A group of Louisiana Christian University students visited New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary on Jan. 23, accompanied by Heather Johnson, wife of LCU President Dr. Mark Johnson, and KB Thomas, director of Student Life.

Johnson said the purpose of the trip was to introduce young women to the opportunities in Christian ministry available to them post-graduation in the state. They attended the Women’s Auxiliary luncheon and toured both NOBTS and the on-campus Museum of the Bible and Archeology.

“We want to create opportunities for women who feel called to serve in ministry to process that call through experiences that allow them to see how women are currently serving,” she said.

Students who participated were Melanie Dugas, Mari Manning, Bella McClendon, Abigail Melton, Riley Nickens, Gracie Sonnier and Jeri Vige.

The Women’s Auxiliary is an organization that generates funds for women pursuing theological education.

Johnson served as the keynote speaker for the Women’s Auxiliary luncheon and spoke on “God’s Call, Our Yes,” encouraging students and community members to answer that call and invest in theological education for women. A group of NOBTS students also spoke of their experiences in seminary.

Johnson is an alumna of NOBTS, having earned her Master of Arts in Christian Education, a Master of Theology and a graduate certification in Biblical Studies. She is currently working on a Ph.D. in Christian Education. LCU President Dr. Mark Johnson is also an alumnus of NOBTS, completing his Doctor of Ministry in 2018.

“I wanted our students, especially our young women, to see the opportunities,” Heather Johnson said. “We have so many women serving in so many ways. We really want to make sure our students are aware of the opportunities for graduate degrees and want them to continue to make those connections.”

Thomas said the trip was a wonderful opportunity for her to get to know female students who are feeling a call on their lives.

Vige, a sophomore who is double-majoring in applied biology and Christian studies, said she was encouraged by the Women’s Auxiliary to see women who are NOBTS alumnae, professors’ wives, and others who come together to support future generations of women in ministry.

A highlight of the trip was the visit to the NOBTS Museum of the Bible and Archeology, which includes numerous ancient biblical artifacts. Amy Williams, director of the museum, led the tour and gave the group detailed information regarding the archeological artifacts in the collection.

“It was an unexpected, neat part of the trip,” Thomas said.

To think that the first English translation of the Bible was 500 years ago is something Thomas said she has taken for granted.

“People were persecuted and died for translating the Bible into different languages, and now we can see it on our phones,” Vige said. “How can you doubt God’s faithfulness when you see that?”

By Richard Searles

While the rest of the country saw a spike in layoffs last week, official data from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) shows Louisiana’s labor market is trending in the opposite direction.

The Official Numbers:

1,107: New jobless claims filed in Louisiana for the week ending Jan. 31.

-21%: The decline in state filings compared to the previous week (1,400 claims).

The Big Picture: Nationally, the DOL reported a sharp rise to 231,000 initial claims. While neighbors in Mississippi suffered a 75.4% jump in filings, Louisiana’s stability stands out as a regional outlier.

Why it matters: These “Initial Claims” are the earliest economic signal of layoffs. Louisiana’s drop suggests a strong start to Q1, even as winter storms and a federal government shutdown caused disruptions in other states.

Data Source: U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Weekly Claims Report

By Richard Searles

Louisiana Special Ed Classrooms: Who is Watching?

The Focus: As of February 1, 2026, Act 479 (now codified as R.S. 17:1948) requires at least one camera in every “self-contained” special education classroom in Louisiana. While the hardware is being installed across the state, a report by Verite News highlights a massive gap in oversight: the law mandates recording, but it does not require anyone to actually watch the footage.

The Big Picture:

• The Mandate: Schools must now record both audio and video in classrooms where the majority of students have disabilities. Unlike previous years, where cameras were only installed upon request, Act 479 makes this installation automatic and mandatory.

• The “Blind Spot”: Under the law, footage is generally only reviewed after an incident is reported or a parent makes a formal request. There is no requirement for live, proactive monitoring by school staff.

• The Compliance Gap: Per R.S. 17:1948(D), if a camera is non-functional for more than two consecutive school days, the school must notify parents. However, it remains unclear who is auditing districts to ensure these systems remain turned on and operational.

Why it matters to Parish parents: If your child is in a self-contained classroom, you have a legal right to request a review of the footage if you suspect an incident has occurred. However, time is of the essence: R.S. 17:1948(C) requires schools to retain these recordings for only 30 days (one month) before they can be deleted.

