By JIM BUTLER

News of note:

Rezoning requests

The Alexandria Board of Adjustment and Appeals is asked to rezone a lot on Park Place Drive to allow a special home for seniors. 

A special exception to single-family usage would allow housing for five elderly retired males, according to the request by DeMarcquanee Johnson-Peters. 

A separate petition asks to reinstate former residential designation for 403 and 417 Newman Street. 

Troy and Venesis Denson want to construct modern homes on the lots, now classified general commercial. 

Both requests will be heard by the board on August 11.

DA Audit

The District Attorney’s Office General Fund balance dipped about $50,000 in its just-audited fiscal year to $1.36 million. 

General Fund revenue was $5.2 million, with expenses totaling $38,000 more than revenue. 

Most of the general revenue was intergovernmental funding, $3.1 million, and fees, commissions and fines, $1.9 million. 

Tower talk

A communications company plans to erectil a 291-foot high telecom structure east of Pineville. 

The Towers LLC plan calls for FAA medium intensity dual red/white strobe lighting. 

The 10792 Hwy. 28 East site is just east of Hazmuka Road.

By JIM BUTLER

The Wildlife & Fisheries Department has announced seasons dates and restrictions in the state’s deer hunting zones.

As customary, archery season launches the 2025-26 schedule, followed by primitive firearms days, then regular firearms dates.

Bucks only and any sex days vary zone to zone, as does permitted use of dogs.

The Central Louisiana Economic Dashboard, a service of the LSUA College of Business, helps leaders monitor regional economic trends. View the full July 2025 issue at https://www.lsua.edu/dashboard.  

It’s time to register for the annual Rapides Fair Queen’s Pageant and Princess Contest. The event takes place October 4 at 2pm at LSU-A Mulder Hall.

To enter the Fair Queen’s Pageant,  participants must be a Rapides Parish resident, between the ages of 16 and 21, and unmarried. The deadline to enter is Sept. 22. The winner will receive a $500 scholarship to an institution of their choice. The 2024 Queen was Kyllie Tyler. 

The Princess Contest identifies the young women who will assist the Fair Queen and present awards at Livestock Shows. The Princesses must be 9 to 15 years old. Attire is a natural look (no formal wear). The deadline to enter is Sept. 22. The 2024 Princesses were Maeve Asworth and Charlie Dunn.

For questions or information or to enter either the pageant or contest, text the contestant’s name, age, school, phone number, and email address to Sherri at 318-715-2237 OR Erika at 318-541-1617.

Visit the Fair site at www.RapidesParishFair.org. 

Stop by and see the Friends of the Rapides Parish Library today, July 31, through Saturday, Aug. 2, during open hours at the Main Library: 9am-6pm Thursday and Friday, and 9am-1pm on Saturday.

For $10, patrons can buy a tote bag and fill it with books. 

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

July 30

Zavier Keshun Batiste, 20, Alexandria – illegal possession of a stolen firearm, red light as a stop sign, $25,100 bail;

Jeremy Joseph Bordelon, 39, Alexandria – simple burglary, no bail data;

Lindsay Halee Croom, 39, Pineville – domestic abuse battery, $2,500 bail;

Erin Finely, 25, Pineville – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, disturbing the peace, theft, $12,000 bail;

Anthony Tyrone Lindsey, 35, Alexandria – nine counts contempt of court, $26,000 bail;

Weston Lance Turner, 25, Forest Hill – OWI second offense, improper lane usage, $1,600 bail.

July 29

Brandon Eugene Allison, 42, Alexandria – theft (second subsequent conviction), failure to appear, $10,500 bail;

Lane D. Ashmore, 56, Glenmora – 499 counts of intentionally possession pornography involving juveniles, intent to distribute pornography involving juveniles, $50,000 bail;

Sadie D. Blankenship, 29, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, Louisiana fugitive, failure to appear, $3,000 bail;

Michael Cameron Jr., 49, Alexandria – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Marvin Charles Jr., 27, Breaux Bridge – simple battery, car jacking, Louisiana fugitive, $50,500 bail;

Crystal Lynn Crawford, 26, Alexandria – theft of a motor vehicle, $10,000 bail;

Eugene Dewayne Davis Jr, 45, Alexandria – unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, contempt of court, $4,000 bail;

