Duane-Lee “Cricket” Cecilia Auenson Granger, 69, of Alexandria, LA was born on Wednesday, February 29, 1956 in Grand Isle, LA and passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026 in Jonesville, LA. Cricket was a light in every room she entered. Known for her sweet spirit and gentle heart, she had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. For many years, she faithfully served at Evergreen Assisted Living, where caring for others was not just her job but her calling. She treated every resident like family, offering kindness, patience, and a reassuring smile that meant more than words could say. Cricket never met a stranger; a simple conversation with her often turned into a lasting friendship. In her quiet moments, she found joy in sewing, creating beautiful pieces stitched with love and care. Above all, Cricket’s life was defined by compassion. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, service, and genuine love that will continue to comfort all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lenis and Jean Auenson II, sister, Jean Ann Tisdale, and her brother, Lenis Paul Auenson III.

Those left to cherish her sweet memory are her son, James Auenson Sr. (Latisha) of Coden, AL, three grandsons. Tyler Blaine Strancer, Wade Daniel Chumney, and James Michael Auenson, and also her special friend and roommate Freda Cooper.

Services for Nancy Hargis Lafleur will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Colfax Methodist Church, with Pastor Doris “DeeAnn” Johnson officiating. Interment will follow at Colfax Cemetery under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026, at Kramer of Colfax from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm and will resume on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Colfax Methodist Church from 10:00 am until the time of service.

Nancy Hargis Lafleur, 86, passed away on Sunday, February 22, 2026, in Alexandria, LA.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Quincy Hargis Jr. and Lucy Nugent Hargis and her beloved son Thomas “Tom” Lafleur.

Nancy was born into a well-known and respected family involved in farming, mercantile and financial businesses, public service and community service. Her parents and grandparents had their hands on the pulse of this thriving community and contributed to its success. As a young girl Nancy participated in 4-H by showing Hereford and Jersey cattle and sewing. She wasn’t fond of the cattle but excelled in sewing competitions which earned her a trip to Chicago to compete at a national level.

She was a graduate of Colfax High School where she served as Yearbook Editor, Officer of her Freshman class and was chosen as “Miss Flame”. After high school she attended USL in Lafayette. Nancy met a witty, handsome cowboy while visiting her Aunt Mary Nell in Opelousas, she fell in love and married him in 1960. After living in Opelousas for a time they moved to Colfax and settled there to raise their family on the farm. They recently celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary. She was active in the community, enjoyed visiting with her lifelong friends, and began working at the Grant Parish Courthouse as administrative assistant to the District Attorney, and later as Court Report for the Judge’s office. When not working, she enjoyed reading, sewing, shopping, spending time with her grandchildren, and having a good cup of coffee with a “cig” while catching up and visiting with friends and family.

She was “Nanna” to the grandchildren, and “Nano” to her great granddaughter, and was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Nancy loved her family and faced all of life’s challenges bravely, yet privately.

The family wishes to thank everyone who touched our lives during her medical journey. Lagniappe Home Heath, and Compassionate Hospice made it possible for her to be cared for in her daughter’s home; for that we are so grateful. Those that took care of her loved her spunk and sassy personality and often called her Fancy Nancy.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband Donald Lafleur; her daughters, Lydia Lafleur (Jim Creaghan) of Baton Rouge, LA. and Donna Ann Vilar of Alexandria, LA.; her grandson, Donald Matthew Lafleur (Maeve) of Washington, DC; her granddaughters, Morgan Bancroft (Alex), Lucy “Maggie” Fatheree (Jason) of Lafayette, LA., and Jacqueline Creaghan of Baton Rouge, LA; and her great grandchildren, Amelia Bancroft and Isaac Bowman.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be Donald Matthew “Matt” Lafleur, Jason Fatheree, Alex Bancroft, Scott Hargis, Brent Hargis, Steve Hargis, Paul Hargis and Eddie Gatlin.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Nancy’s memory to the Colfax Methodist Church, 407 Main St, Colfax, LA 71417.

