While America pauses for a long weekend to pay tribute to fallen soldiers, people around the country will take a break from their regular work schedules.

That includes the Journal staff.

There will be no Memorial Day edition published Monday. We’ll be back Tuesday morning with the regular daily update, free and e-mailed to you for your morning coffee.

Thanks for reading your Journal. Join us this weekend honoring those brave military personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.

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Christian recording artist Octavia will headline the final evening of the “Be Kind Concert Series” at First United Methodist Church of Alexandria on Thursday, May 28, at 6 PM in the church courtyard, located in the heart of Alexandria’s historic Garden District.

Known for her strong vocals, passionate worship style, and engaging personality, Octavia brings more than 20 years of musical experience to the stage. Her music reflects a deep-rooted faith and carries messages of hope, perseverance, and encouragement.

Guests can learn more about her music through Simply Octavia Music and her YouTube channel, @Simplyoctavia.

This outdoor concert series was created to bring people together through live music in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks to enjoy an evening outdoors with neighbors and friends. Admission is free, and a love offering will be received during the concert to provide direct support for the artist.

The concert series grows out of the church’s broader vision of creating healing, welcoming spaces where strangers become family and the community becomes a masterpiece of God’s grace.

Kelly Pepper, who helped shape the initiative, describes the vision in simple terms: “As a Garden District neighbor, I’m proud of the church’s history of using the arts to bring people together. ‘Be Kind’ reflects that spirit of creating space for connection, conversation, and kindness in the heart of our community.”

The series is designed to create space where all voices are welcomed, belonging is nurtured, and connection leads to healing. Senior Pastor Reverend Kennon Pickett adds, “At FUMCA, we are committed to inspire positive change by creating opportunities for neighbors to feel supported and uplifted, every individual is empowered to belong, and strangers come together as a caring community—building a world shaped by kindness and connection. That is simply what the ‘Be Kind’ series aims to do.”

Known locally for celebrating creativity through events such as the Tom Peyton Memorial Arts Festival, First United Methodist Church continues its commitment to fostering community through the arts with gatherings that encourage connection, hospitality, and kindness.

The “Be Kind Concert Series” is sponsored in part by the Nell Shehee Foundation’s Operation Kindness initiative, promoting kindness and service through acts of generosity and civic engagement.

“It’s ok to be kind.”

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Phonetic: /KOR-jul/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

• Cordial describes someone or something that is politely pleasant and friendly.
  
  All the guests were assembled and given a cordial greeting by the host.

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By JIM BUTLER

To receive and consider the mayor’s veto message. Alexandria City Council posted agenda, Dec. 16.

Receive and consider mayor’s veto message. Jules Green motion to override, second Malcolm Larvadain. Motion fails. Minutes, Dec. 16.

To receive and consider the mayor’s veto message. Posted Agenda, May 5.

After being told by the City Clerk that the message cannot be discussed without adding to posted agenda, motion to add vetoed ordinance fails. Minutes, May 5. 

Public bodies must post an agenda no later than 24 hours before a meeting. Adding an item at a meeting requires unanimous vote. 

At Tuesday’s Legal Affairs Committee meeting Councilman at-large Jules Green attempted to get an understanding of the difference in the two boldface items above. 

He asked attorney Trey Gist what changed between December and May in the process for taking up a veto. He did not ask the clerk about any differences. 

If Gist explained to Green’s satisfaction, video of the meeting doesn’t reflect it. 

The December veto was of a reapportionment vote; this month’s was the Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with GAEDA. 

Mayor Jacques Roy declined to attend the committee session, according to Larvadain, because he views the override process as a council function, not an administration one. 

Larvadain asked if a veto can be taken up beyond the limit specified in the City Charter and City Code. Gist said no.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions

May 20

Mateo Deyoung Chaney, 28, Pineville – unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, parole violations, $2,000 bail;

Jenea Nichole Croom, 40, Pineville – nine counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, obtaining CDS by fraud, use of CDS in presence of minors, $21,500 bail;

Daquavious D. Hall, 32, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, resisting an officer, $2,000 bail;

James Benard Milner, 32, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, no driver’s license, possession of paraphernalia, flight from an officer, speeding, $13,200 bail;

Monty Charles Monteilh, 59, Sulphur – nonconsensual disclosure of a private image, misdemeanor sexual battery, no bail data.

