Spectral Sisters Productions (SSP) presents “What Had Happened Was…,” an evening of provocatively original ten-minute plays, Friday, May 30, through Sunday, June 1.

SSP’s 10-Minute Play Festival features contest-winning works by local and regional writers and casts of local players. Shows are at 7:30pm on Friday and Saturday (May 30–31) and 2:30pm on Sunday, June 1.

All tickets are $10, general admission, and can be purchased at the door. Parental discretion is advised. Some performances may contain adult-themed subject matter or language.

On May 30, National Creativity Day encourages individuals to embrace their imaginative instincts. In Louisiana, a state renowned for its vibrant arts scene, this day resonates deeply, celebrating the diverse expressions of creativity that flourish here.

From the jazz musicians of New Orleans to the folk artists of the Acadiana region, Louisiana’s creative community is as varied as its landscapes. The state’s cultural melting pot fosters innovation, blending traditions to produce unique art forms.

Art walks, workshops, and open mic nights abound on National Creativity Day. Cities like Lafayette and Shreveport host events that invite residents to explore different mediums, from painting and sculpture to dance and digital art.

Schools and universities use the day to highlight the importance of arts education. Exhibitions and performances showcase student work, emphasizing the role of creativity in academic and personal development.

Local businesses often collaborate with artists, featuring their work in stores and cafes. These partnerships not only beautify spaces but also provide vital exposure and income for creators.

National Creativity Day in Louisiana is more than a celebration—it’s an invitation. An invitation to explore, to express, and to contribute to the state’s rich artistic legacy.

A groundbreaking ceremony is set at England Airpark today at 3:30 for the Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex, Ucore Rare Metals Inc.’s first commercial rare earth element refining facility.

The Louisiana SMC will produce high-purity rare earth oxides from mixed rare earth chemical concentrates obtained from multiple global feedstock sources. The 80,800-square-foot brownfield facility is under a long-term lease agreement with the England Authority, the entity that manages England Airpark, the repurposed U.S. Air Force base transformed into a regional economic hub.

Today’s event will take place at 2015 Chanute Drive (Building 1315) in England Airpark.

“Breaking ground on the SMC is a pivotal moment – for Ucore and for North American critical mineral processing,” said Ucore chairman and CEO Pat Ryan.

“We are very fortunate to have a host of strong partners at the local, regional, state, and federal levels. This includes the England Authority, Louisiana Central, the State of Louisiana, and the U.S. Department of Defense. We thank all of our supporters as we continue our work to develop a secure, domestic rare earth element supply chain.”

The Louisiana SMC is the first step in Ucore’s commercial deployment of the RapidSX™ technology platform, a patent-pending advanced solvent extraction process that aims to reshape the rare earth industry with faster, more efficient, and more environmentally sound separation methods.

Once operational, the SMC will produce commercial quantities of critical rare earth elements, such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, which are essential to produce rare earth permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and national defense applications.

The project has significant federal and state funding.

Ucore recently agreed on an $18.4 million project extension from the U.S. Department of Defense under the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program. This grant funding will be used to initiate construction and equipment procurement for the Louisiana SMC. The DoD support reflects the strategic importance of securing a domestic supply chain for rare earth materials critical to national defense, Ucore officials said.

In addition to federal funding, the State of Louisiana and local partners have assembled a $15 million incentive package, including:

Industrial Tax Exemption Program (“ITEP”): up to $8.2 million in ad-valorem tax savings over 10 years;

Infrastructure Grant: $900,000 for facility upgrades;

Facility Offset: $360,000 over 24 months to reduce initial lease costs;

Additional support includes payroll rebates, LED FastStart™ workforce training, and expedited state permitting, officials said.

Ucore’s press release said the incentives underscore Louisiana’s commitment to establishing Alexandria as a key node in North America’s emerging critical mineral supply chain.

England Airpark has been a critical partner in supporting Ucore’s vision for the Strategic Metals Complex. As the operator of the former England Air Force Base, the England Authority has transformed the site into a thriving commercial and industrial hub.

England Airpark has provided Ucore with a strategically located, infrastructure-ready site within a federally designated Foreign Trade Zone. This allows Ucore to benefit from potential duty deferrals, reductions, or eliminations on imported feedstock materials, enhancing the global competitiveness of its rare earth processing operations.

The Town of Cheneyville welcomes the public to the 1st Junefest Shindig on Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

There will be food, music, arts and crafts, and lots of family fun. DJ Train will be live. There will be a free car show; registration starts at 10 a.m.

