Alexandria Man Sentenced to Over Four Years for Hiding Machine Gun on His 10-Year-Old Child
United States District Judge Jerry Edwards Jr. sentenced Sheldon Doral Franklin, 33, of Alexandria, to just over four years in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release after Franklin pleaded guilty in April to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The case began on March 23, 2024, when a Pineville Police Department officer monitoring a license plate reader system spotted a stolen maroon Nissan Sentra on U.S. Highway 167. When officers approached, Franklin initially refused commands but was handcuffed. He identified a passenger as his 10-year-old child. When officers attempted to search the child, Franklin refused permission, and the child also refused commands while holding a bag of chips against his leg. An officer felt a concealed handgun between the chip bag and the child’s leg, prompting Franklin to flee on foot before being quickly caught. Officers recovered a loaded Glock Model 23 .40-caliber pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion switch, rendering the weapon fully automatic. Case Number: 1:25-cr-00235-01.

Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning Director Arrested After Three-Parish High-Speed Chase
Heather Urena, 55, of Alexandria, was booked by the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office on August 21 following a high-speed chase that began in Winn Parish and extended through Lincoln and Jackson parishes at speeds exceeding 120 mph. The chase ended when Urena reportedly slammed on her brakes, causing a pursuing deputy to rear-end her vehicle. She faces charges including aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated assault on an officer, and criminal damage to property. Urena serves as Executive Director of the Kisatchie-Delta Regional Planning and Development District in Rapides Parish.

RRMC Kick Cancer and Tackle Stroke Programs Begin This Weekend
Rapides Regional Medical Center kicks off its fifth year of the Kick Cancer program this week as the regular high school football season opens across Rapides Parish. For the fifth consecutive year, the Rapides Cancer Center is partnering with parish football teams to raise money for the American Cancer Society, with every successful point-after-try worth $10 and every field goal worth $20. Parish schools have collectively raised $17,000 for ACS through the program to date. Also on September 4, RRMC’s Tackle Stroke program returns to home openers at Alexandria Senior High and Holy Savior Menard, where staff will distribute hand-held fans listing stroke symptoms and risk factors. Stroke remains the fifth-leading cause of death in Louisiana, with the state’s stroke death rate ranking third-highest in the nation.

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 each candidate time to introduce themselves, share their qualifications, and discuss 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 around construction workers and equipment, and allow extra travel time.

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Northwestern State football coach Blaine McCorkle told the Demon Quarterback Club lunch crowd Wednesday that he’s seen some predictions picking NAIA power Louisiana Christian to beat his team in tonight’s 7 p.m. season opener at Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches.

The Wildcats have won their Sooner Athletic Conference championship twice in three years, and return 18 of 22 starters from last year’s 8-3 team under third-year coach Ben McLaughlin.

The Demons are still recovering from having their 2023 season halted with four games to go, and a complete rebuild since McCorkle stepped into the rubble that December. Northwestern was winless in his first season, and 1-11 last year, breaking an overall 17-game skid in its opener but missing three last-minute chances to do any better last fall.

Maybe this isn’t a typical NCAA Division I (FCS) against NAIA matchup, but McLaughlin isn’t buying that rationale.

“If anybody’s picking us to win they’re trying to fire up Coach McCorkle and his guys,” he said, laughing. “Now I have supreme confidence that our guys are going to play to win the game. If they were going to play the Dallas Cowboys, I’d expect our guys to feel that way.

“You can’t get on that bus to beat a Division I team. To win any game, especially a big game like this, you’ve gotta win a half, and to do that, you’ve gotta win a quarter, and to win a quarter, you’ve gotta win a few drives, and to do that, you’ve gotta win some plays.

“We’re telling our guys go up and have fun. Enjoy the atmosphere, the ESPN cameras, and every snap, try to whip the guy in front of you. If you can beat him more than he beats you, you can win some plays and you can win a game. Just go play football.”

Against a lot of Demons who they’ve seen before, in high school. Both teams have rosters filled with Louisiana products.

“A lot of these guys have been high school teammates or opponents of their players. We’re saying, ‘you probably beat him some in high school, so know that you’re just as good as a lot of their players are individually,” said McLaughlin.

“We all know the Division I offensive linemen are a different size, and there’s a lot (of NSU advantages) that’s common sense, but our players are really good too. They believe they’re going to win a lot of reps, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

In the grand scheme, both coaches want to see their teams play well. A loss would obviously be a disaster for the Demons, but not necessarily for the Wildcats, who have been pounded in their last two season openers by NSU’s Southland Conference cousins Houston Christian (70-7 in 2024) and McNeese (54-9 last fall, in a game that was 17-9 midway through the second quarter).

