By JIM BUTLER

A special election will be necessary to fill the post of State Senator Mike Reese of Leesville, appointed Tuesday as next president of McNeese State University.

His District 30 includes Southwest Rapides, along with Vernon and precincts in Beauregard and Calcasieu Parishes.

Law requires the Senate president, Cameron Henry,  to call an election within 10 days of receiving notice of resignation for any term with more than six months remaining.

Reese was elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023 to a term ending in December 2027.

Among the decisions he will face in taking the new post is what to do about a campaign finance account of almost $800,000.

State law provides options:

• Return the contributions, though the sheer number of donations from PACs, companies and individuals creates issues with that;
• Parcel it out as charitable donations;
• Give it to other candidates;
• Or keep it for possible future campaigns since it was collected for “future” election, according to his disclosure report.

That report shows he raised $235,000 in 2025 and collected another $23,000 in interest.

He spent $61,000 and, combined with prior year balance, closed 2025 at $780,000.

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The Sugar Bowl and the Louisiana High School Athletic Association are together again.

The organizations have announced a landmark partnership through which the Sugar Bowl will serve as the title sponsor of all 16 LHSAA-sanctioned sports state championships. The six-year agreement was collaboratively secured by the LHSAA and Playfly Sports, the sports industry’s leading revenue maximization company.

Rapides Parish had three state championship teams in 2025-26:  Peabody Warhorses boys basketball, Pineville Lady Rebels softball and Glenmora Wildcats baseball. State tournaments next year will be presented by Allstate under terms of the agreement announced Monday.

Northwood-Lena principal Alex Goodling, a former baseball player and assistant coach at Louisiana Christian University, is one of two Class A representatives on the LHSAA’s executive committee, which oversees the LHSAA staff and manages policy decisions for the organization.

“The Sugar Bowl is honored to have the opportunity to once again partner with the LHSAA to serve as the title sponsor for its championship events,” said Jeff Hundley, the Chief Executive Officer of the Sugar Bowl. “We have worked with the LHSAA for many years and expanding our current agreement allows us to support even more great young athletes throughout the state.”

The Sugar Bowl, which was founded in 1934, and the LHSAA, which was founded in 1920, are two of the most venerable sports organizations in Louisiana. The two organizations have worked together for many years, including the Bowl serving as the title sponsor for the LHSAA championship events from 2014- 2020.

The Sugar Bowl has been the presenting sponsor of the LHSAA football state championships since 2020, meaning it has had the opportunity to recognize 140 high school football state champions from 50 different high schools since 2014.

With this new agreement, the football state championship, which features title games in eight divisions, will now be entitled the “LHSAA Allstate Sugar Bowl Prep Classic.”

“The LHSAA was founded over 100 years ago to serve student-athletes across the entire state of Louisiana, and that remains our constant focus,” said Eddie Bonine, executive director of the LHSAA. “This partnership will drive additional visibility for our efforts and enable us to continue creating first class events for our student athletes.”

He said it will also elevate the visibility and prestige of high school athletics across Louisiana through investment in recognition, access, and opportunity for student-athletes.

The Sugar Bowl will fund annual scholarships for outstanding student-athletes as well as continuing to support the CFP Foundation’s “Extra Yard for Teachers” program. The CFP and the Sugar Bowl have contributed over $5 million to support Louisiana teachers since 2019.

Additionally, students will benefit from elevated championship experiences including branded awards, on-field recognition, and enhanced event production, while expanded digital, broadcast, and promotional platforms increase visibility for schools and athletes statewide.

“This partnership, in bringing together two like-minded non-profit organizations, will have a multiplicative impact in supporting their communities in Louisiana,” said Brent Vander Mey, Group Vice President of High School and Youth at Playfly Sports. “At Playfly, we’re excited that this deal bridges high school and college athletics, providing additional reach that will amplify both of their efforts to unique audiences.”

In addition to high school events, the Allstate Sugar Bowl is involved in numerous sporting events and recognition programs for athletes at all levels. All of these activities serve the organization’s original mission of generating tourism for the region through athletics. To that end, Bowl events last year generated over $360 million in economic impact for the region, and over the last decade have created over $2.6 billion in impact, producing over $190 million in direct tax revenue for New Orleans and Louisiana.

With the new LHSAA arrangement, the Sugar Bowl Committee now sponsors or administers 43 annual events, all of which will play a role in driving economic benefit for the city and state.

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Please join us in welcoming back Breanne George to BOM Bank’s Coliseum branch in Alexandria, LA as a Teller III. Breanne is a graduate of Negreet High School and currently calls Woodworth home. She enjoys spending her free time reading, being with her family, and relaxing at the house. We’re excited to have Breanne back and know her commitment to excellent services will make a great impact on our team and customers!

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Second-seeded Glenmora posted a shutout win Tuesday to earn a shot today at the Class B baseball state championship.

Glenmora and Pitkin, the No. 1 seed, meet at 11 a.m. in Sulphur at McMurry Park on Field 40.

The Wildcats blanked No. 6 Family Community 3-0 Tuesday in a state semifinal contest as Brayden Holloway struck out eight and scattered three hits in a complete game. Glenmora took a 2-0 lead in the third on RBIs by Logan Eaves and Ryan Langston.

Holloway had two hits and scored twice for coach Gary Ashworth’s Wildcats, who have outscored their three playoff opponents 25-0.

Pitkin edged Weston 2-1 in the other state semifinal game Tuesday.

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Louisiana Christian couldn’t slow down fourth-ranked Georgia Gwinnett on its homefield in Lawrenceville, Ga., Tuesday, and will try to fight through the loser’s bracket for a rematch today in the NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round.

LSU Alexandria’s season ended in the Kingsport, Tenn., regional after the Generals (34-17) posted a midday 7-4 win over William Woods, followed by a shutout loss to regional top-seed Webber International Tuesday night.

