Whatever Sean Duffy’s gripe is his rap sheet is headed in the wrong direction.
Duffy, 50, of Boyce was booked Wednesday on charges of aggravated assault with firearm, home invasion and disturbing the peace by assault, his eighth arrest since July 4.
He had been released on $2,200 bond October 4 from charges the day before that included hit & run, failure to report an accident and other alleged traffic violations.
Actually on October 3 he was twice jailed – about 2 a.m. for alleged trespassing (bonded out about 6 a.m.), then the traffic case about 3 p.m. (bonded out at noon next day).
Bail for his current case is set at $50,500.
The nature of Duffy’s alleged crimes has inched up the severity scale since mid-summer.
In January of this year he launched an online petition campaign seeking to “stop organized stalking and harassment”.
At the time he asserted he was the victim of “organized community stalking and continuous harassment for two years.”
Duffy’s mailing address is Boyce though his residential address is in the Wilda area.
First responders who participated in the lockdown drill
Yesterday, October 10, 2024, Alexandria Country Day School conducted a lockdown drill to ensure that their students and faculty are well-prepared for an emergency. The drills are an essential part of their commitment to student safety. The practice prepares the students and staff to respond effectively in the event of any situation.
Since 2023, Country Day has used the RAVE Panic Button App, a mobile app that with the push of a button instantly communicates any type of emergency to 9-1-1, while simultaneously connecting to on-site personnel, first responders, and those involved to keep everyone including faculty and staff informed and engaged throughout an emergency situation in real time.
Thanks to the following agencies that participated in today’s lockdown drill:
Rapides Parish 911 call center
Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office
Rapides Parish Fire District No. 2
Acadian Ambulance
“Our children are our most precious treasure and we will do everything possible to keep them safe. I pray every night for God’s protection over our schools, our citizens and our Deputy Sheriff’s who answer the call every day to stand between good and evil,” stated Sheriff Mark Wood about the experience.
Rapides Parish Fire District 2 expressed that it was honored to be a part of Alexandria Country Day School’s Safety Program today. “This training will help keep us all aware of our role in keeping the children of our community safe,” they stated on their Facebook page.
The Pineville Police Department is increasing efforts to keep the community safe by deploying Community Affairs Neighborhood Liaison Officers for patrols in identified micro hot spots. The public may notice a heightened police presence in certain areas, as these targeted patrols are designed to prevent crime and enhance public safety where it’s needed most by having officers actively visiting neighborhoods to establish community contacts. The Pineville Police Department is committed to delivering a service that addresses harm, social disorder, and community safety, while providing reassurance to citizens. Their goal is to build a framework that instills confidence in the community, ensuring that Pineville remains a safe and secure place for all.
Commissioner VanDyke was honored with the 2024 Law Enforcement Officer Award by the Exchange Club of Central Louisiana, recognizing his outstanding service. With over 30 years of distinguished service at the Alexandria Police Department and more than 20 years of service in the Louisiana Army National Guard, Patrick’s dedication to protecting and serving our community is truly remarkable. This award is a testament to his leadership, commitment, and tireless efforts in law enforcement.
Prepare for a journey into the heart of darkness as the Dark Woods Haunted Attraction roars back to life in October at Dark Woods Adventure Park. This highly anticipated event promises to deliver unforgettable terror and heart-pounding fun for thrill-seekers of all ages.
This year’s event features the return of the notorious “Buried Alive!” experience, a solo virtual reality burial simulator that pushes the boundaries of fear. Visitors will be plunged into total darkness, lying in a sealed coffin as they endure their own chilling funeral. The experience is designed to test even the bravest souls, ensuring a truly unforgettable night of horror.
Beyond “Buried Alive!”, the Dark Woods Haunted Attraction promises a deep dive into the bloody and disturbing past of Hickory Ridge. The veil between worlds will be at its thinnest, unleashing nightmares that rule the darkness. Visitors will be immersed in a world of terror, confronting the evil that lurks just beyond the edge of town.
