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The gorgeous full moon reflecting in our share of the bayou Sunday night prompts recall of a moon watch years ago.

The ballyhooed “bloody moon” about this time of year in 1982 was greeted at our place with an urban backyard filled with people eating barbecue, frying fish and drinking root beer.

The declared-rare lunar event was cheered by all, with some wondering if they would see the next one — in 2015, which seemed then almost as distant as the moon.

Come 2015, the two of us debated whether to venture onto the deck of our by then rural locale and disturb the various nocturnal creatures, most not friendly sorts. We stayed in.

And we didn’t bother to speculate whether we would see the predicted next one — in 2033.

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Bob Pettit, one of the original gentleman superstars of professional sports, is gone, and it would behoove modern-day players to aspire to be like him. Despite his outsized sports fame, he was a paragon of modesty, humility and sportsmanship through all 93 years of his life. 

If he had a flaw, it might be that he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity at LSU, where he was a two-time All-American basketball player. The Dekes are the infamous, notorious, rabble-rousing fraternity where bands of brothers through the years (including me) “marched 2 by 2 with arms locked firm and tight” while “merrily singing.” Truth is, they (we) weren’t exactly marching and singing but staggering and cheerfully slurring off-key to conclude Saturday night postgame parties. Out of this fraternity mold have emerged such luminaries as Pettit, former Governor Mike Foster, world record shot putter Jack Torrance, former Senator Russell Long, and Louisiana political writer, syndicated columnist and author John Maginnis.  

In addition to my Deke connection, we like to boast in Central Louisiana of Pettit’s Alexandria connection, since he married Carole Crowell of Alexandria after he retired from professional basketball in 1965. They were a team until Carole died of cancer in 2010. Carole’s sister, Nancy Crowell Owens  said Bob “died like he lived – peacefully, and a gentleman to the end. He was a great father, a great grandfather.” Since his family was one of his priorities, coupled with his enduring love of sports, he’d try to catch the games his grandchildren would play in. Late in his life, when he couldn’t drive from New Orleans to Baton Rouge for a game, he’d find a driver to take him to the game, she said.

I had a nice phone interview with Pettit in 1998, on the 40^th anniversary of his heroics in the final game of the 1958 NBA Championship series between the St. Louis Hawks and the Boston Celtics. He scored 50 points in the contest, then an NBA record for a regulation-time playoff game, to help St. Louis eliminate the Celtics in the sixth game of the series. When I interviewed him, he was in the banking business in New Orleans at the time, and he couldn’t have been more humble about his contribution to clinching the victory. He took charge in the late stages of the contest, scoring 19 of his team’s last 21 points in a 110-109 victory.  

“I had a very, very good night,” he said. “By far and away, as an athlete of any kind, it was the most memorable game I ever played, with everything it meant. I remember I just kept getting the ball and kept shooting it.” He did so with mid-range jump shots, drives to the basket, putbacks after offensive rebounds and a dozen free throws.

“It was one of those nights when you can’t do anything wrong,” he said, “and I happened to have it at a very opportune moment.” 

His “opportune moment” helped avenge a 125-123 loss in double overtime to the Celtics in Boston the previous year in the seventh game of the NBA finals. 

“Losing in the seventh game in Boston in double overtime,” Pettit said, “we felt very confident playing them the next year.” 

His NBA stardom came in an era when televised games were rare – usually one game per week on a Saturday afternoon. As an aside, I can remember watching a few Hawks games when Pettit was playing while my mother was in the room. She loved Pettit, who followed a brilliant LSU career by being named an All-Star and All-NBA selection in each of his 11 seasons. Inevitably while we watched one of his games, he would key a rally for the Hawks, and my mom would call out, “Dem birds are getting’ hot!”   

Baseball and boxing were the two most popular sports at the time, but Pettit set the bar for a sport that would finally come of age a few decades later with the Lakers-Celtics (Magic Johnson-Larry Bird) rivalry. In 1956, he was the first recipient of the league’s Most Valuable Player award. He won it a second time in 1959. He was also the first player in NBA history to reach the 20,000-point milestone. Standing at 6-foot-9, he revolutionized basketball by becoming one of the first agile big men to play facing the basket with smoothness and balance, rather than just relying on raw bruiser tactics. 

