Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

March 22

Michael Harrell, 45, Alexandria — OWI 1st, headlamps required on motorcycles/motorized vehicles, 8:36 pm, $1,100 bail.

March 23

Tyler Bordelon, 31, Deville — OWI 3rd, open container, improper lane usage, driving under suspension for prior offense, 10:30 pm, $25,700 bail;

Marc Jacques, 63, Alexandria — OWI 3rd, open container, improper lane usage, 7:04 pm, $10,200 bail (also charged OWI 3rd on March 23, 2022);

David Patterson, 61, Pineville — OWI 1st, no driver’s license, following too close, contempt, 4:07 pm, $1,800 bail.

March 24

Lamarcus Delry, 37, Alexandria — OWI 2nd, safety belt violation, open container, no driver’s license, fugitive, contempt, 2:50 pm, $4,300 bail;

Joseph Racina III, 20, Boyce — OWI 1st, improper lane usage, 1:47 am, $1,100 bail.

March 26

Eric Meginley Sr., 46, Deville — OWI 1st, open container, improper lane usage, no MVI sticker, 12:06 am, $6,300 bail.

March 27

Shannon Beran, 48, Deville — OWI 4th, unlawful refusal to test, resisting, improper lane usage, 9:11 pm, $41,200 bail.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

March 27

Christopher Bourgeois, 37, Hot Springs, AR — possession 2 counts, CDS in presence of person under 17, suspension/revocation, no headlight, $3,200 bail;

Herbert Dotson Jr., 48, Pineville — possession with

intent, $50,00 bail;

Toby Guidroz, 22, Moreauville — possession, paraphernalia, failure to dim for approaching vehicle, $1,100;

Darius Lilly, 46, Alexandria — possession, contempt 2 counts, $5,500 bail.

This date: 20 arrests, 8 of which included at least 1 contempt of court charge.

How to handle issues of decorum without restraining debate has coincidentally been addressed by two local public officials this month.

Perhaps a result of the prevailing discord on Capitol Hill or just a reflection of a change in behavioral norms society-wide, civility often now gives way to cacophony in the halls of government.

A hundred years ago, disagreement brought such as this:

Lady Nancy Astor to Winston Churchill: “If I was your wife, sir, I would poison your tea.”

Churchill: “Nancy, if I was your husband, I would drink it.”

No more. Current example – Wednesday’s City Council public hearing on a proposed post-reapportionment change in three election districts. 

Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy said at a briefing earlier this month his administration is working on a revised procedure for handling public comment at City Council meetings. It can’t come soon enough. 

Police Jury President Joe Bishop closed this month’s Jury session with a pointed reminder on how he thinks business should be conducted. 

Roy noted what is the obvious — the current public comment rules at council meetings often allow wandering off subject. And the clock used to time commenters sometimes seem to run like a clogged hour glass. 

Council President Jim Villard allows a generous latitude, even to those who pitch unfounded accusations and non-germane remarks. 

The mayor said no one wants to curb legitimate questions and comment in invoking procedures that will revolve around proper time, place and manner. He didn’t say it, but something has to be done. 

Bishop’s remarks were more pointed. 

Some background:

Early in the meeting, Jay Scott moved to waive the parish’s 30-day rule and appoint him to a four-year term on the Rapides Area Planning Commission. It died for lack of a second. 

Four other appointment motions by Scott had the same result. 

Such waivers by the jury are as regular as robins in the spring. 

The rule was adopted in the 1980s when appointments to the airport authority, coliseum authority (both now out of business) and the library board were coveted and contentious. 

It requires notice to the public that jurors intend to fill a post the following month, allowing any and all to make their wishes known.

Over time, interest in appointments has for the most part diminished and jurors routinely waive the wait, leading some to wonder why it just doesn’t rewrite the rule. 

Shortly after letting Scott’s motions go by the wayside, jurors approved one by Vice President Sean McGlothlin to waive the rule for a sewer board appointment. 

Reading between the lines of minutes is necessary. 

Such is the backdrop for Bishop’s remarks:

“As your President this year I want to take a moment to speak to each of you about something that affects all of us. This is directed to all of us not to anyone in particular. 

“Our constituents elected us to come here and represent them, they expect us to represent them in a professional and courteous manner.

