On March 21, 2006, a new digital era began when Jack Dorsey sent the first-ever tweet: “just setting up my twttr.” What started as a simple microblogging idea quickly became one of the most powerful social media platforms in history.

Twitter, now known as X following a rebranding by Elon Musk in 2023, has transformed everything from politics to pop culture. It has provided real-time news updates, amplified social movements, and given individuals a global platform for expression.

Created by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams, Twitter emerged from a brainstorming session at the podcasting company Odeo. The concept was simple: a platform where users could share short updates with their followers. Initially limited to 140 characters, the format encouraged brevity and rapid engagement.

By 2009, Twitter had gained massive popularity, with politicians, celebrities, and news organizations using it as a primary communication tool. Hashtags (#) became a defining feature, allowing users to categorize and participate in trending topics.

Unlike traditional media, Twitter enabled real-time news dissemination. Major global events, from the Arab Spring protests in 2010 to the Black Lives Matter movement, spread rapidly on the platform, demonstrating its power to mobilize communities and influence public discourse.

Politicians also harnessed Twitter to connect directly with constituents. Former U.S. President Donald Trump famously used the platform for policy announcements and public statements, showcasing how social media could shape modern governance.

While Twitter’s influence is undeniable, it has also faced significant challenges. Misinformation, harassment, and political manipulation have been ongoing issues. The platform has struggled with content moderation, leading to debates about free speech and censorship.

Elon Musk’s 2022 acquisition of Twitter and subsequent rebranding as X marked another turning point. Under his leadership, the platform introduced changes such as paid verification, altered content moderation policies, and an increased focus on long-form content. Whether these changes will strengthen or weaken the platform remains a topic of debate.

Despite its controversies, Twitter (X) remains a dominant force in digital communication. From viral memes to breaking news, the platform continues to shape conversations worldwide. As social media evolves, Twitter’s legacy as a revolutionary tool for instant communication is undeniable.

By JIM BUTLER

The School Board’s estimate of General Fund revenue is on the money through the first eight months of its fiscal year.

CFO Elizabeth Dolmite’s budget report at Tuesday’s special board meeting showed General Fund income at $159.7 million through February 28.

That’s about 64 percent of the $248.3 budget through 66 percent of the fiscal year.

Expenses totaled $133.2 million (53%) of a projected annual total of $249 million.

Seasonal receipt of revenue influences the seeming imbalance between revenue and expense.

About 57 percent ($140 million) of the expected General Fund total is from state public school allocations.  Property and sales taxes will account for about $40 million.

Payroll and associated payroll expenses are by far the largest portion of General Fund spending.

The Food Service Fund had received about $12 million of its $20.1 million budget, with expenses at $10.7 million of $21.4 million projected.

Rapides Parish Police Jury President Craig Smith is advocating that the public use caution before outdoor burning. The police jury has received numerous reports from local fire departments regarding grass fires due to high wind conditions. Although the state is not currently in drought conditions, the police jury is asking Rapides Parish residents to refrain from burning during high winds (and high wind advisories). Plan ahead and follow local weather for daily wind conditions before outdoor burning. 

The Rapides Parish School Board is proud to announce that Pam Walker, principal of Lessie Moore Elementary, has been named a state semifinalist for Louisiana Principal of the Year. This prestigious recognition highlights Walker’s transformative leadership.

Walker has served as principal at Lessie Moore for the past four years, previously working as both a teacher and administrator at W.O. Hall and Julius Patrick Elementary Schools. Under her leadership, Lessie Moore Elementary has experienced a dramatic turnaround, improving its school performance score from an “F” to a “C.”

“We are big problem solvers here,” said Walker. “You have to take a microscope and look at what needs to be solved. We are constantly putting our heads together and collaborating on how we can make progress.”

Walker has worked to change the culture at Lessie Moore Elementary, making it a school that prioritizes student mastery, equips teachers with best practices, and focuses on closing learning gaps while fostering the development of the whole child. She attributes much of her leadership approach to the guidance of her former administrators, who helped shape her into the educator she is today.

“Teaching at high-needs schools is my passion. I want to level the playing field for these students and give them the best chance at success in life,” said Walker.

