By JIM BUTLER

Alexandria officials want to hear from individuals and organizations with ideas regarding development of a Bolton Avenue site as location for a relocated bus transfer station.

The one-time headquarters of Rush Cleaners at 210 Bolton Avenue first must be rid of chemical pollutants detected in soil and water to 32 feet.

Demolition of improvements on the property, a laundry operation for about 50 years, began with a contract awarded in May 2024.

The city’s has a Brownfield cleanup and redevelopment grant from the federal government through 2028.

A condition of the continuing grant process is hearing from the public regarding use of the restored tract.

The city proposes to move the transfer station (dubbed a Mobility Hub as it incorporates first mile-last mile vehicle sharing, bicycle and pedestrian connections) from 2nd & Murray to the Rush site, a locale more suitable to current transit commuter usage and part of a Bolton Avenue rejuvenation plan.

The discussion with project consultants will be August 14 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. at the Bolton Avenue Community Center, 315 Bolton.

Written comments can be directed to cda.cityofalex.com or City of Alexandria, 625 Murray Suite 7, Alexandria 71301, Attn: Chad Reed.

Additional information is available by telephoning 318-449-5071.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Aug. 3

Ladarrius Dajon Bush, 22, Alexandria – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Mackinley Slayde Elder, 24, Marksville – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Kista Keontae Garrett, 26, Alexandria – battery of a dating partner, probation violation, three counts contempt of court, $7,500 bail;

Laken Gaspard, 29, Baton Rouge – OWI first offense, speeding, no child restraint system, $1,200 bail;

Scott Patrick Lewis, 20, Alexandria – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, improper turn, $1,200 bail;

Logan Reese Perry, 27, Iowa – OWI second offense, running a red light, $1,600 bail;

Jose Romero 26, Alexandria – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, no driver’s license, $1,200 bail.

 

Aug. 2

Megail Lee Austin, 24, Alexandria – simple burglary, contempt of court, $20,000 bail;

Daniel Noah Bakies, 43, Alexandria – unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling, battery of a dating partner, criminal damage to property, criminal mischief, $1,000 bail;

Mario Valdez Hernandez, 44, Alexandria – OWI second offense, contempt of court, possession of drug paraphernalia, illegal carrying of weapons, reckless operation of a vehicle, $5,500 bail;

Lindsie Michelle Moras, 22, Marksville – OWI first offense, speeding, expired MVI sticker, tail lamps, $1,300 bail;

Nachia Renee Stafford, 37, Alexandria – simple burglary, contempt of court, $2,000 bail;

Brayan Steven, 22, New Orleans – illegal possession of a stolen firearm, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, no driver’s license, improper display vehicle license plate, $1,200 bail.

 

Aug. 1

Anthony Charles Ashby, 56, Alexandria – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Paula Rena Barton, 43, Alexandria – three counts possession of fentanyl, producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, paraphernalia, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, four counts contempt of court, $11,000 bail;

Queneshia Barton 24, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, two counts possession of fentanyl, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, paraphernalia, $1,000 bail;

Brooke Lindsay Benson, 32, Willis, Texas – possession of CDS, improper turn, paraphernalia, $1,600 bail;

Latonya Marsalis Collins, 44, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, paraphernalia, two counts possession of fentanyl, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, eight counts contempt of court, $16,000 bail;

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

Kwame Ankro Davis Jr, 29, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, paraphernalia, use of CDS in presence of minor, no child restraint system, modified exhaust, $1,200 bail;

Gregory Dale Hattaway, 64, Pineville – possession of CDS, obstruction of driver’s view, two counts contempt of court, $52,600 bail;

D’antay R. Henderson, 24, Alexandria – possession of firearm by convicted felon, probation violation, $5,100 bail;

Daequan Holmes, 29, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, two counts possession of fentanyl, two counts possession of synthetic cannabinoid, two counts possession of CDS, contempt of court, probation violation, $9,000 bail;

Travis Darnell James Sr., 53, Alexandria – possession of CDS, contempt of court, $6,500 bail;

Mallory Kade McGoogan, 22, Alexandria – simple burglary, four counts possession of CDS, obscenity, $11,500 bail;

Michael Anthony Miles Jr, 18, Boyce – second degree murder, possession of handgun by juvenile, aggravated second degree battery, criminal conspiracy, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, simple battery, $450,500 bail;

Marlene G. Norman, 57, Forest Hill – OWI fourth offense, $100,000 bail;

Nicholas Benjamin Odom Jr, 22, Pineville – possession of a firearm by convicted felon, safety belt violation, contempt of court, $1,600 bail;

Derrick Smith, 47, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, possession of marijuana, possession of fentanyl, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, paraphernalia, producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, two counts contempt of court, $64,500 bail;

Anthony Taylor, 47, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, three counts contempt of court, $15,000 bail;

Cedric Latrell Thomas, 45, Glenmora – two counts possession of CDS, use of CDS in presence of minor, legend drug possession, $1,500 bail;

J’Marion Williams, 21, Alexandria – six counts attempted second degree murder, criminal conspiracy, $3.05 million bail.

 

July 31

Derek Lydell Beauregard, 20, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, contempt of court, $6,500 bail;

Diquaris Deshunn Dixon, 26, Alexandria – home invasion, $10,000 bail;

Derek Jarmell Green, 44, Colfax – four counts producing manufacturing distributing CDS and fentanyl with intent, paraphernalia, Louisiana fugitive, $55,500 bail;

Kenneth L. Kingston, 63, Dry Prong – two counts bank fraud, theft, Louisiana fugitive, $15,000 bail;

Aaron Lee Macy, 26, Pineville – OWI first offense, open container, $1,100 bail;

Derrick Moore, 28, Alexandria – Louisiana fugitive, six counts contempt of court, $300,000 bail;

Bradrick Jeron Smith, 47, Alexandria – pedestrians on highways, possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $3,100 bail;

Allen Lee Taylor, 38, Alexandria – possession of CDS, bicycle reflectors, contempt of court, $4,600 bail.