Junefest Shindig will also feature a live performance by Korey Broussard at 6 p.m. For more information and booth opportunities, call the Cheneyville Town Hall at 318-279-2155.

May 29 marks National Alligator Day, a time to recognize and appreciate one of Louisiana’s most iconic inhabitants. These ancient reptiles are not only integral to the state’s ecosystem but also to its culture and economy.

Alligators have roamed the Earth for millions of years, and in Louisiana, they thrive in the swamps and bayous. The state’s wetlands provide the perfect habitat, supporting a robust population that plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance.

Beyond their environmental importance, alligators are woven into the fabric of Louisiana’s identity. From folklore and festivals to cuisine and commerce, they symbolize the wild and untamed spirit of the region.

Thanks to dedicated conservation programs, Louisiana’s alligator population has rebounded from the brink of extinction in the mid-20th century. Sustainable practices ensure that these creatures continue to thrive, benefiting both nature and the state’s economy.

Zoos and wildlife centers across Louisiana use National Alligator Day to educate the public about these remarkable animals. Interactive exhibits and guided tours offer insights into their behavior, biology, and the efforts to protect them.

National Alligator Day serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between humans and nature. It’s a day to honor the resilience of these reptiles and the ongoing commitment to preserving Louisiana’s rich biodiversity.

(Following is a chapter in my new book, “Fathers, Sons and Old Guns”. The book, containing
50 of the columns I have written over the years, is available from Amazon.com.)

I met the old fellow once way back in the woods as he ground his pick-up to a rattling halt and
stopped to chat when he noticed me walking along the woods road, shotgun over my shoulder on
my way home from hunting squirrels.

He told me he lived in Texas but that he owned a little piece of land back there in the woods and
that he had planned to dam up the little creek on his place and build a pond.

“I’ve got an old camping trailer I’m going to bring over here so I can have a quiet little place to
come on weekends,” the old man said.

The next year as I hunted these woods, I came across the little camper and an old dozer and it
was evident that the old guy was true to his word. Dirt had been pushed up along the creek and
the dam was indeed taking shape. Having found the site, I’d occasionally swing by the place at
the end of my hunting trips to check on the old gentleman’s progress.

Better hunting territory beckoned me elsewhere and I soon forgot the old man and his special
little spot back in the woods. It was not until some five years later that I recognized his name in
the obituary column. Even though I only saw him that one time, I was saddened by the news of
his death, regretting that I hadn’t gotten to know him better.

Awhile back, I returned to the old man’s woods to hunt when I remembered the camper and the
pond. Picking my way along the road, now choked with briars and brush, I stepped into a little
clearing at the base of the dam. Relieved that the earthen levee had withstood recent floods, I
threaded my way through the thicket that had grown up on the dam. My vision was obscured ty
the brush and I didn’t see the little trailer until I was almost on it.

I stopped and remembered – it had been at least five years ago that the old man had parked the
camper under the big beech across the dam. It was still there just has he had left it when he
returned to Texas for the last time, not knowing he’d never again sit under the beech in the cool
of the evening to drink in the wild sounds of an uncluttered forest a mile from civilization.

Peering through the window of the trailer, the scene I saw told a story in itself. Although spider
webs and dust had created a lacy veil over everything, I had the eerie feeling that the old man
had just stepped out back for a moment and would be coming down the trail at any minute. I
resisted the strange urge to knock and call out to him.

There was an open jar of mustard on the cabinet, spider webs clinging to a skillet on the stove, a
plate on the dining table. To the rear was a bed with a crumpled quilt let in disarray when he
crawled out for the last time one morning five years ago.

I walked away with the feeling of reverence; a sense of peace. The old man’s hideaway had
become as much a part of the wild woodlands as the silvery beech beneath which it sits in decay.

Sir, may you rest in peace….

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com.

The Alexander Police Department has made an arrest in connection with the May 21 shooting death of 17-year-old Corey Brooks that occurred in the 4000 block of Clark Street.

20-year-old Tre’Quan Stanley has been arrested and charged with the following:

• One count of Criminal Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery,
• One count of Principal to Second-Degree Murder, and
• One count of Accessory After the Fact to Second-Degree Murder.

Stanley is currently in custody as the investigation into this violent crime continues.

The Alexander Police Department is actively seeking the public’s assistance in locating two additional suspects involved in this case:

• Shemell Jacobs, 17-year-old Black male, wanted for Armed Robbery and Second-Degree Murder; and
• Keldrick Jordan, 18 years old, is also wanted for Armed Robbery and Second-Degree Murder.

