We’ve all heard the words, “You need to stop and smell the roses.” That actually means we need to take the time to enjoy the moment. We need to be mentally present. Some of the best times in our lives are not always moments of fireworks going off. 

Sometimes it’s those less important events that provide just as much joy. Today, I’ll go over a few events in my life that I truly cherish, along with some I regret. 

There was one moment of regret during my Little League days. Even though I played all sports, I was also a dedicated Boy Scout. Being a scout during the 1970s was very common for a young boy. 

But the one regret I have is the fact that I was one project away from becoming an Eagle Scout and never completed it. This is the highest achievement a scout can earn. It means a lot to become an Eagle Scout and looks good on a job resume. It gets the attention of an employer looking to hire you as it shows your ability to commit to a task and follow through. 

I’ll admit that my baseball career, which was more important to me at that time, got in the way of my accomplishing the goal of receiving an Eagle Scout badge. 

One event that’s given me a lifetime of both pride and joy was being a member of the 1978 Class 3A Texas state baseball championship team. Any time you can share the experience of winning a state title, especially with your closest friends, it just means more. 

I can remember our head coach giving us a post-game speech after winning the state title. He said that this victory would mean more to us later in life than it did that day. How right he was!

That Texas state title whet my appetite for another one the next year. But nothing is harder than defending a state championship and regretfully we came up one game short of a repeat trip to the state tournament.

Another joy also comes with some regret. The day I got drafted by the Montreal Expos in 1983 brought so much joy. But after two seasons of playing in their minor league system, it was very apparent I had zero chance to make it to the major league level with the Expos. 

Montreal at the time had three Major League Baseball All-Stars in their outfield with Tim Rains, Andre Dawson and Warren Cromartie. It may have been the best outfield in the big leagues at that time. There was no room to move up in the organization unless one of these three got hurt or traded. My regret after leaving the Expos is turning down a Double A contract from the San Francisco Giants that would have extended my baseball career. 

While sports have been a huge part of my life, nothing has given me as much competitive  joy as bass fishing. As a kid growing up on a ranch, there was no shortage of stock ponds to fish. I basically learned on my own, along with reading Bassmaster Magazine stories on how to catch bass. 

I have spent hundreds of days fishing the banks of five different stock ponds loaded with good bass. I was always so proud to bring a stringer full of bass back home for a good fish fry.

Tournament bass fishing has given me much joy over the past 36 years especially with all the friends I have met and shared so many good times while fishing tournament trails and fishing some of the best lakes in the country.

Another joy in my life has been the creation of the Hook’N Up & Track’N Down Show. This was a brainstorm of mine back in 2007 that I felt was much needed. Nineteen years later, the show is still going strong! Each week for 52 weeks out of the year I get to talk about issues related to God’s great outdoors. My relationship with my two other co-hosts, Gary McCoy and Mike Echols, makes doing the program so enjoyable. 

But my greatest joy came the day I signed a scholarship to continue my athletic career/education to Northwestern State University where I met Sherrie, my wife of 44 years. We then celebrated the births of our three children Brittany, Meredith and Brandon. 

To this day, raising of these three blessings has been my greatest accomplishment and one that has ZERO regrets!

Each of us has so many events or situations over the course of a lifetime that we can look back on with either joy or regret. As life continues to give us both good and bad times, just the fact that we are still waking up every day means we have so much joy to look forward to, and hopefully no regrets.  

April 8 has marked several significant turning points in global history, from groundbreaking scientific achievements to the loss of influential leaders whose legacies continue to shape modern society.

One of the most notable events tied to this date occurred in 1974, when Hank Aaron broke Babe Ruth’s long-standing home run record by hitting his 715th career home run. The moment was more than a sports milestone—it represented perseverance and dignity in the face of intense racial hostility. Aaron’s achievement became a defining moment in American sports history and a symbol of progress during a turbulent era.