By JIM BUTLER

A mediator has been appointed in the Diocese of Alexandria bankruptcy and a hearing set to hear its bid for more time to file a reorganization plan.

Meanwhile, transcript access of a February 17 hearing on the Diocese request for a confidential order on various documents produced in the case is restricted until May 26, with redactions deadline set.

Editing for various reasons is standard procedure for the public version of a hearing transcript, perhaps more so considering the sensitive nature in a case such as this. 

The next scheduled court hearing is March 3, when the Diocese will seek an extension to April 30 of its exclusive right to file a reorganization plan. 

It filed Chapter 11 last October 31 in the face of projected financial disaster driven by claims from alleged victims of alleged clerical sexual abuse. 

The Diocese also seeks to have until July 31 to obtain acceptances of its reorganization plan by parties to the case. 

When asking for John W. Perry Jr.’s appointment the Diocese noted he had served it as mediator with representatives of certain sexual abuse claimants prior to the bankruptcy filing and reached a settlement in principle. 

Perry, member of the LSU Law School Hall of Fame, has been court-appointed Special Master in such cases as Deepwater Horizon, Chinese Drywall and GM Ignition Switch. 

Both of the motions heard on the 17th had objection from the plaintiff side, one to Perry having worked for the Diocese prior to filing and one to what was construed as uncontested sealing of documents.

Residents across Rapides Parish can expect a warming trend and breezy conditions through midweek, with a chance of showers arriving Thursday before clear skies dominate the weekend.

Today will be sunny with highs reaching the mid-60s. South winds will range from 10 to 15 mph, helping usher in warmer air across the parish.

Wednesday brings partly sunny skies and a noticeable warmup, with highs climbing into the mid-70s. South winds will continue at 10 to 15 mph, with gusts reaching up to 30 mph at times. Cloud cover increases Wednesday night, with lows settling in the lower 60s.

Thursday will be partly sunny with a 40 percent chance of showers developing in the afternoon. Highs are expected to reach the upper 70s. Southwest winds will remain between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. Rain chances increase to 50 percent Thursday evening before tapering off overnight, with lows in the mid-50s.

From Friday through Monday, mostly clear conditions are forecast. Daytime highs will remain in the upper 70s, while overnight lows dip into the lower 50s, providing mild and comfortable conditions heading into the weekend and early next week.

The First United Methodist Church of Alexandria’s “Urban Sketchers” have met regularly since October 2025 throughout the Alexandria–Pineville area, emphasizing presence, community, and creative engagement rather than established artistic skill – It’s FREE!

You can join them this Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 10 AM, when the Urban Sketching Art Ministry with FUMCA Artist-in-Residence Rev. Jean Sanders meets at Tamp & Grind Coffee in downtown Alexandria. Open to the public and free to attend, the event welcomes participants of all experience levels. After coffee and fellowship, the group will head out into the surrounding area to sketch together. No prior experience is required.

So what is urban sketching?

At its core, urban sketching is the practice of drawing on location—indoors or outdoors—capturing what the artist sees through direct observation. It is about recording time and place: something happening, somewhere, at a specific moment.

Urban sketchers use any medium. The goal is not a polished, expertly executed finished piece, but capturing the essence of the moment. A drawing may be quick and loose with a short caption, or more developed over time on site. As long as it is created from firsthand observation and reflects lived experience, it qualifies as urban sketching.

While including the date or location is not required, written notes help strengthen the storytelling aspect. Unlike plein-air painting, which typically emphasizes aesthetic outcome, urban sketching prioritizes witnessing, documentation, and narrative.

Urban sketching does not have to take place in a city. It can happen anywhere—urban, rural, or natural settings. The defining element is drawing on location to tell the story of a place in real time. In its narrative form, known as reportage, urban sketching combines drawing and short written commentary to provide a visual account of events, culture, and human experience.

Another free art offering is coming up next Sunday, March 8, 2026 when a “Painting on Denim” Pop-Up Art Party will be held in the FUMCA art studio from 4–6pm also led by Rev Jean. Bring your own denim (shirt, jacket, pants) to paint on. All other supplies will be available. Please call the church office to reserve your spot.

