By JIM BUTLER

The Alexandria City Council will consider a resolution this evening calling a special election May 3 asking renewal and extension of a property tax funding capital improvements.

The 11.5 mills levy would be renewed beginning in 2028 and be in effect 20 years.

This would be the second such request. Fifty-one percent of those voting in the 2023 referendum said no.

The tax now being collected was last approved, for 10 years, beginning with the 2018 assessments.

Funding it generates is used for a variety of improvements — such as drainage, infrastructure, recreation, riverfront.

The city budgets capital outlay under a five-year plan, with additions and/deletions annually.

The renewed tax is forecast to yield $5.4 million in the first year of collection. Estimated election cost is about $83,000.

A street musician brought some joy and light to a cold, gray afternoon at the neighborhood Walmart in Alexandria last Friday.

It was 42-year-old Walter P. Lyons. Decked out in orange and blue and black with neon green gloves, this 6-foot, 350-pound troubadour was pumping his trombone and playing “Hold that Tiger!” People drove by. Some rolled down the window, honked and waved. Some stopped to hand him a tip. One young woman got out of her car and hurried over to give him a hug.

This is Walter Lyons’ job, five days a week. He’s off on Sunday to go to church and Monday to pay his bills, often hand-delivered with one-dollar bills.

Walter loves “busking,” which is performing as a street entertainer for tips and other gratuities. He does this mostly at the parking lots for stores where he gets the manager’s permission to do so. He usually performs in Alexandria or Pineville, where he lives in a small house with Warrior, his 2-year-old Pitweiler. Sometimes he performs in cities across Louisiana and occasionally across the South. He’d be just another street entertainer in New Orleans, but in Alexandria, he’s a rarity.

His income is erratic with highs and lows. “Like Friday, at that Walmart, everything was great, and it was up here,” he said, gesturing with a hand held high, “but the very next day I went to Ruston and it was down here, and, the day after that, I went to Shreveport, and it was down here.”

It’s a tough way to make a living. He doesn’t have another job because he has a tough time staying on a job. “The longest job I’ve had was teaching for 3 ½ years. I have what they call ‘IED,’” he says of intermittent explosive disorder, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, involves repeated, sudden bouts of impulsive, aggressive, violent behavior or angry verbal outbursts. The reactions are too extreme for the situation.

Walter blames his clashes with bosses on his unwillingness to follow orders or directives that clash with what he believes is best for, let’s say, the student, or the customer.   

So, he buries the demon within by unleashing his love – his love for music. It’s something he has been doing since playing some bongo drums at age 4. He did this at practice sessions in the family’s home near Lower Third (Scallan Street) involving his father, Arthur Charles Lyons, a local jazz musician. Walter started playing the trombone at the South Alexandria Sixth Grade Center and he has been playing it since, through Brame Middle School, Peabody Magnet High School and Southern University, where he graduated in 2006 with a major in biology and a minor in music.

He has tinkered with other musical instruments, like the piano and the tuba, but he “fell in love” with the trombone at age 12. His music teacher at the time, who was a French horn player with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra, showed him all the brass instruments available and told him to pick one. He recognized the long trombone from one his father had in a closet and chose it.

Ernie Bott, a trombonist for the Rapides Symphony Orchestra for many years and a former longtime band director at Bunkie High School, was Walter’s junior high band director. Walter says Bott was a great influence in triggering his love affair with the trombone.

“He was a good student and fun to have in class,” Bott said of Walter. “He was enthusiastic and worked hard and he obviously had talent. The combination of talent and hard work is rare. I totally enjoyed having him as a student in my class and teaching him.”

Walter has been bringing joy to folks for some five years playing his trombone, be it as a parking lot busker or playing at parties or events or at Christian Love Baptist Church. It started in 2019 when he grew weary trying to work a day job delivering pizza and then working an 8-hour night shift for a security company.

He said a man once asked him while he was performing at a parking lot if he would stop and go play “Happy Birthday” to his wife at a local restaurant, and he offered him $40 to do so. Overjoyed at the request, Walter jumped at the opportunity.

With misty eyes he recalls an encounter with a depressed young man in his early 20s in front of the Walmart in Natchitoches. “He told me he was very intent on ending his life,” Walter said. “I sat and listened to him for a while, and we talked. He went home and thought about it but didn’t do it, and he came back and tipped me and hugged me passionately and thanked me for saving his life.”

One of the poor among us, Walter figures it’s a lot better to be a happy busker, smiling and dancing and transporting people through music to a better place, than being a sour-faced panhandler holding a woe-is-me sign.

“If I can make people forget about their problems for even 30 seconds with my music, wearing bright colors and playing happy songs,” he said, “then I feel I’ve made a contribution, helping bring hope or happiness to the world.”

