The public is invited to the THS Auditorium for a night of holiday magic! The Tioga High School and Tioga Junior High Christmas Choir Concert will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6pm. From classic carols to festive favorites, these talented choirs are sure to fill hearts with holiday cheer. Don’t miss this joyful celebration of music and community

The Town of Woodworth has announced that its Christmas parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 21, beginning at 1pm. 

Line-up for the parade will begin at 12pm on the corner of Maison Rue Dr. and Castor Plunge Rd. The route will leave Castor Plunge Rd. at Maison Rue Dr., turn left on Dan Triplett Rd. to Brookwood Dr., and turn right on Hwy. 165 to Castor Plunge Rd., ending west of Woodworth Cemetery. 

All manner of entries are welcome to participate in the parade: Go-carts, golf carts, and horses as well as decorated cars, trailers, tractors and trucks, bikes, trikes, and wagons. Participants are welcome to walk, rollerblade/rollerskate, or run. Be sure to decorate those carts! There is no fee to participate. Just remember: alcohol is not allowed on the parade route. 

For more information, contact Richard Bushnell at 318-442-0643; Mamie Denham at 318-442-0672; or Paul Delanoix at 318-451-7008. 

The Town of Cheneyville has issued a boil advisory for Echo Road until further notice. A water line has burst in that area. The Town expresses its apologies for the inconvenience as they work to repair the line.

Every December 6, National Microwave Oven Day celebrates the invention that transformed kitchens worldwide. Since its debut in the mid-20th century, the microwave oven has evolved from a luxury gadget into an essential tool, revolutionizing how we prepare and enjoy meals.

The microwave’s origins trace back to 1945 when Percy Spencer, an engineer working on radar technology, discovered that microwaves could heat food. By 1947, the first commercial microwave oven, the “Radarange,” was introduced, though it was bulky and expensive. Over the decades, technological advancements made microwaves more affordable and compact, leading to their widespread adoption in households during the 1970s and 1980s.

The microwave’s primary appeal lies in its speed and convenience. It redefined meal preparation by significantly reducing cooking times, making it easier for busy families and individuals to enjoy hot meals. Beyond reheating leftovers, microwaves expanded their role in kitchens with tasks like defrosting, steaming, and even baking. They also made way for a new era of convenience foods, including frozen dinners and microwave popcorn, reshaping modern eating habits.

While initially criticized for producing uneven heating or altering food textures, the microwave has gained recognition for its versatility and efficiency. Recent innovations include combination microwave ovens with convection cooking, enabling gourmet results in a fraction of the time. It’s also lauded for energy efficiency compared to traditional ovens, aligning with sustainable living practices.

On National Microwave Oven Day, take a moment to appreciate how this invention has shaped our culinary culture. Whether you’re reheating last night’s dinner, steaming vegetables, or experimenting with a mug cake recipe, the microwave remains a testament to the power of ingenuity in making our lives easier, one meal at a time.

The Pineville Police Department provided notice the citizens of emergency personnel responding to JI Barron Elementary School on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The call was a medical call, and there was no threat to the public. Pineville PD reported that the medical call involved an adult at the school. No further details were provided. The notification the police provided was meant to prevent the spread of any false information.

The Pineville Police Department reported a fire in the parking lot of Walmart in the Kingsville area on Wednesday morning.

According to PPD, a dump truck driver traveling on Monroe Highway (or the nearby area) noticed that his load was on fire. The driver responded by pulling into the Walmart parking lot and dumping the load, doing so to prevent additional damage. 

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the fire was put out quickly. 

The Alexandria Police Department is seeking the community’s help in solving a cold case involving the tragic shooting death of 33-year-old Tiffanee Pinkston. The incident occurred on January 5, 2021, at the intersection of Palmer Street and Palmer Court.

Despite extensive investigative efforts, this case remains unsolved. The Alexandria Police Department is committed to bringing justice for Tiffanee Pinkston and closure to her family.

“We believe someone in our community may have information that could help us solve this case,” said APD Chief of Police Chad Gremillion. “No detail is too small. Your help could make a difference.”

Anyone with information related to this case is urged to contact the Alexandria Police Department. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.

This is currently an ongoing investigation. 

If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, please contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559. You may also email information to detectives at: APDDetectives@cityofalex.com.

For a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers of CenLa at (318) 443-7867. The Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster App can also be downloaded to leave tips and get a claim number for a cash reward at www.p3tips.com/community/mobile.

Treasure Chest Tioga has unveiled a Christmas village just in time for the holidays – taken out of storage after 10 years. 

“It belonged to my grandfather, Paul Fett, Sr.,” said owner Phyllis VanGossen. “He collected this Christmas village for years, and then at every gift-buying opportunity, all of our family bought him something new.”

Her grandfather kept the village set up year-round, until his death in 2002.  VanGossen said she brought it out this year as a nostalgic tribute to the past.

“Stepping back to like the old days of seeing a storefront window display at Christmas time. We don’t have that anymore in Alexandria,” VanGossen said.

VanGossen said it warms her heart to see the younger generation experience it.

“The kids, their little eyes light up because they’re not expecting it, and there’s a lot of moving parts to this. We have ice skaters that are moving and some ballroom dancers so for them to be able to see that they love it,” VanGossen said.

