By JIM BUTLER

Red reaches six-months high, then drops

Monday’s deluge pushed Red River to its highest stage at Alexandria-Pineville this year.

The river rose 2.47 feet overnight, reaching 23.47 feet on Tuesday. Flood stage is 34 feet.

According to the Corps of Engineers, previous high-water mark this year was 21.49 feet on Jan. 14. The low was reached a month later, 19.6 feet.

By Thursday afternoon this week’s surge had receded leaving the river at 20.89 feet.

Meanwhile tropical Arthur poured cats and dogs to the south Thursday with Avoyelles overwhelmed by upwards of 30 inches – let’s write that again, 30 inches – of downpour. Perspective: Alexandria’s annual average is 60 inches. 

Cats and dogs is figurative, unlike instances in the mid-20th Century when it literally rained fish and frogs in Marksville.

The piscatorial event occurred in 1947 on Main and Monroe streets. A state biologist breakfasting there witnessed the finny event and collected several examples to preserve for museums around the state. He noted fish were falling about one per square yard for several blocks.

A decade later, The Town Talk reported frogs from the sky during turbulent weather the day before. Evidently any legs collected were not preserved.

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City Judges disclosure

Alexandria City Judge Richard Starling Jr. and Pineville City Judge Gary K. Hayes have filed financial disclosure statements that raise no conflict of interest issues.

The reports are required by the Louisiana Supreme Court.

As of June 17 Starling’s most-recent posted report was in September. 

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Pineville personnel change

James Rachal has been appointed Pineville’s Public Works director, succeeding James Robertson.

The City Council approved Major Joe Bishop’s recommendation at its June meeting. Minutes reflect there was no discussion.

Bishop had not responded through Thursday evening to a query regarding the change.

Rachal had been serving as Parks and Recreation Director.

Under Robertson the city won the 2024 Cleanest City title in its category.

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Timber talk

State Sen. Heather Cloud, whose district includes parts of Rapides, has asked Gov. Jeff Landry to expand the geographic base of Louisiana Forestry Commission members. 

She notes the heavy presence of the forestry and timber industry in Central and North Louisiana as obvious reasons to have some of the commissioners from those areas. 

The state forester post is vacant and there are available commissioner appointments, any or all providing opportunities for such appointments, she wrote.  

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Members of the Rotary Club of Pineville welcomed local healthcare provider Mandy Haggart as a guest speaker during a recent meeting.

Haggart, a family nurse practitioner and owner of Haggart Medical Clinic, shared her journey from her early beginnings in healthcare to fulfilling her goal of opening her own medical practice in April 2025.

During her presentation, Haggart discussed her years of experience in the medical field and her commitment to providing compassionate care to patients while meeting them where they are in their healthcare journeys.

She also highlighted the importance of faith, family and community involvement, speaking about efforts to give back through local sponsorships and support for those in need.

Rotary Club members thanked Haggart for sharing her experiences and recognized her dedication to service, leadership and healthcare within the community. The club wished her continued success as she grows her practice and continues serving residents in Central Louisiana.

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After guiding the Alexandria Senior High Lady Trojans to a dominant Class 5A LHSAA track and field team title, Sedarrin Freeman was a convincing pick as the all-classes Coach of the Year on the LSWA’s All-State Outdoor Track and Field Team for 2026.

Trojans’ sensational sophomore thrower Carter Rivet also won top billing as the boys Outstanding Field Event Athlete.

Athletes and relay teams with the top three performances in each event throughout the spring season were recognized on the All-State squad compiled by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Individual awards were chosen by an LSWA panel.

Freeman’s Lady Trojans posted a 20-point victory, 85-65 over Zachary, to capture the Class 5A girls team trophy May 9 on a rainy day in Baton Rouge. It was the school’s first state track and field championship in 19 years with four event champions and eight more top four finishes at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium.

Rivet had the state’s best marks this spring in the shot put (62 feet, 9 inches) and discus (203-7, 15 ½ feet past the second-ranked throw). He won the discus state 5A crown and was a close second in the shot put.

The ASH girls put three individual competitors and two relay teams – both with the same four sprinters — on the All-State roster.

Nyla Stewart had the state’s best discus mark,148-2. Noelle Williams’s 40-3 leap was Louisiana’s third-ranked triple jump this season.

Ja’Nya Gray ran the state’s second-fastest 200 meter dash, 24.18. She also ran on both of the Lady Trojans’ top-ranked relay teams – the 4×100 (47.16) and the 4×200 (1:36.47, nearly three seconds better than the second-fastest time).

Gray’s All-State relay teammates in both events were Jamaria Byrd, Amari Dupar and Devan Williams.

No other Rapides Parish competitors made the All-State lists.

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By RAYMOND PARTSCH III, Special to the LSWA

If not for a determined crop-dusting principal, Dewain Strother would have likely spent decades working in lumber mills, instead of becoming one of the winningest girls high school basketball coaches in United States history.

Despite being an all-district guard at Plainview High School for Louisiana High School Athletic Association Hall of Famer O.D. West and helping the Hornets claim the state championship in 1965, Strother had no intentions of going to college.

Raised in the Rapides Parish woods west of Glenmora, Strother firmly believed he was done with schooling upon graduation. Thankfully, Plainview principal Mike Irving had other plans.

“I had been in school for 12 years. That was long enough,” recalled Strother.

During his senior year, Strother wanted to take shop class, but the school had him in English 4. So Irving made him a deal. He could take shop class, but if he messed up, then back to English he would go.

