What the School Board does next with Head Start will be discussed in committee Tuesday.
At its March meeting the board was asked by Superintendent Jeff Powell for direction in what it wishes to do — plug the dollar drain or bow out.
Board members appeared about equally divided and sent the matter to the Education Committee That panel, chaired by Linda Burgess, meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday. On its agenda are receiving a report from Powell on a corrective plan for Head Start and discussing possible action regarding continuation of the system’s role with Head Start.
At the March board meeting Powell said about $500,000 was needed to keep the program operating.
As pandemic-related one-time funding draws to a close the financial burden switches to the General Fund, itself facing an essentially flat Minimum Foundation Program allocation in the next fiscal year.
The committee will also discuss possibly realigning the Curriculum & Instruction Department “to better support student learning,” according to the agenda.
Also Tuesday afternoon:
Steve Berry’s Finance committee will hear from Powell on corrective action planning for school audits.
In its recent state audit report the board learned spot checks of some schools’ accounting practices, to be kind, left something to be desired.
Two other matters on the Finance list — board member Wilton Barrios seeks to direct Powell to study and report on the possibility of a pay raise for school secretaries and Sandra Franklin wants to direct the superintendent to ask the board attorney legal applications of what can and cannot be done to combine district maintenance funds.
She raised that issue at the February board meeting.
After Finance, Franklin’s District 62 Committee meets for an update on construction progress.
Also on the agenda is how to divvy up a premium received from the late March sale of the final $25 million in bonds of the district’s $100 million issue.
The premium, realized through the relatively low interest rate secured for the bonds, amounts to a bit north of $2 million.
The Personnel Committee session, chaired by Barrios, concludes the day’s meetings.
The 27th annual Natchitoches Jazz/R&B Festival will be held in historic downtown Natchitoches on the riverbank of Cane River Lake, the festival will kick off Friday evening, May 10 with “Tribute to Legends Night.”
Appearing first at 7 p.m. will be “Lone Star Skynrd”, the award nominated Lynyrd Skynrd tribute act from Texas which faithfully recreates the atmosphere and energy of Lynyrd Skynrd concerts. Closing out Friday at 9 p.m. will be “Rumours-ATL”, the award-winning Fleetwood Mac tribute band out of Atlanta, Georgia which is widely recognized as the ultimate Fleetwood Mac tribute with its note for note recreation of the Mac’s hit songs.
Craig Morgan and Chapel Hart are set to headline the Main Stage on Saturday, May 11.
Craig Morgan has been a country hit maker for over a quarter century and during his award-winning career has had seventeen charting country hits including the number ones “That’s What I Love About Sunday” and “Redneck Yacht Club”. Morgan is known for his high energy performances and is also a huge supporter of the military and veterans causes. He currently serves in the U.S. Army Reserve.
Opening for Morgan is the super-hot Nashville group “Chapel Hart” who were finalists on the hit television show “America’s Got Talent” a few years ago and then emerged again on the show’s special “Fantasy League” series which aired just a few weeks ago.
Millions have seen them on TV, they are selling out venues nationwide performing their number one hit “You Can Have him, Jolene” and many others.
Preceding “Chapel Hart” will be regional favorites “Johnny Earthquake and the Moondogs” who have been hailed as “Louisiana’s top show band” and are the only band to have appeared in all twenty-six previous festivals. They are making this a stop on their 30th anniversary “Over the Moon Tour” and promise some “special surprises” during their performance. The Moondogs performance is scheduled for 5:20 p.m. As always, they’ll deliver a high quality and high energy mix of rock and roll and R&B horn-driven favorites.
There will be 20 bands in all performing on three stages, which will feature a wide variety of music, including country, rock ‘n’ roll, funk, soul, Gospel, Latin, Celtic, and yes, plenty of jazz and R&B. This is a family event, and as always, there will be plenty of great food and fun activities for the kids.
HEADED OUT: Pineville junior first baseman Madelyn Halle watches her 10th home run of the season during the Lady Rebels’ 13-0 win over Tioga in the Division I Select quarterfinals. Pineville earned its first berth in the state softball tournament in Sulphur since 2021. (Journal photo by BRET H. MCCORMICK)
By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
BALL – Juniors Mallory Edwards and Madelyn Halle both homered, and Pineville scored 11 runs over the final three innings to run away with a 13-0 victory over Tioga in the Division I Select quarterfinals last Friday at the Ward 10 Complex.