“If we win this game, and it’s the biggest win in school history, and we lose the rest of them, this season is a failure. If they beat us by 50 and we win the rest of our games, it will be the best season in school history,” said McLaughlin. “Keep this in perspective. I want our kids to play to the standard we want to play, and if we’ve played our tails off, I can sleep well.”

He did after last year’s turnaround and run to a conference championship. In a message that McCorkle and the Demons could find reassuring, McLaughlin said settling into a new approach was the key for the Wildcats.

“It was consistency. (Former) Coach (Drew) Maddox had this program in a great spot. We had a lot of returners that first year but they had to get used to a different everything. We went 4-7 but there were 2-3 games that were one score and didn’t go our way. Last year we’re 8-2 in non-Division I games and about 2-3 one-score games go our way, and if they don’t we have just an average season. Winning close games matters and that’s where continuity develops consistency, and opens the door to success.”

The Wildcats have an extra edge. New defensive backs coach T.J. Hersey has been alongside McCorkle for the past six years, as a player at Division III Belhaven and for the past two years as a graduate assistant coach with the Demons.

“Blaine recommended him and any time a coach vouches for a player he’s been around four seasons as a player and then as a graduate assistant coach, you know it’s a home run. It will be a cool experience for him to be a full-time coach across the field from the man who coached him and gave him his first job,” said McLaughlin, who did not back away from acknowledging Hersey’s insight has been extremely beneficial in game preparation this week.

“Yes sir, that’s exactly right, yes sir,” he said. 

The Demons have developed a young but pretty experienced roster, with 56 returning letterwinners, most second and third-year players. But only seven have started at least a full season.

The Wildcats, however, return 10 offensive starters from a unit that averaged 36.5 points and have eight defensive starters and their punter/kicker back, along with a dozen other veterans. Among other players: Centenary transfer running back Obadiah Butler, who averaged 110 rushing yards in conference games last fall, and 2024 Shreveport-Bossier Journal high school Player of the Year Brandon Henderson, a receiver from Woodlawn High.

“We’re an anomaly right now. We’ve got a lot of old guys, which is rare in college football these days,” said McLaughlin. “We’re one of the few old teams around, so that’s nice. On paper, this could be a team that can take another step in the right direction. Everybody celebrated last season, and they earned it, but we’re not talking about that any more.”

Along with reviving a series dormant since 1968, tonight’s game is a financial windfall for LCU with the guarantee check it gets for visiting the Demons, just like the ones each of the last two years from HCU and McNeese.

“I thank Coach McCorkle so much, because this allows us to function financially in a way that makes our kids feel they’re a real college football program. We take this (revenue) and pour it right back into them to make their football experience at Louisiana Christian University. That is the Number 1 reason we’re doing this,” said McLaughlin.

He wants to do it annually. The Wildcats will return to McNeese next year and want to visit other Louisiana FCS schools in the future.

“We’re not going outside this state to play these games like we used to. It just makes too much sense to play a Louisiana Division I program. I want to play them around here because the connection matters. Every one of our kids was probably on the recruiting board at some point for Northwestern State, for McNeese, for Southeastern. They were good high school players. They just didn’t get the last-minute offers for one reason or another.

“Our roster will be 85-90 percent in-state players, so we want to play around the state, and make it a Louisiana tradition for us. It’s good for both teams,” he said.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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By DOUG IRELAND Journal Sports

ATLANTA – Sam Burns’ superior summer-long performance has him standing eighth in the field of 30 finalists teeing off today in the $40 million Tour Championship, the final event of the 2026 PGA Tour season.

The two-time LSU All-American hits off the first tee at 12:24 paired with Collin Morikawa. Golf Channel will have live coverage of their round.

His last three outings in this event, at East Lake Golf Club, are more reason golf analysts are elevating him into the contenders’ group for the $10 million winner’s purse. SportsLine’s computer program ranks him as the player to beat and he is teeing off with +1500 odds.

Burns tied for seventh last year, was 12^th in 2024 and ninth in 2023. This will be his sixth straight Tour Championship, reserved for the top 30 finishers in the season-long FedEx Cup points race.

But after a terrific eight-event run, the most recent outing last week by the 30-year-old was mediocre, especially by his standards. Burns finished 28^th in the 50-player BMW Championship, but was already assured of reaching this week’s ultimate event due to his exceptional play since early May and his career-best overall season.