“I left school without permission one day,” Strother said. “I think they were watching me under a magnifying glass. I was put back in that English class. (Irving) then helped register me for Northwestern State, flew me up there in his little four-seat Cessna plane to take a test, and that is how I got up there.”

That would set into motion a storied career, as Strother would lead Florien High School to six state championships, five runner-up finishes, and 21 semifinal appearances. His 1,235 victories are the most by any girls basketball coach in state history, and the second most in the nation.

“It ain’t about me,” Strother said. “It’s about those girls on the floor. They put the work in. They bought into what they needed to do. All the players who have gone through my program are successful. Nurses, police officers, teachers. I am amazed. I am just amazed. They are successful in society.”

Many will be in the audience watching Strother in the spotlight Saturday evening, June 27, culminating three days of activities celebrating him and the rest of the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame’s 12-person Class of 2026. For participation opportunities and more information, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.

“It is well deserved,” said former longtime NSU women’s coach James Smith. “I have been hollering for a long time. It is really hard to believe. He can go back to the first game he coached. He still has a scorebook. He still has every book. That’s amazing to me. He is a special coach and a good guy. He gave himself to Florien and girls basketball for a long time.”

Like many young boys in rural Rapides Parish during the 1950s and 60s, Strother fell in love with basketball.

“I always loved the game of basketball,” Strother said. “At home, when we finished our chores, I would go outside and play basketball until mama hollered about supper.”

That love would carry over as he would go to play for West at Plainview, first as a bench player and then as the starting point guard. The lessons that he would utilize in his own coaching career are rooted in the time spent in the small gymnasium at Plainview.

“He basically made sure that we were well-behaved kids, and made the grades, and in the gym, he made sure we were fundamentally sound,” said Strother.

Those lessons were also done in a condensed amount of time, due to the school’s rural location.

“We didn’t practice after school,” Strother said. “We had 30 minutes during gym to work on fundamentals. We didn’t have any way to get home if we practiced after school.”

His on-court career came to a close upon graduation in 1968, but thanks to his principal, he would return to the hardwood in a different capacity, but not before one more detour.

In 1970, Strother married and stepped away from his studies at NSU to provide for his family. It didn’t take long to realize the plywood mill wasn’t for him after all.

“I realized that I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life in the mill,” Strother said. “My late wife, Charlotte, got a job at Ft. Polk, and her pay took care of everything. She said, ‘Go back and finish school.’ With her support, I went back.”

After graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1974, Strother would be hired as an elementary physical ed teacher at Florien, located roughly 40 miles southwest of Natchitoches. He would keep books for the boys team before being asked to begin the girls basketball program in the early 1980s.

It didn’t take long for Strother to mold the Black Cats into one of the state’s best programs. In his second season, the team won the district championship, and then in 1986, they advanced to the semifinals, losing to Starks. Then came a state runner-up finish in 1987 to Starks.

The girls at Florien had bought into his style of “90-foot basketball.”

“The girls saw what we were doing,” Strother said. “It was exciting. The goal for the next year was to get back to state. We went back and made it to the finals. That started everything for us.”

“He was very intense at the time,” said Florien coach Angela Anthony, who played for Strother. “Kids nowadays could not have played for him. We had a good time, but we took care of business. All the girls were 100 percent bought in, and our parents were bought in.”

The seeds had been planted for one of the greatest runs in girls’ basketball history in Louisiana.

Florien claimed its first state championship under Strother in 1989 by rolling Chatham, but the next year lost the title game to Sabine Parish rival Zwolle, 47-35. That championship loss would be the last one for more than a calendar year.

In 1990-91, Florien went 48-0, defeated Holden for the state crown, and was ranked No. 13 in the nation — the perfect season.

Florien would repeat in 1992 by beating Pitkin for the state title, then win the title again in 1993 over Zwolle, and defeat Doyle for the crown in 1994.

In six years, Florien went to six consecutive title games, hoisting the title trophy five times.

“It was amazing,” said Strother’s daughter, Jessica Caroline, who played for her dad. “Florien, it was on the map. Everybody knew about Florien. Everybody knew Dad. Everybody still knows Dad. They will say, ‘he is so amazing, and I wish we had a coach like him.'”

“They always had great players,” James Smith said. “Dewain’s kids were well coached. You weren’t getting kids who were raw and had to teach them everything. They were disciplined and fundamentally sound. They had so many games and practices, and it showed. They just wanted to win. No one intimidated them.”

The key to Strother’s coaching success was humility, as the coach never stopped trying to learn and improve.

“After my first year as head coach, I thought I knew basketball, but I didn’t,” Strother recalled. “You have to find out who the five best players are playing together, not the five best overall. That summer, I went to Bobby Knight’s coaching clinic. I wrote in pad after pad of notes.”

Strother added, “Anytime I got a chance, I went to clinics. Jody Conradt, Dean Smith, Jim Calhoun, and Geno Auriemma. I have seen all of them and listened to them. I educated myself on the game and never looked back.”

“He was always wanting to learn something new,” daughter Caroline said. “The coaches these days are not like they used to be. Even through all of his fussing or screaming on the floor, he was still teaching us something. You don’t get that nowadays.”

Strother retired after the 2022-23 season following a storied career filled with a gym full of accomplishments and even more memories. The legendary coach imagined spending his days playing golf, but that first year, he didn’t play at all due to knee replacement surgery. It didn’t take long for him to have the coaching itch.