Edwards gave the sixth-seeded Lady Rebels (21-13) a 2-0 lead with a two-run blast in the second inning, and Halle doubled the lead with a two-run shot in the fifth inning.
That was more than enough offense for junior Addalyn Burch, who gave up just four singles and held the Lady Indians’ vaunted senior class to a combined 0-for-9 at the plate.
“Burch has been great these past three weeks,” Pineville coach Allison Frye said. “She’s been lights out. She’s owning up to her mistakes. She’s working hard. I think she’s confident in her defense behind her, and she’s giving us a chance.”
The victory earned the Lady Rebels a berth in this weekend’s state softball tournament in Sulphur, where they will play No. 2 seed John Curtis in the semifinals at 5 p.m. Friday.
The pre-game hype for the quarterfinal showdown built this contest up as the biggest in Rapides Parish all season.
Tioga (24-7), the No. 3 seed and last season’s state runner-up, vs. sixth-seeded Pineville, located just 4.5 miles away and looking for a return to Sulphur for the first time since 2021. Despite the proximity, the two teams hadn’t played during the past three seasons.
The hype delivered a massive crowd that filled the Ward 10 Recreation Complex. Unfortunately, the result of the game didn’t match the expectation as the Lady Rebels pounded out 16 hits, including five for extra bases, and a competitive contest early turned into a runaway blowout.
After Halle’s homer in the fifth, the Lady Rebels put the game away with five runs in the sixth, including a two-run double by Savanna Johnson, and four more in the seventh, including an RBI double by Halle.
Edwards and Halle combined to go 5-for-8 with two homers, a double, seven RBIs and five runs scored. Johnson added three hits and two RBIs as all but one Pineville starter got a hit in the game.
“My uncle coaches here and my brother goes here, so it was kind of a big game for me,” said Halle, who hit her 10th homer of the season. “I was, like, really stressed out. They were here in the back. The first two at-bats, I didn’t have very good at-bats, so I come in and hit that home run. The emotions were so high. I just didn’t even know what to do or what to feel like.”
Frye said she and the Lady Rebels “always knew we had the ability” to make the state tournament, but they got off to a rough start to the season as they experimented and tried to figure out what worked best for them.
“I’ve never coached a team that has faced as much adversity and been able to stay positive through it all,” Frye said. “For them to be able to have that mentality and build throughout the season, even though it was tough, I knew they were special.”
THOMAS MORE 11, ASH 1:The Lady Trojans (17-16) managed just one single by Sarah Grace Buckels as the top-seeded Lady Cougars eliminated ASH in the Division I Select quarterfinals.
ASH took a 1-0 lead without getting a hit in the first inning on Amiyah Wilson’s sacrifice fly, but STM (29-3) answered with five runs on four hits and three errors.
Addison Lafferty, who went 3-for-3 with two doubles and six RBIs, ended the game with a walk-off three-run homer in the fifth inning.
BUCKEYE 8, DAVID THIBODAUX 0: Senior Olivia Henry struck out eight batters and gave up just four hits in a shutout performance to send the Lady Panthers (25-7) back to Sulphur with a quarterfinal victory in the Division II Select playoffs.
Seeking its third straight state title, Buckeye scored in five straight innings, getting a two-run homer from Sidney St. Pé and four doubles in a 13-hit effort.
St. Pé, Allison Brossett, Adysen Mitchell, Makinley Miller and Ashlee Belgard each had two hits for Buckeye, while St. Pé and Miller each drove in two runs.
The No. 1-seeded Lady Panthers will face No. 4 E.D. White at 5 p.m. Friday in Sulphur.
NOTRE DAME 11, MENARD 10: The Lady Eagles put the tying and winning runs on base with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh inning, but they were not able to come up with a clutch hit to rally in an offensive slugfest that featured seven extra-base hits and 26 total hits.
After a walk and a bunt single by Emma Davis, Sawyer Shelton popped up a bunt, Emily DeSelle popped out to second base and Addy Wright ended the game with a hard liner that was snagged by Notre Dame third baseman Lillian Guidry.
