Here we are in our January funk.

Duck and deer-hunting seasons are over, neither the Tigers nor the Saints made the playoffs, basketball tournaments are still to come.

Mardi Gras season is here, but crawfish are in short supply, and small, and the krewes’ parades and balls are just beginning. It’s still a ways to Fat Tuesday.

Compounding our misery this month has been a stretch of cold, wet, gray days, making Sun Belt an inappropriate designation.

But Wednesday afternoon the sun broke through for a while and one could see the bounce returning to people’s steps as they skirted around puddles going here and there.

The sun, at last!

It boosts spirits and assures us that, despite the misery of Siberian-sent cold coming with its snow and ice next week, Spring, with its lawn mowers, fishing poles, tennis racquets, golf clubs, pickle ball paddles and baseball, isn’t that far away.

Speaking of sunshine and baseball brings to mind umpire Doug Harvey’s recounting of a time he and a manager argued over a ball hit down the right field line.

Harvey from behind home plate called the ball along the outfield line foul.

The manager questioned why Harvey made the call instead of his umpiring partner. Harvey said he did so because he had the best sight angle.

The manager then asked Harvey if he could see that clearly a ball hitting the ground 250 feet away.

Harvey told him, to paraphrase it, that on a clear day he could see the sun, and it’s 93 million miles away.

The manager returned to the bench, as I now shall return to mine, with a new ooph in my step.

It is the middle of January. How are we doing on those New Year’s resolutions? I have a love-hate relationship with them. I would love to have the discipline of making a life changing resolution and then keeping it. Sadly, I fall into the category of allowing my resolution to fall by the wayside all too quickly. I cannot tell you how many times I have set out to eat better or lose weight only to dive into a delicious king cake just a week into the new year. Or plunge into decluttering a closet, the pantry or my life only to abandon the whole idea, well, right about now.

If you are still going strong, then good for you! Keep up the good work. However, if you are more like me, might we consider an alternative. Instead of trying to keep some pie in the sky resolutions, how about replacing them with a few modifications. For example, instead of trying to lose weight or build muscle, what if we worked on building relationships. Maybe put down the remote and spend more time talking with friends and family. Instead of fasting from fatty foods, let’s fast from social media and all those gaming apps and videos that eat up our time and attention. Let’s step away from those monitors and perhaps step into some type of mission. Imagine what we could do or accomplish if we spent more time face to face and less time in front of a screen?

You might be surprised by the positive effect missional endeavors will have on your body, mind and spirit. When we do for others, it not only changes the way we look at people who are different from us, but it also changes the way we feel about ourselves. It will often get you out of doors, depending on the project, and have you moving more. It can often increase your knowledge and sensitivity to the needs in your community and those around you. I can’t tell you how many times I have come away from a missional opportunity blessed by the experience and the people I have met. I can honestly say I usually get more out of it than any New Year’s resolution I have ever made.

On the journey,

Ramonalynn Bethley
First United Methodist Church of Alexandria

Tuesday night at Buckeye High School, the town and school honored a local legend with a first-time honor – the retirement of his football and basketball jersey numbers. Darrell Hicks made a deep impact in his hometown and his alma mater, and made his mark in college for the LSU Tigers.

Buckeye High School provided the following tribute to commemorate the Panthers’ first-ever jersey retirement ceremony, held during a home basketball doubleheader:

“Buckeye, Louisiana is a small town built of good people, who work together to create a strong spirit of community. Here, there is no greater excitement than watching young people excel in their high school sports programs, which help develop strong character, teamwork, and perseverance. These experiences are remembered for a lifetime.

“Darrell Hicks was once one of these young athletes – although his days as a student began when the grade school still utilized outdoor toilets. By high school, he was a three-season athlete, competing in football, basketball and track.

“In 1962, during Darrell’s freshman year, the Buckeye football team was founded by Coach Jim Lanier and Assistant Coach Charles Walker. Darrell started as both tight end and defensive end, plus assumed the duties of place kicker and punter. That year, with quarterback E.L. Paulk, Darrell scored the first touchdown in Buckeye history.

