Observance Began in 1939 by Presidential Proclamation

Alexandria International Airport (AEX) joins the aviation industry in recognizing National Aviation Day. In 1939, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed August 19 as National Aviation Day to coincide with the birthday of Orville Wright, known for inventing the first successful aircraft with his brother Wilbur.

“Aviation supports about 87 million jobs worldwide, with a $4.1 trillion economic benefit,” states England Airpark Executive Director Ralph Hennessy. “On a local level, we are fortunate to have air service as an economic driver. Today, we celebrate the history of AEX as we continue to work with airlines to enhance air service into the future.”

The origins of England Airpark and AEX date back to 1939, when the site served as an emergency airstrip for Esler Field Airport, near Pineville. The “England” name honors Lt. Col. John B. England, former commander of the 389th Bomber Squadron at the base. Over the years, England Airpark has served many purposes, including those instrumental to World War II and Korean War operations, and now thrives as a multi-modal commerce center and community, of which AEX is a critical part.

AEX highlights:

• Three terminals for commercial, military, and government use
• Two commercial airlines, American and Delta, serving 200,000 annual passengers
• Two runways
• One of three 24-hour air traffic control towers in Louisiana
• A 24-hour, award-winning fixed base operator, Million Air Alexandria
• Index D Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting
• Intermediate staging base for the S. Army’s Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk

About England Airpark

The England Economic and Industrial Development District is an independent political subdivision of the State of Louisiana. England Airpark encompasses approximately 4,000 acres and includes Alexandria International Airport (AEX). As a mixed-use development offering convenient connectivity through air, interstate highway, rail, and port access, the Airpark features more than 300 residential units and 1.5 million square feet of commercial space, supporting aviation, transportation, manufacturing, education, and engineering sectors. Learn more at www.englandairpark.org.

The City of Pineville Parks and Recreation have announced that Kees Park and the Splash Pad will be closed on Tuesday, Aug. 26, for maintenance. 

They also announced that Mayor Bishop has agreed to extend the Splash Pad closing date. The splash pad will remain open until Sunday, Oct. 5.

Oak Hill Fire Department has released its data relating to calls made between July 27 and August 16.

On August 20, 1983, the legendary Rolling Stones made headlines—and sent shockwaves through the music industry—by signing what was then the largest recording contract in history: a staggering $28 million deal with CBS Records.

At a time when record labels were cautiously measuring star power, this contract marked an extraordinary leap of faith—and a bold statement of confidence—in the enduring appeal of one of rock’s founding acts.

By the early 1980s, the Rolling Stones had already cemented their legacy over two decades of groundbreaking albums and electrifying performances. Yet even for artists of their stature, a contract of this magnitude was unheard of. It wasn’t simply about money—it was a symbol of the Stones’ ongoing relevance and market power in an increasingly competitive pop landscape.

Contemporaneous media coverage in Billboard and Rolling Stone framed the deal as a watershed moment: a validation that legacy acts could still command superstar-level investment, even amid the MTV-fueled rise of newer, flashier names.

For fans, it was a reminder that the Rolling Stones were no relic—they were still very much a force to be reckoned with, ready to shape the soundscape of the 1980s.

A Glimpse Back: What Else Happened on August 20?

• In 1920, the precursor to the NFL, the American Professional Football Conference, was formed in Canton, Ohio.

• In 1975, NASA launched the Viking 1 probe toward Mars, setting the stage for the first successful U.S. Mars landing a year later.

But for music lovers and long-time Rolling Stones fans, August 20, 1983, remains memorable as the day when the cost of rock and roll hit a record—literally.

William “Benny” Bullitt
February 18, 1954 – August 18, 2025
Service: Thursday, August 21, 2025, 1pm at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball. 

Joseph Francis Thompson
June 25, 1934 – August 18, 2025
Service: Monday, August 25, 2025, 11am at Mary, Mother of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, Woodworth. 

Roy Jean Walters
July 13, 1939 – August 17, 2025
Service: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 10am at Oak Grove Mission Church, Hineston.

Nannette Carr Walton
October 21, 1931 – August 17, 2025
Service:  Saturday, August 23, 2025, 10am at First United Methodist Church, Alexandria. 

Joseph Edward Crain
October 29, 1950 – August 15, 2025
Service: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 11am at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville.

Rocky Lee Crandall
December 1, 1967 – August 15, 2025
Service: Friday, August 22, 2025, 11am at The Pentecostals of Alexandria, Alexandria. 

Mary Louise Juneau Duhon
January 10, 1936 – August 12, 2025
Service: Saturday August 23, 2025, 2pm at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Alexandria. 

Linda Jewel Carter Region
February 26, 1945 – August 12, 2025
Service: Thursday, August 21, 2025, 10am at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Alexandria.

