By JIM BUTLER

Managing the message is among things changing at LSU Alexandria as the booming campus prepares for the Fall semester:

Faculty convocation today, student move-in Thursday, last orientation Friday, classes next Monday and reminders that an external communication policy is now on the books.

Such is not new to campuses, or businesses and government for that matter, across the land.

According to policy adopted earlier this month, the university Division of Strategic Communication will administer it in its role of coordinating news coverage and being responsible for overseeing official communications with the media.

Gagging is not the objective of formalizing the process for handling media requests and inquiries.

According to the document, the goal is protecting the school’s image while providing faculty full opportunity to engage in area of expertise.

Another way to say that is that responses to media inquiries must make it clear that such do not represent the university.

The policy “does not restrict faculty and staff from expressing opinions or providing information in area of expertise. It does apply to questions of policy, academic programs, personnel, students, public or private events that should be referred to the proper administrator or designated spokesman.”

When media types are on campus, the policy notes, they should be accompanied, when appropriate, by university representatives.

If personnel are contacted directly, it is suggested Strategic Communications be contacted before responding.

Issues from silly to serious can become campus news in these days of social media interactions.

A silly, to some, for instance – do athletes retain right to uniform number usage?

A serious, to most, for instance – how is change in duration of status for student visa holders affecting school?

The policy would apply to inquiries and responses in either instance should a reporter ask.

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Rapides Parish Police Jury Sues Acadian Ambulance Over Response Time Failures. The Rapides Parish Police Jury has filed a 22-count lawsuit in Rapides Parish District Court against Acadian Ambulance Service, the parish’s former sole emergency medical provider for more than 30 years, alleging systematic misreporting of response times over a six-year period. Court documents filed August 12 allege that Acadian improperly omitted an average of one-third of all emergency calls from its monthly compliance reports, citing “excess calls” as justification. After the police jury reviewed 240 compliance reports dating to 2019 and restored the excluded calls, attorneys say Acadian met the required response time standard only 14 times over six years. In areas such as Pineville, where ambulances were required to respond to life-threatening calls within eight minutes, Acadian reportedly met that benchmark as little as 40 percent of the time in some months. Acadian responded that it has reached out on numerous occasions to parish counsel since August 2025 to resolve the dispute and welcomes mediation under fair terms.

Louisiana Board of Ethics Files Suit to Block Ball Mayoral Candidate. The Louisiana Board of Ethics filed an electoral suit in the 9th Judicial District Court challenging Ball Alderman Marc Mercer’s eligibility to appear on the November 3 mayoral ballot. The suit comes after a separate resident challenge was dismissed for lack of evidence earlier this month. The Board of Ethics suit centers on allegations that Mercer failed to disclose outstanding ethics fees on required election documents. An independent review of the Board of Ethics database found Mercer owes approximately $2,975 in assessed fines, fees, and penalties for late campaign finance and personal financial disclosure filings dating to 2019, with an additional $475 referred to the Louisiana Attorney General’s office. Mercer declined to comment, saying he had not yet been served with official court documents.

Oakdale Man Sentenced to Three Years in Federal Prison for Impersonating DEA Agent. John Gueringer, 51, of Oakdale, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge James D. Cain Jr. after pleading guilty to impersonating a federal officer. According to court records, on July 22, 2024, Oakdale Police officers responded to a domestic disturbance at a residence where they encountered Gueringer wearing a lanyard bearing what appeared to be an authentic DEA badge. Gueringer repeatedly identified himself as a federal agent and instructed officers to contact the DEA in an apparent effort to avoid arrest. Investigators confirmed he had no affiliation with the agency. Gueringer admitted he acted with intent to mislead law enforcement.

Emily McGruder, president and CEO of the Central Louisiana Community Foundation (CLCF), spoke to the Rotary Club of Pineville on Thursday.

CLCF accepts charitable funds established through gifts and bequests from individuals, families, businesses and other nonprofit organizations.

The foundation brings together the region’s citizens, financial advisors and nonprofit agencies to stimulate charitable giving and improve the quality of life in Central Louisiana. CLCF invests these funds to increase philanthropic capacity across the region.

Donor-advised funds allow CLCF donors to support causes and organizations they care about. Local nonprofits can establish Agency Funds to create an income stream by receiving returns on cash reserves for future or current needs. Field-of-Interest Funds are established to support a particular cause or philanthropy.

Businesses and families can establish Scholarship Funds to support regional education needs.

McGruder’s office can be reached at 318-445-7702.

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The Corner Drug & Wellness Pharmacy is coming soon to Alexandria, owned and operated by Austin Peavy, PharmD.

The pharmacy will be located at 4116 Jackson Street and will serve Alexandria and the surrounding community with personalized pharmacy care, wellness support and a community-first experience.

Opening details and service updates will be announced.

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By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

MEMPHIS – After a sensational 62 Saturday lifted him into a final group pairing with his pal Scottie Scheffler, Sam Burns’ final round at the FedEx St. Jude Championship Sunday quickly went awry.

The former two-time LSU All-American began Sunday tied for second, two shots behind Scheffler’s 13-under par. A water-ball double bogey on the par-5 third hole, Burns’ second in three days there, started a skid that produced a 3-over 73 over the final 18, and dipped him to a third-place tie at 8-under (67-70-62-73 – 272).