Pierre Lamar Davis, 53, Alexandria – OWI second offense, running a red light, switching license plates, no insurance, driving under suspension/revocation, simple battery, contempt of court, $4,400 bail;

Dickie Eddie, 48, Colfax – possession of CDS, $1,500 bail;

Latisha Diane Evans, 39, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, producing manufacturing distribution of fentanyl with intent, obstruction of justice, $5,500 bail;

Lane Matthew Feltermann, 20, Pineville – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

James Damon Henry, 45, Alexandria – hit and run driving, aggravated battery, aggravated criminal damage, $100,500 bail;

Marcus Dylan Huff, 34, Deville – OWI second offense, running a stop sign, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,700 bail;

Shonda Rochelle Murray, 47, Deville – theft of a motor vehicle, probation violation, $50,000 bail;

James Richardson, 33, Deville – OWI, speeding, open container, $700 bail;

Robert Lee Shorter Jr, 54, Alexandria – five counts contempt of court, $18,000 bail;

Travis Michael Steele, 42, Forest Hill – theft of a motor vehicle, contempt of court, $12,500 bail;

Zachery Terrell Thomas, 28, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, $3,000 bail;

Ecortry O. Whitley, 46, Pineville – theft, four counts contempt of court, $208,500 bail;

Tyrone Wilson, 45, Alexandria – four counts contempt of court, $51,000 bail.

July 28

Alexis Jonae Carter, 27, Alexandria – theft, disturbing the peace, criminal trespass, resisting an officer, two counts failure to appear, six counts contempt of court, $33,500 bail;

Laveal Denay Conston, 32, Pineville – OWI first offense, expired driver’s license, no head light, child desertion, $1,700 bail;

Versache Davis, 18, Lecompte – criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated burglary, $60,000 bail;

Shane Everet Evans, 48, Deville – possession of CDS, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, paraphernalia, parole violations, $13,000 bail;

Tyric Todd Holden, 21, Glenmora – criminal conspiracy, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault with a firearm, two counts illegal possession of stolen firearms, $110,000 bail;

Yaniabell Garcia, 28, Lecompte – theft of a motor vehicle, flight from an officer, probation violation, simple burglary, contempt of court, $66,000 bail;

Owen Johnson, 19, Alexandria – theft, $25,000 bail;

Terineesha D’Na Nelson, 32, Alexandria – four counts possession of CDS, two counts resisting an officer, two counts paraphernalia, two counts criminal trespass, disturbing the peace, $11,500 bail;

Byron Wesley Nugent, 51, Deville – possession of CDS, reckless operation of a vehicle, $1,500 bail;

Jamar Larvelle Piper, 33, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, improper lane usage, improper turn, $5,200 bail;

Kelston Roy, 23, Alexandria – identity theft, two counts contempt of court, $125,000 bail;

Brittany Lynne Woodard, 39, Alexandria – contempt of court, $15,000 bail;

Arian Lee Ryans, 40, Pineville – aggravated assault domestic abuse, domestic abuse battery strangulation, $200,000 bail;

Brittany Lynne Woodard, 39, Alexandria – contempt of court, $15,000 bail;

Xavier Jauvon Wright, 22, Glenmora – six counts second degree attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, $3.05 million bail.

July 27

Carl Anthony Berry Jr, 27, Pineville – domestic abuse battery strangulation, resisting an officer, false imprisonment, $6,000 bail;

Tyshaela Tashion Davison, 25, Alexandria – simple battery, simple assault, disturbing the peace, two counts resisting an officer, criminal damage to property, $2,250 bail;

Donderick Joseph Prier, 43, Mansura – domestic abuse battery strangulation, Louisiana fugitive, three counts contempt of court, $9,500 bail;

Mauri M. Sanchez, 34, Pineville – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Willis Edward White II, 28, Pineville – theft, illegal possession of stolen things, criminal mischief, parole violations, $1,500 bail.

Cheneyville reminds its residents that they are packed up and ready to help get the children prepared for a new school year. Along with backpacks and supplies, Cheneyville is giving away free haircuts, gift cards, and more prizes. Come by campus on Saturday starting at 12pm. Refreshments will be served. 

By JIM BUTLER

Red River is heading toward its annual mid-summer low stage but commercial traffic is benefitting from emergency work earlier this month.

The river was closed to tugs and barges on July 6 in the wake of diminished river flow that dropped the nine-feet navigation channel depth to 4.6 feet at the Poland lock and dam.