Upcoming FUMCA Urban Sketching dates will be March 28 at 10 AM at Tamp & Grind, and on April 11 at 10 AM, the group will meet at the Alexandria Museum of Art. That gathering will include a special opportunity to sketch downtown Alexandria and the Red River from the museum grounds and third-floor gallery. The morning will begin with an informative tour by Gar Pickering, FUMCA Creative Engagement Director, in the museum’s medieval Spanish chapel reproduction from the 2003 “Heart of Spain” exhibition. The tour will explore the chapel’s biblical themes, the role of sacred imagery in Christian teaching, and its influence on the development of Western art. Sketchers may then do studies of the frescos or choose another location to capture downtown architecture. Admission to AMoA on Second Saturdays is free, so this event is offered at no additional cost.

Together, these gatherings reflect First United Methodist Church of Alexandria’s commitment to creative ministry, offering accessible spaces for thoughtful engagement with art, community, and spirituality.

The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH), with support from the State of Louisiana, has awarded $65,000 in Emergency Readiness Grants to 17 cultural organizations across 11 parishes. In Rapides Parish, the Southern Forest Heritage Museum received $3,000 to strengthen its preparedness for natural disasters and other emergencies.

These grants help museums, archives, historic sites, and other cultural institutions develop emergency plans, train staff, make structural improvements, and take steps to protect valuable collections from future threats. Funding can also support insurance deductibles, digital preservation, and other mitigation measures.

“Cultural institutions like the Southern Forest Heritage Museum are vital to preserving Louisiana’s history and heritage,” said LEH representatives. “These grants provide the resources and guidance to help them prepare for emergencies, protecting both their collections and the communities they serve.”

Previous recipients, such as the Opelousas Museum, have used LEH grants to create emergency readiness plans, supply kits, and building improvements—including roof repairs, tree trimming, and termite prevention measures—to ensure long-term protection of collections.

In Rapides Parish, the Southern Forest Heritage Museum plans to use the grant funds to strengthen its emergency preparedness, ensuring its exhibits and resources remain safe for the public while fostering community resilience during disasters.

LEH’s Emergency Readiness Grants are part of an ongoing effort to safeguard Louisiana’s cultural institutions from the impacts of hurricanes, floods, and other emergencies, helping them continue their mission of education, preservation, and community engagement.

Ever notice how quickly opinions travel faster than facts? This week’s cartoon plays with that idea, leaning into the humor of how we debate, react and sometimes overreact in the digital age. Inspired by the game-show energy of Jeopardy!, it’s a lighthearted reminder that not every buzzer needs to be hit — and sometimes it’s okay to wait for the full answer.

Buckeye All-State linebacker Ty Curtis is among nine Class of 2026 high school scholar-athletes from north and central Louisiana selected as winners of $1,000 college scholarships from The National Football Foundation, S.M. McNaughton Chapter to be presented next Wednesday, March 4 in Shreveport.

The scholarship recipients exceeded standards for the annual scholarship grants including a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or better, earning at least all-district honors on the football field, and extracurricular involvement. Seventeen seniors were named as finalists earlier this month.

The winners include four standouts from Caddo and Bossier parishes: Jeremiah Epps of Airline, Loyola’s Hayden Horton, Luke Miller of Calvary Baptist, and Northwood’s Justin Thomas.

The other NFF scholarship winners along with Curtis are Luke Delafield of North DeSoto, West Monroe’s Hunter Fox, Micah Moser of Ouachita Christian School and North Webster’s Hudson Smith.

Six – Curtis, Delafield, Horton, Hudson, Moser, and Thomas – earned All-State honors as seniors. Smith carried a perfect 4.0 GPA and several others were close to academic perfection.

One of the nine student-athletes will be recognized as the McNaughton Chapter’s nominee for the National Football Foundation’s nationwide scholar-athlete of the year honor, and will be spotlighted for the 2026-27 year in the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

McNaughton Chapter president Toni Goodin said the winners and other special awards will be recognized next Wednesday at the annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet at East Ridge Country Club in Shreveport. Doors open at 6 with dinner served about a half-hour later.

