This pops up from Facebook posts past. The number dropped this year to one, who has no inkling where the prize is, if it, like him, survives. 

Urging you to value friendships and wishing you the best in 2026. 

– – –

Now there are just three.

Once they were six, linked as boys tighter than chromosomes in a DNA string.

They lived in different parts of the same small town, meeting through youth sports, Saturday morning movies and KiddieLand visits. 

By the time they reached high school they did almost everything together — school, church, summer jobs, sports, hunting, fishing, chasing girls.

If you saw one, you knew at least one, and more than likely all five, of the others were in the vicinity.

They did foolish things, together, and made amends, together.

As graduation approached, it was obvious things would soon change.

There would be college for some, work for others … and there was a war starting.

On a hot night in May of their 18th year, as they lounged on a sand bar sipping beer, one dreamer suggested a pact. And a deal was struck.

A case of beer was purchased the next day. It would be in the care of one of them’s sister until they reached 50, which seemed a sure thing but a really long way off.

The fact these guys bought beer rather than trying to buy a bottle of good wine tells you lots about them.

After two passed far too soon, the four that did reach the mark could not bring themselves to open the Jax at 50. So they changed the deal — the case would go to the last survivor.

Number Three died this month, his body giving out after a long struggle.

The remaining three talked at the wake about dissolving the covenant, but could not bring themselves to break faith with those who had already gone.

So now there are three, and of course neither knows who’ll be four, five or six.

But they are certain that whichever opens that first can from the case will find it a bittersweet brew.

Happy New Year!

There’s much to be excited about as 2026 arrives tonight at midnight. Maybe it’s your plans for New Year’s Eve; for an extended holiday weekend; or, simply the hope that 2026 brings happiness.

As for your Rapides Parish Journal team, we are eager to continue bringing you quality coverage of local news and information, highlighted by commentary and insight from esteemed local journalism legends Jim Butler and Bob Tompkins.

We are thankful for your taking advantage of our free publication. We’re never going to charge you a penny, we’re never going to bombard you with pop-ups and pay walls, and we’re never going to share your e-mail address with anybody.

We are, however, going to take the rest of the week off to start the year! We did the same last week for the Christmas holiday. To allow our wonderful team members to enjoy quality time with their families, friends and pets, or in the woods, in front of the TV, or finding fun and relaxation to refresh for 2026, we will not publish the Journal on Thursday or Friday this week.

We will resume our regular weekday schedule Monday, Jan. 5, with our 6:55 a.m. email edition. All will also be posted on our website and shared on our Facebook page, with plenty of content – all at no cost to you.

A mix of cool mornings and mild afternoons is expected across Rapides Parish this week, with mostly sunny skies dominating much of the forecast.

Wednesday: Morning frost is expected throughout the parish, followed by sunny skies. Highs will reach the lower 60s with southwest winds at 5 to 10 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear skies with lows in the upper 30s. Southwest winds around 5 mph.

Thursday (New Year’s Day): Expect mostly sunny conditions with highs in the upper 60s and light southwest winds around 5 mph.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy skies with lows in the lower 50s, gradually rising into the upper 50s after midnight. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

Friday: Partly sunny in the morning, then clearing. Highs will climb into the upper 70s.

Friday Night and Saturday: Mostly clear with overnight lows in the lower 50s and highs on Saturday in the upper 60s.

Saturday Night: Mostly clear skies with lows in the lower 40s.

Sunday: Mostly sunny with highs in the upper 60s.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear in the evening, then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

Monday: Mostly sunny with highs in the lower 70s.

Monday Night and Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with overnight lows in the mid-50s and highs in the lower 70s.

Residents are encouraged to be mindful of chilly morning temperatures, especially with frost forming midweek, and to enjoy the mild afternoons expected through the weekend.

As New Year’s Eve approaches, many residents are planning to celebrate with fireworks. While public fireworks shows remain the safest option, those choosing to use personal fireworks at home should take precautions to prevent injuries and property damage.

Safety tips for using fireworks include:
Keep fireworks at least 200 feet from buildings, vehicles, and flammable debris.
Never let children handle fireworks; consider safe alternatives like glow sticks.
Avoid using fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Light one firework at a time and keep a hose or bucket of water nearby.
Soak used fireworks before disposal; never throw them into the trash dry.

Check for local burn bans or dry conditions before lighting fireworks, and always choose a safe, open space for detonation.

Several new laws and policy changes are set to take effect across Louisiana beginning January 1, 2026, impacting drivers, homeowners, court proceedings, insurance policyholders, and those involved in civil lawsuits. The changes stem from legislation passed during recent sessions and reflect a broader shift in public safety, legal standards, and consumer protections.