“At this time, basketball was already a popular sport in the Buckeye community and Coach Earl Lynn Aymond didn’t waste any time before gathering in athletes from the football team. Hicks was rebounding force for the Panthers during those early years and started every game. The 1962 basketball team had a successful season reaching the Top 20 playoffs for the first time in Buckeye High School history. 

“Track season followed the next spring when Coach Walker began to teach and emphasize proper running techniques. The Buckeye track team excelled under Coach Walker’s guidance, winning district and sub-district titles with their strong relay teams. Darrell specialized in the hop, step and jump, the long jump, and various relays teams.

“Over the years, all three teams continued to improve thanks to guidance of coaches Lanier, Walker, and Aymond. By Darrell’s junior year, the football team was seeing more and more success and gaining the attention of college coaches. Many players received all district, southwest, and state honors. That year the basketball team also found themselves winning most games, going on to participate in the Top 20 tournament.

“It was in his junior year that Darrell began to attract the interest of both college basketball and college football coaches. That year he was honored with district, southwest district, and sub-state honors for his role on the basketball team. In his senior year, Darrell received even wider recognition in both football and basketball. He was recognized with All-State honors in football. In basketball he was named to the All-American team and named the Player of the Year for the State of Louisiana, averaging 28 points and 17 rebounds per game.

“After graduating, Darrell went on to play football at Louisiana State University. He had a successful Freshman year as the starting wide receiver and backup kicker, scoring several touchdowns. While Darrell planned to play basketball alongside ‘Pistol Pete’ Maravich that year, he was redshirted for the season. 

“Shortly into his sophomore year, a loaded log truck ran a stop sign and tragically ended Darrell’s college athletic career. Despite this life changing accident, Darrell’s “boy like” enthusiasm for life and a genuine love for people platformed him as a true “character” in any crowd.

“After hanging the cleats up he met Miss Ann Hicks, affectionately referred to as “Shorty.”  The couple has been now been married for over 50 years and share a son, Darron.

“Darrell’s ‘Louisiana Style’ gift of BBQ hospitality was apparent wherever he went.  From Missouri to Arkansas to Tennessee and beyond, Darrell and Miss Ann’s table was always open.  It was always a place to share the incredible childhood stories and life lessons learned from the little town near Alexandria, Louisiana called Buckeye. 

“Eventually, Darrell became famous in front of the local grocery store, church fundraisers, and small catering events thanks to pairing Buckeye-style cooking with a family seasoning recipe that his dad, J.B. Hicks, developed at the local meat market. Darrell was almost as good at cooking as he was basketball, and in 1985 with the encouragement of one of his colleagues at John Deere, took his Cajun-style cooking to a BBQ competition.

“In 1987, Darrell and his team won the coveted title of Grand Champion in May at the Memphis World  BBQ Contest, cooking a cochon de lait style hog.  This was a great accomplishment, but in the words of Darrell ‘Big Un’ Hicks, ‘we can’t eat trophies,’ and so his catering company was born.

“The company covered events from local benefits to some of the most powerful companies in the United States – Walmart, John Deere Corporate, Arkansas Rock Sand & Gravel, and more. Eventually they expanded to a precooked vacuumed packed BBQ product line under the Hicks Smoked Meats label.  His pre-cooked high-end BBQ packages were enthusiastically accepted into the food world and are used throughout the national restaurant scene.

“Darrell has managed to find success in unexpected opportunities – even when faced with life-changing accidents. However, it is not success that drives him, rather he centers his life around God, family, friends, and fun. Darrell has never forgotten where he is from and what life is truly about. Today, his greatest joys come from spending time with his son Darron and grandson Dillon – teaching him how to hunt from the duck blind, as well as reaching out to help those less fortunate than him. As his son has shared, he’s a better dad than he ever was a ball player.”

