At long last, 37 years after he coached his last game at Pineville High School, Bobby Rucker will be honored at the school next week when the school gymnasium’s court floor is dedicated in his honor.

The ceremony, set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 3^rd, after a 5:30 p.m. reception in the PHS Library, was originally supposed to be a surprise, Rucker said.

But one recent Sunday, after he had attended a church service at Pineville’s Kingsville Baptist, he was at a nearby hamburger joint when he got the word.

“This fellow comes up to me and says, ‘You know how we’re renovating the Pineville school gym? Well, I’m responsible for putting down the new floor, and I just want to congratulate you because it’s going to have your name on it.’”

Rucker was floored. He had no idea. He later checked with his son-in-law, Doug Garrett, when they went to a PHS football game together, about what he heard, and Garrett confirmed he had heard right.

“I really appreciate some people going to bat for me to get this done,” said the 89-year-old Rucker, who won 451 games in 22 years (1966-88) as the head basketball coach at Pineville before finishing his coaching career with 515 victories. That includes coaching stints at Holy Savior Menard, Forest Hill and Oak Hill. He came out of retirement three times to coach basketball after leaving Pineville, and he finally called it quits after the 2004-05 season at Oak Hill.

Curiously, that might’ve been his best coaching job in his career. He guided the school, which historically struggled in basketball and was more well known for its decorated baseball program, to 23 victories and its first basketball playoff triumph in 25 years. He was named the All-Cenla Coach of the Year.

Rucker was a two-sport athlete at Hatten High School in Moulton, Ala., playing basketball and baseball. As a 6-foot-3 center, the all-star standout led Hatten to a state runner-up finish in 1954. He then played baseball and basketball at Louisiana College, where he was given a full scholarship in basketball by then head coach Morris Osborne.

“We had sharecroppers in my family,” he said. “We didn’t have much money. I couldn’t have afforded college if I hadn’t had a full scholarship.” Baseball was his first love, and he shined a bit more on the diamond at LC than the basketball court, as he and a teammate waged a season-long battle for the team batting title when he was a senior.

The basketball-baseball love affair would evolve at Pineville High School, where he and Ronnie Kaiser were head coach and assistant coach in basketball for many years, and Rucker, a former LC outfielder, was Kaiser’s assistant in baseball for many years.

Rucker got off to a tough start in his first season as Pineville’s head basketball coach in 1966-67.

“We lost our first four games, and our principal then was Wallace “Rip” Barron,” said Rucker. “I told him, ‘If I can’t turn this thing around in three years, I’ll take another job.”

The PHS Rebels finished 12-14 in Rucker’s first season, and three years later, he guided Pineville to 32 wins and the state finals, with a runner-up finish in 1970.  A decade later, he led Pineville to 26 victories and another state runner-up finish.

Ronnie Price hit two late free throws to help Pineville advance to the Class AA finals in 1970 with a 63-44 win over Ponchatoula. In that semifinal game the Rebels hit a Top Twenty Class AA record 58.3 percent from the field and made 21 of 28 free throws to advance to the finals against DeRidder. The Dragons of DeRidder prevailed in the finals, 57-52.

Future LSU star John Tudor led Pineville into the Class AAA finals in 1980. He scored 23 points, 17 in the second half, and Randy Lavespere added 15 in a 46-44 overtime victory over Redemptorist-Baton Rouge in the semifinals. Wossman denied the Rebs a title, winning 56-46 in the finals.

Rucker was also Pineville’s head coach when Pineville and Peabody built such a huge rivalry that, to accommodate the numbers of fans wanting to attend, they played some games at the Rapides Coliseum. “It was like each of us would have only one loss in district each year,” he said, “and that would be to each other.”

After Rucker retired as Pineville’s coach, he served as the assistant principal at Pineville Junior High for six years, then taught at Alexandria Country Day for six years.

Before the 2001 season, then Menard principal Dale Skinner and assistant principal Rick Huckaby coaxed Rucker out of retirement to coach at Menard. Skinner had been doubling as principal and head basketball coach and said he wanted to devote his time strictly to being principal.

In two seasons at Menard, Rucker coached the Eagles to 44 victories and consecutive playoff-qualifying seasons. Then he was surprisingly shown the door by Skinner, saying, Rucker said, “The game has passed you by.”

As fate would have it, that opened the way to the so-called “over-the-hill” coach  for a brief attempt to help a struggling Forest Hill program before going out in style with a magical season at Oak Hill.