 

July 30

Kevin Brown 61, Alexandria – OWI fourth offense, safety belt, open container, unlawful refusal to submit to chemical test, operating a vehicle while under suspension for certain prior offenses, $200,600 bail;

Isaiah Burns, 17, Alexandria – six counts attempted second degree murder, criminal conspiracy, $3.05 million bail;

John Willis Bynog, 36, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, parole violations, $3,000 bail;

Bobby Ray Cheney Jr, 50, Alexandria – three counts possession of CDS, trespassing, paraphernalia, contempt of court, $8,000 bail;

Briviante Datwan Conston, 33, Pineville – illegal carrying of a weapon, aggravated assault domestic abuse, possession of firearm by convicted felon, probation violation, $40,500 bail;

William Jerald Cook, 59, Alexandria – criminal damage to property, simple kidnapping, sexual battery, simple battery, resisting an officer, flight from an officer, possession of CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, $295,500 bail;

Catriona Nichole Cooper, 29, Simmesport – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, flight from an officer, resisting an officer, $4,000 bail;

Therman Early Davion Jr, 50, Boyce – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, headlights required, expired MVI sticker, safety belt violation, $3,800 bail;

Bernard Ellis III, 19, Alexandria — six counts attempted second degree murder, criminal conspiracy, contempt of court, $3.052 million bail;

Quantavius D’Shaun Frazier, 30, Alexandria – criminal trespass, resisting an officer, two counts possession of CDS, parole violations, $4,000 bail;

John T. Jones Jr., 22, Pineville – four counts contempt of court, probation violation, failure to appear, $18,000 bail;

Lauren Lynne Meynard, 43, Alexandria – switched license plate, driving under suspension, safety belt violation, two counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $4,800 bail;

Dwight Edwin Poole, 69, Boyce – simple escape, four counts contempt of court, $120,000 bail;

Steven Jo Ray, 48, Alexandria – violation of protective orders, $25,000 bail;

Mitchell A. St. Julien Jr., 48, Alexandria – aggravated arson, $100,000 bail;

Katie Renee Sweat, 32, Elizabeth – possession of CDS, three counts contempt of court, $154,000 bail.

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By JIM BUTLER

News of note:

Rezoning requests

The Alexandria Board of Adjustment and Appeals is asked to rezone a lot on Park Place Drive to allow a special home for seniors. 

A special exception to single-family usage would allow housing for five elderly retired males, according to the request by DeMarcquanee Johnson-Peters. 

A separate petition asks to reinstate former residential designation for 403 and 417 Newman Street. 

Troy and Venesis Denson want to construct modern homes on the lots, now classified general commercial. 

Both requests will be heard by the board on August 11.

DA Audit

The District Attorney’s Office General Fund balance dipped about $50,000 in its just-audited fiscal year to $1.36 million. 

General Fund revenue was $5.2 million, with expenses totaling $38,000 more than revenue. 

Most of the general revenue was intergovernmental funding, $3.1 million, and fees, commissions and fines, $1.9 million. 

Tower talk

A communications company plans to erectil a 291-foot high telecom structure east of Pineville. 

The Towers LLC plan calls for FAA medium intensity dual red/white strobe lighting. 

The 10792 Hwy. 28 East site is just east of Hazmuka Road.

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By JIM BUTLER

The Wildlife & Fisheries Department has announced seasons dates and restrictions in the state’s deer hunting zones.

As customary, archery season launches the 2025-26 schedule, followed by primitive firearms days, then regular firearms dates.

Bucks only and any sex days vary zone to zone, as does permitted use of dogs.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

July 30

Zavier Keshun Batiste, 20, Alexandria – illegal possession of a stolen firearm, red light as a stop sign, $25,100 bail;

Jeremy Joseph Bordelon, 39, Alexandria – simple burglary, no bail data;

Lindsay Halee Croom, 39, Pineville – domestic abuse battery, $2,500 bail;

Erin Finely, 25, Pineville – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, disturbing the peace, theft, $12,000 bail;

Anthony Tyrone Lindsey, 35, Alexandria – nine counts contempt of court, $26,000 bail;

Weston Lance Turner, 25, Forest Hill – OWI second offense, improper lane usage, $1,600 bail.

 

July 29

Brandon Eugene Allison, 42, Alexandria – theft (second subsequent conviction), failure to appear, $10,500 bail;

Lane D. Ashmore, 56, Glenmora – 499 counts of intentionally possession pornography involving juveniles, intent to distribute pornography involving juveniles, $50,000 bail;

Sadie D. Blankenship, 29, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, Louisiana fugitive, failure to appear, $3,000 bail;

Michael Cameron Jr., 49, Alexandria – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Marvin Charles Jr., 27, Breaux Bridge – simple battery, car jacking, Louisiana fugitive, $50,500 bail;

Crystal Lynn Crawford, 26, Alexandria – theft of a motor vehicle, $10,000 bail;

Eugene Dewayne Davis Jr, 45, Alexandria – unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, contempt of court, $4,000 bail;

Pierre Lamar Davis, 53, Alexandria – OWI second offense, running a red light, switching license plates, no insurance, driving under suspension/revocation, simple battery, contempt of court, $4,400 bail;

Dickie Eddie, 48, Colfax – possession of CDS, $1,500 bail;

Latisha Diane Evans, 39, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, producing manufacturing distribution of fentanyl with intent, obstruction of justice, $5,500 bail;

Lane Matthew Feltermann, 20, Pineville – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

James Damon Henry, 45, Alexandria – hit and run driving, aggravated battery, aggravated criminal damage, $100,500 bail;

Marcus Dylan Huff, 34, Deville – OWI second offense, running a stop sign, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,700 bail;

Shonda Rochelle Murray, 47, Deville – theft of a motor vehicle, probation violation, $50,000 bail;

James Richardson, 33, Deville – OWI, speeding, open container, $700 bail;

Robert Lee Shorter Jr, 54, Alexandria – five counts contempt of court, $18,000 bail;

Travis Michael Steele, 42, Forest Hill – theft of a motor vehicle, contempt of court, $12,500 bail;

Zachery Terrell Thomas, 28, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, $3,000 bail;

Ecortry O. Whitley, 46, Pineville – theft, four counts contempt of court, $208,500 bail;

Tyrone Wilson, 45, Alexandria – four counts contempt of court, $51,000 bail.

 

July 28

Alexis Jonae Carter, 27, Alexandria – theft, disturbing the peace, criminal trespass, resisting an officer, two counts failure to appear, six counts contempt of court, $33,500 bail;

Laveal Denay Conston, 32, Pineville – OWI first offense, expired driver’s license, no head light, child desertion, $1,700 bail;

Versache Davis, 18, Lecompte – criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault with a firearm, aggravated burglary, $60,000 bail;

Shane Everet Evans, 48, Deville – possession of CDS, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, paraphernalia, parole violations, $13,000 bail;

Tyric Todd Holden, 21, Glenmora – criminal conspiracy, aggravated burglary, aggravated assault with a firearm, two counts illegal possession of stolen firearms, $110,000 bail;

Yaniabell Garcia, 28, Lecompte – theft of a motor vehicle, flight from an officer, probation violation, simple burglary, contempt of court, $66,000 bail;

Owen Johnson, 19, Alexandria – theft, $25,000 bail;

Terineesha D’Na Nelson, 32, Alexandria – four counts possession of CDS, two counts resisting an officer, two counts paraphernalia, two counts criminal trespass, disturbing the peace, $11,500 bail;

Byron Wesley Nugent, 51, Deville – possession of CDS, reckless operation of a vehicle, $1,500 bail;

Jamar Larvelle Piper, 33, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing CDS, improper lane usage, improper turn, $5,200 bail;

Kelston Roy, 23, Alexandria – identity theft, two counts contempt of court, $125,000 bail;

Brittany Lynne Woodard, 39, Alexandria – contempt of court, $15,000 bail;

Arian Lee Ryans, 40, Pineville – aggravated assault domestic abuse, domestic abuse battery strangulation, $200,000 bail;

Brittany Lynne Woodard, 39, Alexandria – contempt of court, $15,000 bail;

Xavier Jauvon Wright, 22, Glenmora – six counts second degree attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, $3.05 million bail.

