Vehicle Purchase Intention Survey
Current Attitudes Toward Buying a
New Car or Truck
(within the next 4 months)

Sources:

1.     Bryan Times, August 1, 1983, p.3.

2.     The Blade, August 31, 1998, p.16.

3.     W.H. Chip Gross, “Contest Queen,” February 1, 2022, Ohio Cooperative Living, https://ohiocoopliving.com/contest-queen.

The Town of Ball has issued a reminder that Water Works District #3 payments can be made at Southern Heritage Bank (Ball Branch). Residents can also use the QR code above or pay on WWD#3’s website.

Water Works payments will no longer be accepted at the Town of Ball effective October 1.

Gertrude “Mickey” Matheson
August 6, 1941 – August 10, 2025
Service: Tuesday, August 12, 2025, 12pm at Pine Grove Baptist Church, Pineville.

Henry Hamilton Bledsoe
October 1, 1937 – August 9, 2025
Service: Saturday, August 16, 2025, 2pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville.

Mary Weatherly Gough
March 21, 1944 – August 9, 2025
Service: Friday, August 15, 2025, 2pm at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball. 

Charles R. Satcher
June 30, 1945 – August 8, 2025
Service: Saturday, August 16, 2025, 11am at Kramer & Son Funeral Home, Alexandria.

Hilda Sherman Nelson
June 28, 1941 – August 7, 2025
Service: Thursday, August 14, 2025, 11am at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball. 

Carroll H. Gates
December 31, 1938 – August 4, 2025
Service: Saturday, August 16, 2025, 12pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville.

Dawn Marie Foster
December 1, 1961 – August 3, 2025
Service: Saturday, August 16, 2025, 1pm at Trinity Baptist Church, Pineville.

Cora Lee West
September 1, 1943 – August 2, 2025
Service: Friday, August 15, 2025, 11am at First Evening Star 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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By JIM BUTLER

The School Board anticipates dipping into its General Fund unrestricted balance for about $1.2 million to cover costs for the year ending next June 30.

Should that figure hold, the fund balance would be a tad over $46 million at the fiscal year conclusion, or about 18 percent of total General Fund revenue for the year.

Public hearing on the budget proposal will be on August 19 at 4:55 pm.

The revenue estimates, totaling $249.75 million, compare to actual income of $250.99 million in the year ending this past June 30, reflect conservative projections for renewable property tax revenue growth, 2 percent to $22.7 million, and sales tax growth, 1.81 percent to $18.6 million.

The State Public School Fund contribution is essentially standstill at $138.51 million.

Substantive hits to the fund are a $1 million decline in transfer of indirect costs to $2 million and a $900,000 drop, to $7 million, in other restricted revenues.

Details of those forecasts could be included in the budget message the board receives from the administration at the public hearing.

General Fund spending is projected at $252.13 million, about 86 percent of that payroll expense Wages and salaries require $147.3 million, with teachers accounting for $96.4 million.

Group health insurance for all employees will cost $40 million and retirement system contributions another $30.4 million.

The overall budget includes a number of individual school district maintenance funds as well special services funds. Those accounts are not reflected in the General Fund unless a transfer is involved.

Not in the overall budget is the Head Start/Early Head Start Fund, eliminated when the system in late July lost its bid to renew the program’s five-year grant.

That grant was $3.69 million in the year ended June 30.

It paid $1.4 million for teachers, $293,000 for therapists/specialists/counselors, $235,000 for officials/administrators, and $426,000 for instructional staff services.

A $541,000 grant paid for the program’s food services.

Save the Children now operates the program in Rapides.

Henry D. Dubea was convicted of one count of Manslaughter on April 23. The charged arose from Dubea’s slaying of his half-brother, Henry Dorty Jr., during an unprovoked attack while Mr. Dorty was on his lunch break. Mr. Dorty was shot 14 times in this tragic and devastating act of violence.

On Thursday, Aug. 7, Judge Patricia Koch sentenced Dubea to 30 years in prison. 

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Gerry Weeks. 

Louisiana Christian has announced that Reni Mason has relinquished his role as head coach of the Wildcat men’s basketball team, effective immediately, and will continue as the school’s vice president of intercollegiate athletics.

Assistant coach Zach Barnes will take over as interim head coach of the men’s basketball team.

Mason has led LCU men’s basketball since the 2015-16 season. The Shreveport native compiled more than 120 wins, the fourth most in program history, been to seven conference tournaments, including three conference championship appearances, coached a pair of all-Americans, and seen numerous student-athletes chosen for all-conference honors.

He has served as vice president of intercollegiate athletics since 2017. Mason helped guide LCU through a reclassification process, saw multiple programs win and compete for championships and facilitated improvements in student-athlete success in the classroom.

