Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Feb. 23

Karson Kitchen 17, Woodworth – OWI first offense, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,100 bail;

Joe Nathan Venson Jr, 24, Alexandria — two counts attempted second-degree murder, four counts contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Joe Dallas Wood, 41 Pollock – OWI first offense, operating vehicle while under certain suspensions, no insurance, open container, $1,700 bail.

Feb. 22

Joshua Lynn Andries, 34, Woodworth – possession of firearm by convicted felon, improper license plate, contempt of court, $10,100 bail;

Michelle Laurie Christian, 57, Pineville – issuing worthless checks, $1,000 bail;

Karra Nicholle Crayton, 44, Alexandria — attempted second degree murder, criminal damage to property, $17,500 bail;

Zachary Todd Erwin, 32, Alexandria – criminal damage to property, three counts contempt of court, $8,250 bail;

Timothy Demetrius Kennedy, 56, Alexandria – two counts theft, resisting a police officer, possession of controlled dangerous substance, $12,500 bail;

Thomas J. Lynch, 32, Deville  – OWI second offense, speeding, improper lane usage, improper window tint, $1,800 bail;

Michael Dewayne Mix, 23, Boyce – illegal possession of stolen firearm, firearm possession by convicted felon, possession of marijuana, contempt of court, $4,000 bail;

Matthew Tate Mobley, 49, Alexandria – theft second subsequent conviction, no bail data;

Edward O’Neal Murphy, 41, Forest Hill – possession of controlled dangerous substance, illegal carry firearm with drugs, paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Dillan Frank Nelson, 31, Deville – OWI second offense, improper window tint, $1,600 bail;

Terricke Jerome Payne, 45, Alexandria – two counts theft, obstruction of justice, $25,500 bail;

Torrie Kemon Wells, 29, Woodworth — criminal damage to property, simple assault, three counts contempt of court, $12,250 bail.

Feb. 21

Kevin Brister, 39, DeRidder – creating distributing counterfeit controlled dangerous substance with intent, paraphernalia, improper license plate, Louisiana fugitive, $5,600 bail;

James Herbert Coulter, 63, Pineville – indecent behavior with juveniles, sexual battery, $200,000 bail;

Edward D. Evans, 56, Calvin – Louisiana fugitive, contempt of court, $100 bail;

Robert Francisco Faircloth, 62, Alexandria – obscenity, $10,000 bail;

Thomas Randell Helverson, 58, Ruby — Louisiana fugitive, three counts contempt of court, $30,000 bail;

Amy Mertens, 38, Deville – legend drug possession, possession of controlled dangerous substance schedule 2 and schedule 4, improper multiple beam lighting distribution, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, $12,100 bail;

Kentravious Ja’Quon Prater, 20, Bunkie – domestic abuse battery with child present, theft, $3,000 bail;

Catherine Lynn Shevnin, 65, Pineville – OWI second offense, improper lane usage, $1,600 bail;

Daniel Drake Wehrle, 32, Pineville – domestic abuse battery strangulation, simple battery, contempt of court, probation violation, Louisiana fugitive, $6,000 bail.

Feb. 20

Lisa Bernard, 50, Boyce – possession of controlled dangerous substance schedule 1 and schedule 2, drug paraphernalia, illegal carry firearm with drugs, no turn signals, contempt of court, $6,600 bail;

Austin Rayshun Byrd, 29, Alexandria – sexual battery oral, computer-aided solicitation of a minor, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, $75,000 bail;

Danny Ray Dydzyk Jr, 52, Boyce – theft, nine counts contempt of court, $57.500 bail;

Herman D. Felton, 51, Colfax – possession of controlled dangerous substance, producing, manufacturing, dispensing cocaine with intent, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, $77,500 bail;

Jessie Darnell Hunter, 18, Pineville – first-degree robbery, criminal conspiracy, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice, possession of controlled dangerous substance, $36,000 bail;

Ethan Johnson, 17, Pineville – first-degree robbery, criminal conspiracy, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice, possession of controlled dangerous substance, $36,000 bail;

Evelyn Nicole Johnson, 42, Alexandria – burglary of inhabited dwelling, contempt of court, $22,000 bail;