Another superstar big man in the NBA early years, Bill Russell, once noted that Pettit popularized the phrase “second effort” because he just kept coming at you without ever complaining, flopping, or whining.

He was the first LSU athlete to have his jersey number (50) retired and he was the first basketball player to have a statue built in his honor on campus, followed by Pete Maravich, Shaquille O’Neal and Seimone Augustis, and one is to be built soon for Sylvia Fowles. 

Finally, Pettit was a basketball prophet of sorts as well. LSU basketball, when we spoke, was just coming off a 9-18 season under first-year head coach John Brady. Yet, Pettit spoke highly of Brady.

“I think he did a super job with what he had,” Pettit said, citing the Tigers’ aggressive defense, discipline and great mental attitude. “I think if he’ll stay, he’ll do an excellent job and, in a few years, LSU will be right back at the top of the conference.”

Two years later, Brady guided LSU to a 28-6 record and SEC co-championship. Later, in 2005-06, Brady took the Tigers to a 27-9 record and the NCAA Final Four. This past summer, Brady joined Pettit in the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.

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The Rapides Parish Police Jury announced road work is in progress until further notice and motorists should expect traffic delays on the following roads:

West River Road from LA 113 for approximately 3 miles west of the intersection — asphalt road construction.

Williams Lake Road and Palmer Chapel Road — various tree and stump removal.

Munson Road — asphalt road widening construction.

Downs Lane — asphalt patching and overlay construction along portions.

The Rapides Parish Police Jury thanked motorists for their patience.

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LCU Opens New Archives Room at Richard W. Norton Memorial Library
Louisiana Christian University — Office of University Communications

The Richard W. Norton Memorial Library at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville has opened a new archives room dedicated to the history of the school and Central Louisiana. The collection spans the institution’s 120-year life, beginning with Louisiana College’s founding charter documents from 1906. Among the holdings are a photograph of the school’s first football team from 1907, early Louisiana College diplomas, a diploma from Keachie Female College dated 1882 — one of the two schools that merged to form Louisiana College — and editions of the student newspaper The Wildcat dating to 1925. The archives room also holds the collected papers of Louisiana College’s third president, Dr. Claybrook Cottingham, organized chronologically; a 1913 Louisiana College yearbook; and artifacts from Mount Lebanon College, founded in 1852, which merged with Keachie College to establish Louisiana College in 1906. Cataloging and archives coordinator Samantha Ray led the project, which library staff and student workers completed over the summer. The room is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors may check in at Room 212 or at the circulation desk. Class reservations are available. A formal ribbon-cutting and video walkthrough are planned for spring.

Squirrel and Rabbit Hunting Seasons Open Oct. 3 Statewide
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Louisiana’s squirrel and rabbit hunting seasons open Saturday, Oct. 3, and run statewide through Feb. 28, 2027, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced. A basic hunting license is required for hunters 18 and older. Both seasons are open on LDWF public lands, though hunting on a Wildlife Management Area requires a WMA access permit and mandatory check-in and check-out. LDWF notes that squirrel and rabbit hunting are relatively inexpensive and well-suited for introducing youth to hunting. For information, contact LDWF at (225) 765-5115.

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State Representative Rhonda Butler spoke to the Rapides Parish Rotary Club about the 2026 legislative session and local issues affecting Southern Rapides. Butler said she enjoyed sharing an update on the 2026 legislative session and hearing what matters most to the people and communities served by the Rotary Club.

She discussed roads, water systems, rural development, agriculture and health care, as well as efforts to bring tax dollars home to meet local needs.

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Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Rapides Cancer Center are asking the community to join the flock this October as Quack for a Cure returns.

The fountain in the Atrium at Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital will fill with pink and yellow rubber ducks for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with each duck honoring survivors, remembering loved ones and reminding us that early detection saves lives.

“We had such a great response to our first Quack for a Cure last year that we are hoping for an even bigger turnout this October,” said Charla H. Ducote, Vice President of Marketing, Public Relations and Business Development at Rapides Regional Medical Center. “Each October, breast cancer activities like this are gentle reminders to prioritize our health, and we invite the community to join our flock in raising awareness of breast cancer and the need for preventive screenings.” 

A duck launch will be held on Thursday, Oct. 1 from 10 a.m. – noon. Community members are invited to join our colleagues in writing personal messages of love, strength and encouragement on our pink ducks that will be placed in the fountain during the month of October.

