Due to power outages caused by last night’s storm, the majority of the Rapides
High School campus is without power. As a result, school has been canceled for
today.

We apologize for this inconvenience and are grateful for the patience and
understanding of parents and guardians as we prioritize the safety and well-being
of our students.

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By JIM BUTLER

GAEDA commissioners will apparently get an update Tuesday on the search for a site to take a step toward a long-time hope becoming a reality.

Thaddeus Dixon, with Latter & Blum, is on the agenda “regarding project sites.”

The project is believed to be the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s discussions with developers proposing to locate a supermarket in South Alexandria, part of a federally designated food desert due to lack of immediate access to supermarket outlet.

The neighborhood can be loosely defined as Lee Street to Willow Glen River Road to I-49 to Lee.

Unsuccessful efforts to attract private enterprise for such date back decades, from the late Ubie Johnson to Israel Curtis Jr. to Johnie Varnado (coincidentally the mother of GAEDA Executive Director Angela Varnado) and other public figures and private citizens.

Now, GAEDA is discussing with EquiHarvest Market locating a 9,000 to 15,000 square feet supermarket in the neighborhood.

Rick Horton and Harlan Victor Jr. have said the market would feature fresh produce, affordable staples and culturally relevant grocery options.

Employees would come from the local labor pool, encouraging workplace development, the company has said.

Development incentives available now that haven’t previously existed lead to renewed interest in such investment.

Also on today’s agenda are two requests for costs assistance:

Up to $30,000 to the Diocese of Alexandria for meals, advertising and marketing for the late June Steubenville South Youth Conference; Up to $7,000 to the Louisiana Animal Control Association for four days of statewide training in July.

And developer Rod Noles will take his oath of office, meaning five of the panel’s seven seats are filled.

The meeting is at 8:30 a.m. at 720 Murray Street.

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The Rapides Parish School Board recognized Rebecca Savoy of J.B. Nachman Elementary Schoolin its weekly Classroom Hero Spotlight.

Savoy, who has nine years of teaching experience, was highlighted for her efforts to empower students by creating a safe and supportive classroom environment where they can grow, become self-reliant, and focus on their strengths.

As part of the spotlight, Savoy also recognized fellow educator Cassandra Wells for her positive impact on students. Wells serves as an Exceptional Student Services teacher for kindergarten and first grade and was praised for her patience and dedication to helping young learners succeed.

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DOTD advises motorists that these emergency repairs are complete and all lanes have been reopened on I-49 over the Diversion Canal in Rapides Parish.

Original notification – 2/11/2026:

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) advises the public that on Monday, February 16, 2026 at approximately 7:00am, 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 $587,000.00.

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.

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Gov. Jeff Landry is pushing to redirect millions from the state’s $300 million TOPS scholarship program toward workforce credential training, citing data showing that only 30% of new Louisiana jobs require a four-year degree.

By the Parish Journals Network Staff

BATON ROUGE — A debate unfolding on the floor of the Louisiana House of Representatives is forcing a long-overdue question about the state’s education funding priorities: Is Louisiana spending its scholarship dollars where the jobs actually are?

The answer, according to Gov. Jeff Landry and a growing coalition of lawmakers from both parties, is a clear no — and the gap is staggering.

Louisiana currently spends approximately $300 million annually on the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, known as TOPS, which funds four-year college degrees at in-state universities. By contrast, the state dedicates just $6 million to vocational and technical students — a 50-to-1 disparity that Landry called “a significant imbalance” in remarks to legislators.

“This is not about choosing one path over another,” Landry told lawmakers. “It’s about respecting every path that leads to work and opportunity.”

The Job Market Picture

The governor’s contention is backed by state workforce data. According to the Louisiana Board of Regents, slightly more than 30% of good jobs in Louisiana require a bachelor’s degree or higher, while slightly more than half of all quality jobs in the state require a community or technical college credential or other postsecondary certification. The workforce majority, in other words, does not require a traditional four-year university education.

Louisiana’s 2024 Workforce Development Report identifies skilled trades — welders, electricians, plumbers and boilermakers — as among the fastest-growing occupations over the next decade, alongside healthcare. Many of these positions carry competitive wages and can be entered through training programs measured in months, not years. As of October 2025, the state reported 115,000 open job positions per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a job openings rate of 5.4% — above the national average of 4.5%. That persistent gap between available workers and available jobs has amplified urgency behind the policy conversation.

Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Susana Schowen has described the situation directly: the state has a significant number of jobs that are critically undersupplied, particularly in health care, information technology, coastal restoration, logistics and industrial construction — none of which consistently require a four-year degree. A growing movement to eliminate what advocates call the “paper ceiling” — degree requirements that screen out qualified candidates — has gained traction in Louisiana state hiring as well, with civil service officials working to open more government positions to skills-based applicants.

TOPS: A Program Under Pressure

Created in 1989 by oilman Patrick F. Taylor, TOPS has been a cornerstone of Louisiana higher education for more than three decades. It covers a significant share of tuition at public colleges for students meeting GPA and ACT thresholds. The Board of Regents reports that TOPS recipients complete degrees at higher rates and in less time than peers without the scholarship — a genuine success story.

But the program faces structural strain. Award amounts remain frozen at 2016–2017 tuition rates and have not kept pace with rising costs. A 2025 legislative session proposal by Rep. Chris Turner of Ruston, House Bill 77, sought to update those amounts and add a new top-tier “Excellence Award,” but the estimated $30 million to $50 million annual price tag proved difficult to absorb amid a tight budget year. The share of eligible students choosing to accept TOPS awards has also declined for a decade, raising questions about the program’s long-term reach.

The MJ Foster Promise Program: A Different Bet

In contrast to TOPS, the M.J. Foster Promise Program is the state’s primary financial aid vehicle for workforce-aligned credentials. Named for former Gov. Mike J. Foster, it supports Louisiana residents 19 and older pursuing associate degrees or short-term credentials in construction, healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and transportation and logistics.

In its second year, the program served 3,038 students at a total cost of $10.5 million. Nearly half of recipients were 30 or older, and nearly 65% earned less than $28,000 annually before enrolling — reflecting its role as a genuine economic mobility tool for working-class Louisianans. Demand has already outpaced funding: the initial allocation ran out in December, six months before fiscal year end, prompting a mid-session $7.5 million supplement. The Board of Regents has since requested lawmakers double the program to $21 million. Gov. Landry’s proposed budget requests an additional $14.5 million, which would more than triple the state’s current $6 million vocational commitment.

Bipartisan Support, Real Disagreements

The governor’s push has drawn rare cross-aisle support. Sen. Royce Duplessis and Rep. Shaun Mena, both New Orleans Democrats, voiced backing for expanding Foster Promise, with Duplessis acknowledging that four-year degrees are not the only path to well-paying careers.

“Overall, the issues he chose to highlight are ones we all want to address,” Duplessis said. “We just might have some differences in how to do that.”

Those differences are real. TOPS is politically entrenched, and universities — particularly LSU, with approximately 10,000 TOPS-funded students, and a budget-strained University of New Orleans — have grown dependent on the program. House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Jack McFarland of Jonesboro framed the challenge succinctly: “Before we go and we commit ourselves to more, I think we need to address what we currently have in front of us.” With lawmakers simultaneously trying to avoid K–12 teacher pay cuts, any new spending commitment carries a steep political price.

What Comes Next

TOPS is not on the chopping block. The program’s graduation outcomes are genuine, and its political constituency is deeply rooted. But the question of whether $300 million in annual scholarship spending should remain so heavily concentrated in four-year degree pathways — while vocational and technical students share just $6 million — is no longer a fringe debate. It is the central question on the House floor.

Gov. Landry’s framing places the legislature in the difficult position of defending a funding structure that Louisiana’s own workforce data does not easily support. How lawmakers resolve that tension this session — and whether the Foster Promise Program receives the investment its early enrollment numbers suggest it merits — will have lasting consequences for how Louisiana prepares its workforce.

For residents pursuing careers as electricians, welders, healthcare workers, process technicians and industrial maintenance workers — the occupations the state’s own projections consistently identify as most in demand — the stakes of getting this balance right are substantial.

Editor’s Note: This article is produced by the Parish Journals Network, which covers communities across Northwest and Central Louisiana. Information is drawn from floor proceedings of the Louisiana House of Representatives, the Louisiana Board of Regents, the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Louisiana Illuminator.

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Louisiana Christian University alumnus and Sports Hall of Famer Mattie Stine stepped into the role of head softball coach this season, and she said the most important wins have happened off the field.

“While the title has changed, my heart has not,” Stine said. “My goal has always remained the same: to love these young women well and to keep Christ as the foundation of everything we do.”

