• Outstanding Staff Service recognizes a staff member who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to supporting students – Cieltia Adams, Tutoring Center Coordinator.
• Life-Changing Class recognizes an educator whose class has fundamentally altered a student’s academic, professional, or life goals – Patrick Hunter, Assistant Professor of Performing Arts, Howard and Eloise Mulder Endowed Chair.

• Teaching Innovation Award – Rafael Romero Moreno, LL.M., M.A., Instructor of Business.
• Teaching Innovation Grant – Cheryl Bardales, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences, Director of C.O.R.E.

The Rapides Parish Police Jury announced on April 29 that Kisatchie Lane will be closed on Monday, May 5, 9am to 4pm. This closure is to allow for repairs to a cross drain at the corner of Amelia Dr. and Kisatchie Ln. Traffic will have to exit through Amelia Dr. 

Thirty-six members of the Tioga Jr. High School archery team spent last week in Sandy, Utah, shooting at the Centershot and NASP Western National Tournaments. Results were two top-10 finishes in Centershot and two top-20 finishes in NASP. Congratulations to the team. 

The Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office revealed the outcomes of two cases it was pursuing this week.

Kesean Xavier Gilliam was convicted of Attempted 2nd Degree Murder. Gilliam was sentenced to 10 years in prison. This case was prosecuted by ADA Derrick Johnson.

Markese Harrell was found guilty of 2nd Degree Murder by a unanimous jury. No word on sentencing yet. This case was prosecuted by ADAs Chuck Johnson and Kelvin Sanders. 

The Pineville Police Department invites the community in congratulating Captain Danny Paul on his recent promotion and his new role as Commander of the Community Affairs Division.

Captain Paul brings over two decades of dedicated service to the Pineville Police Department. Throughout his career, he has served in a variety of roles, gaining valuable experience and building strong connections within our community. His wealth of knowledge and commitment to public service make him an outstanding choice to lead the Community Affairs Division.

PPD is proud to have Captain Paul leading their efforts to strengthen partnerships, engage with residents, and continue building trust between the department and the citizens they serve.

A development company proposes building a 34-unit multi-family apartment complex on Alexandria’s Memorial Drive.

The Mississippi-based firm is competing for 9 percent tax credits issued by the Louisiana Housing Corporation.

Fairmont Apartments would be situated at 2152 Memorial Drive which maps indicate is a tract adjacent to Target.

Developers compete for a pool of credits available through LHC. Previous proposals from this firm have included Riverchase2 in Alexandria and Kingsmill Crossing in Pineville.

According to the filing, the cost estimate is $8.33 million. The multi-family homes would consist of 18 two-bedroom two-bath units and 16 three-bedroom two-bath units.

First mortgage on the deal would be $1.5 million with an equity total of $5.7 million. A home loan would contribute $1 million and the owner contribution would be $94,000.

Comments or questions can be directed to David Strange at David@RNOak.com.

Alexandria’s Christian and Jewish communities joined together on April 28 for the city’s annual Holocaust Memorial Service. The event began at the community’s downtown Holocaust Memorial at which Gemiluth Chassodim’s Rabbi Judy Gisburgh sang and with Emmanuel Baptist Church’s Senior Pastor Dr. Chris Thacker read from Martin Niemöller’s “First They Came.” The attendees then walked to nearby Emmanuel Baptist Church for the main program.

Pastor Thacker welcomed the crowd after which a combined choir from Alexandria Senior High and Pineville High School performed Eili, Eili (O God, My God). Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy made a brief presentation after which the keynote speaker Michael Berenbaum who spoke on “Antisemitism, Then and Now”. After the speech, members of the Jewish community lit memorial candles and said the Kaddish Prayer. The service closed with the ASH and Pineville choirs performing “The Lord Bless and Keep You.”

The service was a fitting memorial to the past and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit.

In preparation for Dragon Boat Week, the City of Pineville Parks and Recreation department has announced that Buhlow Lake will be closed, effective yesterday, April 28, through Sunday, May 4. 

Parks and Recreation apologized for any inconvenience. 

The City of Alexandria has announced that Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day is coming up on Saturday, May 17, from 9am to 1pm at the City Complex (2021 Industrial Park Rd.). 