At age 89, and having lost his 59-year-old daughter, Karen Garrett, and his wife, Billie, about a month apart in the dreaded Covid year 2000, Rucker has been living alone at home since.

Nothing will do his heart better than some heart-felt hugs and greetings at next week’s reception and dedication ceremony at the school that’s always been closest to his heart and is just a few miles from his Pineville home.

Mountain Man Tree Service and Forest Consulting can be reached:
Cell/Text: (318) 277-7830

eMail: mountainmantsfc@gmail.com
Website: Mountainmantsfc.com

Mountain Man Tree Service and Forest Consulting isn’t your typical tree removal outfit. Founded by Kohl, a disabled Army veteran with deep Louisiana roots, the company represents something increasingly rare in today’s marketplace: a business built on genuine expertise, community commitment, and the kind of hands-on knowledge that can’t be learned from a manual.

When Disaster Strikes: Rapid Response That Clears the Way
In Central Louisiana, severe weather doesn’t just damage property—it can trap you. When high winds and violent storms send trees crashing down, they rarely fall in convenient locations. Mountain Man Tree Service specializes in emergency tree removal that restores access and safety to your property, no matter where that fallen timber lands.

A tree blocking your driveway means you can’t get to work, can’t reach medical appointments, and can’t evacuate if conditions worsen. A massive oak collapsed against your house threatens structural damage with every passing hour. Fallen limbs tangled in your fence create liability issues and security concerns. A shed crushed under storm debris means lost tools, equipment, and irreplaceable items. Even trees scattered across your lawn present tripping hazards and prevent normal use of your outdoor space.

Mountain Man Tree Service understands that emergency tree removal isn’t just about cutting wood—it’s about restoring normalcy to disrupted lives. Their 24/7 availability means that when you wake up to find a tornado has redecorated your property with fallen trees, help is just a phone call away.

But their expertise extends well beyond crisis response. The same professionals who can safely extract a tree from your roof also handle routine stump grinding, comprehensive lot clearing, and mulching services. Using industry-standard equipment, they don’t just remove stumps—they eliminate all traces, covering the area with wood chips to leave properties looking pristine. It’s this combination of emergency readiness and meticulous attention to detail that has earned them their reputation as Cenla’s top-rated tree service.

From Forest to Service
Kohl’s journey to becoming “Cenla’s top rated tree service” began long before he hung out his shingle. Growing up in Boyce, Louisiana, he developed an intimate relationship with the land while hunting alongside three generations of his family. That childhood passion evolved into the disciplined achievement of Eagle Scout, then blossomed into formal education—a forestry degree with a concentration in wildlife management from Louisiana Tech University.

But the real preparation came from five years as a supervising forester for the state of Louisiana, where he gained the kind of practical experience that separates true professionals from weekend warriors with a chainsaw. This background means that when Mountain Man Tree Service shows up at your property, you’re getting someone who understands tree biology, forest ecology, and land management at a level most competitors simply can’t match.

Family Business with Purpose
What truly sets Mountain Man Tree Service apart is the “why” behind the work. As a family-owned operation with five children at its heart, the company approaches every job with a sense of responsibility that extends beyond the transaction. Kohl’s military service instilled values of dedication and reliability that now translate into 24/7 emergency availability and consistently high-quality work.
The company serves Dry Prong, Ball, Deville, Pineville, Alexandria, and surrounding communities with the kind of integrity that comes from viewing customers as neighbors, not just clients.

When Nature Strikes
In Central Louisiana, it’s not a question of whether severe weather will strike, but when. When that next cold front brings down trees onto driveways, houses, fences, sheds, or lawns, having a trusted professional on speed dial isn’t just convenient—it’s essential. Mountain Man Tree Service’s licensed and insured operation (AR #2569) provides peace of mind that the job will be done safely and correctly.
Their commitment to offering free estimates removes another barrier, making professional tree care accessible to more homeowners.

The Bigger Picture
In an era of corporate consolidation and fly-by-night operators, Mountain Man Tree Service and Forest Consulting represent something worth celebrating: local expertise serving local needs. Kohl’s journey from Louisiana forests to forestry degree to state service to entrepreneurship embodies the American dream, military veteran edition—using skills and training to serve community with purpose.

For Central Louisiana residents, that means access to tree care that’s backed by genuine forestry knowledge, delivered with military-grade reliability, and executed with the care of someone who sees your property as if it were his own.

Because when you’ve spent a lifetime learning to respect and understand trees, you don’t just remove them—you steward the relationship between people and the land they call home.