Bobby Neal Jones Jr, 41, N/A – possession of controlled dangerous substance, contempt of court, $102,500 bail;

James Earl Jones, 62, Alexandria – aggravated robbery, criminal trespass, exploitation of the infirmed, $55,500 bail;

Jarvarous Dewayne Sanders, 22, Alexandria – four counts attempted second degree murder, three counts aggravated battery, four counts simple battery, illegal possession of stolen firearm, introducing contraband into penal facility, aggravated assault, armed robbery, $175,000 bail;

Jerry Jermaine Sheppard, 34, Colfax – Louisiana fugitive, two counts contempt of court, $200,000 bail;

Kevin Dewayne Slaughter Jr, 24, Alexandria – possession of firearm by convicted felon, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice, aggravated assault with a firearm, $55,500 bail.

Feb. 19

James Tillman Edward Cheek Sr, 33, Deville – DWI second offense, improper lane usage, operating a vehicle while under suspension for certain prior offenses, open container, $1,470 bail;

Bobby Ray Cheyne Jr, 49, Alexandria – three counts possession of controlled dangerous substance, trespassing/remaining after forbidden, paraphernalia, contempt of court, $7,600 bail:

Velma Rebecca Neathery, 38, Boyce – public intimidation and retaliation, $25,000 bail;

Jonathan Marvell Porter, 32, Alexandria – possession of firearm by convicted felon, wearing hood/mask in public, producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, possession of controlled dangerous substance, illegal carry firearm with drugs, resisting an officer, paraphernalia, two counts contempt of court, $68,000 bail;

Jerimiah Price, 21, Boyce – Louisiana fugitive, simple battery, criminal damage to property, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, battery of officer, $16,000 bail;

Victoria Emily Lane Vonwald, 35, Boyce – theft, criminal conspiracy, contempt of court, $12,500 bail.

The Mayor of Ball, Gail Wilking, announced Sunday morning that Ball’s Mardi Gras parade, scheduled to roll that afternoon at 2pm, was cancelled owing to a significant chance of rain. 

Somewhat ironically, the parade’s king is meteorologist Nick Mikulas, and he advocated for canceling and rescheduling the parade for everyone’s safety. The parade will now be held on Saturday, March 1, at 2pm. 

The Central Louisiana African American Culture & Heritage Center (AACHC) honored six local Cenla individuals for their contributions to society and for being an inspiration to many during the Center’s Feb. 22 celebration at the Martin Luther King Jr. branch of the RPL. 

Honorees for 2025 included:

• Brigadier General Sheridan Cadoria (Army Brigadier General, Military Pioneer and Icon)
• Lee A. Dotson, Jr. (Educator, Community Leader)
• Dr. Charles R. Joiner, MD (Doctor, Veteran, Pastor)
• Dr. Hayward B. Joiner, Jr., Ph.D (Educator, Community Advocate, Veteran)
• Judge Dorothy Baker Reyes (Superior Court Judge, Attorney)
• Coach Charles Smith, Jr. (Educator, Mentor, Coach)

Lakeisha Henton with the MLK branch explained why it’s important to honor these black pioneers as well as all such pioneers. 

“In this day and age, we need to make sure that we honor our heritage, our culture,” said Henton. “We have our own celebrities here. We have stood on the backs of many of them and their contributions. Our theme this year was Each Other’s Harvest, fostering community, and applauding achievement. And I think that our AACHC, along with the Rapides Parish Library, is here to be a repository and make sure that those stories don’t get lost.”

Henton added that although she’s honoring the past, she also hopes it serves as an inspiration to today’s generation of black youth.

“We are more than what is portrayed in the media, we come from royalty,” said Henton. “We have contributed so much to this world to where they need to understand and stand up tall. It’s not about black history month. Me, myself, I’m black 365 days a year, and for that, I am very proud. And it’s important because as we move along, there are shoes that need to be filled. And we have kids out there with the talent and the right guidance that can fill those shoes.

Henton said the AACHC has planned to continue honoring pioneers in the black community each year.