The LSUA softball team won for the second straight day in its NAIA regional but faces an uphill road fighting through the loser’s bracket.

LCU: The Wildcats, ranked 24^th nationally, try to stay alive today in a 10 a.m. (CDT) elimination round game against Northwestern Ohio.

Georgia Gwinnett (48-6) outslugged LCU 12-6 Tuesday. The Grizzlies moved ahead 3-1 in the third inning, then scored six more times in the next four innings for a 9-1 advantage.

The Wildcats (36-14) got a bases-loaded walk and a hit-by-pitch to notch a pair of runs in the seventh, but the Grizzlies posted three more runs to lead 12-3 going to the ninth.

A win over Northwestern Ohio will get LCU a rematch at 2 o’clock today with Georgia Gwinnett, who needs one win to advance to the NAIA World Series. LCU must win three straight to make it to Lewiston, Idaho, later this month, including taking two from the Grizzlies today and in the if-necessary game on Thursday.

LSUA BASEBALL: Dalton Wilson’s grand slam and a solid start from pitcher Colin Ardoin led the Generals over William Woods, the first NAIA postseason victory for LSUA since 2015.

But the Generals could generate only two hits Tuesday night as Webber, ranked eighth nationally in the final NAIA Top 25 regular-season poll, rolled to the win.

LSUA SOFTBALL: Winning an elimination game for the second straight day, the Generals rolled 11-3 over Morningside Tuesday on the heels of a 10-1 romp Monday over Friends.

Kilee Moody and Lainee Bailey each drove in two runs in Tuesday’s victory. Bailey was the winning pitcher.

LSUA (36-17) will play Oklahoma Science and Arts on its homefield in Chickisha, Okla., today at 1 p.m., needing two wins today and another Thursday to reach its first-ever World Series.

The second-seeded Generals opened the regional falling 7-4 Monday morning to College of Idaho, which has reached the championship round by winning twice as the region’s third seed.

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The Alexandria Senior High boys golf team finished seventh in the team standings in Division I Tuesday while Tioga’s Mason Renfrow tied for fifth in Division II individual medalist honors at the LHSAA state golf championships.

Playing at The Wetlands in Lafayette, the Trojans carded a two-day total of 40 over par (315-301 – 616), one shot out of fifth. Stirling Wallace was the low Trojan with a 76-73 – 149, with his two-day 5-over score good for 15th individually. Daniel Herrington was next for ASH at 10-over (78-74 – 154), followed by Stamps Crowell with a 12-over 156 (81-75), Henry Crowell at 13-over 157 (80-77) and Jackson Landry’s 21-over (81-84 – 165).

Renfrow’s closing round 76 moved him from ninth to fifth in the Division II competition at Cane Row Golf Club in New Iberia. His 156 total started with an 80 on Monday. The Tioga standout was eight shots behind the individual medalist, Teurlings Catholic’s Spencer Hagan.

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By JIM BUTLER

To many in these parts an Italian-themed dinner without wine is like rice without gravy.

They can rest easy – The Olive Garden has applied for a liquor permit.

Notice of its petition was made Wednesday, exactly two months, according to its website, before the restaurant is now scheduled to open in Alexandria.

The eatery’s decision to locate here apparently fulfills one slot on the bucket lists of many parish and surrounding area gourmands.

Franchisers’ decision back in March to locate on South MacArthur Drive was hailed by many as an end to a long-held gastronomic search.

The building formerly housing Johnny Carina’s was demolished, making way for a new one to house Olive Garden.

Applicants for the liquor permit are Lindsay Koren, manager-president, and Colleen Lyons, manager- secretary-treasurer, Olive Garden Holdings LLC.

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NATCHITOCHES — Behind-the-scenes stories recounting the filming of the 1989 box office hit movie “Steel Magnolias,” shot on location in Natchitoches, will be shared Thursday evening at the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum at 800 Front Street in Louisiana’s oldest city.

“Steel Magnolias Memories with Tom Whitehead and Friends” from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Natchitoches museum (800 Front Street) includes a reception and panel discussion about 6:45 with audience participation, sharing memories of the beloved classic film with a star-studded cast.

Whitehead, a now-retired journalism professor at Northwestern State University, was the second local person hired by the production company, assisting in logistics and hosting the stars in the cast throughout their stays in Natchitoches.

He will be joined on the panel by other locals who were involved in the production – Bill Brent, Sandra Dickens, Ed Ward – and Shreveport entertainment writer Maggie Martin. 

Tickets at the door are $20 for the public, $10 for NSU students, and free for FLASH members. Enjoy complimentary refreshments during the event.

The event is a fundraiser for FLASH, Friends of Louisiana Sports and History, the local support group for the museum, which is part of the Louisiana State Museum system.

Written by Natchitoches native Robert Harling Jr. and immediately a smash hit on Broadway, “Steel Magnolias”  was adapted for the screen just two years later and featured the breakout performance by future Academy Award-winning actress Julia Roberts, alongside Oscar winners Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine and Olympia Dukakis, superstar entertainer and actress Dolly Parton, and Daryl Hannah, with acclaimed actors Tom Skerritt and Dylan McDermott in key supporting roles.

The comedy/drama continues to resonate four decades later, inspiring thousands of stage adaptations around the world and a 2012 Lifetime Network movie remake, and is treasured for its themes of friendship and reliance and its portrayal of Southern small-town charm.

Harling wrote about the life and 1985 passing of his sister, Susan Harling Robinson, a young mother who died from complications with diabetes. 

After he persuaded TriStar Pictures executives to shoot the movie in Natchitoches, the production was a seminal event for the community, with many locals working behind the scenes and appearing as extras or even with small speaking parts in the film. Its release and reception sparked a stream of visitors to Natchitoches to see the film’s location and soak in the ambiance of the city, a phenomenon that continues today.