Both individuals should be considered armed and dangerous. Do not approach them. Anyone with information on their whereabouts is urged to contact the Alexander Police Department immediately.

Chief Chad Gremillion issued the following statement: “I urge every member of our community to come forward with any information regarding the whereabouts of these dangerous offenders. Your help is critical to ensuring the safety of our neighborhoods. Let me be clear, anyone found protecting or harboring these violent individuals will be held accountable and arrested. We will not tolerate those who stand in the way of justice.”

Chief Gremillion added: “Our community calls law enforcement to action every day, asking for safer streets and protection for their families. Now is the time to stand together and show that we are tired of the violence tearing apart our neighborhoods. If you know where these offenders are, help us bring them to justice. Let your voice lead us to them—because real change starts with the courage to speak up.”

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 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.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

May 28

Robert Wayne Bates II, 31, Forest Hill – aggravated battery, $10,000 bail;

Makala Blue, 29, Alexandria – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, $2,000 bail;

Antonio Vantweze Cross, 48, Pineville – possession of CDS, $2,500 bail;

Dylan Scott Epnett, 28, Alexandria – possession of CDS, $2,500 bail;

Zachary Gill, 33, Alexandria – simple battery on the infirmed, cruelty to the infirmed, $500 bail;

Mary Helen Jordan, 39, Pineville – possession of CDS, paraphernalia, resisting an officer, four counts of contempt of court, misbrand/adulterate drugs to defraud or mislead, $8,500 bail;

Marque Quinn Lavalais, 37, Pineville – aggravated resisting police officer with force or violence, misrepresentation during booking, safety belt violation, $600 bail;

Tre’Quan Stanley, 20, Alexandria – second degree murder, criminal conspiracy, accessory after the fact, no bail data.

May 27

Jamarius Quantay Austin, 28, Alexandria – theft, simple battery, $1,000 bail;

Ashley Nichole Grantham, 42, Alexandria – five counts contempt of court, possession of CDS, $16,500 bail;

Conner Hartdegen, 24, New Iberia – second degree battery, contempt of court, $35,000 bail;

Tony Tyrone Monette, 40, Oakdale – possession of fentanyl, parole violations, Louisiana fugitive, $1,000 bail;

Janet R. Phillips, 64, Pineville – two counts possession of CDS, drug paraphernalia, turning violation, driving under suspension, switch MVI, failure to secure registration, two counts contempt of court, $6,300 bail;

Juliann Lacey Rashall, 29, Boyce – producing manufacturing distributing with intent CDS, parole violations, contempt of court, $22,500 bail;

Devonte Dewayne Washington, 29, Alexandria – second degree battery, manufacture transfer or possession of machine guns, contempt of court, $100,500 bail.

May 26

Richard Kyle Beaubouef, 48, Deville – possession of firearm by convicted felon, simple burglary, criminal trespass, $20,500 bail;

Aubrey Scott Coutee, 36, N/A – Louisiana fugitive, two counts contempt of court, $2,000 bail;

Adam John Davis, 34, Lecompte – aggravated battery, domestic abuse battery, contempt of court, $3,000 bail;

Angela Christine Deville, 43, Pineville – four counts contempt of court, $20,000 bail;

Levi Drumgoole, 66, Alexandria – possession of CDS, running a stop sign, resisting an officer, possession of marijuana, paraphernalia, $4,100 bail;

Matt Eric Harmson, 55, Deville – criminal trespass, simple burglary, two counts contempt of court, $21,500 bail;

Hosie Charles Jordan III, 46, Pineville – attempted manslaughter, $250,000 bail;

Antijuan Deante Miller, 22, Rayville – Louisiana fugitive, no bail data;

Brian Scott Montgomery, 55, Deville – OWI first offense, obstruction of highway, possession of CDS, driving under suspension, two counts contempt of court, $79,000 bail;

Garrett Matthew Ryder, 20, Pineville – OWI first offense, $1,000 bail.

The first event of the City of Alexandria’s summer “Party in the Park” series kicks off next Friday, June 6, at Martin Park (4222 Ellis Street) in Alexandria.

The public is invited to enjoy water slides, music, activities and MORE. Best of all, this summer fun event is FREE.

Cleco Power announced that power restoration efforts are underway in the wake of Monday’s severe weather that left several customers without power.

As of Tuesday evening, Cleco indicated that the majority of customers have had their power restored, though 880 customers remain without power. Affected customers are being notified.

