Remembering on Memorial Day a note found in a Cokesbury Hymn Book decades ago:

“David and ——— sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g” it read, and I realized David Coker’s situation no different than mine — we each had three sisters and such teases were not uncommon.

The Butler siblings attended Trinity Methodist Church at Chester & Paris streets, as did David, Judy, Donnie Sue and Ginger.

David and I weren’t pals — he was a Boy Scout, quiet, respectful and really bright; I leaned in the opposite direction.

But we both had those sisters who sometimes aggravated us, other times encouraged us, and helped shape us.

Two years older, I lost track of David after leaving Bolton High and becoming less and less a regular at Trinity.  Our paths merged again in Spring 1971.

Cecil Williams, city editor, walked up to my desk, handed this then-green Town Talk reporter a piece of paper and said “see what you can get on this for today’s edition.”

The  paper was off the AP teletype and was a daily recap of identified Vietnam War casualties. Among those listed — Capt. David L. Coker Jr., 26, Alexandria, La. KIA . 

I told Cecil what I knew — David had three sisters, his father ”Lang” worked for the City of Alexandria —  and asked him to please use another reporter. He did and someone else reported, the only assignment I turned down in a long career.

Some of that story and some of what I learned later:

No draft for David, he volunteered for Army aviation duty in 1966 and was a few days from completing a second tour when his helicopter was shot down.

 He had volunteered to attempt rescue of another helicopter crew in Quang Tri Province.

During his time in country he had started a Scout unit for South Vietnamese boys as well as one in Australia.

Call sign “Charlie Horse,” David  was a rotary wing unit commander with the 5th Air Cavalry, 5th Infantry Division. 

His OH-58 Kiowa was one of 168 helicopters lost in a months-long operation against North Vietnamese Army infiltration from Laos.

According to the sequential listings on the Memorial Wall in Washington, a 23-year-old tail gunner sergeant from Michigan preceded David the same day, March 24, 1971, and a 21-year-old PFC from New Mexico came after David the same day.

The sergeant was confirmed killed but body never recovered; the reconnaissance private was killed by an explosive device. Both were listed as missing in action and are memorialized at a cemetery in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu.

David’s final resting place is a cemetery just down the road from my current home. His headstone includes “I am flying with God.”

Back to Cokesbury:

Somewhere in it is a hymn we often sang with a verse, as best I recall, “I shall wing my flight to worlds unknown, I shall align with Him on high.”

Fly, David, fly.

On a gorgeous morning at the Alexandria Zoo last week, a romantic peacock and a peahen, about 50 yards apart, were loudly squawking at each other in their grassy pen.

“It’s spring and love is in the air,” said Landon Proctor, who’s a little more than a year in as the zoo’s executive director. He stopped a golf cart for a few moments to take in the flirting ritual.

Let’s stop for a few moments and take in what’s been happening at the zoo in the last year since Proctor took over on May, 5, 2025 as the zoo director.

Attendance in the last year is up by more than 20 percent, said Proctor, from 1,200 to more than 1,800.  The zoo’s philanthropic partnership guide reports over a 12-month period, it has hosted visitors from 398 Louisiana cities and all 64 parishes in the state, along with guests from all 50 states and 12 countries outside the U.S.

“Actually, he said, “we’re already up to 14 countries in 2026. We had a couple from Italy here yesterday.”

Proctor, 39, comes to the zoo with impressive credentials, working most recently as the senior director of operations at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans for a year, working his way up to that position over a few years.

A native of Rockwall, Texas in the Dallas area, Proctor “fell in love with the natural world” while studying entomology (insects) at Texas A&M, and his first post-graduate job was as an entomologist at Epcot in Disneyworld. For the last decade he has been a manager of various business operations. He’s a savvy communicator with the media, too, which might not be surprising considering he has been recognized as a “Distinguished Toastmaster” by Toastmasters International.

“I loved working at the Audubon Zoo,” he said, “but I realized when you work at a large city zoo with a large staff, that movement Is slow.”  He was looking for opportunities to work for a smaller zoo – where you can move projects faster or change plans more quickly — at a time when Alexandria was looking for a director, and “that’s what brought me to Alexandria.”

