Notice of Death – August 18, 2025

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.

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.

Lee LaVern Cargle, Sr.
August 15, 1962 – August 10, 2025
Service: Wednesday, August 20, 2025, 11am at St. Rita Catholic 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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RPSB’s Exceptional Student Services website is now LIVE

The Rapides Parish School Board announced that their new Exceptional Student Services website is now LIVE.
 
They have designed this user-friendly site with families in mind – making it easier than ever to explore available services, connect directly with feeder system supervisors, and get to know the dedicated team working every day to help students thrive.
 
The new site has several key features:
  • Comprehensive service information
  • Direct connections to supervisors
  • Resources tailored to users’ needs
Ready to get more involved? RPSB is also seeking passionate new members for their Advisory Council. Access the form by clicking on this link > https://rpsb.la/ESSapp

‘Haunted Central Louisiana’ book signing events feature local author

Local historian and author of over 20 books on various area historical themes, Michael Wynne, held a series of three well attended book signings in Alexandria Saturday, August 16 to introduce his latest work “Haunted Central Louisiana”. 

The book details the history of buildings throughout Central Louisiana such as the Dellmon House, Tyrone House and Bolton House among others believed to be haunted. In a signing held at Alexandria’s Kent Plantation House, retired 9th circuit judge Rae Swent spoke about the Soldier Ghost believed to inhabit the Tyrone House. She was joined by Amarjit (Amy) Pillaresetti, owner of the James W. Bolton House and Beth Vandersteen of the Rapides Parish Library who spoke of the ghostly goings on at the Dellmon House, now headquarters of the library system.  The final speaker was Brenda Frick of Mimi’s Ghostbusters, a group of 32 women from Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Nebraska and North Carolina who come together to visit and stay in supposedly haunted places. A contingent of women from the group joined the audience in their distinctive Ghostbuster shirts.

From Tyrone House’s “Soldier Ghost”, to the ghost in the Bolton House’s attic and ghostly lights at the Dellmon house, Wynne’s book documents the history of these places as well as claims that there might just be more going on there than the usual historical interest.


Top 5 at BMW raises Burns’ Ryder Cup stock heading into Tour Championship

Sam Burns watches an approach shot Sunday at the BMW Championship.
 

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Former LSU All-American Sam Burns made a run at winning the BMW Championship in the PGA Tour playoffs Sunday, and raised his stock in the swirl of speculation over who USA Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley will soon pick for the six open slots on his roster.

Burns was briefly one shot out of the lead, and tied for second at 12-under during Sunday’s final round before two closing bogies dropped the 29-year-old into a fourth-place tie at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, Maryland. He posted a 10-under total (68-67-67-68) and collected a $910,000 payday to raise his season’s official money winnings to $5.6 million heading into the $40 million Tour Championship starting Thursday in Atlanta.

A Shreveport native who was the 2016 college player of the year at LSU, Burns birdied three times on the front nine Sunday, and got to 4-under for the day with a birdie on the 11th hole. He bogied 14, bounced back with a bird on the par-5 16th, but was errant off the tee on the final two holes, the par-3 17th and par-4 18th, two of Sunday’s five toughest pars per tournament statistics.

Sunday’s final round closed the Ryder Cup selection of the six automatic slots, based soley on the Tour’s points system. That half-dozen is headed by Scottie Scheffler, who rallied from four shots down to capture the BMW title Sunday, finishing at 15-under. Bradley’s other six picks will consider Ryder Cup points standings, but will be a subjective decision.

Burns, now a Lincoln Parish resident who plays out of Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, recorded his fifth top 10 of the season and made the cut for the 20th time in 23 starts, including the last 14 dating back to playing 72 holes at The Masters in April.

He stands 17th in the field of 30 golfers who advanced to East Lake CC for the Tour Championship, making the season-ending event for the fifth straight year. He is 16th in USA Ryder Cup points but among those 10 not automatically qualified Sunday, only Maverick McNeely (third at 11-under) was better this week, and next closest was Cameron Young (t19, 5-under).