April 8 is also remembered for the death of Margaret Thatcher in 2013, the United Kingdom’s first female prime minister. Known as the “Iron Lady,” Thatcher served from 1979 to 1990 and played a key role in reshaping British economic policy through deregulation and privatization. Her leadership remains a subject of debate, but her impact on global politics is undeniable.

In science and exploration, April 8, 1960, marked the introduction of the first weather satellite system capable of transmitting cloud images from space. This advancement revolutionized meteorology, providing forecasters with unprecedented tools to predict storms and monitor climate patterns. Today’s satellite technology traces its roots back to these early innovations.

April 8 also carries significance in civil rights history. In 1968, just days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Coretta Scott King led a silent march in Memphis, continuing her husband’s work and demonstrating the enduring strength of the movement. The march drew thousands and reinforced calls for justice and equality.

From sports achievements to political leadership and scientific breakthroughs, April 8 stands as a date marked by resilience, innovation, and lasting influence across multiple fields.

Louisiana residents are once again battling their annual sworn enemy as a thick layer of pollen quietly takes over cars, porches, and anything that dares to exist outside. Visibility is fine, but everything now has a nice yellow finish—whether it asked for it or not. Officials have yet to confirm when it will end, but locals agree: the pollen is winning.

Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood recently received a visit from Jessica Turner with the Geaux 4 Kids, Inc. initiative, which works to provide support for children in crisis.

Geaux 4 Kids, Inc. partners with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement (LCLE) to supply “Geaux Bags” to law enforcement agencies and the Department of Children and Family Services. These bags are designed to help children during the first 24 to 48 hours after being removed from their homes.

The bags contain essential items such as pajamas, toiletries and toys, offering comfort and dignity to children who may be victims of crime or neglect. Patrol deputies often deliver the bags to children in need.

Sheriff Wood and the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office expressed appreciation for the initiative and the support it provides to children during difficult circumstances.

For more information about Geaux 4 Kids or to learn how to support the program, visit geauxbags.org/about-us.

The City of Alexandria has released a final update following a joint investigation by the Alexandria Police Department and the Alexandria Fire Department into the death of Za’Niyah Boyd.

Officials say that after a review of physical evidence, forensic analysis and witness statements, investigators have ruled out foul play. The findings conclude that the death was a tragic accident.

Authorities noted that public safety teams worked to ensure a complete and accurate investigation, while urging the public to rely on official sources for information. Officials emphasized the importance of balancing the public’s need for answers with the privacy and dignity of the victim and her family.

The statement also addressed the spread of misinformation during the investigation, warning that false claims and unverified rumors can hinder investigative efforts and cause additional harm to grieving families.

The City of Alexandria extended condolences to the family and friends of Za’Niyah Boyd and asked the community to respect their privacy as they continue to grieve.

By Cole Gentry, Chief Marketing Officer at Northwestern State University

The drive to campus often carries two things at once, excitement and uncertainty.

For many students, college begins before the first class ever meets. It starts in the quiet questions that build during the summer. Where do I go? Who do I ask? What will this place feel like once it becomes mine?

At Northwestern State University, Freshman Connection is designed to answer those questions early and well.

The program serves as NSU’s official orientation for new first-year students attending the Natchitoches, Alexandria, Leesville, and Shreveport campuses. It gives students an organized, welcoming introduction to campus life, academic expectations, and the people who will help shape their first year. Students meet in small groups led by current student Connectors, who guide conversations, share advice, and help make a university feel personal from the very beginning.

That matters, because the transition to college rarely feels small.

Students are stepping away from familiar routines and entering a new environment with new expectations. They are learning how to manage time, ask for help, build relationships, and take ownership of their education. Freshman Connection meets them in that moment. It does not overwhelm them with information and send them on their way. It introduces them to the rhythm of NSU, one conversation, one session, and one connection at a time.

During orientation, students learn about academic advising and register for fall classes. They are introduced to campus services and resources that support strong academic choices and healthy social decisions. They explore opportunities for involvement and begin to understand what responsibility looks like in a college setting. By the end, the university is no longer a collection of buildings and offices. It starts to feel familiar.