The decision to step away from his coaching duties is part of a strategic shift to focus entirely on overseeing the continued growth and success of the department, LCU officials said.

“Simply put, it’s time — not because Coach Mason says so, but because the Lord has made it clear this season in my life has run its course,” Mason said. “I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve as head coach at Louisiana Christian. It was truly a privilege to be part of so many young men’s journeys.

“As I move forward, I’m excited for the opportunity to continue serving our coaches, staff, players and our (new) president, Dr. Mark Johnson. I’m especially thankful to Dr. Johnson for allowing me to continue in my role as Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics.”

Mason led the Wildcats to immediate success in his first season as coach with a trip to the American Southwest Conference Tournament championship game in 2015-16. Three seasons later he guided LC to a 19-7 overall record, its most wins in a season in nearly 20 years. The Wildcats’ returned to the ASC title game 2021 and reached the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament title game in 2022.

Kae’ron Baker was one of two all-Americans coached by Mason and helped lead the Wildcats to those two straight conference tournament title game appearances, while also earning RRAC Player of the Year honors in 2021-22.

“As a coach, his number one goal was to make sure that everybody in that locker room, once they left the team and the university, that they left a better young man than they were when they got there,” Baker said. “Every time that we had a team conversation, whether it was a discipline issue or something strictly about basketball, he always found a way to relate that to the real world and what it takes to be a successful young man.”

Mason’s commitment to seeing his players develop beyond just the game of basketball has been a pillar of his coaching and leadership philosophy throughout his entire career.

“He made it evident to us that sports are a representation of life,” Baker said. “In a game, if things weren’t going our way or we couldn’t see a shot fall, there are going to be issues and adversity in life that feel almost exactly what that basketball game felt like.

“So it puts you in a position where you’re going to keep pushing forward, keep showing up or are you going to give up.  I remember him saying once you give up, that’s when you actually lose. Whatever opportunity you had, you’ll never be able to get it because you gave up. So his belief in us and the program and what he wanted the program to stand for was phenomenal. And he carried that on his sleeve each and every day.”

Since beginning his dual role within the athletic department, the success he has garnered as a coach has set the standard for the entire department under his guidance as vice president of intercollegiate athletics.

“One thing that I appreciated and admired, both as a player and an assistant, was how Godly and straightforward he was when it came to certain matters,” former player and graduate assistant at LC for Mason, Jameal Owusu said. “Whether it was administrative or on the court, he always kept it to the point and real. He always treated us like men and told us exactly how he wanted things done, so I always respected him for that.”

Mason helped lead the Wildcats through a reclassification back to the NAIA, after a 20-year run as a Division III school in the NCAA, where they have competed successfully since the 2021-22 athletic year.

LCU has won three Red River Athletic Conference soccer championships (two men, one women), a baseball title, and a football championship in four short seasons in the league. Wildcat programs have appeared in 28 different conference tournaments and eight tournament championship games over the past four seasons since joining the RRAC.

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Sam Burns was a very good 6-under par in the final 36 holes of this weekend’s FedEx St. Jude Championship, the start of the three-week PGA Tour championship tournament, and finished a solid 28^th.

But when it comes to Burns’ bid for a second consecutive spot on the 12-man USA Ryder Cup roster to be set after the playoffs finish, the two-time LSU All-American and 2016 collegiate player of the year didn’t improve his stock.

Burns, now a Choudrant resident who plays out of Squire Creek Country Club, entered the weekend at 1-over after opening 70-71 in the first two rounds Thursday and Friday. His weekend play brought him to the brink of a top 20 finish, but his closest competition for the Ryder Cup’s captain’s picks equaled or bettered his standing in Memphis.

The Shreveport native began the tournament 16^th in the Ryder Cup points standings, which are  one tool that team captain Keegan Bradley will use when he makes his six captain’s picks. But golfers standing ahead of Burns – except for Bradley – all performed well.

Maverick McNealy (11^th in the Ryder Cup points race) tied Burns’ 28^th place score. Otherwise, No. 12 Brian Harman tied for 22^nd, 13^th-ranked Andrew Novak finished sixth, No. 14 Patrick Cantlay continued his late-season surge in ninth, and 15^th-ranked Cameron Young charged Sunday to a fifth-place tie.

That put the onus on Burns to make a move this week in Owings Mills, Md., at Caves Valley Golf Club in the BMW Championship. Last year Burns was the runner-up at the BMW, held in 2024 at Castle Pines Golf Club near Denver.

The former Calvary Baptist Academy and LSU golfer has made three consecutive appearances on the Team USA roster (2022, 2024 Presidents Cup team wins, and the 2023 Ryder Cup loss in Italy).

Burns, 28, was already a lock to advance from Memphis to the second leg of the playoffs. He stands 24^th in FedEx Cup points (the top 50 advanced) and 23^rd in the Official World Golf Rankings.