Scheffler also started slowly but found his groove and carded a finishing 66 when the average score was over par (70.56, nearly a stroke higher than any of the first three rounds). The 66 was the second-lowest total Sunday as he claimed his second win of the season and 21^st career, making him the third-youngest golfer ever (behind Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus) to reach that milestone.

After doubling the par-5 third, Burns added a bogey two holes later. He birdied the par-3 seventh, but bogeys at 10 and 13 killed any chance, although he steadied with birdies at 14 and the par-5 16^th. He finished with a bogey on 18, his third in four days on the closing hole.

It was in stark contrast to Saturday’s 8-under card, which included six birdies on the front side — and a par on 18. 

“Honestly, I don’t think it would have mattered even if I played well,” Burns said. “(Scheffler)  was going to be really hard to beat today, and unfortunately, I played not very good. He played exactly how I expected him to.“

Scheffler finished 17 under, eight shots clear of second-place Si Woo Kim. Only five pros in history have recorded two or more wins by at least eight shots (Woods had 10, three others before Sunday had a pair). It was the second in the Texan’s career. 

As it turned out, Burns would have needed a final-round 64 to force a playoff, but with poor driving (hitting only 5 of 14 fairways Sunday), and a tougher course, that was out of reach.

“I just looked at my stats for the week. I think I finished — I lost like 2 1/2 strokes off the tee. It’s not a golf course you want to do that on,“ he said.

“I just played out of position a lot today. It’s a really, really difficult golf course from the rough, and unfortunately, I was in the rough a lot.

“Honestly, the last three weeks at home I didn’t do a ton of golf. We have a newborn (back home in Choudrant). It was nice to come here and see where my game is. Obviously I have some work to do to get ready for next week with some longer clubs. I hit the ball really nicely with my irons. I putted it good. 

“Overall I feel really good going into the next two weeks,” he said. “It was nice to come here, have a good week and jumpstart the playoffs.”

The top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings advanced to the second playoff event, the BMW Championship up the Mississippi River in St. Louis beginning Thursday at Bellerive Country Club. The top 30 in the standings after next Sunday reach the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta

Burns, a 30-year-old native of Shreveport, edged up two spots, from eighth to sixth, in the FedEx Cup race and will play in Atlanta for the sixth straight year. 

He collected $1.16 million for third at Memphis, raising his season’s earnings to a career-best $8.7 million including four top five finishes in 18 starts.

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After 25 years of service to the Alexandria Police Department and the Alexandria community, Lt. Josh Peppers is beginning his next chapter.

Friends and colleagues recently gathered to celebrate Peppers and recognize his years of service alongside the men and women of the Alexandria Police Department.

The department recognized Peppers’ experience, leadership and commitment and thanked him for 25 years of service.

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Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Aug. 16

Jermaine Bronson Augustine, 39, Marksville – OWI second offense, running a yellow light, $1,600 bail;

Ashley Nicole Difulco, 40, Pineville – OWI, running a stop sign, $1,300 bail;

Dawson Cade Jones, 25, Urania – OWI second offense, careless operation of a vehicle, open container, $1,700 bail;

Kiearra L. Senegal, 25, Eunice – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Ladayshea T. Senegal, 26, Eunice – OWI first offense, speeding, $1,100 bail.

Aug. 15

Cleondra Marshawn Bernard, 25, Lafayette – criminal conspiracy, simple escape, no bail data;

Jamira Shacole Bush, 28, Alexandria – improper display vehicle license, four counts contempt of court, $9,100 bail;

Kayla Renee Jackson, 27, Lafayette – criminal conspiracy, assisting escape, accessory after the fact, no bail data;

Chad Anthony Peavy, 35, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, driving under suspension, safety belt, parole violations, modified exhaust, $1,300 bail;

Hunter Bradford Smith, 24, Pineville – careless operation of a vehicle, operating without insurance, driving under suspension, failure to report accident, improper window tint, running a stop sign, $600 bail;

Adrian Lamond Swafford, 41, Pineville – aggravated assault, disturbing the peace, $1,000 bail;

Xavier Terrell Timothy Jr., 32, Lecompte – speeding, possession of CDS, $1,600 bail;

Kasbey Cortez Williams, 47, Alexandria – possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, improper window tint, no insurance, improper display vehicle license plate, $300 bail;

Joseph Marshall Winborne, 46, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $2,000 bail.

