The Rapides Parish School Board released the following statement following a school bus crash on Jackson St. on Tuesday morning, Jan. 28.
“We were made aware of a bus accident that occurred this morning in Alexandria at Jackson St. and Chester St. All 27 students and the bus operator on board are safe. No injuries have been reported. The students have safely made it to their school for the day, and this incident is currently under investigation.”
No further details are available at this time.
Holy Savior Menard is hosting a special Preview Event Thursday, Jan. 30, at 8am.
The school invites the public to come see what makes them different. Explore the high-class academics taught with a small school advantage. Take a tour of the beautiful campus, meet the dedicated and experienced teachers, and discover the rich history of their faith-based education.
The Preview Event gives parents/guardians and students a first-hand look at classrooms, programs, and the welcoming environment where future leaders are made.
LCU will host a fundraiser rummage sale on Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1, at the Martin Performing Arts Center. The sale will run from 12pm to 5pm on Friday and 8am to 4pm on Saturday.
Anyone interested in donating items can email Tabitha Huffman at Tabitha.Huffman@lcuniversity.edu.
All proceeds will help offset the cost of the C.S. Lewis Honor Students’ London Study Abroad trip in May 2025.
“Seeing Stars”
I grew up in a home that encouraged learning. We were expected to do our best when it came to school but let me really translate that for you – we were expected to get good grades. My mom had the Book Mobile stop at our house once a week during the summer to encourage reading. For those of you that have never seen such a thing, it was a huge delivery truck with shelves on the inside filled with books from the library that you could check out. It was like Uber Eats, but for avid readers. It was also assumed that when we graduated High School, we would go to college. If we didn’t go to college, we had to get a job and pay rent to sleep in our childhood bedroom or we could join the military. My brother chose the military. I went to college. However, I was the kid that loved learning and reading and school. I would still be in school today if I could figure out what I wanted to learn next, but I have already earned the highest degree in my field so having more than one Doctorate seems like overkill.
I guess that is why this quote from poet Jack Gilbert grabbed my attention the other day. He has a line in one of his poems that says, “sometimes you have to unlearn the constellations in order to see the stars”. I have spent so many years learning so many different things – from how to tie my shoes, to driving a car, to how to prepare and present a sermon, that I have never stopped to think about unlearning anything. But maybe I should. Perhaps it is time to unlearn some bad habits, or some bad words, or even some bad memories.
What would you like to unlearn? What past hurts do you need to unlearn to be present in a current relationship? What obstacles are blocking your progress? What is robbing you of your joy? What storms are clouding your view of a possible opportunity? Perhaps we can all unlearn what is holding us back so we can see the stars.
On the Journey,
Ramonalynn Bethley
Ramonalynn Bethley is the pastor at First United Methodist Church of Alexandria. If you would like to contact Ramonalynn, you can email her at DrRevRL@fumca.org
The LSUA School of Nursing is proud to announce the launch of its first evening option cohort for the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program, offering a flexible pathway for individuals balancing work, caregiving, and other life commitments. This innovative program began in January with seven students attending classes on Monday and Tuesday evenings, with clinical training on Saturdays. Building on the success of this cohort, LSUA plans to offer two evening classes by Fall 2025 and all four clinical courses by Fall 2026.
The program was developed in response to market research and demographic data collected by the School of Nursing, which revealed significant demand for flexible learning options in central Louisiana. According to Jeff Langston, Dean of the College of Health & Human Services, 70% of current nursing students are married, and 48% have children or serve as caregivers. “This data showed us there is a real need for a nursing program that accommodates those who cannot attend classes during traditional hours,” Langston said. “We’re addressing this demand to make nursing school more accessible to working moms and dads in our area.”
Sarita James, Ph.D., RN, CNE, and Director of the LSUA School of Nursing, emphasized the program’s focus on inclusivity and accessibility. “The evening option allows individuals with daytime commitments to pursue their dreams of becoming registered nurses without compromising their responsibilities,” James said. “This initiative reflects LSUA’s commitment to providing high-quality education tailored to the needs of our community and the healthcare industry.”
For Raven Bryant, a current LSUA employee and newly enrolled pre-nursing student, the program is a life-changing opportunity. “As a mom and full-time worker, this evening option is perfect for me,” Bryant said. “I always wondered how I could work and go to nursing school, and this is my confirmation to get to the finish line.”
As LSUA continues to address the region’s healthcare workforce shortages, the evening option exemplifies the university’s mission to deliver meaningful, high-quality degrees that meet the evolving needs of Central Louisiana.
For more information about LSUA’s nursing programs, visit http://www.lsua.edu/nursing.
BOM is continuing our support of the Grace Christian Warrior Softball Team. Pictured left to right: Sydney Selman and BOM’s Titan Marler.