The “Bottom Line”: While proponents say the cameras provide a “silent witness” to protect students and teachers alike, the lack of a centralized monitoring system means the burden of accountability still falls largely on parents to act quickly and speak up.

Seventeen remarkable Class of 2026 high school scholar-athletes from north and central Louisiana, including All-State linebacker Ty Curtis of Buckeye, are finalists for $1,000 college scholarships from The National Football Foundation, S.M. McNaughton Chapter to be presented March 4 in Shreveport.

Additionally, seven highly-accomplished area high school coaches have been cited as finalists for the McNaughton Chapter’s Coach of the Year honor, also to be awarded at the chapter’s annual awards banquet at East Ridge Country Club.

McNaughton Chapter president Toni Goodin made the announcements Thursday following a board meeting. She said nine scholarship winners and the Coach of the Year recipient will be announced later this month.

The scholar-athlete candidates 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.

The group includes 10 from Caddo and Bossier parishes: Abram Anderson of C.E. Byrd, Benton’s Case Austin, Jonathon Baker-Shepard of Plain Dealing, Captain Shreve’s Andre Campbell, Jeremiah Epps of Airline, LaMarcus Harris of Bossier, Loyola’s Hayden Horton, Luke Miller of Calvary Baptist, Von’Travious “Tray” Moore of Booker T. Washington, and Northwood’s Justin Thomas.

More NFF scholar-athlete finalists from the Class of 2026 are Curtis, Luke Delafield of North DeSoto, West Monroe’s Hunter Fox, Tucker Johnson of St. Mary’s, Micah Moser of Ouachita Christian School, North Webster’s Hudson Smith, and Owen Smith of Natchitoches Central.

“We are very proud to recognize these 17 young men as outstanding representatives of their teams, their schools and communities,” said Goodin. “They epitomize the values of academic and athletic excellence along with service and involvement in extracurricular activities.”

Head coaches in the 318 area code were able to nominate seniors for the annual honor.

The McNaughton Chapter’s Coach of the Year candidates are Darrell Barbay of Mansfield, Parkway’s Coy Brotherton, Lee Doty of Sterlington, North DeSoto’s Dennis Dunn, David Franklin of Haynesville, Ouachita’s Benjy Lewis and Scott Surratt of Carthage (Texas).

The McNaughton Chapter has awarded scholarships to senior scholar-athletes since 1981. The Coach of the Year Award has been presented occasionally in the past two decades.

For sponsorship opportunities, chapter membership inquiries and additional  information, contact Goodin at 318nffchapter@gmail.com or by calling 318-347-4453.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions

Feb. 8

Quintella Michelle Benjamin, 37, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, five counts contempt of court, $25,000 bail;

Chadwick Demetruis Minor, 35, Pineville – simple battery, failure to appear, three counts contempt of court, $3,000 bail.

Feb. 7

Akuryon T. Ball, 21, Pineville – domestic abuse battery strangulation, domestic abuse battery pregnant, $3,500 bail;

Luke J. Chevevert, 20, Marksville – OWI first offense, running a stop sign, $1,100 bail;

Kenneth Ray Cole Jr., 49, Pineville – possession of CDS, parole violations, no bail data;

Kedarius M. Daughrity, 31, Lecompte – OWI second offense, improper lane usage, $1,600 bail;

Marty R. Floyd Jr., 46, Oakdale – OWI first offense, open container, driving under suspension, possession marijuana, paraphernalia, $2,200 bail;

Kimble Lee Hunter, 36, Alexandria – possession of firearm by convicted felon, theft, simple escape, $50,500 bail;

William David Johns, 57, Pineville – OWI, improper lane usage, driving too slow, $1,800 bail;

Elvin Ray Lasyone, 28, Deville – second degree battery, no bail data;

Kaely Nachelle Toney, 27, Alexandria – accessory after the fact, no bail data.

Feb. 6

Roy Lee Osteen Jr., 27, Alexandria – two counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, carrying a firearm on school property, concealed negligent carry of handgun, $500 bail;

Justin Ray Parker, 46, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, $3,000 bail;

Damirian Vidale Shorts, 30, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing with intent fentanyl, no bail data;

Marie Tonya Stewart, 50, Alexandria – identity theft, forgery, insurance fraud, $3,000 bail;

Mollie Noel Tabor, 18, Marksville – domestic abuse battery with child present, $3,500 bail;

Keon Jarmac Wilton, 36, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, five counts contempt of court, $185,500 bail.