Notre Dame (27-6) took a 6-1 lead before the Lady Eagles cut the deficit to one with a four-run third inning on a two-run single by Wright and a two-run double by Sophie Giordano.
Kaylee Methvin’s three-run home run in the fifth inning gave the fourth-seeded Lady Eagles (21-11) their first lead of the game as they put up five runs in the inning to take a 10-8 lead.
The Lady Pios scored two in the sixth to tie the game and took the lead in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly that was caught at the fence by Annabelle Drago, allowing Menard to stay within striking distance.
The loss snapped a 17-game winning streak for the Lady Eagles as they fell one win short of advancing to the Division III Select state tournament.
DeSelle, Menard’s lone senior, finished her storied career with a 3-for-5 performance that included a solo home run and three runs scored. Giordano had three hits, including the two-run double, while Wright went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.
GRACE CHRISTIAN 13, AVOYELLES CHARTER 0: Junior Rylee Guillot struck out 13 batters and gave up just one hit as the Lady Warriors (22-6) advanced back to Sulphur and the Division V semifinals.
Ava Guillot went 3-for-4 with a triple and three RBIs, while Hanna Juneau finished 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Sydney Avery, Wynnlee Vincent and Rylee Guillot each had two hits and drove in a run.
No. 1 seed Grace scored two runs in the first inning and one in the second before exploding for a 10-run third inning. The Lady Warriors will face No. 5 St. Joseph’s at 2:30 p.m. Friday in Sulphur.
RELIEF: Glenmora seniors JT Thrasher (3) and Cameren Parks celebrate after their Game 1 victory over Beekman Charter in the first round of the Division III Select baseball playoffs. Parks pitched seven innings of relief to get the win in the first game, while Thrasher hit a home run in the Wildcats’ Game 2 victory. (Journal photo by BRET H. MCCORMICK)
By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
When Aaron West arrived as Glenmora’s baseball coach a decade ago, he heard talk of a young group of elementary kids who had a chance to be special.
Fast forward to today and that group of five seniors make up the backbone of this year’s Wildcats team.
Unfortunately, the Class of 2024 got caught in a numbers game as Glenmora, historically a Class B school, moved up to Class 2A during their junior and senior seasons. (They drop back down to Class B next year.)
That pits the Wildcats against a much deeper talent pool of teams in the Division III Select playoffs including two-time defending state champion St. Charles, Parkview Baptist, Calvary Baptist, Menard and University Lab.
The latter school is where the Wildcats (19-9) will travel this weekend to face the third-seeded Cubs (22-8) in the second round of the playoffs after sweeping Beekman Charter 6-5 and 11-1 last week.
“It’s honestly the worst break, the worst draw, the worst luck a senior class at this school has ever gotten,” West said. “If we’re in the class that we’ve been in for the history of this school, the previous history, we’ve got a chance to play for a state championship.”
Although they recognize the challenge gets much tougher, the Wildcat seniors – Keyan Bordelon, Riley Coker, Hunter Gillispie, Cameren Parks and JT Thrasher – are hoping to play together as long as possible.
“It’s just something special to us,” said Gillispie, the team’s catcher whose younger brother, Wyatt, is one of five freshmen starters for the Wildcats. “We’ve been working since we’ve been eighth-graders on this team. We’re just trying to get one game at a time and keep moving on.”
“We know the schedule’s gonna be a whole lot harder than what it has been,” said Parks, a shortstop and pitcher, “so just we gotta be focused 24/7 and try to play our best games every day.”
West said this is his most talented group at Glenmora since the 2017 team that finished as state runner-up, and he believes if they play to their ability the Wildcats have a chance to beat anyone in Division III.
“So many people wrote us off – not here, we all believe,” West said. “The community support’s been great. The school believes in us because the program’s been good. But I don’t think anyone quite understood what this level of baseball really was. The way we’ve competed last year into this year, I couldn’t ask any more of them. I’m proud of them, and I hope things work out the rest of the season and we can just make more memories.”
DISTRICT TRACK CHAMPIONS: Jaylin Johnson and JT Lindsey led Alexandria Senior High to wins in the 400-, 800- and 1,600-meter relays as the Trojans defeated Ruston by two points to win the District 2-5A meet. Johnson finished third in the 100 meters, while Lindsey finished second in the 200.
