Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Feb. 26

Richard Clayton Batiste Jr, 32, Alexandria – telephone harassment, stalking, $2,000 bail;

Adrianne Booze, 27, Alexandria – aggravated domestic abuse with child present, $1,000 bail;

Chandler Matthew Cudd, 18, Alexandria – OWI with child endangerment, speeding, open container, possession of marijuana, $1,700 bail;

Courtney Holt Dixon, 44, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, paraphernalia, producing manufacturing distributing of hallucinogenic plants, illegal carry weapon with drugs, $13,000 bail;

Dion Derek Duran Jr, 33, Alexandria — producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, producing manufacturing distributing fentanyl, producing manufacturing distributing schedule 4 controlled dangerous substance, possession of controlled dangerous substance schedule 1, illegal carry firearm with drugs, transactions involving proceeds of drug offenses, $75,000 bail;

Emmanuel Goodman, 18, Pineville – second degree battery, $5,000 bail;

Sharrod Dewayne Hayes Sr, 33, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, telephone harassment, $2,250 bail;

Jason A. Holt, 47, Otis – aggravated assault domestic abuse with child endangerment, domestic abuse battery, criminal damage to property, disturbing the peace, simple battery on the infirmed, aggravated assault home invasion, $92,000 bail;

Arabia Woodard, 25, Pineville – reckless operation of a vehicle (speeding), no driver’s license, nine counts contempt of court, probation violation, $24,600 bail.

Feb. 25

Antonio Malik Daniels, 27, Alexandria – producing manufacturing, distributing with intent cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of controlled dangerous substance, illegal carry firearm with drugs, transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, $24,000 bail;

Joseph R. Hoffman, 53, Belle Chasse – OWI second offense, improper lane usage, running a stop sign, open container, $1,800 bail;

Brittany Laice Gonzales, 35, Woodworth – simple burglary, resisting an officer, three counts self-mutilation by a prisoner, criminal damage to property, battery on officer, $9,500 bail;

Randall Lee, 33, Richton, Miss. – OWI third offense, speeding, $50,100 bail:

John Jason Murphy, 50, Pineville – issuing worthless checks, $1,000 bail;

Michael Allan Parent, 67, Boyce – stalking first offense, resisting an officer, $1,500 bail;

Rayanne Elizabeth Vicknair, 27, Pineville – simple arson, no bail data.

Feb. 24

Richard Gordon Bishop Jr, 64, Pineville – possession of controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, parole violations, $3,500 bail;

Chris Marsel Farris, 32, Alexandria – reckless operation of a vehicle first offense, aggravated assault/domestic abuse, obstruction of justice, $15,500 bail;

Emmanuel Goodman, 18, Pineville – aggravated battery, $1,500 bail;

Kerry Laketrick Humphrey Jr, 38, Alexandria – possession of firearm by convicted felon, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice, contempt of court, $21,500 bail;

Wayne Kerry, 31, Alexandria – home invasion, resisting an officer, simple resisting with force or violence, possession of marijuana, two counts contempt of court, probation violation, $21,500 bail;

Robert Gregory Leyva Jr, 39, Pineville – possession of controlled dangerous substance, two counts contempt of court, $101,000 bail;

Derica Na’Shay Richard, 23, Alexandria – simple battery on the infirmed, $500 bail;

Jenna B. Trottie, 31, Pineville – speeding, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, flight from an officer, resisting an officer, $1,200 bail;

Markus Adam Washington, 31, Alexandria – simple burglary, seven counts contempt of court, $89,500 bail.

Feb. 23

Jared Douglas Gene Ardoin, 28, Boyce – domestic abuse battery serious injury, domestic abuse battery, two counts simple resisting police officer with force/violence, probation violation, $60,000 bail;

Sabrina Quanette Bowie, 40, Lecompte – criminal trespass, two counts contempt of court, $27,500 bail;

Alexais Marie Bulger, 36, Ball – simple battery, criminal trespass, $1,000 bail;

James Butler, 43, Alexandria – OWI second offense, improper backing, open container, driving under suspension/revocation, contempt of court, $3,800 bail;

Anthony Ford, 22, Elmer – aggravated assault on peace officer, aggravated resisting with force or violence, two counts disarming a peace officer, $60,000 bail.