Additionally, Dark Woods Haunted Attraction unveils a brand new attraction “Alice’s Madhouse in 3D: Descent”. Step into an asylum where the boundaries of reality twist like Wonderland itself. Experience the madness in vivid 3D Chroma-Depth, a hauntingly immersive journey where nothing is as it seems. The only attraction of its kind in Louisiana, this descent into madness will leave you questioning what’s real and what’s nightmare.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring back the Dark Woods Haunted Attraction for another year of unforgettable scares,” said Jason Summerlin, Owner/Operator of Dark Woods Adventure Park. “Our team has worked tirelessly to create an experience that will push visitors to their limits and leave them screaming for more. Whether you’re a horror fan or just looking for a unique night out, this event is not to be missed.”
Don’t miss your chance to face your fears and experience the ultimate night of horror. Secure your tickets now for the Dark Woods Haunted Attraction at darkwoodshaunt.com, opening on October 4th at Dark Woods Adventure Park in Natchitoches.
About Dark Woods Adventure Park Dark Woods Adventure Park is a family-friendly outdoor destination in Natchitoches, LA, featuring a variety of activities and attractions from March to December. In addition to the Dark Woods Haunted Attraction, the park offers seasonal events, delicious food, retail shops, and outdoor activities like gem mining and mini-golf. Whether you’re looking for a day of fun or a weekend getaway, Dark Woods Adventure Park has something for everyone.
Rapides Parish Library is hosting The Lawyers in Libraries 2024 program, taking place on October 21-25, 2024. With the hopes of reaching as many patrons as possible, the RPL will be hosting in-person and by phone Ask-a-Lawyer consultations.
RPL will also be providing daily legal presentations livestreamed on the Lawyers in Libraries Facebook page by attorney volunteers, focusing on common legal issues such as tenants’ rights, divorce and custody, estate planning, etc.
Patrons will be seen on a first come first serve basis when the attorneys are present. Please call for dates and times.
**This event is presented in partnership with the Louisiana State Bar Association.**
Pineville High School will present Track or Treat on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the high school. The event promises games, candy, and scary good fun. Trick-or-treaters are directed to bring $3 or 3 canned good per trick-or-treater.
Sean Duffy, 50, Boyce — aggravated assault with firearm, aggravated assault home invasion, disturbing peace assault, $50,500 bail;
John Normand, 51, Deville — felon with firearm, criminal conspiracy 2 counts, illegal use dangerous weapon in commission of crime, home invasion, obstruction evidence tampering, $37,000 bail;
Pineville High School Theatre presents Jekyll and Hyde: The Musical this weekend. The Robert Louis Stevenson novella first got the musical treatment in 1990 and has appeared on thousands of stages since.
Surprisingly it was my first time to see the show. I understood the premise well as Dr. Jekyll (the talented Andrew Abbott) tells the audience his passion is to find out why man is both good and evil as he attempts to separate the two.
Isn’t that what we all do, at least subconsciously? Strive to pull out the good in ourselves while hiding the bad?
The rich and poor of 19th century London describe how people act – how they want others to see them, no matter who they really are inside- in “Facade.” Not much has changed in the 21st century. People still try to hide who they really are.
Not Jekyll. Using himself as a human experiment, “Transformation” brings out Hyde, the insane alternate personality who says what he wants and takes care of his enemies. Abbott is so delightfully mad I found myself cheering him on, at least at first.
I suppose that’s the problem with evil. You let a little in and it grows until the malignancy takes over your whole being. It was hard to keep rooting for Hyde once the murders started!
As Jekyll returned to himself he not only had to deal with his alternate personality but two women who were in love with him: Emma (Jessica Emmanuel Janagan) and Lucy (Chloe Burlew).
Burlew rips your heart out as a woman of the night who knows what’s expected of her belies her true desire to be loved in “Someone Like You” and “A New Life.”
But you might want to shake her during “Dangerous Game” if you ever also naively believed you’d be the one to tame the dangerous, crazy guy. Alas, it doesn’t go well for Emma either!
Burlew is just incredible, as is the entire PHS Theatre cast.
The costumes are gorgeous (check out those red dresses in “Bring on the Men”) and the scenery is beautiful. You’ll be transported in time through this musical journey of classic literature.
The show runs October 11-13 at the Pineville High auditorium. Showtimes are Friday-Saturday at 7 PM and Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets may be purchased at pinevillehightheatre.com or at the door.