This past year, Strother returned to Florien to help his former player, turned assistant coach and then head coach. The Black Cats won 18 games and earned a playoff berth.

“He came back with a vengeance,” Anthony said. “He had rested up for two years, and he was raring to go. They (our girls) got something they weren’t expecting to get.”

“I truly enjoyed it,” Strother said. “My whole demeanor had changed because I felt useful again. It is great to be back.”

Strother is back where he was destined to be — on the hardwood of a small high school gymnasium.

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

Former LSU All-American golfer Sam Burns entered Thursday’s opening round of the U.S. Open as one of the players expected to contend, and he quickly showed why.

Burns birdied two of his first four holes to jump into the lead among the morning tee times. But he slipped back with three bogeys, carding a 1-over 71 at Shinnecock Hills to stand in a tie for 29^th in the 155-man field.

His threesome tees off in the afternoon today, at 12:51 CDT. Seven of the top eight players on the leaderboard played in the afternoon round Thursday, including five who were still on the course when play halted at dusk – led by Wyndham Clark, four shots clear of the rest of the field with a 6-under card and two holes left.

A two-hour fog delay Thursday kept Round 1 from being completed.

A look at his scorecard indicates Burns, the 29-year-old Shreveport native, had a lot going right and ran into trouble on three of the four toughest holes on the course.

He ranked second in the field by hitting 13 of 14 fairways. He found 12 of 18 greens in regulation, 27^th overall. Burns stood fifth in strokes gained off the tee with his driving accuracy.

But he was 101^st in shots gained on approaches, and 103^rd on shots gained in the short game. Burns ranks fourth in putting this season on the PGA Tour, but Shinnecock’s notoriously challenging turtlebacked greens mitigated his strength Thursday. His 31 putts were 97^th in the field.

Playing the back nine first, Burns laced his tee shot on the 155-yard 11^th hole to six feet and drained the putt to get under par. On the 367^th-yard 13^th, he sank a 7-footer to get to 2-under.

His first bogey came on the 620-yard 16^th, where he had his only three-putt, from 32 feet on a hole that was fourth-toughest to play Thursday.

Burns slipped to even par on the 474-yard fourth hole – the toughest for the field Thursday —  after his only missed fairway of the round. He didn’t recover onto the green out of a fairway bunker and two-putted from 18 feet.

The last bogey came on No. 7, a 180-yard par 3 that was third-hardest Thursday, when his tee shot sailed over the green and he two putted from 21 feet.

Defending champion and tournament favorite Scottie Scheffler finished at 2-over 72 Thursday.

Burns, who lives in Choudrant and plays out of Squire Creek Country Club there, is aiming for his third straight top 10 finish at the U.S. Open. He was ninth in 2024, then held the lead in the final round last year before winding up seventh.

Today’s TV coverage is on Peacock throughout the day beginning at 6:30 a.m., with NBC picking up coverage at 1:30.

USA Network will have morning coverage on the weekend rounds with NBC and Peacock taking over at noon each day.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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Funeral services for Melodie Fitzwater Jeansonne will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 20, 2026, in the Chapel of Hixson Brothers, Pineville, with Reverend Jerry Crise officiating. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Brad Jeansonne, Christopher Jeansonne, Eric Jeansonne, Scott Jeansonne, Randy Jeansonne, and Austen Fitzwater. Honorary pallbearer will be Matt Davis.

The family requests that visitation be held on Friday, June 19, 2026, at Hixson Brothers, Pineville, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Mrs. Jeansonne, 58, passed from this life on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital.

During her working life, she was a Registered Nurse. The many joys in her life included her grandchildren, dogs, movies, football (especially the Pittsburgh Steelers), and Rock and Roll.

How do you see the spark of life? Take one look at Melodie, and you know you have seen it. She came into the world in Okinawa, Japan, on March 14, 1968. Born with a heart murmur, she knew from the youngest age that life would not be easy and that she would face challenges, and she was not afraid. That fearlessness would be her armor against whatever she would face. Her family and friends knew this well and often saw it whether they wanted to or not. Telling them to put their big girl/boy pants on and take on what was happening like she did every day. She never wanted the easy life, and she was not afraid. If you were her friend, she would defend you against any and all who would judge you, and she was not afraid. When choosing her path in the medical field, she first chose emergency medicine and later heart medicine. Not because it was easy. She chose it because it was challenging and she was not afraid. When she was diagnosed with Lupus and was told that having a child was not advised, she faced it because it was what she wanted, and she was unafraid. Extended exposure to sunlight is not the best place for someone with Lupus. Melodie chose the beach for vacations with her family because she was unafraid.

When she faced her final challenge, the one she could not beat, she told her husband and her daughter that she would be OK because she did not want them to be afraid. Melodie Fitzwater Jeansone took the world as she wanted it. Faced its challenges, took its obstacles, bent its will to her own because of her fierce loyalty, devotion to her family and her friends, with the spark of life because she was not afraid.

Mrs. Jeansonne was preceded in death by her parents, Donque W. and Ellen June Fitzwater.

She is survived by her husband, Brian Jeansonne; daughters, Madelyn French (Michael), Amanda Jeansonne; sons, Christopher Jeansonne (Carol), Brad Jeansonne; brother, Mark Fitzwater (Karen); seven grandchildren; and a host of other family members and friends.

Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

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Henry Lee (‘Brother’) Webb was born July 12, 1940, to Emmitt Webb and Mary Dent Webb in the small community of Lettsworth, Louisiana, in Pointe Coupee Parish. He was fondly known as Bro. Webb to all who knew him.