This event allows for the safe disposal of items labeled toxic, flammable, corrosive or otherwise hazardous to protect one’s family, neighborhood and environment.

Items that can be brought include: Aerosol Cans • Rechargeable & Alkaline Batteries • Bleach & Household Chemicals Electronics & Computers (Limit 5) • Fire Extinguishers • Pyrotechnics Ballast & Fluorescent Bulbs (Limit 25 Tubes) • Gasoline • Kerosene • Diesel Fuel & Oil Expired Prescription Drugs • Mercury-Containing Devices (Thermometers, thermostats, etc.) Paints & Thinners • Lawn & Garden Chemicals or Fertilizers • Tires (Limit 5) Pressure Bottles & Tanks (Oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc.) Propane Bottles & Tanks (under 40lbs)

You’ve got to give credit to the Northwestern State and Louisiana Christian University baseball teams for a pair of big upset victories last week.

On the same night, Tuesday, April 22, the two central Louisiana teams pulled off huge college baseball shockers. They recall some other upsets in each school’s past that are hard to top.

But that comes later.

Last week, Northwestern’s Demons pounded seventh-ranked LSU in a run-rule victory – the equivalent of a technical knockout in boxing – with a 13-3 victory in seven innings. NSU has beaten LSU in baseball several times in the last three-plus decades. But this was the first time in LSU baseball history that the Tigers – who won a SEC series against No. 5 Tennessee over the weekend — suffered a run-rule defeat by a non-conference opponent at home.

First. Time. Ever. Those three words give that triumph a distinction that is worth savoring by all involved. 

LCU’s Wildcats, meanwhile, while not claiming a “first-time-ever” achievement, notched their first triumph over an NCAA Division I foe in 17 seasons, stunning McNeese State, 4-3. The last time they’d pulled off such a win – also under head coach Mike Byrnes — was in 2008 when they upset Nicholls State in Pineville, 8-3.

McNeese is no slouch. The Cowboys won their 30^th game of the season over the past weekend, and they entered the game on their homefield as the 11^th-best mid-major team in all of NCAA Division I baseball, according to 11Point7.com, a popular college baseball podcast.

But when it comes to upsets in LCU’s sports history, one of the best was a stunning 55-54 road basketball victory on Jan. 7, 1978 by Allgood’s NAIA Tournament-bound Wildcats over Coach Don Haskins’ NCAA Division I Texas-El Paso team.

Yet, nothing can top what happened on a Tuesday night in March of 1994.

A struggling LC baseball team, then competing in the NAIA, went to Baton Rouge and shocked the eighth-ranked team in NCAA Division I and the reigning national champions from LSU, by a 7-5 score.

It’s one of many achievements that got Billy Allgood, the iconic LC coach in basketball and baseball for many years, elected to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. After the game, he called it the “most amazing” win he had ever been a part of at LC, and he’d been coaching there since 1958.

“To tell you I thought we had a good chance of winning would be a lie,” Allgood said at the time. His team had not been playing well or with much passion before that game, but on that night, they played exceptionally well. LC won the game with an infield of nothing but freshmen, and they also had a freshman starter in right field. Sophomore pitcher Brian Madigan earned the win, relieving junior ace Lester Fontenot.

When it comes to famous upsets in NSU sports history, you might think of the 27-24 overtime football win in 2001 at TCU engineered by quarterback Craig Nall, the ASH product. Better than that is the 2006 NCAA Tournament basketball upset of Big Ten champion and third-seeded Iowa, 64-63, thanks to 18 points from Boyce native Clifton Lee, and Jermaine Wallace’s game-winning three-point shot with a half-second remaining.

That’s hard to beat, right? Nah.

The most amazing upset in NSU sports history in any sport happened at the 1981 NCAA Track & Field Championships at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium. The foursome of Victor Oatis of Winnsboro, Joe Delaney of Haughton, Mario Johnson of Timpson, Texas, and Mark Duper of Moreauville, coached by Jerry Dyes, won the NCAA title in the 4×100-meter relay.