Jeanni Ritchie is a contributing journalist from Central Louisiana. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
Today we wrap up National Work From Home Week. During the second week in October, the U.S. recognizes the 7 million people in the United States who don’t commute to work every day. That number continues to grow with advances in technology.
When 9 to 5 came out, the ideas implemented by Violet, Doralee, and Judy seemed progressive for the work force. Job-sharing, flexible hours, and in-office daycare meant happier employees and increased productivity but would’ve never occurred without the kidnapping of boss Frank Hart.
When 2020 hit, another unheard-of idea took the nation by a storm. Remote learning. Students tuned in online while teachers taught from the safety of their own home.
Businesses moved their services online as well and gave new meaning to the words “business casual” attire. It was the clothing version of the mullet: business on top, party on the bottom as those on video often wore dress tops with pajama bottoms and slippers. Many of those who telecommuted with audio only skipped the whole morning routine and logged on in sweats or pj’s.
Some businesses went back to reopened brick-and-mortar locations but many found cost overhead and worker productivity more desirable with remote workers than employees returning in person. Others developed a hybrid schedule with workers showing up in person periodically but working from home mostly.
A visit to a cafe or a coffee shop most mornings with find you seated near many customers working remotely from laptops. Some do it for faster wi-fi while others find it less distracting than staying at home.
Others have found working from home without half their paycheck going to childcare the only way to work outside the home. Playplaces are designed with telecommuting parents in mind, providing unlimited free play for the kids and fast wi-fi for their caregivers.
I tend to straddle the line between needing structure and flexibility. I love writing articles from the porch swing or working from the home office, especially on rainy days. But sometimes the phone and unfinished chores make it harder to concentrate so finding a quiet spot in the library or at the park is the only way to keep me on task.
I usually follow the number one rule “they” tell people who work from home: get up and dressed as if you were going into the office each day. It’s supposed to prepare you psychologically to transition to a work mindset.
Perhaps it’s all rubbish, designed for the weak to fall prey to nonsensical tripe. But I happen to believe in its subliminal power to optimize my creative output!
However you choose to work from home, celebrate it this week knowing you are part of a vast majority of workers learning to balance work-home life from the same place!
Jeanni Ritchie is a work-from-home (or the zoo or a hotel swimming pool) freelancer who can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
Lille Mae Waldon Ward January 10, 1947 – October 8, 2024 Service: Saturday, October 26, 2024, 11am at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Alexandria.
EJ Juneau January 31, 1933 – October 8, 2024 Service: Sunday, October 13, 2024, 3pm in the chapel of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home, Alexandria.
Tomekia Olean Green January 21, 1983 – September 30, 2024
Service: Saturday, October 12, 2024, 11am at Zion Hill Church Family, Pineville.
Kristoph VanZant Yaeger March 18, 1984 – September 28, 2024
Service: Saturday, October 12, 2024, 11am at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Pineville.
Patricia Ann Bayonne
March 5, 1962 – September 28, 2024
Service: Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Alexandria.
Rev. Jesse Roy Granvle , Sr. June 1, 1945 – September 27, 2024
Service: Friday, October 18, 2024, 5pm at Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church, Oakdale.
The Rapides Parish Journal publishes paid obituaries – unlimited words and a photo, as well as unlimited access – $95. Contact your funeral provider or RPJNewsla@gmail.com . Must be paid in advance of publication. (Notice of Death shown above are FREE of charge. You may email them to RPJNewsla@gmail.com)
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
In the early hours of Sunday October 6, Patrol Deputies responded to a local hospital in reference to a subject claiming to have been stabbed late Saturday evening October 5. Patrol Deputies took the initial report and Sheriff’s Detectives responded to conduct their investigation.
Information obtained from the victim’s family gave Detectives the location of the initial crime scene which occurred at a residence on Randolph Road in Forest Hill. Crime Scene Units also responded to process the scene for evidence of the crime. Through their investigation Sheriff’s Detectives were able to identify the suspect as Jose Louis Hernandez Martinez, 28 of Forest Hill. Through their investigation, Detectives were able to establish probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Martinez for Attempted 2nd Degree Murder.