Feb. 5

Domingus Benson, 45, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing fentanyl and cocaine, possession of paraphernalia, five counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, five counts illegal carry firearm with drugs, parole violations, $300,500 bail;

Hollie Ann Brooks, 31, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, contempt of court, $125,500 bail;

Anthony G. Crochet, 41, Alexandria – OWI fourth offense, obstruction of court orders, obscenity, careless operation of a vehicle, $101,600 bail;

Seth Cullen Dubois, 43, Montgomery – four counts unlawful use of social networking site, Louisiana fugitive, $100,000 bail;

Myron Alin Houston, 28, Plainview – simple burglary, five counts theft, two counts theft of a motor vehicle, two counts criminal conspiracy, three counts criminal trespass, $37,500 bail;

Charvick Contrell Rachal, 35, Alexandria – second degree murder, three counts second degree battery, criminal damage to property, introduction of contraband into penal facility, possession of firearm by convicted felon, parole violations, $151,000 bail.

Feb. 4

Jonathon Ashcraft, 37, Hodge – violation of protective orders, $10,000 bail;

Felton Wayne Dunnam, 62, Boyce – email cyberstalking, stalking, criminal trespass, $20,500 bail;

Corey John Holloway, 36, Pineville – two counts theft, $50,000 bail;

Jada Marie Johnson, 27, Alexandria – seven counts contempt of court, failure to appear, $29,250 bail;

Devon King, 20, Alexandria – unlawful use of social networking site, probation violation, $25,000 bail;

Dakotah Ryan Lebouef, 26, Pineville – five counts contempt of court, $78,000 bail;

Justin Terrell McGraw, 36, Deville – contempt of court, $50,000 bail.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Dennis Dinnat on Friday, February 6, 2026, at the age of 88. He was born on February 3, 1938, Dennis or as many affectionally referred to him as “Doody” touched the lives of many throughout his remarkable journey, leaving behind cherished memories for family and friends.

Memorial services for Doody will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria with Reverend Gene Ortis and Dr. B. David Brooks officiating.

Pallbearers will be Patrick Bryan, Will Dinnat, Jesse Dinnat, Sam Dinnat, Dub Dinnat, and Craig Campo.

The family requests that visitation be observed Wednesday at the church from 12:00 p.m. until time of service.

Doody was often regarded for his friendly demeanor, quirkiness, and unique sense of humor. He was an avid golfer, sportsman, often found on the greens on a lake or in a duck blind.

For many years, Doody proudly served as the voice of the Trojans, bringing energy and enthusiasm to the games that endeared him to sports fans. He was also a beloved member of Calvary Baptist Church, sharing his faith with those around him and contributing to his community in meaningful ways. His family’s roots in the area run deep, as his family owned and operated the original M. Dinnat’s Sanitary Steam Bakery, a beloved local establishment.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Dennis M. Dinnat, Sr. and Louise Harang Dinnat; brother, Louis H. Dinnat; sisters, Virginia D. DeTournillion, and Marcelle D. Campo.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 63 years, Janice Holland Dinnat; sons, Marc Dinnat (Angie), and Joel Dinnat (Lori); daughters, Jennifer Peach (Tom), and Julie Simpson (Michael); grandchildren, Patrick Bryan (Jacie), Will Dinnat (Rachel Berthiaume), Sydney Bryan, Jesse Dinnat (Sophie Wall), Sam Dinnat (Lauren), Abbey Peach, Camille Dinnat (Nick Parker), and Macy Simpson; great grandson, James Dinnat; numerous other family and friends, and beloved cats, Bandit and Nora.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Food Bank of Central Louisiana, Back Pack Program.

Funeral services for Ms. Helen Carraway Layssard, age 92, of Pineville, LA formerly of Springhill, LA will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at Central Baptist Church, Springhill, LA, with Rev. Terry Hughes officiating. Interment will follow in Springhill Cemetery under the direction of Bailey Funeral Home, Springhill, LA.

Visitation will be held Monday, February 9, 2026, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Bailey Funeral Home.