Superintendent Jeff Powell expressed immense pride in Walker’s accomplishments and her well-earned recognition as a semifinalist: “We are extremely excited to learn that Mrs. Walker has been named a semifinalist for Louisiana Principal of the Year. Her relentless commitment to supporting her teachers and growing students has led to some of the most impressive academic gains in the state.”

Dr. LaQuanta Jones, Deputy Assistant Superintendent of School Improvement & Collaboration, also commended Walker’s leadership and impact: “Ms. Walker is not just a leader within the school walls; she is a pillar in the Lessie Moore community, shaping the future of young minds and fostering a spirit of growth, collaboration, and care that extends far beyond her classrooms.”

Congratulations, Ms. Walker, on this well-deserved honor.

• Patient Care
• Simulations
• Career Guidance
• Emergency Response
• College Preparation
• Current Health Issues
• Wound Care

This program is funded through The Rapides Foundation. To apply and learn more, visit: www.lahosa.org/2024-region-vi-fnp

By DOUG IRELAND and JONATHON ZENK

NATCHITOCHES — A successful athletic career requires much more than productive practices, strength and conditioning training, and superior performance in competition.

Wednesday at Northwestern State’s Magale Recital Hall, two renowned neurosurgeons engaged NSU student-athletes and others presenting a more broad dimension to athletic achievement and good health during and after participants’ competitive careers. The forum launched a partnership with the university focusing on artificial intelligence enabled by the recently announced Lola Walker Dunahoe Endowed Chair.

About 300 Northwestern student-athletes, coaches and athletic staff took in a comprehensive but fast-moving dialog on sports science in a presentation that was also attended by some area high school coaches and medical professionals.

Dr. Julian Bailes, a Natchitoches native and a member of the Long Purple Line, NSU’s Alumni Hall of Distinction, and Dr. Neilank Jha provided compelling information to the midday audience on the university campus.

“It was a phenomenal seminar today on concussions, CTE, brain injury, nutrition and recovery,” Logansport High football coach Kevin Magee posted on social media afterward.

Bailes, a foremost expert on concussions, focused on brain health. His work was pivotal in the NFL grudgingly adopting reforms in concussion recognition and prevention, resulting in a recent marked drop in concussion rates. Bailes has also been influential as a consultant for the NFL Players Association, the NCAA and as the medical advisor for Pop Warner Football for youth.

His struggle to get the NFL to acknowledge and confront concussion issues resulted in the 2015 major motion picture Concussion, with Alec Baldwin playing Bailes and Will Smith taking the role of Bailes’ associate Dr. Bennet Omalu.

Jha, a Toronto resident who calls Bailes his mentor, provided extensive information about related topics including nutrition, motivation, strength training, supplement management, converting their college experiences into postgraduate success, and even best sleep practices to assist in athletes’ development and reduce concussion potential.

“It was important to talk to the student-athletes about concussion management,” Jha said. “Their brain is for the rest of their lives. Their sports career is short. Only two percent of NCAA athletes are going to go onto professional sports, while the other 98 percent are going to go into careers in the community.

“We were trying to give some guidance today and how they can leverage their experience as student-athletes to be successful in the community.”

Jha used motivational advice from seven-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady, and explained routines that have keyed the remarkable longevity of Brady and all-time NBA scoring champion Lebron James. Jha explained those athletes’ emphasis on nutrition, training and restorative sleep practices in an hour-long presentation followed by a 20-minute question-and-answer session with an attentive audience.

Bailes’ work has been a major contributor to the rise of the awareness of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) cases resulting from brain injuries, most often concussions. Arguably the most prominent case involved former Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster, who was the anchor of the offensive line on the great Steelers teams of the 1970s when Shreveport’s Terry Bradshaw played quarterback and spearheaded four Super Bowl championships.

Bailes was a Steelers’ team doctor for several years beginning in 1988 near the end of Chuck Noll’s reign and continuing into Bill Cowher’s tenure as head coach, while Webster’s cognitive ability eroded after his retirement as a player. Webster, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member, died at age 50, and his story was a compelling anchor of the Concussion movie.

