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By JIM BUTLER

CHRISTUS Cabrini on Sunday affirmed its Surgery Center on the hospital’s Masonic Drive home grounds is closing.

A posted public notice advises all and sundry the center will cease operations on November 1.

Persons wanting a copy of their records from treatment at the center can contact recordsrequests@tenethealth.com Contact by phone: 469-533-9989.

The notice does not discuss factors in the hospital’s decision as the health care industry undergoes a continuing overhaul.

In April 2021, Cabrini entered a joint venture, taking a majority stake, in the physicians-owned Central Louisiana Surgical Hospital that opened a decade earlier on North Bolton Avenue.

In June 2022 that building and property were purchased by a California private equity company for $42 million.

That company, IRA Capital, in the same time frame purchased a similar hospital property in Naples, FL. for $49.2 million.

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By RICHARD THIBERVILLE JR., Louisiana Christian University Sports Information Director

The Louisiana Christian University football team scored 21 points in the second quarter sandwiched around a one-hour weather delay and pulled away, cruising to a 38-6 homecoming victory over the Nelson Lions in a Sooner Athletic Conference game Saturday at Wildcat Field.

 The points started coming late in the first quarter. Taking over at their own 40-yard line, the Wildcats (5-3, 4-1 SAC) methodically moved the ball down the field over 15 plays and hit paydirt as Bryce Perkins took it in from four yards out on a third and goal play. After Levi Hilborn’s point after split the uprights to end the 4:59-long drive, LCU led 7-0.

The Lions (1-5, 1-4 SAC) made it into LCU territory on their next possession, but the drive stalled, and a pooch punt by the Nelson quarterback downed the Wildcats at their own two-yard line.

But that was no issue for the Wildcats and Datlan Cunningham broke loose for a 21-yard scoring scamper to extend the Wildcat lead to 14-0, ending the seven-play, 98-yard scoring drive which needed just 2:28 to complete.

After a 68-minute lightning delay, LCU was quickly in the end zone again, this time on the legs of Jaterrius Johnson who bounded in from 10 yards out to make it 21-0 after the eight-play, 55-yard drive which took 2:38 in game time but nearly 90 minutes in real time.

Following a Nelson fumble, Perkins and Xavion Butler connected on an 8-yard TD pass with just 40 seconds left in the first half, giving the Wildcats a 28-0 lead at halftime.

Perkins and Omarius Davis combined for a 10-yard touchdown pass to make it 35-0 Wildcats just over five minutes into the third quarter.

Nelson got its scoring on field goals of 37 and 39 yards in the game’s final 17 minutes, bookending a 23-yard Hilburn field goal for a 38-3 lead early in the final period.

Cunningham was handed the rock 21 times for 112 yards and a touchdown, posting a 5.3 yards per carry average.

Johnson had 17 rushes for 84 yards and a score.

Jordan Oglesby led the defense with six total tackles.  Kylon Polk forced a fumble and came up with an interception to go with his three tackles.

LCU finished with 433 total yards, 278 of which came on the ground, while holding Nelson to just 217 total yards.

The Wildcats continue their three-game homestand next Saturday when Texas College comes to Pineville. Kickoff against the Steers (0-6, 0-5 SAC) is set for 2 p.m. at Wildcat Field.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions

 

Oct. 19

Sundrea Denae Campbell, 28, Pineville – simple burglary, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $500 bail;

Casymn Jer’Wayne Claiborne, 26, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, domestic abuse battery, $3,000 bail.

 

Oct. 18

Heather Nicole Ashley, 41, Pineville – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Hollie Ann Brooks, 31, Pineville – possession of CDS, criminal trespass, $3,000 bail;

Shane Cawthon, 42, Atlanta – two counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, $5,000 bail;

Frank Edward Floyd Jr., 46, Forest Hill – Louisiana fugitive, no motorcycle endorsement, failure to secure registration, switched licensed plate, improper driving on left, speeding, possession of CDS, flight from an officer, $26,500 bail;

Jacob Giordano, 21, Pollock – OWI first offense, speeding, $1,100 bail;

Jamie Robinson Jr., 21, Alexandria – OWI first offense, careless operation of a vehicle, running a yellow light, $1,200 bail;

Levin Stirling Sanchez, 28, Pineville – OWI second offense, operating an unsafe vehicle, ignition interlock required, $1,700 bail.

 

Oct. 17

Daryl J. Aymond, 60, Hessmer – OWI fourth offense, reckless operation of a vehicle, open container, no child restraint system, $100,700 bail;

Kenneth Bell, 42, Pineville – two counts cruelty to animals, contempt of court, $2,000 bail;

Ronnie Adell Clemons Jr, 32, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, two counts contempt of court, $4,500 bail;

Markeil Day, 23, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $5,500 bail;

Derrick Lee Dorsey, 38, Pineville – domestic abuse battery with child present, domestic abuse battery, home invasion, parole violations, $5,000 bail;

Sean Christopher Duffy, 51, Boyce – two counts simple assault, stalking first, $50,500 bail;

Tyler Joseph McFarland, 32, Hineston – theft, contempt of court, $5,500 bail;

Glenn McGlory, 27, Bunkie – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, misuse of a temp/dealer tag, failure to secure registration, no driver’s license, two counts contempt of court, $24,900 bail;

Derrick Deon Millner, 42, Alexandria – possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, contempt of court, $18,000 bail;

George Alton Perkins Jr, 51, Plainview – illegal possession of stolen things, obstruction of justice, possession of CDS, two counts criminal conspiracy, two counts theft of a motor vehicle, parole violations, three counts contempt of court, $207,500 bail;

Troidecia Sarah Wilson, 32, Boyce – possession of fentanyl, contempt of court, $105,000 bail.

 

Oct. 16

Fredrick Allen Benjamin Jr, 37, Pineville – possession of CDS, two counts contempt of court, $10,500 bail;

Westly Charles Brown, 31, Alexandria – aggravated assault with a firearm, parole violations, $25,000 bail;

Kashone Cosey, 26, Alexandria – burglary of inhabited dwelling, $10,000 bail;

Joshua Derrick Davis, 42, Pineville – theft of a motor vehicle, five counts of contempt of court, $106,500 bail;

David Wayne Dorsey, 57, Alexandria – contempt of court, failure to pay fine, $100,000 bail;

Arthur Eggins Jr., 41, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, contempt of court, $10,500 bail;

Robert Lee Green Sr, 72, Alexandria – residential contractor fraud, issue worthless checks, two counts contempt of court, $6,000 bail;

Bruce Lee Harris, 47, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, resisting an officer, parole violations, $3,500 bail;

McNeal Harris, 48, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, $3,000 bail;

Kimble Lee Hunter, 35, Alexandria – illegal possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, resisting an officer, bicycle reflectors, $20,600 bail;

Jerry Louis Jones Jr., 54, Alexandria – simple battery, disturbing the peace, public intimidation and retaliation, trespassing/remaining after forbidden, resisting an officer, seven counts contempt of court, $21,000 bail;

Sun Rayven Kuhlmann, 26, Atlanta – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, $3,000 bail;

Michael J. Lacoste, 70, Boyce – bank fraud, $5,000 bail;

Trey Michael McLean, 50, Pineville – Louisiana fugitive, simple burglary, resisting an officer, $50,500 bail;

Damariae Cortez Pleasant, 24, Alexandria – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Cartavious Sampson, 18, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, $2,500 bail;

Adam Wayne Thomas, 39, Alexandria – simple burglary, criminal trespass, $10,500 bail;

Amber H. Williams, 34, Alexandria – taking contraband to and from penal institutions, possession of CDS, possession of fentanyl, possession of CDS, theft, 12 counts contempt of court, $39,500 bail;

Keionda Alex Williams, 30, Pineville – unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, $2,500 bail;

Ashley Nicole Young, 43, Pineville – possession of CDS, $2,500 bail.