 

July 27

Carl Anthony Berry Jr, 27, Pineville – domestic abuse battery strangulation, resisting an officer, false imprisonment, $6,000 bail;

Tyshaela Tashion Davison, 25, Alexandria – simple battery, simple assault, disturbing the peace, two counts resisting an officer, criminal damage to property, $2,250 bail;

Donderick Joseph Prier, 43, Mansura – domestic abuse battery strangulation, Louisiana fugitive, three counts contempt of court, $9,500 bail;

Mauri M. Sanchez, 34, Pineville – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail;

Willis Edward White II, 28, Pineville – theft, illegal possession of stolen things, criminal mischief, parole violations, $1,500 bail.

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By JIM BUTLER

Red River is heading toward its annual mid-summer low stage but commercial traffic is benefitting from emergency work earlier this month.

The river was closed to tugs and barges on July 6 in the wake of diminished river flow that dropped the nine-feet navigation channel depth to 4.6 feet at the Poland lock and dam.

Nothing could move, including barges carrying fuel destined for outlets in many parishes.

On July 6, records show, the river stage at Poland (Lock & Dam 2) was 47.6 feet elevation. Yesterday (Tuesday) it was down to 42.08. A week ago it was 44.2.

Traffic moving despite the falling gauge readings is a result of emergency channel dredging by Luhr Brothers.

The firm, a presence on the river since navigation waterway work began, used its spud barge to remove silt, tons of which the Red moves and deposits daily.

Also called a jack up, the barge fastens anchors (spuds) to hold position in a water body while dredging.

The 36-hour closing refocuses attention on a Corps of Engineers study regarding whether to increase the channel depth to 12 feet, insuring nine feet depth year round.

The Corps announced that study in June 2024. Advocates note the deeper channel would provide economy by allowing more materials per barge per trip. A cost estimate has not yet been released.

Also still under way is pursuit of a Strategic Marine Highway designation for the waterway.

Of particular national interest in that is the U.S. Army’s reliance on the river, through the Central Louisiana Regional Port in Alexandria, for logistical and materials support to and from Fort Polk.

Corps data shows the record high reading at L&D 2 was 71.66 feet in March 2016 and again in May 1990.

The record low – 34.57 feet – was in November 1976, six years before construction was completed.

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I’m not very well suited for this one.

Not a Cubs fan. Don’t detest them like all you Cardinals and White Sox fans do. I do believe that if you truly love baseball, at least a little part of you must bear some fondness for the Cubbies.

Wrigley Field, “The Friendly Confines,” with the ivy on the outfield wall since 1937. Nothing but day games for decades. Site of the Babe’s called shot against the chirpy Cubs in the 1932 World Series. Home of Ernie Banks, who coined “The Friendly Confines” and was known to smile broadly and say, “let’s play two.”

The wind blowing out over Waveland Avenue, and major leaguers looking like slow-pitch softball sluggers as they took advantage.

The Curse of the Billy Goat, rooted in the city’s Billy Goat Tavern, which found the spotlight in the 1980s thanks to a recurring Saturday Night Live skit featuring Bill Murray, a Billy Goat regular, and Chicagoan John Belushi, who recited the trademark refrain, “Cheeburger, Cheeburger, Cheeburger. No Coke. Pepsi.”

Fergie Jenkins. Full name Ferguson, but Fergie just felt better. Unless you had to hit against him.

Sammy Sosa. Say what you will about supplements and such, Sosa’s 1998 friendly duel with the Cardinals’ Mark McGwire as they pounded past Roger Maris’ MLB-record 61 home runs captivated all of us, baseball fans or not, and brought big league baseball back into good graces with the American sports fan.

Even if you were not a Cubs fan, if you are of a certain age, a baseball buff who had leisure time in the 1980s and a TV, you watched the Cubs on WGN. You watched the Braves on WTBS. Depending on where you lived, you saw the Mets on WOR. There was no nightly range of games to watch. You wanted to see baseball on TV, those were your choices.

The Cubs had the incomparable Harry Caray, that lovable lout, perhaps soused, but leaning out of the WGN broadcast booth and singing “Take Me Out To the Ballgame” over the public address system to the Wrigley fans in the seventh inning stretch.

For goodness’ sakes, the Cubs had Bill Murray as their unofficial No. 1 fan. And we all were nuts for that nut, Bill Murray. Noogies for everybody!

It wasn’t just because Lee Smith spent more time with the Cubs than any of his other MLB stops that he entered Cooperstown in Chicago blue. Ask him today, and his eyes will sparkle when the Castor resident talks about the Cubbies, his buddy Randy Hundley, his catcher, and more of his teammates.

Today, his eyes are doubtlessly damp at the loss of one of them, the greatest Cub of this generation, Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg, whose cruel battle with cancer ended Monday at age 65.

When the sad news broke late in the evening, passionate tributes poured in from every angle – teammates, MLB peers, fans, random people who had been graced by Ryno’s personal touch, showing kindness and going out of his way to make a fan’s day. The highlights flashed almost incessantly across SportsCenter.

“A quiet superstar” was one description. Here was his:

“I love to play baseball. I’m a baseball player. I’ve always been a baseball player. I’m still a baseball player. That’s who I am,” he said from the podium at Cooperstown during his 2005 Baseball Hall of Fame induction.

He also said things like, “If you played the game the right way, played the game for the team, good things would happen.”

Talk about For Love of the Game, Ryne Sandberg personified it.

Thanks to Lee Smith, I saw it up close, almost exactly six years ago, on the eve of Smith’s Cooperstown enshrinement. The flame-throwing reliever and his wife kindly put me and my pal, Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame artist Chris Brown, on the invitation list to the Cubs’ otherwise exclusive party celebrating his induction. We were star-struck along with several of his Natchitoches American Legion baseball teammates, and other family and friends.

All of the team’s living Hall of Famers were there, and they all spoke about their relationships with Lee. Billy Williams, who scouted him. Fergie Jenkins, whose career ended with Lee closing games for him. Andre’ Dawson, and Lee’s 1984  teammate, that season’s runaway National League MVP, Sandberg. As we milled around the venue, we didn’t flinch at chances to chat with luminaries like MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts, and yes, all of the Cubs greats.

No one was more gracious or sincerely nice than Sandberg. It probably helped that Chris pitched in the Cubs organization after his Northwestern State career, but I would never have imagined going into that evening that we’d share a five-minute conversation with the Chicago icon.

I’ll always remember that one of big league baseball’s most popular and accomplished players didn’t big league us. He didn’t bounce away quickly. He was enjoying it.

Because Ryne Sandberg loved baseball.

“The reasons I am here, they tell me, is that I played the game a certain way,” he said on his own Cooperstown weekend, “that I played the game the way it was supposed to be played.”