For more information or to join FLASH, call the museum at 318-357-2492. It is open to the public Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. with modest admission prices topping out at $6.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

 

Nov. 12

Kentavious Artel Baines, 24, Pineville – attempted second-degree murder, probation violation, $500,000 bail.

 

Nov. 11

Misty Marie Hastings, 34, Ball – theft, $1,000 bail;

Dorian Oashea Lacour, 31, Alexandria – possession of CDS, safety belt violation, possession of CDS, $100 bail;

Bobby Leonard, 47, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, safety belt violation, following too close, improper lane usage, $300 bail;

John Fitzgerald Marshall, 54, Alexandria – create distribute possession with intent counterfeit CDS, failure to secure registration, failure to yield emergency vehicle, switched license plate, improper inspection, safety belt violation, obstruction of justice, intentional littering, illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, reckless operation of a vehicle, running a stop sign, $21,600 bail;

Charles Elvin Mathis, 46, Boyce – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, disturbing the peace, $2,000 bail;

Jarrod Heath McNeal, 43, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, resisting an officer, open container state law, driving under suspension, display of temporary registration license plates, probation violation, $800 bail;

John Oliver Perkins III, 28, Boyce – possession of fentanyl, Louisiana fugitive, three counts contempt of court, $80,000 bail;

Antoine Latrel Raymond, 20, Alexandria – six counts aggravated assault with a firearm, illegal discharge of weapon in subdivision, illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, simple battery, $150,500 bail;

Kelvin Releford, 60, Colfax – illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, obstruction of justice, intentional littering, possession of CDS, safety belt violation, possession of drug paraphernalia, $2,600 bail.

 

Nov. 10

Donald Ray Ates Jr., 35, Ball – possession of CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of marijuana, parole violations, $500 bail;

Denzel Deron Daily, 31, Alexandria – Louisiana fugitive, no bail data;

Damichael Darrel Deal, 18, Pineville – attempted armed robbery, theft, two counts criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault with a firearm, domestic abuse battery strangulation, criminal damage to property, $321,000 bail;

Damichael Damon Drane, 23, Boyce – three counts contempt of court, two counts failure to appear, $27,000 bail;

Robbie Fountain, 33, Winnfield – possession of firearm by convicted felon, misrepresentation during booking, Louisiana fugitive, $100,500 bail;

Odyesr Earl Lasyone Jr., 45, Pollock – attempted first degree murder, resisting an officer, Louisiana fugitive, $1,000,500 bail;

Kyle Hart Lawrence, 37, Pineville – possession of CDS, legend drug possession, paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, parole violations, $12,500 bail;

Quantavious Jamar Richards, 30, Alexandria – second degree murder, criminal conspiracy, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, two counts producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, simple battery, two counts illegal carry firearm with drugs, three counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, three counts Louisiana fugitive, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice, illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, $2,000 bail.

 

Nov. 9

Moses Maine Jacobs, 46, Arlington, Texas – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Orlando Kendal Jones, 42, Pineville – cruelty to juveniles, parole violations, $10,000 bail;

Robert Taylor, 31, Pineville – aggravated second degree battery, possession of firearm by convicted felon, $150,000 bail.

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For more than six decades, the small island in New York Harbor served as America’s front door. But on November 12, 1954, Ellis Island processed its final immigrant and closed as a federal immigration station, marking the end of an era that had defined the American story.

Since its opening in 1892, more than 12 million immigrants — many from southern and eastern Europe — had passed through its gates. For countless families, Ellis Island represented both hope and hardship, offering a chance at new beginnings in the United States.

By the mid-20th century, immigration laws had changed, and air travel replaced ocean liners as the dominant mode of international arrival. Screening and processing were relocated to U.S. embassies abroad, leaving Ellis Island largely obsolete.

Its final detainee, a Norwegian seaman named Arne Peterssen, departed quietly that November day. The closure signaled a new chapter in U.S. immigration policy, one increasingly focused on regulation rather than mass arrival.

Ellis Island later became a museum and national monument, preserving the stories of millions who entered through its halls. For historians and families tracing their ancestry, the site remains a symbol of the nation’s immigrant roots.

The date — November 12 — continues to stand as a milestone in the evolution of American identity. It reminds the country of its promise to those seeking opportunity, and of the ever-changing definition of what it means to become an American.

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The only game in town Friday night when local high school football teams engage in first round of the playoffs is at Menard.

The history of Menard’s stadium, which has gotten distorted a bit over the years, is worth telling, not only to set the record straight but because it is a testament to what can be done on a minimum budget with wave after wave of bighearted volunteers.

Retired engineer Wilson Cedars, the brainchild for the idea of building the stadium, said Monday it came around 1995, when morale was sinking and enrollment (grades 7-12) was skidding. Some feared the school might close.

A graduate of old Natchitoches High School, Cedars had a daughter who was a junior high cheerleader at Menard at the time. One day he was walking on the old practice field, and he began thinking about the idea that had come up from time to time for 30 years that Menard should build a football stadium. Throughout its football history, Menard had always played its “home” football games at another school’s stadium. At the time, it was playing its home games at Pineville High School at a rental price of $500 a game.

“As an engineer, I visualize things to draw,” said Cedars, “and as I walked, I noticed they have lights here, and a small scoreboard and some wooden bleachers.” Meanwhile, he saw discarded bricks from an abandoned house, tall weeds all over and bushes tangled in the surrounding fence.

“I started to visualize a press box behind the stands. We went to a game at Montgomery High School, and I studied their stadium, which wasn’t fancy, and some of us parents talked and thought we can build something like that.”

The day after the last game of the 1995 season, a Saturday in November, Cedars and volunteer Paul Squyres started plowing the field. A group of volunteers spruced up the field for junior high games that in ’96 began attracting crowds, such that with concession and gate fees, revenue started coming in, along with a soaring spirit of students attending the games.