Aug. 14

Hollie Ann Brooks, 32, Pineville – simple escape, three counts possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $77,500 bail;

Jeremy Coutee, 18, Alexandria – aggravated criminal damage, possession of handgun by a juvenile, obstruction of justice, no bail data;

Crystal Lynn Crawford, 27, Alexandria – theft, contempt of court, $3,000 bail;

Bryant Desselle, 31, Pineville – 10 counts forgery, 10 counts theft, exploitation of the infirmed, $500 bail;

Johnathan Willis Drerup, 41, Boyce – 13 counts allowing dogs to run free, $6,500 bail;

Hardy Dewayne Dunn Jr., 47, Boyce – criminal conspiracy, parole violations, safety belt, possession of CDS, no driver’s license, improper lane usage, three counts contempt of court, $2,300 bail;

Devonna Antionette Hampton, 34, Alexandria – possession of CDS, criminal trespass, $5,500 bail;

Dwight Edwin Poole, 70, Crowley – possession of CDS, two counts criminal trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia, $3,000 bail;

Corey Ray Ryland, 43, Shreveport – aggravated battery, false imprisonment, $500 bail;

Jeffery Lenard Smith, 51, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery strangulation, no bail data;

Christopher Sykes, 47, Alexandria – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail;

Tradale Andrew Williams, 35, Pineville – aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, two counts possession of CDS, failure to comply with provisions of a supervised release, parole violations, $15,000 bail;

Tyler D. Winchester, 20, Alexandria – illegal use of weapons, concealed negligent carry handgun, no bail data.

Aug. 13

Cody Daniel Bates, 28, Deville – domestic abuse battery with child present, $5,000 bail;

Delrick Beard, 24, Natchitoches – four counts aggravated assault with a firearm, concealed negligent carry of handgun, resisting an officer, two counts Louisiana fugitive, $101,000 bail;

Luther Durwood Birch, 37, Alexandria – criminal trespass, resisting arrest, contempt of court, $3,000 bail;

Theresa A. Bordelon, 52, Boyce – violation of protective orders (second/subsequent conviction), $10,000 bail;

Denzel Rakeem Calhoun, 35, Alexandria – criminal conspiracy, criminal damage to property, simple burglary, contempt of court, $50,000 bail;

Terry Cooper, 62, Zwolle – two counts contempt of court, $200,000 bail;

Marcy Thomas Couteter, 50, Pineville – two counts aggravated assault, simple burglary, two counts resisting an officer, $7,000 bail;

Jacob Laighton Durant, 42, Pineville – three counts contempt of court, $7,000 bail;

Christopher Morrisell Farris, 33, Alexandria – manslaughter, two counts contempt of court, $600,000 bail;

Crystal Mae Gordon, 37, Boyce – two counts aggravated assault, disturbing the peace, violation of protective orders, $200,500 bail;

Jerry Lee Gray, 49, Alexandria – three counts contempt of court, extradition proceedings, $12,000 bail;

Michael Loren Reeder, 46, Alexandria – violation of protective orders, failure to appear, $10,500 bail;

Benjamin Chadrick Stinson, 40, Pineville – four counts contempt of court, $210,000 bail;

Tonnie Wells Jr., 33, Marksville – three counts possession of CDS, no license plate light, failure to appear, two counts contempt of court, $3,800 bail.

Aug. 12

Ashton Balise Basco, 27, Pineville – stalking, aggravated public intimidation and retaliation, criminal trespass, $60,500 bail;

Ethan Cotton, 19, Deville – simple escape, simple battery of a police officer, disturbing the peace violent and tumultuous manner, $2,500 bail;

Ricky Joseph Dauzat II, 31, Lena – OWI second offense, lamp or flag on projecting load, no license plate light, open container, $1,800 bail;

Leigha N. Deville, 36, Woodworth – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, contempt of court, $6,000 bail;

German G. Elvir, 48, Ball – cruelty to juveniles, flight from an officer, resisting an officer, contempt of court, $29,000 bail;

Ayden Lane Henagan, 17, Ball – first degree rape, $1 million bail;

Michael Lynn Owens, 55, Pineville – OWI first offense, improper lane usage, improper turn, $2,200 bail;

Coby J. Quinney, 21, Pineville – possession of CDS, illegal carrying a weapon, $2,000 bail;

Javon Sanders, 22, Alexandria – stalking, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, two counts contempt of court, $75,000 bail;

Shanowa Dawn Simon, 40, Pineville – theft (second/subsequent conviction), criminal trespass, two counts contempt of court, Louisiana fugitive, $4,000 bail;

Sunny Mariah Stanford, 46, Pineville – theft, two counts contempt of court, $5,000 bail.

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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Johnny Monroe Cryer, who left us on Friday, August 14, 2026. Johnny, born February 20, 1953, was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and devoted husband. He will be remembered for his love of music, his incredible talent as a piano player, and the warmth he brought to the people around him.

Graveside services for Johnny will be held at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2026 in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball with Reverend Benji Rhame officiating under the direction of Hixson Brothers Alexandria.

Johnny dedicated much of his career to serving as a corrections officer. Outside of work, music was one of his greatest passions. An amazing piano player, he had a special gift for bringing music to life and sharing it with others. He loved listening to live bands, spending time with friends, and enjoying the simple moments that made life meaningful.

Above all, Johnny loved his family. He was a proud father to his two daughters and cherished his role as a grandfather and great-grandfather.

He is survived by his daughters, Chelsea Null and her husband, Dustin Null, and Cassie Cryer; his grandchildren, Alexis Null and Mason Null; and his great-grandson, Colstyn Null.

Johnny was preceded in death by his beloved wife of more than 25 years, Sandra Cryer, as well as his mother, Emily Cryer, and his father, Monroe Cryer.

Johnny’s memory will live on through his family, his music, the friendships he treasured, and the many lives he touched along the way. Though he will be deeply missed, the love, laughter, and music he shared will remain with those who knew and loved him.