With the assistance of RPSO SWAT Team, Sheriff Detectives attempted to serve the arrest warrant on Martinez at his residence, but were unable to locate him. On Monday, Martinez turned himself in to Sheriff’s Detectives where he was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center on Attempted 2nd Degree Murder. Martinez remains in jail at the time of this release being held on a $100,000 bond.
Sheriff’s Detectives say the victim remains in critical condition and the investigation is still ongoing. If anyone has any information, please contact Detective John T. DeVille at the Criminal Investigation Division-Main Office, at 318-473-6727..
Arrestee: Jose Louis Hernandez Martinez, 28 Address: 293 Chuckee Lane, Lot 2, Forest Hill, LA
Charge: Attempted 2nd Degree Murder
Tommy Carnline Chief of Staff / PIO Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office 318-308 -6594 (cell)
The Cajun Navy is accepting Disaster Relief Donations for victims of Hurricane Helene and Milton. All items must be new. The drop off location is the Forest Hill Town Hall, located at 4300 Hwy. 112 in Forest Hill.
Donations must be received no later than Friday, Oct. 11 as they will be taken to Lafayette Saturday morning, Oct. 12.
Items needed are winter clothing, toys, socks, pet food, cases of water feminine hygiene products, baby food and formula, diapers, baby and adult; cleaning supplies, buckets , mops, rakes, bungee cords, bedding, bug spray, extension cords and generators.
The Alexandria Police Department invites the public to attend its annual trick or treat event at the Public Safety Complex on Bolton Avenue on Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5:30-8 pm. Stop by, pick up some treats and visit with APD officers. It’s sure to be a fun night.
ASH senior running back JT Lindsey, who rushed for more than 100 yards against West Monroe last season, will look to lead the Trojans to their first regular-season victory over the Rebels on Friday night. (Journal photo by BRET H. MCCORMICK)
By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
The first half of the prep football season is complete, and the second half brings the start of district action.
Seven of the eight Rapides Parish football teams begin district play this week. Only Bolton Academy, which elected not to compete for honors as it transitions from a traditional high school to a K-12 academic magnet, does not begin district play this week.
The Bears, who are 0-5 on the season as they compete with a roster made up of mostly younger players without varsity football experience, will travel to Ville Platte tonight to face Sacred Heart.
Alexandria Senior High welcomes a key District 2-5A nemesis into J.L. “Butch” Stoker Stadium Friday night when West Monroe comes to town, while Pineville opens 2-5A action with a trip to Neville.
ASH and Neville, both ranked in the top 10 of the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 5A poll, are among the 10 remaining unbeaten teams in Class 5A.
ASH coach Thomas Bachman said the Trojans want to win a district championship, but in order for that to happen, they need to get off to a good start this week.
“You want to start 1-0 in district,” he said. “There are certainly a lot of great districts out there. This is certainly one of the ones at the top. … We certainly feel like the quality in our district – the quality of program, the quality of coaching – is second to none.”
The Trojans have yet to defeat West Monroe in the regular season during Bachman’s tenure at ASH, with the lone ASH victory over the Rebels coming during the 2020 postseason en route to the Trojans’ runner-up finish in Class 5A.
Long gone, though, are the blowouts that occurred early in Bachman’s time, when the Rebels would defeat ASH by four- or five-touchdown margins.
Last year, West Monroe won 28-23 in a game that many watching felt the Trojans should have won. The Rebels have won each of the past five matchups by 14 points or less.
West Monroe halted 5-0 starts by the Trojans in 2021 and 2019, and in 2018, the last time ASH began a season with a 6-0 record, that streak also was stopped by the Rebels.
Even though the Rebels are no longer the unquestioned king of District 2-5A – that title currently belongs to top-ranked Ruston, another undefeated team this season – West Monroe does still provide a challenge, especially against the Trojans’ high-powered offense.
“They’ve always tackled really well,” Bachman said. “In space, they get the ball on the ground. Sometimes when you get explosive plays because you can break tackles or make people miss, they’ve just always done a phenomenal job of limiting that.”