Dr. Max Lakes, the previous director, left in mid-2024 to become director of the Peoria zoo in Illinois. That same year, the local zoo was denied its accreditation status by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which it had held since 1986.

Credit that long period of accreditation to the leadership of Les Whitt and his widow, Lee Ann. Les was the beloved director from 1974 to 2008, when he died at age 56, 14 years after having a heart transplant. Lee Ann then took over the job until her retirement in August of 2020.

“We’re on a path to get our accreditation again with the AZA,” said Proctor. “We’re dedicated to following the rules of the AZA and working with AZA to get up to standard.”

Various things contributed to being denied accreditation, Proctor said, “but to sum up, they needed to modernize, and that’s what we’re doing.”

Proctor points to the zoo’s longevity (104 years) at the same site and its widespread recognition for so long as a top attraction as positives, and he was pleased to meet Lee Ann Whitt during his interview process.

“Lee Ann is why I decided to come here instead of another opportunity,” he said, explaining she spoke about zoos and conservation and education “the way I do.”

Although he didn’t know Les Whitt, he said they share not only the same passion for animals and nature and conservation but also the same birthday, August 22, when he will turn 40.

“I still talk to Lee Ann for advice,” Proctor said. “There is exactly one person who knows what this job takes, and that’s Lee Ann. We talk through things at lunch sometimes.”

Proctor said he has about 40 paid staff members through the year, with that number expected to grow to 50 during the summer, with some extra workers in the shop and café. That doesn’t include numerous volunteers, FOTAZ board members and some LSUA students working to earn some college credits.

The zoo spans 33 acres but only 18 are being used for walk-thorough visitors. Many ideas have been discussed as to how to take advantage of the undeveloped area, “but nothing is set in stone.” Some tantalizing future possibilities are tigers and giraffes and maybe a hippopotamus.

They’re also looking to upgrade some exhibits with additional animals, and Landon is particularly eager to improving some of the landscaping.

The pay-extra aviary has closed since it didn’t attract enough visitors, and he expects to turn that area into an attraction with bigger animals, possibly by the end of the year. 

The popular train (40 percent participation) now has three conductors who alternate times on the job, and there are new personal interaction opportunities with animals near the entrance, with workers showing off smallish animals or reptiles that visitors can stop and pet.

Based on feedback they have received, they’re also looking at upgrading birthday packages and adding or continuing new events such as last fall’s inaugural pickleball tournament at the city courts and a new Dungeons and Dragons event.

Arguably the biggest newsmaker for the zoo in the last year was getting a baby Jaguar, Solana, the only jaguar born in the country last year.

“People from all over the country called us,” Proctor said, “offering congratulations and resources from other zoos, like the San Diego Zoo and zoos in New York and Florida and, of course, the Audubon Zoo. It’s good to see us hitting at the national level.

“It took 13 years to breed,” he went on, “and now we have a female that is a new generation to keep the population going.”

Cue the music to “The Circle of Life,” and let’s salute Landon Proctor for what he’s done to enliven the popular old place again.

Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana Economic Development and local and regional partners will host a press conference Tuesday, May 26, in Alexandria to announce a major economic development project coming to Central Louisiana.

WHAT:

Economic development announcement accelerating Louisiana’s capital investment and job growth.

WHO:

• Gov. Jeff Landry

• LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois

• Local and regional economic development partners

WHEN:

Tuesday, May 26

• Media Setup: 2:00 p.m.

• Announcement: 2:30 p.m.

WHERE:

England Airpark Community Center
1718 Kegleman Drive
Alexandria, LA 71303

The Kiwanis Club of Alexandria recently welcomed new member Jacques Metoyer of GEO Group during an induction ceremony.

Club members said they look forward to working alongside Metoyer on community projects and service initiatives throughout the area.

Also pictured during the induction were Membership Chairperson Keith Hillman and Club President Mary Byrd.

LSU fans are hoping (and with that NIL bankroll, paying) for better days ahead, that’s obvious.

The entertainment value is undeniable, with a star chamber of vibrant coaching personalities that has eyes and ears from coast to coast tuned in to the latest Tiger talk.

