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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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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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By RICHARD THIBERVILLE JR., LCU Sports Information Director

PLAINVIEW, Texas – The reigning Sooner Athletic Conference champion Louisiana Christian University football team scored three straight touchdowns to end the third and start the fourth quarters to open up what was a three-point game and post a 44-27 win over the Wayland Baptist Pioneers Saturday night at the Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldog Stadium.

Louisiana Christian moved to 3-0 overall for the first time since the 2023 season. That year, LCU started 7-0 on its way to winning the Sooner Athletic Conference Championship for the first time and clinched a spot in the NAIA Football Championship Series. The win also moved the Wildcats to 2-0 in SAC play.

WBU (1-2, 0-2)  tightened things up late in the third quarter with a touchdown, tacking on a two-point conversion to cut LCU’s lead down to just a field goal at 24-21.

But that’s where the game turned solely into Louisiana Christian’s favor. On the first play following the kickoff, Johnson broke free for a 41-yard gainer. Right after that, E.J. Scott went over a defender to grab a pass from Bryce Perkins in the end zone for a 34-yard score and a 30-21 lead.

After a three-and-out got the Wildcats the ball back, Perkins went to Scott to pick up a 3^rd-and-8 play with a gain of 16 yards and, on the very next play, Johnson broke free for a 62-yard rumble to the end zone to extend the lead to 37-21.

Backing up Wayland Baptist almost all the way to its own end zone, with a stiff wind now blowing in the faces of the Pioneers, helped make things almost easy for LCU as a 12-yard punt set up the Wildcats already inside the Pioneer red zone at the 18-yard line. Just two plays later, Darius Washington took in a pass from Perkins, made three WBU defenders miss tackles, and sauntered into the end zone for a 16-yard score and a 44-21 lead.

The Pioneers added a touchdown on their ensuing drive but got no closer after the Wildcats stopped the two-point conversion attempt.

Johnson had himself a night on the ground, rushing 15 times for a career-high 196 yards and a pair of touchdowns, averaging 13.1 yards per rush.

The Wildcats had 590 yards of total offense, 341 on the ground and 249 through the air.

LCU’s defense held Wayland Baptist to 333 total yards of offense and made 17 tackles behind the line of scrimmage for losses.

The Wildcats step out of SAC play for their second game of the year against a NCAA Division 1 program next Saturday, heading down to Baton Rouge to take on Southern. Kickoff of Saturday’s contest against the Jaguars (1-2) is set for 6 p.m. at A.W. Mumford Stadium.

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Pineville Appoints Ron Parker as Permanent Fire Chief; Kessler to Transition Out
City of Pineville

The City of Pineville has a new permanent fire chief following action at the September 8 City Council meeting, where Mayor Joe Bishop recommended and the council approved the appointment of Fire Captain Ron Parker to lead the department. The appointment closes the chapter on the civil service dispute surrounding interim chief Kenneth Kessler, a 28-year department veteran who was found by the Pineville Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board to lack a valid high school diploma — a requirement to serve as a firefighter under civil service rules. With Parker’s appointment as permanent chief, Kessler is required to vacate his interim title. Mayor Bishop indicated Kessler, who has sufficient years of service to retire, may be offered a position within the mayor’s administration.

LCU Art Professor Hannah Fulton’s Photo Selected for 2027 Louisiana Promotional Calendar
Louisiana Christian University

Louisiana Christian University Assistant Professor of Art Hannah Fulton has had a photograph selected for inclusion in the 2027 Louisiana Promotional Calendar, earning statewide recognition for her work.

National Hunting and Fishing Day at LDWF Woodworth — September 26
Rapides Regional Medical Center, LDWF

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 Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Outdoor Education Center in Woodworth on Robinson Bridge Road. RRMC personnel will teach ATV safety and Stop the Bleed training. Admission is free and open to the public. 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.

Week 2 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. 11, 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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Phonetic: /pan·​e·​gy·​ric/

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition

a eulogistic oration or writing
composed a panegyric about Tchaikovsky for the concert program

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Tackle Stroke at Tioga vs. Pineville — Tonight
Rapides Regional Medical Center

Rapides Regional Medical Center’s Tackle Stroke program will be on the sidelines tonight at Tioga High School as the Tigers host rival Pineville in their home opener. RRMC staff will distribute stroke awareness fans listing the BE FAST warning signs — Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time — along with key stroke risk factors. Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in Louisiana, with the state ranking third-highest in the nation for stroke deaths.

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.

Jeff Hickman 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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Week 2 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. 11, 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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In light of this week’s legal confrontation including the Southeastern Conference considering expelling LSU, Hall of Fame sportswriter Ron Higgins, a former president of the Football Writers Association of America, provides compelling context to the showdown before today’s emergency called Zoom meeting of SEC presidents.

  Originally published September 10, 2026 @6:55am  

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Phonetic: /elu·​ci·​date/

Part of Speech: Verb

Definition

to make lucid especially by explanation or analysis
elucidate a text

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New Fishing Regulations Take Effect September 20 in Saline-Larto Complex
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries

New recreational fishing regulations for black bass and crappie will take effect September 20, 2026, in the Saline-Larto Complex in Central Louisiana. Anglers who fish the complex should review the updated regulations before that date.

Pro-Mow Fencing & Lawn Care Ribbon Cutting — September 15
Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce

Pro-Mow Fencing & Lawn Care will celebrate its opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, September 15, 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, which specializes in fencing, landscaping, cleanups, drainage work, and more. The public is invited to attend.

Noah Does It LLC Heating & Cooling Grand Opening — September 16
Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce

Noah Does It LLC Heating & Cooling will hold its grand opening ribbon cutting on 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.

Prepared Childbirth Class — September 19
Rapides Regional Medical Center

Rapides Regional Medical Center is hosting a free virtual Prepared Childbirth Class on Saturday, September 19, from 9 a.m. to noon via Google Duo. The class is taught by a certified childbirth instructor and covers stages of labor and delivery, when to go to the hospital, pain management, assisted delivery, and Cesarean birth. To register, call (844) 630-5295 or visit rapidesregional.com and select Classes and Events on the homepage.

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.

Red River Bank has earned a ranking on Louisiana State University’s 2026 LSU100 list of fastest growing LSU graduate owned or led companies. In addition to celebrating the success of LSU graduates, the LSU100 program provides a forum for LSU graduates to pass business success guidance on to the next generation of LSU entrepreneurs.

Red River Bank is led by two LSU finance graduates, President and Chief Executive Officer R. Blake Chatelain and Bryon C. Salazar, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Banking Officer. Red River Bank is proud to have many LSU graduates serving in a variety of roles across the organization.

“We are honored to be recognized on the LSU100 list for the 12^th time,” said Chatelain. “This recognition speaks to the strength of our team and the dedication of our employees, who continue to drive our growth and success. As a Louisiana-based bank, we are also proud of the many LSU graduates who serve in roles throughout our organization. We appreciate LSU’s recognition and are honored to be included among this outstanding group of growing companies. Geaux Tigers!”

Honorees will learn their official ranking on the LSU100 List at the LSU100 Gala in November.

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