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Eva Doris Woolfolk Powell was born on February 5, 1944, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to the late Austin Williams Woolfolk and Leona Valley Woolfolk. On Thursday, August 13, 2026, she peacefully transitioned from this earthly life at CHRISTUS St. Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, Louisiana, at the age of 82.

Eva was a woman whose life was marked by love, education, family, faith, and a genuine appreciation for the beauty of life. She valued education and pursued her studies through the graduate level, earning a Master’s Degree. Her passion for learning ultimately became a passion for teaching others. She devoted her professional career to public education as a teacher with the Rapides Parish School Board. Teaching was more than simply an occupation for Eva; it was something she truly enjoyed and a meaningful part of the legacy she leaves behind.

Her faith was also an important foundation in her life. Eva was a faithful member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where she shared in the fellowship and spiritual life of her church family.

Outside of her professional and church commitments, Eva embraced life with warmth and enthusiasm. She enjoyed traveling and had a special fondness for bright colors, which beautifully reflected her vibrant personality. Above all, she loved her family deeply. Her children and grandchildren held a particularly treasured place in her heart, and the time she spent with those she loved brought her tremendous joy.

Eva shared her life in marriage with her beloved husband, James Powell, Jr. Together, they built a family and a lifetime of cherished memories.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Austin Williams Woolfolk and Leona Valley Woolfolk; one brother, Zera Hill; and three sisters, Ophelia Woolfolk Hobbs, Emma Woolfolk Marve, and Audrey Woolfolk King.

Eva leaves to cherish her precious memory her loving husband, James Powell, Jr.; two sons, James Terrance Powell and Christopher Byron Powell, both of Alexandria, Louisiana; two grandchildren, Christine Ciera Powell of Los Angeles, California, and Jameson Blake Powell of Ruston; two brothers, Austin Woolfolk (Willa) of Lexington, Kentucky, and Fred Woolfolk (Beverly) of Alexandria, Louisiana; two sisters, Dorothy Woolfolk Devall of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Juanita Woolfolk Johnson of Kenner, Louisiana; two special nieces, Lynn Martin Brown and Kathy Marve; along with a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, former students, colleagues, and all whose lives were touched by her kindness and dedication.

Though her earthly journey has ended, Eva’s influence will continue through the generations she taught, the family she loved, the faith she demonstrated, and the countless memories she leaves behind.

Celebration of Life

Public Viewing and Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church, 3500 Jones Avenue, Alexandria, Louisiana 71302.

The Funeral Service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church.

Following the service, Mrs. Powell will be laid to rest in the Garden of Memories Cemetery, 2733 Eddie Williams Avenue, Alexandria, Louisiana 71302.

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Phonetic: /jo·​cund/

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition

marked by or suggestive of high spirits and lively mirthfulness

a poet could not but be gay, in such a jocund company …
—William Wordsworth

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Dianne Louise Brown
May 16, 1945 – August 14, 2026
Service: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 11am at St. Rita Catholic Church, Alexandria.

Johnny Monroe Cryer
February 20, 1953 – August 14, 2026
Service: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 9am at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Ball.

Reverend Carroll “C.V.” Voyght Bradford
March 19, 1940 – August 13, 2026
Service: Monday, August 17, 2026, 11am at Open Door Community Church, Deville.

Nora Marie Lemoine
September 20, 1945 – August 13, 2026
Service: Monday, August 17, 2026, 10am at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Alexandria.

Eva Doris Woolfolk Powell
February 5, 1944 – August 13, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 1pm at Bethel AME Church, Alexandria.

Levi Butler, Jr.
February 4, 1953 – August 11, 2026
Service: Monday, August 17, 2026, 11am at Citadel Church of God in Christ, Alexandria.

Billie Grace Veal Hynson
December 9, 1942 – August 11, 2026
Service: Tuesday, August 18, 2026, 11am at Mt. Calvary Baptist Baptist Church, Alexandria.

John F. Lorio
November 30, 1934 – August 5, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 11am at St Frances Cabrini Church, Alexandria.

Henderius Joseph Fulton, Jr
April 26, 2025 – August 4, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 11am at The Citadel Church of God in Christ, Alexandria.

Brenda Sue White
December 14, 1958 – May 27, 2026
Service: Saturday, August 22, 2026, 11am at Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria.

The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access.

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BATON ROUGE – The greatest figure in LSU sports history died early Friday morning.

He had a hand in 11 LSU national championships – five as a head baseball coach in 18 seasons, four more when as the school’s athletic director in seven years he hired head coaches who won nattys in four sports and was a mentor after his retirement to another head coach who won two national championships.

The best head college baseball coach ever.

Five nattys in 11 CWS trips. Six SEC championships, 870 wins. Olympic gold and bronze medals. Six-time national Coach of the Year, an award renamed as the Skip Bertman National Coach of the Year.

One of the two most influential beacons who sparked the SEC’s rise as the undisputed King of the College World Series, demonstrating to athletic directors throughout the country their schools could have viable baseball programs by hiring the right coach and giving him the resources to win.

Former players, spread throughout the nation, became successful in every field imaginable, from coaching to broadcasting sports, from psychologists to major leaguers to doctors, lawyers, finance managers and bankers, and more. No matter how many years had passed since he shared a dugout with them, they were always “his boys.”