Bradley will announce his six captain’s picks for the Ryder Cup team on Wednesday, Aug. 27. Burns was a captain’s choice in 2023 and on the 2024 Presidents Cup team, and was an automatic selection for his first international competition as a Tour member, the 2022 Presidents Cup.

His current string of making three straight USA teams as a pro equals the best stretch by Hal Sutton (1998-2000). David Toms played for the USA in six consecutive Presidents Cup/Ryder Cup competitions from 2002-07.

Burns’ PGA Tour official career earnings rose Sunday to $33.5 million since 2019 after he posted his 19th career top 5 finish. The back nine bogies were costly: second place paid Robert MacIntyre (13-under) $2.1 million while third netted McNeely $1.3 million.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com


Registration now open for the Pineville Riverfront annual BBQ Cookoff

The annual BBQ Cookoff is coming to the Pineville Riverfront. The competition starts on Friday, Oct. 10, with the judging and winners announced on Saturday, Oct. 11.
 
Compete for a $500 prize in each of the three categories:
* Chicken
* Ribs
* Brisket
Ready to compete? The registration fee is $75. Register for the cookoff here: https://buff.ly/uxGmMop
 
All registration fees are paid directly to the City of Pineville. Registrants can pay by check through the mail or in-person at the Pineville utility office. Once the registration form has been completed, please keep an eye on email for more information.
 
Important Scam Alert: Be aware of spammers. There have been issues with individuals who comment on these posts claiming to be in charge and asking potential participants to message them for payment. Do not send money to any individual. The City of Pineville is the only entity that will collect registration fees.

RRMC Float Pool nurse Melissa Desselle receives ICARE Award

Float Pool nurse Melissa Desselle
The Rapides Regional Medical Center announced that Float Pool nurse Melissa Desselle, BSN, RN, has been named their most recent ICARE Award recipient. The ICARE Award stands for RRMC’s values – Integrity, Compassion, Always, Respect, Excellence – and is the highest honor one of their colleagues can receive.
 
Her nomination noted, “Melissa is a phenomenal nurse who has been part of the Rapides family for 19 years, serving in nearly every area of our facility. Her deep clinical expertise is matched only by the joy, positivity, and sense of teamwork she brings to everyone around her. You can walk into any area of the hospital, and both nurses and physicians will know her—in the very best way. Melissa consistently prioritizes patient safety, keeping it at the forefront of our focus. She is constantly on the move—proactively meeting patient needs, supporting her colleagues, and fostering an environment where excellence thrives.”

APD promotes website, online reporting

Need to report a crime, file a complaint, or submit a tip? Citizens don’t have to visit the station to perform these tasks. 
 
The Alexandria Police Department offers secure, online reporting tools — designed to serve the community quickly, safely, and confidentially. Users can: 
  • File a police report
  • Submit a complaint or commendation
  • Share an anonymous tip
  • Report suspicious activity
Visit the reporting website at the following link: https://bit.ly/3IHmaGj

Arrest made in Aug. 14 Pineville stabbing

The Pineville Police Department was notified of a stabbing that occurred in the 100 block of Fox Street on Thursday, Aug. 14 at approximately 7:44am.
 
Preliminary investigation revealed that the incident began as a domestic dispute and ended with one individual being stabbed in the back. Officers responded promptly; however, the suspect, identified as Shermaine Sampson, fled the scene before their arrival.
 
The Criminal Investigations Bureau responded and processed the scene. Based on the evidence gathered, investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Ms. Sampson for one count of Attempted Second Degree Murder. Ms. Sampson was later arrested.
 
This is an ongoing investigation, and this will be all the information released at this time.