We’ve tossed out the old calendar and replaced it with a shiny new 2025 model. Does this mean that we can forget hunting until this fall and winter? Not by a long shot. There’s still plenty to do outdoors; duck season is still going on, deer will be legal game for a while as will rabbits and quail.

One of my favorite outdoor activities this time of year was to hook up with a buddy who owns a good squirrel dog and head for the woods for a late season squirrel hunt. Hunting squirrels this time of year is a departure from the way we did it in October when season opened. Back then, we sneaked into the woods at first light, finding a comfortable seat on a log and waited for the first squirrel to shake the end of a branch. With ample foliage still on the trees, it was a simple matter to sneak to within shotgun range of a feeding squirrel.

Once the first frost sent the leaves showering to the ground in a burst of color, hunting squirrels became more complicated. No longer was it easy to sneak up on a squirrel; he’d spot you the minute you took your first step in his direction.

This is where a good squirrel dog earns his Purina. You’ve kept him around the place all year, feeding him and taking him to the vet. But once the leaves are off the trees, Fido quickly makes you forget the dog food and vet bills. If he’s a good squirrel dog, he’ll pay dividends in spades.

Nothing is quite as much fun as getting together with a group of friends and heading for the woods with a squirrel dog leading the way. If he’s well trained, and you’re in good squirrel woods, you’ll hear him bark treed before you walk a quarter mile.                     

Once you locate the tree where the prey is treed, teamwork enters the picture. Hunters surround the tree, affording every possible angle to give the tree a visual once-over. Chances are, someone will say, “I see him…he’s up there in that fork above the crooked limb”, or something similar. If you’re rotating shots and it’s your turn to shoot, you’ll draw a bead on the squirrel, send him plummeting to the ground in a shower of leaves, and call the dog off to find another.

It’s not always that simple. Sometimes, the tree is covered with vines and the squirrel is nowhere to be found. Here’s where another ploy is used to locate the squirrel.

One hunter will say, “Y’all stand back and get to where you can see the tree. I’m fixin’ to shake a vine.” No squirrel can sit still when the tree begins bouncing as a vine is pulled and shaken. He’ll take off and if it’s a cat squirrel, you can’t help but marvel at how fast he can scoot up the tree, jumping to another and never stopping until a load or two of #6 shot finds its mark.

Sometimes, a squirrel heads for a hole in a tree before the hunters arrive, and when this happens, it’s just as well that you call off the dog and find another squirrel. He’s not likely to leave the safety of the hollow until the woods grow quiet again.

The enjoyable part of squirrel hunting with a dog is the camaraderie. It’s not necessary to be quiet and stealthy. The dog locates the tree where the squirrel is hiding and sometimes the more noise you make, the better chance the squirrel will move, giving away its hideout.

You don’t have a squirrel dog? You can squirrel hunt anyhow this time of year. Locate a spot where squirrels are feeding; you’ll find freshly-cut hulls on the ground. Find a comfortable seat and sit quietly until you spot a squirrel. This is a good time to use a 22 rifle where longer range shots are necessary. Another way to hunt squirrels this time of year without a squirrel dog is to invite a few friends along to walk through the woods, shaking every vine you see. It’s an almost certain bet that you’ll get some shooting at a few fast-moving squirrels.

It might be difficult to concentrate on squirrel hunting with the deep freeze we’re looking at again next week. However, this too shall pass and we can concentrate on chasing squirrel on through the month of February. Give late season squirrel hunting a try. It’s good exercise and a whole lot of fun.

Contact Glynn at glynnharris37@gmail.com

The Pineville Fire Department recently received a delivery of 150 new smoke detectors from the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s office. These detectors are part of the Operation Save a Life grant program and will be installed in homes around the community free of charge. Contact the Pineville Fire Department for more information on scheduling an installation.

Officer Braxton Cripps and Officer Meagan Thompson were officially pinned with their Pineville Police Department badges by their family members at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

Both officers graduated from the Alexandria Regional Police Academy in November 2024 and have since demonstrated their commitment to serving and protecting our community. Pineville PD extended their congratulations to Officers Cripps and Officer Thompson on this significant milestone in their law enforcement careers.

