By JIM BUTLER

The Diocese of Alexandria proposes to significantly alter its bankruptcy reorganization plan.

Awaiting court hearing, the outline includes revising the classes of allowable claims as well as reducing the amount in a trust fund to pay some of them, including alleged sexual abuse victims.

Facing a growing number of sexual abuse claims, the Diocese filed Chapter 11 last October.

It submitted a reorganization plan in June that included a trust fund in the range of $5 million for substantiated current or future claims relative to abuse.

The current Chapter 11 filing proposes a fund settlement payment contribution of $500,000, increased as necessary “to have such payment not less than liquidation value.”

Should the court find the amount required exceeds $1.5 million the Diocese reserves the option of withdrawing its plan.

The initial plan had general unsecured creditor claims and putative abuse claims in separate classes. They are now joined in Class 4 of four groupings.

Settlement of any such claims would be on a prorated share of the settlement trust payment, initially set $500,000.

The trust fund assets would consist of the settlement payment and any assigned insurance interest payments.

The other three claims classes – Southern Heritage Bank, Sabine State Bank, General Convenience, all secured – remain the same.

The voting deadline on the diocese’s plan, whatever form it may be, is currently November 10, with a confirmation hearing scheduled November 24.

In the face of abuse allegations the Diocese in 2018 undertook study dating to its creation in the 19th Century and developed a list of credibly accused clergy as well as undertaking extensive preventative steps going forward.

According to the Diocese, 158 claims were subsequently filed through the bankruptcy filing date. At least eight are believed duplicate. All are claims, not proof of claim.

More than 80% of the alleged actions occurred in the 1960s, 70s and 80s; five incidents are alleged since 2000.

According to the Chapter 11 paperwork, about half the total pertain to clergy employed or allegedly controlled at the time by the Diocese. About 50 involve parishes shifted from Alexandria to Shreveport in 1986.

And about 30 involve an alleged abuser neither employed or controlled by, but ordained in, the diocese.

He subsequently spent 30+ years as principal of a school of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Alexandria Bishop Robert W. Marshall on Tuesday was appointed interim Apostolic Administrator of the Shreveport diocese.

He will administer its daily affairs while retaining Alexandria responsibilities until a successor to Robert W. Malone, who retired, is chosen.

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Rapides Regional Medical Center Opens Dedicated EMS Lounge
Rapides Regional Medical Center

Rapides Regional Medical Center recently held a ribbon cutting for its new EMS Lounge, a dedicated space open to all Emergency Medical Service providers in the community. The lounge gives EMS providers a place to rest, recharge, and regroup between calls. Rapides Regional thanked EMS personnel for their daily service to the community.

Rapides Parish Police Jury Committees Meeting — October 5
Rapides Parish Police Jury

The Rapides Parish Police Jury will hold its regular committee meetings on Monday, October 5, beginning at 3 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Police Jury Office, second floor of the Parish Courthouse, 701 Murray St., Alexandria. Eight committees will meet in sequence: Finance; Public Works, Watershed and Agricultural Affairs; Workforce Development and Grants; Tourism and Economic Planning and Development; Courthouse, Coliseum and Facilities; Parochial Board Liaison and Municipal Liaison; Personnel, Elections, Insurance and Legal; and Ambulance, Fire, Health and Homeland Security. The agenda will be posted at 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, on the Meeting Room door. The meeting will be streamed live at rppj.com and on YouTube at @rppj-la.

Rapides Parish Police Jury Regular Meeting — October 12
Rapides Parish Police Jury

The Rapides Parish Police Jury will hold its regular monthly meeting on Monday, October 12, at 3 p.m. in the Meeting Room, Police Jury Office, second floor of the Parish Courthouse, 701 Murray St., Alexandria. The agenda will be posted at 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, on the Meeting Room door. The meeting will be streamed live at rppj.com and on YouTube at @rppj-la.

LSUA Lecture: The Folklore of Sports — September 25
Louisiana State University of Alexandria

LSUA will host a free public lecture on Friday, September 25, from 12:15 to 1 p.m. titled “The Lore Behind the Score: Exploring the Folklore of Sports.” Dr. Emily Bryant, director of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, will explore how folklore appears in sports — from game-day traditions and superstitions to fan memorabilia and team legends. Bryant holds a Ph.D. in folklore from Indiana University. Visitors are welcome to bring their lunch.