The Shreveport native, now a resident of Choudrant, had an eight-event run with six top 20 finishes, including four top fives in a six-tournament span from June 7 (fourth at The Memorial) to Aug. 16 (third at the FedEx St. Jude Championship). He was second at the U.S. Open and third at the British Open after a seventh-place finish at The Masters in April.

All 30 players this week have earned a two-year PGA Tour exemption and entry into next season’s signature events, including all four major championships.

Friday’s coverage begins at 10 a.m. on ESPN, through noon, and shifts to Golf Channel. Weekend TV begins at noon on Golf Channel with CBS picking up tournament action at 2 Saturday and Sunday.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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Phonetic: /con·​fla·​gra·​tion/

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition

fire

especially : a large disastrous fire
The conflagration destroyed the warehouses.


conflict, war
The conflagration between the two countries lasted for ten year

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Rapides Parish Police Jury Calls Special Session for Today
The Rapides Parish Police Jury will hold a special session today, Wednesday, August 26, at 4 p.m. in the Police Jury Meeting Room on the second floor of the Parish Courthouse, 701 Murray St., Alexandria. The agenda includes three action items: a motion to adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Rapides Parish Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan; approval of LAOTF allocations; and a motion to approve the auto and equipment insurance renewal for 2026-2027 with Brown and Brown Insurance. The meeting is open to the public. Residents needing special assistance to attend may contact the Police Jury Office at (318) 473-6660.

Kiwanis Club of Alexandria Names 2026 Firefighter of the Year
The Kiwanis Club of Alexandria has named its 2026 Firefighter of the Year. Confirm the recipient’s name and department through the Kiwanis Club of Alexandria or the Alexandria Fire Department before publishing.

Air Force Band of the West to Perform Free Concert at NSU — September 10
The United States Air Force Band of the West will present a free concert at Northwestern State University on Thursday, September 10, at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall in Natchitoches. While admission is free, tickets are required and can be reserved at eventbrite.com. Based in San Antonio, the USAF Band of the West is comprised of 61 professional musician-airmen who travel more than 125,000 miles annually performing for military and civilian audiences across Texas and surrounding states.

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.

What if one concert could bring together people who love classic hymns, contemporary Christian music, love country music by artists like Dolly Parton, Alison Krauss, Brooks & Dunn & Jelly Roll, those who love  Southern Gospel and traditional Black Gospel, along with those who grew up listening to the Eagles, the Beatles, James Taylor, STYX and classic rock?

There’s one that can.

It’s an Amazing! Rhythm Disciples (ARD) concert.

The Disciples’ mantra is “Familiar Music. Timeless Message.” They like to describe their concerts as seven very accomplished musicians with very diverse backgrounds coming together to make “A VERY Joyful Noise!”

ARD was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, in the fall of 2024, when seven musicians who also happened to be friends came together to play music, have fun and praise God—and ended up forming a unique music ministry.

“It all came together very quickly and very organically,” said bassist Keith “Don’t call Me Shirley” Shirley. “We were just jamming around and having fun. We would play a Southern Gospel song, then a contemporary Christian song, then a country song, then a classic rock song. Sometimes we would almost accidentally mash them together, look at each other and say, ‘Hey, that works!’”

Shirley gives credit where he believes it belongs.

“We knew the good Lord had His hand in this from the get-go,” he said. “The blending of the various musical styles—or ‘mashups,’ as we call them—came together so naturally and so quickly that we knew God was doing something.”

Don’t let all the joking fool you. There is an extraordinary amount of musical experience on an ARD stage.

Among the Disciples are four members of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, current and former church music directors and ministers, and musicians holding at least five music degrees, including a doctorate. Violinist Andrei Kurti studied at the Moscow Conservatory and has performed at Carnegie Hall and in concert halls throughout Europe.

Altogether, the group stopped counting after passing 300 years of combined musical performance experience.

But ARD is difficult to put into a musical box.

“I don’t think you can pigeonhole us as a Gospel group or even simply a Christian music group,” said vocalist Julia Brown. “What we see happening over and over at our concerts is that folks who don’t normally listen to Christian music hear us play a classic rock song or even a current country song reinterpreted through the lens of faith, and they think, ‘Hey, I know that song!’ Before they know it, they’re hearing a contemporary Christian song or a Southern Gospel song and finding that they like it, in spite of themselves.”

“Familiar music is the bridge, and Jesus is where the bridge leads.”

The Amazing! Rhythm Disciples have performed at churches of various denominations, non-denominational churches, festivals and other events. Along the way, they have watched people of different generations, races, backgrounds and faith traditions come together to laugh, cry , praise and sing along while hearing a message centered unmistakably on Jesus Christ.