On January 27, 1962, he married Eloise Davis, and to this union one child, Shirley Webb Armstrong was born. Bro. Webb was baptized in 1975 by Rev. Ernest Lea, Sr. at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. He was an active member at St. John Baptist Church in Lettsworth, LA, a member of the Deacon Board, a Sunday School teacher for many years, and a groundskeeper of the church. Bro. Webb attended Torres Community School and was extremely proud of the education he received.

He worked in farming and construction until his employment with the Atchafalaya Levee Board. His employment with the Levee Board spanned 25½ years until his retirement in 2002. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, gardening, and yard work. He loved cookouts and family gatherings. He was the family historian who could remember everyone and their families in detail. He truly loved his church family and had a pastor in every town.

Mourning his departure while cherishing his memory are his brothers, Thomas Webb of New Orleans, LA; Joseph Webb of New Orleans, LA; and Mack Webb (Denise) of Amite, LA; one sister, Annie Tolliver of New Orleans, LA; one son-in-law, Earl Armstrong of Simmesport, LA; sisters-in-law Juanita Davis of Batchelor, LA; Dorothy Lea of Dallas, TX; Barbara Holt of Lettsworth, LA; and Farlene Webb of Laplace, LA; a special friend, Audrey Franklin and her children; his godchildren: Ula Christal, Nicole Tolliver, Arleen D. Scott, Mary Lea Holmes, and Alonzo Webb; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Bro.

Webb was preceded in death by his parents, Emmitt and Mary Webb; his wife, Eloise Webb; his daughter, Shirley Webb Armstrong; brothers Reuben Webb, Emmitt Webb, Jr, and Mel Webb; and sister, Delia Courtney. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.

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Phonetic: /taw·​dry/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

cheap and gaudy in appearance or quality

tawdry clothing/jewels
tawdry furniture

“Well, I found myself seated in a horrid little private box … I looked out from behind the curtain and surveyed the house. It was a tawdry affair, all Cupids and cornucopias, like a third-rate wedding-cake.”
—Oscar Wilde

Any trip there carries with it more than its share of drabness, tawdry hotels and second-rate service, all of which tax the forbearance of the most patient traveler.
—John F. Burns

morally sordid, base, or distasteful

a tawdry scandal
a tawdry love affair
a tawdry attempt to smear his opponent

Setting aside the tawdry manner in which his marriage had (publicly) unraveled, the mayor’s combative style had begun to grate on many New Yorkers.
—Jonathan Mahler

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The Rapides Parish School Board has announced the appointment of Christy Dugas as the new principal of J.I. Barron Elementary School.

Dugas brings 31 years of experience in the Rapides Parish school system to her new position. She has served as principal of Paradise Elementary School since 2017 and previously worked as the school’s assistant principal.

In announcing her new role, Dugas said she is excited to join the J.I. Barron community and looks forward to building relationships with students, staff and families while fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

School officials cited Dugas’ extensive experience, dedication to education and commitment to student success as qualities that will serve the school well as she begins her tenure as principal.

The appointment marks a new chapter for J.I. Barron Elementary as the school prepares for the upcoming academic year under Dugas’ leadership.

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Rapides Parish athlete Alex Webb is preparing to represent Louisiana on the national stage as part of Team Louisiana at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games in Minnesota.

Special Olympics Louisiana announced that Webb will be among the athletes traveling to Minnesota, with Team Louisiana departing June 19 ahead of the competition, which runs June 20-26.

The Special Olympics USA Games bring together thousands of athletes from across the country to compete in a variety of sports while promoting inclusion, determination and excellence through athletic competition.

According to Special Olympics Louisiana, Team Louisiana athletes have spent months training and preparing for the event and are ready to showcase their skills while representing their communities and the state.

Webb will join fellow Louisiana athletes in competing against some of the nation’s top Special Olympics competitors during the weeklong event. The games are expected to draw athletes, coaches, volunteers and spectators from across the United States.

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 Legal costs mount in Diocese bankruptcy

By JIM BUTLER

Legal costs in the Diocese of Alexandria bankruptcy case have passed $400,000 since the October 31 filing.

The Diocese on filing for Chapter 11 protection estimated its legal cost could run as high as $2 million.

Latest request for payment is by Werner, Weiss & Madison, counsel for the Committee of Unsecured Creditors.

The requested payment would bring to about $149,000 the sum paid the firm for compensation and expenses since its appointment December 1.

Should there be objection to the payment request a hearing will be held July 14 in Shreveport.

According to the March 31 operations statement filed by the Diocese, its counsel, the Gold Law Firm of Alexandria, had been paid about $$264,000 through that date.

Parties in the case held an initial mediation session earlier this month.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) has announced a series of alternating lane closures in Alexandria beginning Monday, June 22 at 9 a.m., weather permitting, as part of the District 08 Flashing Yellow Arrow Upgrade Project.

The work will impact multiple corridors, including I-49, US 165 Business, LA 1, and LA 28 in Rapides Parish. Crews will conduct alternating lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at several intersections, with one lane in each direction remaining open at all times.

Affected intersections include Bolton Avenue at Odom Street, Rapides Avenue, Elliot Street, and Jackson Street; Monroe Street at Texas Avenue; LA 28 at Barron Chapel Road; Broadway Avenue at Eddie Williams Avenue; and 3rd Street at Willow Glen River Road.