Ms. Layssard was born on April 19, 1933 to Jentry Tee and Katie Maude Thompson Carraway in Sarepta, LA and passed away on Friday, February 6, 2026 in Pineville, LA. She was a lifelong resident of this area and a faithful member of Central Baptist Church. She was a long-time director of the WMU and Sunday School, leader in Church Training, member of the choir, prompter for all of the drama productions, leader of Sunbeams, GA’s, Triple L Club, and was a teacher in the CDC for several years. She worked at Nicks Shoe Store and volunteered at the local hospital and elementary school for many years. In her later years she moved to Minden, LA, and became a resident of Savannah Court Assisted Living where she led a daily Bible study for the residents. When her health declined, she moved to Hilltop Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pineville, LA. Helen enjoyed reading, and often read one book per day. She loved cooking, solving word searches, putting together puzzles, and keeping up with her family and friends on Facebook. Residents of the nursing home referred to her as an Angel on Earth. She will be remembered as a loving sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend.

She is survived by her daughter, Teresa (Tim) Thomason of Alexandria, LA; three sons, Jamey (Janey) Layssard of Alice, TX, Eric (Patricia) Layssard of Taylor, AR, Chris (Resmie) Layssard of Noble, LA; four sisters, Murriel Staton of Haughton, LA, Shirley Kreid of Haughton, LA, Peggy Adkins of Sarepta, LA, Quinnie Martin of Princeton, LA; eight grandchildren, Jentry (Misti) Thomason, Jody (Amber) Thomason, Jennifer Thomason, Joy (Jamie) Rister, Jill (Michael) Abernathy, Jessica (Brian) Gibson, Morgan (Colt) Colvin, Scott Layssard; ten great-grandchildren, Jonah Thomason, Elizabeth Thomason, Cara Thomason, Kate Abernathy, Alexander Abernathy, William Abernathy, Sarah Gibson, James Rister, Jennifer Rister, Julie Rister; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Ms. Layssard was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, James W. Carraway, John Carraway, Ben Carraway; and sister, Irma Staton.

Pallbearers will be Jamey Layssard, Eric Layssard, Chris Layssard, Jentry Thomason, Jody Thomason, and Scott Layssard.  Honorary pallbearers will be Jonah Thomason and Tim Thomason.

The family wishes to express appreciation to the staff at Hilltop Nursing Home and Guardian Hospice for their compassion and care.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church Missions, the church Building Fund or the charity of your choice.

A cease and desist order on outdoor burning has been issued parishwide due to extremely dry conditions and an increase in grass fires, according to Rapides Parish Police Jury President.

The order, dated Feb. 6, 2026, prohibits all private outdoor burning unless permission is granted by the local fire department. The directive took effect immediately and will remain in place until it is officially rescinded.

The burn 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 burning as a generally accepted agricultural practice under the Louisiana Right to Farm Law (R.S. 3:3601 et seq.).

Parish officials urge residents to follow the order to help protect life and property during the current dry conditions.

A fugitive wanted in Ohio for multiple sex crime charges involving young children has been arrested in Rapides Parish after nearly eight years on the run.

According to initial information, the RPSO Special Victims Unit was following up on a complaint of a domestic violence incident that occurred in the Glenmora area last week. When Patrol Deputies arrived on the initial call, the suspect had already left the area and was unable to be located. The incident was turned over to the Special Victims Unit which investigates crimes of domestic violence

During their follow-up investigation, SVU Detectives picked up on several inconsistencies to the identity of the alleged suspect, then identified as Benjamin Moore.

After suspecting the man they encountered may have been a wanted fugitive, SVU Detectives contacted the United States Marshals Service Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force to share their information.

Through their investigation, and with the assistance of the newly formed RPSO Investigative Support Unit, Detectives were able to positively identify the person as Daniel J. Bohatch, 40, of Ohio. The United States Marshals Service-Western District LA Fugitive Task Force, also assisted in the arrest of Bohatch as he had been on their most wanted list since 2018. Investigators in Ohio allege Bohatch committed the sexual offenses against multiple victims younger than 10 and 13 years old between November 2010 and November 2013.