National Hunting and Fishing Day at LDWF Woodworth — September 26
Rapides Regional Medical Center, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Rapides Regional Medical Center is again co-sponsoring Louisiana’s National Hunting and Fishing Day on Friday, September 26, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the LDWF Outdoor Education Center in Woodworth on Robinson Bridge Road. RRMC personnel will teach ATV safety and Stop the Bleed training. Admission is free. For more information, visit wlf.la.gov/page/nhfd.

Week 3 of the Rapides Parish Journal’s annual High School Football Pick ’Em contest is underway, giving local fans another chance to test their gridiron knowledge and win cash.

Each week, the contest features 10 selected matchups highlighting Rapides Parish high schools and marquee regional games. The second round of competition concludes Friday, Sept. 18, so make your selections before kickoff to get in the game.

Each weekly winner will take home $100 and be featured with a photo in the Journal.

Participants can submit their picks online through the RPJ platform throughout the season to see who truly reigns as the top football prognosticator in Rapides Parish.

Contest Rules & Details

• Anyone is eligible to participate for free, and each week’s winning participant will win a $100 prize. Each week, the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected high school football games. Ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two designated weekly contests. The picker with the closest score, without going over, is the winner. All decisions by Management/RPJ are final. The contest can be modified and/or cancelled without notice to the public.
  
  The only persons not eligible to participate are the publisher, the publisher’s immediate family, and regular content contributors to the Journal as determined by Management/RPJ.
  
• There is no entry fee. All contest decisions by Journal management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Mondays and must agree to have their photo published in the Journal.
  
• Every participant receives a free subscription to the Journal, delivered directly to their inbox daily at 6:55 a.m.

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Alexandria Senior High held serve in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A top 10 poll for Week 3 of the high school football season.

The Trojans are still the only Rapides Parish school receiving votes again this week. After opening with a 44-20 victory at home over Bryant (Ark.), ASH hammered Union Parish in Farmerville 52-7 last Friday.

The next two weeks, at least, won’t be as easy.

This Friday, ASH hosts Lafayette Christian Academy (2-0), ranked fifth in Class AA. In two weeks, the Trojans visit former District 2-5A foe Neville, which has dropped to Class 4A and is ranked fourth in that classification.

Only 14 of the 50 ranked teams in this week’s top 10 polls are from the 318 area code. Nearby Jena jumped from fifth to third in the 3A poll after knocking off reigning state champion Sterlington in a rematch of last December’s state finals. Marksville also cracked the 3A Top 10 at No. 9 this week.

Eleven sports media members in the LSWA are polled weekly to compile the rankings.

Class 5A

School (1^st place votes), record, poll points, last week’s ranking

1.Ruston (9), 2-0, 130,1

2. Karr (2), 2-0, 123, 2

3. Alexandria Senior High, 2-0, 102, 3

4. St. Augustine, 2-0, 99, 4

5. Catholic-Baton Rouge, 1-1, 83, 5

6. John Curtis, 1-1, 78, 6

7. Archbishop Rummel, 2-0, 70, 7

8. Acadiana, 2-0, 57, 8

9. Brother Martin, 2-0,  40, 9

10. Ouachita, 2-0, 20, NR

Others receiving votes: West Monroe 19, Jesuit 9, Mandeville 9, Central 8, Barbe 4, St. Thomas More 2, Destrehan 1, Southside 1, Thibodaux 1. 

Class 4A

1. Westgate (8), 2-0, 128, 2

2. Archbishop Shaw (1), 2-0, 118, 2

3. North DeSoto (1), 2-0, 104, 3

4. Neville (1), 1-1, 104, 4

5. Lake Charles Prep, 2-0, 88, 6

6. Madison Prep, 1-1, 78, 7

7. Franklin Parish, 1-1, 54, 8

8. Cecilia, 2-0, 51, 9

9. Plaquemine, 1-1, 49, 5

10. Salmen, 1-1,  36,  Not rated

Others receiving votes:  Lafayette Renaissance 20, John F. Kennedy 15, E.D. White 6, Belle Chasse 3, Teurlings Catholic 3, Carencro 1.

