Milton Bell III Killed in Early Morning Crash on MP Cutoff Road. Louisiana State Police Troop E is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred around 12:19 a.m. on Friday, August 21, on MP Cutoff Road in Rapides Parish. The driver, Milton Bell III, died as a result of the crash.
NSU’s 77th Demon Battalion Activated for New Academic Year. Northwestern State University’s Department of Military Science and Reserve Officer Training Corps held an activation ceremony August 20 for the school’s 77th Demon Battalion, marking the start of the new academic year with a military tradition that allows the commander to assess unit readiness, discipline, and commemorate the battalion’s history and lineage. The 77th Demon Battalion streamer is crimson with yellow piping, honoring the Ordnance Corps. Battalion Commander Colton Wood of Ragley, Color Sergeant Jillian Huff of Fort Polk, and Command Sergeant Major Joao Dos Santos of Fort Polk attached the streamer to the colors during the ceremony.
Rapides Regional Kicks Off 11th Year of Tackle Stroke Program at Pineville Jamboree. Rapides Regional Medical Center will mark the 11th year of its Tackle Stroke program Friday, August 28, when members of the RRMC Stroke Team distribute stroke awareness fans to spectators at the Pineville High School jamboree featuring Buckeye and Peabody. The fans list stroke symptoms and risk factors — critical information in a region where stroke death rates rank among the highest in the country. The BE FAST acronym serves as the key reminder: Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, and Time — if any symptoms appear, call 911 immediately. The program also visits Alexandria Senior High and Menard on September 4 and Tioga High School on September 11. Rapides Regional has been certified an Advanced Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission since 2009.
CenLa Chamber Hosting Congressional Candidates Luncheon — September 22. The Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a Congressional Candidates Luncheon on Tuesday, September 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Center at England Airpark, 1718 Kegleman Blvd., Alexandria. All nine candidates running for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District seat have been invited to participate. The event will give candidates time to introduce themselves, discuss their qualifications and priorities, and share their vision for the district, followed by an audience question period. The luncheon is open to chamber members and guests.
TRAFFIC REMINDER — Nightly Lane Closures on US 165 North in Pineville. Drivers on U.S. 165 North in Pineville should expect nightly alternating lane closures near Lowe’s and the U.S. 167 northbound off-ramp. Work runs Monday nights through Friday mornings, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., weather permitting, through the end of September 2026. DOTD advises drivers to reduce speed, use caution, and allow extra travel time.