Class B) vs. Bell City (2)

Plainview (3) vs. Summerfield (2)

Eight men’s and women’s quarterfinal games will be played today and tonight to open the three-day Red River Athletic Conference basketball tournaments at the Rapides Parish Coliseum, including three involving local teams.

One matches them up. At 6:30, the women’s squads from LSU Alexandria and Louisiana Christian University collide.

The LSUA men (25-2), the conference regular-season champion, play at 1:15 against No. 8 seeded Huston-Tillotson (10-14).

LCU’s men (15-13), seeded sixth, meet No. 3 Our Lady of the Lake (16-8) at 9:45 a.m.

Semifinals are Saturday at 1 and 3 for the men, and 5:30/7:30 for the women. Sunday championship games are Sunday at 2 (men) and 4:30 (women).

The women’s team from LSUA (21-7) dropped its regular season finale to RRAC champion LSU Shreveport, 62-61. The Generals had an eight-game winning streak from January 7 to February 15.

The LCU women (10-16) lost their last two games, both in overtime.

The teams played a pair of competitive games this season won by LSUA. The Generals captured an 80-68 win over the Wildcats at The Fort, before recently recording an 87-81 victory in Pineville.

LSUA DOMINATES ALL-RRAC MEN’S HONORS: Senior guard Kashie Natt was a repeat pick as RRAC Player of the Year, won Defensive Player of the Year honors, and LSUA’s Dimario Jackson was Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Generals sophomore guard EJ McQuillan also won first-team recognition. Two other Generals standouts, Jakemin Abney and Jordan Decuir, were honorable mention choices representing a program that reached the nation’s No. 1 ranking earlier this month.

LCU’s first winning season in three years earned all-conference accolades for newcomers Devin Carter (first team) and Bryce Weinmunson (second team), both junior guards.

LCU’S GOFF, LSUA’s MARTIN-HARTWICK NET FIRST-TEAM WOMEN’S ALL-CONFERENCE:  Princis Goff, a junior forward at LCU, was the third-leading votegetter on the All-RRAC team and repeated as a first-team all-conference selection.  Freshman forward Kylei Leblanc was an honorable mention choice and was runner-up for RRAC Freshman of the Year.

LSUA senior guard Dannah Martin-Hartwick was voted to the All-RRAC first team for a third straight season. Teammate Jewel Jones was a second-team pick while Benedetta Peracchi got honorable mention recognition.

It may sound unusual, but February 28 is National Public Sleeping Day, a day that gives everyone permission to catch some Z’s—whether at a park, library, or even on public transportation.

The Power of Napping

Research has shown that a quick nap can enhance memory, boost productivity, and even lower stress levels. A study from NASA found that a 26-minute nap can improve performance by 34% and alertness by 54%.

Best Places for a Public Nap

While sleeping in public isn’t always ideal, there are some good spots to sneak in a quick rest:

• Libraries: Quiet and comfortable, they’re perfect for a short nap.
• Parks: A bench or a soft patch of grass makes for a relaxing spot.
• Cafés: Some coffee shops encourage power naps, even offering “nap pods” in big cities.

A Day for Rest and Relaxation

Whether you’re a sleep-deprived student, a busy professional, or just someone who enjoys a good nap, today is a reminder of the importance of rest. So if you see someone dozing off in public today, don’t judge—they might just be celebrating National Public Sleeping Day the right way!

By JIM BUTLER

The alternative program has worked with 321 Rapides students, according to a report at this month’s School Board Education Committee.

The Alternative Positive Program for Students is a way to keep expelled, long-term suspended (more than 10 days) and students with academic or behavioral issues in school.

The number in this month’s report is less than two percent of the parish student population. Almost 140 completed their stay or were released early.

Of the total, males numbered 220, females 101; 207 are African American, 112 Caucasian.

Drug use or possession was by far the most frequent reason for a student being placed at the Mason Street school – 104 (nearly one of every 3).

Tobacco or alcohol use/possession accounted for 20 more.

Fighting, 76, and “other serious offenses”, 37, landed another one-third at the campus.

According to the report, Pineville High had 57 students in the program, followed by Tioga High with 42, Alexandria Senior High 40, Peabody Magnet High 36, Buckeye High 23, Rapides High 11, Oak Hill High 10, Bolton High/Academy 6, and Northwood High 5.

Ninth-graders led the student count at 82. Grades 6-8 accounted for a total of 90 more.

Other grades and count – 10th 71; 11th 41; 12th 28.

Rapides Parish School Board will host public pre-K on-site registration at one’s zoned school starting March 10 through March 14 for the 2025-2026 school year. Children registered by March 14 will receive a free book.

How to register:

• Apply online first by clicking on the following link (requires account creation):  https://secure.infosnap.com/family/Login…
• A representative from the appropriate zoned school will contact the applicant.
• What to bring to the zoned school:
  • Birth certificate and Social Security card
  • Two proofs of current residency (utility bill, lease, or driver’s license)
  • Proof of income (2 pay stubs OR SNAP/food stamp letter)
  • Child’s shot record

For more information or questions, call 318-442-8891.

Girls basketball teams at Oak Hill and Plainview are home teams tonight for a chance to reach Marsh Madness next week, while ASH, Buckeye and Menard are on the road for their LHSAA girls basketball playoff quarterfinal games.

The parish playoff matchups:

Division I — ASH (8^th seed) at John Curtis (1) – 6 p.m.

Division II — Buckeye (9) at University-BR (1) – 6 p.m.