The ducks also serve as a reminder that early detection saves lives. Here are facts about breast cancer:

• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer
• Mammograms are the best tool for early detection
• There is a 99 percent survival rate when breast cancer is found early

Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital also invites the community to join our flock for Wear Pink Wednesdays.

• Oct. 7: Pink Ribbon Day
• Oct. 14: Let’s SOCK it to cancer by wearing pink socks
• Oct. 21: Pink accessories day
• Oct. 28: Pink out day!

Our Community Education Department is also providing education for the month, speaking to various groups. If you would like to see about scheduling breast cancer awareness education, please call (318) 769-4027.

Since 1989, breast cancer death rates in the U.S. have declined 44 percent, but the incidence of breast cancer in women has risen an average of 1 percent annually since 2012. 

“Being proactive when it comes to cancer is the key to beating cancer,” said Theresa Hood, MSN, RN-BC, Director of Community Education at Rapides Regional Medical Center. “The earlier cancer is detected, the greater the chance of survival. Regular cancer screenings should be a part of everyone’s health regiment.

“We encourage all women to know their family history of breast cancer, and to have conversations with their doctors about regular cancer screenings. If you don’t have a physician, you may call 877-801-8441 to find one.”

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The Richard W. Norton Memorial Library has a new archives room dedicated to the history of the school and Central Louisiana.

From Louisiana College’s founding charter documents dating back to 1906, artifacts in the archives cover all the eras in the 120-year life of the institution.

Some of the treasures include a photograph of the school’s first football team from 1907, diplomas from the early days of Louisiana College and one from Keachie Female College from 1882—Keachie was one of the two schools that merged to form Louisiana College in 1906—and old editions of the newspaper The Wildcat going back to 1925.

“I think the founders knew their place in history,” said Samantha Ray, the cataloging, reference, special collections and archives coordinator. 

Elizabeth Parish, director of the library, said many of the historical documents have been stored in boxes in the library and Alumni House for years, without the time or the staff to go through them all and display them for the public. With Ray’s addition to the library team, she said they took on the task of creating a dedicated space for the archival collection this summer. 

“She [Parish] asked me, ‘Do you think you can do this?’ and I was like, ‘Hold my earrings!”

Ray has spearheaded the opening of the LCU archives room. Library staff and student workers diligently tackled the project over the summer to have it ready for fall.

Ray said the project has been a learning process for her. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in library science, which has taught her a lot about archival preservation. 

“We wanted to make sure it was ready for Homecoming,” she said. “It’s a place to come and look at the history that their families may have experienced here, or for our alums, what they experienced. For our students, they can visit the history.”

One of the most treasured items in the room, Ray said, is the two volumes of collected papers of the third president of Louisiana College, Dr. Claybrook Cottingham. 

“We went through the correspondence sent and received, and organized it by date, so it now reads like a ‘day in the life of the president,” Ray said.

In addition to hundreds of antiquarian books, including a 1913 Louisiana College yearbook and some tiny books, are items like a beanie that freshmen used to wear, a basketball donated by the 1976 Homecoming Queen Becky Brown, and a silver spoon from Keachie College President Dr. G.W. Thigpen. It was a tradition at that time to gift college presidents silver spoons. 

LCU also has the bell and a school desk from Mount Lebanon College, founded in 1852, which, alongside Keachie, combined in 1906 to form Louisiana College. 

The archives room is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors may check in at Room 212 or at the circulation desk in the library. Reservations may be made for classes to visit.

A ribbon-cutting and video walkthrough for the archives room are in the works for the spring. 

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Northwestern State University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program gives students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in any field a faster path into nursing, building on their previous education through an intensive 16-month program.

Offered at NSU’s campuses in Alexandria and Shreveport, the Accelerated BSN program consists of four consecutive semesters of nursing coursework beginning each summer. Students complete nursing coursework and clinical experiences as they prepare to enter the nursing workforce.

NSU began offering the Accelerated BSN program in Shreveport in 2022 and expanded it to Alexandria the following summer. The CENLA campus welcomed its fourth cohort this summer.

Katrina Seymore, Accelerated BSN program coordinator and an associate professor at NSU’s CENLA campus, said the program is designed for individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and are interested in transitioning to a career in nursing.