The Treasure Chest, located at 4617 Shreveport Highway, sells new and vintage antiques. The village will be on display through January, and VanGossen promises that it will be even bigger next year.

The village is not for sale and is free for anyone who wants to stop by to experience it. The store is open Wednesday through Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 9:30am to 4:30pm.

On December 5, World Soil Day shines a spotlight on the importance of soil, a resource often overlooked but vital for sustaining life on Earth. Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, this annual event emphasizes the role of soil in supporting agriculture, fostering biodiversity, and combating climate change.

Soil is much more than dirt underfoot; it is a living ecosystem teeming with microorganisms, nutrients, and organic matter. It provides the foundation for 95% of the world’s food production, making it essential for global food security. Crops, fruits, and vegetables rely on healthy soil for growth, yet modern farming practices, deforestation, and pollution have led to widespread soil degradation, threatening our ability to feed a growing population.

Beyond agriculture, soil is a critical player in maintaining biodiversity. It serves as a habitat for countless organisms, from earthworms to fungi, and influences the health of ecosystems above ground. Additionally, soil acts as a natural carbon sink, capturing and storing carbon dioxide, which helps mitigate climate change. Degraded soil releases stored carbon back into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming.

Efforts to protect soil health include sustainable farming techniques such as crop rotation, reduced tillage, and the use of cover crops to prevent erosion. Individuals can also contribute by composting food waste and planting native vegetation in gardens. These small steps collectively support healthier soils and a more resilient planet.

This World Soil Day, take a moment to appreciate the ground beneath you. Healthy soil is the foundation for thriving communities and ecosystems, offering a sustainable path to combat food insecurity and climate change. Protecting this vital resource ensures a fertile future for generations to come.

The Rapides Parish District Attorney provided updates on two cases. 

In the State vs. Kelvin Raymond Harris, the case is in the jury selection stage. 

Salvadore Rojas-Hernandez has been convicted of Attempted First-Degree Rape. He has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. The case was prosecuted by ADA Lea Hill. 

The Alexandria Police Department responded to the 700 block of MacArthur Drive in reference to a single-vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on Monday, Dec. 2 around 7:45pm.  The crash claimed the life of the pedestrian identified as 66-year-old Anthony Butler of Alexandria.

The initial investigation revealed Butler was crossing the southbound travel lane of MacArthur Drive at the Cottonwood Drive Crossover when the crash occurred.  Routine toxicology samples from the driver were obtained and submitted for analysis.

This is currently an ongoing investigation. 

If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, please contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number (318) 441-6416, or APD Dispatch (318) 441-6559. You may also email information to detectives at: APDDetectives@cityofalex.com.

For a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers of CenLa at (318) 443-7867. The Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster App can also be downloaded to leave tips and get a claim number for a cash reward at www.p3tips.com/community/mobile.

The Pineville Christmas Parade will roll on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7pm. 

The Parade will begin on Main Street at Hospital/Napoleon Blvd., in front of Huey P. Long.  The parade will continue up Main Street to the entrance of Louisiana Christian University (Military Highway and Donahue Ferry Road).

To register a float in this year’s parade please click HERE and fill out the registration form that will open in a new window.

If you read “Bob, a DJ and a clown” on a guest list, are three people coming to the party, or only one? That depends on whether you are for or against the Oxford comma — perhaps the most hotly contested punctuation mark of all time. The “Oxford comma” is an optional comma before the word “and” at the end of a list. The following is an example of the use of an Oxford comma.

We sing songs, hymns, and choruses.

The question for those of us who write is whether to use the Oxford comma. Sometimes I use an Oxford comma and other times I ignore the convention depending on my mood. The comma does have the grammatical ability to add clarity to communication.

You may need that extra comma for clarification.

This is an apocryphal book dedication, but it shows what happens when the Oxford comma is omitted.

This book is dedicated to my parents, Amy Rand and God.

The omitted comma has given theological import to the sentence. Your eyes might fix it, and your brain knows that Amy Rand and God are not the parents of the author. From a grammatical point of view the sentence is correct, but the meaning is muddy or heretical depending on your perspective.

Today remember the comma.

Small acts of kindness, hospitality, and patience will make a positive impression on the guests God sends to our lives at Christmas. Perhaps after you show kindness you will have the opportunity to talk to someone about why Christmas has a special meaning to you. You might hear a God story coming from a stranger. Something small could open the way to a bigger event.

God is always trying to sneak that Oxford comma into the grammar of our souls. He sends little blessings and reminders of His love for us. He moves in small ways that allow our hearts to experience His grace. We want God to speak big and boldly. We want fireworks! We want certainty. The essence of faith is to believe where we can’t clearly see. Believe that in those small commas that drop into your soul God is working His plan in your life.

Finally, the comma makes you pause. Read the earlier comma examples aloud and hear your brain and voice pause for each comma. We need those pauses in our lives. We need time to just sit and be. I had a friend who sent me what became an annual Christmas tie. Ned lived into her mid-nineties. She loved her beloved pastor friend, such that I received a dozen Christmas ties from her.

The last line of her last Christmas note encouraged me to “linger in His presence long enough to let God’s blessings, happen.”

What a gracious and wise comma.