January 29 marks National Puzzle Day, a celebration of one of humanity’s oldest and most engaging pastimes. From ancient riddles to modern jigsaw puzzles, the act of solving challenges has captivated minds for centuries. Beyond their entertainment value, puzzles offer significant cognitive and emotional benefits, making them a valuable tool for people of all ages.
The origins of puzzles date back thousands of years, with some of the earliest examples being labyrinths and mazes. Jigsaw puzzles, as we know them today, were invented in the 1760s when British cartographer John Spilsbury mounted a map on wood and cut it into pieces to teach geography. Since then, puzzles have evolved into a diverse array of formats, including crosswords, Sudoku, and escape room challenges.
Puzzles are more than just a source of entertainment—they’re a workout for the brain. Solving puzzles helps improve memory, problem-solving skills, and spatial reasoning. For children, puzzles aid in the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. For adults, they offer a way to keep the mind sharp and reduce stress. Studies have even shown that engaging in puzzles regularly can delay the onset of cognitive decline in older adults.
The joy of puzzles lies in their universality. Whether you’re a beginner tackling a simple crossword or a seasoned puzzler working on a 5,000-piece jigsaw, there’s something for everyone. Families can use puzzles as a way to bond, while individuals can enjoy them as a solitary escape.
Celebrate National Puzzle Day by exploring a new type of puzzle or revisiting an old favorite. Consider challenging friends to a puzzle race or working together to complete a complex jigsaw. Libraries and online platforms often offer free puzzle resources, making it easy to join the fun.
By incorporating puzzles into your routine, you can experience the joy of problem-solving while reaping the cognitive benefits. So, grab a puzzle and get solving—you’ll be doing your brain a favor.
By JIM BUTLER
When drafting the current budget last Spring, Alexandria officials didn’t count any chickens before they hatched.
Now it’s time to put the hatch — eight million of them — to work.
The City Council will consider adopting the mid-year revision to the budget at its meeting this evening.
Last April, the administration told the council its proposal for the May 1, 2024-April 30, 2025 fiscal year was taking a circumspect approach to revenue and expense forecasts.
The $74 million General Fund revenue projection while not standstill was cautious. This evening the administration proposes adding $8.27 million to the forecast as the conservative optimism of eight months ago proves well-founded.
Property and city sales taxes are expected to be $3.8 million more than currently budgeted, taking their total to $41.3 million. The city’s piece of the parish sales tax is forecast at $11.5 million, $2.5 million more than initially planned for.
Interest revenue adds $900,000 and use of prior years’ revenue grows by $4.45 million to $16.6 million.
Transfers from the Utility Fund are set at $5.6 million, $4.35 million less than initially planned.
The amendment from Finance Director David Johnson and Budget Officer Paul Carpenter similarly adjusts spending estimates.
(An aside: Carpenter’s work as appointed receiver for Crimestoppers of CENLA is done after hours and apart from his city work.
He was appointed in mid-December by District Judge Mary Doggett to essentially manage the non-profit until she orders otherwise.
That came as result of a suit filed by Kenneth Paul and Daniel Bryant.)
Back to the budget — the largest allocation from the $8.2 million being added to the General Fund is for police vehicles — $2.1 million compared to none in the initial plan.
The department also is appropriated $828,000 more for overtime, added to $1 million previously earmarked, and $480,000 for vehicle repairs and maintenance.
The Fire Department gets another $1.3 million, about half of that for overtime expense.
The amendment brings the Police total budget to $23.6 million and Fire to $14.2. That public safety cost is about 46% of the General Fund spending plan.
Utility Fund revenue and spending is revised downward by $12.1 million, to $104.6 million on each side of the ledger.
The adjustment reflects a considerable difference in fuel cost charges. The revenue total includes use of $15.5 in prior earnings.
Utility Administration reflects an additional $7 million transfer for Capital Projects and $2.7 million transfer for the transit system.
The Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office announced the end of two cases this week, both resulting in conviction wins for the DA.
Nydrek Desean Burns was charged with and found guilty of Theft of a Firearm and Illegal Carry of a Weapon with Drugs. Following the conviction, Burns has been sentenced to five years in prison. This case was prosecuted by ADA Gerald Weeks.
Antonio Cortez Love was charged with and found guilt of CDS I with Intent (>2.5 grams) and Firearm Possession by a Felon. Following the conviction, Love has been sentenced to eight years in prison. This case was prosecuted by ADA Charles “Chuck” Johnson.
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs played in New Orleans for a Super Bowl trophy, it was 1970, and the game was played outdoors at Tulane Stadium, and tickets cost $15.
It was a dud of a game, not worth the price of admission, many agreed, with Kansas City beating the error-prone Minnesota Vikings 23-7. Bill Carter, then the sports editor for the Alexandria Town Talk, wrote in his post-game column, “Citizens who paid $15 to see the Super Bowl didn’t think it compared with the Sugar Bowl game between Ole Miss and Arkansas, for thrills and execution.”