With his $139,000 payday Sunday, Burns has $4.6 million in official earnings this season and has made cuts in 19 of his 22 events. He has four top 10 finishes, including a playoff loss at the Canadian Open followed by a painful eighth at the U.S. Open in Jue that he led on Saturday and until the final three holes in the closing round, with heavy rains unquestionably and controversially impacting his finish.

The top 30 in the points standings at the BMW Championship move on to the Tour Championship in Atlanta at East Lake Country Club. A total of $80 million will be paid to the golfers still standing at the end.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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.

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The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted a two-zone East-West boundary with the option of two splits (three hunting segments) for the 2026-30 waterfowl hunting seasons during its August meeting Thursday (Aug. 7) in Baton Rouge.

The zones will be the same as the previous five seasons.

The west zone will be that portion of the state between the Texas state line and the line going south on Louisiana Highway 79 from the Arkansas border to Homer; then south on Louisiana Highway 9 to Arcadia; then south on Louisiana Highway 147 to Hodge; then south on U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette; then south and east on U.S. Highway Hwy 90 to the Mississippi state line.

The east zone will be the remainder of the state.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) recommended the option after consideration of hunter preferences from the 2025 Louisiana Waterfowl Hunter Survey.

The new waterfowl hunting zones will take effect for the 2026-27 season and run through the 2029-30 season. To see the upcoming 2025-26 waterfowl hunting zones and dates, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/seasons-and-regulations

For more information, contact Jason Olszak at jolszak@wlf.la.gov.

• Check for recalls
• Ensure proper installation
• Teach attendees how to install seats correctly

Loss of pressure to a 6-inch water line on Dogwood Lane has resulted in the need for a boil water advisory, according to Barrett Dezendorf, Superintendent Water Operations.

Because water pressure was lost during the repair process, the water in the affected area may have been compromised.

As a precaution, the Alexandria Water Department is issuing a boil advisory effective immediately. This boil advisory is to remain in effect until otherwise noted. The boil water advisory is issued for customers  on all the properties along Dogwood Lane that are highlighted in the attached map.

It is recommended that all consumers in the advisory area disinfect their water before consuming it (including fountain drinks), making ice, brushing teeth, or using it for food preparation or rinsing of foods by the following means.

Boil water for one (1) full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (Shaking can eliminate the flat taste of the water, pouring it from one clean container to another, or by adding a small pinch of salt to each quart of water that is boiled.)

Consumers in the advisory area should disinfect their water prior to consumption until otherwise notified.

After the boil advisory is lifted businesses and residences in the affected areas should do the following:

• Run cold—water faucets for one minute; Run drinking water fountains for one minute;
• Flush automatic icemakers (make three batches of ice and discard);
• Run water softeners through a regeneration cycle;
• Run water coolers with direct water connections for five minutes.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Aug. 10

Jackson Samuel Blais, 19, Pineville – domestic abuse battery, no bail data;

Demairay Dashawn Fisher, 31, Alexandria – aggravated second degree battery, flight for an officer, resisting an officer, improper turn, no driver’s license, no head light, five counts contempt of court $14,800 bail;

Dorian Keylond Fleming, 32, Alexandria – OWI first offense, driving under suspension, no signals, $1,200 bail;

Travis Lee Graves, 38, Alexandria – OWI second offense, open container, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,700 bail;

Shavetta Mendraka Kirklin, 38, Alexandria – possession of CDS, bicycle reflectors, $100 bail;

Shavante Toney, 29, Alexandria – OWI second offense, speeding, improper lane usage, contempt of court, $6,700 bail.

Aug. 9

Destin Ahart, 21, Hineston – operating vehicle intoxicated with child endangerment, $1,000 bail;

Robert Wayne Aymond Jr, 24, Pineville – three counts contempt of court, $150,000 bail;

Landon Blake Byer, 19, Boyce – OWI first offense, careless operation of a vehicle, safety belt violation, $1,200 bail;

Karen L. Caulk, 59, Pineville – OWI with child endangerment, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Jalhmaar Marquese Conway, 23, Alexandria – criminal damage to property, resisting an officer, $25,500 bail;

Robbie Fountain, 32, Winnfield – possession of firearm by convicted felon, misrepresentation during booking, parish probation violation, $100,500 bail;

Arthur Frazier, 33, Winnfield – possession of firearm by convicted felon, parole violations, $100,000 bail;

Brad Davelle Frazier, 42, Alexandria – theft of a motor vehicle, three counts simple battery of a police officer, flight from an officer, resisting an officer, two counts aggravated assault with motor vehicle on a peace officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, $92,500 bail;

Marquis Petrell Marshall, 54, Alexandria – two counts theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Ashur McHenry, 28, Natchitoches – producing manufacturing distributing hallucinogenic plants, possession of marijuana, safety belt violation, tail lamps, $10,700 bail;

Jason Deontay Miles, 40, Alexandria – theft, probation violation, $5,000 bail;

Keith Dewayne Terrell, 42, Deville – three counts battery on an officer, criminal damage to property, criminal mischief, $2,500 bail.