That was enough to sway Bobby Distefano, a 1964 Menard grad and business manager for Menard at the time. He reminisced in a Town Talk story after his retirement that he was initially against the idea. He said the school had plans to play football in ’96 at the old England Air Force Base. “No, Bobby,” Cedars said, “they want to play here. The guys on the varsity see the junior high games and are asking, ‘Why can’t we play here?’”

Cedars sought and received a grant of $12,000 from the Huie-Dellmon Trust to fund the project. Cleco donated creosote poles for stadium lights, and Menard grad Red Simpson installed the poles at no cost.

“More and more volunteers kept showing up,” said Cedars. “We’d all work on Saturdays and sometimes on weekdays after work. Different people took charge of different projects, whether it be the scoreboard, a sprinkler system, improved drainage, whatever.”

Cedars and Martin Lyons were the co-chairmen of the project, dubbed “Project: Home Field Advantage,” and they kept reminding themselves and anyone else who volunteered to work: “It’s not our property, it’s Menard’s, and it’s not ‘I,’ it’s ‘we.’ It’s not about any individual, it’s all of us working together.”

Bishop Sam Jacobs called Cedars and Lyons to his office to talk about the project.

“He asked, ‘How much is it going to cost me?’” Cedars said. “I did this (holding his finger and thumb to make a 0 sign) and said, ‘Nothing.’ He said, ‘Now, that’s what I like to hear.’

“I told him the idea was to keep it simple: ‘We’re going to build what we can afford, not Tiger Stadium.’”

He drew up a plan for a baseball field and football field and showed it to then head football coach Tim Tharp and Barbara Trotter, then president of the Menard Athletic Association, and they “went nuts” with excitement.

The project moved forward, thanks to a can-do attitude and a relentless work ethic and some good connections. About 40 businesses donated equipment or services to the project. A core group of close to 20 men did the brunt of the volunteer work but hundreds of others showed up to help from time to time.

“And anytime there was a problem,” Cedars said, “somebody always knew somebody who could take care of it.”

When they decided to paint the unvarnished wooden bleachers, a tractor supply business donated 25 1-gallon buckets of green paint (Menard’s color).

“Martin said, ‘We can’t use that, it’s automotive paint!’,” said Cedars. “I said, it’s free and it’s green, we’re going to use it.” And grandparents, parents and children painted the bleachers.

“We’re undertaking a project that should probably take a year and a half,” Cedars said at the November, 1996 groundbreaking ceremony, attended by Bishop Jacobs, “and we’re going to hopefully do it in nine months.”

Cedars, amazingly, was right on target. The field was ready in nine months — August, 1997 — and the first game was played that September, and more than 2,500 people attended.

“The message that went out to the community,” said Distefano, “was Menard was certainly not closing if they’re building their own stadium.”

Over the next three years after it was built, the Eagles’ Nest had record attendance, and enrollment increased to just under 500 students.

Bishop Jacobs was impressed.

“Before he left (the Alexandria diocese),” said Cedars, tearing up with a catch in his throat, “Bishop Sam told me, ‘Wilson, that stadium saved Menard.’

“People have asked me why I’d do something like that, since I wasn’t a graduate and I didn’t have a son on the football team,” said Cedars. “I just tell them, because it was the right thing to do.’”

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Coaches are infinitely more interested in the LHSAA’s power point rankings, but there’s no denying the prestige of being included in a Louisiana Sports Writers Association top 10 prep football poll.

Especially the one at the end of the regular season. From this point forward on the field, the five classifications are split into four divisions for playoff competition and there’s Select and Non-Select brackets for each, determined by the power points.

But the LSWA stops now; its polling ends with the results of Week 10 games, reflecting what went on in district races and non-district contests over the past three months.

Alexandria Senior High, despite a Week 10 loss at Neville, is the only Rapides Parish team to finish in a Top 10 poll for 2025. Tioga dropped out of the 4A rankings after its loss at Franklin Parish, but picked up a few points I the voting.

The LSWA poll is voted on by 11 sports media members from around the state who cover high school football.

The final regular-season rankings:

 

Class 5A

School (1^st place votes), W-L, poll points, previous week’s ranking

1. Karr (11), 10-0,132,1

2. St. Augustine, 8-1,108,T2

3. Ruston, 8-2,105, 6

4. John Curtis, 7-2, 84, T2

5. Catholic-Baton Rouge, 8-2, 81, 7

6. West Monroe, 7-3, 67, 4

7. Alexandria Senior High, 8-2, 65, 5

8. Evangel Christian, 8-2, 56, 9

9. Destrehan, 8-2, 52, 8

10. Neville, 7-3, 39, NR

Others receiving votes: Central 23, Denham Springs 9, Acadiana 7, Ouachita 5, Parkway 4, Zachary 2, Archbishop Rummel 7, Thibodaux 2, Brother Martin 2, Southside 2, Airline 1, Hahnville 1, St. Paul’s 1, Terrebonne 1.

 

Class 4A

1. North DeSoto (9), 10-0, 129, 1

2. Teurlings Catholic (2), 10-0, 122, 2

3. Plaquemine, 9-1, 101, 3

4. Iowa, 10-0, 94, 4

5. St. Thomas More, 7-3, 88, 5

6. Franklin Parish, 8-2, 83, 6

7. St. Charles, 9-1, 73, 7

8. E.D. White, 7-3, 38, NR

9. Loyola Prep, 9-1, 28, NR

10. Belle Chasse, 9-1, 25, NR

Others receiving votes: Franklinton 20, Vandebilt Catholic 20, Lakeshore 12, Archbishop Shaw 8, Tioga 7, Brusly 4, Northwood-Shreveport 3, Cecilia 2, Westgate 2.