 

Oct. 15

Jasmine Shauntay Ashworth, 37, Alexandria – domestic abuse aggravated assault with child endangerment, two counts contempt of court, $6,500 bail;

Troy Lee Bush, 45, Alexandria – contempt of court, $25,000 bail;

Quintin Mitchell, 25, Alexandria – theft, criminal trespass, failure to appear, two counts contempt of court, $5,500 bail;

William Randle Mitchell, 42, N/A – terrorizing, first degree robbery, two counts Louisiana fugitive, $200,000 bail;

Brian Keith Taylor Sr, 59, Pineville – contempt of court, $58,000 bail.

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Louisiana Christian kicks off a three-game homestand Saturday at 6 at Wildcat Field in Pineville, with every indication that the ‘Cats will send the Homecoming crowd home happy.

LCU (4-3 overall, 3-1 in the Sooner Athletic Conference) hosts a Nelson team (1-4, 0-3) that fell 34-13 last weekend to Oklahoma Panhandle State – the same team the Wildcats routed on the road, 56-27, last month.

Leading the ‘Cats is quarterback Bryce Perkins, who has thrown for 1,623 yards and 13 touchdowns.

His top receivers are Omarius Davis with 29 catches for 453 yards and five touchdowns, and ASH product EJ Scott (23 catches, 367 yards, no TDs so far).

Another ASH product, Datlan Cunningham, is the top rusher for LCU with 606 yards, a 4.4 average per carry, and six TDs.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

 

Oct. 15

Kenny Bert Troquille, 38, Boyce – criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, off road vehicle on public road, $1,100 bail;

Sytiana Taechelle Vaughn, 25, Natchitoches – theft, remaining on premises, contempt of court, $2,750 bail.

 

Oct. 14

Morgan Lee Bourgeors, 40, Boyce – illegal possession of stolen things, resisting an officer, trespassing after remaining forbidden, $6,000 bail;

William M. Butter, 61, Forest Hill – possession of CDS, two counts contempt of court, $4,500 bail;

James Paul Delrie Jr., 36, Dry Prong – nine counts contempt of court, $153,500 bail;

Kim Allen Downs, 59, Alexandria – OWI second offense, improper lane usage, no vehicle registration, driving under suspension, possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, possession of CDS, failure to secure registration, $6,900 bail;

Quadarius Latyrin Guthrie, 31, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, producing manufacturing distributing fentanyl with intent, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, illegal carry firearm with drugs, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, possession of firearm by convicted felon, contempt of court, parole violations, $36,000 bail;

Jonathan Charles Harris, 40, Alexandria – theft, resisting an officer, three counts contempt of court, $5,500 bail;

Terrica Hart, 34, Lettsworth – Louisiana fugitive, no bail data;

Zackaryie Hawkins, 25, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, criminal conspiracy, resisting an officer, paraphernalia, safety belt violation, parole violations, $21,100 bail;

Jason A. Holt, 48, Otis – home invasion, simple battery on the infirm, disturbing the peace, domestic abuse battery, criminal damage to property, domestic abuse aggravated assault child endangerment, $92,000 bail;

Quindarrius Cortes Myles, 29, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery pregnant, domestic abuse battery with child present, $100,000 bail;

Stephanie Elizabeth Hayes, 47, Pineville – four counts contempt of court, $76,000 bail;

Delasia Johnson, 23, Winnfield – theft, resisting arrest, two counts contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Derrick Dewayne Johnson, 36, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, driving under suspension, resisting an officer, safety belt violation, contempt of court, $2,200 bail;

Kameron Tynique King, 29, Boyce – Louisiana fugitive, contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Marlon LaFrance, 51, Alexandria – contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Richard Allen Seymour Jr., 57, Alexandria – 12 counts contempt of court, $256,500 bail;

Patrick Dewayne Smith, 33, Alexandria – possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, $1,000 bail;

Troy Kevin Wells, 56, Ball – producing manufacturing distributing CDS with intent, two counts contempt of court, $9,500 bail;

Gerald Ray White, 55, Pineville – create, distribute, possess CDS with intent, parole violations, $5,000 bail;

Jessica J. Wise, 45, Deville – five counts forgery, contempt of court, parole violations, $6,500 bail.

 

Oct. 13

Anthony C. Barron, 32, Pineville – criminal conspiracy, fraud access device, home invasion, theft, criminal trespass, $2,000 bail;

Kaleb Bloodsaw, 29, Jena – contempt of court, $25,000 bail;

Melinda Lea Dauzat, 53, Pineville – four counts contempt of court, Louisiana fugitive, $41,000 bail;

Derio Rayshaun Day, 31, Pineville – producing manufacturing distributing counterfeit substances, failure to appear, safety belt violation, $6,100 bail;

Gary Donel Hagan, 57, Colfax – theft, criminal trespass, three counts contempt of court, $12,000 bail;

Stanley Jolly, 78, Deville – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Adrion Lamar Logan, 43, Woodworth – simple burglary, possession of marijuana, $2,000 bail;

Jeffrey Scott Saylor, 37, Pineville – producing manufacturing distributing CDS with intent, possession of marijuana, improper window tint, $3,100 bail;

Kolby Tyler Wells, 27, Pollock – two counts contempt of court, $70,000 bail;

Edward Brian White, 47, Pineville – criminal damage to property, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, $27,500 bail;

Donald Frank Willis, 61, Bunkie – possession of CDS, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, theft second/subsequent conviction, $23,000 bail.

 

 

Oct. 12

Jameel Brown, 24, Avondale – OWI second offense, speeding, $1,600 bail;

Misty Lynn Dyson, 39, Monroe – possession of CDS, OWI first offense, contempt of court, $6,500 bail;

Jesse Lynn Halford, 42, Boyce – theft, contempt of court, $20,500 bail;

Reginald Wayne Jackson II, 30, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery serious injury, $2,500 bail;

Heather Dawn Malone, 28, Boyce – possession of CDS, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, paraphernalia, failure to dim lights, driving under suspension, $52,700 bail;

Nakeita Latornious Williams, 37, Alexandria – four counts contempt of court, $76,500 bail.

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By JIM BUTLER

The question wasn’t if the Alexandria City Council would again take up reapportionment after last Fall’s elections but when.