In that Sugar Bowl game, also at Tulane Stadium, earlier that month, Archie Manning passed for 273 yards and a touchdown to lead 13th-ranked Ole Miss to a 27-22 upset over No. 3 Arkansas.
In Super Bowl IV — the last matchup of NFL and AFL teams before the two leagues merged — the winning Chiefs got $15,000 each. The losing Vikings each got $7,500. Oh, how times have changed. The winners of this year’s Super Bowl will get $178,000 each, and the losers, $103,000 each.
Compared to that $15 ticket in 1970, the cheapest ticket for this Super Bowl, scheduled Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Superdome, is roughly $6,500 – just 1 grand less than what the Vikings each got as runners-up in Super Bowl IV.
No team has won three straight Super Bowls. As tough as it is to win one, it’s even tougher to win two in a row, and more remarkable to win three straight titles.
Yet this brings a “hold my beer” moment. Should the Chiefs accomplish a threepeat, they would still have some work to do to achieve the five straight World Series titles the New York Yankees claimed from 1949-53, and they’d have much more work to do to match the eight straight NBA crowns won by the Boston Celtics from 1959-66. Perhaps more remarkable, the Celtics competed for the NBA championship in 10 consecutive seasons from 1957-66.
The shivering snowy weather New Orleans just went through last week came to mind when I saw a newspaper clipping from days before the Super Bowl IV game with a picture of Chiefs quarterback Lenny Dawson wearing a coat and shivering in 24-degree cold. He was posing in front of a frozen fountain in front of the team’s hotel.
That Chiefs team had several players from Louisiana on its roster: safety Johnny Robinson and center Remi Prudhomme from LSU, defensive tackle Buck Buchanan and cornerback Goldie Sellers from Grambling and running back Bob Holmes and wide receiver Frank Pitts from Southern.
Robinson, who had two fumble recoveries and a big interception in the Chiefs’ victory, roomed with quarterback Lenny Dawson the week before the game, and he was quoted after the game as saying they both had trouble sleeping the night before the game. Dawson couldn’t sleep because he was in the news because of an alleged link (found later to be untrue) to gamblers, not to mention nursing the emotional wounds from losing his father to a heart attack earlier in the season. Robinson couldn’t sleep because of an exceedingly painful torn rib cage.
Robinson, a Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame member who was an All-American at LSU and member of the Tigers’ 1958 national championship team, got a shot of Novocain before the game and another one at halftime to help him endure his pain during the contest. Dawson, meanwhile, was cool, calm and efficient in leading the offense and winning the game’s MVP award.
That game is also remembered, thanks to NFL Films, for Chiefs coach Hank Stram agreeing (for $500) to wear a microphone during the game.
Probably his most remembered and widely quoted line from that experience was when he exhorted his offense to “just keep matriculating the ball down the field, boys.”
Super Bowl IV is also remembered for a halftime show like nothing ever seen before or since. After performances from the likes of Carol Channing and the Southern University band, there was a re-enactment of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, with many cannon blasts that left the field so smoky it was difficult to see the action on the field early in the third quarter.
For a dud of a game, it also lives on in memories for yet another scene, this during the pregame ceremonies. Two hot-air balloons were supposed to lift off for each team. The Chiefs balloon rose without incident, but the balloon with a Vikings mascot in the basket dragged across the field before crashing into the stands.
Maybe that $15 ticket was worth the price of admission after all was said and undone.
The Pineville High School Rebel Cheerleaders took gold at the National Cheerleaders Association National Championship. Pineville High School extended its congratulations to the team on social media, praising their “hard work, dedication, and team spirit,” since it “paid off in the biggest way.”
Tioga High School’s cheerleaders brought home 2nd place from the Championship and won the “Best Use of Jumps” award. The team expressed pride in themselves on social media, adding that “This is just the beginning and we can’t wait to return to NCA nationals 2026.”
Congratulations to both teams.
The Rapides Parish Police Jury has announced that the following roads are closed to traffic due to high water:
The Alexandria Police Department responded to the 1300 block of Enterprise Road in reference to a shooting that sent one person to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening injury on Sunday, Jan. 26, at approximately 10:35pm.
A suspect in this case has been identified as 42-year-old Michael W. Collins of Alexandria. Currently, APD has a warrant for the arrest of Collins for one count of Attempted Second Degree Murder. Collins should be considered armed and dangerous.
This is currently an ongoing investigation.
If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, contact the Alexandria Police Detective Division at the phone number 318-441-6416, or APD Dispatch 318-441-6559. Information can also be emailed to detectives at APDDetectives@cityofalex.com.
For a cash reward, call Crime Stoppers of CenLa at 318-443-7867. The Crime Stoppers P3 Tipster App can also be downloaded to leave tips and get a claim number for a cash reward at www.p3tips.com/community/mobile.