Hunter Rivet extended his school record in the discus to 173 feet, 5 inches to win that event, and he finished second in the shot put (47-11). Omar Isa won the 800 meters and ran legs on the first-place 1,600- and 3,200-meter relay teams, and Marquis Butler turned in one of the top triple jumps in the state at 47-5.
The Lady Trojans also won the District 2-5A title, defeating Ruston by 17 points. Jakyra Edwards paced the team with wins in the 100 (12.16), 200 (25.24) and 400-meter relay.
Buckeye sophomore Abbi Poche won triple gold medals in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters to lead the Lady Panthers to the District 2-3A championship. The Lady Panthers scored 175 points to finish ahead of second-place Bunkie.
Menard swept the District 4-2A titles with the girls scoring 206 points to outpace Rosepine and the boys tallying 177 points to finish ahead of Oakdale.
A’Shyria Burns won four individual events to pace the Lady Eagles, taking first in the long jump (18-7), triple jump (38-2), 100 meters (12.42) and 100-meter hurdles (15.37). Carly Meynard won the shot put (35-3) and javelin (96-8), while Cami Harrison claimed the 300-meter hurdles (48.56) and pole vault (11-0).
Austin Siebeneicher won the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 to pace the Eagles, while Jake Vaughn (144-1) and Jay Guillory (132-8) finished 1-2 in the javelin and Cooper Scott won the shot put (43-2.5).
Northwood-Lena, led by Alaya Cornett’s first-place finishes in the long jump (14-10) and 300-meter hurdles (55.47) and runner-up showing in the 100-meter hurdles (18.25), won the District 3-1A girls title. Raygan Welch also placed on the podium in three events for the Lady Gators: discus (1st, 85-7), javelin (2nd, 93-7.5) and shot put (3rd, 27-7).
Grace Christian easily outpaced Monterey and Rapides to win the District 5-B boys and girls titles.
Tucker McCoy won the boys javelin title with a throw of 167-5, and Brandt Rachel swept the boys 800, 1,600 and 3,200. Audrey Tarver won the girls 200, 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles, and Mallory Byrd won the 1,600 and 3,200.
EAGLE BASEBALL SIGNEES: Six Menard seniors signed scholarships to play baseball at the college level during a ceremony on April 16 in the Menard gym.
Right fielder and right-handed pitcher Cooper Scott headlined the group by signing with national junior college power LSU-Eunice. Scott was one of three Eagles to sign with junior colleges, joining catcher Ben Wade (College of the Desert in Palm Desert, California) and left fielder Case Butterfield (Southern Arkansas Tech).
First baseman Drake Aldredge was the only player to sign locally as he is headed to Louisiana Christian. Right-handed pitcher and middle infielder Coen Laroux signed with Centenary College of Shreveport, while outfielder Jayden Williams signed with Wiley College in Marshall, Texas.
WARHORSES HEADED TO JUCO: Peabody seniors Jordan Mathews and Justin Burns signed to play junior-college basketball last week after the pair of state all-stars led the Warhorses to the Division II Select state championship.
Mathews, a 6-foot-5 forward who was the Rapides Parish Journal’s Outstanding Player after averaging 16.3 points and 11 rebounds per game, signed with Angelina College in Lufkin, Texas. Angelina finished 21-11 this past season and lost in the quarterfinals of its regional tournament.
Burns, a second-team all-parish selection after averaging 14.7 points and 14.3 rebounds per game, signed with Highland Community College in Highland, Kansas. Highland finished 19-13 and lost in the second round of its regional tournament.
Michael Lewis Grossie, Jr., age 27, entered eternal rest on Monday, April 15, 2024, at Rapides Regional Medical Center in Alexandria.
Services for Michael will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 in the Chapel of Gallagher Funeral Home with Pastor Kevin Cook officiating. The visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment will follow the service in Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home. He was preceded in death by his great grandmother, Evelyn Wilder; grandfathers, Daryl Witherell and Silton Sanders; best friends, Dakota Graham and Krysta Warner.
Those left to cherish his memory include his fiancé, Kaitlyn DeLacerda; mother of his child Sylas Grossie, Nascha Lewis; mother of his child Sophia Grossie; parents, Michael Grossie, Sr. and Jackie Sanders; sisters, Tristen Moses (Eric), Pasha Cline (Junior Miller), and Caitlin Grossie; grandparents, Elizabeth Witherell, Leroy Grossie, Mary and Delbert Hayes; nieces and nephews, Natalie, Tyler, Landen, Isaiah, Michael, Trinity, Tatum, and Taysom; and a host of extended family and friends.