“At our meetings we can certainly disagree with each other on issues and each of you vote your own conscience. But let’s do that in a professional and respectful and polite manner.

“We don’t need any disrespectful conduct or hard language or curse words towards each other. 

“Also, when you contact a fellow juror either by telephone or email or text message please be professional and respectful to each other and don’t use disrespectful or harsh language or curse words with each other.

“Let’s all also work together even when we disagree, and serve the citizens of Rapides Parish in a manner that they expect from us. We are God’s people and let’s conduct ourselves like that.”

Carbon copy to Congress. 

Jim Butler, a Bolton High School alumnus, was an acclaimed writer and editor at the Alexandria Town Talk for 36 years, the last 23 (1977-2003) as editor-in-chief. He led Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of Hurricane Katrina for the Gulfport (Miss.) Sun-Herald in 2005. Butler returned home to Cenla a few years ago, and shares his talents and insight with Rapides Parish Journal readers.

By LEIGH FLYNN DOTY

I am going to come right out and say it. Some businesses are just easier to promote than others. Due to the nature of their business, it seems some almost promote themselves effortlessly, while, for others, it is more of a struggle.

When I was asked to begin featuring local businesses for the Rapides Parish Journal, I gladly accepted the challenge. Many of our local, small businesses do not have large advertising budgets, so they rely heavily on social media and word of mouth advertising. Bringing the stories of how local residents have identified a need and have invested their time, talents, and futures into this community is truly heartwarming.

There are so many good, unique stories to tell. I hope I can share many more with you. If you have a business that you feel may need some local love, let me know!

One of the first businesses we brainstormed brought together two unlikely strangers who, while training for a triathlon, found that they had more in common than they originally thought.

Long training sessions can be grueling, but when you find someone who shares another interest with you, it provides a great distraction. In the case of Robyn Schwartz and Bridget Vaughn, that commonality happened to be cupcakes.

The two discovered a shared passion for baking, but, as they put it, there was no way they could have predicted where those conversations would eventually lead.

Now, more than a dozen years (and many, many dozen cupcakes) later, their determination, perseverance, faith, and friends, have not only helped make Little Cakes with Big Attitude a local “go to” for sweet treats; those qualities have also helped bring these two through some of the most difficult of circumstances, many of which have occurred in the past year alone.

The inexplicable grief of senselessly losing a daughter, the establishment of a non-profit organization in her memory, and the inaugural “LV5K” set for this Saturday are all demonstrative of the outpouring of love and support that continues to envelop the Little Cakes family.

Although the original goal for the 5K was 250 participants, more than 650 had signed up by mid-week to participate in the event. The 5K and 1 mile walk/run is a fundraiser for the Lauren Vaughn Memorial Scholarship that was established at Northwestern State University to benefit future nurses in the Accelerated BS to BSN program and to raise awareness of the dangers of drunk and impaired driving.

In the midst of their grief, the partners opened a second location at 2965A Monroe Highway in Pineville. Again, the outpouring of support helped to sustain these two.

Customers love their uniquely shaped cupcakes, their cupcake shakes, homemade “pop tarts” and other breakfast items, coffees, their paleo and keto items, and so many other specialty items. They offer a variety of flavors, including specialty flavors of the month.

Although their formative days of being on the road, participating in vendor events such as Junior League trade shows, are behind them, Vaughn and Schwartz continue to be extremely involved in community events.

Vaughn, who celebrated a birthday this week, is actually a finalist for the inaugural Spirit of Sara Simmonds Award being presented by the Junior League of Alexandria during its Empowerment Breakfast in mid-April. In promoting the event, the Junior League’s Facebook page describes the award as such: “The Spirit of Sara Simmonds Award embodies the very essence of dedication and compassion.”

Nominees were described as having made a difference in the community by “demonstrating unparalleled commitment to service, leadership, and the collective betterment of our community.”

Little Cakes with Big Attitude’s Alexandria location, at 4120 Jackson Street, is open from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The Pineville location is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Holidays may affect the hours of operation.

Contact Leigh at leighf31@yahoo.com

Arrests are accusations, not convictions. 

March 26

Kenneth Evans, 37, Pineville — firearm possession by convicted felon, theft of motor vehicle, failure to secure registration, suspension/revocation, improper display of license plate, cancelled plate, contempt 2 counts, $55,100 bail.