According to DOTD, the closures are required to install new mast arms on signal pole foundations and complete related construction work.

The project is scheduled for completion at all listed intersections by June 26, 2026, though timelines may shift due to weather and other construction factors.

The contract for the project was awarded to Jack B. Harper Electrical, LLC in the amount of $9,040,462.73.

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The City of Alexandria, Louisiana – Government will host a special Independence Day celebration titled “Rock the Red” on Saturday, July 4, in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

The event will take place at the Riverfront Amphitheater and Mini Park along the banks of the Red River, with festivities scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., followed by a fireworks display beginning at 9 p.m.

City officials say the celebration will feature live entertainment, patriotic-themed programming, and family-friendly activities designed to highlight community spirit and national pride.

The event is free and open to the public, and residents are encouraged to bring family and friends to participate in the evening festivities. Additional details are expected to be released as the event approaches.

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LSU’s John Brady was making connections for his future before he even knew he had one

By GLENN GUILBEAU, Written for the LSWA

Former LSU men’s basketball coach John Brady wanted to be a coach back when he was at McComb High in the early 1970s.

But little did he know that the contacts he would make by chance would lead to the promised land of the 2006 Final Four, induction into the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame last fall, the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame last May and now, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in Natchitoches.

Brady is part of a 12-member Class of 2026 going into the LSHOF to culminate three days of festivities Thursday, June 25-Saturday, June 27, with seven events (six in Natchitoches, bowling in Alexandria). For participation information, visit LaSportsHall.com or call 318-238-4255.

For example, how would he have known that the Hattiesburg High guard who defended him in high school games and in junior high – Tim Floyd – would become a college head coach and one day hire him?

Or how he happened to catch on with Mississippi State basketball coach Kermit Davis as a graduate assistant and become friends with Kermit Davis Jr., who would later become his top assistant coach at LSU and a lifelong friend.

Or that one of his best friends in his early 20s would happen to be the son of Joe “String Music” Dean of SEC basketball television fame, a Converse shoes marketing executive who would one day become LSU’s athletic director — and would hire Brady as the Tigers’ basketball coach.

“I’m telling you, the dominoes were falling, and I didn’t even know what was going on,” Brady said. “I had no idea. It’s crazy now.”

There were also coaching mentors he would learn from, such as his McComb High coach, Bobby Nelson, and his college coach at Belhaven in Jackson – Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame coach Charlie Rugg.

And the head coaches he would learn more from as an assistant – like Kermit Davis as a grad assistant at Mississippi State (1976-77) and as an assistant under Bob Boyd at Mississippi State (1982-86), Richard Williams at Mississippi State (1986-90) and Floyd at UNO (1990-91).

From each, he learned similar old school fundamentals.

“Bobby Nelson is a great guy and had a big influence on me,” Brady said. “Charlie Rugg was at Belhaven and had a huge influence on me. I always thought about coaching when I was playing, because it was the only thing I really felt comfortable as far as what I was going to do.”

But he had to get the jobs first.

So, after graduating from Belhaven with a business degree in 1976, Brady enrolled at Mississippi State for a master’s degree in education to coach. He sent a resume and letter to coach Kermit Davis, who hired him. There he met Joe Dean Jr., who had just finished playing at State and was a graduate assistant.

“Joe Dean Jr. and I became best friends,” Brady said. “I used to go home with Joe on weekends to Baton Rouge and hang out at his house with his dad. It’s amazing how that all worked.”

Soon, Joe Dean Sr. was the star of Brady’s resume.

“It changed my life,” Brady said. “Joe Dean was the Converse shoe man. He knew everybody. My connection with Kermit and his dad changed my life, too. That all played a huge part in me coming to LSU.”

But first, Dean helped Brady land the coaching job at Crowley High in 1977. Brady won at Crowley and was named the Louisiana Sports Writers’ Association Class AAA coach of the year in 1981.

“He embraced a collegiate blueprint as though we were in college,” said James Moore, who played on Crowley’s 1980-81 team. “He put Crowley on the map. He promoted his teams all over Crowley at grocery stores, churches, businesses.”

Brady also attended many LSU basketball games as coach Dale Brown took the Tigers to an SEC title in 1979, the Elite Eight in 1980 and the Final Four in 1981.

Brown recruited Crowley, and so did that Hattiesburg guy, Tim Floyd, a Don Haskins assistant at Texas-El Paso who recruited Crowley forwards Jerome Batiste and Greg Lazard.

“I went over there for players and ended up finding one of the greatest hires I ever made,” Floyd said. “I suggested to coach Haskins we hire him.”

But Brady instead returned to Mississippi State to coach under Boyd, who was USC’s coach from 1967-79 and a nemesis of UCLA legend John Wooden. The two players came with Brady to State. Neither stayed, but Brady did and learned with fellow assistants Richard Williams and Larry Eustachy, who would become head coaches.

“Bob Boyd taught me how to communicate the game to players,” Brady said. “Bob was the best communicator I’ve ever been around in terms of details in his teaching. And he held players accountable.”

When Boyd retired in 1986, Williams replaced him and kept Brady. Brady later moved to UNO to coach under Floyd in 1990-91.

“Tim reiterated what I always believed in — defending without fouling, rebounding, taking care of the ball, getting a quality shot,” Brady said.

After one season with Floyd, Brady got the head coaching job at Samford in Birmingham, Alabama, over bigger names like Mark Gottfried and Matt Doherty. Why? Dean.

“Joe Dean helped me get every job I ever had,” Brady said.