The answer: at next Tuesday’s meeting, coincidentally less than week after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in Louisiana’s seemingly landmark reapportionment case.

Sift through the layers and both cases appear to rest on the same base – racial populations in respective districts – and a ruling in the state’s favor could have major repercussions on remapping across the board from Congress to city councils.

Council District 4 member Lizzie Felter took to social media two days ago to alert residents to a bid to redraw Alexandria district lines, saying Council President Cynthia Perry had advised her the matter will be on the next meeting agenda.

The agenda posted later confirms Perry’s proposed resolution to restore previous district boundaries will be introduced as part of the consent calendar, bound over, if approved, to a future meeting.

Back in March 2024 Felter moved to change boundaries set in 2022 that put her residence outside her district.

After a month of tumultuous hearings and meetings the council adopted the changes over protests that the revision was unfairly shifting the lines.

The three other white members, saying almost nothing along the way, and Felter voted yes; the three black, saying a lot, voted no.

The Fall 2024 elections shifted the council composition to four black and three white, seemingly an indication of where the boundaries will next fall as the perspective on what’s fair shifts.

In her appeal Tuesday Felter asked one and all to urge their council member to reject a change.

“If passed, this ordinance would once again divide our neighborhoods – undermining community cohesion and weakening our ability to be represented effectively.

“Because an election has now been held under the 2024 maps, it would cause voter confusion in the affected districts and could further result in some precincts being unable to vote for a council member for six years instead of the four-year term guaranteed by our city charter, effectively robbing you of the right to vote.

“This change will purposely put the home I’ve lived in into another district for no clear reason other than taking away the right to choose, to vote whether or not to reelect a sitting council person, away from the people of district 4 and put it into the hands of a few members of the city council.

“This is not just about district lines – it’s about fair representation, neighborhood integrity, and protecting your right to vote,” she said.

Perry had released no statement on the matter through Wednesday evening.

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Our BOM team had an amazing time at LSUA’s Generals Expo! This event is all about connecting students with the resources, opportunities, and support they need to succeed — and we loved being part of it! Pictured left to right: BOMs Abby Williams, Holly Cloessner, Gracelyn Jones, and Jessica Brunson.

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By JIM BUTLER

The Police Jury General Fund balance increased about $1.4 million in the year ending December 31, 2024.

An audit report issued this month puts the balance at $9.8 million after all accounting was said and done.

General Fund income was $10.8 million and expenses totaled $7.7 million. Transfers and lease costs cut the difference to $1.1 million

The General Fund is the parish’s central operating fund, apart from funds secured by dedicated revenue streams.

Property ($3.3 million) and sales ($3 million) taxes provide the bulk of revenue.

Judicial ($2 million) and public safety ($2.1 million) lead the spending.

The audit showed dedicated Road & Bridge Fund (not part of the General Fund) income at $5.7 million and expenses at $6.7 million.

The year-end fund balance was $2.9 million.

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LSU’s football team is coming off yet another “it wasn’t pretty, but we’ll take it” victory, this time against South Carolina, but it’s reflective of the team’s character.

It’s a team that gets hot flashes and a fever if it gets in the red zone. Three times against South Carolina the Tigers got within the shadow of the Gamecocks’ goal posts and failed to score a touchdown each time, at least salvaging a crucial field goal on the last red zone visit in the 20-10 win.

It’s as if they get within the opponent’s 20 and instead of thinking “golden opportunity,” they think “black hole,” and fret, “Oh, no, what do we do now?!”

Celebrations on offense, for a team that has scored more than 23 points only once through the first six games, are rare. Maybe that’s why the usually dependable defense overcompensates and stages group celebrations in the end zone after, say, an interception.

Instead of acting like, “no need to celebrate at this time; I merely did my job,” these guys decide to go stage their version of the follies in the end zone to celebrate an interception that decided only a change of possession.

It only gets harder from here for LSU. Odd as it is to say, this week’s stern challenge is Vanderbilt. At Vanderbilt. The Vanderbilt Commodores, once the butt of all football jokes in the Southeastern Conference, are just a few notches below LSU in the national rankings, and they’re almost as hungry to beat LSU as they were last year when they upset Alabama.

They were inspired then by a quote from former Alabama (and former LSU) coach Nick Saban. A quote that will live in infamy. A couple of weeks before last year’s Alabama-Vanderbilt game, Saban was talking about football in the SEC on the Pat McAfee show and said, “The only place you can play in the SEC that’s not hard to play is Vanderbilt. Because when you go to Vanderbilt, you have more fans than they have. And that’s no disrespect to them. It’s just the truth.”

That was bulletin board material from then until game time for the Commodores, and they responded on their home field with a stunning 40-35 upset of the Crimson Tide, playing then for Saban’s successor, first-year Bama coach Kalen DeBoer. The Vandy fans stormed the field, tore down the goal posts, took them to Broadway and eventually dumped them in the Cumberland River.

Alabama did beat Vanderbilt at Alabama two weeks ago, but the Commodores are 5-1 overall like the Tigers and they haven’t defeated LSU since 1990. At Vanderbilt. In a series LSU leads 25-7-1, six of Vandy’s wins were in Nashville. The Commodores’ triumph over LSU in ’90, by a 24-21 score, was their lone victory that season, and Mike Archer was fired after that 5-6 season as LSU’s head coach.

It appeared initially that LSU wide receiver Todd Kinchen had scored the winning touchdown in that 1990 game with three seconds left, but a ref ruled otherwise. Kinchen was penalized for offensive pass interference after catching a 42-yard Hail Mary pass from Chad Loup. Earlier in the game, he had missed a sure TD strike of 44 yards from LSU starting quarterback Sol Graves.

Archer strongly disputed the interference penalty. He said it came in a “jump-ball situation” in a cluster of players for both teams. He said it was an “horrific call.”

He added, “Sometimes, it’s just not meant to be.”

Although LSU had all it could handle playing South Carolins, with its elusive quarterback LaNorris “Houdini” Sellers, Vanderbilt whipped the Gamecocks, 31-7, on Sept. 13 in Columbia, S.C. And the Commodores have a firecracker dual-threat quarterback in Diego Pavia, who has passed for more than 1,400 yards this season while rushing for 865 yards. He has accounted for 23 touchdowns by land and air.

Vanderbilt will be a tough test for the Tigers. Then again, Louisiana Tech was a tough test for the Tigers. If LSU is to win, it must figure out a way to score touchdowns in the red zone instead of turning the ball over or settling for field goals.

That is their mission. They need to prove it’s not a “mission impossible.”

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Alexandria Senior High was two minutes away from a triumph at West Monroe Friday night, but the Rebels pulled a rabbit out of the hat and scored 10 points for a 34-31 upset of the No. 2 visitors.

That outcome dropped ASH five spots from second to seventh in this week’s Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 5A Top 10 poll. West Monroe – whose only loss is to Class 4A’s No. 1 team, North DeSoto – rose from seventh to fourth in the state rankings.

