The most recent installment of Pineville Police Department’s “Wanted Wednesday” is James Williams, aka King James.

After posting a couple videos of Mr. Williams’ recent shenanigans, the community helped PPD identify him, for which PPD is grateful. Before posting, PPD checked in with local stores. They love repeat customers. They just aren’t big fans of repeat thieves. Turns out the “five-finger discount” isn’t part of any of their loyalty programs. During the investigation, it was also discovered that Mr. Williams has multiple prior theft convictions.

Based on these facts, an arrest warrant was obtained for his arrest for 3 counts of Theft (Under $1000) – 3rd Offense or More. In other words, felony charges are waiting for Mr. Williams. 

While PPD always encourages Wanted Wednesday features to do the right thing and turn themselves in, they also appreciate any information on the whereabouts of these individuals. All tips will remain 100% anonymous. If anyone knows where King James might be holding court, let PPD know. They can be contacted through their Facebook profile. 

And as always, all subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

By JIM BUTLER

The basic financial position of the City of Pineville, overlooked in the glare of sensation and questionable practices, seems solid, though one liability is of note, according to its most recent audit.

Posted in the public record on Monday by the Legislative Auditor’s Office, the audit previewed by the City Council in January shows net revenue of $40.7 million and expenses of $32.1 million in the fiscal year ending last June 30.

General revenues were $24.8 million with sales tax collection leading the way at $16.6 million and business-type income (utility, sanitation) totaled $15.9 million.

Police and fire services accounted for $13.3 million of the $22.5 million general government expense.

On the proprietary fund side, utilities expense was $6.2 million and sanitation $3.1 million of the $9.6 million total.

The city’s net position is capital investment-weighted, according to the audit.

Negative position is driven by long-term liabilities associated with retirement benefits and post-retirement health benefits, auditors note.

Net pension liability was $9.7 million; net liability for other post-retirement benefits was $9.5 million.

A year earlier, those totals were $11.1 million and $7.3 million, that audit showed.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

April 23

Dylan Joseph Batiste, 33, Marksville – domestic abuse battery strangulation, domestic abuse battery, three counts contempt of court, $16,520 bail;

April 22

Matthew Aaron Austin, 38, Alexandria – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, parole violations, $1,500 bail;

Joseph Charles Cangelosi, 48, Ball – possession of fentanyl, safety belt violation, extradition proceedings, $2,600 bail;

Javon Maurice Chappelle, 48, Alexandria – two counts possession of controlled dangerous substances, aggravated arson, criminal trespass, probation violation, $53,500 bail;

Maurice Devon Davis Sr, 42, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substances, paraphernalia, two counts contempt of court, $44,000 bail;

Ethan Ebey, 35, Alexandria – theft, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, failure to appear, $2,000 bail;

Ervin Evans, 42, Baton Rouge – battery of a pregnant dating partner, trespassing, disturbing the peace, $3,000 bail;

Andre Bernard Ford Jr, 29, Alexandria – possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, safety belt violation, $20,100 bail;

Adriel Preston Hester, 52, Elmer – possession of controlled dangerous substances, paraphernalia, driving under suspension/revocation, general speed law, improper lane usage, $3,300 bail;

Christopher Ray Johnson, 25, Alexandria – domestic abuse battery, $1,500 bail;

Lionell Dewayne Johnson, 26, Alexandria – three counts possession of controlled dangerous substances, possession of firearm by convicted felon, illegal carry firearm with drugs, driving under suspension/revocation, tail lamps must emit red light, $23,700 bail;

Aaron Demond Jones, 27, Alexandria – four counts attempted second degree murder, two counts producing manufacturing dispensing of controlled dangerous substances with intent, possession of controlled dangerous substances, $2 million bail;