“We take music people know, along with humor and fun, and use it to open the door,” said one of the Disciples. “Then we walk through that door with them. And no one receives a bigger blessing than us.”

That connection is at the heart of an ARD concert.

“We’re constantly striving to connect with someone in the audience and convey the message that no matter what problems you’re having in your life, you don’t have to face them alone. There’s strength and hope in Jesus. If we reach one person, it’s all been worth it.”

After a recent Disciples concert at a church, an elderly lady approached the group with just one word to describe what she had experienced:

“Joyous.”

The band couldn’t have asked for a better description.

ARD believes sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ doesn’t have to be somber. There can be laughter. There can be great music. There can be familiar songs, unexpected arrangements, stories, memories and plenty of fun.

And there can be joy.

That’s why the Amazing! Rhythm Disciples plan to keep doing exactly what they set out to do:

Making a VERY Joyful Noise!

THE AMAZING! RHYTHM DISCIPLES
Familiar Music. Timeless Message.
Making a VERY Joyful Noise!

For appearances and hosting information:
www.amazingrhythmdisciples.com

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Phonetic: /fal·​la·​cious/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

embodying a fallacy

a fallacious conclusion
a fallacious argument

tending to deceive or mislead : delusive

… false and fallacious hopes …
—Conyers Middleton

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By JIM BUTLER

Rezoning requests are sought for two Alexandria properties to allow new housing options.

Both tracts are south of Broadway and would allow acknowledged much-needed additions to the housing inventory. They will be considered in a 4 p.m. meeting next Monday at City Hall.

Victor Carstarphen, through Double U Property Management & More, seeks a SF-2 designation for land at 3200 Third Street. That would allow construction of single-family homes by a potential buyer, the application notes.

The 1.7 acres is currently zoned C-2 General Commercial.

Fronting 25O feet on Third, the property narrows to 150 feet along 4th. It runs 300 feet along Douglas and 215 along Woodward.

The acreage would accommodate up to six houses on 1/4-acre lots, though the application makes no reference to the number anticipated.

A short distance away, the 3600 block of 4th Street is the location of the second petition.

DaKerron K. Thompson seeks to rezone 3605, 3609, 3613, 3617 and 3622 to SF-3 Single-Family High Density to allow construction of duplexes.

The property is currently SF-2 Single-Family Moderate Density. The change would allow more housing space on the same amount of property.

To clarify: Victor Carstarphen is an Alexandria resident not to be confused with the same-named Camden, N.J. mayor active in the affordable housing industry.

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LCU Names La’Coria Tademy as Women’s Volleyball Head Coach

Louisiana Christian University in Pineville has named La’Coria Tademy as the new head coach of the LCU women’s volleyball program. The announcement comes as the Wildcats prepare for the start of the 2026-2027 athletic season.

ASH Volleyball Opens Season Against Wossman on August 31

Alexandria Senior High School’s volleyball program will open its 2026-2027 season against Wossman on August 31, with student-athletes continuing to practice and prepare despite the ongoing asbestos remediation that has kept ASH on virtual instruction since the first day of school. The Trojans’ athletic schedule is proceeding as planned while academic instruction remains remote.

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 each candidate time to introduce themselves, share their qualifications, and discuss 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 around construction workers and equipment, and allow extra travel time.

Phonetic: /va·​ga·​ry/

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition

an erratic, unpredictable, or extravagant manifestation, action, or notion

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By JIM BUTLER

The reality of state funding changes is reflected in the School Board’s proposed 2026-27 budget that will be subject of a public hearing Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Anticipated state payments to the system are significantly less than the just-completed fiscal year.

Minimum Foundation Program payments to the parish for the current school year are expected to dip to $130.4 million from the 2025-26 total of $136.7 million.

The board proposes to cover an overall revenue shortfall with some of its accumulated fund balance, which begins the year at $50 million and will close at $45.5 million.

This year’s changes in how the state supports public secondary and elementary education are a harbinger of sorts.

A MFP Task Force has begun its study of the $4 billion funding system allocated to parishes under a formula subject to scrubbing.

Governor Jeff Landry pointed the way this summer, slashing upwards of $180 million statewide from what he called non-essential funding and channeling the bulk of it toward teacher pay stipends.

Teachers account for about two-thirds of the projected parish system  General Fund salary budget of $150 million.

Starting teacher pay, including add-ons from dedicated sources, is $57,622; the base is $44,522, according to available records.