Lecompte man faces rape charges; Alexandria suspect faces six-figure bail after cruelty to juveniles arrest

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Aug. 17

Crystal Renee Barfield, 20, Pineville – resisting a police officer with force or violence, disturbing the peace, $1,000 bail;

Roy Lee Reed, 33, Lecompte – two counts second degree rape, second degree robbery, $200,000 bail;

Clint Shelton, 54, Longview, Texas – OWI first offense, open container, wrong way on one-way street, $1,200 bail;

 

Aug. 16

Edwin Ray Barron, 31, Pollock – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, driving under suspension, expired MVI sticker, open container, contempt of court, $2,400 bail;

James Allen Bynog, 25, Boyce – aggravated assault domestic abuse, no bail data;

Trendon Lynn Goynes, 24, Pollock – OWI first offense, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,100 bail;

Tylor Anthony Hare, 28, Boyce – possession of marijuana, possession of CDS, criminal trespass, possession of paraphernalia, resisting an officer, five counts contempt of court, $50,500 bail;

Zachary Howard, 33, Alexandria – OWI first offense, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, improper lane usage, speeding, $4,200 bail;

Michael Dewayne Nelson, 51, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, three counts of contempt of court, $9,000 bail;

Alexander Ray King, 50, Pineville – domestic abuse battery, aggravated assault domestic abuse, $25,000 bail;

Briant Lewis, 40, Silsbee – OWI first offense, improper headlight equipment, $1,100 bail;

Austin Auzlle Maxwell, 26, Dry Prong – stalking, criminal trespass, violation of protective orders (violent), open container, home invasion, $600 bail;

Barry Paul Walker Jr, 34, Alexandria – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, simple burglary, Louisiana fugitive, $50,000 bail.

 

Aug. 15

Laken Nicole Afeman, 39, Hineston – domestic abuse battery with child present, domestic abuse battery, $10,000 bail;

Ruben Alvarado, 56, Alexandria – cruelty to juveniles, $1,000 bail;

Dewayne Byrd, 36, Cheneyville – parole violations, two counts contempt of court, $52,500 bail;

Dequayvieon Carter, 21, Alexandria – illegal possession of a stolen firearm, open container, $100 bail;

Derrick James Colson, 49, Alexandria – possession of synthetic CDS, paraphernalia, eight counts contempt of court, $20,000 bail;

Dennis Terry Fontenot, 57, Montgomery – possession of CDS, bicycle helmet required, $2,600 bail;

Jesse Lynn Halford, 42, Boyce – four counts contempt of court, $152,000 bail;

Brittany Nicole Lapraire, 36, Mansura – possession of CDS, driving under suspension, speeding, resisting an officer, $3,200 bail;

Felecia Renee Lee, 41, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, theft, obstruction of justice, eight counts contempt of court, $14,500 bail;

Cody Scott Morris, 29, Glenmora – five counts criminal conspiracy, five counts theft, five counts criminal trespass, $5,000 bail;

Cortez Jamal Sewell, 25, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, speeding, contempt of court, $3,115 bail.

 

Aug. 14

Isaiah Deshawn Baylor, 22, Alexandria – cruelty to juveniles, domestic abuse battery strangulation, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, domestic abuse battery, aggravated assault with a firearm, $175,000 bail;

Casey Alan Berlin, 42, Ball – three counts contempt of court, $150,000 bail;

Kwaderrica Felton, 24, Pineville – domestic abuse battery with child present, $1,500 bail;

Dan Henry Gray Jr, 50, N/A – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, $3,500 bail;

Ean Ray Hunter Hudson, 18, Deville – two counts carnal knowledge of a juvenile, two counts indecent behavior with juveniles, $40,000 bail;

Justice E. Hunter, 40, Hot Springs, Ark. – interfering with a law enforcement investigation, two counts contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Marchita Desha Mangum, 50, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, simple burglary, two counts contempt of court, $28,500 bail;

Herbert Joseph Poisso, 19, Colfax – third degree rape, $100,000 bail;

Terrance Latarl Polk, 37, Alexandria – simple burglary, probation violation, $10,000 bail;

Sharmaine S. Sampson, 29, Alexandria – second degree murder, $50,000 bail;

Shawn Frederick Varnado, 44, Boyce – criminal trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia, legend drug possession, possession of CDS, Louisiana fugitive, $3,000 bail;

Askia Waheed Jr, 40, Alexandria – armed robbery, unauthorized entry into inhabited dwelling, contempt of court, resisting an officer, $257,000 bail;

Jerry Tyrone White, 53, Alexandria – 10 counts of contempt of court, $17,000 bail;

Mario Marlleas Williams, 49, Leesville – domestic abuse strangulation, $25,000 bail.

