By JIM BUTLER 

Interim Mayor Joe Bishop drew two opponents in Wednesday qualifying for Pineville’s May 16 primary. 

Bishop, chosen mayor by the City Council in October 2024 to complete Rich Dupree’s term, is opposed by Chris Camp and Rusty Murdoch. All are Republicans. 

Qualifying for the primary runs through Friday afternoon. 

Two other interim officials qualified to seek full, elected terms. 

Randy O’Neal, No Party, District 1, and John Marcase, Republican, District 4, were appointed to succeed Mary Galloway and Tom Boucher respectfully. 

Two candidates filed to succeed the retiring Nathan Martin in District 5. Mark Mertens and Tom Murphy are both Republicans.  

Kevin Dorn, Democrat, filed to seek re-election in District 2. 

Hugh Halle, No Party, is a candidate in District 3.

By JIM BUTLER

The administration has dropped plans to seek new authorities relative to firearms possession at Alexandria parades and other special events.

Mayor Jacques Roy told the City Council Legal Committee that the prospective legislation, vetted to avoid 2nd Amendment issues, will not be introduced after the National Rifle Association voiced concerns.

That’s a hassle the city doesn’t want to get into regardless its belief those fears were allayed in the draft legislation.

State law prohibits parade float riders from carrying but does not address spectators.

The city, Roy told the committee, will seek legislative approval to use cross-trained firefighters from the fully staffed department to supplement the shorthanded police force.

Though new to Alexandria, such dual function is in use in other jurisdictions.

While remaining under all Fire Service systems (Civil Service, retirement,  wage and salary, etc.) those assigned police duty would be supervised by that department during those duty hours.

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises the public that on Monday, Feb. 16 at approximately 7 a.m., emergency bridge repairs will begin on the portion of I-49 northbound over the Diversion Canal near mile marker 62 in Rapides Parish. This bridge was struck by an 18-wheeler in December 2025.

In conjunction with these repairs and the current northbound left lane closure, the southbound left lane of I-49 at this location will have intermittent lane closures for the duration of this project.

This emergency repair project consists of pile replacement and related work.

This contract was awarded to C.E.C., Inc. in the estimated amount of $587,000.

Permit/Detour section
There are no detours at this time associated with these lane closures.

Safety Reminder
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Additional Information
Call 511, visit www.511la.org, or download the Louisiana 511 mobile app for additional travel information. Out-of-state travelers may call 1-888-ROAD-511 (1-888-762-3511). Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website at www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MyDOTD, or by visiting the DOTD Facebook and X (Twitter) pages.

The City of Pineville is taking a major step toward revitalizing its riverfront with the Founders Pavilion project. Following a City Council meeting, Mayor Bishop and council members passed a resolution advancing the project into its next critical phases.

The resolution clears the way for final land acquisitions to secure public access and the beginning of construction, including engineering and site preparation. The Founders Pavilion is designed to be a central gathering space for the community, offering live music, events, and scenic views of the Red River.

City officials describe the project as an investment in Pineville’s quality of life and a new centerpiece for the city’s waterfront. The public can view the design vision for the pavilion in an accompanying video shared by the city.

The Alexandria Museum of Art is celebrating the 2026 Gifted and Talented student art winners from across the Rapides Parish School District.

The exhibition showcases the creativity, talent, and imagination of students from kindergarten through 12th grade. The works are now on display in the AMoA Community Galleries through Saturday, Feb. 28.

Winners include:

Kindergarten – 2nd Grade

• 1st Place: Daisy McKay, The Pumpkin Patch, 2025, Mixed media

• 2nd Place: Allie Townsend, Flower Pot, 2026, Ceramic

3rd – 5th Grade

• 1st Place: Ada West, Bumble Bee Bag, Fabric

• 2nd Place: Tatum Bourque, Warning, 2025, Marker on paper

• 3rd Place: Elliot Dunn, Baby Yoda, 2025, Ceramic

• Honorable Mention: Remington Stock, The Gray Elephant, 2025, Mixed media

6th – 8th Grade

• 1st Place: Emmalyn Williams, Mantra, 2025, Oil pastels on paper

• 2nd Place: Rylee Hopkins, Flower Child, 2025, Graphite on paper

• 3rd Place: Alli Howard, The Cardboard Alien, 2025, Acrylics, cardboard, and hot glue on matboard