The City of Alexandria released its adjusted service schedule for the Thanksgiving holiday week, noting changes to bus operations, trash collection, and office hours from November 26–28, 2025.

City offices, including City Hall, Customer Service, the Animal Shelter, Public Works, and other departments, will close on November 27 and 28 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

ATRANS bus service will not operate on Thursday, November 27, or Friday, November 28. Regular service is set to resume on Saturday, November 29.

Trash collection will also be adjusted for the week. There will be no trash pickup from Wednesday, November 26, through Friday, November 28, due to the holiday schedule. Monday and Tuesday routes will operate on their regular pickup days, and regular service is set to resume the following Monday.

Sanitation trailers are scheduled to be available from the evening of Wednesday, November 26, through the morning of Monday, December 1. Residents are encouraged to check the City of Alexandria website for specific trailer locations.

The City reminds residents to plan accordingly during the holiday week to accommodate the modified schedule.

The Pineville Police Department launched the first year of “Operation Full Plate” focusing on spreading kindness ahead of the holiday season. Several Pineville Police officers handed out gift cards instead of citations, an effort aimed at offering encouragement to families feeling strain during the holidays.

The initiative began as a small idea with the goal of restoring hope in the community. Support from local partners made the effort possible. Both Super 1 Foods locations in Pineville and the Fraternal Order of Police Red River Lodge #36 provided a total of 24 gift cards valued at $25 each, allowing officers to help put food on the table for families in need. While the assistance may not have covered an entire

Thanksgiving meal, the department said even a little support could make a meaningful difference.

The Pineville Police Department expressed appreciation to its community partners and supporters and said it hoped the initiative would grow even larger in the coming year.

LSUA’s LPN to Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program has been ranked among the top LPN-to-RN programs in Louisiana by EduMed, a national resource for students pursuing online or hybrid degrees in nursing, allied health, and medical careers. EduMed’s annual rankings highlight programs that deliver exceptional value by combining affordability, academic rigor, flexibility, and strong student support, standards that only a select group of institutions nationwide meet.

In its newly released guide, “LPN to RN Online Programs in Louisiana: Guide to Top Schools,” LSUA ranks #3 statewide for its LPN-to-ASN track. EduMed emphasizes the growing need for flexible, accessible nursing programs that enable working LPNs to advance their careers. Across Louisiana, hybrid LPN-to-RN pathways have become a critical workforce solution, blending online coursework with local, hands-on clinical experience. For busy professionals balancing work and family responsibilities, these programs provide a direct, efficient route to RN licensure and significantly higher earning potential.

EduMed also highlights LSUA’s exceptional NCLEX-RN outcomes, noting a 100% first-time pass rate among LPN students in 2023 and 2024, which is a clear marker of program quality and student readiness for professional practice. With in-demand RN roles offering a median salary of $76,650 in Louisiana, 53% higher than the median for LPNs, the LPN-to-RN transition represents one of the most impactful career advancement steps in the state’s healthcare sector. Job growth remains strong, with more than 2,800 annual openings for RNs across Louisiana.

Sarita James, PhD, RN, CNE, LSUA’s Director of the School of Nursing, said, “The LPN-ASN program was intentionally designed around the realities of the LPN demographic in our region: working adults, parents, and caregivers who are deeply rooted in their communities and committed to advancing their professional practice. These LPNs bring a rich clinical experience and strong work ethic while facing real-life challenges such as distance, time, financial constraints, and family responsibilities. Our program exists to help reduce those barriers. We are proud to offer a pathway for the LPN that is accessible, successful, and affordable. It reflects our mission to serve central Louisiana by investing in the people who are already caring for individuals in our communities while strengthening the healthcare workforce in our region.”

Current LPNS may complete the program in as few as three semesters of clinical coursework after successful completion of prerequisites and competency testing. The hybrid model includes online offerings for select prerequisites paired with on-campus nursing courses and clinical placements throughout Rapides Parish. Students benefit from ACEN accreditation, Louisiana State Board of Nursing approval, personalized advising, and the opportunity to earn up to seven nursing credits through competency testing, accelerating progress based on prior LPN experience.

As LSUA continues to expand its healthcare offerings, the university remains committed to helping meet Louisiana’s critical nursing workforce needs by preparing confident, highly qualified clinicians who can make an immediate impact in hospitals, clinics, and long-term care settings across the region.

For more information about LSUA’s LPN-to-ASN program, visit lsua.edu/nursing.