Laura Scott
May 28, 1932 – August 12, 2025
Service: Saturday, August 23, 2025, 11am at St. Matthew Baptist Church, Boyce.

Lee LaVern Cargle, Sr.
August 15, 1962 – August 10, 2025
Service: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 11am at St. Rita Catholic Church, Alexandria. 

Anthony Dewayne Norwood
November 7, 1979 – August 9, 2025
Service: Saturday, August 23, 2025, 12pm at Second Evening Star Baptist Church, Alexandria. 

Malcolm Branch
September 12, 1974 – August 3, 2025
Service: Saturday, August 23, 2025, 2pm at Timothy Baptist Church, Alexandria. 

The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)

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Sheriff’s Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects that committed a burglary at a convenience store in Forest Hill, LA on July 10, 2025.

According to the initial report, on July 10 at approximately 2:00 A.M, two suspects made entry into the convenience store through a back door using a large pry bar that is seen in still photos.

Evidence from the investigation indicates entry was made into the store but no items were taken before the suspects fled the scene.

If anyone has any information that can identify these two suspects, they are asked to contact Detective Joseph Spence, Criminal Investigation Division – Main Office at 318-473-6727, RPSO Main Office 318-473-6700, or Crime Stoppers 318-443-7867.

Ethan Frey, the LSU baseball star from the Vernon Parish town of Rosepine, recently signed with the Houston Astros as a third-round draft pick and he is making a good first impression with the Astros’ Class A farm team in Fayetteville, N.C.

In the Astros’ top 100 prospects list, Ethan Taylor Frey ranks ninth overall. On the baseball grading scale of 20-80, he gets above-average 55 grades for power and running and average 50 scores for hitting, arm and fielding.

Nevertheless, that combination of skills he has shown for a player just arriving is “very promising,” said Fayetteville hitting coach Kyle Brennan, 30, who has been with the Astros organization in some capacity for four seasons.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Frey helped LSU win two NCAA baseball championships in the last three years, but he didn’t bloom as a starter until this season. That’s partly because he missed summer ball last year as he was recovering from a torn labrum.

But by the time the Tigers got to the NCAA Regionals, he arguably swatted the most important hit of the season. With LSU seemingly lifeless and trailing by four runs, he uncorked a two-out, three-run double into the gap in right center in the fourth inning against Little Rock. That transformed the kittens into roaring Tigers who rallied for the win, advanced to the Super Regional and didn’t close the season until they won the College World Series in Omaha.

He signed with the Astros for $997,500, according to the Astros Scouting Report, and in his first 12 games with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, he is batting .308 with 3 doubles, 9 RBI, 4 stolen bases and 12 walks. No home runs yet but remember he didn’t get his first collegiate home run until this past season, when he launched a three-run blast on Feb. 18 against Southern. He finished with 13 dingers for the season. That’s the same number of homers he had during his senior season at Rosepine, where he helped lead the Eagles to back-to-back state championships.  A dual-threat quarterback during football season, he finished his prep baseball career ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 1 catcher and No. 2 overall player in the state of Louisiana. 

Looking at his stats with the Woodpeckers, he has been walked a dozen times already (none intentionally). Brennan said that is reflective of his discipline at the plate, not going after pitches out of the zone, and getting the bat on pitches that are in the zone. He has struck out just eight times in 39 at-bats.

Brennan said Chris Martin, a friend and former strength and conditioning coordinator for the Astros who now handles that job for LSU baseball, is impressed with Frey. “He spoke highly of him and how he was excellent to work with,” said Brennan, who agrees.

“He’s been very positive, very intense; he comes from a winning culture and expects to compete at the highest level. He’s intense in his work but he’s got a playful banter among teammates and staff, which reflects his innate leadership qualities.”

That gift of leadership comes naturally, you might say. Ethan’s father, Ross Frey, a military government contractor, is a veteran who served in the Marines and the Army, earning the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Meritorious Service medals. Ross Frey was honored during LSU’s season at one of the “Soldier Salutes” ceremonies the Tigers conduct each home weekend at Alex Box. 

Last week Fayetteville broadcaster Andrew Chapman did a podcast with Frey. A  native of Mt. Vernon, Ill., Frey said on the podcast that, as a child, he used to play hockey with his dad in the kitchen. He said he can’t thank his father enough for showing him a work ethic. His mother, who is a military family assistant, and father visited him recently to catch a home series in Fayetteville.

Ethan said he saw them at batting practice before a game.

“It felt good to hug ’em again,” he said. “That never gets old.”

Louisiana Christian University has welcomed six new faculty members for Fall 2025. These six faculty attended an orientation and workshop on campus and will begin their university teaching careers in Pineville with our students in the classrooms Monday.