The Alexandria Police Department responded to the 1700 block of Thornton Court on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at around 9:50am in reference to a body of an elderly person being found. At this time, the deceased has been identified as 70–year–old John Gallo of Polk Street in Alexandria. There does not appear to be any foul play suspected in this death. An autopsy will be performed.

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 http://www.p3tips.com/community/mobile.

Arrests are accusations, not convictions.

Jan. 15

Samantha Brinkley, 50, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substance, two counts of being a fugitive in Louisiana, $2,500 bail;

Blake Michael Brouillette, 18, Church Point – 15 counts of simple burglary, one count of attempted burglary, no bail data;

Daniel Wayland Free, 47, Pineville – possession of controlled dangerous substance, $2,500 bail;

Gregory Dewayne Johnson, 42, Pineville – failure to register as a sex offender, resisting an officer, obstruction of justice (evidence tampering), unsafe vehicle, driver’s license not in possession, contempt of court, failure to appear/pay fine, $79,200 bail;

Tyler Manning, 22, Hessmer – 15 counts of simple burglary, one count of attempted burglary, no bail data;

Robert Shane Waltermeyer, 49, Pineville – three counts of contempt of court, $15,000 bail.

Jan. 14

Jerry Randell Butler, 58, Alexandria – theft, contempt of court, $2,500 bail;

Christopher Chapin, 19, Pineville – aggravated assault domestic abuse, no bail data;

Chad Randell Deville, 50, Deville – four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, three counts of contempt of court, one count probation violation, $4,500 bail;

Marckeeyse Kentrell Dorsey, 23, Alexandria – aggravated assault with firearm, parole violations, $100,000 bail;

Steven Joseph Farrow, 49, Alexandria – OWI first offense, stopping/parking/standing on highway shoulder, driver under suspension/revocation, contempt fail to pay fine, $1,200 bail;

Christopher James Johnson, 40, Woodworth – illegal possession of stolen things ($5,000-$25,000), contempt of non-support, two counts contempt of court; no bail reported;

Evelyn Nicole Johnson, 42, Alexandria – burglary of an inhabited dwelling, contempt of court, $22,000 bail;

Tardarius Lemon Lott, 30, Alexandria – aggravated resisting an officer with force or violence, resisting an officer, three count of theft under $1,000, simple escape, $2,000 bail;

Leann Tienesha Thompson, 33, Alexandria – illegal possession of stolen things, possession of controlled dangerous substance, drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice (evidence tampering), obstructing public passages, $2,000 bail;

Chelsea Ann Ware, 35, Pineville – cruelty to juveniles, $10,000 bail.

Jan. 13

Windy Marie Matthews, 38, Rosepine – possession of controlled dangerous substance schedule 2, switched license plate, driving under suspension/revocation, $2,700 bail;

Douglas Ray Mayo, 47, Deville – simple burglary, parole violations, $2,500 bail;

John David Normand, 51, Deville – theft of motor vehicle, criminal conspiracy, criminal trespass, criminal damage to property; $41,500 bail;

Kieron Ladarius Richardson, 31, Pineville – criminal conspiracy, self-mutilation by a prisoner, stalking first offense, resisting an officer, $1,500 bail.

Jan. 12

Myron Ladre Bush, 45, Alexandria – aggravated assault, disturbing the peace, $750 bail;

Brett Earnest Cohenour, 53, Pineville – illegal use of weapons/dangerous instrumentalities, simple assault, two counts of violation of protective order (non-violent first offense), $15,500 bail;

Trista Nicole Goleman, 41, Elmer – OWI first offense, improper parking, $1,100 bail;

Javonta Dupree McQuarn, 30, Alexandria – possession of controlled dangerous substance schedule 2, misrepresentation during booking, resisting officer, remaining after forbidden, $4,000 bail;

Clarence Peter Thompson, 33, Houston, Texas – domestic batter strangulation, resisting an officer, $10,500 bail;

Xavier Jacoby Walker, 19, Pineville – unlawful handling of machine guns, possession of controlled dangerous substance, improper window tint, contempt of court, $11,100 bail.