Before taking the head role, Stine served as associate head coach from 2023–2025, assistant coach from 2021–2022, and hitting instructor during the 2019–2020 season. At Hackberry High School, she was part of four state championship teams, and as an LCU student-athlete she earned multiple regional and conference honors while leading the team in batting average (.412), hits (49), and RBIs (26). She graduated in 2018 with a degree in social studies education and is now pursuing a master’s in sports ministry through Liberty University.

Stine, inducted into the LCU Sports Hall of Fame in 2024, credits the late coach Jay Barber — who died Jan. 6 — with establishing the program’s faith-centered foundation.

“He showed me what it looks like to put Christ first in a program,” she said. “I carry that foundation with me every day.”

Each week, the team reads and discusses Bob Goff’s Everybody, Always — intentionally not a softball book.

“Softball becomes the setting, but the greater goal is shaping servant-hearted leaders,” Stine said. “If our players leave this program understanding how to serve, extend grace, and love others well, then we’ve accomplished something far more meaningful than a win.”

The team currently sits at 8–9, with 10 of 17 games against nationally ranked opponents, including a win over No. 24-ranked Rio Grande.

Player Katelyn Carpenter said Stine’s influence extends well beyond the diamond. “Because of Coach Stine, I feel more confident on the mound and understand that failure is part of the process.”

LCU President Dr. Mark Johnson called Stine a true servant-leader. “Her heart for God, her love for our student-athletes, and her understanding that leadership begins with service reflect the very values that define LCU,” he said.

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

LAKE CHARLES – Northside knew it, and hoped it could be a motivational advantage.

Peabody knew it, and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame coach Charles Smith was not about to let history matter Saturday.

The Warhorses had plastered the upstart Vikings twice already this season heading into Saturday’s state championship game in Select Division II. Peabody was the No. 2 seed and the Lafayette-based school was the longest shot in the entire field reaching Marsh Madness, coming in with a 12^th seed.

Dec. 27, it was Peabody 78, Northside 39. Two weeks later, it was Warhorses 80, Vikings 56.

But Northside had stunned the No. 1 seed, Madison Prep, 65-61 in the semifinals Wednesday while Peabody was pushing by Washington-Marion 52-48. So Smith had a very direct message for his young team before tipoff Saturday afternoon at Burton Coliseum.

“We had played them twice this year,” he said, “and beat them handily, so the main thing was to get the guys focused, to let them know, ‘this is a different game. This game here is for all the marbles.’

“They came out focused,” smiled Smith after Peabody polished off an 82-61 romp to capture the school’s 11^th state title, the 10^th with Smith as head coach, and the second in three years.

The win came over a Peabody alumnus. First-year Northside coach Troy Jones played on the Warhorses’ state champion teams in 2010 and 2012.

“Peabody is a well-coached team and a well-rounded program,” said Jones. “Those guys came out and played.”

It completed an unlikely championship season for the youngest roster Smith has guided to a crown. Peabody finished 31-1 and made its last outing a stylish one.

Peabody took control with a 22-13 second-quarter bust into a 36-25 halftime advantage – then overpowered the Vikings (21-11) with a 46-point second half, including a 30-point third period.

They put it away in the middle of the third, going on an 11-2 run into a 51-30 lead.

Hard to say what was more lethal – Peabody’s 53 percent shooting, or its defense that held Northside to 31 percent aim. Smith, however, had no qualms what mattered most.

“They played great defense, which has carried us all year. The guys just played extremely well, and I am extremely proud of them,” he said.

Senior Devontre Sword led the way with 20 points, including 12 on 3-pointers (making 4 of 9). Freshman Corey Blake Jr. scored 16, senior Malachi Anderson 13 and Connor Rosenthal added 10. All 11 Warhorses got into the contest.

Nine are back for more next season. But that was far from Smith’s mind in the afterglow. He was impressed with his team’s approach, not only Saturday, but every day this winter.

“I knew we were going to have a good team, but I never thought we would contend for a state championship,” said the 76-year-old coach. “But these guys got better every game, every practice, and we came together as a family. That’s the key. We played as a team, we picked each other up.”

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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LANGSTON, Okla.  – The Louisiana State University of Alexandria men’s basketball team fell in overtime to Eastern Oregon, 89-78, Friday night in the NAIA National Championship First Round.

“Good win by Eastern Oregon,” LSUA coach Dimario Jackson said. “They brought it to us in the second half and we didn’t respond. However, good season by our guys. Super proud of our seniors for battling this year.” 
The Generals (23-9) led for 33:20 over the course of regulation, but the Mountaineers found a rhythm late in the second half. In overtime, they outscored LSUA 22-11. 
Jordan Decuir led the Generals with 20 points, while E.J. McQuillan recorded 18. Courtney McCarthy also finished in double digits with 15 points.