Nothing could move, including barges carrying fuel destined for outlets in many parishes.

On July 6, records show, the river stage at Poland (Lock & Dam 2) was 47.6 feet elevation. Yesterday (Tuesday) it was down to 42.08. A week ago it was 44.2.

Traffic moving despite the falling gauge readings is a result of emergency channel dredging by Luhr Brothers.

The firm, a presence on the river since navigation waterway work began, used its spud barge to remove silt, tons of which the Red moves and deposits daily.

Also called a jack up, the barge fastens anchors (spuds) to hold position in a water body while dredging.

The 36-hour closing refocuses attention on a Corps of Engineers study regarding whether to increase the channel depth to 12 feet, insuring nine feet depth year round.

The Corps announced that study in June 2024. Advocates note the deeper channel would provide economy by allowing more materials per barge per trip. A cost estimate has not yet been released.

Also still under way is pursuit of a Strategic Marine Highway designation for the waterway.

Of particular national interest in that is the U.S. Army’s reliance on the river, through the Central Louisiana Regional Port in Alexandria, for logistical and materials support to and from Fort Polk.

Corps data shows the record high reading at L&D 2 was 71.66 feet in March 2016 and again in May 1990.

The record low – 34.57 feet – was in November 1976, six years before construction was completed.

Readership Opinion Poll

This poll was to gain insight among the readership of the Parish Journal regarding Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS).  This is simply a snapshot-in-time of the opinions of our readership at the time the survey was taken. This is NOT a scientific poll.

I’m not very well suited for this one.

Not a Cubs fan. Don’t detest them like all you Cardinals and White Sox fans do. I do believe that if you truly love baseball, at least a little part of you must bear some fondness for the Cubbies.

Wrigley Field, “The Friendly Confines,” with the ivy on the outfield wall since 1937. Nothing but day games for decades. Site of the Babe’s called shot against the chirpy Cubs in the 1932 World Series. Home of Ernie Banks, who coined “The Friendly Confines” and was known to smile broadly and say, “let’s play two.”

The wind blowing out over Waveland Avenue, and major leaguers looking like slow-pitch softball sluggers as they took advantage.

The Curse of the Billy Goat, rooted in the city’s Billy Goat Tavern, which found the spotlight in the 1980s thanks to a recurring Saturday Night Live skit featuring Bill Murray, a Billy Goat regular, and Chicagoan John Belushi, who recited the trademark refrain, “Cheeburger, Cheeburger, Cheeburger. No Coke. Pepsi.”

Fergie Jenkins. Full name Ferguson, but Fergie just felt better. Unless you had to hit against him.

Sammy Sosa. Say what you will about supplements and such, Sosa’s 1998 friendly duel with the Cardinals’ Mark McGwire as they pounded past Roger Maris’ MLB-record 61 home runs captivated all of us, baseball fans or not, and brought big league baseball back into good graces with the American sports fan.

Even if you were not a Cubs fan, if you are of a certain age, a baseball buff who had leisure time in the 1980s and a TV, you watched the Cubs on WGN. You watched the Braves on WTBS. Depending on where you lived, you saw the Mets on WOR. There was no nightly range of games to watch. You wanted to see baseball on TV, those were your choices.

The Cubs had the incomparable Harry Caray, that lovable lout, perhaps soused, but leaning out of the WGN broadcast booth and singing “Take Me Out To the Ballgame” over the public address system to the Wrigley fans in the seventh inning stretch.

For goodness’ sakes, the Cubs had Bill Murray as their unofficial No. 1 fan. And we all were nuts for that nut, Bill Murray. Noogies for everybody!

It wasn’t just because Lee Smith spent more time with the Cubs than any of his other MLB stops that he entered Cooperstown in Chicago blue. Ask him today, and his eyes will sparkle when the Castor resident talks about the Cubbies, his buddy Randy Hundley, his catcher, and more of his teammates.

Today, his eyes are doubtlessly damp at the loss of one of them, the greatest Cub of this generation, Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, whose cruel battle with cancer ended Monday at age 65.

When the sad news broke late in the evening, passionate tributes poured in from every angle – teammates, MLB peers, fans, random people who had been graced by Ryno’s personal touch, showing kindness and going out of his way to make a fan’s day. The highlights flashed almost incessantly across SportsCenter.