• Honorable Mentions: Angelle Sims, Mad as the Hatter, 2025, Mixed media; Gisele Prejean, Lily of the Valley, 2025, Charcoal and graphite on paper

9th – 12th Grade

• 1st Place: Evan Phillips, It’s a Big World Outside, 2026, Mixed media

• 2nd Place: Miley Youngblood, Headspace, 2025, Mixed media

• 3rd Place: Natalie Fontenot, Best Friend, 2026, Graphite on paper

• Honorable Mention: Joshua Gray, A Gouda Girl, 2026, Graphite and colored pencil on paper

• Staff Choice: Eleanore Litton, Pinky Promise, 2026, Acrylic on canvas

• Viewer’s Choice: Ada West, Bumble Bee Bag, 2025, Fabric

The museum thanked students, teachers, parents, and judges for making the exhibition possible and invited the community to view the works before the exhibition closes at the end of February.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Feb. 11 

Hunter Clark Beaulieu, 28, Pollock – OWI first offense, careless operation of a vehicle, possession of marijuana, $1,600 bail; 

Tara Juneau, 46, Deville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, two counts contempt of court, $4,500 bail; 

Kevin Dewone Martin, 27, Grambling – Louisiana fugitive, parole violations, possession of marijuana, identity theft, simple burglary, resisting an officer, $16,000 bail; 

Kerri Perkins, 43, Alexandria – two counts contempt of court, $25,500 bail;

Joshua James Pryor, 32, Deville – aggravated domestic abuse battery with child present, $5,000 bail;

John Richard Tyler, 44, Alexandria – two counts issuing worthless checks, parole violations, $77,000 bail;

McKinley Wilton, 60, Alexandria – aggravated assault with a firearm, no bail data.

Feb. 10 

Christopher Devon Braxton, 26, Pineville – 25 counts of intentionally possession pornography involving juveniles, two counts sexual battery, two counts indecent behavior with juveniles, simple kidnapping, $1.525 million bail; 

Devetrick Brown, 20, Pineville – armed robbery, $250,000 bail; 

Alayna Chyanne Carson, 36, Pineville – possession of CDS, obstruction of justice, possession of marijuana, contempt of court, $11,500 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; 

Jake Desoto, 39, Marksville – OWI fourth offense, careless operation, safety belt, intentional littering, Louisiana fugitive, $200,700 bail; 

Joshua Deshon Fraier, 22, Grand Prairie, Texas – speeding, possession of CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, resisting an officer, $4,100 bail; 

Demottria Shundra Fuller, 42, Pineville – three counts possession of CDS, five counts contempt of court, paraphernalia, parole violations, $88,500 bail; 

Quaterrious Lamont King, 43, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, stalking, $20,000 bail; 

Autumn Layssard, 39, Pineville – possession of CDS, three counts contempt of court, $6,500 bail; 

Christopher K. Mayeaux, 39, Pineville – aggravated battery, aggravated assault domestic abuse, $40,000 bail; 

Dwight Edwin Poole, 69, Boyce – simple assault, simple battery, criminal trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of CDS, probation violation, four counts contempt of court, simple escape, $34,000 bail;

Cody Roberts, 32, Deville – four counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, no insurance, improper lane usage, $7,200 bail;

Micah J. Sampson, 24, Pineville – three counts aggravated assault domestic abuse, battery second degree, two counts simple battery, two counts domestic abuse battery, $25,000 bail;

Christopher Deshone Stevens, 25, Alexandria – six counts contempt of court, $25,500 bail;

Askia Waheed Jr., 41, Alexandria – armed robbery, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, resisting an officer, $257,000 bail;

Arthur Jamall Wallace, 36, Alexandria – second degree murder, attempted second degree murder, first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, $3 million bail;

Tammie Janene Whitstine, 50, Alexandria – forgery, $2,000 bail;

Keon Tarez Williams, 31, Alexandria – OWI first offense, contempt of court, $2,000 bail.