Due to construction at Horseshoe Elementary School, Voting Precincts C24 and C25 have been relocated. The new voting location will be Common Point Shopping Center (3720 MacArthur Drive) for the March 29 election. 

Contact the Rapides Parish Police Jury for further information at 318-473-6660.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) adopted notices of intent for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 hunting seasons, 2025-26 general and Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) hunting seasons and rules and regulations, 2026 general and WMA turkey hunting season and rules and regulations, and 2025-26 migratory bird hunting season and rules and regulations at its Jan. 7 in Baton Rouge.

The notices of intent include proposed hunting season dates and regulation changes from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) for the upcoming hunting seasons and provide for a public comment period.

Some of the proposed changes include:

• A Federally mandated nine-day September teal season (Sept. 20-28);
• Reducing the West Zone duck season splits from three segments to two;
• Modifies the Youth and Veteran’s waterfowl hunts days for the East and West Zones;
• Changes Deer Area 4 limit from three to four (two antlered and two antlerless);
• Allows hunters 65 and older to use any legal firearm to take deer during the primitive firearm season;
• Removes a Physically Challenged Hunter blind on Maurepas Swamp WMA and establishes one on Sandy Hollow WMA;
• Clarifies types of dogs legal for LDWF WMA camping areas;
• Adds three additional deer hunting days on Attakapas WMA;
• Establishes a 2 p.m. waterfowl hunting closure, prohibits mud boats and air-cooled vessels, nighttime activities and requires all fish to be taken by rod and reel only on Biloxi WMA;
• Modifies mandatory deer checks on Bodcau, Boeuf, Buckhorn, Fort Johnson-North and Fort Johnson-Vernon WMAs.
• Removes a Physically Challenged Hunter blind on Floy McElroy WMA;
• Prohibits magnet fishing on Department of Defense WMAs;
• Removes Highway 11 night-time closure on Pearl River WMA;
• Shifts the primitive firearm season on Russell Sage WMA;
• Clarifies open areas on Sherburne WMA.

Additionally, the LWFC asked LDWF to develop a survey to gather mourning dove hunting season date preferences. LDWF will begin emailing links to the survey Jan. 13.

To view the full notice of intent, all regulation changes and proposed hunting season dates for the upcoming hunting seasons, go to https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/resources/category/commission-action-items.

Public comment will be accepted through 4pm on March 6. It will also be accepted at LWFC monthly meetings from now through March 6. Comments may be submitted directly to Dr. Jeffrey Duguay, LDWF Wildlife Division, P.O. Box 98000, Baton Rouge, LA. 70898-9000 or 225-765-2353 or by e-mail at jduguay@wlf.la.gov.

LDWF will also hold a Zoom public meeting to be announced at a later date.

For more information, contact Dr. Jeffrey Duguay at 225-765-2353 or jduguay@wlf.la.gov.

January 16 marks National Nothing Day, a day dedicated to the art of doing… nothing. Created in 1973 by columnist Harold Pullman Coffin, the day encourages people to pause their busy lives and embrace stillness.

In today’s fast-paced society, where busyness is often equated with productivity, taking time to do nothing can feel counterintuitive. However, psychologists argue that intentional rest is essential for mental well-being and creativity.

“When you allow your mind to wander, you create space for reflection and innovation,” explains Dr. Amanda Lee, a mindfulness expert. Activities such as meditating, daydreaming, or simply sitting quietly can offer a mental reset.

National Nothing Day serves as a reminder to pause, reflect, and recharge—a much-needed antidote to the hustle and bustle of daily life.

By JIM BUTLER

District 3 member Cynthia Perry is the new president of the Alexandria City Council.

She was elected without opposition Tuesday evening. At-large member Jules Green was elected vice president.

Perry was re-elected to the council in the Fall elections and Green, previously a district councilman, was returned in the city/wide seat.