Skip Bertman’s remarkable life ceased at just past 1 a.m. Friday at Baton Rouge General, his three daughters watching as their beloved dad’s heart took its last beat at age 88.

The reaction was predictable. There was sorrow, mixed with gratitude from Omaha to Baton Rouge and throughout college baseball.

“Coach Bertman was so far ahead of his time while leading the LSU Tigers, and as a young coach just starting my journey, I watched, studied, and admired his incredible skills of leading, motivating, teaching, coaching, and ultimately cultivating what became ‘The Powerhouse’ of College Baseball’,” current LSU head baseball coach Jay Johnson said. “Being able to share the 2023 and 2025 national championships with Coach Bertman watching is something I wouldn’t trade for the world.

“The impact he made and legacy he has left on the state of Louisiana and college baseball is beyond remarkable and will never be duplicated.”

Former Mississippi State and Georgia head baseball coach Ron Polk, who teamed with Bertman in elevating SEC baseball, was Bertman’s friend for 60 years.

“We roomed together three summers for USA Baseball, put on 50 or 60 clinics all over the country and went 35-35 against each other,” Polk said. “I’ve been a part of his life and he’s been part of mine for all our coaching careers. I’ve got so many great stories about Skip. I’m going to miss him.”

Everybody Bertman touched as LSU’s head baseball coach, then as athletic director and then a man who simply loved life, will hurt for the next few days.

Then, they will laugh at the memory of how he made them laugh, even when he was honest.

Because they knew he loved them.  He was always “their coach.”

Baseball was just Bertman’s classroom to teach lessons that stretched far beyond the field.

“Coach Bertman would always like to say, ‘We’re getting a Harvard education in baseball,’” longtime LSU manager Russell Rome told former LSU Baton Rouge Advocate beat writer Jim Mashek. “To me, and to a lot of the guys in my time, it was more like a Harvard education in life.”

One of the few positive things Bob Brodhead did in his rocky tenure from 1982 to 1986 as LSU athletic director was hire then-University of Miami associate head coach Bertman to resuscitate a Tigers’ program that was lightly regarded, like most of the SEC schools.

Almost all were embarrassing afterthoughts with miniscule budgets, crumbling facilities and head coaches who pulled double-duty in their athletic departments.

Like Jim Smith, whose side gig was LSU’s head baseball coach from 13 seasons from 1966 to 1979. His main job was the Tigers’ football equipment manager, who often had to make sure the football team was properly equipped daily for spring football practice before heading across Nicholson Drive to coach baseball.

Brodhead, having worked for the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, knew had a unique skill set learned from then-Miami head coach Ron Fraser.

Fraser wasn’t just a great coach but also was a master promoter after the school cut his budget.

There were giveaways for everything from trips to Las Vegas (fans had to bring suitcases to the ballpark to leave immediately if they won) to a free heart procedure.

Bertman brought some that same chutzpah as soon as he arrived at LSU in early summer 1983.

“The first meeting at LSU I had with a small group of baseball boosters called the Coaches Committee, they asked me what I wanted,” Bertman once recalled. I said, ‘I want a clean women’s restroom with diaper changing table.’

“They thought I was crazy. I tried to explain to them that if Momma doesn’t come to the game, nobody comes. If Momma can’t enjoy the restroom and change the baby, nobody comes.”

In his first five years, he conducted clinics across the state along with an assistant for 10 straight weeks during the season on the Tigers’ off day on Monday after a weekend series.

It built in his in-state talent base for the Tigers’ remarkable of national titles in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and finally 2000.

Simultaneously, he had to educate a fan base that added newbies every year that the program took another step forward.

First, they had to learn his name. Many fans called him `Slip Bertram.’”

“I’d hear fans scream `Hey Bertram these referees stink’,” Bertman remembered. “I’d say ‘They’re not referees. They’re called umpires and they stink pretty bad.’ ”

As LSU piled up wins, national championships and led the nation in attendance to provide revenue, athletic directors around the SEC and nation began calling then-LSU athletic director Joe Dean. They wanted to know how LSU turned baseball into a moneymaker. Dean just sent the calls to Bertman, who was happy to pass on his blueprint to eager ADs his blueprint.

That was the liftoff for SEC baseball. New stadiums were built, old ones were given facelifts and salaries were raised to draw better coaches.

Since 1990, 11 SEC schools have combined to win winning 18 national titles and finish runner-up 12 times. Six national championship games or CWS title series matched two SEC teams.

When Bertman retired as head coach and transitioned to athletic director in 2001 replacing the retiring Dean, he hired four national title winning coaches during his tenure.

They were Les Miles (football), Dennis Shaver (track and field), Chuck Winstead (men’s golf) and Paul Mainieri (baseball).

Before retiring as athletic director in 2008, Bertman pushed through plans for the construction of a new Alex Box Stadium.

It opened in 2009, the field was named in his honor in 2013 and a statue of Bertman was erected in front of the stadium in 2019.

Bertman gave a 15-minute speech at the unveiling ceremony. It ended with a line that many of his former players in the crowd knew by heart and mouthed the words as he spoke.