Alexandria residents looking for an “egg”cellent time this evening should hop on over to Bolton High School for the annual Bunny Hop.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. on the Bolton High School football field. Entrance is from the Masonic Drive end of the stadium.

For $5 admission, participants can expect an Easter egg hunt, face painting, games, food trucks, and even more fun activities.

The event is a fundraiser for the Bolton Cheerleading Team. For information, contact the school, or check out the Bolton Cheerleading Facebook page.

The 2023-24 all-state basketball teams for Classes A, B and C have been announced by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and several Rapides Parish stars found the spotlight.

Headlining the list:  Northwood senior guard Rhianna Battles leads the Class A girls All-State team with her second consecutive all-state selection, this time as Outstanding Player.

The Lady Gators’ standout averaged 21 points, five assists and four rebounds per game in her final season while guiding the program to a fourth straight state tournament championship game appearance.

Taking charge to lead Northwood to this year’s Division IV Select state championship game, she averaged 21 points, five assists, five steals and four rebounds per game. The District 3-1A MVP, Player of the Year on the Rapides Parish Journal’s All-Parish Team, finished her high school career with two state championships and two runner-up trophies.

Teammate Nyasia Moran was a Class A All-State second-team selection. The smooth left-handed wing averaged a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the District 1-3A first team and the All-Parish Team. 

Two more parish small school stars earned first-team all-state recognition.

Plainview girls standout Cameron Sutton, a 5-8 junior, averaged 17.0 points to make the Class C All-State roster.

For the Oak Hill girls, 5-10 senior Alexis Dyer made the Class B All-State first team, also averaging 17 points while contributing 8 rebounds, 2 assists and steals per game. Oak Hill made a second straight state championship game appearance.

On the boys side, Plainview senior guard Nathan Fee was a second-team Class C All-State selection after scoring 20.2 points per game.

In Class B, Rapides’ standout Christopher Newton was included on the boys All-State honorable mention list.

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It’s the current No. 1 ranked team in college baseball. . .

“I don’t really talk about it,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “It’s great, but at the same time, it’s just a number. There’s a lot of season left. Things are going to move around.”

Vs. the defending national champions. . .

“We’re the champ, we’re getting everybody’s best shot,” LSU head coach Jay Johnson said.

The top-ranked Razorbacks (20-3 overall, 5-1 SEC) and the No. 7 Tigers (20-6, 2-4 SEC) are on different trajectories as they open the third weekend of league play starting a three-game series in Fayetteville today at 6 on ESPN2.

Armed with a pitching staff ranked first nationally in four stat categories, including earned run average (2.50), Arkansas is a heavy favorite to win the series.

Not because the Razorbacks will be playing at home in sold-out Baum Walker Stadium where the Hogs are 16-1, but they’ve also won the last 9 of 13 games over the Tigers including 3 of 4 series wins including the last two (2019, 2022) in Fayetteville.

LSU’s inability for its pitchers to escape trouble – 65 percent of opposing runs (34 of 52) in its first six SEC games have been scored with two outs – and chilly bats (.236) in losing its first two league series at Mississippi State and home vs. Florida – have the Tigers in an early hole in conference play.

“We know what we’re capable of,” said Arizona transfer outfielder Mac Bingham, who’s batting .301 for the Tigers with 5 homers and 17 RBI. The best we’ve played in is at Texas (going 4-0 with a win over Rice and three victories in the Astros Classic).

“Right there, it shows you can beat anyone at any given moment. That’s how baseball works. We’ve seen how well we can play and we can still be better than that and we’ve seen when it’s not going well.”

Two of LSU’s starting pitchers – transfers Luke Holman (Alabama) and Gage Jump (UCLA) – improved from the Mississippi State series two weekends ago to the Florida series this past weekend.

But the third starter – returnee Thatcher Hurd – has struggled with an 11.17 ERA in 9.2 innings in being credited with losses to MSU and Florida.

Because of that, Johnson is shuffling his starting rotation. He’s putting Hurd back in the bullpen, moving Holman from Game 1 to Game 2 and Gage from Game 2 to Game 3.

The starter for tonight’s opener will remain a mystery until Johnson submits a lineup card.