 

Aug. 13

Desmond Dewayne Austin, 39, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, three counts contempt of court, $11,000 bail;

James Richard Barlow, 35, Ball – criminal trespass, impersonating a peace officer, $2,000 bail;

Maurice Devon Davis Jr, 42, Alexandria – contempt of court, $25,000 bail;

Karado Royce Johnson, 51, Alexandria – possession of CDS, nine counts contempt of court, $27,500 bail;

Eugene Lee, 37, N/A – contempt of court, $50,000 bail.


Save the date: Cheneyville’s 12th annual Founder’s Day Weekend coming Oct. 23-26

The Town of Cheneyville invites all of the town residents, friends and family from near and far to the 12th annual Founder’s Day Weekend this coming Oct. 23-26.

As the town continues planning, they want to take this time to welcome back all of the wonderful food vendors and arts and crafts vendors as well as encourage any new vendors to scan or press and hold the QR code above for easy access to submit vendor applications. Paper applications are still available at the Town Hall.

For any questions or further assistance, call 318-279-2155 or email townofcheneyville@outlook.com.


Public Meeting regarding Carbon Capture – TONIGHT

Notice of a Public Meeting

Date: Monday, August 18, 2025

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: Tunk’s Cypress Inn, 9507 LA-28 West

 

SAVE MY LOUISIANA

Mission Statement: Informing, educating, and empowering citizens to protect our public safety, natural resources, and foundational rights. We advocate for transparency, stewardship, and the preservation of freedoms—ensuring that the voices of Louisiana’s people are heard.

Paid Content


Notice of Death – August 17, 2025

Joy Ann Coke
November 25, 1951 – August 14, 2025
Service: Monday, August 18, 2025, 2pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville.

Judith Anne Lytle Simmons
April 15, 1941 – August 13, 2025
Service: Monday, August 18, 2025, 10am at Esler Baptist Church, Pineville.

Joan Timmons
November 22, 1928 – August 13, 2025
Service: Monday, August 18, 2025, 9am at One Life Church, 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.

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

Get the Rapides Parish Journal each Weekday morning at 6:55am to your inbox – It’s FREE!


ICYMI (and you probably did)

A benefit of being old and jobless is plenty of reading time. Herewith some generally useless notes reflecting the range of junk these eyes sort through:

 

$6.16

Average benefit SNAP participant receives per day

 

110,000

Lightning strikes detected in Louisiana on July 30

400,000

Persons removed from Louisiana Medicaid rolls, for various reasons, past two years

 

61,721

Alexandria MSA employment June 30


4.6%

Rapides unemployment rate June 2025


30

LSU football bowl wins

24

Bowl losses


$423,949,195

Gross revenue “A Minecraft Movie” April 4-July 31

2122.86

Miles of state highways in Rapides


1

MLB team not to have played in World Series (Seattle)

4

NFL teams never in Super Bowl (Cleveland, Detroit, Houston Texans, Jacksonville)


44

Most Number 1 songs by a country artist (George Strait)

$645,000,000

Cost of Bill Gates hydrogen-powered super yacht

 

4,560,000,000

Estimated years of age of meteorite that recently hit a Georgia house

 

4,540,000,000

Estimated years of Earth’s age

720

Feet of depth one part of lower Congo River, world’s deepest


0

Mosquitos in Iceland


Fifth Circuit sides with black Louisianans, strikes down racially discriminatory state map

A map of District 6

In a victory for Black voters and democracy in Louisiana, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed in full the district court’s ruling that the state’s legislative maps violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The court agreed that the maps dilute the voting power of Black Louisianians by unfairly dividing communities into state districts with the goal of reducing a group’s voting power, otherwise known as packing and cracking, denying them an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.