Bailes is credited with research and advocacy helping coaches, administrators and athletes become more aware of a continuing need for reforms to reduce head trauma. He noted that women’s soccer players have an even higher rate of concussions than football athletes.

“Teaching about concussions is so important because it is your brain and it’s an injury you can’t see,” Bailes said. “There’s no swelling, there’s no bleeding, but it is probably the most important sports medicine injury and has potentially, in a minority of players, long-term effects. If managed correctly and managed conservatively, a concussion will heal and there shouldn’t be any long-term effects.”

Dozens of NSU student-athletes visited with Jha afterward, and the entire football team and other athletes returned to hear an evening presentation by Bailes, Jha and another Long Purple Line member, artificial intelligence trailblazer Monty Chicola of Alexandria, on “Leadership in the Age of AI” open to the public and well attended at Magale.

“The (lunchtime) lecture was very informative because, as an athlete, we need to know what the signs are to look for concussions are and how to recover our bodies as student-athletes, especially with all the time we take in school and in our sport,” soccer defender Isabella Queneau said.

“It takes me take more precautions on the field after hearing that with all the stuff that happens in soccer. I just have to make sure I am communicating with my trainers and my coaches how I’m doing mentally and physically and how my brain is working as well to make sure nothing dangerous comes out of it.”

Sleeping sufficiently – duration and quality — is one main item that gets overlooked, as football linebacker Danny Sears admits.  Jha pointed out that NBA superstar James gets 8-9 hours of restful sleep nightly.

“The first thing I learned (today) is that I need to work on my sleep,” Sears said. “I am pretty bad at that and that is a good way to try to prevent concussions. If you get the right amount of sleep and nutrition plays a huge part in that. Being a student-athlete, doing those things is part of my job.”

Bailes and Jha stressed the rise of artificial intelligence as a transformative element in society – and in sports.

“AI can actually give you the data whether you should go for it on 4th-and-2 or you should punt the ball,”  Jha said. “It can help with training, as well as determine the athletic movements the players have are at risk for injury or if they need to adjust the movements to be more efficient. AI can also help the fan experience in the stadium. There are so many applications of AI all the way from student-athlete to coach to the fan experience that we can adopt at NSU.”

During the question-and-answer segment, the thoughtful inquiries from the audience impressed Bailes and Jha.

“The student-athletes had a lot of good questions and I believe were really into it,”  Bailes said. “They seemed to have a baseline knowledge, which 10 or 15 years ago wasn’t the case.”

During my more than half a century of writing, broadcasting and being involved in events involving the outdoors, there is one in which I was involved that stands at the forefront of my memory — the Sportsman’s Jamboree.

I remember meeting with a group of Ruston folks who got together to discuss a problem and to see if we could do something about it. We discussed the fact that we needed to do more to respect the landowners who allowed us to hunt on their land as well as to do a better job of behavior as outdoorsmen and women. We decided to hold a public meeting to discuss these and other things related to the outdoors. Thus, in October, 1980, our first event was held under the heading “Respect the Landowner.” Our state representative at the time, William Sumlin, was successful in having that logo added to special auto license plates that year.

That first get-together was the genesis of what would become the Sportsman’s Jamboree, an annual event that was held each fall for the next 34 years with the final Jamboree held in 2014. Our group outgrew the Ruston Civic Center to the point we moved the event, which grew in numbers each year, to the Thomas Assembly Center at Louisiana Tech.

Throughout the tenure, there were several who kept it going and planned for the event each fall. Once Willamette Industries which later transitioned to Weyerhaeuser Co. came on board as our main sponsor, Willamette’s wildlife biologist, Luke Lewis was a ring leader in promoting and planning each event. I was fortunate not only to be involved in the promotion and planning as were many others but I was also master of ceremonies at each event.

Some of the highlights during the 34 years the Sportsman’s Jamboree was alive included our giving scholarships to two students every year and allowing local vendors to show what they had to offer as displays were set up around the perimeter of the Assembly Center. Scores of businesses contributed materials for door prizes.