May 19

Caljoneke Armstead, 26, Lecompte – unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, contempt of court, failure to appear, $2,000 bail;

Markesha Rashae Brown, 27, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery with child present, probation violation, $1,000 bail;

Tianto Clark Sr., 41, Alexandria –  three counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, parole violations, $19,000 bail;

Therman Earl Davion Jr., 51, Boyce – five counts contempt of court, $125,000 bail;

Jake Desoto, 39, Marksville – OWI fourth offense, careless operation of a vehicle, safety belt violation, intentional littering, Louisiana fugitive, $200,700 bail;

Byron Keith Fay, 53, Alexandria – two counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, cruelty to juveniles, obstruction of justice, flight from an officer, paraphernalia, $1.01 million bail;

Devontay Antonios Fennix, 30, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of CDS in school zone, resisting an officer, safety belt violation, smoking in vehicle, probation violation, two counts contempt of court, $7,200 bail;

James Bradley Fisher, 43, Alexandria – theft, flight from an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, driving under suspension/revocation, improper display vehicle license plate, three counts contempt of court, $35,600 bail;

Corey Donell Gaines, 36, Alexandria – OWI first offense, headlamps required, open container, no driver’s license, $1,300 bail;

Jesse Paul Goleman, 58, Pineville – possession of CDS, no signals, running a stop sign, $10,200 bail;

Bobby Neal Jones Jr., 42, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, home invasion, probation violation, $50,000 bail;

Brandon Paul Lachney, 37, Ball – driving under suspension, injuring public records, resisting an officer, driver’s license not in possession, $1,700 bail;

Kendall Jermaine Leopaul, 22, Alexandria – criminal damage, contempt of court, $2,250 bail;

Eden Danielle Rossi, 37, St. Amant – two counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail;

Zachary Jason Seals Sr., 40, Dry Prong – simple burglary, criminal conspiracy, Louisiana fugitive, possession of CDS, obstruction of justice, intentional littering, criminal damage to property, unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, $32,000 bail;

Fredrick Eugene Warren, 30, Lecompte – contempt of court, $75,000 bail;

Jordan Rashaad Washington, 36, Alexandria – theft, possession of CDS, resisting an officer, two counts contempt of court, $6,000 bail;

Steven Dewayne West, 42, Alexandria – aggravated second degree battery, $50,000 bail;

Tina L. Whatley, 42, Alexandria – theft, running a stop sign, flight from an officer, operating a vehicle under suspension, obstruction of justice, no insurance, speeding, possession of CDS, probation violation, $44,800 bail;

James Earl Williams, 40, Alexandria – simple burglary, two counts contempt of court, $9,000 bail.

May 18

John Michael Burns, 37, Alexandria – arson (communicating false information), fake device explosives, resisting police officer with force or violence, contempt of court, $100,500 bail;

Larry Davis, 28, Marksville – aggravated battery, aggravated assault domestic abuse, probation and parole violations, $50,000 bail;

Eddie C. Jefferson Jr., 78, Pineville – second degree rape, two counts resisting an officer, contempt of court, $103,500 bail;

Darius Damon Johnson, 48, Alexandria – OWI fourth offense, improper parking, open container, driving under suspension, parole violations, $100,200 bail;

Michelle Mohler, 56, Pineville – contempt of court, resisting an officer, $25,500 bail;

Zachary Ethan Shuler, 20, Pineville – four counts attempted first degree murder, criminal conspiracy, $2.05 million bail;

Leo Brian Steele, 43, Alexandria – possession of heroin, improper bicycle operation, $1,100 bail;

Larry Wayne Tarter, 74, Alexandria – unauthorized entry into inhabited dwelling, criminal trespass, $1,500 bail;

Deshawn Gage Washington, 23, Alexandria – simple burglary, seven counts contempt of court, $19,000 bail;

William Whiddon Jr., 53, Alexandria – violation of protective orders, intimidation (nonconsensual disclosure of private image), $50,000 bail.