“These nine young men are tremendous representatives of-all the high school football teams in North Louisiana, and especially their teams, their schools and communities,” said Goodin. “They have been remarkable examples of academic and athletic excellence along with service and involvement in extracurricular activities.”

The McNaughton Chapter has awarded scholarships to senior scholar-athletes since 1981. A Coach of the Year Award has been presented occasionally in the past two decades and will be announced later this week, along with the winners of the annual Contributions to Amateur Football Award and Distinguished American Award.

Tickets are $45 each. Tables seat eight and are $360. Proceeds go to support the scholarships awarded.

For individual tickets and table sales, contact Goodin at 318nffchapter@gmail.com or by calling 318-347-4453.

The shotgun range at the Woodworth Shooting Range will be closed Friday (Feb. 27) and Saturday (Feb. 28) and the entire range closed Sunday (March 1) to host the Louisiana 4-H Hunting Skills Competition this weekend, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced.

The Woodworth Shooting Range is located at 661 Robinson Bridge Road in Woodworth. For more information on the Woodworth shooting range, call 318-484-2276.

About Ida

Beginnings are tricky, but here we are—fresh page, blinking cursor, and a head full of questions. I’m Ida B. Torn, a lifelong Southerner from Kenner, Louisiana, who’s spent years working in newsrooms, design studios, and public service. I’ve seen my share of life’s chaos and comedy—and learned that sometimes, folks just need straight answers and a little laughter along the way.

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Frank Patrick “Pat” Grimes, Sr. was born in Houma, Louisiana on March 16, 1938 to Bert David Grimes and Hassle Mae Edwards. As a child, his father did construction work and they relocated often. At 5 years of age, his parent’s marriage ended, and he and his mom settled in Opelousas, LA where she worked as a telephone operator and store manager. Later, his mother became ill with rheumatic fever, and Pat went to live with his dad and stepmother in Bunkie, LA. He started high school at Menard Memorial High School as a full time boarder, where he graduated in 1956. After graduation he immediately joined his father in construction work building bridges across Louisiana and Texas. That same year, Pat met his true love, Margaret Pearl Wilson, and they began dating in August. They were married the following April of 1957, and moved to Texas where Pat continued highway construction work on Louisiana Interstate 10.

Pat and Margaret had three children from their union, a daughter, Renae Grimes-Avery; son, Frank P.”Bubba” Grimes, Jr.; and son Byron David Grimes. After the children came along, Pat built their first home himself where the couple settled in Pineville, LA.

Over the years, Pat worked at several jobs earning his living as a Bread man, Grocery Salesman, Lumber Salesman and finally a business owner of a convenience store. His trades knowledge and hard work led to his final career as a Home Contractor and Commercial Builder. He exercised his talents to build more stores and businesses for his son, Bubba and his business partner, Gary Barth.

Pat was a devoted father, husband and friend. He worked hard throughout his life and was always ready to help anyone who needed him. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bert Grimes; mother, Hassle Berry; step mother, Meril Crawley; youngest son, Byron, and son-in-law, Jim Avery, and two brothers-in-law, Jerry Wilson and Rivers Wilson.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 69 years (April 1st), Margaret Wilson Grimes; daughter, J. Renae; son, Frank P. “Bubba”, Jr. (Patty); grandson, Daniel Grimes (Roan), Heath Grimes (Amy), and granddaughters, Heather Revilla and Courtney Mott (Dustin); and many great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Berdette Griffin (John); brother, Floyd Grimes (Anita) and sister-in-law, Brenda Bonner; in addition to many longtime friends and exceptional neighbors.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers please honor Pat’s memory with your contribution to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 2627 Horseshoe Dr., Alexandria, LA. 71301 or the charitable organization of your choice.