“It is a really unique program in that you can do it so quickly. I really see our program being for those students who are out there right now, who have a bachelor’s degree and are working somewhere and realizing, ‘This wasn’t what I thought it was going to be,’” Seymore said. “I want them to see that in 16 months, we can take you from whatever you’re doing now to being a nurse.”

Seymore said the program is offered in Alexandria and Shreveport because both communities have multiple healthcare facilities where students can complete clinical rotations. In central Louisiana, students have access to hospitals and nursing home community partners, with the program’s summer schedule also providing additional opportunities for clinical placements.

Students complete the nursing curriculum over four consecutive semesters, beginning with a combination of pre-nursing and first-level coursework during the summer and progressing through accelerated combinations of upper-level nursing coursework. Students complete fifth-level coursework the following summer and work in a hospital setting during their final level.

Catherine Roy of Alexandria earned her first bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. For Roy, the accelerated format offered a way to build on that education while pursuing a nursing career close to home.

“Having a program that is basically designed for students like me was what appealed to me the most,” Roy said. “Instead of doing the traditional route, where it’s longer and you’re kind of starting over in a sense, I get to build upon the foundation that I already received with my kinesiology background. I liked that I was able to do that and still be home and focus solely on nursing.”

After completing the program, Roy plans to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses and begin her career in critical care. She hopes to gain experience in an intensive care unit before eventually pursuing further education to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

NSU’s Accelerated BSN program is open to applicants with a bachelor’s degree in any field and at least a 3.0 grade point average. For information about the program through NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health, visit nsula.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/consah/college-of-nursing.

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Sunflower Van Geaux Art Studio LLC was recently named as one of the Pineville Downtown Development District Facade Grant recipients. Owner Allie painted a sunflower mural around the front window of her Main Street art studio, adding color and creativity to Downtown Pineville.

Sunflower Van Geaux began in Alexandria before relocating to Main Street in Pineville. Allie hosts art classes and creative events throughout the month, giving the community a place to learn, create and have fun.

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Quincy Jones was a record producer and composer whose awards include a Tony Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 28 Grammy Awards.  The list of albums, films, and television shows he worked on from the 1960s until his death in 2024 would be lengthy, but many of them would not have come to fruition had he remembered something.

On August 8, 1969, Steve McQueen, the actor who earned the nickname the “King of Cool,” called Quincy and wanted his, Quincy’s, hairdresser Jay Sebring to meet Peter Yates.  Peter had just directed what has become one of Steve McQueen’s most notable films, Bullitt.  Quincy recalled, Jay Sebring “was my barber and the most famous hairstylist in Hollywood.”  Quincy agreed and picked Jay up.  As they were driving to meet Peter, Jay invited Quincy to a small get together later that evening at 10050 Cielo Drive in Los Angeles.  Quincy was familiar with that residence because he had almost bought the house a year or two earlier.  Quincy was working on the musical score and soundtrack for the comedy film The Out-of-Towners starring Jack Lemmon but said he would stop by after he finished work for the day.  Quincy dropped Jay off and returned to work.  Hours later, Quincy went home and went to bed.  He completely forgot about meeting Jay and his friends.

On the following morning, August 9, 1969, Quincy’s friend, actor Bill Cosby, called him from London.  “Did you hear about Jay?”  Quincy replied, “What about Jay?  He was with me last night.”  Bill told him, “He’s dead.”  Quincy was in shock.  In disbelief, he called Sebring International, Jay Sebring’s company.  When Quincy asked about Jay, the person on the other end of the line asked, “Who’s this?”  Quincy replied, “Quincy Jones.”  The person said, “Jay Sebring is dead,” and hung up.  Quincy turned on the television and saw “all the bodies spread out on the lawn with sheets covering them.”  Quincy was lucky because that slip of memory saved his life.  Jay Sebring was just one of the unlucky people to be at 10050 Cielo Drive that fateful night.  Quincy said, “I knew them all, man.  I knew them all.  Heavy scene.”  The others who were unlucky to be at that home were Wojciech Frykowski, Steven Parent, Abigail Folger, and Sharon Tate and her unborn child, all victims of a murder spree led by Charles Manson.  Quincy Jones was lucky to have forgotten about the party invitation, though he never forgot the horrible event that took place that night.  It troubled him for the rest of his life.