To anyone who knew Michael knows that one word to describe him would be, impactful. To anyone he’s come into contact with, he’s made an impact on their lives in one way or another. Michael was fierce and fearless in anything he’d do especially when it came to protecting someone. He has lived his life being a best friend, a confidant, a father, a brother, a son and a lover. In each of those things he strived to be the best he could be and would beat himself up if he felt like he fell short. You will be beyond missed by countless people. You will never be forgotten, each and every one of us will make sure of that. It’s been a true blessing to have loved you and laughed with you. Rest easy Mike, until we see you again.
Pallbearers honored to serve are Eric Moses, Lee Grossie, Junior Miller, Kevin Bass, Javante Houston, and Rylie Roberts. Honorary Pallbearers are Wyatt Holt, Brandon Gonsalez, and Deontae McGinnis.
The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)
Kenneth Rollins November 24, 1946 – April 19, 2024 Service: Monday, April 22, 2024, 10am at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville.
Brandon Kyle “Bubby” Hathorn November 3, 1995 – April 18, 2024 Service: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 1pm at Journey Church, Pineville.
Michael Grossie Jr. Died: April 15, 2024 Service: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 1pm at Gallagher Funeral Home, Ball.
Trayton Tanner Tyson October 23, 2006 – April 16, 2024 Service: Monday, April 22, 2024, 10am at HIS Church, Pineville.
Jessie Joseph Goudeau June 9, 1942 – April 16, 2024 Service: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 10am at Dodge Cemetery, Vick.
The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)
Cleco Power has filed an amended application with the Public Service Commission for purchasing power generated at Dolet Hills Solar.
The document includes a Green Option voluntary rates schedule that would allow eligible customers to subscribe on a first- come, first-served basis to a maximum of 45,000 households.
According to its filing, Cleco currently serves 295,000 customers in 24 parishes.
The Pineville-based utility will connect to the solar generating station via a seven-mile, 345 KV transmission line.
Cleco announced in late 2022 its intentions to purchase from D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments’ solar generating plant to be developed on the site of the former lignite-powered generating station in at Mansfield in DeSoto Parish.
Cleco and SWEPCO, headquartered in Shreveport, operated the station for more than 30 years, mining lignite nearby.
At the time the time of the announced venture it was estimated about $60 million in electricity costs would be saved when replaced with renewables.
Shaw estimated an investment total upwards of $250 million with a projected on-line date for the plant as late 2024 or early 2025.
DOING HIS PART: Shreveport native and Airline grad Hayden Travinski is hitting .308 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI as LSU opens a vital SEC series at Missouri tonight. (Photo by SIERRA BEAULIEU, LSU Athletics)
By RON HIGGINS, Journal Sports
COLUMBIA, Mo. — LSU head baseball coach Jay Johnson refers them as “inflection points.”
It’s the fork in the road of every game. Timely hits with runners in scoring position and pitchers closing out innings is an acceleration down Victory Boulevard. Hitting into rally-killing double plays and serving up two-out home run pitches is unsuccessfully dodging potholes on Losers Lane Circle.
The defending national champion Tigers (23-15, 3-12 SEC West) have been stuck on the latter ever since SEC play began, looping round and round in losing their first five league series, including four against top 6-ranked opponents.
With the second half of the conference schedule starting tonight at Missouri (17-21, 5-10 SEC East), LSU can’t wait any longer to start winning if it hopes to rally for an NCAA Tournament bid.
It needs to turn its defection points into inflection points.
“We just need to be better at those points,” Johnson said. “And there’s a lot of reasons why I think that we haven’t, things you can go back and look at.
“But what we can control is what we have in front of us. That’s what I really need them to do. I’m trying to meet them where they’re at and get them in a better direction.”
The crux of Johnson’s success, wherever he’s coached, has been good starting pitching.
He’s always felt if he gets solid performances from his starting hurlers, everything else will fall in place.
But as he discovered in being swept by Tennessee last weekend, even a vastly improved starting pitching wasn’t enough.