Gage Michael Kittinger, 26, Pineville – two counts theft of a motor vehicle, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, criminal conspiracy, no motorcycle endorsement, two counts theft, Louisiana fugitive, tail lamps must emit red light, running a stop sign, intentional littering, no safety helmet, no driver’s license, flight from officer, possession of stolen vehicle, possession of firearm by convicted felon, possession of controlled dangerous substance, aggravated obstruction of highway, reckless operation of a vehicle, resisting an officer, illegal carry firearm with drugs, flight from an officer, parole violations, two counts contempt of court, $61,500 bail;

Ann Koenig, 30, Little Rock, Ark. – unauthorized use of a movable vehicle, driving under suspension/revocation, switching license plates, contempt of court, $6,200 bail;

Marquis Petrell Marshall, 54, Alexandria – two counts theft, Louisiana fugitive, contempt of court, $3,000 bail;

Corey Cardell Quinney, 33, Pineville – three counts producing manufacturing distributing controlled dangerous substances with intent, expired MVI sticker, improper window tint, illegal carry firearm with drugs, OWI first offense, parole violations, $151,200 bail;

Sherry Renee Ryder, 59, Deville – possession of controlled dangerous substances, paraphernalia, disturbing the peace: drunkenness, allowing dogs to run free, $1,500 bail;

Kelvin Simon, 32, Alexandria – failure to renew sex offender registration, flight from an officer, possession of firearm by convicted felon, contempt of court, $40,000 bail;

Demitrus Kendrick Smith, 41, Alexandria – armed robbery, contributing to delinquency of juveniles, criminal conspiracy, probation violation, $250,500 bail;

Damien Dennis Williams, 30, Cottonport – possession of controlled dangerous substances, OWI first offense, improper window tint, no driver’s license, speeding, $3,800 bail.

April 21

David Houston Bryant, 33, Ball – simple assault, domestic abuse battery, cruelty to the infirmed, trespassing, contempt of court, $31,500 bail;

English Lashay Crittle, 28, Alexandria – indecent behavior with juveniles, two counts Louisiana fugitive, $50,000 bail;

Daniel Paul Guillotte, 35, Duson – two counts possession of controlled dangerous substances, contempt of court, $8,000 bail;

James Carrol Knapp, 48, Alexandria – criminal conspiracy, $10,000 bail;

Charles Curtis Mullins Sr., 40, Alexandria – OWI third offense, improper motorcycle headlights, no driver’s license, open container, unlawful refusal to submit to chemical test, operating a vehicle under suspension for certain prior offenses, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, failure to secure registration, $16,900 bail;

Thomas St. Ann Jr, 37, Ragley – Louisiana fugitive, no bail data.

April 20

Krista Michelle Burrell, 32, Pollock – simple burglary, $2,000 bail;

Ina Mary Desoto, 40, Pineville – aggravated battery, three counts contempt of court, $11,500 bail;

Lexington Drake Funderburk, 20, Lafayette – general speed law, illegal possession of a stolen firearm, $15,100 bail;

Amber Nicole Herron, 35, Pineville – two counts possession of controlled dangerous substances, criminal trespass, resisting an officer, seven counts contempt of court, $31,500 bail;

Brennan Michael Hicks Jr, 28, Alexandria – seven counts contempt of court, probation violation, $13,000 bail;

Mason Austin-Oscar McClammy, 26, Pineville – two counts molestation of a juvenile between 13-17 years, $50,000 bail;

Sean Michael Whitson, 42, Deville – three counts violation of protective order non-violent, violation of protective order violent, domestic abuse battery, criminal damage to property, $6,000 bail.

The Alexandria Police Department responded to the 100 block of Eastwood Boulevard in reference to a shooting on Monday, April 21, at approximately 4:35am. Responding officers encountered 26-year-old Diamante Swaizer suffering from a gunshot wound. Swaizer was transported to a local hospital and ultimately succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday, April 22, at approximately 5:30pm.

This is currently an ongoing investigation.

If anyone has any information about this incident or any other type of crime in the Alexandria area, please 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.

A subject entered a local business channeling their inner demigod while rocking a bold “Moana” shirt like they were about to sail across the Pacific on Sunday, April 13. Instead, they went straight to the counter and stole an iPad.