“If you vividly imagine, heartily desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act on it every day, it will come to pass,” Bertman said.

And it did.

Rest in peace Skip.

You were the greatest.

But you already knew that.

Contact Ron at ronhigginsmedia@gmail.com

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COMMENTARY by DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

One of the endless list of great things about Skip Bertman: he was always willing to help.

Not just at LSU, where he was the architect of a baseball dynasty that has continued a quarter century after he left the dugout; and where he was the athletic director who fostered the still-running golden era of Tiger sports.

Not just in Baton Rouge.

Or even Louisiana. He is treasured in his hometown of Miami, around the Southeastern Conference, in Omaha, and at every level of college baseball from coast to coast, border to border.

But most of all, in every corner of Louisiana.

We’re reading and watching and hearing tributes pour in from every seat, from inside the dugout with him to the left field bleachers and far outside the ballpark, after he passed away early Friday morning, surrounded by family, at age 88.

From big leaguers to players and coaches on little league teams, there is a bottomless trove of tales about conversations with consequences, wit and wisdom passed along, kindnesses extended, and Midas touch moves that won games, and hearts.

They’re not just tinted purple and gold.

You can count on one finger times the fan base of Tulane’s Green Wave has good memories of anything LSU did. But for years, and especially today, they recall how minutes after his final game as LSU’s coach, a loss to Tulane in a 2001 regional final that lifted Rick Jones’ team to its first College World Series, Bertman took the occasion to speak to those young men, praising their accomplishments to that point and encouraging them to soak in the Omaha experience, and sparkle in it.

The people were always more important to him. Right alongside the game, and upholding its code of respect.

What he did to nurture baseball around Louisiana is profound. Until Bertman got LSU out of the doldrums, college baseball didn’t exactly capture the attention of people from Shreveport to Thibodaux, or Lake Charles to Ruston and Monroe.

He hired coaches from here. He recruited players from here. He took his teams everywhere, and welcomed the state’s colleges to Alex Box Stadium. Because it was good for everybody.

Bertman played local teams in their ballparks, from Tigue Moore Field at USL/UL Lafayette  to Brown-Stroud Field in Natchitoches, at Sheehee Stadium on Centenary’s campus, from J.C. Love Field in Ruston to Ray Didier Field in Thibodaux. His teams broke a barrier when they drove across town to visit Roger Cador’s Southern Jaguars. He brought the Tigers to Fair Grounds Field in Shreveport, venerable Bringhurst Park in Alexandria, and would have happily played in an empty rice field in Crowley if asked.

The year after Airline High School product Todd Walker led LSU to the 1993 CWS crown, Bertman welcomed Billy Allgood’s NAIA Louisiana College Wildcats to the Box. It turned out to be an historic night when LC prevailed 7-5, the first and only time an NAIA team beat a reigning NCAA champ. It wasn’t a catastrophe. Those Tigers got back to Omaha, one of 11 visits there, five ending in glory.

The last CWS triumph came in 2000, four months after Houston swept a three-game series at LSU, and sports talk radio lit up with angry fans. The game’s passed him by, said one caller. Not at all. Not ever.

Former Northwestern State coach John Cohen will forever remember the sight of Bertman bounding across the grassy I-49 median near Bunkie, after LSU’s team bus broke down and Skip was due to speak at a pregame fundraiser in Natchitoches. For love of the game, to help a young coach lift up his program.

Another NSU coach, the Demons’ version of Neil Armstrong, owes his incredible career to Bertman. Bossier City native Jim Wells became a College Baseball Hall of Famer after massive turnarounds with the Demons and Alabama’s Crimson Tide. And after he was Skip’s assistant from 1987-89.

“You start thinking about people who impact our life, and there aren’t that many outside of your parents. Coach Bertman was right up there,” Wells told NSU publicist Jason Pugh Friday.

“When he got hired at LSU. I was coaching Loyola (College Prep in Shreveport) and the All-City Team comes out. (Next to that story in) the right-hand corner, I read, ‘LSU hires Skip Bertman from Miami.’ I didn’t know Skip Bertman, but I know Miami is good. I started writing him from then on, and I finally got on his staff. It’s crazy to think I became good friends with him, and he became such a big part of my life.”

In those formative three seasons with the Tigers, Wells soaked in every moment. When he applied for the Northwestern job in 1989, Bertman made a pitch to NSU president Bobby Alost, and Demon baseball was forever elevated because Wells noticed everything his mentor did.

“Everyone knows he was brilliant and a great coach, but he had a great sense of humor. He was one of the funniest people in the world. A day didn’t go by when I didn’t think of things he said in meetings and how he coached the team. I used to love to stand beside him and pick up what he said, even if it was just him mumbling to himself.

“Every time we played each other, we would get together for lunch. My assistants would get mad at me. Once we were lucky enough to beat them, and he asked me a question about something in the game, and I told him. My assistants said, ‘Coach, we’ve got to play them again.’ It didn’t matter. Whatever he asked me, I couldn’t not answer. I couldn’t disappoint him.”