LSU held the Vols, who lead the nation in home runs, to 17 runs and 21 hits in the three-game series. But the Tigers’ best pitching numbers in an SEC series so far this season was offset by LSU’s worst hitting (17 hits, 8 runs)’in a league series this year.
Johnson made some tweaks in his starting rotation against Tennessee that he’ll likely repeat vs. Mizzou.
He flip-flopped usual Game 1 starter Luke Holman and Game 2 starter Gage Jump as Jump got the start in the series opener. Also, veteran reliever Nate Ackenhausen got his first SEC start in the third game.
Jump (2-1) lasted 4 innings and 20 batters, allowing 5 hits and 5 runs (all earned) while striking out 5 and walking 4. Holman (6-2) went 5.2 innings, faced 22 batters, gave up 2 hits and 2 runs (both earned) and had 4 strikeouts and 3 walks. Ackenhausen got no decision in 4 innings, facing 15 batters while limiting Tennessee to 2 hits and 2 runs (both earned) with 2 strikeouts and 1 walk.
“Gage did a good job, but we didn’t help him on defense,” Johnson said. “Luke was exceptional. Nate did a nice job on Sunday.
“We still have to do better offensively.”
The only week in and week out hits producer for LSU is junior third baseman Tommy White. He’s batting .302 in SEC games with 1 double, 8 homers, 17 RBI and 14 runs.
“The season is not over, and the story is not written, “ Johnson said. “All of our players want to develop, and they definitely want to win, and our coaching staff is going to give them the best we’ve got.”
LSU (23-15, 3-12 SEC) at Missouri (17-21, 5-10 SEC)
LSU has an all-time record of 18-3 versus Missouri in a series that began in 1986. . .LSU swept three games from Mizzou in Baton Rouge in 2022, with all those games were decided by two runs or less. . .Missouri won two of three games in LSU’s last visit to Columbia in 2019. . .Since Mizzou joined in 2013, LSU owns a 16-3 mark in the series. The Tigers have a 7-2 all-time record in Columbia.
ABOUT LSU
Third baseman Tommy White has a team-high .333 overall batting average with five doubles, 12 homers, 35 RBI and 34 runs. Graduate catcher/designated hitter Hayden Travinski has a .308 cumulative batting average with 8 doubles, 10 homers, 33 RBI and 30 runs. . . Junior right-hander Luke Holman is 6-2 with a 2.15 ERA in 50.1 innings, recording 16 walks and 75 strikeouts. . .Sophomore right-hander Aiden Moffett had his first career SEC action at Tennessee, pitching on two games and working a total of 2.1 innings and allowing one run on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts.
ABOUT MISSOURI
Missouri is No. 14 in the SEC in team batting average at .252, and its total of 39 home runs is the second-lowest in the league (Vanderbilt has 38 homers) … Missouri is No. 11 in the SEC in team ERA (5.51), and its staff has recorded 330 strikeouts in 333.0 innings with a .256 opponent batting average. . .Mizzou is led by first-year head coach Kerrick Jackson, who served as the head coach at Southern University in Baton Rouge for three seasons (2018-20) before departing to serve as the president of the MLB Draft League. . .Infielder/outfielder Trevor Austin leads Missouri in home runs (9) and RBI (24).
Trayton Tanner Tyson, age 17, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in Alexandria, at Rapides Regional Medical Center.
The Visitation for Trayton will be held on Monday, April 22, 2024, at HIS Church from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Services will begin at 12:00 p.m. with Dr. Steve Speer officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Gallagher Funeral Home.
He was preceded in death by his great grandparents, and uncles, Brad Tyson and Troy Cross.
Those left to cherish his memory include his parents, Brandon and Rose Tyson; siblings, Mackenzie Edwards (Shane), Tristan Tyson,Taylor Tyson, Trey Tyson, Trinity Tyson, Trenton Tyson, and Kinze Cornette; paternal grandparents, Henry and Beverly Tyson; maternal Grandparents, Thomas and Joann Bazar; aunts and uncles, Brock Tyson (Patti), Brent Tyson (Jenifer), Bridget Lee (Jake), Christy Carter (Kenny), Kelly Hile, and Misty Kerr (Daniel); and nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Trayton was a big-hearted young man that enjoyed being the life of the party. He liked singing, dancing, and making people laugh. Trayton like hunting, fishing, and driving loud and lifted trucks. Trayton loved his family and the security he felt from them. He would call them often to check in and just talk. Trayton will forever be missed by those that loved and knew him.