May 17

Andrew Marshall Daniels, 38, Pineville – OWI first offense, running a stop sign, $1,100 bail;

Kaitlyn Minnie Beatrice Gibson, 35, Ball – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, driving under suspension, no insurance, failure to appear, $2,800 bail;

Kenneth Mead Moran III, 38, Ball – domestic abuse battery strangulation, parole violations, $25,000 bail;

Johnta Patterson, 32, Alexandria – aggravated assault domestic abuse, $25,000 bail;

Buck Nathaniel Stafford, 27, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $21,000 bail.

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A million-dollar utility infrastructure loan for a Rapides Parish town is on the agenda for the State Bond Commission’s Thursday morning meeting.

The commission will convene at 8 a.m. in Senate Committee Room A-B at the State Capitol to consider local financing requests, including a major sewer consolidation effort in the Town of Woodworth.

Woodworth officials are seeking final approval to issue up to $1.1 million in utility revenue bonds. The proposed financing carries a low interest rate capped at 0.5% with a maturity term not to exceed 20 years.

The borrowed funds are designated for the design, acquisition, construction, renovation and equipping of improvements tied to the town’s water sector sewer consolidation project.

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When you hear ‘Peach Festival’, you may picture baskets of fuzzy peaches, maybe a peach cobbler bake-off, or even a parade. But here in Ruston, the Louisiana Peach Festival is so much more than just a celebration of our locally grown fruit. It is a time to experience the rich tradition and culture that can only be found in our small historic town. Residents and visitors alike come for this special day, filled with activities that keep people coming back year to year. This year’s Peach Festival in Ruston is Saturday, June 6.

Here are 5 ways that the Peach Festival exceeds just peach appreciation (although, we love our peaches too):

1. A Love Letter to Louisiana Culture

Area artists, vendors, musicians, and makers are the forefront of what makes this festival thrive. Browsing our curated arts market with 90+ artists of all mediums allows you to get a glimpse into the vibrant arts of our state. And you can’t miss the music! Louisiana-based musicians play on the Railroad Park Stage to ensure the spirit of the festival carries on into the night. Celebrate our Louisiana roots with us, and dive into what makes our culture so unique.

2. The Food Scene Goes Full Peach (In the Best Way Possible)

Here in Ruston, we pride ourselves on the quality and diversity of our local restaurants and food trucks. The creativity of Ruston’s culinary scene is unmatched, and the sweet peach flavor is no exception. In the week leading up to the festival, 30+ local restaurants come together for the Peach Culinary Crawl, featuring unexpected dishes, drinks, and pairings. From a peach caprese turkey melt to a pint of locally-brewed peach wheat ale, indulge your tastebuds with this staple, seasonal ingredient.

3. It Still Holds Tight to Its Sweet Southern Traditions

Of course, it would not be a southern festival without all of the classic contests and exhibits. The Peach Pageant, Peach Parade, Antique Car Show, Peach Rodeo, Peach Art Exhibit, and Cookery Contest are all ways that the community engages with the roots of the festival. These fun traditions have been happening for generations, and plan to stay for many, many more. The Ruston community continues to add to these celebrations, with sidewalk sales, a 5K race, and even a Pickleball Tournament. All these traditions keep the festival feeling like a small town gathering, keeping it close to the hearts of our residents and visitors.

4. It’s One of the Few Festivals Where You Don’t Feel Nickel-and-Dimed

The Peach Festival prides itself on having free admission, making it accessible for a Saturday full of activities. In Kids Alley, there are no paid vendors, allowing all kiddos to enjoy hands-on crafts, games, entertainment, and more festival activities. It is the perfect opportunity to bring the family out for fun that won’t break the bank. Our goal is to make the festival easy and accessible for all ages to enjoy!

5. It Feels More Like a Community Gathering Than a Carnival

No flashy rides or ferris wheels here – the Peach Festival provides something even more memorable. Surrounded by the painted murals of downtown, local organizations, and all the friendly volunteers, it’s easy to feel like a part of the Ruston community that we know and love. With festivities happening from morning to late into the night, you have plenty of time to experience the festival at your own pace. So bring out your lawn chair, grab a bite, listen to the music, and enjoy all the sights and sounds of our community. 

The traditions, culture, and hospitality surrounding this celebration reminds us that this isn’t just a festival, but a signature kind of Southern experience you don’t find everywhere. The peach flavor is just the tip of the iceberg to all of the sweetness of peach season in Ruston, LA. 

