By JIM BUTLER

Some attending this year’s Nursery Festival on Forest Hill will find getting about easier.

The Village Council at its February meeting voted to allow use of golf carts and side by sides on streets during the event.

The vehicles will facilitate access as well as assist in transport of items purchased at vendor booths.

One of the state’s premier festivals, the event annually hails Spring’s debut with the village awash in colors of countless plants and abuzz with amusement rides’ activity and an assortment of vendors.

This year’s event opens the afternoon-evening of Thursday, March 20 with rides and food booths The main event runs March 21-23, with the celebratory parade at 10 a.m. Saturday.

At the February 11 meeting the Council also authorized increasing police hours during the event.

Louisiana Central attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Amazon’s newly opened Last Mile Facility in Boyce, alongside other regional and state leaders, on Thursday, Jan. 30. This invitation-only event included a tour of the facility led by Jessica Breaux, Senior Manager of Economic Development for Amazon, and Site Manager Jose Flores who provided insight into its operations. 

The 65,000-square-foot facility will fulfill a crucial role in Amazon’s last-mile delivery network, ensuring packages are received, sorted, and dispatched efficiently. The facility has resulted in approximately 200 jobs, offering entry-level positions starting at $18.40 per hour. These roles include package handling, dispatch operations, and delivery services.

Amazon representatives emphasized strong collaboration with local officials that helped complete the project in under a year. The facility is expected to support peak holiday demand and will continue to drive economic growth by expanding workforce opportunities.

Those interested in employment at the Boyce facility can visit amazon.com/jobs to search for openings. 

Louisiana Central and regional leaders commend Amazon’s investment in Boyce, recognizing the facility’s role in boosting economic development and enhancing delivery operations in Louisiana.

Over 12 million trees have been taken down in Louisiana as a result of the wildfires and the drought of 2023. 7,000 of those trees were in Rapides Parish. 

The trees were removed because they were malnourished, according to State Representative and House Speaker Pro Tempore Mike Johnson (R), who along with local, state and federal partners, has championed the idea of removing the trees to make way for the healthy trees. 

“Being from Pineville, you’re going to have pine trees. So, I’m pleased with the progress, but we still have a long way to go,” Johnson said.

Johnson reported that in Rapides Parish, the malnourished trees removed include 3,500 taken down by Cleco, 554 by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, and about 3,000 taken down by the Rapides Parish Police Jury.

Johnson has been a key voice in the legislature in highlighting and addressing the pine beetle outbreak in Louisiana. He is the chairman of the Pine Beetle Subcommittee in the legislature, which just concluded its meetings after listening to different concerns from local and state entities.

Among those who testified was Town of Ball Alderman Marc Mercer who expressed concerns about dead trees in his town.

“We’re talking about 200 or 300 trees between both roads. So, we knocked a home run in Ball. I don’t know about anybody else,” he said. “Camp Livingston Road, for example, Ball Elementary is on Camp Livingston Road. We had school buses driving on it. I mean, it was just a terrible thing. But thankfully, we were able to get it taken care of.”

Johnson stated that following the meetings, “One of the benefits of that is that we’ve developed a foundation that would be in a position to receive funds and also is being funded and will be able to tap into some federal funds.”

He added, “I’m hoping to be able to put some state dollars to create grants primarily to help offset some of the private cost of having to remove a tree, which is an incredible amount of money for an average person.”

Johnson has also spoken with Congressman Cleo Fields and members of the Louisiana Delegation in Congress to bring more awareness.

“Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is aware of it, and we plan to double back on that and try to seek some funding for that,” Fields said. “Rapides is unique, and we have people that work together, whether it’s the city, whether it’s the parish, whether it’s the other state legislators. Then federally, we just work together well. We have done everything we can, statewide and in Central Louisiana, to try to remove the danger hazard out of it.”

Girls basketball teams from Tioga, Buckeye and Peabody tip off the LHSAA playoffs at home tonight while high seeds ASH and Oak Hill enjoy first-round byes and will host second-round games Monday night.

All parish schools are in the Select category of state postseason competition.