Rapides 911 and first responders from multiple agencies across Rapides Parish took part in the annual Procter & Gamble CAER Drill on November 21. The exercise allowed responders to train alongside private industry partners in a simulated emergency environment.

The drill focused on improving coordination and readiness for potential real-world hazardous materials incidents. Officials noted that the training helps ensure first responders are better prepared should a Hazmat situation occur in the community.

In the summer of 2021, a new neighbor moved into what had been a peaceful mobile home park in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, a suburb just north of Minneapolis. Until then, the residents of the mobile home park held regular barbecues and other outdoor gatherings when the cold Minnesota weather allowed. Their kids played outside and walked to and from the bus stop without the slightest hint of hesitation. The trailer park residents got along well with each other. That all changed when the new neighbor moved in.

The new neighbor was a bully who victimized the residents of the mobile home park. The bully chased them, taunted them, and sometimes attacked them. The residents were unable to relax even when they were inside their own homes because the bully peaked through their windows and made sounds that they said became terrifying to them. One day, 41-year-old Rachael Gross was carrying her groceries from her car to her home when the bully dropped down from her roof and knocked her to the ground.

During the struggle that followed, the bully ripped her jacket before Rachael was able to escape into her house. Her groceries lay scattered on her front lawn. The bully even followed Rachael to the nearby nursing home where she worked and to her favorite local restaurant. Each time, Rachael rushed inside to safety. The bully always stopped just shy of following her in. During another attack, Rachael slung water from her water bottle onto the bully. The shock from the water gave her just enough time to get inside before the bully ran back toward her. After numerous attacks, Rachael and her neighbors began to carry sticks, brooms, golf clubs, and baseball bats anytime they went outside. Rachael and her neighbors called the authorities on several occasions, but the bully continued to terrorize the neighborhood.

Because Rachael was most often the target of the bully, her neighbors began to suspect that she was somehow helping him despite her emphatic denials.

Rachael felt trapped. She said, “I’m pretty stressed out and pretty anxious all the time. I can’t even have peace. I’m so exhausted. I hope this gets a solution and somebody comes to help so I don’t have to deal with this anymore, and so that we can all have a peaceful summer with our kids and our grandkids and actually have a barbecue and just relax.” Summer turned into fall and there was no relief from the bully.

Parents had to walk their kids to and from the bust stop armed with a variety of weapons. The kids used their backpacks as shields. The neighborhood cancelled all of their usual outside activities including trick-or-treating at Halloween. For two years, the residents of the trailer park lived in fear of the bully. In the fall of 2023, reports of the bullying ended. Rumors persist that someone in the mobile home park murdered the bully. Perhaps they were all involved in the murder conspiracy. Some of the rumors go as far as to say that there is no evidence to be found because the residents ate the bully during a Thanksgiving celebration. The new neighbor which plagued that mobile home park was a wild turkey. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sources:

1. Kirsten Mitchell, “‘This turkey has literally taken over our life’: Wild turkey terrorizing neighbors in Coon Rapids,” CBS News, January 21, 2023, accessed November 16, 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/wild-turkey-terrorizing-neighbors-in-coon-rapids/.

2. The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), March 5, 2023, p.5M.

A Memorial service to honor the life of Mr. Melbourne Douglas “Skipper” Crawford, Jr., will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at River Outreach Church, Pineville, with Pastor Dennis Dunn officiating, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville.

Skipper, age 81, of Pineville, was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, on August 20, 1944, and went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria, with his loving wife by his side.

Skip grew up a farm boy in East Point, Louisiana, and graduated from Coushatta High School in 1962. He later attended McNeese State College in Monroe, Louisiana, where he was a proud member of the basketball team.

He honorably served twenty years in the United States Air Force. Following his military retirement, he worked as an office manager for Life of Georgia Insurance Company for several years. He then joined the Rapides Parish Police Jury, where he served faithfully until his retirement in 2009. Never one to remain idle, Skip went on to work for Jimbo James, transporting U.S.P. vehicles across the state.

Skipper was an active member of River Outreach Church, where he found joy in transporting people from their cars to the church doors in his “anointed taxie” golf cart. He never met a stranger and loved sharing jokes and stories to bring laughter to those around him. His warm spirit and joyful humor touched countless lives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Melbourne and Kathleen Crawford.

He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-two years, Patricia Frazer Crawford; three children, Wade Crawford, Trinia Crawford, and Carrie Brashfield; three grandchildren, Taylor, Tucker, and Parker Crawford; and one sister, Donna Shield.