For more information on the 76th Annual Louisiana Peach Festival and to see the full schedule of events, visit www.lapeachfest.com/. 

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Is there a place in your home or office that looks like the picture above? Is your multistrip, multitasking more than it’s designed for? Does your extension cord have an extension cord plugged into it?

While it may sound like the intro to a “You Might be a Redneck” monologue, unfortunately, the answer is more commonly yes to many of those scenarios.

May is National Electrical Safety Month, and Cleco is offering tips on how to avoid electrical hazards which can cause fatalities, injuries and property loss.  By taking simple precautions, you can avoid dangerous situations and stay safe, not just in May, but year round.

Tips to keep homes and businesses safe from electrical hazards:

• Have electrical work performed by qualified electricians.
• When a fuse operates or circuit breaker trips, determine the reason before replacing or resetting.
• Avoid placing cords in places where they can be damaged or pinched by furniture, such as under rugs or across doorways.  Cords that are frayed or damaged should be removed and replaced immediately, not spliced or taped.
• Minimize the use of extension cords and never plug two extension cords together.
• Inspect all electrical appliances before using them to ensure they’re properly grounded.
• Remember that water and electricity do not mix.
• Don’t let children climb trees near power lines.
• Avoid overhead and underground power lines when you use a ladder, work on the roof, clean a pool, prune trees or dig in the yard.
• Never touch a downed power line or anything in contact with it.  Keep away and call Cleco or 911.

For more safety tips, visit www.cleco.com and follow Cleco on Facebook at @ClecoPower

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Today’s kids are booked, busy, and burned out—but one parent is asking if it’s time to bring back a simpler, slower kind of childhood.

 See what Ida says 

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By JIM BUTLER 

Voters saying no in Saturday’s balloting likely sent a shudder through government hereabouts. 

Those choosing to take the time to vote in Rapides rejected five proposed constitutional amendments and four of six property tax proposals, according to unofficial totals. 

Parties sifting through the tea leaves are left to wonder whether voters are overtaxed by the economy (no pun intended) or just didn’t like what was proposed. 

Officials have a month to address the question. 

Among ballot measures June 27: 

The sheriff’s Law Enforcement District renewal of a tax, beginning in 2030, that will provide more than $11 million annually for 15 years to fund the Sheriff’s Office. 

Public safety levies had heretofore been considered sacrosanct, but Saturday’s rejection of three fire protection proposals calls that into question. 

Then there are school taxes. 

A parishwide millage generating about $14.3 million is up for renewal on the June ballot. 

And there are renewal millages requested in Consolidated District 62 (Wards 1 & 8), Pineville District 52 and Poland District 55.

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By Journal Staff

Rapides Parish voters elected a mayor, settled multiple highly contested municipal council races, and decided the future of several key infrastructure and emergency service property taxes on Saturday.

In Pineville, incumbent leadership secured a decisive victory, while voters across the parish’s rural districts delivered mixed results on a slate of fire protection and road tax renewals and millage adjustments.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting late Saturday night, here is a breakdown of how the ballots fell:

City of Pineville Municipal Elections

Mayor

Joseph “Joe” Bishop won reelection in a landslide, capturing 74% of the vote in a three-way race to avoid a runoff.

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage
Joseph “Joe” Bishop	REP	1,749	74%
“Chris” Camp	REP	367	16%
Russell “Rusty” Murdock	REP	232	10%
Total		2,348	100%

Council Member — District 1

“Greg” Aaron secured the District 1 seat outright, finishing with 57% of the total vote.

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage	Status
“Greg” Aaron	DEM	156	57%	ELECTED
Randy G. O’Neal	NOPTY	74	27%	Defeated
Danny “Dann” Eudy, Jr.	NOPTY	42	15%	Defeated
Total		272	100%

Council Member — District 3

Hugh Halle claimed victory in District 3, defeating Peter Ford with a commanding 68% of the vote.

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage	Status
Hugh Halle	NOPTY	261	68%	ELECTED
Peter Ford	REP	122	32%	Defeated
Total		383	100%

Council Member — District 4

John Marcase easily retained his seat in District 4, pulling in 73% of the vote against challenger Celeste Mobley.