Those four young men, all who hailed from within 100 miles of Northwestern, won against a field that was among the strongest ever. It featured the likes of Heisman Trophy winner Herschel Walker and world class sprinter Mel Lattany of Georgia. Other world class sprinters included Willie Gault of Tennessee and Ron Brown of Arizona State, who went on to win an Olympic gold medal in the 1984 Summer Games in the 4×100 relay. There were powerhouse teams from San Jose State, Arizona State, Florida State, Arizona, Ohio State and Baylor.

Adding to the panache of the surprising crown is that Northwestern is still the only school that competes at the FCS (formerly known as Division I-AA) level in football that has won a relay title at either the NCAA Division I Indoor or Outdoor Championships.

Dyes, a Shreveport native who coached that legendary NSU team, also coached NCAA shot put champion John Campbell of Louisiana Tech in 1985 and he coached Division II power Abilene Christian to runner-up finishes at the 1992 Indoors and Outdoors National Championships.

In 2006, on the 25^th anniversary of the Demons’ 4×100-meter relay championship, he said, “I’ve coached for over 40 years and professionally for 32 years, and it’s the greatest experience of my coaching career.”

Rapides Regional Trauma Center will host its 11th annual Trauma Symposium May 9 at the Randolph Riverfront Center in downtown Alexandria. The event begins at 7:30am and runs through 2:30pm.

The Symposium is for first responders, physicians and hospital staff throughout Central Louisiana to help in aiding trauma victims. The first 60 minutes following a life- or limb-threatening injury is called the “Golden Hour.” If a patient receives treatment within those 60 minutes, their chances of survival increase.

The majority of Central Louisiana is classified as rural, making the treatment provided by first responders and transferring medical care facilities critical in good outcomes to traumatic injuries.

New for 2025 are breakout sessions tailored for Emergency Medical Service providers that include trauma assessment fundamentals, crush injury management, lessons from military medicine and mental health for all EMS providers.

“Trauma care begins at the scene,” said Shawn Moreau, MSN, TCRN-CEN, Rapides Regional’s Trauma Program director. “Quick and appropriate care in the field leads to a better chance for an improved outcome here at the trauma center. This is why we host our annual trauma symposium, as well and providing rural trauma development courses throughout Central Louisiana.”

Among the presenters at the Symposium are Rapides Regional Trauma Center Surgeons Jeremy Timmer, M.D., Matthew Linger, M.D., and Samantha Zeringue, M.D., as well as Dallas-based trauma surgeon Matthew Carrick, M.D. Topics include managing trauma patients with serious pre-existing medical conditions, boating accidents and case studies involving patients sharing their survival stories.

Registration is $50. Call 318-769-4440 or visit rapidesregional.com, and look for “Calendar of Events” under “Health Education” to register or find more information.

April 29 marks the celebration of National Zipper Day in the United States, commemorating the day in 1913 when Gideon Sundback received a patent for the modern zipper. This invention revolutionized the fashion industry, providing a convenient and reliable method for fastening clothing and accessories. The zipper’s impact extends beyond fashion, finding applications in various industries, including luggage, outdoor gear, and even aerospace technology.

In Japan, April 29 is observed as Shōwa Day, honoring the birthday of Emperor Hirohito, known posthumously as Emperor Shōwa. His reign, from 1926 to 1989, encompassed significant events, including World War II and Japan’s subsequent recovery and economic growth. Shōwa Day serves as a time for reflection on the nation’s history and the challenges faced during the Shōwa era. It also marks the beginning of Japan’s Golden Week, a series of national holidays that are among the country’s busiest travel seasons.

Arrests are allegations, not convictions.