Statement from Sheriff William R. Niemi, Ashtabula County, Ohio –
“This has been an ongoing case for almost eight years, and we appreciate the efforts from the U.S. Marshals Service, the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and everyone involved in the identification and apprehension of Daniel Bohatch,”

Statement from U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott, Norther District of Ohio –
“We have been after this violent sexual predator for many years. I commend the outstanding work by the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office to help crack this cold case, the Western District of Louisiana Monroe Fugitive Task Force for their quick response to apprehend this fugitive, and our newly formed US Marshals led SPEAR Unit investigators for their work to locate this violent sexual offender who has been on the run for nearly a decade,” Elliott stated. “This is the second cold case fugitive our SPEAR Unit has arrested this week alone and they will continue to pursue those wanted no matter how long or how far they run.”

Bohatch was taken into custody without incident, arrested and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center where he remains awaiting extradition back to Ohio.

“Through our continued cooperation with our federal partners, a dangerous sexual predator has been taken out of our community and will be returned to Ohio to face justice” said Sheriff Mark Wood. “We are so proud of the efforts of our Special Victims Unit and our Investigative Support Unit for their hard work in identifying and apprehending this suspect. Working together is key to keeping our citizens safe.”

“ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION.”

Arrestee: Daniel J. Bohatch, 40
Ashtabula County Ohio

Charges: Ohio Fugitive warrants
6 counts rape
3 counts of gross sexual imposition
1 count sexual battery

Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) has set another all-time enrollment record, welcoming 7,728 students for the Spring 2026 semester, an 11.9% increase over Spring 2025. This milestone marks the highest official enrollment in the university’s history and further extends LSUA’s multi-year pattern of sustained growth.

The Spring 2026 increase places LSUA in clear contrast to national higher education trends. According to the National Student Clearinghouse, total U.S. postsecondary enrollment rose by approximately 2% nationwide, while most four-year institutions experienced their customary enrollment declines between the fall and spring semesters. LSUA not only avoided that decline but also posted spring-over-fall growth for the third consecutive year, contributing to its position as one of the fastest-growing undergraduate institutions in the country.

Enrollment growth at LSUA continues to be fueled by strong demand for flexible learning options. Online enrollment climbed to 4,801 students, a 20.5% increase in one year, reflecting strong demand for flexible, career-aligned degree pathways. Over the same period, on-campus enrollment grew by 10.4%, underscoring the strength of LSUA’s campus experience, expanding facilities, and comprehensive student support services.

Students enrolled at LSUA, both online and on campus, represent all 64 Louisiana parishes, all 50 states, and 28 countries, evidencing the university’s expanding reach as an accessible, high-quality public institution serving learners at every stage.

The Pineville Police Department has issued a traffic advisory ahead of the Night of Lights Mardi Gras Parade scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 6.

Main Street will be closed to traffic beginning at 6:30 p.m. to allow for parade setup and public safety measures. The parade is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.

According to police, the parade route will start on Main Street near Hardtner Street and conclude at the entrance to Louisiana Christian University.

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, use alternate routes, and expect traffic delays in the area during the event. Pineville Police thanked the public for their patience and cooperation as officers work to ensure a safe and enjoyable parade for participants and spectators.

The Alexandria Lions Club combined community service and education during its Feb. 3 meeting, assisting with a stuffed animal donation drive for children affected by residential fires while also welcoming a guest speaker from LSUA.

Club members helped the Alexandria Lions Club Branch collect stuffed animals to be donated to the Alexandria Fire Department District 2. The items will be distributed to children who have experienced the loss of their homes due to fires.

The meeting also featured an informative presentation by Brittany Soden, director of the LSUA SPERO Program. Soden was joined by a student scheduled to graduate from the program this year, who shared her personal success story.

The LSUA SPERO Program supports students with intellectual and developmental disabilities by helping them gain independence and participate in a true on-campus college experience.

The Lions Club emphasized its continued commitment to service projects that support both immediate community needs and long-term educational opportunities.

Bezashalom Logistics LLC, headquartered in Alexandria, LA, is seeking a full-time Senior Multi-Country Transportation & Fleet Optimization Driver to operate commercial tractor-trailer vehicles to transport freight on local, regional, and interstate routes originating from Louisiana. Duties include:

• Execute international and interstate transportation of goods with a focus on wave time optimization, RGU (Resource Grid Utilization) prioritization, and stem time implementation. 

• Use advanced fleet analytics platforms (e.g., Geotab, Samsara) to manage routing, performance metrics, and daily logistics. 

• Ensure full compliance with DOT and international regulations. 

• Collaborate on fleet strategy, maintenance scheduling, and scale planning. 