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage	Status
John Marcase	REP	353	73%	ELECTED
Celeste Mobley	NOPTY	133	27%	Defeated
Total		486	100%

Council Member — District 5

The race for District 5 is headed to a runoff. Mark A. Mertens led the field with 43% of the vote and will face Samantha Stanley, who secured 33%, in the upcoming general election.

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage	Status
Mark A. Mertens	REP	349	43%	RUNOFF
Samantha Stanley	NOPTY	264	33%	RUNOFF
“Tom” Murphy	REP	195	24%	Defeated
Total		808	100%

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Village of Creola

Aldermen

In the multi-parish race for Creola alderman, Bliss Wise won the seat over Crystal Hicks with 63% of the vote.

Candidate	Party	Votes	Percentage	Status
Bliss Wise	DEM	5	63%	ELECTED
Crystal Hicks	REP	3	38%	Defeated
Total		8	100%

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Parish Propositions and Millages

Property owners across various parish segments voted on critical infrastructure and emergency service propositions, rejecting several new millage definitions while comfortably renewing existing funding streams.

Fire Protection District Measures

Voters flatly rejected a pair of “in-lieu” millage proposals for Fire Protection District No. 2 and its sub-service area. In District 19, a continuation failed by a razor-thin margin of just one vote. However, traditional renewals for Districts 4 and 7 passed by wide margins.

• Fire Protection District No. 2 (20 Mills In-Lieu): FAILED. Property owners rejected the 10-year millage adjust, with 56% voting against the measure.

• Service Area No. 1, Fire District No. 2 (25 Mills In-Lieu): FAILED. The sub-district tax was defeated, receiving 52% “No” votes.

• Fire Protection District No. 4 (15.34 Mills Renewal): PASSED. Voters strongly approved the 10-year operational renewal with 69% in favor.

• Fire Protection District No. 7 (14.26 Mills Renewal): PASSED. The 10-year renewal passed easily, securing 67% of the vote.

• Fire Protection District No. 19 (26.48 Mills Continuation): FAILED. In a remarkable cliffhanger, the 10-year continuation failed by a single vote, 45 to 44.

Ballot Measure	Result	YES Votes	NO Votes	Total Votes
Fire Dist. No. 2 (20 Mills In-Lieu)	FAILED	2,447 (44%)	3,092 (56%)	5,539
Service Area 1, Fire Dist. 2 (25 Mills In-Lieu)	FAILED	383 (48%)	412 (52%)	795
Fire Dist. No. 4 (15.34 Mills Renewal)	PASSED	1,834 (69%)	806 (31%)	2,640
Fire Dist. No. 7 (14.26 Mills Renewal)	PASSED	418 (67%)	208 (33%)	626
Fire Dist. No. 19 (26.48 Mills Cont.)	FAILED	44 (49%)	45 (51%)	89

Road District No. 2C

Property owners rejected a steep 54.49-mill renewal intended for public road and bridge maintenance across the district, with 55% of voters casting ballots against the measure.

Ballot Measure	Result	YES Votes	NO Votes	Total Votes
Road Dist. No. 2C (54.49 Mills Renewal)	FAILED	482 (45%)	592 (55%)	1,074

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

NEWTON SQUARE, Pa. – Sam Burns made another run at the lead in a major championship on Saturday at the PGA Championship but couldn’t sustain the surge, and finished at even par for the tournament Sunday in a tie for 26^th in golf’s second major of the year.

The Choudrant resident rang up four straight birdies in the middle of the back nine early Saturday afternoon and charged to 5-under-par on the day, 3-under for the tournament, one shot off the pace going to the 17^th tee.

The birdie string on holes 13-16 was highlighted by putts of 12 and 23 feet on 14 and 15, then an excellent pitch from a sand trap 57 feet from the pin to three feet for the fourth birdie in a row.

But the 17^th was a stumbling block for Burns three times in his four rounds at Aronimink Golf Club. The par-3 was the fifth toughest hole of the week and Burns bogied it in all but Round 2.

He wrapped up with another bogey at the 18^th and settled for a very commendable 3-under 67. That left him five shots behind the lead entering the final round, and he wasn’t able to move into contention on Sunday.