April 27

Adrien Gill Arabie III, 30, Ball – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, open container, $1,200 bail;

James Evans, 18, Alexandria – aggravated battery, no bail data;

Damon Armonte Miller, 23, Coushatta – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, possession of burglary tools, $1,000 bail;

Christopher Temple, 30, Pineville — domestic abuse strangulation, domestic abuse with child present, no bail data;

April 26

Dorian Deonte Aught, 18, Natchitoches – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, $10,500 bail;

Tajhmon Shujuan Benjamin, 25, Alexandria – possession of firearm by convicted felon, expired MVI sticker, tail light must emit red, three counts resisting an officer, two counts contempt of court, $3,700 bail;

Gary Carter, 41, Shreveport – illegal possession of stolen things, no bail data;

Larry D. Davis, 35, Lecompte – aggravated assault with a firearm, no bail data;

Trenton Shawn Deville, 22, Deville – OWI second offense, following too close, $1,100 bail;

Sean Christoper Duffy, 51, Boyce – simple assault, stalking, $50,000 bail;

Javarus Devonte Evans, 35, Alexandria – negligent concealed carry of a handgun, possession of handgun where alcohol is served, $3,000 bail;

Trentin Fischer, 39, DeQuincy – OWI second offense, OWI child endangerment, no restraint system, speeding, unlawful refusal to submit to a chemical test, four counts contempt of court, $8,700 bail;

Johnny Ray Irwin, 18, Alexandria – two counts simple burglary, $7,000 bail;

Rex Dwayland Martin, 37, Pineville – two counts of possession of controlled dangerous substances, paraphernalia, modified exhaust, driving under suspension, $3,700 bail;

Jose Lopez Moreno, 34, Forest Hill – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Khaled Shinholster, 29, Alexandria – two counts domestic abuse battery, domestic abuse with child present, $1,500 bail;

Jermaurion Tyrell Simmons, 18, Natchitoches – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, $10,500 bail;

Mitchell A. St. Julien Jr, 48, Alexandria – simple assault, two counts contempt of court, $2,750 bail;

Jonathan McKinley Sykes, 48, Alexandria – trespassing, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, two counts contempt of court, $5,500 bail;

Christopher Michael Walker Jr, 18, Natchitoches – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, $10,500 bail.

April 25

Johnny Ellison Bennett, 30, Alexandria – contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Rockey Dale Carrington, 65, Pineville – possession of controlled dangerous substances, paraphernalia, improper bicycle operation, $3,100 bail;

Christopher Cruse, 35, Boyce – possession of controlled dangerous substances, flight from an officer, driving under revocation, no insurance, improper lane usage, two counts contempt of court, $8,300 bail;

Charletta Yvonne Davis, 64, Pineville – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Devonte Dontour Davis, 32, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $104,000 bail;

Joan Lynette Dawson, 48, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substances, theft, violation of protective orders, $3,500 bail;

Eric Lee Hampton, 27, Alexandria – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, two counts contempt of court, $52,500 bail;

Sherterroca Ladrelle Henderson, 48, Alexandria – theft, criminal trespass, paraphernalia, $1,500 bail;

Adrian C. Johnson, 44, Alexandria – two counts producing manufacturing distributing controlled dangerous substances, three counts legend drug possession, paraphernalia, safety belt violation, $7,100 bail;

Xavier Markise Johnson, 21, Alexandria – improper lane usage, no driver’s license, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, contempt of court, probation violation, $25,700 bail;

Devon Ray Jones, 39, Alexandria – four counts possession of controlled dangerous substances, no driver’s license, running a red light, two counts of using a CDS in presence of person under 17, firearm possession by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, contempt of court, $55,200 bail;

Dvisia Annraneice Marshall, 35, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substances, criminal trespass, $5,500 bail;

Jazma K. McQuarn, 37, Boyce – aggravated battery, aggravated assault home invasion, $10,000 bail;

Samuel Miles Morris Jr, 26, Alexandria – possession of a firearm by convicted felon, illegal possession of stolen firearm, parole violations, $50,000 bail;

Michael Thomas Smith, 30, Colfax – two counts aggravated domestic abuse battery with child present, domestic abuse battery while pregnant, domestic abuse battery serious injury, two counts contempt of court, $115,000 bail;

Michael Tassin, 42, Alexandria – eight counts of contempt of court, $134,000 bail;

Marlon Lamone Taylor, 53, Alexandria – four counts theft (second subsequent conviction), possession of controlled dangerous substances, parole violations, $22,500 bail;

Brittany Re’veanna Wicks, 35, Pineville – domestic abuse battery with child present, criminal damage to property, $5,500 bail.