We were fortunate to attract an array of speakers, many of which were known nationwide. These included whitetail deer expert Dr. James Kroll, who was guest speaker at least three times over the years. Well-known turkey call manufacturers such as Preston Pittman, Ray Eye, Ben Rodgers Lee, David Hale and Harold Knight along with outdoor writers/photographers such as Grits Gresham, Bob Dennie, Paul Brown and Tes and Ron Jolly came to entertain and educate the crowds that came each year.

One of the most memorable and sobering events we had was on September 11, 2001, the day terrorists flew planes into the trade centers and Pentagon. Our guest speaker scheduled for that night was stranded and unable to fly in. We met anyhow and spent our time in prayer for our nation and playing a song that we used as an intro for every meeting that followed, Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”

It has now been over 10 years since the last Sportsman’s Jamboree was held and even today, I hear comments from folks who lament on how special these events were and how its demise has left a void. We decided after the final event in 2014 to have to call a halt to future events for several reasons. Our bank account was drying up, we were not receiving funds necessary to keep it going and vendors felt they needed to put their focus elsewhere.

Even so, for as long as I live I will be proud to have been a part of something so special for our outdoorsmen and women. Long live the memory of the Sportsman’s Jamboree.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

March 20 marks the vernal equinox, the official beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. This astronomical event occurs when the sun crosses the celestial equator, creating nearly equal day and night lengths across the globe. While many associate the day with warmer weather and blooming flowers, the equinox holds deep cultural and scientific significance.

The Earth orbits the sun at a slight tilt of 23.5 degrees. This tilt is responsible for the changing seasons. During the equinox, the sun shines directly over the equator, resulting in nearly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. While the Northern Hemisphere welcomes spring, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the autumnal equinox, marking the start of fall.

Though daylight hours continue to lengthen after the equinox, the exact balance of day and night varies depending on location due to atmospheric refraction and geographic latitude.

For thousands of years, civilizations have observed the equinox with festivals and rituals. The Mayans built Chichén Itzá’s pyramid in Mexico to align with the equinox, where a shadow resembling a serpent appears on the steps as the sun sets. Similarly, the Great Sphinx of Giza is positioned to face the rising sun on this day.

In Iran and other Persian-speaking countries, the equinox marks the beginning of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, a celebration of renewal and rebirth. Meanwhile, Japan observes Shunbun no Hi, a national holiday for honoring ancestors and embracing the change of seasons.

While today’s equinox celebrations vary, many involve outdoor gatherings, festivals, and environmental awareness campaigns. In some cultures, people use the day as an opportunity for personal renewal—cleaning their homes, setting new goals, or embracing change.

Whether viewed as a scientific marvel or a time for cultural traditions, the vernal equinox remains a moment of transition and optimism for the months ahead.

Alexandria Senior High School’s Literary Rally team placed second at the district competition last week and qualified 22 participants for the state competition to be held at LSU on April 21. Congrats to all of the Rally winners and state qualifiers.

The Medal Winners are students who finished first place. They are as follows.

Jakyla Briggs – Accounting I
Jaylin Wilson – Adv. Math – Pre-Calculus
James Enger – Biology I
Aaden Sarpy – Business Computer Applications
Zoya Jajgor – Chemistry I
Michael Aquilano – Civics
Caybren Conston – Computer Science
Noah Iles – Economics
Dillon Wright – Geometry
Evelyn LaFleur – Health
Jayden Seay – Physics
Taylor Seymore – Sociology
Hannah Nguyen – Spanish I
Harmony Cooper – Spanish II
Naemah Abedelsalam – Spelling
Gabriel Scales – U.S. History
Sydney Iles – World Geography

The State Qualifiers placed in the top three. They are as follows.

Campbell Oas – Biology II
Maxwell Moreno – English I
Austin Purvis – English II
Owen Chen – Government
Alina Morales – Psychology

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

March 19

Krystal Renee Armstead, 29, Pineville – simple burglary, $5,000 bail;

Ladarius Dayquan Hicks, 27, Pineville – four counts producing manufacturing dispensing of fentanyl with intent, producing manufacturing dispensing of marijuana with intent, two counts producing manufacturing dispensing controlled dangerous substances with intent, producing manufacturing dispensing cocaine with intent, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, probation violation, $250,000 bail;

Mikki Moreau, 36, Dry Prong – two counts theft, $1,000 bail;

Johnquavise Seals, 26, Houston – OWI first offense, reckless operation of vehicle, resisting an officer, no driver’s license, illegal carrying of weapon, possession of controlled dangerous substance, $2,100 bail.