WMHS tied the game on a 78-yard flanker screen with 1:45 to go, then recovered a fumble on the kickoff and moved upfield to kick a game-winning 28-yard field goal and upset ASH.

The Trojans host Pineville this Friday night. Then they close the regular season with more of the District 2-5A elite: at Ruston, hosting Ouachita, and at Neville.

The only other Rapides Parish team getting attention in the LSWA polls is 5-1 Tioga, which is receiving votes in Class 4A . The Indians host West Ouachita this week and could be on course for a Week 10 district championship game with No. 6 Franklin Parish.

Voting by 11 LSWA members who cover high school sports in different parts of the state produces the weekly state rankings.

 

Week 7 LSWA top 10 polls:  

Class 5A

School (first place votes), W-L, poll points, last week’s ranking 

1. Karr (11), 6-0, 132, 1

2. Ruston, 5-1, 112, 3

3. John Curtis, 5-0, 108, 4

4. West Monroe, 5-1, 92, 7

5. St. Augustine, 5-1, 85, 5

6. Zachary, 5-0, 79, 6

7. Alexandria Senior High, 5-1, 68, 2

8. Central, 5-1, 51, 8

9. Catholic-Baton Rouge, 4-2, 48, 49

10. Evangel Christian, 5-1, 28, 10

Others receiving votes: Archbishop Rummel 13, Destrehan 11, Neville 10, Ouachita 7, Parkway 6, Brother Martin 2, Southside 2, Thibodaux 2, Airline 1, Carencro 1.

 

Class 4A

1. North DeSoto (9), 6-0, 127, 1

2. Teurlings Catholic (2), 6-0, 122, 2

3. St. Thomas More, 4-2, 108, 3

4. Plaquemine, 5-1, 87, 4

5. Iowa, 6-0, 81, 5

6. Franklin Parish, 4-2, 71, 6

7. St. Charles, 5-1, 69, 8

8. Archbishop Shaw, 4-2, 59, 10

9. Lakeshore, 5-1, 47, 9

10. Vandebilt Catholic, 6-0, 25, NR

Others receiving votes: Franklinton 22, Belle Chasse 12, Tioga 7, Loyola 6, Westgate 6, E.D. White 5, Northwood 1, Lutcher 1.

 

Class 3A

1. Jewel Sumner (8), 6-0, 126, 1

2. Madison Prep (1), 5-1, 116, 3

3. Bunkie (1), 6-0, 101, 4

4. St. James, 4-2, 97, 2

5. University (1), 4-2, 93, 5

6. Sterlington, 4-2, 84, 6

7. Erath, 6-0, 67, 7

8. Church Point, 5-1, 51, 8

9. Jena, 5-1, 47, 9

10. Lake Charles Prep, 4-2, 28, NR

Others receiving votes: Jennings 20, Amite 12, John F. Kennedy 8, Marksville 7, Pine 1.

 

Class 2A

1. Ouachita Christian (7), 6-0, 123, 1

2. Lafayette Christian Academy (3), 5-1, 118, 2

3. Dunham (1), 5-1, 110, 3

4. Calvary Baptist, 5-1, 98, 4

5. Notre Dame, 5-1, 89, 5

6. Catholic-New Iberia, 5-1, 82, 6

7. Oak Grove, 5-1, 64, 8

8. South Plaquemines, 5-1, 51, 10

9. Lafayette Renaissance Charter, 5-1, 30, 7

10. Mangham, 5-1, 26, NR

Others receiving votes: Kinder 21, Ferriday 17, Union Parish 10, Newman 9, East Feliciana 5, D’Arbonne Woods 4, Northlake Christian 2, Country Day 1.

 

Class 1A

1. Haynesville (10), 6-0, 131, 1

2. Jeanerette (1), 6-0, 120, 2

3. Hamilton Christian, 5-0, 105, 3

4. Riverside Academy, 5-1, 101, 5

5. Westminster-Opelousas, 6-0, 68, 10

6. Covenant Christian, 4-2, 57, 7

7. Kentwood, 3-3, 49, 9

8. Ascension Episcopal, 5-1, 45, 8

9. Opelousas Catholic, 4-2, 41, 4

10. Southern Lab, 3-3, 37, 6

Others receiving votes: North Iberville 34, Ascension Catholic 19, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte 16, Logansport 10, Catholic-Pointe Coupee 4, St. Edmund 3, St. John-Plaquemine 3, Vermilion Catholic 3, St. Frederick 1.

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On September 30, 1955, 23-year-old Donald Gene “Don” Turnupseed was returning to his home in Tulare, California, from California Polytechnic College in San Luis Obispo, California.  Don was a freshman at the college; in April of 1955, he had completed a four-year stint in the Navy and had enrolled at the college soon thereafter.  Don was driving east on Highway 466 (now Highway 46) in his five-year-old Ford Tudor on a trip that normally took about two and a half hours.  It was Friday evening, and Don was looking forward to spending a stress-free weekend with Barbara, his wife of five years.  Don could not imagine how stressful his life would soon become.    

At about 5:30, just before sunset on that Friday evening, Don had been driving almost an hour when he approached the intersection at Highway 41.  Don had to turn left to continue his trip to Tulare.  He was familiar with this drive and knew he only had to decrease his speed slightly because turning onto Highway 41 was more like veering than an actual turn.  Don could see about three miles in the distance on the long straight stretch, and the road seemed to disappear into the low mountains in the background.  Don saw no approaching vehicles, turned his steering wheel slightly to the left, and began to veer onto Highway 41.  Don was unable to see the low, sleek, silver-gray convertible sports car driving towards him in the opposite lane until it was too late.  The two cars struck almost head-on.   

Don, in the bigger, heavier car received only minor bruises and a cut on his nose.  The two people in the sports car were not so lucky.  The driver of the sports car was unconscious and trapped in the crushed car.  His passenger received numerous injuries when he was thrown from the sports car.  People who stopped to help found him lying unconscious on the side of the road.  It took an ambulance about half an hour to reach the site of the crash.  Ambulance driver Paul Moreno noted that both the driver and passenger of the sports car were alive when taken from the site of the accident, but the driver died during the 24-mile drive back to War Memorial Hospital in Paso Robles.  His passenger eventually recovered.  Don told the California Highway Patrolman on the scene, “I looked but didn’t see him coming.”  A driver who was just behind Don at the time of the crash said he also failed to see the approaching car.  Don was eventually released by the highway patrolman and told that he could “probably catch a ride home.”  Don flagged down a passing car and arrived at the hospital in Tulare six and a half hours after the accident.  It was there that he learned that the driver of the other car had not survived.  

Don was distraught and avoided speaking about the tragic accident.  He gave just a single interview, which was on the day after the accident, but reminders of the tragedy were everywhere.  Photos of the driver who died in the accident appeared on coffee mugs, plates, t-shirts, book and magazine covers, statuettes, and a plethora of other items.  He became a pop culture icon.  On July 13, 1995, almost 40 years after the accident, Don died from lung cancer.  He was finally at peace.  The intersection where the accident occurred is now a memorial junction named after the driver of the sports car who died in the accident.  That intersection is called the James Dean Memorial Junction.