He was speaking of baseball. He played the game of life just right, too.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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By JIM BUTLER

Failing to appear and pay fines seems the least of Liontraill Williams’s problems.

Williams, 22, of Pineville was booked Friday on two counts of that misdemeanor.

Three counts of domestic abuse/aggravated assault/child endangerment and one of aggravated assault/domestic abuse bumped her bail to $9,500, posted the next day.

Williams was charged with obstruction evidence tampering last September in a stabbing incident in Pineville and posted $10,000 bond the next day.

Back in March 2023 Williams, then a Marksville resident, was charged with felony criminal conspiracy and accessory after the fact as well as obstruction, one of several charged following a fatal shooting in Cheneyville. She posted $3,500 bond.

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My personal memories of Tommy McLain, the internationally famous swamp pop star who died last week at age 85, go back to when I met him 25 years ago.

A native of Jonesville, he was living in Pineville, and I had been assigned to do a story on him for the Church Today, the Diocese of Alexandria newspaper. Perhaps most famous for his swamp pop version of Patsy Cline’s Sweet Dreams, Tommy told me how he had turned away from a life of drugs, booze and illicit sex.

He hardly seemed the religious type. Or at least the stereotypical image. He was brash, a showman, outgoing, wore flashy clothes, always ready with a quip. The son of a Baptist minister, he was a converted Catholic and told me then how he was writing songs with words given to him by God. “It’s God now who gives me the words, and I give them to anyone who will listen.” What’s more, he was busy writing the theme music for the then new local Radio Maria station.

That song, I’m Movin’ to Heaven, continues to be played in the rotation of the station’s music, according to Kevin Fontenot, the station’s general manager.

Fingering his silver beard and speaking in a gravelly voice, he boasted how he had never felt so good in all his life.

From his youth, music seemingly flowed from his veins, influenced by Ferriday’s Jerry Lee Lewis and New Orleans’ Fats Domino and Little Richard. He bought a $5 guitar at a pawn shop when he was about 6 years old. “I was left-handed, so I had to turn the guitar upside down and played it left-handed. I left home after the 11^th grade and went to work with a road band, and I’ve been playing music ever since,” he told me then.

A member of the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, McLain traveled through the United States as well as England and Mexico to bring his music around the world. His version of “Sweet Dreams” sold more than three million copies and became his first gold medal record. According to the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, McLain had a bigger hit with “Sweet Dreams” than did Patsy Cline. Her version of the song reached No. 44 on the charts in June of 1963 but McLain’s climbed all the way to 15 in August of 1966. The song was also featured in the Paul Newman-Joanne Woodward movie, “The Drowning Pool,” filmed in Lafayette.

By the time I met him, McLain had his own publishing company, Krehon Records Label and he shared the Mighty Music Mix Recording Studios in Oakdale with producer/manager Carol Skaggs. Although he accumulated lots of state, national and international music honors, he also experienced life’s valleys. In addition to problems with drinking, drugs and women, he had repeated income tax battles and was twice divorced.

He found solace and strength as he grew in his faith, and it was at a friend’s home devotion to Our Lady of Fatima a few months earlier that he saw Art Visconte, the former CYO director whom he hadn’t seen since he was a youngster.

“At the end of the prayer service, Art looks at me and says, ‘Tommy McLain, what have you got for me?’ I was shocked. I didn’t know what he meant.”

Visconte, who was instrumental in getting Radio Maria, the internationally popular radio network, to open its first American station in Alexandria in May of 1999, knew McLain’s music background and was also interested in any contribution he could make in that regard.

McLain discussed, too,  possible development on his land with the station, which didn’t pan out, but he also wrote a few songs to submit as a possible theme song for the station.

While visiting with him at his home several years ago, we talked a bit about Louisiana College (now Louisiana Christian University) basketball – he was a frequent fan at home games, but he eagerly went to his keyboard and started playing a song he said he was just beginning to compose. He wanted to see what I thought about it. Knowing I was a New Orleans native, he thought it might strike a chord with me.

The song he played did strike a chord with me, and in 2011 it became one of two songs he added to Texan professional song writer Larry Lange’s album Wiggle Room. It was his post-Katrina ballad Don’t Make Me Leave New Orleans.

“…Come on home to me

Let’s make new memories

Don’t make me leave New Orleans.”

Twice within the last few years I’ve visited him at the hospital. After the first visit, he recovered to travel for a concert to England. The last time I visited, he was in the ICU. He couldn’t talk much but his eyes brightened, and he thanked me for coming.

I still remember the Tommy I interviewed in 2000, who had a renewed spark in his life with a zeal for letting God influence his songwriting. He had written a new CD, “I’ve Changed My Style,” that concluded with him singing a song by James and Mark Payne, The Night Ole Jack Daniels Met John 3:16.

“That song,” he said, “is my life.”

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BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced that, due to legislation passed in the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, the Independent Party will cease to exist as a recognized political party in Louisiana on Aug. 1, 2025. Voters registered as Independent will have their party affiliation automatically changed to “No Party” in the state’s voter registration system. Affected voters will receive a notification by mail, including an updated voter information card.

The Louisiana Legislature mandated this change in Act 84 of the 2025 Regular Session to prepare for the state’s transition to a Closed Party Primary system for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and Board of Elementary & Secondary Education contests. Closed Party Primaries will begin in 2026 and participation will be limited to voters whose party affiliation is listed as Democrat, Republican, or “No Party” on their voter registrations.

“Many Louisiana voters who are registered as Independents mistakenly believe they are unaffiliated with any political party, when in fact they are members of the Independent Party,” Secretary Landry said. “This proactive change will allow voters formerly registered as Independents to participate in Closed Party Primaries next year, preventing voter confusion while maximizing participation.”

Louisiana’s new Closed Party Primaries were created by the Louisiana Legislature in Act 1 of the 2024 First Extraordinary Session. Secretary Landry encourages voters to check their voter registration information on the GeauxVote Online Registration System or free GeauxVote mobile app to ensure their information and party affiliation are up to date.

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By JIM BUTLER

Wagner Oil is asking the La. Office of Conservation to create two force-pool reservoirs in Rapides oil and gas fields.

The Fort Worth-based firm has been in oil and gas exploration in the two states, as well as Oklahoma and New Mexico, since 1998.

Forced pooling allows the state to combine interests of property owners with or without mineral rights leasing and without acquiescence into a single drilling and production unit with revenue sharing on a surface acreage basis.

One reservoir sought by Wagner is in the West Cheneyville Field, the other in Master’s Creek Field, also on the parish west side.

Depth projections for the Wilcox Zone drilling units are about 7,500 feet to 11,300 feet.

Hearings on the matter will be held September 3. More information is available on the Conservation web site.

Notice of the hearings does not indicate whether the requested pools are part of the renewed Austin Chalk exploration of recent years though that is most likely.