March 18

Alvin Ray Brown Jr, 34, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substance, illegal carry firearms with drugs, possession of weapon by convicted felon, $22,500 bail;

Freddie JaeDeVante Burnett, 32, Pineville – reckless operation/speeding, driver’s license required, contempt of court, failure to appear, $11,500 bail;

Carlin Demond Burns, 43, Alexandria – criminal conspiracy, arson with intent to defraud, probation violations, two counts contempt of court, $40,000 bail;

Evan Michael Guillory, 29, Echo – theft, unauthorized entry into inhabited dwelling, $60,000 bail;

Jarred Lamar Guin, 48, Alexandria – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, criminal conspiracy, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of controlled dangerous substance, resisting an officer, improper bicycle operation, three counts contempt of court, $28,100 bail;

Orlando Juan Jacobs 38, Marksville – simple burglary, Louisiana fugitive, $3,500 bail;

Marques Joseph, 29, Alexandria – reckless operation of a vehicle, flight from an officer, speeding, running a yellow light, probation violation, contempt of court, $17,700 bail;

Kendrick Randle, 32, Boyce – criminal conspiracy, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, $10,000 bail.

March 17

Robert Augustine, 26, Ferriday – possession of weapon by convicted felon, resisting officer, Louisiana fugitive, parole violations, $500 bail;

Akereous Dajon Brown, 29, Alexandria – simple burglary, contempt of court, $30,000 bail;

Marcus De’Angelous Brown, 36, Alexandria – simple burglary, four counts contempt of court, $21,000 bail;

Louis Maurice Courville, 25, Pineville – possession of controlled dangerous substance, paraphernalia, obstructing public passages, $3,500 bail;

Shemela Davis, 39, Lecompte – aggravated arson, domestic abuse battery, resisting police officer with force or violence, contempt of court, $13,500 bail;

Larry Heath Dubois, 39, Lecompte – two counts flight from an officer, expired plate/registration, no evidence of insurance, improper lane usage, driving under suspension/revocation, reckless operation of vehicle, simple escape, contempt of court, $82,500 bail;

Michael Thomas Harris, 22, Alexandria – OWI first offense, illegal possession of stolen firearm, possession of controlled dangerous substance, illegal carry firearm with drugs, producing manufacturing distributing controlled dangerous substance, improper lane usage, $14,100 bail;

Tiffany Nicole Juneau, 42, Marksville —  forgery, possession of controlled dangerous substance, paraphernalia, failure to appear, parole violations, $8,500 bail;

Antionette Lashon King, 30, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substance, paraphernalia, two counts contempt of court, $15,000 bail;

John Mark Kortemeyer, 36, Alexandria – simple battery on the infirmed, $3,000 bail;

Brandon Markee Landers, 36, Alexandria – theft, contempt of court, parole violation, $2,500 bail;

Ciara Brooke Marquardt, 29, Lecompte – possession of controlled dangerous substance, parole violations, $5,000 bail;

Christopher K. Mayeaux, 38, Pineville – theft, simple burglary, resisting an officer, possession drug paraphernalia, contempt of court, $27,500 bail;

Landon Terrell McGraw, 28, Deville – OWI third offense, improper lane usage, ignition interlock device offenses, $50,600 bail;

Brock Williams Peterman, 49, Alexandria – criminal conspiracy, arson with intent to defraud, $30,000 bail;

Dustin Joseph Sayer, 37, Marksville – possession of controlled dangerous substance, $5,000 bail;

Kimberly Anne Scruggs, 33, Pineville – possession of controlled dangerous substance, paraphernalia, obstructing public passages, $2,500 bail;

Bentley Elijah Taylor, 54, Pineville – criminal damage to property, $5,000 bail;

Harley Jerry Wilkerson Jr, 48, Alexandria – theft, hit and run (no death/serious injury), driving under suspension/revocation, $6,500 bail;

Kendric Wilis, 32, Lafayette – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, trespassing/remaining after forbidden, contempt of court, $12,500 bail.