“We want you to leave orientation knowing exactly where you belong,” said Dr. Mary-Katherine Maggio, director of First Year Experience and Student Engagement. “You arrive as a visitor, and you leave as a Demon.”

That sense of belonging is one of the most important parts of the experience.

Freshman Connection is also built with families in mind. Parent Connection runs alongside the student program and gives parents and guardians a closer look at first-year transitions, student involvement, campus services, university procedures, and academic resources. NSU also offers Kid Konnection for siblings ages 5 to 12, creating a family-centered welcome that recognizes college is often a transition shared by more than one person.

The 2026 schedule gives families several options. Natchitoches will host sessions May 20 to 21, May 27 to 28, June 17 to 18, and July 9. Additional one-day satellite events are scheduled for Alexandria on June 23, Leesville on June 24, and Shreveport on June 25, and these sessions are only for students attending those campuses. Registration opened Feb. 10 through the myStatus portal at www.nsu.la/mystatus, where students can also review admissions, financial aid, housing, and orientation information in one place.

That is why Freshman Connection matters. It gives students structure before the semester begins. It helps them move from uncertainty to clarity. It gives them names, faces, places, and next steps.

And for many, it marks the moment college stops feeling distant and starts feeling real.

At the end of Freshman Connection, students depart with direction. They know where to go, who to contact, and how to begin. They leave having already taken an important first step toward success at Northwestern State.

Explore Freshman Connection: www.nsu.la/fc

Apply to NSU: www.nsu.la/apply

Register for Freshman Connection: www.nsu.la/mystatus

“It breaks my heart to think about children growing up with so much uncertainty because one parent isn’t paying what they should. When the support doesn’t come, it’s the kids and the custodial parent who carry the burden every single day — and no family should have to live that way.”

 See what Ida says 

Linda was born to the union of Charles & Maryann Huntsberry in Ruby, La. Linda was a wonderful wife, friend, mom, grandmother, aunt, and just over all a wonderful human. Linda spent her life as a nurse, homemaker, and caregiver to her family. The dedication she had to her family was truly amazing. She loved singing and worshiping with her church family. The love and joy that was spread by Linda is amazing. Linda will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Linda is survived by her husband— Randel Walker; 2 daughters, Gwendolyn Walker and Rebecca Murphy; her special adopted daughter/niece Sharon Huntsberry; 2 brothers Johnathan Huntsberry and Bryon Huntsberry; Grandchildren: Katy Harris, Hallie Walker, Kathryn Taylor, Abby Taylor. She is survived by many nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Pallbearers: Mike Taylor, Ray Walker, Jr., Stuart Huntsberry, Benny Sauseda, Scott Rushing, Reggie Huntsberry

Arrangements entrusted to: Fall Creek Funeral Home, Pineville, LA

Interment: Coleman Cemetery, Colfax, LA

By JIM BUTLER

Judge Monique Rauls ruled Monday that Executive Director Angela Varnado owes GAEDA more than $50,000 improperly paid her and she and her employers owe a former GAEDA commissioner legal and other litigation expenses.

John Callis claimed the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority overpaid Varnado as a result of a contract reached in a meeting later ruled illegal. 

Back in November he advised GAEDA he would go to court if it ignored his requests after the Louisiana Supreme Court upheld in October 2025 Rauls’ July 2024 ruling that the February 2024 meeting was illegal and all action taken voided.

In February 2025 the authority inked a new agreement with Varnado.

Responding to the Callis pleading heard Monday the defendants suggested Rauls should consider an award of sanctions against Callis.

They cited “vexatious litigation tactics clearly designed to target defendants without support in law.”

Through his counsel Callis noted the LSC ruling was clear — that Varnado’s agreement of 2024 was void and without effect and she was paid improperly as a result until the 2025 signing.