Arkansas isn’t an overwhelming offensive team, ranked 13th in the SEC in batting average at .279.

But the Razorbacks have gotten a boost in the last 11 games ever since junior shortstop Peyton Stovall, a former Haughton High star, made his 2024 debut after sustaining a broken foot in a Feb. 5 scrimmage.

Stovall, one of Arkansas’ three team captains, is batting .310 with 3 homers and 12 RBI.

Two years ago as a freshman, he hit .295 with 6 homers and 31 RBI and hit .360 in five College World Series games with a team-leading 10 RBI. Last season, he started 38 games at second base before suffering a season-ending injury.

The Razorbacks are already 9-1 this season in games decided by 2 runs, largely because of its pitching staff led by junior Hagen Smith, a likely 2024 MLB draft first-round draft choice.

Smith, scheduled to start the series opener, is 4-0 with a 1.24 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 29.0 innings over six starts. The superb left-hander leads the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (19.2), ranks second in hits allowed per nine innings (3.4) and ranks fourth nationally in total strikeouts (62).

LSU’s Johnson knows what he’s up against taking a team with almost an entire new starting lineup and pitching rotation into an atmosphere the Tigers haven’t been successful even with experienced teams.

“This is one of the best programs in the country and we’re going to get their best shot,” Johnson said. “Our competitive level has to be off the charts. I really want to see us play with maturity. No matter what happens in the game, we’re always ready to move forward to the next pitch and do our job that pitch.”

No. 7 LSU (20-6, 2-4 SEC) at No. 1 Arkansas (20-3, 5-1 SEC)

PITCHING MATCHUPS

Game 1, today, 6 p.m. CT (ESPN2)

LSU –TBA

ARKANSAS – Jr. LH Hagen Smith (4-0, 1.24 ERA, 29.0 IP, 10 BB, 62 SO)

Game 2, Friday, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)

LSU – Jr. RH Luke Holman (5-1, 0.78 ERA, 34.2 IP, 8 BB, 56 SO)

ARKANSAS – Jr. LH Mason Molina (3-0, 2.57 ERA, 28.0 IP, 15 BB, 47 SO)

Game 3, Saturday, 2 p.m. (SEC Network +)

LSU – So. LH Gage Jump (2-0, 2.38 ERA, 22.2 IP, 9 BB, 32 SO)

ARKANSAS – Jr. RH Brady Tygart (3-0, 1.59 ERA, 28.1 IP, 16 BB, 39 SO)

LSU-ARKANSAS SERIES

LSU has lost five of its last six SEC games played in Fayetteville. Arkansas swept the Tigers in 2022, and the Razorbacks won two of three in 2019. LSU’s last SEC series win in Fayetteville came in 2017 when the Tigers won two of three games over Arkansas.

A LOOK AT LSU

LSU’s pitchers lead the SEC with 312 strikeouts, and the staff averages 12.23 strikeouts per nine innings. Junior right-hander Luke Holman leads the SEC in ERA (0.78) and is second in strikeouts. . .Graduate catcher/DH Hayden Travinski of Bossier City Airline is hitting .400 (6-for-15) in LSU’s last five games with one double, three homers, five RBI and five runs. . .Senior outfielder Mac Bingham is batting .400 (8-for-20) in LSU’s last five games with one double, two homers, five RBI and three runs scored. . .Sophomore first baseman Jared Jones has three homers, four RBI and six runs in LSU’s last five games.

A LOOK AT ARKANSAS

The Razorbacks are No. 1 in the SEC in ERA at 2.50, and the Razorbacks have recorded 296 strikeouts in 201.1 innings. Arkansas is No. 13 in the SEC with a .279 team batting average. . .Pitcher Hagen Smith leads the SEC in strikeouts (62) and opponent batting average (.116), and he’s No. 2 in the league with a 1.24 ERA. . .Infielder Wehiwa Aloy, a transfer from Sacramento State, has team-highs of five homers and 24 RBI for the Razorbacks.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

Interested in working for Lexington Independents, a dynamic and growing Contract Food Services company at our client’s school, The Louisiana School of Math and Science in Natchitoches, LA?

We are looking to hire a Food Service Director to help oversee and train our team and support our client.