 

Class 3A

1. Jewel Sumner (9), 10-0, 127, 1

2. University (2), 8-2, 116, 2

3. St. James, 8-2, 102, 3

4. Madison Prep, 8-2, 100, 4

5. Sterlington, 8-2, 90, 5

6. Jena, 9-1, 75, 6

7. Erath, 10-0, 73, 7

8. Bunkie, 9-1, 60, 8

9. Lake Charles Prep, 8-2, 44, 9

10. Church Point, 8-2, 27, NR

Others receiving votes: Jennings 12, Marksville 12, Amite 8, Northwest 6, L.B. Landry 3, John F. Kennedy 2, De La Salle 2.

 

Class 2A

1. Lafayette Christian Academy (10), 9-1, 131, 1

2. Dunham (1), 9-1,120, 3

3. Calvary Baptist, 9-1, 110, 4

4. Notre Dame, 8-2, 86, 6

5. Oak Grove, 8-2, 83, 9

6. Ouachita Christian, 9-1, 75, 2

7. Kinder, 10-0, 55 , 7

8. Catholic-New Iberia, 8-2,  52,8

9. Lafayette Renaissance Charter, 8-2, 36,10

10. Newman, 6-2, 34, NR

Others receiving votes: South Plaquemines 25, Mangham 23, Loreauville 17, Ferriday 4, Mansfield 2, East Feliciana 1, Union Parish 1, Vinton 1.

 

Class 1A

1. Haynesville (11),10-0, 132, 1

2. Hamilton Christian, 9-0, 114, 2

3. Riverside Academy, 9-1, 113, 3

4. Covenant Christian, 8-2, 94, 4

5. Westminster-Opelousas, 10-0, 86, 5

6. Jeanerette, 9-1, 77, 6

7. Ascension Catholic, 8-2, 55, T8

8. Southern Lab, 6-4, 52, T8

9. Ascension Episcopal, 9-1, 44, 7

10. Catholic-Pointe Coupee, 8-2, 27, NR

Others receiving votes: Logansport 17, Kentwood 17, St. Edmund 16, North Iberville 10, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte 2, Elton 1, Jonesboro-Hodge 1.

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By JIM BUTLER

Three teenagers are among five jailed young Rapides adults charged with attempted murder.

The accusations are apparently in relation to two unrelated gunfire exchanges though no confirmation of that has been made by authorities.

Kamron Anderson, 18; Glendamon White, 18; and Shania Washington, 20 were booked Monday, November 3.

Earlier that afternoon authorities chased a vehicle from Daspit Street (off 3rd Street, south of Hunter Park), where shots had been exchanged between vehicles, to MacArthur Drive & Elliott, where it crashed into another.

Anderson and White are charged with attempted 2nd-degree murder, with $500,000 bail set for each.

Anderson’s booking record indicates a previous felony record though it doesn’t list incident details or jurisdiction. 

Washington is additionally charged with felony flight from an officer with bail at $600,000.

The next night, Tuesday, November 4, police responded to gunfire on Masonic Drive just south of the traffic circle.

Two persons allegedly involved drove themselves to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, authorities said.

Subsequently booked on attempted 2nd-degree murder charges are Quanterious Johnson, 18, and Alanis Martin, 25.  Bail for each is $500,000.

All five of the accused remained in custody Sunday night.

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ASH and Tioga earned byes in the LHSAA’s Select Division I playoff bracket released Sunday, while Menard will play a first-round game in Select Division III at home and Pineville goes on the road In Division I.

Following a week off, the ASH Trojans will host a second-round game Nov. 21 against the winner of 12^th-seeded Brother Martin or No. 21 Liberty.

Tioga gets one of the fabled Catholic League’s teams out of New Orleans,, either No. 11 Rummel or 22^nd seeded Holy Cross, in the second round at home.

ASH and Tioga were beaten in their regular-season  finales Friday on the road, dropping to 8-2 on the season.

Menard, which earned a 13 seed in the LHSAA’s power points system, is home this Friday, hosting 20^th-seeded Thomas Jefferson.

Pineville, seeded 24^th, goes to No. 9 St. Paul’s in Covington on Friday.

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By RICHARD THIBERVILLE JR., LCU Sports Information Director

The Louisiana Christian University football team will bring a chance to clinch a share of the Sooner Athletic Conference championship into the final week of the season after the Wildcats routed the Arkansas Baptist Buffaloes 77-6 Saturday afternoon at Wildcat Field.

The Wildcats head to Surprise, Ariz., for the regular season finale this weekend, hoping to clinch a share of the SAC championship when they take on 12th-ranked Ottawa on Saturday.

They were in charge from the outset in their home finale, highlighted by four interceptions by freshman safety Kylon Polk, who returned one 53 yards for a touchdown.

Louisiana Christian (7-3, 6-1 SAC) asserted its dominance immediately, taking in the opening kickoff and rollilng down the field behind Jaterrius Johnson, who capped it with a 23-yard scamper to the end zone for a 7-0 lead not even 75 seconds into the contest.

After forcing Arkansas Baptist (2-8, 1-7 SAC) into a three-and-out, the Wildcats took advantage of good field position following a Buffaloes penalty on the punt. It took five plays for LCU to get back to paydirt as ASH product E.J. Scott took the handoff on an end around and raced 16 yards to the end zone.

LCU took full control of the contest with a 35-point second period. Bryce Perkins ended a five-play, 52-yard drive by finding Scott behind the defense for a 41-yard touchdown as LCU went up 21-0.

After the ensuing ABC drive ended with Polk’s third interception, former ASH star Datlan Cunningham busted loose for an 82-yard touchdown scamper as the Wildcats pushed the lead out to 28-0.

Arkansas Baptist pulled some trickery on the following kickoff, using a reverse on the return to bust free for a touchdown and score its lone points of the day.