Sources:

1. Tulare Advance-Register, October 1, 1955, p.1.
2. “Donald Gene Turnupseed,” Findagrave.com, accessed October 12, 2025, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10990655/donald-gene-turnupseed.

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By JIM BUTLER

Alexandria and Pineville zoning panels meet this week to consider land use requests.

The Alexandria commission convenes at 4 p.m. today with two petitions on its agenda.

VBV Management seeks a change from B-3 Business to C-1 Limited Commercial for 3415 and 3419 Nelson Street, just off MacArthur Drive.

The change would allow operation of a fast-food franchise on the property. Vincent Verzwyvelt is listed as petitioner.

Ainsworth Investments, represented by Davin Ainsworth, wants to locate a residential project at 700 Belleau Wood Boulevard off Jackson Street.

The 6.37 acres near Walmart are currently designated C-2 General Commercial; SF-3 Single Family High Density is requested. The petition indicates 13 units.

At its 4:30 meeting Tuesday afternoon the Pineville panel will consider a request for residential designation of six acres on Military Highway.

The address is listed as 2445, indicating the tract is a portion of the former Berwick estate south of Baywood Drive.

Petitioners William Leatherman and Alvin Hernandez are seeking an R-1 Residential usage assignment.

Recommendations by the panels are forwarded to the respective city councils.

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By RICHARD THIBERVILLE JR., Louisiana Christian University Sports Information Director

FORT WORTH, Texas – The Louisiana Christian University football team, which received votes in the most recent NAIA Top 25 Coaches Poll, went shot-for-shot early with No. 20 Texas Wesleyan, but the Rams pulled away in the second quarter for a 61-28 Sooner Athletic Conference triumph Saturday evening at the Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium.
 
Louisiana Christian (4-3, 3-1 SAC) struck first when Bryce Perkins found Brenen Hawkins for a 10-yard touchdown pass on the game’s first drive, after 13 plays, 73 yards, and 4:34 off the clock.
 
Texas Wesleyan (4-2, 4-0 SAC) needed just two plays to respond, hitting a 61-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 7.
 
LCU needed just two plays to go back in front as Perkins hit EJ Scott for a 72-yard touchdown to put the Wildcats back up 14-7 just six minutes into the first quarter.
 
After a couple of defensive stops, the Rams tied things again with a two-yard run, making it 14-14.
 
LCU started the second quarter going back in front when Datlan Cunningham ended a 10-play, 75-yard Wildcat drive with a 3-yard touchdown rush, giving Louisiana Christian a 21-14 lead.
 
But that’s where Texas Wesleyan found in its groove both offensively and defensively. The Rams hit on a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the ensuing possession which not only tied the score at 21-21 but also started a run of 24 straight points to end the half, producing a 38-21 lead.
 
The run continued into the third quarter as the Rams added a pair of field goals to extend the advantage to 44-21.
 
Cunningham broke loose for a 64-yard touchdown rush, ending a four-play, 60-yard drive that took only 1:09 off the clock, cutting the Ram lead down to 44-28.
 
Texas Wesleyan started the fourth quarter with an interception return for touchdown, the first of 17 points the Rams scored in the final 15 minutes.
 
Perkins hit 18 of his 36 pass attempts for 250 yards and two scoring tosses but was intercepted three times.
 
His top target was Scott who had five catches for 122 yards and a score.
 
 
Cunningham was given the rock 18 times and ran for 97 yards with two scores.
 
Nate Sullivan led the LCU defense with nine total tackles.  Voorhies III and Judson Mixon both had eight tackles with Mixon getting credited with 2.5 tackles for loss.
 
The Wildcats head back home for three straight, starting with homecoming next Saturday as LCU hosts Nelson (1-4, 1-3 SAC) at 6 p.m.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

 

Oct. 12

Marvin Louis Balthazar, 62, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery intentional serious injury, no bail data;

Amber Camille Baysden, 34, Alexandria – OWI first offense, open container, improper headlight equipment, tail lamps, $1,300 bail;

Kyler Blanton, 20, Natchez – reckless operation, flight from an officer, resisting an officer, no bail data;

Benjamin Cal Brown Jr., 52, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, OWI first offense, open container, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,700 bail;

Troy Serpas, 22, Hammond – OWI second offense, improper lane usage, $1,600 bail;

Nakeita Latornious Williams, 37, Alexandria – four counts contempt of court, $76,500 bail;

 

Oct. 11

Zachary Tyler Babin, 29, Dry Prong – three counts domestic abuse battery, no bail data;

Mycah Aiden Chapman, 28, Pineville – contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

James Allen Deleery, 34, Alexandria – two counts theft, $25,500 bail;

Jakub Ray Desoto, 24, Alexandria – second subsequent conviction theft, contempt of court, no bail data;

Danny Ray Evans, 50, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, improper lane usage, tail lamps, OWI first offense, contempt fail to pay fine,

Brandi Renee Ferrier, 47, Forest Hill – OWI second offense, improper lane usage, $1,600 bail;

Daniel Wade Fontenot, 57, Pineville – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Terri Lynn Green, 49, Deville – three counts contempt of court, $30,000 bail;

Phillip Hayward, 46, Alexandria – OWI first offense, driving under suspension, open container, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,300 bail;

Jamari Richard, 17, Pineville – illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of handgun by a juvenile, bicycle reflectors, aggravated resisting with force or violence, obstructions of justice, producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, $23,600 bail;

Sawyer Adam Thompson, 28, Alexandria – OWI fourth offense, obstruct court orders, running a stop sign, four counts improper turn, resisting an officer, $1,250 bail;

Parker Charles Vernon, 28, Alexandria – two counts violation of protective orders, $100,000 bail.

 

Oct. 10

Landon Gage Ackel, 34, Alexandria – aggravated second degree battery, hit and run, obstruction of driver’s view, unsafe vehicle, use of CDS in presence of minors, parole violations, resisting an officer, possession of marijuana, no driver’s license, careless operation of a vehicle, $10,000 bail;

Arcenio Ramon Bowie, 36, Lecompte – second degree murder, attempted second degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, $1.5 million bail;

Kynjy Morrice Brown, 46, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing with intent, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, parole violations, $51,000 bail;

Marcus De’Angelos Brown, 36, Alexandria – aggravated battery, domestic abuse battery, obstruction of justice, $16,000 bail;

Makari Keon Cotton, 20, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, paraphernalia, probation violation, $50,500 bail;

Roy Randall Jr., 38, Alexandria – possession of phencyclidine, contempt of court, $21,000 bail;

Isaac O’Neal Sanders, 19, Pineville – aggravated battery, aggravated with a firearm assault, home invasion, $30,000 bail;

Michael Wayne Smith Jr, 26, Pineville – illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, $100,000 bail;

Askia Waheed Jr., 40, Alexandria – armed robbery, unauthorized entry of inhabited dwelling, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $257,000 bail;

Brittany Re’veanna Wicks, 35, Pineville – three counts contempt of court, $15,000 bail.