The ruling affirms the outcome of a seven-day trial in late 2023, where expert witnesses, data analysis, and firsthand accounts from Black voters across Louisiana exposed the discriminatory effect of the current maps and their impact in places like Shreveport, Baton Rouge, and Natchitoches.

“Today’s victory is a testament to the strength and resilience of Black communities across Louisiana who have fought for years to be fairly recognized, represented, and heard,” said Sara Rohani, assistant counsel at the Legal Defense Fund. “Fair representation is not optional in Louisiana. Today’s decision reaffirms that the State must pass fair and non-discriminatory maps to comply with the Voting Rights Act. We look forward to rectifying another example of Louisiana’s long history of racial voter suppression.”

“This is a historic affirmation of the rights of Black voters in Louisiana,” said Megan Keenan, ACLU Voting Rights Project staff attorney. “Today’s decision sends a powerful message: the Voting Rights Act is still a vital safeguard against racial discrimination in our democracy. The court recognized the reality that many Black voters in Louisiana have been denied full and fair representation. This ruling brings us one step closer to the inclusive political process our clients and communities across the state deserve.”

“The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has affirmed what we’ve always known: Black voters in Louisiana deserve equal representation,” said Alanah Odoms, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana. “This is a vital step toward correcting generations of injustice, and we will not stop until every Black Louisianan has the full and fair representation guaranteed to all Americans.”

“This decision is a victory for voting rights for all Louisianians who have long awaited fair maps in the state,” said Alora Thomas-Lundborg, senior counsel at Harvard Election Clinic.

“I am beyond elated for this powerful win of Nairne v. Landry that touches all of Louisiana,” said Dr. Dorothy Nairne, named plaintiff, “including rural areas like Assumption Parish, where transformation has been nonexistent for far too long. Our people are ready to roar through our votes using legislative maps that truly represent us all. This victory ignites our desire to be involved, to uplift ourselves, and to shape the future our ancestors dreamed of.”

“We have organized and mobilized for years, motivated by the promise of fair maps and an equal voice in our political process,” said Michael McClanahan, President of the NAACP Louisiana State Conference. “Today, we celebrate another milestone in our fight for justice, and we won’t stop now.”

“Today’s decision is great victory for fairness and accountability,” said plaintiff Pastor Steven Harris. “We have proven that united voices cannot be ignored, and together, we will keep pressing forward until justice prevails everywhere.”

“This decision is a welcomed victory that encourages us to continue the fight against those in power who are determined to silence the voices of Black and Marginalized communities,” said Black Voters Matter Fund founders Cliff Albright, Latosha Brown, and April England-Albright. “This powerful ruling ensures that the votes of minority and rural voters in Louisiana are not diluted and showcases our belief that the citizens of this nation, not elected officials, determine who represents them. We move forward with the hope that this decision will influence SCOTUS’ review of another Section 2 Voting Rights Case from Louisiana this fall, by serving as a reminder that Section 2 of the VRA is a powerful and needed tool that guarantees the 14th amendment is alive, not in just words and theory, but also in practice.”

“A unanimous win is incredible as the Court clearly held Louisiana must have maps where Black voters have a fair opportunity to elect candidates of choice,” said plaintiff Dr. Alice Washington. “We are advancing our state to a more perfect place and hopefully will inspire all to want to live here.”

The plaintiffs in the case include Dr. Dorothy Nairne, Rev. Clee Earnest Lowe, Dr. Alice Washington, Pastor Steven Harris, the Black Voters Matter Capacity Building Institute, and the Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP. They are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Louisiana, Legal Defense Fund, Harvard Law School Election Law Clinic, Cozen O’Connor, and Louisiana attorneys Ron Wilson and John Adcock.