Friends may post online messages of condolences for the Crawford family by visiting http://www.rushfh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melborne Skip Crawford, please visit our floral store.

Funeral services for Betty W. Hurley will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Alexandria with Chaplain William Tisdale officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball.

Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until shortly before the time of services in the funeral home on Tuesday.

Betty W. Hurley, 88, of Alexandria, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2025, in Naomi Heights Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Alexandria.

Those left behind to cherish her memory include to her daughter, Lisha Williams (Kenny), and one son, Stephen Hurley, Sr. (Kim). Her family was her greatest treasure. She adored her grandchildren—Blaire Touchet (Michael), Lauren Herron (Marcus), Peyton Holman (Garett), Stephen Hurley, and Meagan Hurley (Ryan Francis, fiancé)—and took great joy in being a doting great-grandmother to Joshua Touchet, Jonathan Touchet, Ansley Touchet, Breanna Touchet, Logan Bridges, Chloe Hurley, Ty Herron, Aubree Hurley, Tuck Herron, Weston Hurley, and Maggie Hurley; siblings, Jimmy Williamson and Linda Thibodaux.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry D. Hurley; her parents, Hershel and Edvie Williamson, and one brother, Hershel Williamson.

Those who knew Betty will fondly remember her adventurous spirit and her love for a good time. Whether it was tending to her beautiful garden, filled with vibrant flowers, or enjoying a day out with her family, she embraced life with enthusiasm. Her beloved pets, including her late dog Colonel, filled her days with love and companionship.

The family would like to express special thanks to the staff at Naomi Heights for their excellent care, including Alaina Berlin and Shelly Sanders and to Compassionate Care Hospice for their attention and guidance during her final days, especially Allison Young, her caregiver.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Hurley, Marcus Herron, Jim Thibodaux, Garett Holman, Ryan Francis, and Glen Johnson.

By JIM BUTLER

The England Authority has authorized negotiating with a new Oakwing Golf Course management company.

Barring unforeseen hurdles the change will be effective January 5, according to action at the Authority’s November 20 meeting.

Bloom Golf Management, headquartered in Pass Christian, MS, is the chosen successor to Elite Golf, which has managed the facility since the decade began.

Elite has been on a month-to-month agreement since October.

The Authority issued a request for proposals earlier this year and in August held a pre-submittal review with interested firms.

From that evolved an October meeting of the Management Contract Selection Committee with Bloom, Elite and three other firms, after which the committee apparently recommended Bloom.

Those discussions were in executive session, as allowable under Louisiana law, for obvious reasons. 

Stated goals in making a choice included:

•  Proper qualifications;
•  Ability to manage during renovations;
•  Understand/manage the dynamics of members and daily fee golfers; Put necessary resources in Alexandria to properly manage the facility; Improve economics for the Authority and maximize return on investment.

According to the most recent audit report, issued in January for the year ending June 30, 2024, Oakwing revenue that 12 months was $1.5 million and expenses totaled $2 million.

Bloom is contracted to manage some courses in several states and is a manager-investor in some others.

Its Louisiana ventures include Oak Knoll in Hammond and Copper Mill in Zachary.

There is an indirect connection to Alexandria among Bloom properties.

Grady K. Brame, a son of the late Alexandria businessman Scott Brame, legendary in Louisiana golf and other activities, is an investor and board member at Oak Knoll.

El Paso Mexican Grill is progressing along with its relocation plans in Alexandria, according to updates shared by the Developing Vernon, Beauregard, and Rapides Parishes social media account.

The restaurant, which closed its long-time MacArthur Drive location earlier this year, has begun construction at its new site off Versailles Boulevard. Recent activity at the property marks the official start of the project, signaling the next phase for the popular local eatery.

Oil and gas exploration in Natchitoches Parish continues to accelerate, with 29 new leases filed at the Parish Clerk of Court’s office as of Friday, November 7, 2025.

These latest filings push the year-to-date total to more than 330 leases recorded since January 1, reinforcing Natchitoches Parish’s expanding position within the Haynesville Shale region. Industry observers note that this level of sustained leasing reflects long-term confidence from operator… rather than the short-lived surges seen in some neighboring areas earlier this year.

Geographic Expansion Continues

This expanding footprint aligns with operators’ efforts to refine geological models and assess new zones of interest heading into 2026.