• Maintain delivery logs and performance reports.
  
  

Minimum Requirements: 

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Logistics, Transportation, or related field with a focus on fleet operations, and 24 months of experience in the offered position or in a closely related occupation.

This position further requires: 

1. Experience using fleet management systems such as Geotab or Samsara 

2. Expert Fluency in English language 

3. Must pass DOT physical and drug/alcohol screenings
   
   

Work Location: Boyce, Louisiana.

Work Schedule:  Full-time. Schedule may vary and may include nights, weekends, and holidays based on operational needs.

Wage: $55,224.00 per year. 

How to Apply:

Interested applicants may submit a resume to:
Bezashalom Logistics LLC: Email: Bezashalom@outlook.com.

Kenneth Wayne Peters, age 83, of West Monroe, Louisiana, passed away on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at CHI St. Vincent Hospital in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was born on Wednesday, October 21, 1942 to James Leon Peters and Amy Louise Hosea Peters in Pineville, Louisiana.

Kenneth was a quiet and steady man who cared deeply for his faith and his family, which were always the most important parts of his life. He was a faithful member of Loch Arbor Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher and sang in a quartet. He loved history and found real peace canoeing on the Buffalo River. For more than 30 years he worked as a meat cutter at Leggitt Grocery alongside his father in law Otis Leggitt. He enjoyed Gospel and Country music and took simple pleasure in fishing for blue gill, sharing family cookouts, and drinking black coffee.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia Peters; three brothers, Jimmy Peters, Charles Peters, and Shelby Peters.

Kenneth is survived by his sons and daughters in law, Randy and Shannon Peters of West Monroe, Louisiana, Gary and Tracey Peters of Corpus Christi, Texas, Mark and Jaime Peters of Cove; ten grandchildren, Lacey Peters, Lauren Peters, Blake Peters, Brad Peters, Kayln Peters, Kody Allen, Emma Peters, Audra Peters, Anna Claire Peters, and Carson Balch; a very good friend, Dee Roberts of Cove; several nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.

No services are planned at this time. Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Arkansas.

Online Guestbook: http://www.bowserffh.com

A Celebration of Life for Peggy Daniels Griffith will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 8, 2026, in the chapel of Hixson Brothers Funeral Home of Pineville, with Reverend Mark Breland officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

The family requests visitation be held on Sunday beginning at 10:00 a.m. until shortly before time of services in the funeral home.

Mrs. Peggy Daniels Griffith, 81, of Alexandria, passed from life on Wednesday February 4, 2026, at her home.

Peggy was a member of Esler Baptist Church where she served as Sunday School Director. In her early years, she owned and operated a beauty salon around the Esler Community. Later in her professional career, she was the Assistant Manager of District 8 Federal Credit Union for 26 years. She also served on the Board of Directors until 2023. She had an unmistakable sparkling presence, a generous heart, an elegant flare for style, and a joyful laugh that will be deeply missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Griffith; parents, Wilson and Minnie Duncan; sister, Faye Tison; and granddaughter, Megan Smith.

Those left to cherish her memory include sons, Frederick Smith and Gregory Smith; sisters, Janice Greer and husband Everett “Buddy,” and Brenda “Polly” Watson and husband Richard; grandchildren, Trulee Nowlin, Lacee White and husband, Ben, Sasha Delaney, Chelsea Primeaux and husband Stephen, Regan Miller and husband Turner, Mackenzi LaCoste and husband, Gage; 13 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandsons; her dearest friend “Butch” Ernest Migues, and a host of family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Lance Chauvin, James Guree, Ben White, Turner Miller, Gage LaCoste, and Benjamin Cody White.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Everett “Buddy” Greer, Richard Watson, and Kenneth Paul Nowlin.

Memorials may be made to the Gideons International, P.O. Box 3874, Pineville, Louisiana 71361.

Phonetic: /deləˈtirēəs/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

Rapides Parish Fire District 12 responded to six emergency calls during the month of January, according to the department.

The responses included one structure fire with mutual aid, one grass fire with mutual aid, one fire alarm, one accident with rescue, one equipment fire with mutual aid, and one assist to an emergency medical services agency.

In addition to emergency responses, district members participated in a Fire and Emergency Training Academy class hosted at the department’s station.

District officials thanked volunteer firefighters for responding to emergencies and for their commitment to ongoing training.