Feb. 9 

Quinton James Beard Sr., 42, Lafayette – contempt of court, $20,000 bail; 

Jameson Laird, 18, Elizabeth – criminal conspiracy, theft, $2,500 bail; 

Logan Earl Bonnette, 34, Alexandria – theft, criminal trespass, $25,500 bail; 

Slade Scott Laird, 19, Elizabeth – criminal conspiracy, theft, $2,500 bail; 

Merval Lavalais, 37, Marksville – OWI second offense, improper driving on left, open container, possession of CDS, driving under suspension, two counts contempt of court, $2,500 bail; 

Felisha Ann Oglesby, 39, Marksville – four counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Patrick Carnail Sias Jr., 41, Alexandria – simple robbery, aggravated second degree battery, theft, four counts contempt of court, $22,000 bail;

Eddie Ray Turner, 33, Alexandria – second degree battery, probation violation, contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Melvin Charles White, 40, Alexandria – three counts possession of CDS, six counts contempt of court, probation violation, $10,750 bail.

Feb. 8 

Desmond Dewayne Austin, 38, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, resisting an officer, $5,500 bail; 

Derriontay Mullins, 19, Alexandria – illegal possession of a stolen firearm, possession of marijuana, illegal carry firearm with drugs, unlawful use of body armor, $2,500 bail.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Donald Ray Fountain, who passed away on February 10, 2026, at the age of 85. Born on November 12, 1940, Donald was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and an esteemed member of his community.

Donald was the proud owner of Cenla Timber, a Forestry business that showcased his dedication to the region and contributed to its growth. He served as a board member of the Louisiana Forestry Association, where his leadership and vision were instrumental in guiding the organization towards its goals. A lifelong enthusiast of the great outdoors, Donald found joy in hunting, fishing, traveling, and sitting on the balcony overlooking the gulf, often sharing these cherished pastimes with friends and family.

Above all, Donald cherished his family. He is survived by his wife, Darlene Kastanek-Fountain; children, Cathy Ussery (Blaine) and Keith Fountain (Kelley); step-children, Krista Kastanek-Ellis, Kerry Kastanek, Karen Allen, and Keli Kastanek; grandchildren, Brittany Paulk (Jeremy), Courtney Hakes (Matt), Jordan Blake Shelton (Hadley), Connor Lason Cook (Sydney), and Madeline Brantley Hill (Chris); great grandchildren, Brayden Paulk, Madyson Paulk, Reece Hakes; sisters, Nadine Kessler and Beverly Moore (Larry) and extended family members and friends. His legacy will continue to live on through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of whom he adored.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Armie Fountain and Velva Jenkins, and his first wife and mother of his children, Dianne Fountain, of 56 years.

Funeral services will be held in his honor at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville, where he was a lifelong member, with Dr. Philip Robertson officiating, assisted by his son-in-law, Reverend Blaine Ussery. Burial will follow in Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and will resume on Saturday, beginning at 9:00 a.m. The family invites friends and family to gather to celebrate the life of Donald Fountain, sharing memories and stories that epitomize the love he had for all.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be Jeremy Paulk, Brayden Paulk, Matt Hakes, Reece Hakes, Jordan Shelton, Blake Moore, Brandon Moore, Ken Kessler, Scott Kessler, and Shane Kessler. Honorary pallbearers will be Wayne Ryder and Edward “Easy” Curry.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Buck for his wonderful care; Compassionate Hospice and Leading Home HomeHealth, especially Susan, Tahnee, Laura, Carolyn, Rose, and other special ladies.

The family would like to extend appreciation to everyone for the many calls, prayers, and love. Your compassion did not go unnoticed.

Services for Malcolm Ray Burlew will be held Friday, February 13, 2026 at Deville Church of God with Brother Matt Deville officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Burlew Cemetery, Deville under the direction of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Pineville.

Mr. Burlew, 92, of Deville, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026 in Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital, Alexandria.