James Bodily came off the bench and recorded a game-high 30 points for the Mountaineers (22-8), who were eliminated Saturday night 86-59 by subregional host Langston.

The Mountaineers held a 48-34 advantage over LSUA in rebounds, including a 15-5 differential in rebounds off the offensive glass. They scored 15 points on second chances.

The Generals led 67-64 with 48 seconds to play in regulation when a three-point play from EOU tied the game at 67-67 and sent the game into overtime.

LSUA did not record a basket for the first 3:58 of overtime, recording just three points off free throws. By the time McCarthy notched the Generals’ first overtime basket, Eastern Oregon was out to an 83-72 lead.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

March 15

Joshua K. Early 45, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $15,000 bail;

Linda Darnell Henderson, 52, Alexandria – OWI first offense, no head light, no driver’s license, expired MVI sticker, $1,300 bail;

Tyson Andrew Theriot, 46, Monticello, Ark. – OWI first offense, wrong way down one way, $1,100 bail.

March 14

Dominque D’Quan Bradley, 23, Boyce – OWI first offense, tail lamps red light, $1,100 bail;

Sasha Byrd, 41, New Orleans – Louisiana fugitive, criminal trespass, theft, $1,000 bail;

Olivia Anne Duplechein, 22, Pineville – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Ashley Danielle Dupre, 28, Leesville – OWI first offense, running a stop sign, open container, driver’s license not in possession, $1,300 bail;

Johnny Ray Evans, 62, Pineville – three counts contempt of court, $125,000 bail;

Dexter Demond Hall, 45, Lecompte – OWI first offense, driver’s license not in possession, improper lane usage, $1,200 bail;

Aaliyha Jarney Mitchell, 22, Cheneyville – domestic abuse battery with child present, seven counts contempt of court, $65,500 bail.

March 13

Brandon Marcus Benjamin, 42, Alexandria – second-degree battery, two counts contempt of court, $160,000 bail;

Victor Glen Dauphiney Jr., 30, Alexandria – two counts possession of a firearm by convicted felon, manufacture transfer possession of machine gun, illegal carry firearm with drugs, illegal possession of stolen firearm, possession of marijuana (fourth/subsequent), contempt of court, $248,500 bail;

Daniel Eleazar, 23, Alexandria – second degree battery, $25,000 bail;

Billy Joe Foster, 48, Alvin, Texas – theft, $10,000 bail;

Bobby Wayne Howard II, 56, Deville – two counts child sexual abuse materials with victim under 17, $500,000 bail;

Taretta Shavokka Manning, 47, Pineville – possession of heroin, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, contempt of court, $4,000 bail;

Jaylin Thompson, 17, Alexandria – legend drug possession sale, false communication with intent to cause emergency response, $10,500 bail;

Desmon Marquis Williams, 29, Alexandria – unauthorized entry into inhabited dwelling, three counts burglary of inhabited dwelling, parole violations, resisting an officer, $100,000 bail;

Kayla Leigh Wooten, 39, Alexandria – two counts second degree murder, two counts attempted second degree murder, attempted aggravated criminal damage, three counts contempt of court, $1.505 million bail.

March 12

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

Savannah Brianne Bloodsworth, 30, Pollock – OWI first offense, open container, $1,100 bail;

Rebecca Leann Duncan, 47, Dry Prong – exploitation of the infirmed, identity theft of person 65 years or older, $30,000 bail;

Donald Ray Garrett Jr., 32, Pineville – second degree murder, probation violation, $250,000 bail;

Ryan Lance Hamilton, 40, Colfax – five counts contempt of court, $15,000 bail;

Ladarius Dayquan Hicks, 28, Pineville – four counts attempted second degree murder, probation violation, contempt of court, $1.6 million bail;

Eric Duane Johnson, 58, Marksville – two counts possession of CDS, headlamps required, $3,100 bail;

Dejon J. Sampson, 33, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, $15,000 bail;

Kennyn Latrell Trotter, 20, Alexandria – home invasion, $10,000 bail;

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

Dustin Aulbrey Wages, 41, Pineville – three counts create distribute or possess with intent counterfeit CDS, $30,000 bail;

Willis Edward White II, 28, Alexandria – identity theft of victim 65 years or older, exploitation of the infirmed, $30,000 bail.