After securing the “treasure,” the wannabe Wayfinder cashed out a lottery ticket and made a swift exit, no chicken sidekick in sight.

Pineville Police are asking the community to help identify this thief. If anyone recognizes this individual, send them a Facebook message or call the Criminal Investigations Bureau at 318-449-5652.

All tips will remain anonymous and all subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Defending Class B state champ Grace Christian looked the part Wednesday in its playoff opener, ripping visiting Fairview in a three-inning run-rule victory.

The 15-0 romp moves Grace Christian to the state quarterfinals at home against No. 5 seeded Hicks later this week. No game date had been posted on the LHSAA website Wednesday evening.

Baseball action involving four Rapides Parish schools gets underway today in best-of-three series. Buckeye and Tioga play at home, while Menard and Pineville are on the road.

All parish schools in Classes 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A compete in the LHSAA’s Select category. Classes B and C do not divide into Select or Non-Select for playoffs.

SOFTBALL

Wednesday’s score

Class B

Grace Christian 15, Fairview 0 (run-rule, 3 innings)

BASEBALL

Upcoming games (best of three series)

Division I

Pineville (seeded 14^th) at Brother Martin (3), today 6:30, Friday 4/7 (if necessary)

Acadiana (10) at Tioga (7), today 6:00, Friday 5/7 (if necessary)

Division II

Kenner Discovery (13) at Buckeye (4), today 6:00, Friday 4/6 (if necessary)

Division III

Menard (12) at St. Louis Catholic (5), today 6:00, Friday 4/6 (if necessary)

Class B (single game)

The Grace Christian vs. Glenmora regional round game will be played next week, date TBA

The boil advisory for residents on Hwy 165 going south from Barton Rd. to the end of the system has been rescinded by the Department of Health. The Village of Forest Hill apologizes for the inconvenience.

Our beloved state of Louisiana is low on the list for some things but we have one thing we can claim that no other state has. We have the only modern-day Will Rogers as senator representing Louisiana. Senator John Kennedy often appears in clips on national news channels for his comments that have the nation laughing.

Here’s an example. While appearing with a panel of U.S. Senators on a show recently, he was asked to comment on the behavior of a member of an opposing party. He kept a straight face while other members of the panel were laughing when he said “She’s the reason they put instructions on shampoo bottles.”

Kennedy is a master of the quip and was using one of the several techniques humor writers employ to bemuse their readers.

I received a book in the mail, Funny You Asked Me That!, from my friend, humor writer Jim Mize, who writes from his cabin in the mountains of South Carolina. Included in the book are several of his humor columns but what I have found intriguing is he explains techniques he uses to create the humor that caused me to laugh.

In the book’s preface, Mize writes “Within these chapters, you will find discussions of techniques, samples and opinions of humor from a student who has spent almost fifty years on the subject and is yet to graduate.”

When I was growing up, I loved to read the outdoors magazines such as Outdoor Life, Field and Stream and Sports Afield. As soon as I got my hands on a copy, I’d head to the back pages first to read the humor columns of Ed Zern and Patrick McManus. In Mize’s book, he is also a fan of these two great humor writers and has learned a lot from them, in person or by correspondence, of how they do what they do.

Another of his favorite humor writers, also mine, is the late Lewis Grizzard who wrote for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Here’s something Mize included in the book that Grizzard wrote. “In the south, there’s a difference between ‘Naked’ and ‘Nekkid.’ Naked means you don’t have clothes on while Nekkid means you don’t have any clothes on and you’re up to something.”

Mize’s humorous writings have appeared in Gray’s Sporting Journal, Field and Stream, South Carolina Wildlife, In-Fishermen, Great Days Outdoors and several other national magazines.

On a personal note, I occasionally include a bit of humor in the columns I write. If bits of humor in my columns are created by some of the techniques Mize writes about, such as misdirection Fishing With Beanpole, tension, timing et al, it’s strictly by accident. This is one reason I am enjoying Mize’s book so much; it shows me when I try to write something funny, that there’s a reason a particular column might produce a chuckle or at least a smile and head nod.