“LCU continues to attract the finest professors for our open positions,” said Dr. Henry O. Robertson, vice-president of Academic Affairs. “All of them are strong in their Christian faith, dedicated to our mission, and determined in their resolve to give our students the best education found anywhere in the state or nation. It was a pleasure getting to know them in the hiring process and I look forward to their many years of service to the university and those students fortunate to learn from them.”

Ann Ferguson joins the university after obtaining an M.S. graduate degree in nursing at William Cary University and undergraduate studies at LCU, Mississippi College and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has been an ICU nurse at Lafayette General Hospital. Her experience and latest knowledge in the field will be an asset to the LCU Nursing School.

Shareka Moore-Roque is a new assistant professor of social work. She has a BSW from Northwestern State and an MSW from Louisiana State University. She is completing a doctoral degree at Houston Christian University. She brings seven years of experience in private practice in Central Louisiana and will expertly bridge the divide between class work and practical experience for students.

Emily Norris joins the university as an assistant professor of psychology. She finished her Master’s degree from Louisiana State University-Shreveport. While in graduate school, she helped develop an after-school reading program for children at a community counseling clinic. She is an LCU graduate and attends Philadelphia Baptist Church.

Sandra Purifoy is a graduate of Louisiana College. She earned her M.S. degree in life sciences at Louisiana Tech. She has decades of experience teaching at both the high school and college levels. She joins the university as an associate professor of biology.

Myles Roberts is finishing his Ph.D. in English literature at Baylor University. He is a 2002 graduate of Louisiana College and holds degrees from LSUS, Howard and Duke universities. He is a Shakespeare scholar, musician and homeless activist. He has been active at several churches and ministries in Shreveport.

John Rivoire is a nursing professor who brings a wealth of experience into the classroom. He has taught at two other universities in Louisiana and served as a major in the U.S. Air Force working in an in-theater mobile hospital in the Persian Gulf. He has been an administrator at facilities and has an M.S.in nursing from the University of Mississippi Health Sciences Center and Grambling University.

Promotions for LCU faculty

The university announces tenure and promotions to their long-serving faculty. The process to
achieve tenure and promotion remains rigorous and all faculty applying are reviewed by a
university committee of their peers, the VPAA, President, and voted on by the LCU Board of
Trustees.

Upon the recommendation of the administration and vote of the LCU Board of Trustees in April
the following professors begin this academic year with the following tenure and promotions.

• Dr. Theodore Chiasson, associate professor of Computer Science, granted tenure
• Dr. Jeannie Gauthier in English, promoted to professor
• Dr. Andrew Magee in Criminal Justice, promoted to professor
• Dr. Scott Pickard in History, promoted to professor
• Mr. Jeff Young in Media and Communication, promoted to professor

“Tenure and Promotion decisions are never taken lightly and come after faculty have met all
requirements, demonstrated merit to a peer Tenure of Promotion Committee, and achieved the
recommendation of the VPAA and president, Robertson said. ‘”This process begins in the fall
and extends into spring each year. The recipients are all worthy of the trust and confidence the
university has placed in their teaching, scholarship and service to the university, their church and
community.”

Selection of chairs and professorships

Louisiana Christian University is blessed to have donors who have given money over the nearly
120-year history of the university to support prestigious professorships and chairs. Over the
decades, the Louisiana Board of Regents has matched the contributions to help create these
professorships and chairs. Nominations are made of worthy faculty, and a special committee of
peers and administrators convenes to evaluate and recommend candidates.

The Eminent Scholars Committee voted, and the university has awarded the following chair and
professorships to take effect this fall.

• Coughlin-Saunders Foundation Chair in Nursing: Dr. Amelia Davis
• The J.E. Hixon Professorship: Dr. David Elliott
• George F. Kirby Professorship in Chemistry: Dr. Sarah Payne
• Eugenia Dawson Professorship in Art: Mr. Michael Williams

The university recognizes these superior faculty at Founder’s Day Chapel in the fall, and each
professor receives an engraved bronze medal on a ribbon.

“These outstanding faculty members have reached the pinnacle of the profession in their
respective fields,” Robertson said. “Their excellence shows in their collegiate teaching,
scholarship and contributions to their field of study, church and the greater community. I could
not be more proud of these individuals and look forward to many years of continued
contributions big and small in all that they do.”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises motorist that TODAY, Aug. 19, the northbound left lane of US-167 (Pineville Expressway) will be closed between the LA-3100 overpass (Donahue Ferry Road) and US-165.

This lane closure is scheduled to take place from approximately 8am to 1pm for one day, and is necessary to allow DOTD maintenance crews to perform drainage work.

Between Aug. 11 and Aug. 17, Louisiana State Police investigated five fatal crashes across the state.