March 11

Kamron Anderson, 18, Alexandria – attempted second degree murder, parole violations, $500,000 bail;

Janet D. Baldwin, 50, Hineston – possession of CDS, probation violation, $1,500 bail;

Tyland Darone Braden Sr., 37, Natchitoches – possession of CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, six counts Louisiana fugitive, $2,000 bail;

Kacy Lane Brouillette, 44, Center Point – possession of CDS, red light tail lamps, $1,600 bail;

Brody Neil Dauzart, 28, Pineville – domestic abuse battery strangulation, resisting an officer, $50,500 bail;

Timothy Mathew Johnson, 33, Center Point – OWI first offense, driving under suspension, driving on shoulder, $825 bail;

Addie Elizabeth Marron, 43, Pineville – theft, contempt of court, $25,000 bail;

Sean Tyler White, 30, Pineville – driving under suspension, reckless operation, violation of protective orders, two counts contempt of court, $275,600 bail;

Eric Bernard Winn Jr., 35, Pineville – aggravated assault domestic abuse, aggravated criminal damage, domestic abuse battery, criminal trespass, six counts contempt of court, $95,000 bail.

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Northwestern State University hosted over 1500 high school students, faculty sponsors and families from 38 schools from throughout the region for the Northwest Louisiana Literary Rally, Saturday, March 14. The Louisiana High School Rally, an academic competition held throughout the state since 1909, with the regional competition being held at NSU since the 1960’s, is an academic competition in which high school students compete by taking exams in a variety of subjects taught in high school. The Northwest Louisiana Rally held at NSU features different tests ranging from Agriscience to Calculus. Rapides parish was ably represented by students from ASH, Bolton, Rapides High, Northwood-Lena and Glenmora. 

ASH earned a second-place finish in the Rally’s always competitive Division I. Rapides High School tied Winnfield High for a third-place finish in Division III. Glenmora took top honors in Divion IV with Northwood-Lena earning a third-place finish. Bolton continued its phenomenal decades long winning tradition with a first-place finish in Division V. Individual students who earn qualifying scores on their test or performance will advance to compete at the state literary rally at LSU in Baton Rouge on April 18.

Hard working teachers raising our young people’s sights and encouraging academic excellence are an integral part of our schools’ mission that all too often goes unrecognized. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for the hours of hard work, dedication and belief in your students’ abilities. Lastly, the Rapides Parish Journal wishes all the best to our parish’s students who will go on to represent Rapides parish at the state rally in Baton Rouge. Well done!

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Funeral services celebrating the life of Cody Collins will take place on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at 11:00 am at Gallagher Funeral Home. A time of visitation will take place prior to services at the funeral home from 9:00-11:00 am. Burial will follow at Malone Cemetery in Ball under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home.

Cody Lane Collins, age 41, passed away on March 12, 2026. He was born in Pineville, Louisiana, to his parents, William “Bill” Darvis Collins and Kim Marie Collins.

Cody is preceded in death by his daughter, Destiny Collins; mother, Kim Hall Collins; and brothers, Jefferey Hall and Brian Collins.

Those left to cherish his memories are his children, Blane Collins, Ethan Gillette, Remington Carter, Emma Collins, Madison Carter, and Caitlyn Jowers; father, Bill Collins; brothers, Patrick Panzica (Melony) and Casey Collins (Lacy); and sisters, Rebecca Walker and Melissa Perry (Jimmy).

Cody was known by many as “Uncle Fat Duck,” a nickname given to him by those who loved him most. He was a free-spirited man who lived life his own way and brought laughter and energy wherever he went.

Cody loved the outdoors and spent much of his time fishing and hunting. He enjoyed listening to old country music and riding fast motorcycles down the open road. He was a hardworking man who took pride in working with his hands, doing construction work and cutting trees. Cody was never afraid of hard work and enjoyed staying busy.

Those who knew Cody will remember his loud laugh, his sense of humor, and the way he loved to sit back with a cold beer, laughing and cutting up with friends and family.Being around the people he loved meant everything to him. Above all, Cody loved his family deeply, and nothing made him prouder than being a father.

Toward the end of his life, Cody fought a hard and courageous battle with cancer. Even through that difficult time, his strength and spirit remained evident to those who stood beside him.

Though Cody’s time on this earth was far too short, the love, laughter, and memories he shared will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. In the quiet of a fishing line cast across the water, in the sound of an old country song, or in the laughter of family gathered together, Cody’s spirit will always be there.He will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you.