This role offers a great quality of life, no late nights and off most weekends. Also, this unit is closed for the summer and holidays. We also offer competitive benefits such as medical, dental, vision, 401K and more.

Lexington Independents is part of Elior North America’s family of companies. Throughout independent schools and in partnership with educators, students, and parents, we are focused on a constant evolution of food and making a difference to life at school.

If interested, please reach out to Matthew Levy, our Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, to learn more: matthew.levy@elior-na.com

By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports

BATON ROUGE – Malik Nabers woke up at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, five hours before the official start of LSU’s Pro Day in the Charles McClendon Practice Facility.

“I’ve been ready to go at it,” said the former Tigers’ wide receiver who’s projected to be among the top 10 players selected in= the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25-27 in Detroit. “My legs were shaking a little bit I was so ready to get out here.”

As he has done in his entire LSU career, Nabers performed flawlessly under pressure. This time, it was provided by the watchful eyes of six NFL head coaches and more than 100 NFL assistants, scouts and other personnel on hand to put 13 draft-eligible Tigers through the paces.

His vertical jump measured 42 inches, which would have tied for second at February’s NFL combine if he had chosen to participate.

And then after one false start and shifting his feet back and forth until he settled into a comfortable starting position, Nabers blazed the 40 in 4.35 seconds. It would have been the eighth fastest 40 at February’s NFL draft combine.

“I was thinking about the 40 (yard dash),” said Nabers, a consensus first-team All-American last season when he led the nation in receiving yards per game (120.7). “I haven’t run it since high school. I started working on it two weeks ago.

“I’d seen a lot of things in the media saying that I ran 4.5, 4.6 (in the 40). I wanted to come here and showcase I’m not even close to that, to showcase my dog mentality.”

LSU head coach Brian Kelly, who was like a proud parent watching Wednesday’s proceedings, said Nabers’ 40 time and vertical number proves what makes him so great.

“It validates what you see on film and that it’s backed up by great physical traits,” Kelly said of Nabers. “What it does more than anything else is that it shows he can separate with the ball in his hands, he can be explosive after the catch. Now it comes down to ‘who is the kind of guy who you want to get the ball in their hands’. I don’t think there’s a better receiver in the country.”

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and possible No. 1 overall draft pick Jayden Daniels and likely top 15 draft choice wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. chose not to test in any of the six standard measurables (40-yard dash, 20-yard shuttle, 3-cone, vertical jump, broad jump and bench press.

Thomas tested at the NFL combine where he ran a 4.33 40, had 11 bench reps at 225 pounds and a 38½ inch vertical and leapt 10 feet, 6 inches in the standing broad jump.

He shined, as did Daniels and Nabers along with wide receiver/return specialist Greg Clayton and current Tigers wide receiver Kyren Lacy and tight Mason Taylor participated in a 58-play scripted passing drill.

Daniels completed all but a handful of passes, most of incompletions on deep throws of which he also completed several.

“The main thing I was trying to show was my consistency in the pocket,” Daniels said, “my footwork moving off the platform and getting my feet back under me, progressions coming back to the third read and putting the deep ball out there to showcase my guys (Nabers and Thomas Jr.) speed.”

Daniels is projected to be drafted No. 1 overall by the Chicago Bears or No. 2 by the Washington Commanders.

“It’s the same vibe for everybody,” said Daniels of any team wanting to draft him. “Who’s going to invest in me, who’s going believe in me – kind of LSU did – on and off the field.

“It will be a blessing wherever I go, just hearing my name called.”

If drafted No. 1 by the Bears, Daniels is already slotted to sign a 4-year deal (with a team option for a fifth year) for a projected $38.5 million with a $24.8 million signing bonus. If drafted No. 2 by the Commanders, the length of the contract is the same, but he’ll be paid a projected $36.8 million with a $23.8 million signing bonus.

Seven players participating in LSU’s Pro Day – Daniels, Nabers, Thomas Jr., center Charles Turner and defensive linemen Maason Smith, Mehki Wingo and Jordan Jefferson – have consistently shown up in seven-round mock drafts.

