Author: NPJ

Music, Fireworks and Family Fun – Alexandria’s Rockin’ the Red Celebrates Independence Day

/ NPJ

Downtown Alexandria was the place to be for music, fireworks and family fun as over 1,000 people packed the area around city hall for Rock the Red, the city’s annual Independence Day celebration.

From a Mount Everest sized water slide to a foam filled play area, portable basketball court, and children’s games, there was plenty of fun for the younger set. Savory aromas filled the air as food trucks served up a wide variety of foods for every taste.

Louisiana Music Hall of Fame member and Billboard Hot Country Songs Top 100 Chart singer Trini Triggs kicked off the evening’s concert with an energetic hour long set that ranged from Gospel to Rock to Country. Trini was followed by the superb musicality of ROI Chip Anthony, a singer and group that kept the crowd pumped up and the dance area filled.

It would not be Independence Day without fireworks and Rockin’ the Red did not disappoint! The evening culminated with an incredible fireworks show that could not be beat.

Arrest made in criminal sexual conduct investigation involving a juvenile

/ NPJ

On June 22, 2025, Patrol Deputies responded to the Tioga Substation for a walk-in complaint of a criminal sexual conduct where the alleged victim was a juvenile. Deputies took the initial report and Sheriff’s Detectives responded to begin their investigation.

Through their investigation, Detectives were able to identify Travante Latrez Williams, 21 of Alexandria, as the suspect.

From their investigation, which consisted of interviews and witness statements, Detectives were able to establish sufficient probable cause that supported the original allegations. On June 30, Detectives obtained warrants for Williams arrest for 2 counts carnal knowledge of a juvenile, indecent behavior with a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

On June 30, 2025, Sheriff’s Detectives made contact with Williams at his residence on Lisa Street in Alexandria and he was taken into custody without incident and arrested on the outstanding warrants. Williams was transported and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center where he remains at the time of this release, being held on a $350,000 bond.

Sheriff’s Detectives say this is still an active, ongoing investigation and more arrests are possible. If anyone has any information relating to this crime, they are asked to contact Detective Joseph Spence, Criminal Investigations Division-Main Office, at 318-473-6727, RPSO Main Office at 318-473-6700 or Crime Stoppers at 318-443-7867.

“ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION.”

Arrestee: Travante Latrez Williams, 21, 5102 Lisa Street, Alexandria LA

Charges: 2 counts carnal knowledge of a juvenile (Felony), indecent behavior with a juvenile (Felony) contributing to the delinquency of juveniles

Arrest made in criminal sexual conduct investigation

/ NPJ

On May 19, 2025, Sheriff’s Detectives responded to a local hospital in reference to allegations of criminal sexual conduct that occurred in the Pineville area.

According to their initial investigation, the victim alleged they were sexually assaulted while staying at the residence of the suspect. During their investigation, Detectives determined the suspect, identified as Dakota L. Duncan, 29 of Pineville, had allegedly committed this criminal sexual conduct on the victim who was a guest at his residence. From their investigation, Detectives established sufficient probable cause that supported the victims original allegations and Detectives obtained an arrest warrant on Duncan for Third Degree Rape.

On June 11, 2025, Duncan was taken into custody without incident, placed under arrest and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center. Duncan was released the following day on a $75,000.00 bond.

Sheriff’s Detectives say this is still an active investigation. If anyone has any further information relating to this crime, they are asked to contact Detective Tim Stanley, Criminal Investigation Division- Kolin Substation, at 318-484-7350.

“ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION.”

Arrestee: Dakota L Duncan, 29, 874 Starlight Trail Road, Pineville LA

Charges: Third Degree Rape

Rapides Urgent Care Clinic locations to be shuttered Aug. 23

/ NPJ
6515 Coliseum Blvd, Alexandria

Rapides Regional Medical Center will close its three local Rapides Urgent Care Clinic locations in late August, according to an announcement Wednesday.

The Rapides Urgent Care Clinic locations closing Aug. 23 are on Jackson Street and Coliseum Blvd. in Alexandria and Hwy 28 East in Pineville.

The announcement cited an “saturated urgent care market, evolving healthcare needs, and changes in reimbursement models.”

It stated: “We are grateful to our patients for allowing us to be part of their care and to our urgent care staff for their dedicated service over the years. Rapides Regional Medical Center remains committed to providing high-quality care through our hospital services and emergency care for Central Louisiana.”

Restoration and historical markers on the Pineville Downtown Development District’s agenda

/ NPJ

Two items related to historical preservation were among the items considered by the Pineville Downtown Development District at their June 30 meeting at the Pineville City Council Chambers.

Local historian Michael Wynne spoke to the commissioners about placing historical markers by the live oaks in front of the old Huey P. Long Hospital. The markers would commemorate the hospital and explain its history and significance. Pineville’s Huey P. Long hospital was the flagship of a network of eight charity hospitals throughout Louisiana. The live oak-lined street leading to the hospital was built by the WPA who also planted the trees. The hospital had an immeasurable impact on central Louisiana during the years it was open. The proposal was for the cost to be shared half and half between the Pineville DDD and the City of Pineville.

The second preservation related item was a proposal from local historian Paul Price to fund the restoration of the decorative ironwork surrounding the gravesite of the Casson family. The ironwork is in the form of an ornate fence and gate, known as the “Casson Fence”. The gate has been moved to storage for safekeeping and the fence has fallen into disrepair. The Casson gravesite and the Flower-Sprigg family gravesite are the only two graves in Rapides parish that are known to have decorative ironwork from the Robert Wood & Co. Ironworks of Philadelphia, giving the gravesites a noteworthy historical significance,

Both of these projects are designed to preserve important aspects of Pineville’s and the surrounding area’s rich history before they are lost to the ravages of time and neglect.

TONIGHT: Pine Ridge Baptist Church

/ NPJ

We would like to invite all of our friends and neighbors to a special informational meeting focused on carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and Eminent Domain—topics that are growing in importance across our region.

This educational gathering is not intended to persuade one way or another, but rather to allow you to become educated on an important topic that engages our families. We have invited qualified professionals to explain what CCS is, how it works, and what implications it and Eminent Domain may have for our communities. It will be an open forum where questions are welcomed and honest discussion encouraged.

July 1st, 2025 • 6pm • Pine Ridge Baptist Church

We must become better educated on the complex issues that have the potential to seriously affect our lives and the lives of our future generation to come. By understanding the facts, we can speak with wisdom, compassion, and truth when questions arise.

I sincerely hope you will make every effort to attend and join us in this thoughtful and respectful dialogue.

Let us remember the words of Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

Thank you for your time,

Pine Ridge Baptist Church
6026 LA-112
Melder, LA 71433