Not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

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Patrick Anthony Alexander Felix, Sr., born on May 5, 1965 in Manhattan, New York, has left a void in the hearts of many with his passing on March 11, 2026. Known for his wit and intelligence, Patrick was a patch line lead in the timber industry with Roy O. Martin, a role that he performed with diligence and pride. He was a loner by choice, preferring the company of a good book and the warmth of an adult beverage. An ardent sports enthusiast, his loyalty to any team representing New York was unwavering and passionate.

Patrick, however, was not just a smart and witty man, he was a devoted father and a doting grandfather. He is survived by his children Ashley Felix of San Diego, California, and Patrick Felix Jr. (Ayataha) of Dallas, Texas. He also leaves behind his daughters Chelsey Felix, Jasmine Felix, and Destiny Felix, all residing in Alexandria, Louisiana. Patrick’s legacy continues to thrive through his eight grandchildren, each of them a testament to his loving heart.

Preceded in death by his father, Alexandre Felix, and his mother, Edridge, Patrick’s life was a testament to resilience and individuality. He lived his life on his terms, carving out his own path in the world. Despite his solitary nature, Patrick’s impact on those around him was profound, a testament to the man he truly was.

We invite all those who knew Patrick to share their memories and upload photos to his memorial page. Each shared memory is a tribute to a life lived fully, a testament to a man who, in his unique and quiet way, touched the lives of those around him. Let us remember and celebrate Patrick Anthony Alexander Felix, Sr., a man who lived life on his terms and left an indelible mark on those who knew him.

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By JIM BUTLER

After going back to the drawing boards LSU Alexandria is again seeking offers for building its Health Services Center in downtown Alexandria.

Bids will be received until April 16 with a pre-bid conference on April 2.

The state Office of Facility Planning & Control rejected three bids in December.

Disregarding alternates to the base project, Ratcliff Construction bid $35.1 million, Pat Williams Construction $36.57 million and Rudick Company $37.5 million. 

According to specifications noted before the bids, base estimated cost was $31.34 million.

Budgeted funding is $32 million, a combination of state funds, City of Alexandria appropriation and private contributions.

Records indicate Value Engineering on the project is completed.

That is a procedure for seeking alternates to initial specifications that can reduce costs or improve performance without compromising quality or function.

Final review process by the state, critical in capital outlay projects, readies the job for bid.

The 70,000-square feet facility at Jackson & 10th Streets will house all the university’s nursing and health-related programs. 

Records indicate that renovations to the A.C. Buchanan Building, donated by Rapides Regional as part of the Center project, are underway as is design for related HVAC and electrical systems.

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The Rapides Parish School Board has released the official graduation schedule for the Class of 2026 across the parish.

Ceremonies will take place at several campuses and venues throughout May as seniors celebrate the completion of their high school careers.

Graduation dates and locations are as follows:

• Rapides Training Academy — May 6 at 10 a.m., RTA Campus
• Peabody Magnet High School — May 18 at 7 p.m., Laborde Earles Coliseum
• Northwood High School — May 12 at 7 p.m., Northwood Auditorium
• Plainview High School — May 14 at 6 p.m., Plainview Gymnasium
• Glenmora High School — May 15 at 6 p.m., Glenmora Gymnasium
• Oak Hill High School — May 15 at 6 p.m., Oak Hill Auditorium
• Tioga High School — May 15 at 7:30 p.m., Tumey-Ingram Stadium
• Pineville High School — May 15 at 7 p.m., Laborde Earles Coliseum
• Buckeye High School — May 16 at 11 a.m., Laborde Earles Coliseum
• Bolton Academy — May 18 at 7 p.m., Bolton Auditorium
• Rapides High School — May 18 at 7 p.m., Rapides Auditorium
• Alexandria Senior High School — May 19 at 7 p.m., Laborde Earles Coliseum

School officials said they look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 as students prepare to take the next steps in their academic and professional journeys.

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Why rural communities deserve facts and honest debate about carbon capture and storage:

I am a small-business owner in Vernon Parish trying to keep my doors open and raise a family in the community I love.

Few issues facing rural Louisiana right now carry bigger consequences for communities like ours than carbon capture and storage.

Some see it as a dangerous experiment being forced on rural parishes. Others see it as an opportunity to bring jobs, stabilize struggling industries, and reverse the population decline many rural communities have experienced for decades.

Representative Charles Owen recently wrote that there are a “litany of unanswered questions” surrounding carbon capture and storage.

On that point, he is right.

There are important questions. But the reason many remain unanswered is not because answers do not exist. It is because the geologists, engineers, and industry professionals who understand the science are often shouted down before the conversation can even begin.