Callis claimed that amounted to about $55,000. He also sought reimbursement of about $33,000 in legal fees and other expenses related to the case.

Specifics of how much is owed GAEDA by Varnado and how much is owed Callis by which party will be set forth when the court’s formal order is issued.

You may not have heard his name before this past weekend, but if you’re an LSU baseball fan, you’ll likely never forget it after what he did on Easter Sunday.

Cade Jordan Arrambide (pronounced Air-em-BEE-day), a sophomore catcher from Tomball, Texas, became the first LSU player in the school’s history to hit four home runs in one game to lead LSU to a come-from-behind 16-6 victory at Tennessee in 12 innings.

We heard most of the game on the car radio, driving back to Alexandria from a weekend jaunt to visit my sister-in-law in El Dorado, Ark. As exciting as the contest was, starting in the seventh inning, it rekindled my love for baseball on the radio. It would’ve been a great game to see on TV, no doubt, but there’s something about baseball and radio that were made for each other.

Another compelling thing about this game was it was the “rubber” game to determine the winner of the regular season series between the last two NCAA baseball champions. Tennessee, remember, won it all two season ago before LSU won it last year. For the second time in three years.

LSU trailed 5-0 early and the Tigers were down 5-1 when, in the seventh inning, the Tigers suddenly metamorphosized into the “Gorilla Ball” Tigers of the late 1990s.

It was as if Zeus showed up and started handing out lightning bolts in the LSU dugout in place of the customary bats. They got back-to-back-to-back home runs from sophomore John Pearson, Seth Dardar (of bat-flipping fame after a home run last week vs. Kentucky) and Arrambide to pull within 5-4.

Jake Brown got an RBI single in the ninth – the same inning LSU coach Jay Johnson got ejected after arguing a called third strike – to tie the game and force extra innings. Jake Brown is a footnote now in the game, but what a crucial hit to bring in the run that allowed the history and excitement that happened in the extra innings. Johnson was a spectator for the final innings from the press box at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

Both teams scored a run in the 11^th (with Arrambide’s third home run in the top of the inning giving the Tigers a brief lead) to go into the 12^th inning with a 6-6 score.

In the 12^th inning, LSU scored 10 runs. The Tigers took a 7-6 lead and Arrambide belted his school record fourth homer – a grand slam to boot – for an 11-6 lead. That blast didn’t hit the stadium lights in the outfield, causing them to rain down sparks like fireworks, but it did prompt LSU play-by-play broadcaster Chris Blair to observe the Volunteer fans were heading en masse for the exits.

In Louisiana lore, it just might be the shot heard round the college baseball world. It seemingly awakened a sleeping giant. Meanwhile, Gavin Guidry (4-3) of Lake Charles, who was scheduled to start but instead came on in relief, pitched 5 1/3 solid innings, allowing just one run on two hits.

LSU had four errors in the early innings, but the Tigers had 19 hits – including seven homers – to score 16 runs and win the series, two games to one. The victory evened LSU’s SEC record to 6-6 and returned LSU (22-11) to the national rankings at 24^th.

Arrambide is a name that has roots in the Basque region of Spain, and Cade (a sturdy 6-3, 208) equaled his total number of homers all last season with the four he notched on Sunday. His Texas hometown of Tomball is a “family-friendly” suburb 37 miles northwest of Houston. He achieved SEC Academic Honor Roll honors last year as a freshman, and as a senior at Tomball High School he led the team to the Class 6A state championship and was ranked as the No. 1 catcher by MLB.com in its 2024 draft rankings.

Lest he get the big head, Arrambide might consider the fate of one Marshall McDougall, who owns the NCAA record for home runs in a game with six for Florida State in May of 1999. He went 7-for-7 in his historic game with NCAA game records for RBI (16) and total bases (25).

His MLB story? He played part of one season (2005) for the Texas Rangers, batting .167 in 18 games.

For now, Arrambide and the Tigers are the talk of college baseball after winning that pivotal marquee SEC series at Tennessee on Easter Sunday. The tomb in which many naysayers were ready to bury them is open.