In a world that’s dark too often, we can use more such offerings of light.

If you’re interested in having Walter P. Lyons entertain at a gathering or event, you can call him at (318) 451-8800, or you can find him on Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, CashApp, Venmo or GoFundMe.   

Eggs have been a large concern for many American consumers for several reasons, from shortages leading to high prices to stores limiting customers. But how are these issues affecting local businesses?

Since the initial outbreak of the bird flu, over 13 million egg-laying hens have died, causing a massive national egg shortage, which has contributed greatly to the rising price of eggs.

In hopes of keeping eggs stocked in stores despite the shortages, national chain stores like Kroger and Sam’s Club have implemented a limit for shoppers. 

As for local businesses like Ball Foods, a local grocery store, higher egg prices have had an impact on their business much like those of the national stores.

Grocery Manager Jaba Brennan said that while they do limit the amount of eggs customers can buy at one time, the store still wants to make sure they are doing everything they can to keep the egg prices as low as possible.

“We still offer ads and coupons to try and relieve the price for our customers,” said Brennan. “Demand is really high, supply is low. We want to be able to accommodate all of our customers. Eggs are a staple, so we try to make it to where everybody can get something.”

Brennan said they are also making sure they communicate to customers about the egg prices by posting announcements on shelves as they receive them.

First-round pairings were announced Monday for the LHSAA boys basketball playoffs.

All parish schools are in the Select classification. Seven local teams qualified for the postseason.

First-round games are played Friday night. Second-round and quarterfinal games take place next week.

ASH, Peabody and Plainview earned first-round byes with high seedings in their brackets. Plainview is the highest-seeded parish team, at No. 2 in Class C.

Division I

No. 5 ASH (26-60), bye

No. 14 Tioga (21-10) hosts No. 19 Woodlawn-Baton Rouge (16-15)

Division II

No. 3 Peabody (23-4), bye

Division IV

No. 17 Northwood-Lena (17-6) at No. 16 Westminster Christian (13-11)

Class B

No. 15 Glenmora (15-13) hosts No. 18 Oak Hill (19-17)

Class C

No. 2 Plainview (25-3), bye

Buckeye’s Natalie Graves hit a game-winning 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining Monday night on the road to give the Lady Panthers a thrilling victory at Frederick A. Douglass in LHSAA girls basketball second-round playoff action.

Other local teams advancing were Alexandria Senior High, Menard, Plainview and Oak Hill.  Buckeye and Menard won on the road.

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

Division I

ASH 58,  Riverdale 35

Division II

Buckeye 40,  Frederick A. Douglass 39

Division III

Menard 51, Newman 17

Class B

Oak Hill 67, Hicks 51

Fairview 71, Glenmora 26

Class C

Plainview 63, Claiborne Christian 29

Quarterfinal matchups (Thursday games)

ASH (8^th seed) at John Curtis (1)

Buckeye (9) at University-BR (1)

Menard (10) at Academy of Sacred Heart-New Orleans (2)

Pitkin (6) at Oak Hill (3)

Gibsland-Coleman (6) at Plainview (3)

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is conducting a survey of freshwater anglers to gather information about fishing preferences and opinions, with a specific focus on the Atchafalaya River Basin (ARB).

The survey is available on the LDWF website for two weeks beginning Monday, Feb. 24. To access the survey, go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HPK86QB

Participation in this survey will support the LDWF’s Inland Fisheries Section in better managing fishing in the ARB for Louisiana anglers.

For more information about the survey or Freshwater Fisheries Management in the Atchafalaya River Basin, contact Fisheries Biologist Manager Brac Salyers, bsalyers@wlf.la.gov  or 337-735-8711.

by Brad Dison

During World War II, Leslie Townes was a civilian working with the United States military. Leslie was so skilled at his job that he led a group of sometimes as many as 30 other male and female civilians who also worked with the military. Leslie and his team went wherever they were needed, usually on short notice, and performed their jobs to perfection.

On April 30, 1945, when Soviet soldiers surrounded Hitler’s command bunker in Berlin and Hitler realized that Germany would lose the Battle of Berlin, he and several others in his bunker committed suicide. On May 2, the Berlin garrison surrendered to the Soviet army and the war in Europe was over. Leslie and his team had been working in Germany at the time the Soviets overran Berlin. Because of Leslie’s work, the Russians provided him with a pass and transportation to get into Berlin to see Hitler’s bunker. Remember, Russia was our ally during World War II. Leslie could not pass up the opportunity. Several Air Force men who had just returned from flying President Harry Truman to the Potsdam Conference accompanied Leslie to the bunker. Leslie said, “They drove me in a big car past all the rubble that used to be Berlin… There were all these Russian sentries guarding a big concrete dome sticking up out of the ground, covered by grass and mud, surrounded by huge bomb craters.” Leslie was shocked by what he saw inside. He said, “The place was a shambles, furniture scattered all around,” then added, “as if the last tenant had just gotten a divorce and his ex-wife had tried to take the rugs with her.”