Drafted in 1953, he served our country in the Army, helping rebuild communications networks in Germany during the Korean war. After narrowly avoiding a deployment to Korea on the very day the armistice treaty between north and south was signed, he then returned home to Deville, marrying his wife, Carolyn, and they began their lives together. They had two children, Mikey and Mary Ann, and as they lived in their wholesome, small-town way, watched their family grow into what it is today.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Daisy Burlew; his many brothers and sisters, and one son, Mikey “Mike” Burlew.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 71 years, Carolyn Burlew; his daughter, Mary Ann Elliott, and her husband, Jerry; his daughter-in-law, Billie Burlew, as well as his brother, Tommy Burlew. In addition are his grandchildren, Garrett Burlew, Keisha Cross, and her husband, David, and Lanny Dean Burlew; his three great-granddaughters, Lexi Cross, Lybi Cross, and Heather Hudspeth, as well as two great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Garrett Burlew, Troy DeSoto, Dayton Deville, Thomas Burlew, Brian Burlew, and David Cross.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Bomber Whatley, William Burlew, and Lanny Dean Burlew.

By JIM BUTLER 

A stunning genko, a touch of Japanese maple, a surprising leopard plant, an unexpected fountain, a bench in just the right spot, such are nuances of Jeff Carbo’s life work. 

The acclaimed Alexandria landscape architect, one of six graduates among this year’s Bolton High School Hall of Fame inductees, has left his mark on private and public projects close to home and far away. 

A 1978 Bear, Carbo went on to LSU, where he is now a member of the university’s Alumni Hall of Distinction as well as being designated an Art & Design Distinguished Alumni. 

His design work is in evidence at LSU, Louisiana Tech, Alexandria International Airport and other public environments, and commercial and residential projects abound near and far. 

Several years ago he and wife Wendy (they met at LSU) formed GoodWorks, turning their talents to pro bono work for non-profits. 

Thousands of us pass that work daily — Holy Savior Menard High, Our Lady of Prompt Succor School and Church, Bolton Academy, St. Mary’s School, for example — without much thought to what has taken place. 

His professional colleagues, on the other hand, have recognized it, through almost 30 state and national awards since the mid-1990’s. 

Carbo and the other inductees will be honored at a dinner and ceremony on April 24. Tickets for the Holiday Inn Downtown event are available through boltonalumni.org/winfame.

Rapides Parish residents can expect a warm and generally calm stretch through the workweek, with patchy morning fog and mild afternoons, before rain and thunderstorms move in over the weekend.

Wednesday will be mostly sunny, though patchy fog may linger during the morning hours. A slight chance of afternoon showers, around 20 percent, is expected as temperatures climb into the upper 70s. Winds will be light, shifting from west to north by the afternoon. Overnight lows will fall into the lower 50s under increasing cloud cover.

Thursday begins with another round of patchy morning fog, followed by partly sunny skies. Highs will reach the mid-70s, with light east winds turning southerly later in the day. Mostly cloudy conditions continue Thursday night, with lows in the upper 50s.

Friday and Friday night remain mostly cloudy but warm, with daytime highs in the upper 70s and overnight lows near 60. No significant rainfall is expected during this period.

Rain chances increase Saturday as cloudy skies persist throughout the day. Showers are possible in the morning, followed by showers and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Rain chances rise to around 80 percent, with highs in the mid-70s. More widespread showers and storms are expected Saturday night, with rain chances increasing to about 90 percent and lows in the mid-50s.

Conditions gradually improve Sunday, with a chance of morning showers giving way to mostly sunny skies by the afternoon. Highs will be near 70, and rain chances decrease to around 30 percent. Clear and cooler weather settles in Sunday night and continues through Monday, with lows in the upper 40s and highs in the lower 70s.

By Tuesday, mostly sunny skies return, and temperatures warm back into the mid-70s, ending the week on a pleasant note.

(UPDATE 2/10/2026): DOTD advises motorists that the project to repair the bridge along I-49 northbound in Rapides Parish that was impacted by an 18-wheeler in December is scheduled to begin the week of February 16, 2026.

This project is anticipated to wrap up in mid-March 2026, weather and other factors permitting.

This bridge is located approximately one mile north of Exit 61 (Meeker/Turkey Creek). The lane closure that is currently in place will remain so while repair work is underway.

DOTD will issue another update when the repairs are complete and the lane has been reopened.

Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser visited Central Louisiana on Tuesday, making stops in Alexandria and Pineville to meet with local leaders and highlight community initiatives.

During his visit, Nungesser spoke at Alexandria Country Day School, where he addressed the state’s Keep Louisiana Beautiful program and its role in promoting environmental stewardship and community pride.