GRAPEVINE, Texas – Students from the Louisiana Christian University Convergence Media and Theatre departments brought home two first-place finishes and one fourth-place finish at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center Tuesday.

Competing against other member schools in the on-site contests, LCU finished first in the 12-hour news and 12-hour audio challenges. The school’s 24-hour film challenge team finished fourth.

“We continue to be amazed by the level our students reach in these challenge competitions,” said Jeff Young, associate professor of media production at LCU. “It gives them the chance to experience deadline pressures and see how they stack up against students from other schools. It also allows them to see the bigger picture about the Christian media industry, and we see tremendous growth in all of them after this
experience.”

The news challenge team was made of junior Cayden Walls, senior Joseph Johnson and freshman Kayley McCarty. They were required to produce a same-day news story focused on the potential impact of the new Trump Administration on the Christian media industry.

The audio challenge team, which consisted of sophomores Adán Wright and Danny Cobb along with contributions from voice actors, seniors Cheyenne Carbaugh and Caleb Cole and freshman Logan Carver, brought home the first-place award for their production of “Second Chance,” a war-themed presentation where the main character returns home to his family after being injured in battle.

Finally, the film challenge team made up of Cole, Carver, sophomore Kayla Condrey and freshman Nick Morrow brought home fourth place for their production of “Forget Me Not.” Contributing to the project as actors were Walls, Carbaugh and freshman Sophie Geraci.

LCU’s faculty advisers for the team challenges were Jeff Young, Al Quartemont and Tabitha Huffman. LCU has competed at the annual NRB Convention since 2009.

NRB is an international association of Christian communicators with more than 1,100 member organizations reaching millions of viewers, listeners and readers. The annual convention brings together professionals from Christian and other religious media from around the world. LCU is a member of iNRB, the academic division of NRB.

The Alexandria Museum of Art (AMoA) is pleased to announce a new exhibit, “The River is the Road: Paintings by George Rodrigue,” on display March 8 – June 2. This exhibition welcomes home AMoA’s own Rodrigue painting, “Steamboat,” which has been traveling with this exhibition.

This unprecedented exhibition, organized by the George Rodrigue Life & Legacy Foundation with Wendy Rodrigue, coincides with the 10th anniversary of Rodrigue’s death.

Curated by Dana Holland-Beickert, the exhibition traces 45 years of the river in Rodrigue’s paintings, exploring the unique ways Rodrigue used the river as a reference to his Cajun heritage, and ultimately as a metaphor for the journey of life.

The Opening Exhibit Reception for “The River is the Road: Paintings by George Rodrigue” is March 7, at the Alexandria Museum of Art at 6pm. Guests will have the opportunity to meet Wendy Rodrigue as they experience the exhibit, as well as a Gallery Talk. Admission to the reception is free for Museum Members.

Wendy Rodrigue, the widow of the esteemed artist, will attend several events at AMoA. She will visit the museum on Saturday, March 8, for a special tour starting at 11am and will lead exhibition tours for local schools on March 11 and 12. Additionally, she will return for a public lecture on June 5, providing invaluable insights into George Rodrigue’s profound legacy.

If you are interested in scheduling a tour of the exhibit for your school or community group, please contact Madilyn Anderson at madilyn@themuseum.org or by calling 318-443-3458.