Leslie and his Air Force escorts began collecting some of the smaller items from the bunker. The Russian guards made no attempt to stop them. The Russians had already rummaged through and collected what they considered valuable. Some of the items Leslie collected from Hitler’s bunker included stationary with Adolph Hitler’s initials and the handle from Hitler’s toilet. While the Air Force men collected other items, one of them noticed Leslie staring at a large swastika flag which covered one whole wall. As Leslie contemplated what that flag represented as he stood just feet from where the dictator met his demise by his own hand, one of the airmen said, “would you like to have that?” Leslie was a little doubtful. He did not want to leave the swastika flag flying as Hitler had left it, but he was unsure how they would get it out of the bunker. Finally, the airmen rolled it up from the floor to the ceiling and removed it from its fasteners. They folded it as well as they could. The guard, who had paid little attention to them until now, was watching their every move. The airmen gave the guard a couple packs of American cigarettes. In return, the guard gave them an iron cross that he had found in the bunker. Leslie referred to this as the first post-war Russian-American trade pact. As the guard lit a cigarette, Leslie and the airmen left Hitler’s bunker with Leslie’s large swastika flag. Leslie’s plan was to display the items in a museum.

Following the war, Leslie’s work with the U.S. military continued until his retirement in 1991. He had worked with the military for 50 years. In 1997, Congress passed a bill that made him an honorary veteran of the Armed Forces. Leslie was the first American to be so honored by Congress. During the presentation at the Capitol Rotunda, Senator Strom Thurmond presented a resolution which referred to Leslie as, “a great man, a great American, a great entertainer.” The man who took Hitler’s flag from his bunker, who led his troupe of performers around the world entertaining the soldiers for 50 years, was Leslie Townes “Bob” Hope.

Sources:

1. Bob Hope with Melville Shavelson, Don’t Shoot, It’s Only Me (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, 1990), 48.

2. The Times and Democrat (Orangeburg, South Carolina), October 30, 1997, p.3.

Today, February 25, food lovers across the country are celebrating National Clam Chowder Day, a tribute to one of America’s most beloved and enduring comfort foods. Whether you prefer the creamy New England-style chowder or the tomato-based Manhattan variety, there’s no denying that this dish has a rich history and a special place in American cuisine.

The History of Clam Chowder

Clam chowder has roots tracing back to the early 18th century when settlers along the Eastern Seaboard incorporated shellfish into hearty stews. The dish quickly gained popularity in coastal communities, with Boston becoming synonymous with the thick and creamy New England clam chowder. Meanwhile, in New York, a different version emerged—Manhattan clam chowder—distinguished by its tomato base and vegetable-heavy ingredients.

How Clam Chowder Became a National Favorite

By the 20th century, clam chowder had become a staple in American households and restaurants. In 1939, the state of Maine even tried to outlaw the use of tomatoes in chowder, demonstrating just how passionately people feel about their preferred versions.

Celebrating with a Bowl of Chowder

Restaurants and seafood shacks nationwide are offering special deals today in honor of National Clam Chowder Day. Whether you make your own at home or enjoy a bowl at a local seafood spot, it’s the perfect dish to warm up with during the colder months.

Charles Michael McCartney
October 6, 1952 – February 19, 2025
Service:  Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 10am at Woodworth Cemetery, Woodworth.

Ann Chenevert Franklin
December 16, 1949 – February 17, 2025
Service: Saturday, March 1, 2025, 12pm at Miller & Hill “The Funeral Directors,” Alexandria. 

By JIM BUTLER

The next step in Hope House’s providing some clients with transitional housing goes to the Alexandria City Council Tuesday.

On the posted agenda is introduction of a resolution to accept for city operation and maintenance of the street and drainage improvements in the service agency’s residential development subdivision.

Located at Hargis & Duhon streets (east of Lee), the development along Adrienne Drive has 12 lots of about one-quarter acre each, according to a plat submitted with the proposed resolution.

The late Adrienne Dole was an ardent advocate of Hope House, a program launched here more than 30 years ago by Joanne White and Caroline “Polly” Keller-Winter, legends in Cenla charitable efforts.

Initial funding from the Louisiana Housing Corporation and the Community Foundation enabled the housing plan to become reality.

Eventually the subdivision will provide safe, affordable housing to Hope House client-graduates. It will also be open to select referrals from other agencies.