 

Oct. 9

John Earl Batiste, 45, Alexandria – possession of CDS, $1,500 bail;

Michelle Laurie Christian, 57, Pineville – two counts issuing worthless checks, contempt of court, $3,500 bail;

Brendyn Samuel Clark, 25, Odessa – flight from an officer, resisting an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, no motorcycle endorsement, improper display vehicle license plate, no insurance, $3,800 bail;

James Darrell Dearbonne Jr., 33, Alexandria – five counts contempt of court, $200,500 bail;

Jerret Dunlap, 38, Alexandria – possession of CDS, five counts of contempt of court, $8,500 bail;

Jasmine Janae Harrison, 28, Alexandria – theft, possession of CDS, six counts contempt of court, $35,000 bail;

Lashanta M. Hughes, 49, Pineville – speeding, no insurance, intentional littering prohibited, two counts resisting an officer, two counts contempt of court, $6,200 bail;

Jamaria Dejuan Johnson, 24, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, probation violation, contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Jermaine Johnson, 52, Alexandria – possession of CDS, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, contempt of court, $77,500 bail;

Darnell Mims, 40, Alexandria – theft of a firearm, $5,000 bail;

Anthony Strong, 59, Alexandria – theft, parole violations, $5,000 bail;

Ralph Ellis Weems Jr., 52, Deville – five counts contempt of court, $87,500 bail;

Dontarius L. Williams, 25, Alexandria – illegal carry firearm with drugs, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, resisting an officer, two counts illegal carrying firearm at a parade, $30,500 bail.

 

Oct. 8

Quentin Jermaine Ceasar Jr., 26, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, criminal conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal carry firearm with drugs, safety belt violation, $25,600 bail;

Jo Ann Celestine, 55, Alexandria – simple battery, two counts contempt of court, $8,000 bail;

Malcolm Rashod Fay, 26, Alexandria – possession of paraphernalia, remaining on premises, 11 counts of contempt of court, $23,750 bail;

Raydrian Jaquan Fisher, 19, Alexandria – attempted second degree murder, firearm free zone, second degree battery, contempt of court, $75,000 bail;

Kenneth Lamarth Hayes, 54, Pineville – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

John T. Jones Jr., 22, Pineville – domestic abuse battery, criminal abandonment, three counts contempt of court, $227,000 bail;

Blaine Paul Leonard, 22, Ball – aggravated assault with a firearm, $5,000 bail;

Adrian L. Logan, 43, Woodworth – simple burglary, $2,500 bail;

Timarian Dewayne Logan, 23, Pineville – eight counts illegal carry firearm with drugs, resisting an officer, producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, paraphernalia, $151,000 bail;

Kori Quartez Mock, 26, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, criminal conspiracy, possession of drug paraphernalia, no driver’s license, safety belt violation, obstruction of justice, $30,700 bail;

Elizabeth J. Phillips, 42, Pineville – flight from an officer, resisting an officer, possession of CDS, resisting an officer, running a stop sign, running a red light, no vehicle registration, no signals, improper lane usage, contempt of court, Louisiana fugitive, $14,000 bail;

Juhntel Shawn Savage, 36, Alexandria – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, parole violations, $2,500 bail;

Jaamal Lee Smith, 36, Alexandria – aggravated battery, aggravated resisting a police officer with force or violence, two counts contempt of court, $55,000 bail;

Glendell Wesley, 48, Alexandria – second degree murder, two counts aggravated assault with a firearm, resisting an officer, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, possession of firearm by a convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, concealed negligent carry handgun, $198,500 bail;

Johnny Lewis Wilson, 61, Alexandria – remaining on premises, eight counts contempt of court, $16,250 bail;

Kenneth Lee Woodruff Jr., 46, Duson – three counts possession of CDS, simple burglary, simple escape, $11,500 bail.

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 By JIM BUTLER

Taking a quick look at three noteworthy upcoming events, two today.

 

Book signing today

Paul Cornelius Ferrant was a farmer, aerial gunner and Louisiana minister during his long life (101 years).
Verona Ferrant Harp of Ball will sign copies of her biography of her father, “World War II Veteran in the Army of Peace,” at 2 p.m. today at Tioga’s Robertson Library

Ferrant was a tail gunner over Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. After the war he attended Louisiana Christian University before embarking on a ministerial life.

Alumni honored

Four Distinguished Alumni will be honored at tonight’s Holy Savior Menard homecoming game versus Oakdale.

Gayle Aertker Crotty, the late Allen Eskew and Terry Mathews, and Timothy Petrus are the second group of Holy Savior Menard, Menard Memorial and Providence Central graduates to be so honored for accomplishments and contributions to society.

The game begins at 7 p.m. at the Menard stadium on LA 28 West.

GAEDA Lunch and Learn

Monday is the deadline for reserving a place at the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority’s community-focused Lunch & Learn.

The October 17 (next Friday) event will feature keynote speaker Gregory B. O’Quin of Financial Services Group.

The gathering is to allow community leaders, business owners and economic development partners opportunity to view avenues for building a stronger community.

It will be at Hotel Bentley from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.  

Attendance RSVP can be made through Monday at avarnado@gaeda.org.

More information: 318-880-9407. 

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The Louisiana Christian University football team is coming off a cruise control win at home last week and going into a battle of Sooner Athletic Conference unbeatens.

The Wildcats head to Fort Worth, Texas for a Saturday afternoon matchup of two of the three teams still unbeaten in SAC play at midseason as the Wildcats (4-2, 3-0 SAC) take on Texas Wesleyan (3-2, 3-0 SAC).

Kickoff against the Rams is set for 2 p.m. at the Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium, the home of the 2025 NAIA Football National Championship Game.

One of LCU’s top players is Trace McHugh, named earlier this week as the conference Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts Saturday against Fort Lauderdale.

The sophomore inside linebacker from Loreauville ended the 42-6 Wildcat win Saturday with five total tackles, three of which were solo. Included in those numbers was a sack, part of the 2.5 tackles he had behind the line of scrimmage.

McHugh becomes the third Wildcat honored with a SAC Player of the Week award this season.  Datlan Cunningham (offensive) and  Levi Hilborn (special teams) both earned awards back on Sept. 15.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

 

Oct. 8

Elizabeth J. Phillips, 42, Pineville – flight from an officer, two counts resisting an officer, possession of CDS, running a stop sign, running a red light, no vehicle registration, no signals, improper lane usage, Louisiana fugitive, contempt of court, $14,000 bail.