About the Artist

George Rodrigue (1944-2013) was a visionary American artist who hailed from New Iberia, Louisiana. His artistic journey ignited during his studies at the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, and he produced an extraordinary legacy in the world of American art. Throughout his career, Rodrigue’s canvas captured the essence of his cherished Cajun heritage – its landscapes, people, traditions, and folklore. His iconic series, “The Blue Dog,” emerged from the myth of the “loup-garou” and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

About the Curator

Dana Holland-Beickert, curator of the Life & Legacy Foundation, has more than thirty years of experience in the arts as a curator, consultant, and advisor, and is also an accredited art appraiser with the International Society of Appraisers. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art history and has worked as a museum curator for more than twenty years before joining the Life & Legacy Foundation. Since 2006, Holland-Beickert has curated or co-curated more than twenty exhibitions on Rodrigue’s art.

About the Life & Legacy Foundation

The Life & Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2017 by Wendy Rodrigue in honor of her late husband, artist George Rodrigue. Wendy brings original Rodrigue paintings from her collection into schools nationwide and presents ‘unplugged’ art and storytelling experiences as a way of inspiring her audience. Programs include education outreach, written and recorded Rodrigue history, and national museum tours. As of 2024, Wendy has shared this unique programming personally with some 90,000 students in 10 states. In November 2024, she celebrated her 200th school at Rodrigue’s alma mater, Catholic High, in New Iberia, Louisiana. Learn more at legacyarttour.org

Today, February 27, is National Retro Day, a time to celebrate the best of the past—from vintage fashion and classic cars to iconic movies and beloved toys. It’s a day dedicated to nostalgia, encouraging people to embrace their favorite throwback trends.

Why We Love Retro Culture

There’s something comforting about looking back at the past. Whether it’s the music of the ‘70s, the neon styles of the ‘80s, or the sitcoms of the ‘90s, retro culture offers a glimpse into the moments that shaped generations.

Ways to Celebrate

• Dress the part: Pull out your vintage band T-shirts, high-waisted jeans, or bell-bottoms.
• Watch classic movies or TV shows: Revisit Back to the Future, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, or old-school cartoons.
• Listen to retro tunes: Make a playlist featuring hits from Elvis, The Beatles, or early hip-hop legends.

The Everlasting Appeal of Nostalgia

As trends from past decades continue to resurface, National Retro Day reminds us why we love revisiting the good old days. Whether you’re flipping through old Polaroids or dusting off your vinyl collection, today is all about celebrating the timeless charm of the past.

By JIM BUTLER

Legislators representing parts of Rapides received a half-million dollars in contributions in 2024 with Political Action Committees accounting for a third of that.

Those totals are gleaned from required finance reports filed this month. The next legislative elections will be in 2027.

District 31 Sen. Alan Seabaugh’s $122,000 total led the way, as did his $33,100 from PACs.

The delegation’s campaign funds on hand at year’s end totaled $1.2 million, with Sen. Mike Reese the leader by far at $583,000.

Notes from the campaign committees’ reports (available at the Ethics Commission website):

Seabaugh – $122,900 on hand at year’s end, including $50,000 loan from him; $2,500 contributors include Martin Sustainable Resources, Alexandria; expenses include $1,218.73 monthly for vehicle lease; Reese – campaign income included $18,475 interest on investments, $20,749 from PACs; Pan American Engineers among $2,500 contributors;

Sen. Jay Luneau – $22,300 collected, with $8,000 from PACs; 446Sports, Alexandria, among $2,500 donors; $179,400 on hand; Sen. Heather Cloud – $68,200 raised includes $14,000 PACs; $2,500 contributors included Stevenson & Pam Ayres, Diamond B Construction, Pan American Engineers, Alexandria; $105,000 on hand year end;

Sen. Jay Morris – $36,000 received, including $20,250 PACs; Pan American Engineers among $2,500 contributors; expenses include $20,000 to LA Judicial Integrity PAC; $48,100 on hand; Sen. Glenn Womack – $56,000 collected, with $13,800 from PACs; $38,000 on hand;