That play has produced more than 40 million barrels of oil and 200 billion cubic feet of gas, Department of Natural Resources records indicate.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

 

July 27

Rakeem Troudelle Brown, 30, Alexandria – eight counts contempt of court, $40,000 bail;

Christopher Edward Graham, 43, Hopksinville, Ky. – battery on a police officer, disturbing the peace, $1,250 bail;

Carley Brooke Middleton, 26, Woodworth – OWI first offense, open container, improper lane usage, $1,200 bail;

Keldrick Dewone Mitchell, 39, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, improper bicycle operation, $3,100 bail;

Donderick Joseph Prier, 43, Mansura – domestic abuse battery strangulation, three counts contempt of court, $4,500 bail;

Mauri M. Sanchez, 34, Pineville – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, $1,100 bail.

 

July 26

Shane Tucker Babin, 30, Pineville – OWI first offense, modified exhaust, $1,100 bail;

Richard Beard Jr, 31, Atlanta – OWI second offense, running a stop sign, modified exhaust, $1,700 bail;

Ian Lee Clark, 44, Ball – OWI first offense, speeding, contempt on non-support, $1,100 bail;

Benjamin Horace Coco, 33, Alexandria – theft, simple escape, resisting an officer, concealed negligent carry of handgun, possession of firearm by convicted felon, obstruction of justice, parole violations, four counts contempt of court, $176,000 bail;

Steven Honeycutt Jr, 36, Deville – possession of CDS, improper window tint, $1,600 bail;

Quintin Mitchell, 25, Alexandria – resisting an officer, probation violation, two counts failure to appear, $1,750 bail;

Christopher Stallings, 33, Natchez, Miss. – two counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, parole violation, $2,500 bail;

Johnathan Dewayne Ward, 24, Pineville – eight counts contempt of court, $88,000 bail.

 

July 25

Khari Aaron Banks, 29, Pineville – OWI first offense, expired plate/registration, $1,100 bail;

Dominique Hakeem Banks Jr, 34, Alexandria – two counts possession CDS, paraphernalia, pedestrians on highways, $6,000 bail;

Angelic Elasivich, 47, Pineville – obstruct justice with intimidation/threats, obstruct court orders, $35,000 bail;

Lopez Dramone Henderson Jr, 27, Alexandria – second degree battery, stalking, domestic abuse battery strangulation, domestic abuse battery, home invasion, resisting an officer, five counts contempt of court, $910,000 bail;

Caleb MacKenzie Hill, 39, Boyce – two counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal possession of stolen things, Louisiana fugitive, $25,000 bail;

Garron Dewayne Jackson, 57, Pineville – three counts contempt of court, $75,000 bail;

Bryant Keith Osteen, 43, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, probation violation, $3,000 bail;

John Oliver Perkins III, 28, Boyce – possession of fentanyl, resisting an officer, bicycle reflectors required, four counts contempt of court, $9,100 bail;

Randy Benedict Perry, 43, Alexandria – criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, unauthorized entry into inhabited dwelling, two counts violation of protective orders, probation violation, two counts contempt of court, $9,000 bail;

Wesley Jevon Porterie, 41, Marksville – OWI first offense, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,100 bail;

Carrie Amber Shoebroek, 39, Pineville – three counts possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, four counts contempt of court, possession of paraphernalia, use of CDS in presence of persons under 17, $58,500 bail;

Georderrial Traynold Williams, 48, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, contempt of court, $8,000 bail.

 

July 24

Donald Wayne Durison Sr., 48, Ball – domestic abuse battery strangulation, domestic abuse battery, probation violation, $500 bail;

Lasane Harris, 21, Boyce – aggravated burglary, aggravated assault with a firearm, $50,000 bail;

Tony Jake Hicks, 47, Echo – two counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, running a stop sign, four counts criminal trespass, four counts contempt of court, four counts theft, three counts unauthorized use of a movable, $61,700 bail;

Jaylen Issac, 19, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, theft, interfering with emergency communication, contempt of court, $7,500 bail;

Patrick Dewayne Jackson, 30, Pineville – contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Trinity Develle Jefferson, 51, Alexandria – simple battery, aggravated assault, stalking, unlawful communication telephone, parole violations, $3,500 bail;

Yolanda Denise Jenkins, 49, Alexandria – remaining after forbidden, failure to appear, 17 counts contempt of court, $35,500 bail;

Brittany Taijan Johnson, 27, Alexandria – battery of a dating partner, three counts contempt of court, $7,500 bail;

Lucas Paul Turner, 43, Boyce – two counts contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Liontraill Carneisha Williams, 22, Pineville – aggravated assault domestic abuse, three counts domestic abuse aggravated assault child endangerment, two counts failure to appear, $9,500 bail.

 

July 23

Charles Greg Bond, 60, Ponchatoula – OWI second offense, contempt of court, $3,000 bail;

Miracle Roshell Bush, 30, Alexandria – simple arson, six counts contempt of court, $17,000 bail;

Vanessa Lynn Colflesh, 43, Deville – theft, criminal conspiracy, $11,000 bail;

Joshua Brent Dauzart, 49, Deville – three counts possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, eight counts flight from an officer, reckless operation, driving under suspension, no insurance, intentional littering, obstruction of justice, loud noises, $48,700 bail;

William Kevin Jones, 34, Marksville – probation violation, parole violation, three counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail;

Ashley Calip Littleton, 44, Deville – theft, criminal conspiracy, two counts sexual abuse of an animal, Louisiana fugitive, $61,000 bail;

Devacheay Tray Martin, 24, Pineville – simple escape, possession of fentanyl, possession of marijuana, attempted second degree murder, possession of firearm by convicted felon, parole violations, $575,500 bail;

Christopher K. Mayeaux, 39, Pineville – simple burglary, resisting an officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft, possession of CDS, $30,000 bail;

Shawn Jade McCarty, 47, Vidalia – Louisiana fugitive, no bail data;

Brad Lee Moses, 25, Alexandria – two counts criminal damage to property, flight from an officer, theft of a motor vehicle, $20,500 bail;

David Paul Raila, 54, Alexandria – possession of CDS, solicitation on an interstate highway, contempt fail to pay fine, $5,500 bail.

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By JIM BUTLER

Tayshaun Spearman is bound over for a seven-year prison sentence on a marijuana-dealing conviction. From his perspective it could be worse.

Spearman, 20, of Alexandria was tried, convicted and sentenced this week in Ninth Judicial Distict Court on the charge from last August, the most recent of his arrests, which also included allegations of contraband in a penal facility and criminal conspiracy.

Six months earlier he was charged with second-degree murder, assault by drive-by and aggravated criminal damage in an incident on Victoria Drive.

Actually Spearman, on bond at the time, was not supposed to be in the parish. Then living in Dallas, he was ordered in October 2023 to stay away unless required here for court appearance.