Key Louisiana Laws Taking Effect January 1, 2026

• Hands-free driving law fully enforced
• Modified comparative fault standard in injury lawsuits
• Limits on recoverable medical expenses in civil cases
• Expanded tax credits for home fortification projects
• New licensing requirements for residential roofing contractors
• Mandatory electronic or in-person court filings for attorneys
• Insurance companies required to disclose credit score use

One of the most visible changes involves the state’s expanded hands-free driving law. Beginning January 1, full enforcement will begin following the end of a grace period. Drivers will no longer be allowed to hold a mobile phone while driving for texting, scrolling, browsing, or similar actions. Penalties will increase in school zones and construction zones, and repeat violations may result in steeper fines.

Louisiana will also see a major shift in how fault is assessed in personal injury lawsuits. The state is moving from a pure comparative fault system to a modified comparative fault standard. Under the new law, a person found to be 51 percent or more responsible for an accident will be barred from recovering damages. Those found 50 percent or less at fault may still recover compensation, but any award will be reduced based on their percentage of responsibility.

Changes are also coming to how medical expenses are calculated in injury cases. Under the new law, plaintiffs may only recover the amount actually paid for medical care rather than the higher amounts originally billed by healthcare providers. Supporters say the change brings awards more in line with real costs, while critics argue it may limit recovery for some injured parties.

Homeowners will see new incentives aimed at strengthening properties against severe weather. Expanded tax deductions and credits will be available for qualifying home fortification projects, including improvements that increase wind resistance. One measure allows homeowners to receive up to a $10,000 tax credit for qualifying roof fortification upgrades.

New licensing requirements will also take effect for residential roofing contractors. For roofing projects exceeding $7,500, contractors must now hold a state-issued residential roofing license or a residential construction license with a roofing designation. The law is intended to protect homeowners from unqualified contractors, particularly following major storms.

Court procedures will also change beginning in 2026. Attorneys will be required to submit court filings electronically or in person in paper form, in accordance with systems established by each clerk of court. The move is aimed at modernizing court operations and improving efficiency statewide.

Additionally, insurance companies operating in Louisiana will be required to disclose to policyholders whether credit scores are used in determining insurance premiums. While full implementation of this requirement begins later in 2026, the change marks a shift toward greater transparency for consumers.

Together, the new laws represent a mix of safety enforcement, legal reform, and consumer-focused policy changes that will affect residents across the state as the new year begins.

Online trends sneak into political conversations. Because apparently what’s trending can matter more than, you know… actual answers. When a meme goes viral, it can suddenly feel like the main issue—whether it makes sense or not. Which is fitting, since “6–7” itself barely means anything at all.

Louisiana’s wintering waterfowl population is on the rise, according to the latest aerial duck survey conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF).

LDWF officials report an estimated 1.66 million ducks across Louisiana’s coastal zone and the Little River Basin following surveys conducted December 15–18, 2025. That figure represents a 6 percent increase from December 2024, when approximately 1.56 million ducks were recorded. The total is also 8 percent above the most recent five-year average, signaling a strong season for wintering waterfowl.

The survey breaks down duck populations by region and species, showing particularly strong numbers among dabbling ducks, which totaled 1.29 million birds, and diving ducks, which accounted for 361,000 birds. Combined, the total duck population reached approximately 1.65 million, with an additional 693,000 coots observed statewide.

Among individual species, pintails led the count with an estimated 434,000 birds, followed by gadwall at 306,000 and green-winged teal at 209,000. Blue-winged teal totaled 198,000, while mallards accounted for 13,000 across surveyed regions.

LDWF noted some of the most dramatic year-over-year increases were seen in several diving and dabbling species. Canvasbacks increased by 353 percent, scaup by 300 percent, wigeon by 133 percent, and pintails by 86 percent compared to last December.

Each year, LDWF conducts aerial waterfowl surveys during September, November, December, and January to monitor abundance and distribution across the state. Officials say the data collected is vital for guiding responsible wildlife management and ensuring healthy waterfowl populations for future hunting seasons and conservation efforts.

“These surveys provide a critical snapshot of Louisiana’s role as a wintering ground for migratory waterfowl,” LDWF officials said. “They help ensure science-based decisions that support both conservation and outdoor traditions.”

Additional survey flights are planned later this winter to continue tracking population trends statewide.

The Pineville Police Department is warning the public about false information circulating regarding an alleged active shooter situation at Louisiana College University (LCU).

Officials confirmed there is no active shooter and no threat on the LCU campus. The department described the rumors as “false and irresponsible propaganda” that could create unnecessary fear and panic in the community.

The Pineville Police Department emphasized the importance of verifying information through official sources before sharing posts or messages. They also reaffirmed their strong working relationship with LCU officials and commitment to ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and staff.

Public safety remains the department’s top priority, and officers will continue to address and correct misinformation as it arises.

By JIM BUTLER

Kera Chaney ended 2025 pretty much the way he started it.