Sources:

1.     Alex Simon, “Quincy Jones Talks Keepin’ On and Other Pearls of Wisdom,” The Hollywood Interview, accessed September 20, 2026, https://thehollywoodinterview.blogspot.com/2014/09/quincy-jones-hollywood-interview.html.

2.     Chris Heath, Quincy Jones Has a Story About That,” GQ, January 29, 2018, accessed September 20, 2026, https://www.gq.com/story/quincy-jones-has-a-story. 

© 2026 Brad Dison. All rights reserved. Remember This? is distributed for licensed publication only.

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Mr. Luis Wayne Juneau, age 31, of Ball, Louisiana, entered eternal rest on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana.

A public visitation will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 9:00-10:00 am at Gallagher Funeral Home. Then a celebration of life gathering will be held from 10:00-12:00 pm at the funeral home.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife of almost 4 years, Brittany Edward Juneau; daughter, Willow Sofia Juneau; parents, Garett and Cristina Juneau; siblings, Anthony Juneau, Stephen Juneau, and Danna Ackland (Phillip); niece, Madison Ackland; and his loving dogs, Ellie and Leia.

Luis was a kindhearted and creative soul who brought joy to those around him. He had a remarkable talent for drawing, especially in the comic book style, and took great pride in his artwork. His love for all things superheroes was evident through his passion for both Marvel and DC Comics. He also loved the Power Rangers and could often be found enjoying video games with his friends.

A true movie buff, Luis could spend hours watching and talking about movies. He also had a love for music and enjoyed collecting Pokémon and took great pleasure in building his collection. His hobbies and interests were a reflection of his fun-loving personality and the things that brought him happiness.

Luis was also a devoted husband. He and his wife were college sweethearts, and their love story was one that began during their younger years and continued throughout their life together. Their journey from college sweethearts to husband and wife was a beautiful part of who Luis was.

Above all else, Luis was a wonderful father. His daughter, Willow, was his whole world, and the love he had for her was immeasurable. She brought a special joy and purpose to his life, and he cherished every moment they shared together.

Luis also had a special love for his dogs and treasured the time he spent with his friends and family. He will be remembered for his creativity, his unique interests, his loving heart, and most of all, for the love he had for those closest to him.

Those who knew and loved Luis will forever cherish the memories they made with him and carry his memory in their hearts.

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Jacob Van Davis, 47, passed away on August 21, 2026, in Alexandria, Louisiana. Jacob grew up in Cameron, Louisiana, where he made many memories and formed connections that remained an important part of his life. Jacob was born on July 14, 1979.

Jacob was an amazing tattoo artist who found deep passion and purpose in his work. He loved being part of an industry that allowed him to express his creativity and connect with others. His talent, individuality, and passion for his craft will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Jacob is survived by his two children, Ben Arryn Davis and Angelynn Davis; his father, Russell Davis; his sister, Becca Davis; his aunts, Carolyn Brown, Erin Roberts, Debbie Strange, Paula Thompson and Beverley Chevalier; his uncles, Dennon Strange, Brack Davis, Jeremy Edwards, and Jeffrey Tripp Davis; and many beloved cousins and cousins-in-law.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Melinda Dell Strange; his brother, Ben Davis; his grandmothers, Yvonne Strange and Angel Edwards; his grandfathers, Dell Strange and Tommy Edwards; his uncle, Tommy Thompson; and his cousin, Dennon “DJ” Strange.

Jacob leaves behind not only his family, but also the memories, artwork, friendships, and moments that made his life uniquely his own. His presence will be deeply missed, and he will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved him.

The family would also like to give a special thank you to Stephanie McQueen, Rean DelaCruz and Joanna Mateo for being by his side.

A celebration of Jacob’s life will be held on October 10, 2026, in Glenmora, Louisiana, at Amiable Baptist Church 814 Melder Rd. Glenmora, Louisiana. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., with services beginning at 11:30 a.m. A small reception will immediately follow the service.

Forever loved. Forever remembered.

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Phonetic: /pu·​er·​ile/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

juvenile

childish, silly
puerile remarks

Martha Gentry Holloway
November 21, 1950 – September 26, 2026
Service: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 1pm at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville.

Cora “Sue” Fontenot
April 18, 1940 – September 25, 2026
Service: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 11am at Rush Funeral Home, Pineville.

Dorothy Dawn Overgaard
June 16, 1932 – September 25, 2026
Service: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 2pm at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witness, Alexandria.