Brady quickly turned around Samford, which was coming off six straight single-digit-win seasons. Brady went 17-10 in his first season and won back-to-back Trans America West titles in 1996 and ‘97.

“That place was asleep,” then-Birmingham News columnist Kevin Scarbinsky said. “I remember John counted the number of people at his first game. It was in the low hundreds. He vowed that he was going to fill the building, and eventually he did.”

Brady never took Samford to the NCAA Tournament, but he did become Cinderella on Dec. 2, 1996. Boyd was an assistant on LSU’s staff at the time and had warned Brown.

“You better be ready,” Boyd said. “That SOB could come in here and cut us up.”

And Samford won, 53-50.

Brown had announced before the season that the 1996-97 season – his 25^th – would be his last. And Brady struck while the victory was still hot. He called Dean the next day.

“I want to be the next basketball coach at LSU,” he said.

“John, I love you like a son,” Dean said. “But I can’t hire you at LSU from Samford.”

Brady said to keep him in mind anyway.

At this time, the NCAA was investigating LSU over its recruitment of star Baton Rouge forward Lester Earl. And one-by-one, the top candidates removed themselves. It came down to Ole Miss coach Rob Evans or Brady.

“If Rob doesn’t take it, I’m sending the plane to pick you up,” Dean told Brady.

“I was pumped. I didn’t care if they were going on 10-year probation,” Brady said. “And I got the call.”

But Brady took over a program coming off four straight losing seasons, too.

“I talked to him the night before he went down there,” Scarbinsky said. “And he told me he could get LSU to the Final Four. He had such confidence.”

But not many players. He inherited seven, but three quit during his first team meeting.

“Any ideas?” Brady asked assistant coach and old friend Kermit Davis Jr.

“Yeah,” Davis said. “Let’s not have any more team meetings.”

Brady had losing seasons in 1997-98 and 1998-99. Then the NCAA sanctions hit and LSU lost six scholarships through 2002. Still Brady and assistants Butch Pierre and Davis signed one of the top players in the country in Shreveport forward Stromile Swift. As a sophomore in 1999-2000, he led LSU to the Sweet 16 with a 28-6 finish and first SEC title since 1991 at 12-4.

“I appreciate you coach,” Swift told Brady at a 25-year reunion of that team in Baton Rouge as both choked up. “I needed a coach like you. He was a tough coach, and he made us better.” 

Once the sanctions stopped, LSU returned to NCAA Tournaments in 2003 and ’05 before a magical 2005-06 when the Tigers won another SEC title at 14-2 and reached the school’s first Final Four since 1986 and finished 27-9.

“I didn’t like John Brady at first,” Brown said just recently. “But I grew to admire and respect him as a coach and a man. He did a wonderful job with his Final Four team and really should’ve got to coach longer. I’m proud of him.”

Floyd felt the same way.

“I always respected his journey. He didn’t take any shortcuts,” he said. “His greatest strength was holding great players to a standard and making them accountable.”

He got that from Boyd.

“He was not afraid to be direct with his players. He coached with his gut. And accountability was everything to him,” Floyd said.

The magic quickly ended, though, as Brady fell to 17-15 and 5-11 in the SEC in 2006-07. He was fired midway through 2007-08 at 8-13 and 1-6 in the SEC. Never mind that his best player – forward Tasmin Mitchell – was lost for virtually all of the season with a leg injury. Center Chris Johnson also missed seven games with a broken hand.

“And 18 months before he was at the Final Four? You’ve got to be kidding me,” Floyd said, still angry 18 years later. “His best player was out. I didn’t agree with the firing at all.”

Brady quickly got another job at Arkansas State for the next season and won two Sun Belt Conference West titles before retiring in 2016.

He received a third SEC championship ring from LSU a year after he left in 2009. Trent Johnson, the coach who replaced him at LSU, thought it only fair as Johnson won the SEC

in his first season with Mitchell, Johnson and other top players left by Brady, such as guard Marcus Thornton and Temple, playing major roles.

“Tasmin and Garrett might have asked him to do that, but he did it,” Brady said. “And I really appreciated it.”

Brady would get one more SEC title ring when coach Will Wade won the league in 2019 with Brady as the LSU Radio Network game analyst, where he remains as Wade returns.

“So, I got four and only won two,” he laughed. “I didn’t leave LSU all mad. And coming back to do radio helped my legacy by people seeing me in a different light. It’s helped me go to this nice place with LSU people now, which I’m blown away by. I’m just so humbled by it and these Halls of Fame. I’m a lucky guy.”  

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Burns appears primed to contend at U.S. Open

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

He was right there last year, leading on the back nine in the final round of the U.S. Open.

After a rotten ruling from a U.S.G.A. rules official forcing him to play from apparent standing water on the 15^th fairway, fortune turned for Sam Burns.

He struggled home on a soggy Oakmont Country Club course, shooting 3-over on the last four holes, in rainy conditions, and wound up tied for 7^th.

The top 10 was no fluke. In 2024, the former LSU All-American finished tied for ninth at the national championship.

Today he tees off in the 2026 edition, at Shinnecock Hills on Long Island, N.Y., hoping to be in the mix again.

Burns, 29, is in the very early wave of starters, going off the 10^th tee at 6:41 a.m. with Englishman Tyrrell Hatton and Si Woo Kim of Korea.

The native Shreveporter is among a group of players who many golf analysts expect to contend – not only based on his recent play at the Open, but his recent play this season.