Rep. Mike Johnson (House Speaker Pro Tempore) – $44,500  in contributions, $42,000 of that PACs or corporations; Pan American Engineers among $2,500 contributors; expenses include $23,600 for political consultants; $277,000 on hand; Rep. Jason DeWitt – $41,300 collected, including $11,200 from PACs; Pan American Engineers, Sam Mahfouz among $2,500 contributors, expenses include air fare $668, lodging $1,300, fees $1,150 Republican National Committee, Milwaukee; $18,800 on hand;

Rep. Ed Larvadain III – $12,000 collected with $6,000 from PACs; expenses include $2,000 each to Alexandria City Council campaigns of Malcolm Larvadain, Jules Green; $15,300 on hand; Rhonda Butler – $27,300 collected, with $13,800 from PACs; Pan American Engineers among $2,500 contributors; $76,600 on hand.

Gov. Jeff Landry visited Northwestern State University on Feb. 25 to meet with community officials, legislators and leaders in business, industry, education and economic development to address the pending closure of the International Paper mill in Campti and its projected negative impact for Natchitoches Parish. 

“There is no one who understands the economic impact of the loss of these jobs more than me,” Landry said, referencing the closure of multiple Fruit of the Loom facilities in south Louisiana in the 1990s and early 2000s. “It’s not only the jobs that are leaving the Campti facility, but the downstream effect of what it does to the small businesses that are attached. While I don’t have all the answers today, I can tell you that we will continue to work towards building economic opportunities throughout central and north Louisiana.”

“I think that the greatest opportunity that we have for economic development is actually central and northern Louisiana,” he said, referencing the selection of Richland Parish as the site of Meta’s $10 billion artificial intelligence data center.

The governor said a proposed constitutional amendment on the March 29 ballot to reform the state’s tax code could open new opportunities to bring jobs to north and central Louisiana. He has also tasked higher education administrators with shaping Louisiana’s universities and community college systems to support jobs and industry.

“I think it’s evident from the governor’s remarks that his intention is clearly to bring the full force of the government to do whatever we can do to mitigate the reality of this decision by IP,” said Susan Bourgeois, secretary of the Department of Louisiana Economic Development. “One of the things I started out talking about in my role was that we really had to take the whole of government approach to economic development. It’s not just a government solution to the challenges or the opportunities that we face. It really does have to be the private sector, the education sector, the public sector, all of us pulling on the same rope.”

Bourgeois said her office is currently working with five active wood-related projects in north Louisiana.

“We’ve announced 21 wood-related projects in the last seven years that our team is now going to focus on seeing about placement of employees, placement of product and how we can redeploy some of the Louisiana resources that were used at the Campti facility in those projects,” Bourgeois said.

Susie Schowen, secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, said she has engaged a rapid response team, the team that responds to layoffs, who can offer services specifically for IP workers.

“The IP workers are getting services in career counseling, envisioning where their career could go and how to connect with training. We can help offset the cost of that training with the focus of getting people jobs right here in this area.”

“We want to do as much as we can to backfill, to give back, what the closure is going to cause,” Landry said. “We will work as hard as we can and the good news is you’ve got other areas of the state that are performing, and a high tide has a tendency to lift all boats. We are focused on this area, not only Natchitoches but the central and north Louisiana area. We are hyper focused on opportunity because I think that there are opportunities out there.”

Landry said there are companies around the country and around the world are looking for investments in the U.S., which aligns with President Donald Trump’s agenda to boost American manufacturing.

“Right now, that is being driven primarily by the president’s agenda and we want to be able to capture as much of that as we can. You see this great team and we have worked hard and I don’t know anyone who isn’t trying to soften the impact,” he said.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has resources available at laworks.net/. Information on the Louisiana office of Economic Development is available at opportunitylouisiana.gov/.

Dr. Mark Johnson has been elected president of Louisiana Christian University.

The Louisiana Christian University Board of Trustees has approved Johnson, the current director of the Doctor of Ministry program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, its 10th president, upon recommendation of the presidential search committee.

“There have been countless hours of prayer, listening, seeking, reading resumes and other application materials, while asking God to guide this process and have His way,” said Tommy Kiker, chair of the search committee. “With this vote today, approving Dr. Mark Johnson as the 10th President in the history of Louisiana Christian University, we believe God has graciously and wonderfully answered those prayers and blessed this labor.”