Lane Kiffin, and now Ed “BeBe” Orgeron. The Lane Train and Coach O. They’re in Baton Rouge because Brian Kelly fit LSU like that glove fit O.J., no matter how guilty he was.

Will Wade, who grins at mention of his “American Gangster” nickname, is building a basketball roster that the State Department is going to need to check. Three rings will not be enough for this circus. But we all enjoy the circus, and we leave happy.

Speaking of a coach who provides entertainment, there’s Kim Mulkey, who commands the spotlight 24-7-365, and amid any chaos, just wins. Big. Every winter.

She’s the stand alone shining star at this juncture, because the coach who has won two national championships in the past four seasons just had the most disappointing year in the history of LSU baseball. Nobody (reasonable, or sane) is calling for Jay Johnson’s head. Yet.

Red Clay Earthquake Alley, mostly south of Shreveport and north of Natchitoches, is rockin’, with well over a dozen rattlers since Thanksgiving. Tiger Nation can relate.

Stay calm. Come to 800 Front Street in the City of Lights, at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Museum, and relive some of LSU’s greatest days starting Thursday evening, with a free reception from 6-8 for the opening of an exceptional exhibit.

“Billy Cannon – They Called Him Legend” presents the unabridged life story of LSU’s first real modern-era (post World War II) golden boy, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner.

The display has had a 14-month run at the Capitol Park Museum in Baton Rouge and somehow, the Louisiana State Museum curatorial staff has brought about 75 percent of that expansive exhibit to Natchitoches. The Cannons – Billy’s parents, then his wife Dot – kept everything of any significance from his Istrouma High School days forward. Example: the telephone that fielded a phone call from coach Paul Dietzel offering young Billy a football scholarship at LSU.

There’s so, so much more, from every stage of Cannon’s 80 years: the early days, his LSU career including his pivotal role in the Tigers’ 1958 national championship, his 11-year pro career, family life, and yes, his tumble from grace — and redemption in his later years.

Today many of us hear his name and too few of us know most of his story. The fabled Halloween night run, counterbalanced by a stint in federal prison. Being shunned in his hometown upon his release, and channeling that isolation into a deeply impactful role as a dentist and counselor for inmates at Angola State Prison.

This exhibit tells it all. You may think you know Cannon’s ups and downs, but there’s much more substance and subtext shared in these showcases.

For today’s Tiger fans, it has perfect timing. Cannon’s story has a happy ending. There haven’t been many of those for the Purple and Gold in the signature sports in 2025-26.

Even if you’re not prone to wearing LSU gear, it’s undeniably fascinating and inspiring.

Admission to the Hall of Fame museum is never expensive — $6 is the top cost – but on a few occasions, like Thursday evening, it’s free. Looking for an uplifting outing? Come see Cannon’s exhibit, and the rest of the two-story, 27,000-square foot Hall.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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The Pineville Police Department is advising residents of an increased law enforcement presence at Pineville Junior High School this week as officers participate in training exercises on campus.

According to the department, residents may notice marked police units and officers in and around the school during the training sessions. Officials emphasized that the activity is only a training exercise and there is no cause for alarm.

Police said the training is designed to help officers remain prepared to respond effectively during critical incidents and emergencies.

The department thanked the community for its cooperation and understanding and encouraged residents to help spread the word to avoid unnecessary concern.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

May 25

James Allen Andrews, 32, Boyce – simple battery, unauthorized entry into inhabited dwelling, $500 bail;

Akeem Beyard, 36, Alexandria – driving under suspension, careless operation of a vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $2,200 bail;

Marcus D. Humphrey, 30, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $1,000 bail;

Tate James Tuegel, 48, Pineville – aggravated second degree battery, 10 counts contempt of court, $31,500 bail.