One player not projected to be drafted – linebacker Omar Speights – had a solid showing on Tuesday. He led all Tigers in the bench press with 30 reps, ran a 4.62 40 and had a 31½-inch vertical and a 10-foot standing broad jump.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

This is a special time of year, for many reasons. For the outdoorsman and woman, fishing is on the verge of getting white-hot and it’s about time to start chasing gobblers.

There is one thing that more and more outdoor enthusiasts have taken an interest in over the past few years. Seed and feed stores will bear this out. Bird watching has grown into a sport that is attracting not only the Jane Hathaway types but good ole boys and girls as well. Birdseed, feeders and bird books are hot items today.

This is the time of year when a plethora of species make the unbelievable trek from South and Central America to move into our woods, some to nest and some to make brief stops on their way north. The best way to know just which wild bird species are paying you a visit is to get yourself prepared to view them. Here are a few essentials to make this sport more enjoyable.

BIRD FEEDERS – These come in a variety of shapes and styles. You can buy them, or you can make them yourself. My personal favorite is one I once constructed that was squirrel-proof. I nailed a 3-foot square of plywood on top of a length of old power pole that extends some five feet above the ground. Before securing the plywood, I slipped a length of sheet metal pipe, something like a stovepipe, over the pole, making it difficult for squirrels and raccoons to climb.

BIRDSEED – I use two types; a black oil sunflower and wild bird mix. Others use thistle for finches or suet for woodpeckers and nuthatches.  Be sure you replenish the supply regularly, especially after a rain since birdseed will spoil if left wet and unattended too long.

WATER – Birds, like humans, need water. A birdbath located somewhere in the yard will attract birds that come to water and bathe. A pump in the bath that circulates water will often attract warblers and other species that are not seed-eaters.

BINOCULARS – Leave a good pair of binoculars near your easy chair or wherever you can sit and watch what goes on around your feeder. Good viewing glasses makes bird identification so much simpler.

BIRD BOOKS – I have several and these are invaluable in helping me determine which species I’m viewing. I also keep a log of new sightings to help me build a list of birds I’ve identified.

Another type of bird will be here any day now, but you won’t find it feeding on sunflower seeds. It’s hummingbird time and they’re easy to attract. All you need to do is hang a couple of hummingbird feeders outside your window for a colorful aerial display.

Here are some facts about these tiny creatures you might find interesting.

• Hummingbirds wings beat about 55 times per second in normal flight, and up to 200 beats per second during courtship and territorial displays.

• Top speed for the hummingbird is about 60 miles per hour.

• During migration, hummingbirds may travel 500 miles non-stop across the Gulf of Mexico.

• Their nests are no bigger than a half dollar and their eggs the size of an English pea.

FEEDER TIPS

• Make your own hummingbird food by mixing one part granulated white sugar to four parts water; never substitute honey for sugar.

• Hang feeders in the open but shaded areas, especially under eaves next to hanging flower baskets.

• Clean your feeders every two to three days so the liquid does not ferment. Feeders should be cleaned with vinegar or bleach (not soap) and then rinsed with scalding water.

• Don’t worry about when to take your feeders down. Hummingbirds know when to leave. Late season feeding of northern migrants often occurs after your resident birds have already gone. They won’t stay behind and freeze.

While hummingbirds need nectar for energy, they also rely on insect protein for body and feather growth. When insect levels fall, the birds begin to leave.

Bird watching…it’s inexpensive, it’s rewarding and it’s fun. And I’m glad that even good ole boys can enjoy it.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

March 26

Alexander Edison, 34, Alexandria — battery of dating partner, control of vicious dogs, contempt, $41,750 bail;

Daniell Winslow, 38, Alexandria — aggravated assault dating partner, $5,000 bail.

This date: 20 arrests, 12 of which included at least one contempt of court charge.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

March 26

Robert Means, 39, Pineville — possession 2 counts, $3,000 bail;

Shonna Murray, 46, Deville — possession, paraphernalia, possession CDS in school zone, disturbing the peace/violent and tumultuous behavior, theft, contempt 7 counts, $18,000 bail.

These M&M Marshmallow Creme Sugar Cookie Bars are the sweetest and most colorful Easter treat! I love a sugar cookie bar, and Easter M&M’s make these and many other desserts so pretty. You can even sub the homemade dough with storebought dough if you like!