Legal Advisory for Property Owners

Landowners approached with lease offers are strongly encouraged to seek counsel from qualified oil-and-gas attorneys before signing. Mineral leases can have long-term consequences for royalty structures, surface rights, and future development activity. Proper legal guidance remains essential for protecting property rights.

Why It Matters

The steady pace of filings confirms that Natchitoches Parish remains one of the most active leasing markets in Louisiana for 2025. As national demand for natural gas and LNG exports continues to rise, upstream operators remain focused on securing acreage across the Haynesville Shale, positioning the parish squarely within ongoing regional investment trends.

Looking Ahead

With more than 330 leases now on record, analysts expect the parish to gradually transition from leasing activity to preliminary exploration efforts in early 2026. Tracking new drilling permits, seismic activity, and early surface operations will provide the next key indicators of how this leasing momentum translates into economic impact.

A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records shows that 29 leases have been filed since November 7, 2025. (The NPJ obtained this list directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.)

Several thousand students from 46 public high schools, 2 private schools and a local homeschool association gathered at Alexandria’s Randolph Riverfront Convention Center to learn more about what educational and career opportunities await them at the Students Exploring Career Opportunities (SECO) event November 19 and 20. The event, in its tenth year, is sponsored by the Orchard Foundation, a subsidiary of the Rapides Foundation that is dedicated to educational improvement.

The students met with 77 community partners such as local colleges, CLTCC, local hospitals, CLECO, the cities of Pineville and Alexandria, local industry, the US Army and others. The students were able to learn more about a variety of career pathways and how to prepare themselves for life after high school. Events such as the SECO Career Information Fair give students a chance to learn and make informed choices when they choose a pathway to college or a career in high school.

Alexandria Senior High marched into the LHSAA football quarterfinals with a 38-27 victory at home last Friday night over Brother Martin, but the second round of postseason was not so kind to Menard and Tioga.

Tioga (8-3) was stopped 45-21 at home by perennial state power Archbishop Rummel (8-4).

Menard (7-5) ended its season in New Orleans, falling 42-13 at fourth-seeded Newman (7-2).

ASH got a four-touchdown, 240-yard night from running back Kason Williams. Jaytun Terry intercepted two Crusaders passes as the Trojans (9-2), seeded fifth, put away No. 12 Brother Martin (7-5).

The victory sends ASH into the Select Division I quarterfinals and a visit to Baton Rouge Friday night to take on fourth-seeded Catholic, which handled No. 20 Captain Shreve 37-6.

Agriculture is a $13 billion piece of the Louisiana economy. A new collaboration between LSU of Alexandria, the LSU AgCenter, and local Louisiana business Guardian Aerial is bringing precision agriculture to life, giving Louisiana farmers a new tool to add to their toolboxes. Precision agriculture utilizes technology, such as sensors or drones, to assist farmers.

“I originally served about 13 years in the military as a helicopter pilot and then separated from the military and started flying as an EMS pilot. I wanted to do something on the side. I found that there was a huge gap in the agriculture industry in Louisiana, and when it comes to drones,” said Clinton Giglio, CEO and Founder, Guardian Aerial.

That’s where sprayer drones come in.

“The sprayer drones are so new to the American farmer and here in Louisiana that we’re trying to do a lot of research really quickly to let them know what they’re going to get from a sprayer drone,” said Randy Price, LSU AgCenter associate professor.

Louisiana farmer Paul Van Mol is interested in learning more about sprayer drones.

“I’m a first-generation farmer, and I grew up in this area with my dad. Farming with a drone is another tool we can use for timing,” Van Mol said.

LSU of Alexandria is expanding its programs to enable students to become licensed remote pilots.

“We are starting the new agricultural program. We want to train students to work locally and be able to use drones and other technology to make farming more efficient, more cost-effective,” said Nathan Sammons, Dean of LSU of Alexandria’s College of STEM.

“This is a unique niche in our industry where we can incorporate new and emerging technology that the younger generations coming up are more fond of and familiar with into the agriculture industry,” Giglia said.

Jason Ingalls, a Guardian Aerial board member, said drones can help reduce costs and increase efficiency for the entire industry.

“We’re really excited about the opportunities that partnering with LSUA, as well as the LSU AgCenter and the entire LSU program, to deliver great drone service using Louisiana-sourced labor, and to enable students to transfer into a career path in a high-technology industry. That has a meaningful impact on a major industry in Louisiana agriculture,” Ingalls said.