That circumstance was in connection with his August 2023 booking on a second-degree murder charge and two counts of armed robbery stemming from a sidewalk argument.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

 

July 23

Hunter Stone Deville, 29, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, $1,500 bail;

Brian Joseph Guidry, 39, Alexandria – OWI first offense, fail to dim lights for approaching vehicle, open container, $1,200 bail;

Willie R. Hicks, 42, Deville – theft, criminal conspiracy, no bail data;

James Ivan Jenkins, 41, Deville – theft, criminal conspiracy, contempt on non-support, $1,000 bail;

William Kevin Jones, 34, Marksville – probation violation, three counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail;

Peter James Lambert Jr, 19, Alexandria – OWI first offense, reckless operation of a vehicle, possession of CDS, driver’s license not in possession, $2,100 bail;

Tradale Andrew Williams, 34, Pineville – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, aggravated assault with a firearm, parole violations, contempt of court, $34,000 bail

 

July 22

Javier Arkuis Brown, 34, N/A – aggravated second-degree battery, obscenity, $10,000 bail;

Kenneth Bell, 42, Pineville – aggravated battery, $5,000 bail;

Jerry Randell Butler, 59, Alexandria – two counts resisting an officer, three counts contempt of court, $61,000 bail;

Michael Wayne Collins Jr, 22, Alexandria – two counts second-degree murder, two counts second-degree battery, four counts second-degree aggravated battery, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, two counts simple battery, $2.3 million bail;

Justice Jimwalter Farris, 27, Pineville – simple battery, aggravated kidnapping, first-degree robbery, simple escape, criminal damage to property, two counts contempt of court, $905,500 bail;

Demarkis Dundre Guidry, 33, Alexandria – four counts theft, $16,000 bail;

Dimitriana Deshon Iles, 27, Alexandria – simple battery, five counts contempt of court, $20,500 bail;

Craig Joseph Johnson, 24, Cottonport – possession of CDS, $2,500 bail;

Isaiah Zykayes Kirk, 18, Lecompte – possession of CDS, producing manufacturing distributing CDS, theft, $500 bail;

Micah Loran Meche Jr, 24, Pineville – OWI second offense, tail lamps, possession of marijuana, $2,100 bail;

Quintin Mitchell, 25, Alexandria – simple battery, theft, possession of drug paraphernalia, two counts resisting an officer, $3,000 bail;

Nathaniel Keith Thomas, 30, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of paraphernalia, tail lamps, contempt to pay fine, $3,100 bail;

Dominic Alphonse Edward Thompson, 17, Ball – simple resisting police officer with force or violence, disturbing the peace, simple escape, resisting an officer, $6,500 bail;

Aaron Lee Ware, 34, Woodworth – OWI second offense, sex offender failure to timely register, parole violations, $2,500 bail;

Justin Quincy Williamson, 50, Oakdale – criminal trespass, simple burglary, $10,500 bail.

 

July 21

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

Sirtyrus Alray Fulton, 28, Alexandria – running a stop sign, no driver’s license, flight from an officer, illegal carrying of weapon, two counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of marijuana, illegal carry firearm with drugs, failure to secure registration, possession of drug paraphernalia, probation violation, $76,300 bail;

Christopher Joseph Hebert, 40, Boyce – two counts violation of protective orders, $3,000 bail;

Slay F. Howell, 23, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $3,000 bail;

Ellis Jones, 60, Alexandria – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Germany G. Lard, 45, Alexandria – impersonating a peace officer, $5,000 bail;

Jessica Faye McCue, 43, Alexandria – OWI first offense, tail lamps, $1,100 bail;

Kerriohna Alyssa White, 30, Deville – two counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail.

 

July 20

Nathan Brooks, 51, Boyce – domestic abuse battery, $1,500 bail;

Destiny Ilyassa Cole, 22, Alexandria – OWI first offense, careless operation, no vehicle registration, no driver’s license in possession, hit and run, $1,500 bail;

Joshua Jermone Henderson, 26, Alexandria – illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, $100,000 bail;

Jarred Thomas Rachal, 45, Pineville – three counts contempt of court, $150,000 bail;

Fredrica Shepherd, 26, Alexandria – theft, extradition proceedings, $5,000 bail;

Jody Lynn Smith, 57, Deville – contempt of court, $50,000 bail.

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By JIM BUTLER

Jamarrius Willingham is finding bail more difficult to come by than in two previous felony arrests this year.

Of course this time the price has gone up.

Willingham, 29, is accused of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree.

He allegedly committed the shootings on the afternoon of July 18 in an altercation on Warshauer Street not far from his residence.

Arrested shortly afterward, he remained in lockup Tuesday evening, bail set at $1.5 million.

Bonds posted in his previous cases pale in comparison.

On June 26 he posted $4,000 for arrest the previous day for alleged domestic abuse battery and felony DAB with child present.

Ten days earlier he was booked for alleged DAB/aggravated assault/chid endangerment, DAB strangulation, criminal damage intent to defraud, theft and three contempt counts, posting $43,000 bond the next day.

Parish records indicate he posted $1,600 bond about two hours after a May 2023 arrest on misdemeanor drug and traffic charges.

In November 2021 his bail, paid the next day, was $20,600 on possession with intent, felony flight, illegal carrying of a weapon and misdemeanor traffic charges.

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Golf’s final major championship of 2025 is in the books, which makes this weekend the perfect time for the sport’s most anticipated movie in years to make its debut.

The world premiere was Monday night in the Big Apple, and the biggest name in the game, Scottie Scheffler, was there with wife Meredith in tow and the Claret Jug in his grasp.

Sunday, Scottie won the British Open. Last night, back across the pond, but a time zone away from home in Dallas, he settled in to check out Happy Gilmore 2.

He is among a gallery of famous people, including some of the world’s best golfers, who have cameos in the film, which tees off Friday on Netflix. (Note to self: subscribe to Netflix. I’m sure there’s more to see there than Happy 2, but I’ll start there and surf around later.).

Adam Sandler rekindles his role as the hockey player turned touring pro, almost 30 years after the original Happy Gilmore hit the big screens. There was no Netflix, Apple2, Amazon Prime, etc. in those days. We lined up, overpaid for cokes, popcorn and candy, plopped down in a reasonably comfortable chair (nothing like those loungers in today’s movie houses), and discovered Bob Barker and Verne Lundquist were funny, funny guys. Who knew?

Sandler taped a guest spot with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show and said Happy 2 was not a long-term dream. In fact, he said that in the run-up to the premiere of the original, he and his NYU college roomie Tim Herlihy wondered just how stupid they were to try to make a funny golf movie that would be compared to the 1981 gem Caddyshack.

The Rodney Dangerfield-Chevy Chase-Bill Murray epic gave us lines that are repeated five decades later.

“Oh, it looks good on you, though.”

“Thank you very little.”

“So I got that goin’ for me, which is nice.”

And many, many more.

You don’t get those in Happy Gilmore. Sandler’s got a different style, leaning into slapstick while blending in a strong sense of absurdity and making it seem he’s the off-kilter guy down the street (the title role in Billy Madison) or the exaggerated knucklehead (Bobby Boucher in The Waterboy).