The Wildcats answered in just four plays as Perkins found Scott free again, this time from 21 yards out to make it 35-6 with 7:29 still left in the second quarter.

On ABC’s ensuing possession, Jordan Oglesby forced a fumble which Ashton Sanders Jr. recovered and brought back to the Buffaloes six-yard line. Johnson pounded in from the one-yard line on fourth and goal for a 42-6 Wildcat lead with 5:21 left before halftime.

Backup quarterback Phillip Joes II connected with Darrell Waldren on a 55-yard scoring play as LCU went up 49-6.

LCU’s Cunningham scored on a 7-yard run before Polk’s fourth, and final, final interception of the day made direct impact on the scoreboard. He housed a 53-yard pick-six as LCU’s lead grew to 63-6. Backups played the rest of the way.

Perkins was 13-of-21 through the air for 217 yards with two touchdowns and was not intercepted.

Scott was the top target, catching four passes for 74 yards and both scores. He also had one rush, which went 16 yards to the end zone. All told, Scott accounted for 90 yards and three touchdowns.

Cunningham was the top rusher with just seven carries to get 105 yards and two scores. Johnson was also handed the ball seven times, getting 68 yards while also entering the end zone twice.

Oglesby led the defense with 12 tackles, 2.5 for loss, and two sacks while forcing a fumble.

Polk had four tackles to go with his four interceptions and a touchdown. The Wildcats outgained the visitors 611-327.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions

 

Nov. 9

Douglas Edward Beard, 34, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, no bail data;

Moses Maine Jacobs, 46, Arlington, Texas – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Jerrinika Latchie, 25, Pineville – criminal trespass, 10 counts contempt of court, $83,000 bail;

Simon Njeri, 45, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery with child present, no bail data;

Richard Young O’Neal, 55, Glenmora – possession of CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, improper turn, driving under suspension, two counts possession paraphernalia, $3,700 bail.

 

Nov. 8

John Lincoln Early III, 43, Woodworth – simple robbery, three counts contempt of court, $1,500 bail;

David Lamar Fredlander Jr., 38, Harrisonburg – two counts Louisiana fugitive, no bail data;

Brittany Gaines, 34, Alexandria – four counts contempt of court, $90,500 bail;

Stephen Paul Hess, 36, Plainview – simple kidnapping, domestic abuse battery, no bail data;

Jasmine G. Jones, 32, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, resisting an officer, two counts contempt of court, $12,500 bail;

Jonathan Marvell Porter, 33, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, probation violation, two counts contempt of court, $31,500 bail;

Carlos Dwight Robinson, 51, Alexandria – obstruction of justice, intentional littering, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, improper headlight equipment, possession of marijuana, possession of CDS, $2,300 bail;

Colton S. Ryland, 18, Pineville – OWI first offense, simple battery, trespassing/remaining after forbidden, $2,000 bail;

Tederick Lashone Session, 42, Alexandria – OWI first offense, two counts contempt of court, $8,000 bail;

Kelsey Quantae Smith, 27, Pineville – six counts contempt of court, $57,000 bail;

Ava St. Romain, 19, Marksville – OWI first offense, possession of marijuana, speeding, $1,600 bail;

Tarneshia Quayonta Thompson, 35, Alexandria – criminal conspiracy, theft, resisting an officer, 10 counts contempt of court, $20,000 bail;

Brittany Re’veanna Wicks, 36, Pineville – simple robbery, no bail data.

Nov. 7

Megail Lee Austin, 24, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, resisting an officer, bicycle reflectors, $4,100 bail;

Johnathan Casey Baker, 32, Alexandria – aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of marijuana, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of firearm by convicted felon, false imprisonment, two counts domestic abuse child endangerment, home invasion, $56,000 bail;

Gatloyn O’Bryan Blue, 28, Lecompte – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, criminal conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, intentional littering, $760,000 bail;

Camille Demetrice Boyd, 39, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, three counts contempt of court, $52,250 bail;

Henry Earl Byrd, 55, Alexandria – illegal possession of stolen firearm, $2,500 bail;

Demarea Caldwell, 41, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, $10,000 bail;

Akeem J. Cannon, 34, Alexandria – possession CDS, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, disturbing the peace, $9,250 bail;

Mckenzy Celestine, 52, Alexandria – two counts producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, producing manufacturing distributing hallucinogenic plants, possession firearm by convicted felon, transaction involving proceeds from drug offenses, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession paraphernalia, $410,500 bail;

Christopher George Cockrell, 48, Pineville – possession of CDS, switched license plate, driving under suspension, $2,700 bail;

James Paul Delrie, 36, Pineville – simple burglary, possession CDS, $2,000 bail;

Callie Kaye Ducote, 44, Alexandria – unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, $5,000 bail;

Anthony Ford, 23, Elmer – two counts disarming police officer, two counts aggravated resisting police officer, $15,000 bail;

Zaccheus Jamel Greene, 38, Alexandria – simple burglary, parole violations, no bail data;

Ladarius Malone, 27, Cheneyville – OWI first offense, resisting an officer, driving under suspension, running a stop sign, eight counts contempt of court, $31,700 bail;

Cedrick Leroy Hall, 49, Pineville – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, bicycle reflectors, $3,100 bail;

Jerome Devon Hobbs, 41, Alexandria – possession CDS, obstruction of justice, theft, criminal trespass, simple escape, seven counts contempt of court, $150,000 bail;

Lloyd Gene Jones, 42, Alexandria – two counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession firearm by convicted felon, paraphernalia, driving under suspension, hand signal, four counts contempt of court, $166,700 bail;

Tyrese Jones, 26, Jeanerette – possession of CDS, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, $10,000 bail;

Jauan Javontea Lloyd, 21, Alexandria – first degree murder, second degree murder, attempted second degree murder, possession of handgun by a juvenile, illegal carrying of weapon, $1.77 million bail;

John David Mayeaux, 36, Alexandria – OWI fourth offense, operating a vehicle under suspension for certain prior offenses, $500 bail;

Dontae Robert Madden, 20, Alexandria – simple battery, two counts contempt of court, $26,000 bail;

Ladarius Malone, 27, Cheneyville – OWI first offense, running a stop sign, driving under suspension, resisting an officer, eight counts contempt of court, $31,700 bail;

Eric W. Smith, 49, Alexandria – criminal damage to property, aggravated assault, contempt of court, $2,750 bail;

Dyllan Earl Whiddon Sr., 23, Glenmora – child desertion, $2,500 bail.