Wednesday night, 10^th seeded Menard cruised past 23^rd-seeded Rapides in a Division III opening round game, and Northwood-Lena’s season ended with a 48-44 Division IV defeat at Ascension Catholic. Menard will go to No. 7 Newman in New Orleans on Monday.

In tonight’s local games, all tipping at 6 o’clock, Tioga, seeded 15^th in Division I, hosts 18^th seeded Liberty.  Buckeye, the ninth seed, welcomes No. 24 St. Charles Catholic while 11^th-seeded Peabody entertains No. 22 Lake Charles College Prep in a pair of Division II contests.

Glenmora, seeded 17^th in Class B, goes to No. 16 Castor tonight in a first-rounder.

ASH is seeded eighth in Division I and will host No. 9 Riverdale, a 61-33 victor over Kenner Discovery, in a Monday night second-round game.

Oak Hill is the No. 3 seed in Class B and will be at home Monday against either 14^th-seeded Hicks or No. 19 Family Community.

When I was growing up and getting my introduction to the outdoors, there were two seasons of the year – hunting season, and fishing season. From early spring until October when cool weather hit, we fished. Once squirrel season opened, we hunted until spring came and it was time to fish again.

We never mixed the two, probably because we mistakenly thought that fish migrated like ducks and geese once the weather became cold. How wrong we were. Some of the year’s best bites take place at the same time you run the risk of encountering another bite – “frost bite.”

Recently, I ran across some excellent advice and tips from a couple of pro bass fishermen to help you catch more bass when the weather is cold and nasty. Some professional anglers actually like it when the weather and water turn cold and the bass turn off.  Like the top tier of professionals in any competition, they are practitioners of the philosophy expressed by the old saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” But that’s not the only thing that separates winners from losers. 

Winners know that in decent weather anybody could get lucky and win. But in nasty weather, especially the bitter, cold kind, most competitors lose focus and, losing focus, they lose tournaments. This process of self-elimination narrows the field of competitors and tilts the odds toward the diehards. 

“When someone tells you the bass won’t bite because the water’s too cold, just ignore them,” said Woo Daves, the Spring Grove, Va.-based winner of the 2000 BASS Masters Classic. A bundled-up Daves won that Classic by facing down a very cold, rough and windy Lake Michigan during a three-day northeaster. Daves and other cream-of-the-crop anglers, can testify to this 

from their trophies, cash, prizes and experience that bass do bite in cold water. They all agree; you just need to apply a little finesse.

Daves volunteers these cold water bass tips: “On rivers, fish backwaters and reverse currents where the water is warmer and the bass don’t have to fight the current. In deeper water, run to long flat points or channel bends. Cruise around and watch your depth finder for signs of baitfish. 

“Find the bait; find the bass,” said Daves, who has two favorite presentations. One is a ¾-ounce spoon, jigged vertically. The other is a dropshot rig, a ½-ounce weight on the bottom and a dropper hook about 12 to 18 inches up the line. Daves dresses it with a short, plastic worm and fishes it slowly. 

Mark Raveling, a pro angler out of Spring Park, Minn., preaches slow fishing, slow to the point of no rod movement at all. Dead sticking, it’s called. His favorite pattern is a steep drop-off close to a feeding area. He’ll fish a plastic worm with a jig head or, he’ll switch to either a Rapala jerk bait or to a Shad Rap or a Storm Wiggle Wart. 

“These baits crank down to a certain depth and remain at that depth until the angler winds them back to the rod. Here’s the drill: Crank it down. Wait. Wait some more. If you get a fish, stay put. There are more fish where that one came from and they’re suspended at the same depth,” said Raveling.

The advice of these and other bass fishing professionals can be summed up in two basic concepts for fishing cold weather bass. Downsize your lure, and slow down your retrieve. Give these techniques a try this winter for what could bring you some HOT cold weather bassin’. 

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

A former investigator with the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office who was also a former police officer for the City of Pineville was arrested on Feb. 11, according to the Pineville Police Department.

Scott Weisler was arrested by Pineville Police following an investigation into an alleged identity theft. 

Weisler filed a report of identity theft in November 2024, claiming his personal information was stolen and used to open a credit card in his name, according to Pineville PD. 