Mize has produced a collection of humorous books that each hold special niches in my personal library. His first one, The Winter of Our Discontent, may be my favorite. Others of his include A Creek Trickles Through It, Hunting With Beanpole, and The Jon Boat Years. Autographed copies of any of his reasonably-priced books are available at www.acreektricklesthroughit.com.

I am a lifelong fan of reading and hearing funny stuff and if you are, get your hands on one of Jim Mize’s books. Also be sure to keep your television on to news channels to see and hear what Senator John Kennedy might say next.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com.

One of the most enduring shows of all time, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is a musical reimagining of the Biblical story of Joseph, his father Jacob, eleven brothers and the coat of many colors. This classic show will run at the Lagniappe Theatre on Friday, May 9, and Saturday, May 10, at 7pm, and on Sunday, May 11, at 2:30pm. 

Told entirely through song with the help of a main character Narrator, the musical follows preferred son Joseph. After being sold into slavery by his brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the amorous advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled, Elvis-inspired, Pharaoh. Joseph’s solution to Egypt’s famine elevates him to Pharaoh’s right-hand man and reunites him with his family.

Tickets may be purchased at http://www.lagniappetheatre.com or by phone at 318-48-STAGE ($14-$16).

Show Length: 90 minutes and appropriate for every age.

April 24 marks a monumental anniversary in space exploration and scientific discovery: the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope. First placed into low Earth orbit on April 24, 1990, aboard the space shuttle Discovery, Hubble has spent more than three decades beaming back images of distant galaxies, nebulae, and cosmic phenomena, transforming the way humans understand the universe.

For a mission that began with a blurry lens and a host of critics, the Hubble Space Telescope has become one of NASA’s most iconic and successful scientific instruments.

When Hubble first launched, excitement quickly turned to frustration. Engineers discovered that the telescope’s primary mirror had been ground too flat by just 2.2 microns—about 1/50th the thickness of a human hair. The result was a critical flaw that rendered early images fuzzy and unclear, causing public ridicule and political scrutiny.

But NASA responded with one of the most impressive space repair missions ever attempted. In 1993, astronauts aboard the Endeavour shuttle installed corrective optics during a service mission—essentially fitting Hubble with a pair of glasses. The fix worked. And with that, Hubble began to live up to its potential.

Since then, it has delivered more than 1.5 million observations, peering into the birthplaces of stars, photographing supernovas in real time, and offering glimpses into galaxies formed just a few hundred million years after the Big Bang.

Perhaps Hubble’s greatest gift is perspective. It helped scientists determine the rate of expansion of the universe and provided crucial evidence for the existence of dark energy—a mysterious force that now accounts for the majority of the universe’s energy budget.

Its breathtaking images—such as the Pillars of Creation, the Sombrero Galaxy, and the Ultra Deep Field—have become cultural icons, appearing on posters, museum walls, and even tattoos. These snapshots don’t just serve the scientific community; they captivate the public imagination.

The telescope’s longevity is equally astonishing. Originally designed for a 15-year mission, Hubble is now in its 34th year and still operational, thanks to multiple service missions carried out by astronauts between 1993 and 2009. Though no more repairs are planned, NASA continues to operate and receive data from Hubble, even as its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, has taken on new cosmic challenges.

Beyond the science, Hubble fuels a question that continues to grip humanity: Are we alone?

Its detailed surveys of exoplanets and distant star systems have helped expand the search for potentially habitable worlds. Hubble has detected water vapor in the atmospheres of far-off planets and peered into regions where new solar systems are forming. These findings shape not just academic study, but also pop culture, policy, and philosophy.

The telescope has brought us closer than ever to answering some of life’s most fundamental questions. What is the nature of time? How did the universe begin? And perhaps most tantalizingly—what else is out there?