Class 3A

1. St. Charles (11),2-0, 136, 1

2. St. James, 2-0, 114, T3

3. Jena, 2-0, 110, 5

4. Sterlington, 1-1, 95, 2

5. Iowa, 1-1, 70, 9

6. University, 0-2, 67, T3

7. Jewel Sumner,1-1, 63, 6

8. Loyola, 1-1, 53 , 8

9. Marksville, 2-0, 49, NR

10. Vandebilt Catholic, 1-1, 41, 7

Others receiving votes: Iota 19, Northwest 4, Erath 4, De La Salle 3, Carroll 1, Eunice 1.

Class 2A

1, Calvary Baptist (9), 2-0, 129, 2

2, Dunham (2), 1-1, 119, 1

3. Notre Dame, 2-0, 111, 4

4. Mangham, 1-1,  95, 6

5. Lafayette Christian Academy, 2-0, 81, 6

6. Oak Grove, 1-1, 79, 3

7. Amite, 2-0, 76, 7

8. Kinder, 1-1, 53, 5

9. Catholic-New Iberia, 1-1, 36

10. Mansfield, 2-0, 29, NR

Others receiving votes: Newman 25, Loreauville 19, West St. Mary 6, Covenant Christian 3, Country Day 2, Union Parish 2.

Class 1A

1. Ouachita Christian (8),2-0, 129, 1

2. Riverside Academy (3), 2-0, 123, 2

3. Ascension Catholic, 2-0, 109, 3

4. Jeanerette, 2-0, 96, 4

5. Haynesville,  1-1, 83, 5

6. Logansport, 2-0, 69, 6

7. Southern Lab, 2-0, 66, 7

8. Kentwood, 2-0, 59, 8

9. Westminster-Lafayette, 2-0, 45, 9

10. South Plaquemines, 1-1, 25, NR

Others receiving votes: Cedar Creek 21, East Feliciana 12, Lincoln Prep 11, St. Edmund 6, Westminster-Opelousas 5.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Sept. 16

Michael Monty Craig-Olano, 22, Pineville – aggravated assault domestic abuse, two counts violation of protective orders, domestic abuse battery strangulation, no bail data.

Sept. 15

Calvin Alston, 39, Alexandria – three counts possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, improper lane usage, $8,600 bail;

Alexis Jonae Carter, 28, Alexandria – theft, simple burglary, criminal damage to property, probation violation, $10,000 bail;

Jordan Curtis George, 17, Alexandria – second degree battery, $10,000 bail;

Misti M. Hudgens, 51, Pineville – domestic abuse battery, aggravated assault domestic abuse, disturbing the peace, $500 bail;

Michael Shane Tarver, 46, Elizabeth – aggravated second degree battery, $10,000 bail;

Roderick Deon Turner, 34, Alexandria – illegal carry firearm with drugs, two counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, carrying a firearm on school property, six counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, paraphernalia, two counts resisting an officer, resisting a police officer with force or violence, possession of CDS in a school zone, $241,500 bail.

Sept. 14

Christopher Reid Carlton, 42, Colfax – possession of CDS, improper turn, $1,600 bail;

Jason C.Delhommer, 40, Jonesville – Louisiana fugitive, contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Sam Karl Gibson, 36, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $51,500 bail;

James Damon Henry, 46, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, headlamps required on motor vehicles, obstruction of justice, parole violations, $8,100 bail;

Jamoine Akeem Jefferson, 39, Pineville – possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, remaining on premises, parole violations, two counts contempt of court, $6,250 bail;

Aaron John Kissee, 34, Pineville – domestic abuse battery strangulation, $25,000 bail;

Jonas Torez Smith, 30, Alexandria – theft, three counts contempt of court, $65,000 bail;

Colby Daniel Vance II, 35, Ball – three counts contempt of court, $300,000 bail.

Sept. 13

Lisa Marie Fisher, 55, Alexandria – theft, false communication to cause emergency response, $2,000 bail;

Peter Bryant Lewis, 19, Alexandria – OWI underage, tail lamps red light, improper window tint, $1.200 bail;

Aaron Kade Poche, 21, Robeline – hit and run driving, domestic abuse battery, careless operation of a vehicle, $2,100 bail;

Ohaji Walls, 23, Boyce – domestic abuse battery strangulation, $5,000 bail;

Ashley Nicole Young, 43, Pineville – Louisiana fugitive, probation violation, simple escape, contempt of court, $10,000 bail.