In the course of the investigation, evidence was gathered from multiple sources that indicated that Weisler was the actual account holder and personally used the card numerous times between 2018 and 2023.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Feb. 19

Eli Barnes, 67, Alexandria – failure to renew sex offender registration, probation violation, $10,000 bail;

Ivan David Doyle, 41, Glenmora – possession of controlled dangerous substance, $2,500 bail;

Reginald Demon Jackson, 40, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substance, paraphernalia, criminal trespass, contempt of court, $13,500 bail;

Ryan Aaron McVaugh, 38, Ruby – simple burglary, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $25,000 bail.

Feb. 18

Manuel Erazo Alvarado, 46, Annapolis, Md. – taking contraband to and from penal institutions, $2,500 bail;

Isaiah Deshawn Baylor, 22, Alexandria – aggravated strangulation domestic abuse battery, aggravated assault with a firearm, cruelty to juveniles, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, domestic abuse battery, contempt of court, probation violation, $200,000 bail;

Jerry Wayne Brownell Jr, 45, Alexandria – aggravated burglary, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of controlled dangerous substance, paraphernalia, obstruction of justice evidence tampering, criminal damage to property, $3,000 bail;

Dorothy Mae Cullivan, 37, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, $300,000 bail;

Robert Drakes III, 21, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substance, illegal carry firearm with drugs, $15,000 bail;

Kevin Paul Fisher, 51, Alexandria – two counts simple burglary, $10,000 bail;

Brittany Laice Gonzales, 35, Woodworth – simple burglary, resisting an officer, battery on officer, three counts self-mutilation by a prisoner, criminal damage to property, $1,500 bail;

Johniesha Lashay Howard, 23, Alexandria – aggravated battery of healthcare official, four counts battery on officer, two counts contempt of court, $35,000 bail;

Jerald Wayne Huel, 30, Alexandria – possession of a weapon by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm second offense, probation violation, $25,000 bail;

Destin Mickial James, 33, Alexandria – possession of stolen vehicle, flight from an officer, three counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, possession of controlled dangerous substance, parole violations, $76,500 bail;

Michael Jermaine Jarrell, 40, Alexandria – failure to register as a sex offender, aggravated second degree battery, resisting police with force or violence, two counts aggravated on a police officer, disturbing the peace sound amplification system, $32,000 bail;

Christopher Shane Michiels Sr, 44, Pineville – theft, $20,000 bail;

Christy Marie Pantallion, 40, Alexandria – simple assault, criminal damage to property, resisting an officer, $1,000 bail;

Quantavious Jamar Richards, 29, Alexandria – second-degree murder, illegal use of weapons (dangerous instrumentalities), obstruction of justice, three counts of possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal possession of stolen firearm, two counts of illegal carry of firearm with drugs, obstruction of justice, two counts producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, drug paraphernalia, resisting an officer, three counts fugitive in Louisiana, two counts extradition proceedings, simple battery, contempt of court, taking contraband to and from penal institutions, criminal conspiracy, $903,000 bail.

Richard Allen Seymour, 57, Alexandria – simple burglary, possession of controlled dangerous substance, possession of synthetic cannabinoid, $3,000 bail;

Tayshaun Lamar Spearman, 20, Alexandria – two counts second degree murder, two counts armed robbery, obstruction of justice, assault drive-by shooting, aggravated criminal damage, producing manufacturing distributing marijuana, contraband taking to and from penal institutions, criminal conspiracy, $2,575,000 bail;

Terrance Benard Swafford, 35, Alexandria – possession of stolen vehicle, flight from officer, illegal possession of stolen firearm, three counts possession of firearm by convicted felon, aggravated assault with a firearm, $225,000 bail;

Mardarius Tyrell Taylor, 24, Alexandria – possession controlled dangerous substance, illegal carry firearm with drugs, expired plate/registration, $15,100 bail;

Demetrius Dontae Demond Tucker, 38, Alexandria – flight from officer, two counts resisting an officer, possession of stolen vehicle, $11,000 bail;

Troymond Jermain Wilson, 36, Pineville – theft, two counts contempt of court, $2,000 bail,

Feb. 17

Alan Robert Augustus, 21, Alexandria – illegal possession of a firearm, home invasion aggravated assault, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, $500 bail;