 

Nov. 6

Sabrina Quanette Bowie, 41, Lecompte – five counts contempt of court, $58,000 bail;

Alexis Gauthier, 28, Pineville – simple battery, possession of marijuana, $1,000 bail;

Demartin Hall, 18, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, flight from an officer, possession of firearm by convicted felon, manufacture, transfer or possession of machine guns, $21,500 bail;

James Alfred Harvey II, 51, Alexandria – second degree battery, $15,000 bail;

Dominic Nicole Jackson, 29, Pineville – driving under suspension/revocation, reckless operation, failure to appear/pay fine, two counts contempt of court, $7,174.50 bail;

Monica Cherese McGlothlin, 40, Ball – three counts contempt of court, $75,000 bail;

Destiny Kapi Mitchell, 36, Boyce – criminal trespass, intimidating simple assault, $1,500 bail;

Jason Kent Pressley, 54, Alexandria – possession of CDS, driving under suspension, equipment and inspection when transporting explosives, four counts contempt of court, $62,700 bail;

Christopher Case Reid, 31, Dallas, Texas – Louisiana fugitive, no bail data;

Thomas Charles Russ, 40, Deville – reckless operation of a vehicle, driving under suspension, no insurance, switched license plate, $1,200 bail;

Tristen Cade Scully, 21, Alexandria – aggravated assault, criminal damage to property, domestic abuse battery, unlawful telephone communication, $5,000 bail;

Terrance Ja’mon Session, 46, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, $2,500 bail;

Kendrick Donnell Smith, 42, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, obstruction of justice, three counts contempt of court, $77,700 bail;

Kolby Vanderwaters, 23, Pineville – two counts aggravated assault with a firearm, $20,000 bail;

Sean Tyler White, 30, Pineville – possession of CDS, possession of synthetic CDS, aggravated assault domestic abuse, $23,000 bail;

Victoria Renee White, 31, Alexandria – theft of a motor vehicle, contempt of court, $105,000 bail;

Shan M. Williams, 50, Pineville – theft, criminal trespass, resisting an officer, contempt of court, failure to appear, $3,500 bail.

 

Nov. 5

Mackenzie Grace Carroll, 24, Pineville – three counts contempt of court, $50,500 bail;

Taylor Scott Crooks, 34, Deville – simple burglary, resisting an officer, theft, two counts criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, simple burglary, burglary of inhabited dwelling, parole violations, Louisiana fugitive, contempt of court, $23,500 bail;

Angela Christine Deville, 43, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, switched license plate, improper display of license plate, five counts contempt of court, failure to secure registration, $57,700 bail;

George Wayne Fielder Jr., 63, Hineston – contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Jaylynn Dewon Griffith, 28, Alexandria – second degree battery, contempt of court, $55,000 bail;

Deniya Lenise Johnson, 24, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, four counts contempt of court, $6,985 bail;

Melina Rae Lowe, 25, Hineston – possession of fentanyl, possession of CDS, resisting an officer, $8,000 bail;

Decorey Oshay Marshall Jr., 28, Pineville – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, twp counts possession of CDS, legend drug possession, $120,000 bail;

Brian Scott Rachal, 49, Flatwood – stalking, aggravated assault, reckless operation of a vehicle, $20,500 bail;

Jaiden Keith Rosier, 21, Dry Prong – two counts burglary of inhabited dwelling, criminal conspiracy, Louisiana fugitive, $25,000 bail;

Derrick Dewayne Swafford, 31, Alexandria – second degree murder, producing manufacturing distributing CDS with intent, criminal conspiracy, two counts taking contraband to and from penal institutions, two counts possession of CDS, $148,000 bail;

Jason Edwin Tullos, 48, Deville – domestic abuse battery serious injury, simple battery on the infirm, $10,000 bail;

Rodney Gregory White Jr., 37, Deville – two counts contempt of court, $35,000 bail;

Sean Tyler White, 30, Pineville – domestic abuse aggravated assault, two counts possession of CDS, $23,000 bail;

Nakeita L. Williams, 37, Alexandria – simple assault, disturbing the peace, remaining on the premises, three counts contempt of court, $75,750 bail.

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By JIM BUTLER

From public notices:

 

Holiday Tuesday

Officials remind that public and parochial schools are closed Tuesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day, as are most government entities.

Rezoning request

The Alexandria Zoning Commission is asked to rezone 1734 Albert Street from SF-Single Family District to B-3 General Business.

Catherine Davidson and Sarah Hopper seek the designation to allow operation of a business on the site, which is about a block from Bolton Avenue.

New town hall

Boyce officials have voted to begin the process for building a new town hall.

Pan American Engineers has been authorized to begin the application process for grant funding of 75 percent of the cost.

Several federal or state programs offer such assistance.

 

Sugar, sugar

Kent Plantation House’s annual Sugar Day is Saturday from 9 until 4. 

Arts, crafts, music, food, and games supplement the main event – recreating the sugar-making process of old. 

The site is on Bayou Rapides Road just west of MacArthur Drive. 

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The Louisiana Christian University football team can play for a share of the Sooner Athletic Conference championship next weekend if the Wildcats take care of business Saturday afternoon at home against Arkansas Baptist.