Marie Brigitte Bouzaglo Goodwin, age 80, passed peacefully from this life on February 21, 2026. She was born on January 6, 1946, in Casablanca, Morocco, to the late Albert Bouzaglo and Theresa Gozlan Bouzaglo.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday February 26, 2026 at Gallagher Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the service hour at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Restland Memorial Gardens.

A woman of deep faith, Marie loved Jesus and lived her life guided by kindness, humility, and love. She found joy in crocheting, dancing, camping, fishing, and spending peaceful days at the lake. Above all, she cherished children and treasured time with her family.

Marie devoted her professional life to serving others, spending many years as a child care specialist for children with special needs. She was employed at the Louisiana Special Education Center, where her compassion, patience, and dedication made a lasting impact on countless lives.

She is survived by her loving children: James Goodwin and wife Kathy, William Mayes and wife Lisa, and Caren Gilreath and husband James her brother, Henry; and her sisters, Jaqueline, Georgette, Paulette, Marcelle, Danielle, and Remonde. She is also survived by many extended family members and dear friends who will miss her greatly.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Theresa Bouzaglo, and her brother, Leon.

Her life was a beautiful reflection of love, service, and faith. She will be remembered for her gentle spirit, nurturing heart, and unwavering devotion to her family and her Lord.

A cease and desist order on all private outdoor burning has been issued for Rapides Parish due to extremely dry conditions and an increase in reported grass fires throughout the parish.

The order, issued by the parish police jury president, is effective immediately and will remain in place until it is officially rescinded. Under the directive, private burning is prohibited unless permission is granted by the local fire department.

The ban does not apply to prescribed burns conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, individuals trained and certified by the department, or those conducting prescribed burns as a generally accepted agricultural practice under the Louisiana Right to Farm Law (R.S. 3:3601 et seq.).

Residents are urged to comply with the order to help prevent further wildfire outbreaks and protect property and public safety.

 By JIM BUTLER 

The Legislature convenes in two weeks and carbon capture is front and center. 

Websites tracking such things report bills on the subject are in the top ten monitored or viewed among more than 300 already filed for the general session. 

As the clock ticks toward the opening at noon March 9 lobbying through various media forms is intensifying on both sides. 

Three House bills co-sponsored by some Rapides legislators (Reps. Rhonda Butler, Jason DeWitt and Mike Johnson, with Tioga High graduate Gabe Firment of Grant on board) are at the heart of the matter. 

HB5 authorizes parish governing authorities and citizens to determine if injection wells, CO2 sequestration and pipelines may be permitted within a parish. 

HB6 is Rapides specific, authorizing the Police Jury to determine if the pipelines will be permitted. 

HB7 is the proposed Louisiana Landowners Protection Act barring expropriation of private land for CO2 pipelines and projects. 

At this point, according to one environmental organization, there are 65 proposed projects in Louisiana. 

A moratorium declared by Governor Jeff Landry back in October put the brakes on permitting, pending further assessment of the subject. 

A suit in November by Save My Louisiana on the eminent domain issue also complicated matters. 

Legislators will have until 6 p.m. June 1 to resolve the issue, unless the session is extended for special circumstances.

Alexandria’s “Big John” Leglue recently announced his retirement from the NFL, after seven seasons.

His time in the league wasn’t adorned with moments in the spotlight or a treasure-trove of honors, but it was a personal treasure after an unlikely journey to football’s highest level. And now it can serve as an heirloom for his family, his native city, Menard High School and Tulane University.

He achieved the unexpected. Unlike his fellow 2019 NFL rookie classmate, offensive lineman and Cenla native, Cody Ford, the 6-foot-7 Leglue wasn’t selected in the second round of the NFL Draft. He wasn’t selected in any round of the draft. But the Denver Broncos signed him as a free agent, giving him an entry into the NFL door. Once there, he pursued and achieved his childhood dream of playing in the NFL.

His NFL career-track looks like something from a pinball machine, bouncing around the league with the Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams.

In seven seasons, he played in eight games – seven with the Steelers, one with the Falcons. A highlight from his time with the Steelers: he started at left guard in their 2021 season AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 16, 2022. He stepped in because of injuries, helping on the offensive line during Ben Roethlisberger’s final season. 