He has two top 10 finishes in the past couple months, in strong fields: seventh at The Masters, his best showing at Augusta, and fourth two weeks ago at The Memorial, when he was tied for the lead on the 17^th tee.

Burns, who now lives in Choudrant and plays out of Squire Creek Country Club there, has five top 20 finishes in his last 10 starts. He is 29^th in the Official World Golf Rankings with $3.5 million in 2026 earnings.

Golf Digest writer Keith Stewart ranked the entire 156-man field and put Burns at No. 7. The only players ahead of him: Tommy Fleetwood, Cameron Young, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Scottie Scheffler – who turns 30 Sunday and can complete the career Grand Slam if he wins.

“If you know ball, then you’re aware of his recent success at the U.S. Open. One of two guys in the field with back-to-back top-10s in our national championship, Burns had a slow weekend in Canada, but I wouldn’t take that as an alarm. Instead, I would be looking at the T-7 at Augusta, a T-13 at TPC Sawgrass and a solid showing  (T-26) at the PGA,” wrote Stewart.

Neil Parker of Covers cites Burns’ recent play and particularly improvement in his play on approaches and around the green. Burns leads the U.S. Open field in true strokes gained putting, and Parker notes “elite work on the greens will be (a) Shinnecock separator.”

Today’s TV coverage is on USA Network beginning at 6:30 a.m.

Friday, coverage shifts to Peacock throughout the day beginning at 6:30, with NBCSN streaming from 6:30-1:30 and NBC picking up coverage at 1:30.

USA Network will have morning coverage on the weekend rounds with NBC and Peacock taking over at noon each day.

Burns made his U.S. Open professional debut at Shinnecock Hills in 2018, finishing in a 41^st place tie.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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Alexandria-area residents have a unique opportunity to peek behind the legal curtain next month while earning some extra cash.

Proven Focus, a Denver-based trial consulting company, is seeking local participants for a paid jury research project regarding an upcoming legal matter.

The three-hour sessions will take place on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11. Two time slots are available each day: 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Participation Details

To qualify for the research focus group, individuals must meet the following criteria:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must be a resident of Alexandria or the surrounding parishes.

Participants will be compensated $110 at the conclusion of their session. Individuals are only permitted to attend one of the four scheduled sessions.

How to Apply

Those interested in participating or who have questions regarding the project should email info@proven-focus.com for more information.

Paid Content

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Alexandria man faces three counts of attempted murder

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

June 17

Kari Elaine Beard, 43, Pineville – possession of CDS, parole violations, contempt of court, $3,500 bail;

Brandon Deangelo Bryant, 38, Alexandria – four counts contempt of court, $100,000 bail;

Alexis Jonae Carter, 28, Alexandria – improper headlights, two counts contempt of court, $10,100 bail;

Michael Gene Johnson, 61, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, improper lane usage, $1,600 bail;

Timothy Allen Johnson, 32, Glenmora – simple battery, criminal damage to property, simple assault intimidating, $2,000 bail;

Devacheay Tray Martin, 25, Pineville – attempted second degree murder, simple battery, three counts taking contraband to and from penal institutions, possession of firearm by convicted felon, parole violations, simple escape, possession of fentanyl, possession of marijuana, $606,000 bail;

Marissa Elizabeth Martin, 39, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Henry Nelson III, 25, Alexandria – three counts attempted second degree murder, no bail data;

Marty Paul, 28, Trout – OWI third offense, open container, speeding, $1,200 bail;

Robert S. Paul, 42, Deville – theft, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, $6,000 bail.

June 16

Derrick Lionel Baines, 47, Boyce – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, 12 counts contempt of court, $43,000 bail;

James Edward Baker III, 21, Ball – domestic abuse battery, $5,000 bail;

Germaneek Laterra Beyard, 32, Alexandria – four counts simple burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, theft, simple escape, Louisiana fugitive, $61,000 bail;

James Richard Burch, 39, Pineville – four counts contempt of court, $400,000 bail;

Joshua Dewayne Daniels, 26, Pineville – domestic abuse battery strangulation, obstruction of justice, parole violations, resisting an officer, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal possession of stolen firearm, $300,500 bail;

Terry Donaldson, 54, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, Louisiana fugitive, $2,000 bail;

Coilynn Payne Grezaffi, 32, Forest Hill – simple burglary, trespassing aiding and abetting others, criminal conspiracy, $50,500 bail;

Charles Ray Jackson, 51, Alexandria – disturbing the peace, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstructing public passages, probation violation, two counts contempt of court, $5,000 bail;

Lionell Dewayne Johnson, 27, Alexandria – possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, three counts possession of CDS, driving under suspension, tail lamps red light, $23,700 bail;

Rhonda Ann Lachney, 54, Marksville – theft, Louisiana fugitive, $25,000 bail;

Dantaveas Diante Lindsey, 32, Alexandria – two counts possession of CDS, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of firearm with obliterated serial number, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $48,000 bail;

Kedrick Dewayne Logan, 40, Alexandria – two counts simple burglary, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, $8,500 bail;

Beverly Darlene Outlaw, 43, Ball – theft, criminal conspiracy, simple escape, $50,000 bail;

Dalvin Deshawn Smith, 33, Alexandria – possession of CDS, possession of marijuana, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of firearm by convicted felon, no license plate light, $15,600 bail;

Martin Dewayne Smith, 27, Alexandria – aggravated battery, two counts simple assault, $100,500 bail;

Devonte Thomas Taylor, 27, Alexandria – attempted second degree murder, possession of firearm by convicted felon, $850,000 bail.