The council, also without dissent, replaced two members of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority.

By JIM BUTLER

It will cost Pineville $188,500 to be done with Brittany Poston Mechell.

The city’s attorney outlined for the City Council Tuesday evening the mediation process that led to that figure.

It represents payment to Mechell, a city employee at the time, for her discrimination claim following affairs with then-Mayor Rich Dupree and his Chief of Staff.

The payment includes her legal costs.

As that door closes, another opens.

The council heard a report on its annual audit that raises the issue of questionable credit card charges totaling about $25,000 during the audit year.

Those findings have been turned over to the proper authorities he said as he outlined a number of procedural changes necessary in the city’s system.

The audit report will be released by the Legislative Auditor Office in the near future.

The Alexandria Museum of Art is pleased to announce the call for entries for its 38th September Competition is officially open. Artists working in a variety of media are encouraged to apply.

About the September Competition: The 38th Annual September Competition at the Art Museum of Alexandria (AMoA) is a prestigious juried exhibition that showcases contemporary art practices across various media. Selected by a guest juror, the exhibition features works created in the last two years by outstanding artists in their respective fields. Each year, the guest juror not only curates the exhibition but also identifies three winners and three honorable mentions, which will be announced at the exhibition opening. For more details on the awards, please refer to the call for submissions.

This year’s guest juror, Erika Mei Chua Holum, serves as the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Associate Curator at the Blaffer Art Museum at the University of Houston. Holum is known for her innovative projects, including Makeshift Memorials, Small Revolutions in collaboration with KADIST San Francisco (2024), and solo exhibitions featuring artists Cian Dayrit (2024), Saif Azzuz (2025), and Ja’Tovia Gary (2026). Holum is also organizing Ecofictions and Understories (2023-24), a curatorial program exploring artistic practices focused on gathering, resistance, and regeneration, in conjunction with the Climate Migration exhibition at the Houston Climate Museum, supported by the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts. In 2024, she launched the Sahara Dust Season, an artist collective centered on knowledge-sharing influenced by Saharan dust clouds. Holum has contributed to global projects and exhibitions, including Majority Rule: Myth-making and survival strategies from AAPI artists at Sanman Studios (2023) and makibaka! Fifty Years of Filipino-American Youth Activism at Alief Art House (2021). She holds an MA in Museum and Exhibition Studies and a Master’s in Library and Information Science, and is currently completing a PhD in Art History at Rice University.

Additionally, the museum’s Collections Committee will select one work to be added to the museum’s collection. This year, a piece by local artist Laura Gates has been chosen.

Gates’s paintings delve into landscape and place, capturing the essence of the original inspiration that drives her curiosity. Working both in the studio and en plein air, she interprets the specific context of each location. Gates employs a variety of tools, including knives, to manipulate the paint, resulting in a freer and more abstract quality in her work. Regarding this particular painting, Gates shares: “There is a national wildlife refuge in the Mississippi Delta where people hunt waterfowl, deer, small game, and other species in the winter. A remarkable experience occurs when you exit the refuge, quietly easing along the levee and watching evening transform into night.”

 

Important Dates

Call for Entries: Open until April 15, 2025

Exhibition Dates: July 8, 2025 to October 4, 2025

Opening Reception: Friday, July 11, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.

For more information, visit https://bit.ly/38thcompetition

 

Contact

Alexandria Museum of Art

Dana Lyles

Director of Operations and Outreach

dana@themuseum.org

318-443-3458

The recent freezing temperatures that have moved across Louisiana have prompted the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to warn the public of potential fish kills throughout coastal and potentially inland Louisiana due to freezing water temperatures.  

If fish kills do occur, evidence of such could be delayed as fish may not be visible for a week or more after a cold kill.   

Coastal species commonly impacted by low water temperatures are Sand Seatrout (a.k.a. White Trout), Red Drum, Black Drum, and Spotted Seatrout.