“(Steelers) Coach Mike Tomlin used to say, ‘One man’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity,’” said Leglue, “and that motivated me throughout my career to prepare myself for whenever the opportunity might come my way.”

After failing to make the 53-man roster with the Rams during the last preseason, and not getting any invitations after that, he figured it was time to retire. Now he’s talking with some folks about possible NFL front-office jobs while also considering  other opportunities in the business world. 

John Wagner Leglue, 29, and slimmed down to 290 pounds from his playing weight of 320, lives in Tampa with his wife of three years, Bianca, a native of Puerto Rico. He met her at Tulane, where she played for the volleyball team. He gives credit to her, his parents Allen and Stacey, his grandparents, other family members and friends and others for helping him fulfill his dream.

Going back to when he was in fifth or sixth grade, he cites the help given him by powerlifting coach Don Fields. When John started lifting, he could barely press the bar alone. Fields taught him the fundamentals of lifting weights properly and instilled in him the mindset of pushing through pain.

He gives credit to his football coach at Menard, Freddie Hallman, for opening his eyes to what might be possible.

“He pulled me in his office when I was a freshman or sophomore and told me, “I think if you keep working hard, you have an opportunity to play college football.”

Then, in a bit of a surprise, he wound up playing football for Tulane after initially committing to play for the University of Louisiana-Lafayette. His parents wanted John to go to Tulane because of its academic reputation, believing it would serve him well beyond football.

David Hilton, an Alexandria dentist who played football for Menard and Tulane, recalled a time when he went to a Tulane game when his son, Logan, was a punter for the Green Wave. John, then being recruited by college teams, and his father were in the stands with them.

“Behind us in the parent section were Joe and Jennifer Montana,” said Hilton, who was a linebacker at Tulane. “Their son, Nick, transferred to Tulane and was the starting Wave quarterback. I was brazen enough to introduce John to Joe at halftime and he was gracious enough to spend time visiting with John.”

Leglue remembered that meeting with the Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback and admitted it influenced his decision to accept a late scholarship offer from Tulane.

“It’s hard to say no when Joe Montana tells you, ‘It’d be great if you could come here and protect my son,’” Leglue said, noting he continues to regard Nick Montana as a friend.

At Tulane, Leglue started in 37 games, played all four positions on the offensive line, and made the All-American Athletic Conference Academic Team as a senior, when he achieved his master’s degree in business administration after getting an undergraduate degree as a junior.

He also started working with youth in the Special Olympics while at Tulane and continued that and other charitable work while in the NFL, such as providing Thanksgiving turkeys to various groups.

All the while, he hung around NFL camps and sidelines, waiting for opportunities and preparing for them. He made the most of them when called.

“He hung around long enough to be vested in the NFL retirement package,” said Hilton, “so I guess it was worth it. He was always perfect when I saw him play. Hate that he didn’t get more playing time. He was the biggest guy on the sideline!”

“Many dream of playing in the NFL,” said Leglue in his retirement announcement, “but few truly understand the discipline, sacrifice and commitment it takes to get there. I’m thankful for every high, low, scar, lesson and brother this sport brought into my life.

“God,” he added, “thank you for the ability, the opportunity, and for guiding me every step of this journey.”

Alexandria Senior High scored an upset on the road Monday In the second round of the LHSAA girls basketball playoffs, while Buckeye and Menard scored homecourt victories as all three teams reached the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs.

Four other Rapides Parish teams were defeated in playoff games, ending their seasons.

Scores of LHSAA second-round girls basketball games involving parish teams (Divisions 1-III are all in the Select category):

DIVISION I

ASH 58, Acadiana 52

Teurlings Catholic 50, Tioga 44

DIVISION II

Buckeye 47, Loranger 46

DIVISION III

Menard 55, Rapides 23

CLASS B

Hathaway 45, Glenmora 28

Bell City 87, Oak Hill 59

CLASS C

Calvin 66, Plainview 33