June 15

Yoko Miliajahwon Atkins, 25, Alexandria – possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal use of weapons, obstruction of justice, reckless operation of a vehicle, intentional littering, no head light, no driver’s license, safety belt violation, required position and turning, parole violations, $203,900 bail;

Richard Lance Billingsley, 34, Pineville – producing manufacturing distributing fentanyl, possession of paraphernalia, illegal carry firearm with drugs, tail lamps red light, $10,600 bail;

Elridge Quentin Fontenot, 33, Eunice – theft, simple battery, officer battery, resisting officer with force or violence, $2,000 bail;

Jonathan Charles Harris, 41, Alexandria – producing manufacturing distributing fentanyl, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of paraphernalia, $35,500 bail;

Joseph Burdette Leslie, 46, Des Allmends – OWI first offense, open container, improper lane usage, $1,200 bail;

Markas C. McMahan, 31, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $7,500 bail;

Rickie Jontavis Morlte Jr., 23, Alexandria – theft of a motor vehicle, theft of identity, $10,000 bail;

Katrina Desha Robinson, 43, Alexandria – two counts contempt of court, $20,000 bail;

Kerry Denise Roszell, 43, Pineville – five counts possession of CDS, possession of drug paraphernalia, four counts contempt of court, $254,000 bail.

June 14

Ashley Bates, 31, Deville – domestic abuse battery, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, $2,500 bail;

Kenderrius Rhondale Blackshear, 34, Pineville – driving under suspension, no child restraint system, no insurance, probation violation, contempt of court, $2,800 bail.

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Customers encouraged to take precautions due to projected rainfall, flooding and high winds

Cleco is prepared for Tropical Storm Arthur, which is projected to bring heavy rain, flooding and high winds, as it moves northeastward across Louisiana tonight and tomorrow.

“As heavy rain and strong winds move through Cleco’s service territory, customers may experience outages,” said Clint Robichaux, director of distribution operations and reliability. “Cleco is ready to respond to any power outages caused by the storm, and we encourage customers to take the following precautions before and during the storm.”

How customers can prepare:

• Create an emergency plan and be ready to evacuate if needed.
• Prepare a storm kit with food, water, flashlights, batteries, medications and a first aid kit.
• Test generators before the storm and operate them in a well-ventilated area.   
• Never walk, swim or drive through floodwater. Turn around and find another route. If water begins rising around your home or business, turn off electricity at the main breaker and evacuate. Have an electrician check the wiring before using electricity.
• Stay away from downed lines. Assume all downed power lines are energized.

How to report an outage:

Customers can report an outage by texting “OUT” to 69378 or by calling Cleco’s Customer Call Center at 1-800-622-6537.

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Mr. Hubert Alvin “Sam” Baxter, age 86, entered eternal rest on Monday, June 15, 2026, in Alexandria at Christus St. Frances Cabrini Hospital.

The Visitation will be held at Palestine Methodist Church on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Services will begin at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Kevin Smith, and Bro. James T. Brunson officiating with interment to follow in the church cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hubert Lee Baxter and Mabel Courtney Baxter; siblings, Travis Baxter, Vermell Steede, and Christine Tucker.

Those left to share and carry on his memories include his wife of 61 years, Annie Lois Mathis Baxter; children, Peggy Brunson (Doug) and Alvin Baxter (Candi); siblings, Doris Brown, James Rayburn Baxter, Ollie Ruth Gilbert, and JoAnn Bellisle; grandchildren, Cody Brunson (Kaitlyn), Baxter Brunson (Susan), Hunter Baxter (Mandi), and Hayden Brunson; great grandchildren, Jaxon, Ellie, Rowan, and Everlee Brunson and Allie Baxter.

Mr. Baxter was a loving husband, and an exceptional father, grandfather, and brother. He was born in Washington County, Alabama. When he was a baby, his family moved to the Barton Community and he was raised on his parents’ farm in Barton, Mississippi. It was here that he learned that a good garden was a necessity. While attending Bason High School, he was Captain of the basketball team and voted Most Athletic. Mr. Baxter worked for Shell Oil Company for 28 years in Exploration and earned the nickname, “Sam”. After retiring, he and Annie Lois moved home to Mississippi. There he enjoyed doing landscape work with his brother and nephews. Nine years later they returned to Louisiana to enjoy their children and grandchildren. He was over the moon when his grandson’s blessed him with 3 long awaited great grand-daughters. He had a great sense of humor and never seemed to get into too much of a hurry. He was very methodical, patient, and kind. Any road trip with “Daddy” or “Paw” included listening to Patsy Cline and Marty Robbins. After he was introduced to YouTube, any visit with him included The Gaither’s. He enjoyed gardening and sharing his produce with friends, and neighbors. His kindness and generosity will be missed. He gave much love and was loved by many.

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With great sadness we announce that Katherine Louise Ellis, 33, passed away Friday, June 12, 2026. Born April 22, 1993, is survived by Matthew Ellis–father, Una Ellis–mother, and siblings Anthony and Annette. Birth mother to Ava, Elijah and Margaret.

Memorial and service will be held at Magnolia Funeral Home, 7357 Masonic Drive, Alexandria LA 71301, on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Viewing from 12:00 PM until 1:00 PM. Service from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM.

For anyone that would like to come help us celebrate Katie Ellis, we are asking that everyone wears a little pink. Thank you.

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