 

Oct. 7

Jessica Marie Bledsoe, 30, Dry Prong – second degree murder, $200,000 bail;

Tiffany Marie Bosarge, 36, Alexandria – obstruction of justice, resisting an officer, theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, four counts contempt of court, $34,000 bail;

Christopher Reid Carlton, 41, Colfax – possession of firearm by convicted felon, $5,000 bail;

Gage Michael Kittinger, 27, Pineville – two counts theft of a motor vehicle, two counts flight from an officer, parole violations, illegal carry firearm with drugs, resisting an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, aggravated obstruction of highway, possession of CDS, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of stolen vehicle, no driver’s license, no safety helmet, intentional littering, running a stop sign, tail lamps, Louisiana fugitive, two counts theft, criminal trespass, no motorcycle endorsement, criminal conspiracy, criminal damage to property, two counts contempt of court, $56,500 bail;

Clayton Robert Lamkin, 29, Pineville –home invasion, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $4,500 bail;

Johnny D. Lewis Jr., 42, Hineston – driving under suspension, expired plate registration, four counts contempt of court, $20,200 bail;

Jaron Dennis Lindo, 34, Deville – third degree rape, two counts first degree rape, four counts cruelty to juveniles, second degree battery, domestic abuse battery strangulation, false imprisonment, juvenile molestation, $2.4 million bail;

Austin Cole Maricle, 30, Pitkin – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Keldrick Dewone Mitchell, 39, Alexandria – theft of a motor vehicle, criminal damage to property, hit and run driving, resisting an officer, driver’s license required, two counts contempt of court, $15,600 bail;

David James Normand, 62, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $3,000 bail;

Kevin Dewayne Slaughter Jr., 24, Alexandria – aggravated assault with a firearm, obstruction of justice, resisting an officer, possession of firearm by convicted felon, parole violations, $55,500 bail;

Kevin Ray Veal, 41, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, simple battery on the infirmed, contempt of court, $5,000 bail.

Oct. 6

Jonathon Michael Barron, 35, Pineville – simple burglary, $2,500 bail;

Timothy Takeith Jefferson, 45, Pineville – DWI first offense, resisting an officer, improper lane usage, no insurance, contempt of court, $1,370 bail;

Tiffany Nicole Juneau, 43, Marksville – forgery, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, parole violations, $8,500 bail;

Jordan Rodgers McLean, 26, Pineville – three counts contempt of court, Louisiana fugitive, $75,000 bail;

Jazma K McQuarn, 37, Boyce – contempt of court, failure to pay fine, $50,500 bail;

Wenjie You, 40, Alexandria – intentionally possession pornography involving juveniles, $50,000 bail.

 

Oct. 5

Austin Rayshun Byrd, 29, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $150,000 bail;

Brandon Chauffepied, 44, Pineville – OWI first offense, possession of CDS, reckless operation of a vehicle, safety belt violation, possession of drug paraphernalia, $2,700 bail;

Dirrel Therion O’steen, 19, Alexandria – illegal carry firearm with drugs, obstruction of justice, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, resisting an officer, $11,000 bail;

Rontavious Deon Sewell, 30, Pineville – simple burglary, obstruction of justice, failure to appear, $3,500 bail.

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By JIM BUTLER

John Callis won a battle last week and Tuesday fired the next salvo in his war with GAEDA.

His letter to the City Council, obtained by the Journal, cites an alleged pattern of unacceptable conduct by the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority, calling on council members to “reform it as an accountable entity” or shut it down.

And for the first time he refers to alleged violence against him due to his GAEDA activism.

Last week, the Louisiana Supreme Court overruled the 3rd Circuit and unanimously agreed that a GAEDA meeting in February 2024 was in violation of public meeting law, rendering actions taken during it null and void.

However that comes after the horse is long since out of the barn, with a commission reconstituted in late 2024 by new appointments and resignations essentially rubber stamping what occurred at the disputed meeting.

Also in February 2024, on the day of a GAEDA retreat after his authority appointment but before he took the seat, Callis reveals an unknown person fired shots at his business with he and a family member nearby.

Responding officers noted in their incident report that seven .40 millimeter casings were found in the roadway but the driver and his red Hyundai could not be located.

The report draws no conclusions as to the incident’s raison d’etre.

Callis pulls no punches in his Tuesday letter, asserting GAEDA has “acted as a patronage system wasting millions” while it “serves political interests rather than economic growth.”

Annual reports have raised no auditors’ issues with the agency’s accounting systems and practices.

Callis asserts the panel continues to refuse to honor a $1.4 million pact with the city by claiming it is illegal and poorly drafted.

Through a hotel/motel occupancy tax the Authority has about $1 million in annual revenue. Subsidizing a host of meetings and events has been the core element of its activity since its inception.

According to Callis, that activity has failed to produce economic results after two decades.

He entreats the Council “to reform it now as an accountable entity” or end it, otherwise, he says, he will take further legal action to accomplish his goals.

The Council now has requests from GAEDA to appoint successors to three commissioners who no longer attend the seven-member panel’s meetings and from Callis to pretty much junk it and start over.

Council members have been mum on the former, as have GAEDA officials when previously asked for comment.

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The Tudor Hall dorm you may have seen or heard about on the campus of Louisiana Christian University is named after a man who made a profound impact at three different American colleges.

Simon Woodson Tudor, the founder of Tudor Construction Company in Alexandria, excelled in football, basketball and baseball at Georgetown (Ky.) College in the early 20^th century. Notably, at 5-foot-9, 165 pounds, he was a two-time All-Kentucky center there in 1908 and ’09.

He is also considered the father of athletics at LCU (formerly Louisiana College) and Shreveport’s Centenary College as a player, coach and administrator for sports teams at both institutions prior to World War I.

His youngest grandson is 80-year-old Michael Tudor of Pineville, the family historian.

“He was an incredible athlete,” said Michael of his grandfather, the patriarch of a family that produced generations of incredible athletes. His son, Robert, was a star player on LC’s football and basketball squads. His grandson, Robert Jr. (Buddy) was captain of the LSU tennis team in 1956 and ’57.  His great-grandsons, Bobby and John, were star basketball players at Rice and LSU in the 1980s.

How incredible was Simon Tudor as an athlete?

Consider this from a July 1, 1911 clipping in the Alexandria Daily Town Talk. In a report about Fishville news regarding Simon Tudor: “Monday night brought one of the South’s greatest athletes. … Since his arrival he has been quite busy teaching the ladies to swim – and a job, too – especially some of the ‘large’ ones we have in camp.”

Besides his athletic prowess, Simon was an excellent debater at LC. He once competed on a two-man debate team – in 1911, mind you – in which the subject was: “Resolved, That it is in the best interests of all governments concerned that Canada be annexed to the United States.” He was on the team that took the negative side.

One of 16 siblings, Simon, the son of a cattle rancher, was born in Madison, Kentucky, and at age 5 he worked there in the tobacco fields. As a young adult he rode a horse to Georgetown College, just north of Lexington, where he was swift of foot and played three sports.  His great, great grandfather, John Tudor, was a friend of Daniel Boone, according to Michael.

Like Boone, Simon was a trail blazer, albeit in college athletics in Louisiana. He was recruited out of Kentucky to start the LC athletics program – as a student, player and athletics director — for the 1910-11 academic year. His first LC basketball team won the unofficial state championship.

After two years at LC, Centenary College lured Simon to Shreveport to start Centenary’s sports program, which he did for a brief stint before returning in 1913 to LC. That’s where he graduated and married the captain of the women’s basketball team, Frances Ollie Beall, the daughter of W.C. Beall, the co-founder of Louisiana College.