It works. His films have grossed over $2 billion (Happy Gilmore accounts for “just” $41 million. Thought it would be three times that.) and his latest is the first in a four-film deal with Netflix for $250 million.

“Not too shabby” – which is one of the best lines in his masterpiece “The Chanukah Song,” which made the Dec. 3, 1994  Saturday Night Live unforgettable as Sandler contemplated what Jewish kids like him dealt with during the holiday season. Being Jewish, he sang, is cool.

“We got Ann Landers and her sister Dear Abby

Harrison Ford’s a quarter Jewish, not too shabby

Some people think that Ebenezer Scrooge is

Well he’s not, but guess who is — all Three Stooges

So many Jews are in showbiz

Tom Cruise isn’t, but I heard his agent is!”

This is the mind that two years later gave us Happy Gilmore, and now, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.

The Happy 2 cameo list includes plenty of Scheffler’s pro tour pals – though not his best bud, LSU product Sam Burns, who has managed to keep the low profile he craves despite rising among the world’s top 25 players.  Scheffler is just too successful to entirely dodge the spotlight.

Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, John Daly, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa and Nelly Korda are among the top golfers who make appearances, along with Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce, Post Malone, Eminem, Bad Bunny, former Saints running back Reggie Bush, Stephen A. Smith, Dan Patrick, and others who are famous for reasons I do not understand (Ocasio?).

All I needed was Sandler in his lead role and Julie Bowen in anything she wants to wear. My biggest question? How did the Manning boys miss the cut?

At some point this weekend, I’ll try to figure that out. How much is Netflix?

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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By JIM BUTLER

A substantial overhaul in the operation and management of the Rapides School Board’s Head Start program though productive has been for naught.

The board administration has been informed the program has been awarded to Save the Children, which operates Head Start in several other parishes.

From the board:

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Rapides Parish School Board Administration was officially notified that it will no longer be the Head Start grantee. Effective August 1, 2025, Save the Children Head Start will become the official grantee. Rapides School Board Administration and Save the Children Head Start are committed to ensuring a smooth transition.

The Office of Head Start, through the Designation Renewal System (DRS), has named Save the Children Head Start to provide services within the Rapides Parish Community. Therefore, on August 1, 2025, the administration of the program will be the responsibility of Save the Children Head Start. All current families will remain enrolled, and those who have completed applications will be handled through Save the Children Head Start.

Jeff Powell, Superintendent of Rapides Parish Public Schools, said, “We were privileged to have served the children and families of Head Start for the last five years and know that we have made a positive contribution to the children and families in our community. We look forward to partnering with Save the Children Head Start as part of our Rapides Early Childhood Network, as an effective Head Start program has a direct impact on the overall success of the children and community it serves. We are confident that Save the Children Head Start will continue to provide important and quality Head Start and Early Head Start services. We offer them our best wishes for success.”

Families and current employees will be receiving information directly from Save the Children Head Start in the next few days.

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I know this isn’t the week of Thanksgiving, but I am in a mood to count my blessings. When you find yourself lamenting this and complaining about that, a good counter measure is to count your blessings.

So here we go.

I am thankful for my wife, our children and grandchildren. My siblings. My cousins. My friends. Ah, my friends. How fortunate Janet and I have been to have a core of great friends we have known for several decades. We raised children together; we’ve been through good and bad times together. We’ve laughed with them, wept with them, worked with them, played with them and prayed with them.

“A good friend,” according to an Irish proverb, “is like a four-leaf clover; hard to find, lucky to have.” …

I’m thankful that on a given day I can be full with leftovers. In a world where starvation is as real as rain, we are beyond blessed to have bountiful amounts of food – and great food here in Louisiana – to eat, and clean water and other beverages to drink. …

We’re thankful we are free to worship and not persecuted or even killed just for being a Christian, a Jew or a Muslim. We are also free to not worship, or to ignore our Creator. …

I am thankful for air-conditioning in the summer, for heaters in the winter. …

And music. All kinds of music. From Toby Keith to Toby Mac. From the Righteous Brothers to Simon and Garfunkel. From Lionel Ritchie to Elvis Presley. From Andrea Bocelli to Luciano Pavarotti.  From Aaron Copland to Aaron Neville. From Matt Redman to Mercy Me. From Neil Diamond to Nat “King” Cole. From Pete Fountain to Al Hirt. From Ray Charles to Roy Orbison. From the Beatles to Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass. From Johnny Mathis to John Denver. From Lauren Daigle to Leonard Cohen.

That list could go on and on. …

I’m thankful for my hometown of New Orleans and my adopted town of Alexandria. The historic town of Natchitoches is just under an hour’s drive away. The white sandy beaches beside green and blue Gulf water in Alabama and Florida aren’t too far away. Yellowstone is long journey but so thankful to have made it. …

I’m thankful for good people I’ve met across the country and globe. People who can laugh at themselves, people who’d give you the coat off their back, people who by their example shed light not darkness on the landscape. …

I’m thankful for the stories my grandfather, who was born in 1900 in New Orleans, could tell about life in the Crescent City in the early 20^th century. We grew up near the Milton Latter Library on St. Chares Avenue. Built as a mansion in 1907, it wasn’t converted into a library until 1948 to honor Milton Latter, who died in World War II. It is built on a hill, which is surprising in a city that is below sea level, but Grandaddy used to tell the story, my sister reminded me, of how mules, attached to two-wheel carts, would bring the mud from the nearby Mississippi River “batture” – the wide swath of shifting mud along the river banks – to the designated site. Someone would pull a rope to unfasten the cart to dump the load of mud. …

I’m thankful for sports, especially considering I made a career writing about them, but it wasn’t so much the sports themselves as the people involved with them. The first big-name sports star I interviewed was legendary Baltimore Colts quarterback Johnny Unitas when I was sports editor of the Blue Jay, the monthly magazine the students produced at Jesuit High School. He was an early pro football hero of mine and he more than lived up to my expectations. He was more than just an extraordinary quarterback, he was a first-class gentleman, humble and kind.

There are scores of others from so many other sports I’m thankful to have connected with, but I’m thankful for the late Masters champion Jackie Burke Jr., for the lesson in grace he showed me as a host at his Champions Club in Houston. He also gave a lesson in humility with an unforgettable answer.

After I asked him how he wanted to be remembered, he said with a frown: “Remembered? I’m not gonna be remembered and neither are you.”

You had to have been there to understand he wasn’t meaning to be ugly. It was more his way to remind in snappy fashion what Qoheleth said in the Book of Ecclesiastes: “Vanity of vanities; all things are vanity. Nothing is new under the sun.”   

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By JIM BUTLER

Alexandria’s Josh Johnson debuts tonight as one of the rotating hosts of The Daily Show (Comedy Central, 10 p.m.) He joins Jon Stewart and others in the rotation. Johnson has been a writer for the show since 2017.

A graduate of Holy Savior Menard and of Centenary College, Shreveport, Johnson, 35, enjoys a world-wide following via social media as a standup comic.