Ingredients:

2 2/3 cups flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 egg yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla
Easter M&M’s
Sprinkles
1 jar marshmallow crème
Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9×13 baking dish with crumpled parchment paper. Lightly grease the paper. Whisk the first 3 dry ingredients. Set aside.

Beat the butter and sugars. Once combined mix in the eggs and vanilla. Add the flour and stir until no white streaks remain. Set aside 1 heaping cup of the dough and press the rest (I had to flour my hands to do this because the dough was sticky) into the pan. Sprinkle with some of the M&M’s and press them lightly into the dough. Drop large spoonfuls of the marshmallow crème over but do not spread. Then drop chunks of the leftover dough around.

Bake 25-30 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes and then scatter more M&M’s around the top and lightly press into the crust. Shake sprinkles over. Let bars cool completely before removing the parchment and cutting into small squares.

Ashley Madden Rowton is a wife, mom and published cookbook author who lives in Minden, La.

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

NATCHITOCHES – At first glance, Tuesday Natchitoches Central High School hired a recently deposed college football head coach to be the Chiefs’ third head coach in as many seasons.

Look again, says Jarrod Baugh, head coach of the state champion Ruston High Bearcats. His longtime friend Brad Laird has a long series of involvement with powerful high school programs (Ouachita, West Monroe, Nashville, Ark., and Longview, Texas) led by legendary head coaches, and was himself a great player on a state championship team for Ruston and later a successful head coach who helped set the foundation for the Bearcats’ return among Louisiana’s best.

Natchitoches Central principal Micah Coleman and athletic director Dean Johnson announced Laird’s hiring Tuesday morning, just over a week following the departure of Jess Curtis to the Lafayette area’s Southside High. Curtis, who guided his hometown Many High School to three small school state titles and three more state finals appearances in his last nine seasons there, admittedly relocated not because he was disenchanted with NCHS, but because of the opportunity in football down south along with nurturing a developing romance.

For Laird, taking over at NCHS continues his affection for his adopted hometown.

“The city of Natchitoches has been great to me. For 28 of my 50 years have been in Natchitoches in some form or fashion, and now I have the opportunity to stay in this community and be a part of Natchitoches Central Chiefs football and a great high school,” he said.

The Chiefs were 2-8 last season under Curtis and had their only winning record in many years, 7-4, in 2021 under second-year coach James Wilkerson, now an assistant at state champion Calvary Baptist.

Laird was considering opportunities outside of football when the NCHS job opened. He was also mulling an offer from Curtis to join the Chiefs’ staff as offensive coordinator.

When Curtis moved on, Laird immediately surfaced as the leading candidate for the post. He had resigned last October as head coach at Northwestern State, and while his 16-41 record in 5 ½ seasons was unimpressive and the Demons’ season was cancelled after six games by NSU president Marcus Jones in the wake of the off-campus shooting death of a player, Laird was hardly a pariah in the community. His hiring was widely hailed by locals on social media Tuesday.

Ruston’s Baugh joined the chorus.

“I know he’ll do a great job at Natchitoches Central. They’ve got a helluva football coach,” said Baugh, who landed in Ruston from Texas as an assistant on Laird’s staff over a decade ago.

“Brad’s done a lot of things in coaching, and was raised by a great coach (his late father Billy Laird). He’s coached on both sides of the ball and when he was here as head coach, he handled our special teams and we were always very good there,” said Baugh. “He’s a well-rounded coach, extremely knowledgeable, and does whatever he can to help kids. It’s going to be a very good situation for those folks.

“He has a lot of experience at several really good high school programs. It won’t be like he’s going to be feeling his way through. He’s going to be at the top of the scale as far as coaching high school football.”

Laird’s interest and that of the school system’s administration was mutual. As discussions proceeded last week, they agreed giving the new coach oversight of the feeder junior high school programs for NCHS was vital to developing the program – something Laird helped facilitate in his three years as Ruston’s head coach.

“The administration has been great. Their vision and mine aligned, and I’m so excited about the future,” said Laird.

“It starts at the top, in whatever business you’re in. With superintendent Dr. (Grant) Eloi, principal Micah Coleman, athletic director Dean Johnson, we have great leadership, and it feeds into the dynamics of the school. You’ve seen success in boys and girls basketball, in baseball and softball, in volleyball, and more throughout the year.  So you can forsee the success that will happen in the future in football.”