March 16

Dvontria Nicole Clay, 23, Pineville — theft, $5,000 bail;

Alexander Felder, 17, Alexandria – simple battery, resisting an officer, $1,000 bail;

James Jeromy Keene, 55, Alexandria – solicitation on an interstate highway, resisting an officer, possession of controlled dangerous substance, four counts contempt of court, $9,500 bail;

Joshua Daniel Miller, 40, Pineville – DWI first offense, improper lane usage, driving under suspension/revocation, contempt of court, $2,395 bail;

Margaret Mae Reynolds, 46, Marksville – criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, violation of protective orders, non-violent, $3,000 bail;

Scott Wesley Reynolds, 49, Marksville – criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, $1,500 bail;

Cierra Venson, 32, Alexandria – aggravated assault, $500 bail.

Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital (RWCH) has achieved Louisiana Birth Ready+ Designation from the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative for the second year in a row. RWCH is the only Central Louisiana hospital to receive the highest-level designation.

Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative, which is a program within the Office of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health, began the Louisiana Birth Ready Designation in 2021. Hospitals receive this honor through a rigorous application and review process by the LaPQC Birth Ready Designation committee. Applications are reviewed and renewed annually.

“We are proud to receive this highest honor for the second consecutive year,” said Benjamin Price, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Administrative Director of Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. “It is a tribute to the dedication and hard work from everyone involved in the prenatal through birthing process. There is nothing more important to us than helping moms safely deliver healthy babies.”

Birth Ready Designation is earned by birthing hospitals that meet standards across five key areas, including the implementation of policies and procedures to enhance recognition and response to clinical causes of severe maternal morbidity and promoting patient partnership. Hospitals that have achieved the Louisiana Birth Ready+ Designation have exceeded these requirements and reached a higher level of compliance.

Hospitals that receive this designation have demonstrated significant efforts to implement evidence-based practices that improve care. Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital has been collaborating with the LaPQC for years to improve outcomes for mothers and newborns throughout Central Louisiana and across the state.

“Birthing hospitals across Louisiana are working diligently to ensure safe and patient-centered care for Louisiana families,” said Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, medical director of the LaPQC. “Improving care for mothers in Louisiana is one of the Department’s top priorities. Birthing hospitals achieving designation have demonstrated achievement in reaching that goal.”

By JIM BUTLER

Patricia Koch’s retirement will complete a decade-long turnover on the Ninth Judicial District Court bench.

Koch has announced she will retire from her Division E post on October 15, four days after a special election primary to select her successor. The term runs through 2026.

She was initially elected in a 2005 special election herself, succeeding Judge Dexter Ryland, who died in office.

Since that election, the other six seats in the court have changed hands, all but one due to retirements.

District judges are elected for six-year terms and are often unchallenged for re-election. An open seat is one of the most coveted elected offices.

Koch, a hearing officer in the court for several years prior to her election, has not elaborated on her retirement decision.

Over the years jurists have cited different reasons — health, more time with family, other opportunities (one to become a clergyman).

The late M.L. Laird III was perhaps the most direct — citing financial gain too great to ignore as he left the bench to form a partnership firm.

A dozen or so years later he and the partner, the late Bernard Kramer, ran, unsuccessfully, in different divisions of the court.

I admit when I joined Facebook about 13 years ago, I did it to stalk my children. When they were living away or in college, I knew immediately what was going on just by their Facebook status. I knew if they had a good day or a bad day. Sometimes I knew what they had for lunch. Often, I could tell if they were skipping classes or stayed out too late the night before. Now I like to see pictures of my grandchildren.

However, Facebook has been a great vetting tool. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard a rumor only to go to their page to see if it is true or not. Or you hear someone is pregnant and start watching their page for the baby announcement. Or my personal favorite, you hear some chitchat about a breakup or a new romance or an engagement and immediately you head to their page to check out their relationship status, because you know what they say, “not official until it’s Facebook official.”