“A quiet superstar” was one description. Here was his:

“I love to play baseball. I’m a baseball player. I’ve always been a baseball player. I’m still a baseball player. That’s who I am,” he said from the podium at Cooperstown during his 2005 Baseball Hall of Fame induction.

He also said things like, “If you played the game the right way, played the game for the team, good things would happen.”

Talk about For Love of the Game, Ryne Sandberg personified it.

Thanks to Lee Smith, I saw it up close, almost exactly six years ago, on the eve of Smith’s Cooperstown enshrinement. The flame-throwing reliever and his wife kindly put me and my pal, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame artist Chris Brown, on the invitation list to the Cubs’ otherwise exclusive party celebrating his induction. We were star-struck along with several of his Natchitoches American Legion baseball teammates, and other family and friends.

All of the team’s living Hall of Famers were there, and they all spoke about their relationships with Lee. Billy Williams, who scouted him. Fergie Jenkins, whose career ended with Lee closing games for him. Andre’ Dawson, and Lee’s 1984  teammate, that season’s runaway National League MVP, Sandberg. As we milled around the venue, we didn’t flinch at chances to chat with luminaries like MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, and yes, all of the Cubs greats.

No one was more gracious or sincerely nice than Sandberg. It probably helped that Chris pitched in the Cubs organization after his Northwestern State career, but I would never have imagined going into that evening that we’d share a five-minute conversation with the Chicago icon.

I’ll always remember that one of big league baseball’s most popular and accomplished players didn’t big league us. He didn’t bounce away quickly. He was enjoying it.

Because Ryne Sandberg loved baseball.

“The reasons I am here, they tell me, is that I played the game a certain way,” he said on his own Cooperstown weekend, “that I played the game the way it was supposed to be played.”

He was speaking of baseball. He played the game of life just right, too.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

Presented by the Junior League of Alexandria, A Very Merry Market will take place at the Randolph Riverfront Center on Oct. 9–11.

Kick off the holiday season in style at A Very Merry Market, Alexandria’s signature shopping event hosted by the Junior League of Alexandria. Join the Junior League for three festive days filled with one-of-a-kind finds, boutique vendors, and holiday cheer.

The Market will feature: 

• Handcrafted goods and artisan gifts
• Fashion, home décor and seasonal treats
• Raffles, entertainment and more festive surprises

Whether crossing names off a gift list or just enjoying the holiday vibes, this market has something for everyone—all while supporting the Junior League’s mission to empower women and improve lives in Central Louisiana.

The City of Alexandria Water Department announces that the fire department will be conducting aggressive fire hydrant flushing in the vicinity of Charles Park beginning today. 

Fire hydrant flushing will assist in removal of sediment accumulation within the lines.  Although flushing may lead to a temporary increase in water discoloration, water quality is not effected.  For individuals in an area scheduled for flushing who experience discoloration, allow 24 hours for water to clear. 

As part of the Rapides Parish School Board’s Transportation Start of School Plan, the district will conduct a simulated school day on Friday, Aug. 1. During this simulation, the transportation department will run morning and afternoon routes, making stops at every bus stop and school to mirror regular school day operations. With Rapides Parish bus operators responsible for transporting more than 10,000 students daily, this practice run ensures drivers are prepared for student pickup and drop-off procedures when school begins on Aug. 11. This measure demonstrates the district’s commitment to transportation services and helps identify any adjustments needed before the academic year begins.

WHAT: RPSB Transportation’s Simulated School Day
WHO: RPSB Bus Operators
WHERE: Rapides Parish (District-wide)
WHEN: Friday, August 1 | Morning & Afternoon Transportation Routes

Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 71 at Bill Warner Road on July 28 at approximately 4:42pm.  The crash claimed the life of 29-year-old Michael Dauzat Jr. of Hessmer.

The initial investigation revealed that a 2009 Toyota Camry, driven by Dauzat, was southbound on U.S. Highway 71.  For reasons still under investigation, Dauzat attempted to access the service road by crossing both northbound travel lanes. This maneuver put the Camry in the direct path of a northbound 1993 Chevrolet Caprice. As a result, the Caprice impacted the Camry. 

Dauzat, restraint usage unknown, sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the Caprice, who was restrained, sustained moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Routine toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis.

While the cause of this crash remains under investigation, distracted and inattentive driving continues to be a leading cause of crashes in the state.  Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving.  A lapse in one’s awareness can have deadly consequences.