“Typically, water temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than a day cause problems for Spotted Seatrout, whereas Red Drum are slightly more tolerant and will begin to experience problems when temperatures dip into the mid-30s,” explained LDWF fisheries biologist Jason Adriance. “The rate at which the water cools is also important. If fish have a chance to acclimate and move, the potential for survival is higher.”

Inland fisheries biologists are not expecting severe impacts to freshwater sport fishes, although fish kills may occur in inland waters.  There is the potential for small isolated mortality of shad due to the colder-than-normal water temperatures, but this should not pose a significant impact to the populations.

Should members of the public come across significant numbers of dead or dying fish, LDWF encourages them to contact the Department. Contact information and requested reporting specifics are available here: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/fish-kills.  Be prepared to provide name, phone number (in case additional information is needed), along with the location, including good directions to the fish kill site, the approximate quantity, and species of fish, and their condition (still dying, all dead, decomposing, etc.).

Anglers should be aware that creel and size limits remain in effect, as well as legal methods of take, and harvesting fish beyond those regulations is illegal.

It was one of those days.

The schedule for the day had me on I-20 headed west toward Shreveport. It was raining felines and canines.

Rain is not bothersome to me. I have been driving since telephones were attached to the wall. I became proficient by spending a summer driving on I-95 between Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida. I grew up in North Alabama, so I know about driving on ice and snow. While in Louisiana, I drove in tropical rainstorms and fog so dense the hood of your own vehicle disappeared. My adage is to slow down and be deliberate.

In all my years of driving, I have not one time used my emergency flashers while driving. When did the snowflakes take over our roads? Buck up, Paco! Even the truckers were using their flashers while driving on the Interstate. Where did you people learn about this abomination? Did you know it is illegal in Louisiana? Did you know it doesn’t help me see you better? Do you know it just affirms what most of us behind you already know, you can’t drive! So next time it is raining felines and canines, pull completely over to the shoulder of the road and turn on those emergency flashers to your heart’s content. I feel like Andy Rooney now! But I do feel better. Quit it!

I suppose those drivers are looking for a way to feel safe and in control in an environment in which they have little control. I have unwelcome news. There are only two things you can control. You can control your actions. You can control your attitude. That is about it.

Jesus said this, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

The Greek word for worry can be translated as “anxiety or care.” I think Jesus just told me not to “care” so much about the emergency flashers during rainstorms. Yes, I can control my attitude. You too?

The City of Pineville has partnered with the United Way of Central Louisiana to present MLK Volunteer Opportunities on Monday, Jan. 20, kicking off at 9am at 708 Main Street in Pineville. 

There will be several project opportunities for volunteers to choose from including:

• Community clean-up day: come together to help beautify the community
• Pantry of plenty: donate non-perishable food items to benefit local food pantries
• Neighborhood scavenger hunt: gather family and friends to complete this scavenger hunt in a neighborhood of choice
• Golden moments club: donate socks, boardgames, hair care, and/or nail products to local assisted living facility
• Warm hearts drive: donate gloves or blankets for unhoused neighbors

Sign up using the QR in the image above. 

WHEN: Saturday, January 18, 2025
TIME:  9 AM
WHERE: 7675 Hwy 167S, Winnfield, LA 71483

Selling for: City of Winnfield, City of Natchitoches, Local Rental Company, Contractors and Farmers
Construction Equipment, Tractors, Trucks, Trailers, Farm Equipment, 50+ Vehicles, Tools & Much More!

For more information, call Rex at 318-648-8509 or 318-471-0962 or visit us online at: www.lasyoneauctions.com 

LIVE BIDS: www.proxibid.com/lasyone

There’s something for everyone!! We hope to see you there!!
Rex Lasyone, LA lic#:1549, TX lic#: 16267