Issiac Dashawn Baylor, 22, Alexandria – OWI first offense, contributing to delinquency of minors, home invasion aggravated assault, illegal possession of stolen firearms, two counts contempt of court, $12,000 bail;

Javathan Bullions Jr, 17, Alexandria – home invasion aggravated assault, contributing to delinquency of juveniles, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, $2,500 bail;

Christopher Ricardo Holmes, 19, Alexandria – OWI first offense, improper license plate lights, $1,100 bail;

Christopher James Johnson, 40, Woodworth – simple burglary, criminal trespass, $500 bail;

Kevin Windale Jones, 47, Alexandria – aggravated battery, $50,000 bail;

Martin Lopez, 19, Glenmora – domestic abuse battery, aggravated assault domestic abuse, $15,000 bail;

Jametra Kelso McNair, 35, Dallas – possession controlled dangerous substance, expired license plate registration, illegal carry firearm with drugs, $1,000 bail;

Marilyna Radford-Buckner, 22, Alexandria – illegal possession of a stolen firearm, flight from an officer, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, $2,500 bail.

Feb. 16

Carl Anthony Berry Jr, 27, Pineville – theft, disturbing the peace, contempt of court, $3,500 bail;

Kevin Joseph DeSoto, 35, Pineville – aggravated battery, simple assault, disturbing the peace, criminal trespass, $2,000 bail;

Rebecca W. Foster, 46, Elm Grove – theft, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property, criminal mischief, $4,000 bail;

Kimberly Renee Goodman, 42, Alexandria – theft, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $11,000 bail;

Charles Edward Hampton Jr, 42, Lake Charles – producing manufacturing dispensing with intent controlled dangerous substance, improper headlight equipment, $1,600 bail;

Arterio Deville Harris, 42, Alexandria – OWI first offense, domestic abuse battery, criminal trespass, driving under suspension/revocation, open container, $2,870 bail;

Jerome Devon Hobbs, 41, Alexandria – theft, resisting an officer, criminal trespass, $1,500 bail;

Antonio Aleskia McNeal, 57, Woodworth – OWI second offense, open container, careless operation of a vehicle, $1,700 bail.

Elijah Eugene Turner, 22, Pineville – illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, $2,500 bail.

For pet lovers everywhere, February 20 is a special day—National Love Your Pet Day! Whether you have a loyal dog, a curious cat, a talkative parrot, or even a scaly reptile, today is all about appreciating the companionship and joy that pets bring to our lives.

Studies show that owning a pet can significantly reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even improve heart health. From extra treats to long walks or cozy cuddles, pet owners across the country are encouraged to show their furry (or feathery, or scaly) friends a little extra love today.

Animal shelters and rescues also take the opportunity to promote pet adoption, reminding people that countless animals are looking for their forever homes. Whether you’re spoiling your current pet or considering adopting a new one, today is a perfect reminder of the unconditional love that pets bring into our lives.

Gov. Landry’s version of Musk’s Mauraders will find ample starting points according to the latest audit of Louisiana government.

Landry, drafting on President Trump’s lead, has created a Government Efficiency Task Force and charged it with finding ways to make state government more efficient and fiscally responsible.

Where to start could be the first question, based on the Legislative Auditor’s Office latest comprehensive annual report, posted February 14.

The $28 billion in federal funds spent by the state could be the place. Examples:

The La. Workforce Commission over the past four fiscal years has identified about 110,000 paid claims totaling $866 million with various unresolved issues indicating potential overpayment. The same shortcoming in oversight has been noted five consecutive years;

The Department of Hospitals, with more audit findings than Carter has pills, failed last year to screen about one of every four providers in the Children’s Health Insurance Program managed care and dental program, resulting in $42.3 million in questionable costs;

Department of Children & Family Services, for the 12th consecutive year, failed to assure funds, $16 million in this audit, for Temporary Assistance for Needy Children used only for eligible children and their families.

From federal funds accounting the committee can go any direction in the web that is state government. 

Agency size or location is no restriction on questionable issues, according to the report.

Louisiana, like the District of Columbia, has plenty of swamp. 