Chaney, 41, of Alexandria was booked in parish lockup December 27 on four counts of contempt, three possession counts, having a firearm with drugs, being a felon in possession of firearms, using an ATV on a public road and resisting arrest. Bail is set at $84,500.

On February 1 this year he was charged with battery 2nd degree and posted bond, then on February 12 with criminal damage and three counts of domestic abuse child present, bail set at $30,500.

Records indicate Chaney’s alleged infractions go back at least a decade.

In November 2014 he was charged with false impersonation of a police officer.

A year later he was charged with burglarizing vehicles parked on the Alexandria Mall lot.

In October 2016 he faced two counts of attempted 2nd-degree murder, being a felon with a firearm and two drug charges. A 2018 trial was eventually scheduled.

By March 2021 Chaney was back in the parish jail, charged with being a felon possessing a firearm, possessing a firearm with drugs, two possession counts and contempt.

In September 2021 he was charged with parole violations, 2nd-degree rape, home invasion and possession.

In July 2022 he was logged into Rapides as a state prisoner. 

Two years later, August 2024, Chaney was booked on felony flight, possession and traffic charges and again in November on contempt accusations.

Julie Johnson, longtime Felony Secretary at the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office, is stepping away after 24 years of dedicated service from 2001 to 2025.

Colleagues praised Johnson for her hard work, professionalism, and commitment to the office over more than two decades. “It’s not goodbye, but see ya later,” the office said in a statement, expressing gratitude for her contributions and wishing her the best in the next chapter of her career.

Johnson’s years of service have left a lasting impact on the office and the community it serves.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Dec. 30

Byron Keith Fay, 53, Pineville – obstruction of justice, possession of CDS, no driver’s license, flight from an officer, tail lamps must emit red light, $2,200 bail;

Donald Ray Parker, 33, Alexandria – contempt of court, $5,000 bail.

Dec. 29

Kelvin G. Atkins, 34, Alexandria – flight from an officer, domestic abuse battery, three counts contempt of court, $7,000 bail;

Jennifer Kaye Courville, 50, Deville – five counts contempt of court, $79,000 bail;

Perkin Daniel III, 36, Alexandria – possession of CDS, burglary of inhabited dwelling, no bail data;

Daryl Wayne Waller, 61, Alexandria – aggravated burglary, sexual battery, possession of firearms with obliterated serial numbers, no bail data;

Deshawn Gage Washington, 23, Alexandria – theft, resisting an officer, six counts contempt of court, $13,000 bail.

Dec. 28

Roger Dale Bennett II, 49, Deville – second degree rape, false imprisonment, contempt of non-support, $100,500 bail;

Santos Gonzalez, 49, Alexandria – OWI second offense, running a red light, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, driving under suspension, unlawful refusal to submit to chemical test, $2,300 bail.

On December 31, 1999, as nations prepared to welcome a new millennium, millions braced for what some feared might be the most significant technological disaster in modern history. The Y2K computer bug, a programming issue linked to the way early software recorded dates, sparked widespread predictions ranging from power grid failures to global financial collapse.

The concern stemmed from a simple problem: many computer programs stored years with only two digits, meaning “00” could be read as 1900 instead of 2000. As computers became deeply integrated into banking, government, aviation, and utilities, analysts warned that the rollover at midnight could cause catastrophic malfunctions.

For years leading up to the event, engineers and governments spent billions examining critical systems. By late 1999, the global response involved one of the largest coordinated technology audits in history. Still, uncertainty lingered. As the final hours of the decade approached, everything from hospital equipment to nuclear facilities faced scrutiny.

Cities around the world implemented contingency plans. Emergency operations centers remained fully staffed. Banks increased cash reserves. Airlines added additional monitoring teams. New York, London, and Tokyo all prepared to reroute or ground flights if necessary.

In many households, people stockpiled water, batteries, and emergency supplies. Some even treated the night as a potential survival scenario rather than a celebration.

Australia and New Zealand were among the first major nations to cross into the year 2000. When midnight passed without significant disruption, relief spread globally—but so did skepticism. Had the threat been exaggerated, or had the massive preparation prevented disaster?

By the time the clock struck midnight across Europe and then the United States, the feared collapse never materialized. Minor errors did appear—such as mistaken dates on receipts and a few isolated software glitches—but critical infrastructure remained intact.

The night became a worldwide exhale. Crowds that had been cautiously optimistic broke into full celebration. For many, the Y2K experience transformed from cause for concern into a story retold with humor. Yet computer experts emphasize that the absence of catastrophe was not proof that the problem was exaggerated; rather, it reflected the enormous amount of behind-the-scenes work performed over years.

Today, the events of December 31, 1999, are remembered as one of the most unusual moments of modern technological history—a rare example when the entire world watched the same countdown not just with excitement, but with uncertainty about whether digital systems would continue to function on the other side of midnight.