ASH has scored 40 or more points in every game this season, and they will lean on senior running back JT Lindsey (800 yards, 11 TDs) and sophomore quarterback Karsen Sellers (711 yards, 12 TDs, 0 INTs) as well as a strong defense led by junior linebacker Xzavier White (69 tackles).
In District 2-4A action, Tioga (2-3) opens with a trip to Monroe to face Wossman while Peabody (2-3) will travel to Grant to begin district play. Both the Indians and Warhorses are seeking their third consecutive victory.
Buckeye (3-2), which is coming off a big Squirrel Bowl victory over Menard, opens District 2-3A play at home against Vidalia on Friday.
The Eagles (2-3), meanwhile, will look to bounce back from their Squirrel Bowl defeat when they open District 4-2A play at Oakdale.
The final Rapides Parish team kicking off district play this week is Northwood-Lena (2-3), which begins District 3-1A play at Montgomery on Friday. The Gators are seeking their second straight win after a big Homecoming victory over Tensas last week.
LSAU and the City of Alexandria have partnered for the 4th year of offering free baseball and softball clinics to the youth in the community. The clinics will be held Saturday, November 16, 2024, 10-11:30am. Space is limited and will be filled on a first come first serve basis through the registration link. Drinks and lunch will be provided following the camp. Camp organizers will send out an email with important information as the event date draws closer. These camps are intended for K-8th grade.
For this country boy, the arrival of October carried with it a special meaning. It’s time to go squirrel hunting. Season opened in Louisiana last Saturday October 5.
Growing up in rural Natchitoches Parish, we had a number of choices as to where we’d go to open season. Goldonna hunters had several hickory, oak and beech-lined creeks to choose from and when I got old enough to hunt alone, my go-to spot early in season was Molideau Creek that tricked through the hardwoods half a mile from our home. Luster Creek was another near-by choice and if you wanted to mix it up with other hunters, bigger and wider Saline Creek was available.
Christmas was special; getting to shuck shoes and go barefoot in spring was exciting; going swimming in the creek for the first time was right up there. Nothing, however, could get the little hairs on the back of my neck activated better than to be able to step into dark woods on a cool October morning for opening day of squirrel season.
A squirrel is a rodent, sometimes carelessly called “tree rats.” I’m resentful when wild squirrels were treated with such disrespect. To a kid growing up in the country who had listened to his dad describe the hunt he had that morning, outwitting a wild squirrel was as big in my young eyes as a trophy buck is to some today.
As the years have gone by, something has happened to the sport of squirrel hunting. Not many kids today get to enjoy the thrill of tagging along behind dad or being able to sneak into the woods with a .22 rifle or shotgun to try to outwit a squirrel.
Sitting in a deer stand with dad watching for a buck to step out has just about eliminated the thrill of sneaking up on a squirrel and to me, that’s sad.
There are youngsters today who can sit in a stand and take a season limit of deer who would have no clue as to how to outfox a squirrel. Squirrels are usually seen as pests and nuisances as they rob feeders of deer corn or their noisy scurrying around in the woods around their deer stand disrupts enjoyment of waiting on a deer.
It’s a sad fact that the excitement and fun of squirrel hunting is not what it was when I grew up. Kids today have a plethora of stuff to occupy their time. We didn’t have computer-generated electronic gadgets to compete with what youngsters have at their disposal today. Life was simpler and we learned to enjoy what was available to us then, things like digging earthworms from dried cow patties in the cow barn and catching goggle-eyes in the creek, and squirrel hunting.
After I grew up and had kids of my own, it was a tradition on opening day of squirrel season when I came home with squirrels I had gotten to save a young tender one to fry. Side note – a fried squirrel leg will best anything Colonel Sanders could offer in the fried chicken department. Just last week, my daughter was remembering those special mornings when fried squirrel, biscuits and gravy were something she looked forward to.
Maybe I’ve become an old fuddy duddy still longing for the good old days that have passed me by and haven’t adapted to the changes of modern times. Maybe so, but it would be especially gratifying to know that there are still youngsters today who could catch the thrill of sneaking up on and downing a cat squirrel whittling beech mast, acorns or hickory nuts.
Squirrel hunting on opening day; it may be going the way of the Edsel but it carries with it memories I hope never fade away.