So it got me to thinking, what if God had a Facebook page? Would you be friends? Would you like his posts? Or better yet, what would your relationship status be with God? There are several to choose from – in a relationship, open relationship and it’s complicated are just a few of your options.

Would you be “in a relationship”? In other words, all in, all day every day? For me, that means God and I talk over everyday decisions and future goals. I also feel that because I am in a relationship with God, he
influences my daily actions in the same way I don’t want my actions to jeopardize my relationship with my husband. Perhaps, you are not quite all in with God. Maybe you feel like you are “single” or in an “open
relationship” trying to make it all on your own. Not ready to fully commit. Or maybe you have been disappointed, felt let down, invisible or unheard? Prayers seem to go unanswered, so why bother. It’s just easier to be “divorced” of it all. Or maybe you’re just not sure. “It’s complicated.” Sometimes when you see a beautiful sunset or things are going well in your life, you think to yourself “their must be a God” and then you turn on the news and well . . . it all bad news, so you think “how can there be a God!” I totally get that.

I am pretty sure I have been in every relationship status possible with God. That’s human nature and a tale as old as time. Thank God, it is not God’s nature. He waits. He waits with open arms for us to choose to be in a relationship. If you want to talk more about your relationship status with God, you know how to find me.

On the journey,
Ramonalynn Bethley

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

The City of Pineville will hold its annual auction April 12 at 9am at Buhlow Lake. This is the public’s chance to bid on a variety of items, including vehicles, pressure washer, van seats, mowers, back hoe, tractor, street sweeper, and more.  

All items are sold as-is. For more information call Moreau Auction Company, LLC at 318-729-0008. 

The auction website can be accessed at the follow link: https://library.municode.com/…/pin…/munidocs/munidocs…

“Leadership in the age of Artificial Intelligence” is the theme tonight at 5:30 at the Magale Center, on the Campus of NSU, for a robust discussion of how students and business leaders can integrate artificial intelligence into their daily, personal and business lives.

NSU is becoming a leader in the AI space and will introduce Dr. Neilank Jha at this forum to outline his upcoming curriculum and course work at NSU for the fall Semester, 2025.

Monty Chicola will provide his thought provoking approach to integration of AI as a Board Member of IBM. Dr. Julian Bailes will discuss applications of AI in the medical arena and how AI is improving health outcomes.

TIME and LOCATION: 5:30 Magale Center on campus of NSU

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Congratulations to Ethan and Eli, members of the Tioga High School Bass Fishing Team. They’re the Caney Lake Hawg Fest High School Champions for Louisiana Bass Nation. With close to 200 boats in the competition, they’ve earned their spot in the state tournament.

Pineville High School Speech and Debate Team members participated in the district speech rally held at LCU on March 14. The following members qualified for the state speech rally by earning a superior rating: Curtis B., Chason H., Madelyn L., Nicholas P., and Jimmy S. 

Congratulations to the following students who participated in the district literary rally. All individuals listed below have qualified for the state level. PHS is so proud of these students and eagerly anticipate their performances at state.

Hailey A. – Accounting
Riley B. – Adv. Math–PreCalc
Noah L. – Adv Math–Function/Stats
Jane S. (Ashley) – Algebra I
Connor W. – Algebra II
Susan C. – Biology I
Lawson K. – Biology II
Gabriel G. – Business Computer App
Aaron L. – Calculus
Amie T. – Chemistry
Ava M. – Civics
Ella C. – English I
Ava C. – English II
Amber M. – English III
Isabelle H. – English IV
Victoria P. – FACS
Mario J. – Financial Literacy
Andrew A. – Fine Arts Survey
Havha S. – French I
Norma G. – French II
Wyatt G. – Geometry
Zachary H. – Government
Audrey M. – Health 
London P. – Journalism
Riley K. – Physical Science
Brenton L. – Physics
Nolan L. – Principles of Business
Curtis B. – Psychology
Belen S. – Spanish I
Layla P. – Spanish II
Gabriel M. – U.S. History
Marshall T. – World Geography
Gillian B. – World History