On February 24, 1930, American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh made a groundbreaking discovery—the dwarf planet Pluto. While initially classified as the ninth planet in our solar system, Pluto was later redefined as a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), sparking debates among astronomers and space enthusiasts.

Pluto, located in the Kuiper Belt, is known for its icy surface, thin atmosphere, and heart-shaped region famously photographed by NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft in 2015. Despite its reclassification, Pluto remains a fascinating celestial body, continuing to capture the imagination of scientists and the public alike.

As space exploration advances, Pluto reminds us that there is still so much to discover beyond our solar system. Whether considered a planet or not, its discovery was a milestone in astronomical history and a testament to human curiosity and perseverance.

By JIM BUTLER

The Ball Zoning Committee will hear two requests for proposed residential projects at its March 3 meeting.

Changing the usage designation for 109 Tioga Road would permit construction of duplexes on the site.

The property is now zoned for business. Owner Michael Thompson is requesting a change to R-4 multi-family residential.

The site is just west of the road’s intersection with US Hwy. 165 North, the same intersection serving Paradise Road to the East.

A subdivision is the purpose of the other matter to be heard.

Variance to the R-3 residential minimum lot size requirement is sought for what is proposed as Cypress Point Subdivision on Daniels Road, which runs east of U.S. 165.

According to the town Zoning Ordinance, minimum lot size in R-3 is 10,900 square feet, a quarter-acre.

Notice of the hearing does not specify what minimum variance is being requested nor the petitioner.

The meeting is at the Town Hall, beginning at 6 p.m.

Constituents from Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District voiced their concerns to Congressman Cleo Fields at a town hall held at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. This town hall was prompted following a series of executive orders issued by President Donald Trump.

“President Trump just needs to know that in America we elect leaders, not dictators. I mean this is a democracy, not a dictatorship. He’s the president he’s not a king and he needs to know that,” Congressman Fields said to the audience.

Among Trump’s proposals are plans that gave rise to the concerns voiced at the town hall. These plans include closing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, eliminating the Department of Education, and banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Congressman Fields said he is hopeful that Congress will be able to block these actions.

“I think the Congress of the United States will serve its powers like the Constitution gives us the opportunity to do,” Fields said.

Fields also shared his concerns regarding Elon Musk’s role in the American government. Fields stated that he felt Musk has too much access to citizens’ private information from the treasury department.

“Elon Musk has just gone too far,” Fields said.

As a result of this overreach, Fields has co-sponsored the Taxpayer Data Protection Act. This act aims to prevent bad actors from accessing citizens’ personal data.

“Elon Musk has not been confirmed by the Senate. He’s not been elected by the people, and so at the end of the day, I think all of this needs to calm down,” Fields said.

Fields addressed a wide range of issues raised by his constituents, from the ongoing insurance crisis and homelessness to food insecurity, veterans’ affairs, and concerns about potential cuts to funding for historically black colleges and universities, as well as Medicaid.

“Now I’m not going to make everybody happy every time. I’m going to try, I’ll do my best. But it’s impossible because everybody in the Sixth District doesn’t have the same views,” Fields asserted.

Fields added that he plans to take the concerns he heard Wednesday to Congress, making assurances to his constituents that more town hall meetings will be held throughout his term and that he is listening to them.

Please be informed that Rapides Training Academy will be closed tomorrow, February
21, 2025. The heat in the facility will not be fully operational tomorrow, and considering
the extremely cold temperatures, we cannot safely run the school day.

We will communicate updates as we have more information. Maintenance crews are
working diligently to repair this issue.

The Journal is giving our readers the opportunity to participate in an online poll for RAPIDES PARISH candidates.

In order to obtain the best results, please vote only ONCE for candidates in a race district.

The poll will run until 4 p.m. Friday, February 21 when the link will no longer be active. The purpose of this poll is to gain insight to our readers opinions regarding the candidates on a ballott.

As always, we recommend you go to the polls on March 29, 2025 and exercise your right to vote.

Have you been craving Girl Scout cookies for the past several months? Has your stash of Thin Mints finally run out? Your wait is finally over! The Girl Scouts’ of Louisiana – Pines to Gulf Council held the kickoff to this year’s Girl Scout Cookie Program with a ribbon cutting at the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce office Thursday, Feb 20.