Because Skip Bertman rarely, if ever, disappointed anyone else.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

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By BILL FRANQUES, LSU Sr. Associate Communications Director (Baseball)

BATON ROUGE —  J. Stanley “Skip” Bertman, the legendary LSU baseball coach and athletics director whose innovative vision significantly impacted the state of Louisiana, its flagship university, and the evolution of collegiate athletics, passed away early Friday morning in Baton Rouge. He was 88 years old.

Bertman, born in Detroit, Mich., on May 23, 1938, and raised in Miami Beach, Fla., arrived at LSU in the summer of 1983 and guided the Tigers to five NCAA national championships (1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000) and 11 College World Series appearances during his 18-season tenure (1984-2001) as baseball coach before working as athletics director for seven years.

As athletics director, he hired four coaches who won national championships at LSU – Les Miles (football), Paul Mainieri (baseball), Chuck Winstead (men’s golf) and Dennis Shaver (men’s and women’s track & field) – and led LSU Athletics when Nick Saban and Miles won BCS football crowns.

Bertman was instrumental in the implementation of new fundraising methods that changed the trajectory of LSU Athletics.

Bertman is survived by his daughters, Jan, Jodi and Lori, and by his grandchildren, Sophie, Isaac, Sam and Ezra. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Dr. Lisa Jo Pate, and by his wife of 63 years, Sandy, who passed away in March 2025. Skip and Sandy met in 1961 when both were working as teachers at Madie Ives Elementary School in Miami, Fla. The couple was engaged three months later and married on February 11, 1962.

“Few people have had a greater impact on LSU,” said LSU Vice President/Director of Athletics Verge Ausberry, who played football for the TIgers in Bertman’s early years as baseball coach. “As the greatest college baseball coach of all-time, and later as our Athletics Director, Skip developed a championship standard and culture that still guide us today. Personally, he was a dear friend, mentor and advisor, and I’m forever grateful for the trust and faith he placed in me to serve this institution. I will continue to honor Skip by leaning into the lessons he taught me every day. Our thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones at this time.”

Bertman arrived in Baton Rouge with a vision to transform LSU into the nation’s elite college baseball program. He was hired after a highly successful eight-year stint at his alma mater, the University of Miami, where he served as associate head coach and helped the Hurricanes to five CWS appearances, including the 1982 national title. His early coaching career was highlighted by his 1970 Miami Beach High School team, which claimed the Florida state championship.

He was determined to create the same atmosphere of excellence at LSU that he thrived in at Miami. He knew that he would face many challenges in rebuilding a program that was averaging less than 500 fans per game in an aging Alex Box Stadium.

He overhauled every aspect of LSU Baseball and developed a dynasty during 18 remarkable seasons. He demonstrated to athletics directors around the country that college baseball could be a profitable enterprise through dedicated attention to every detail involving academics, facilities, recruiting, marketing and, of course, winning baseball games. 

Backed by tremendous community support and the determined work ethic of assistant coaches and players, Bertman made “Baseball At The Box” a must-see event, as thousands poured through the turnstiles at a renovated Alex Box Stadium to inspire the Tigers to win championships.

Bertman compiled an 870-330-3 (.724) record at LSU, leading the Tigers to five national championships and 11 CWS berths. He is one of only three coaches in NCAA Division I history to win five College World Series titles, and he was voted National Coach of the Year in 1986, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2000. 

He coached at LSU 41 players who advanced to Major League Baseball, and three players who have joined him as inductees in the College Baseball Hall of Fame – pitcher Ben McDonald, second baseman Todd Walker and first baseman Eddy Furniss.

Today, college baseball enjoys unprecedented popularity throughout the nation in large part due to Bertman’s unrelenting commitment to greatness. LSU has led the nation in attendance 26 times since 1996, averaging over 11,000 tickets sold per game.

Bertman also enjoyed success at the international level, serving as the head coach of the 1996 United States Olympics team that claimed the bronze medal in Atlanta. He was the pitching coach of the 1988 U.S. Olympic squad the captured the gold medal in Seoul.

Bertman served as Director of Athletics at LSU from 2001-08, leading one of the greatest periods of facility growth and athletic accomplishments in the history of the institution. He supervised a highly successful 20-sport program during a period that featured football national championships in 2003 and 2007. 

Upon his retirement as baseball coach in 2001, his No. 15 jersey was retired at LSU, and the street in front of the original Alex Box Stadium was re-named Skip Bertman Drive. The playing surface at the new, state-of-the-art Alex Box Stadium, which opened in 2009, was named  Skip Bertman Field” in 2013.

Bertman was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 2002, the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006 and the LSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.

He became a pillar of the Baton Rouge community, serving on numerous philanthropic organizations such as United Way, Cancer Services and the Alzheimer’s Association, and he was honored by organizations like the Arthritis Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America and the Anti-Defamation League.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced as soon as they become available.

Contact Bill at wfranqu@lsu.edu

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By JIM BUTLER

Notes from recently posted Legislative Auditor reports:

Following up

Central Louisiana State Hospital and Pinecrest Supports and Serviced Center are correcting practices faulted in audit procedural reports. 

Such reports are follow-ups by the Legislative Auditor Office to check on status of previously noted issues. 

Auditors determined  Central lacked still adequate contols to ensure patient billing in a timely and correct manner with Medicare. 

In the review period about $110,000 was not billed and $308,000 not billed in the required time, resulting in non-payment. 