Louisiana State Police Troop E responded to a fatal crash on Nov. 22 around 1:18 pm on Messina Road at Kincaid Boat Road. This crash claimed the life of 64-year-old Wendell A. Lovette of Boyce.

The initial investigation revealed that a 2003 Subaru Baja, driven by Lovette, was traveling north on Messina Road. For reasons still under investigation, Lovette lost control of the vehicle, which caused it to leave the roadway and impact a tree.

Lovette, who was not restrained, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead on scene. 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 our state. Louisiana State Police urges all motorists to stay alert while driving. A lapse in one’s awareness can have deadly consequences.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Nov. 23

Donald P. Baker, 36, Pineville – aggravated assault, two counts possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting an officer, possession of firearm with obliterated serial number, $500 bail;

Hazel Ann Morris, 23, Pineville – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, improper display license plate, $1,200 bail;

Brice Richard Olson, 42, Alexandria – criminal mischief, two counts contempt of court, $50,250 bail;

Daniel Park Reynolds, 61, Boyce – six counts contempt of court, $60,000 bail;

Taquan Antonio Robinson, 43, Pineville – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, brake lamp, contempt of court, $3,100 bail;

John Fitzgerald Simmons, 39, Leon Valley, Texas – possession of firearm by convicted felong, two counts contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Eusabrouse Miguel Veal, 37, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, criminal trespass, illegal possession of stolen firearm, contempt of court, $3,000 bail;

Nov. 22

Emily Laura Brown, 44, Hineston – driving under suspension, expired plate registration, four counts contempt of court, $16,200 bail;

Sedrick Dewayne Butler Jr., 27, Alexandria – aggravated assault, $2,500 bail;

Xavier Markise Johnson, 21, Pineville – OWI first offense, driving under suspension, possession of CDS, failure to appear, $2,100 bail;

John Ray Parker, 23, Dry Prong – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;  

Micheal Glenn Polk, 47, Alexandria – OWI second offense, speeding, $1,600 bail;

Scarlett A. Ray, 47, Woodworth – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, open container, $1,200 bail;

Darrin Katrell Simon Sr., 37, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, aggravated resisting a police officer with force or violence, possession of marijuana, resisting an officer, bicycle lamps, $1,100 bail;

Dallas Spencer, 39, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, domestic abuse battery with child present, no bail data;

Jamarcus Terrell Swafford, 33, Pineville – theft, criminal damage to property, resisting an officer, bicycle on sidewalk, $2,000 bail;

Colby Daniel Vance II, 34, Ball – simple burglary, contempt of court, $25,000 bail;

Nov. 21

Dayvawn R Calhoun, 31, Pineville – possession of CDS, resisting an officer, failure to appear, $2,250 bail;

Charlie M. Carter, 56, Boyce – monetary instrument abuse, theft, failure to appear, $3,500 bail;

Gabriel J. Hensgens, 42, Alexandria – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Kerry Laketrick Humphrey Jr., 39, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, criminal trespass, obstruction of justice, contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Brittany Alise Mayo, 30, Alexandria – OWI second offense, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,600 bail;

Tyree Re’uel-Jamal Taylor, 23, Alexandria – reckless operation of a vehicle, flight from an officer, $1,000 bail;

Gregory Brent Wells Sr., 65, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Leo Earnest Williams, 19, Alexandria – simple burglary, $3,500 bail;

Nov. 20

Jose Alfredo Avila Buenrostro, 48, Sherman, Texas – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, open container, no driver’s license, $1,300 bail;

Felicia Patricia Deal, 54, Cheneyville – aggravated battery, $10,000 bail;

Christopher Shane Grettum, 30, Pineville – two counts contempt of court, $50,500 bail;

Sally Terese Moore, 43, Pineville – domestic abuse battery intentional serious injury, $5,000 bail;

William Moore, 64, Alexandria – OWI first offense, hit and run driving, careless operation of a vehicle, driving under suspension, operating an unsafe vehicle, safety belt violation, $1,900 bail;

Christina L. Payne, 43, Alexandria – aggravated assault, two counts contempt of court, two counts criminal damage to property, probation violation, failure to appear, simple assault, misrepresentation during booking, $22,000 bail;

McKalyn Nicole Ross, 23, Deville – bank fraud, $2,000 bail;

Doris Gail Sheppard, 63, Pineville – failure to report commission of certain felonies, $15,000 bail;

Damondric Katrell Williams, 34, Alexandria – theft, contempt of court, $10,000 bail;