In an eerie twist, Hubble has even captured images that have stirred the imagination far beyond the scientific realm. In 2009, it photographed a bizarre cosmic structure dubbed the “space ghost,” a wispy, skull-like feature drifting through the remnants of a supernova explosion. Then there’s the mysterious “X” pattern found in the core of a galaxy 500 million light-years away, which some have jokingly compared to a galactic pirate flag.

While these phenomena have scientific explanations, their visual strangeness is a reminder of how weird—and wonderful—the universe can be.

Hubble is more than a telescope. It’s a monument to human curiosity and collaboration. The telescope is the result of decades of international cooperation, involving scientists, engineers, astronauts, and policymakers. Its continued operation requires ground crews, analysts, and software updates—a marriage of old-school hardware and modern ingenuity.

Even as the James Webb Space Telescope steals headlines with its infrared capabilities and sharper resolution, Hubble remains vital. The two telescopes now operate in tandem, offering multi-wavelength views of cosmic phenomena and expanding the frontiers of what we know.

Eventually, Hubble’s mission will end. Without further servicing, NASA expects the telescope to remain operational until at least the late 2020s. At some point, it will slowly deorbit and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, unless a mission is launched to bring it down safely.

But its legacy will live on—in textbooks, scientific breakthroughs, and the thousands of images that show the mind-bending scale and beauty of space.

As of April 24, 2024, the Hubble Space Telescope is 34 years old. It’s still up there, quietly orbiting Earth every 97 minutes, watching the cosmos unfold—one orbit, and one discovery, at a time.

Louisiana Legislative Auditor (LLA) released their findings last week on Wednesday, April 16, following an investigative audit into the City of Pineville following a series of complaints the City’s use of public money.

Auditors reported four major findings, three of which may have violated state law and the fourth may have violated state ethics laws. One of the findings involves former mayor Rich Dupree directing the HR department to backdate an employee’s hiring date for health insurance. Another pertains to unauthorized pay raises for the City Council and Mayor during Dupree’s tenure. The third relates to possible prohibited contractual agreements. Finally, the mayor’s car was not marked with City’s name prior to Dupree’s resignation.

The full investigative report, a summary, as well as the response from former and active City officials, can be found at this link.

The Alexandria Police Department (APD) reports no significant violent acts occurred during the Easter Weekend from Friday through Sunday at midnight, i.e. serious batteries, shootings, or other violence with dangerous instrumentalities. Tracking progress over the new Administration’s post-two-year mark, APD is pleased to report this important milestone since Easter weekends—unfortunately—are often marred with violence across the nation. Easter weekends see increases in violence, especially shootings and associated injuries. Alexandria has reported such violence in the past several Easters, and so this news is welcome and follows specific interventions.

The absence of violence this past weekend reflects the effectiveness of APD’s proactive strategy to combat crime and protect the community, by targeted resources through intelligence-led (hotspot) policing. If you saw “the police out and about,” it was an intentional presence. Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy, in his 100-Day Plan, prioritized public safety and outlined a comprehensive approach to reduce violent crime through intelligence-led policing with a dedicated appointed leadership team, now led by Chief Chad Gremillion, Commissioner Patrick VanDyke, and Deputy Chiefs Darrell Bradley and Chris Cooper.

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our our officers seeing to that comprehensive plan and its implementation by every other division in the City Administration, along with increasing buy-in and cooperation of our community, we saw a peaceful Easter weekend,” said Police Chief Chad Gremillion. “Change is happening. We see lots of movement in a positive direction. Yes, we know and expect problems will occur, but it is about changing the trends and creating momentum for even bigger change.”

To work effectively, intelligence-led policing requires the community. Initiatives like SafeAlex increase community engagement, and have proved to be impactful tools nationwide and including here at home in support of APD’s efforts. New programs and continued tweaks to SafeAlex—such as the City’s new Community Service Officers—coming on line will add additional resources and act as force multipliers for APD. Additional force multiplication occurs through the smart use of new and emerging technologies to track, prevent, identify, and catch criminal activity.

The city is also seeing a broader, encouraging trend: violent crime is on the decline. Year to date in 2023 (Mayor Roy’s first year), Alexandria recorded nine homicides. In 2024, during this same year-to-date, that number dropped to six. As of today, in 2025, the city has had three homicides.