Benefits costs for all employees total $72 million.

General Fund income is projected at $247 million, compared to $254.5 in the just-completed year. About $55 million of that comes from property and sales taxes.

Expenses are forecast at $251.4 million, with a $4.4 million transfer from the Fund Balance covering the shortfall.

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By BOB TOMPKINS

Kramer Funeral Home, believed to be the second oldest continuing business in Alexandria, has been sold, KFH president Graham Kramer confirmed Friday.

The funeral home, established in 1875 by John Kramer, has been sold to Beacon Funeral Partners, a privately held company out of Houston, Graham Kramer said. The sale became official on Monday, August 17. Beacon Funeral Partners has funeral homes from Texas to Florida.

“It was just time to do so,” said Kramer, 87, who represents the fourth generation of the Kramer business.  “This is my 62^nd year at Kramer Funeral Home. I figured it was time to make a change. Someone asked me how long I’ve been there, and I said since the Second Book of Genesis.”

Kramer said his 54-year-old daughter, Sarah, chose not to continue the family tradition.

“She loves Alexandria, she moved back here 11 years ago from Houston, and is crazy about Alexandria,” said Kramer, “but she has decided to pursue other interests.”

“I’ve been working on this (transaction) for a time,” Kramer said. “I’ve worked with Beacon since last November. It’s in the best interest of the family to do something now rather than try to do something later on.

“I’m pleased that Beacon is a stand-up company and will maintain the Kramer standards,” Kramer continued. “They will keep the name in front of the building, and the staff will continue to work there.”

The purchase covers the two other Kramer homes in Fifth Ward and Colfax, said Kramer, who hopes to “spend time with my wife and daughter, and enjoy some travel and togetherness.”   

Schanck’s Jewelry is the oldest business in Alexandria, dating back to 1865.

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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.

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

ST. LOUIS – For the first time in three months, former two-time LSU All-American Sam Burns was not in contention at any point of this weekend’s PGA Tour stop.

But he already had his ticket punched for the upcoming Tour Championship in Atlanta when he teed off Thursday morning in the BMW Championship, the middle leg of the three-week FedEx Cup playoff series.

He entered the week in sixth place in the Cup standings, and dipped only two spots to eighth among the top 30 Tour performers who have qualified to play beginning Thursday at East Lake. At stake: by far the biggest payouts of the season, a $40 million purse with $10 million going to the winner. All 30 have earned a two-year PGA Tour exemption and slots into all of the 2027 majors. They already locked up spots into next year’s signature events, those with the highest purses.

Sunday, Burns finished the BMW in a tie for 28^th in the field of 50 qualifiers, carding a 3-under (71-67-68-71 – 277) in his lowest finish since May 10, when he was 37^th at the Truist Championship.

Since then, over nine events, the Choudrant resident has been in eight tournaments with six finishes in the top 20, including four top fives in a six-stop stretch from June 7 (fourth at The Memorial) to Aug. 16 (third at the FedEx St. Jude Championship).

Burns collected a $153,000 payout for his week in St. Louis, raising his career-best season official winnings to $8.9 million.

Wyndham Clark, Burns’ playing partner in the first two rounds, won this week’s event at 17-under, opening with a pair of 64s on Thursday and Friday.

Burns, a Shreveport native, stands at seventh in the Official World Golf Rankings and is fourth in the U.S. Presidents Cup standings, with the top six finishers getting automatic berths on the team.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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The Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit (LSP SVU), working in coordination with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, conducted an undercover chat operation on Aug. 21 in Alexandria and surrounding areas. The operation resulted in the arrest of 37-year-old Esaw Owens III.

During the operation, undercover law enforcement officers communicated with Owens regarding sexual acts in exchange for money. As a result of the operation and information obtained, Owens was arrested for human trafficking of children for sexual purposes and purchase of commercial sexual activity. Owens is employed by the Rapides Parish School Board as a coach and bus driver. He was transported to the Rapides Parish Correctional Facility and processed on the charges.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. No further information is available at this time.

LSP SVU works to rescue and seek justice for the victims of crimes involving the exploitation of children and the trafficking of humans for sex or labor. The public plays an important role in identifying suspects accused of these crimes and is urged to report criminal or suspicious activity. The Louisiana State Police online reporting system is available to the public through an anonymous reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. The form can be found by visiting http://la-safe.org/and clicking on the “Suspicious Activity” link.

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Phonetic: /sa·​lu·​bri·​ous/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

favorable to or promoting health or well-being
salubrious habits

making good health possible or likely
salubrious weather
a salubrious climate/area