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Phonetic: /com·​mo·​di·​ous/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

comfortably or conveniently spacious : roomy

a commodious closet

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Noah Does It LLC Heating & Cooling Grand Opening — Today
Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce

Noah Does It LLC Heating & Cooling holds its grand opening ribbon cutting today, Wednesday, September 16, at 10 a.m. at 1118 Third St. in Alexandria. The event is hosted by the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce and is open to the public.

Leglue Nissan Grand Re-Opening Ribbon Cutting — Tomorrow
Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce

Leglue Nissan celebrates its grand re-opening with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, September 17, at 9 a.m. at 6400 Coliseum Blvd. in Alexandria. The event is hosted by the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce and is open to the public.

LSUA Lecture: The Folklore of Sports — September 25
Louisiana State University of Alexandria

LSUA will host a free public lecture on Friday, September 25, from 12:15 to 1 p.m. titled “The Lore Behind the Score: Exploring the Folklore of Sports.” Dr. Emily Bryant, director of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, will explore how folklore appears in sports — from game-day traditions and superstitions to fan memorabilia and team legends. Bryant holds a Ph.D. in folklore from Indiana University. Visitors are welcome to bring their lunch.

National Hunting and Fishing Day at LDWF Woodworth — September 26
Rapides Regional Medical Center, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Rapides Regional Medical Center is again co-sponsoring Louisiana’s National Hunting and Fishing Day on Friday, September 26, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the LDWF Outdoor Education Center in Woodworth on Robinson Bridge Road. RRMC personnel will teach ATV safety and Stop the Bleed training. Admission is free. For more information, visit wlf.la.gov/page/nhfd.

Week 3 of the Rapides Parish Journal’s annual High School Football Pick ’Em contest is underway, giving local fans another chance to test their gridiron knowledge and win cash.

Each week, the contest features 10 selected matchups highlighting Rapides Parish high schools and marquee regional games. The second round of competition concludes Friday, Sept. 18, so make your selections before kickoff to get in the game.

Each weekly winner will take home $100 and be featured with a photo in the Journal.

Participants can submit their picks online through the RPJ platform throughout the season to see who truly reigns as the top football prognosticator in Rapides Parish.

Contest Rules & Details

• Anyone is eligible to participate for free, and each week’s winning participant will win a $100 prize. Each week, the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected high school football games. Ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two designated weekly contests. The picker with the closest score, without going over, is the winner. All decisions by Management/RPJ are final. The contest can be modified and/or cancelled without notice to the public.
  
  The only persons not eligible to participate are the publisher, the publisher’s immediate family, and regular content contributors to the Journal as determined by Management/RPJ.
  
• There is no entry fee. All contest decisions by Journal management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Mondays and must agree to have their photo published in the Journal.
  
• Every participant receives a free subscription to the Journal, delivered directly to their inbox daily at 6:55 a.m.

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The First United Methodist Church Alexandria Art Ministry is offering several opportunities this fall for community members to slow down, create, and connect through visual arts and fellowship. Open to individuals of all skill and experience levels, the programs range from outdoor neighborhood sketching to spiritual retreats and weekly evening sessions.

Sketchin’ in the Neighborhood

Urban Sketching returns to the Garden District on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m. for “Sketchin’ in the Neighborhood.” Participants will gather at 2121 White St. in Alexandria to spend the morning drawing their surroundings.

Urban Sketching focuses on a relaxed, community-centered approach to capturing local sights, including architecture, trees, streets, and passersby. No artistic background is necessary, with the focus placed on observation and enjoying the creative process.

Fall Art & Prayer Retreat

The church will host a Fall Art & Prayer Retreat on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in The Studio at First United Methodist Church of Alexandria, located at 2727 Jackson St.

Led by the Rev. Jean Sanders, pastor and artist in residence, the retreat provides a quiet environment to step away from routine demands and connect through art-based prayer activities, reflection, silence, and fellowship. No prior art experience is required.

Advance registration is required by 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. A donation of $30 per person is suggested, though scholarships are available. Registration is available online at fumca.org/art.

Art Journaling and Wednesday Activities

The Art Ministry also meets during the church’s Wednesday evening schedule with Art Journaling sessions led by Sanders. Held at 6 p.m. in The Studio following The Gathering fellowship meal, upcoming sessions are scheduled for Sept. 16, Sept. 23, and Sept. 30.