Nov. 19

Anthony C. Barron, 32, Pineville – theft, criminal trespass, aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, access device fraud, Louisiana fugitive, $26,500 bail;

Natalie Marie Carlton, 44, Pineville – Louisiana fugitive, probation violation, contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Jedodiah Jewell Bartley, 39, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, residential contractor fraud, three counts contempt of court, $14,000 bail;

Lanny Dean Burlew, 50, Deville – possession of CDS, parole violations, $2,500 bail;

Michael Wayne Collins Sr., 43, Alexandria – two counts attempted second degree murder, possession of firearm by convicted felon, second degree battery, $2.05 million bail;

Logan Kaleb Dunn, 20, Boyce – simple burglary, two counts unauthorized entry critical infrastructure, theft, $30,500 bail;

Kaylen Johnson, 19, Alexandria – aggravated battery, hit an run with death or serious injury, battery of a police officer, disturbing the peace, resisting an officer, domestic abuse battery, contempt of court, $13,250 bail;

Courtland Turner, 24, Winnfield – theft, simple burglary, contempt of court, $20,500 bail;

Damarius White, 23, Pineville – trespassing, battery on police officer, resisting arrest, $2,000 bail;

Jamar White, 43, Alexandria – aggravated assault on dating partner, criminal damage to property, $5,500 bail;

Keneshia Lenette Williams, 34, Alexandria – possession of CDS, six counts contempt of court, $116,500 bail. 

Funeral Services for Melvyn Douglas Bowie will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, November 24, 2025 in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville with Bro. Charles Hutzler officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until shortly before time of services in the funeral home on Monday.

Melvyn Douglas Bowie, beloved husband, father, pawpaw, and friend left this world at Rapides Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at the age of 86 surrounded by family and friends. He was born on March 26, 1939 in Alexandria, Louisiana and lived a full life marked by his love of family, carpentry, and auto mechanics.

Melvyn was a Tioga High School Alumni class of ’57. He worked for 30 years Civil Service at Camp Beauregard. After retirement, he worked 10 years in auto parts where he met many friends. He was also a member of the Tioga Commissary Historical Society for many years.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John M. and Beatrice Bowie, son Tracy Bowie, sisters Gladys Derryberry and Anita Brasher.

He is survived by the love of his life of 63 years Ruth Bowie, his sons Doug (Karla), Michael (Jennifer), Arthur Foret (Christina), grandchildren Kelsie Briggs (Cody), Austin Bowie, Alexis Foret, David Foret, Eric Foret and numerous great-grandchildren.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Doug Bowie, Michael Bowie, Austin Bowie, Francis Harper, Ricky Bishop, and Robert Mayeaux (Shorty).

Honorary pallbearers are Charles Blackshear, Arthur Foret, and Ronnie Canoe.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Tioga High School Field House Building Fund, 1207 Tioga Road, Ball, LA 71405 or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting stjude.org/donate.

Funeral services for Mr. James Paul Delrie, Jr. will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in the Chapel of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville, with Reverend Steve Honeycutt officiating.

Interment will follow in Lone Pine Cemetery, Bentley, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville.
Mr. Delrie, 36, of Pollock, entered eternal rest on Thursday, November 20, 2025.

He was a loving father, son, and brother. He loved video games and was an avid sports fan, able to recite stats on every team and player with ease. Known as the life of the party, he had a gift for making everyone he met feel special. His greatest joy in life was his children, whom he loved dearly. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother, June Delrie; and his maternal grandparents, Daniel and Alberta Simms.

Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory include four sons, Julius Delrie of Alexandria, Roman Delrie of Tioga, Carter Delrie of Tioga, and Luka Delrie of Tioga; two daughters, Trinity Delrie of Tioga, and Neveah Delrie of Tioga; his father, James Paul Delrie, Sr. (Anna) of Pollock; his mother, Leta Kay Hagins (Doug) of Alexander, Arkansas; two brothers, Brandon Delrie (Emily) of Pineville, and Kaden Delrie of Pollock; five stepsisters, Ashlynn Hooper (Nick) of Deville, Shaely Nugent (Gage) of Prospect, Kayley Slay (fiance’ Wesley) of Bently, Kylie Lasyone of Colfax, and Kinley Lasyone of Bentley; and his paternal grandfather, James S. Delrie, Jr. of Tioga.

A time of visitation will be held at Rush Funeral Home, Pineville, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Visitation will resume in the Chapel of Rush Funeral Home, Pineville, on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.