April 24

Tyriesce Laderrick Allen, 30, Boyce – Louisiana fugitive, false swearing, $5,000 bail;

Christian Arnez Bordley, 23, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substances, resisting an officer, two counts contempt of court, $13,000 bail;

Clyde Lerinzo Dorsey, 35, Pineville – producing manufacturing distributing controlled dangerous substances, $25,000 bail;

Kenneth Paul Ebey, 38, Boyce – five counts contempt of court, $59,000 bail;

Xzorian Ramone Fields, 20, Pinevolle – four counts attempted second-degree murder, $2 million bail;

Tylor Anthony Hare, 28, Boyce – two counts possession of controlled dangerous substances, paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, two counts contempt of court, $24,000 bail;

Prentice Demetius Hayes, 58, Alexandria – simple battery of a police officer, three counts of obscenity, $2,000 bail;

Ladarian Johnson, 18, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substance, illegal carry firearm with drugs, $5,500 bail;

Lloyd Gene Jones, 42, Alexandria – two counts producing manufacturing distributing controlled dangerous substances, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension, signal lamps, four counts contempt of court, $167,200 bail;

Camron Davis Ray, 32, Pineville – domestic abuse battery, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Deniya Lenise Ross, 23, Pineville – domestic abuse battery, simple obstruction of highway, contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Robbin Wendell Ross, 46, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substances, parole violations, $2,500 bail;

Brianna Lasha Russaw, 23, Alexandria — theft, contributing to delinquency of juveniles, probation violation, $50,500 bail;

Erik William Soal, 38, Alexandria – OWI child endangerment, carless operation of vehicle, improper lane usage, no child restraint system, $5,300 bail;

Richard Allen Seymour Jr, 57, Alexandria – two counts possession of controlled dangerous substances, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal possession of stolen firearms, flight from an officer, resisting an officer, five counts contempt of court, $27,500 bail;

Aaron Michael Simmons, 26, Pineville – possession of controlled dangerous substances, resisting an officer, parole violations, $3,000 bail;

Tylan Ray Tupreau, 27, Lafayette – possession of controlled dangerous substance, possession of firearm by convicted felon, turn signals required, parole violations, $50,600 bail;

Woodrow Luke Vaughn, 48, Pineville – possession of controlled dangerous substance, $1,500 bail;

Kedric DeAndre Washington, 37, Alexandria – two counts producing manufacturing distributing controlled dangerous substances, three counts legend drug possession, paraphernalia, improper window tint, improper turn, safety belt violation, $65,800 bail;

Ed Quinney Wells, 47, Alexandria – illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of controlled dangerous substances, obstruction of justice, headlamps required on motor vehicles, possession of firearm by convicted felon, $14,100 bail;

Christopher Deshaun White, 33, Colfax – simple assault on a school teacher, resisting an officer, disturbing the peace, $1,500 bail.

April 23

Avante Cortez Brisco, 22, Pineville – illegal possession of stolen firearm, illegal possession of stolen things, resisting an officer, driving under suspension/revocation, two counts contempt of court, $8,100 bail;

Benjamin Cal Brown Jr, 51, Alexandria – failure to register/renew sex offender, improper turn, $1,100 bail;

Jaron Dennis Lindo, 34, Deville – two counts first degree rape, third degree rape, four counts cruelty to juveniles, juvenile molestation, false imprisonment, domestic abuse battery strangulation, second degree battery, $2.4 million bail;

Randy Benedict Perry, 43, Alexandria – unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, two counts violations of protective orders, probation violation, $7,000 bail;

Kelvin Reed Jr, 26, Pineville – driving under suspension/revocation, possession of controlled dangerous substance, two counts contempt of court, $10,600 bail;

Rashad Antonius Roberson, 33, Alexandria – theft, three counts contempt of court, $7,500 bail;

Dekerist Sweazie, 22, Alexandria – disturbing the peace, simple assault, possession of firearm by convicted felon, parole violations, $50,500 bail;

Dezaric Shykei Sweazie, 23, Alexandria – disturbing the peace, contempt of court, $10,250 bail;

Terrell Earl Teasley, 33, Alexandria – simple arson, resisting an officer, $5,500 bail;

Troy Douglas Williams, 50, Alexandria – contempt of court, $20,000 bail.