Michael compares his grandfather a bit to Steve Spurrier, the former Heisman Trophy quarterback for Florida who later became an innovative and legendary football coach for his alma mater. Tudor brought to LC the concept of the “floating center,” which LSU and Tulane picked up and used in the early 1900s.

Michael was 11 years old when his grandfather died of a heart attack at age 69 and he remembers his “Papaw” fondly.

“We had a special bond,” Michael said. “Since I was the youngest grandchild, he doted on me.

“He had the loudest voice,” he said. “Everybody could hear him at football games. He’d get on the refs, but he didn’t cuss. He was a stout Baptist. He didn’t smoke or chew, probably because my Mamaw wouldn’t put up with it. He was a great gardener, always having a huge garden. He had a great sense of humor, too.”

One of Michael’s fondest memories of his grandfather was riding with him to college football games in Baton Rouge and New Orleans as a youth.

“He had this giant Packard,” Michael said of what was a luxury automobile in America in the first half of the 20^th century. “He’d pick me up and take me to LSU games and even to a Sugar Bowl game. He’d take me to LSU games when Kentucky played there, and when the Kentucky band struck up ‘My Old Kentucky Home,’ he’d always tear up. He was very emotional.”

A long-time member of the LC Board of Trustees and its president for 10 years before his death in 1956, Tudor reacted a different way to the playing of ‘Dixie’ at football games.

“In the 1950s, all the bands in the South played ‘Dixie’ but Papaw never stood up to sing like everyone else,” Michael said. “I once asked him why he didn’t stand and sing, and he said, ‘It’s not my national anthem.’”

Michael always wondered what he meant by that and didn’t learn why until this past year.

“Kentucky was a split state in the Civil War, and all the Tudors were Unionists,” Michael said. “Two of his great uncles died, fighting for the Union.”

He always wanted to get along with everyone, though, Michel said, so in Louisiana he kept a low profile regarding his Yankee connections. He lived a remarkable life, not only with his accomplishments in athletics at three universities but as he began Tudor Construction in 1946 with his son, Robert, who had returned from World War II.

He also made impacts as a Baptist deacon, a Rotarian and a Pineville city councilman. I’ve probably missed other ways he made an impact, but that’s the expansive measure of the man he was. 

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JOURNAL SPORTS

Alexandria Senior High’s Trojans are back where they finished last season, in the No. 2 spot, in this week’s Louisiana Sports Writers Association Top 10 Poll for Class 5A.

ASH moved up from fifth to second after Nos. 2-4 lost last week and the Trojans cruised by Many 57-0. They opened the season at No. 9 in the poll and have steadily climbed while outscoring opponents by 254-34.

Now the trick is to do what they did last season and stay there through the last poll at the end of the regular season. District 2-5A competition is right ahead. Two other district teams, Ruston and West Monroe, are in the state Top 10 and always-tough Neville, a state semifinalist last year, is lurking in the “others receiving votes” category. The other local 2-5A team, Pineville, is 4-1.

The Trojans begin the district season at seventh-ranked West Monroe Friday night, then host Pineville, and visit No. 3 Ruston.

Tioga (4-1) posted an impressive 45-26 win at Jena last week, dropping the Giants three slots to ninth in the Class 3A Top 10. It didn’t do much to improve the Indians’ stock in the Class 4A voting. They received eight points this week. Tioga opens District 2-4A competition at home Thursday against Wossman.

This week’s LSWA Top 10 polls:

 

Class 5A

School (1^st place votes), record, points, last week’s rank

1. Karr (10), 5-0, 120,1
2. Alexandria Senior High, 5-0, 92, 5
3. Ruston, 4-1, 90, 2
4. John Curtis,  4-0, 85, 7
5. St. Augustine, 4-1, 78, 4
6. Zachary, 4-0, 69, 8
7. West Monroe, 4-1, 66, 10
8. Central, 4-1, 56, 3
9. Catholic-Baton Rouge, 3-2,  48, 6
10. Evangel Christian, 4-1, 23, NR

Others receiving votes: Ouachita 16, Brother Martin 14, Destrehan 13, Archbishop Rummel 11, Neville 7, Terrebonne 4, Jesuit 2, Parkway 2, Thibodaux 2, East Ascension 1, Carencro 1, Southside 1.

 

Class 4A

1. North DeSoto (8), 5-0, 116, 1
2. Teurlings Catholic (2), 5-0, 109, 2
3. St. Thomas More, 3-2,  99, 3
4. Plaquemine, 4-1, 78, 8
5. Iowa, 5-0, 65, 9
6. Franklin Parish, 3-2, 62, 4
7. Franklinton, 3-2,60, 5
8. St. Charles, 4-1, 48, 7
9. Lakeshore, 4-1, 42, 6
10. Archbishop Shaw, 3-2,  37, 10

Others receiving votes: Vandebilt Catholic 29, Belle Chasse 13, Tioga 8, E.D. White 3, Loyola 3, Northwood 2, Westgate 1.

 

Class 3A

1. Jewel Sumner (5), 5-0, 111, 1
2. St. James (2), 4-1, 107, 2
3. Madison Prep (1), 4-1,  98, 4
4. Bunkie (1), 5-0, 89, 5
5. University (1), 3-2, 80, 7
6. Sterlington, 3-2, 75, 3
7. Erath, 5-0,  55, 9
8. Church Point, 4-1, 41, 10
9. Jena, 4-1,  39, 6
10. Jennings, 4-1, 37, NR

Others receiving votes: Lake Charles Prep 24, Marksville 11, Amite 7, John F. Kennedy 6.

 

Class 2A

1. Ouachita Christian (7), 5-0, 112, 1
2. Lafayette Christian Academy (2), 4-1, 103, 3
3. Dunham (1), 4-1, 100, 2
4. Calvary Baptist, 4-1, 92, 4
5. Notre Dame, 4-1, 78, 5
6. Catholic-New Iberia, 4-1, 75, 6
7. Lafayette Renaissance Charter, 5-0, 54, 7
8. Oak Grove, 4-1, 47, 8
9. Ferriday, 5-0, 39, 9
10. South Plaquemines, 4-1, 33, 10

Others receiving votes: Kinder 14, Newman 9, Mangham 8, Union Parish 6, Northlake Christian 5, D’Arbonne Woods 2, East Feliciana 2.

 

Class 1A

1. Haynesville (10), 5-0, 120, 1
2. Jeanerette, 5-0,  108, 2
3. Hamilton Christian,  4-0,  93, 5
4. Opelousas Catholic, 4-1,  84, 6
5. Riverside Academy, 4-1, 71, 7
6. Southern Lab, 3-2,  62, 4
7. Covenant Christian, 3-2, 52, 3
8. Ascension Episcopal, 5-0, 35, 9
9. Kentwood, 2-3, 32, 8
10. Westminster-Opelousas, 5-0, 30, NR

Others receiving votes: North Iberville 20, Ascension Catholic 20, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte 16, Grand Lake 10, General Trass 7, St. John-Plaquemine 7, Logansport 4, Vermilion Catholic 4, Catholic-Pointe Coupee 2.

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