Since 1917 when a Girl Scout Troop in Oklahoma baked and sold cookies in their high school cafeteria, generations of young women have raised funds for their Troop’s activities in what has become an iconic American tradition. Along the way, the young women learn the five goals of the Girl Scout Cookie Program: Goal Setting, Decision Making, Money Management, People Skills, and Business Ethics. Girl Scout cookies are more than a delicious snack. When you buy a box, you help young women grow and flourish.

Girl Scout Cookie season runs from Feb 20 to March 31. 

SHREVEPORT — LSUA’s basketball teams traveled up I-49 hoping to spring one upset Thursday night.

There was a shocker in the Red River Athletic Conference doubleheader finishing the regular season, but it wasn’t the one the visitors wanted.

The LSUA men, ranked No. 1 nationally in the NAIA Top 25, were knocked off by LSU Shreveport.

The LSUA women barely missed another surprise, falling by one to the RRAC regular-season champions.

LSUS MEN 101, LSUA 96:  The loss snapped a 19-game winning streak for the Generals (25-2, 22-2 RRAC) but while it will probably cost them the No. 1 ranking, it won’t affect their top seeding in the upcoming conference tournament or the automatic NAIA playoff berth they earned by rolling to the regular-season RRAC title.

Kashie Natt led LSUA with 30 points and 10 rebounds for his 14^th double-double of the season, and added a team-high five assists. Jakemin Abney scored 21 points as he went 9-for-14 from the field.  Jordan Decuir pitched in with 12 points.

The Pilots (18-10, 15-9) held the Generals to 29 percent shooting while building a 38-31 halftime lead

In an explosive second half, the Generals scored 65 points, but the Pilots tallied 63. LSUA knocked down 54.5 percent of its shots in the back half but the winner sank 56 percent, including 6 of 9 on 3-pointers, and drained 21 of 24 free throws.

The LSUS lead widened to 19, 71-56, with 9:42 remaining but LSUA began to chew into the deficit. Down by 11, the Generals scored 10 unanswered to move within 80-79 with just over five minutes to go.

But LSUS responded with a 9-2 run, pulling ahead 89-81. The Pilots kept the Generals out of reach, knocking down eight consecutive free throws over the next two minutes.

Tahjae Hill’s 27 points led five LSUS players in double figures on Senior Night for the Pilots at The Dock.

LSUS WOMEN 62, LSUA 61: The Generals raced to a 22-10 lead, but playing for outright ownership of the RRAC title, the Pilots rallied in the middle two quarters before the teams went toe-to-toe in the final 10 minutes.

There were four lead changes in the final period, the last with 5:55 left lifting LSUS ahead on a Paula Gonzales Herrero basket. LSUA tied the game but could not regain the lead and a partially blocked 3-point shot with five seconds left ultimately made the difference.

Nursing a 58-57 edge, LSUS got a pair of Helena Galunic baskets to open its biggest advantage of the game, 62-57 with 1:41 left. LSUA’s Benedetta Peracchi got an assist from Amani Gray with 1:14 left on a layup to make it a one-possession contest, but two potential tying treys in the final 33 seconds didn’t connect. The last one was deflected out of bounds with five seconds left on a block by LSUS’ Selma Markisic, but LSUA retained possession.

The Generals were unable to get off another 3-pointer, and Peracchi was fouled with one second left. She drained both free throws despite an LSUS timeout in between, but clinging to the one-point edge, the Pilots successfully inbounded and time ran out on the upset bid.

LSUS (24-3, 23-1) benefitted from a 26-10 advantage in points off turnovers, although the actual turnover count was deceptively close with the visitors giving it up 19 times to 15 for the Pilots.

Jewel Jones led the Generals (21-7, 17-6) with 16 points and Alexis Dyer finished with 15. Gray recorded a team-high 10 rebounds. Peracchi dished out six assists and recorded three steals.

When the RRAC Tournament begins next Friday at the Rapides Parish Coliseum, the LSUA women will be  the No. 3 seed in the eight-team, three-day event.