• Fatal Crashes: 5
• Fatalities: 5
• Unrestrained Occupants: 1
• Injured as a result of a fatal crash: 9

While these crashes remain under investigation, they underscore the importance of staying alert and making safe, responsible choices behind the wheel. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to make safety their top priority:

• Buckle up — every seat, every trip, every time.
• Never drive impaired — plan ahead and designate a sober driver.
• Stay alert — avoid distractions and focus on the road.
• Maintain a safe following distance and adjust speed for traffic and weather conditions.

Every life lost on the roadways is more than just a number—it’s someone’s family member, friend, or neighbor. Let’s work together to keep Louisiana’s roads safe for everyone.

To view all Louisiana State Police fatal crash news releases, visit: https://lsp.org/community-outreach/news/

The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office received a complaint in reference to possible criminal  sexual conduct involving a juvenile in December of 2024.  According to the initial report , the alleged incident occurred in early November.  An initial report was taken and Sheriff’s detectives we assigned the case for further investigation. 

From their investigation, which included several witness statements and multiple forensic interviews conducted with the assistance of the Children’s Advocacy Center, a suspect was identified as Herbert Joseph Poisso, 18 of Colfax. 

From the evidence gathered through their lengthy investigation, Sheriff’s detectives were able to establish sufficient probable cause that supported the original allegations and a warrant was obtained for Poisso’s arrest for one count of 3^rd Degree Rape.

On Aug. 13, with the assistance of the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, Poisso was located at his residence in Colfax and was taken into custody without incident and placed under arrest on the active warrant. Poisso was then booked into the Grant Parish Jail, awaiting extradition back to Rapides Parish. 

On Aug. 14, Poisso was transported back to Rapides Parish and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center where he remains at the time of this release, being held on a $100,000 bond.

Sheriff’s detectives say their investigation is still ongoing and if anyone has any further information relating to this crime, they are asked to contact Detective Susan Mosley, Criminal Investigation Division-Tioga Substation at 318-641-6000.

Judy was still young when World War II broke out. When she went onboard, she became the only female among about 50 males on the Royal Navy’s insect-class ship HMS Gnat. She could not speak English, but she understood a few words after a while. The Gnat’s designation as an insect-class ship was misleading because the Gnat was a well-armed gunboat that the Germans wanted to eliminate. On October 21, 1941, German submarine U-79 located the Gnat and fired a torpedo. The torpedo struck its mark and did enough damage to the ship to put it out of service, but not to sink it. The survivors, including Judy, were transferred to the dragonfly-class river gunboat, HMS Grasshopper. Four months later, on February 14, 1942, Japanese dive bombers attacked the Grasshopper, and it slowly sank. The survivors made their way to land and began their daring trek to safety in enemy territory. On land, the men searched but were unable to find a source for drinkable water. Once Judy learned what they were looking for, she joined the search. It was she who found fresh water. For that, the men began referring to her as their “guardian angel.”

The survivors were eventually captured by Japanese soldiers and taken to a prison camp. The men became official prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention, but the Japanese guards refused to register Judy as an official P.O.W. The guards were unsure what to do with Judy, but they refused to provide food, water, or shelter for her. The men shared their meager rations of putrid water and maggot infested rice with Judy. When the guards were abusing the men, Judy intervened. It usually ended the beatings, but the guards often trained their hostilities onto her instead. Somehow, one of the prisoners convinced the camp commandant to register Judy as an official prisoner of war. This meant that they had to provide food, water, and shelter for Judy.

Judy was unbreakable. Her determination to survive brought hope to the other prisoners. Then, after being in the camp for more than two years, a Japanese captain arrived and ordered the men to move to a ship which would take them to another camp. Judy, he ordered, would be left behind to fend for herself. The prisoners knew better than to try to convince the captain to bring Judy, but they were not going to leave her behind to die alone. They quickly came up with a plan in which they could communicate by using hand signals and low whistles. The men rehearsed loading Judy in and out of rice sacks and taught her the different whistle signals, the most important one was the signal for her to be still and quiet. On June 25, 1944, the prisoners loaded the sacks of rice from their former prison onto a ship which was to take them to their new prison camp. Judy was hiding in one of those sacks and made it safely aboard. Just one day into the trip, their ship was sunk by a torpedo. Judy not only survived, but she pulled survivors from the water. Finally, after Victory over Japan on August 15, 1945, and after three years of captivity, the prisoners, including Judy, were rescued.

Many English soldiers owe their lives to Judy, their guardian angel. In May 1946, Judy was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal for bravery which is commonly referred to as the Victoria Cross for animals. Judy, a pure-bred English Pointer and mascot for the Royal Navy, was the only dog in history to be officially registered as a prisoner of war.

Sources:

1. “PDSA Dickin Medal,” PDSA, accessed August 10, 2025, https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/animal-awards-programme/pdsa-dickin-medal.

2. “Meet Judy,” National Military Working Dogs Memorial UK, accessed August 10, 2025, https://nmwdm.org.uk/dogs/judy/.