• Partial Listing: ∙ New 2024 IR LSU Golf Cart, 4 Seater, Electric, Loaded ∙ Kubota X1140 RTV, 4 Seater, Diesel ∙ Kubota RTV 500 w/bed, 4×4, Gas, 3871hrs ∙ Kubota RTV 900, Camo w/bed, 4×4, Diesel, 1407hrs ∙ Kawasaki Mule RTV, 4 Seater, 4×4, w/Bed, Diesel ∙ Several 4 Wheelers • Stratos Boat Trailer • 2007 Hummer SF97 Army Truck, 4×4, w/bed, Diesel • New Holland BR7070 Crop Cutter Round Hay Baler • New IRD25 Dump Buggy on tracks • New Holland LS160 Skidsteer • Ditch Witch 3610D Trencher w/Backhoe Attachment • Xtreme XR1045 Telescopic Forklift w/pipe clamps, 10k Capacity • John Deere 160C LC Excavator, cab/air, 6528hrs • Link-Belt LS3400 Excavator, long reach • 2022 Kubota SVL 75-2 Skid Steer on tracks, Cab/Air, 1100hrs • Barreto 401 Walk Behind Trencher • YanMar VIO 35 Excavator, Rubber Tracks, w/Hydraulic Thumb, 1200 hrs • 2007 Mack CHN613 Day Cab Truck, 320k mis • 2004 International 7300 Bucket Truck, 4×4 • 1985 Ford F-700 Dump Truck • 2010 Ford Mini Van XLT, Auto, Gas, 188033 mis • 2007 Toyota
  Tacoma Truck, 4×4, Auto, 185k mis, 4dr • 2007 Ford E-350 XLT • Passenger Van, 88k mis, one owner (from local church) • 2009 Nissan Altima • 2004 Ford Mustang Convertible • 2013 Freightliner Sleeper Truck • 2015 Ford Police Interceptor • 2016 Chevy Tahoe Police Car (2) 2016 Top Hat Bumper Trailer w/Ramps • Lowboy Trailer w/Dovetail & Ramps • 2007 Load Trail GN Car Hauler Trailer • 2011 Tiger Heavy Duty Bumper Trailer • 2000 HM Bumper Trailer, dual axle
  w/tailgate • Several Gooseneck & Bumper Trailers • Delco Steam Cleaner Pressure Washer, diesel
• New & Used Containers • Set of Metal Tracks fits JD Dozer • Pipe Racks • 4 Snatch Blocks
• Heavy Duty Spreader Chain • Bolsters for Log Trailer • 2 Dura Heat Shop Heaters • Boss Power 40KW Generator • Brush Bandit Model 150 Wood Chipper on Trailer • Detroit Diesel Engine • Terex RL4 Light Plant on Trailer, low hours • New AGT Quick Attach Forks • Genie GS-2632 Manlift • Fuel Tank on Skid • 7ft Grapple for Brush • 5ft & 6ft Bushogs • Bobcat Quick Attach Auger Attachment • Hobart Champion Generator • Truck Load 24ft Free Standing Cattle Panels • Detroit Diesel Power Unit on Trailer • Metal Shelves • 7ft Bionic Dirt Blade • Scaffolding • 3PH Cultivator • King Kutter 5ft Disk • Arts-Way 425-A Feed Mixer Grinder • Vermeer Accu-Bale Plus XL Series 605 Round Baler • Feed Troughs • Atlas Copco XAS 185 Air Compressor • 5ft Heavy Duty Disk • Vicon CM2400 Hay Cutter • Modern 6ft Quick Attach Brush Cutter • Tracks to fit Cat 262 Skid Steer • 50 joints 2 7/8 Pipe • Load of Priefert Gates & Panels • Miller Matic 35 Welder • Heavy Wall 4in & 6in Hose Pipe on Reel • 2 Approx 10,000 Gallon Steel Water Tanks on Skids • Cattle Feeder on Dual Wheels • Tools and lots more!!

BOM Bank would like to welcome Randy Deaton to our BOM team! Randy graduated in 1993 from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Business Analysis-Computer Science.

Randy retired as a Special Agen with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in July 2024 with over 25 years of service. Randy’s duty assignments included the FBI’s New York Office, New Orleans Field office, and FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Randy enjoys the outdoors, woodworking, traveling, and spending time with his wife and three children.

Welcome, Randy!

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