Burns, 29, finished with a 1-over 71. He double bogeyed the fourth hole but recovered with birdies on the sixth and ninth to head into the back nine even for the day. A bogey on 10^th was balanced by a two-putt birdie on the par-5 16^th from 57 feet, but the 17^th bit Burns again, with a rare three-putt.

The Shreveport native, a two-time All-American at LSU, opened with rounds of 70-72 to comfortably make the cut in his eighth consecutive major championship.

His 26^th place tie earned a $125,523 paycheck. Englishman Aaron Rai won a $3.7 million winner’s purse by shooting 9-under par with a closing 5-under 65.

Burns, who plays out of Squire Creek Country Club in Choudrant, will take a week’s break and is expected to tee it up again in Fort Worth at storied Colonial Country Club May 28-31, where he won the 2022 event at 9-under after taking a playoff with Scottie Scheffler.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

May 17

Andrew Marshall Daniels, 38, Pineville – OWI first offense, running a stop sign, $1,100 bail;

Buck Nathaniel Stafford, 27, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $21,000 bail.

May 16

Ronnie Banks, 72, DeQuincy – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Austin Chapman, 27, Ville Platte – OWI first offense, switch MVI, speeding, improper window tint, $1,300 bail;

Gary Dewayne Gonzales Jr., 51, Pineville – second degree battery, unauthorized entry into place of business, second degree kidnapping, no bail data;

Jeremiah Cortez Johnson, 28, Alexandria – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, three counts contempt of court, $16,100 bail;

Clandarius Means, 20, Alexandria – battery of a dating partner, criminal damage, $1,750 bail;

Nicholas Gage Navarre, 17, Pineville – two counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, no bail data;

Jakhari Joshua Rax, 31, Harvey – domestic abuse battery, criminal damage to property, simple burglary, contempt of court, $5,500 bail;

Zachary Vascocu, 23, Boyce – OWI second offense, speeding, open container, $1,700 bail.

May 15

Sundrea Denae Campbell, 29, Pineville – two counts simple burglary, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, probation violation, $26,500 bail;

Patrick Cooke, 46, Pineville – three counts possession of CDS, driving under suspension, probation violation, $4,600 bail;

Milderick Jamal Detin, 36, Cheneyville – theft of a motor vehicle, parole violations, no bail data;

Marckeeyse Kentrell Dorsey, 24, Alexandria – producing manufacturing marijuana, second degree battery, parole violations, $150,000 bail;

Zykeyland Johnson, 25, Mansfield – taking contraband to and from penal institutions, simple battery, $10,000 bail;

Rickie Ray Jones, 43, Opelousas – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, $10,500 bail;

Adrian Dewayne Marks Jr., 31, Alexandria – possession of CDS, safety belt violation, two counts contempt of court, $6,100 bail;

Dyson Lynn Marron, 21, Pineville – criminal damage to property, no bail data;

Jed Rushing Sr., 59, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Johnathan Dewayne Sherman, 32, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, three counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, driving under suspension, safety belt violation, switched license plate, failure to secure registration, $6,300 bail;

Matthew Lavelle Smith, 40, Alexandria – five counts fraudulent access to device, criminal conspiracy, two counts contempt of court, $150,000 bail;

Robert Durmon Smith Jr., 27, Pineville – aggravated battery second degree, second degree battery, discharging firearms, two counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, two counts illegal possession of stolen firearms, parole violations, $1,000 bail;

Krista Michelle Wilkinson, 33, N/A – two counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail;

Nakeita L. Williams, 37, Alexandria – aggravated second degree battery, contempt of court, probation violation, $52,500 bail;

Ladarrian Damon Young, 28, Alexandria – careless operation of a vehicle, criminal conspiracy, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, paraphernalia, intentional littering, parole violations, $210,000 bail.