The Medicine Cabinet has announced plans to relocate its Alexandria location to Pineville, with the new site expected to open in May.

The business will move to 40 Pinecrest Drive, offering customers the same staff and services in an updated space.

In announcing the move, the company emphasized its commitment to maintaining the same level of care and familiarity for its customers while transitioning to a new location.

Updates on the opening, including progress and a preview of the new space, are expected to be shared in the coming weeks.

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A Rapides Parish student has been recognized among the state’s top youth for her achievements and community impact.

Maylie Stanley has been named a Louisiana Young Hero by Louisiana Public Broadcasting, an honor awarded to only seven students statewide.

The recognition highlights young individuals who demonstrate excellence in academics, community service, perseverance through adversity and the ability to inspire others through their character and actions.

School officials said Stanley’s dedication to both her school and community set her apart, noting that her efforts reflect a strong commitment to making a positive difference.

The Louisiana Young Heroes program celebrates students across the state who exemplify leadership, service and resilience.

The Rapides Parish School Board is recognizing Talesha Mollette of J.I. Barron Elementary as part of its weekly Classroom Hero Highlight initiative.

Mollette, who has 19 years of experience in education, was selected for her commitment to fostering a positive and empowering classroom environment for her students.

According to the district, Mollette encourages students to become leaders and role models by demonstrating kindness, incorporating daily affirmations and offering public praise when students make positive choices.

As part of the recognition, Mollette also highlighted the influence of a colleague who has made a lasting impact on students. She pointed to Susan Wilmore, noting that while she may not serve as a traditional classroom teacher, she continues to positively influence students while also supporting teachers and parents with her knowledge and experience.

The Classroom Hero Highlight program spotlights educators across the parish who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of students.

In the 1930s, the Kutol Products soap company was dangerously close to going out of business.  Cleo McVicker worked hard to get Kutol’s products into stores and ultimately in the hands of consumers.  Kutol needed a new product, but what?  At the time, many homes in America were heated with coal which left a sooty residue on everything in the home.  Unlike regular household dust which could easily be swept or vacuumed up, coal dust was finer and more difficult to remove.  Sweeping and vacuuming coal dust normally sent more of it back into the air than was collected.  Coal dust also contained sulfur, nitrogen, silica, and heavy metals, which could be hazardous to health.  In 1933, Cleo negotiated a deal with the purchasing agent for the Kroger grocery store chain to add a cleaner to their inventory which would remove coal dust from wallpaper.  Coal dust was especially hard to remove from wallpaper because it was small enough to settle into the paper fibers of wallpaper.  Cleo promised Kroger a product which did not exist.

Cleo immediately contacted his brother Noah, Kutol’s main product developer, and the two began the rigorous research and development process.  After countless failures, they came up with the formula for a compound which easily removed coal dust from wallpaper.  Unlike liquid cleaners which required the user to apply the liquid to a cloth and swipe away the coal dust which usually made a bigger mess, Kutol wallpaper cleaner, was non-toxic, non-staining, and made no mess at all.  The user simply pressed the compound onto the wall and the coal dust stuck to it.  Once the compound became saturated with coal dust, the consumer threw it away and bought another can for five cents.  Because it was a replenishable product, the Kutol company was saved one nickel at a time. 

For 20 years, Kutol wallpaper cleaner kept the company afloat and successful.  Following World War II, many people converted their homes from being heated by coal to natural gas.  No longer did homeowners have the hassle of purchasing, handling, and storing a skuttle of dusty coal.  Natural gas burned cleanly and was piped directly into the home.  Around the same time, manufacturers began making wallpaper out of vinyl rather than paper which made it much easier to clean.  By the early 1950s, sales of Kutol wallpaper cleaner began to decline quickly.  The company was once again on the brink of failure.  