In May 2024, the Board of Trustees created a presidential search committee comprising four board members and two LCU faculty, assisted by a candidate search consultant. The committee was tasked with conducting its search independently and as transparently as possible while maintaining the confidentiality of the candidates being reviewed. The committee has carried out this mission without external influence, fully trusting God in the process, and maintaining a high level of integrity and confidence in their efforts.

The firm of CarterBaldwin Executive Search, one of the top 50 executive search firms in the United States, assisted in the search.

“We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Mark Johnson has been elected by the Louisiana Christian University Board of Trustees as the next president of our esteemed institution, said Anthony Bunting, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Dr. Johnson’s exemplary leadership and profound love for the students and staff will undoubtedly support our mission and foster the growth and support of our university. Dr. Johnson said he sees this role as a divine calling. He is moved by the opportunity to serve the Lord at this remarkable
institution. He is committed to upholding the university’s Christian values and inspiring students and staff to grow in their faith and academic pursuits. Dr. Johnson emphasized his commitment to a transparent leadership style and expressed his eagerness to build meaningful relationships. He believes that through open communication and mutual respect, the university can achieve new heights of excellence.”

Johnson earned a Doctor of Ministry from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, with his project titled Racial Reconciliation in the Southern Baptist Convention, focusing on the themes of repentance, reconciliation, and restoration. His debut book, Black Church White Convention: A Pastor’s Story of Hope, set for release in spring 2025, chronicles his experience leading an African American church into the Southern Baptist Convention.

In 2019, Johnson and his family relocated to New Orleans to pursue a Ph.D. in Evangelism, Pastoral Ministries, and Christian Leadership. After guiding Edgewater Baptist Church of New Orleans through the COVID-19 pandemic as senior pastor, he joined the faculty at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as assistant professor of evangelism and pastoral ministries and director of the Doctor of Ministry Division.

He and his wife, Heather Williams Johnson, a former LCU Board of Trustees member, have been married for 29 years. They have four children.

Johnson now serves as a trustee of Washington and Jefferson College, previously as chairman of the Development and Alumni Relations Committee, and currently as chairman of the Student Success Committee, as well as a member of the Enrollment/Admissions Committee, and the Campaign Steering Committee advising on a $200-million campaign.

Johnson is a third-generation Baptist minister. He graduated with his B.A. from Washington and Jefferson College in 1994, becoming the first African American senior class commencement speaker in the college’s 243-year history.

After a professional basketball career in Europe and South America, he earned his Master of Divinity in 2004 and Master of Theology in 2005, both from Princeton Theological Seminary.

As a student at Princeton, Johnson was named executive director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at the 7,000-member Metropolitan Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. He was honored as one of the “100 Positive Men of New Jersey” for his impactful work with at-risk youth. Johnson transitioned to the nonprofit sector as the National Best Men Program director for the Best Friends Youth Foundation in Washington, D.C., where he presented character-based curricula on Capitol Hill for U.S. school districts.

In 2009, Johnson was elected the eighth pastor of Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Cleveland, Ohio, where he led significant church and community growth. He established national partnerships with churches, businesses, and organizations, including Hollywood’s Paramount Pictures, and annually mobilized more than 1,000 missionaries to revitalize Cleveland. His work also attracted the attention of Baseball Chapel, leading to his appointment as chaplain for the then Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) in 2016-18,
where he served alongside his wife to provide spiritual and family support for the organization.

Dr. David Jeffreys, LCU executive vice president, has served as interim president since the retirement of Dr. Rick Brewer in the spring of 2024.

“Dr. Jeffreys jumped into the role and maintained the momentum of the university in the interim,” Bunting said. “I want to thank him for his dedication to the university and his unwavering commitment to her success. He will take on a leadership role at the university alongside the new president, ensuring a seamless transition and continued excellence in our academic and spiritual endeavors.”