This forum will feature Dr. Julian Bailes, Dr. Neilank Jha and Monty Chicola as NSU stakes out a leading position for providing training and education for students to take  advantage of and understand the burgeoning industry that is Artificial Intelligence

28 people interested in trapping took part in a free Trapper Education Workshop at the LDWF Pineville office on Saturday, Feb. 15, to get expert tips from members of the Louisiana Trappers and Alligator Hunters Association on trapping basics to increase the odds of catching animals.

Trappers provided hands-on demonstrations of techniques to catch a variety of animals and in different environments, from woods and roadsides to creeks and other waterbodies.

Want to learn more about hunter and trapper education? Visit the website: https://buff.ly/3Kbhzd8

There are still a few spots left for the Big Branch Trapper Workshop on March 1. Register here: https://buff.ly/4gjfycb

BOM is a sponsor of the LA Bombers travel softball team. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Mandy Futrell, Jessica Anders, and BOM’s Maranda Evan’s.

The Red River Rivalry softball matchup Tuesday was a romp by No. 21-ranked LSU Alexandria as the Generals swept a drizzly Red River Athletic Conference doubleheader in Pineville at Louisiana Christian University 10-2 and 11-2.

Posting five-inning run-rule victories, LSUA improved to 9-1 overall and LCU dipped to 6-4 as both teams came off long breaks and began their RRAC schedules.

“Awesome day,” LSUA coach Trent Partridge said.  “We came out and swung the bats well. We didn’t get to have quality practices last week, so I was a little worried about the offense, but I’m extremely proud of them. Our big thing is we want to try and score in every inning and we did that in the second game. Both of them (pitchers Haley Primrose and Alyssa Soileau) filled up the zone.”

In the opener, the Generals put together a pair of innings with crooked numbers on the scoreboard for the victory.

Primrose (5-1) tossed a complete game. She allowed five hits while striking out nine hitters. She also drove in a pair at the plate.

Madi Baker, Kaetlyn Dunbar and Jillian Howell also each drove in two runs. Baker recorded a pair of hits. LSUA finished with eight and drew six walks.

Primrose opened the scoring in the top of the first, lacing a two-run single down the right field line. A two-RBI double from Howell doubled the lead.

The Wildcats replied immediately on a two-run homer by Jordan Dauthier to cut the margin in half.

A bases-loaded walk and a trio of RBI singles from Baker, Kwakernaak, and Dunbar pushed six runs across in the fourth inning for the Generals.

In the second game, LSUA’s offense remained hot while LCU committed five errors, helping the visitors score five unearned runs.
Soileau (3-0) earned the win, pitching four innings and scattering five hits. She struck out a pair and did not issue a free pass.

Kilee Moody went 3-for-4, drove in two runs, and scored three. Baker collected a pair of hits, two RBI, and scored twice.

The Generals scored in every inning. Kwakernaak struck first in the opening frame, driving in Moody with an RBI single.

A single from Howell, an error and an RBI groundout plated three runs in the second. The Wildcats got two runs back in their half of the frame on a Karlie Stine sacrifice fly and an RBI single by Mariel Medrano to make it 4-2.

Over the next three innings, the Generals scored on an RBI single from Baker, RBI doubles by Haley Fontenot and Moody, as well as a pair of errors from the Wildcats.

LCU returns to RRAC play at home Friday in a 2 p.m. doubleheader against Texas A&M-Texarkana. LSUA hosts Jarvis Christian in a league twinbill Saturday at 1.

The Alexandria Museum of Art will host an opening reception for George Rodrique’s “The River Is the Road” exhibit on Friday, March 7, at 6pm. 

Culminating its traveling schedule in Alexandria, this exhibit is the first of its kind and traces 45 years of the river in George Rodrigue’s paintings, exploring the unique ways Rodrigue used the river as a reference to his Cajun heritage, and ultimately as a metaphor for the journey of life. The exhibition, organized by the Life & Legacy Foundation, includes 45 original artworks, including paintings, pastels, and sculptures from the private collection of Wendy Rodrigue, the George Godfrey Rodrigue, Jr. Family Trust, and selected works borrowed from collectors – including AMoA’s Steamboat. This exhibit is funded in part by Telich Custom Homes and Morgan Stanley.