BRIDGE CLOSURE: US 167 (Pineville Expressway) southbound – This SUNDAY

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises motorists that on Sunday, Aug. 17, the US 167 (Pineville Expressway) southbound bridge over Wadley St., railroad tracks, and 4th St. in the City of Pineville will be closed.

This bridge closure is scheduled to take place from approximately 7am to 5pm for one day and is necessary to allow DOTD crews to perform bridge maintenance work.

This bridge is located approximately 0.82 miles north of the Red River (see map).

Detour will be via LA 1250/Melrose Street. Signage will be in place directing motorists through the detour.

DOTD appreciates the public’s patience and reminds drivers to please drive with caution around the construction sites and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Motorists can access the latest updates on real-time traffic and road conditions using the 511 Traveler Information System by dialing 511 from their telephone and saying the route or region on which they are seeking information. Out-of-state travelers can call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Travelers can also access this information by visiting the 511 Traveler Information Web site at www.511la.org. Additionally, follow the Traffic Management Center on Twitter: (@Alex Traffic). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ www.dotd.la.gov and the DOTD Facebook page.


Sewerage District proposes issuing revenue bonds

By JIM BUTLER

Parish Sewerage District No. 1 plans to issue up to about $2.3 million in revenue bonds to finance needed improvements.

The bonds, to be sold at private sale through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, would be secured by and payable from income from system operations, but not a charge on other system income and revenues.

The fund, fueled by federal EPA funds, creates environmental mental infrastructure financing sources in all 50 states, which match the federal dollars at 20 percent.

District No. 1, like many parish and county systems formed decades ago to serve customers not served by municipalities, faces issues with aging equipment and facilities and rising costs.

It will hold a hearing September 2 at 3 pm to hear any objections to its proposal. Notice of the plan does not specify whether a rate change will be required.

The district’s past two audit reports indicate the extent of the issues.

In 2022, the district had about $807,000 in revenue and $883,000 in expenses.

In 2023, revenue rose to $899,000 and expenses fell to $873,000.

The audit report for 2024 should be released this month by the Legislative Auditor’s Office.

This year began with some of the district’s 1,600 or so customers disgruntled with a rate increase.


Closing birdie lifts Burns to seventh after BMW Championship opening round

Sam Burns reaches into the cup on the 18th hole Thursday to grab the ball he used for a closing birdie to move him into a tie for seventh after the opening round of the BMW Championship.

JOURNAL SPORTS

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Sam Burns got the start he wanted Thursday in the second leg of the PGA Tour playoffs thanks to a very fine finish.

The former two-time LSU All-American fired a 182-yard strike to six feet on the tough par-4 18th at Caves Valley Golf Club and the tour’s No. 2-ranked putter polished off a closing birdie, posting a 2-under 68 that was good for a seventh-place tie in the field of 50 at the BMW Championship.

The 474-yard 18th was the fifth-toughest hole Thursday.

Burns notched two front-side birdies, at the par-5 fourth and the par-3 sixth, sinking a 9-footer on the second-toughest hole of the day to get to 2-under. The 29-year-old briefly moved into a tie for the lead at 3-under with a 25-foot, 6-inch birdie putt on the par-4 11th, but bogeyed two of the next three before his uplifting finish.

Scotsman Robert MacIntyre, who played a year collegiately at McNeese, shot a back-nine 29, carding birdies on seven of the last eight holes including the last six, to build a three-shot lead at 8-under 62.

Burns, a Shreveport native, rolled in 122 feet of putts in Round 1, fifth in the field. His 3.44 strokes gained putting was second. The Choudrant resident hit nine of 14 fairways, ranking in a tie for 18th I the field, and reached 12 of the 18 greens in regulation, ranking 13th.

Burns and Sungjae Im (+1, tied 24th) are the sixth pairing out this morning, going off at 9:16 CDT.

Television coverage today runs from 1-5 p.m. CDT on Golf Channel. Exclusive online coverage via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ begins early this morning.

NBC will pick up primary weekend coverage.