Clerk of Court – Rapides Parish

Karan Corley:  50.85%

Thomas David, III:  49.14%

Total Responses: 1,925

Police Juror District B – Rapides Parish

Randy Wiggins:  77.78%

Kevin Sasser:  22.22%

Total Responses: 648

Justice of the Peace – Ward 2, Rapides Parish

Kevin Kitchen:  53.33%

Brian Hickman:  46.67%

Total Responses: 540

Mayor – Town of Cheneyville, Rapides Parish

Green:  75.95%

Mitchell:  24.05%

Total Responses: 79

This survey used measures, validation and geofencing. These measures trigger the entry as being outside of the geographic boundary.  Duplicate entries along with entries from participators outside of the Parish or Districts were purged.

This survey is to gain insight among the readership of the Parish Journal. This is simply a snapshot-in-time of the opinions of our readership at the time they cast their opinion. This is NOT a scientific poll.

Oak Hill Fire Department has released its data relating to calls made between Feb. 11 and Feb. 18. 

Tonight’s second round LHSAA girls basketball playoff games involving Rapides Parish schools (all are in the Select category):

Division I, Riverdale (No. 9 seed) at ASH (8), 6 o’clock

Division II, Buckeye (9) at Frederick A. Douglass, 6:30

Division III, Menard (10) at Newman (7), 6 o’clock

Class B, Oak Hill (3) vs. Hicks (14), at Northwood-Lena HS, 6 o’clock

Class B, Glenmora (17) at Fairview (1), 6 o’clock

Scores involving parish teams in the first round:

Liberty 46, Tioga 45 (OT)

Buckeye 67, St. Charles 27

Lake Charles College Prep 38, Peabody 35

Glenmora 32, Castor 29

The Louisiana Christian University men’s basketball team tripled last season’s win total (5 to 15) and more than quadrupled its conference tally (3 to 14) as it secured its first winning season in three campaigns with a 80-72 victory at Texas College on Saturday afternoon.

LCU (15-13, 14-10 in the RRAC) will be the sixth seed in the conference tournament and plays No. 3 Our Lady of the Lake in the first round of the single-elimination tournament Friday morning at 9:30 at the Rapides Parish Coliseum.

Saturday in Tyler, Texas, after recording a season-most 29 personal fouls in their matchup with the Steers on Thursday, the Cats flipped the script with their fewest of 2024-25 at just 14 while boxing out the home five in limiting them to a year-low of 22 rebounds given up en route to a +11 margin on the boards.

Devin Carter scored 26 points and led the Wildcats with six rebounds while posting a season-best three steals. Drew Tibbe scored 11 and led LCU with three assists, while Joseph Holloway added 10 points.

Chukwuemeke Nwaoshai blocked four shots, adding eight points and five rebounds.

TEXAS COLLEGE WOMEN 72, LCU 69 (OT): Kylei Leblanc and McKayla Price each had 20-point performances but the Texas College Steers bottled up Princis Goff to a career-low four points and upset the Wildcats in an extra period for the second time in three days.

Louisiana Christian (10-16, 10-14) will be the No. 6 seed in the RRAC women’s bracket and plays third-seeded LSUA Friday evening at 6:30 in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament at the Rapides Parish Coliseum. 

Leblanc delivered season highs in terms of points (21), field goals (10-of-16), and steals (5) in addition to nine rebounds plus both of the team’s blocks. She was the contest’s top player in all five statistical categories listed above, putting an exclamation point on a potential RRAC Freshman of the Year worthy season.

Price shot 7-for-12 from the field as she posted 20 points for the second time as a Wildcat over a career-best 35 minutes, knocking down all six of her free throws and corralling eight boards.

DaKayla Howard scored 11 points. Goff may have been held in check on the scoreboard, but she still contributed in other ways by handing out a contest-best four dimes.

Two big rallies fueled LSU Alexandria’s baseball series sweep at Louisiana Christian in the Red River Conference opener for the Wildcats over the weekend.

Trailing 7-0, LSUA scored nine runs in the ninth inning of Friday’s series opener and scored a stunning victory. Saturday, after clinching the series with a 5-1 win in Game 2, LSUA recovered from a 6-0 Wildcats lead after two innings and scored 11 in the next three frames on the way to a 13-9 triumph in Game 3.

It is the first time the Generals (11-7, 6-0 RRAC) have swept the Wildcats (8-11, 0-3) since LCU joined the Red River Athletic Conference.

The Game 2 win was Kody Gautreaux’s 100^th career victory as the Generals’ skipper.

“Anytime you come here, you know it’s going to be three tough games,” said Gautreaux.