The Louisiana Christian men’s basketball team weathered a big rally by Texas College Thursday night at H.O. West Fieldhouse but finished the game on a 22-12 run and posted a 13-point Red River Athletic Conference victory on Senior Night.

The LCU women absorbed an overtime loss. Making up a postponed visit to Texas College in January, the teams will rematch Saturday afternoon in Tyler to finish the regular season.

LCU MEN 85, TEXAS COLLEGE 73: The Wildcats built a commanding 19-point lead (54-35), watched the Steers nearly charge all the way back using a 28-6 run to make it a three-point game with 6:50 left (63-60).

LCU (14-13, 13-10 RRAC) got a season-best 28 points from junior Bryce Weinmunson, who hit 5-of-7 on treys and added four steals against Texas College (7-18, 6-17).

The Wildcats went 7-3 in games played at H.O. West Fieldhouse this year, the first winning record at home since going 8-6 in 2021-22.

With their 13th RRAC victory, the Cats secured a winning record in league play for the first time in three years, notching their most victories during conference action since snagging 14 in venerable retired coach Gene Rushing’s final season back in 2014-15.

Devin Carter matched his season average scoring output of 19 points, doing so by going a perfect 7-for-7 at the charity stripe on top of a personal-high in rebounds at eight. Drew Tebbe scored 14, going 4-of-6 on 3-pointers.

TEXAS COLLEGE 83, LCU WOMEN 78 (OT):  A four-game winning streak was snapped in a foul-fest, with a combined 59 whistles and LCU sinking a season-high 32 free throws.

Louisiana Christian (10-15, 10-13) got 22 points from sensational junior Princis Goff, who cracked the career 1,000 point mark 52 games into her days playing in Pineville. She added 10 rebounds for her 10^th double-double this season and 17^th of her career.

The Wildcats got another double-double performance, her first, by McKayla Price with a career-best 11 rebounds and 12 points, eight at the line. Deja Tanks played her last home game for LCU and posted 10 points and eight rebounds against Texas College (9-17, 8-15).

Dakota Howard brought back the Wildcats with a 3-pointer at the 1:04 mark of regulation and two free throws to knot the game at 65 with 32 seconds left. Neither team managed to get off a shot in the last half-minute.

Texas College never trailed in OT and hit 5-of-8 shots from the floor and went 6-of-8 at the line, while LCU was 2-for-6 from the floor but stayed in range sinking 8-of-9 free throws.

Thursday’s scores involving parish teams in the first round of the LHSAA girls basketball playoffs:

Liberty 46, Tioga 45 (OT)

Buckeye 67, St. Charles 27

Lake Charles College Prep 38, Peabody 35

Glenmora 32, Castor 29

Following a report of a robbery on Cotton Street on Wednesday Pineville Police have arrested two teenagers. 

Pineville Police officers responded to the call of a robbery of a local business in the 200 block of Cotton Street on Feb. 19 around 7:48pm. Police obtained a search warrant for a residence on Wood St. following an investigation, during which Pineville SWAT assisted. 

Upon police arrival at the residence, two individuals fled on foot. Police deployed a drone with thermal imaging technology to track the suspects. Shortly thereafter, the suspects were taken into custody. 

Jessie Hunter, 18, and Ethan Johnson, 17, were arrested and charged with first-degree robbery, criminal conspiracy, obstruction of justice (evidence tampering), resisting an officer and possession of marijuana. Each received a bond of $1,000.

Both teens remain in the Rapides Parish Detention Center at this time, pending further investigation and legal proceedings.

Languages are the foundation of culture, identity, and heritage, and February 21 marks International Mother Language Day, a UNESCO-recognized celebration of linguistic diversity. Established in 1999, this day honors the importance of preserving and promoting native languages worldwide.

With thousands of languages spoken globally, many are at risk of extinction due to globalization, cultural assimilation, and declining native speakers. According to UNESCO, nearly 43% of the world’s 7,000 languages are endangered.

From initiatives to revitalize indigenous languages to educational programs promoting bilingualism, today serves as a reminder of the richness that linguistic diversity brings to humanity. By encouraging people to speak, write, and share their mother tongues, we ensure that the world’s cultural heritage remains vibrant for generations to come.