Major decisions that affect the future of our communities deserve more than headlines, rumors, or social media posts. They deserve careful review of the facts and the willingness to listen to people who actually understand the science and economics involved.

And when fear becomes the loudest voice in a discussion, something unfortunate happens.

The very voices we need to hear from become silent.

Representative Owen compared carbon dioxide to weed killer and suggested it should be viewed as a poisonous or carcinogenic substance.

That comparison deserves clarification.

Carbon dioxide is not classified as a poison, and it is not classified as a carcinogen.

It is also already woven into daily life. CO₂ is used in medical manufacturing, fire suppression, agriculture, refrigeration, welding, food preservation, beverage carbonation, and water treatment. It is part of the air in every breath we take; it helps preserve many of the foods we eat, and for many people it is literally in the soda they drink.

The United States has transported carbon dioxide by pipeline for more than 50 years. Today there are over 5,000 miles of CO₂ pipelines, and during those decades there have been no recorded deaths from CO₂ pipeline transportation or injection.

Even the well-known pipeline rupture in Satartia, Mississippi — while serious and deserving investigation — resulted in no fatalities.

Two concerns often raised are that a leak would contaminate soil or drinking water.

Drinking water protection is central to the regulatory process. Class VI wells inject CO₂ thousands of feet below drinking water sources into deep rock formations sealed by thick layers of impermeable caprock — essentially a natural underground lid that fluids cannot pass through.

These same formations have naturally trapped oil and gas underground for millions of years.

CO₂ also does not contaminate soil the way chemicals do. It is part of the natural carbon cycle that plants use to grow, and soil itself releases carbon dioxide as organic material breaks down.

Representative Owen has suggested enhanced oil recovery is acceptable, but sequestration is not. But enhanced oil recovery already works by injecting CO₂ underground — and after the oil is produced, much of that carbon dioxide remains trapped in those formations permanently.

If carbon capture were truly a scam, environmental groups would not oppose it so strongly. Many oppose it precisely because it allows industries like oil, gas, and LNG to continue operating while reducing emissions.

And Louisiana sits at the center of that debate. As one of the nation’s largest energy-producing states, what happens here matters. If carbon capture works in Louisiana, it strengthens the future of American energy.

I know these things not because I read a headline, but because I set aside what I thought I knew and started asking questions of the people who work with this science every day.

Growth rarely comes from a place of comfort. But discomfort forces us to learn and search for better answers.

I am a small-business owner in Vernon Parish trying to keep my doors open. I am also a parent with children in our local schools — one of which could face closure if population trends continue.

That is the math our parish is already living with.

Without the economic impact of Ft. Polk, nearly 58% of Vernon Parish households fall into the ALICE category — families who work hard yet still come up about $5,000 short of the cost of living here.

They earn too much to qualify for assistance, but not enough to make ends meet.

Those families are not statistics. They are our neighbors.

Programs like the federal 45Q tax credit are often criticized as government spending, but they work differently. Companies only receive those credits if they are operating, employing people, and safely storing carbon dioxide.

If Louisiana chooses not to pursue these opportunities, the credit does not disappear. Our tax dollars will still fund the program — the difference is that the jobs and investment will go to states like Texas instead of communities like ours.

At the same time, our forestry economy is under tremendous pressure. When markets disappear, forests go unmanaged, disease spreads, and wildfire risk increases as timber grows overcrowded.

The proposed Class VI well would allow projects like Highland Pellet and Beaver Lake Renewables to locate in our region, supporting more than 1,000 jobs while purchasing roughly 500 additional truckloads of timber each day from Central Louisiana’s timber basket.

Without healthy markets, landowners may eventually clear forests for other development or solar projects. But when timber markets exist, forests are thinned, land remains productive, and rural jobs stay local.

The real question for rural Louisiana is simple: which future makes more sense for our communities?

When jobs disappear, families leave.

When families leave, schools lose students — and the difficult conversations about consolidation begin.

We invest years educating our children, but when opportunity disappears, those same young people often must leave to build their careers somewhere else.

Louisiana helps educate them — and other states benefit from the talent we lose.

Representative Owen and I both care deeply about the future of our communities. We may not be as far apart as it sometimes feels.

But the stakes for rural Louisiana are too high to allow fear, rumors, or division to guide the outcome.

The future of our parish — and rural Louisiana — deserves to be decided by facts, careful consideration, and the shared desire to do what is right for the people who call this place home.