As this letter is published on December 31, many of us are doing what we always do at year’s end—looking back, taking stock, and quietly thinking about what we want to do better in the year ahead.

From a woman’s point of view, one resolution worth making in 2026 is simple: stop mansplaining.

Mansplaining is not a disagreement. It is not a healthy debate. And it is certainly not men expressing opinions. Mansplaining happens when a man explains something to a woman in a patronizing or condescending way, often assuming she lacks knowledge or understanding—sometimes even when she is the most qualified person in the room.

Most women recognize it instantly. It shows up as being talked over, corrected unnecessarily, or lectured on subjects we already understand—our professions, our finances, our health, our lived experiences. It often arrives disguised as helpfulness, wrapped in phrases like, “What you need to understand is…” or “Let me explain this in simple terms.”

Whether intentional or not, the effect is the same. It diminishes women’s voices, discourages participation, and reinforces outdated assumptions about who holds authority. In workplaces, it chips away at credibility. In civic discussions, it narrows perspective. In everyday life, it undermines respect.

Ending mansplaining does not require silence. It requires listening. It requires recognizing that women come to the table with knowledge, experience, and expertise that do not need translation or approval. It means entering conversations as equals, not default instructors.

As we step into a new year, striving for better habits and stronger communities, this is one change that costs nothing—and improves everything. Conversations are richer, decisions are smarter, and communities are stronger when everyone is heard without being talked down to.

If we are serious about doing better in 2026, this is a resolution worth keeping.

Ida B. Torn
A Woman Who Knows What She’s Talking About

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Daniel Francis Brister will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at St. Peters Catholic Church, Elmer, with Father Edwin Rodriguez officiating. Interment will follow in St. Peters Cemetery, Elmer, under the direction of Rush Funeral Home, Oakdale.
Mr. Brister, 79, of Elmer, peacefully passed away on December 28, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of service, craftsmanship, and unwavering dedication to his community.

Born in Alexandria, Louisiana, Daniel graduated from Bolton High School before proudly serving his country in the U.S. Army. He built a distinguished career as a welder and head of maintenance at Flynn Manufacturing while also establishing himself as a skilled carpenter. His commitment to community service shone through his remarkable 40-year tenure with the Oak Hill Volunteer Fire Department, where he answered countless calls to help his neighbors.

A devoted parishioner of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Elmer, Daniel found joy in life’s simple pleasures-tending his seasonal gardens, deer hunting, and tackling any repair challenge that came his way. His reputation for lending a helping hand to anyone in need exemplified his generous spirit. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Lydia Marien Brister; and two brothers, Ralph Brister and Charles Brister.

Those left to mourn his loss and cherish his memory include his beloved wife of fifty-eight years, Sandra Kay White Brister; his children, Dicky Brister (Jawanda), Donnie Brister (Crystal), and Dana Mendez (Jose); three sisters, Jo Ann Nugent, Margaret Ann Funderburk, and Faye Lewis; his grandchildren, Brandon Glorioso, Brice Glorioso, Blake Glorioso, Robert Brister, Reece Brister, and Bella Mendez; and five great-grandsons.

A time of visitation will be held at St. Peters Catholic Church, Elmer, on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. until time of service.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are: Robert Brister, Reece Brister, Brandon Glorioso, Brice Glorioso, Blake Glorioso, and Eric Hilton. Honorary pallbearers will be Dicky Brister, Donnie Brister, and Jose Mendez.

Lee-Ann Pearson McKay, age 76 of Pollock, Louisiana entered eternal rest on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at Legacy Nursing Home in Pollock, Louisiana. Lee-Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Luther and Nellie Pearson.

Those left to cherish her husband are her husband, who had been with her for 40 years, Marshal McKay; daughter, Jenifer Crooks (Richie); stepdaughter, Molly Ivy (Aaron); stepson, Waylon McKay (Samantha); grandchild, Ethan Crooks; three step grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A memorial service honoring her life will be held at a later date.

Lee-Ann found peace in the outdoors and could often be found bird watching, carefully tending to feeders and delighting in every flutter and song that visited her yard. Her love for nature extended far beyond that-she enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time outside, where she felt most at home.

She also knew how to savor life’s pleasures. Few things made her happier than sitting down to a good crawfish boil, surrounded by laughter and conversation. When she wasn’t outdoors, she was rarely without a book in hand. An avid reader, she had a deep love for stories and knowledge, always eager to learn something new or escape into a well-loved novel.

She will be remembered for her independent spirit, her appreciation for the natural world, and her quiet wisdom. Her presence brought comfort and authenticity to those who knew her, and she leaves behind a legacy of love for the outdoors, learning, and living life fully. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing and loving her.

Phonetic: /ir·​re·​me·​able/
Part of Speech: adjective

Definition