Aug. 8

Adron Perry Chandler, 47, Deville – sex offender failure to renew registration, domestic abuse battery, contempt of court, $20,000 bail;

Terry Dewayne Cohen Jr, 52, Alexandria – possession of CDS, driving under suspension, two counts contempt of court, $101,600 bail;

Dennis Dean Craig II, 54, Alexandria – third degree rape, $100,000 bail;

Torine Trey Cunningham, 31, Alexandria – stalking, simple battery, domestic abuse battery strangulation, $7,000 bail;

Lamarcus T. Delry Sr, 38, Pineville – possession of CDS, fentanyl, paraphernalia, no insurance, no head light, driver’s license required, $2,300 bail;

Sean Christopher Duffy, 51, Boyce – two counts simple assault, stalking first, $50,500 bail;

Travis Raymond Finex, 43, Alexandria – possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension, no signals, contempt of court, $25,700 bail;

Terry Louis Gullette, 34, Alexandria – two counts possession of fentanyl, resisting an officer, bicycle reflectors, $10,600 bail;

Kayce Lana Hayes, 34, Pineville – simple assault, domestic abuse battery, $2,000 bail;

Marques Dcortez Joseph, 30, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, improper headlight equipment, possession of drug paraphernalia, probation violation, $13,100 bail;

Derrick Miller, 51, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail;

Shae Alexandra Parler, 29, Alexandria – possession of CDS, contempt of court, $12,500 bail;

Katevius Deunte Perry, 26, Pineville – three counts contempt of court, $15,000 bail;

Jessica Lynn Phillips, 41, Pineville – theft, two counts contempt of court, $53,500 bail;

Donald Dewayne Price, 42, Alexandria – OWI second offense, running a yellow light, $1,600 bail;

Albert Walton, 23, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of paraphernalia, $500 bail.

Aug. 7

James Lamar Bradley, 31, Alexandria – OWI first offense, speeding, obstruction of court orders, $1,350 bail;

Katherine Paticia Colson, 40, Alexandria – possession of CDS, OWI with child endangerment, no child restraint system, improper display of license plate, $1,700 bail;

Kadedria Laquintay Fields, 30, Pineville – theft, contributing to delinquency of juveniles, probation violation, parole violation, 12 counts contempt of court, $50,500 bail;

Lance K. Harris, 66, Pineville – six counts cruelty to the infirmed, no bail data;

Cecil Ray Lawrence, 65, Boyce – producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, obstruction of justice, paraphernalia, two counts Louisiana fugitive, $3,500 bail;

Joseph Clay Nugent, 54, Pineville – hit and run driving, criminal damage to property, possession of marijuana, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, resisting an officer, driving under suspension, failure to report an accident, improper lane usage, Louisiana fugitive, $6,300 bail;

Roykeydra Osteen, 18, Longview, Texas – producing manufacturing, distributing CDS, no head light, $100 bail;

Drelyn Keandre Robinson, 26, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, failure to secure registration, possession of marijuana, safety belt violation, improper inspection, $3,950 bail;

Alonda De’janee Williams, 36, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, expired MVI sticker, driving under suspension, two counts contempt of court, $103,700 bail;

Taranieka Annquanette Williams, 41, Alexandria – taking contraband to an from penal institutions, criminal conspiracy, obstruction of justice, simple assault and simple battery, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, two counts contempt of court, $18,500 bail.

Aug. 6

Jessica Nicole Charrier, 40, Pineville – contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Felicia M. Gilchrist, 46, Glenmora – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, contempt of court, $6,000 bail;

Shemell Jacobs, 17, Alexandria – second degree murder, two counts attempted second degree murder, three counts armed robbery, $3.5 million bail;

Tyler Mitchell Jeffrey, 39, Pineville – two counts create distribute or possess counterfeit CDS with intent, $100,000 bail;

Keldrick Jordan, 18, Alexandria — second degree murder, two counts attempted second degree murder, three counts armed robbery, $3.05 million bail;

Shandrieka N. Sanders, 42, Alexandria – forgery, Louisiana fugitive, contempt of court, $21,000 bail;

Jason Chad Smith, 55, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS with intent, two counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, $15,500 bail;

Derrick Dewayne Swafford, 31, Alexandria – second degree murder, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, attempt to introduce contraband into a correctional facility, producing manufacturing distributing CDS with intent, criminal conspiracy, two counts possession of CDS, $159,500 bail;