CEO Nancy Brown faulted several years of staff turnover as well as inadequate controls, which she said are now in place. 

At Pinecrest auditors found inadequate controls over resident accounts, which Brown noted in response are now operational. 

Keep them coming

The Alexandria Convention and Visitors Bureau had a governmental fund balance of $2.2 million at audit year’s end. 

That is an increase of $104,000 compared to a year earlier. 

Revenues, paced by a hotel-motel tax yielding $909,000, were $1.25 million. 

Expenses totaled $1.15 million, including $351,000 promotional costs, $309,000 salaries/benefits and $231,000 advertising. 

The fiduciary account (Randolph Riverfront Center) had revenues of $1 million, including $600,000 in taxes for other entities and $400,000 rental income. 

Expenses were $1.2 million, about evenly divided between salaries/benefits and operations/maintenance.

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After 29 years of service, Rapides Regional Medical Center celebrated the retirement of Wayne Sibley, director of Pastoral Care. Chaplain Sibley served as a source of comfort, compassion and prayer for patients, families, physicians and colleagues.

Sibley also provided leadership to the hospital’s Auxiliary program and volunteers.

Rapides Regional Medical Center thanked Sibley for his dedication, leadership and commitment to serving others and wished him well in retirement.

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Cleco Addresses Community Concerns Over Data Center Power and Rates. As debate over the Applied Digital Delta Forge 1 data center in Boyce continues among residents, Cleco moved this week to directly address concerns about electricity costs and grid reliability. The utility’s chief commercial officer stated that large industrial customers like data centers help reduce costs for existing ratepayers by absorbing infrastructure expenses that would otherwise be spread across the broader customer base. Cleco confirmed that Applied Digital will fund all additional power lines and substations required to connect to the grid, with no cost passed to residential or business customers. The company also addressed reliability concerns, noting that any infrastructure upgrades built to serve the data center benefit all system customers. Louisiana currently ranks fourth-lowest in retail electricity costs nationally, a standing Cleco said it does not expect to change as a result of the project.

Pollock Police Department Under Investigation Following Audit. Grant Parish law enforcement officials are investigating two Pollock police officers after a municipal audit found money missing from a donor transaction tied to the purchase of a police vehicle. According to the audit, a Pollock officer solicited $49,100 from an unnamed donor for a new law enforcement vehicle, but only $41,157 was wired toward the purchase, leaving approximately $7,942 unaccounted for. Auditors concluded the officer may have retained the remaining funds, characterizing the transaction as a possible misappropriation in violation of Louisiana law. The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed it received a criminal complaint and has opened an investigation. The story comes as Pollock Police Chief Chris Paul remains under separate charges of malfeasance in office, stemming from his April 2026 arrest for allegedly directing officers to patrol and make arrests outside the town’s jurisdiction near the Federal Correctional Complex in Pollock.

Tropical Storm Cristobal Forms — Central Louisiana Monitoring. Tropical Storm Cristobal formed in the Atlantic on Wednesday, August 12, as the National Hurricane Center continues to track two additional systems in the Atlantic basin, including one with an 80 percent chance of development. No watches or warnings are in effect for Louisiana at this time.

ASH Trojans Football Season Opens Under the Lights Despite Virtual School Start. Alexandria Senior High School’s football program is generating regional attention heading into the 2026-2027 season, with outside expectations placing the Trojans among the top teams in Louisiana. The team’s season opener is expected to proceed on schedule despite ASH students beginning the academic year in virtual instruction due to the ongoing asbestos remediation on campus.

Mayor Butler and Councilwoman Aymond presented a proclamation to the Woodworth Community Health Center in recognition of National Health Care Week in August.

The Town of Woodworth thanked the health center team for providing compassionate, quality care and putting the community first.

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On August 4, 2026, United States District Judge Jerry Edwards, Jr., sentenced Dequavious Wagner, 32 of Alexandria, to 270 months in federal prison after he pled guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking. He also received five years of supervised release after his sentence is served. 

According to court records, in early May 2025, the Rapids Parish Sheriff’s Office (RPSO) was investigating Wagner for illegal drug trafficking. As part of that investigation, RPSO identified a white Ram 2500 as a vehicle being used by Wagner. On May 6, 2025, RPSO deputies conducted a traffic stop of Wagner in the Ram 2500. The stop led to a search of the vehicle, resulting in the discovery of an aftermarket compartment welded to the undercarriage of the truck. Inside the compartment were more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl pills, and marijuana.

RPSO deputies later executed a search warrant at Wagner’s residence in Alexandria. Inside his bedroom, deputies located approximately four pounds of fentanyl, one and one-half pounds of methamphetamine, and a loaded pistol. Laboratory testing confirmed the substances as fentanyl and methamphetamine. Wagner admitted he possessed the drugs with intent to distribute, and that he possessed the loaded firearm as part of his drug-trafficking activities.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and RPSO investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Cassidy with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Emily Favrot.

This case was prosecuted as part of Operation Take Back America (TBA), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s agencies, and coordinates efforts with state and local law enforcement and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTF), ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities. Learn more about PSN at justice.gov/psn.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at justice.gov/usao-wdla.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at http://www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 26-00165.

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