May 14

Ryan Cody Bladel, 38, Pollock – aggravated battery, failure to appear, probation violation, $10,000 bail;

Essence Noelle Ceasar, 24, Alexandria – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, $3,500 bail;

Quinton Anthony Dick, 23, Alexandria – manufacture transfer or possession of machine gun, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of marijuana, probation violation, $30,500 bail;

Tra’veon Melik Dotson, 17, Alexandria – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, $3,500 bail;

Matt Eric Harmson, 56, Deville – criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, theft, three counts contempt of court, $41,500 bail;

Angela Deonne Howard, 39, Alexandria – theft, three counts contempt of court, $60,500 bail;

Nelson Lee Johnson, 77, Alexandria – sex offender failure to register, driving under suspension, switched license plate, parole violations, $10,200 bail;

Dewayne Lavalais, 36, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, possession of marijuana, driving under suspension, tail lamps, use of CDS in presence of minors, $3,700 bail;

Michael Dewayne Nelson, 52, Alexandria – battery on a police officer, threatening a public official, disturbing the peace, $1,500 bail;

Robert S Paul, 42, Deville – theft, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, $6,000 bail;

Jessica Lynn Simmons, 38, Pineville – OWI first offense, driving under suspension, no insurance, two counts running a stop sign, $2,800 bail;

Raymond Deshunna Thomas Jr., 30, Alexandria – second degree rape, indecent behavior with juveniles, contributing to delinquency of juveniles, false imprisonment, $5 million bail;

Rayanne Elizabeth Vicknair, 28, Pineville – contempt of court, $75,000 bail;

Korion D’aquan Williams, 21, Alexandria – possession of firearm by convicted felon, Louisiana fugitive, $100,000 bail.

May 13

Yahmir Beaudion, 19, Alexandria – battery on officer, resisting an officer, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Eric Bell, 20, Alexandria – manufacture, transfer, possession of machine gun, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of marijuana, probation violation, $30,500 bail;

Javier Arkuis Brown, 35, N/A – aggravated resisting police officer with force or violence, second degree battery, aggravated second degree battery, simple battery, obscenity, $21,000 bail;

Robert Louis Dotson, 57, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, resisting an officer, probation violation, $3,500 bail;

Braydon Michael Flores, 23, Marksville – hit and run (result in death/serious injury, careless operation of vehicle, false imprisonment, no vehicle registration, driver’s license not in possession, negligent injuring, flight from an officer, $176,300 bail;

Arthur J Frazier Jr., 34, Alexandria – aggravated strangulation domestic abuse battery, $10,000 bail;

Roger Ronald Hall II, 42, Pineville – three counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, producing manufacturing distributing fentanyl, possession of paraphernalia, resisting an officer, $9,500 bail;

Michael Joseph Johns, 36, Pineville – obstruction of justice, possession of drug paraphernalia, flight from an officer, Louisiana fugitive, hand signal lamps, $1,100 bail;

Markas C McMahan, 31, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $7,500 bail;

Jaylan Alexander Rye, 31, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $30,000 bail;

 Kevin Dewayne Slaughter, 44, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, two counts possession of CDS, contempt of court, $8,000 bail;

Shattoca Quantai Varra, 34, Alexandria – seven counts contempt of court, $87,500 bail.

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By JIM BUTLER 

Like the fabled bad penny GAEDA keeps popping up. 

Noted developer and community enthusiast Rod Noles has resigned from the economic development agency board less than two months after his appointment. 

District 5 City Council member Chuck Fowler confirmed Thursday that Noles packed it in on May 4. 

According to his notice, GAEDA doesn’t meet Noles’ goals. 

“In my continuing search for how I can best add value to the quality of life in our community I have determined GAEDA board is not a good fit,” Noles told Fowler in his resignation missive. 

Each City Council member has an at-will appointment to the board. The resignation creates two openings – Fowler’s and Lizzie Felter’s District 4 nod. 

Two attempts at holding its April meeting failed due to the board’s lack of a quorum. Its next scheduled meeting is Tuesday. 

The appointment of Noles, with extensive economic development experience, was hailed by some as a major step for the agency. 

For whatever reasons it wasn’t. 

Noles had nothing to add to his notice when reached Thursday evening. 

GAEDA is on the City Council’s agenda Tuesday when a $260,000 bid for the Weiss & Goldring building safety demolition is up adoption. 

The building is at the center of a dispute between the administration, which favors renovation and reuse, and a council and GAEDA majority which says enough with it, time to turn attention elsewhere. 

That desire was focal point of an agreement recession ordinance veroed by Mayor Jacques Roy and sustained when an override move was left off the council agenda last week. 

The council Legal Committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday afternoon for a discussion of the veto process with the administration. 

The process is enumerated in the city’s Home Rule Charter.

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