Division III — Menard (10) at Academy of Sacred Heart-New Orleans (2) – 4 p.m.

Class B — Pitkin (6) at Oak Hill (3) – 6 p.m., game site is Northwood-Lena HS

Class C – Gibsland-Coleman (6) at Plainview (3) – 6 p.m.

Winners advance to Marsh Madness, the LHSAA’s girls basketball final four tournaments in Hammond next week. The schedule for next week’s games may be announced as early as Friday but likely over the weekend. Ten state championship games will be staged next Friday and Saturday after semifinal games beginning Monday and finishing Thursday.

Boys state playoffs begin Friday night. Four (Tioga, Northwood-Lena, Glenmora and Oak Hill) of the seven parish teams qualifying play first-round games, with three more (ASH, Peabody and Plainview) earning first-round byes.

Scores of Rapides Parish girls teams winning Monday night second-round games:

ASH 58,  Riverdale 35

Buckeye 40,  Frederick A. Douglass 39

Menard 51, Newman 17

Oak Hill 67, Hicks 51

Fairview 71, Glenmora 26

I was drawn to a verse in the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Sound of Music that ends, “These are a few of my favorite things.”

No, I’m not putting in a plug for the vocals of Julie Andrews. The country boy in me prefers Loretta Lynn’s “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

This line got me to thinking about some of my favorite things and I thought on a cold winter day I might share a few of those things that are special to me.

Any time I’m on a road trip, my first stop for refreshments is always, never deviating, a bottle, not a can but a bottle of real Coke, and a pack of salted peanuts. Taking a few sips from the bottle so it won’t run over, I pour in the peanuts. Nothing better; the sweetness and acidy bite of the Coke blended with the saltiness and crunch of peanuts makes any road trip – unless it’s to the see the dentist for a root canal – extra special.

I love coffee and I have discovered a blend that suits my fancy just right. I stop by the Black Rifle shop for a pound of “Beyond Black” coffee. Just enough cream to lighten the color just a bit and my day gets off to a fine start.

When the weather warms, I like to take my cup to the back porch where I sit and sip and watch the birds while thanking the Good Lord for His blessings.

Back before age and infirmity kept me out of the woods, I loved to be sitting, covered in camouflage, with my back against a tree and playing mind games with a savvy old wild turkey gobbler. Hearing a thundering gobble as he responds to my calls mimicking a sweetheart of a hen turkey and then finally seeing that white head floating atop a puffed-out body, tail fan spread out,
as the old boy comes in, spitting and drumming to investigate what he believes is a little hen anxious for his affection, was indeed, one of my favorite things ever.

When the first Saturday in October came around every year, wild horses couldn’t have kept me out of the woods on opening day of squirrel season. Sitting at daylight on a moss-covered fallen log resting next to a grove of hickories, oaks or beech trees, was the ticket. If these trees were bearing hickory nuts, acorns or beech mast, there was no doubt that as the sky began lightning up, squirrels would be leaving dens for breakfast.

If I was fortunate enough to down a young “frier” squirrel, my next stop was the camp where the squirrels were cleaned and a young one was cut into quarters, seasoned with salt and pepper and dusted in flour. Once the skillet of oil was hot enough, I loved to listen to the sizzle as the quarters turned brown and crispy. A plate of rice, a couple of hot biscuits and gravy made from the drippings made a breakfast fit for a king. I declare, the hind leg of a tender young fried squirrel would put Col. Sanders to shame. A favorite thing? You betcha.

When I was growing up, there was a spot known locally as the Sand Flats where every fall and winter morning, a flight of wood ducks would leave roosts and wing their way up the creek to feed. On mornings before school, my dad would take my brother and me to the Sand Flat for the chance at downing a “squealer,” as wood ducks were called. The flight only lasted half an hour but if my shot was successful, I had something to brag about to the kids at school.

When my mama slow baked a wood duck in her cast iron pot, it made the darkest and richest gravy ever. Spooning it over one of her hot biscuits alongside a slice or two of duck breast was a feast, a favorite thing, I will never forget.

Okay, enough nostalgia. I just heard Loretta Lynn crank up.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

After taking a break last week, Pineville PD is back with this week’s Wanted Wednesday! This time, they are diving into the archives. They also plan to post more warrants in their ongoing effort to clear up older cases.

Pineville PD wants to remind the public of three important things:

• Warrants never disappear.
• An arrest is required for any further court proceedings.
• Everyone is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Pineville Police Department is currently seeking information on the whereabouts of Connie Lacour. Three arrest warrants were issued for her arrest in 2017. As always, PPD encourages wanted subjects to turn themselves in but will follow credible leads to effect an arrest. If the subject is believed to be out of town, they will reach out to outside agencies to assist with the matter.

If anyone knows where she might be, get in touch with PPD. Individuals with info can call or send a direct message. All tips will remain anonymous.

Anyone who believes they have an active warrant with the City of Pineville can contact Sgt. Swanson at 318-442-8632 to discuss options to clear up the warrant.

An update has been made in the wake of the Jackson St. fire reported on Tuesday, Feb. 25. 

AFD dispatched three engine companies, one district chief’s unit and a fire investigator to the scene on 1404 Jackson St.

Upon arrival, fire crews saw smoke emanating from the attic area of the structure. Within 20 minutes of arrival, the crews brought the fire under control.

Investigators determined that the fire was set intentionally. The investigation led to the arrest of Rayanne Elizabeth Vicknair, 27, who was subsequently booked on simple arson into the Rapides Parish Detention Center 1.