In addition to art journaling, Wednesday evening programming following The Gathering includes:

• Central Louisiana Mahjong: Open play begins Wednesdays at 6 p.m., as well as Fridays at 1 p.m.
• Chancel Choir: Rehearsals take place Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
• Christmas Cantata Choir: Rehearsals begin Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Both choir groups welcome new members.

For more information on the Art Ministry, visit fumca.org/art. Details regarding Wednesday evening meals and programs can be found at fumca.org/thegathering.

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Phonetic: /SHOH-far/

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition

the horn of a ruminant animal and usually a ram blown as a trumpet by the ancient Hebrews in battle and during religious observances and used in modern Judaism especially during Rosh Hashanah and at the end of Yom Kippur

The holiday ends when the shofar, a musical instrument made from a ram’s horn or another animal, is blown.

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Reignite Initiative Community Engagement Session — Today
City of Alexandria

The City of Alexandria hosts a Reignite Initiative community engagement session today from 1 to 3 p.m. Residents are encouraged to attend and share input on the ongoing revitalization plans for the Alexandria Mall corridor. Confirm the specific location through the City of Alexandria at cityofalexandriala.com.

Unitech Training Academy Open House — Tonight
Unitech Training Academy

Unitech Training Academy’s Alexandria campus hosts a community open house tonight from 5:45 to 7 p.m., offering hands-on learning experiences and information on career training programs available at the Alexandria location. The event is free and open to the public.

Pro-Mow Fencing & Lawn Care Ribbon Cutting — Today
Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce

Pro-Mow Fencing & Lawn Care celebrates its opening today with a ribbon cutting from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 8217 Shreveport Hwy in Pineville. The chamber-hosted event marks the launch of the commercial and residential services company, specializing in fencing, landscaping, cleanups, drainage work, and more.

Leglue Nissan Grand Re-Opening Ribbon Cutting — September 17
September 15, 2026 | Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce
Leglue Nissan will celebrate its grand re-opening with a ribbon cutting on Thursday, September 17, at 9 a.m. at 6400 Coliseum Blvd. in Alexandria. The event is hosted by the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce and is open to the public.

CenLa Chamber Congressional Candidates Luncheon — September 22
September 15, 2026 | Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce
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 is open to chamber members and guests.

National Hunting and Fishing Day at LDWF Woodworth — September 26
Rapides Regional Medical Center, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Rapides Regional Medical Center is again co-sponsoring Louisiana’s National Hunting and Fishing Day on Friday, September 26, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the LDWF Outdoor Education Center in Woodworth on Robinson Bridge Road. RRMC personnel will teach ATV safety and Stop the Bleed training. Admission is free. For more information, visit wlf.la.gov/page/nhfd.

Week 3 of the Rapides Parish Journal’s annual High School Football Pick ’Em contest is underway, giving local fans another chance to test their gridiron knowledge and win cash.

Each week, the contest features 10 selected matchups highlighting Rapides Parish high schools and marquee regional games. The second round of competition concludes Friday, Sept. 18, so make your selections before kickoff to get in the game.

Each weekly winner will take home $100 and be featured with a photo in the Journal.

Participants can submit their picks online through the RPJ platform throughout the season to see who truly reigns as the top football prognosticator in Rapides Parish.

Contest Rules & Details

• Anyone is eligible to participate for free, and each week’s winning participant will win a $100 prize. Each week, the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected high school football games. Ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two designated weekly contests. The picker with the closest score, without going over, is the winner. All decisions by Management/RPJ are final. The contest can be modified and/or cancelled without notice to the public.
  
  The only persons not eligible to participate are the publisher, the publisher’s immediate family, and regular content contributors to the Journal as determined by Management/RPJ.
  
• There is no entry fee. All contest decisions by Journal management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Mondays and must agree to have their photo published in the Journal.
  
• Every participant receives a free subscription to the Journal, delivered directly to their inbox daily at 6:55 a.m.

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The reigning Sooner Athletic Conference Champion Louisiana Christian University football team moved up in both of the NAIA’s Top 25 polls, entering the Coaches Poll for the first time this season while moving up in the recent Victory Sports Network Top 25 on Monday.
 
Louisiana Christian (3-0, 2-0 SAC) entered the top 25 in the NAIA Coaches Top 25, coming in tied for the No. 19 spot, while moving to No. 17 in the Victory Sports Network NAIA Top 25.