Robert Haymon is a small-business owner in Vernon Parish.

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The City of Pineville Parks and Recreation, in collaboration with the Mayor’s office, is making updates to enhance accessibility at Kees Park.

Officials acknowledged that the current handicap entrance was outdated and originally designed for a different section of the park. To improve access, all park entrances will be relocated to the main entry, which is fully handicap accessible.

Future improvements will also include upgraded parking facilities and updated signage. City leaders emphasized that these changes are part of ongoing efforts to ensure that parks are welcoming and accessible to all community members and visitors.

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports 

LAKE CHARLES — Troy Jones helped Peabody’s Warhorses win two of the school’s 10 state championships, but Saturday he will try to prevent another one. 

Jones, a former Peabody standout, is the first-year coach at Lafayette’s Northside High School. The Vikings are the 12th seed in the Select Division II playoff bracket, the longest shot at this week’s LHSAA Marsh Madness boys state basketball championships. 

But they stunned top-seeded Madison Prep Wednesday 65-61 in a massive semifinal upset to reach Saturday’s 2 p.m. state final at Burton Coliseum — the 17th state championship game in Peabody history. 

The second-seeded Warhorses (30-1) earned their berth a couple hours later by rallying for a 52-48 semifinal victory over third-seeded Washington-Marion, ending the game on a 10-1 run and blanking the Charging Indians for the final two-plus minutes. 

So Saturday, every Peabody alumnus but one will be rooting for coach Charles Smith to capture his 10th state title. Jones will be on the other bench trying to make history with his upstart Vikings (21-10) — and Smith could hardly be more proud. 

“He was special. He won two state championships for me. I’ve got to stop him from winning a third,” Smith said in the wake of Peabody’s semifinal victory. “But I am very proud of this guy. 

“He did a tremendous job against a great program, Madison Prep. Troy had his guys prepared. They believed in him, as a first-year coach, and he believed in them as players. That’s what it’s all about. I believe in our young men, and we’re going to continue to fight.” 

The Warhorses had to battle to prevail over Washington-Marion, which had a hometown crowd of about 3,000 cheering their favorite sons against Peabody. 

Senior Devontre Sword scored 19 points, 16 in the first half, while freshman Corey Blake contributed 13, including three pivotal 3-point baskets after halftime. The Warhorses’ other senior, Malachi Anderson, made a vital blocked shot with 50 seconds left that allowed Peabody to take possession and wind down the clock with a 49-48 before junior Connor Rosenthal drained a couple of free throws and junior Kalen Eddie added one, sandwiched around a defensive stop. 

Peabody’s Smith was enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024 and ranks fifth all-time on the national list for high school boys basketball coaching victories with nearly 1,250. 

With only two seniors and two freshman starters on an 11-man roster, this is the youngest team Smith has coached in his Peabody career that began when he took over as head coach in 1985.

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LANGSTON, Okla. – The fifth-seeded Louisiana State University of Alexandria men’s basketball team enters the NAIA National Championship First and Second Round subregional tonight at 7 against 12th-seeded Eastern Oregon, hoping to move forward through the weekend to the national tournament’s Sweet 16 in Kansas City.

This weekend’s host, Langston, is the fourth seed in the 16-team regional bracket. The Lions (24-7) meet 13^th-seeded Bethel (19-12) today and the winners play Saturday night for a trip to KC’s legendary Municipal Auditorium. 
The Generals advanced to Kansas City and reached the NAIA Round of Eight last season.

This year’s LSUA team finished second in the Red River Athletic Conference after going 18-4 during conference play. The Generals are 23-8 overall and will meet a 21-8 Eastern Oregon squad tonight.

The Generals’ E.J. McQuillan earned first team All-RRAC honors after leading the RRAC with a 20.5 points per game average. He recorded a team-high 74 assists and knocked down 40 percent of his shots, including 38.6 from long range. He shot 82.9 percent on free throws.

Jordan Decuir contributes 15.1 points per game. T.J. James led the Generals in rebounding, hauling in 240 boards – averaging 8.0 per game.

LSUA and Eastern Oregon have never played each other. This is the Mountaineers’ first trip to the NAIA Championship since 2022-23.

The Langston Lions have made an appearance in the NAIA tournament for the last four seasons.

LSUA is 10-2 all-time against the Lions. Eight of those games came when Langston was a member of the RRAC. The two have not met since the 2017-18 season.

LSUA met Bethel early in the regular season when the Wildcats recorded a 90-83 win over the Generals.

 

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