Nungesser also toured the historic Kent Plantation House, one of the region’s oldest preserved structures, as part of his visit.

Officials from Explore Alexandria/Pineville joined local leaders and stakeholders for a luncheon at The Diamond Grill. During the gathering, Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy and Pineville Mayor Joe Bishop provided updates on ongoing projects and upcoming events in their respective cities.

The visit focused on collaboration among state and local leaders and discussions on future development and community initiatives in Central Louisiana.


As this short Mardi Gras season comes to its liturgical close on Tuesday, the season of Lent begins the following day with Ash Wednesday (February 18, 2026), continues through March and into April, culminating with Easter Sunday on April 5, 2026. At the very start of Ash Wednesday, believers are invited to come through a “drive-thru imposition of ashes” beginning at 7am in the First United Methodist Preschool carline. This is an open invitation to anyone who wants to come through for the imposition of ashes to start their day.



The evening of Ash Wednesday at FUMCA begins with solemn fellowship at The Gathering (5pm) over a simple meal of soup and bread (choice of potato or tomato basil). The meal is $6 per plate for adults (only $18 max per family). Following the fellowship meal, at 6pm, a traditional worship service will be held in the church sanctuary for a formal imposition of ashes, and delivery of the first sermon in the new series “The Prayers that Changed Everything”. This is a good time for first time visitors to come worship with FUMCA and begin the Lenten season with devotion, fellowship, and contemplation. 



The four Sundays of Lent will be celebrated in worship during both morning services, with Grace Life contemporary worship beginning at 8:30am, which includes Holy Communion weekly, and traditional liturgical experience at 11am, offering Holy Communion on the first Sunday of the month. Palm Sunday will offer one blended service at 10am, followed by a family day potluck and Easter egg hunt on the grounds. Later in that same week there will be evening services for Maundy Thursday (6:30pm in the Grace Life fellowship hall) and Good Friday (6:30am in the traditional sanctuary).

Easter Sunday will be celebrated on April 5th in both morning services and will include Holy Communion and confirmations. 

The Prayers That Changed Everything sermon series will trace the life of Jesus through the prayers he embodies at decisive moments, showing how prayer is not escape from suffering but the means by which God’s redemptive work unfolds. The opening sermon begins with a prayer of openness and humility, inviting revelation and awakening as we acknowledge our limits before God. It then moves into the depths of human pain: Jesus’ prayer amid grief reveals divine compassion and resurrection hope; his prayer that embraces the cross teaches surrender to the Father’s will and redefines glory through sacrifice.

Mid-Lent, the focus widens. Jesus’ prayer for unity draws believers into shared mission, sanctification, and truth, while his anguished prayer in Gethsemane faces fear honestly—modeling trust and courage born of submission. From there, the series enters abandonment itself, where Jesus’ cry from the cross names forsakenness and affirms that God fully identifies with human suffering. Holy Week intensifies the story. On Palm Sunday, Jesus’ prayer of forgiveness extends radical grace to a hostile world. Maundy Thursday reveals prayer as embodied service—humility expressed through love and self-giving. Good Friday culminates in total surrender, as Jesus offers everything into the Father’s hands, holding hope even in death.

Finally, Easter Sunday proclaims the prayer that starts something new: resurrection births new life, renewed identity, and a community called to repentance, baptism, and joyful witness.
Taken together, the series presents prayer as the hidden engine of salvation history—opening hearts, carrying grief, uniting the faithful, enduring fear and abandonment, forgiving enemies, serving in love, surrendering all, and ultimately ushering in resurrection and renewal.

Previous and future 2026 sermons can be heard on Spotify at bit.ly/FUMCASpotify or on YouTube at bit.ly/FUMCAYouTube.


Residents have watched as Winn Community Health Center has grown from its 2,000 square foot building with a small client base in July 2009 to a multi-parish, nine-site health service with over 500 employees and last year surpassed its 1 million patient mark.

In the same way they’ve watched as ground was broken in spring 2024 on their Winnfield location between the 5-lane and East Lafayette St. and their spacious three-story building has slowly risen.  It’s an impressive structure that will house the multiplicity of services that will be handed there once opened as well as the management needs of all locations under the umbrella of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana.