Pallbearers honored to serve are Tristan Tyson, Taylor Tyson, Trey Tyson, Drew Tyson, Alex Carter, and Waylon Dennis. Honorary Pallbearers are Trenton Tyson, Julian Lawson, Chase Menicocci, Shane Edwards, Craig Jeansonne, and Landon Locke.
The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)
Joan Evelyn Gaspard Monsour May 8, 1936 – April 16, 2024 Service: Friday, April 19, 2024, 11am at Our Lady of Prompt Succor, Alexandria.
Leonard “Leroy” Ray Lemmons November 6, 1956 – April 15, 2024 Service: Friday, April 19, 2023, 1pm at Journey Church, Pineville.
Gilda H Wesley July 5, 1947 – April 14, 2024 Service: Saturday, April 20. 2024, 11am at True Vine Missionary Baptist Church, Alexandria.
Trayton Tanner Tyson October 23, 2006 – April 16, 2024 Service: Monday, April 22, 2024, 10am at HIS Church, Pineville.
Jessie Joseph Goudeau June 9, 1942 – April 16, 2024 Service: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 10am at Dodge Cemetery, Vick.
The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)
Killed: Good Samaritan Michael Grossie (Facebook image)
By JIM BUTLER
Michael Grossie apparently thought he could calm an upset teenager brandishing a pistol. Sadly, he was wrong.
Grossie, 27, died this week, unable to recover from being shot in the face. The teen, Trayton Tyson, 17, shot himself after mortally wounding Grossie, authorities said. He has also died.
The incident unfolded shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday on the parking lot of a convenience store at Hwy. 28 West and St. Clair Road.
According to authorities and witnesses, two vehicles entered and parked on the parking lot of the store and a disturbance occurred between Tyson, his mother, and a female friend.
Bystanders separated the mother and son during the first altercation and at that point, all parties involved appeared to be calm.
But shortly thereafter a second disturbance occurred between the juvenile, his mother, and friend.
At that point, witnesses told deputies, the teenager armed himself with a pistol from one of the vehicles.
Grossie, pulling through the parking lot, stopped to see what was occurring, offering to render assistance.
As the mother appeared to be pleading with her son to put the pistol down, he fired one round, striking Grossie.
Tyson then shot himself.
The tragedy is the second this month at the intersection.
In the first a Shreveport woman was killed when the vehicle she was a passenger in turned and was struck by an oncoming vehicle.
Due to a series of violent accidents, area residents have several times sought changes in the intersection configuration, as yet to no avail.
Jarvis White, 29, wanted for 2nd-degree murder in an early Easter morning shooting, turned himself in Tuesday. His bond is set at $1.1 million.
He had been at-large since the killing of Jesse Tatum III, 49, in a 3 a.m. incident.
White’s brother Shaheem, 20, was captured last week in North Carolina and is awaiting extradition.
—
Michael Taylor, 38, of Ball and Jessica Bledsoe, 29, of Alexandria are charged with murder 2nd degree in the death of James Ingram, 68, of Colfax on Easter night. They allegedly administered narcotics to Ingram in Alexandria that resulted in his death and then allegedly drove in his car to a forest area in Grant Parish where the body was dumped.
Subsequently, it is alleged, Bledsoe and a third suspect returned to the site and burned the corpse.
After being charged in Grant, they were transferred Tuesday to Rapides to face the murder count.
The City Council has voted without dissent to seek an attorney general opinion on the latest election districts reappointment.
That being said, it is unlikely an opinion will be forthcoming until litigation is resolved at the parish level.
In the time since the council voted to re-redraw boundaries for Districts 2, 3, and 4 suit has been filed in Ninth Judicial District Court challenging the action.
That came to light during Tuesday’s council session.
It was said that a request for a Temporary Restraining Order regarding the revised ordinance was denied.
And the city has filed a reconvential demand, which essentially a counter-claim against the plaintiff allegation.
Ordinarily, the Attorney General’s Office defers to local court jurisdiction if litigation involves an issue for which an opinion has been requested.