In 1955, Joe McVicker, Cleo’s son, was searching for a way to keep Kutol from going bankrupt when Kay Zufall, his sister-in-law and schoolteacher, convinced him that Kutol wallpaper cleaner could be used for something more fun than cleaning.  Joe ran with the idea.  In 1956, Kutol established the Rainbow Crafts Company Inc. and repackaged the wallpaper cleaner, but Kutol was so near bankruptcy that they had no advertising budget.  That could have been the end, but Joe demonstrated his product to Bob Keeshan, better known to the world as Captain Kangaroo.  Bob liked the product so much that he agreed to use it in his television show at least once a week.  From 1955 until 1984, Captain Kangaroo was one of the most popular children’s shows on television.  Before Captain Kangaroo, Kutol struggled to sell their rebranded product.  Because of Captain Kangaroo, Kutol struggled to keep up with demand.  Since its introduction on Captain Kangaroo, billions of cans of rebranded Kutol wallpaper cleaner have been sold.  It has become one of history’s most iconic toys and it remains popular to this day.  We have all played with Kuto wallpaper cleaner, but we know it as Play-Doh.    

Sources:

1.     The Cincinnati Enquirer, April 19, 1936, p.25.

2.     The Akron Beacon Journal, April 18, 1938, p.19. 

3.     David Kindy, “The Accidental Invention of Play-Doh,” Smithsonian magazine, November 12, 2019, accessed March 29, 2026, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/accidental-invention-play-doh-180973527/.

4.     “The History of Play-Doh: Good, Clean Fun!” The Strong National Museum of Play, accessed March 29, 2026, https://www.museumofplay.org/blog/the-history-of-play-doh-good-clean-fun/.   

Celisa Smith Coldiron, age 55 of Pineville, entered eternal rest on Monday, March 16, 2026 in her residence.

Celisa was a resident of Pineville for over 34 years. She was the Financial Director for Families Helping Families, a non-profit organization catering to children with physical disabilities. She enjoyed her flowers and plants and tending to their pool, which was her relaxation, as well as art painting. She also loved spending time and going to functions with her family. Her family was her life.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Deloris Davis Smith, and her infant son, Brady Thomas Coldiron.

Celisa is survived by her husband of 36 years, Russ Coldiron of Pineville; three sons, Jesse Coldiron (Denise) of Pineville, Jacob Coldiron of Pineville, and Jerrod “Jed” Snoddy (Kari) of Pollock; her father, Mr. Cecil Smith of Pineville; and one sister, Cheline Cox (Jim) of Ecuador, South America. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Kylie Coldiron, Madison Coldiron, Wylan Snoddy and Reed Snoddy, as well as special extended family members Dana Little of Cheneyville and Frankie Lachney of Cheneyville.

Ricki Babineaux joined his Lord and Savior on Feb.22,2026 in Pineville, La. Ricki was born in New Orleans,La. on April 7, 1954. He was a very talented Jewelry Artisan. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph E. Babineaux, his mother Myra Madere Vass, and his brother Wesley J. Babineaux. He is survived by his son Joshua Auguste DeFisher, his brother Darren Babineaux, his sisters Patti Chigoy(Tommy), Lauri Stuart, and Geralyn Hosmer. His family would like to extend special gratitude to the caring staff of Hilltop Nursing Home and Compassionate Care Hospice in Pineville. He is interred in St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum in Destrehan.

At approximately 2:49 AM on Monday April 6, 2026, Patrol Deputies responded to the area of US 71 South and Gene Ball Drive in reference to a report of a drive-by shooting.

Upon arrival, deputy’s located two gun shot victims who were transported to local hospitals.  The victim’s status is unknown at this time.

According to witnesses, the suspect vehicle involved in the drive-by shooting is a white SUV, unknown make or model.

Sheriffs Detectives and Crime Scene Unit responded to conduct their investigation and process evidence.

This is an ongoing investigation and if anyone has any information on this incident, they are asked to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 318-473-6727,  RPSO Main Office at 318-473-6700 or Crime Stoppers at 318-443-7867.