CEO Deano Thornton appeared before the Rotary Club of Winnfield and explained he cannot say for sure when the opening date will be, since finishing stages of any project always take longer than hoped.  “But this will be a proud part of this community for years to come.”  Looking at an edifice of this size and cost, he added that “people don’t know what WCHC has sacrificed through the years to get us to this point.”

Trinity opened clinics first in Winnfield then Colfax, Ringgold, Pollock, Ruston, Alexandria, Marksville, Dry Prong and Bossier, with others planned soon.  Their goal from the outset has been to provide quality professional healthcare to patients regardless their ability to pay.  This is vital in a low income area like north-central Louisiana, Thornton said, as some 63% of their 152,000 patients last year were Medicaid, while 11% were Medicare and 3% uninsured.

The speaker walked through a floor-by-floor slideshow of photographs and diagrams, showing what will greet patients as they enter the front door.  The lobby and the building as a whole will have “a very open feel to it.”  The health center is not simply primary care but many different specialty services as well, some of those varying from center to center throughout the Trinity organization.

The first floor will house general medical practices with 22 exam rooms, pediatrics, pharmacy, specialists, behavioral health, chiropractic, a spacious nurses’ station, radiology, labs, a warehouse and lots of office space.  It includes two elevators and an escalator to the second floor.  As big as the building appears from the outside, “it looks twice that size on the inside.”

Thornton explained that patients will be served through the same waiting area whether they arrive for an annual checkup, for behavioral services or other medical needs, thus eliminating worries of stigma issues.  For the children, a glass wall will separate the “sick” from the “well” patients, giving parents peace of mind.  Interactive boards are also installed to occupy the youngsters as they wait.

From the second floor, visitors will be able to look down from the common waiting area into the lobby.  That floor will include physical therapy as well as the dental and oral hygiene departments. 

The third floor will house support and administration for the entire Trinity organization.  Included will be offices for finance, IT, billing, records, company officials, board room, kitchen (there are more than 130 people in the building) plus an employee break room, as on each floor.  Thornton stressed that this does involve a number of people “but I’m old-school and want to hire local people who our clients can actually talk to rather than farm it out to businesses in other parts of the country.  It helps our people and helps our economy.”

There will also be a banquet room on the top floor large enough to seat 100 people banquet-style that can be used for Trinity functions and when the organization wants to host a community event.  He’s proud of the wood-look to many areas of the interior and exterior of the three-story.  “I wanted it to look like it belongs to the community where timber products are so important.”  He noted that TBA Studio is the architectural firm that made this happen, with Winn native Lisa Peddy Frontaura taking the lead role.

He also called attention to the center’s in-house 340D pharmacy serviced by pharmacists Steve Burnam and Chip Little.  The advantage to patients receiving prescriptions from Community Health Center providers is that costs will be based on household income.  He gave an example of a lady who had been paying $225 for one prescription who received the same for only $8 through the center’s pharmacy.

Be sure to watch the Journal for future details on the Grand Opening.

Everyone’s racing to hit the Assumptions button like it’s a reflex… while the big red FACTS buzzer just sits there, untouched.

Cue the game show music. Cue the dramatic pause.

Wrong answer, but thanks for playing.

In real life, jumping to conclusions doesn’t win prizes — it just spreads confusion. Accountability starts when we slow down, check the facts, and resist the urge to react first and think later.

By JIM BUTLER

A sage once said fishing and fiction are inseparable. Yet another offered numbers don’t lie. 

Those observations pretty much summarize the current status of efforts to change sport fishery rules on Saline-Larto. 

The Wildlife & Fisheries Commission at its February meeting took no action on the request from local government after hearing an updated2025 resource report from fisheries biologist Shelby Richard. 

Anglers and their representatives want limits on crappie and bass taken from the sprawling waterway reduced, from 50 daily, no minimum size limit for crappie to 25 and 10” and from 10 daily, no minimum size limit for bass to 8 and 14”. 

Their concern is promoted by apparent numbers of small fish kept by some fishermen and recollections of numbers and size of fish caught in years past. 

Richard told the commission that catch studies show the fish are still there and size is not a big issue. 