If using a portable generator, Cleco reminds customers to operate it outdoors only and in well-ventilated areas. Appliances should be plugged directly into portable generators with grounded extension cords that can handle the load. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. Do not exceed the rated capacity of the generator and only refuel when the engine is off and cool.

Assume all downed lines are live and stay away. Report downed lines immediately by calling 1-800-622-6537 or 911.

The three-story medical complex rising along Winnfield’s five-lane should be open by year’s end, Winn’s retired teachers heard during their monthly session May 19.

What launched as Winn Community Health Center with 5 employees in 2009 has grown into a healthcare operation covering seven parishes with nearly 500 employees, explained CEO Deano Thornton.  Asked about the name “Trinity,” he replied that as the coverage area grew, an overall name of Trinity Community Health Centers of Louisiana was adopted, although each clinic retains the name of its specific parish.

With Thornton was Lisa Peddy Frontaura, a 2000 graduate of WSHS who was described in introduction as “the principal architect who oversees everything from the beginning of design to the end of construction and everything in between.”  She is vice president of operations for TBA Studio.

The CEO and former Winnfield mayor told the retired teachers that his dream is to leave something lasting here in the community.  Inspired by a saying by longtime educator Etoy Ashley, he noted, “Make your community better because you were part of it.”

When asked, he said cost of the project from the ground up is about $30 million, including $1 million in furniture.  “I called Lisa and said I wanted to build this clinic.  She is a Winn graduate and proud to be involved with this construction.  She is young enough to do the IT work whereas I’m too old, more traditional.”

Frontaura confirmed, telling the gathering that she is happy to be here and part of this project.  “When I was approached, I was glad to be giving back to this community.”  Having worked on projects big and small over the 20 years of her career, she called this “the height of my activity.”  In its design, she sought a façade that reflects the region’s forestry rather than simply a “white medical building.”

The audience seemed to enjoy descriptions of each of the three floors.  Thornton continues to be proud of the escalators from the ground to second floor as well as the elevators, although if a patient ends up on the third, administrative floor, it’s only because they got lost, he said.  First floor will contain primary care, clinic pharmacy, behavioral health, nurses’ station and x-ray.

Second floor will house optometry, dental care, physical therapy as well as a visual space to “look down” on the first floor plus an outdoor balcony.  The third floor will have administration for the multi-parish clinics, billing, medical records, finance, IT, a kitchen and conference room large enough to seat 100 banquet-style.

The three-story was designed not just for patients but also employees so every floor has a break room for staff.  About 125 people will work in the building daily.  “My mission is to create jobs, not to farm things out.”  Parking and access to the building with be ample, the visuals showed.

Since Trinity’s new center interfaces with the varied aspects of its services—clinic patients, school-based clients, pharmacy—he said the move could be in phases including school holidays to minimize service disruptions.  He anticipates that move should be complete by the end of the year.

The City of Pineville has released the adjusted sanitation schedule for the rest of 2025. If anyone has any questions about the adjusted schedule, call 318-449-5668.

My grandmother lived to 90 years of age, and in the last week of her life she gave me a wonderful gift. I guess she had been in the hospital for a week or so. It is really hard to remember just how long we had been there as days tend to run together when you are sitting at the bedside of a loved one. She had not spoken in days, nor eaten solid food.  She mostly slept, but suddenly there was this moment of real clarity. My Aunt and I were there together, as she stated in a clear and commanding voice “hold my arms up.” So we did – my aunt on one side and I on the other. Then looking to the ceiling and with a sound of surprise she said “Mama!”, my great-grandmother that I only remember meeting once when I was about four years old. This was followed by a joyous “Roscoe”, my grandfather who had died when I was 16. And then in a voice of awe she said, “Oh my Lord!”

It has now been over 20 years since her passing, but I truly believe even to this day that my grandmother looked at the face of Jesus that day as she prepared to move from this earth to her heavenly home. The veil between heaven and earth was so narrow, so shear, she could almost touch it and what a privilege it was for me to share that brief moment with her.

I have often thought about that moment in the years since. I am grateful to know we will recognize each other when we get to heaven. I have even speculated which of my relatives will accompany Jesus when it is my time. The other valuable lesson for me was a real Jesus showed up when my grandmother needed him. Prior to that encounter when my grandmother struggled to catch her breath she panicked. After that encounter there was a sense of peace. For that I am most grateful. I believe in a Jesus that shows up still today. How about you? I would love for you to email me your Jesus encounters.

On the journey,
Ramonalynn Bethley

Ramonalynn Bethley is the pastor of First United Methodist Church of Alexandria. You can contact Ramonalynn directly at DrRevRL@fumca.org.