“We are seeing the results of coordination, commitment, and community partnerships,” said Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy. “Public safety is not just a priority—it is a fundamental right of our residents, and we will continue working every day to enhance it. Our leadership team is actively engaged with our personnel, on the ground with our detectives and uniform division, making sure we see in real time what is needed to help them be successful. We are not going to have it said that any resource is lacking. We are supporting them with unprecedented investment in them personally, in their equipment, and in their mental well-being. And they are returning that investment with commitment to the task and strong adherence to aggressive constitutional policing.”

The Alexandria Police Department remains committed to proactively addressing violent crime and will continue fostering collaboration with community members, local organizations, and city leadership to build a safer Alexandria for all.

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.

The Louisiana Christian University baseball program did something Tuesday night that had not been done by a Diamond Cats team in 17 seasons, defeating an NCAA Division I opponent for the first time since February 26, 2008, when they stunned the nearly 30-win McNeese Cowboys, 4-3, in Lake Charles.

The Pokes are strongly in contention for an NCAA at-large or automatic bid out of the Southland Conference with a 29-8 record. McNeese boasts a victory over the Big 12’s Houston two weeks ago.

The victim in the last David vs. Goliath matchup that saw the Wildcats come out on top was fellow Southland member, Nicholls, who LC defeated by a score of 8-3 in Pineville in 2008.

The 2025 Wildcats are 24-23.

Gavin Vordick can now tell his future grandchildren that he has homered off a pitcher at the highest collegiate level, taking the first pitch of his fifth inning at-bat over the left field wall for a solo home run, the sixth of his debut season on “The Hill.”

Trip Flotte became the first pitcher since Craig Naquin to pick up the win over a D1 while Cowan Alfonso usurped Scotty Jutze for the last student-athlete to log a save in this situation with Flotte earning his second dub of 2025 and Alfonso closing the deal on his sixth save of the campaign during a 1-2-3 final frame including swinging strikeout to end the game.

Braxton Cooksey probably had the biggest hit of the evening, a two-RBI double down the line to give the Cats their first lead of the day.

Harrison Waxley and Braden Trull went 2-for-4 apiece with the former scoring both times and the latter doubling while Brady Huffman also picked up multiple knocks.

Caleb Duhon pushed across the go-ahead run with a pinch-hit, RBI-groundout in the sixth that concluded the run production on either side.

Tioga rallied past visiting Teurlings Catholic Tuesday in a Select Division I softball playoff game, winning 4-2.

The Lady Indians joined two other top-ranked teams moving forward into the quarterfinals, one step shy of the state tournament in Select Division I. No. 1 Pineville and third-seeded ASH posted dominating victories Monday.

Tioga, seeded fifth, travels to No. 4 John Curtis Friday at 5 for a quarterfinal contest.

Defending Class B state champ Grace Christian plays host to Fairview today. The LHSAA website mistakenly listed the game as being played Tuesday.

Oak Hill was eliminated 18-3 by second-seeded Stanley in a Class B regional round game Tuesday.

Baseball action involving four parish schools gets underway later in the week in best-of-three series.

All Rapides Parish schools in Classes 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A compete in the LHSAA’s Select category. Classes B and C do not divide into Select or Non-Select for playoffs.

SOFTBALL

Tuesday’s scores

Division I

Tioga 4, Teurlings Catholic 2

Class B

Stanley 18, Oak Hill 3

Today’s regional round games

Class B

Fairview (13) at Grace Christian (4), 5:00

BASEBALL

Upcoming games (best of three series)

Division I

Pineville (seeded 14th) at Brother Martin (3), Thursday 6:30, Friday 4/7 (if necessary)

Acadiana (10) at Tioga (7), Thursday 6:00, Friday 5/7 (if necessary)

Division II

Kenner Discovery (13) at Buckeye (4), Thursday 6:00, Friday 4/6 (if necessary)

Division III

Menard (12) at St. Louis Catholic (5), Thursday 6:00, Friday 4/6 (if necessary)

Class B (single game)

The Grace Christian vs. Glenmora regional round game will be played next week, date TBA

Tioga High School shouted out three of its students, Alexander Caleb Ellington, Aaron Biller, and Maxwell Byard, for achieving scores over 30 on the ACT. 