This was the first in-season poll by the NAIA’s coaches, a poll that helps determine playoff at-large invitations and seedings in the postseason. LCU received votes in the NAIA Coaches preseason poll. This is VSN’s second in-season poll. It had the Wildcats at 27^th in its preseason outlook and 19^th  after LCU’s blowout win over Langston.

The Wildcats are enjoying their best start to a season since a 7-0 start in 2023, the same year LCU won its first Sooner Athletic Conference championship and qualified for the NAIA Football Championship Series. Louisiana Christian made headlines to start the season by beating NCAA Division I FCS Northwestern State, 42-37, in Week 0.

The Wildcats look to make history a second time this season, heading to Baton Rouge to take on another NCAA DI opponent in Southern. Kickoff of Saturday’s contest against the Jaguars (1-2) is set for 6 p.m. at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

LCU won its first two games in SAC play, taking down the Lions at Wildcat Field, 70-14, before knocking off Wayland Baptist, 44-27, this past weekend on the road.

Louisiana Christian was the lone team from the SAC in both polls. Ottawa (Ariz.) received votes in the NAIA Coaches Poll.

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Phonetic: /anath·​e·​ma/

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition

someone or something intensely disliked or loathed —usually used in the phrase be anathema (to)

one that is cursed by ecclesiastical authority

a ban or curse solemnly pronounced by ecclesiastical authority and accompanied by excommunication

the denunciation of something as accursed

a vigorous denunciation : curse

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Rapides Parish Police Jury Meets Today at 3 p.m.
Rapides Parish Police Jury

The Rapides Parish Police Jury holds its regular monthly meeting today, Monday, September 14, at 3 p.m. in the Police Jury Meeting Room on the second floor of the Parish Courthouse, 701 Murray St., Alexandria. The agenda was posted Thursday, September 10, at 4 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and will be streamed live at rppj.com and on YouTube at @rppj-la.

Louisiana OMV Customer Service Centers Closed Today for System Modernization
Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles

Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles customer service centers statewide are closed today, Monday, September 14, for a system modernization upgrade. Residents needing OMV services are encouraged to use the online portal at expresslane.org. Centers are expected to reopen Tuesday, September 15.

LSUA Lecture: The Folklore of Sports — September 25
Louisiana State University of Alexandria

LSUA will host a free public lecture on Friday, September 25, from 12:15 to 1 p.m. titled “The Lore Behind the Score: Exploring the Folklore of Sports.” Dr. Emily Bryant, director of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum, will explore how folklore appears in sports — from game-day traditions and superstitions to fan memorabilia and team legends. Bryant holds a Ph.D. in folklore from Indiana University. Visitors are welcome to bring their lunch.

National Hunting and Fishing Day at LDWF Woodworth — September 26
Rapides Regional Medical Center, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

Rapides Regional Medical Center is again co-sponsoring Louisiana’s National Hunting and Fishing Day on Friday, September 26, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the LDWF Outdoor Education Center in Woodworth on Robinson Bridge Road. RRMC personnel will teach ATV safety and Stop the Bleed training. Admission is free. For more information, visit wlf.la.gov/page/nhfd.

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.

Robert Tassin was the winner of $100 in the Rapides Parish Journal High School Football Pick ‘Em Contest, hundreds of participants have had lots of fun.

There’s another $100 prize on the line.  You have until Friday afternoon at 6 to enter this week’s contest. Anyone has the chance to win the $100 prize as the week’s top predictor of High School football games.

Participation is very simple. Just click on this link:

Participants can submit their picks online through the RPJ platform throughout the season to see who truly reigns as the top football prognosticator in Rapides Parish.

Contest Rules & Details

• Anyone is eligible to participate for free, and each week’s winning participant will win a $100 prize. Each week, the winner will be the participant with the best record out of 10 selected high school football games. Ties will be broken by two separate tiebreakers consisting of guessing the total points scored in two designated weekly contests. The picker with the closest score, without going over, is the winner. All decisions by Management/RPJ are final. The contest can be modified and/or cancelled without notice to the public.
  
  The only persons not eligible to participate are the publisher, the publisher’s immediate family, and regular content contributors to the Journal as determined by Management/RPJ.
  
• There is no entry fee. All contest decisions by Journal management are final. Weekly winners will be notified on Mondays and must agree to have their photo published in the Journal.
  
• Every participant receives a free subscription to the Journal, delivered directly to their inbox daily at 6:55 a.m.

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