He said study results from 2025 found relative crappie abundance at the highest level ever measured. 

Growth rates are slower than the state average but showed improvement, he noted. 

Black crappie catches indicated a large number of smaller fish population. Catch rate of fish 8 inches or longer was comparable to the five-year average. 

White crappie catches indicated a relatively stable count and the highest catch record of 10 to 12-inch fish, Richard reported. 

Bass counts in 2025 were the fourth highest of catch surveys previously conducted in the complex with strong numbers of “stock” fish (8-12 inches).

Age-growth rates were faster than the state average, with the better numbers on the east side of the complex, a combination of water quality and habitat factors.  

State Rep. Mike Johnson, who spoke on behalf of the concerned anglers, said he was encouraged by the findings though they don’t match up with the anglers’ view and said he would further study the findings before drawing conclusions. 

The Commission left open the possibility of revisiting the matter after members likewise have time to study the data. 

• Some of this report was initially published by Louisiana Sportsman. 

Did not expect that the halftime shows would be the most interesting part of the TV coverage of the Super Bowl.

That Seattle vs. New England collision wasn’t one that woke up the echoes going into Sunday night, and it lived up to expectations. If you had New England squares with zeroes, it was a great game.

Relatively few east of the Rockies paid much attention to the Seahawks. Now they’re comparing the defense to the Monsters of the Midway and the Steel Curtain.

It’s a little early for that; need a larger sample size than one Stupor Bowl. Give young Patriots quarterback Drake Maye credit for being accessible and accountable in postgame interviews. He was accurate then.

During the game, not so much. NBC’s Cris Collinsworth caught himself over and over just before he used “pathetic” to describe Maye’s mayday passing display.

This is a player who was seriously considered for the NFL MVP award. He was as out-of-synch as Kid Rock in the pre-taped (he admitted it) Turning Point USA halftime show.

Lip synching is as much a part of the “live performance” music business as gambling is to sports. Doing it well is what matters.

It took 200 words before “Bad Bunny” entered this conversation.

I can’t tell you, first-hand, about either halftime show. I was in the car moving from one vantage point to another. Made that strategic decision before game day.

My blunder? I should have gone to my second half gathering first. There was an epic spread to appreciate at Kent’s new casa on Cane River.

More good choices than effective Seahawks blitzes, and there were plenty of those. Just ask Will Campbell, the poor LSU rookie who was part of the Patriots’ overwhelmed O-line. (Good luck — he wasn’t talking at all postgame. Mama always said, ‘if you don’t have anything good to say, say nothing at all.’)

My biggest gaffe? Not hearing about Gresham’s gumbo until the closing minutes of the game.

I spent the first half elsewhere, in control of a remote, which allowed us to fast forward through three-and-outs to get to the commercials.

Everybody loved the Budweiser “American Icons” spot that showcased a Clydesdale (maybe if one of those was running routes for Maye, New England might have had a shot) befriending a baby bird that turned out to be an eagle.

Other standouts were “Good Will Dunkin” with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jennifer Anniston, Tom Brady and pals; the Pepsi “Choice” spot with the former Coca-Cola polar bear switching favorite brands, and Kurt Russell’s turn with an homage to his portrayal of 1980 USA Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks in “The Ultra Instructor.”

When that one ran, people at my party moved toward the ice chests chanting “Again! Again! Again!”

As an estimated 26 million Americans skipped work Monday, because they did go back for too much, or just because they could, a simple thought arises.

No, it’s not the idea of making the Monday after the Super Bowl a national holiday, although next year’s Supe will happen on Valentine’s Day and the following Monday is some sort of (already declared) federal holiday.

It’s not a new brainstorm, either – just a really smart one.

Why isn’t the Super Bowl on a Saturday night? The teams get a bye week after the conference championship games. Several of the playoff games are on Saturdays. It would not disrupt the American workforce reporting for duty as scheduled.

The TV networks will point out ratings for Saturday night programming are not nearly as strong as Sunday night. Sure, when we’re talking about reruns of some of the network’s regular shows, or an NBA game.

This is the SUPER BOWL. About a third of the country stops what it’s doing to watch. Or to go to a party where the game is on TV.

Besides, it would be one less day we’d have to hear arguments about the halftime entertainment.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com