The Village of Forest Hill announced a water outage and boil advisory on Monday, April 21, until further notice. The outage and boil advisory affects customers on Hwy 165 going south from Barton Rd. to the end of the water system, including all side roads.  The Village apologizes for the inconvenience.

Get ready for an unforgettable summer – the City of Alexandria’s 2025 Summer Camps are back, offering hands-on, skill-building experiences designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and confidence.

Whether a child is a budding journalist, future scientist, or just eager to explore something new, there’s a camp for them — from journalism and financial literacy to STEM, safety, and healthy living.

• Power of Persuasion – Journalism/Debate, ages 13-17, June 23-27
• Healthy Living, ages 8-18, June 30 – July 3
• Youth Financial Literacy, ages 13-17, July 7-11
• Police & Fire Camp, ages 12-17, July 14-18
• Invention Convention, ages 8-16, July 21-25 

Registration opens soon and spots fill up fast — so keep eyes on the City’s social media and don’t miss out. The registration fee is $25 per child, per class. Space is limited. 

For more information, contact the Division of Community Services at 318-449-5225. 

BOM is a proud supporter of the Grant High School softball program. Pictured left to right: BOM’s Dawson Howie, Kathryn Gentry, Emma Futrell, Carleigh Roe, and BOM’s Mandy Futrell.

In May 2000, I graduated with my Doctor of Ministry from Perkins School of Theology at SMU in Dallas, Texas. Prior to that date, I spent 4 years researching, writing, rewriting, editing and finally defending my dissertation in front of a live audience. It was a hard but proud moment when this huge body of work was finally complete. I had both my decree, a beautiful piece of paper, suitable for hanging, a bound copy of my dissertation on the bookshelf, and a bankers box full of file folders filled with my research, interview notes, first, second and third drafts, along with the final project notes.

I didn’t need any of the research, but I could not part with this bankers box of file folders. It was four years of my life – blood, sweat and tears – stuffed into that box. It was a reminder of my hard work, late hours, sacrifices my family made on my behalf, time away at school, countless books read and annotated, hours in the library and sheer guts and determination. So every time the United Methodist Church moved me, I moved that box. For the first few moves, I would make space in a file drawer for this body of work,
carefully placing each folder in alphabetical order. Sometimes I would muse over my writings and research as I would pack or unpack the bankers box. Reading over countless index cards and interview notes and smiling to myself.

As the moves and the years passed, I got to where I just moved the bankers box and its contents from place to place and office to office without unpacking. I knew I would never use it again for anything, but I couldn’t bear the thought of getting rid of it. In 2021, it sat in the closet on the floor in my office of the church that I was serving. Of course, we all remember what happened that February, snowmageddon happened. My church was shut down for two days, just long enough for a pipe to burst in the attic and
flood two-thirds of the building, including a pastor’s office and that tiny little closet.

You guessed it, that bankers box of research that I thought I could not part with, got soaked. Ink ran, words blurred, notes faded. That useless box of material that I had been dragging around for twenty-one years, was even more useless to me now, all water-logged and icky. What I thought I could never part with, went straight into the dumpster that day.

What are you dragging around? What old feelings or resentments need to be purged from your mental filing cabinet? What is taking up space in the closet of your dreams that needs to go straight to the dumpster? We could all use a good spring cleaning.

On the journey,
Ramonalynn Bethley

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

April 23 is known as World Book and Copyright Day, a UNESCO observance celebrating reading, authorship, and the power of the written word. Fittingly, it’s also the day the literary world remembers the passing of William Shakespeare—arguably the most influential writer in the English language—who died on April 23, 1616.