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

By JIM BUTLER

One of the most-anticipated Spring events in the area is rapidly approaching.

The free-admission annual Kent House Spring Herb Day/Arts & Crafts Festival/Yard Sale is scheduled from 8 a.m. through 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6. It’s an annual opportunity to get expert advice on what herbs and bedding plants will likely do best on a particular site and then make selections from the variety available.

The grounds at 3691 Bayou Rapides Road (just west of MacArthur Drive) will also feature local arts, crafts and food vendors.

Then there is the indoor yard sale, featuring items donated (no clothing) for the fundraising event that helps provide Kent Plantation House programs.

Deadline for donating items for the sale is Wednesday, April 3.

Guided tours of the main house that is essentially living history will also be available.

As Pierre Baillio II might have said as he began building the house before the Louisiana purchase, “haz tus planes.”

By JASON PUGH, Northwestern State Sports Information

NATCHITOCHES – Faced with a spate of midweek adversity, the Northwestern State baseball team answered affirmatively both as a group and individually Tuesday night.

The Demons shook off a slow start offensively and defensively and rallied late for a 5-4 victory against visiting Louisiana Christian at Brown-Stroud Field.

“It’s very obvious we didn’t play the best brand of baseball tonight, and we didn’t play the cleanest,” said first-year head coach Chris Bertrand, who played years ago  for longtime LCU skipper Mike Byrnes with the Wildcats. “You learn from those things. What you take away is our guys stared down adversity. We got (closer) Tyler Bryan back on the horse. Everyone who took the mound competed very well.

“We stared adversity in the face, and we didn’t let failure in the final four innings of the game continue from the first five.”

Through five innings, the Demons (7-18) had mustered only two hits and trailed 2-1 with their lone run coming when Reese Lipoma was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored when a pickoff throw glanced off second baseman Hunter Gotreaux’s glove and caromed into right-center field.

Northwestern also had played the role of generous host on the defensive side, committing errors on back-to-back sacrifice bunts in the third inning that helped the Wildcats build a 2-0 lead.

Once LCU (22-7) added its third run on a Gotreaux RBI single in the sixth, the Demons awakened from their offensive doldrums with some assistance from the visitors.

Daniel Burroway reached on a two-base error to start the sixth, setting up a two-run inning in which Colin Rains (single) and Balin Valentine (double) delivered back-to-back, run-scoring hits to tie the game at 3.

“We didn’t come out as focused as we needed to, but we showed some toughness that I think we’ll be able to take with us this weekend against McNeese,” Valentine said. “We really bore down and got us some momentum.”

After the Wildcats regained the lead on Tyler McKenna’s two-out double in the seventh, the Demons quickly answered back and took their first lead of the game on Rocco Gump’s sacrifice fly in the seventh.

Gump’s go-ahead sac fly followed Burroway’s game-tying RBI single, which came three batters after Reese Lipoma’s leadoff double eluded a lunging Logan Bertucci in left field.

“I went up there with a plan to get my swing off and got a pitch over the plate,” Gump said. “Once we had one good thing happen, it all got rolling in the right direction.”

It ended in the right direction as Bryan recovered from a tough ninth inning against Southeastern on Saturday afternoon – and it took a defensive play from him to do so.

With two on and two outs after Noah Gaspard’s slow grounder settled on the third-base line, Bryan got more weak contact from Harrison Waxley and was able to field the ball barehanded and nip Waxley with a strong throw to notch his second save of the season.

Northwestern State 5, Louisiana Christian 4
LCU      002 001 100 – 4 12 3
NSU      00 002 20x – 5 7 2

W – Bryce Leonard (1-2). L – Coleman Haltom. S – Tyler Bryan (2). 2B – LC, Tyler McKenna, Gabe Spedale, Hunter Gotreaux. NSU, Reese Lipoma, Balin Valentine. 3B – NSU, Valentine. Highlights: LCU, Nicholas Brunet 2-4; McKenna 2-4, 2B, RBI; Gotreaux 2-3, 2B, RBI. NSU, Lipoma 2-4, 2B; Valentine 2-4, 2B, 3B, RBI.

Records: Louisiana Christian 22-7; Northwestern State 7-18.