RPSO Seeks Suspect in Two Alexandria-Area Shootings Within 24 Hours
Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office
The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office has named Dataevious Deontae Taylor, 18, of Alexandria, as a suspect in two separate shootings that occurred within 24 hours of each other and has secured warrants for his arrest. The first incident occurred in the Kelley Land area on the morning of September 6. The second occurred around 3:29 a.m. on September 7 in the 1800 block of Community Lane, where two homes were struck by gunfire with no injuries reported and multiple shell casings were found in the street. Detectives say it is still early in both investigations to determine whether the incidents are connected. Taylor faces three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm and one count of attempted second-degree murder. He is described as a Black male, 6’1″, 170 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair, and should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact RPSO at (318) 473-6700 or Crime Stoppers of CenLa at (318) 443-7867.
Alexandria Senior High School Reopens Today for In-Person Instruction
Rapides Parish School Board
Alexandria Senior High School students return to campus today, Monday, September 8, for in-person instruction following more than a month of virtual learning necessitated by the accidental release of asbestos fibers during summer construction. The school completed remediation in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
L.S. Rugg Elementary Students Move Out of Portables and Into New Permanent Classrooms
Rapides Parish School Board
Students at L.S. Rugg Elementary School in Alexandria are now learning in permanent classrooms inside the main campus following a ribbon cutting that marked the completion of a new classroom wing. The wing fulfills a commitment made in 2022, when voters in Alexandria’s District 62 approved a bond to replace the school’s aging portable buildings with a permanent structure. The campus also received a newly installed elevator making every floor accessible, along with window upgrades improving safety and energy efficiency. Principal Alisa Brown, School Board Member Sandra Franklin of District I, and Superintendent Jeff Powell attended the ceremony. Photos and videos are available through the Rapides Parish School Board.
Pineville High School Opens New Turf Field, Resurfaced Track and Paved Parking Lot
Rapides Parish School Board
Pineville High School officially opened its new synthetic turf field, resurfaced track, and paved parking lot with a ribbon cutting at D.C. Bill Bates Stadium on Friday, September 4, held before the football team’s season opener home game. The improvements were funded by a bond approved by District 52 voters in May 2025. Principal John Neal and Athletic Director Justin Charles were joined at center field by school board members Steve Berry, Marie Ashmore, and George Johnson, along with Director of Secondary Education Matt Byrnes. Distinguished guests included Louisiana Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Johnson and Pineville City Councilman Hugh Halle. Bond-funded work continues at other Pineville schools.
Nine New Officers Commissioned at Camp Beauregard in Pineville
Louisiana National Guard, Camp Beauregard
Families, friends, and fellow service members filled the Post Theater at Camp Beauregard in Pineville to watch nine officer candidates complete their commissioning ceremony. Confirm ceremony date and individual names through the Louisiana National Guard public affairs office before publishing a standalone article.
Cleco Employees Volunteer at Pineville Animal Shelter
Cleco Power
Cleco employees spent a morning volunteering at the Pineville Animal Shelter as part of the company’s Done in a Day program, which partners Cleco with charitable organizations across its service territory for single-day volunteer projects. Volunteers cleaned animal kennels, washed animals, organized supplies, and cleaned the facility. The Pineville Animal Shelter provides housing and care for homeless animals, coordinates adoptions, and works to educate the community on responsible pet ownership and wildlife care.
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month at Rapides Parish Library
Rapides Parish Library
The Rapides Parish Library is joining libraries across the country in celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month throughout September. The library is encouraging all residents who do not yet have a library card to sign up and take advantage of the wide range of resources available at RPL branches throughout the parish.
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 around construction workers and equipment, and allow extra travel time.