More than four centuries later, Shakespeare’s legacy remains deeply embedded in global culture, language, and education. From classroom recitations to modern film adaptations, the Bard’s work continues to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought across generations.

Shakespeare’s death on April 23, 1616, is poetic in more ways than one. Not only is it the date traditionally recognized as his birthday (April 23, 1564), but it also closely aligns with the death of Spanish writer Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, who died a day earlier. Though discrepancies in calendars and dating systems make the alignment imperfect, the symbolic significance has endured. In 1995, UNESCO declared April 23 as World Book Day in part to honor both literary giants.

This dual commemoration turns April 23 into a day not only of literary reverence but also of reflection on storytelling’s power to bridge centuries, cultures, and ideologies.

William Shakespeare’s impact on the English language is virtually unparalleled. He introduced hundreds of new words and phrases into common usage—terms like “eyeball,” “bedazzled,” “swagger,” and expressions such as “break the ice,” “wild-goose chase,” and “heart of gold.”

Beyond vocabulary, Shakespeare’s explorations of love, power, revenge, jealousy, and mortality resonate as deeply today as they did in Elizabethan England. His plays have been translated into more than 100 languages and are performed more often than those of any other playwright in history.

Despite the archaic phrasing and iambic pentameter that can initially intimidate students, educators continue to make the case for Shakespeare’s relevance. His works are taught not just for their poetic beauty but for their complex characters, psychological insight, and the universal themes that define the human experience.

In Stratford-upon-Avon, England—Shakespeare’s birthplace—April 23 is typically marked by parades, theatrical performances, and wreath-laying ceremonies at his grave. Thousands of visitors flock to the town each year to walk in the Bard’s footsteps, tour his childhood home, and attend events at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.

This year, the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is hosting a weeklong series of lectures, virtual readings, and live performances to mark the occasion. Meanwhile, libraries and schools around the world are using the date to highlight the importance of literature, promote reading programs, and encourage youth literacy.

In Spain, events honoring Cervantes are also underway, especially in Madrid and Alcalá de Henares, where literary walking tours and public readings of Don Quixote draw crowds. This shared observance between Shakespeare and Cervantes speaks to the timeless, borderless nature of great literature.

April 23 also highlights the modern implications of creative work. World Book and Copyright Day isn’t just about celebrating authors—it’s also a reminder of the legal and economic structures that support them.
As digital publishing continues to reshape the literary landscape, debates about copyright protection, piracy, and fair compensation have taken center stage. The rapid rise of AI-generated content, in particular, has ignited concern among authors, publishers, and artists about the need to safeguard intellectual property.

UNESCO’s 2024 campaign places renewed emphasis on protecting the rights of content creators, especially in developing nations where access to books and publishing infrastructure remains limited. The theme this year, “Read, Preserve, Create,” ties together heritage and innovation.

Far from being relics of the past, Shakespeare’s works have found new life online. From TikTok adaptations of Romeo and Juliet to podcast reimaginings of Hamlet, Gen Z audiences are putting their own spin on the classics. Entire social media accounts are devoted to “modernizing” Shakespearean insults and soliloquies, giving the 400-year-old texts a sharp, humorous twist.

Streaming services have also helped reintroduce Shakespeare to broader audiences. Modern retellings like 10 Things I Hate About You (The Taming of the Shrew), and The Lion King (Hamlet) continue to draw new fans who may not even realize they’re enjoying Shakespearean plots.

The enduring popularity of the Bard’s work speaks to its adaptability—and its ability to be reshaped without losing its soul.

While April 23 honors some of the greatest names in literature, it is ultimately a day meant for readers. Libraries, bookstores, and literacy organizations around the world are encouraging people to pick up a book, attend a literary event, or donate reading materials to underserved communities.

Book-sharing events, read-a-thons, and poetry slams are popping up in cities and towns large and small. Many schools are distributing free books or hosting creative writing contests to inspire young authors.

In an age of streaming videos, short-form content, and algorithm-driven entertainment, World Book Day is a gentle nudge to slow down and reconnect with the written word.