John Robert Choate
August 25, 1946 – September 24, 2026
Service: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 12pm at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball.

Charles Eugene Garner
March 31, 2026 – September 24, 2026
Service: Thursday, October 1, 2026, 1pm at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball.

Luis Wayne Juneau
September 6, 1995 – September 23, 2026
Service: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10am at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball.

Gloria Jean Marshall White
March 18, 1959 – September 21, 2026
Service: Friday, October 2, 2026, 1pm at Christian Love Baptist Church, Alexandria.

Spencer Ernest Brackens, Jr.
May 2, 1949 – September 20, 2026
Service: Friday, October 2, 2026, 11am at St. Matthew Baptist Church, Boyce.

Greta Marie Golden Moore
July 27, 1956 – September 20, 2026
Service: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 3pm at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Alexandria.

Marvin Keith Howard, Sr.
December 20, 1968 – September 16, 2026
Service: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 11am at New Scott Olly Baptist Church, Alexandria.

Ameal Love Jr.
November 15, 1962 — September 14, 2026
Service: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 11am at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Alexandria.

The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.

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By JIM BUTLER

Commercial air passenger count at Alexandria International almost certainly will surpass 300,000 this year.

A report to the England Authority commissioners at their September meeting showed growth of about 12 percent year over year through mid-summer.

Last year, according to the FAA, the total was 270,100. In March alone this year AEX had almost 18,400, the highest monthly count since COVID’s disruptions, and had about 156,000 for 2026 heading into the summer travel season.

Since March the airport has added United Airlines to its passenger options, giving it direct service to and from three hubs – Houston, Dallas and Atlanta.

Also on the aviation side, commissioners signed off on about $4.3 million in grant-funded improvements:

• Runway 18 obstacle removals (in area of former Rapides Golf Course) and installation of Instrument Approach aids and runway visual guidance system;

• South ramp apron extension.

Regarding what could be labeled traditional economic development, the panel learned UCore is soon to get its Clean Air permit and begin construction on its $75 million rare earth separation facility.

It is in process of recruiting and hiring at some levels. The plant is targeted for full production in 2028.

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The City of Alexandria recently celebrated a ribbon cutting at Cheatham Park, marking another step forward in improving parks across Alexandria.

The new playground improvements provide neighborhood families with a refreshed place to play, spend time together and enjoy the outdoors.

Cheatham Park is one of several parks being updated through REIGNITE, with continued improvements helping create better spaces for the people who use them every day.

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The Rotary Club of Pineville heard an update from LSUA Chancellor Dr. Liz Beard about developments at Louisiana State University of Alexandria.

The university has surpassed 8,600 students in enrollment and was recently named the No. 3 safest university in America and No. 1 safest in Louisiana.

The Rotary Club thanked Beard for joining the club and sharing information about developments at LSUA.

The club also expressed appreciation for Beard and her leadership team for their dedication, vision and commitment to the continued growth and success of LSUA.

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DOTD Announces Nightly Lane Closures at Nine Rapides Parish Intersections
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development advises motorists that beginning Tuesday, September 29, at 7:00 p.m., nightly alternating lane closures will be in effect at multiple intersections across Rapides Parish through approximately October 2, 2026, weather permitting. Work runs from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. each night. One lane in each direction will remain open at all times. Affected locations include US 167-B at Broadway Avenue; Broadway Avenue and Dallas Avenue; Louisiana 28 at Pinehurst Drive and Bradley Avenue; Louisiana 28 at Stilley Road and Old Holloway Road; Donahue Ferry Road and Louisiana 3100 (Griffith Street); Louisiana 28 and Louisiana 3144 (Edgewood Drive); Louisiana 28 and Highland Drive; US 165 at the US 167 southbound on and off ramps; and US 165 at Louisiana 623 (Paradise Road). The closures are part of Project H.012641, District 8’s Flashing Yellow Arrow Upgrade Part 2. DOTD notes that completion by October 2 is subject to weather and other factors.

RRMC Offers Girl Talk Class for Girls and Mothers Oct. 8
Rapides Regional Medical Center

Rapides Regional Medical Center will offer its Girl Talk class Thursday, October 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Cascade Room. The two-hour program is designed for girls between the ages of 9 and 13 and their mothers; aunts and grandmothers are welcome if a mother cannot attend. The class covers physical and emotional changes during puberty and is designed to help parents open lines of communication with their daughters. Cost is $20 per family. To register, call 1-844-630-5295 or visit rapidesregional.com and select Calendar of Events under Health Education.