May 24

Amber Nicole Belgard, 30, Pineville – simple assault, disturbing the peace, $1,000 bail;

Jessie Dewayne Bryd Jr., 18, Alexandria – illegal possession of a stolen firearm, improper fenders, no driver’s license, $200 bail;

Angela Monique Carter, 49, Alexandria – false communication with intent to cause emergency response, contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Tycarius Jerome Davis, 29, Pineville – aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper bicycle operation, $600 bail;

Henderius Joseph Fulton, 23, Alexandria – armed robbery, aggravated assault with a firearm, unlawful communication, $500 bail;

Alisa Lynette Gross, 24, Dry Prong – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Kelly Jamarious, 18, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, contempt of court, $3,500 bail;

Latisha Qushawn Martin, 32, Alexandria – three counts possession of CDS, headlamps required, driving under suspension, $3,700 bail;

Kyle Wayne Mays, 41, Alexandria – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, open container, $1,200 bail;

Darnell Mims, 40, Alexandria – simple burglary, display of temporary plates, driving under suspension, improper window tint, $1,700 bail;

Omarion D. Roberson, 20, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, armed robbery, unlawful communication, theft, resisting an officer, $1,500 bail;

Devin Walker, 28, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery with child present, domestic abuse battery, two counts contempt of court, $10,000 bail;

Cammie Kay Wolff, 50, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $22,000 bail.

May 23

Logan Earl Bonnette, 34, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $30,000 bail;

Devonte Dwaine Braggs, 25, Pineville – domestic abuse battery, probation violation, $1,500 bail;

Akeem J. Cannon, 34, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, theft of motor vehicle, no bail data;

Christopher Ray Dauzat, 44, Pineville – five counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Kelsey M. Henagan, 33, Pineville – OWI first offense, speeding, following too close, $1,200 bail;

Jermarcus J. Howard, 37, Alexandria – seven counts contempt of court, $22,500 bail;

Landon Scott Locke, 19, Forest Hill – OWI underage, two counts contributing to delinquency of juveniles, modified exhaust, driving under suspension, open container, improper window tint, $2,400 bail;

Issac Nugent, 26, Jena – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Jessica Kellen Peart, 31, Alexandria – four counts contempt of court, $200,000 bail;

Dylan Powers, 28, Pineville – aggravated battery, no bail data.

May 22

Dayton Cade Allinson, 21, Pineville – OWI first offense, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,100 bail;

Jonathan Beau Couvillion, 39, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, off road vehicle on public road, $52,100 bail;

Justin Steven Garrett, 40, Alexandria – simple arson, $10,000 bail;

Nancy Lynn Henry, 48, Pineville – domestic abuse aggravated assault child endangerment, no bail data;

Shonequa Johnson, 33, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, flight from an officer, obstruct drivers view, running a stop sign, $1,200 bail;

Johnathan Richard McClung, 48, Boyce – possession of CDS, no vehicle registration, $2,600 bail;

Emmanuel Joseph Robert, 36, Lecompte – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, probation violation, $500 bail.

May 21

Kenneth R. Burch, 56, Bunkie – two counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, $50,500 bail;

Ashlie E. Calk, 26, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery with child present, $1,000 bail;

Daniel James Cowan, 22, Harrisonburg, Va. – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Devonna Antionette Hampton, 34, Alexandria – possession of CDS, criminal trespass, $5,500 bail;

Troy Tevon Hinkston, 24, Pineville – possession of CDS, illegal carrying of a weapon, probation violation, $2,500 bail;

Ta’Shaun Johnson, 23, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of CDS, speeding $26,600 bail;

Daniel Todd Kirkendall, 56, Boyce – theft, unauthorized use of a movable, $10,000 bail;

James Carrol Knapp, 49, Glenmora – sex offender failure to timely register, probation violation, $5,000 bail;

Reginald Deron Lacour, 44, Pineville – domestic abuse aggravated assault child endangerment, stalking, domestic abuse battery strangulation, parole violations, $75,000 bail;

Dhontri Markell Owens Jr., 26, Alexandria – simple burglary, $5,000 bail;

Drew Watts, 43, Hessmer – aggravated battery, $15,000 bail;

Kalie Michelle Welch, 38, Deville – possession of CDS, parole violations, $1,500 bail.