This week, the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office announced success in two cases. 

Garrett Michael Sillavan was convicted of 2nd Degree Rape. Sillavan was sentenced to 30 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by ADA Brian Cespiva.

Antonio Dwayne Latchie was convicted of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS I, 2 counts of Possession with Intent to Distribute CDS II, Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl, Possession of CDS I 2-28 Grams, and 3 counts of Firearm Possession by Felon. Latchie was sentenced to 10 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by ADA Hazel Coleman-Chavis. 

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced new voter list maintenance data sharing agreements with Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas. These agreements will help ensure the further accuracy of Louisiana’s voter rolls by detecting duplicate registrations within neighboring states.

“I am thankful to Secretary Nelson of Texas, Secretary Watson of Mississippi, former Secretary Thurston and current Secretary Jester of Arkansas for working with our office to help keep our voter list accurate and up-to-date,” Secretary Landry said. “Election integrity is my highest priority as Louisiana’s Secretary of State. These agreements underscore how focused my office is on maintaining safe and secure elections, while also safeguarding voters’ sensitive data.”

Secretary Landry previously announced a similar agreement with Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen in July 2024.

The Cotile Lake Campground and Recreational Area will receive several upgrades, and many longtime members of that community agree these improvements are long overdue.

The Rapides Parish Police Jury is investing $1.3 million to update the lake’s recreation area.

District B Police Juror Daniel Lonsberry said the money was obtained from the state and as a consequence of insurance. 

“Cotile is a beautiful place, and we want to help make it even better,” Lonsberry said.

The bathhouses on site have been rehabilitated as part of the project. Kathy Mixon, a long-time community member, commented that there was a need for more bathrooms for the public. 

“I think we could have a little bit more bathrooms open for the public, other than just this one here in the camping,” said longtime community member Kathy Mixon. “But they’re working on it daily, it’s a lot better than it was 20 years ago. The water’s hotter than it used to be, and the bathrooms are a lot cleaner than what they used to be. It’s not as run down.”

Mixon added that safety was also a concern where the bathrooms were concerned.

“You have people coming in all hours of the night to do whatever, take a bath or whatever else,” Mixon said.

Lonsberry said the police jury is working on adding an after-hours gate, installing additional security cameras, and requesting that the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office have more deputies to patrol the area.

The police jury said some of the funds will provide new decks and extend parking for RVs.

Lonsberry said there is still about $436,000 remaining for the project. Some of that funding will go toward finishing the current work and, Lonsberry’s words, to “beautify the park.”

Renee Morrison, another long-time member of the community, said all of this work will be a benefit to the community.

“I think it’s going to help to bring people back to the lake and enjoy themselves out here. It’s beautiful out here. This place was made for families, and that’s exactly what it needs to be for,” she said.

NATCHITOCHES – There was plenty of opportunity to be found for NSU students nearing graduation at the Northwestern State University career fair held at the Friedman student union Tuesday, Feb. 25. The fair featured 38 employers, ranging from a mix of governmental agencies to private industry. Over 150 students took advantage of this opportunity to meet with recruiters and jump-start their careers after they earn their degrees. CENLA area employers were well in evidence with Roy O. Martin, CLECO, Christus Health, the Alexandria Police Department, and Fort Johnson among the 38 firms and agencies present.

NSU will also be sponsoring a career fair in March for teaching positions.

One particularly noteworthy aspect of the career fair is the positive impression NSU alumni have
made on their employers. Many of the recruiters were alumni who have done well and have been
sent back to help recruit for their firms.

Paige (’24) and Sydney (’23) Hendrick represented Roy O. Martin and were quite possibly the first team of sisters to recruit at the fair. Amy Ashworth (’18) represented CLECO. The Alexandria Police Department was represented by 2023 NSU alumni Officer Jaydan Perkins. Cenla area Bank BOM featured three alumni: Abby Williams who will graduate in May, Mary Scruggs ’23 and Jorian Dodd ’24. They were joined by St. Mary’s and LSU alumna Ragan Hale.