Kickoff is 2 o’clock on Senior Day at Wildcat Field.

The Wildcats are 6-3 overall, 5-1 in the SAC, and coming off an open date.

The Buffaloes are 3-7, 1-6 and have lost five in a row. Last year LCU rolled to a 66-12 win over Arkansas Baptist on the road.

LCU finishes its schedule next week at Ottawa (Arizona).

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By JIM BUTLER

A public meeting November 11 to discuss a SugarHouse Road extension in South Alexandria is but a hint of things to come.

The meeting, set for 4-7 p.m. at the Frank O. Hunter Park gymnasium, will feature proposed design and route plans for the eventual link between I-49 and LA 1.

It is Phase 2 of an arterial inner loop that will allow traffic to bypass the high-density urban area and provide industrial and commercial access to acreage now inaccessible.

Updated cost estimates are in the range of $15 million or more.

That’s but a footnote to what state and local planners have as the ultimate goal – an outer loop beginning in the Ball area, crossing Red River, sweeping by England Air Park, continuing south, then turning back eventually re-crossing the Red in vicinity of Williams Lake Road, and heading toward its origin.

Looping both Alexandria and Pineville, it would link LA 28 East and West (envisioned as eventually part of future I-14 West Texas to East Georgia).

The route favored by the Central Louisiana Regional Beltway Commission is about 46 miles.

How complex is it? Consider – 11 interchanges, 2 river crossings, 7 rail overpasses, 4 bridge crossings, 4 road overpasses.

DOTD classifies the loop as a Priority A mega project, meaning it’s high priority, large scale and requires special funding.

Cost estimates are difficult due to the 20-30 years expected to pass from start to finish. The most recent number is $2 billion.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

 

Nov. 5

Jason Derek Kirkland, 45, Provencal – disturbing the peace by public intoxication, no bail data;

Nakeita L. Williams, 37, Alexandria – simple assault, disturbing the peace, remaining on premises, three counts contempt of court, $75,750 bail.

 

Nov. 4

Ivory Hebert Grant, 22, Alexandria – simple escape, simple assault resisting an officer, three counts battery of a correctional facility employee, three counts resisting an officer, battery on officer, $196,500 bail;

Christopher Shane Harvey, 35, Ball – six counts theft, three counts criminal damage to property, three counts criminal trespass, three counts illegal possession of stolen things, three counts criminal mischief, $7,500 bail;

Gregory Wayne Hunter, 45, Alexandria – two counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, resisting an officer, obstructing drivers view, parole violations, $16,100 bail;

Brian Oshay Johnson Jr., 21, Cheneyville – possession of marijuana, improper display of license plate, failure to secure registration, two counts safety belt violation, flight from an officer, $1,400 bail;

Quanterious T. Johnson, 18, Alexandria – attempted second degree murder, $500,000 bail;

Mayon Dameko Jones Jr., 25, Ferriday – taking contraband to and from penal institutions, no bail data;

Tavares Terrell Jones, 40, Pineville – terrorizing, no bail data;

Gage Michael Kittinger, 27, Pineville – criminal damage to property, theft of a motor vehicle, parole violations, no bail data;

Eryka Elaine Logan, 37, Deville – simple assault, extortion, two counts Louisiana fugitive, probation violation, $500 bail;

Alanis Leah Madyun, 25, Alexandria – second degree murder; no bail data;

Anthony James Moore, 39, Pineville – illegal possession of stolen things, disturbing the peace, two counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of firearm by convicted felon, resisting an officer, $47,000 bail;

Fredrick Diego Raymond, 19, Alexandria – concealed negligent carry handgun, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, no driver’s license, no license plate light, $6,450 bail;

Jarvorous Dewayne Sanders, 23, Alexandria – aggravated assault, three counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS, domestic abuse battery, three counts aggravated battery of a police officer, obscenity, simple battery, parole violations, $197,500 bail;

Buffy Edie-Lane Tuma, 40, Pineville – OWI third offense, careless operation of a vehicle, $100 bail;

William Todd White, 43, Pineville – aggravated criminal damage, parole violations, probation violation, $10,000 bail.

 

Nov. 3

Kamron Anderson, 18, Alexandria – attempted second degree murder, parole violations, $500,000 bail;

Freddie Davis Jr., 45, Alexandria – seven counts contempt of court, $21,000 bail;

Silento Kywan Foster, 49, Alexandria – unauthorized entry into inhabited dwelling, four counts contempt of court, $11,500 bail;

Jason Paul Gaspard, 45, Hessmer – possession of CDS, two counts possession of drug paraphernalia, $3,500 bail;

Matthew David Tabor, 40, Marksville – possession of CDS, two counts possession of drug paraphernalia, $3,500 bail;

Madison Vendetti, 23, Pineville – two counts burglary of inhabited dwelling, criminal conspiracy, $25,000 bail;

Shamia Nicole Washington, 20, Boyce – second degree murder, flight from an officer, $600,000 bail;

Brekia Nicole Williams, 32, Alexandria – impersonating a police officer, $5,000 bail;

Glendamion Wright, 18, Alexandria – attempted second degree murder, $500,000 bail.

 

Nov. 2

Christina L. Payne, 42, Alexandria – home invasion, simple assault, misrepresentation during booking, two counts criminal damage to property, two counts contempt of court, probation violation, $27,895 bail;

Jordan Alexander Turner, 35, Oakdale – home invasion, domestic abuse battery strangulation, domestic abuse battery pregnant, criminal damage to property, criminal damage to property, contempt of court, $91,500 bail.

 

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BOM was proud to support the Stop the Violence Gala at Mount Triumph Baptist Church. Stop the Violence Alexandria empowers youth and families through outreach programs while working to reduce violence in our community.

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