May 20

Diante Brown, 28, Alexandria – two counts producing manufacturing distributing fentanyl, paraphernalia, probation violation, $1.05 million bail;

Kynjy Morrice Brown, 47, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia, parole violations, $500,500 bail;

Mateo Deyoung Chaney, 28, Pineville – unauthorized use of motor vehicle, parole violations, $2,000 bail;

Jenea Nichole Croom, 40, Pineville – eight counts possession of CDS, use of CDS in presence of minor, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana (fourth or subsequent charge), obtaining CDS by fraud, $21,500 bail;

James Benard Millner, 32, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, flight from an officer, speeding, no driver’s license, possession of drug paraphernalia, $13,200 bail;

Maretta Lea Sewell 52, Alexandria – possession of CDS, three counts contempt of court, $16,500 bail.

The Louisiana Department of Health announced Friday that beginning May 26, state SNAP recipients will only be able to use their Electronic Benefit Transfer cards for purchases made within Louisiana and in ZIP codes adjacent to the state’s border.

Department officials said the policy change aims to protect benefits from fraud and out-of-state use while ensuring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars support Louisiana grocers, farmers, businesses and local communities.

EBT cardholders who shop at Louisiana stores and through approved online retailers will not be affected. Residents who regularly shop just across the state line in Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas will experience little to no disruption, as many of those border ZIP codes are included under the policy’s approved designation. Out-of-state purchases attempted outside of the approved areas will be blocked.

SNAP recipients who are traveling and need temporary access to make purchases outside of Louisiana can request a short-term exemption online at lifeincheckebt.com, by calling 888-524-3578, or by visiting a local department SNAP office.

Any temporary out-of-state access will automatically expire at the beginning of the following month, returning the card to the default setting.

For more information and a full list of approved border-area ZIP codes, residents can visit ldh.la.gov/page/electronic-benefits-transfer-ebt.

The Indianapolis 500, commonly called Indy 500, is a 500-mile automobile race which has become the largest single-day spectator sporting event in the world.  Since its meager beginnings in 1909, people have flocked to the track in record numbers to watch the high-speed thrills.  On May 30, 1941, George “Joie” Chitwood readied his cigar-shaped racecar, the Blue Crown Spark Plug Special, for the Indianapolis 500.  During qualifying, Joie bounced around the track in his racecar and had a hard time keeping his foot on the accelerator.  Out of necessity, Joie used a simple strap to fix the problem.  The other drivers objected to the strap because they thought it was dangerous.  The heads of the AAA Drivers Association agreed and refused to allow Joie to use the strap.  They only relented when Joie promised to release the strap if he thought he was going to crash.  Keep in mind that the cars traveled more than 100 miles per hour.  Joie did not crash that day.  He came in 14^th place and won $620.  (The first-place winner, Floyd Davis, received $29,200.)  Joie believed that using the strap helped his performance in the 1941 Indy 500, but the other drivers remained skeptical.

For decades, the general public remained skeptical as well.  Carmakers often adopt equipment designed for racing cars on their vehicles.  In 1949, now defunct carmaker Nash Motors offered this strap on about 40,000 of their Airflyte and Ambassador models, but over 39,000 of them were removed by dealerships at the request of the owners.  In 1955, Ford offered it as an option on their vehicles, but less than 2% of buyers chose the strap.  In 1958, Saab became the first carmaker to include the strap as part of their standard equipment.

Although he had nothing to do with its invention, Joie Chitwood made history that day in May 1941 because he was the first driver to wear the strap in the Indy 500.  Today, all race car drivers are required to wear one.  It has also become a requirement in all automobiles.  At that time, the common misperception was that people were safer in a car accident if they were thrown from the wreck rather than behind held inside the vehicle.  They called the strap safety belts, but we know this strap as the seat belt.

Sources:

1.     Robert Tate, “The 1949 Nash was an Entirely New Postwar Design,” MotorCities National Heritage Area, October 1, 2025, accessed May 17, 2026, https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2025/the-1949-nash-was-an-entirely-new-postwar-design.

2.     “1941 Indianapolis 500 Race Results,” Indianapolis 500 Race Day Stats, accessed May 17, 2026, https://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/events/indy500/history/historical-stats/race-stats/race-results/1941.

3.     “Joie Chitwood (SR.),” National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum, accessed May 17, 2026, https://web.archive.org/web/20190619150409/https://www.sprintcarhof.com/helper_pages/FileGet.aspx?id=186.