Northwestern State University graduates who are doing well and making a good impression are the best advertisement for the quality of NSU graduates and create opportunities for the next generation of alumni.

Pretty much everything I know about gardening I learned in prison. For a little over 25 years, I have participated as needed in a ministry called Kairos, a nationwide prison ministry with incarcerated persons.  Kairos, which means “God’s special time” is found throughout our prison system in Louisiana but I have only participated in the retreats held at the Louisiana Correctional Institute for Women (LCIW). 

 At LCIW every incarcerated resident has a job, so this particular Kairos weekend I was partnered with one of the women who worked on the lawn and garden detail.  This was at their old campus near Gonzales, Louisiana and I must tell you, those grounds and flower beds looked like something out of a Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  So, as you can imagine, this woman knew her stuff.

Throughout the weekend you have opportunities to sit and talk with your person who is incarcerated to hear their life journey, if they choose to tell you, but that often comes much later in the weekend.  First you must build rapport. Although it never ceases to amaze me how easy that is and how much I have had in common with many of the women I have met. One way I like to break the ice is to ask them about the classes she has taken, what she likes to do in her down time and her work in the prison.  When we landed on her work, her face lit up.  

Now no one will ever accuse me of having a green thumb.  My husband claims that I can kill an air fern, so needless to say, I was soaking in all she had to tell me about her work.  She loved watching the flowers that lie dormant through the winter, bloom with great brilliance in the spring after much care plus a little water, sun and fertilizer.  She spoke of plants that needed extra attention because of mishandling or a hard freeze and how she felt so accomplished nursing those plants back to life.  And then she told me something I have never forgotten, trees like crepe myrtles, rose bushes and other blooming plants like azaleas, need pruning and the target date is always between Valentine’s Day and Daylight Savings Time.  I asked her why pruning was so important, and she told me that it was a way of cutting away the dead branches that was robbing the plant of its ability to focus on new growth.  

By the end of the weekend, she was beginning to realize that her work life skills she was learning while incarcerated was also good advise for her real life relationships.  We both were.  Together we came to realize that some relationships need special care and extra attention. Maybe even some fertilizer in the form of kind words, forgiveness or apologies to help them bloom again. Other relationships might need some pruning of hurtful feelings and resentments while still others might just need to be lopped off all together because they are bad for us, toxic, rob of our joy or perhaps even suck the very life out of us, keeping us from focusing on new growth.   

I never expected to learn so much in prison, but I absolutely did.

On the journey,

Ramonalynn Bethley

Ramonalynn Bethley is the pastor at First United Methodist Church of Alexandria. If you would like to contact Ramonalynn, you can email her at DrRevRL@fumca.org

The Alexandria Fire Department, Alexandria Police Department, and other first responders were called to the scene of a fire at 1404 Jackson Street.

Jackson Street was blocked off in that area as authorities responded to the fire.

Details are limited at this time. As more become available, they will be shared. 

On this day in history, February 26, 1932, one of America’s most iconic musicians was born—Johnny Cash. Known as “The Man in Black,” Cash’s music transcended genres, blending country, rock, blues, and gospel into a sound that resonated with generations of fans.

A Life in Music

Born in Kingsland, Arkansas, Cash grew up during the Great Depression, an experience that deeply influenced his storytelling style. His breakthrough came in the 1950s with hits like I Walk the Line and Folsom Prison Blues, which showcased his deep voice and signature boom-chicka-boom rhythm.

Over his decades-long career, Cash recorded over 1,500 songs, won 13 Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame—a rare and prestigious honor.

His Legacy Lives On

Even after his passing in 2003, Cash’s influence remains strong. His music continues to inspire artists across multiple genres, and his story is immortalized in the 2005 film Walk the Line. On this special anniversary of his birth, fans around the world are revisiting his greatest hits and reflecting on the legacy of one of music’s greatest storytellers.