He has had two acclaimed hour-long comedy specials and voices Harry Buns on Disney Channel’s “Kiff” series His current tour is playing to large audiences at every stop.

Johnson is an Alexandria native, a son of teachers. His mother later worked for the parish library.

His host role begins amid extraordinary attention to late-night TV programming.

The unexpected deep-sixing last week by Paramount CBS of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has two versions:

The company says dropping the show and Colbert is a financial decision, no longer throwing good money after bad.

Its critics say the company bowed to pressure from the White House, a regular target of Colbert darts, to smooth the way for a pending deal that requires FCC approval.

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By JIM BUTLER

It’s three weeks until public schools reopen, and 10-month employees begin their new work year Thursday, followed on August 5 by teachers and August 11 by students.

A significant change for parents and teachers this year is use of a new vendor for mapping student progress.

The days of end-of-grading period surprises are long gone. Teacher-provided information is available on-line on a regular basis.

The parish has switched from PowerSchool to OnCourse for its student information system.

Downloading the OnCourse Connect app and establishing communication links allows parents and guardians to check grades, attendance, and reports.

The School Board website contains a tutorial for guidance in creating an account through the new portal.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions

July 20

Karen Sue Cage, 45, Alexandria – aggravated arson, simple assault, resisting an officer, $1,000 bail;

Makiah Jett McGlothlin, 31, Pineville – possession of CDS, contempt of court, $52,500 bail;

Austin Page, 24, Alexandria – illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Dylan Sepulvado, 28, Zwolle – OWI first offense, speeding, $1,100 bail;

Phillip Sepulvado, 37, Many – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, speeding, $1,200 bail;

Henry Turner Jr, 47, Alexandria – OWI first offense, reckless operation of a vehicle, running a yellow light, $1,350 bail.

 

July 19

Jessica Renee Anderson, 34, Alexandria – two counts theft, simple escape, hit and run, following too close, no insurance, driving under suspension, two counts contempt of court, $3,033 bail;

Shaterica Shannay Brown, 26, Alexandria – OWI with child endangerment, speeding, open container, no child restraint system, child desertion, driving under suspension, improper lane usage, reckless operation of a vehicle, two counts resisting an officer, misrepresentation during booking, fraud use of driver’s license, injuring public records, three counts forgery, $54,350 bail;

Jamar K. Fisher, 30, Boyce – no child restraint system, driving under suspension, possession of marijuana, five counts contempt of court, $13,200 bail;

Michael Laurent, 22, Alexandria – illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, no bail data;

Robert Edwin Maxwell, 64, Ball – OWI third offense, no bail data;

Trey Michael McLean, 49, Pineville – theft of a motor vehicle, illegal possession of stolen things, resisting an officer, theft, $1,500 bail;

Quintin Mitchell, 25, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, bicycle reflectors required, $3,100 bail;

Diana Demetria Smith, 45, Alexandria – possession of CDS, drug paraphernalia, theft, two counts contempt of court, $4,000 bail;

San Sopheak, 35, Alexandria – OWI second offense, speeding, switched license plate, no insurance, open container, failure to secure registration, no driver’s license, $4,600 bail;

Sedriana Wilson, 23, Alexandria – OWI with child endangerment, speeding, open container, no child restraint system, $300 bail.

 

July 18

Michael Wayne Collins Sr, 43, Alexandria – two counts second degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, second degree battery, $2.05 million bail;

William James Folse, 48, Pineville – possession fentanyl, possession CDS, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, producing manufacturing distributing with intent CDS, $71,500 bail;

Raymond K. Joseph, 68, Pineville – two counts producing manufacturing distributing with intent CDS, possession of CDS, three counts possession of paraphernalia, $53,000 bail;

Alvern Lincoln, 37, Alexandria – three counts simple burglary, theft, resisting an officer, three counts contempt of court, $181,000 bail;

Bryan Allen McCormick, 41, Pineville – five counts contempt of court, $60,000 bail;

Roy Frank Waguespack III, 34, Deville – producing manufacturing or distribution of hallucinogenic plants, possession of marijuana, probation violation, $1,500 bail;

Kelsey Danay Weems, 25, Pineville – possession of fentanyl, two counts possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, $4,500 bail;

Jamarrius Deshad Willingham, 29, Alexandria – second degree murder, attempted second degree murder, $1.5 million bail.

 

July 17

Aaron Darnell Allen, 20, Pineville – illegal possession of stolen firearms, $25,000 bail;

Ishmael Elijah Bankston, 25, Alexandria – illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of marijuana, $25,500 bail;

Germaneek Laterra Beyard, 31, Alexandria – four counts simple burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, theft, simple escape, resisting an officer, Louisiana fugitive, $61,000 bail;

Montavion Tyrell Bryant, 26, Alexandria – second-degree battery, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of a firearm by convicted felon, possession of marijuana, $80,500 bail;

Amy Michelle Ducote, 44, Alexandria – criminal conspiracy, arson with intent to defraud, theft, three counts contempt of court, $44,500 bail;

Brittany Laice Gonzales, 35, Pineville – simple burglary, criminal damage to property, five counts contempt of court, $75,500 bail;

Chase Patrick Hemingway, 28, Boyce – simple burglary, probation violation, $10,000 bail;

Charles Curtis Mullins Sr, 41, Alexandria – OWI third offense, unlawful refusal to submit to chemical test, running a stop sign, no driver’s license, $100,700 bail;

Tevin Devin Peace, 26, Alexandria – possession of fentanyl, transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses, marijuana possession, probation violation, $2,500 bail;

David Lynn Poston, 37, Woodworth – criminal conspiracy, three counts possession of CDS, accessory after the fact, possession of drug paraphernalia, $14,000 bail;

Aimee Rachal, 42, Alexandria – criminal conspiracy, accessory after the fact, $10,000 bail;

Kerry Denise Roszell, 42, Pineville – four counts of possession of CDS, paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, two counts contempt of court, $254,000 bail;

Kevin Brandon Smith, 43, Pineville – four counts violation of protective orders (second/subsequent violation), $10,000 bail;

Tayshaun Lamar Spearman, 20, Alexandria – two counts murder in the second degree, two counts armed robbery, assault drive-by shooting, aggravated criminal damage, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, criminal conspiracy, obstruction of justice, $2.575 million bail.

 

July 16

James Allen Cassell, 30, Alexandria – theft, $50,000 bail;

Chadrrick Lamarr James, 22, Marksville – Louisiana fugitive, no bail data;

Treyvon Deshawn James, 30, Alexandria – illegal possession of stolen firearms, obstructing public passages, contempt of court, $4,000 bail;

Brad Alden Marler, 41, Woodworth – four counts possession of CDS, illegal possession of stolen firearm, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possessions of marijuana, $8,000 bail;

Darlynetta Martin, 24, Cheneyville – accessory after the fact, $25,000 bail;

Damarkis Deon Wright, 24, Lecompte – four counts contempt of court, possession of marijuana, $200,000 bail.

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