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Tioga High FFA hosted the FFA Forestry Invitational last week at Buhlow Lake Recreation Area, bringing students from across Louisiana to Rapides Parish for a morning of competition.

Students put their forestry knowledge and skills to the test during the event.

Roy O. Martin provided lunch for every student in attendance.

The Rapides Parish School Board thanked the Tioga FFA members and advisor who made the event possible and Roy O. Martin for supporting agriculture and forestry education.

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Now that’s how you bounce back from a tough road loss in the Southeastern Conference.

LSU led wire-to-wire Saturday night in Tiger Stadium in a brutal 35-6 beatdown of Texas A&M, dropping the Aggies to 0-2 in SEC play. 

Texas A&M dropped 49 points on LSU in Death Valley last season, and 38 points in 2024, but did not score a touchdown against the Tigers’ stout defense this time. Aggie quarterback Marcel Reed looked like Superman the last two years against LSU, bending the Tigers’ previous defensive units to his will as he ran wild up and down the field. 

Reed finally met his Kryptonite on Saturday, as LSU’s defense smothered him all game. The Tigers sacked Reed four times, limited him to 106 yards passing, and most importantly, prevented Reed from beating him with his legs. Reed tallied minus 13 rushing yards, compared to 62 and three rushing touchdowns in 2024 and 108 yards and two touchdowns last season.

After suffering a second loss, the return of “Texas 8-4” is in play.

The nickname Texas 8-4 is a rhythmic parody of Texas A&M that mocks the Aggies’ history of mediocrity since joining the Southeastern Conference.

Since Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012, the Aggies have finished the regular season exactly 8-4 six times and finished 7-5 another four times. Typically, Texas A&M would start those seasons hot, winning nearly every game, then implode by mid-October, losing most of those games in conference play during the second half of the season. This is who the Aggies are, a middle of the road program despite spending insane amounts of money on coaches, and now rosters.

The Aggies were LSU’s whipping boy when the matchup resumed during the 21st century, as the Tigers won the first seven meetings from 2011-2017. The contest officially graduated to rivalry status in 2018, after the Aggies won a seven-overtime thriller that prompted the NCAA to alter the overtime rules. The home team in the rivalry won every year until 2025, when Texas A&M pummeled LSU in Baton Rouge and ended the Brian Kelly era.

Depending on how you feel about Kelly, some LSU fans probably thanked the Aggies in hindsight for that beating, which ultimately paved the way for LSU to hire Lane Kiffin.

Kiffin’s Tigers played like a team with something to prove against Texas 8-4 after losing to Ole Miss last weekend. Defensive coordinator Blake Baker has been scheming for years trying to stop Reed, and his latest unit had a defensive masterpiece against the elusive Aggie quarterback.

On the flipside, LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt played his best game in purple and gold so far this season, in part, because he got injured. Leavitt suffered a right hamstring injury in second quarter against Texas A&M, forcing the rabid scrambler to remain in the pocket much longer than usual this season. As a result, Leavitt produced his best passing game of the season, completing nearly 75 percent of his passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns. 

Last week, the Ole Miss defense dared Leavitt to beat him with his arm, and he could not. This week, Leavitt exhibited poise in the pocket and seemed noticeably calmer operating Kiffin’s offense. 

If Leavitt can continue to strike a balance of passing and rushing efficiency once his leg heals, the sky is the limit for this LSU offense. Pair that with a nasty Tiger defense, and watch out SEC.

My favorite play of the game

It must be the fourth-down conversion touchdown. In classic Kiffin playcalling fashion, the Tigers surprised the Texas A&M defense on fourth-and-one, near midfield, opting not for a rush, but for a sneaky 57-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jackson Harris. Add in Kiffin’s sprint down the sideline and signature fist pump as the play concluded, and that deserves a massive chef’s kiss.

Looking ahead

LSU hosts McNeese State in Tiger Stadium this Saturday night, its final non-conference game before the SEC gauntlet really heats up. This is a great game to bring your young kids to because the crowd will likely be smaller, both inside and outside the stadium. Plus, you don’t have to feel guilty leaving early to beat the traffic because the Tigers should win by 50 points.

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